Summer Tanager
The Summer Tanager is a medium-sized songbird that breeds across the southern United States and winters from Mexico to South America, with adult males displaying entirely rose-red plumage and females showing warm yellow-olive coloration, known for its specialized feeding behavior of catching bees and wasps in mid-air before removing their stingers.
Piranga rubra
Scientific Name
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies) - formerly placed in Thraupidae
Family
Passeriformes
Order
P. r. rubra
Subspecies. Eastern North America
P. r. cooperi
Subspecies. Western North America
Range and Habitat of Summer Tanager
Geographic Range
The Summer Tanager breeds across the southern United States from California to Florida, south through Mexico. It winters from central Mexico through Central America to Bolivia and Amazonian Brazil. Some populations in Mexico and Central America may be resident.
Migratory Patterns
This is a long-distance Neotropical migrant. Fall migration occurs from August to November with peak passage in September-October. Spring migration spans March to May with peak in April. Winter residents arrive in September-October and depart in April-May. Some individuals may oversummer in Costa Rica without breeding.
Preferred Habitat
During winter in Costa Rica, Summer Tanagers inhabit forest edges and light gaps, secondary growth and regenerating forests, gardens and urban parks with trees, shade coffee and cacao plantations, riparian forests and gallery forests, and semi-open areas with scattered trees. They avoid dense forest interior and completely open areas.
Altitude Range
The species occurs from sea level to 2,400 m elevation in Costa Rica, though most common below 1,500 m. During migration, it may appear at any elevation following mountain passes.
Costa Rica Habitat
In Costa Rica, the Summer Tanager occurs throughout the country as a winter resident and passage migrant. It is found in all provinces from sea level to middle elevations. Common locations include the Central Valley, Guanacaste dry forests, Caribbean lowlands, Pacific slope from Guanacaste to the Osa Peninsula, and forest edges throughout the country. The species is widespread during migration periods.
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Conservation Status
Population Status
The global population is estimated at 13 million individuals and is considered stable to slightly declining. Costa Rica hosts a significant portion of the wintering population.
Major threats include habitat loss on both breeding and wintering grounds. Deforestation in Central America reduces winter habitat quality.
Conservation efforts
Protected areas throughout Costa Rica provide important wintering habitat.
Primary Threats
Major threats include habitat loss on both breeding and wintering grounds. Deforestation in Central America reduces winter habitat quality.
Summer Tanager Identification
How to Identify the Species
Rarity Level:
CommonBest Viewing Times:
Early Morning (Dawn - 8 AM), Afternoon (2 PM - 5 PM)
Size
The Summer Tanager measures 17-19 cm in total length, making it the largest of the regular tanagers in Costa Rica. Males weigh 28-32 g while females weigh 26-30 g.
Plumage
Adult males are entirely rose-red to deep red, lacking the black wings and tail of the similar Scarlet Tanager. The color is richest on the crown and upperparts, slightly paler on the underparts. Adult females are variable in color but typically olive-yellow above and yellow to orange-yellow below, with some individuals showing orange tones throughout.
Distinctive Features
The species has a relatively large, pale horn-colored to yellowish bill measuring 16-18 mm, noticeably thick at the base. The bill often shows a slight “tooth” on the cutting edge, used for processing prey. The lack of obvious wing bars in adults distinguishes it from other tanagers.
Sexual Dimorphism
This species shows extreme sexual dimorphism. Males are entirely red while females are yellow-green to orange-yellow. First-year males in transitional plumage can be confusing, showing patches of both colors.
Diet and Feeding Behavior
Primary Diet
- The Summer Tanager has a varied diet consisting of insects, particularly bees and wasps (a specialty), beetles, caterpillars, grasshoppers, and flying termites. It also consumes fruits including figs, Cecropia fruits, various berries, and cultivated fruits. The species is famous for its ability to catch and eat stinging Hymenoptera.
Foraging Techniques
- This tanager employs various foraging strategies. It catches flying insects in aerial sallies from exposed perches, a behavior unusual among tanagers. It gleans insects from foliage while methodically searching branches and removes stingers from bees and wasps by beating them against branches.
