Piranga rubra

The summer tanager is a neotropical bird that will stray over the Mexican border into southern Arizona and New Mexico. It is a rare bird for Utah. However, the Wild Bird Center of Layton delighted its bird walk participants Saturday when they saw a summer tanager.

I was leading the bird walk and was surprised when I spotted the bird. Quickly calling to the group, I showed them the beautiful "all red" adult male perched on a Russian olive tree branch.

We were walking along the Weber River Parkway in Riverdale. The bird dove back into the thicket of trees, disappearing from view. Since this would require a Rare Bird report to the Utah Ornithological Society, I wanted the group to be able to witness it clearly. Fortunately, I had my Nano iPOD with me loaded with bird songs.

Playing the summer tanager's song brought the bird back out into the open where everyone was able to see it. Marsha Turner and Paul Lombardi were able to see it with their binoculars. It came close enough where it was easily seen with the naked eye.

The summer tanager is a bird of the canopy. It specializes in feeding on bees and wasps. They prefer river habitats like the Weber River parkway, albeit far from its southern territory. The male maintains its bright red plumage throughout the year. First spring males have a mixture of reds and yellow-greens.

This tanager was 7.75 inches long with a wingspan of 12 inches.

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* BILL FENIMORE is owner of the Layton Wild Bird Center. Join the Wild Bird Center for its sixth anniversary celebration Oct. 13. Call 801-525-8400 or visit www.wildbird.com/layton for more details.