- Piranga flava
Identification
20cm (8"). Dark red to orange-red, grey wash on back and flanks. Grey-red cheek patch. Heavy, slightly hooked, and dark bill. Female - olive-green upperparts and yellow-orange underparts with grey wash on flanks. Juvenile has paler underparts, brown streaks, and buff-gray wing-bars.
Distribution
In the U.S.A, summers in Arizona and New Mexico. Thence south through Mexico and Central America. Other populations are found in western and northern South America (primarily in highlands), and widely in eastern South America. Northern populations are largely migratory, southern are resident or only take part in local movements.
Taxonomy
Several subspecies exists. These fall into three main groups that sometimes are considered separate species: The Northern Hepatic Tanager (P. hepatica), the Highland Hepatic Tanager (P. lutea) and the Lowland Hepatic Tanager (P. flava).
Habitat
Open pine and pine-oak forests, often near water.
Behaviour
Diet includes insects, figs, ripe guavas, and other fruits.