The striking black-and-yellow western tanager, with its bright red head, is one of the more characteristic summer species of western pine forests. Although brightly plumaged, it can be quite inconspicuous when feeding on insects high in the canopy or singing for long periods without moving. During migration, the western often feeds on fruit and is more conspicuous. The western is the only regular North American tanager with wing bars. Note its yellow underwing linings in flight. Its bill is small for a Piranga, larger in size than the scarlet’s, but smaller than other species’ bills. Monotypic. Length 7.3".

Sexually dimorphic. Breeding male: plumage is un­mistakable. Bright yel­­low underparts, yel­low rump, black back, and con­­spic­uous wing bars contrast with black wings