10 Types of Red Birds in Florida | Hummingbirds Plus (2024)

Florida is home to a stunning diversity of avian life, including a colorful array of red, orange, and pink bird species. From tiny vermilion flycatchers to the iconic northern cardinal, vibrantly plumed birds can be found across the state’s array of habitats. In this article, we will highlight 10 of the most commonly encountered red birds in Florida. We will explore key identification features, preferred habitats, behaviors, and the best places to spot these exotic feathered beauties. From snowbird songbirds to flashy tropical species, read on to learn more about the incredible red birds that call Florida home! Whether you’re an avid birder or simply enjoy watching wildlife, you’ll find familiar backyard favorites and dream birds you’d love to spot someday in the wild.

1. Northern Cardinal

The northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is one of the most recognizable and commonly seen red birds in Florida. The male has bright red plumage, a black face mask, and a prominent crest on top of its head. The female is more brownish in color but still has some reddish tones.

Cardinals are year-round residents across the state of Florida. They thrive in a range of habitats from forests to backyards and urban parks. Cardinals are very territorial and typically stay close to their nesting sites.

These birds have melodious whistling songs that can be heard throughout the year. Their diet consists mainly of seeds and fruits. Cardinals will also eat insects, especially when feeding their young.

Some key facts about the northern cardinal:

– Size ranges from 8-9 inches in length.

– Their distinctive crest helps them communicate with other cardinals.

– Males are a bright scarlet red while females are more brownish-red.

– Found across the entire state of Florida.

– Easily attracted to backyard bird feeders.

– The state bird of multiple states including Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and more!

Cardinals are a beloved backyard bird that adds a pop of bright color. They are active, noisy, and energetic visitors that will routinely visit platform feeders and hop along the ground cleaning up spilled seeds. Watch for these red birds year-round as they flit through shrubs and trees calling out to declare their territory.

2. Summer Tanager

The summer tanager (Piranga rubra) is a stunning sight, with males boasting a fiery red plumage accented by darker wings and tail. These birds breed in Florida before migrating to the tropics for winter.

Summer tanagers frequent mature forests and densely wooded residential areas. They forage for insects in treetops, sometimes flying out to catch bees and wasps in mid-air. Their diet is made up almost entirely of insects during the spring and summer months.

Some key facts about the summer tanager:

– Around 7 inches in length.

– The male’s red plumage stands out brightly against green forest foliage.

– Female tanagers are yellowish-orange in color.

– Their conical bills are perfect for eating bees, wasps, and other flying insects.

– Nesting pairs will aggressively defend territory, driving off intruders.

– Spends winters in Central and South America after breeding in the U.S.

– Species has expanded its breeding range northward in recent decades.

Watch for these striking birds in mature broadleaf forests or wooded suburban parks. Listen for their sharp “chip-burr” call echoing overhead. While not easy to spot among the forest canopy, a quick flash of red will reveal the presence of a male summer tanager. These birds add a spectacular splash of color to treetops as they hunt for insect prey.

3. Scarlet Tanager

The scarlet tanager (Piranga olivacea) is a stunning splash of color in the spring and summer forest canopy across Florida. Males are bright red with black wings and tail, while females are yellowish with olive-colored wings and tail.

These neotropical migrants spend winters in South America before breeding in mature deciduous and mixed forests across Eastern North America. In Florida, they are most common in the northern part of the state.

Scarlet tanagers make a hoarse, crow-like “chick-brrr” call. They aggressively defend breeding territories fromsongbird intruders. Tanagers use their slightly hooked bills to capture a wide range insects and spiders mid-air or from foliage.

Some key facts about the scarlet tanager:

– Around 7 inches long and weighs just 0.8 ounces.

– Their bright plumage stands out against green forest backdrops.

– Males arrive at breeding grounds before females each spring.

– Nest high in the tree canopy on horizontal branches.

– Population numbers have declined in recent decades.

– Frequents mature, undisturbed deciduous forests.

– Winters in the Andes Mountains in South America.

