Red-colored avian species are more abundant than one might anticipate, and there exists a plethora of different types to observe.
Utah is home to 12 distinct species of red birds that have been sighted, with 6 species regularly appearing on state checklists, while the remaining 6 are considered infrequent or accidental occurrences.
This comprehensive guide aims to aid you in identifying the various red bird species found in Utah, as documented by avibase. Some of these avian creatures engage in migratory behavior, while others choose to stay throughout the year.
For your convenience, a complimentary bird identification worksheet tailored to Utah’s bird species is available, enabling you to identify any and all feathered visitors to your backyard.
The most prevalent red bird observed in Utah during both summer and winter seasons is the House Finch. Meanwhile, the Cassin’s Finch and several other species are more commonly sighted in the summer months within the state. To learn more about these crimson-feathered birds awaiting your discovery in Utah, continue reading.
Utah’s 12 Red Birds:
1. House Finch
The House Finch, a red bird, is a common sight in Utah throughout the year.
The male House Finch displays a crimson head and breast, while the female exhibits brown streaks in her 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)
Originally confined to western states, this species was subsequently introduced to eastern states, where it has thrived and even outcompeted the Purple Finch.
You can spot House Finches in parks, farms, forest edges, and backyard feeders. They tend to gather in noisy groups, making them hard to overlook.
To attract more House Finches to your backyard feeders, consider providing them with black oil sunflower seeds or nyjer seeds in tube or platform feeders.
2. Cassin’s Finch
Cassin’s Finches are a year-round sight in Utah, particularly during the summer season.
These finches possess a red crown, a rosy pink head, red breasts with a whiteish belly, and brown backs and wings.
Length: 6.3 inches (16 cm)
Weight: 0.8-1.2 ounces (24-34 g)
Wingspan: 9.8-10.6 inches (25-27 cm)
Typically found in mountainous forests across western states, these finches forage for seeds in flocks.
While not as frequently seen in backyards compared to House or Purple Finches, they can be attracted with sunflower seed feeders, especially during winter, or by planting fruiting shrubs such as cotoneaster, mulberries, firethorn, grapes, and apples.
3. Red Crossbill
Red Crossbills, although not prevalent in Utah, can still be spotted throughout the year if one keeps a vigilant eye.
Male Red Crossbills feature red plumage with darker wings and tails, while females exhibit yellow and brown coloring.
They reside year-round in northern and western states, migrating to eastern states during the winter.
Feeding on conifer seeds, these birds travel in flocks from tree to tree, skillfully utilizing their powerful beaks to even break unopened cones. In addition to coniferous forests, they can also be found along roadsides, consuming grit during morning hours.
4. Pine Grosbeak
Pine Grosbeaks, while not frequently encountered, can be observed year-round in Utah, particularly in Ashley National Forest, Fishlake National Forest, and Dixie National Forest.
Belonging to the finch family, male Pine Grosbeaks exhibit red plumage with gray wings and tail, accompanied by two white wingbars. Females, on the other hand, are gray with dull orange heads and rumps. These finches are relatively large and move at a leisurely pace.
Scientific name: Pinicola enucleator
Length: 7.9-9.8 inches (20-25 cm)
Wingspan: 13.0 inches (33 cm)
Pine Grosbeaks are predominantly found in Canada, with some sightings along the US border, the mountainous western region, and California’s Sierra Nevada range.
They inhabit forests comprised of pine, spruce, and fir trees, feeding on seeds, fruits, and buds from these trees. In the summer, they may also consume insects.
To attract Pine Grosbeaks, consider providing black oil sunflower seed feeders or suet feeders.
5. Summer Tanager
While Summer Tanagers are relatively rare in Utah, they can be observed within the state from April to October.
Male Summer Tanagers appear as vibrant red birds, while females display yellow coloring.
Scientific name: Piranga rubra
Length: 6.7 inches (17 cm)
Weight: 1.1 ounces (30 g)
These birds breed in southern and eastern states, subsequently migrating to Central and South America for the winter months.
Summer Tanagers, as forest-dwelling songbirds, can be found in open woodlands, feeding on bees and wasps mid-flight. They skillfully capture their prey, vigorously striking them against branches to neutralize their stingers before consumption.
To attract more Summer Tanagers to your backyard, consider planting berry bushes and fruit trees.
6. Common Redpoll
Common Redpolls are considered accidental species in Utah; however, sightings have been reported around Salt Lake City.
Distinctive features of Common Redpolls include red foreheads, pinky breasts, and brown and white plumage.
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, these birds can be found in northern states, albeit less frequently in central states.
In colder seasons, they may even burrow into the snow at night for warmth. Common Redpolls possess an impressive appetite, consuming up to 42% of their body mass daily and capable of storing up to 2 grams of seeds in their stretchy esophagus.
They inhabit weedy fields or feed on catkins in trees, but they are also drawn to feeders offering small seeds such as nyjer or thistle.
