Most bird lovers start their journey as an enthusiast by getting captivated while coming across the diverse and vibrant appearance of these species.
Even with one single color “red”, the variation can be limitless like birds with red beaks, red-winged birds, birds with red chests, red-tailed birds, black birds with red stripes, etc.
Even with these categories of just one color, they come in different shades and different characteristics, each more entrancing than the other.
In this article, we have gathered a humble list of brown birds with red heads and their brief introduction to make you familiar with our feathered friends.
Despite their size and shape differences, all these birds have a rich, deep, and vibrant red in their heads making them hard to miss.
So, let’s start our flight through the article and get ourselves acquainted with our beloved feathered companions.
Contents
Brown Birds With Red Heads: 18 Majestic And Playful Species
We have curated a list of all the birds that have brown color in their body and red in their heads according to their size. The shades of the colors vary from species to species. But we can assure you that all of them possess similar color patterns.
So, let’s dive into this beautiful journey of getting familiar with these delightful creatures.
13 Charmingly Small Brown Birds With Red Heads
Usually, small brown birds are hard to spot in the wilderness because their body color creates a sort of unintended camouflage.
But not in the case of the birds that we are about to discuss. Because these adorable creatures all have distinctive red heads that get them under the spotlight in an instant.
Hence, I will be providing a basic idea about these species and some of their quirkiness.
Red-Headed Finch
Source: @luchocastrov
- Scientific Name: Amadina erythrocephala
- Size: 14 to 17 cm (6 to 7 in)
- Locality: Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: Throughout the year
As per its name, the Red-Headed Finch is renowned for its vibrant red head. Regardless of the sex of the species, the red color on their head is its most distinctive charm.
Noticeable Behavior
The Red-headed Finch is a chunky species known for its habit of flying around in small flocks. Being relatively social they spend their time being active and agile while foraging around the ground in search of seeds. It often visits waterholes and feeds around in flocks. As they forage around in groups, it allows them to find food quickly and be aware of predators.
Red-Headed Quelea
Source: @woodpeckerslist
- Scientific Name: Quelea erythrops
- Size: 11 cm (4.3 in)
- Locality: Most parts of Africa
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: Different according to their habitat
The Red-headed Quelea is known to show its most vibrant self during the breeding season. Their head and chest exhibit an intense red that makes the avian enthusiasts appreciate the species even more.
Noticeable Behavior
This species is famed for its highly sociable behavior like most of its species. This species has been observed forming massive flocks that are so big that it is considered one of the largest congregations among birds. However, due to their habit of flying and foraging around in flocks, they are regarded as an agricultural pest.
House Finch
Source: @eblasioq_photo
- Scientific Name: Haemorhous mexicanus
- Size: 12.5 to 15 cm (5 to 6 in)
- Locality: Southern North America
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: March to August
The most intensely vibrant colors are exhibited among the males of the House Finch species, especially during their breeding period. On the other hand, the females and non-breeding males show dull coloration.
Noticeable Behavior
Being a gregarious species, the House Finch is known for their habit of sharing food sources with other bird species as well as perching together. Moreover, as a social species, they even nest around human habitations. Their nesting sites vary as they build it in various openings of buildings, tree cavities, hanging plants, etc. Occasionally, they reuse other birds’ nests and keep using them year after year.
Cassin’s Finch
Source: @mehtahelly
- Scientific Name: Haemorhous cassinii
- Size: 16 cm (6.3 in)
- Locality: Western North America, Northern New Mexico, Arizona, and Southern California
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: May to July
Cassin’s Finch is a captivating bird to observe for bird watchers. Their distinctive white wing bars and vivid crimson-red color with rosy pink throat and brownish body is what make the bird lovers fall in love with the species.
Noticeable Behavior
Predominantly being a fan of seeds, buds, and berries, the Cassin’s Finch is usually found foraging in trees and occasionally on the ground. Sometimes they have been spotted foraging on insects as well. While nesting in large coniferous regions, they are usually in pairs or go around solo. However, other times they often forage around in flocks as it is more advantageous.
