Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra)

The Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) is a moderately-sized member of the Cardinalidae family, known for its all-red male and bee-catching specialist. Along Oklahoma's Central Flyway, this species is a summer visitor, frequenting the open woodlands and orchards that characterize much of northwestern Oklahoma's diverse landscape. The Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge near Jet, Oklahoma, serves as one of the premier locations for observing this species in the Central Flyway corridor.

Quick Facts

Feature	Details
Scientific Name	Piranga rubra
Family	Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Grosbeaks)
Size	9-14 inches (23-36 cm) in length, weighing approximately 3-10 ounces (85-280 grams)
Habitat	Open woodlands and orchards
Diet	Insects especially bees and wasps
Seasons in Oklahoma	Summer
Conservation Status	Least Concern

Identification Guide

When identifying the Summer Tanager in the field, look for the all-red male and bee-catching specialist. This species measures approximately 9-14 inches (23-36 cm) in length, weighing approximately 3-10 ounces (85-280 grams). In the open woodlands and orchards habitats typical of northwestern Oklahoma, careful observation will reveal the distinctive features that separate this species from similar birds in the area.

Physical Description

The Summer Tanager presents all-red male and bee-catching specialist, making it a rewarding find for Central Flyway birders. This species belongs to the cardinals and grosbeaks group and shares the open woodlands and orchards with several related species, though careful observation reveals the unique characteristics that make the Summer Tanager unmistakable.

The Summer Tanager feeds primarily on insects especially bees and wasps, and observing feeding behavior can be an excellent identification tool. Watch for this species foraging in open woodlands and orchards throughout the Salt Plains region and surrounding areas of the Central Flyway.

Tips for Field Identification

Males and females may differ in appearance, so familiarizing yourself with both plumages will improve your identification success rate during visits to the Central Flyway.

Key field marks to look for include:

Size and shape: 9-14 inches (23-36 cm) in length, weighing approximately 3-10 ounces (85-280 grams), with a build typical of cardinals and grosbeaks
Distinctive features: All-red male and bee-catching specialist
Behavior: Watch for feeding activity in open woodlands and orchards
Voice: Listen for this species' characteristic calls, which are often the first indication of its presence in dense vegetation

Habitat and Range Along the Central Flyway

The Central Flyway stretches from the Arctic tundra of Canada through the Great Plains of the United States to the Gulf of Mexico and beyond into Central and South America. Oklahoma sits at a critical juncture in this migratory corridor, and the Summer Tanager takes full advantage of the state's open woodlands and orchards during its seasonal visits.

In northwestern Oklahoma, the Summer Tanager primarily inhabits open woodlands and orchards. The unique geography of the Salt Plains region, where the Great Salt Plains create a mosaic of salt flats, shallow wetlands, grasslands, and wooded riparian corridors, provides exceptional habitat diversity that supports the Summer Tanager alongside hundreds of other bird species.

The Summer Tanager's range along the Central Flyway extends through the heart of the Great Plains, with Oklahoma representing important breeding territory.

Seasonal Presence in Oklahoma

During the summer months, Summer Tanagers can be found breeding and raising young in the open woodlands and orchards of northwestern Oklahoma. The long daylight hours from June through August provide extended observation windows. The Byron Fish Hatchery area north of Jet on SH 38 and the surrounding woodlands are particularly productive spots during this season.

Migration Patterns

The Summer Tanager's migration through the Central Flyway follows patterns that have been refined over thousands of generations. In Oklahoma, the timing of arrivals and departures varies somewhat from year to year depending on weather patterns, but generally follows predictable seasonal rhythms. The Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1930, has provided a consistent and protected stopover point for migrating Summer Tanagers throughout its history.

Diet and Feeding Behavior

The Summer Tanager sustains itself on insects especially bees and wasps, a diet well-suited to the resources available in open woodlands and orchards throughout the Central Flyway. In the Salt Plains region of northwestern Oklahoma, this species has adapted its foraging strategies to take advantage of the unique combination of habitats available.

The Summer Tanager's feeding behavior is well-adapted to the open woodlands and orchards of the Central Flyway region. In northwestern Oklahoma, this species has found abundant food resources in the diverse habitats surrounding Salt Plains Lake and the associated refuge lands.

Seasonal changes in food availability influence the Summer Tanager's diet throughout the year. During spring and summer, increased insect populations often supplement the diet, while fall and winter may see a greater reliance on seeds, berries, or other seasonal food sources available in the region.

Conservation Status

The Summer Tanager is currently classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), indicating a stable and healthy population across its range. In the Central Flyway, this species benefits from the protected habitats at Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge and other conservation lands throughout northwestern Oklahoma. However, ongoing habitat management and monitoring remain important to ensure this species continues to thrive in the region.

Threats and Challenges

The primary threats facing the Summer Tanager in the Central Flyway include:

Habitat loss and fragmentation: Conversion of open woodlands and orchards to agricultural or developed land reduces available habitat
Climate change: Shifting weather patterns may alter the timing of migration and availability of food resources
Human disturbance: Recreational activities near sensitive habitats can disrupt feeding and nesting behaviors
Pesticide exposure: Agricultural chemicals can reduce insect prey populations and cause direct toxicity

Conservation Efforts in Oklahoma

Oklahoma's network of wildlife refuges, state parks, and conservation areas provides essential protected habitat for the Summer Tanager and many other Central Flyway species. Key conservation initiatives include:

Ongoing habitat management at Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge (580-626-4794)
Water level management to maintain optimal wetland conditions
Grassland restoration programs throughout northwestern Oklahoma
Citizen science programs including Christmas Bird Counts and breeding bird surveys
Educational programs at Great Salt Plains State Park (580-626-4731)

Best Viewing Locations

For birders hoping to observe the Summer Tanager along Oklahoma's Central Flyway, these locations offer the best opportunities:

1. Salt Fork of the Arkansas River corridor

This area provides suitable open woodlands and orchards habitat for the Summer Tanager and is worth exploring during summer when this species is present in the Central Flyway region. Check local conditions before visiting and respect all posted regulations to help protect wildlife habitat.

2. Alabaster Caverns State Park

3. Washita National Wildlife Refuge

4. Cherokee Area

The town of Cherokee on SH 64 and SH 11 serves as a gateway to the Salt Plains region. The Cherokee area, located in Alfalfa County, offers access to the eastern shores of Salt Plains Lake approximately 15 miles east. The Cherokee Chamber of Commerce (580-596-3575) can provide information on local birding spots.

Birding Tips for Observing the Summer Tanager

Best time of day: Early morning hours typically offer the most active viewing, especially during the breeding season
Equipment: A quality pair of binoculars (8x42 or 10x42) is essential, and a spotting scope can be helpful for detailed observation
Patience: Allow time for the bird to exhibit natural behaviors
Respect wildlife: Maintain appropriate distances and avoid disturbing nesting or roosting birds
Record your sightings: Report observations to eBird to contribute to scientific knowledge of the Summer Tanager in the Central Flyway

Related Species

Other cardinals and grosbeaks you may encounter while birding in the Central Flyway:

This guide is part of the CherPub Central Flyway Bird Guide series, covering all 312+ bird species documented at Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge and throughout Oklahoma's Central Flyway corridor. For more information about birding in northwestern Oklahoma, visit Salt Plains NWR or contact the refuge at 580-626-4794.