Brown birds are typically beautiful birds, especially small brown birds. When it comes the birds with red heads and brown bodies, they are more beautiful birds among brown birds. If you like the brown bird, you come to the right place.
Here we discovered the 10 most beautiful brown birds that have red heads. We discussed everything about those birds so that you can identify them.
10 Brown Birds With Red Heads
The House Finch, Purple Finch, Red Crossbill, Vermilion Flycatcher, Arizona Woodpecker, Cassin’s Finch, Common Redpoll, Red-Faced Warbler, Red-headed Quelea, and Red-fronted Rosefinch are brown birds that have red heads. Every bird has unique characteristics, unique color patterns, size, and habitat.
Among these birds, some birds look like same but there are some differences. We compared them so that you can not be confused.
House Finch
First, We introduce House Finch. The House Finch is a small bird with a red head and brown body. The males are slightly larger, measuring around 5.5 to 6 inches, while females are generally a bit smaller, ranging from 5 to 5.5 inches in length.
Male House Finch displays vibrant red plumage on its head and throat. On the other hand, female displays a subdued brown and streaked appearance. Not that, the Female House Finch has no red head like the male.
House Finches mostly eat seeds, fruits, and insects. They commonly feed on seeds such as sunflower seeds, and they also like to eat berries, grains, and small insects.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Size | 5 to 6 inches in length |
| Plumage (Male) | Vibrant red on head and throat |
| Plumage (Female) | Subdued brown with streaks |
| Diet | Seeds, fruits, grains, and insects |
| Habitat | Urban, suburban, and open habitats |
| Adaptability | Thrives in various environments |
| Foraging Behavior | Common at bird feeders, gardens, and open areas |
Purple Finch
The Purple Finch is slightly larger than the House Finch, measuring about 6 to 7 inches in length. The males display vibrant raspberry-red plumage, while the females display a more brown and streaked appearance.
The Purple Finch is a medium-sized brown bird with a red head. There are noticeable differences in coloration between males and females such as The male Purple Finch has vibrant raspberry-red plumage, particularly on its head, throat, and chest.
On the other hand, the female Purple Finch, on the other hand, showcases a more subdued brown and streaked appearance. Her plumage is often mottled with various shades of brown.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Size | Small to medium-sized songbird, about 5 to 6 inches |
| Coloration | Males: Reddish-purple plumage; Females: Brown streaks |
| Bill | Short, conical, and curved at the tip |
| Diet | Primarily seeds, berries, and insects |
| Habitat | Coniferous and mixed forests, woodlands, gardens |
| Range | North America, including parts of Canada and the U.S |
| Song | Musical, warbling song with variable notes |
| Mating Behavior | Monogamous, form pairs during breeding season |
| Nesting | Cup-shaped nests in trees, shrubs, or conifers |
| Eggs | Typically 3 to 5 pale blue or greenish eggs |
| Migration | Some populations migrate, while others are resident |
Red Crossbill
The Red Crossbills is a small bird with a brown body and a redhead. Males and females are relatively similar in size, with males and females measuring around 5.5 to 6.75 inches in length.
As for the wings, Red Crossbills have wings that are relatively short and pointed, which is common among finches.
When you see the Red Crossbills and Purple Finches suddenly, You may be wondering if they are the same birds but are not. When you compare their beak, You can understand the differences between them.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Size | Coniferous forests, pine, and spruce-dominated areas |
| Coloration | Males and females vary; typically red or orange hues |
| Bill | Distinctively crossed at the tips, adapted for extracting seeds from conifer cones |
| Diet | Specialized in feeding on conifer seeds, especially pine cones |
| Habitat | Coniferous forests, pine and spruce-dominated areas |
| Range | Found in North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa |
| Breeding Season | Breeds throughout the year, with peak activity influenced by food availability |
Vermilion Flycatcher
Among the brown body and red-headed birds, the Vermilion Flycatcher is one of them and it measures around 6 to 7 inches in length.
The Male Head has a brilliant vermilion color (red-orange) head.
On the other hand, the female Vermilion Flycatcher, in contrast, has a more subdued head color. Females typically exhibit grayer or brownish tones on their heads.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Size | Small-sized songbird, approximately 6 to 7 inches |
| Coloration | Vibrant red plumage on males and females have subdued colors like brown and peach |
| Bill | Slender, slightly hooked bill for catching insects |
| Diet | Primarily feeds on insects, caught in mid-air |
| Habitat | Open habitats such as grasslands, deserts, and scrublands |
| Range | Found in the Americas, from the southern U.S. to South America |
| Breeding Season | Generally breeds in the spring and early summer |
| Nesting | Nests in shrubs and trees, often near water |
| Behavior | Known for perching conspicuously and sallying out to catch flying insects |
Arizona Woodpecker
The Arizona Woodpecker is a relatively small woodpecker species and it measures about 7 inches in length. It is a brown bird with a red color on its head.
There is little difference in size between male and female woodpeckers. Both genders typically have a similar length, with individuals measuring about 7 inches.
The Arizona Woodpecker primarily feeds on insects including beetles, ants, and caterpillars. They search for food branches of trees.
The Arizona Woodpecker is primarily found in the pine-oak woodlands of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Its range includes parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico’s Sierra Madre Occidental.
Here are eight features of the Arizona Woodpecker
- Size: Small to medium-sized woodpecker, around 8 to 9 inches.
- Coloration: Black and white with distinct ladder-like black markings on the back.
- Bill: Chisel-shaped bill for drilling into wood in search of insects.
- Diet: Primarily feeds on insects, larvae, and ants found in tree bark.
