Flame-colored Tanager (Piranga bidentata), South Fork Cave Creek, Cochise County

This Flame-colored Tanager was discovered by Dave Jasper and photographed by Jeff Cohen on 06 June 2012.  It was nest building in a sycamore tree.  No male was present, atthough male Western Tanagers were in the area. 

Very rare summer visitor.  Has been documented in the Chiricahuas, Huachucas and Santa Ritas.  Hybrids with Western Tanager do occur. 

Note the dark auricular patch, dark bill and dorsal streaking which separate this from female Western Tanager.  Note however that female hybids with Western Tanager are very difficult to ID. 

06 June 2012, photo by Jeff Cohen

All photos are copyrighted© by photographer