Western Tanager

Piranga ludoviciana

Habitat 3

Most common in old-growth White Spruce forests, which are struc- turally complex with standing and fallen dead trees, and abundant tall shrubs.

Distribution 3

Yukon: Most common in the southeast in the La Biche and Beaver river areas, becoming uncommon to rare westward to Upper Liard and Rancheria.
North America: Breeds throughout much of forested western North America from southeastern Alaska and southern NWT to the Mexican border.
Global: Winters from Baja California and central Mexico to Costa Rica.

Distinguishing Features 3

Breeding male has distinctive red head and yellow underparts. Female has a greenish back and yellow undersides. Both have conspicuous wing bars. Male’s song is similar to that of an American Robin, but burrier and faster.

Report Sightings: During breeding season (June - July) 3

Sources and Credits

  1. (c) Jerry Oldenettel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/7457894@N04/2478631560
  2. (c) Laurel PARSHALL, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/llp_unesolitaire/9349982570/
  3. (c) L.G. Johanson, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

More Info

iNaturalist.ca Map

Color black, red, yellow
Animal Bird
Bird Cardinals (Cardinalidae)