Here is an adult male Scarlet Tanager photographed on the nesting grounds in southeastern Ohio. This individual illustrates two facets of Scarlet Tanager plumage one may encounter in the field although is rarely illustrated. The overall reddish pigment is washed out even yellow in places such as on the flanks and undertail coverts. At the same time, the tips of the median wing coverts are broadly tipped in reddish pigment. Although not as dramatic as in some birds to be seen in Ohio, this character is usually associated with exceedingly bright individuals.
