Red Birds in Michigan: Colorful Feathered Beauties to Spot Year-Round (2024)

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You’re in luck, Michigan is home to some spectacular red birds!

One of the most iconic is the Northern Cardinal, a year-round resident easily spotted in neighborhoods.

The House Finch, with its vivid red plumage, is another common sight near humans.

The American Robin, Michigan’s state bird, also sports a reddish-orange breast.

During migration, keep an eye out for the striking Scarlet Tanager in deciduous forests.

From finches to woodpeckers, you’ll find a diverse array of red-feathered beauties. But these are just a taste – read on to learn more about these colorful avian wonders.

Northern Cardinal

You’re quite familiar with the Northern Cardinal, a year-round resident of Michigan that can be easily identified by its brilliant red plumage, black face mask, and distinctive crest.

This iconic bird has a rich history. It serves as the state bird for seven states. It was once popular as a caged pet in the 1800s before being protected under the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Year-round Resident in Michigan

The Northern Cardinal is a year-round resident in Michigan, thriving in various habitats like woodland edges, thickets, suburban gardens, and towns. These resilient birds have adapted well to human presence, often visiting backyard feeders for their favorite black oil sunflower seeds. Their vibrant red plumage and distinctive crest make them a beloved sight throughout the state.

1. Cardinals are protected by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
2. They’re the state bird of seven states, including Michigan.
3. Cardinals are known for their unique mating rituals at bird feeders.

Easily Identified in Neighborhoods

The Northern Cardinal is a common sight in Michigan neighborhoods, thanks to its striking red plumage and distinctive crest.

These birds are easily identified by their unique vocalizations, including a cheerful song and a sharp chip call.

Cardinals are frequent visitors to backyard feeders, where they enjoy black oil sunflower seeds and suet.

Their presence adds a vibrant splash of color to any landscape.

History and Conservation

The Northern Cardinal, named after Roman Catholic cardinals, is the state bird of seven states.

Despite being protected by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act, cardinals were once popular caged pets in the 1800s.

Today, conservation efforts focus on preserving their woodland edge habitats and supporting the Nongame Wildlife Fund to monitor populations and protect these iconic red birds in Michigan.

House Finch

The House Finch is a common sight near people in Michigan, especially around bird feeders and urban areas. This granivorous bird has a distinct red coloring on its head and breast, and its range covers much of the state, making it a frequent backyard visitor.

Common Sight Near People in Michigan

The House Finch is a common sight near people in Michigan, particularly favoring woodland edges, thickets, suburban gardens, and towns.

Bird enthusiasts find joy in observing their feeding dynamics and unique mating rituals.

To support the habitat conservation of these red-feathered beauties, consider obtaining a wildlife habitat license plate or making a tax-deductible donation.

Engage in bird-watching etiquette and cherish the opportunity to capture their compelling behavior through bird photography.

Granivorous Diet

House Finches have a granivorous diet, meaning they primarily eat grains and seeds.

These red birds are common sights at backyard feeders in Michigan, where they enthusiastically gobble up black oil sunflower seeds and nyjer.

Their conical beaks are perfectly adapted for cracking open tough seed casings.

Cardinals and American Robins also enjoy a varied diet of seeds, fruits, and insects.

Range Map

The House Finch, abundant in Michigan, thrives in various habitats including coniferous forests and open woodlands .

Its distribution spans the state, with a preference for woodland edges, thickets, suburban gardens, and towns .

Notably, their population has increased due to the development of land in the Lower Peninsula .

Understanding their range and habitat is imperative for preserving and supporting these vibrant birds .

American Robin

You’re likely familiar with the American robin, a beloved red bird found across Michigan. These songbirds are known for their distinct black head and reddish-orange breast, as well as their unique nesting and breeding behaviors.

Familiar Red Bird in Michigan

The American Robin is a familiar red bird in Michigan, with its distinctive brick-red breast and gray back. These resilient birds thrive in urban and suburban areas, often nesting in trees and shrubs near homes. They’re omnivorous, feeding on insects, worms, and berries. Robins are a welcome sight in spring, heralding the arrival of warmer weather with their cheerful songs.

1. Robins are the official state bird of Michigan.
2. They’re one of the most widespread birds in North America.
3. Robins are known for their habit of running and stopping on lawns.
4. Their diet includes over 200 different species of insects and worms.

Nesting and Breeding Behavior

As an American Robin, you’ll be busy building your nest in the spring! The female constructs a sturdy cup-shaped nest from grass, twigs, and mud, often on a tree branch or ledge. She’ll lay 3-5 blue eggs and incubate them for about 2 weeks. Both parents fiercely defend the nest from predators. The male brings food to the female while she’s sitting on the eggs. As the days grow longer, you’ll hear more of your cheerful songs heralding the arrival of spring. If food becomes scarce, you may move your nest closer to reliable sources like bird feeders. With your bright red breast and friendly demeanor, you’re a welcome sight in any Michigan yard!

Nest Location	Egg Color	Incubation Period	Nest Defense	Food Relocation
Tree Branch	Blue	2 Weeks	Both Parents	If Needed
Ledge			Fierce	Closer to Food

Scarlet Tanager

The Scarlet Tanager, a migratory bird, prefers nesting in forests with large deciduous trees over 35 feet tall. To support conservation efforts for this vibrant species, you can buy wildlife habitat license plates, make tax-deductible donations, or create suitable habitats on your property.

