+10 Red Birds in Arizona
Discover Arizona's most stunning red-feathered residents and visitors
Arizona's desert landscape produces some of the most incredible red birds you'll ever lay eyes on. The color contrasts are just unreal.
Started birding here about seven years back. Was hiking near Sedona when this brilliant red flash caught my eye against those famous red rocks. Turned out to be a Vermilion Flycatcher, and I've been obsessed with tracking down red birds in Arizona ever since.
This guide's got everything you need to know about Arizona red birds - where they live, what they eat, how to ID them. If you're curious about birds nationwide, check out Texas yellow birds or Alaska's red species . Also worth seeing Nevada's blue birds and Nebraska's bluebirds for comparison.
What Are the Most Common Redbirds in Arizona?
Let's start with the ones you'll actually see regularly around the state.
Northern Cardinal - The Classic
Yeah, Cardinals live in Arizona. Most folks don't realize this since they associate cardinals with eastern states.
Males are brilliant all-red with black mask, crest, and orange-red bill. Females tan-brown with red highlights. Both rock that distinctive crest.
Found mainly in southern Arizona near Tucson. They prefer riparian areas with thick vegetation near water. Year-round residents, about 8-9 inches long. That whistling “birdy birdy birdy” song? That's them.
Pyrrhuloxia - Arizona's Desert Cardinal
This is a Southwest specialty that looks like a cardinal's gray cousin.
Gray body with red highlights on face, crest, chest, wings, and tail. Males show more red than females. That thick curved yellow bill is super distinctive - totally different from a cardinal's orange bill.
Love mesquite and desert scrub throughout southern and central Arizona. Year-round residents perfectly adapted to desert life. That heavy bill cracks tough seeds other birds can't handle.
House Finch - Everywhere Bird
Most common red bird species in Arizona hands down. They're literally everywhere you look.
Males have red on head, chest, and rump - rest is brown and streaky. Amount of red varies - some brilliant, others more orange. Females completely brown with no red.
Found in every habitat imaginable - cities, suburbs, deserts, mountains. Super adaptable. Year-round residents that flock to feeders constantly. Their warbling song with buzzy ending plays all day during breeding season.
Quick ID: House Finch red is only on head and chest. Red on back and wings means different species.
The Small Stunning Ones
Vermilion Flycatcher - Desert Jewel
Possibly the most beautiful red bird in Arizona . Males are absolutely stunning - bright vermilion red head and underparts with dark brown back and wings. That color against Arizona's blue sky or red rocks? Insane. Females are peachy-tan.
Found near water in desert areas - ponds, streams, golf courses. They perch low, then fly out catching insects mid-air. Classic flycatcher hunting style.
Year-round in southern Arizona, summer visitors further north. Only about 5-6 inches. According to vermilion flycatcher research , males do elaborate display flights during breeding - flying high while singing.
Tucson's Sweetwater Wetlands, Phoenix canals, Sedona's Oak Creek - all reliable spots.
Red Crossbill - The Nomad
Weird finches with crossed bill tips for prying seeds from pine cones. Males brick-red all over, females yellowish. This bizarre bill is unmistakable.
Found in northern Arizona conifer forests - Flagstaff, White Mountains. They're nomadic, following cone crops. Listen for “jip jip” flight calls. Usually travel in flocks through treetops.
Summer Visitors - Seasonal Red Birds
Summer Tanager - All Red Beauty
Males completely red. No crest, no black markings. Just solid red with pale bill. Like they were dipped in paint.
Summer visitors April through September in riparian woodlands and oak forests. They eat mostly insects, especially bees and wasps - catching them and bashing against branches to remove stingers.
Females yellow-orange. About 7-8 inches. Song is fast robin-like warbling. Southeast Arizona near Tucson is best.
Hepatic Tanager - Mountain Specialist
Similar to Summer Tanager but darker brick-red with gray cheek patch. Heavier bill.
