The Summer Tanager is a medium-sized songbird that breeds in the southeastern United States and migrates through the eastern states each spring and fall. With its bright red body and yellow-orange beak, the Summer Tanager is one of the most colorful birds found in eastern North America. Many bird enthusiasts in Ohio wonder if they might spot a Summer Tanager passing through the state during migration. So, are there Summer Tanagers in Ohio?
Summer Tanager Overview
The Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) is a neotropical migrant, spending winters in Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America before returning to breed in the United States and southern Canada during the spring and summer months.
These songbirds reach lengths of 6.3-7.1 in (16-18 cm) and weigh 1.1-1.2 oz (33-34 g). As mentioned, they are characterized by their solid bright red plumage and large yellow-orange bills. The plumage of males and females is similar, though females may have slightly duller coloring. Juveniles are yellow-orange overall with some olive coloring on the wings.
Breeding Range and Habitat
The breeding habitat of the Summer Tanager extends from southeastern Nebraska and Wisconsin east to southern Maine and south to central Texas and the Florida Keys. Their range centers primarily on the southeastern United States.
Within their breeding range, Summer Tanagers favor open deciduous forests and forest edges, especially areas with oaks and scattered clearings. They build cup-shaped nests in the horizontal branches of tall trees.
Migration
Summer Tanagers winter in Central America and northern South America, migrating through Texas and the Gulf States in the spring and fall. Along the Atlantic coast, some will migrate north as far as southern New England before turning west towards the interior United States. Very few penetrate farther north into the upper Midwest and Northeast.
Diet
These birds forage for insects and berries by gleaning foliage and making short flights to capture insects in mid-air. Their diet consists mainly of bees, wasps, beetles, butterflies, moths, dragonflies, and other larger insects. They will also eat some fruit and berries.
Occurrence of Summer Tanagers in Ohio
So do any of these brightly hued tropical songbirds make it to Ohio? The answer is that Summer Tanagers are very rare but occasional visitors to Ohio, mostly during spring migration.
According to the Ohio Ornithological Society, there are about 20 records of Summer Tanagers in Ohio in recent decades. Most sightings are between May and June as the birds migrate north through the interior United States.
There are a handful of Summer Tanager sightings from counties scattered throughout Ohio. Some locations include Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, Headlands Beach State Park, and the Wilds conservation site. The species has also been detected during migration banding operations and breeding bird surveys.
Exact numbers are not available due to the rarity of sightings. But it seems Summer Tanagers pass through Ohio only in very small numbers during spring migration. Breeding does not occur in the state.
Notable Ohio Sightings
Here are a few documented sightings of Summer Tanagers in Ohio:
- May 2021 – a male Summer Tanager was photographed at Headlands Beach State Park in Lake County. This sighting was outside the normal spring migration period.
- May 2020 – a singing male observed in Lucas County.
- May 2019 – a male detected during spring migration surveys at Magee Marsh Wildlife Area.
- May 2006 – a male observed in Athens County.
- June 1992 – one sighted at The Wilds in Muskingum County.
As these records indicate, sightings are very sporadic but center around the typical May spring migration timeframe.
How to See Summer Tanagers in Ohio
Given their rarity, what are the chances of an Ohio birder spotting a Summer Tanager? Here are some tips that may increase your odds:
Visit during peak migration
Focus efforts in May, especially mid-to-late May. This coincides with the peak of their migration period through the interior United States. Sightings outside of spring migration are very unusual.
Try locations with records
The few Ohio records come mostly from sites along Lake Erie, like Magee Marsh, and a handful of other scattered locations. Visiting spots where they have been seen before, even if rarely, may be your best chance.
Focus on habitat
Look for Summer Tanagers in mature open forests, forest edges and clearings that contain oak trees. This is the habitat they prefer on their breeding grounds farther south. Areas with scattered trees and clearings may attract them during migration.
Use bird call playback
If a Summer Tanager is present, using audio playback of their vocalizations may elicit a response and help locate them. However, be respectful and do not overuse playback which can disturb birds.
Check eBird reports
You can monitor eBird and rare bird alerts for recent Summer Tanager sightings in Ohio to try and chase down a recent bird. But act quickly before they move on.
