Welcome to the world of red birds in North Dakota! Redbirds are a beautiful sight to behold and a common sight throughout the state. Redbirds can be found in urban, suburban, and rural areas, and they are well-known for their bright red feathers and cheerful songs.
They are also a vital part of the state’s ecosystem, providing food for other wildlife and helping to pollinate flowers and shrubs. Here, you will learn more about the red birds of North Dakota and how you can help to protect and conserve them.
13 Red Birds in North Dakota
North Dakota is home to a rich variety of birdlife, with over 400 species recorded in the state. Among the many bird species in the state, the red bird stands out for its stunning red plumage and distinctive behavior.
Here are 13 red birds that can be seen in North Dakota.
1. House Finch
The house finch is a species of bird found in the finch family known as Fringillidae. This species is native to western North America, from Alaska to Mexico, but has been introduced to the eastern half of the continent and Hawaii.
The house finch is part of a larger group of birds known as the American rosefinches placed into the genus Haemorhous. This genus includes the purple finch, Cassin’s finch, and the house finch.
They are generally found in wooded areas and feed on various seeds and insects. The house finch is a colorful bird with a reddish-brown head and breast and a gray-brown back and wings.
It is an integral part of the ecosystem, providing food for other animals and serving as a pollinator for plants.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Fringillidae |
| Genus | Haemorhous |
| Species | H. mexicanus |
2. Red-Headed Woodpecker
The red-headed woodpecker is a medium-sized bird native to temperate areas of North America. This species is easily recognizable due to its distinct red head and black and white striped wings.
The red-headed woodpecker is found in various habitats, but its preferred breeding habitat is open country, fields, meadows, and woodlands. The range of this species extends across southern Canada and the east-central United States.
During the breeding season, red-headed woodpeckers gather in small groups in trees or on the ground to feed on insects, fruits, nuts, and sap. They use their strong beaks to drill holes in trees and feed on the insects found inside.
Red-headed woodpeckers also store food in tree cavities for later consumption. These birds are a valuable part of the ecosystem, helping to keep insect populations in check.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Piciformes |
| Family | Picidae |
| Genus | Melanerpes |
| Species | M. erythrocephalus |
3. Woodpeckers
The bird family Picidae is found worldwide and includes woodpeckers, piculets, wrynecks, and sapsuckers.
This family of birds has a wide geographic distribution, from the tropical and subtropical areas to the temperate zones, except Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand, Madagascar, and the extreme polar regions.
Woodpeckers’ unique anatomy allows them to feed on tree trunks and other hard surfaces.
They have long, sticky tongues that can reach into small crevices to collect insects, and their strong beaks are designed to help them peck away at wood.
They also have stiff tail feathers that act as bracing against the tree trunk when they climb or peck. Piculets, wrynecks, and sapsuckers are smaller relatives of the woodpecker.
They also have a long tongue and strong beaks, but their tail feathers are not as stiff, and their feet are adapted for perching rather than climbing.
Piculets and wrynecks feed mainly on the ground, while sapsuckers feed on the sap of trees. All members of the family Picidae are essential for the health of forests, as they help prevent the spread of insect infestations.
They also play an essential role in seed dispersal by carrying and dropping nuts and other seeds on the forest floor.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Piciformes |
| Family | Picidae |
4. American Robin
The American robin is a migratory bird from the thrush genus and Turdidae family. The bird is so named because it resembles the European robin, known for its reddish-orange breast.
The American and European robin are not closely related despite their similar names. The European robin belongs to the Old World flycatcher family. The American robin is a medium-sized bird with a grey back, black head, and a reddish-orange breast.
It is found in most of North America and spends the winter in the southern parts of the continent. During the summer months, when food is abundant, the American robin migrates to the northern parts of the continent.
This bird is omnivorous and feeds on insects, worms, and fruits. It is also known to eat earthworms and is often seen in urban areas foraging for food.
The American robin is an integral part of North American culture and is the state bird of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Connecticut. They have been the subject of many folk songs and poems and are often seen in artwork and literature.