Summer visitors to mountain pine-oak forests. Southern Arizona's Sky Islands are prime - Chiricahuas, Santa Catalinas, Huachucas. Usually above 5,000 feet elevation. Less common, quieter birds that stay in canopy.
Painted Redstart - The Flashy One
Black overall with white wing patches and brilliant red belly. Super distinctive pattern.
Summer visitors to mountain canyons. Southeast Arizona specialties - Madera Canyon, Cave Creek Canyon. Active little birds constantly flashing wings and tail. About 5 inches. That behavior plus pattern makes them unmistakable.
Birding tip: Southern Arizona's Sky Islands host incredible specialty species. Worth the mountain drive.
Less Common Gems
Cassin' Finch
Males rosy-red on head, chest, and back - more extensive than House Finches. Found in northern Arizona mountain conifer forests. Sometimes wander lower in winter. More musical song than House Finches.
Pine Grosbeak
Large finch with stubby bill. Males rosy-red with gray on wings. Rare irregular winter visitors to high elevation forests. Some winters they show up, others nothing. Tame birds about 8-9 inches.
Red-faced Warbler
Bright red face and upper chest. White belly, gray back. Small warbler about 5 inches. Summer visitors to high elevation mixed forests in southern Arizona mountains. Chiricahua Mountains most reliable. One of Arizona's sought-after specialty birds.
Where Can You See Redbirds in Arizona?
Best spots for birdwatching in Arizona vary by habitat and species.
Desert and Riparian
Tucson's Sweetwater Wetlands - amazing for Vermilion Flycatchers, cardinals, desert species. Free access with great trails.
Phoenix area canals and parks - House Finches everywhere, occasional Vermilion Flycatchers.
Boyce Thompson Arboretum near Superior - diverse habitat with cardinals, Pyrrhuloxias, House Finches, sometimes Vermilion Flycatchers.
Mountains
Madera Canyon south of Tucson - legendary spot. Summer Tanagers, Hepatic Tanagers, Painted Redstarts in summer. Cardinals and Pyrrhuloxias year-round at lower elevations.
Mount Lemmon near Tucson - elevation gradient means different birds at different heights. Red Crossbills and Cassin's Finches at top.
Flagstaff area forests - conifer species like crossbills. Different vibe from desert birding.
Your Yard
Your backyard can attract several species with proper setup. House Finches come anywhere. Cardinals and Pyrrhuloxias if you're in their range with right habitat.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service manages refuges with excellent birding for birds in Arizona .
When Is the Best Time to See Redbirds?
Timing depends on which species you're targeting.
Year-Round Species
Cardinals, Pyrrhuloxias, House Finches - any time works since they're residents. Winter can be easier when deciduous vegetation drops leaves making birds more visible.
Spring and Summer
April through August is prime for summer visitors. Summer Tanagers, Hepatic Tanagers, Painted Redstarts, Red-faced Warblers all arrive for breeding.
Males sing during breeding season making them easier to locate. Plus they're more active and visible. Vermilion Flycatchers do display flights in spring - super cool to watch.
Time of Day
Early morning is best - first few hours after sunrise when birds are actively feeding. Late afternoon before sunset is second best. Midday in summer? Too hot. Birds hide in shade.
Photo tip: Harsh midday sun washes out colors. Early/late light makes red plumage really pop.
Are Red-Billed Birds in Arizona Migratory or Resident?
Mixed bag depending on species.
Year-round residents: Northern Cardinals, Pyrrhuloxias, House Finches, Red Crossbills (although they wander). These red backyard birds in Arizona stay put.
Summer visitors: Summer Tanagers, Hepatic Tanagers, Painted Redstarts, Red-faced Warblers, Vermilion Flycatchers in northern parts. They winter in Mexico and Central America.
Winter visitors: Pine Grosbeaks (irregular), some Cassin's Finches move to lower elevations.
Southern Arizona gets northern species moving down for winter while losing summer breeders heading south. Creates interesting seasonal variety.
