The summer tanager is a medium-sized songbird found in North America. It is known for its beautiful red-orange plumage and distinctive vocalizations. The male summer tanager’s song is often described as a buzzy “pir-ik” or “chick-burr.” In this article, we will explore the unique qualities of the summer tanager’s song and what it tells us about this bird.
What does the summer tanager look like?
The summer tanager is a striking bird with bright plumage. Adult males are deep red-orange overall, with a slightly darker red-orange on the wings and tail. Females and immature birds are yellowish on the undersides and olive on top, with olive-yellow wings and tail. Both males and females have a thick, pointed bill that is dark gray on top fading to pale gray on the bottom. Their eyes are brown. Summer tanagers grow to be 5.5-6.5 inches in length with a wingspan around 10 inches.
Where is the summer tanager found?
The summer tanager has a breeding range that extends across the southeastern United States and as far north as Iowa. Its wintering range reaches into Central America and northern parts of South America. This migratory songbird winters in tropical areas but returns each spring to breed in open, mixed woodlands across the southern and central U.S. Summer tanagers favor areas with scattered trees, forest edges, and clearings that provide good visibility.
The Sound of the Summer Tanager
The most recognizable vocalization of the summer tanager is its loud, buzzy song. This distinct song is often rendered as “pir-ik” or “chick-burr.” Here are some key details about the song:
Song Description
– Overall quality: The song is buzzy, insect-like, and mechanical-sounding. It has an abrupt, staccato quality.
– Pitch: The song covers a range of frequencies, but is focused in the 4-6 kHz range. This gives it a higher-pitched, buzzing quality.
– Tempo: The song is delivered at a rate of about 5-6 notes per second. The pace is steady.
– Rhythm: The notes are evenly spaced and delivered in a consistent rhythm.
– Structure: The song is composed of two slurred phrases with a brief pause in between. The pattern is usually “chick-burr…chick-burr.”
– Duration: Each phrase lasts about 0.25-0.5 seconds. The whole song lasts 1-2 seconds including the pause.
Context and Use
– Sex: Primarily male summer tanagers sing, though females may occasionally give a shorter, softer version of the song.
– Season: Singing occurs most frequently during late spring and early summer during the breeding season.
– Function: The song is used to declare territory and attract potential mates. Unmated males sing more persistently than mated males.
– Delivery: Males often deliver their songs from high, exposed perches near the tops of trees. The songs carry well through the tree canopy.
Regional Variations
Summer tanager songs are fairly consistent across their range, but regional dialects can be detected. West of the Rockies, the song often drops the second phrase. In Texas, the pitch of the song is lowered.
Audio Examples
[Link to audio example of summer tanager song]
Unique Attributes of the Summer Tanager Song
The summer tanager’s song stands out from other birds native to North America for several reasons:
Buzzy, Insect-Like Quality
Many people describe the summer tanager’s vocalization as sounding like a huge bee or cicada. This buzzing, insectile quality comes from the blurred, buzzy delivery of the notes. The timbre has an almost mechanical, electric bursts sound reminiscent of a bee’s wings. This is unique among colorful North American songbirds.
Higher Pitch
The summer tanager song’s concentration in the 4-6 kHz range gives it a noticeably higher pitch than many songs of similar tempo. The orchard oriole, for example, sings faster notes but in a lower 2-4 kHz range. Higher frequencies carry better in densely wooded habitat.
Steady, Staccato Rhythm
Most songs with a rapid delivery also feature some notes of longer duration or a syncopated rhythm. The summer tanager’s insistent, clockwork rhythm of evenly spaced notes is relatively uncommon among regional songbirds.
Short, Distinct Phrases
Many buzzy insect songs are delivered as one continuous trill. But the summer tanager’s song consists of two distinct short phrases separated by a pause. This gives the song a rhythmic double-pulse structure that makes it highly recognizable.
How the Song Reflects the Bird’s Habits
The summer tanager’s song tells us a lot about its lifestyle and behavior:
Suitable for Forested Habitats
The high frequencies and buzzy tones are well-adapted for carrying through dense foliage across long distances. This matches their habitat preferences for somewhat open mixed woodlands.
Advertises Male Fitness
The song’s challenging rapid tempo and steadiness demonstrates the male’s physical fitness. Females assess songs for endurance and consistency.
Designed to Attract Attention
The insect-like, staccato song cuts through the low-pitched background noise of the forest, grabbing the attention of females. The rhythm gives it a bold, hard-to-ignore quality.
Marks Small, Well-defined Territories
The use of distinct, repeating phrases helps establish definite territorial boundaries between neighboring males. This matches the tanager’s defense of smaller breeding territories.
Supports Monogamous Breeding
The persistence of the territorial singing indicates the male’s intention to remain paired with a single female for breeding. Tanagers are predominantly monogamous each season.
How to See and Hear the Summer Tanager
To observe summer tanagers and listen to their captivating songs, here are some tips:
Timing
Plan your visit during the peak breeding season – late May through early July offers your best chance of sighting singing males. Arrive early in the morning when activity is highest.
Locations
Seek out parks, nature preserves, or forested areas with a mix of deciduous and pine trees. Look for clearings and forest edges. Southeastern states offer the most abundant populations.
Looking Tips
Scan treetops and look for glimpses of red-orange plumage. Listen for the buzzy song and look for movement. Follow the song to track down the singer.
Listening Tips
Use bird song identification apps to familiarize yourself with the summer tanager’s vocalizations. Choose vantage points with good visibility and less background noise. Listen for the distinctive buzzy, repetitive song.
State | Key Areas |
---|---|
Georgia | Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge |
Florida | St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge |
Alabama | Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge |
Mississippi | Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge |
Louisiana | Kisatchie National Forest |
Conclusion
The buzzy, insect-inspired song of the summer tanager is a unique and beautiful sound of the forests of eastern North America. This highly recognizable vocalization plays an important role in the tanager’s breeding behavior. With a little knowledge and some patience, anyone can enjoy observing these colorful songbirds and listening to their captivating musical calls ringing through the summer woodlands. So get outside and open your ears to the sounds of the scarlet-colored summer tanager!