Characteristics
![image](https://scontent.fsgn2-8.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/436481652_1263996744717798_3381636967440989828_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5f2048&_nc_ohc=LYL1Opjo0bgQ7kNvgGCN8rg&_nc_ht=scontent.fsgn2-8.fna&oh=00_AYC1CHxWQ2U6jag1iWhqJJeaeYVjFibO2hxM-Mk4sxRG4g&oe=66535895)
The western tanager is 6-7 inches in length. The male western tanager has a bright red head, a bright yellow body and black wings. The female western tanager is greenish-yellow on top and yellow on her underside. Both the male and female have two wing bars. The top wing bar is yellow and the bottom one is white.
![image](https://scontent.fsgn2-7.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/443712306_1263996758051130_6708193918359354420_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5f2048&_nc_ohc=tgHwsZZ8PeAQ7kNvgFViPj4&_nc_ht=scontent.fsgn2-7.fna&oh=00_AYAdtgBB-YBU1vOqzeCjO7Y62bS5P1DOircJKscV86R1ng&oe=66534A15)
Habitat
The western tanager breeds in open coniferous forests and mixed deciduous-coniferous forests. It can be found at elevations of up to 10,000 feet. It winters in open mountain pine woodlands and in parks and gardens.
![image](https://scontent.fsgn2-7.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/443821296_1263996734717799_6180076940509010025_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5f2048&_nc_ohc=mUvg9bsqq6cQ7kNvgF3XHJs&_nc_ht=scontent.fsgn2-7.fna&oh=00_AYAsZt42BKwWNfHqhyiPpSqtIo-213xLy4eiyTpxSPgxVw&oe=665357C9)
Diet
The western tanager eats fruits and insects. It forages for food in the trees and shrubs. They also catch insects in the air.
Life Cycle
![image](https://scontent.fsgn2-9.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/442445973_1263996721384467_6772301814637174196_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5f2048&_nc_ohc=XmfjQlABF8YQ7kNvgGRu5fs&_nc_ht=scontent.fsgn2-9.fna&oh=00_AYBPgwuq5mGr81r9YT1oI-RubXI9-_t-ijdF1eei8ydyjw&oe=66534F81)
The female western tanager lays three to five eggs in a cup-shaped nest made of woven bark, grass, and weeds. The nest is placed in a fork of a tree. The female incubates the eggs. The eggs hatch in about two weeks. Both parents care for the chicks
Behavior
The western tanager is a long-distance migrator. Every year it travels between its wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America to its breeding grounds in western North America.