Cardinals and allies (Cardinalidae)
Western Tanager
Piranga ludoviciana. Insects in the canopy; fruit in migration.
Cardinals and allies (Cardinalidae)Western TanagerPiranga ludoviciana
- Scientific name
- Piranga ludoviciana
- Length
- 6.3–7.5 in
- Weight
- 0.8–1.3 oz
- Nest
- Shallow cup far out on a conifer branch
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 3–5 eggs
- Incubation
- 13 days
- Broods
- 1 per season
Identification
- Male yellow with black wings and a flame-red head
- Female yellow-grey with pale wing bars
- Thick, pale bill
Voice
Burry, robin-like phrases; call a dry 'pit-er-ick'.
Diet and feeding
Insects in the canopy; fruit in migration.
What do western tanagers eat? · Best feeder for western tanagers
Western Tanagers by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Arizona | Summer breeder | April–July |
| British Columbia | Summer breeder | June–July |
| California | Summer breeder | April–July |
| Colorado | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Idaho | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Kansas | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Manitoba | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Montana | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Nebraska | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Nevada | Summer breeder | May–July |
| New Mexico | Summer breeder | May–July |
| North Dakota | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Northwest Territories | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Oklahoma | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Oregon | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Saskatchewan | Summer breeder | June–July |
| South Dakota | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Utah | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Washington | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Wyoming | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Yukon | Summer breeder | June–July |
Frequently asked
What do western tanagers eat?
Insects in the canopy; fruit in migration. At feeders: orange halves, grape jelly (during migration).
How big is a Western Tanager?
6.3–7.5 in long and 0.8–1.3 oz.
Do western tanagers use birdhouses?
No. Shallow cup far out on a conifer branch.
Sources
- Western Tanager — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Western Tanager life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Western 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.