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Southeastern Arizona Bird ObservatoryAvian Oddities

Hybrid Tanagers in Miller Canyon

photos by Sheri Williamson

Hybrids between Flame-colored and Western tanagers have been a source of confusion
in southeastern Arizona for over a decade. Apparent hybrids have been observed in
several canyons in the Huachuca Mountains and in the Chiricahua and Santa Rita mountains.
The individuals illustrated below were observed in upper Miller Canyon in the
Huachuca Mountains on the Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory's Canyon Walks
in the spring and summer of 2003 and spring of 2005.

From the front you can see a heavy, dark bill on what appears to be a fairly typical Western Tanager face (the odd head shape is the result of missing feathers). A closer look at the underside of the tail reveals broad wedges of pale gray at the tips of the outer tail feathers, a characteristic of Flame-colored Tanager. Its call also resembled that of Flame-colored.  
This back view of the same bird shows the bright orange-yellow rump and small ellipses of white at the tips of the tertials. The white tail corners appear as narrow white crescents.
       
  On April 21, 2005, one of SABO's Canyon Walk groups encountered a pair of tanagers in the same territory occupied for several years by "Big Flame," an adult male Flame-colored Tanager. The female (upper left, partially obscured) appeared to be a pure Western Tanager, but her male companion (lower left) was an obvious hybrid with more pronounced Flame-colored characteristics than the bird shown above. This photo shows the broad whitish tips to the outer tail feathers, dark cheek patch, and brilliant yellow underparts strongly suffused with orange, but the bird also had a dull yellow rump and yellowish wing bar. 

A pure Flame-colored Tanager may yet be discovered in Miller Canyon in 2005, but the unchallenged presence of this pair in "Big Flame's" traditional territory suggests that the torch has been passed to one of his hybrid sons. 

       

The differences between the two hybrid males illustrated above may indicate
that first-generation hybrids are fertile and capable of
producing second-generation hybrid offspring with Western Tanagers. 

       
Adult male Flame-colored Tanager by Sheri Williamson Compare the birds above to this adult male, digiscoped in Madera Canyon on May 10, 2004. Note the extensive and distinct white tips to the outer tail feathers as well as the unmistakable orange coloring of a pure  Flame-colored Tanager.   Adult male Flame-colored Tanager by Sheri Williamson

In side view, the same individual also shows duller rump and upper tail coverts, browner wings and tail, and whiter upper wing bar than the hybrid above.

Photos Copyright 2003, 2005 Sheri Williamson
Use or distribution without the express consent of the photographer is prohibited by international law.

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