8 Red Birds in North Carolina (with Pictures for Easy ID)

North Carolina supports a diverse group of red birds, from the brilliant Northern Cardinal found year-round in woodlands and neighborhoods to red-toned finches that crowd winter feeders and migratory tanagers that sing from mature forest canopies. Some species show intense, uniform red, while others display more limited reddish patches that stand out only in certain light or seasons. This ID guide highlights the red birds most likely to be encountered in North Carolina and explains how to recognize them in the field.

Northern Cardinal

Cardinalis cardinalis

• Identification: Medium-sized songbird with a prominent crest and heavy conical bill; adult males are vivid red with a black face mask; females are grayish tan with red accents on the wings, tail, and crest.
• Field recognition: Often noticed by its saturated red color at feeders or in shrubs, a slightly hunched posture with the tail angled downward, and loud metallic “chip” notes; males sing through most of the year in North Carolina.
• Where found: Widespread year-round across North Carolina from the Coastal Plain through the Piedmont and into the lower Mountains, in forests, wooded edges, thickets, residential areas, and suburban neighborhoods.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations are stable to increasing, and the species is widespread and abundant statewide.

The Northern Cardinal is the most recognizable red bird in North Carolina and, as the official state bird, holds a uniquely prominent place in the state’s identity. This medium-sized songbird measures 21 to 24 centimeters (8.3 to 9.4 inches) in length and shows a long tail, a raised crest, and a thick, seed-crushing bill. Adult males are brilliant red across the body, wings, and tail, and the color contrasts sharply with a black face mask around the bill. Females are primarily grayish tan but show clear red accents on the wings, tail, and crest, creating a softer yet distinctly red-tinged appearance. Juveniles resemble females but appear duller and browner, with less red and a darker bill.

Northern Cardinals are most often noticed at feeders, along woodland edges, or perched low in shrubs, where the saturated red of males stands out strongly against green foliage or winter snow. Cardinals move deliberately by hopping rather than walking and often perch with a slightly hunched posture and the tail angled downward. They make short, undulating flights between nearby perches. Both sexes give sharp “chip” calls that frequently reveal their presence before the bird is seen. Males sing through much of the year in North Carolina, with the least singing typically in November and December, and females also sing, though at lower rates than males. The species forages on the ground and in low vegetation, taking seeds, fruits, and insects, and regularly visits backyard feeders.

The Northern Cardinal is common to abundant across the entire state at all seasons and is essentially non-migratory. It occurs throughout the Coastal Plain and Piedmont and is common to very common in the lower elevations of the Mountains to about 900 meters (3,000 feet), becoming less numerous at higher elevations and rarely occurring much above 1,200 meters (4,000 feet). It breeds in a wide array of habitats with moderate shrubby or understory cover, including forests, wooded borders, residential areas, and younger regenerating stands. In winter, birds shift toward thickets, wooded edges, densely weedy fields, and neighborhoods with evergreen shrub cover, and they may form local flocks of up to 20 birds.

Summer Tanager

Piranga rubra

• Identification: Medium-sized chunky songbird with a thick, blunt-tipped bill; adult males are entirely rosy red; females are yellow to yellow-green.
• Field recognition: Often detected by the bright red male high in the forest canopy, a sweet robin-like song, and a distinctive clicking “pit-ti-tuck” call.
• Where found: Breeds across most of North Carolina from the Coastal Plain through the Piedmont and into the foothills and lower Mountains, favoring open woods and pine-oak forests; rare in winter.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); fairly common in suitable habitats in North Carolina, especially in the southeastern Coastal Plain.

The Summer Tanager is the most uniformly red songbird in North Carolina and is often the brightest bird encountered in wooded habitats during late spring and summer. This species measures 17 to 19 centimeters (6.7 to 7.5 inches) in length and has a chunky build, large head, and thick, blunt-tipped bill. Adult males are uniformly rosy red across the body, wings, and tail, producing a smooth, saturated appearance without contrasting markings. Females are yellow to mustard yellow, and immature males can appear patchy, with mixtures of yellow and red during molt.

In the field, Summer Tanagers are often harder to see than their vivid color suggests because they spend much of their time high in the canopy. Males are most easily detected when singing from exposed perches or moving between branches, as flashes of bright red stand out in sunlit foliage. Both sexes give a distinctive clicking call, often rendered as “pit-ti-tuck,” which frequently reveals the bird’s presence before it is seen. The species forages by sallying from perches to catch flying insects, especially bees and wasps, or by moving deliberately along branches to glean prey from leaves and bark. In North Carolina, birds are frequently encountered along woodland edges, in open pine stands, and in wooded residential neighborhoods.