Though a fairly common breeder across northern Florida, scarlet tanagers can be tricky to spot among the dense canopy foliage. Listen for their crisp, hoarse call and watch for quick flashes of red high in the treetops as these birds hunt for insects. Enjoy this tropical pop of color among the greenery before they migrate back to South America each fall.

4. Vermilion Flycatcher

The vermilion flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus) is a small, strikingly colored songbird that breeds in Florida before migrating back to Mexico and Central and South America for the winter.

Males are unmistakable with bright red plumage on their head, neck, back, and undersides. Their wings and tails are brown-black. Females have gray heads and underparts with yellow-orange on their bellies.

Vermilion flycatchers occupy open habitats statewide, including pastures, prairies, agricultural areas, and marsh edges. They naturally nest in tree cavities but will also readily use nest boxes. From a perch, these birds hawk insects, frequently catching them mid-air.

Some key facts about the vermilion flycatcher:

– About 6 inches in length and half an ounce in weight.

– Males perform dramatic courtship displays, rapidly fanning their red-orange tail feathers.

– They build flimsy nests out of grass and twigs in low vegetation.

– At high latitudes, this species migrates back south for winter.

– Feeds frequently on beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, and other flying insects.

– The species name “rubinus” refers to their ruby-red coloring.

Watch for these beautiful birds perched conspicuously atop fence posts or utility lines in rural and suburban Florida. Listen for their varied mix of whistles and buzzy calls. Vermilion flycatchers are widespread and abundant statewide, bringing a fun pop of color to open habitats before migrating back to Latin America each fall.

5. Painted Bunting

Few North American birds can match the dazzling, tropical colors of the painted bunting. Males are a spectacular mosaic of bright red underparts, a royal blue head, emerald back, and the red rump. Females are green and yellow-green in color.

In Florida, painted buntings breed in thickets along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. They winter in south Florida, Mexico, and the Caribbean, before migrating back north to breed. These seed-eating birds forage low, gleaning seeds from grasses and forbs.

Some key facts about the painted bunting:

– Approximately 5 inches long and half an ounce in weight.

– Their unique color pattern provides camouflage different habitats.

– Males arrive in Florida first, followed by the females about one week later.

– The oldest recorded painted bunting was over 13 years old.

– Nesting pairs choose thick, thorny vegetation to help conceal their nest sites.

– Their population has declined significantly in recent decades due to habitat loss.

Getting the opportunity to see a painted bunting is a special treat thanks to the male’s incredible colorful plumage. Search for these birds in coastal thickets, forest edges, and scrubby areas with dense, low vegetation. Bring some seeds to offer and you may just get an up-close view!

6. Red-winged Blackbird

One of the most abundant and familiar birds across North America, the red-winged blackbird has also made itself at home throughout Florida wetlands.

Males are all black with bright red and yellow shoulder patches they display prominently during courtship. Females are streaked brown and tan, blending into vegetation.

Red-winged blackbirds in Florida are year-round residents. Flocks gather by the thousands in cattail marshes, ditches, and wet roadsides. Males defend breeding territories, displaying their colorful shoulder patches. These birds commonly perch on signs, poles, and telephone wires near open areas.

Some key facts about the red-winged blackbird:

– Approximately 7 to 9 inches in length with a wingspan of 12 to 15 inches.

– Weigh 1.5 to 3.5 ounces.

– Males sing a throaty “kon-ka-ree” song.

– Will congregate in huge mixed flocks in winter.

– Migrate in massive numbers at night.

– Omnivores will eat seeds, grains, fruits, and insects.

Watch for flocks of black birds dotted with bright red shoulders across Florida. Listen for males singing from perches and defending cattail marsh territories. Red-winged blackbirds are raucous, noisy, and social birds often found in huge numbers.

7. Purple Finch

The aptly named and colorful purple finch is an uncommon winter visitor and local breeder in northern Florida. Males are pinkish-red overall with brown streaking on the back and belly. Females are mostly brown with heavy streaking.

In Florida, purple finches breed primarily in coniferous or mixed forests in the northern part of the state. They forage for seeds, fruits, and insects in tree canopies. On rare occasions, they will visit bird feeders.

