How to identify the Scarlet Tanager

To correctly identify the Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea), 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

25-29 cm (9.8-11.4 in)

Weight

25-38 g (0.9-1.3 oz)

Physical features to check

1. 1

   Plumage

   Overall feather coloration and pattern.

   Breeding male: Brilliant scarlet red body with jet black wings and tail. Non-breeding male (eclipse plumage): Yellowish-green body with black wings and tail, often with some residual red. Female: Olive-yellow body, brighter yellow on underparts, with dusky olive-brown wings and tail. Immature: Similar to female, but duller.

2. 2

   Beak shape

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

   Conical, relatively stout, pale horn-colored to yellowish, sometimes darker on the culmen.

3. 3

   Eye color

   Iris color and any distinctive eye markings.

   Dark brown

4. 4

   Leg color

   Leg and foot color.

   Dark gray to blackish

5. 5

   Distinguishing features

   Standout features that separate this species.

   The stark contrast between the male's scarlet body and black wings/tail is unmistakable. Females and non-breeding males are distinguished from other tanagers by their relatively plain plumage and lack of wing bars.

6. 6

   Juvenile appearance

   How young birds differ from adults.

   Juveniles resemble adult females but are duller, with streaky underparts and often a more brownish wash to the wings and tail. Young males will gradually acquire patches of red during their first fall and spring.

7. 7

   Seasonal changes

   Plumage variation between breeding and non-breeding seasons.

   Males exhibit dramatic seasonal changes. Breeding plumage (scarlet and black) is worn from spring arrival through mid-summer. Post-breeding, they molt into an eclipse plumage (yellowish-green with black wings/tail) before migrating. Females show less dramatic seasonal change, remaining olive-yellow year-round, though their plumage may appear fresher in spring.

8. 8

   Sexual dimorphism

   How males and females differ.

   Pronounced. Males are brilliant scarlet and black during breeding season, while females are olive-yellow and dusky. Males undergo a complete molt into an eclipse plumage (yellowish-green) in late summer before migrating.

Key field marks

• Male Breeding Plumage. Look for the unmistakable combination of brilliant scarlet red body and contrasting jet black wings and tail. This is the easiest and most striking identification feature.
• Female/Non-breeding Male Plumage. Observe the overall olive-yellow coloration, brighter on the underparts, with dusky olive-brown wings and tail. Crucially, note the absence of wing bars, which helps distinguish it from Western Tanager and some other species. Non-breeding males will have black wings and tail, contrasting with their yellowish-green body.
• Song. Listen for the distinctive, somewhat hoarse, robin-like song, often described as sounding like a robin with a sore throat. It's a series of short, choppy phrases.
• Call. Learn the characteristic 'chip-churr' or 'chip-burr' call. This is often the first indication of a Scarlet Tanager's presence, especially when it's hidden in the canopy.
• Habitat. Focus your search in mature deciduous or mixed forests with a dense canopy. They are often found high in the trees.
• Behavior. Watch for birds foraging high in the canopy, gleaning insects from leaves and branches. They can be quite elusive despite their bright coloration.

Explore the Scarlet Tanager