This article lists 20 birds with a red head. It features pictures to aid with identification and information on where they are native to, habitat, breeding and diet.
Red-headed woodpecker
The first of our list of 20 birds with a red head is as seen in the image above a stunning male bird with a red-headed woodpecker. It’s block colouring making it look very impressive and have a total covering of red on their heads. Probably where their name comes from. They are a medium sized bird, usually around 21-25 cm.
Native to
North America. Southern Canada, the United states and Mexico
Habitat
They prefer open woodland or forest edges.
Breeding
This woodpecker migrates for breeding season in flocks, arriving late April and leaving summer breeding ground late October. Clutches of 3-10 eggs will be seen April to July, with an incubation period of around 12-14 days. Fledglings will leave the nest on day 24 -31.
Diet
Insects, invertebrates, berries, fruit, nuts, seeds , earthworms and they will predate other nests and take eggs or chicks off other birds. (This list is not conclusive).
Red-Bellied Woodpecker
An attractive male woodpecker, the colour of his head is a red-orange. The Red-Bellied woodpecker male as shown in the picture above. Measures around 23 – 27cms.
Native to
They are found in the eastern United States, as far north as Canada and south as far as Florida.
Habitat
Forests, woodlands, swampy woodlands
Breeding
The breeding season for these birds starts March -April. They will have a clutch of 2-6 eggs. Incubation of 12 days. Fledge day 24-27.
Diet
Fruit, seeds, nuts, insects, invertebrates, birds eggs, chicks, frogs and small fish. (This list is not conclusive). Again they will store food, for hard times.
Pileated Woodpecker
The largest of North American woodpeckers measuring around 40-48cms. As you can see in the above picture a striking bird with red head. As shown in the picture above, the male has a flaming red crest which is a set off against it white face with black stripes, and plumage.
Native to
This bird is found in eastern North America, forests of Canada and parts of the pacific coast.
Habitat
Mature forests and heavily wooded parkland.
Breeding
The breeding season for these birds is April. A clutch of around 3-5 eggs, which are incubated for 15-18 days. They will fledge around day 24-28.
Diet
This bird likes to eat ants, preferably carpenter ants. They add to their diet termites, caterpillars, grasshoppers
Acorn Woodpecker
As shown in the picture above a striking looking bird. this bird has a red head, almost like a red cap. It has a black area around its beak, followed by a band of white which does not cover the eyes.
Native to
This bird lives in North America, through to central America. Western Oregan, California down to Mexico.
Habitat
They prefer pine and oak woodlands and forests.
Breeding
The breeding season for these birds starts around April to mid August. A clutch of around 3-6 eggs will hatch after an incubation time of about 10-12 days. Fledge 30-32 days after.
Diet
As its name suggests these birds predominately feed on Acorns. They will start collecting the acorns and will stash away as reserves. Supplement with fruits, seeds, insects and have been known to take eggs from other birds nests.
Downy woodpecker
The Downy woodpecker is the smallest of North America, measuring just 14-18cms. It has a small red cap on the top of its head as seen in the picture above. The underside is mainly white, with black wings which are speckled white, and a white stripe from the nape of the neck, down the back in between the wings.
Native to
Found throughout the USA and Canada with some exceptions.
Habitat
Open forests and parkland.
Breeding
The breeding season is early March. They have clutches of 3-6 eggs with an incubation of around 12 days.
Diet
Mainly insects, supplement with seed and suet from garden bird feeders.
House Finch
At around 14 cms long, the male birds do have a red head, face and breast as seen in the picture above. The rest of them are mainly brown.
Native to
Northern America
Habitat
Forests, savannahs, desert grassland and stream edges.
Breeding
Usually starting in March and coming to an end by the end of August.
4-6 eggs in a clutch will hatch after incubation of around 14 days and they will fledge at 12 – 19 days. Sometimes up to 6 broods in one season.
Diet
The diet of the bird consists mainly of seeds, berries, buds and small fruits.
Cassins Finch
Slightly similar looking to the House finch, Cassins finch has a red peaked crown and some rosey coloring to their cheeks and breast. The rest of them are brown and white as seen above in the picture. They are approximately 16cms in length.
Native to
Western North America
Habitat
They prefer evergreen forests
Breeding
Again breeding seasons start from March to the end of summer .They might have up to 2 broods in one season, with around 3-6 eggs in each brood. Incubation is around 12 days and fledgling anywhere from 14 to 19 days.
Diet
Seeds, some berries, buds, fruits and even some insects.
Pyrrhuloxia
This unusual looking bird just qualifies as a bird with a red head as it has a red crest. It is quite a stunning looking bird with its red face and breast and yellow beak. It has a blue grey colouring to the rest of its body. Its length is around 21cms.
Native to
Southwest America and Mexico
Habitat
They prefer to be in bushy and semi open habitats.
Breeding
March to April, these birds start pairing and nesting. A clutch of 2-4 eggs with incubation of around 14 days. fledge approximately 10-11 days. Supported by parents for some weeks later.
Diet
Seed, fruit, berries
Western Tanager
The Western Tanager is a very attractive bird and is around 16-19cms in length. The male as seen in the above picture has a red head and face and throat, a yellow nape, breast and underbelly. He has mainly a black back, wings and tail.
Native to
As its names suggest this bird resides in the West. It has quite a range in North America and Canada and can be found as far south as Central America for winter.
Habitat
They prefer forests and open woodland
Breeding
The breeding season for these birds is mid April to mid August. They will only have one brood, usually a clutch of 3-5 eggs. Incubation 12-14 days. fledge 11-15 days after . They will be supported for around 14 days by their parents.
