A scarlet tanager has been spotted on the island en route to South America.

The songbirds, which breed across the eastern United States, spend their winters outside the US.

Andrew Dobson, president of the Bermuda Audubon Society, said the specimen photographed this week shows the bird in non-breeding plumage.

Mr Dobson added: “By next spring, the male will develop a scarlet plumage with black wings.

“It’s a regular fall migrant in Bermuda.”