It's
overwhelming to see the first, Scarlet
Tanager of Spring, His flaming red color is
so pure, So bright it makes one's heart
sing.
He's a song
bird with a raspy call, Sightings are a
rarity, Being found high up in the trees
with, Birds of
similarity.
It seems this
American song bird, Is a relative quite
close, To the Cardinal yet he sings
songs, Like a Robin's warble
most.
His plumage
is very attractive, And unmistakable
too, Bright scarlet head and body with
black, Tail and wings gorgeous to
view.
His home in
Winter is the tropics, Spring, Summer and
Fall the States, In deep forests even parks
where, He eventually
mates.
The male
arrives early from his stay, In Winter in Mid
March and, Stakes out his territories in
peak, Time of April as it's
planned.
He also warns
other males away, While he sings
persistently, From each spot with sweet songs
attracting, The female
diligently.
The female
Scarlet Tanager sings, A song in answer in
soft, Shorter bursts less harsh tones
gathering, Nesting grass and twigs
aloft.
She's less
attractive being dull green, Above with
yellow below, And dark brown wings so as to
blend well, In the foliage and not
show.
This little
songbird is out of sight,
Foraging high in
the trees, He at times flies out to catch
insects, In flight soaring like the
breeze.
It's because
his diet is insects, So he hawks for wasps
and bees, And the many destructive
insects, Plus berries and fruit in
trees.
He is hidden
in the dense foliage, But a shadow may soon
dance, Through a sunspot revealing he's
there, Hopping across quite by
chance.
Bright and
beautiful is this, Seven inch little song
bird, Looking for food high in the tree
tops, Hardly ever seen yet
heard.
Bird Watchers
who have patience will find, Scarlet Tanagers
of Spring, Perseverance will be
rewarded, When in song this bird will
sing.
© Sondra McPherson 11 March
2008
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