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Have you ever seen an all red bird and wondered what it was. This article will show a list of 10 all red birds, it will have information on where in the world they live, the habitat they prefer, their diets and helpful information to aid identification along with pictures.
When researching for this article I was surprised at how few all red birds there were. So I have listed the ones I have found and included others that are in main red.
Male Northern Cardinal
As you can see from the picture above the male Northern Cardinal is a stunning bird The red is set off by the black mask. It has a crest which it can raise when alarmed or agitated. |It has a daily long tail and is considered a songbird. There is also a rare form of this bird which is all yellow due to a genetic disorder. I have an article looking at why the Yellow cardinal is so rare. You can find it at the following link. https://www.birdfinder.co/yellow-cardinal-bird-rare-bird/
Measurements
Length; 21-23cms
Wingspan; 25-31 cms
Weight; 42-48g
Native to
South -Eastern US, New Mexico and Eastern Arizona
Habitat
Hedgerows, forest edges, overgrown fields, back yards
Diet
In the main seeds & fruit, with supplemental insects
Male Summer Tanager
The male summer tanager is a beautiful red songbird, slightly smaller than the cardinal above but is now considered part of the cardinal family. They are known to remove the stings from the bees and wasps they catch by rubbing them against the bark of a tree.
Measurements
Length; 17cms
Wingspan; 27cms
Weight; 38 – 40g
Native to
At breeding times this bird will be South Western, Eastern and Northern Mexico.
They will winter in Central America and Northern South America.
Habitat
Open woodlands, Parks, gardens.
Diet
These birds are specialists in the hunting skills, bees and wasps being their main food and they will catch flying insects on the wing. They also supplement with other invertebrates and fruits.
Male Scarlet Tanager
The male Scarlet Tanager is another amazing bright red bird, but differs as they have black wings and tail as shown in the above picture.
Measurements
Length; 16-17 cms
Wingspan; 25-29 cms
Weight; 33-38g
Native to
Breeds in Eastern North America and Winters in South America
Habitat
Forests
Diet
Insects are their main diet supplemented with fruits and buds. Similar to the Summer tanager they will also catch bees and wasps
Male Scarlet Ibis
The male Scarlet Ibis is an unusual looking large wader bird which is enhanced by its bright orange- red colouring. They have black tips to their wings which is better seen in flight, although you can just make it out on the picture above. An interesting fact is in the breeding season both male and female will have black bills, when not in breeding season they tend to be pink. Another surprising fact is that they have a relatively long life of around 25 years both in the wild and captivity.
Measurements
Length; 66cms
Wingspan; 54cms
Weight; 620g
Native to
Floridas, Tropical South America and Caribbean
Habitat
Wetlands, lagoons, estuaries
Diet
Small fish, crabs, crustaceans, insects
Male Red crossbill
As you can properly see from the above picture this little finch bird is more rusty red than bright red, although their colours do change to the individual. As their name suggests these birds beaks are crossed, this adaptation has developed due to the food they eat. They use their beaks to prise open a pine cone to then release the seed with their tongues, they will also use their feet to help hold the cones.
Measurements
Length; 16.5cms
Wingspan; 27-30.5 cms
Weight; 35-50g
Native to
Scottish highlands, England, Europe and North America
Habitat
Coniferous woodland and forests
Diet
Seeds of pine trees, but will supplement in the spring with buds, shoots and insects
Male White-winged Crossbill
A similar bird to the previous crossbill but this has as its name suggests white wings albeit barred with black, and again a rusty red main plumage. It has the same specially adapted crossed bill for extracting seeds.
Measurements
Length; 15-17 cms
Wingspan; 26- 28 cms
Weight; 24-26g
Native to
Eurasia, Alaska, South Newfoundland, British Columbia
Habitat
Coniferous woodland and forests
Diet
Seeds from spruce cones, and tamarack, they will eat other seed when others are in low supply
Male Vermillion Flycatcher
This stunning little red bird with its little crest which can be raised if agitated or upset. They have black – brown eye streaks, wings and tail which really does stand out and they are one of the most colourful birds of the flycatcher family.
Measurements
Length; 13-14 cms
Wingspan; 24-25 cms
Weight; 11-14 g
Native to
Mexico & South America and are known to winter in Brazil
Habitat
Arid grasslands
Diet
Flying insect and other invertebrates
Male Pine Grosbeak
These birds are almost a pinky red in colour with grey-black and white barred wings and tail. This bird is one of the larger thick set of the finch family as is shown in the above picture.
Measurements
Length; 20-25cms
Wingspan; 33cms
Weight; 53-78g
Native to
Alaska, Canada, Western US
Habitat
Coniferous woodlands and forests
Diet
Seed mainly, supplemented by wild fruits and berries
Male Hepatic Tanager
The male Hepatic Tanager as seen above has a reddish orange colour, their colour do vary to the individual some can be much more red in colour.
Measurements
Length; 20cms
Wingspan; 31.8cm
Weight; 38g
Native to
South & Central America
Habitat
Open pine woodlands & forests
Diet
Insects, spiders & berries
Male Red Grouse
This wonderful thick set bird has red – brown plumage with bright red eye combs, which do stand out. Usually managed as a game bird on big estates in Scotland.
Measurements
Length; 40cms
Wingspan; 60cms
Weight; 600g
Native to
Scotland
Habitat
Heather moorlands, uplands, heathlands
Diet
Seeds, Heather flowers, shoots, & moorland plants
In Summary
So we have looked at 10 species of red birds, some more red than others. We have seen what the males look like and where in the world we are likely to find them. Also their preferred habitat and diet. I hope you have found the article interesting. Happy Red bird spotting.