Which specific berries are documented as favorites consumed during the post-breeding period?
Answer
Wild grapes, serviceberries, chokecherries, and elderberries
When the Western Tanager shifts its diet to fruit during migration preparation, the specific berries consumed vary based on local geography and seasonal availability. However, several specific types have been documented as favorites. These include wild grapes, serviceberries, chokecherries, and elderberries. When foraging in fruiting shrubs or thickets, the tanager spends significant time consuming these small, fleshy fruits to accumulate the necessary carbohydrate fuel reserves for its southward journey.
Related Questions
What is the primary focus of the Western Tanager's summer menu?What foraging technique involves picking insects off foliage surfaces meticulously?Which caloric source powers the long-distance migration for Western Tanagers in early fall?Which nutrient profile characterizes insects crucial for nesting Western Tanagers?What term describes the Western Tanager's active pursuit of flying insects mid-air?Which specific berries are documented as favorites consumed during the post-breeding period?What human food source do Western Tanagers sample as liquid energy during migration?What does the presence of the Western Tanager signal regarding habitat health?What major hurdle do Tanagers face if wild berries are wiped out early in autumn?Why is the high-protein intake from summer arthropods essential for the Tanager?Which foraging action involves disturbing insects into flight before capturing them?