Many birds showcase stunning combinations of red and black plumage, creating striking and memorable appearances. From vibrant songbirds to elusive forest dwellers, these colors often serve purposes like attracting mates, camouflage, or warning signals. This collection features 18 beautiful species from around the world, each with unique habitats, behaviors, and diets. Whether found in North American woodlands, South American rainforests, or African highlands, these red-and-black birds captivate birdwatchers and nature lovers alike.
1. Scarlet Tanager
The Scarlet Tanager is a striking songbird native to North America, known for its vivid red body and contrasting black wings and tail. Males are especially eye-catching during the breeding season.
Appearance
Identification features:
- Male:
- Bright scarlet red body
- Jet-black wings and tail
- Medium-sized songbird with stout bill
- Bright scarlet red body
- Female:
- Olive-yellow body
- Darker olive-gray wings and tail
- Less vibrant and more camouflaged than males
- Olive-yellow body
Habitat
These birds prefer deciduous and mixed woodlands, often staying high in the tree canopy. They migrate between North and South America, breeding in the eastern U.S. and wintering in South America.
Diet
Scarlet Tanagers primarily eat insects like beetles, caterpillars, and ants. They also enjoy berries and fruit, especially during migration periods.
Behavior
Though brightly colored, Scarlet Tanagers are shy and can be hard to spot. Their song is a raspy, robin-like tune, and they are often heard before seen.
2. Red-winged Blackbird
The Red-winged Blackbird is one of the most recognizable birds in North America, known for its striking red and yellow shoulder patches on an otherwise glossy black body.
Appearance
Identification features:
- Male:
- Glossy black body
- Bright red shoulder patch bordered with yellow
- Medium-sized with a sharp, pointed bill
- Glossy black body
- Female:
- Streaky brown with a lighter chest
- Slight hint of red or orange on the shoulder
- Smaller and more sparrow-like in appearance
- Streaky brown with a lighter chest
Habitat
Commonly found in wetlands, marshes, and grassy fields. They often nest in cattails or dense reeds and are also seen perched on fences and utility wires.
Diet
Feeds on seeds, grains, and insects. In summer, they eat a lot of insects; in winter, they gather in large flocks to feed on grains and seeds.
Behavior
Highly territorial during breeding season. Males are known for their loud, conk-la-ree! song and dramatic display when defending their territory.
3. Vermilion Flycatcher
The Vermilion Flycatcher is a small but vibrant bird, especially eye-catching due to the male’s fiery red coloring contrasted by black wings and tail.
Appearance
Identification features:
- Male:
- Brilliant vermilion (red-orange) head, chest, and belly
- Black back, wings, and tail
- Small, perching songbird with a flat head and short bill
- Brilliant vermilion (red-orange) head, chest, and belly
- Female:
- Grayish upperparts
- Pale underparts with salmon-colored blush on belly
- More subdued but still elegant
- Grayish upperparts
Habitat
Prefers open areas with scattered trees or shrubs, often near water. Found in the southwestern United States, Central America, and parts of South America.
Diet
Primarily insectivorous. Hunts flying insects by darting from low perches and snapping them mid-air, a behavior typical of flycatchers.
Behavior
Often seen sitting still before launching into the air to catch prey. Males perform fluttering flight displays during courtship, showing off their vivid colors.
4. Northern Cardinal (Male)
The Northern Cardinal is a well-known backyard bird across North America. The male is especially admired for its vivid red plumage and contrasting black facial mask.
Appearance
Identification features:
- Male:
- Bright red body throughout
- Distinct black mask around the beak and throat
- Prominent crest on the head
- Stout, cone-shaped red-orange bill
- Bright red body throughout
- Female:
- Pale brown body with warm reddish tinges on wings, tail, and crest
- Blackish face mask, less defined than the male’s
- Same thick red-orange bill
- Pale brown body with warm reddish tinges on wings, tail, and crest
Habitat
Thrives in woodlands, gardens, shrublands, and urban parks. Often seen at backyard bird feeders year-round in the eastern and central United States.
