Tennessee wildlife
Scarlet Tanager (male)
Piranga olivacea
Males brilliant scarlet with black wings; easy to spot against green canopy.
See the Scarlet Tanager (male) up close
Best months
Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug
Best early morning during late April to May when males are singing and tulip poplars are flowering; check the park's official birding report for peak timing.
Where to look
Conservation status
Summer resident in deciduous forests; common but secretive
Good to know
Do Scarlet Tanagers stay in Tennessee all summer?
Yes, they arrive in April and remain through August, breeding in deciduous forests before migrating to South America for winter.
What is the best trail in the Smokies to see one?
The Cosby Nature Trail or the Porters Creek Trail are good choices; look in areas with high tulip poplar density.
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