Many people enjoy seeing colorful birds like the Summer Tanager visiting their yards and gardens year after year. A common question is whether these birds will return to the same location annually or move around to different areas. Let’s take a closer look at the patterns of Summer Tanagers and whether they exhibit site fidelity.
Do Summer Tanagers return to the same breeding grounds each year?
Yes, Summer Tanagers do tend to come back to the same general breeding area each spring. These birds spend the winter in Central and South America and then migrate north to their breeding grounds in the eastern and central United States and southern Canada. Studies have shown that Summer Tanagers show high site fidelity to their breeding areas, meaning they return to the same region where they previously nested and raised young.
One study that tracked banded Summer Tanagers over several years found that all returning individuals came back to within 250 meters of where they had nested the prior year. Females seem to show even stronger fidelity than males. Research has found that when a nest fails, the female is likely to lay a new clutch in a tree very close to the original nest site that season.
Why do they return to the same breeding site each year?
There are several reasons why Summer Tanagers and other migratory songbirds tend to reuse breeding sites year after year:
- Familiarity with the area – Birds know where suitable nesting habitat, food sources, etc. are located
- Early arrival at familiar sites allows birds to claim the best territories
- Females may seek out the same mate from a prior year
- Offspring may return to area where they were hatched and raised
Sticking to a known breeding area where they have successfully nested before increases the chances of Summer Tanagers having another productive season.
Do they return to the exact same nesting tree or territory?
Within their overall breeding range, individual Summer Tanagers may or may not come back to the precise same nesting tree or territory each year. Here are some general patterns that have been noted:
- Females have been found to occasionally reuse the same nest, but more often build a new nest in a different tree nearby
- Males are more likely to shift their territories slightly but usually within the same woodlot or forest tract
- Weather events or forest management practices may alter habitat leading birds to nest in a slightly different area
- Competition or death of a former mate may cause shifting of nest sites
So while Summer Tanagers may not always use the exact same nesting tree or defend the same territory boundaries, they do tend to nest in the same forest stand or neighborhood where they bred previously.
How close do they nest to previous years?
Research shows Summer Tanagers tend to nest within a relatively short distance from where they nested the prior year. Some examples:
Study | Average Distance Between Consecutive Nests |
---|---|
Barrowclough et al. 2006 | 250 meters |
Mohr 1933 | 244 meters |
Rappole and Ballard 1987 | 212 meters |
In general, consecutive nests are built less than 250 meters (about 275 yards) apart on average. Nests may be reused, or more commonly built very close by in nearby trees.
Will Summer Tanagers return to the same wintering site?
There is less research on whether Summer Tanagers exhibit fidelity to specific wintering sites after breeding. In the fall, Summer Tanagers migrate to areas scattered across Central America, northern South America, and the Caribbean. Their winter range spans Mexico to Bolivia.
A couple banding studies have shown that individual Summer Tanagers may return to the same wintering region in subsequent years. However, their winter sites may still be hundreds of miles apart. More research is needed on their winter site fidelity. Their winter range covers thousands of square miles making it more challenging to encounter banded birds.
Why Winter Site Fidelity May Be Lower
There are a few reasons why Summer Tanagers may show weaker fidelity to precise wintering locations compared to their breeding sites:
- More fluctuating habitat and food availability in the tropics
- More loosely defined territories and competition on the winter grounds
- Younger birds may wander more during their first migration and winter
Weather and habitat conditions are more stable in their northern breeding range, allowing Summer Tanagers to pinpoint optimal nesting sites and territories.
Do young Summer Tanagers return to where they were hatched?
There is some evidence that Summer Tanagers exhibit natal site fidelity – the tendency for young birds to return to or near their birthplace after their first migration. For example, one study in Missouri found that several yearling Summer Tanagers returned to within 250 meters of where they had fledged the prior summer.
However, natal site fidelity may not be as strong in young tanagers as breeding site fidelity in adults of the species. Young birds seem to explore more widely and may settle in areas distant from their original nest. More research is needed on how early experience affects their future nest site selections.