Enlist other birders
Having many eyes on the lookout, especially at likely sites during May, will increase your chances of turning up a Summer Tanager. Ohio birding groups can help spread the word if one is found.
Identification
If you spot a candidate Summer Tanager in Ohio, how can you confirm the identification?
Distinctive plumage
The solid bright red body and yellow-orange beak is distinctive. No other common Ohio bird shows this pattern. Scarlet Tanagers have black wings and Eastern Towhees are black, white and rufous.
Size and shape
About 6.5 inches long with a chunky finch-like shape. Larger and stockier than scarlet tanagers. Shape distinct from orioles and grosbeaks.
Behavior
Foraging methodically in foliage of treetops. Makes occasional sallies out to catch insects. Call is a musical burry or rattling chip.
No wingbars
Consult guidebooksUse a field guide or bird ID app to cross-reference your observation with key ID points for Summer Tanager. The unique plumage should rule out other species.
Being alert to the possibility and carefully studying any potential Summer Tanagers can help confirm sightings of this rare migratory visitor to Ohio.
Why are Summer Tanagers Rare in Ohio?
What factors explain the very limited numbers of Summer Tanagers that pass through Ohio each spring?
Range edge
Ohio lies far north of the normal migration route and summer breeding range for this species. Most follow a more southwesterly track through the Gulf States.
Breeding habitat
Summer Tanagers favor open, mature deciduous forests with oaks. This habitat becomes limiting farther north, so fewer migrate this far inland.
Spring temperatures
The species waits for warm weather to migrate north in spring. Ohio may simply not become warm soon enough in most years.
Competition
Scarlet Tanagers fill a similar ecological niche during summer in Ohio forests. Competition from this close relative may restrict Range expansion.
So in summary, Ohio is well outside the core migratory route, breeding range, and suitable habitat for Summer Tanagers. The small numbers observed are likely just stray, wandering individuals.
Conservation Status
Summer Tanagers remain a common and widespread species in their core southeastern breeding range. Partners in Flight estimates a global breeding population of 15 million. But they do face threats on their wintering grounds and migration routes.
Population Trends
North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data from 1966-2019 indicates Summer Tanager populations are declining at a rate of -0.32% per year across their range.
However, trends vary regionally. Numbers are stable or even increasing in the core Southeastern states while declining in the peripheries of their range.
Threats
Loss of wintering habitat in the tropics is a major concern, as deforestation reduces suitable habitat.
On migration and in parts of their breeding range, forest fragmentation due to land use changes has reduced suitable habitat. Pesticide use may also impact insect food sources.
Conservation Actions
Protecting remaining forests on their tropical wintering grounds is a priority.
Sustainable forestry practices and habitat conservation on the breeding grounds can also help maintain populations. Pesticide use regulations may also benefit Summer Tanagers.
Fun Facts
Here are a few interesting tidbits about Summer Tanagers:
- They sometimes interbreed with Scarlet Tanagers where their ranges overlap. Hybrid “Brewster’s” tanagers may show mixed plumage.
- Their genus name Piranga comes from a Brazilian Tupi tribe word that mimics their vocalizations.
- Summer Tanagers sometimes nest in hanging Spanish moss in southeastern coastal forests.
- They can make steep angle dives at insects from high perches. This “sallying” behavior is a fun to observe.
- Folk names like “Bee-bird” and “Flycatcher Bird” reference their insect-heavy diet.
- Alexander Wilson first scientifically described the species in 1811 from specimens in South Carolina.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Summer Tanagers are a regular part of the avifauna in the southeastern United States, they are a very rare and irregular visitor to Ohio. A few individual birds seem to wander north of their normal migration route each spring, accounting for a handful of records scattered over recent decades.
Birders take notice of these bright red and yellow songbirds because they are so far outside their expected range in Ohio. Their preferred breeding habitat of open, mature forests with oaks likely does not extend far enough inland for normal migration to reach Ohio. Though rare, they can turn up anywhere in the state during May and birders should be alert for potential sightings, especially along the Lake Erie shoreline. With careful field observation and tracking of reports, you may get lucky and spot one of these specialty tanagers passing through Ohio.