The Summer Tanager breeds over nearly all of North Carolina but is most common in the southeastern Coastal Plain, from areas such as Croatan National Forest westward into the Sandhills. It is fairly common across much of the Piedmont, especially in the eastern portion, and becomes uncommon to locally rare in the foothills and lower Mountains, mainly below 600 meters (2,000 feet). It is scarce or absent in much of the northern Mountains and at higher elevations, where breeding records remain limited and sometimes uncertain. The species favors dry to somewhat mesic open forests, including Longleaf Pine stands and oak woods, and is less frequent in dense floodplain forests. It arrives mainly from mid-April and departs by late September. Winter records are rare and typically involve individuals visiting feeders, most often near the coast.

House Finch

Haemorhous mexicanus

• Identification: Small streaky finch with a relatively long tail and short conical bill; adult males show variable red on the head and upper breast; females are gray-brown.
• Field recognition: Frequently seen in social flocks at feeders and around buildings, with males showing a red face and chest; flight is undulating and calls are sharp “cheep” notes.
• Where found: Widespread across North Carolina in cities, towns, farms, and residential areas from the Coastal Plain through the Piedmont and into lower elevations of the Mountains.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); abundant and well established statewide, with populations stabilized in recent decades.

The House Finch is one of the most frequently seen red-tinged birds in North Carolina, and males are often called “little red birds” by people who notice them at feeders. This small finch measures 13 to 14 centimeters (5.1 to 5.5 inches) in length and has a compact body, a fairly large conical bill, and a somewhat long, shallowly notched tail. Plumage is generally gray-brown with heavy streaking on the underparts, but adult males show carotenoid-based red on the head, throat, and upper breast, sometimes extending onto the rump. The intensity of red varies from pale reddish to deeper tones depending on diet during molt. Females lack red entirely and appear brown and heavily streaked with a plain face.

In the field, House Finches are conspicuous because of their close association with people and their social behavior. They gather at bird feeders, perch on fences and wires, and feed on the ground beneath seed trays. Males often face the observer at feeders, showing the red wash on the face and chest, though the color is usually less saturated and more limited than in Purple Finch. Flight is strongly undulating, and birds frequently give sharp “cheep” calls while moving between trees or buildings. The male’s song is a long, hoarse, variable warble that often ends with a down-slurred note. The species feeds mainly on seeds, buds, and fruits, crushing seeds with deliberate bites.

In North Carolina, the House Finch is a permanent resident statewide and is most numerous in human-settled areas. It occurs across the Coastal Plain, Piedmont, and Mountains, though in the Mountains it is most common in towns and cities below about 760 meters (2,500 feet) and becomes less frequent at higher elevations. The species favors urban and suburban neighborhoods, farms, and semi-open areas with shrubs and low vegetation. It was first recorded in the state in the 1960s following its introduction in the northeastern United States and has since become common to abundant across much of the state.

Scarlet Tanager

Piranga olivacea

• Identification: Medium-sized songbird with a thick, rounded bill; adult males are vivid red with jet-black wings and tail; females are olive yellow with darker olive wings and tail.
• Field recognition: Most often detected high in the forest canopy by flashes of red as males change perches, a burry robin-like song, and a harsh “chick-burr” call.
• Where found: Breeds across the Mountains, most of the Piedmont, and the northern Coastal Plain of North Carolina in mature hardwood and mixed forests; migratory and absent in winter except for rare records.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); fairly common in suitable forest habitat in North Carolina but locally sensitive to forest fragmentation.

The Scarlet Tanager is one of the most striking red birds in North Carolina’s mature forests during the breeding season, where the male’s intense color contrasts sharply with green foliage. It measures 16 to 17 centimeters (6.3 to 6.7 inches) in length and has stocky proportions, a large head, and a thick, rounded bill suited to insects and fruit. Adult males in breeding plumage are bright red across the body, sharply set off by jet-black wings and tail, creating a bold red-and-black contrast. Females are olive green above with yellowish underparts and lack the bold contrast of males, blending easily into the canopy.

In the field, Scarlet Tanagers are more often heard than seen because they remain high in mature hardwood trees. Males are most noticeable when singing from exposed perches or shifting between branches, briefly revealing flashes of red. The song resembles that of an American Robin but has a distinctly hoarse, buzzy quality, and both sexes give a characteristic two-part “chick-burr” call that often confirms their presence. The species forages mainly in the mid to upper canopy, gleaning insects from leaves and bark or making short aerial sallies, and it also takes fruit, especially during migration.

