This is the only tanager over most of the West with wing bars. Alternate Male: Bright yellow overall, with black back, wings, and tail. The upper wing bar is yellow, while the lower is white. The head is hooded with bright red. The extent of this hood is variable, and the edges are blurry. Basic Male: Similar to alternate male, but duller yellow. The back, wings, and tail are blackish, but do not contrast as sharply as in alternate plumage. The red on the head is lacking, or limited to a small area of the face. Female: upperparts are olive green, turning dusky gray on the back, wings and tail. The two wingbars are yellowish white. The underparts range from dull yellow to pale gray. Juveniles resemble adult females, but young males are more brightly colored, females less yellow.

Length: 17 (cm) Wingspan: 28 (cm)

Voice:

Song is a hoarse robin-like warble, with pauses between each phrase. Call is an ascending rattle: pit-ti-tick. Flight call is a soft "weet."

Habitat:

Nests in open coniferous and mixed woodlands, burned areas. In migration, common in any wooded habitat, including residential areas and city parks.

Behavior:

Often found high in the canopy. More conspicuous in migration.

Feeding:

Feeds on insects and fruit, usually moving slowly and deliberately to glean food from foliage. Also flycatches.