Perch Supply
Cardinals and allies (Cardinalidae)

Scarlet Tanager

Piranga olivacea. Insects gleaned high in oaks; fruit in migration.

Cardinals and allies (Cardinalidae)Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivacea
Scientific name
Piranga olivacea
Length
6.3–6.7 in
Weight
0.8–1.3 oz
Nest
Shallow cup on a horizontal branch, 20–30 ft up
Entrance hole
Does not use nest boxes
Clutch
3–5 eggs
Incubation
12–14 days
Broods
1 per season

Identification

  • Male scarlet-red with jet-black wings and tail
  • Female yellow-green with darker wings
  • Both have a thick, pale bill

Voice

Burry, robin-like phrases; call a distinctive 'chip-burr'.

Diet and feeding

Insects gleaned high in oaks; fruit in migration.

What do scarlet tanagers eat? · Best feeder for scarlet tanagers

Scarlet Tanagers by state and province

RegionStatusNesting
AlabamaSummer breederApril–July
ArkansasSummer breederMay–July
ConnecticutSummer breederMay–July
DelawareSummer breederMay–July
GeorgiaSummer breederApril–July
IllinoisSummer breederMay–July
IndianaSummer breederMay–July
IowaSummer breederMay–July
KentuckySummer breederMay–July
LouisianaSummer breederApril–July
MaineSummer breederJune–July
ManitobaSummer breederJune–July
MarylandSummer breederMay–July
MassachusettsSummer breederMay–July
MichiganSummer breederMay–July
MinnesotaSummer breederJune–July
MississippiSummer breederApril–July
MissouriSummer breederMay–July
New BrunswickSummer breederJune–July
New HampshireSummer breederJune–July
New JerseySummer breederMay–July
New YorkSummer breederMay–July
Newfoundland and LabradorSummer breederJune–July
North CarolinaSummer breederMay–July
Nova ScotiaSummer breederJune–July
OhioSummer breederMay–July
OntarioSummer breederJune–July
PennsylvaniaSummer breederMay–July
Prince Edward IslandSummer breederJune–July
QuebecSummer breederJune–July
Rhode IslandSummer breederMay–July
South CarolinaSummer breederApril–July
TennesseeSummer breederMay–July
VermontSummer breederJune–July
VirginiaSummer breederMay–July
West VirginiaSummer breederMay–July
WisconsinSummer breederJune–July

Frequently asked

What do scarlet tanagers eat?

Insects gleaned high in oaks; fruit in migration. At feeders: oranges and grape jelly (rarely, during migration).

How big is a Scarlet Tanager?

6.3–6.7 in long and 0.8–1.3 oz.

Do scarlet tanagers use birdhouses?

No. Shallow cup on a horizontal branch, 20–30 ft up.

Sources

  1. Scarlet Tanager — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  2. Scarlet Tanager life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  3. Scarlet Tanager — Audubon Guide to North American Birds

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.