In Saskatchewan, one can often spot red birds known as Finches and Tanagers, but there exists a diverse range of species to familiarize oneself with.
The province of Saskatchewan has witnessed the sighting of 12 distinct species of red birds. Among these, 6 species are regularly observed and acknowledged on state checklists, while 5 additional species are considered rare or accidental. Furthermore, there is one introduced species recognized in the region.
To aid in the identification of these red birds in Saskatchewan, this guide draws upon the resources provided by avibase. It is worth noting that certain bird species migrate, while others remain within the region throughout the year.
During winter, the Common Redpoll is predominantly observed, whereas various species tend to be more commonly sighted in summer across Saskatchewan. Further details regarding these red birds can be discovered as you continue reading.
A Comprehensive List of 12 Red Birds in Saskatchewan:
1. House Finch
The House Finch, considered an introduced species in Saskatchewan, can be found within the region throughout the year. It is characterized by the red head and breast in males, while females display brown-streaked coloring.
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 limited to the western states, the House Finch successfully expanded its presence to the eastern states, even surpassing the Purple Finch. These birds can be encountered in parks, farms, forest edges, and backyard feeders, often appearing in boisterous groups that are difficult to overlook.
Attracting House Finches to backyard feeders can be achieved by providing black oil sunflower seeds or nyjer seeds in tube or platform feeders.
2. Common Redpoll
While not particularly abundant in Saskatchewan, the Common Redpoll can be spotted during the winter months, specifically between October and May.
The Common Redpoll exhibits a red forehead, pinkish breast, and brown and white coloration across the rest of its body.
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)
This species is more commonly found in the northern states during winter, with sporadic occurrences in the central states. During the winter nights, they occasionally burrow into the snow to maintain warmth. Interestingly, they can consume up to 42% of their body weight in seeds daily and possess the ability to store up to 2 grams of seeds within their stretchy esophagus.
While they can be found in weedy fields and feed on catkins in trees, they are also attracted to feeders offering small seeds such as nyjer or thistle.
3. Purple Finch
Purple Finches are delightful red birds that can be observed throughout the year in Saskatchewan, although they are not particularly common.
Similar in appearance to the House Finch, the Purple Finch displays a reddish-purple head and breast in males, along with more prominent brown tones on the back 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)
While they breed in Canada and spend the winter in eastern states, they can be encountered year-round in the northeastern regions and along the Pacific coast.
Purple Finches are often found in evergreen forests, where they feed on seeds, buds, nectar, and berries. They readily visit feeders offering black oil sunflower seeds.
4. White-winged Crossbill
Although not commonly sighted, White-winged Crossbills can be found in Saskatchewan throughout the year.
Characterized by their crossed beaks, these finches exhibit red plumage in males, accompanied by black wings, tails, and two white wingbars. Females, on the other hand, feature yellow and brown hues with 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 primarily reside in forests across Canada, Alaska, and occasionally in the northern regions of the United States when cone crops are inadequate further north. They can be found in spruce forests, where they feed on seeds.
Remarkably, these birds exhibit breeding behaviors throughout the year, as long as there is an ample food supply. They often gather in sizable flocks, emitting distinctive calls.
5. Pine Grosbeak
While not widespread, Pine Grosbeaks can be spotted in Saskatchewan between October and April, specifically during the winter season.
As a species of finch, male Pine Grosbeaks present red plumage with gray accents on the wings and tail, along with two white wingbars. Females, on the other hand, possess a gray appearance with dull orange heads and rumps. They are relatively large compared to other 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)
While predominantly found in Canada, some Pine Grosbeaks can be encountered along the US border, in the mountainous western regions, and the Sierra Nevada in California.
They inhabit forests comprising pine, spruce, and fir trees, feeding on seeds, fruit, and buds derived from these trees. During summer, they may also consume certain insects.
To attract Pine Grosbeaks to your backyard, consider offering black oil sunflower seeds or suet feeders.
6. Red Crossbill
Red Crossbills are relatively scarce in Saskatchewan; however, they can be observed throughout the year. Sightings have been reported in Prince Albert National Park and Narrow Hills Provincial Park.
Males exhibit red plumage with darker wings and tails, while females display a combination of yellow and brown hues.
Red Crossbills can be found year-round in the northern and western states, migrating to eastern states during winter.
These birds primarily feed on conifer seeds, foraging in flocks as they move from tree to tree. With their powerful beaks, they can even break unopened cones. Interestingly, they can be found alongside roadsides in the mornings, consuming grit.
7. Northern Cardinal
Northern Cardinals are classified as rare species in Saskatchewan, yet they have been spotted in Prince Albert.
