North America is home to a stunning variety of red birds, each with its own unique appearance, habitat, and behavior. From the familiar Northern Cardinal to the elusive Hepatic Tanager, these birds bring vivid color and energy to forests, deserts, and backyards across the continent.
This guide explores 12 red birds commonly found in North America, highlighting key identification features, natural habitats, feeding habits, and behavioral traits to help birdwatchers and nature lovers recognize them in the wild.
1. Northern Cardinal
The Northern Cardinal is one of the most recognizable and beloved birds in North America, especially known for its brilliant red plumage and distinctive crest. Commonly found in gardens, woodlands, and suburban areas, this bird is a year-round resident across the eastern and central United States.
Identification
- Bright red body (male)
- Distinctive black mask around the face
- Prominent crest on the head
- Thick, orange-red cone-shaped bill
- Female is pale brown with reddish accents
Habitat
Northern Cardinals prefer edges of woodlands, dense shrubs, gardens, and suburban areas. They are often spotted at backyard feeders and nesting in bushes or low trees.
Behavior
These birds are territorial and often sing to defend their space. Males are known for their loud, whistling calls, and both sexes may engage in courtship feeding. They are non-migratory and form monogamous pairs.
Diet
Northern Cardinals primarily eat seeds, fruits, and insects. They often visit feeders for sunflower seeds, safflower, and suet. In summer, they may consume more insects to feed their young.
2. Scarlet Tanager
The Scarlet Tanager is a striking forest songbird known for its brilliant red body and contrasting black wings and tail. Found primarily in deciduous forests of eastern North America during breeding season, this bird is a spectacular but somewhat elusive sight.
Identification
- Bright red body (male)
- Black wings and tail (male)
- Olive-yellow body with darker wings (female)
- Medium-sized songbird with thick bill
- Slightly notched tail
Habitat
In North America, Scarlet Tanagers breed in mature deciduous and mixed forests, especially oak and beech woods. During migration, they may be seen in parks and woodlots.
Behavior
These birds stay high in the forest canopy and are often heard before seen. Males sing to claim territory, while both sexes quietly forage for insects. They migrate to South America for the winter.
Diet
Scarlet Tanagers primarily feed on insects like beetles, wasps, and caterpillars. They also eat berries and other fruits during late summer and migration.
3. Summer Tanager
The Summer Tanager is the only completely red bird in North America. Males are a solid rosy red, while females are yellowish. These birds are more common in the southern and central parts of the United States, especially near open woodlands.
Identification
- Solid red body (male)
- Yellow to olive body (female)
- Medium size, similar to a cardinal
- Thick, slightly curved bill
- Smooth, unmarked plumage
Habitat
In North America, Summer Tanagers are commonly found in open deciduous or pine-oak woodlands, especially near water. They are summer breeders in the southern U.S. and migrate to Central and South America for winter.
Behavior
Summer Tanagers are known for their unique diet of bees and wasps, which they catch in midair or pluck from foliage. They remove stingers by rubbing the insects on branches before eating.
Diet
Their diet includes bees, wasps, other flying insects, and fruits. This specialized feeding behavior makes them important in controlling insect populations in their habitat.
4. Vermilion Flycatcher
The Vermilion Flycatcher is a dazzling red songbird with a compact body and sharp movements. Found mostly in the southwestern United States, this species adds a splash of color to dry, open habitats across North America.
Identification
- Bright red body with dark brown wings and tail (male)
- Pale peach or yellow belly with brown upperparts (female)
- Small and slender build
- Flat head and short tail
- Slight crest sometimes visible
Habitat
In North America, Vermilion Flycatchers are found in arid regions, including deserts, open scrublands, and river valleys. They are most common in states like Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico.
Behavior
These birds often perch on low shrubs or fences, darting out to snatch flying insects in midair. Males display their vibrant color and perform fluttering flights during courtship.
Diet
Their diet consists mostly of flying insects such as flies, moths, and grasshoppers. They catch prey in flight and return to the same perch repeatedly.
5. House Finch (Male)
The House Finch is a familiar and widespread bird across North America. While both sexes are streaked, the male is easily recognized by the red coloring on his head and chest, making it one of the most commonly seen red birds.
Identification
- Red forehead, chest, and rump (male)
- Brown-streaked back and belly
- Small, conical bill
- Rounded head
- Female lacks red and is brown-streaked overall
Habitat
House Finches thrive in urban and suburban environments across most of North America. They nest in buildings, hanging planters, and tree branches, often near human activity.
Behavior
Highly social and vocal, House Finches often gather in small flocks. Males sing cheerfully to attract mates and defend territory, while pairs may remain together year-round.
Diet
Their diet includes seeds, buds, and fruits. At feeders, they prefer sunflower seeds and can adapt easily to backyard feeding stations.
6. Red Crossbill
The Red Crossbill is a unique finch with a specialized bill designed for extracting seeds from conifer cones. Males show varying shades of red, while females are more olive or yellowish. This species is found in coniferous forests across North America, especially in mountainous regions.
Identification
- Brick-red to orange-red plumage (male)
- Distinctive crossed mandibles
- Medium-sized, thick body
- Dark wings and tail
- Females are yellow-green overall
Habitat
In North America, Red Crossbills inhabit mature coniferous forests—especially spruce, pine, and fir stands. Their distribution often follows cone crops, and they may appear unpredictably in new areas.
Behavior
Red Crossbills are nomadic and travel in flocks in search of food. Their unusual bill shape allows them to pry open conifer cones efficiently. They breed at any time of year when food is plentiful.
