22 STUNNING Birds with Red Heads 2023 [Pictures]

Here’s 22 birds with red heads!

22 Species of Bird With Red Head

Birds are one of the most fascinating creatures on our planet. Among the various species of birds, the ones with a red head are particularly eye-catching.

In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the most well-known birds with redheads, their characteristics, and some interesting facts.

Northern Cardinal

The Northern Cardinal is a small bird with a distinctive red crest on its head. They are commonly found in North America and are a favorite of birdwatchers. Cardinals are known for their beautiful songs and their bright red feathers, which make them easy to spot.

• Scientific name: Cardinalis cardinalis
• Weight: 33-65 g
• Diet: Seeds, insects, fruits

House Finch

The House Finch is another bird species that is easily recognizable because of its redhead. Males have a vibrant red color on their head, chest, and rump. Females, on the other hand, have a brownish-gray head and a streaked breast. House Finches are known for their melodious songs and their acrobatic skills.

• Scientific name: Haemorhous mexicanus
• Weight: 16-27 g
• Diet: Seeds, fruits, insects

Downy Woodpecker

The Downy Woodpecker is a small bird with a black and white body and a distinctive red patch on the back of its head. They are found throughout North America and are a common sight in parks and backyards. Despite their small size, they are excellent at drilling into wood to find insects to eat.

• Scientific name: Dryobates pubescens
• Weight: 20-33 g
• Diet: Insects, seeds

Red-bellied Woodpecker

The Red-bellied Woodpecker is another species of woodpecker that has a red head. However, the red on their head is not as prominent as on other species. They are found throughout the eastern part of North America and are known for their distinctive call.

• Scientific name: Melanerpes carolinus
• Weight: 56-91 g
• Diet: Insects, fruits, seeds

Barn Swallow

The Barn Swallow is a migratory bird that is found in North America, Europe, and Asia. They have a distinctive red forehead and a long forked tail. Barn Swallows are known for their aerial acrobatics and are a common sight during the summer months.

• Scientific name: Hirundo rustica
• Weight: 16-22 g
• Diet: Insects

Hairy Woodpecker

The Hairy Woodpecker is a larger species of woodpecker that is found throughout North America. They have a black and white body with a red patch on the back of their head. Hairy Woodpeckers are known for their loud drumming sounds that they use to communicate with other birds.

• Scientific name: Leuconotopicus villosus
• Weight: 40-95 g
• Diet: Insects, seeds

Pileated Woodpecker

The Pileated Woodpecker is the largest species of woodpecker in North America. They have a black and white body with a distinctive red crest on their head. Pileated Woodpeckers are known for their loud calls and their ability to drill into trees to find insects to eat.

• Scientific name: Dryocopus pileatus
• Weight: 250-400 g
• Diet: Insects, fruits, nuts

Anna’s Hummingbird

Anna’s Hummingbird is a small, vibrant bird found primarily in western North America. They are renowned for their distinctive metallic green feathers and their vibrant red heads. These tiny birds weigh only around 3 to 4 grams and are known for their ability to hover mid-air. They feed mainly on nectar but will also consume small insects.

• Scientific name: Calypte anna
• Weight: 3-4 grams
• Diet: Nectar and small insects

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is a small bird with a big personality. These birds are common throughout eastern North America and are known for their dazzling plumage, with males boasting a bright red throat. They weigh between 2.5 to 4 grams and can flap their wings up to 80 times per second. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds feed mainly on nectar but will also consume insects.

• Scientific name: Archilochus colubris
• Weight: 2.5-4 grams
• Diet: Nectar and insects

Palm Warbler

The Palm Warbler is a migratory bird that breeds in the boreal forests of North America and spends winters in the southeastern United States and the Caribbean. While they don’t have a completely red head, Palm Warblers do have a rusty brown cap on their head. They weigh between 8 to 12 grams and are known for their distinctive tail-wagging behavior. They feed primarily on insects and spiders.

