Rare Bird Accounts

Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana)

02/11/06

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Western Tanager, Piranga ludoviciana

These pictures were taken on 2/10/2006 in Powder Springs,  Cobb County, Georgia by Bob Zaremba.  The bird was first identified by the property owner, Doug and Laura Brown and has been periodically visiting a suet feeder in their yard for the past three winter seasons.  The bird has not been very reliable and has been difficult to locate, staying only for brief periods of time. This year, it was seen on December 26th, 2005 and then not seen again until February 9th, 2006.  Several birders were able to observe and photograph the bird on the the 10th.  

The Annotated  Checklist of Georgia Birds lists the species as a rare visitor, fall through spring in Coastal Plain, accidental in winter on the coast, and accidental during migration above the Fall Line.  This is the first winter record of this species above the Fall Line, with a previous record from Douglas County on 4/29/2004 during migration, in the past few years.

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This site was last updated 02/11/06