What Do Red-Billed Birds Eat?
Diet varies by species but patterns emerge.
Seed Eaters
Cardinals, Pyrrhuloxias, House Finches, crossbills, grosbeaks - primarily seed eaters with thick bills for cracking. They eat sunflower, safflower, thistle, grass seeds, desert plant seeds. Cardinals and Pyrrhuloxias crack mesquite pods.
According to bird diet research, most also eat insects during breeding for protein.
Insect Eaters
Vermilion Flycatchers, tanagers, warblers - primarily insect eaters. Flycatchers catch flying insects. Summer Tanagers specialize in bees and wasps. Warblers glean insects from leaves. Tanagers also eat berries and fruits.
How Can Red-Billed Birds Be Attracted to a Park?
Same principles for yards - works for desert red birds Arizona style.
Provide Food
Feeders with black oil sunflower seeds attract cardinals, Pyrrhuloxias, House Finches. Safflower works too. Platform or hopper feeders better than tube feeders for larger species.
Native plants producing seeds and berries provide natural food year-round. Way more sustainable than constantly filling feeders.
Water Sources
Critical in Arizona desert. Fresh water attracts everything. Birdbaths with shallow water (1-2 inches). Change daily because heat makes water gross fast. Moving water even better - drippers or fountains.
I refill birdbaths twice daily in summer. House Finches especially use them constantly.
Habitat
Native desert plants support insects feeding insectivorous birds. Mesquite, palo verde, various cacti. Layered vegetation - trees, shrubs, ground cover. Cardinals and Pyrrhuloxias need thick shrubs for nesting.
Skip pesticides - you're killing the insect food base. Similar principles work across states - see Mississippi bluebird tips or New Hampshire bluebirds.
Water tip: In Arizona heat, birds are desperate for water. Clean water source might attract more than food.
Are There Any Rare Species of Red-Billed Birds in Arizona?
Several uncommon or localized species exist.
Red-faced Warbler - limited summer range in southern Arizona mountains. Specialized habitat. Not rare within proper habitat but geographically restricted.
Pine Grosbeak - irregular winter visitors. Some years they show, others they don't. Always uncommon even in good years.
Varied Bunting - males have purplish-red coloring. Summer visitors to specific brushy desert canyons in southern Arizona. Uncommon and localized.
Flame-colored Tanager - Mexican species occasionally wandering into southern Arizona mountains. Rare possible goal. Males orange-red with darker back and striped face. Any sighting is notable.
Quick ID Reference Guide
Fast reference for Arizona bird identification guide:
All red with crest and black face - Northern Cardinal male
Gray with red highlights and yellow bill - Pyrrhuloxia
Red on head/chest only, streaky sides - House Finch male
Small, bright vermilion below, dark above - Vermilion Flycatcher male
Completely red, no markings, pale bill - Summer Tanager male
Dark brick-red with gray cheek - Hepatic Tanager male
Rosy-red including back - Cassin's Finch male
Bright red face patch only - Red-faced Warbler
Size, habitat, behavior, and range help narrow identification. Cardinals in Tucson riparian vs crossbills in Flagstaff pines - completely different situations.
Final Thoughts
Arizona's red bird species in Arizona range from common backyard visitors to sought-after specialties. The diversity is genuinely impressive.
You don't need exotic travel or expert skills. House Finches visit urban feeders. Cardinals live in Tucson neighborhoods. Pyrrhuloxias hang out in mesquite near parking lots.
Want to step it up? Southern Arizona's Sky Islands host incredible diversity. Mountain canyons in summer bring tanagers and warblers. It's world-class birding.
Start noticing the red birds around you. That House Finch at your feeder. The Pyrrhuloxia in the wash. The Vermilion Flycatcher at the golf course pond.
Get outside and start watching where to see red birds in Arizona . From common finches to rare warblers, they're all worth your time. Arizona's red birds won't disappoint.