Flame-colored Tanager (Piranga bidentata), Ramsey Canyon, Cochise County

This Flame-colored Tanager pair was found by Mark Phillips on 09 May and photographed by Mike Schackwitz on 14 May 2015

Very rare summer visitor. Has been documented in the Chiricahuas, Huachucas and Santa Ritas.  Hybrids with Western Tanager do occur. 

Note the dark auricular patch, dark bill, and white tail spots of both birds which separate these from Western Tanagers. These features as well as the orange-streaked back and overall bright orange coloration indicate that the male is a pure Flame-colored Tanager rather than a hybrid. The female also appears to be pure, however female hybrids with Western Tanager are very difficult to ID.

14 May 2015, photo by Mike Schackwitz

All photos are copyrighted© by photographer