Hepatic Tanager (Piranga flava) is in the Cardinals and Allies family (Cardinalidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,568 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: seasonal. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Hepatic Tanager: observations by month (U.S.)
About Hepatic Tanager
The hepatic tanager (Piranga flava) is a medium-sized American songbird. Formerly placed in the tanager family (Thraupidae), it and other members of the genus Piranga are now classified in the cardinal family (Cardinalidae). The species's plumage and vocalizations are similar to other members of the cardinal family.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Hepatic Tanager by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 1,885 | May | Mar–Aug |
| Texas | 290 | May | Apr–Jun |
| New Mexico | 179 | May | May–Sep |
| California | 167 | January | Oct–Jan |
| Colorado | 22 | June | May–Jul |
| Maine | 9 | January | Jan–Feb |
| Michigan | 5 | December | Dec–Dec |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Cardinals and Allies)
Northern Cardinal
Indigo Bunting
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Summer Tanager
Painted Bunting
Black-headed Grosbeak
Western Tanager
Scarlet Tanager
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Hepatic Tanager?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from March to August.
Where is Hepatic Tanager most often seen?
The most observations come from Arizona, Texas, New Mexico.