How to identify the Western Tanager

To correctly identify the Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana), check each of these features. Birds can be tricky: habit, habitat, and call often confirm a sighting that a single photo cannot.

Size at a glance

Length

16-19 cm (6.3-7.5 in)

Wingspan

28-30 cm (11-12 in)

Weight

24-36 g (0.8-1.3 oz)

Physical features to check

1. 1

   Plumage

   Overall feather coloration and pattern.

   Adult breeding males are unmistakable with a bright red head, brilliant yellow body, and black back, wings, and tail. The wings have two prominent bars: a broad yellow bar and a narrower white bar. Adult females and non-breeding males are duller, typically yellowish-green on the head and back, with a yellow rump and underparts, and blackish wings with two wing bars (yellow and white, or sometimes just yellow).

2. 2

   Beak shape

   Shape and color of the bill: a key field mark.

   Conical, relatively stout, and pointed; pale horn-colored to yellowish.

3. 3

   Eye color

   Iris color and any distinctive eye markings.

   Dark brown.

4. 4

   Leg color

   Leg and foot color.

   Grayish-blue to dark gray.

5. 5

   Distinguishing features

   Standout features that separate this species.

   The combination of yellow body, black wings with two wing bars (yellow and white), and the male's red head are key. The pale bill is also a good field mark.

6. 6

   Juvenile appearance

   How young birds differ from adults.

   Juveniles resemble adult females but are often duller, with streaky underparts and less defined wing bars. They gradually acquire adult plumage over their first year.

7. 7

   Seasonal changes

   Plumage variation between breeding and non-breeding seasons.

   Breeding males have a fiery red head. After breeding, males undergo a prebasic molt, losing much of the red on the head, which becomes more yellowish-orange, and their body plumage becomes duller yellow. Females show less dramatic seasonal change, remaining largely yellowish-green year-round, though their plumage may appear fresher after molt.

8. 8

   Sexual dimorphism

   How males and females differ.

   Pronounced. Males are much more brightly colored, especially during breeding season, with a red head and vivid yellow body. Females are predominantly yellowish-green with less distinct wing bars and no red on the head.

Key field marks

• Male Plumage (Breeding). Look for the unmistakable combination of a bright red head, brilliant yellow body, and black back, wings, and tail. Note the two distinct wing bars: a broad yellow bar and a narrower white bar.
• Female/Immature Plumage. Identify by the yellowish-green head and back, yellow rump and underparts, and blackish wings with two wing bars (yellow and white). The pale, conical bill is also a good clue.
• Wing Bars. The presence of two distinct wing bars (yellow and white) on blackish wings is a key field mark for both sexes and all ages, distinguishing it from other tanager species in North America.
• Bill Color. The pale, often yellowish or horn-colored, conical bill is a useful identification feature, especially for females and immatures.
• Song. Listen for the distinctive, hoarse, burry song, often described as a 'robin with a sore throat' – 'chick-churr, chick-churr'.
• Call. Listen for the dry, rolling 'pit-er-ick' or 'prr-it' call, often given in flight or while foraging.
• Habitat. In western North America, look for them in coniferous or mixed forests during the breeding season. During migration, they can be found in a wider variety of wooded habitats.

Explore the Western Tanager