Scarlet Tanager

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Habitat and behaviour

Habitat: Woodland (very rare vagrant).
Diet: Insects.
Best time to spot: Brilliant red male; black wings.

When to look

A rare visitor, not a resident. There is no dependable season, though most rarities are found during spring and autumn migration. More on the season in Rare birds in the UK.

How rare is it?

The Scarlet Tanager sits in our Legendary tier for the UK: a major rarity, where any record is big news. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5.

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Summer TanagerLegendary · Trees (extreme vagrant)
• Black-billed CuckooEpic · Woodland (very rare vagrant)
• Brown FlycatcherLegendary · Coastal scrub (very rare vagrant)
• Brown ThrasherLegendary · Scrub (very rare vagrant)
• Cream-coloured CourserLegendary · Coastal dunes (very rare vagrant)
• Sociable LapwingLegendary · Short grass (very rare vagrant)

Kit that helps

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