Flame-colored x Western Tanager hybrid (Piranga bidentata x P. ludoviciana), Upper Miller Canyon, Cochise County

This hybrid Flame-colored x Western Tanager was found by Mark Phillips on 27 April and photographed by Charles Melton on 05-09 May 2015

Hybrid Western x Flame-colored Tangers have been reported from upper Miller Canyon (and elsewhere in the Huachuca Mountains) for several years, and this may be a returning bird.

This bird is similar to a pure male Flame-colored Tanager, but with a bright yellow rump, a darker blackish back, a yellow upper wing-bar, orange more concentrated on the head, and indistinct white tail spots.

05 May 2015, photo by Charles Melton

All photos are copyrighted© by photographer