15 Types Of Red Birds in Michigan (With Photos)

Michigan is home to a wonderful variety of birds, and some of the most striking ones are the red birds. These birds, with their brilliant red feathers, are a joy to see in gardens, parks, and forests. In this article, we will explore different types of red birds that you can find in Michigan. Whether you are a birdwatcher or just love nature, learning about these birds will add to your appreciation of the state’s rich wildlife. Let’s dive in and discover the beauty of Michigan’s red birds.

Table of Contents

15 Types of Red Birds in Michigan

#	Bird Name	Description
1	Northern Cardinal	Bright red males, brown females with red accents.
2	House Finch	Males have red heads and chests.
3	Scarlet Tanager	Males are bright red with black wings.
4	Red-headed Woodpecker	Entire head is red, with black and white body.
5	Summer Tanager	Males are solid red, females are yellow.
6	Purple Finch	Males are raspberry red, females brown and streaked.
7	Pine Grosbeak	Males are rose-red, females are yellowish.
8	Common Redpoll	Red cap and chest, brown streaked body.
9	White-winged Crossbill	Males are pinkish-red, females yellow-green.
10	Vermilion Flycatcher	Bright red body with black wings and tail.
11	Cassin’s Finch	Males have a red crown and throat.
12	Red Crossbill	Males are brick red, females olive-yellow.
13	Hepatic Tanager	Males are dull red, females yellowish.
14	Painted Redstart	Bright red belly with black and white markings.
15	Pyrrhuloxia	Gray with red face and chest.

Types of Red Birds in Michigan

Michigan is a birdwatcher’s paradise, offering a diverse array of bird species, including some of the most vibrant red birds. These birds can be seen in various habitats, from urban parks to dense forests. Let’s explore 15 types of red birds found in Michigan, detailing their appearance, habitats, diets, and other fascinating facts.

1. Northern Cardinal

The Northern Cardinal is one of the most recognizable birds in Michigan. Males are bright red with a black mask around their faces, while females are brown with red tinges on their wings, tail, and crest. These birds prefer woodlands, gardens, and backyards and are often seen at bird feeders. They primarily eat seeds, fruits, and insects. Known for their loud, cheerful songs, Northern Cardinals are often seen in pairs. They can live up to 15 years in the wild, although the average lifespan is about 3 years.

Feature	Description
Appearance	Males are bright red with a black mask; females are brown with red tinges on wings, tail, and crest.
Habitat	Woodlands, gardens, backyards. Often seen at bird feeders.
Diet	Seeds, fruits, insects. Frequently visit backyard feeders, especially those with sunflower seeds.
Behavior	Known for their loud, cheerful songs and often seen in pairs.
Lifespan	Up to 15 years in the wild, although the average lifespan is about 3 years.

2. House Finch

The House Finch is a common bird in Michigan, especially in urban areas, farms, and parks. Male House Finches have red heads, throats, and chests, with brown streaks on their bodies. Females are brown and streaked. They primarily eat seeds and fruits and are often found at bird feeders. House Finches are social birds and are often seen in flocks. Their typical lifespan is around 9 to 10 years.

Feature	Description
Appearance	Males have red heads, throats, and chests, with brown streaks on their bodies; females are brown and streaked.
Habitat	Urban areas, farms, parks.
Diet	Seeds, fruits. Often found at bird feeders.
Behavior	Social birds often seen in flocks.
Lifespan	Typically 9 to 10 years.

3. Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanagers are striking birds with males being bright red with black wings, while females are olive-yellow. They prefer deciduous forests and primarily eat insects and fruits. These birds are often found high in the forest canopy and are known for their beautiful songs. Scarlet Tanagers typically live around 10 years.

Feature	Description
Appearance	Males are bright red with black wings; females are olive-yellow.
Habitat	Deciduous forests.
Diet	Insects, fruits.
Behavior	Often found high in the forest canopy, known for their beautiful songs.
Lifespan	Around 10 years.

4. Red-headed Woodpecker

The Red-headed Woodpecker is easily recognizable by its entirely red head, contrasted with a black and white body. These birds inhabit open woodlands and farmlands. Their diet consists of insects, seeds, and nuts. Red-headed Woodpeckers are known for their acrobatic foraging on trees and storing food in crevices. They can live up to 9 years.

Feature	Description
Appearance	Entire head is red, with a black and white body.
Habitat	Open woodlands, farmlands.
Diet	Insects, seeds, nuts.
Behavior	Known for their acrobatic foraging on trees and storing food in crevices.
Lifespan	Up to 9 years.

