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Scarlet Tanager

Piranga olivacea

Bird · family Cardinalidae · order Passeriformes

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Native in
39 states[3]
Oldest known wild bird
11 years[4]

The Scarlet Tanager is a songbird in the family Cardinalidae[5]. It is not listed under the US Endangered Species Act, and NatureServe ranks it G5 (Secure) worldwide[1][2].

Conservation status

NatureServe gives the Scarlet Tanager a global rank of G5, which it labels Secure[2]. In the United States the rank is N5B, Secure for the breeding population[6]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[7]. The bird is not listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act[1]. It is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N5B (Secure (breeding))
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[7] Least concern
Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8] Protected
Total population (NatureServe estimate)[9] 10,000 to >1,000,000 individuals

Where Scarlet Tanager lives

NatureServe lists the Scarlet Tanager as native in 39 US states and territories[3]. These include Texas, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, New York, Georgia, Florida and Maine, along with the District of Columbia[3]. State ranks differ. State ranks differ, and NatureServe lists a rank for each of the 39 states in a table on this page[10].

Alaska: not recordedAKMaine: native, state rank S5BMEWisconsin: native, state rank S4BWIVermont: native, state rank S5BVTNew Hampshire: native, state rank S5BNHWashington: not recordedWAIdaho: not recordedIDMontana: not recordedMTNorth Dakota: native, state rank SUNDMinnesota: native, state rank SNRBMNIllinois: native, state rank S5ILMichigan: native, state rank S5MINew York: native, state rank S5BNYMassachusetts: native, state rank S5BMAOregon: not recordedORNevada: not recordedNVWyoming: not recordedWYSouth Dakota: native, state rank S2BSDIowa: native, state rank S4B,S4NIAIndiana: native, state rank S4BINOhio: native, state rank S5OHPennsylvania: native, state rank S4B,S4MPANew Jersey: native, state rank S4B,S4NNJConnecticut: native, state rank S5BCTRhode Island: native, state rank S5BRICalifornia: not recordedCAUtah: not recordedUTColorado: native, state rank SNACONebraska: native, state rank S4NEMissouri: native, state rank SNRBMOKentucky: native, state rank S5BKYWest Virginia: native, state rank S5BWVVirginia: native, state rank S5VAMaryland: native, state rank S4BMDDelaware: native, state rank S4BDEArizona: not recordedAZNew Mexico: not recordedNMKansas: native, state rank S3BKSArkansas: native, state rank S4B,S4NARTennessee: native, state rank S4TNNorth Carolina: native, state rank S5BNCSouth Carolina: native, state rank S5SCDistrict of Columbia: native, state rank S2B,S4NDCOklahoma: native, state rank S2BOKLouisiana: native, state rank SNALAMississippi: native, state rank S2BMSAlabama: native, state rank S5BALGeorgia: native, state rank S5GAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S4TXFlorida: native, state rank SNAFLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[10].
Show state ranks (39 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaS5BSecure (breeding)
ArkansasS4B,S4NApparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
ColoradoSNANot Applicable
ConnecticutS5BSecure (breeding)
DelawareS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
District of ColumbiaS2B,S4NImperiled (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
FloridaSNANot Applicable
GeorgiaS5Secure
IllinoisS5Secure
IndianaS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
IowaS4B,S4NApparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
KansasS3BVulnerable (breeding)
KentuckyS5BSecure (breeding)
LouisianaSNANot Applicable
MaineS5BSecure (breeding)
MarylandS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
MassachusettsS5BSecure (breeding)
MichiganS5Secure
MinnesotaSNRBNot Ranked (breeding)
MississippiS2BImperiled (breeding)
MissouriSNRBNot Ranked (breeding)
NebraskaS4Apparently Secure
New HampshireS5BSecure (breeding)
New JerseyS4B,S4NApparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
New YorkS5BSecure (breeding)
North CarolinaS5BSecure (breeding)
North DakotaSUUnrankable
OhioS5Secure
OklahomaS2BImperiled (breeding)
PennsylvaniaS4B,S4MApparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (migrant)
Rhode IslandS5BSecure (breeding)
South CarolinaS5Secure
South DakotaS2BImperiled (breeding)
TennesseeS4Apparently Secure
TexasS4Apparently Secure
VermontS5BSecure (breeding)
VirginiaS5Secure
West VirginiaS5BSecure (breeding)
WisconsinS4BApparently Secure (breeding)

Habitat

NatureServe records hardwood forest, mixed forest, hardwood woodland, mixed woodland and riparian areas as its habitat[11]. For breeding, it uses leafy forests and mature woodlands, often with oaks[12]. It can also nest in orchards and in big shade trees of suburbs[12]. It can breed in fairly small patches of forest[12].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[11]

Size, diet and lifespan

The Scarlet Tanager eats insects and other small invertebrates, plus fruit[13][14]. One estimate puts its diet at 80% invertebrates, 10% other plant material and 10% fruit[15]. It usually feeds in the middle of the tree canopy[13]. NatureServe gives a typical length of 20 cm (8 in) and a typical weight of 29 g[16][17]. A typical clutch is 4 eggs, and incubation lasts 13 days[18][19]. The oldest known banded bird was at least 11 years 11 months old[20][4].

