Looking for assistance in identifying the crimson avian inhabitants of Nova Scotia? Fear not, for this comprehensive guide will unveil all the scarlet-feathered creatures that grace the region, while also lending a helping hand in their identification.
Within the confines of Nova Scotia, a grand total of 10 red bird species have been observed. Among these, six species are duly acknowledged on state checklists as being commonly sighted, while three additional species are deemed rare or accidental. Moreover, one more species is classified as an introduced resident.
This guide aims to serve as your trusted companion in discerning the diverse red bird species that call Nova Scotia their home, as elucidated by avibase. While some of these avian wonders undertake migratory journeys, others opt to reside in the region year-round.
One of the most prevalent red birds in Nova Scotia, present during both the summer and winter seasons, is the Northern Cardinal. Additionally, the Purple Finch is more commonly encountered during the summer months, whereas several other species tend to make appearances in the winter. Delve further into this guide to uncover intriguing details about these captivating red birds.
10 Red Birds of Nova Scotia:
1. Purple Finch
The splendid Purple Finch is a joyous red bird that frequents Nova Scotia throughout the year, with a higher prevalence during the summer months.
These charismatic birds possess reddish-purple heads and breasts, complemented by brown hues adorning their backs and wings.
Dimensions:
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)
While they breed in Canada and overwinter in the eastern states, they can be spotted year-round in the northeastern regions and along the Pacific coast.
Keep an eye out for them in evergreen forests, as they indulge in a delectable feast of seeds, buds, nectar, and berries. Notably, these delightful birds are known to readily visit feeders, enticed by the allure of black oil sunflower seeds.
2. Northern Cardinal
Ah, the Northern Cardinal, a red bird that graces Nova Scotia with its presence throughout the year.
This avian marvel boasts a resplendent red head, body, and tail, accentuated by the contrasting black patches adorning its face. Its captivating appearance becomes even more striking when set against a snowy winter backdrop. Moreover, the females of this species possess their own charm, flaunting brown plumage, distinctive brown crests, vivid red accents, and striking red beaks.
Dimensions:
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 can be found in the eastern and southern states, showcasing their territorial nature by occasionally launching attacks on their own reflections during the breeding season.
To invite a larger gathering of Northern Cardinals to your backyard, consider offering them a delectable feast of sunflower seeds, peanut hearts, millet, and milo. These delightful birds will happily partake in the offerings, whether presented on large tube feeders, hoppers, platform feeders, or scattered on the ground.
3. Common Redpoll
While Common Redpolls may not be a common sight in Nova Scotia, they can still be spotted during the winter months, from November to May.
Distinguished by their reddish foreheads, pinkish breasts, and brown-and-white patterning across their bodies, these avian wonders bring a touch of uniqueness to the region.
Scientific name: Acanthis flammea
Dimensions:
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)
While they typically make appearances in northern states during winter, their presence in central states is relatively less frequent.
In their quest for warmth during the frosty nights, these hardy birds occasionally seek refuge within snow tunnels. Astoundingly, they consume up to 42% of their body mass every day and possess a stretchy section in their esophagus that can store up to 2 grams of seeds.
You might find them in weedy fields or perched on catkins in trees, but they also display a penchant for visiting feeders that offer small seeds such as nyjer seeds or thistle.
4. White-winged Crossbill
While not abundantly prevalent, White-winged Crossbills can indeed be spotted in Nova Scotia throughout the year.
These finches possess distinctive crossed beaks, with males exhibiting a rich red hue, accompanied by black wings, tails, and two white wingbars. In contrast, females showcase a yellow and brown plumage, likewise adorned with two white wingbars.
Scientific name: Loxia leucoptera
Dimensions:
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 primarily inhabit forests across Canada, Alaska, and occasionally the northern regions of the United States when cone crops further north are scarce. Spruce forests serve as their preferred feeding grounds, where they relish in a bountiful supply of seeds.
Remarkably, these birds display unique breeding habits, disregarding the usual seasonal constraints and reproducing whenever ample food is available.
Listen closely, and you might just hear their melodious calls reverberating within the vicinity.
5. Red Crossbill
While not particularly common in Nova Scotia, Red Crossbills can still be encountered throughout the year.
Male Red Crossbills flaunt captivating red plumage, accentuated by darker wings and tails, while females boast a delightful combination of yellow and brown hues.
They can be found in northern and western states year-round, with a predilection for eastern states during winter.
These birds have developed remarkable feeding techniques, effortlessly extracting conifer seeds from unopened cones with their robust beaks. They exhibit a nomadic foraging behavior, often traversing from tree to tree in flocks. Additionally, they can be observed consuming grit from roadsides in the morning hours.
6. Pine Grosbeak
The Pine Grosbeak is a rare red bird that graces Nova Scotia throughout the year, with confirmed sightings in Cape Breton Highlands National Park and the Waverley-Salmon River Long Lake Wilderness Area.
