In British Columbia, the vibrant crimson-hued finches and crossbills frequently catch the eye, but there exists a diverse array of distinct species awaiting exploration.
The magnificent province of British Columbia is home to a remarkable assortment of eleven red bird species that have been observed. Among these, seven species are commonly noted on state checklists as regular residents, while an additional four species are considered rare or chance encounters.
This comprehensive guide aims to aid in the identification of red bird species in British Columbia, drawing insights from avibase. It is worth noting that some of these avian inhabitants embark on migratory journeys, while others remain steadfast throughout the year.
To assist in the recognition of all visiting avifauna in your backyard, a complimentary bird identification worksheet specifically designed for British Columbia can be printed out.
The House Finch proudly claims the title of the most prevalent red bird in British Columbia, gracing both summer and winter seasons with its presence. The Purple Finch, on the other hand, prefers to make its grand appearance during the summer months, while several species find solace in the wintry landscapes of British Columbia. For a deeper understanding of these red birds, continue delving into the following passages.
The eleven red birds of British Columbia are as follows:
1. House Finch
Male House Finches are a common sight throughout the year in British Columbia. Sporting crimson heads and breasts, the males emanate an aura of elegance, while the females exhibit a brown-streaked plumage.
Size: 5.1-5.5 inches (13-14 cm)
Weight: 0.6-0.9 ounces (16-27 g)
Wingspan: 7.9-9.8 inches (20-25 cm)
Initially confined to the western states, the House Finch has expanded its dominion to the eastern states, thriving remarkably and even outcompeting the Purple Finch. These charismatic birds can be spotted in parks, farms, forest edges, and backyard feeders, often congregating in boisterous groups that are impossible to miss.
To attract more House Finches to your backyard feeders, consider offering black oil sunflower seeds or nyjer seeds through tube or platform feeders.
2. Purple Finch
Throughout the year, the Purple Finch graces the lands of British Columbia, particularly favoring the summer season. Possessing a reddish-purple crown and breast, adorned with hints of brown on their backs and wings, these finches exhibit a striking resemblance to their House Finch counterparts.
Size: 4.7-6.3 inches (12-16 cm)
Weight: 0.6-1.1 ounces (18-32 g)
Wingspan: 8.7-10.2 inches (22-26 cm)
While they breed in Canada and overwinter in eastern states, these fascinating creatures can be spotted year-round along the northeast and Pacific coasts. Evergreen forests serve as their favored habitat, where they indulge in a diet consisting of seeds, buds, nectar, and berries.
Purple Finches eagerly visit feeders, especially when offered black oil sunflower seeds.
3. Red Crossbill
Throughout the year, the captivating Red Crossbills make appearances in British Columbia, with higher occurrences from June to October. Male Red Crossbills bear resplendent red plumage, complemented by darker wings and tails, while females exhibit yellow and brown tones.
These avian inhabitants maintain a year-round presence in the northern and western states, migrating to the eastern states during the winter months. Their dietary preferences revolve around conifer seeds, often foraging in flocks that move from tree to tree, utilizing their powerful beaks to pry open unopened cones. In addition to coniferous forests, they can be found along roadsides, indulging in the consumption of grit during the mornings.
4. Common Redpoll
The Common Redpoll can be spotted year-round in British Columbia, although their prevalence is higher from November to April. With red foreheads, rosy-pink breasts, and brown and white plumage covering the rest of their bodies, these birds exude an air of distinctive charm.
Scientific name: Acanthis flammea
Size: 4.7-5.5 inches (12-14 cm)
Weight: 0.4-0.7 ounces (11-20 g)
Wingspan: 7.5-8.7 inches (19-22 cm)
During the winter, they primarily reside in northern states and occasionally venture into central states. In their quest for warmth, they may burrow into the snow during the night. These voracious eaters consume up to 42% of their body mass each day and possess the ability to store up to 2 grams of seeds in their expandable esophagus.
Common Redpolls can be found in weedy fields or engaged in feeding on catkins in trees. They are also enticed by small seeds such as nyjer or thistle, making bird feeders a favorable spot for encounters.
5. Cassin’s Finch
Cassin’s Finches can be spotted year-round, predominantly during the summer, in the southeastern region of British Columbia. These birds exhibit captivating red crowns, rosy pink heads, red breasts, whiteish bellies, and brown backs and wings.
Size: 6.3 inches (16 cm)
Weight: 0.8-1.2 ounces (24-34 g)
Wingspan: 9.8-10.6 inches (25-27 cm)
They thrive in mountainous forests within the western states, often foraging in flocks in search of nourishing seeds. While not as commonly encountered in backyards as House or Purple Finches, they can be attracted with sunflower seed feeders, particularly during the winter months, or enticed by fruiting shrubs like cotoneaster, mulberries, firethorn, grape, and apple.
6. Pine Grosbeak
Although not overly abundant, Pine Grosbeaks can be found throughout the year in British Columbia. Belonging to the finch family, these red birds exhibit grey wings and tails, with white wingbars, and boast vibrant red plumage among the males. The females, in contrast, display grey bodies with subdued orange heads and rumps. They stand out for their larger size compared to other finches and their relatively unhurried demeanor.
Scientific name: Pinicola enucleator
Size: 7.9-9.8 inches (20-25 cm)
Wingspan: 13.0 inches (33 cm)
While predominantly dwelling in Canadian territories, some Pine Grosbeaks may venture near the US border, particularly in the mountainous western regions and the Sierra Nevada in California. They typically inhabit forests abundant with pine, spruce, and fir trees, relying on these trees for sustenance in the form of seeds, fruit, and buds. During the summer, they may also include insects in their diet.