- Habitat: Oak and pine woodlands, often in mountainous regions.
- Range: Found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
- Nesting: Excavates nest cavities in dead trees or limbs, often reusing old nest sites.
Cassin’s Finch
Cassin’s Finch is a medium-sized finch brown bird with a red-head. Its size is about 6 to 7 inches in length. Males often display vibrant red coloration on their heads and throats. on the other hand, females have more subdued brown and streaked patterns.
When you see the Cassin’s Finch and Purple Finch, you may think they are the same bird but they aren’t. Cassin’s Finch and Purple Finch are both medium-sized finches, around 6 to 7 inches.
While male Purple Finches exhibit vibrant raspberry-red plumage, Cassin’s Finch males display similar coloration on the head and throat.
Female Purple Finches are brown-streaked, while Cassin’s Finch females have more subdued brown patterns. Both species inhabit western North America.
Size: Medium-sized finch, approximately 6 inches in length.
Coloration: Males have a raspberry-red crown, throat, and chest; females are brown and streaked.
Bill: Short and conical, adapted for seed-eating.
Diet: Primarily feeds on seeds, especially conifer seeds and buds.
Habitat: Coniferous forests, mountainous regions, and wooded areas.
Range: Found in western North America, including parts of the United States and Canada.
Song: Musical warbling song, similar to the Purple Finch but distinguishable.
Common Redpoll
The Common Redpoll is a small bird with a red-head and brown body. There is generally minimal size difference between males and females. Both genders measure about 4.5 and 5.5 inches in length.
The male Common Redpoll features a distinctive red cap or crown on its head, which is a key characteristic. The rest of the body is typically streaked with darker brown markings.
Females, in contrast, lack the vibrant red crown. They typically have a more subdued appearance, with brown or streaked patterns on their heads. The absence of the red cap is a notable difference in head color between the two genders.
- Size: Small finch, typically around 5 inches in length.
- Coloration: Males have a pinkish-red crown and breast, and females are more subdued with streaked brown plumage.
- Bill: Short and stubby, adapted for extracting seeds from plants.
- Diet: Primarily feeds on seeds, especially from birch and alder trees.
- Habitat: Tundra, boreal forests, and open woodlands.
- Range: Found in the Northern Hemisphere, including North America and Eurasia.
- Migration: Some populations are migratory, moving south in winter.
- Social Behavior: Often found in flocks, especially during the winter months.
Red-Faced Warbler
The Red-Faced Warbler is a small bird with a red-head. It has a brown and white body. Its upper part is brown and the breast part is white. Its head color is red and black.
- Size: The Red-faced Warbler is a small bird, measuring about 4.5 to 5 inches in length.
- Male Body Color: Males have a gray crown and body, with a vibrant and striking red face and throat. The red coloring on the face and throat is a key feature that distinguishes the males.
- Female Body Color: Females, while still displaying a gray crown and body, have a more subdued appearance compared to males. Their plumage is generally more understated.
- Male Head Color: The male’s head is adorned with prominent and eye-catching red coloring on the face and throat.
- Female Head Color: The female’s head is more subtly colored, lacking the intense red hues found in males.
Red-headed Quelea
The Red-headed Quelea is a brown bird with a red-head. It is a small brown bird, measuring approximately 5 to 6 inches in length.
During the breeding season, the male Red-headed Quelea displays a vibrant red head and face.
The female Red-headed Quelea does not display the intense red hues seen in the males. Outside the breeding season, both males and females have more.
Red-fronted Rosefinch
The Red-fronted Rosefinch is a red-headed bird that has a white and brown body. The male Red-fronted Rosefinch boasts a distinctive and striking red or rosy-colored head. On the other hand, Female has red or rosy coloring on the head.
Male and female Both genders are relatively similar in size, with an average length ranging from 5 to 6 inches.
Sometimes you may be confused that the red-fronted rosefinch and the Cassin’s are the same birds. When you compare them, you can find some differences between the finch. For example, The red-fronted Rosefinch is smaller than Cassin’s Finch. The Red-fronted Rosefinch is found in Asia. On the other hand, Cassin’s Finch is found in western North America.
- Size: Small to medium-sized finch, typically around 5 to 6 inches
- Coloration: Males have a bright red head, throat, and chest; females are brown and streaked
- Bill: Short and conical, adapted for seed-eating
- Diet: Primarily feeds on seeds, berries, and insects
- Habitat: Alpine and subalpine regions, including mountain meadows and rocky slopes
- Range: Found in mountainous areas of Asia, including the Himalayas and Siberia
- Song: Melodic and varied, with a mix of whistles and trills
- Breeding: Nests in rocky crevices or on the ground, constructing cup-shaped nests with plant materials
FAQs
What is a small garden bird with a red-head?
A small garden bird with a red-head could be the House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus). Male House Finches typically have red plumage on their heads and throats, while females have more subdued brown and streaked plumage. These birds are adaptable and can be found in a variety of habitats, including gardens, where they may visit bird feeders.
Here are the names of five small garden birds that has red-heads:
- House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus): Males have red plumage on their heads.
- Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis): Males have a prominent crest and a red-head.
- Red-crowned Parrotlet (Touit parvus): Small parrot species with a red crown.
- Crimson Sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja): This small bird with vibrant red plumage, including the head.
- Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus): While the head is not entirely red, males have a red cap on the back of their heads.
What is a large bird with a red-head and brown body?
A large bird with a red-head and brown body that fits this description is likely the Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus). Male Red-headed Woodpeckers have a striking solid red head and neck, contrasting with their black and white body. They are medium to large-sized woodpeckers and are known for their vibrant plumage.