Why Natal Site Fidelity Varies in Young Birds
There are a few factors that may lead some young Summer Tanagers to disperse farther away from their hatch site:
- Competition for territories may push younger birds into new areas
- Random errors or weather events may redirect them during first migration
- Exploring new potential breeding areas helps expand the overall species range
So while some young return to their natal area, dispersal to new sites is also important for the broader genetic connectivity and distribution of Summer Tanagers.
Do the same Summer Tanagers return each year?
Determining if the same individual Summer Tanagers come back to your yard or other location year after year requires identifying and tracking individual birds. This can be done by:
- Color banding – Putting small colored leg bands on birds to recognize individuals
- Tracking radio-tagged birds
- Analyzing unique plumage variations, tail patterns, or songs
A few small studies using these methods have shown that the same male Summer Tanagers may come back to an area for multiple breeding seasons. However, it is harder to confirm returns for female tanagers. Females look very similar to each other, and they are more likely to disperse farther if they fail to raise a clutch.
Expected Lifespan and Site Fidelity
The typical lifespan of a Summer Tanager is not well studied but related species live 5-10 years on average. Given their high breeding site fidelity, you may see the same male Summer Tanager in your yard for several years if conditions remain suitable. However, various factors like migration hazards and predation mean some turnover should be expected.
Do Summer Tanagers prefer nesting in certain tree species?
Summer Tanagers build open cup nests on horizontal branches of large trees. They are not extremely selective about the tree species, nesting in both deciduous and coniferous trees. However, there are some tree preferences that have been noted in various parts of their breeding range:
Tree Species | Region Where Commonly Used |
---|---|
Oaks – red oak, white oak, etc. | Throughout breeding range |
Pines – loblolly, shortleaf, etc. | Southeastern U.S. |
Maples | New England |
Sweetgum | Mississippi River Valley |
Eastern Redcedar | Great Plains |
Summer Tanagers may favor certain tree species like oaks, but overall they will use a variety of mature trees that provide suitable horizontal limbs for nest placement. This flexibility helps them find nest sites across diverse habitat types.
Ideal Nesting Trees
Beyond tree species, Summer Tanagers select nest trees that have these characteristics:
- Large/mature tree with sturdy horizontal branches
- Open canopy allowing light penetration
- Decent height – average around 16 meters (50 feet) up
- Often on edge of clearing for easy access
Tree health, structure, and canopy density seem to be more important factors than the tree species itself.
How do you attract Summer Tanagers to your yard?
Here are some tips to make your yard attractive to Summer Tanagers visiting during spring and summer:
Provide Natural Food Sources
Summer Tanagers eat mainly insects and fruit. Encourage these natural food sources:
- Plant native species like oak, cherry, mulberry, elm, etc. which produce fruits eaten by tanagers
- Avoid pesticides so insect populations can thrive
- Include nectar plants that attract insect pollinators
Offer Nesting Sites
Retain mature trees with suitable nesting limbs:
- Prioritize leaving older oaks, pines, maples, and other big trees
- Can girdle small branches that clutter potential nest sites
- Prune judiciously to open the canopy but avoid over-thinning
Supply Water Source
Provide a bird bath or water feature for drinking and bathing. Position it near trees or shrubs to provide cover and perches nearby.
Limit Disturbance
Let natural leaf litter and vegetative cover build up to encourage insects. Minimize activities that disturb nesting birds like excessive mowing or tree removal.
Making your property an attractive haven will increase your odds of Summer Tanagers returning year after year.
Conclusion
In summary, most Summer Tanagers exhibit fidelity to the same breeding region each year, often nesting within a few hundred meters of the prior season. Their winter site fidelity is less well understood but may involve more variation in location. Providing suitable nesting trees, food sources, cover, and minimal disturbance will give Summer Tanagers reasons to come back to your area annually and allow you to potentially observe the same individuals using your yard over multiple years.