Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra), Sweetwater Wetlands, Pima County

This female or immature male Summer Tanager was first reported by Jerry Bock on 14 October 2008 and was photographed by Andrew Core on 25 November 2008.  Although a common summer resident in riparian habitats, Summer Tanager is casual after mid-October. 

Note the long pale bill and orange tones to the plumage.  The yellow undertail coverts can just be seen in the photo.  All these characters separate this bird from Hepatic and Scarlet Tanager.  Although in this photo this individual appears to have wings that are darker and show more of a suggestion of wingbars than is typical for Summer Tanager, it can still be be separated from Western Tanager by the red in the back, the orange tone to the plumage and the lack of contrast with the head and back. 

25 November 2008, photo by Andrew Core

3 December 2008, photo by Andrew Core

All photographs copyright© by the photographer.