They symbolize spring and new beginnings and are famous in many parts of the continent.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Turdidae |
| Genus | Turdus |
| Species | T. migratorius |
5. Red-Winged Blackbird
The red-winged blackbird is a type of bird that belongs to the Icteridae family. It is found in most of North America and much of Central America. It is a passerine bird, which is a type of bird with perching feet.
These birds are usually small to medium in size and have strong legs and feet that allow them to perch on branches and other surfaces. Red-winged blackbirds have distinctive black feathers with a red shoulder patch, or “epaulet,” on each wing.
They have yellow eyes and a yellow bill. Their diet consists mainly of insects, such as grasshoppers, beetles, and caterpillars. They also eat some seeds, fruits, and grains. Red-winged blackbirds are very social birds, and they can be found in large flocks.
Their song is a loud, melodic trill that can be heard from quite a distance.
Males are very territorial and often chase away other birds that come too close to their nesting area. The red-winged blackbird is a beautiful bird seen in many places across North and Central America.
It is an essential species in its range and indicates a healthy environment.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Icteridae |
| Genus | Agelaius |
| Species | A. phoeniceus |
6. Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
The ruby-throated hummingbird is a common species of hummingbird found throughout North America. It migrates to Central America, Mexico, and Florida during winter, where it sees plenty of food and a warmer climate.
Come summer. However, the ruby-throated hummingbird makes the journey north to Canada and other parts of Eastern North America to breed.
Here, they can find plenty of flowers and insects to feed on, and the cooler climate is more conducive to raising their young.
The ruby-throated hummingbird is a fantastic example of nature’s ability to adapt to changing seasons and environments, and it’s incredible to see the same bird species in both the tropical south and the frigid north.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Clade | Strisores |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae |
| Genus | Archilochus |
| Species | A. colubris |
7. Downy Woodpecker
The Downy Woodpecker is a species of woodpecker native to North America and is the smallest in the region.
It is usually between 14 and 18 cm long and can be identified by its dark-brown back and wings, white throat and breast, and barred reddish tail.
The Downy Woodpecker is a resident species, meaning it lives in the same area year-round and is found throughout the United States and Canada. Its preferred habitat is in forested areas but also in open areas, such as parks and gardens.
The only areas where this species is not found are the desert regions of the southwest United States and the tundra of northern Canada.
The Downy Woodpecker is an integral part of North American ecology, as it helps to disperse the seeds and spores of trees and other plants and helps to control insect infestations.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Piciformes |
| Family | Picidae |
| Genus | Dryobates |
| Species | D. pubescens |
8. Northern Flicker
The northern flicker, also known as the familiar flicker, is a species of woodpecker natively found across much of North America. It is a medium-sized bird with a wingspan of around 40 centimeters, making it one of the larger woodpecker species.
It also has a distinctive spotted pattern on its back and wings, making it easy to identify.
The northern flicker is found in many habitats, from wooded areas to open grasslands and even in urban parks and gardens.
The northern flicker has an even more comprehensive range than most woodpecker species, as it can also be found in Central America, Cuba, and the Cayman Islands.
This makes it one of the few woodpecker species to migrate; its range expands and contracts depending on the season.
In the winter, its range may extend as far south as Cuba, while in the summer, it may stay closer to its northern range. The northern flicker is an omnivore, feeding on plant and animal matter. Its diet includes insects, fruits, and nuts.
It forages for food on the ground, tree trunks, and branches and often uses its strong bill to probe and dig for food.
It is also known to eat suet from bird feeders, making it a famous bird to watch in many backyard habitats. Overall, the northern flicker is an essential and recognizable species of woodpecker that can be found across much of North America and beyond.
Its wide range, distinctive pattern, and ability to adapt to different habitats make it a fascinating species to be observed and appreciated.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Piciformes |
| Family | Picidae |
| Genus | Colaptes |
| Species | C. auratus |
9. Rose-Breasted Grosbeak
The rose-breasted grosbeak is a large bird in the cardinal family known by its nickname, the “cut-throat.” This is because of its black-and-white coloration, which features a bright rose patch on its chest.
It is a seed-eating bird, meaning that it primarily eats seeds and grain, and it is also a foliage gleaner, meaning it searches for food among leaves, twigs, and branches.
