26 Red Virginian Birds: Identification, Behavior and Conservation

Virginia has a diverse range of bird species that populate its woodlands, forests, and wetlands. Among the many bird species found in this state are the strikingly beautiful and vibrant red birds.

Known for their fiery red plumage and unique calls, these birds are a popular sight for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.

In this article, we will explore the different types of red birds that inhabit Virginia’s wilderness and learn more about their fascinating behaviours and habitats.

Join us on this journey as we discover the rich diversity of red birds in Virginia’s bird list.

26 Red Virginian Birds

Virginia, a state in the eastern United States, is home to various bird species. While I don’t have information on exactly 26 red birds native to Virginia, I can provide you with a list of some bird species found in the state that may have red plumage or markings.

Keep in mind that the presence of these birds can vary by region and season:

1. Northern Cardinal

The Northern Cardinal is a beautiful bird, easily identified by its bright red plumage. It can be found in the eastern United States from Maine to Minnesota and south through Mexico and Belize.

Along with its striking colouration, it has a distinctive crest on its head and sharp black facial markings around the eyes.

Despite their small size (measuring 7-9 inches), they are very vocal birds – males sing persistently throughout springtime to attract mates or proclaim their territory.

They typically feed on insects, seeds and fruits but also enjoy suet at backyard bird feeders.

The female is less brightly coloured than her mate but still stands out among other songbirds due to her warm brownish-red feathers.

Cardinals pair for life, so you may often see them together in your garden or neighbourhood park.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Cardinalidae
Genus	Cardinalis
Species	C. cardinalis

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2. American Robin

The American robin is a migratory bird belonging to the true thrush genus and Turdidae family.

It was named after its European counterpart due to the similar reddish-orange breast they possess; however, they are not closely related.

This species can be seen through most of North America during winter months and in parts of Mexico and Central America, where it also breeds.

They have plump bodies with grey upperparts and white underparts that vary from yellow on their throats down to orange toward their bellies.

Robins feed on fruits such as berries or insects like worms, making them an important part of ecosystems by helping disperse seeds naturally throughout these areas.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Turdidae
Genus	Turdus
Species	T. migratorius

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3. Blue Jay

The Blue Jay is a beautiful bird residing in the eastern and central United States and Newfoundland, Canada.

They have an unmistakable blue-coloured plumage with white markings on their heads and wings.

These birds are highly adaptable to different habitats ranging from deciduous forests to urban areas.

As part of the Corvidae family, they are known for being intelligent problem solvers who will often use tools or mimic vocalizations of other species, like hawks, when defending their territories.

Their diet consists mostly of insects, seeds and nuts but can also include small vertebrates such as frogs or lizards if food resources become scarce.

Overall, these birds provide much-needed colour to our environment while playing important roles in maintaining healthy ecosystems through pollination services and seed dispersal activities.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Corvidae
Genus	Cyanocitta
Species	C. cristata

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4. New World Warblers

New World warblers are an incredibly diverse family of small birds found only in the Americas. They range in size from tiny hummingbirds to large thrushes and come in various vibrant colours.

All have thin bills made for eating insects, which form their main diet. Most species live predominantly arboreal lives, meaning they spend most of their time among trees or bushes searching for food.

However, some members, such as ovenbirds and waterthrushes, prefer more terrestrial habitats like forest floors where they can scavenge for bugs on the ground instead.

Warblers provide a great source of entertainment with their beautiful songs, often filling up woodlands during mornings and evenings throughout springtime.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Superfamily	Emberizoidea
Family	Parulidae Wetmore et al., 1947

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5. Downy Woodpecker

The downy woodpecker is a small species of woodpecker found in North America. Growing up to 7 inches long, it can be identified by its white belly and spotted wings.

It inhabits forests throughout the United States and Canada, with the exception of deserts in the southwest and northern tundra.

This bird nests in tree cavities and feeds mostly on insects but will supplement its diet with fruit or nuts when available.

The Downy Woodpecker has an unmistakable call that sounds like a loud ‘pik-er’, similar to other members of its family such as the Hairy Woodpecker.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Piciformes
Family	Picidae
Genus	Dryobates
Species	D. pubescens

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6. Red-Bellied Woodpecker

The Red-bellied woodpecker is a beautiful bird with an orange-red crown and nape. It breeds mainly in the eastern United States, ranging from Florida to Canada.

This medium-sized woodpecker of the family Picidae has black wings, white stripes on its back and tail feathers that are barred with black.

Its underside is mostly pale yellow or white but has some red colouration around its neck.

Despite this subtle red hue, it should not be mistaken for the entirely red head and neck belonging to the Red-headed woodpecker of the same genus Melanerpes carolinus.

