western tanager

The western tanager (Piranga ludoviciana) is a bird species found in western North America. Males of this species are characterized by their striking plumage of black, yellow, and orange-red.1

Tanagers, in general, are songbirds belonging to the family Thraupidae, primarily inhabiting tropical forests and gardens in the New World. They are known for their vibrant colors, which can include reds, yellows, greens, blues, and black, often arranged in distinctive patterns. While sexes may be similar in coloration, females are frequently duller than males. Tanagers are typically arboreal, feeding on fruits and insects. The western tanager is one of three tanager species that breed in temperate North America, alongside the scarlet tanager and summer tanager.2