Western Tanager

Left: male Western Tanager in ponderosa pine tree. Right: female Western Tanager on a branch in a meadow.
Left: male Western Tanager. Right: female Western Tanager.

NPS Photo / Rachel Ames

Size: 6.5-7.5”
Description: Male is bright yellow overall with an orange-red head, black wings, yellow shoulder and white wing bar. The female is yellow-green overall with two white wing bars.
Migratory Status: Summer residents of Rocky Mountain National Park.
Habitat: Breed in ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir forests to 9,000 feet and occasionally 10,500 feet.
Diet: Eat mostly insects that they catch in mid-air or glean from tree leaves and branches.
 

  • Western Tanager (song)


    Western Tanager song recorded on the Bridal Veil Falls Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park.

    Credit / Author:
    J. Job
    Date created:
    06/22/2015
    Audio Transcript
 

  • Western Tanager (call)


    Western Tanager call from two birds recorded at the Beaver Ponds in Rocky Mountain National Park.

    Credit / Author:
    J. Job
    Date created:
    05/30/2017
    Audio Transcript
 

  • Western Tanager (song)


    Western Tanager song recorded on the Bridal Veil Falls Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park.

    Credit / Author:
    J. Job
    Date created:
    06/22/2015
    Audio Transcript
 

  • Western Tanager (song)


    Western Tanager song recorded on the Cub Lake Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park.

    Credit / Author:
    J. Job
    Date created:
    06/22/2015
    Audio Transcript
 

  • Western Tanager (song)


    Western Tanager song recorded on the Bridal Veil Falls Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park.

    Credit / Author:
    J. Job
    Date created:
    06/22/2015
    Audio Transcript
 

  • Western Tanager (song)


    Western Tanager song recorded on the Cow Creek Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park. Note that a Dusky Flycatcher, Pine Squirrel and the buzz of a hummingbird flying by can be heard in the background.

    Credit / Author:
    J. Job
    Date created:
    05/25/2016
    Audio Transcript
 

  • Western Tanager (song)


    Western Tanager song recorded at Hollowell Park in Rocky Mountain National Park. Note that the buzz of a hummingbird flying by can also be heard in the recording.

    Credit / Author:
    J. Job
    Date created:
    06/30/2015
    Audio Transcript
 

  • Western Tanager (song)


    Western Tanager song recorded in the East Inlet area of Rocky Mountain National Park. Note that a Western Wood-Pewee can also be heard in the recording.

    Credit / Author:
    J. Job
    Date created:
    06/22/2015
    Audio Transcript

Last updated: August 23, 2018

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

1000 US Hwy 36
Estes Park, CO 80517

Phone:

970 586-1206
The Information Office is open year-round: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily in summer; 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mondays - Fridays and 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Saturdays - Sundays in winter. Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222.

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