The Red-bellied Woodpeckers’ diet consists primarily of insects such as ants, beetles and grasshoppers, along with nuts, fruits, berries and tree sap, which they will feed upon at different times throughout their life cycle.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Piciformes
Family	Picidae
Genus	Melanerpes
Species	M. carolinus

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7. House Finch

The House Finch is a finch species native to western North America and has been introduced in the eastern half of the continent and Hawaii.

It’s an average-sized finch with adults measuring 12.5 – 15 cm (5 – 6 inches) long and wingspan between 20 – 25 cm (8 – 10 inches).

The upper parts are brown, while its underparts range from pale greyish white to yellow depending on subspecies.

Its face is streaked or spotted with reddish colouration; males typically have brighter plumage than females due to sexual dimorphism.

They’re mostly found near human habitations such as farms and gardens, where they feed on grains, fruits, insects, etc., making them very popular among birders who want something colourful for their backyard.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Fringillidae
Subfamily	Carduelinae
Genus	Haemorhous
Species	H. mexicanus

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8. Red-Winged Blackbird

The red-winged blackbird is a beautiful bird found in most of North America and Central America.

Its distinct features include a glossy black body, with white shoulder patches and bright red wing coverts year round.

It prefers wetland habitats such as marshes, ponds, lakeshores and agricultural fields. During breeding season, they inhabit grassy areas near water, then move south for the winter months.

For food, they mainly eat insects but also consume wild fruit or grains.

They are very social birds, often seen in large flocks during migration times when their unmistakable “conk-la-ree” call can be heard echoing across the sky.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Icteridae
Genus	Agelaius
Species	A. phoeniceus

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9. Barn Swallow

The Barn Swallow is a beautiful passerine bird with blue upperparts and a long, deeply forked tail. Found in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.

It has an astonishingly large natural distribution spanning 251 million square kilometres globally, likely making it one of the world’s most widespread species.

This swallow typically nests near human habitation and other open areas such as fields or grasslands, providing them with suitable invertebrate prey to feed on.

They are insectivorous birds that often fly together in flocks looking for food over rivers or marshes, usually just above tree-top level.

The barn swallow can also be identified by its strong flight consisting of swift, continuous wing beats interspersed with glides during which they hold their wings slightly raised at the shoulders, giving them distinct V-shaped silhouettes in the sky.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Hirundinidae
Genus	Hirundo
Species	H. rustica

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10. Glossy Ibis

The Glossy Ibis is a water bird that belongs to the family Threskiornithidae. It has a unique bill in the shape of a sickle, which gave it its scientific name – Plegadis falcinellus.

It can be found widely across Europe, Asia and Africa, with scattered nesting sites in warm regions.

Its feathers are black-brown on top and chestnut brown from below; its wings have a glossy greenish-purple sheen when seen from afar.

They mainly feed on small insects like grasshoppers, spiders or earthworms, and crustaceans or amphibians caught while wading through shallow waters.

During the breeding season, they also consume plant material such as rice grains or corn kernels provided by humans near habitat areas where they nest.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Pelecaniformes
Family	Threskiornithidae
Genus	Plegadis
Species	P. falcinellus

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11. Red-Breasted Nuthatch

The Red-breasted Nuthatch is a beautiful and vocal songbird that can be found in coniferous forests across Canada, Alaska, the northeastern United States and the western US.

This small bird has blue-grey upperparts with cinnamon underparts, a white throat and face with black eye stripe, a straight grey bill and a black crown.

Its call sounds like a tin trumpet; it’s high-pitched yet nasal.

During mating season, they form monogamous pairs to build their nest near tree trunks or branches at low heights off the ground, where they lay 2 – 8 eggs at once.

They are very active little birds who love clinging to trees while searching for insect larvae or seeds within the bark of trees, which helps control pest populations.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Sittidae
Genus	Sitta
Species	S. canadensis

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12. Great Blue Heron

The Great Blue Heron is a majestic wading bird found in many parts of North America, Central America, the Caribbean and even as far away as the Galapagos Islands.

It has an impressive wingspan which can reach up to six feet wide. Its feathers are mainly bluish-grey with brownish streaks on both its neck and chest, while its head displays white plumes.

The adult herons can also be identified by their yellow bill and legs.

They live near bodies of water such as lakes, marshes or rivers, feeding on fish using a spear-like motion with their sharp bills.

An all-white population exists only in South Florida and the Florida Keys, making it quite unique.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Pelecaniformes
Family	Ardeidae
Genus	Ardea
Species	A. herodias

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13. Oystercatchers

Oystercatchers are a family of waders forming the Haematopodidae, with one genus: Haematopus.

They live in coastal regions worldwide, excluding polar and some tropical areas of Africa & South East Asia.

