Cardinals are a familiar red bird to many, with the males sporting bright crimson plumage. However, cardinals are not the only red birds that exist. There are a number of other bird species that have some red feathers or coloration. In this article, we will explore some of the other red birds that share the skies with cardinals.
Scarlet Tanager
One of the most brilliantly red birds is the scarlet tanager. The male scarlet tanager has plumage that is almost entirely red. Only their wings are black. Their red coloration is even more vibrant than that of a cardinal.
Scarlet tanagers are smaller than cardinals. They grow to about 7 inches in length and weigh less than 1 ounce. They breed in eastern North America and spend the winters in South America.
While the males are a striking scarlet color, female scarlet tanagers have olive-green plumage. This difference in coloration between the sexes is known as sexual dimorphism. The females likely remain green as camouflage while incubating eggs in the treetops.
Vermilion Flycatcher
Found in the southwestern United States and Mexico, the vermilion flycatcher is another tiny red bird. Males have bright red underparts and a darker red crest and face. Their backs are brown. Females are more brown overall but do have reddish streaking on their underparts.
Vermilion flycatchers like to perch on branches and wires and sally out to catch insects in midair. True to their name, flycatching is their forte. They snap up bugs using their quick reflexes and fly back to their perch to eat their meal.
American Redstart
The American redstart is a type of wood warbler, but the males flash bright reddish-orange tail feathers. Their other plumage is black and white. Females are paler and more olive above with yellowish undersides.
These little migratory birds breed across Canada and the northeastern United States. They winter south to Central America and the Caribbean. Redstarts have a wingspan of 8-9 inches but weigh less than half an ounce.
An interesting fact about the American redstart is that they are one of the only bird species that uses a fluorescent pigment in their plumage. When exposed to UV light, their feathers glow even brighter orange.
Painted Bunting
Nicknamed “the rainbow bird,” the painted bunting males are truly multi-colored. Their plumage includes red underparts, a blue head, green back, and a purple chest band. The bright colors make them a beautiful sight, almost looking painted. Females still have green, yellow, and blue in their plumage but lack the brilliant red and purple hues.
Painted buntings live in the southern United States and are closely related to cardinals. They are sparrow-sized birds and prefer to live in thick bushes and hedges.
Lazuli Bunting
Male lazuli buntings have a dark blue head and back, white belly, and bright orange-red underparts and wing bands. Females are mostly light brown with some white streaking.
Lazuli buntings are cousins to the indigo bunting and can sometimes hybridize where their ranges overlap. They breed across the western and central United States and Canada. Come winter, they migrate south to Mexico.
Red-winged Blackbird
The red-winged blackbird is very common across North America. Males are all black except for the red and yellow shoulder patches on their wings. Females are streaky brown.
Red-winged blackbirds are highly social and form large flocks. They forage on the ground for seeds, fruits, and insects. Though they migrate, they can still be spotted during winter in areas with adequate food sources. Seeing males perched in the cattails showing their bright red wing patches is a definite sign of spring.
Summer Tanager
The male summer tanager has brilliant red plumage similar to a cardinal but with a thicker bill made for eating bees and wasps. Females are pale yellow with olive-green wings and tail.
Summer tanagers breed in southern North America and migrate to northern South America for winter. They inhabit open forests and second-growth woodlands.
| Bird | Description | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Scarlet Tanager | Males are bright red with black wings, females are olive-green | Eastern North America, winters in South America |
| Vermilion Flycatcher | Males have red underparts and crest, females have red streaks | Southwestern United States and Mexico |
| American Redstart | Males have orange-red tail, females are yellow and olive-green | Breeds across Canada and northeastern U.S., winters in Central America and Caribbean |
European Robin
The European robin is a familiar red-breasted songbird in Europe and the UK. Males and females look alike with their reddish-orange faces and chests contrasting with their brown backs and wings.
European robins are unrelated to the American robin, which is actually a species of thrush. European robins belong to the Old World flycatcher family. They eat insects and worms and sing beautiful, melodious songs.
Scarlet Honeycreeper
Found in South America, the scarlet honeycreeper belongs to the tanager family. True to its name, the males are bright scarlet red with darker wings and tail. Females are greenish-yellow.
These little songbirds live in the canopy layer of tropical forests in the Amazon and surrounding regions. They sip nectar from flowers using their long, curved beaks but also eat some berries and insects.
Long-tailed Paradisaea
The long-tailed paradisaea, also called the twelve-wired bird-of-paradise, is a highly decorative bird native to New Guinea. Males have a velvety red breast shield and twelve dramatically long black tail wires. Their heads have an iridescent green mask and yellow crown.
Females lack the ornamental plumage of the males and are a plain brown color. Males put on elaborate dances and displays to attract mates. The long tail wires quiver during these courtship rituals.
House Finch
The house finch is a common backyard bird across most of North America. Males have red heads, chests, and rumps with brown-streaked bodies. Females are plain light brown with some faint striping.
Originally native to the western U.S., house finches were introduced to the east coast and have spread abundantly. They are very social and form large flocks at backyard bird feeders.
Crimson Sunbird
With their bright red plumage, crimson sunbirds almost look like tiny flamingos. They are found in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Southern Asia. Males have glossy crimson feathers all over, while females are yellowish-olive with some red markings.
Crimson sunbirds sip nectar from flowers just like hummingbirds. Their long, thin beaks and tongues are perfectly adapted for this. They are important pollinators for many African plants.
Orange Bishop
The orange bishop is a small finch native to sub-Saharan Africa. It gets its name from the bright reddish-orange plumage of the males. Females are yellow-brown.
During breeding season, the male’s black face and belly strongly contrast its warm orange feathers. Outside of breeding season, the males molt into a duller yellow color like females.
Red Avadavat
Related to munias and mannikins, the red avadavat is sometimes called the strawberry finch or red munia. It is native to tropical south Asia.
Males are mostly bright crimson but have black and white markings on their neck and chest. Females are pale brown with some red tinging. After breeding season, males molt into plumage similar to females.
Red avadavats are popular as cage birds due to their bright colors but are difficult to breed in captivity. They eat grass and seed heads in the wild.
Other Red Birds
In addition to these specific species, there are a number of other birds that may display some red feathers or patches:
Blue Grosbeak
The male blue grosbeak has a wine red chest and belly. Its blue head, wings, and back give it a patriotic look.
Plumbeous Water Redstart
A redstart relative found in western Asia, males have a gray body with black and white wings and a bright rusty red tail.
Flame Robin
This colorful Australian robin has a vivid red face, chest, and belly in males, with some red underparts in females as well.
Western Tanager
In addition to yellow, males have a bright red face and sometimes red patches on the back.
Hepatic Tanager
Males have bright red bodies with darker red wings and tail, females are yellowish with some red highlights.
Pyrrhuloxia
A desert relative of cardinals with red plumage, crest, and thick bill.
Red Crossbill
Males are reddish overall with darker wings and tail. Females are yellowish with some reddish markings.
Common Redpoll
In breeding season, males develop a rosy red forehead and breast.
Conclusion
Cardinals are arguably the most prominent red backyard bird, but they are far from the only species with significant red plumage. From tanagers and buntings to grosbeaks and finches, many North American songbirds incorporate red into their feathers, particularly on the breast, face or rump.
Tropical regions of South America, Africa, and Asia are home to even more exotic red birds, like sunbirds, paradisaeas, and avadavats. The common thread is that red coloration appears most often in males as an eye-catching signal to attract mates.
So although cardinals may be the most familiar, keep an eye out for all the red birds flying, perching, and feeding in your neighborhood and beyond. Their scarlet shades add a visual treat to birdwatching and the outdoors.
