Tanagers (Thraupidae)
Red-headed Tanager (Piranga erythrocephala) - HBW 16, p. 314
French: Piranga érythrocéphale
German: Rotkopftangare
Spanish: Piranga Cabecirroja
Taxonomy: Spermagra erythrocephala Swainson, 1827, Temascáltepec, Mexico.
Molecular-genetic evidence indicates that this genus forms a monophyletic group with Habia and Chlorothraupis, and that all three are more closely related to cardinals (Cardinalidae) than to true tanagers. This species and P. leucoptera have sometimes been placed in a separate genus, Spermagra, but recent DNA work does not support such treatment. Two subspecies recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution:
- candida Griscom, 1934 - NW Mexico from S Sonora and S Chihuahua S to Jalisco; outside breeding season recorded S to Michoacán and México.
- erythrocephala (Swainson, 1827) - SC & S Mexico (Jalisco S to E Oaxaca at Isthmus of Tehuantepec).
- Least Concern
- No sound recordings available yet
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