Hepatic Tanager

The Hepatic Tanager occupies pine-oak woodland and montane forest from the southwestern United States through Mexico and Central America into parts of South America, one of the more widespread tanagers in the Americas. Males show an overall brick-red to liver-red plumage, somewhat duller and more muted than the vivid scarlet of Scarlet Tanager or the rosy-red of Summer Tanager, with a subtle grayish patch on the cheek that offers a useful identification feature. Females are olive-yellow overall, similar to other female tanagers but generally lacking bright orange or yellow tones.

Adult male body feathers show a somewhat muted, brick-red to liver-red tone across the head, back, wings, and underparts, without the black wings of Scarlet or Western Tanager and without the brighter rosy tone of Summer Tanager. A grayish patch on the cheek/auricular area is a distinctive, subtle feature not present in other similarly red tanagers. The bill is notably dark and heavier than that of Summer Tanager, a helpful supporting feature. Females show olive-yellow body plumage, generally duller and grayer-toned than female Summer or Scarlet Tanager, with the same darker bill shape as males.

Adult males retain their brick-red plumage with the grayish cheek patch year-round without a strong seasonal change. Females maintain olive-yellow plumage consistently through the year. Immature males typically resemble females before gradually acquiring adult red plumage through molt.

Hepatic Tanagers inhabit pine-oak woodland and montane forest across a broad range from the southwestern United States (Arizona, New Mexico) through Mexico, Central America, and into parts of South America. Northern populations are migratory, wintering further south, while populations in the tropical portion of the range tend to be resident.

This species forages in the mid-story and canopy of pine-oak forest for insects and fruit. The song is a rich, warbling phrase generally similar to other Piranga tanagers but often described as more measured, and calls include a distinctive low chuck note. Nests are cup-shaped, placed on a horizontal branch in a pine or oak tree. Hepatic Tanagers can be locally common in appropriate montane pine-oak habitat but are often overlooked due to their more muted coloration compared to other red tanagers.