Spotting red birds is a breeze due to their vibrant coloration, but can you distinguish between a finch and a Tanager?
Manitoba is home to 10 distinct species of red birds, with 7 of them being regularly observed according to state checklists. Additionally, 2 species are considered rare or accidental, and 1 species is categorized as an introduced species.
To assist you in identifying these red birds in Manitoba, this guide, based on avibase data, will be invaluable. While some of these birds migrate, others remain in the region throughout the year.
For a comprehensive identification experience of all the birds visiting your backyard, you can obtain a free bird identification worksheet specifically designed for Manitoba.
During winter, the Common Redpoll is more commonly sighted, whereas several other species tend to be spotted with higher frequency during the summer in Manitoba. Keep reading to learn more intriguing details about these fascinating red birds.
The 10 Red Birds in Manitoba:
1. Common Redpoll
Throughout the year, Common Redpolls can be frequently observed in Manitoba, particularly during the winter. However, in the northern regions of the province, they breed and are more prevalent during the summer months.
Common Redpolls display distinguishing features such as red foreheads, pinkish breasts, and brown and white plumage across the rest of their bodies.
Scientific Name: Acanthis flammea
Length: 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 winter, they sometimes seek refuge in the snow to keep warm at night. Their daily diet can consist of up to 42% of their body mass, and they possess a unique stretchy portion in their esophagus capable of storing up to 2 grams of seeds.
These birds can be found in weedy fields or feeding on catkins in trees, and they also visit feeders for small seeds like nyjer or thistle.
2. House Finch
Considered an introduced species in Manitoba, House Finches can still be observed throughout the year in the southern regions.
Male House Finches exhibit red heads and breasts, while females display brown-streaked plumage.
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 confined to western states, House Finches were introduced to the eastern states and have thrived, even displacing the Purple Finch.
These birds can be found in parks, farms, forest edges, and backyard feeders. They tend to gather in noisy groups, making them difficult to miss.
Attracting more House Finches to your backyard can be achieved by offering black oil sunflower seeds or nyjer seeds in tube or platform feeders.
3. Purple Finch
Purple Finches are predominantly sighted in southern Alberta throughout the year.
Closely resembling House Finches, they possess reddish-purple heads and breasts, with more brown tones 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 in Canada and overwintering in eastern states, Purple Finches can be found year-round in the northeast and along the Pacific coast.
These birds can be spotted in evergreen forests where they feed on seeds, buds, nectar, and berries.
They readily visit feeders for black oil sunflower seeds.
4. Pine Grosbeak
Pine Grosbeaks are relatively uncommon, but they can be observed throughout the year in Manitoba, particularly during winter in the southern regions. During the summer, they tend to be found near Hudson Bay.
Belonging to the finch family, males exhibit red plumage with gray wings and tail, along with two white wingbars. Females, on the other hand, possess gray feathers with dull orange heads and rumps. These birds are larger compared to other finches and have a relatively slower pace.
Scientific Name: Pinicola enucleator
Length: 7.9-9.8 inches (20-25 cm)
Wingspan: 13.0 inches (33 cm)
While predominantly found in Canada, some Pine Grosbeaks can be spotted along the US border, in the mountainous west, and the Sierra Nevada region of California.
Their habitat primarily consists of forests with pine, spruce, and fir trees, where they feed on seeds, fruit, and buds. During the summer, they also consume a small amount of insects.
Attracting Pine Grosbeaks to your yard can be achieved by providing black oil sunflower seeds or suet feeders.
5. White-winged Crossbill
Although not very common, White-winged Crossbills are an exciting sight in Manitoba throughout the year. During winter, they are mostly observed in the southern regions of the province, while their range expands during the summer.
White-winged Crossbills are finches distinguished by their crossed beaks. Males possess red plumage, black wings and tails, and two white wingbars, while females display yellow and brown feathers with two white wingbars.
Scientific Name: Loxia leucoptera
Length: 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 reside in forests across Canada, Alaska, and occasionally the northern states when cone crops are scarce further north. They can be found in spruce forests, primarily feeding on seeds.
Interestingly, these birds breed whenever there is sufficient food available, which is an uncommon behavior. They are often heard in large flocks.
6. Northern Cardinal
Northern Cardinals are rare red birds in Manitoba, but they can be observed throughout the year in the southern regions around Winnipeg.