Diet
Eats a wide range of seeds, fruits, and insects. Frequently visits feeders for sunflower seeds and suet.
Behavior
Males sing loud, whistling songs to mark territory and attract mates. They’re non-migratory and are often seen in pairs year-round.
5. Crimson-collared Tanager
Native to Central America, the Crimson-collared Tanager is a tropical bird known for its bold red-and-black coloration and striking contrast.
Appearance
Identification features:
- Both Sexes:
- Bright crimson red head, neck, and underparts
- Deep black back, wings, and tail
- Thick, pale blue-gray bill
- Stocky body with short tail and round head
- Bright crimson red head, neck, and underparts
Habitat
Typically found in humid lowland forests, forest edges, and plantations from southern Mexico to western Panama. Prefers dense, lush vegetation.
Diet
Feeds mainly on fruit and insects. Often seen foraging in pairs or small flocks in the mid to lower canopy.
Behavior
Moves slowly and deliberately through vegetation. While not especially vocal, it occasionally emits soft whistles and contact calls.
6. Masked Crimson Tanager
The Masked Crimson Tanager is a vibrant tropical bird from South America, instantly recognizable for its intense red body and dark contrasting features.
Appearance
Identification features:
- Both Sexes:
- Bright crimson red body
- Black face “mask,” wings, and tail
- Thick, pale bluish bill
- Medium-sized with a rounded body shape
- Bright crimson red body
Habitat
Inhabits riverine forests and dense vegetation near water in the Amazon Basin, especially in countries like Brazil, Colombia, and Peru.
Diet
Feeds on fruit, berries, and insects. Forages in the mid to upper forest canopy, often in small mixed-species flocks.
Behavior
Generally shy and quiet. Moves methodically through branches, often concealed by foliage. Sometimes joins mixed flocks for protection and foraging benefits.
7. Red-headed Woodpecker
This striking woodpecker species stands out with its bold red head and sharp contrast of black and white across the rest of its body.
Appearance
Identification features:
- Adult:
- Entire head and throat are deep red
- Black back and tail
- Large white patches on wings and belly
- Stiff, pointed beak for drilling wood
- Entire head and throat are deep red
- Juvenile:
- Dull gray-brown head
- Less distinct black-and-white contrast
- Dull gray-brown head
Habitat
Prefers open woodlands, groves, orchards, and pine savannas. Often seen perched on tree trunks or dead limbs, especially in eastern and central North America.
Diet
Omnivorous: eats insects, nuts, seeds, fruits, and occasionally small vertebrates. Known for storing food by wedging it into tree bark.
Behavior
Very active and acrobatic. Drums loudly on trees to communicate and attract mates. Also known to catch insects mid-flight and cache food for later.
8. Black-and-red Broadbill
The Black-and-red Broadbill is a vividly colored bird of Southeast Asia, easily recognized by its deep red body and contrasting dark wings and head.
Appearance
Identification features:
- Both Sexes:
- Rich crimson-red underparts and breast
- Glossy black head, back, wings, and tail
- Turquoise-blue bill with a black tip
- Stocky body with a large, broad bill and short tail
- Rich crimson-red underparts and breast
Habitat
Found near rivers, streams, and wetlands in lowland tropical forests across Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Diet
Feeds mainly on insects and small invertebrates. Occasionally eats fruit and small aquatic animals.
Behavior
Often perches quietly near water, making it easier to spot. Builds large hanging nests over water using vines, grass, and other plant materials.
9. Red-bellied Woodpecker
Despite its name, the Red-bellied Woodpecker is more noted for its red head and nape than its subtly tinted belly.
Appearance
Identification features:
- Male:
- Red cap extending from bill to nape
- Pale face and belly with a slight reddish tinge
- Black-and-white barred back and wings
- Long, chisel-like beak
- Red cap extending from bill to nape
- Female:
- Red only on the nape (not the crown)
- Similar body pattern to the male
- Slightly smaller in size
- Red only on the nape (not the crown)
Habitat
Commonly seen in forests, woodlands, and suburban areas throughout the eastern United States. Frequently visits bird feeders.