The male Northern Cardinal, adorned with bright red plumage on the head, body, and tail, and black accents around the face, creates a stunning spectacle, particularly against a snowy winter backdrop. The females, too, exhibit remarkable features, such as brown coloring, a prominent brown 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 primarily reside in eastern and southern states.
During the breeding season, they may exhibit territorial behavior, sometimes even attacking their own reflection.
To attract more Northern Cardinals to your backyard, consider providing sunflower seeds, peanut hearts, millet, and milo in feeders. They are known to frequent large tube feeders, hoppers, platform feeders, or scattered food on the ground.
8. Summer Tanager
Summer Tanagers are classified as rare or accidental species in Saskatchewan, although sightings have been reported in Saskatoon and Regina.
Male Summer Tanagers display vibrant red plumage, while females exhibit a yellow coloration.
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 winter. They thrive in open woodlands and possess the ability to capture bees and wasps mid-flight, consuming them after incapacitating the stingers.
To attract Summer Tanagers to your backyard, consider planting berry bushes and fruit trees.
9. Scarlet Tanager
Scarlet Tanagers, although incredibly rare in Saskatchewan, have been sighted in Tantallon.
Males sport bright red plumage with black wings and tails, while females display yellow coloration 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)
They primarily breed in eastern forests during summer before embarking on their migratory journey to South America.
Scarlet Tanagers tend to inhabit the upper regions of forest canopies, making them relatively challenging to spot. Planting berry-producing plants such as blackberries, raspberries, huckleberries, juneberries, serviceberries, mulberries, strawberries, and chokeberries may attract more Scarlet Tanagers to your surroundings.
10. Hepatic Tanager
Hepatic Tanagers are considered rare or accidental species in Saskatchewan, although sightings have occurred in Wadena.
Male Hepatic Tanagers exhibit red plumage with gray accents on the back, while females display a yellow hue.
Scientific name: Piranga flava
Size: 3.5-7.9 inches (8.8-20 cm)
Weight: 0.8-1.7 ounces (23-47 g)
Wingspan: 12.6 inches (32 cm)
These tanagers breed in southwestern states and Mexico, subsequently spending their winters in Mexico, Central, and South America. They can be found in mountainous regions with pine or pine and oak woodlands, where they feed on insects, spiders, and occasionally berries such as cherries and grapes.
11. Painted Bunting
Painted Buntings are classified as accidental species in Saskatchewan; however, sightings have occurred in Wakaw and Reward.
Male Painted Buntings exhibit a vibrant patchwork of colors, predominantly red underneath, with bright blue heads, green wings, and backs. Females, on the other hand, possess a bright yellow-green appearance.
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, mainly in the south-central and coastal regions of the Southeastern United States. They migrate at night to Central America, southern Florida, and certain Caribbean islands.
You can encounter Painted Buntings in semi-open habitats, where they primarily forage for seeds and insects during the breeding season. To attract them to your yard,
consider incorporating low, dense vegetation and offering feeders filled with white millet or black oil sunflower seeds.
12. Cassin’s Finch
Cassin’s Finches are considered accidental species in Saskatchewan, and sightings of this species have been extremely rare, with only one occurrence reported.
Cassin’s Finches possess a red crown, rosy pink head, red breast, whiteish belly, and brown back and wings.
Size: 6.3 inches (16 cm)
Weight: 0.8-1.2 ounces (24-34 g)
Wingspan: 9.8-10.6 inches (25-27 cm)
These finches predominantly inhabit mountain forests in western states, foraging in flocks for seeds. Although not as commonly observed in backyards compared to House or Purple Finches, they may be attracted by sunflower seed feeders, especially during winter, or fruiting shrubs such as cotoneaster, mulberries, firethorn, grape, and apple.
Frequency of Red Bird Sightings in Saskatchewan during Summer and Winter
Checklists compiled for the state provide valuable insights into the commonly observed bird species in Saskatchewan. These lists detail the red birds that appear most frequently on checklists recorded on ebird for summer and winter in Saskatchewan.
Common Red Birds in Saskatchewan during Summer:
– House Finch: 9.9%
– Purple Finch: 3.2%
– White-winged Crossbill: 0.8%
– Red Crossbill: 0.5%
– Common Redpoll: <0.1%
– Pine Grosbeak: <0.1%
– Scarlet Tanager: <0.1%
– Northern Cardinal: <0.1%
– Summer Tanager: <0.1%
– Painted Bunting: <0.1%
Common Red Birds in Saskatchewan during Winter:
– House Finch: 17.5%
– Common Redpoll: 12.3%
– Pine Grosbeak: 6.8%
– White-winged Crossbill: 4.8%
– Red Crossbill: 0.9%
– Purple Finch: 0.5%
– Northern Cardinal: 0.1%
– Scarlet Tanager: <0.1%
– Cassin’s Finch: <0.1%