tentative Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) X Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) hybrid, San Pedro River, Pinal County

This highly unusual tanager was discovered and photographed by Jeremy Doschka on 14 May 2009.  It was initially indentified as a Scarlet Tanager.  However, the photo shows the bird to have red in the wings and tail, unlike any plumage of Scarlet Tanager.  The two possibilities seem to be a partially melanistic Summer Tanager or a hybrid Scarlet X Summer Tanager.  Since the bird was heard calling like a Scarlet Tanager, the latter possibility seems the most likely.  This hybrid combination has been claimed only once: for bird collected in 1893 (see here).   Any further photos or descriptions of this bird would be welcome. 

Here are Jeremy's directions to the spot if anyone wants to try to see and further document this unusual bird:

Jeremy's Directions:

--Highway 77 to the San Manual turn-off.
--Veterans Memorial BLVD (Hwy 76) through San Manual, continue southeast to
where the road curves to the left and becomes Redington Rd.
--Continue east toward the San Pedro River.
--Take a left at River Road. After approximately 1 mile the road crosses the
active channel of the San Pedro. Cross the channel and go approx 30-40
meters and pull over to the right.
--The bird was on the east side of the river and approximately 10 m north of
the road.

14 May 2009, photo by Jeremy Doschka

All photos are copyrighted© by photographer