The Scarlet Tanager is a medium-sized songbird found in forests across much of eastern North America. Its brilliant red body and black wings make it one of the most striking birds found in its range. But where exactly can Scarlet Tanagers be found across the continent? Here we’ll explore the full range of this beautiful forest songbird.
Where is the core breeding range of the Scarlet Tanager?
The core breeding range of the Scarlet Tanager centers on the eastern half of the United States and southeastern Canada. This bright red and black bird breeds in deciduous and mixed forests from as far north as southeastern Canada down throughout the eastern United States. Its breeding range reaches its southern limits in northern Georgia and Alabama.
Within this core range, Scarlet Tanagers breed in forests from the Atlantic coast west to the edge of the Great Plains. They are found in woodlands across New England, throughout the mid-Atlantic states, and in the upper South. Their breeding range extends west into the forested eastern portions of the Midwest and Great Lakes regions, including eastern Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana.
Key States in Breeding Range
Some key U.S. states that make up the core breeding range of the Scarlet Tanager include:
- Maine
- New Hampshire
- Vermont
- Massachusetts
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- New Jersey
- Maryland
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Kentucky
- Tennessee
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Georgia
- Alabama
- Ohio
- Michigan
- Wisconsin
- Minnesota
- Indiana
- Illinois
Key Provinces in Breeding Range
In Canada, the core breeding range includes:
- Southern Quebec
- Southern and eastern Ontario
- Southeastern Manitoba
- Southern New Brunswick
- Nova Scotia
What is the winter range of the Scarlet Tanager?
Scarlet Tanagers migrate long distances to spend the winter in tropical regions of South America. Their winter range centers on the Amazon basin region of northern Brazil, although their full wintering grounds extend into other parts of South America as well.
Most Scarlet Tanagers migrate southeast in a loop through Florida and the Caribbean to reach their South American wintering grounds. However, some follow a more direct overwater route across the Gulf of Mexico.
Key Regions in Winter Range
Here are some of the key regions and countries included in the winter range of the Scarlet Tanager:
- Northern Brazil
- The Amazon Basin
- Northeastern Peru
- Southeastern Colombia
- Southern Venezuela
- The Guianas (Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana)
- Part of eastern Bolivia
Within these regions, Scarlet Tanagers spend the winter in humid lowland tropical forests. They are often found in forest bordering streams and rivers.
What is the migration route of the Scarlet Tanager?
The migration of the Scarlet Tanager occurs in loops that connect their breeding range in eastern North America to their wintering grounds in northern South America.
In the fall migration, most Scarlet Tanagers first travel southeast. This takes them through Florida and across the Caribbean Sea to South America. Some individuals opt for a more direct trans-Gulf route from the U.S. Gulf Coast to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and then on to South America.
In the spring, the migration path is reversed as birds head north and west back to their U.S. and Canadian breeding grounds. Again, most Scarlet Tanagers follow a loop through the Caribbean and Florida, while some opt for a nonstop flight across the Gulf of Mexico.
Key Stopover Sites
During the lengthy migrations of the Scarlet Tanager, certain areas provide important stopover habitat where the birds can rest and refuel. Key stopover sites include:
- Southern Florida
- Cuba
- Hispaniola
- Puerto Rico
- Coastal areas along the northern Gulf of Mexico
- Yucatan Peninsula
When does migration occur?
The migration of the Scarlet Tanager happens in the spring and fall as the birds move between their breeding and wintering grounds. Here is an overview of when migration occurs:
Fall Migration
- Most leave breeding grounds in August and September
- Peak migration through Florida and Caribbean occurs in October
- Arrival on South American winter grounds in November
Spring Migration
- Depart South American wintering grounds in March and April
- Peak passage through Florida and Caribbean in May
- Arrive back on breeding grounds in May and early June
So in summary, migration occurs in spring and fall with most birds leaving the breeding grounds in August-September and arriving on winter territory in November. Return migration happens between March-May.
How far does the Scarlet Tanager migrate?
