Mostly images of birds found in our region of Northampton County, NC.
(Image above is Potecasi Creek at Burnt Bridges)

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Summer Tanager



The Summer Tanager, Piranga rubra, is a very interesting critter.  They are known for dining on bees and wasps, often catching them in flight, taking them to a tree and beating them to death, removing the stinger by rubbing it against a branch.  The female is yellow, sometimes with red feathers blended in.  The male above is the only one I have seen.  I have seen several females the last couple years, but the male apparently is more shy.

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