Spotting vibrant red birds is a breeze due to their striking flashes of bright color. However, are you well-versed in distinguishing between a finch and a tanager?
In New Jersey, there have been documented sightings of ten species of red birds. Among these, nine species are considered regular visitors according to state checklists, while one species is considered rare or accidental.
To aid you in identifying these red birds in New Jersey, avibase provides a helpful guide. Some of these avian creatures migrate, while others remain in the area throughout the year.
To assist in your backyard bird identification endeavors, you can obtain a free bird identification worksheet specifically tailored for New Jersey.
The most prevalent red bird in both the summer and winter months is the Northern Cardinal. On the other hand, the Scarlet Tanager is exclusive to the summer season, while other species are more commonly observed during winter in New Jersey. Thus, continue reading to discover the optimal periods for spotting these vibrant red birds in the state.
10 Red Birds in New Jersey:
1. Northern Cardinal
Northern Cardinals are a frequent sight in New Jersey throughout the year.
These dazzling birds possess vibrant red plumage on their heads, bodies, and tails, with black accents surrounding their faces. Their appearance against a snowy backdrop is truly remarkable. Female Northern Cardinals exhibit their own captivating allure with their brown feathers, distinctive crests, and touches of red.
Size: 8.3-9.1 in (21-23 cm)
Weight: 1.5-1.7 oz (42-48 g)
Wingspan: 9.8-12.2 in (25-31 cm)
Northern Cardinals are primarily found in the eastern and southern regions of the United States. During the breeding season, they may even display territorial behavior, including attacking their own reflection.
To attract more Northern Cardinals to your backyard, consider providing them with sunflower seeds, peanut hearts, millet, or milo. They can be enticed to feed on large tube feeders, hoppers, platform feeders, or even scattered food on the ground.
2. House Finch
House Finches, showcasing red plumage on their heads and breasts, can be spotted in New Jersey year-round.
Male House Finches bear a resemblance to their counterparts, the Purple Finches, with their reddish-purple heads and breasts. Conversely, females possess brown-streaked feathers.
Size: 5.1-5.5 in (13-14 cm)
Weight: 0.6-0.9 oz (16-27 g)
Wingspan: 7.9-9.8 in (20-25 cm)
Initially inhabiting only western states, House Finches were introduced to the eastern regions and have thrived, even displacing the Purple Finches. These birds can be found in parks, farms, forest edges, and of course, backyard feeders. They tend to congregate in noisy groups, making their presence difficult to miss.
To attract more House Finches to your backyard, consider offering black oil sunflower seeds or nyjer seeds in tube or platform feeders.
3. Scarlet Tanager
Scarlet Tanagers are frequently observed in New Jersey during the summer season.
These birds exhibit brilliant red plumage with black wings and tails. Female Scarlet Tanagers possess yellow feathers with darker wings and tails.
Scientific Name: Piranga olivacea
Size: 6.3-6.7 in (16-17 cm)
Weight: 0.8-1.3 oz (23-38 g)
Wingspan: 9.8-11.4 in (25-29 cm)
Scarlet Tanagers typically breed in eastern forests during the summer before embarking on a migratory journey to South America.
These elusive birds prefer to dwell high in the forest canopy, making them challenging to spot.
To attract Scarlet Tanagers to your surroundings, consider planting berry-bearing plants such as blackberries, raspberries, huckleberries, juneberries, serviceberries, mulberries, strawberries, and chokeberries.
4. Purple Finch
Purple Finches, although not exceedingly common, can be found year-round in New Jersey, with higher sightings during the winter months.
These finches closely resemble House Finches, sporting reddish-purple heads and breasts, but with additional brown hues on their backs and wings.
Size: 4.7-6.3 in (12-16 cm)
Weight: 0.6-1.1 oz (18-32 g)
Wingspan: 8.7-10.2 in (22-26 cm)
While they breed in Canada, they migrate to the eastern states for winter and can occasionally be spotted throughout the year in the northeastern and Pacific coastal regions.
Look for them in evergreen forests as they feed on seeds, buds, nectar, and berries. They readily visit feeders for black oil sunflower seeds.
5. Summer Tanager
Summer Tanagers are rare sightings in New Jersey, primarily seen between May and July.
Male Summer Tanagers exhibit vibrant red plumage, while females showcase a yellow hue.
