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Summer or Scarlet Tanager?

Last post 04-22-2008, 6:42 PM by Fiesty-in-the-Field. 7 replies.
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  •  04-22-2008, 10:55 AM 33679

    Summer or Scarlet Tanager?

    Attachment: stuff 2194.jpg
    In NE Louisiana this morning.
  •  04-22-2008, 11:08 AM 33680 in reply to 33679

    Re: Summer or Scarlet Tanager?

    Looks good for Summer Tanager.
  •  04-22-2008, 11:08 AM 33681 in reply to 33679

    Re: Summer or Scarlet Tanager?

    I think I see black on the wings, that would be a scarlet. The lighting makes this more difficult.
  •  04-22-2008, 11:25 AM 33684 in reply to 33681

    Re: Summer or Scarlet Tanager?

    The lighting is difficult. The wings are not that dark, but are definitely not red, that is what is confusing.
  •  04-22-2008, 11:26 AM 33685 in reply to 33679

    Re: Summer or Scarlet Tanager?

    The Scarlet Tanager has black wings.  I think this bird is a Summer Tanager.  I heard one at my house over the weekend but havent' seen it yet
    Matthew 6:26
  •  04-22-2008, 11:45 AM 33688 in reply to 33685

    Re: Summer or Scarlet Tanager?

    Attachment: suta-2194.jpg
    I cropped and reprocessed the photo and it appears to have greenish or olive wings.  The bird has enough red on it, that even an immature Scarlet should have jet black wing coverts.  This bird does not.  There is a variable first spring plumage of male Summer Tanager which has a patchwork of red green and yellow with no two looking exactly alike.  I think this is one of those.


    Joseph Morlan
    Fall Birding Classes in San Francisco start September 9
  •  04-22-2008, 4:36 PM 33728 in reply to 33679

    Re: Summer or Scarlet Tanager?

    Definitely a Summer tanager.
  •  04-22-2008, 6:42 PM 33747 in reply to 33728

    Re: Summer or Scarlet Tanager?

    You guys are good!!  I love this forum !!!  I've been birding about three years now and a member of whatbird.com for almost two years and if there is a lesson that we can all learn from this post and others like it is that there are so many plumage variations for each species.  We can look at a stereotypical picture in a field guide....and with that picture in mind realize the true diversity and individuality and personality of each bird we encounter.  I learn so much from this forum everyday because of everyone who shares their pictures and descriptions and stories and because of everyone who responds!!!  HAPPY EARTH DAY!!!!
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