Orange colored Scarlet Tanager

[NewMexiKen]

The new Hawk's Bluff Park in Batavia, Illinois (to be formally
dedicated this weekend) has turned out to be a nice migrant trap.
Over the past several days we have seen 9 warbler species (Yellow-
rumped, Yellow, Nashville, Black-throated Green, Chestnut-sided,
Blackburnian, Magnolia, Black-and-White, American Redstart), plus
other species as noted in my Blog today <http://blog.rosyfinch.com>

This Scarlet Tanager that I photographed there yesterday has its usual
bright red plumage replaced by bright orange. At first I thought it
was an oriole, but quickly noticed that the heavy bill and lack of
wing bars characterize it as a Scarlet Tanager. The Sibley guide
illustrates this color variant. The photo is cropped but not retouched
or enhanced.

See it at <http://blog.rosyfinch.com>

[maryann kolb]

I enjoy your blog. the pictures are great. I have a grandson who
will be two in June and I keep wondering how soon can I give him his
first binoculars and bird book. I want my grandson to have big eyes
too.

Mary Ann
Barnwell, SC

[Rick]

I think it could be that the feathers have not broken down to the to the
red yet. Scarlet Tanagers are one of the species where their breeding
plumage is developed through the disintegration of the feathers. These
birds are very dark over the winter and if you looked at the feathers in
the winter you would find the r4ed below the dark. It could also be
related to diet--no enough carotenoids-- just a SWAG. :)

--

Rick
Fargo, ND
N 46°53'251"
W 096°48'279"

Remember the USS Liberty
http://www.ussliberty.org/

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