Alberta is home to a diverse range of bird species, including several that have prominent red plumage on their heads. When people refer to a “red headed bird” in Alberta, there are a few likely candidates that come to mind.
Northern Flicker
One of the most common red headed birds found in Alberta is the Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus). This medium-sized woodpecker has a brown barred back, a black bib, and reddish-orange feathers on the top and back of its head. The male Northern Flicker has a prominent red “moustache stripe” along its face. Females lack the red moustache but have a pale reddish color on the nape of the neck.
Northern Flickers inhabit open forests, woodland edges, parks, and rural settlements throughout Alberta. They often feed on the ground, using their curved bill to probe for ants and other insects. When perched, their red head is a distinguishing field mark. Flickers communicate with a loud, ringing call that sounds like “kleer.” They are cavity nesters and use their sharp bills to excavate nest holes in trees.
Red-Headed Woodpecker
True to its name, the Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) is another woodpecker species with a completely red head and throat. Adults have glossy black upperparts, white underparts, and a white rump patch. Their wings show large white patches in flight.
Red-headed Woodpeckers breed in open woodlands, forest edges, and areas with large trees throughout the southern regions of Alberta. They forage for insects on tree trunks as well as by aerial flycatching. Their diet also includes fruits and nuts. Red-headed Woodpeckers are adept at catching insects mid-air and often store food items in crevices of tree bark.
These birds are somewhat nomadic in Alberta, searching for habitat with abundant food resources. Peak populations tend to occur every 3 to 5 years. Red-headed Woodpeckers incubate their eggs for a remarkably long time, up to 3 weeks, which is unusual for North American woodpeckers.
American Redstart
The American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) is a small songbird with orange-red patches on its tail, wings, and sides. The male has jet black plumage on the body and an orange-red head patch, while females are gray-headed. First-year males resemble adult females until they molt into their full black-and-orange plumage.
American Redstarts nest in deciduous and mixed forests across much of Alberta. They aggressively defend their breeding territories from perches and by chasing intruders while flashing their colorful wing and tail patches. Their diet consists of insects gleaned from foliage. In fall, they eat fruits and berries prior to migrating.
Scarlet Tanager
With their bright red bodies and black wings, male Scarlet Tanagers (Piranga olivacea) are arguably one of the most brilliantly colored red headed birds in Alberta. Females are yellowish-green overall with darker wings. Scarlet Tanagers breed in mature deciduous and mixed forests, mainly in the southeastern corner of Alberta.
These birds forage for insects in the forest canopy. Their diet includes bees, wasps, beetles, and moths. Rare vagrants may turn up elsewhere in the province after overshooting their breeding range during migration. But in general, Scarlet Tanagers are local breeders and uncommon compared to other red headed birds in Alberta.
Vermilion Flycatcher
Male Vermilion Flycatchers (Pyrocephalus rubinus) stand out with their bright red crowns and underparts. Their backs are brown. Females have a pale pinkish-red wash on the head and underparts. Vermilion Flycatchers are rare summer visitors and local breeders in the extreme southeastern corner of Alberta near bodies of water.
They perch on low exposed branches and aerial hawk for insects. This species has declined across its breeding range and is now very rare in Alberta. Vermilion Flycatchers arrive in late April or early May to breed in the province, then migrate back to the southwestern U.S. and Mexico for winter.
Red Crossbill
Red Crossbills (Loxia curvirostra) are finch-like birds with thick crossed mandibles used for extracting seeds from conifer cones. Males are red overall with darker wing and tail feathers. Females are greenish-yellow with darker wings and tails. These birds get their name from the overlapping tips of their mandibles that form a cross.
Red Crossbills breed sporadically across Alberta’s coniferous forests. They display nomadic movements in search of their preferred conifer seeds. Most leave the province during winter, but some may overwinter if cone crops are abundant. Red Crossbills use their unique bills to relentlessly pry open cones and extract the seeds.
House Finch
Native to western North America, House Finches (Haemorhous mexicanus) were introduced to eastern regions and have now spread across the continent. Males have a red head, breast, and rump. Their bellies are whitish and the wings brown. Females are brown-streaked overall with faint paler streaks on the underparts.