7. White-winged Crossbill
White-winged Crossbills are rare red birds in Utah, but sightings have occurred in Twin Peaks.
These finches possess heavy, crossed beaks. Male White-winged Crossbills exhibit red plumage with black wings and tails, along with two white wingbars. Females, on the other hand, feature yellow and brown feathers, also 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 primarily reside in forests located in Canada, Alaska, and occasionally northern US states during periods of meager cone crops. They can be found in spruce forests, relying on seeds as their primary food source.
Interestingly, these birds breed throughout the year as long as food is abundant.
They are often heard in sizable flocks, their calls echoing through the air.
8. Purple Finch
Purple Finches are considered rare or accidental species in Utah, although a few sightings have been recorded around Utah Lake.
Similar to House Finches in appearance, Purple Finches boast reddish-purple heads and breasts, along with more brown coloring 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)
These finches breed in Canada and migrate to eastern states during the winter, but they can be found year-round in the northeastern region and along the Pacific coast.
You can observe them in evergreen forests, feeding on seeds, buds, nectar, and berries.
Purple Finches readily visit feeders offering black oil sunflower seeds.
9. Painted Bunting
Painted Buntings are considered accidental species in Utah, with sightings occurring sporadically over the past decade in Fairfield and Antelope Island.
Male Painted Buntings exhibit vibrant, multicolored plumage, primarily featuring red tones underneath, complemented by bright blue heads, green wings, and backs. Females, on the other hand, display a bright yellow-green appearance.
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 within the south-central and southeastern regions of the US. They subsequently migrate during the night to Central America, southern Florida, and certain Caribbean islands.
Painted Buntings can be found in semi-open habitats, predominantly foraging for seeds and insects during the breeding season.
To attract Painted Buntings to your yard, consider incorporating low, dense vegetation and fill feeders with white millet or black oil sunflower seeds.
10. Pyrrhuloxia
Pyrrhuloxias are accidental species in Utah and are extremely rare red birds within the state, with sightings limited to Zion National Park and Beaver Dam Wash National Conservation Area.
Male Pyrrhuloxias exhibit gray plumage with vibrant red coloring on their face, crest, breast, and tail. Females, in contrast, possess a dull gray appearance with less red coloring.
Scientific name: Cardinalis sinuatus
Length: 8.3 inches (21 cm)
Weight: 0.8-1.5 ounces (24-43 g)
These birds reside in hot deserts spanning Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Mexico.
During the breeding season, they fiercely defend their territories; however, in winter, they gather in flocks that can reach up to 1000 individuals.
Pyrrhuloxias primarily feed on seeds but also consume insects. They can be found at feeders offering sunflower seeds, but they often prefer scattered seeds on the ground.
11. Scarlet Tanager
Scarlet Tanagers are considered accidental or rare species in Utah, with a few sightings reported near Utah Lake and Willard Bay.
Scarlet Tanagers are vivid red birds with black wings and tails. Females exhibit 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)
Breeding in eastern forests during the summer, these tanagers migrate to South America afterward.
Scarlet Tanagers tend to stay high in the forest canopy, making them challenging to spot.
To attract more Scarlet Tanagers to your surroundings, consider planting berry-bearing plants such as blackberries, raspberries, huckleberries, juneberries, serviceberries, mulberries, strawberries, and chokeberries.
12. Northern Cardinal
Northern Cardinals are accidental species in Utah, and their sightings within the state are exceptionally rare, with only two documented occurrences.
The vibrant red male Northern Cardinal boasts red plumage on its head, body, and tail, accompanied by black accents around its face. These birds create a breathtaking spectacle, particularly against a backdrop of winter white. Females, too, exhibit eye-catching appearances, featuring 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 are primarily found in eastern and southern states, often displaying territorial behavior during the breeding season, sometimes even attacking their own reflections.
To attract more Northern Cardinals to your backyard feeders, offer sunflower seeds, peanut hearts, millet, and milo. They readily visit large tube feeders, hoppers, platform feeders, or feed on food scattered on the ground.
Frequency of Red Bird Sightings in Utah during Summer and Winter
Utah’s checklists provide valuable information on the most commonly observed birds within the state. These lists outline the red birds most frequently recorded on ebird checklists for Utah during the summer and winter seasons.
Common Red Birds in Utah during Summer:
House Finch: 30.6%
Cassin’s Finch: 8.3%
Red Crossbill: 1.3%
Summer Tanager: 1.1%
Pine Grosbeak: 0.8%
White-winged Crossbill: 0.1%
Painted Bunting: <0.1%
Scarlet Tanager: <0.1%
Northern Cardinal: <0.1%
Common Redpoll: <0.1%
Pyrrhuloxia: <0.1%
Common Red Birds in Utah during Winter:
House Finch: 34.3%
Cassin’s Finch: 2.0%
Pine Grosbeak: 0.4%
Red Crossbill: 0.4%
Common Redpoll: 0.4%
Purple Finch: <0.1%
White-winged Crossbill: <0.1%