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To the Beauty of Birds

The Summer Tanager Piranga rubra is a medium-sized American songbird. Formerly placed in the tanager family Thraupidae, it and other members of its genus are now classified in the cardinal family Cardinalidae. The species plumage and vocalizations are similar to other members of the cardinal family.
Adults have stout pointed bills and measure 6.7 inches in length and 1.0 oz in weight. Adult males are rose; females are orangish on the underparts and olive on top, with olive-brown wings and tail.

The Summer Tanager and other members of its genus are now classified in the cardinal family (Cardinalidae). The species' plumage and vocalizations are similar to other members of the cardinal family.
Their breeding habitat is open wooded areas, especially with oaks across the southern United States extending as far north as Iowa. These birds migrate to Mexico, Central America and northern South America.
Adults have stout pointed bills. Males are rose red and similar in appearance to the Hepatic Tanager although the latter has a dark bill. Females are orangish on the under parts and olive on top, with olive-brown wings and tail. As with all other birds, all red and orange colorations are acquired through their diet.
These birds are often out of sight, foraging high in trees, sometimes flying out to catch insects in flight. They were also fruit eaters.

Photos in the 4 to 142 range were taken at the Santa Rita Lodge in Madera Canyon, AZ.

Summer Tanager