Female Cardinal or Male Summer Tanager, Tampa, Florida (1 Viewer)

JohnFla

Well-known member

• Jul 24, 2016

• #1

Hello guys,

First time I've seen this particular bird at my backyard feeder. I do get female and male northern cardinals from time to time, but the coloration of this bird seems different. The tail is just like the cardinal as well. I'm trying to figure out of this is a Female Northern Cardinal or a Male Summer Tanager. I appreciate your help!

Thanks,
John

 

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F

fugl

Well-known member

• Jul 24, 2016

• #2

Cardinal

 

jasperpatch

Amy, Brit in Quebec.

• Jul 24, 2016

• #3

Definitely a Cardinal, possibly even a male. They go through a moult about now, but you can just about make out the dark feathers round the beak. We have some around here with completely bald heads at the moment, they look more like miniature vultures!

 

Birdbrain22

Well-known member

• Jul 24, 2016

• #4

This is a juvenile Cardinal.

 

Jeff Hopkins

Just another...observer

• Jul 24, 2016

• #5

Birdbrain22 said:

This is a juvenile Cardinal.

Click to expand...

Agreed.

 

JohnFla

Well-known member

• Jul 25, 2016

• #6

Thank you guys. Why is the beak that color? None of the Cardinals I've seen have that color. That's what threw me off the most. Does the moult impact that as well?

 

Jeff Hopkins

Just another...observer

• Jul 25, 2016

• #7

Immature cardinals have a dark bill. It turns red after a few months.

 

JohnFla

Well-known member

• Jul 25, 2016

• #8

Ah ok I see that now. Thanks for the great info as always!