These finches present themselves as a splendid sight, with males donning red plumage complemented by gray wings, tails, and two white wingbars. Females, on the other hand, exhibit a gray coloration, adorned with subdued orange heads and rumps. Compared to other finches, they boast a larger size and exhibit a relatively leisurely demeanor.
Scientific name: Pinicola enucleator
Dimensions:
Length: 7.9-9.8 inches (20-25 cm)
Wingspan: 13.0 inches (33 cm)
Pine Grosbeaks primarily inhabit forests consisting of pine, spruce, and fir trees. Their diet consists of seeds, fruits, and buds sourced from these trees, with a penchant for indul ging in insects during the summer months.
To attract Pine Grosbeaks to your vicinity, consider offering black oil sunflower seeds or suet in your feeders.
7. House Finch
In Nova Scotia, House Finches are classified as an introduced species, making their presence relatively rare. Nevertheless, they have been spotted in Sand Beach and Halifax Public Gardens.
The males of this species exhibit vibrant red heads and breasts, while females showcase brown-streaked plumage.
Dimensions:
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)
Originally confined to western states, House Finches were successfully introduced to the eastern states, even outcompeting the native Purple Finch.
These versatile birds can be found in various habitats, including parks, farms, forest edges, and backyard feeders. They tend to congregate in noisy groups, making their presence difficult to overlook.
To entice House Finches to your backyard, consider providing them with a delectable feast of black oil sunflower seeds or nyjer seeds, either through tube feeders or platform feeders.
8. Scarlet Tanager
Scarlet Tanagers are considered rare species in Nova Scotia, with a few sightings reported around Morris Island.
These splendid birds adorn themselves with bright red plumage, accentuated by contrasting black wings and tails. Female Scarlet Tanagers, while equally captivating, sport yellow plumage with darker wings and tails.
Scientific name: Piranga olivacea
Dimensions:
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)
They breed in the lush forests of the eastern states during summer before embarking on a migratory journey to South America.
Scarlet Tanagers tend to favor the lofty heights of the forest canopy, making them somewhat challenging to spot. To attract more of these exquisite birds to your surroundings, consider cultivating berry plants such as blackberries, raspberries, huckleberries, juneberries, serviceberries, mulberries, strawberries, and chokeberries.
9. Summer Tanager
Considered rare or accidental visitors in Nova Scotia, a few Summer Tanagers have been sighted in the Terence Bay Wilderness Area and around Halifax.
Male Summer Tanagers exhibit resplendent red plumage, while females showcase a delightful yellow coloration.
Scientific name: Piranga rubra
Dimensions:
Length: 6.7 inches (17 cm)
Weight: 1.1 ounces (30 g)
They breed in southern and eastern states before embarking on a migratory journey to Central and South America for the winter season.
These forest-dwelling songbirds exhibit remarkable foraging behavior, catching bees and wasps mid-flight, dispatching them by striking them against branches, and removing the stingers before consuming their catch.
To attract more Summer Tanagers to your backyard, consider incorporating berry bushes and fruit trees into your landscape.
10. Painted Bunting
While Painted Buntings are considered accidental visitors in Nova Scotia, a few sightings have been recorded around Bras d’Or Lake.
Male Painted Buntings present a captivating patchwork of vibrant colors, with a predominant red hue underneath, complemented by bright blue heads, green wings, and backs. Females, on the other hand, exhibit a striking yellow-green coloration.
Scientific name: Passerina ciris
Dimensions:
Length: 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 nighttime migrations to Central America, southern Florida, and some Caribbean islands.
These charismatic birds prefer semi-open habitats and display a fondness for seeds and insects during the breeding season.
To attract Painted Buntings to your yard, consider incorporating low, dense vegetation and offering feeders filled with white millet or black oil sunflower seeds.
Frequency of Red Bird Sightings in Nova Scotia during Summer and Winter
For an understanding of the prevalence of red birds in Nova Scotia during the summer and winter seasons, state checklists provide valuable insights. These checklists, compiled on ebird, highlight the red bird species most commonly observed in Nova Scotia.
Common Red Birds in Nova Scotia during Summer:
Purple Finch: 20.6%
Northern Cardinal: 11.5%
Red Crossbill: 1.2%
White-winged Crossbill: 0.7%
Pine Grosbeak: 0.4%
Scarlet Tanager: 0.3%
House Finch: 0.2%
Summer Tanager: 0.1%
Common Redpoll: 0.1%
Painted Bunting: <0.1%
Common Red Birds in Nova Scotia during Winter:
Northern Cardinal: 11.7%
Purple Finch: 5.5%
Common Redpoll: 4.3%
White-winged Crossbill: 1.6%
Pine Grosbeak: 0.8%
Red Crossbill: 0.5%
House Finch: 0.2%
Summer Tanager: <0.1%
Painted Bunting: <0.1%
Scarlet Tanager: <0.1%