ID Keys: Rosy red overall (male), females bright yellow body with
darker wings.
The Summer Tanager is primarily a summer bird of
the southern and eastern United States, but occasionally visits the state.
They are the most widespread and common of the Tanagers found in the United
States. Summer Tanagers often feed on bees and wasps, raiding bee hives
and wasp nests, seemingly oblivious to the stinging insects.
Habitat
Open forests and woodlands, especially
those with a high number of oaks.
Diet
Primarily feeds on insects, especially in
the summer. Feeds on many bees and wasps. Will
occasionally feed on fruits and berries as well.
Behavior
Primarily forages high in the forest
canopy, moving carefully through the foliage in search of insects.
Sometimes hovers to glean insects from foliage and branches, and will also
fly out from a perch to capture flying insects in mid-air.