5. Summer Tanager

Summer Tanagers are known for the males’ solid red color and the females’ yellow hue. They prefer forest edges and clearings and primarily eat insects and fruits. These birds prefer to stay in the tree canopy, often catching insects in mid-air. Their typical lifespan is around 5 years.

Feature	Description
Appearance	Males are solid red, females are yellow.
Habitat	Forest edges, clearings.
Diet	Insects, fruits.
Behavior	Prefers to stay in the tree canopy, often catching insects in mid-air.
Lifespan	Around 5 years.

6. Purple Finch

Purple Finches are found in coniferous and mixed forests. Males are raspberry red, while females are brown and streaked. Their diet includes seeds, berries, and insects. These social birds are often seen in flocks, especially during migration. Purple Finches can live up to 10 years.

Feature	Description
Appearance	Males are raspberry red; females are brown and streaked.
Habitat	Coniferous and mixed forests.
Diet	Seeds, berries, insects.
Behavior	Often seen in flocks, especially during migration.
Lifespan	Up to 10 years.

7. Pine Grosbeak

Pine Grosbeaks are found in coniferous forests. Males are rose-red, and females are yellowish. Their diet consists of seeds, fruits, and buds. These birds are known for their slow, deliberate movements and tame behavior. They typically live around 9 years.

Feature	Description
Appearance	Males are rose-red; females are yellowish.
Habitat	Coniferous forests.
Diet	Seeds, fruits, buds.
Behavior	Known for their slow, deliberate movements and tame behavior.
Lifespan	Around 9 years.

8. Common Redpoll

Common Redpolls have a red cap and chest with a brown streaked body. They inhabit open woods and weedy fields. Their diet includes seeds and insects. These birds are often seen in large flocks, especially during winter. They typically live around 2 years.

Feature	Description
Appearance	Red cap and chest, brown streaked body.
Habitat	Open woods, weedy fields.
Diet	Seeds, insects.
Behavior	Often seen in large flocks, especially during winter.
Lifespan	Around 2 years.

9. White-winged Crossbill

White-winged Crossbills are found in coniferous forests. Males are pinkish-red, while females are yellow-green. Their diet mainly consists of conifer seeds. They are known for their specialized bills adapted for extracting seeds from cones. These birds can live up to 8 years.

Feature	Description
Appearance	Males are pinkish-red; females are yellow-green.
Habitat	Coniferous forests.
Diet	Conifer seeds.
Behavior	Known for their specialized bills adapted for extracting seeds from cones.
Lifespan	Up to 8 years.

10. Vermilion Flycatcher

The Vermilion Flycatcher has a bright red body with black wings and tail. They inhabit open country areas near water. Their diet consists of insects. These birds are often seen perched on low branches, sallying out to catch insects in mid-air. They typically live around 5 years.

Feature	Description
Appearance	Bright red body with black wings and tail.
Habitat	Open country, near water.
Diet	Insects.
Behavior	Often seen perched on low branches, sallying out to catch insects in mid-air.
Lifespan	Around 5 years.

11. Cassin’s Finch

Cassin’s Finches inhabit mountain forests and woodlands. Males have a red crown and throat, while females are brown and streaked. Their diet includes seeds and insects. These social birds are often seen in flocks. They can live up to 7 years.

Feature	Description
Appearance	Males have a red crown and throat; females are brown and streaked.
Habitat	Mountain forests, woodlands.
Diet	Seeds, insects.
Behavior	Social birds often seen in flocks.
Lifespan	Up to 7 years.

12. Red Crossbill

Red Crossbills are found in coniferous forests. Males are brick red, and females are olive-yellow. Their diet consists mainly of conifer seeds. They are known for their crossed bills adapted for extracting seeds from cones. They typically live around 4 years.

Feature	Description
Appearance	Males are brick red; females are olive-yellow.
Habitat	Coniferous forests.
Diet	Conifer seeds.
Behavior	Known for their crossed bills adapted for extracting seeds from cones.
Lifespan	Around 4 years.

13. Hepatic Tanager

Hepatic Tanagers are found in open woodlands and forests. Males are dull red, while females are yellowish. Their diet includes insects and fruits. These birds are often found in pairs or small family groups. They typically live around 6 years.

Feature	Description
Appearance	Males are dull red; females are yellowish.
Habitat	Open woodlands, forests.
Diet	Insects, fruits.
Behavior	Often found in pairs or small family groups.
Lifespan	Around 6 years.

