Red breasted birds are a group of birds characterized by having reddish or orange plumage on their breasts. Some of the most well-known red breasted birds include the American Robin, Northern Cardinal, Scarlet Tanager, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
Common Names for Red Breasted Birds
There are several common names used to describe red breasted birds:
- Robin – Typically refers to the American Robin which has a reddish-orange breast.
- Cardinal – Typically refers to the Northern Cardinal which has red plumage on its face, crest, breast, and parts of the wings and tail.
- Tanager – Refers to various species in the tanager family, including the Scarlet and Summer tanagers which have red bodies.
- Grosbeak – Refers to large finch species like the Rose-breasted Grosbeak with red plumage on the head, wings, and breast.
- Redstart – Refers to small warbler species like the American Redstart with orange patches on their wings, tails, and breasts.
American Robin
The American Robin is one of the most familiar and widespread red breasted birds in North America. It is a medium-sized songbird measuring 8.7–11.8 in (25–30 cm) in length with a wingspan of 12.2–15.8 in (31–40 cm).
Distinctive features include:
- Orange-red breast bordered by white or grayish white
- Black head with white eyerings and white throat patch
- Gray upperparts and black-spotted underparts
- Yellow beak
- Juveniles have spotted breasts
Robins inhabit backyards, parks, forests, and agricultural areas across North America. They build cup-shaped nests out of grass, twigs, and mud in the branches of trees or on human structures. Their diet consists mainly of invertebrates like earthworms and insects as well as fruits and berries.
Robin Facts
- Scientific name: Turdus migratorius
- Average body length: 9.1–11 in (23–28 cm)
- Average wingspan: 12–16 in (30–40 cm)
- Average weight: 2.7 oz (77 g)
- Average lifespan: 2 years in the wild, up to 14 years in captivity
- Robin eggs are light blue in color
- Female robins build the nest and incubate the eggs
- Clutch size is usually 3-5 eggs
- Robins can produce up to 3 broods per breeding season
- Robins are a migratory species, though some populations are permanent residents
Northern Cardinal
The Northern Cardinal is another iconic red breasted bird native to North America. Males are known for their bright red plumage while females have pale brown feathers with red accents.
Distinctive features include:
- Bright red plumage on the face, throat, breast and crest (males only)
- Black face mask (males only)
- Red beak
- Brownish-gray feathers on the back, wings and tail
- Females are pale brown overall with red accents on the wings, tail, and crest
Cardinals live in woods, thickets, gardens and parks. They mainly eat seeds and fruit but also insects. Northern cardinals are non-migratory and form monogamous pair bonds. The female builds a cup nest out of twigs, bark, grasses, and leaves, typically in a dense shrub or small tree.
Cardinal Facts
- Scientific name: Cardinalis cardinalis
- Length: 8.3–9.1 in (21–23 cm)
- Wingspan: 9.8–12.2 in (25–31 cm)
- Weight: 1.5–1.7 oz (42–48 g)
- Lifespan: Up to 15 years in the wild, up to 28 years in captivity
- Cardinal eggs are light brownish in color with reddish-brown spots
- Female incubates eggs for 11-13 days
- Clutch size is typically 2-5 eggs
- Cardinals can produce up to 4 broods per year
- Bright red color communicates dominance and attracts mates
Scarlet Tanager
The Scarlet Tanager is a medium-sized songbird named for its vivid red plumage. It breeds in eastern North American forests and winters in South America.
Key identification features include:
- Males are bright scarlet red with black wings and tail
- Females are yellowish olive-green overall with olive-green wings and tail
- Thick pointed bill
- Juveniles resemble females but are darker
Scarlet tanagers forage for insects in treetops. Their diet includes bees, wasps, beetles, moths, butterflies, and spiders. They nest high up in deciduous and mixed forests, laying 3-5 eggs in a cup nest. Pairs may raise two broods per season before migrating in the fall to the Andes Mountains.
Scarlet Tanager Facts
- Scientific name: Piranga olivacea
- Length: 6.3-6.7 in (16-17 cm)
- Wingspan: 9.8-11.8 in (25-30 cm)
- Weight: 0.8-1.3 oz (24-36 g)
- Lifespan: Up to 11 years
- Tanager eggs are pale blue or blue-green with brown spots
- Incubation period is 12-13 days
- Nestlings fledge at 9-11 days old
- Male coloration comes from carotenoid pigments in diet
- Their song is a series of rising “chip” notes
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is a large showy songbird with a heavy bill and elaborate plumage. The male has a black head, back, and tail with a distinctive red triangle on its breast.
Identification features:
- Males have black heads with white patches, red breast patches, and black and white patterned bodies
- Females are brown and white with bold face stripes and small red wing patches
- Thick conical bill suited for cracking seeds
- White outer tail feathers flash in flight
Rose-breasted grosbeaks forage on the ground and in trees and bushes. They mainly eat insects, seeds, and berries. During breeding season, they nest in the branches of deciduous trees. The female builds the nest and incubates 3-5 blue-green eggs for 12-14 days.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak Facts
- Scientific name: Pheucticus ludovicianus
- Length: 7.1–8.3 in (18–21 cm)
- Wingspan: 11.8–13.4 in (30–34 cm)
- Weight: 1.8-3.4 oz (52-96 g)
- Lifespan: Up to 13 years
- Nest is an open cup made of twigs, bark, leaves
- Incubation is 12-14 days by female only
- Chicks fledge from the nest at 9-13 days old
- Male plumage color results from carotenoids in berries
- Song is a melodious warble, calls include chips and squeals
Other Red Breasted Birds
In addition to the species already mentioned, several other birds have reddish or orange plumage on their breasts or bellies:
- Scarlet Ibis – Shores of South America, extremely brilliant red overall
- Vermilion Flycatcher – Southwest US and Mexico, red underparts
- Flame Robin – Australia, males have bright orange-red breasts
- Red-capped Robin-Chat – Africa, orange breasts with black heads
- American Redstart – North America, orange patches on breast, belly, and tail
- Painted Redstart – Southwest US and Mexico, red belly patches
- Red-breasted Nuthatch – North America, rusty red undertail coverts
Why are Some Birds Red-Breasted?