To attract Pine Grosbeaks to your yard, consider providing black oil sunflower seeds or suet through feeders.
7. White-winged Crossbill
White-winged Crossbills, while not extremely common, offer delightful encounters throughout the year in British Columbia. These finches are characterized by their distinctive crossed beaks. Males present with red plumage, black wings and tails, and two white wingbars, while females display yellow and brown hues with two white wingbars.
Scientific name: Loxia leucoptera
Size: 5.9-6.7 inches (15-17 cm)
Weight: 0.8-0.9 ounces (24-26 g)
Wingspan: 10.2-11.0 inches (26-28 cm)
White-winged Crossbills find refuge in forests spanning Canada, Alaska, and occasionally the northern regions of the United States when cone crops are scarce further north. They primarily feed on seeds within spruce forests.
Uniquely, these birds breed throughout the year, provided sufficient food resources are available. Their presence is often accompanied by the melodious symphony of large flocks.
8. Summer Tanager
Considered rare or accidental in British Columbia, Summer Tanagers can still be occasionally sighted in Fraser Lake and South Vancouver. Male Summer Tanagers dazzle with their vibrant red plumage, while females emanate a yellow hue.
Scientific name: Piranga rubra
Size: 6.7 inches (17 cm)
Weight: 1.1 ounces (30 g)
During the breeding season, they inhabit southern and eastern states before embarking on their migration to Central and South America for the winter. These forest-dwelling songbirds navigate open woodlands, deftly capturing bees and wasps mid-flight. They subdue their prey by beating them against branches and deftly removing the stingers before devouring them.
To entice more Summer Tanagers to visit your backyard, consider planting berry bushes and fruit trees.
9. Northern Cardinal
Regarded as an accidental species in British Columbia, Northern Cardinals have been spotted in Okanagan Mountain Park, Columbia Beach, and Fraser River Park.
The male Northern Cardinal boasts a vibrant red head, body, and tail, accentuated by the striking black patches adorning their faces. These avian creatures create a breathtaking spectacle, especially when contrasted against a wintry white backdrop. The females, too, exhibit a resplendent appearance, characterized by brown coloring, a distinct brown crest, red highlights, and red beaks.
Size: 8.3-9.1 inches (21-23 cm)
Weight: 1.5-1.7 ounces (42-48 g)
Wingspan: 9.8-12.2 inches (25-31 cm)
Northern Cardinals predominantly inhabit eastern and southern states, exhibiting occasional bouts of territorial aggression during the breeding season, where they may attack their own reflection. To attract more of these captivating birds to your backyard, entice them with sunflower seeds, peanut hearts, millet, and milo. They are comfortable feeding from large tube feeders, hoppers, platform feeders, or even food scattered on the ground.
10. Painted Bunting
Considered an accidental species in British Columbia, a few sightings of Painted Buntings have occurred in Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver. The male Painted Bunting showcases a captivating patchwork of vibrant colors, with predominant red hues underneath, complemented by vivid blue heads, green wings, and backs. Females exhibit bright yellow-green plumage.
Scientific name: Passerina ciris
Size: 4.7-5.1 inches (12-13 cm)
Weight: 0.5-0.7 ounces (13-19 g)
Painted Buntings breed in select states across the south-central and southeastern regions of the United States before embarking on nocturnal migrations to Central America, southern Florida, and some Caribbean islands.
These enchanting birds tend to favor semi-open habitats, primarily foraging for seeds and insects during the breeding season. To attract Painted Buntings to your yard, consider incorporating low, dense vegetation and fill feeders with white millet or black oil sunflower seeds.
11. Scarlet
Scarlet Tanagers are classified as accidental or rare species in British Columbia, with only a single sighting on record.
Scarlet Tanagers are resplendent with their bright red plumage, complemented by black wings and tails. Females exhibit yellow coloring with darker wings and tails.
Scientific name: Piranga olivacea
Size: 6.3-6.7 inches (16-17 cm)
Weight: 0.8-1.3 ounces (23-38 g)
Wingspan: 9.8-11.4 inches (25-29 cm)
During the summer, they breed in eastern forests before embarking on their migratory journey to South America. Their preference for the forest canopy often makes them challenging to spot. Planting berry plants such as blackberries, raspberries, huckleberries, juneberries, serviceberries, mulberries, strawberries, and chokeberries can attract more Scarlet Tanagers to your vicinity.
Frequency of Red Bird Sightings in British Columbia during Summer and Winter
To gain insights into the frequency of red bird sightings in British Columbia during summer and winter, checklists compiled by birdwatchers are invaluable resources. These checklists, derived from eBird, provide an overview of the red bird species most commonly observed in British Columbia.
Common Red Birds in British Columbia during Summer:
House Finch: 21.0%
Purple Finch: 9.9%
Red Crossbill: 5.6%
Cassin’s Finch: 2.8%
White-winged Crossbill: 0.6%
Pine Grosbeak: 0.4%
Common Redpoll: 0.1%
Summer Tanager: <0.1%
Common Red Birds in British Columbia during Winter:
House Finch: 24.1%
Purple Finch: 5.0%
Common Redpoll: 3.8%
Red Crossbill: 3.2%
Pine Grosbeak: 2.6%
White-winged Crossbill: 0.6%
Cassin’s Finch: 0.3%
Summer Tanager: 0.1%
Northern Cardinal: <0.1%
Scarlet Tanager: <0.1%