Scientific Name: Piranga rubra
Size: 6.7 in (17 cm)
Weight: 1.1 oz (30 g)
Breeding in southern and eastern states, these forest-dwelling songbirds have a unique feeding habit. They catch bees and wasps mid-flight, subsequently beating them against a branch to remove the stinger before devouring them.
To attract Summer Tanagers to your backyard, consider incorporating berry bushes and fruit trees into your landscaping.
6. Red Crossbill
Red Crossbills are infrequently sighted in New Jersey but are more commonly observed during the winter season.
Male Red Crossbills display red plumage with darker wings and tails, while females have a yellow and brown coloration.
These birds can be found year-round in northern and western states, with winter migration to eastern states. Their feeding behavior involves foraging in flocks, moving from tree to tree and using their robust beaks to pry open unopened cones. Additionally, they can be spotted along roadsides, consuming grit in the morning.
7. Common Redpoll
Spotting Common Redpolls in New Jersey can be challenging, but they may appear during winter, particularly in the northern parts of the state and along the coast.
These birds possess red foreheads, pink breasts, and a combination of brown and white feathers across their bodies.
Scientific Name: Acanthis flammea
Size: 4.7-5.5 in (12-14 cm)
Weight: 0.4-0.7 oz (11-20 g)
Wingspan: 7.5-8.7 in (19-22 cm)
They primarily inhabit northern states during winter, with sporadic sightings in central states. During the night, Common Redpolls may burrow into the snow to stay warm. Astonishingly, they can consume up to 42% of their body mass daily and store up to 2 grams of seeds in a stretchy part of their esophagus.
Look for them in weedy fields or feeding on catkins in trees. Additionally, they are attracted to small seeds such as nyjer seeds or thistle in feeders.
8. White-winged Crossbill
White-winged Crossbills are exceptionally rare in New Jersey but may be spotted during winter, particularly along the state’s coast.
These finches possess distinctive crossed beaks. Males display
red plumage with black wings and tails, adorned with two white wingbars. Females, on the other hand, exhibit a blend of yellow, brown, and white feathers, also featuring the characteristic white wingbars.
Scientific Name: Loxia leucoptera
Size: 5.9-6.7 in (15-17 cm)
Weight: 0.8-0.9 oz (24-26 g)
Wingspan: 10.2-11.0 in (26-28 cm)
White-winged Crossbills primarily inhabit forests in Canada and Alaska. However, they venture south to the northern states of the US when cone crops are scarce further north. These birds can be found in spruce forests, where they feed on seeds.
Interestingly, White-winged Crossbills breed throughout the year as long as food availability is sufficient. They often gather in large flocks, their presence punctuated by distinct vocalizations.
9. Painted Bunting
Considered an accidental species in New Jersey, Painted Buntings have been sporadically sighted along the coast.
Male Painted Buntings are a captivating mosaic of colors, featuring predominantly red plumage underneath, vibrant blue heads, green wings, and backs. In contrast, females exhibit a bright yellow-green hue.
Scientific Name: Passerina ciris
Size: 4.7-5.1 in (12-13 cm)
Weight: 0.5-0.7 oz (13-19 g)
Painted Buntings breed in select states, primarily in the south-central and coastal regions of the Southeastern US. Subsequently, they embark on nocturnal migrations to Central America, southern Florida, and certain Caribbean islands.
These birds are often found in semi-open habitats, foraging 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. Pine Grosbeak
Pine Grosbeaks are exceedingly rare in New Jersey, although sightings have occurred in Barnegat Bay.
As finches, male Pine Grosbeaks display red plumage with gray wings and tail, complemented by two white wingbars. Females, in contrast, feature a gray coloration with dull orange heads and rumps. These grosbeaks are relatively large compared to other finch species and possess a leisurely demeanor.
Scientific Name: Pinicola enucleator
Size: 7.9-9.8 in (20-25 cm)
Wingspan: 13.0 in (33 cm)
Pine Grosbeaks predominantly 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 vicinity, offer black oil sunflower seeds or suet in feeders.
These ten species of red birds add vibrancy and allure to New Jersey’s avian population. While some are common visitors, others are rarer and require a keen eye to spot. So, keep your binoculars ready and your backyard prepared to welcome these stunning red-feathered creatures.