Watercolor portrait of Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea)

What does the Scarlet Tanager song sound like?

Piranga olivacea
Song Common

Play the real Scarlet Tanager song, the "chick-burr, tree-orr, reeah", and learn what to listen for.

“chick-burr, tree-orr, reeah”

What the Scarlet Tanager song sounds like

A series of short, sweet phrases that sound similar to an American Robin's song, but with a distinctive hoarse, burry quality – as if the robin had a sore throat. Phrases are 4-5 notes each, often described as "Prettier-pretty-prettiest" or "Cheery-cheery-churr" with the ends of phrases slurred or rough. Males sing from high in trees during spring and early summer, repeating the song every few seconds.

“chick-burr, tree-orr, reeah”

Birders often file this one under Burry robin-like song.

How to find the bird singing it

Deciduous and mixed forests. Prefers large tracts of mature hardwood forest for breeding, especially with oak, maple, beech, etc. Also found in mixed forests with some pines. They tend to stay in the mid to upper canopy, often in more interior parts of forests rather than edges. During migration, they can appear in any woodlot or even parks. Winter is spent in tropical forests of northwestern South America (Andes foothills and Amazonia) where they inhabit mature forests and forest edges.

  • Black and red with thick bill: Male breeding plumage: vivid scarlet red body with black wings and tail – an unmistakable combo in the East. Female (and fall immature male): olive-yellow on head and underparts, darker olive on back, with dull gray-brown wings and tail that have no wingbars. Both sexes have a fairly thick, pointed bill (pale gray horn-colored) and medium length tail. No wing bars in any plumage. The contrast between a male's red and black vs. female's greenish yellow and brown is striking. Juvenile males look like females and only acquire red in their second spring. In flight, their underside is uniform (no wing stripe), and the male's red is evident. The key is the male's unique coloration and the female's uniform yellow-olive (Warblers like Yellow Warbler are brighter yellow and smaller with thinner bills; female orioles are more orange-yellow with wing bars).

When you'll hear it

Summer

Breeds in Eastern North America (particularly the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and southern Canada's forests). Also along Appalachians and parts of the Great Lakes region. In summer found almost exclusively in forested areas—preferring continuous canopy. Not typically seen outside of forests except maybe at very wooded suburban parks.

Winter

Winters in South America, mainly in the Amazon Basin and Andean foothills (Colombia to Bolivia). Inaccessible and remote areas for most observers. Essentially none in North America during winter. Occasionally a stray might winter in Florida or the Gulf Coast, but that's rare. They favor tropical forest canopies in winter.

Migration

Migrates through the southeastern U.S., Florida, and across the Gulf of Mexico. Also through Texas and Mexico. Peak spring migration in U.S. is late April-May; peak fall migration is September. During migration, can show up in all sorts of places including city parks, coastal woodlots, and even backyard trees. Often quiet in fall. Frequently seen fueling on berries (e.g., pokeweed or spicebush) during migration. Many cross the Gulf in a single flight both directions.

Scarlet Tanager song FAQ

What does a Scarlet Tanager song sound like?
A series of short, sweet phrases that sound similar to an American Robin's song, but with a distinctive hoarse, burry quality – as if the robin had a sore throat. Phrases are 4-5 notes each, often described as "Prettier-pretty-prettiest" or "Cheery-cheery-churr" with the ends of phrases slurred or rough. Males sing from high in trees during spring and early summer, repeating the song every few seconds. Birders write it as "chick-burr, tree-orr, reeah".
How do I tell a Scarlet Tanager from a Summer Tanager by ear?
Summer Tanager: Male Summer Tanagers are all red (no black wings) with a more rose-red or orangey cast. Females are more orange-yellow. Summers prefer more southern, open woods (like pine-oak and riparian areas) whereas Scarlets are more northern/eastern and love mature deciduous forest.; Summer's song is sweeter and less burry. Geographic range overlaps in the Midwest and South where both can occur, but plumage (black wings or not) distinguishes males; females are trickier, but Summer is usually more orangey without strong contrast in wing color..
When is the best time to hear the Scarlet Tanager song?
Arrive on breeding grounds late April (southern areas) to mid-May (north). Males arrive first and establish territories high in the canopy, singing vigorously. Nesting takes place late May through July; the female builds a flimsy cup nest on a tree branch, often far from the trunk. By August, adults stop singing and molt into non-breeding plumage (males turning patchy yellow-green). Fall migration kicks off by late August through September; most are gone by early October. They spend winter in the tropics quietly feeding in flocks. In spring, bright male tanagers return around late April, often still partly in molt to full red plumage. They are one of the later spring migrants to return to eastern forests. Once territories are set, their unmistakable color and song brightens the late spring forest until midsummer.

More Scarlet Tanager sounds

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