The Western Tanager is a truly spectacular bird, and it's the only tanager species regularly found in Oregon. They are a common summer resident in the state's coniferous and mixed forests, and can also be seen during migration in a wider variety of habitats, including urban parks and backyards. Their striking colors make them a favorite among birders.

Male Western Tanager (Breeding Plumage - Spring/Summer in Oregon):
Head: The most dazzling feature is their flaming orange-red head. This color typically extends down the face and nape, sometimes appearing more orange than red depending on the individual and light. This red coloration is unique among North American birds, derived from a pigment (rhodoxanthin) they obtain from their diet.
Body: The rest of the body is a brilliant, almost neon yellow, from the nape down to the undertail coverts.
Back, Wings, and Tail: A sharp contrast of solid black on the back, wings, and tail.
Wing Bars: They have two prominent wing bars: a yellow upper wing bar (on the median coverts) and a white lower wing bar (on the greater coverts). These create a distinct yellow-and-white pattern on the black wing.
Bill: A relatively pale, stout, pointed bill.
Behavior: Males are often heard singing their somewhat hoarse, robin-like song from high in the canopy of conifer trees. They can be surprisingly hard to spot despite their bright colors as they forage high up.

Female Western Tanager (Breeding Plumage - Spring/Summer in Oregon):
Overall Color: Females are much more subdued than males, generally a dull yellow-green or olive-green on their upperparts and a paler yellow on their underparts.
Head: The head is typically yellow to yellowish-green, lacking the male's vibrant red. Some females, especially older ones, might show a very faint or subtle orangish wash around the bill or on the face, but it's never the intense red of the male.
Back: The back is a dull olive-green, often with a dusky or grayish wash.
Wings and Tail: The wings and tail are dark gray to blackish, similar to the male's, but less intense.
Wing Bars: They still have two wing bars, but they are typically whitish or dull yellow, not as bold or contrasting as on the male. The pattern of one yellowish and one whitish bar may still be discernible.
Bill: Similar pale, stout bill.
Behavior: Females are generally more secretive, especially when nesting, often staying hidden in the foliage.

Non-breeding/Winter Plumage (Both Sexes - Fall/Winter in Oregon, especially migrants/winterers):
Males: Non-breeding males lose most of their brilliant red head, which becomes more yellow or yellowish-orange. The black on the back may become slightly less intense, sometimes with an olive tinge. They retain the yellow body and black wings with the distinctive wing bars.
Females: Non-breeding females become even duller, with more subdued yellowish-green and gray tones. The yellow on the underparts may be very pale or a dingy yellowish-gray.

Key Identification Points for Western Tanagers in Oregon:
Wing Bars: The two distinct wing bars (one yellow, one white on males; paler on females) on dark wings are a key feature for both sexes in all plumages.
Rump: The rump is always yellow, though this can be hard to see unless the bird is in flight or stretching.
Male's Red Head + Yellow Body + Black Wings: This combination is unmistakable for a breeding male.
Female's Yellowish Overall + Dark Wings + Wing Bars: If you see a medium-sized, yellowish bird with dark wings and distinct wing bars in a forested or wooded area in Oregon, it's very likely a female Western Tanager.
Bill: Their pale, relatively thick bill differentiates them from many warblers, which have thinner bills.
Habitat: Look for them in open coniferous and mixed forests during breeding, and a wider variety of wooded habitats during migration. They will sometimes visit bird baths in suburban areas.
Song/Call: Listen for the male's robin-like, but hoarser, song, or their distinctive "pit-r-ick" call.

Western Tanagers are primarily insectivorous, but they also eat berries and fruit, especially during migration and on their wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America. They often forage high in the tree canopy.