In North Carolina, the Scarlet Tanager is a summer resident in the Mountains, where it is fairly common to common up to about 1,500 meters (5,000 feet) and seldom occurs higher. It is fairly common across most of the Piedmont, though less numerous in heavily urbanized counties, and it breeds in the northwestern and northern portions of the Coastal Plain, including areas such as the Roanoke River floodplain. It is rare to absent in much of the southeastern Coastal Plain and along the immediate coast, where it occurs mainly as a migrant. The species favors mature deciduous forest, especially somewhat mesic hardwood stands on slopes, and it is less likely than Summer Tanager to use residential woodlots or fragmented habitats. It is present mainly from mid- or late April through mid-October, and winter records in the state are exceptional.

Purple Finch

Haemorhous purpureus

• Identification: Medium-sized, chunky finch with a thick conical bill and notched tail; males show raspberry-red concentrated on the head and breast; females are brown and gray with heavy streaking and a bold pale eyebrow.
• Field recognition: Often noticed at feeders or high in trees, where the male’s reddish wash catches the light; an undulating flight and sharp “tick” call help confirm identification.
• Where found: Winter resident across North Carolina from the Coastal Plain through the Piedmont and into the Mountains, favoring moist hardwood or mixed forests and feeders.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); wintering numbers in North Carolina have declined in recent decades and are now irregular and irruptive.

The Purple Finch is one of the most richly red finches seen in North Carolina and is present primarily in winter rather than during the nesting season. This species measures 12 to 16 centimeters (4.7 to 6.3 inches) in length and has a stocky body, a short, powerful bill, and a distinctly notched tail. Adult males show a raspberry-red wash across the head, breast, and upperparts, with the color appearing strongest on the face and chest and fading toward the lower belly. The wings and tail remain brown, creating a softer contrast than in cardinals or tanagers. Females and immatures are brown and gray with heavy dark streaking, a bright white belly, and a prominent pale eyebrow set against a darker ear patch.

In North Carolina, Purple Finches are most often detected in winter, either feeding high in trees or visiting backyard feeders. Males can look surprisingly red when sunlight strikes the head and breast, though the tone is typically wine-colored rather than bright scarlet. Birds move by hopping and short flits through branches, and their flight between trees is strongly undulating. The sharp “tick” call is frequently heard from moving flocks and often reveals birds feeding high in Sweetgum or Tuliptree. At feeders, they favor sunflower seeds and may linger while cracking seeds deliberately.

The Purple Finch does not breed in North Carolina and appears primarily from mid-October through mid-April, with occasional earlier arrivals or late departures. It occurs across all three regions of the state, including the Coastal Plain, Piedmont, and Mountains, but numbers fluctuate widely from year to year. In recent decades, it has generally been uncommon and irregular in winter, though some years bring noticeable increases. The species favors moist hardwood or mixed forests, especially along bottomlands, and it regularly visits feeders during irruption years.

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostra

• Identification: Medium-sized finch with a distinctive crossed bill; adult males are brick red to reddish overall with darker wings and tail; females are olive to yellowish with muted contrast.
• Field recognition: Most often detected in chattering flocks in conifers, with red males flashing color as they cling to cones and give sharp, metallic flight calls.
• Where found: Present year-round in higher elevations of the North Carolina Mountains, especially in spruce-fir forests; rare and irregular in winter in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain, mainly in pine stands.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); numbers in North Carolina are erratic and have declined in recent decades outside core mountain habitats.

The Red Crossbill is one of the most unusual red birds in North Carolina, recognizable immediately by its crossed bill and association with conifer forests. This stocky finch measures 14 to 20 centimeters (5.5 to 7.9 inches) in length and has a short, deeply notched tail and a thick bill with mandibles that cross at the tips. Adult males range from deep brick red to reddish tones, with the richest color on the head and body and darker brown wings and tail creating moderate contrast. Females are olive to grayish with greenish or yellow tones on the breast and rump, and immatures are browner and often streaked below.

In the field, Red Crossbills are usually heard before they are seen, as flocks give constant sharp, metallic “jip-jip” or similar calls while flying between trees. Birds feed almost exclusively on conifer seeds and are most often observed clinging to cones, using their crossed bills in a parrot-like manner to pry open scales and extract seeds. They move actively through treetops, frequently hanging sideways or upside down while feeding, and their flights between trees are direct and purposeful.

In North Carolina, the Red Crossbill nests in the higher elevations of the Mountains, primarily in spruce-fir forests generally above 1,400 meters (4,500 feet), and more rarely down to around 900 meters (3,000 feet). Breeding populations in these high-elevation forests appear stable. Outside the breeding season, birds remain in the Mountains but may wander to lower elevations. In some winters, irruptive movements bring the species into the Piedmont and Coastal Plain, where it is rare and erratic in pine stands. Such influxes have become less frequent in recent decades, and in many winters the species is absent from much of the state outside core mountain habitat.

