The
scarlet tanager (
Piranga olivacea) is a medium-sized
American songbird. Until recently placed in the
tanager family (Thraupidae), it and other members of its genus are now classified as belonging the cardinal family (
Cardinalidae). The species' plumage and vocalizations are similar to other members of the cardinal family, although the
Piranga species lacks the thick conical bill (well suited to seed and insect eating) that many "cardinals" possess.