Piranga is a genus of birds long placed in the tanager family, but actually related to the Cardinalis cardinals.
Similar in shape and habits to the true tanagers, their coloration betrays their actual relationships. They are essentially red, orange or yellow all over, except the tail and wings and in some species also the back.
These songbirds are found high in tree canopies, and are not very gregarious in their breeding areas. Piranga species pick insects from leaves, or sometimes in flight. They will also take some fruit. Several species are migratory, breeding in North America and wintering in the tropics.
Species include the Hepatic Tanager, Piranga flava, Scarlet Tanager, Piranga olivacea, Summer Tanager, Piranga rubra, and the Western Tanager, Piranga ludoviciana.