Prefers Forests With Large Deciduous Trees

The scarlet tanager prefers mature forests with large deciduous trees, where it hunts for insects in the canopy. Climate change and habitat loss threaten this bird’s forest home. Canopy surveys and bird counts help track its population. Protecting diverse, healthy forests is key to conserving this stunning red bird and the insects it relies on .

Migration to Western South America

The Scarlet Tanager, a stunning red bird with black wings, spends its winters in the lush forests of western South America after breeding in Michigan’s deciduous woodlands. These long-distance migrants depart in late summer, flying thousands of miles to their tropical wintering grounds, where they forage for insects in the canopy of towering trees (Source).

Conservation Ways to Support

To support Scarlet Tanager conservation, consider actions like purchasing wildlife-themed items, making tax-deductible donations, and creating wildlife habitats. Their migration to South America in late summer underscores the need for preserving their preferred forest habitats. Essential for their nesting and breeding, these efforts help safeguard the Scarlet Tanagers, promoting a thriving habitat for these vibrant red birds in Michigan. (Source) (Source)

Common Redpoll

The Common Redpoll is a delightful winter visitor to Michigan, with its striking red forehead and charming streaked plumage. These tiny finches are known for their nomadic nature, often traveling in large flocks in search of food. In recent years, their range has expanded, and they’ve become more common in the state’s southern regions.

During the breeding season, male Common Redpolls sport a vibrant red breast, adding a splash of color to the snowy landscapes. These birds prefer open woodlands, thickets, and areas with abundant birch and alder trees. To support their conservation, consider planting native shrubs and trees that provide food and shelter. With a bit of luck, you might spot these adorable finches at your backyard feeder, adding a touch of winter magic to your day.

Pine Grosbeak

The Pine Grosbeak is one of the largest finches found in Michigan, with a distinctive appearance that sets it apart from other red birds.

These plump, stocky birds have a gray body with white wing bars and a bright red head, back, and rump.

During the winter months, you may spot them in small flocks, foraging for buds, seeds, and berries in coniferous and mixed forests.

Pine Grosbeaks prefer areas with dense vegetation and often roost in thick evergreen trees.

Their nesting behavior is similar to other finches, with the female constructing a cup-shaped nest in a tree or shrub.

These striking birds are a delight to observe during the colder months in Michigan.

Purple Finch

The Purple Finch is a charming visitor to Michigan’s backyards, easily recognizable by its raspberry-red beak and cheerful warbling song.

While the males sport a dazzling raspberry-red hue, females are more subdued in their brown and white plumage.

These finches thrive in a variety of habitats, from dense forests to suburban areas, making them a common sight year-round in the northern parts of the state.

During winter, they flock to backyard feeders, diligently consuming sunflower seeds and nyjer.

With their melodic songs and vibrant colors, Purple Finches add a touch of beauty to Michigan’s avian landscape.

Red Crossbill

The Red Crossbill is a unique bird species found in Michigan’s coniferous forests. Its distinctive crossed beak is an adaptation that allows it to extract seeds from tightly closed pine cones with ease. Listen for its call, a loud, metallic kip-kip-kip, as it flies overhead in search of food.

Red Crossbills are known for their nomadic behavior, moving from one area to another in search of abundant cone crops. During the breeding season, they construct their nests high up in the trees, using twigs, bark, and moss. Their flight is characterized by rapid wing beats followed by glides, making them a joy to watch as they navigate the forest canopy.

Red-bellied Woodpecker

The Red-bellied Woodpecker, a sexually dimorphic species, is a year-round resident in Michigan, frequently observed in suburban gardens and woodland edges across the state. Like Northern Cardinals, they defend their territory vigorously by attacking perceived threats. Their foraging preferences include a variety of foods, from insects to fruits and seeds, contributing to their adaptability. However, habitat loss and competition with other bird species pose significant challenges to their population. Conservation efforts are essential to maintaining the current status and ensuring the sustained presence of these charismatic woodpeckers in Michigan‘s diverse ecosystems. Here’s a table highlighting key information about the Red-bellied Woodpecker:

Category	Red-bellied Woodpecker
Range	Year-round resident in Michigan
Habitat	Woodland edges, suburban gardens, towns
Conservation Status	Imperiled due to habitat loss and competition

Admiring these vibrant feathered beauties contributes to the sense of belonging and freedom among Michigan’s birdwatching community.

Red-headed Woodpecker

The striking red-headed woodpecker is a sight to behold in Michigan’s forests. With its bold crimson head, stark black back, and brilliant white belly, this bird is hard to miss. Red-headed woodpeckers prefer open woodlands, parks, and orchards, where they can find their favorite food sources – insects, nuts, and berries. These acrobatic birds are known for their unique foraging behavior, snatching insects in mid-air and storing nuts in tree crevices for winter.

• Nest in dead or dying trees, creating cavities for their eggs
• Defend their food caches against squirrels and other birds
• Declining in numbers due to habitat loss and competition for nesting sites

Conservation efforts focus on preserving old-growth forests to protect this iconic Michigan species. Keep an eye out for the red-headed woodpecker’s bright plumage and lively antics as you explore the state’s wooded areas.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)