Scarlet Tanager Piranga Olivacea

Scarlet Tanager Piranga olivacea In most Ohio counties, Scarlets are the most numerous residents north through Hocking, Athens, and Washington resident tanager. While they are outnumbered by Summer counties, and as fairly common along the remainder of the Tanagers in a few counties bordering the Ohio River, especially plateau (Hicks 1937). During subsequent decades, local declines Lawrence, Scioto, and Adams counties as well as the Cincinnati have been evident in the farmlands of western and central Ohio area (Kemsies and Randle 1953, Peterjohn 1989a), Scarlets easily where agricultural activities have eliminated most suitable predominate in the remainder of the state. Based on Breeding woodlands. Conversely, reforestation has allowed their numbers Bird Survey data, Scarlets are most numerous along the entire to expand within the unglaciated counties (Peterjohn 1989a). In Allegheny Plateau while fewer are found elsewhere. This pattern fact, Breeding Bird Surveys indicated Scarlet Tanagers were of relative abundance reflects the widespread availability of increasing within Ohio and throughout the Great Lakes region suitable woodlands along the plateau contrasted with the more between 1965 and 1979 (Robbins, C. S., et al. 1986). local distribution of these habitats in the other counties. Breeding Scarlet Tanagers occupy the canopies of mature deciduous woodlands. At Buckeye Lake, Trautman (1940) claimed they preferred beech–oak–maple woods rather than swamp forests. In the Cleveland area, however, Williams (1950) found breeding pairs in every woodland community including wooded residential areas. Their widespread distribution during the Atlas Project also indicated these tanagers occupy most deciduous woodland communities. Breeding pairs definitely prefer mature forests with closed canopies. They generally avoid young second growth woods and disturbed woodlands with only scattered large trees. Large tracts of mature woodlands support the largest number of breeding tanagers, although single pairs may be found in isolated woodlots only 10–20 acres in extent. Narrow wooded corridors are unsuitable nesting habitats for this species. Scarlet Tanagers also place their nests among the outer branches of tall trees, frequently at heights of 20–40 feet. Most of these loosely built structures are constructed in deciduous trees, although occasional pairs have nested in pines and hemlocks. Nest Picture to be added construction is prevalent during May. The earliest published egg date is May 22 (Campbell 1940), Scarlet Tanagers are also more widely distributed in Ohio than although earlier dates are likely in the southern counties. Most Summers. During the Atlas Project, Scarlets were found in every clutches are produced before June 10. Recently fledged young county and 683 priority blocks (89.4% of the statewide total). have appeared as early as June 8 (Williams 1950), but most are They were widespread throughout southern and eastern Ohio noted between June 20 and July 10. Renesting attempts and pairs with records from 93.5–100% of the priority blocks in the raising second broods are responsible for nests with eggs through Unglaciated Plateau, Glaciated Plateau, and Illinoian Till Plain August 3 and recently fledged young during the first half of regions. Their representation declined to 72.6 and 81.6% of the August (Williams 1950). Lake Plain and Till Plain blocks respectively, where they became Confirmation of nesting was obtained in 243 priority blocks locally distributed within the intensively farmed western and during the Atlas Project. The “30” code provided this confirma- central counties and near the Columbus metropolitan area. tion in 196 blocks, primarily in the Unglaciated Plateau (104 The distribution and relative abundance of Scarlet Tanagers blocks), Glaciated Plateau (69 blocks), and Illinoian Till Plain has not appreciably changed within Ohio during the 20th century. regions (16 blocks). Breeding was also confirmed by observa- Jones (1903) considered them to be common summer residents tions of adults carrying food for young in 21 blocks, active nests throughout the state. Hicks (1935) cited breeding records from in 13 blocks, reports of recently fledged young in 6 blocks, and a every county, noting they became locally rare in portions of similar number of reports of distraction displays by adults. central and northwestern Ohio while the largest numbers occurred Probable breeders provided the majority of Atlas Project records, along the Allegheny Plateau. Within unglaciated Ohio, these primarily territorial males and pairs in suitable habitats. tanagers were described as fairly common to very common 324 Blocks Special Areas Other Observations Confirmed Probable Possible Analysis of Block Data by Physiographic Region Summary of Total Blocks % Regional Ave. # Individ Breeding Status Physiographic Blocks with with % per BBS Route No. of Blocks in Which Region Surveyed Data Data for Ohio (1982–1987) Species Recorded Lake Plain 95 69 72.6 10.1 0.6 Till Plain 271 221 81.6 32.4 0.1 Total 683 89.4% Ill. Till Plain 46 43 93.5 6.3 0.3 Confirmed 243 35.6% Glaciated Plateau 140 138 98.6 20.2 2.4 Probable 397 58.1% Unglaciated Plateau 212 212 100.0 31.0 3.7 Possible 43 6.3% 325 Scarlet Tanager.

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