Males of this species have an entirely black head, wings, back, and tail, except a white breast with a bright rose patch. This unique coloration has earned the rose-breasted grosbeak the nickname “cut-throat.”
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Cardinalidae |
| Genus | Pheucticus |
| Species | P. ludovicianus |
10. Barn Swallow
The barn swallow is a species of swallow found all around the globe, making it one of the world’s most widespread species of swallow. It has a natural distribution of 251 million square kilometers, more significant than any other passerine bird.
This species is easily distinguishable due to its distinct physical features, such as its blue upperparts and long, deeply forked tail. The barn swallow has adapted to live in many habitats, from open fields to human structures like barns and bridges.
It is a migratory bird, moving from warmer climates during the winter to breeding grounds in the spring and summer. Its diet consists mainly of insects, which it catches in flight.
It typically nests in colonies near water sources, often close to human habitation. The barn swallow is a beloved bird species and is seen as a symbol of good luck by many cultures worldwide.
It has been featured in literature and art and can often be spotted in parks and gardens, flitting about in search of food. With its beautiful plumage and impressive ability to cover long distances, the barn swallow is a spectacle for any birdwatcher.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Hirundinidae |
| Genus | Hirundo |
| Species | H. rustica |
11. Eastern Towhee
The eastern towhee is a species of large sparrow found mainly in the New World. It is part of the family Passerellidae and has been a source of debate among ornithologists in recent years.
Before this debate, the eastern towhee and the spotted towhee were considered a single species, known as the rufous-sided towhee. The east towhee has a wide range of breeding habitats, including brushy areas across eastern North America.
Its preferred habitat includes dense undergrowth, such as shrubs, trees, and thickets, often near bodies of water. They may also be found in open grasslands, meadows, and agricultural lands.
The eastern towhee is a ground-dwelling bird, often searching for food on the ground rather than in trees or bushes. They mainly feed on insects and eat seeds, fruits, and nuts. They are also known to visit bird feeders for a quick snack.
The eastern towhee is a social bird often seen in flocks during the winter months. Overall, the east towhee is a fascinating species of New World sparrow that continues to be a source of debate among ornithologists.
Its wide range of breeding habitats makes it a common sight in eastern North America, and its social behavior makes it a great bird to observe.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Passerellidae |
| Genus | Pipilo |
| Species | P. erythrophthalmus |
12. Redhead
The redhead is a medium-sized diving duck that is native to North America. Its scientific name is Aythya americana, derived from the Greek Lithuania, an unidentified seabird mentioned by authors such as Hesychius and Aristotle, and Latin America, meaning America.
This duck species is relatively tiny, only reaching a length of 37 cm and having an 84 cm wingspan. Redheads are found in freshwater wetlands and can be seen in large flocks when migrating.
They feed on aquatic plants and small aquatic animals, such as insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Their plumage is marked with a bright reddish-brown head, white eye-ring, and white belly.
Redheads are classified as threatened due to human activities, such as habitat destruction and hunting.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Aythya |
| Species | A. americana |
13. Wood Duck
The wood duck, also known as the Carolina duck, is a species of perching duck native to North America. It is easily identified by its stunningly vibrant plumage, particularly striking in the male or drake.
The Drake wood duck is known for its bright colors, especially its iridescent green and purple head feathers. This makes it one of the most attractive of all North American waterfowl.
The wood duck is also distinguished by its long crest, white throat, and white stripes along the side of its face. The female of the species is more muted in color, with a brown chest and gray-brown back.
The wood duck is found in various wetland habitats, such as ponds, marshes, and streams, as well as in wooded areas near water. It is a common sight in parks and nature reserves in the United States and Canada and can also be found in parts of Mexico.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Aix |
| Species | A. sponsa |
Conclusion
Redbirds are a common sight in North Dakota. They are found throughout the state in various habitats, from woodlands to wetland areas. Redbirds are resilient and hardy, and they can thrive in the harsh conditions of North Dakota.
Red birds are an essential part of the state’s ecosystem, as they provide food for other wildlife and help to keep insect populations in check. Redbirds are a beautiful addition to the state’s wildlife and will be a beloved sight for many years.