Feeding Times
- Peak foraging occurs during early morning from 6:00-10:00 and late afternoon from 15:00-18:00. The species feeds throughout the day when prey is abundant, particularly during termite emergences.
Behavior Patterns
Summer Tanager
Social Structure
Winter behavior differs from breeding season. Birds are usually solitary in winter territories, though loose aggregations form at abundant food sources. During migration, small flocks of 5-10 individuals may travel together. The species regularly joins mixed-species foraging flocks with resident tanagers and other birds. Individuals often return to the same winter territories annually.
Song and Vocalization
Males sing occasionally on winter grounds, particularly in spring before migration. The song consists of rich, robin-like phrases “chicky-tucky-tuck” repeated. The common call is a distinctive “pit-ti-tuck” or “pik-i-tuk-i-tuk.” Flight call is a soft “pit-pit.”
Courtship and Mating Ritual
Courtship occurs on breeding grounds in North America, not in Costa Rica. However, pre-migratory restlessness and increased singing occur in April-May. Males may chase females during spring migration through Costa Rica.
Territoriality
Individual birds maintain loose winter feeding territories of 1-3 hectares, defended primarily through displacement rather than aggression.
Birdwatching Tips
Best Locations for Spotting Summer Tanager
Excellent locations include gardens and parks in the Central Valley, La Selva Biological Station edges and clearings, Monteverde area at lower elevations, Carara National Park and surroundings, Wilson Botanical Garden, Manuel Antonio National Park, Hotel Bougainvillea grounds near San José, Santa Rosa National Park, Sarapiquí region forest edges, and various lodge gardens throughout the country.
Best Time of the Year
Best viewing occurs from September to April when wintering birds are present. Peak abundance during migration in September-October and March-April. December through February offers stable wintering populations.
Common Behavior
Look for red males or yellowish females at forest edges and in gardens. Watch for sallying behavior as birds catch flying insects. Check fruiting trees where multiple individuals may gather.
Recommended Gear
Essential equipment includes 8×42 binoculars adequate for most observations and a camera with 300-400mm lens for photography. The species is generally easy to observe and identify.
Breeding and Nesting Behavior
Breeding Season
Breeding occurs after spring migration from Costa Rica, primarily in the southern United States from California to Florida, and northern Mexico.
Nesting Sites
Not applicable for Costa Rica, as the species only winters and migrates through the country. The nest is built solely by the female on a horizontal tree branch, typically 3-10 meters high (occasionally up to 20 meters).
Clutch Size
Females lay 3-5 eggs, typically 3-4.
Incubation Period
11-12 days
Parental Care
The female alone incubates while the male provides food and defends territory from prominent perches. Both parents feed nestlings, bringing insects including bees, wasps, caterpillars, and beetles. The male's specialized bee and wasp hunting skills are crucial during chick-rearing. Young fledge at 9-11 days, earlier if disturbed.
Did You Know?
Interesting Behaviors
Summer Tanagers are one of the few birds that specialize in eating bees and wasps. They have been observed teaching this specialized foraging technique to other species.
Cultural Significance
The species appears in indigenous North American folklore as a symbol of summer. Its arrival in Costa Rica coincides with the end of the heavy rain season.
Surprising Traits
Individual birds can remember winter territory locations after 6-month absences. The species shows remarkable navigation abilities, with some individuals returning to the exact same trees each winter.
How do I identify this bird?
Males are unmistakable – entirely red without black wings or tail (unlike Scarlet Tanager). Females are yellowish-olive, often with orange tones, lacking obvious wing bars. The large pale bill and stocky build are distinctive. First-year males show patchy red and yellow-green plumage.
Where is the best place to see it in Costa Rica?
Almost anywhere with appropriate habitat from September to April. Gardens in the Central Valley, forest edges, and lodge grounds throughout the country offer easy viewing. La Selva Biological Station and Wilson Botanical Garden are particularly reliable.
Is it endangered?
No, the Summer Tanager is listed as Least Concern with a large, stable population. However, it faces habitat loss on both breeding and wintering grounds. The species’ adaptability to modified habitats helps maintain populations.