House Finches are common in both rural and urban areas. They often nest in cavities on artificial structures. These sociable birds form flocks outside of breeding season. Though House Finches dine on seeds and fruits, they also forage on the ground for insect food sources. They have readily adapted to bird feeders.
Redpolls
Both the Common Redpoll (Acanthis flammea) and Hoary Redpoll (Acanthis hornemanni) have reddish-colored feathering on their heads. Males have a bright red forehead and crown which fades to brown on the back. Females are streaked brown overall with a less distinctly red crown.
These northern finches breed in Arctic and subarctic regions. They undergo irruptive winter movements into central and northern Alberta in some years but are absent in others. Redpolls forage in flocks, feeding on small seeds from herbaceous plants and shrubs. Groups may descend on snow-covered fields to eat spilled grain.
Pine Grosbeak
Male Pine Grosbeaks (Pinicola enucleator) are red overall with grayish wings and tails. Females are grayish-green with yellowish-olive heads, rumps, and tail edges. These chunky finches breed in northern coniferous forests and muskegs. While most migrate north, some may overwinter in Alberta if mountain ash and ornamental fruit trees produce abundant crops.
Pine Grosbeaks forage in flocks on buds, seeds, and fruits. They breed earlier than most finches, with nesting activity starting in late winter. During irruptions, Pine Grosbeaks will visit bird feeders in winter for black oil sunflower seeds.
Gray-Crowned Rosy-Finch
The Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (Leucosticte tephrocotis) is a high-elevation species of finch found in Alberta’s mountain ranges. Males have a pinkish-red forehead, crown, and throat patch. Their bellies are also rosy-pink. Females lack the red coloration. These birds breed in alpine areas above treeline.
Outside of breeding season, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches descend to lower elevations and valleys. They form large, noisy flocks that forage in fields for seeds. These handsome finches are specialized for extracting seeds from tiny alpine plant species.
Red-Winged Blackbird
No list of red headed birds would be complete without mentioning the Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus). Males are all black with scarlet-red shoulder patches bordered by a slim yellow stripe. Females are brown-streaked overall. Red-winged Blackbirds are ubiquitous and nest around wetlands throughout Alberta.
Male red-wings are fiercely territorial during breeding season. They defend nesting areas from perches with their wings spread to expose the red markings. Large flocks form outside of breeding season. These birds forage on insects, grains, and seeds, often in agricultural fields and roadside ditches.
Key Identification Points
When identifying red headed birds in Alberta, pay close attention to characteristics like size, shape, behavior, habitat, and any distinguishing marks besides the red head plumage. Taking note of details like bill shape, wing patches, tail color, and body markings can help distinguish between similar species. Location and time of year are also useful clues, as some red headed birds only occur in certain regions or seasons.
Notable Red-Headed Vagrants
In addition to the regularly occurring species listed above, Alberta has hosted rare sightings of other red-headed birds over the years. Vagrant records exist for several species well outside of their normal ranges, making exciting finds for lucky birdwatchers.
Some of the more remarkable red-headed vagrants documented in Alberta include:
- Vermilion Flycatcher
- Summer Tanager
- Painted Bunting
- Crimson-collared Grosbeak
- Scarlet Ibis
There are also many regional specialty birds with red heads that have yet to be found in Alberta, such as the Gilded Flicker, Red-masked Parakeet, and Pyrrhuloxia. Birders should always be alert for unusual species while afield.
Summary
Alberta’s diverse landscapes support a nice selection of red-headed bird species. Some of the most likely culprits include Northern Flicker, Red-headed Woodpecker, American Redstart, Scarlet Tanager, Pine Grosbeak, and Red-winged Blackbird. Vagrants like Vermilion Flycatcher and Painted Bunting occasionally make surprise appearances as well.
Paying attention to field marks beyond just the red head pattern allows positive identification. Factors like range, habitat, behavior, bill shape, and body markings are also important clues. With a variety of red-headed woodpeckers, songbirds, and finches to watch for, birders have plenty of vibrant species to enjoy when exploring Alberta.