How to Identify a Red Bird

In the United States there are several birds which are red in color. These birds show up against nearly any background, making them easy to spot. Some birds are completely red in color, while others have red only on their head, breasts and/or wings.

Instructions

    • 1

      Identify the male northern cardinal by its brilliant red body. Look for a bird that is completely red except for a "mask" on its face that is jet black. Notice that even the beak is a shade of red. Observe the crest on the top of its head. This is the bird in North America that has the largest percentage of red on its body and is most commonly referred to as a "red bird."

    • 2

      Identify the red-headed woodpecker by the red on its head, chest and throat. It is the only woodpecker in the eastern portion of the continent that has a head that is completely red.

    • 3

      Identify the scarlet tanager by its red body and black tail and wings. Only the scarlet tanager has this unique pattern in all of the United States and Canada. It is native to the eastern part of the U.S. and Canada.

    • 4

      Identify the crimson-collared grosbeak by the black "hood" on its head. Watch for a bird in southeastern sections of Texas that has a reddish body but a black head and throat. The upper back is more brownish-red than pure red.

    • 5

      Identify the rose-breasted grosbeak by the bright red patch on its chest. Found in the eastern two-thirds of the country, the rose-breasted grosbeak has a black head and back but an unmistakable red breast surrounded on the sides and bottom by white. The beak of this bird is stout and short.

    • 6

      Identify the red-winged blackbird by the red shoulder bars on its wings. Look closely and you will see a yellow line running along the bottom of these red patches. The rest of the bird is a deep black. You will see these birds commonly perched on swaying cattails near swamps, ponds and marshes.