Brightening your day are the crimson avian creatures that grace the skies—red birds. It is imperative that you acquaint yourself with the various red birds that can be glimpsed.
Mississippi has witnessed the sighting of seven red bird species. Among them, six species are regularly observed according to state checklists, while one is regarded as uncommon or accidental.
For your convenience, this manual shall serve as a guide to identifying the red bird species in Mississippi, as documented by avibase. Certain avian beings embark on migratory journeys, while others choose to reside year-round.
To facilitate the identification of visiting avifauna in your backyard, a complimentary worksheet for bird identification in Mississippi can be printed.
The Northern Cardinal reigns as the most prevalent red bird throughout both the summer and winter seasons in Mississippi. The Summer Tanager graces the summertime with its presence, whereas the Purple Finch prefers to make its appearance during the winter. Peruse further to glean additional knowledge about these red-feathered creatures.
Red Birds of Mississippi: A Magnificent Seven
- Northern Cardinal
- House Finch
- Summer Tanager
- Purple Finch
- Scarlet Tanager
- Painted Bunting
- Red Crossbill
1. Northern Cardinal
A year-round resident of Mississippi, the Northern Cardinal is exceedingly abundant.
This avian spectacle dons a vibrant red plumage, encompassing the head, body, and tail, accentuated by a black facial mask. Against the backdrop of a snow-covered landscape, their sight is truly breathtaking. Females possess their own charm, with brown hues, a distinct crest, and touches of red, complemented by their crimson beaks.
Length: 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)
Eastern and southern states are home to Northern Cardinals, known for their territorial defense during breeding season, occasionally engaging in confrontations with their own reflections.
Attract these captivating creatures to your backyard feeders with offerings of sunflower seeds, peanut hearts, millet, and milo. Tube feeders, hoppers, platform feeders, or scattered food on the ground will be much appreciated.
2. House Finch
Throughout the year, House Finches delight in adorning the Mississippi landscape with their presence.
The males exhibit a rosy red head and breast, while the females showcase a brown-streaked appearance.
Length: 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 exclusive to the western states, the House Finch has successfully ventured into the eastern regions, even surpassing the Purple Finch in dominance.
These finches can be spotted in parks, farms, forest edges, and your very own backyard feeders. Their boisterous flocks are quite the sight to behold.
To attract more House Finches to your feeders, consider providing black oil sunflower seeds or nyjer seeds in tube feeders or platform feeders.
3. Summer Tanager
While observable throughout the year in Mississippi, the Summer Tanager thrives primarily from April to November.
Male Summer Tanagers radiate in bright red plumage, whereas their female counterparts exhibit yellow tones.
Piranga rubra
Length: 6.7 inches (17 cm)
Weight: 1.1 ounce (30 g)
Breeding in southern and eastern states, they embark on a journey to Central and South America for the winter season.
Forest-dwelling songbirds, Summer Tanagers specialize in mid-flight bee and wasp hunting. Their unique hunting technique involves stunning their prey against branches and removing the stingers before devouring them.
Entice more Summer Tanagers to visit your backyard by planting berry bushes and fruit trees.
4. Purple Finch
Although not commonly sighted in Mississippi, the Purple Finch may grace the state during the winter months.
Resembling House Finches, these birds exhibit reddish-purple heads and breasts, accompanied by brown hues on their backs and wings.
Length: 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)
Breeding occurs in Canada, with eastern states serving as their wintering grounds. However, they can be spotted year-round in the northeastern region and along the Pacific coast.
Evergreen forests provide a habitat for Purple Finches, where they forage on seeds, buds, nectar, and berries.
They eagerly flock to feeders offering black oil sunflower seeds.
5. Scarlet Tanager
Scarlet Tanagers remain rare sightings in Mississippi, yet observations have been recorded from April to November.
Dressed in vivid red plumage with black wings and tails, the males are accompanied by yellow-hued females with darker wings and tails.
Piranga olivacea
Length: 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)
These elegant creatures breed in eastern forests during summer before embarking on migration to South America.
Scarlet Tanagers tend to remain concealed within the forest canopy, making them challenging to spot.
To attract more of these exquisite birds, consider cultivating berry plants such as blackberries, raspberries, huckleberries, juneberries, serviceberries, mulberries, strawberries, and chokeberries.
6. Painted Bunting
Although not commonly sighted, Painted Buntings occasionally grace the western regions of Mississippi throughout the year.
Male Painted Buntings captivate with their brightly colored, patchwork-like plumage. The vivid red underside, complemented by vibrant blue heads, green wings, and backs, creates an awe-inspiring spectacle. Females exhibit bright yellow-green hues.
Passerina ciris
Length: 4.7-5.1 inches (12-13 cm)
Weight: 0.5-0.7 ounces (13-19 g)
Breeders are found in specific states within the south-central and coastal areas of the Southeast US. They migrate nocturnally to Central America, southern Florida, and select Caribbean islands.
Semi-open habitats serve as the preferred foraging grounds for Painted Buntings during the breeding season, where they feed on seeds and insects.
To attract Painted Buntings to your yard, consider incorporating low, dense vegetation and feeders stocked with white millet or black oil sunflower seeds.
7. Red Crossbill
Red Crossbills are regarded as accidental or rare visitors in Mississippi, with a sighting near Sardis Lake.
Males of the species showcase red plumage with darker wings and tails, while females present a combination of yellow and brown.
They can be found year-round in northern and western states, venturing to eastern states during the winter months.
Red Crossbills possess the remarkable ability to extract conifer seeds, utilizing their robust beaks to pry open unopened cones. Their foraging endeavors involve flocking from tree to tree and consuming grit along roadsides during the mornings.
Frequency of Red Bird Sightings in Mississippi During Summer and Winter
To determine the prevalence of redbirds in Mississippi during the summer and winter seasons, consult the state’s checklists. These lists provide valuable insight into the red bird species commonly recorded on ebird checklists for Mississippi.
Common Red Birds in Mississippi During Summer:
Northern Cardinal: 59.8%
House Finch: 18.9%
Summer Tanager: 18.5%
Painted Bunting: 2.8%
Scarlet Tanager: 1.7%
Purple Finch: <0.1%
Common Red Birds in Mississippi During Winter:
Northern Cardinal: 51.7%
House Finch: 16.9%
Purple Finch: 6.8%
Painted Bunting: 0.3%
Summer Tanager: 0.1%
Red Crossbill: <0.1%