Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana). This is a bird I have yet to see in my birding expeditions around Everett. According to the Seattle Audubon Society (2002) the Western Tanager is of the Order: Passeriformes, and the Family: Thraupidae. It is further noted that this species has been observed as increasing since 1966. It is for this reason that the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has listed this species as one of least concern.
So how does one recognize a Western Tanager?
Western Tanagers have a finch-like body that is stockier and heavier than other songbirds. Though a small bird they are also noticeably larger than warblers. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (2011) they also sport short, thick-based bills and medium-length tails. Adult males have flaming red-orange heads with yellow bodies, as well as black wings, backs, and tails. In addition, the wings have two bold wing bars; the upper one [is] yellow and the lower [one] is white (All About Birds 2011). Adult females only have red on the front of their faces. Also the yellow of their bodies is more of a yellow-green. This makes the females appear more subdued. The Seattle Audubon Society (2002) states that all of the dark markings [that] are solid black on mature males [are] grey to brown on females and juveniles. Juveniles in fact lack any red. Western Tanagers like to remain in the treetops, or canopy. Up there they eat numerous insects, some fruit, berries, and on occasion buds. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology (2011) asserts that Western Tanagers prefer coniferous and mixed coniferous-deciduous woodlands for foraging, breeding and nesting. These birds are described as being monogamous pairs, yet the females do the majority of the work from finding a suitable nesting site to building the nest. After breeding the females will generally lie between 3 to 5 eggs. However the males are attentive and protective of the females during nest building and egg-laying. In fact both males and females will protect their territory, as well as rear the young, which usually takes in total about five weeks, from hatching to a couple of weeks after fledging.
As you can see by the range map to the left Western Tanagers are quite common in Washington State between May and September. One might see a Western Tanager along the Northwest Pacific Coast, thru the Puget Trough, all over the Cascade Mountains, in the Okanogan Hills, and the Blue Mountains. Commonly their song gets mistaken for that of the American Robin. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (2011) when listening for a Western Tanagers song or call one should, listen for a loud, hoarse, rising-and- following song of two-, three-, or four-note phrases. Their calls have a more rattling sound, which get referred to as the Pit-it-it, Pititik-pititur, and Tu-weep (All About Birds 2011). To hear the various bird songs and calls check out this link http://www.allaboutbirds.org/gui de/Western_Tanager/sounds.
Was there anything learned that was a surprise? The short answer to that question is yes! First, on this list, is the fact that the Western Tanager is the most northerly of the species. Second, is that the males will tumble past females in a courtship ritual, where their bright plumage flashes yellow and black. This antic is a most eye-catching display. Thirdly, the Western Tanager gets its scarlet head feathers from a rare pigment called rhodoxanthin (All About Birds 2011). They get this pigment from the insects that make up their diet, as they are unable to create the substance within their own bodies.
References All About Birds [Internet]. (2011). The Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Cornell University; [2014; N/A] Available from: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/Page.aspx?pid=1189. Bird Web [Internet]. (2002-2005). Phase I & Phase II. Seattle, WA: Seattle Audubon Society; [Date Cited: May 7, 2014]. Available from: http://www.birdweb.org/birdweb/bird/western_tanager.