Trait Value
Typical length[16] 20 cm (8 in)
Typical adult weight[17] 29 g (1.0 oz)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[20] 11.9 years (wild)
Oldest known wild bird (banding)[4] 11 years 11 months
Litter or clutch size[18] 4
Gestation or incubation[19] 13 days
Female maturity[21] 365 days (about 1.0 years)
Food habits[14] Invertivore, Frugivore
Migration[22] long-distance migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[15]

  • 80% invertebrates
  • 10% other plant material
  • 10% fruit

When to look for it

The Scarlet Tanager is active by day[23]. It is a long-distance migrant[22]. It reaches most of the southern states in April and the northern states by early to late May[24]. The trip south starts in late August and peaks in September[24]. GBIF observation records are highest in May, June and July[25]. These records show when people look and report, not how many birds there are[25].

January: 128 recordsJanFebruary: 38 recordsFebMarch: 117 recordsMarApril: 128,318 recordsAprMay: 706,442 recordsMayJune: 286,466 recordsJunJuly: 154,950 recordsJulAugust: 62,862 recordsAugSeptember: 141,563 recordsSepOctober: 43,227 recordsOctNovember: 1,383 recordsNovDecember: 368 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[25].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January128
February38
March117
April128,318
May706,442
June286,466
July154,950
August62,862
September141,563
October43,227
November1,383
December368

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Scarlet Tanager as present in 131 park units[26]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 107 more park units.

States with the most GBIF observation records: Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, Ohio, Maryland[27]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Scarlet Tanager endangered?
No. It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it G5 (Secure) globally[2].
Where does the Scarlet Tanager live?
NatureServe lists it as native in 39 US states and territories, including Texas, Pennsylvania, New York and Maine[3]. It breeds in leafy forests and woodlands[12].
What does the Scarlet Tanager eat?
It eats insects and other invertebrates, and also fruit[13][14].
How big is a Scarlet Tanager?
NatureServe gives a typical length of 20 cm (8 in) and a typical weight of 29 g[16][17].
How long does a Scarlet Tanager live?
The oldest known banded bird was at least 11 years 11 months old[4].

Facts and sources

  1. Scarlet Tanager is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Scarlet Tanager: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Scarlet Tanager as native in 39 US states and territories: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland,... NatureServe Explorer
  4. Oldest known wild Scarlet Tanager from US and Canadian bird banding records: at least 11 years 11 months old (USGS Bird Banding Laboratory). USGS Bird Banding Lab
  5. Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) is a bird in the family Cardinalidae, order Passeriformes. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N5B (Secure (breeding)). NatureServe Explorer
  7. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  8. Scarlet Tanager is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (50 CFR 10.13). eCFR, 50 CFR 10.13
  9. NatureServe estimate of total adult population (global, as a range): 10,000 to >1,000,000 individuals. NatureServe Explorer
  10. NatureServe state ranks for Scarlet Tanager (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  11. Habitat types NatureServe records for Scarlet Tanager: Forest - hardwood, Forest - mixed, Woodland - hardwood, Woodland - mixed, Riparian. NatureServe Explorer
  12. NatureServe notes on habitat for Scarlet Tanager. NatureServe Explorer
  13. NatureServe notes on food for Scarlet Tanager. NatureServe Explorer
  14. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Invertivore, Frugivore. NatureServe Explorer
  15. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 80% invertebrates, 10% other plant material, 10% fruit. EltonTraits 1.0
  16. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 20 cm (8 in). NatureServe Explorer
  17. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 29 g (1.0 oz). NatureServe Explorer
  18. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 4. AnAge
  19. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 13 days. AnAge
  20. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 11.9 years in the wild. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  21. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 365 days (about 1.0 years). AnAge
  22. NatureServe migration category for Scarlet Tanager: long-distance migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  23. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Diurnal. NatureServe Explorer
  24. NatureServe notes on migration for Scarlet Tanager. NatureServe Explorer
  25. GBIF observation records of Scarlet Tanager in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  26. NPSpecies park lists recording Scarlet Tanager as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies
  27. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Scarlet Tanager: Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, Ohio, Maryland. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.