This article is about the genus of birds. For the Brazilian municipality, see Piranga, Minas Gerais

Piranga, Minas Gerais

Piranga is a Brazilian municipality located in the state of Minas Gerais. The city belongs to the mesoregion of Zona da Mata and to the microregion of Viçosa.-See also:* List of municipalities in Minas Gerais...

.

Piranga is a genus of bird

Bird

Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...

s long placed in the tanager

Tanager

The tanagers comprise the bird family Thraupidae, in the order Passeriformes. The family has an American distribution.There were traditionally about 240 species of tanagers, but the taxonomic treatment of this family's members is currently in a state of flux...

 family, but now considered relatives of the Cardinalis

Cardinalis

Cardinalis is a genus of cardinal in the family Cardinalidae. There are three species ranging across North America and into northern South America.* Genus Cardinalis** Northern Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis...

cardinal

Cardinal (bird)

The Cardinals or Cardinalidae are a family of passerine birds found in North and South America. The South American cardinals in the genus Paroaria are placed in another family, the Thraupidae ....

s.

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. Such extensive lipochrome

Lipochrome

Lipochrome is a form of pigment associated with amber and gold tones in human eyes and the eyes of other mammals.The term carotenoid is sometimes considered a synonym, but that term usually refers to specific molecules, while lipochrome refers to accumulations of varied molecules....

 coloration (except on the belly) is very rare in true tanagers, but widespread among the Cardinalidae.

These songbird

Songbird

A songbird is a bird belonging to the suborder Passeri of the perching birds . Another name that is sometimes seen as scientific or vernacular name is Oscines, from Latin oscen, "a songbird"...

s 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

Bird migration

Bird migration is the regular seasonal journey undertaken by many species of birds. Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability, habitat or weather. Sometimes, journeys are not termed "true migration" because they are irregular or in only one direction...

, breeding in North America

North America

North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...

 and wintering in the tropics.

Species in taxonomic order

• Rose-throated Tanager
  Rose-throated Tanager
  The Rose-throated Tanager is a medium-sized American songbird. Formerly placed in the tanager family , it and other members of its genus are now classified in the cardinal family...
  
  , Piranga roseogularis
• Hepatic Tanager
  Hepatic Tanager
  The Hepatic Tanager, Piranga flava, is a medium-sized American songbird. Formerly placed in the tanager family , it and other members of its genus are now classified in the cardinal family...
  
  , Piranga flava
• Scarlet Tanager
  Scarlet Tanager
  The Scarlet Tanager is a medium-sized American songbird. Formerly placed in the tanager family , it and other members of its genus are now classified in the cardinal family . The species's plumage and vocalizations are similar to other members of the cardinal family.-Description:Adults have pale...
  
  , Piranga olivacea
• Summer Tanager
  Summer Tanager
  The Summer Tanager, Piranga rubra, is a medium-sized American songbird. Formerly placed in the tanager family , it and other members of its genus are now classified in the cardinal family...
  
  , Piranga rubra
• Western Tanager
  Western Tanager
  The Western Tanager, Piranga ludoviciana, is a medium-sized American songbird. Formerly placed in the tanager family , it and other members of its genus are now classified in the cardinal family...
  
  , Piranga ludoviciana
• Flame-colored Tanager
  Flame-colored Tanager
  The Flame-colored Tanager, Piranga bidentata, formerly known as the Stripe-backed Tanager, is a medium-sized American songbird. Formerly placed in the tanager family , it and other members of its genus are now classified in the cardinal family...
  
  , Piranga bidentata
• White-winged Tanager
  White-winged Tanager
  The White-winged Tanager is a medium-sized American songbird. Formerly placed in the tanager family , it and other members of its genus are now classified in the cardinal family . The species's plumage and vocalizations are similar to other members of the cardinal family...
  
  , Piranga leucoptera
• Red-headed Tanager
  Red-headed Tanager
  The Red-headed Tanager , is a medium-sized American songbird. Formerly placed in the tanager family , it and other members of its genus are now classified in the cardinal family . The species's plumage and vocalizations are similar to other members of the cardinal family...
  
  , Piranga erythrocephala
• Red-hooded Tanager
  Red-hooded Tanager
  The Red-hooded Tanager , is a medium-sized American songbird. Formerly placed in the tanager family , it and other members of its genus are now classified in the cardinal family . The species's plumage and vocalizations are similar to other members of the cardinal family...
  
  , Piranga rubriceps