Oklahoma’s diverse landscapes harbor an impressive array of birds sporting brilliant red heads and crowns. Whether you’re scanning your backyard feeders or exploring the state’s woodlands, you’ll encounter these striking species throughout different seasons.
From the unmistakable flash of a Red-headed Woodpecker to the subtle ruby crown of a kinglet, these birds offer some of nature’s most dramatic color displays.
Understanding the key identification features of each species will transform your birdwatching experience and help you distinguish between similar-looking birds.
You’ll discover which species visit backyard feeders, where to find them across Oklahoma’s varied habitats, and the seasonal patterns that bring certain birds to your area.
This comprehensive guide covers the most commonly observed red-headed birds you’re likely to encounter, complete with distinguishing characteristics and behavioral notes that make identification straightforward.
Red-headed Woodpecker
The Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) stands out as one of Oklahoma’s most striking birds with its completely crimson head contrasting against bold black and white plumage. The back is entirely black with contrasting white plumage on the chest, belly and rump, with black wings featuring a bold white patch visible in flight. Both males and females display identical coloring, making this species unique among woodpeckers where sexual dimorphism is common.
These robin-sized woodpeckers prefer mature oak woodlands, orchards, and riparian areas throughout Oklahoma. They occur in mature oak woodlands, orchards and riparian woodlands along creeks and around ponds, though are uncommon in urban or residential neighborhoods. Unlike most woodpeckers that primarily eat insects, Red-headed Woodpeckers catch flying insects and store acorns and nuts in tree crevices for winter food.
Pro Tip: Look for their distinctive undulating flight pattern and listen for their harsh “kweer” call echoing through oak groves.
You’ll find them most commonly in the eastern three-quarters of Oklahoma during winter months, with numbers varying annually based on food availability.
Pileated Woodpecker
The massive Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) commands attention with its striking red crest and crow-sized proportions. Males display bright red from the bill to the back of the head, while females show red only on the crest with a black forehead. Their powerful bills create distinctive rectangular holes in dead trees as they search for carpenter ants and beetle larvae.
These impressive birds inhabit mature forests throughout eastern Oklahoma, requiring large territories with plenty of dead and dying trees. Their loud, irregular drumming and wild laughing call can be heard from considerable distances, often alerting you to their presence before visual contact.
Key Takeaway: The Pileated Woodpecker’s massive size (16-19 inches) and prominent red crest make it unmistakable among Oklahoma’s woodpeckers.
Watch for their distinctive flight pattern with deep undulations and listen for their territorial drumming on hollow trees that resonates through the forest.
Downy Woodpecker
Male Downy Woodpeckers (Picoides pubescens) feature a small red patch on the back of their heads, distinguishing them from the brown-capped females. These sparrow-sized birds represent Oklahoma’s smallest woodpecker species, with their black and white checkered backs and pure white undersides making them easily recognizable at backyard feeders.
Male birds can be identified by a red patch at the back of their heads, which females lack. They thrive in diverse habitats including suburban backyards, parks, orchards, and woodlands throughout Oklahoma year-round.
These acrobatic birds readily visit suet feeders and will hang upside down on small branches while foraging for insects. Their high-pitched “pik” call and soft drumming distinguish them from their larger cousin, the Hairy Woodpecker.
| Feature | Downy Woodpecker | Hairy Woodpecker |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 6-7 inches | 8-10 inches |
| Bill Length | Short, stub-like | Long, chisel-like |
| Tail Spots | Black spots on white | Pure white outer tail |
| Voice | High “pik” | Sharp “peek” |
Hairy Woodpecker
The Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus) closely resembles the Downy but shows significant size differences and subtle field marks. Males display a red patch on the back of their heads, while females lack any red coloring. Their longer, more substantial bills and larger overall size help distinguish them from Downies.
These adaptable woodpeckers inhabit mature forests, suburban areas with large trees, and wooded parks throughout Oklahoma. They prefer larger trees than Downies and rarely visit backyard feeders, instead focusing on boring into bark for beetle larvae and other insects.
Common Mistake: Many birders confuse Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers – remember that Hairy Woodpeckers have proportionally longer bills and pure white outer tail feathers without black spots.
Listen for their sharper, louder “peek” call compared to the Downy’s softer voice, and watch for their preference for tree trunks over small branches.
Northern Flicker
Male Northern Flickers (Colaptes auratus) in Oklahoma display a red patch on the nape of their neck, with some individuals showing additional red markings on their face. They can be identified in flight by their white rump and yellow underwings and tail feathers, which flash brilliantly when they take off. These large woodpeckers often forage on the ground, unlike their tree-dwelling relatives.
Two subspecies occur in Oklahoma: the “Yellow-shafted” form with golden wing linings and the “Red-shafted” form with salmon-colored wing linings. Males of the yellow-shafted variety show black mustache marks, while red-shafted males display red mustache marks.
These adaptable birds inhabit open woodlands, forest edges, grasslands, and suburban areas with scattered trees throughout Oklahoma. Their diet consists primarily of ants and beetles found in the soil, making them frequent ground foragers.
