Arkansas boasts a fascinating array of red birds, each with distinctive traits. The Northern Cardinal, known for its vivid red plumage, is a common sight, with males displaying bright feathers and females showing brownish tones with red hints. The Summer Tanager features bright red males and greenish-yellow females, often seen around berry bushes. The Scarlet Tanager stands out with its red body and black wings, thriving in deciduous forests. Red-winged Blackbirds are noted for their glossy black plumage with striking red and yellow shoulder patches, mainly found in marshes. The Vermilion Flycatcher, small in size, dazzles with intense red feathers, especially during courtship. Each species plays an important role in the local ecosystem and offers unique observation opportunities. Discover more details on these and other red birds in Arkansas for a closer look at their habits and habitats.
Northern Cardinal
The Northern Cardinal, a species noted for its vivid red plumage and striking appearance, is a common sight in Arkansas. Male cardinals display brilliant red feathers, while females are brownish with red highlights. Both genders frequent bird feeders, showcasing their colorful crests and robust bills ideal for seed-cracking.
This bird's presence is especially notable as both males and females contribute melodious songs.
Summer Tanager
Summer Tanagers, displaying males in bright red and females in greenish-yellow, inhabit open forests and low-elevation areas across the southern U.S., Mexico, and South America.
These bright red birds are skilled bee and wasp feeders, adept at catching these insects mid-flight.
During summer, they are frequently spotted around berry bushes and fruit trees, adding vibrant color and activity to these environments.
Scarlet Tanager
Scarlet Tanagers, distinguished by males' vivid red plumage and black wings and tails, thrive in the deciduous forests and suburban landscapes of Arkansas.
These birds, including the less conspicuous greenish-yellow females and immature Tanager males, often seek out fruit-bearing plants for sustenance.
Their preference for oak, hickory, or mixed oak-pine woodlands underscores their integral role in these biodiverse ecosystems.
Red-winged Blackbird
Moving from the treetop habitats of Scarlet Tanagers, another strikingly colored species found in Arkansas is the Red-winged Blackbird, known for its bold shoulder markings and vibrant presence in local wetlands.
Males display glossy black plumage with bright red and yellow shoulder patches, while females are streaked brown. These birds are commonly seen in marshes, often heard calling loudly from perches like cattails.
Vermilion Flycatcher
The Vermilion Flycatcher, a small yet brilliantly colored bird, captivates observers with its vivid red plumage and dynamic hunting techniques.
Found in southern landscapes, this bird showcases its bright red plumage especially during courtship displays, where males impress females with aerial acrobatics and insect offerings.
Both birdwatchers and casual observers delight in spotting these vibrant creatures in their natural habitats.
Painted Bunting
Among the most strikingly colorful birds found in Arkansas, male Painted Buntings boast bright red backs, tails, and bellies, while females display a vivid yellowish-green plumage.
These birds prefer woodlands and brushy areas for foraging, seeking out seeds and insects.
Their vibrant colors and unique habitats make them a remarkable sight during their breeding season in Arkansas.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Shifting focus to another vibrant bird species, the Rose-breasted Grosbeak stands out with its distinctive black back and stark red mark on a white breast. The males display this striking coloration, while females feature heavy streaks and a white eyebrow.
Common in Arkansas's wooded areas and at bird feeders, their unique red, white, and black hues make them a favorite among birdwatchers.
Hepatic Tanager
Hepatic Tanagers are a medium-sized songbird species that exhibit a vibrant red plumage mainly in males. This red plumage spans their face, breast, and tail. These birds are spotted across parts of the Americas with specific habitat preferences, favoring open woodlands and utilizing pine and pine-oak habitats during migration.
Their striking red coloration and migratory patterns, wintering in Mexico, make them a notable species.
Red Crossbill
While the Hepatic Tanager is a visitor in warmer seasons, the Red Crossbill is a year-round resident of Arkansas's coniferous forests, adapted to its environment with a uniquely evolved bill. These birds utilize their crisscrossed bills to pry open conifer cones, accessing seeds.
Found primarily in pine, spruce, and fir forests, their presence fluctuates with the availability of their food source.
Pine Grosbeak
One striking species of red bird in Arkansas is the Pine Grosbeak, known for its robust size and vivid coloring. These robin-sized finches feature round red heads and distinctive white wing bars.
Males display a mix of gray and reddish-pink plumage, while females are more subdued with yellowish tones. Pine Grosbeaks thrive in evergreen, mountainous, and subalpine forests, feeding primarily on seeds, buds, and berries.
House Finch
Shifting focus from the mountainous-dwelling Pine Grosbeak, the House Finch exemplifies adaptability in Arkansas's urban environments.
Males flaunt rosy red coloring around their heads and upper breasts, while females display brown streaked appearances.
Distinctly recognized by their notched tails and conical beaks, these birds are urban favorites, often being the first to explore new bird feeders.
Purple Finch
Purple Finches, distinguished by their vivid raspberry red plumage in males, are a striking sight in Arkansas's wooded regions. These birds frequently visit bird feeders, particularly in winter, offering a splash of color against the snowy landscape.
Both sexes primarily subsist on seeds and berries, with males serenading potential mates with melodious warbles. Observing their vibrant presence is a delightful experience for birdwatchers.
Common Redpoll
Common Redpolls, easily identified by their striking red cap and black chin, are diminutive finches that often grace the winter landscapes of Arkansas.
These birds thrive on nyjer seeds, favoring cold weather when they typically gather in flocks.
With their brown-streaked bodies, they blend into the wintry settings while actively foraging, emphasizing their adaptability and social nature among avian species.
White-winged Crossbill
While the Common Redpoll is a more familiar sight, the White-winged Crossbill remains a rare and intriguing visitor in Arkansas. These birds feature specialized bills that cross at the tips, adept for extracting seeds from conifer cones.
Typically found in coniferous forests, they forage in nomadic flocks, making their sporadic appearances in Arkansas an exciting event for local birdwatchers.
What are the similarities and differences between the types of red birds in Arkansas and Tennessee?
In Arkansas and Tennessee, the types of red birds differ in their habitat and behavior. The Northern Cardinal is common in both states, but the Summer Tanager is more prevalent in Tennessee. Both states are home to the Scarlet Tanager, known for its vibrant red plumage.
Cinnamon Teal
Among the notable species in Arkansas, the Cinnamon Teal stands out with its vibrant, rust-colored plumage during the breeding season.
This smaller-sized duck, akin to the mallard, boasts a long bill and a preference for freshwater wetlands.
The male's cinnamon-red plumage captivates birdwatchers, while the more demure female underscores the species' adaptability to Arkansas's diverse habitats.
