Western Tanager
Learn to identify the Western Tanager by ear. Master the "pree-tew-tweet, pit-icana, pirr-zeew" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.
What the Western Tanager sounds like
The Western Tanager is a striking songbird of western North America, famed for the male’s fiery yellow-and-red breeding plumage. Despite the tropical look, it is a hearty migrant that nests in coniferous forests from Alaska to New Mexico and winters in Mexico and Central America.
“pree-tew-tweet, pit-icana, pirr-zeew”
How to tell it apart
Where you'll hear it
Breeds primarily in open coniferous and mixed woodlands—especially ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, spruce–fir, and aspen stands. During migration and on the wintering grounds it frequents semi-open woodlands, orchards, shade trees, and second-growth edges.
Arrives on breeding grounds April–May; peak nesting May–July; southbound migration August–September; winters November–February.
Similar species
Scarlet Tanager
Eastern range; males have solid scarlet body with black wings—no yellow.
Summer Tanager
Males entirely red (summer) or yellow-green (female/immature); lacks wingbars.
Hepatic Tanager
Male brick-red with dusky cheeks; female dull yellow-olive; both lack wingbars.