Minnesota is home to a vibrant tapestry of red birds that captivate both birdwatching enthusiasts and casual observers alike. Join us in this article for a look at 11 interesting red birds in Minnesota, including both year-round residents and those that visit just for a season.
11 Red Birds in Minnesota
11 red birds you can find in Minnesota include the northern cardinal, scarlet tanager, summer tanager, purple finch, house finch, common redpoll, pine grosbeak, red crossbill, white-winged crossbill, rose-breasted grosbeak and red-headed woodpecker.
1. Northern Cardinal
Scientific Name: Cardinalis cardinalis
The northern cardinal is a year-round resident of Minnesota found in forests, parks, gardens, and backyards. The male cardinal is easily recognizable, with bright red feathers on most of its body. The males also have a black mask on their faces.
The females are brown with shades of deeper red along their wings and tails. Both sexes have a distinctive crest on the top of their heads and an orange beak. Cardinals are easy to attract to backyard feeders by leaving out their favorite, black oil sunflower seeds.
2. House Finch
Scientific Name: Haemorhous mexicanus
While not completely red, the male house finch still presents obvious red coloring on his head and chest. The shade and intensity of this red color varies by individual. Females have more subdued plumage with streaks of brown and gray, and lack any red hues.
House Finches congregate in parks, backyards, and along forest edges. They are year-round residents in Minnesota and very common birds to see.