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

20 Photos Of Pets And Pet Owners Who Are In Love With Each Other

Carolyn Mullet

Glossy Green Slicked-back Hair And Snow-white Belly Flecked With Bronze, This Exquisite Bird Shines Brightly In Nature

Margot Nolan

20+ Adorable Animals Who Might Be Sleeping But Their Charisma Isn’t

Carolyn Mullet

Adorable Small Fox Caught Sleeping Peacefully On A Tree Stump

Carolyn Mullet

70-year-old Elephant Who Was Abused Most Of His Life Finally Got Rescued

Olivia

Mr. Bigglesworth, The Hairless Bunny, Was Rescued From Euthanasia, Now Lives As An Instagram Star

Carolyn Mullet

10+ Adorable Photos Of Tiny Baby Animals That Are So Innocent And Pure

Carolyn Mullet

Mom Breastfeeding Her Son Had An Incredible Encounter With An Orangutan

Carolyn Mullet

73-Year-Old Elephant Is Seen With Tears Rolling Down Her Face When Freed From Life In Captivity

Margot Nolan

Green Wings, Red Neck Fan With Blue Edges, And Brown Face With Whiteish Streaks, This Parrot Is Conspicuous In Nature

Margot Nolan

10+ People Who Would Do Anything For Their Beloved Pets

Carolyn Mullet

A Clowder of 7 Baby Wild Felines and Their Mom Sneak Into A Man’s Porch And Play Here

Margot Nolan