Diet
What do western tanagers eat?
Insects in the canopy; fruit in migration.
Cardinals and allies (Cardinalidae)Western TanagerPiranga ludoviciana
Spring and summer diet
- Wasps, beetles, caterpillars and bees
Fall and winter diet
- Migrates to Central America
Best feeder foods
- Orange halves
- Grape jelly (during migration)
Drops from the treetops to oranges, jelly and birdbaths during spring migration, especially in dry country.
Frequently asked
What do western tanagers eat?
Insects in the canopy; fruit in migration.
What is the best food to feed western tanagers?
Orange halves, Grape jelly (during migration).
What do western tanagers eat in winter?
Migrates to Central America.
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.