Bird field guide · Cardinals and Allies

Photographing the Western Tanager

How to photograph the Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana): the right lens for its size, shutter speeds for perched and moving animals, and when it's most often seen (May).

14–22 cm1/2500–1/3200 s
Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana)
Photo: © Spencer Hurt, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Spencer Hurt via iNaturalist
14–22 cm
Typical length (family range)
1/800 s
Shutter: perched / still
1/2500–1/3200 s
Shutter: action / flight
f/5.6–f/7.1
Aperture
35,782
Research-grade sightings in N. America
ModeManual + Auto ISOLock shutter & aperture, let ISO float
Shutter (still)1/800 s
Shutter (action)1/2500–1/3200 s
Aperturef/5.6–f/7.1
FocusAF-C + subject/eye detectionBird-eye AF with continuous focus (AF-C/AI Servo); fill at least a third of the frame.
DriveHigh-speed burst
Lens400–600 mmFull-frame equivalent

Focal length needed to frame it#

For a subject about 18 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally. Small birds demand long lenses and a close approach — a blind or feeder setup helps.

Distance⅓ of frame (FF)½ of frame (FF)⅓ of frame (APS-C)⅓ of frame (MFT)
5 m (16 ft)310 mm455 mm206 mm155 mm
10 m (33 ft)619 mm909 mm413 mm310 mm
15 m (49 ft)929 mm1,364 mm619 mm464 mm
20 m (66 ft)1,238 mm1,818 mm826 mm619 mm
30 m (98 ft)1,857 mm2,727 mm1,238 mm929 mm
50 m (164 ft)3,096 mm4,545 mm2,064 mm1,548 mm

When to find it#

Jan: 4% Jan Feb: 3% Feb Mar: 3% Mar Apr: 10% Apr May: 29% May Jun: 13% Jun Jul: 12% Jul Aug: 10% Aug Sep: 9% Sep Oct: 3% Oct Nov: 2% Nov Dec: 3% Dec
Share of iNaturalist observations by month across North America. Peak months: May.

About the Western Tanager#

The western tanager (Piranga ludoviciana), is a medium-sized American songbird. Formerly placed in the tanager family (Thraupidae), it and other members of its genus are now classified in the cardinal family (Cardinalidae). The species's plumage and vocalizations are similar to other members of the cardinal family.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Field-craft tips#

  • Red plumage clips easily — check the red channel histogram.
  • Bird-eye AF with continuous focus (AF-C/AI Servo); fill at least a third of the frame.
  • Sightings peak in May, which is when you'll have the most chances.

Ethics#

  • The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
  • Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
  • Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
  • Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.

More Cardinals and Allies#

Northern Cardinal Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalis Indigo Bunting Indigo BuntingPasserina cyanea Rose-breasted Grosbeak Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianus Summer Tanager Summer TanagerPiranga rubra Painted BuntingPasserina ciris Black-headed Grosbeak Black-headed GrosbeakPheucticus melanocephalus Blue Grosbeak Blue GrosbeakPasserina caerulea Scarlet Tanager Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivacea

Frequently asked questions#

What lens do I need to photograph a Western Tanager?

At about 18 cm long, a western tanager fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 619 mm, or at 20 m with 1,238 mm.

What shutter speed should I use for a Western Tanager?

1/800 s when it's still; 1/2500–1/3200 s for action.

When is the best time to photograph a Western Tanager?

Observations in North America peak in May. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.

Sources & licences#

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources