Western spindalis (Spindalis zena)

The western spindalis , formerly called the stripe-headed tanager, is a songbird species. ''S. zena'' formerly included other species of spindalis, as well.

The spindalises were traditionally considered aberrant tanagers of the family Thraupidae, but like the equally enigmatic bananaquit , they are often treated as ''incertae sedis'' among the nine-primaried oscines.

The male is brightly colored with a black and white horizontally striped head and contrasting burnt orange throat,.. more