The vibrant red males of the Northern Cardinal possess red heads, bodies, and tails, with black facial markings. Their striking appearance is particularly breathtaking against a snowy winter backdrop. The females also exhibit captivating features, with brown plumage, sharp brown crests, red highlights, and red 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)
Northern Cardinals primarily inhabit eastern and southern states. During the breeding season, they occasionally attack their own reflections as they vigorously defend their territories.
To attract more Northern Cardinals to your backyard, offer sunflower seeds, peanut hearts, millet, and milo in large tube feeders, hoppers, platform feeders, or by scattering food on the ground.
7. Red Crossbill
Red Crossbills are relatively rare in Manitoba, but they can be spotted throughout the year. They have been primarily observed around lakes like Gull Lake and Lynn Lake.
Male Red Crossbills display red plumage with darker wings and tails, while females exhibit yellow and brown feathers.
These birds can be found year-round in northern and western states, with a tendency to migrate to eastern states during the winter.
Their diet primarily consists of conifer seeds, and they forage in flocks, moving from tree to tree and even using their powerful beaks to open unopened cones. In addition to coniferous forests, they can also be found along roadsides, consuming grit in the mornings.
8. Scarlet Tanager
Although highly rare, Scarlet Tanagers can be spotted during the summer in the southern part of Manitoba.
Scarlet Tanagers are bright red birds with black wings and tails. Females possess yellow plumage with darker wings and tails.
Scientific Name: 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)
During the summer, they breed in eastern forests before migrating to South America.
These birds tend to stay high in the forest canopy, making them challenging to spot.
Attracting more Scarlet Tanagers can be achieved by planting berry-producing plants such as blackberries, raspberries, huckleberries, juneberries, serviceberries, mulberries, strawberries, and chokeberries.
9. Summer Tanager
Summer Tanagers are considered rare or accidental species in Manitoba, but a few sightings have been recorded in Winnipeg.
Male Summer Tanagers are brightly colored with red plumage, while females possess yellow feathers.
Scientific Name: Piranga rubra
Length: 6.7 inches (17 cm)
Weight: 1.1 ounces (30 g)
During the breeding season, they inhabit southern and eastern states before migrating to Central and South America for winter.
These forest-dwelling songbirds are known for catching bees and wasps mid-flight. They eliminate the stinger by beating the prey against a branch before consuming them.
To attract more Summer Tanagers to your backyard, consider incorporating berry bushes and fruit trees into your landscaping.
10. Painted Bunting
Painted Buntings are considered accidental species in Manitoba, with only six sightings reported.
Male Painted Buntings showcase a captivating array of colors, primarily featuring red plumage underneath, bright blue heads, green wings, and backs. Females exhibit vibrant yellow-green feathers.
Scientific Name: Passerina ciris
Length: 4.7-5.1 inches (12-13 cm)
Weight: 0.5-0.7 ounces (13-19 g)
These buntings breed in select states, predominantly in the south-central and coastal regions of the Southeast US, before migrating at night to Central America, southern Florida, and some Caribbean islands.
Painted Buntings are commonly found in semi-open habitats, where they forage for seeds and insects during the breeding season.
To attract Painted Buntings to your yard, consider incorporating low, dense vegetation and providing feeders filled with white millet or black oil sunflower seeds.
Frequency of Red Bird Sightings in Manitoba during Summer and Winter
State checklists serve as valuable resources for determining the frequency of bird sightings. The following lists outline the red birds most commonly recorded on checklists for Manitoba on ebird during summer and winter.
Common Red Birds in Manitoba during Summer:
1. Purple Finch – 4.9%
2. Common Redpoll – 4.7%
3. House Finch – 4.2%
4. White-winged Crossbill – 1.7%
5. Pine Grosbeak – 1.1%
6. Scarlet Tanager – 0.6%
7. Northern Cardinal – 0.3%
8. Red Crossbill –
0.2%
9. Summer Tanager – <0.1%
10. Painted Bunting – <0.1%
Common Red Birds in Manitoba during Winter:
1. Common Redpoll – 25.1%
2. Pine Grosbeak – 15.9%
3. House Finch – 8.0%
4. White-winged Crossbill – 2.5%
5. Purple Finch – 2.1%
6. Red Crossbill – 0.8%
7. Northern Cardinal – 0.5%