14. Painted Redstart

Painted Redstarts have a bright red belly with black and white markings. They inhabit woodlands and canyons. Their diet consists of insects. These birds are known for their flitting movements and tail-fanning while foraging. They typically live around 7 years.

Feature	Description
Appearance	Bright red belly with black and white markings.
Habitat	Woodlands, canyons.
Diet	Insects.
Behavior	Known for their flitting movements and tail-fanning while foraging.
Lifespan	Around 7 years.

15. Pyrrhuloxia

Pyrrhuloxias are found in desert areas and brushlands. They have a gray body with a red face and chest. Their diet includes seeds, fruits, and insects. These birds are often seen in pairs or small groups and are known for their distinctive crest. They can live up to 8 years.

Feature	Description
Appearance	Gray with red face and chest.
Habitat	Desert areas, brushlands.
Diet	Seeds, fruits, insects.
Behavior	Often seen in pairs or small groups, known for their distinctive crest.
Lifespan	Up to 8 years.

These vibrant red birds add a splash of color to Michigan’s diverse bird population. Whether you’re an avid birdwatcher or just enjoy observing nature, spotting these beautiful birds can be a delightful experience.

Conclusion

Michigan is home to a wide variety of red birds that add vibrant colors to the landscape. From the bright red Northern Cardinal to the unique Red-headed Woodpecker, these birds can be found in different habitats throughout the state. Each species has its own distinct look, favorite foods, and behaviors.

By adding the right bird feeders, providing fresh water, and creating a welcoming environment, you can attract these beautiful red birds to your yard. Whether you’re a seasoned birdwatcher or just enjoy spotting wildlife, observing these red birds can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience.

FAQs About Red Birds in Michigan

1. What is the most common red bird in Michigan?

The Northern Cardinal is the most common red bird in Michigan. Its bright red plumage makes it easily recognizable, and it is often seen in gardens, woodlands, and backyards.

2. When is the best time to see red birds in Michigan?

Red birds can be seen throughout the year in Michigan. However, winter is a great time to spot species like the Common Redpoll and Purple Finch, as they often come to bird feeders looking for food. The Northern Cardinal is a year-round resident and can be spotted in all seasons.

3. What kind of feeders attract red birds?

Red birds like the Northern Cardinal and House Finch are attracted to feeders filled with seeds. Sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, and nyjer seeds are particularly appealing. Platform feeders or tube feeders with perches work well for these species.

4. Are red birds in Michigan migratory?

Some red birds in Michigan are migratory, while others are year-round residents. For example, the Scarlet Tanager migrates south for the winter, while the Northern Cardinal stays in Michigan throughout the year.

5. How can I attract red birds to my yard?

To attract red birds to your yard, consider the following tips:

Use bird feeders stocked with seeds like sunflower or safflower.
Provide fresh water in a birdbath.
Offer shelter with shrubs, trees, or birdhouses.
Keep your yard bird-friendly by avoiding pesticides and providing a natural habitat.

6. What do red birds eat?

Red birds’ diets vary by species. For instance:

Northern Cardinals enjoy seeds, fruits, and insects.
House Finches primarily eat seeds and fruits.
Scarlet Tanagers feed on insects and fruits.

Providing a variety of seeds and fruits can attract different types of red birds to your yard.

7. How can I tell the difference between male and female red birds?

In many red bird species, males have brighter and more vivid red plumage compared to females. For example:

Northern Cardinals: Males are bright red, while females are brown with red accents.
Scarlet Tanagers: Males are all red, while females are olive-yellow.
House Finches: Males have red on their heads and chests, while females are brown and streaked.

8. Do red birds in Michigan sing?

Yes, many red birds are known for their songs. For example:

Northern Cardinals are famous for their loud, clear songs.
Scarlet Tanagers have a beautiful song often heard in their forest habitats.
House Finches have a varied and melodious song.

9. What is the lifespan of red birds in Michigan?

The lifespan of red birds can vary by species. For instance:

Northern Cardinals can live up to 15 years, though the average is about 3 years.
House Finches typically live around 9 to 10 years.
Common Redpolls usually live around 2 years.

10. Can red birds be seen in urban areas?

Yes, many red birds can adapt to urban environments. The House Finch is commonly seen in cities and suburban areas. The Northern Cardinal also frequents urban gardens and parks. Providing suitable food and habitat can encourage these birds to visit your urban yard.