Common Redpoll
Source: @grahamsmith_photography
- Scientific Name: Acanthis flammea
- Size: 11.5 to 14 cm (4.5 to 5.5 in)
- Locality: Northern Eurasia, and Northern North America
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: Mid-March to April
The Common Redpoll’s unique combination of colors in their plumage makes them different from other species. Similar to other species on the list, it is also known to exhibit its vibrant coloration during the breeding season.
Noticeable Behavior
This species is known for its nesting strategies that have different layers built with different parts of plants. The outer layer of their nest usually consists of thin twigs while the mid-layer is made of root fibers, fragments of bark, etc. Lastly, the inner layer is made of willow buds and reindeer hair for added comfort.
Lesser Redpoll
Source: @jaspersuijten
- Scientific Name: Acanthis cabaret
- Size: 11.5 to 12.5 cm (4.5 to 4.9 in)
- Locality: Europe
- Status: Not globally threatened
- Breeding Season: May to July
The Lesser Redpoll is famed for its similarities with Mealy Redpoll as well as Common Redpoll. However, compared to these species, as per its name the Lesser Redpoll possesses a less intense red patch on its head.
Noticeable Behavior
The specified species are known to form breeding pairs during late winter. During this season, they create a loose colony nesting in a close range in their breeding territory. The females do most of the work, from building the nest to incubating the younglings. The males only join in while feeding them.
Purple Finch
Source: @aprilstampephotography
- Scientific Name: Haemorhous purpureus
- Size: 12 to 16 cm (4.7 to 6.3 in)
- Locality: Northeastern U.S., U.S. Pacific Coast, and Canada
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: April to August
Unlike its name, Purple Finches have red colors on their heads. However, the interesting feature about this bird is, sometimes while under certain lighting the color can appear as purple.
Noticeable Behavior
This species is known to have contrasting nesting behavior just like its appearance. It usually prefers to build its nest in coniferous and mixed forests and avoids urban areas as much as possible. However, on rare occasions, they have been spotted nesting near suburban areas. The female purple finches create their nests in open cup shapes using different objects from twigs to hair.
Pine Grosbeak
Source: @outsidelookingup
- Scientific Name: Pinicola enucleator
- Size: 20 to 25.5 cm (7.9 to 10.0 in)
- Locality: Northern Eurasia and North America
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: Mid-May to early August
The male Pine Grosbeak’s eye-catching red color and huge size make it an interesting bird to behold, especially in its northern surroundings during the winter. However, if you spot a juvenile or female species, you might not be able to distinguish as they have a relatively subdued version of red color on their heads.
Noticeable Behavior
This species is familiar and easily detectable for being a permanent resident in most of its habitats. Hence, if you know their distribution and habitat range you can easily come across this species. However, it depends on food availability. If the food source becomes scarce, then purple finches might migrate to the south.
Vermilion Flycatcher
Source: @murrap.photography
- Scientific Name: Pyrocephalus obscurus
- Size: 13 to 14 cm (5.1 to 5.5 in)
- Locality: South America and Southern North America
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: January to October
What makes the Vermilion Flycatcher unique is its bright vivid red coloration, especially in the males, and its aerial displays. However, the females lack the vibrancy of red making them appear similar to Say’s phoebe.
Noticeable Behavior
One of the most interesting behavioral features of this species is its breeding and pairing. Despite being a socially monogamous species, it often engages in extra-pair copulation. Moreover, the females occasionally brood in other birds’ nests. However, while building their own nest they make sure to build it in shallow open cup shapes.
Painted Finch
Source: @mygouldianaviary
- Scientific Name: Emblema pictum
- Size: 10 to 12 cm (3.9 to 4.7 in)
- Locality: Western Australia, Northern Australia, Queensland and South Australia
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: Throughout the year
The stunning Painted Finch is actually like a painting and is sought after by avian enthusiasts for its vibrant artistic appearance in its region. The black and white patches on the brown body and red head are what make its presence appealing to everyone.
