Scarlet Tanager

The Scarlet Tanager is one of North America's most stunning birds — the male in breeding plumage is an almost impossibly vivid scarlet red with jet-black wings, like a bird painted by an artist who refused to hold back. Despite their brilliance, they can be surprisingly hard to spot because they spend most of their time high in the canopy of mature deciduous forest, especially oaks. They're neotropical migrants that winter in South America and return to eastern Canada's forests each May. At feeders they're rare but unforgettable visitors, drawn primarily by fruit and berry offerings. Hearing their burry, robin-like song drifting down from the treetops is often your first clue that one is nearby.

Scarlet Tanagers are stunning canopy birds that primarily eat insects and fruit. They rarely descend to feeders, but when they do, it's for fruit — raisins, dried cranberries, and oranges. In migration they may visit suet stations stocked with berry and fruit suet. Spotting one at your feeder is a genuine backyard birding highlight.

Platform feeders and fruit trays placed in a semi-shaded spot near tall deciduous trees give you the best shot. Tanagers live in the forest canopy, so feeders near mature trees feel natural to them. Offering cut oranges, raisins, and fruit-rich blends on a platform feeder during spring and fall migration peaks your chances significantly.

Scarlet Tanagers live in the upper canopy of mature deciduous forest, especially oaks. If your property borders or includes mature hardwood forest, you're in tanager territory. Preserving large, mature trees — particularly oaks — is the most important habitat move. They nest high in the canopy and rarely descend below mid-height, so tall trees are non-negotiable. Maintaining a healthy understory with native shrubs beneath your canopy trees creates the layered forest structure they need for successful nesting.