Some key facts about the purple finch:

– Approximately 6 inches long with a wingspan of 10 inches.

– Weighs just 0.6 to 0.9 ounces.

– Has a long, deeply notched tail.

– Beak is conical for cracking open seeds.

– Feeds on variety of tree seeds like birch, alder, hemlock, and more.

– Has a loud, warbling musical song.

– Flocks mix with house finches in winter.

Catching sight of a purple finch is a rare treat in Florida away from the northern part of the state. Watch for them in coniferous treetops where they feed on nutritious pine seeds. Listen for the males singing sweet, warbling songs. Their striking coloration makes them a treasure to spot among winter finches.

8. Eastern Towhee

With a robin-like profile and striking black, red, and white plumage, the eastern towhee is a flashy backyard visitor in Florida.

Males are black above and rufous orange below with thick white spotting on their wings. Females are brown with rufous sides. Their most distinctive feature is their extremely long tail, often co*cked upwards.

Towhees spend most of their time hopping along the ground digging through leaf litter for insects, seeds, and berries. Watch and listen for towhees flipping dry leaves over in search of food. These birds will visit platform feeders and ground feeders.

Some key facts about the eastern towhee:

– Approximately 7.5 to 9 inches in length with a wingspan of 7.5 to 11 inches.

– Weighs 1 to 1.6 ounces.

– Also known as the “rufous-sided towhee.”

– Makes a sharp “chewink” call that sounds like its name.

– Nests low in shrubs and small trees.

– Male has striking black, white, and rufous color pattern.

Keep an eye out for towhees rummaging through the underbrush in habitats with dense shrubs and thickets. Listen for their loud “chewink!” calls or the males’ buzzy singing. Watch ground feeders to get an up-close look at these colorful backyard birds.

9. American Robin

No list of red birds would be complete without the familiar and beloved American robin. These large thrushes breed across North America, including throughout Florida’s suburbs, parks, and woodlands.

Males have gray upperparts contrasting with their rusty-orange undersides and spotted breasts. Females tend to be paler overall. Robins sit upright and have a confident posture.

You’ll see robins busily strutting across lawns hunting for earthworms and other invertebrate prey. They also eat a wide variety fruits and berries. Robins are social and often gather in sizeable flocks when not breeding.

Some key facts about the American robin:

– Approximately 9.5 to 11 inches in length with a wingspan of 14 to 16 inches.

– Weighs around 3 ounces.

– Sings a string of clear whistled phrases, often at dawn and dusk.

– Nests can be found on branches, gutters, or other manmade structures.

– Easily identified by their orange-red breast contrasting with gray plumage.

– Females have paler heads and breasts than males.

The perky American robin is one of the most familiar red backyard birds across the country. Watch for them pouncing on lawns for worms or perched in trees vocalizing their cheerful song. They bring a splash of tropical color even to the most urban areas.

10. Northern Flicker

Northern flickers are large, brown woodpeckers marked with black spots and a splash of bright color on the wings and tail. The eastern yellow-shafted flicker has bright red on the nape, yellow feathers on the tail, and red under the wings. The less common red-shafted flicker instead has red underwings and red on the tail.

Flickers use their curved bill to pluck ants and other insects from the ground. They also drill into trees in search of ants or make nest cavities for raising young. Though not as boldly colored as other birds on this list, flickers still have a bright red mustache line and bold wing spotting.

Some key facts about the Northern flicker:

– 11.5 to 12.5 inches long with 16 to 18-inch wingspan.

– The only woodpecker commonly found foraging on the ground.

– Makes a loud, repeated keeer! call that carries long distances.

– Breeds across forests, suburbs, parks, and agricultural areas.

– Ants and other insects make up majority of diet.

– Male performs a wing-spreading aerial display during courtship.

Spotting a flicker’s red wings or mustache is a fun surprise. Watch for these unusual woodpeckers rooting around on the ground, hopping along like a robin. Or co*ck an ear for their loud call echoing across woodlands and neighborhoods, signaling a flicker is nearby.