Noticeable Behavior
Based on the suitability of conditions, this species can breed almost any time of the year. Their courtship display is practically one of a kind. Sometimes both sexes are seen participating. At this time, they pick up twigs or other items that the sexes dropped and pair up. However, other times, they have a greeting display where the males sing in different positions in front of the females to impress them.
European Goldfinch
Source: @peterstevensnaturephotography
- Scientific Name: Carduelis carduelis
- Size: 12 to 13 cm (4.7 to 5.1 in)
- Locality: Europe, North Africa, and Western and Central Asia
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: Between April and August
Possessing bright red and yellow in body, the European Goldfinch is celebrated for its easily recognizable striking features. Their notable features include the black and white patterns on their face as well as their brownish body.
Noticeable Behavior
The female European Goldfinch is famed for its nesting ability. This particular species can build a nest within a week all on its own. The males usually work as moral support and do not contribute to it whatsoever. They rather do their duty while feeding the incubating females and raising the nestlings alongside the females.
Arizona Woodpecker
Source: @dvprophoto
- Scientific Name: Leuconotopicus arizonae
- Size: 18 to 20 cm (7 to 8 inches)
- Locality: Southern Arizona and New Mexico and the Sierra Madre Occidental of Western Mexico
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: Late March and May
Arizona Woodpecker is easily identifiable by the male’s distinctive red patches. Moreover, the black and white patterns on the wings look visually pleasing as they are almost placed at equal distances.
Noticeable Behavior
The specified species is known for its distinctive vocalizations. Usually, their call is sharp and squeaky and transcribed as a “keech” sound. However, occasionally, the Arizona Woodpecker can give out a rattle call that possesses descending or grating notes as well. The rattle call is primarily employed while communicating or during courtship displays.
Common Rosefinch
Source: @birding_with_kuttettan_munnar
- Scientific Name: Carpodacus erythrinus
- Size: 13 to 15 cm (5.1 to 5.9 in)
- Locality: Europe, South-East Asia
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: May to August
The Common Rosefinch is famed among bird lovers for its molting behavior. After molting the adults usually lose their vibrant coloration which again regains its color during winter.
Noticeable Behavior
This species is known for its introversion during the breeding season. They appear as shy and secretive creatures but turn into sociable ones during migration. In this period, they are seen forming small to medium-sized flocks in which they sometimes go around foraging.
5 Enchanting Large Brown Birds With Red Heads
Unlike the small birds, the birds we are about to discuss in this section are large and noticeable for their size as well as their unique appearance.
So, we will be providing a basic introduction to these mesmerizing creatures with some of their fascinating characteristics to get you fully acquainted.
Red-Fronted Rosefinch
Source: @himalaya_putra19
- Scientific Name: Carpodacus puniceus
- Size: 20 cm (7.9 in)
- Locality: Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: Late May to August
The key aspect that makes the Red-Fronted Rosefinch such a sought-after bird among bird watchers is the males’ vibrant red coloration. Similar to other species, the females and juveniles of this species have a pinkish undertone.
Noticeable Behavior
Similar to other finches, the Red-Fronted Rosefinch is spotted flying around in flocks during the non-breeding season. For foraging, they occasionally interact with other bird species. Their foraging activity helps them look for different kinds of food from grasses and other plants.
Gila Woodpecker
Source: @iabe53
- Scientific Name: Melanerpes uropygialis
- Size: 8 to 10 in (20 to 25 cm)
- Locality: the Southwestern United States and Western Mexico.
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: April through August
The distinctive appearance of the Gila Woodpecker is what makes it captivating to the bird watchers of the southwestern region. The prominent red patch on their head makes him look as if the species was wearing a bindi on their head.