• Scientific name: Setophaga palmarum
• Weight: 8-12 grams
• Diet: Insects and spiders

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is a medium-sized woodpecker that inhabits forests across North America. These birds have a mostly black and white plumage, but their striking red head and throat make them instantly recognizable. As their name suggests, they feed primarily on tree sap, which they extract by drilling small holes in the bark with their specially adapted bills.

• Scientific name: Sphyrapicus varius
• Weight: 35-50 grams
• Diet: Tree sap, insects, and fruit

Purple Finch

The Purple Finch is a small songbird that can be found throughout much of North America. These birds have a distinctive raspberry-red head and upper breast, which contrasts with their brown back and wings. The males’ plumage is brighter than the females’, making them easy to identify.

• Scientific name: Haemorhous purpureus
• Weight: 20-32 grams
• Diet: Seeds, buds, and insects

Scarlet Tanager

The Scarlet Tanager is a brightly colored bird that is native to the eastern half of the United States. These birds have a brilliant red plumage with contrasting black wings and tail. Scarlet Tanagers are known for their distinctive, loud songs, which can often be heard before the birds are seen.

• Scientific name: Piranga olivacea
• Weight: 23-36 grams
• Diet: Insects, fruit, and nectar

Acorn Woodpecker

The Acorn Woodpecker is a unique species that can be found in oak woodlands across western North America. These birds have a striking red cap and throat, which contrasts with their white and black body. Acorn Woodpeckers are known for their habit of storing acorns in specially created holes in trees, which they can then feed on throughout the year.

• Scientific name: Melanerpes formicivorus
• Weight: 85-150 grams
• Diet: Acorns, insects, and fruit

Red-headed Woodpecker

The Red-headed Woodpecker is a medium-sized bird that is native to North America. These birds have a bold, bright red head, neck, and throat, which contrasts with their black and white body. Red-headed Woodpeckers are known for their habit of catching insects on the wing, as well as their distinctive habit of catching food in tree bark or other crevices.

• Scientific name: Melanerpes erythrocephalus
• Weight: 56-96 grams
• Diet: Insects, fruit, and seeds

Redhead

The Redhead is a diving duck found in North America. Its bright red head and yellow eyes make it a striking sight on the water. In addition to its colorful head, the Redhead has a gray body and black chest and tail. These ducks are migratory, spending their winters in the southern United States and Mexico and breeding in the northern prairies and parklands.

• Scientific name: Aythya americana
• Weight: 1.4-1.9 kg
• Diet: Vegetation, seeds, mollusks, insects, and small fish

Summer Tanager

The Summer Tanager is a medium-sized songbird found in North and South America. Males are a vibrant red all over, while females are a yellow-green color. The Summer Tanager is known for its distinctive “pit-tuck” call, which it uses to communicate with other birds. These birds breed in forests and woodlands and winter in Central and South America.

• Scientific name: Piranga rubra
• Weight: 23-38 g
• Diet: Insects, fruit, and nectar

Western Tanager

The Western Tanager is another member of the tanager family. Males have a bright red head, yellow body, and black wings, while females are a more subdued yellow-green color. Western Tanagers breed in the western United States and Canada and winter in Mexico and Central America.

• Scientific name: Piranga ludoviciana
• Weight: 23-38 g
• Diet: Insects, fruit, and nectar

Vermilion Flycatcher

The Vermilion Flycatcher is a small bird found in the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central and South America. Males have a bright red head, while females have a more muted reddish-brown color. These flycatchers perch on low branches or fence posts and fly out to catch insects in mid-air.

• Scientific name: Pyrocephalus rubinus
• Weight: 7-12 g
• Diet: Insects

Red Crossbill

The Red Crossbill is a finch found in North America and Europe. The males have a red head and body, while females are a duller brown color. These birds are known for their unique bill, which crosses at the tips and is adapted for extracting seeds from conifer cones. Red Crossbills have a nomadic lifestyle, moving from place to place in search of cone crops.

