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

This Flame-colored Tanager was found by Louie Dombroski on 08 May and photographed by Tammy McQuade on 16 May and by Tonya Holland on 19 May 2020

Very rare summer visitor. Has been documented in the Chiricahuas, Huachucas and Santa Ritas individuals have returned and nesting has occured as well as hybrids with Western Tanager P. ludoviciana.

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. Singing frequently: song very similar to Western Tanager in tonality, but with a somewhat uniquely different cadence/pattern.

16 May 2020, photo by Tammy McQuade

19 May 2020, photo by Tonya Holland

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