We Love Animals
Animals Nature

Bright Yellow Belly, Orange-red Head, And Jet-Black Wings, This Tanager Is A Gorgeous Flying Ball Of Nature

Yellow, orange, red and black are conspicuous colors. They can blend harmoniously and also create striking contrasts. What will happen if these hues appear on a bird’s plumage? That creature will shine brightly in their colony. They look like gorgeous flying balls. Not only do lifelong birdwatchers fall for these birds but we, normal people, can’t also keep our eyes off them.

Image Credits: Instagram/blackbirdman

The western tanager is one of these captivating birds. They are widely known for their bright yellow belly, brilliant orange-red head, and jet-black wings and tail. Perfect contrast between the upper parts and lower parts!

Image Credits: Instagram/yellowstoneguide

You can watch the video of this stunning bird below!

Comparing with the male, the female of this species is much duller with a yellowish head, olive back, dark wings, and tail. Both have black eyes and legs.

Image Credits: JerryFriedman / CC BY-SA 3.0

Western tanagers are a medium-sized American songbird formerly in the tanager family. They distribute along the western coast of North America from southeastern Alaska south to northern Baja California, Mexico, and extend east to western Texas and north through central New Mexico and some other regions.

Image Credits: Instagram/blackbirdman

Their breeding habitat is coniferous or mixed woods across western North America from the Mexico-U.S. border as far north as southern Alaska.

Thanks to the very large range, the population of these intense-looking birds is stable.

Image Credits: http://www.naturespicsonline.com/ – http://www.naturespicsonline.com/ / CC BY-SA 3.0

They prefer living in or near open conifers or mixed forests where they feed mainly on insects, including wasps, bees, ants, beets, grasshoppers, termites, and cicadas. However, these tanagers also eat berries and fruit, like mulberries and elderberries.

Image Credits: Instagram/ljlthatsme

When the breeding season begins, the female of this bird builds her nest without the help of her mate. This nest is placed in a fork or a horizontal branch of a coniferous tree, such as pine or fir. It is at an altitude of 15-65 feet and is made from twigs, grass, rootlets, animal hair, and fine rootlets.

Image Credits: Instagram/estaciedc

She then lays 3-5 eggs in her nest and incubates them on her own for 13 days. Once the eggs hatch, she continues to feed the chicks until fully-fledged, about 13 days. Noticeably, the male joins the female in raising the hatchlings.

Image Credits: Instagram/trish_mountainmermaid
Image Credits: Instagram/timreaganphotography

H/T: One Big Birdcage

Related posts

15+ Animal Photos That Will Warm Your Heart And Touch Your Soul

Carolyn Mullet

Japanese Artist Turns Awkward Animal Moments Into Sculptures, And The Result Is Hilarious

Carolyn Mullet

20+ Awesome Photos Of Animals That Love Interacting With Butterflies

Carolyn Mullet

20 Animal Photos That Show True Love Knows No Boundaries

Carolyn Mullet

Noisy And Curious, The Green Jay Is The Gossipy Neighbor That Makes Our Life Way More Interesting

Olivia

21 More Weird Animals You Didn’t Know Exist

Carolyn Mullet

Despite Its Fierce Appearance, The Snow Leopard Is The Shyest One Among All The Big Cats

Olivia

20+ Clingy Animals Who Can’t Leave Their Humans’ Side, Even For A Minute

Carolyn Mullet

Formal Black Suit Only To Complement The Striking Golden Yellow Collar Of This Bird

Daniel

20 People Who Share An Unbreakable Bond With Their Pets

Carolyn Mullet

20 Clumsy Animals That Constantly Get Into Trouble For Their Antics

Carolyn Mullet

10+ People Who Didn’t Want To Own Pets But Ended Up With Ones

Carolyn Mullet