• Scientific name: Loxia curvirostra
• Weight: 26-39 g
• Diet: Conifer seeds

Cassin’s Finch

Cassin’s Finch is a medium-sized bird with a red head, chest, and rump. This bird is commonly found in the western United States and is known for its beautiful singing voice. It is often found in coniferous forests and can be identified by its distinctive call.

• Scientific name: Haemorhous cassinii
• Weight: 0.5 to 0.7 oz
• Diet: Seeds, fruits, and insects

Red-breasted Sapsucker

The Red-breasted Sapsucker is a small to medium-sized bird with a bright red head and breast. This bird is commonly found in western North America and is known for its habit of drilling holes in trees to extract sap. The Red-breasted Sapsucker has a unique appearance and can be easily identified by its bright red head and black-and-white striped back.

• Scientific name: Sphyrapicus ruber
• Weight: 1.3 to 1.6 oz
• Diet: Sap, insects, and fruit

Common Redpoll

The Common Redpoll is a small finch with a red cap and black chin. This bird is commonly found in the northern regions of North America and Eurasia and is known for its ability to survive in harsh, cold climates. The Common Redpoll has a unique appearance and can be identified by its red cap, black chin, and streaked sides.

• Scientific name: Acanthis flammea
• Weight: 0.4 to 0.7 oz
• Diet: Seeds, buds, and catkins

Pyrrhuloxia

The Pyrrhuloxia is a medium-sized bird with a distinctive red crest and face. This bird is commonly found in the southwestern United States and Mexico and is known for its unique appearance and beautiful singing voice. The Pyrrhuloxia is a popular bird among birdwatchers and is often seen perched on cactus plants.

• Scientific name: Cardinalis sinuatus
• Weight: 1.4 to 1.8 oz
• Diet: Seeds, fruits, and insects

Pine Grosbeak

The Pine Grosbeak is a large finch with a bright red head and breast. This bird is commonly found in the boreal forests of North America and Eurasia and is known for its habit of feeding on the buds of trees. The Pine Grosbeak has a unique appearance and can be identified by its bright red head, gray back, and black wings.

• Scientific name: Pinicola enucleator
• Weight: 2.5 to 3.5 oz
• Diet: Buds, fruits, and seeds

FAQs About Birds with Red Heads

1. What type of bird has a red head?

A: There are several species of birds that have red heads, including woodpeckers, cardinals, and turkeys.

2. What is a small green bird with a red head?

A: The small green bird with a red head is likely the male Ruby-throated Hummingbird, a common species found in North America.

3. What parrot has a red head?

A: The most well-known parrot with a redhead is the Scarlet Macaw, a large and colorful species native to Central and South America.

4. What is a blue bird with a red head?

A: The blue bird with a red head is probably the Blue-headed Vireo, a small songbird found in North and Central America.

5. What is a GRAY bird with red on its head?

A: The bird you are describing may be the Grey-headed Woodpecker, a species found in Asia and Europe that has a gray body and a red crown.

6. What is a red headed rainbow bird?

A: The Red-headed Rainbow Finch, also known as the Flame-faced Tanager, is a brightly-colored bird found in the Andes Mountains of South America.

7. What kind of bird has a red face and chest?

A: The bird with a red face and chest is likely the male Northern Cardinal, a common bird found throughout North America.

Final Thoughts About Birds With Red Heads

Birds with red heads are fascinating creatures that can be found all over the world. These birds are often brightly colored and their distinctive red head is a trait that sets them apart from other species. Some of the most well-known birds with red heads include woodpeckers, cardinals, and red-tailed hawks. 

The red coloration of their heads is often used to attract mates, establish territory, or communicate with other birds. However, it’s important to note that not all birds with red heads are closely related and their coloration can vary greatly depending on the species.