12 Types of Red Birds in Michigan: ID Guide With Photos

What are some tips for attracting these red birds to my backyard?

Attracting red birds to your backyard can be a fun and rewarding experience. Here are some tips to help you create a bird-friendly environment that will appeal to the red birds we discussed:

1. Provide the right food:

   • Cardinals, finches, and grosbeaks love sunflower seeds. Use feeders with black oil sunflower seeds or safflower seeds.
   • Offer nyjer seeds for finches, especially in tube feeders.
   • Put out suet cakes for woodpeckers.
   • Plant native berry-producing shrubs for tanagers and robins.

2. Set up diverse feeding stations:

   • Use platform feeders for cardinals and larger birds.
   • Hang tube feeders for finches.
   • Install suet cage feeders for woodpeckers.
   • For hummingbirds, use nectar feeders filled with a 4:1 water-to-sugar solution.

3. Offer fresh water:

   • Install a birdbath or small fountain. Moving water is particularly attractive to birds.
   • Keep the water clean and change it regularly.

4. Create natural shelter:

   • Plant native trees and shrubs to provide cover and nesting sites.
   • Leave some brush piles or dead tree limbs for birds to perch on.

5. Avoid pesticides:

   • Many birds eat insects. By avoiding pesticides, you’ll provide a natural food source.

6. Plant native flowers:

   • Hummingbirds love red tubular flowers like trumpet honeysuckle or cardinal flower.
   • Sunflowers attract many seed-eating birds.

7. Provide nesting materials:

   • Leave out small twigs, grass clippings, and pet hair for birds to use in their nests.

8. Maintain a year-round habitat:

   • Don’t clear away all fallen leaves and seeds in autumn. These can provide food for winter birds.

9. Create vertical diversity:

   • Plants and feeders should be planted at various heights to attract different species.

10. Be patient:

    • It may take time for birds to discover your bird-friendly space. Once they do, they’re likely to return regularly.

11. Consider seasonal needs:

    • In winter, offer high-fat foods like suet and peanuts.
    • In spring, provide calcium-rich foods like crushed eggshells for nesting birds.

12. Keep cats indoors:

    • Domestic cats can be a major threat to birds. Keeping them inside will help create a safer environment for your feathered visitors.

Remember, different birds have different preferences, so offering a variety of foods and habitats will increase your chances of attracting a diverse range of red birds. Also, once you start seeing birds regularly, try to maintain a consistent feeding schedule. Birds come to rely on these food sources, especially during harsh Michigan winters.

How can I identify the different red birds visiting my backyard?

Identifying red birds in your backyard can be an exciting challenge! Here are some tips to help you distinguish between the different red birds you might see:

1. Size Comparison:

   • Use familiar birds as reference points. For example, a cardinal is about the size of a robin, while a house finch is closer to the size of a sparrow.

2. Color Patterns:

   • Look beyond just the red. Note any black, white, or brown markings.
   • Check if the red covers the whole body or just parts of it.

3. Body Shape:

   • Notice the overall silhouette. Is it stocky like a cardinal or slender like a tanager?
   • Look at the beak shape – is it thick and conical or thin and pointed?

4. Behavior:

   • Observe how the bird moves. Does it hop on the ground like a robin or cling to feeder perches like a finch?
   • Listen to their calls and songs, which can be distinctive.

5. Time of Year:

   • Some red birds, like tanagers, are only present in summer, while others like cardinals are year-round residents.

Now, let’s break down some key identifiers for common red backyard birds:

• Northern Cardinal:

  • Bright red all over (males)
  • Distinctive crest on head
  • Black face mask
  • Thick, orange-red beak

• House Finch:

  • Smaller than cardinal
  • Red limited to head, breast, and rump
  • Brown streaking on sides
  • Conical beak

• Purple Finch:

  • Similar to house finch but more raspberry-red
  • Red extends further down the back
  • Less streaking than house finch

• Scarlet Tanager:

  • Bright red body with black wings and tail (males)
  • No crest
  • Present only in summer

• Red-winged Blackbird:

  • Males are mostly black with red shoulder patches
  • Often seen near water or in marshy areas

• Ruby-throated Hummingbird:

  • Tiny!
  • Only the throat is red (males)
  • Hovering flight

• American Robin:

  • Larger bird
  • Red-orange breast, gray-brown back

Remember, female birds often look different from males and are usually less brightly colored. Also, young birds may not have their adult plumage yet.

To aid your identification:

1. Use a good field guide or a birding app with photos and descriptions.
2. Keep a pair of binoculars handy to observe details.
3. Take notes or photos if you can – this helps with later identification and tracking your sightings.
4. Consider the habitat – some birds prefer certain types of environments.

With practice, you’ll become more adept at quickly identifying the red birds in your backyard. Enjoy the process of learning and observing these beautiful creatures!