About Piranga erythrocephala (Swainson, 1827)
The red-headed tanager, scientifically named Piranga erythrocephala (Swainson, 1827), is approximately 15 cm (5.9 in) long and weighs between 19.9 and 24.5 g (0.70 to 0.86 oz). The nominate subspecies male has red forecrown, face, throat and upper chest, bright yellow-olive upperparts (except the red areas), olive-yellow remaining underparts, and a narrow black mask. The female has a yellow forecrown, yellow-olive upperparts, and yellow throat and chest that fade to buffy white toward the vent area. Juvenile males resemble bright females. The subspecies P. e. candida is similar to the nominate, but duller and darker in color. This species is endemic to Mexico. The nominate subspecies occurs discontinuously from Jalisco state south to eastern Oaxaca. P. e. candida is found further north, ranging from southern Sonora and Chihuahua south to Jalisco, and has been recorded further south outside of the breeding season. It inhabits a variety of wooded environments, including semi-humid and moist montane forest, pine-oak forest, evergreen forest, and open woodland with scrub. It can also be found along forest edges and in plantations. Its elevational range is from 900 to 2,600 m (3,000 to 8,500 ft).