Diet
Eats insects, spiders, seeds, nuts, and fruits. Known for storing food in tree crevices and even fence posts.
Behavior
Loud and active. Uses strong beak to drum on trees and wooden structures. Males and females both drum to communicate and establish territory.
10. Andean Cock-of-the-rock (Male)
The Andean Cock-of-the-rock is one of the most unusual and vividly colored birds in South America, known for its fan-shaped crest and intense red-orange plumage.
Appearance
Identification features:
- Male:
- Brilliant red-orange head, crest, and upper chest
- Black wings and tail with grayish markings
- Large, disk-like crest covering the beak
- Medium-sized with strong legs and toes
- Brilliant red-orange head, crest, and upper chest
- Female:
- Darker and more brownish-orange overall
- Smaller crest and less showy in appearance
- Darker and more brownish-orange overall
Habitat
Found in cloud forests along the eastern slopes of the Andes Mountains, from Venezuela to Bolivia. Prefers steep, rocky forested areas.
Diet
Omnivorous, with a diet of fruit, insects, and small vertebrates. Plays a key role in seed dispersal within its habitat.
Behavior
Males gather in leks (group display sites) to perform elaborate courtship dances and calls to attract females. They’re shy outside of mating displays.
11. Southern Red Bishop
A spectacular bird of African wetlands and grasslands, the Southern Red Bishop is easily spotted during the breeding season due to the male’s flame-red body and bold black markings.
Appearance
Identification features:
- Male:
- Vivid red head, chest, and rump
- Deep black face, throat, and underparts
- Short, thick bill and rounded body
- Vivid red head, chest, and rump
- Female:
- Brown and heavily streaked
- Much duller with lighter underparts
- Small, sparrow-like in appearance
- Brown and heavily streaked
Habitat
Found in wetlands, grasslands, and agricultural areas throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Prefers tall reeds and grasses near water.
Diet
Primarily feeds on grass seeds and small insects. Forages low in vegetation or on the ground.
Behavior
During mating season, males puff up their plumage and perform display flights to attract mates. They build multiple nests to impress females.
12. Scarlet Minivet (Male)
The Scarlet Minivet is a dazzling, medium-sized bird native to South and Southeast Asia. The male’s fiery red and black plumage makes it one of the region’s most striking forest birds.
Appearance
Identification features:
- Male:
- Bright scarlet-red body, belly, and rump
- Jet-black head, back, wings, and tail
- Slender body with long tail
- Female:
- Yellow replacing the red areas
- Olive-gray upperparts
- Similar slender shape and long tail
Habitat
Found in forests, wooded hillsides, and plantations across the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and southern China. Prefers the canopy and forest edges.
Diet
Feeds mainly on insects, including caterpillars and beetles. Also consumes fruit and nectar occasionally.
Behavior
Often seen in pairs or small mixed flocks high in the canopy. Agile and active, it flits among branches while foraging.
13. Red-capped Cardinal
The Red-capped Cardinal is a beautifully colored bird found in parts of South America, especially near water-rich habitats.
Appearance
Identification features:
- Both Sexes:
- Bright red head and throat
- White underparts and sides
- Black back, wings, and tail
- Short, conical bill and bold facial contrast
- Bright red head and throat
Habitat
Commonly found in tropical lowlands, river edges, and swampy forests in northern South America, including Venezuela, Brazil, and the Guianas.
Diet
Feeds on insects, seeds, and fruit. Forages close to the ground or in low vegetation, often near water.
Behavior
Often seen in pairs or small groups. Has a melodious, high-pitched song and is relatively tame compared to other forest birds.
14. Brazilian Tanager
The Brazilian Tanager is a brilliantly colored bird native to the Atlantic Forest of eastern South America. Its intense red and black plumage makes it a visual standout.