Diet
Mainly insects, fruits and berries from autumn to winter time.
European Goldfinch
This little male finch has a red head and face as seen above. They are around 11 -13 cms.
Native to
Europe
Habitat
Wetlands, forests, grasslands, suburbia, marsh land, farmland.
Breeding
The season goes from late April through to August and they will try to have two or more broods. A clutch of around 3-7 eggs add incubation of about 11-14 days.
Diet
Mainly Seeds
Common Redpoll
As shown in the picture above the male common redpoll has a patch of red on its head. The rest of this little bird has brown and white streaks. It usually grows to around 11 -13 cms in length.
Native to
This bird is native to North America. Although this bird is migratory and has been observed in the UK.
Habitat
Woodlands, Forests, gardens
Breeding
April starts the beginning of the season and they will have 1-3 broods and clutches of around 2-7 eggs, with an incubation period of around 10-13 days. Fledge approximately 10-13 days later.
Diet
Seeds, Flower buds, and insects
Lesser Redpoll
As you can see in the picture above the lesser Redpoll has a red cap and some pinky – red to its breast. The rest of the bird is a warm brown streaky colour. It is a small bird at 11.5 – 12.5 cms.
Native to
This bird is widespread in the Northern and Eastern parts of the UK including Wales and Scotland.
Habitat
Forests, woodlands, park and gardens
Breeding
Breeding season tends to be March – April. Clutches of 4-5 eggs with incubation of 12 days. The young fledge at day 14-15.
Diet
Mainly seeds and insects
European Green Woodpecker
This red headed bird is a European green woodpecker. as shown in the picture above. This is the largest woodpecker in the UK at around 30 – 36 cms in length.
Native to
Widespread in England and Wales
Habitat
Woodlands, open park land and gardens
Breeding
Late April is the start of their breeding season. A clutch of 4-6 eggs is around average. These will hatch around day 17-19 fledging 19 days after hatching.
Diet
Their main diet consists of ants, ant eggs, and larvae, seed and fruits and insects if ants are scarce.
Lesser spotted woodpecker
The lesser spotted male woodpecker, seen in the picture above., is one of the the rarest of the woodpeckers. It is striking with its black and white colouring and topped off by its red cap. This is the smallest of the three types of woodpeckers of the UK at around 14-15cms.
Native to
Found mainly in the south of the UK
Habitat
Woodlands, forests, wetland and urban areas.
Breeding
Late April is breeding season and these birds will only have one clutch of around 4-6 eggs. Incubation is around 14 days and fledging at 3 weeks.
Diet
Insects and invertebrates
The great spotted woodpecker
The greater spotted male adult woodpecker can measure up to 24 cms in length. The greater spotted woodpeckers markings are block looking with bars at the bottom of the wings. In addition the male has both a red cap and a red lower tail aspect.
Native to
UK, most common woodpecker
Habitat
Woodlands, forests, parks and bird feeder in gardens
Breeding
Mid April breeding starts. 4-6 eggs incubate for around 14 days and fledge in 3 weeks.
Diet
Mainly insects, they are known to take eggs and chicks of other birds in breeding season, they have even been observed breaking into bird boxes with their strong beaks.
Red Crested Cardinal
This stunning male bird has a wonderful red face and throat and upper breast with a red crest as its name suggests. It has a white underbelly and neck and gray wings and tail. They are around 19cms in length.
Native to
This bird is native to South America, including Uruguay, Paraguay, South Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia. They were introduced to the island of Hawaii.
Habitat
Woodlands, savannahs, near water, shrubbery.
Breeding
June to September. 2-3 eggs which hatch around day 13-14. Fledglings leave around 2 weeks and are supported for around a month by their parents.
Diet
Seed an insects
Red headed Manakin
This cute small bird with red head is around 10 cms long. It is attractive with its redhead, the rest of the plumage is black, the male as seen above has yellow thighs.
Native to
Found from south Mexico to central America down through to Ecuador.
Habitat
Their preferred habitat is evergreen forests.
Breeding
February to July and the males will have a number of females. The female will have around two eggs, with an incubation of around 20 days. Fledging in 2 weeks or so.
Diet
Their diet is mainly of fruit
Red headed Weaver
This birds is named after its red head. As you can see from the picture above it also has a red face, neck and breast. The underside is white and the back and wings are green – yellow. It has a very distinct orange bill.
Native to
Found on the African continent.
Habitat
Tropical forests, dry savannahs, woodlands.
Breeding
Breeding times may vary. Clutches of 2-4 eggs incubation period of 12-14 days and the same for fledging.
Diet
Spiders, insects and fruits.
Red Crowned Amazon Parrot
This wonderful bird is approximately 28 – 33 cms in length. As you can see from the picture above it has a redcap and blue streaks behind the eyes, the rest is a vibrant green plumage.
Native to
South Texas and Northeastern Mexico
Habitat
Varied habitat, forests, woodlands, open farmland, lush vegetated areas
Breeding
Breeding season starts in April. They will only have one brood of 2-5 eggs. Incubation is around 25-31 days and fledging around day 50-53
Diet
Seeds, nuts and fruit
Red headed Finch
Smallish bird at 14cms. It has a red head, grey brown plumage with white lower underbelly and white spotting on the chest.
Native to
Found throughout central and southern Africa
Habitat
Semi arid, areas with trees and open grassland
Breeding
Breeding times can vary
They will have around 4-6 eggs, incubation for around 14 days
Diet
This ground feeding bird feeds on insects and seeds
In summary
I hope you have enjoyed looking at the list of 20 birds with redheads. We have found out where they are native to, what habitats they prefer and information on breeding, and diet. If you have any comments or questions please message.
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