There are several leading hypotheses about why certain bird species have evolved red or orange feather coloring on their breasts and undersides:
- Camouflage – Provides concealment in certain environments, like the reddish bark of trees.
- Signaling – Visual communication of dominance, fitness, and aggressive status to rivals or potential mates.
- Attracting mates – In many species, females preferentially select the brightest red males as partners.
- Species recognition – Distinctive from similar species in the same habitat.
- Diet – Pigments called carotenoids responsible for red color come from certain fruits and insects.
Research suggests that vivid red plumage in birds evolves mainly through sexual selection. Females that choose very red males produce healthier offspring with better survival rates and mating success.
Threats and Conservation
Some red breasted birds like the Scarlet Tanager and Rose-breasted Grosbeak have suffered population declines in recent decades due to habitat loss and degradation on migratory routes and wintering grounds. Climate change may also be disrupting migration timing and impacting breeding success.
However, species such as the Northern Cardinal and American Robin remain widespread and abundant. Backyard bird enthusiasts can support red breasted birds by:
- Planting native trees, shrubs, and vines that provide nesting sites, cover, and food.
- Supplying bird feeders with preferred seeds and fruit.
- Installing bird boxes for secondary cavity nesters like Robins and Grosbeaks.
- Limiting or avoiding pesticide use.
- Keeping cats indoors to protect nestlings and fledglings.
Protecting existing wilderness areas and promoting sustainable land use is also key to preserving intact habitats for migratory species.
Conclusion
Red breasted birds comprise diverse species connected by the common trait of reddish or orange plumage on their underparts. Well-known red breasted birds in North America include the Northern Cardinal, American Robin, Scarlet Tanager and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. This colorful plumage likely evolved to attract mates, recognize conspecifics, intimidate rivals, and camouflage in certain environments. Providing suitable habitats and reducing threats to migratory species can help conserve red breasted bird populations.
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The American Robin is ubiquitous across North America thanks to its adaptability to human landscapes. It occurs in Alaska and Canada down to Mexico. Robins inhabit rural fields, urban parks, mountain forests, coastal areas, and everywhere in between. They are often one of the first birds to sing at dawn.
While American Robins may gather in large winter flocks, they spend summers in breeding pairs defending nesting territories. Males sing to advertise territories and attract females. Courtship can involve the male feeding the female and fluttering displays. Once bonded, the pair remains together until one dies or fails to return from migration.
The mud that robins use to construct their nests comes from wet, bare ground. They form the mud into coarse pellets using their beaks and saliva. Then they carry loads of mud pellets back to the nest site. Nests are carefully cemented to a vertical tree branch, stump, ledge, or building overhang.
Robin eggs hatch in 12-14 days. The helpless featherless nestlings are brooded by the female and fed regurgitated food by both parents. Nestlings fledge 10-16 days after hatching but continue to be fed by adults for several more weeks. Most pairs raise two broods per summer before fall migration.
In winter, robins frequently congregate in large flocks in habitats with ample food like berry bushes or orchards. They will vigorously defend these food sources against other frugivores. Come spring, flocks dissolve as pairs split off to breed and defend nesting territories.
The male Northern Cardinal is one of the brightest colored birds in North America thanks to its brilliant crimson plumage. Adult males also have a striking jet black face mask that contrasts sharply with its red body. This distinctive look makes the cardinal a very identifiable backyard visitor.
Cardinals eat a variety of seeds and fruits. Favorites at backyard feeders include sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, cracked corn, millet, and grape jelly. Platform feeders are ideal for cardinals. Females do most of the nest construction, weaving together a cup nest out of grass, leaves, twigs, and bark strips.
Cardinals do not actually migrate but northern populations do make shorter movements in response to harsh winter weather. Cardinals essentially remain on their breeding grounds year-round. Pairs inhabit a permanent territory that they defend against intruders.
The male cardinal’s bright red coloration comes from carotenoid pigments obtained through its diet of seeds and fruit. The better a male can assimilate carotenoids, the brighter his feathers. This serves as an honest signal of health to discerning females seeking a fit mate.
Cardinals have complex songs to communicate various messages. Males sing from high exposed perches to declare territory ownership and search for mates. Their loud melodious songs carry long distances. Songs are also given near the nest to signal the female or during aggressive encounters.
Calls of cardinals include metallic chips to stay in contact and sharp high-pitched chips to signal alarm. Cardinals also make chirping notes while foraging. Young nestlings give harsh ticking sounds when begging for food from parents. Cardinals readily come to bird feeders in groups withHierarchy is communicated through subtle movements and posture.