Appearance
Identification features:
- Male:
- Bright scarlet-red head, chest, and body
- Jet-black wings, tail, and lower back
- Stout, pale bill and strong legs
- Bright scarlet-red head, chest, and body
- Female:
- Dull reddish-brown overall
- Less contrast and more uniform in tone
- Slightly smaller than the male
- Dull reddish-brown overall
Habitat
Inhabits lowland forests, forest edges, and secondary growth in Brazil and neighboring countries. Also adapts well to gardens and plantations.
Diet
Feeds mainly on fruit, seeds, and insects. Often seen foraging in trees and shrubs, occasionally descending to the ground.
Behavior
Usually found in pairs or small groups. Active and curious, with a distinctive call that helps locate it among dense foliage.
15. Red-breasted Blackbird
Despite the name, the Red-breasted Blackbird is actually more closely related to meadowlarks. It’s known for its vivid red chest and melodious song.
Appearance
Identification features:
- Male:
- Bright red breast and throat
- Glossy black head, back, wings, and tail
- Medium-sized with a sharp bill and slender body
- Bright red breast and throat
- Female:
- Duller brown with streaked pattern
- Pale underparts with hints of red
- More camouflaged than the male
- Duller brown with streaked pattern
Habitat
Found in open grasslands, marshes, and pastures across South America, particularly in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay.
Diet
Feeds on insects, seeds, and grains. Forages on the ground or among tall grasses.
Behavior
Sings from perches such as fence posts or tall plants. Males are territorial during breeding season and display with puffed chests and sharp calls.
16. Red Avadavat (Strawberry Finch, Male)
The Red Avadavat, also known as the Strawberry Finch, is a small, brightly colored finch popular in aviculture and native to South Asia.
Appearance
Identification features:
- Male:
- Bright red body covered with white spots
- Black tail and wings with some white spotting
- Short, conical red bill
- Bright red body covered with white spots
- Female:
- Brownish body with fewer or no spots
- Duller red or orange tones on the rump and underparts
- Brownish body with fewer or no spots
Habitat
Inhabits grasslands, scrublands, and agricultural fields, often near water sources throughout India, Bangladesh, and Southeast Asia.
Diet
Feeds primarily on grass seeds and small insects. Often forages in flocks.
Behavior
Social and gregarious, often seen in noisy groups. Males perform fluttering displays during the breeding season to attract mates.
17. Crimson Sunbird
The Crimson Sunbird is a small, nectar-feeding bird native to parts of South and Southeast Asia, known for its bright red plumage and swift flight.
Appearance
Identification features:
- Male:
- Brilliant crimson upperparts and chest
- Darker wings and tail
- Thin, curved bill adapted for nectar feeding
- Brilliant crimson upperparts and chest
- Female:
- Olive-green upperparts
- Yellowish underparts
- Less vivid and more camouflaged
- Olive-green upperparts
Habitat
Prefers tropical and subtropical forests, gardens, and plantations across India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia.
Diet
Primarily feeds on nectar but also eats small insects and spiders. Plays an important role in pollination.
Behavior
Active and fast-moving. Frequently hovers at flowers and emits high-pitched calls.
18. Dusky Crimsonwing
The Dusky Crimsonwing is a small, elusive finch found in the montane forests of Africa, known for its subtle yet striking red and black plumage.
Appearance
Identification features:
- Both Sexes:
- Deep crimson-red body
- Dark blackish-gray wings and tail
- Small, rounded body with short tail
- Slightly curved, stout bill
- Deep crimson-red body
Habitat
Lives in dense montane forests and bamboo thickets in highland areas of central and eastern Africa, such as the Albertine Rift.
Diet
Feeds mainly on seeds and small insects found in the undergrowth.
Behavior
Shy and secretive. Often heard before seen, with soft, high-pitched calls. Moves quietly through dense vegetation.
Summary:
Red and black birds are some of the most eye-catching and diverse species in the avian world. Their bold colors serve various roles, from attracting mates to blending into their environments. This guide highlights 18 remarkable red and black birds from different regions, offering insights into their appearance, habitat, diet, and behavior.
