The male of this species has a flaming red color with jet-black wings and tail. The female is dulll greenish above, yellowish below, and has dark brownish or blackish wings - a color pattern which blends in well with foliage. Scarlet tanagers often forage for insects in treetops, and the bird seen appeared to be eating a caterpillar. Other preferred foods include aphids,weevils, dragonflies, ants, etc., and also various wild fruits. This species winters in Central and South America, and migrates to the United States in April, arriving in the northern U.S. and Canada by early to mid-May.
Males usually arrive before females and stake out territories in tall trees.
Their courtship behavior involves hopping about on low perches and spreading their wings so as to display their scarlet backs. Breeding occurs from May to August. Nests are placed anywhere from 4 to 75 feet above ground, and the young are able to leave the nest about 9-15 days after hatching. The drawing of the scarlet tanager is by Denis Kania and appears on the USGS Web Site .