White-winged Crossbill

Loxia leucoptera

• Identification: Medium-sized finch with a crossed bill and bold white wing bars; adult males are pink to rose-red with black wings and tail; females are yellowish olive with the same strong wing pattern.
• Field recognition: Most often detected in small, chattering flocks in conifers, with white wing bars flashing in flight and birds clinging acrobatically to cones while giving dry, metallic calls.
• Where found: Very rare winter visitor in North Carolina, most likely at high elevations in the Mountains, especially in spruce-fir forests; casual elsewhere.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations are stable overall but highly nomadic, and occurrences in North Carolina are infrequent and irregular.

The White-winged Crossbill is one of the rarest red-toned finches ever encountered in North Carolina and appears only during occasional winter incursions. It measures 14 to 17 centimeters (5.5 to 6.7 inches) in length and has a slightly forked tail and a heavy bill with crossed mandibles adapted for extracting conifer seeds. Adult males range from bright pink to rose-red, with the richest color on the head and upperparts, sharply contrasting with black wings and tail marked by two bold white wing bars. Females are yellowish olive overall with paler underparts and the same striking white wing bars, while immatures are browner and often faintly streaked below.

In the field, White-winged Crossbills are usually detected by sound and movement rather than by a single perched bird. Small flocks move between trees in rapid, undulating flights, and the white wing bars are conspicuous as birds turn overhead. When feeding, they cling to spruce or other conifers, often hanging sideways or upside down while prying open cones with their crossed bills. They give dry, metallic flight calls, and birds may briefly descend to the ground to gather grit, offering rare opportunities for closer views. In North Carolina, any observation of this species typically involves birds high in conifers during winter irruption years.

In North Carolina, the White-winged Crossbill is a very rare winter visitor, most likely to occur in the high elevations of the Mountains, particularly in spruce-fir forests above about 1,400 meters (4,500 feet). Records are few and scattered, with occasional appearances at sites such as Roan Mountain or Grandfather Mountain during invasion years. Away from the Mountains, the species is casual to accidental, with only a handful of records from the Piedmont and northern Coastal Plain, sometimes involving birds visiting feeders. Occurrences are irregular and may not be repeated for several winters.

Vermilion Flycatcher

Pyrocephalus rubinus

• Identification: Small flycatcher with an upright posture and broad bill; males show brilliant vermilion underparts and crown with a dark facial mask and brown wings and tail; females are gray-brown with a faint salmon-red wash below.
• Field recognition: Most often noticed perched conspicuously in open areas, where the male’s intense red flashes during short sallies from exposed perches.
• Where found: Very rare visitor to North Carolina, with all accepted records from the Coastal Plain, mainly along or near the coast.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); common within its normal range, but only casual in North Carolina.

The Vermilion Flycatcher is one of the brightest birds ever recorded in North Carolina, though it appears only as a rare visitor. This small flycatcher measures 12 to 14 centimeters (4.7 to 5.5 inches) in length and has a compact body, upright stance, and broad bill typical of aerial insectivores. Adult males are vivid vermilion to scarlet on the crown and underparts, sharply set off by a dark mask across the face and darker brown wings and tail. Females are grayish brown above with pale underparts washed with light salmon tones and faint streaking on the breast.

In the field, Vermilion Flycatchers are usually detected visually while perched on exposed shrubs, fence lines, or low trees in open settings. Males launch into short, direct flights to capture flying insects and often return to the same perch, allowing repeated views of the red underparts. The color can appear almost glowing in sunlight, especially when the bird faces the observer. Like other flycatchers, the species forages primarily by perch-to-air sallies, scanning from a prominent vantage point before darting out after insects.

In North Carolina, the Vermilion Flycatcher is a casual to very rare visitor, with all accepted records from the Coastal Plain and none from the Piedmont or Mountains. Most records are from coastal or near-coastal locations such as Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, Nags Head, Bald Head Island, and other open coastal sites, though a few have occurred slightly inland within the Coastal Plain. Dates range from midsummer through midwinter, with several birds lingering for weeks at a time. The species does not breed in the state, and each occurrence represents a rare wandering individual well outside its typical range.

Identifying Red Birds in North Carolina

Red birds in North Carolina range from abundant backyard species to rare winter visitors, and recognizing them depends on season, habitat, and behavior. Bright, uniformly red birds in summer forests are most likely tanagers, while red-toned finches appear mainly at feeders and in winter flocks. In the Mountains, look to spruce-fir and pine stands for crossbills, especially during irruption years, and along the coast keep watch for exceptional strays. Paying attention to habitat, elevation, and time of year will quickly narrow the possibilities when a flash of red catches your eye.

For a broader perspective, explore our guide to red birds across North America, and visit the Birds of North Carolina and Birds of the United States pages for additional regional coverage.