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Scarlet Tanager

Piranga olivacea

Least Concern (IUCN Red List)Cardinals and Allies
Scarlet Tanager, photographed by brian stahls

Photo: brian stahls · iNaturalist · CC-BY-NC 4.0 (licence)

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Call and song

About the Scarlet Tanager

Breeding males are unmistakable: brilliant red with black wings and tail. Females and nonbreeding males are dull yellow-olive with dark wings (blacker on males, grayer on females). Compare with female Summer Tanager, which has a longer bill and less contrast between wing and body color. Breeds in mature deciduous forests, usually staying high in the canopy. Migrants are also usually found in mature woodlands. Winters in northern South America. Occasionally visits feeders in the spring, especially after periods of rain or cold weather. Listen for burry song, like an American Robin with a sore throat.

Species account: eBird.org, fetched 2025-12-26 · How these pages are made

Where it has been recorded

Recorded in 49 of the 253 countries we have eBird lists for. Each opens that country's checklist.

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