Tanagers are brightly colored songbirds that are found throughout North, Central, and South America. There are over 240 species of tanagers, with the majority living in tropical regions. Tanagers are omnivorous, eating a combination of insects, fruit, nectar, and seeds. Their diets can vary depending on the species, location, season, and availability of food sources. Many backyard bird enthusiasts enjoy seeing these beautifully colored birds visit their feeders and want to know what kinds of foods will attract them.
Do tanagers eat at bird feeders?
The short answer is yes, tanagers will occasionally eat at bird feeders. However, they are not frequent feeder visitors compared to other backyard birds. Tanagers prefer to forage for insects and fruit from trees and shrubs. They have bills that are better adapted for eating whole fruits rather than cracking open seeds. While tanagers may sample offerings from feeders, they likely won’t get the bulk of their diet that way.
What types of food will attract tanagers?
Here are some foods that may tempt tanagers to feeders:
- Cut oranges, grapes, bananas, apples, or other chopped fruit
- Jelly and jam
- Oriole nectar
- Mealworms
- Suet with fruit and nuts
The highest chance of getting tanagers to come to feeders is by offering their favorite fruits. Oranges and other citrus fruits are readily eaten by several tanager species. Grapes, bananas, and apples are also excellent choices. Chop the fruits into smaller pieces and skewer them onto branches.
Mealworms are relished by many insect-eating bird species. Live or dried mealworms in small dishes or suet feeders may attract tanagers during the spring and summer months when they are seeking extra protein for breeding and nesting.
Oriole nectar, made by mixing sugar water, is loved by orioles and some tanagers. Try offering it in hummingbird feeders, jars with small holes, or small dishes.
Suet with nuts, seeds, and fruit bits will provide necessary fats that tanagers need in their diets. Look for suet specifically made to attract fruit-loving birds.
Jelly and jam are high-calorie foods that are enjoyed by tanagers. Offer small amounts in shallow dishes. Make sure to clean and replace jelly frequently so it doesn’t get moldy.
What other factors help attract tanagers?
In addition to offering enticing foods, consider these other landscaping and habitat tips to make your yard more attractive to tanagers:
- Provide sources of fresh water for drinking and bathing such as a birdbath, mister, or small pond.
- Allow fruit trees and berry bushes to grow on your property.
- Plant native species that produce small fruits and flowers.
- Avoid using pesticides and insecticides which reduce food supplies.
- Offer sheltered, dense trees and bushes for nesting sites and protection.
- Place feeders near trees or shrubs to make tanagers feel safer.
Having natural food and water sources that tanagers favor will increase sightings in your yard. They feel more secure being able to quickly dart back into vegetation. Locating feeders near trees helps draw them out while giving them an escape route. Providing thickets and trees for nesting and raising young is also attractive.
Common North American Tanagers at Feeders
While over 60 species of tanagers occasionally visit feeders, these are some of the most regularly seen:
Scarlet Tanager
Scarlet tanagers breed across Eastern North America. The males are brilliant red with black wings and tails, while females are yellow-olive. They eat many types of insects along with fruit. Offering oranges and mealworms may entice them during migration or the breeding season.
Western Tanager
Western tanagers live along the Pacific Coast and in the mountain west. Males have bright red heads and yellow bodies, while females are dull yellow. This species loves eating bees and wasps. Providing suet, jelly, and cut fruit can help attract them.
Hepatic Tanager
Hepatic tanagers are found in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. True to their name, males have reddish-brown bodies resembling the color of liver. They eat lots of insects and will visit suet feeders. Offering mealworms and citrus fruits may also entice them.
Summer Tanager
Summer tanagers occupy the southeastern U.S. Males are entirely red, females yellow-olive. They consume wasps, bees, and other stinging insects. Try offering oranges and grape jelly to attract them during warmer months.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
While technically a grosbeak, the rose-breasted has strong ties to tanagers. It eats many fruits and insects. Offer sunflower seeds, orange halves, and mealworms to attract this stunning black and white bird with a red breast.
Foods to Avoid Feeding Tanagers
There are some foods that should be avoided when trying to attract tanagers:
- Dry seed mixes – tanagers prefer soft, high-calorie foods over hard seeds.
- Safflower and thistle seed – tanagers are unable to crack these hard shells.
- Fatty suet – tanagers can develop liver problems if they eat too much fat.
- Moldy or rotten fruit
- Shrimp – can cause gout symptoms in songbirds.
Stick to softer fruits, berries, nectar, jelly, and insect-based foods for tanagers. Avoid anything too high in fat, salt, or cholesterol. Always wash hands thoroughly and clean feeders frequently when offering any edible to birds.
Feeders and Accessories to Use
You don’t need fancy or specialized feeders to successfully feed tanagers. Here are some simple feeder ideas:
- Fruit feeder – a cage or mesh feeder to skewer chunks of fruit
- Jelly/nectar feeder – small trays or cups
- Suet feeder with tail prop or cages
- Small platform feeder
- Low pottery dish on a stool or fence post
Other useful accessories include:
- Water fountain, mister, or birdbath for fresh drinking and bathing water
- Fruit tree stakes to skewer fruit if no fruit cage feeder
- Small bowls for jelly, nectar, and mealworms
Aim for simple, easy to clean feeders. Offer multiple options in both sheltered and open spots to see what works best. Don’t place feeders too high since tanagers prefer lower positioning.
Tanagers Species and Their Diet
Here is a table showing some common tanager species and details about their diet:
| Species | Foods Eaten | Feeder Foods |
|---|---|---|
| Scarlet Tanager | Insects, bees, wasps, fruit | Orange halves, mealworms |
| Western Tanager | Bees, wasps, fruit | Suet, jelly, oranges |
| Summer Tanager | Wasps, bees, fruit | Orange halves, grape jelly |
| Hepatic Tanager | Insects, fruit | Mealworms, citrus fruits |
| Flame-colored Tanager | Fruit, nectar | Orange slices, nectar |
| Rose-breasted Grosbeak | Insects, fruit, seeds | Sunflower seeds, orange halves, mealworms |
This table illustrates the insect and fruit-heavy diets of most tanagers. Offering sliced fruit and live mealworms are good tactics to try attracting many species. Specific types like oranges, grape jelly, and nectar align with preferred tanager foods. Adjust offerings based on time of year and observed diet.
Conclusion
While tanagers prefer finding their own insect and fruit meals, they can be enticed to visit feeders with certain foods. Offering chopped oranges, grapes, bananas and other fruits will appeal to their frugivore tastes. Live mealworms provide needed proteins. Suet, jelly, and nectar are other high-calorie feeder foods tanagers may sample.
Providing thickets and trees for nesting along with native fruit and nectar sources are also important to attracting tanagers. They feel safest being able to quickly escape into protected cover. With the right feeder foods and habitat, you stand the chance of being visited by a colorful tanager or two. Just don’t be surprised if they skip the seed mixes and thistle to look for tastier fare!
