Scarlet Tanager (Male) - Piranga olivacea

I think? I am wondering about my ID because of those red marks on the black part of the wing. I've never noticed that feature in a scarlet tanager before.

Habitat: Mulberry tree; rural yard

comments (4)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Might be a young male:

"Young males briefly show a more complex, variegated plumage intermediate between adult males and females." Posted 3 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Interesting, thanks!
  
  There's a photo of a male on this website with similar plumage:
  https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Scarlet_Tanager/id Posted 3 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Described as left-over from moulting into breeding plumage. Looks like they're horny feathers. Posted 3 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      Perfect. He defintely fit that description. Posted 3 years ago

The Scarlet tanager

The scarlet tanager is a medium-sized American songbird. Until recently, it was placed in the tanager family, but it and other members of its genus are now classified as belonging to the cardinal family. The species' plumage and vocalizations are similar to other members of the cardinal family, although the "Piranga" species lacks the thick conical bill that many cardinals possess.

Info 6 0

Similar species: Perching Birds

Species identified by Christine Young