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

This Flame-colored Tanager was photographed by Chris Benesh and Bill Brown on 28 March 2016

Very rare summer visitor. Has been documented in the Chiricahuas, Huachucas and Santa Ritas. Likely a returning bird, as a pair attempted breeding at this location in 2015.

Note the dark auricular patch, dark bill, and white tail spots which separate this from Western Tanagers. These features as well as the orange-streaked back, dull orange rump, and overall bright orange coloration indicate that the male is a pure Flame-colored Tanager rather than a hybrid.

28 March 2016, photo by Chris Benesh

 

28 March 2016, photo by Bill Brown

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