Scarlet Tanager -- South Dakota Birds
| Length: 7 inches | Wingspan: 11.5 inches | Seasonality: Summer/Migrant |
| ID Keys: Brilliant scarlet body with black wings and tail (male). Female dull yellow-green with darker wings. | ||
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Scarlet Tanager
Piranga olivacea
Scarlet Tanagers are a very brightly colored bird of forests and woodlands in the eastern part of the state. Scarlet Tanagers, like the other Tanagers found in the state, are long distance migrants, wintering in South America. The brilliantly plumaged summer male undergoes a molt to the same olive green color as the female, although it retains the black colored wings in all plumages.
Habitat: Forests and woodlands, preferably large unbroken deciduous tracts. Seems especially fond of Oak and Pine in many areas.
Diet: Primarily insects, with some worms, snails, fruits, and berries.
Nesting: June and July
Breeding Map: Breeding Bird Survey map
Song: Scarlet Tanager Song
Migrations: Summers in the eastern half of the United States. Winters in South America.
Similar Species: Western Tanager, Summer Tanager
Feeders: Will come for cut fruit, nectar, and baked goods.
Status: Requires large continuous forest blocks for successful breeding. Probably in decline in highly fragmented landscapes.
Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Scarlet Tanager
2) Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Scarlett Tanager
3) eNature.com - Scarlett Tanager
Photo Information: May 26th, 2004 -- Outdoor Campus in Sioux Falls -- Terry Sohl
Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Scarlet Tanager photos.
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-Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl
This page was last edited on 02/03/08
