Whatbird.com

Hello - I am in central Indiana and took photos of this bird yesterday and today. It is feeding readily from the suet feeders (peanut, cracked corn, and sunflower), but I have not noticed it eating from any of the regular seed feeders.

I've done quite a number of online image searches (also found related threads here with photos) and think this could be a female Scarlet Tanager. I also thought it could be a type of Flycatcher because of the crested appearance in a couple pictures. After looking at it some more, I think the bird was simply ruffling its feathers, or posturing to the competition at the feeder. I had even pondered a Bell's Vireo or some type of Warbler, but don't think there are enough matching attributes for any of the flycatchers, vireos or warblers common to the area. Note the tail with slight fork, lack of distinct wing bars, perhaps sparrow sized, olive/pale yellow coloring. Iris color appears to be brown, but no distinct mask, bearding, cap, etc., to the head.

If I can get the pictures to work, will show another of it perching on a standard sized suet basket for an idea of its size.

Thanks to all who can help me clarify what bird this is!

Another picture.

You are quite correct about it being a female tanager, but it's a female Summer Tanager, not a scarlet. You can tell, among other things, by the size of the bill and the crest.

Great pictures -- where in Indiana are you?  I would love to get one of these to my feeder!

Thank you very much, Snowyowl, for the response and the valuable tip for distinguishing Summer from Scarlet!  Fantastic!

Hi IndianaBirdLover - I'm in SW Clinton County.  Technically a Frankfort mailing address, but probably closer to Dayton/Lafayette than Frankfort. 

 I had never noticed one of these Tanagers (male OR female) until just the other day after I set out a new blend of suet.  I always keep "woodpecker" blend suet stocked for the multitude of woodpeckers, but this time I put out a "berry blend" suet cake.  I was actually trying to attact an Oriole with this fruit blend suet, but then discovered per the package label that it was nothing but cracked corn with the rendered suet, and a hint of "berry scent".  I sure was duped by the packaging, but the Tanager has been all over it!  (Got the suet at Tractor Supply - can't remember the brand off the top of my head).