Eurasian, South Island & Magellanic oystercatcher species also breed far inland – breeding grounds being found much deeper than other family members.

They have long beaks that feed on molluscs such as mussels, clams and oysters, which they crack open using their strong bills.

Oystercatchers are usually quite vocal birds, making various loud calls when disturbed or alarmed.

The males tend to display more brightly coloured plumage than females, who share similar brown/black hues for camouflage purposes during nesting season.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Charadriiformes
Suborder	Charadrii
Family	Haematopodidae Bonaparte, 1838
Genus	Haematopus Linnaeus, 1758

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14. Tundra Swan

The Tundra swan is a small species of swan found in the Holarctic region. It can be divided into two separate taxa, Bewick’s Swan and Whistling Swan.

The former inhabits the Palearctic area, while the latter resides near North America.

These birds are typically white with black bills and eyes, but their legs vary from yellow to greyish-black depending on which subspecies they belong to.

They feed mainly on aquatic plants such as algae, roots, tubers and various types of seeds.

During migration, these birds fly together in large flocks that may contain hundreds or even thousands of individuals at one time.

This majestic bird is an important part of many wetland ecosystems worldwide. It is vital in controlling vegetation growth and dispersing nutrients across its habitat range.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Anseriformes
Family	Anatidae
Genus	Cygnus
Species	C. columbianus

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15. Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

The ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is a hummingbird species with an impressive migration pattern, spending the winter in Central America, Mexico and Florida before flying to Canada and other parts of Eastern North America for the breeding season.

It’s by far the most common type seen east of the Mississippi River in North America.

Formally described by Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1758, this tiny bird has bright metallic green upperparts with white underparts, a small black bill and a red throat patch, which gives it its name; they measure around 3 inches long on average.

They feed primarily on nectar from flowers but also eat insects such as flies or mosquitoes for extra protein during their migrations or when raising young chicks.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Apodiformes
Family	Trochilidae
Genus	Archilochus
Species	A. colubris

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16. Purple Finch

The Purple Finch is a species of finch from North America belonging to the Fringillidae family.

It’s also known as an “American Rosefinch” due to its resemblance in colour and size to some European rosefinches.

Their plumage ranges from pinkish-purple on their heads and wings with a light brown underside.

Small birds measure about 5-6 inches long with short, thin beaks for eating seeds and insects.

In addition, they have thick round bodies, which help them stay warm during cold winters in the northern parts of their range.

The Purple Finch has adapted well over time, making it easier for them to survive despite increasing threats posed by humans, such as deforestation or habitat destruction caused by development projects near their habitats.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Fringillidae
Subfamily	Carduelinae
Genus	Haemorhous
Species	H. purpureus

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17. Scarlet Tanager

The Scarlet Tanager is a beautiful medium-sized bird in North and South America. It belongs to the Cardinal family, and has striking red plumage with black wings and tail feathers.

Its song is similar to other cardinals yet also unique in its own way – it’s recognizable by its high whistles that become lower towards the end.

The species feeds mainly on insects and berries from trees or shrubs during the breeding season, when they may form loose flocks over open woodlands foraging for food.

They are highly territorial birds during nesting season, which happens between April and June; males and females fiercely defend their nests against intruders such as cats or squirrels.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Cardinalidae
Genus	Piranga
Species	P. olivacea

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18. Common Redpoll

The Common Redpoll is a species of bird belonging to the finch family. It has an orange-red crown, white breast and grey back with two black stripes running down either side.

Its wings are barred in browns, and its tail feathers have a greyish tinge at their tips. The redpoll breeds mainly south of Arctic regions in habitats that contain shrubs or thickets.

First classified by Linnaeus in 1758 under the binomial name Fringilla flammea, its genus Acanthis originates from the Ancient Greek akantha, meaning “thorn” or “prickle”.

This small yet colourful bird feeds mainly on seeds such as thistles during summer but switches to birch catkins when winter arrives – making them a common sight throughout much of North America and Eurasia.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Fringillidae
Subfamily	Carduelinae
Genus	Acanthis
Species	A. flammea

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19. Red Crossbill

The Red Crossbill is a small passerine bird belonging to the finch family. It has distinctively crossed mandibles, which it uses to extract seeds from conifer cones and other fruits.

This species can be identified by its vivid colouring; males are red or orange in hue, whilst females tend to have more green or yellow feathers.

Furthermore, there is considerable variation between individuals of this species regarding their beaks’ size and shape and their calls, ranging from short trills through chirps and harsh cackles up to loud rattling sounds.

They’re an interesting sight in many parts of Europe, particularly during winter months, where they often feed on pine cone seeds that drop down onto lower branches of trees.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Fringillidae
Subfamily	Carduelinae
Genus	Loxia
Species	L. curvirostra

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20. Two-Barred Crossbill

The Two-barred crossbill is a small passerine bird from the finch family Fringillidae.

