August 04, 2025

10 Birds With Bright Red Heads

By BirdsPedia.Org

1# Northern Cardinal

The Northern Cardinal is famous for its brilliant red plumage and crest. Common in North America, males are strikingly red with a black mask around the face and beak.

2# Red-headed Woodpecker

This bold woodpecker has a completely crimson head and a stark black-and-white body. Found in North America, it’s known for caching food and its loud drumming calls.

3# Crimson Rosella

Native to eastern and southeastern Australia, the Crimson Rosella is a medium-sized parrot with vivid red plumage and blue cheek patches. It’s often found in woodlands and gardens.

4# Red-headed Finch

Found in southern Africa, this small finch sports a bright red face and head. Males display more intense color, especially during breeding season, to attract females.

5# Vermilion Flycatcher

A tiny yet radiant bird, the Vermilion Flycatcher boasts a fiery red head and chest. It inhabits parts of the Americas and is often seen perched near open water.

6# Cassin’s Finch

This North American songbird has a raspberry-red crown and chest, especially in males. It prefers coniferous forests and is often confused with the Purple Finch.

7# Red-headed Bunting

A migratory bird found across parts of Central and South Asia, the Red-headed Bunting features a vibrant red head and yellow body. It’s most colorful during the breeding season.

8# Western Tanager

Though mostly yellow and black, breeding males have an unmistakable bright red head. These tanagers are found across western North America and are known for their striking summer appearance.

9# Acorn Woodpecker

This quirky bird has a red cap, white face, and black-and-white body. It stores acorns in tree trunks and is often seen in oak woodlands of western North America.

10# Scarlet Tanager

Males are eye-catching with a scarlet red body and jet-black wings. Found in deciduous forests in the U.S. during summer, they migrate to South America for winter.