The Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) is a medium-sized songbird found in North America. This brightly colored bird is known for its bright red body and yellow-orange beak. The Summer Tanager breeds in open wooded areas across much of the eastern and central United States and spends the winter in Central and South America. While still a fairly common species in parts of its range, the Summer Tanager has experienced population declines in recent decades. This has led some to question whether the species should be considered endangered.
Summer Tanager Population Trends
According to the North American Breeding Bird Survey, Summer Tanagers declined at a rate of 1.3% per year between 1966 and 2015. Partners in Flight estimates the total Summer Tanager population in North America at around 5.5 million breeding adults. However, within portions of its breeding range, steeper declines have been noted. For example, in Illinois the species declined at a rate of 3.4% annually from 1966-2015. And in Arkansas, breeding surveys indicate the population decreased by an estimated 49% between 1980 and 2014.
These regional declines appear driven by habitat loss, particularly of mature open oak woodlands that provide the tree cavities required for nesting. The clearing of forests for agriculture and development has reduced available nesting habitat in many areas. Increased urbanization and forest fragmentation may also negatively impact Summer Tanager populations.
Summer Tanager Conservation Status
Despite population declines, the Summer Tanager is not currently considered globally threatened or endangered. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List categorizes the Summer Tanager as a species of Least Concern. However, some state and regional conservation organizations have designated the Summer Tanager as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need or a species experiencing steep declines locally.
Here are some key facts about the Summer Tanager’s conservation status:
- IUCN Red List Category: Least Concern
- Federal protection status: Not listed under the Endangered Species Act
- Population trend: Declining at a rate of 1.3% per year from 1966-2015
- Total estimated population: 5.5 million breeding adults
Threats Facing the Summer Tanager
The major threats believed to be driving Summer Tanager population declines include:
Habitat Loss
The clearing of mature open woodlands, especially oak forests, for logging, agriculture, and development has reduced available nesting habitat. Tanagers require older trees with cavities for nesting.
Forest Fragmentation
Increased habitat fragmentation due to human development and the division of forests may isolate some populations. Fragmentation makes it harder for birds to move between remaining habitat patches.
Nest Parasitism
Summer Tanagers are vulnerable to brood parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds, which lay eggs in tanager nests. This can reduce tanager breeding success. Fragmented habitats experience higher rates of nest parasitism.
Pesticide Use
As insectivores, Summer Tanagers may be harmed by ingesting pesticide residues that accumulate in prey items. Neonicotinoid pesticides in particular have been linked to songbird declines.
Summer Tanager Protection and Conservation Efforts
While not currently protected under the Endangered Species Act, some efforts are underway to conserve and manage Summer Tanager populations, including:
- Regional conservation plans identifying the Summer Tanager as a priority species
- Protection of remaining mature open oak woodlands that provide nesting habitat
- Landscape-level habitat corridors to connect fragmented populations
- Cowbird trapping programs to reduce nest parasitism in isolated habitat fragments
- Monitoring of breeding populations to track long-term trends
More habitat protection and proactive conservation management will be needed to reverse Summer Tanager declines. Preventing further forest fragmentation and maintaining connectivity between breeding populations should be priorities.
Outlook for the Summer Tanager
While still considered a species of Least Concern globally by the IUCN Red List, the Summer Tanager has experienced concerning population declines in portions of its range. However, some optimistic signs remain for the species. If conservation efforts can protect remaining mature open woodlands and reduce habitat fragmentation, stabilizing and recovering Summer Tanager populations is an achievable goal. Key to their long-term outlook will be maintaining resilience in the face of threats. With proactive management, the Summer Tanager’s bright red song can continue gracing North American oak forests for years to come.
Conclusion
In summary, the Summer Tanager is not currently considered a globally endangered species, but has experienced troubling population declines in parts of its range. Habitat loss and fragmentation pose major threats to the species by reducing nesting sites and isolating some populations. However, through conservation initiatives like preserving mature oak forests and reducing parasitism and pesticide impacts, there is still hope for stabilizing Summer Tanager numbers. While increased protections may be needed regionally, the overall outlook remains optimistic if conservation efforts can give this colorful songbird’s populations room to recover. With proper habitat management and connectivity between metapopulations, the Summer Tanager’s iconic red plumage should continue lighting up North American forests for generations to come.
