Top 10 Small Birds with Red Heads You Should Know
The rustle of leaves. The pause between heartbeats. And then, just beyond the branch, a flicker of scarlet breaks the green. That’s the moment birdwatchers live for. The rare burst of color that turns an ordinary morning into something memorable.
No other color draws the eye quite like red. Bright crown feathers signal strength, health, and in many species, a bit of romantic flair. Spotting that vibrant cap or crimson face helps quickly narrow down the search when identifying birds in the wild.
This guide gathers ten small birds with unmistakable red heads, some of which you’ll find perched on backyard feeders, others hidden in forest canopies or open meadows. And all of them are worth your attention.
The top 10 small birds with red heads are:1. House Finch 2. Northern Cardinal 3. Scarlet Tanager 4. Red-headed Woodpecker 5. Vermilion Flycatcher 6. Crimson Sunbird 7. Cassin’s Finch 8. Acorn Woodpecker 9. Pine Grosbeak 10. Summer Tanager |
Why Do Some Birds Have Red Heads?
The striking red plumage of bird species has long been a mystery. However, a group of scientists believe they may have finally figured it out.
Most birds, with the exception of a few turacos and parrots, get their warm yellow hues from substances in their food called carotenoids. However, some birds must be able to change the yellow pigment produced by carotenoids into a red one.
The answer starts with food. Most birds get their coloring from carotenoids, which are pigments found in fruits and insects. Carotenoids, though, are naturally yellow. So red birds have a rare enzyme that transforms yellow pigment into red, right inside their bodies.
That shape-shifting happens thanks to a gene called CYP2J19. In most species, it helps the eyes process light. In birds like the Red Siskin and Summer Tanager, that same gene turns on in the feathers and skin, working like a color filter from the inside out. Another gene region helps steer that pigment to just the right places.
Even nature’s most vibrant art has a blueprint. And sometimes, understanding that code reveals more than just color, it shows how evolution paints with purpose.
Top 10 Small Birds with Red Heads
Did you see that eye-catching red-headed bird? What is it, you wonder? It shouldn't be too difficult to figure it out, is it? How many different types of red-headed birds are there?
There are 30 different bird species with totally or partly red heads that can be seen throughout the world, and we’re about to explore 10 of the most common ones.
1.House Finch
●Scientific name: Haemorhous mexicanus
●Where they’re found: North America, especially urban areas
●Behavior and habitat: Adaptable, social, often in flocks
●Red coloring details: Head, chest, and back
●Interesting fact: The Biggest flocks are found in cities and habitats built by people
The House Finch is the quintessential backyard bird, often seen perched on feeders or flitting around urban landscapes. Their vibrant red plumage is most striking on the males, making them an easy ID for birdwatchers.
These finches have a cheerful, lively song and adapt well to human-dominated spaces, making them a perfect addition to any birdwatcher’s list. They’re often seen in flocks, so spotting one may lead you to discover even more of these colorful, social birds.
2.Northern Cardinal
●Scientific name: Cardinalis cardinalis
●Where they’re found: Eastern and Central North America
●Behavior and habitat: Prefers woodlands, gardens, and shrubs
●Red coloring details: Bright red body, black mask around face (males)
●Interesting fact: Known for its clear, melodic whistle
A subspecies of the Cardinal family, northern cardinals are often referred to as red cardinals. These species have a red crest on their head and red plumage covering their entire body. Their beaks are brilliant red, and the area around their eyes and nostrils is black. Cardinal females have a somewhat reddish-olive hue.
These species frequently like environments such as parks, brushy fields, wetlands, and open woodland regions because they can easily find fruits and seeds, which make up about 90% of their diet.
3.Scarlet Tanager
●Scientific name: Piranga olivacea
●Where they’re found: South America
●Behavior and habitat: Prefers mature woodlands, especially mixed forests
●Red coloring details: Vibrant red body
●Interesting fact: Males are strikingly red, but females are olive-green
The Scarlet Tanager is a dazzling gem of the birdwatching world. With its fiery red plumage and black wings, the male’s appearance is nothing short of dramatic, especially against the backdrop of lush green woodlands.
These birds are often elusive, preferring the canopy, so spotting one feels like an accomplishment for any birdwatcher. The contrast between the male’s vivid red and the female’s muted green is striking. Listening to the Scarlet Tanager’s unique, melodious song is an equally rewarding experience. If you’re lucky enough to find one, it’s a bird that’ll stay in your memory.
4.Red-headed Woodpecker
●Scientific name: Melanerpes erythrocephalus
●Where they’re found: North America and Southern Manitoba
●Behavior and habitat: Prefers habitats with large trees, open areas, and clearings
●Red coloring details: Head
●Interesting fact: The Red-headed Woodpecker often stores food by wedging it into tree bark
Few birds feel as vintage-Americana as the Red-headed Woodpecker. Birdwatchers call it the “flying checkerboard” thanks to that red, white, and black contrast flashing through the open sky. What makes bird with red head even more rewarding to observe is its acrobatic flair. It doesn’t just peck trees, it often catches insects midair, like a flycatcher. They also cache food, which means you might spot them returning to the same tree again and again.
Look for them around old orchards or dead trees near open fields. If you keep your binoculars steady long enough, they tend to stay in place for a good view.