The migration of the Scarlet Tanager is an incredibly long journey, with most individuals likely traveling between 5,000-6,500 miles round trip each year. Here are some key facts about the migration distance:
- Total round trip migration likely between 5,000-6,500 miles
- Fall migration from breeding to wintering grounds around 3,000 miles
- Spring migration back to breeding grounds 2,000-2,500 miles
- Makes an extended loop through Florida and Caribbean
- Direct overwater route across Gulf of Mexico is ~2,000 miles
So in total, these medium-sized songbirds undertake an amazingly long migration each year, akin to flying across the entire North American continent multiple times annually!
What habitats are used during migration?
During their spring and fall migrations, Scarlet Tanagers utilize a variety of forest and woodland habitats to rest and refuel. Here are some of the key habitats used during migration:
Forested Stopover Sites
- Pine forests of Florida and southeastern coastal plain
- Mangrove forests in Florida
- Lowland tropical forests in Caribbean
- Coastal woodlands along Gulf of Mexico
Forested Wintering Habitat
- Tropical lowland rainforests
- Amazon basin forests
- Forest edges along rivers and streams
In summary, the Tanager uses a variety of forested habitats that provide cover and insect food during its migratory journeys across the Americas.
How does the Scarlet Tanager migrate?
The migration strategy used by Scarlet Tanagers includes the following elements:
- Makes long distance flights interspersed with stopovers to rest and feed
- Migrates alone or in loose flocks
- Makes extensive use of broad-front migration through contiguous habitat
- Capable of making direct overwater flights up to 1,500 miles nonstop over the Caribbean
- May compete with other songbird migrants for food at stopover sites
So in summary, the Scarlet Tanager is a long-distance migrant that uses intermittent long flights and stopovers to fuel its journey between breeding and wintering grounds. Its migration includes long overwater passages and movement through broad geographic fronts of habitat across eastern North America.
What threats and conservation issues affect the Scarlet Tanager?
Some key threats and conservation issues that impact Scarlet Tanagers include:
Habitat Loss
- Logging and clearing of forests on breeding grounds
- Urbanization reducing forest habitat
- Loss of stopover habitat during migration
Pesticides
- Exposure to neonicotinoid pesticides may cause mortality
- Herbicide use reduces insect prey base
Climate Change
- May alter migration timing and breeding
- Changes in tropical forests could impact winter habitat
Cats and Buildings
- Predation by outdoor cats is a threat
- Window collisions with buildings causes mortality
Protecting forests on the breeding grounds, mitigating pesticide risks, addressing climate impacts, and reducing building collisions and cat predation could benefit Scarlet Tanager populations.
What is the population trend and conservation status for the Scarlet Tanager?
Here is an overview of the population trend and conservation status of the Scarlet Tanager:
Population Trend
- Estimated breeding population of 31 million
- Underwent significant declines from 1966-2015
- Breeding Bird Survey shows 2.35% annual decline
- Partners in Flight estimates 47% population loss in that time
Conservation Status
- Has a large range and population, so is Least Concern for global extinction on the IUCN Red List
- But Partners in Flight lists it as a Species of Continental Concern
So in summary, Scarlet Tanager populations have declined significantly in recent decades, prompting conservation concern, though the species remains globally secure.
Tables Summarizing Key Scarlet Tanager Range and Migration Details
| Breeding Range Area | Key Locations |
|---|---|
| Northeastern U.S. | Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, New York |
| Mid-Atlantic and Southeast U.S. | Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama |
| Midwestern U.S. | Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana, Illinois |
| Southeastern Canada | Southern Quebec, southern and eastern Ontario, southeastern Manitoba, southern New Brunswick, Nova Scotia |
| Wintering Range Area | Key Locations |
|---|---|
| Northern South America | Northern Brazil, Amazon Basin |
| Western South America | Northeastern Peru, southeastern Colombia, southern Venezuela |
| The Guianas | Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana |
| Migration Route | Key Stopover Locations |
|---|---|
| Southeastern U.S. | Florida, Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico |
| Gulf Coast | Coastal areas along northern Gulf of Mexico, Yucatan Peninsula |
Conclusion
In summary, the Scarlet Tanager is a brightly colored songbird that breeds in eastern North American forests and winters in the Amazon River basin region. Its annual migration loop covers 5,000 miles or more, taking it through the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. Habitat loss and pesticides have contributed to declines in recent decades. But this visually stunning bird remains widespread across its range, which stretches over much of the eastern half of the United States and southeastern Canada during the summer breeding season.