It gets its scientific name, Loxia leucoptera, from Ancient Greek – with ‘Loxia’ meaning ‘crosswise’ and ‘leucoptera’ translating to “white-winged” in reference to its white wings.

The species has two subspecies: the white-winged crossbill (Loxia leucoptera leucoptera) that can be found in North America and the two-bar crossbill (Loxia leucocephala), which inhabits Europe, Asia as well as parts of northern Africa.

These birds feed mainly on conifer seeds but have also been seen consuming insects such as beetles or caterpillars during breeding season when food resources are scarce for their young ones.

They construct nests made out of twigs near trunks of spruce trees where they lay 2–6 eggs at one time.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Fringillidae
Subfamily	Carduelinae
Genus	Loxia
Species	L. leucoptera

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21. Painted Bunting

The Painted Bunting is an eye-catching bird from the Cardinal family, native to North America. It was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his eighteenth-century Systema Naturae.

The males of this species are particularly striking; they have brightly coloured plumage, which only appears after their second year of life and can be distinguished from female birds through close inspection.

These colourful songbirds delight any avid birder, with their vibrant hues bringing joy to nature lovers everywhere.

They often inhabit woodland areas where plenty of seed and insects are available for them to feed on – as well as some shrubbery so that they can hide away safely when needed.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Cardinalidae
Genus	Passerina
Species	P. ciris

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22. Western Tanager

The Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana) is a medium-sized songbird from the cardinal family Cardinalidae. It was illustrated and formally described by American ornithologist Alexander Wilson in 1811.

The species has distinctive plumage, including yellow feathers on its wings and tail, red shoulders, black head with a white forehead patch and greyish underparts.

Its vocalizations are also very similar to other members of the cardinal family – they have a high-pitched ‘see’ note followed by several sweeter notes that come together as parts of complex songs.

They primarily feed on fruit but take insects when extra protein is available during the breeding season.

These beautiful birds can be found throughout western North America, from Alaska down through Mexico, making them an iconic part of many landscapes.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Cardinalidae
Genus	Piranga
Species	P. ludoviciana

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23. Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is a large, brightly coloured bird belonging to the Cardinal family. Males have black heads and wings, with white breasts boasting a bright rose patch.

Females are more muted in colour, mostly buffy brown or greyish overall, but still feature the distinctive rose breast patch. The two sexes also exhibit marked sexual dimorphism.

These birds inhabit open woodlands across North America, where they feed on seeds gleaned from foliage and fruits such as cherries and blueberries during their breeding season, which runs from April through August each year.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Cardinalidae
Genus	Pheucticus
Species	P. ludovicianus

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24. Summer Tanager

The Summer Tanager is a stunningly beautiful member of the cardinal family. Native to North and South America, this medium-sized songbird features striking red plumage on its back with yellow underparts.

It has a pointed black bill and long tail feathers that can be seen fluttering through the air when it flies.

The species’ vocalizations are quite similar to those of other members of its genus as well, which often include short whistles and chirps in addition to longer songs made up of various phrases or syllables.

With their vibrant colours and melodic voices, these birds make an eye-catching sight any time they appear.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Cardinalidae
Genus	Piranga
Species	P. rubra

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25. American Redstart

The American Redstart is a beautiful New World Warbler, first documented by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. An elegant black and orange plumage sets it apart from other birds.

The genus Setophaga comes from the Ancient Greek words ‘sēs’, meaning moth, and ‘phagos’, which means eating, referencing its insect-eating habits. Its song is joyful, with short repeating phrases making up their melodic tune.

They are mostly found hopping around trees on their long legs during breeding season but migrate to Central America for winter months when food sources become scarce in North America.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Parulidae
Genus	Setophaga
Species	S. ruticilla

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26. Red-Shouldered Hawk

The red-shouldered hawk, also known as Buteo lineatus, is a medium-sized bird of prey found in eastern North America and along the coast of California and northern to northeastern-central Mexico.

While many of these hawks are permanent residents within their range, northern populations migrate, most travelling to central Mexico.

The species faces numerous threats to its survival, with deforestation being a primary issue.

Despite their many challenges, these birds are an important part of their ecosystems, primarily feeding on rodents, small mammals, and amphibians.

In addition to their hunting capabilities, these hawks are known for their striking appearance, featuring reddish brown shoulder feathers and bold black and white striped wings.

Overall, the red-shouldered hawk is a fascinating and important bird that plays a vital role in its surroundings.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Accipitriformes
Family	Accipitridae
Genus	Buteo
Species	B. lineatus

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Conclusion