5.Vermilion Flycatcher
●Scientific name: Pyrocephalus rubinus
●Where they’re found: Southwestern U.S., all the way south to Northern Chile
●Behavior and habitat: Open woodlands, riverbanks, and desert edges
●Red coloring details: Males wear a blazing red cap and belly with dark wings
●Interesting fact: Males perform fluttery “sky dances” to impress mates
The Vermilion Flycatcher is a performer. During breeding season, males lift off in slow, buoyant arcs, fluttering high while singing out like they’ve got something to prove (they do). That scarlet plumage is almost impossibly vibrant in the golden light of the Southwest. And since they like perching on low wires or open branches, they’re easier to spot than many other red-crowned species. Catching sight of one is a bit like stumbling onto a spark in a sea of sagebrush. Keep your camera ready.
6.Crimson Sunbird
●Scientific name: Aethopyga siparaja
●Where they’re found: Southern Asia
●Behavior and habitat: Forest edges, gardens, and tropical lowlands
●Red coloring details: Males have a gleaming crimson head, breast, and back
●Interesting fact: Known as the “hummingbird of the East” for their nectar-sipping habits
Crimson Sunbirds may be small, but their bright red plumage stands out clearly against green tropical backdrops. Their quick movements and preference for nectar-rich flowers make them easy to spot once you know where to look.
Found across much of Asia, they thrive in urban gardens just as well as forest edges. Birdwatchers who enjoy observing feeding behavior will find their hovering visits to blossoms especially engaging. If you're visiting regions like India, Thailand, or Malaysia, this is a must-add to your birding list.
7.Cassin’s Finch
●Scientific name: Haemorhous cassinii
●Where they’re found: Western North America
●Behavior and habitat: Mountain forests, open coniferous woodlands
●Red coloring details: Raspberry-red crown, throat, and upper breast
●Interesting fact: Their song is a cheerful, warbling series of notes, often mistaken for a Purple Finch
Cassin’s Finch isn’t always easy to spot unless you’re up in elevation. These birds favor high mountain habitats with pine and fir, often flitting through the canopy in small flocks. Their red coloring is more subtle than a cardinal’s flash, but still distinct, especially the rosy crown.
Birdwatchers in the Rockies or the Sierra Nevada know to listen for their melodic warble echoing through the trees. If you’re planning a summer hike through coniferous ranges, keep your binoculars handy. This small bird with red head is worth the effort.
8.Acorn Woodpecker
●Scientific name: Melanerpes formicivorus
●Where they’re found: Western U.S., Central America
●Behavior and habitat: Oak woodlands, pine-oak forests, suburban areas
●Red coloring details: Bright red crown
●Interesting fact: Known for storing thousands of acorns in tree trunks and wooden poles
The Acorn Woodpecker looks like a bird designed by committee, with a red cap, clownish white face, and a wild laugh that echoes through oak groves. But it’s their storage habits that make them unforgettable. These birds create “granaries” packed with acorns drilled into neat holes.
Each acorn placed with care and defended by the group. If you’re birding near oaks, especially in California or Arizona, listen for their raucous “waka-waka” call.
9.Pine Grosbeak
●Scientific name: Pinicola enucleator
●Where they’re found: Northern forests of Canada, Alaska, and the Mountain West
●Behavior and habitat: Coniferous forests, often seen in flocks in winter
●Red coloring details: Males have a soft rose-red head and chest
●Interesting fact: Have a calm, almost tame demeanor around humans
These are no fast migrants; they come in with the quiet of winter and stay like old pals, often feeding quietly on berries in the open. A soft red wash on the male can look almost pink in bright snowlight. They are one of the more subtle but pretty red-headed birds to spot.
Birdwatchers from the northern states would be able to observe them while they come to the backyard feeders filled up with sunflower seeds or fruit. They are so mellow that often they allow you to come fairly close and see them clearly.
10.Summer Tanager
●Scientific name: Piranga rubra
●Where they’re found: Southern and Eastern U.S., Central America during migration
●Behavior and habitat: Open woodlands, especially near oak and pine trees
●Red coloring details: Males are entirely rosy-red; females are mustard yellow
●Interesting fact: Known as “bee birds” for their taste for wasps and hornets
Male Summer Tanager is the only all red bird in North America. It’s an insect-hawking bird, with bees forming a large part of its diet. They prefer dappled woodlands and often reveal their presence first by their beautiful, melodious song.
How To Attract and Identify Red-Headed Birds to Your Backyard
If you’ve had occasion to try and identify a bird, you’ve probably also found yourself fumbling for your field guide or attempting to take a clear photo, and you’re not alone. This is what sets the smart bird feeder apart from the rest. Consider it an upgrade of technology-assisted birdwatching. These feeders have built-in cameras for AI recognition as well as notification every time a new visitor stops by.
Some can ID dozens of species, yes, even those tricky red-headed ones, and save the footage so you can geek out later. It's great for backyard birders who want more than a fleeting glimpse. Want to know exactly who just stopped by for a snack? Now you can.
Conclusion
Red birds are a great addition to any backyard. They bring color, personality, and inquisitiveness to the place. If you know who they are and why they’re red, this makes bird watching much more interesting. Keep your eyes and feeders open. You never know when a flash of crimson might land just outside your window, waiting to be spotted.