Diet
They feed almost exclusively on conifer seeds, including those from spruce, pine, hemlock, and fir. Occasionally, they eat buds, berries, and insects, especially when feeding young.
7. Pine Grosbeak (Male)
The Pine Grosbeak is a large, gentle finch often found in the boreal forests of northern North America. The male is a soft rose-red with gray accents, making it one of the most elegant red birds in the region.
Identification
- Rose-red head, chest, and back (male)
- Gray wings with white wingbars
- Thick, stubby bill
- Large, round body
- Females are grayish with yellow to orange highlights
Habitat
Pine Grosbeaks are primarily found in northern coniferous forests, especially spruce and fir woods. In winter, they may move south into the northern U.S. and visit feeders or fruit trees.
Behavior
They are tame and slow-moving, often seen foraging in pairs or small groups. Unlike many finches, they do not form large flocks and tend to stay near the ground or in low branches.
Diet
Their diet consists mainly of buds, seeds, and fruits. In winter, they feed on mountain ash berries and visit feeders with sunflower seeds or suet.
8. Hepatic Tanager
The Hepatic Tanager is a red-plumaged songbird more commonly found in the southwestern regions of North America. Unlike the brighter Scarlet or Summer Tanager, its red is darker and more brick-toned, giving it a more muted yet distinct appearance.
Identification
- Dark red or brick-red body (male)
- Dusky face and back
- Thick, slightly curved bill
- Medium-sized, sturdy build
- Females are yellowish-olive overall
Habitat
In North America, Hepatic Tanagers breed in pine-oak and montane woodlands, especially in Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Texas. They prefer higher elevations and forest edges.
Behavior
These tanagers forage methodically among tree branches, moving slowly as they search for insects and berries. They are often solitary or in pairs and may be overlooked due to their quiet behavior and preference for dense foliage.
Diet
Their diet includes beetles, caterpillars, spiders, and various fruits. They pick prey from leaves and bark, rarely catching insects in flight.
9. Painted Bunting (Male)
The male Painted Bunting is one of the most colorful birds in North America, with a vivid mix of red, blue, and green. While not entirely red, its bright red underparts and eye-catching appearance earn it a place among red birds of the region.
Identification
- Bright red belly, chest, and rump (male)
- Blue head and green back (male)
- Small, stocky songbird
- Short, thick bill
- Females and juveniles are greenish-yellow overall
Habitat
In North America, Painted Buntings breed in the southeastern U.S., especially in brushy areas, woodland edges, and thickets. They prefer dense cover near water sources or open fields.
Behavior
Males sing from exposed perches to defend territory and attract mates, while females stay hidden in dense vegetation. These birds are shy and often difficult to observe despite their brilliant colors.
Diet
Their diet includes seeds, grains, and insects. They forage on the ground and in low shrubs, and may visit feeders, especially for millet and other small seeds.
10. Common Redpoll
The Common Redpoll is a small finch with a splash of red on its forehead and, in males, a pinkish chest. Though not entirely red, these birds are easy to recognize during the winter months in northern parts of North America.
Identification
- Red patch on forehead
- Black chin
- Brown-streaked back and sides
- Males have a pinkish wash on chest
- Small, pointed bill
Habitat
In North America, Common Redpolls breed in the Arctic tundra and visit much of southern Canada and the northern United States in winter. They are common in weedy fields, open woodlands, and backyard feeders during cold months.
Behavior
Redpolls are highly social and travel in flocks, especially during winter. They are acrobatic feeders, often hanging upside down while feeding, and may store seeds in throat pouches for later eating.
Diet
They feed primarily on seeds from birch, alder, and grasses. In winter, they flock to feeders for nyjer (thistle) and black oil sunflower seeds.
11. Cassin’s Finch
Cassin’s Finch is a medium-sized finch found in the mountainous regions of western North America. The males have a rosy-red crown and throat, with streaked sides and a longer bill compared to similar finches.
Identification
- Rosy-red crown, throat, and chest (male)
- Streaked brown back and sides
- Slightly longer, straighter bill than House Finch
- Light underparts
- Females are brown and heavily streaked without red
Habitat
In North America, Cassin’s Finches are mostly found in coniferous forests of the western U.S., especially at higher elevations. They can also be seen in open woodlands and forest edges during migration or winter.
Behavior
These birds are usually seen in small flocks and may mix with other finches. Males sing from treetops during the breeding season. They move between elevations based on food availability.
Diet
Cassin’s Finches eat seeds, buds, and berries. They also consume insects during the breeding season. They often visit feeders stocked with sunflower seeds, especially in winter.
12. Purple Finch (Male)
Despite the name, the male Purple Finch has a deep raspberry-red coloration that covers most of its head and chest. It is found throughout much of the northern and eastern parts of North America, especially in forested areas.
Identification
- Raspberry-red head, chest, and back (male)
- Brown wings and streaked flanks
- Stout, conical bill
- Females are brown and heavily streaked, with a white eyebrow
- Slightly chunky body shape
Habitat
In North America, Purple Finches breed in mixed and coniferous forests across the northern U.S. and Canada. During winter, they migrate to southern parts of the U.S. and visit backyard feeders.
Behavior
These finches are often seen in small flocks, moving between trees in search of food. Males sing rich, warbling songs from high perches during breeding season.
Diet
They feed on seeds, berries, and tree buds. At feeders, they prefer sunflower seeds and are known to be aggressive toward other finches while feeding.
