Piranga

This article is about the genus of birds. For the Brazilian municipality, see Piranga, Minas Gerais.

Piranga
Scarlet Tanager
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Cardinalidae
Genus:	Piranga Vieillot, 1808
species
see species list

Piranga is a genus of birds long placed in the tanager family, but now considered members of the cardinal family, Cardinalidae.

Similar in shape and habits to the true tanagers, their coloration betrays their actual relationships. They are essentially red, orange or yellow all over, except the tail and wings and in some species also the back. Such extensive lipochrome coloration (except on the belly) is very rare in true tanagers, but is widespread among the Cardinalidae.

These songbirds are found high in tree canopies, and are not very gregarious in their breeding areas. Piranga species pick insects from leaves, or sometimes in flight. They will also take some fruit. Several species are migratory, breeding in North America and wintering in the tropics.

Species in taxonomic order

• Rose-throated tanager, Piranga roseogularis
• Hepatic tanager, Piranga flava
• Scarlet tanager, Piranga olivacea
• Summer tanager, Piranga rubra
• Western tanager, Piranga ludoviciana
• Flame-colored tanager, Piranga bidentata
• White-winged tanager, Piranga leucoptera
• Red-headed tanager, Piranga erythrocephala
• Red-hooded tanager, Piranga rubriceps

References

• .
• .
• Morton, Isler & Isler, Tanagers ISBN 0-7136-5116-4.
• Stiles and Skutch, A guide to the birds of Costa Rica ISBN 0-8014-9600-4.

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