Scarlet Tanager in January
Where scarlet tanagers are in January, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
January in the Scarlet Tanager's year
January is the coldest month across most of the US and Canada. Natural food is at its scarcest — insects are dormant, many seed heads are stripped, and snow cover hides what remains. Birds concentrate where food is reliable, which makes this the single best month to watch a well-stocked feeding station.
For the Scarlet Tanager specifically, January is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 37 states and provinces where scarlet tanagers occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where scarlet tanagers are in January
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- mostly absent (migration only)
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In January, scarlet tanagers are absent in the South, mostly absent (migration only) across the mid-latitudes, and absent in the northern states and Canada. That north–south split is the defining feature of this month: where you live changes which version of this bird you're looking at.
Nesting in January
Scarlet tanagers are not nesting in January. The season runs May–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, scarlet tanagers put their energy into feeding and flocking rather than territory and young — which is exactly what makes them easier to watch and attract this month.
What to feed in January
- Migrates to South America
A treetop bird that drops to birdbaths and jelly feeders during spring migration, especially after storms.
Keep feeders consistently filled; birds add dependable stations to their daily foraging routes and suffer when one suddenly runs empty during a cold snap. High-energy foods matter most now.
Full Scarlet Tanager diet guide → · Best feeder for scarlet tanagers →
Watching scarlet tanagers this month
Scarlet tanagers are settled and predictable in January, which makes this a good month to learn the bird's routine — same feeders, same perches, same times of day.
The state guides below show exactly where in your region scarlet tanagers are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Scarlet Tanager month by month
Scarlet Tanager by state
Frequently asked
Where are scarlet tanagers in January?
In January, scarlet tanagers are absent in the South, mostly absent (migration only) across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do scarlet tanagers nest in January?
No — scarlet tanagers typically nest May through July at mid-latitudes.
What do scarlet tanagers eat in January?
Migrates to South America.
Sources
- Scarlet Tanager — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Scarlet Tanager life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- 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.