ODNR Division of Wildlife - A to Z Species Guide - Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanager

Photo by Jim McCormac

The scarlet tanager's songs are easily enough heard and can give away their presence. While somewhat robin-like in phrasing and tempo, their song has a rough, burry quality and has often been likened to a "robin with a sore throat."

Listen

Scarlet Tanager

Piranga olivacea

At-a-Glance

• Incubation: 13-14 days

• Clutch Size: 3-5 eggs

• Young Fledge: 9-11 days after hatching

• Typical Foods: insects and fruit

Description
In breeding plumage, the males are a brilliant red with black wings and tails. The females are olive green and yellow with dark wings and tails. Males look more like females in the winter.

Habitat and Habits
The scarlet tanager's preferred habitat is medium to large tracts of deciduous forest, but it can also be found in riparian corridors and second growth woods.

Reproduction and Care of the Young
Breeding scarlet tanagers build nests in the canopies of mature deciduous woodlands. Clutches are laid in May and June and fledglings appear during late June and early July.