Some kind of Tanager - Backyard Queens NY.... (1 Viewer)

AsterixnObelix

Well-known member

• Oct 4, 2008

• #1

Looking outside enjoying the new fall visitors, I spotted this bird, which after studying and photographing, has me thinking of "morphing" Summer Tanager?? I would appreciate confirmation of the ID. As always, thanks in advance.

 

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birderbf

Wild, Wild West ................... ern Spindalis

• Oct 4, 2008

• #2

Summer Tanagers in this plumage would be more uniform green above, without the bicolored beak. Yours is the more common (for the area) Scarlet.

 

durham giant

Well-known member

• Oct 4, 2008

• #3

seconded

 

Birdingcraft

Well-known member

• Oct 4, 2008

• #4

Me too for Scarlet Tanager. Note the dark wings and smaller beak as well.

 

AsterixnObelix

Well-known member

• Oct 4, 2008

• #5

Cool...thanks everyone for your input.

 

JANJ

Well-known member

• Oct 4, 2008

• #6

Just curious - can a female Scarlet have such red in it´s plumage?
Adult male Scarlet in full non-breeding plumage have no red and is female like exept for jetblack wings. A formative male is unlikely to have moulted in so many red feathers at this time of year (?) and differ from adult male in the partial moult:

http://www.westol.com/~banding/SCTA_HYM_wingtaillimits_090904a.jpg

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=123251&highlight=Scarlet+tanager

I did consider a red female Summar Tanager, eastern birds are smaller billed.

JanJ

 

AsterixnObelix

Well-known member

• Oct 4, 2008

• #7

JANJ said:

Just curious - can a female Scarlet have such red in it´s plumage?
Adult male Scarlet in full non-breeding plumage have no red and is female like exept for jetblack wings. A formative male is unlikely to have moulted in so many red feathers at this time of year (?) and differ from adult male in the partial moult:

http://www.westol.com/~banding/SCTA_HYM_wingtaillimits_090904a.jpg

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=123251&highlight=Scarlet+tanager

I did consider a red female Summar Tanager, eastern birds are smaller billed.

JanJ

Click to expand...

JanJ - I did not think this through as technically as you did in your post; however, I did look at the picture of the Scarlet Male in molt before posting...this was the photo that I had posted earlier in the year, which you referenced. The red in this bird that I photographed this morning did have me leaning towards Summer Tanager and that is why in my lead post I asked if it was possible. I would like to hear what the other posters have to say about your comments. Thanks again for your feedback.

 

birderbf

Wild, Wild West ................... ern Spindalis

• Oct 4, 2008

• #8

Very interesting points JANJ! I'm still seeing a Scarlet Tanager, I think (!), but exactly what gender and age is completely beyond me!

 

njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Oct 5, 2008

• #9

Pyle describes Scarlet Tanager adult male in basic plumage (Aug-Mar) as "occasionally breast/rump tinged orange, or underparts with one or more red feathers. Black eye-brow sometimes present" -- I think I see a hint of the latter.

Niels

 

Birdingcraft

Well-known member

• Oct 5, 2008

• #10

Although eastern Summer Tan are smaller billed, the bill and head still appear noticeably larger and "blockier" than Scarlet Tan. Summer Tans also lack the dark contrasting wings and tail this bird shows.

 

JANJ

Well-known member

• Oct 5, 2008

• #11

I do belive the tanager is a Scarlet and I know that molting males (in to basic) can have a few to many reddish feathers, depending on given time of moult. However they have a black wing:

http://www.pbase.com/marq/image/86606551

as oposed to a first basic formative male:

http://www.westol.com/~banding/SCTA_HYM_wingtaillimits_090904a.jpg

So the interesting thing IMO is the age and sex of this bird. The mixture of blackish, reddish and greenins feathers in the wing and body.

What do you say Chris if you see this one?

JanJ