Summer Tanager
Piranga rubra
The Summer Tanager's song is often remarked upon as that of a lazy robin. Lazy, indeed, may describe this bird as it can often be difficult to spot, preferring to stay perched in the tree-tops for extended periods of time. A fun fact: the Summer Tanager has no fear of stinging insects, and often raids wasp nests and beehives!
Feeding: Diet consists almost exclusively of insects, although berries may be eaten occasionally. As mentioned above, the Summer Tanager's favorite food are wasps and bees, whose nests and hives it often raids for a meal. Other insects are sometimes eaten, however, including grasshoppers, flies and spiders.
Parenting: Males typically sing to defend their nesting territory, and nests are typically located in a tree along a horizontal branch. While the female builds the nest alone, the male often escorts her during material gathering. The nest is shallow, loose cup of grass, stems, leaves and spider webs. Three to five eggs are common per brood, and young are fed by both parents. Because of their secretive nature, it isn't widely known when the young leave their nest.
When Can I See It? The Summer Tanager, as its name suggests, is visible during the early summer months in our area, between May and June, though it can be seen less frequently between July and August. More information is visible in our Sighting Table.
Information courtesy of The Audobon Society. Photo courtesy of The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.