The Morning Illusion
Backyard birders love the morning visits from our male Scarlet Tanager. The bright red feathers of the Scarlet Tanager against the bright green background of spring is a delight. Just as easily do we notice the tanager leaves for parts unknown. They assume he has flown off to migrate or find a better feeding spot. He actually only went up a few dozen feet and just went straight up. low birdbath
Bring Hummingbirds Right To Your Window!
Check PriceThe Science of Vertical Foraging
Scarlet Tanagers are specialized insectivores. Tanagers feed on insects and their daily movements are based on the location of their primary food source. During the cool early morning hours, insects become sluggish and can often be found deeper in the understory or shrub layer of the forest. The morning dew that is collected on the leaves of lower vegetation also provides easy access to hydration for the songbirds.
Save this article for later so you don't lose it. Enter your email and I'll send it to you now—plus you'll get my favorite backyard birding tips delivered to your inbox.
As the sun climbs higher in the sky and the heat begins to rise, insects begin to move to the treetops. Caterpillars, beetles, and other flying insects begin to cluster around the sunlit crowns of mature deciduous trees. Scarlet tanagers engage in what is known as vertical foraging to follow this food source. They leave the lower branches of the trees and climb up to fifty to eighty feet into the canopy of the trees. Due to the fact that they forage slowly and with great determination through the dense leaves, they become nearly undetectable from the ground.
Get our free Hummingbird Attraction Guide! Plus, we'll send you our best tips for attracting more birds to your yard.
Daily Movement Breakdown
To find tanagers throughout the day, one must first comprehend the concept of vertical migration. The behavior studies suggest a consistent daily pattern which is influenced by temperature and the presence of insects.
| Time of Day | Typical Location | Activity Level | Primary Food Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | Forest understory, low branches, birdbaths | High (active foraging and hydrating) | Sluggish lower-level insects, dew |
| Midday | Upper canopy (50 to 80 feet high) | Moderate (slow, deliberate gleaning) | Caterpillars, canopy beetles, wasps |
| Evening | Mid-canopy to understory | High (final foraging before roosting) | Flying insects, moths |
Migration Stopover vs. Summer Resident
If a tanager is gone from a lower feeder station, the time of year must be taken into account to understand the bird’s real whereabouts. Migration studies indicate that in the first two weeks of May, a tanager could be a temporary passerby stopping in the understory en route to the north.
If you see them in late May or June, they are likely summer residents. Scarlet Tanagers need mature forests to breed. They typically build their nests high up in the branches of oaks, hickories, or maples. Just because they dissappear for part of the day, does not mean they left the area. They are just going to their favorite nesting and foraging spots higher up.
Midday Observation Tactics
To see a bird that hides in the leaves of the tree tops, you’ll need to change your approach to observation. Casual bird watchers may be able to find midday tanagers using sound and certain ways of looking.
Midday Canopy Spotting Checklist
- Listen for the “Chick-Burr” Call: Scarlet Tanagers have a very distinct, raspy call note that sounds like “chick-burr.” They vocalize frequently while foraging. Locate the sound before lifting binoculars.
- Identify the Song: The male’s song is often described as a robin with a sore throat. It is a series of raspy, hurried phrases. Tracking this song is the most reliable way to find a canopy-dwelling male.
- Scan for Slow Movement: Unlike warblers that flit rapidly from branch to branch, tanagers are sluggish foragers. Scan the upper branches for slow, deliberate movements among the leaves.
- Adjust the Viewing Angle: Standing directly under a tree causes severe neck strain and offers a poor viewing angle against back-lit leaves. Step back thirty to fifty feet from the target tree to view the canopy at a comfortable diagonal angle.
- Watch for Hovering: Tanagers occasionally sally out from a branch to catch a flying insect or hover briefly to pluck a caterpillar from the underside of a leaf. Watch for these sudden bursts of activity in the upper foliage.
FLYANT 20x50 Waterproof High Powered Binoculars
Check PriceAligning Observation with Natural Rhythms
When you observe the habits of birdwatching and combine that with the songbirds’ behaviors, it will enhance your experience greatly. Contrary to popular belief, the Scarlet Tanager does not disappear at noon. In fact, the Scarlet Tanager moves to the top of the trees. With a little knowledge about vertical foraging and the ability to discern vocalizations from the canopy, birdwatchers can enjoy the company of these extraordinary avian species long after the morning dew has disappeared.