Noticeable Behavior
Despite appearing as a soft-looking bird, this species prefers to live in the holes of cacti and mesquite trees. They may not be very sociable but their nesting behavior can be regarded as a charitable work as their cavities later get used by other bird species, especially Elf Owls.
Red-Headed Trogon
Source: @birdvibrance
- Scientific Name: Harpactes erythrocephalus
- Size: 34 cm (13 in)
- Locality: Central Nepal, Southeast Asia, Southern China to Sumatra
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: March to July
The crimson red head with a stunning chestnut brown chest is what makes the Red-headed Trogon appear so delightfully identifiable. Its beautiful black mask is part of its charms as well.
Noticeable Behavior
One of the most noticeable behaviors of this species is its hunting habit. It is often seen waiting for its prey in secret on the shades of tree branches. They stalk their prey alone or in pairs. It usually pursues moths early in the morning or at night.
Turkey Vulture
Source: @davehutt
- Scientific Name: Cathartes aura
- Size: 62 to 81 cm (24 to 32 in)
- Locality: Southern Canada to the southernmost end of South America
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: March to June
While Turkey Vultures may not appear as majestic as other birds of prey, however, their unfeathered redheads make them prominent creatures among their species. The contrasting dark brown plumage on their body also makes them appear unique.
Noticeable Behavior
The Turkey Vulture is known for its highly gregarious behavior. It usually roosts in groups, however, prefers to forage around individually. Their roosting regions may vary and include areas like coniferous forests as well as man-made microwave towers. Despite its tendency for nesting in caves, they usually do not prefer to enter them till its breeding season.
Female Red-Headed Vulture
Source: @kmbprasad
- Scientific Name: Sarcogyps calvus
- Size: 76 to 86 cm (30 to 34 in)
- Locality: Indian Subcontinent, Eastwards to South-Central and South-Eastern Asia
- Status: Critically Endangered
- Breeding Season: December to April.
What makes the Red-headed Vulture one of the most easily identifiable species is its vibrant red head and neck with the juxtaposition of a dark-colored body. It creates a bold, vivid, and powerful aura.
Noticeable Behavior
Being a sociable species, the Red-headed Vulture is known to flock around in small to large groups. However, due to several NSAIDs including diclofenac, carprofen, ibuprofen, etc, this scavenging species has been listed as “critically endangered” by the IUCN. Being an endangered species, rather than being part of the protection, this species is facing a decline in number due to being hunted down. Hence, we should all come forward to protect the Red-headed Vulture.
FAQ
Now that you can identify the birds despite their similarities in appearance, you still might have a lot of inquiries about red-headed birds.
Hence, in this section, we will be answering a couple of frequently asked questions to help you in your endeavors.
Q: What kind of bird looks like a sparrow with a red head?
Ans: The male sparrows and finches are similar in size and shape except for their colors. The male house finch especially looks extremely similar to the male sparrow. The key difference between these two species is in red. However, the female house finches, on the other hand, usually possess earthly tomes with brown, white, and gray streaks all over their body.
Q: What bird has a red headpiece?
Ans: There are a wide range of species that possess a red headpiece, however, among them, the Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) is the most popular one. The bright and vivid crimson-red color on its head is what makes it look distinctive from other birds of its species. This stunning bird is known for its various fascinating characteristics.
Parting Thoughts
With the article’s conclusion, we are sure you are now more aware of birds with red heads than ever and can identify them from afar.
Even with all the similarities in their appearance, all the discussed birds have their own distinctive features that separate them from everyone.
We hope you have enjoyed the journey of getting to know each of them and appreciate their nature while they make a permanent mark in your hearts.
If you ever get to encounter them in real life then we hope you get to be reminded of how diversely stunning the world of birds actually is and show your gratitude for their existence.
Because keeping each of them safe despite their differences is our duty as human beings to conserve the balance of the ecosystem and help maintain the diversity in nature.
So, my fellow avian enthusiasts, enjoy and preserve these species’ existence and happy bird watching!
