Western Tanager
Despite its striking markings of red, yellow, and black, the slow-moving Western Tanager is a surprisingly inconspicuous bird of the western forests.

The Western Tanager breeds from southern Northwest Territories and southeastern Alaska southward through western states, and eastward to western Manitoba, Black Hills of South Dakota, and western Texas where it prefers open coniferous and mixed deciduous-coniferous forests. The Western Tanager breeds farther north than any other member of its mostly tropical family, breeding to nearly 60° N in the Northwest Territories. The Western Tanager winters from central Mexico through Costa Rica and some individuals winter in southern California. It prefers open mountain pine woodlands, second growth, and parks and gardens.
Western Tanager Range Map

The Western Tanager's song is a series of short, burry syllables, reminiscent of a robin with a sore throat while it's call is a "pit-er-ick."

The Western Tanager moves slowly and deliberately through foliage foraging for insects. In addition to insects, the Western Tanager will come to bird feeders stocked with fruit.

Attracting Tanagers

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