Description: Summer tanagers are large neotropical migratory songbirds 20 cm (7.75 in.) long. Adult male birds have red to red-orange plumage; female plumage is brownish to orange-yellow. Nesting season from May to August; clutch size 3 - 4 eggs; incubation about 12 days; chicks fledge 8 - 10 days after hatching. Nests are known to be susceptible to parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater).
Diet: Noted for its consumption of bees and wasps, but also eats a variety of other insects and fruit.
Habitat: Found in desert riparian habitat, particularly mature riparian habitat favoring cottonwood-willow associations along streams and springs.
Range: Known to occur throughout the southwestern deserts into Mexico. In Clark County, Nevada, this species is an uncommon summer resident at the edge of its range. Observed at Pine Creek (Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area), Corn Creek Spring, Las Vegas Wash, and Wheeler Camp Spring near Blue Diamond. Also in Moapa Valley (Warm Springs area), and Meadow Valley Wash.