Crimson avians bring cheer to your day, so ensure you acquaint yourself with all the scarlet-feathered creatures you can spot.
In the state of New Hampshire, there have been documented sightings of 10 species of red birds. Among them, nine species are commonly observed based on state checklists, while one additional species is deemed rare or accidental.
This comprehensive manual will aid you in recognizing the various species of red birds found in New Hampshire, as compiled from avibase. Some of these birds partake in migration, while others remain residents throughout the year.
For assistance in identifying all the avian visitors to your backyard, feel free to obtain a complimentary bird identification worksheet designed specifically for New Hampshire.
The most prevalent red bird in both summer and winter within New Hampshire is the Northern Cardinal. The Scarlet Tanager is more frequently encountered during the summer months, while a few other species exhibit higher sightings during this season. Continue reading to discover additional details about these red birds dwelling in New Hampshire.
10 Red Birds in New Hampshire:
1. Northern Cardinal
Throughout the year, Northern Cardinals are abundantly found in New Hampshire.
The striking male Northern Cardinal displays vibrant red plumage on its head, body, and tail, accompanied by black accents around its face. They are a breathtaking sight, particularly against a snow-covered backdrop during winter. The females also possess distinctive features with their brown hue, prominent 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 inhabit the eastern and southern regions of the United States and are known to fiercely defend their territories, sometimes even engaging in aggressive behavior towards their own reflections during the breeding season.
To attract more Northern Cardinals to your backyard feeders, provide them with sunflower seeds, peanut hearts, millet, or milo. They readily feed from large tube feeders, hoppers, platform feeders, or scattered food on the ground.
2. House Finch
Another prevalent red bird in New Hampshire, present throughout the year, is the House Finch.
Male House Finches showcase red plumage on their heads and chests, while females exhibit brown streaks.
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 western states, House Finches were introduced to the eastern regions and have thrived remarkably, even surpassing the Purple Finch in numbers.
You can find House Finches in parks, farms, forest edges, and frequenting backyard feeders. They tend to gather in noisy flocks that are hard to overlook.
To attract more House Finches to your backyard feeders, provide them with black oil sunflower seeds or nyjer seeds in tube or platform feeders.
3. Purple Finch
Purple Finches are year-round residents in New Hampshire, although they are more commonly observed during the summer season.
Resembling House Finches to some extent, male Purple Finches feature reddish-purple heads and chests, accompanied by brown hues on their backs and wings.
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)
They breed in Canada and spend the winter in eastern states, while remaining present throughout the year in the northeastern region and the Pacific coast.
You can spot Purple Finches in evergreen forests, where they feed on seeds, buds, nectar, and berries. These birds readily visit feeders for black oil sunflower seeds.
4. Scarlet Tanager
Scarlet Tanagers can be sighted in New Hampshire during the summer season, typically between mid-April and October. However, a few individuals may linger until November.
Scarlet Tanagers exhibit vibrant red plumage with black wings and tails. Females possess 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)
These birds breed in eastern forests during summer and then migrate to South America.
Scarlet Tanagers tend to remain high up in the forest canopy, making them challenging to spot. To attract more of these striking birds, consider planting berry-producing plants such as blackberries, raspberries, huckleberries, juneberries, serviceberries, mulberries, strawberries, and chokeberries.
5. Common Redpoll
During the winter months in New Hampshire, between October and May, it is possible to spot Common Redpolls.
Common Redpolls display red foreheads, pinkish breasts, and a combination of brown and white plumage across their bodies.
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)
They are commonly found in northern states during winter and occasionally in central states.
In winter, Common Redpolls exhibit an interesting behavior of tunneling into the snow to stay warm during the night. They have a remarkable capacity to consume up to 42% of their body mass in seeds daily and can store up to 2 grams of seeds in a stretchy part of their esophagus.
You can spot them in weedy fields or feeding on catkins in trees. Additionally, they are attracted to feeders offering small seeds like nyjer seeds or thistle.
6. Red Crossbill
Although not particularly common, Red Crossbills are year-round residents of New Hampshire.
Male Red Crossbills are red in color with darker wings and tails, while females exhibit a yellow and brown plumage.
Red Crossbills can be found year-round in northern and western states and migrate to eastern states during winter.
They primarily feed on conifer seeds and travel in flocks, foraging from tree to tree. They are known for their ability to pry open unopened cones using their powerful beaks. Apart from coniferous forests, they can also be seen along roadsides, consuming grit in the mornings.
7. White-winged Crossbill
White-winged Crossbills are not frequently encountered in New Hampshire, but they can be spotted throughout the year in the state.
White-winged Crossbills are finches with distinctive crossed beaks. Males display red plumage with black wings and tails, along with two white wingbars. Females have a yellow and brown coloration, also featuring 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 inhabit forests in Canada, Alaska
, and occasionally the northern regions of the United States when cone crops are scarce further north. They can be found in spruce forests, where they feed on seeds.
Interestingly, White-winged Crossbills exhibit unique breeding behavior, as they can breed at any time of the year as long as there is an ample food supply.
These birds are often heard in large flocks, their calls resonating through the forest.
8. Pine Grosbeak
Pine Grosbeaks are considered rare red birds in New Hampshire, with sightings primarily occurring during winter, particularly from November to February, although some individuals may linger until May.
Pine Grosbeaks belong to the finch family and display red plumage in males, accompanied by gray wings and tails with two white wingbars. Females, on the other hand, are gray with dull orange heads and rumps. They are relatively large for finches and tend to have a slower flight.
Scientific Name: Pinicola enucleator
Size: 7.9-9.8 inches (20-25 cm)
Wingspan: 13.0 inches (33 cm)
Pine Grosbeaks are primarily found in Canada, but some individuals can be observed along the US border, in the mountainous western regions, and the Sierra Nevada in California.
These birds inhabit forests of pine, spruce, and fir, where they feed on seeds, fruit, and buds from these trees. During the summer, they may also consume insects.
To attract Pine Grosbeaks to your feeders, provide them with black oil sunflower seeds or suet.
9. Painted Bunting
Painted Buntings are considered accidental sightings in New Hampshire, but a few have been spotted around areas such as White Mountain National Forest, Moose Mountain Reservation, and the coastal regions.
Male Painted Buntings showcase a vibrant and colorful patchwork of red, with predominant red coloring underneath, bright blue heads, green wings, and backs. Females exhibit a 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, primarily in the south-central and southeastern regions of the United States, before migrating at night to Central America, southern Florida, and some Caribbean islands.
These birds prefer semi-open habitats and mainly 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.
10. Summer Tanager
Summer Tanagers are considered very rare in New Hampshire, but there have been occasional sightings, particularly near the coast.
Male Summer Tanagers display bright red plumage, while females have a yellow coloring.
Scientific Name: Piranga rubra
Size: 6.7 inches (17 cm)
Weight: 1.1 ounces (30 g)
These birds breed in southern and eastern states before migrating to Central and South America for the winter.
Summer Tanagers are forest-dwelling songbirds found in open woodlands. They have a unique feeding behavior, capturing bees and wasps mid-flight. They immobilize their prey by beating them against a branch, removing the stinger before consuming them.
To attract more Summer Tanagers to your backyard, consider planting berry bushes and fruit trees.
By familiarizing yourself with these remarkable red birds, you’ll be able to appreciate the beauty and diversity they bring to New Hampshire’s avian landscape.