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

This Flame-colored Tanager was found by Lauren Harter on 04 Jue 2015 and photographed by David Vander Pluym on 04 June 2015

Different bird from the pair on the Ramsey Canyon preserve. Found in upper Ramsey Canyon below the trail junction to Brown Canyon. Was mate guarding a female Western Tanager.

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.

04 June 2015, photo by David Vander Pluym