Field Mark Focus:
- White rump patch visible in flight
- Yellow or salmon underwings
- Spotted breast with black bib
- Red nape patch on males
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Despite its name, the Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) shows more prominent red coloring on its head than its belly. Males display bright red from their forehead to the nape, while females show red only on the nape and back of the head. Their barred black and white backs and pale gray underparts with subtle reddish wash on the belly complete their distinctive appearance.
These medium-sized woodpeckers thrive in mature deciduous forests, wooded suburbs, and parks throughout Oklahoma. They’re opportunistic feeders, consuming insects, fruits, nuts, and readily visiting backyard feeders for suet and sunflower seeds.
Their rolling “kwirr” call and steady drumming on resonant wood make them acoustically distinctive. Watch for their undulating flight pattern and tendency to store food items in bark crevices for later consumption.
Purple Finch
Male Purple Finches (Haemorhous purpureus) display raspberry-red coloring that extends over their entire head, breast, and back, creating an overall rosy appearance. The red coloring is the only way to tell males and females apart, as males have bright red plumage that extends from their beaks to their necks, while females only have red on the back of their necks. Females show brown and white streaked plumbing with subtle hints of red.
These finches prefer coniferous and mixed forests, appearing in Oklahoma primarily during winter months and migration periods. They’re less common than House Finches but can be distinguished by their chunkier build, notched tails, and preference for treetop feeding.
Pro Tip: Purple Finches have a more musical, warbling song compared to the House Finch’s scratchy notes, helping with identification when birds aren’t clearly visible.
At feeders, they prefer sunflower seeds and show less aggressive behavior than House Finches, often feeding quietly in small groups.
House Finch
Male House Finches are fun red birds that can be spotted all year in Oklahoma, with red heads and breasts and brown-streaked coloring in females. The red coloring on males varies from bright orange-red to deep burgundy, concentrated on the face, throat, and upper breast. Adult males are rosy red around the face and upper breast, with streaky brown back, belly and tail, with the red rump conspicuous in flight.
Originally western birds, House Finches have expanded their range dramatically and now thrive throughout Oklahoma in suburban and urban environments. They’re common backyard feeder visitors, preferring sunflower seeds, thistle, and millet.
Behavioral Notes:
- Feed in small flocks
- Prefer hanging feeders
- Males often sing from prominent perches
- Build cup nests in various locations including hanging plants
At feeders, house finches eat black-oil sunflower seeds, thistle and millet, usually feeding in small flocks and preferring hanging feeders where they’ll perch and eat until full.
Summer Tanager
Male Summer Tanagers (Piranga rubra) display solid red plumage from head to tail, earning them recognition as one of Oklahoma’s most completely red birds. Males exhibit beautiful solid-red plumage, while females are more muted with yellowish-green shades. These robin-sized birds lack the black wings of Scarlet Tanagers, maintaining their red coloring throughout their plumage.
Summer Tanagers prefer mature deciduous forests, particularly oak-hickory woodlands and riparian forests throughout Oklahoma during breeding season. These tanagers can be found in wooded areas, perched on the upper branches of trees, where they search for insects and occasionally indulge in fruit. They specialize in catching wasps and bees, often removing stingers before consumption.
Listen for their robin-like song with a slightly hoarse quality and their distinctive “pik-a-tuk” call note. Males arrive in Oklahoma in late April and establish territories in the forest canopy.
Key Takeaway: Summer Tanagers are bee and wasp specialists, making them valuable for natural pest control in wooded areas.
Scarlet Tanager
Male Scarlet Tanagers (Piranga olivacea) in breeding plumage show brilliant red heads and bodies contrasting dramatically with jet-black wings and tails. This striking combination makes them unmistakable when observed clearly. During fall migration and winter, males molt into olive-yellow plumage similar to females but retain their black wings.
These birds prefer mature deciduous forests with tall canopies, making them more challenging to observe than other red-headed species. They forage primarily in treetops for insects and occasionally visit fruit trees during migration.
Seasonal Identification:
- Spring/Summer Males: Brilliant red with black wings
- Fall/Winter Males: Yellow-green with black wings
- Females Year-round: Olive-yellow throughout
Their distinctive “chip-burr” call note and robin-like song help locate them in the forest canopy during breeding season in eastern Oklahoma.
Vermilion Flycatcher
Male Vermilion Flycatchers (Pyrocephalus rubinus) display brilliant red heads and underparts that seem to glow in sunlight. Their dark brown backs and wings create stunning contrast with the vermilion coloring. These small flycatchers represent one of Oklahoma’s most vibrant bird species, though they’re primarily found in the southwestern portions of the state.
Vermilion Flycatchers inhabit open areas near water sources, including stream beds, pond edges, and irrigated fields. They perch on low branches and fence posts, making aerial sallies to capture flying insects with remarkable precision.
Males perform spectacular courtship flights, rising high into the air while singing and then parachuting down with spread tail and wings. Their distinctive “peet-see” call and insect-hawking behavior make them recognizable even at distance.
Turkey Vulture
Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) display distinctive red, featherless heads that appear bright and obvious when observed up close. Their massive wingspan and soaring behavior make them conspicuous throughout Oklahoma’s skies year-round. While a small bird with bright red plumage is more likely to be a Ruby-throated Hummingbird, a larger bird with similar coloration could be a Summer Tanager.
These large raptors prefer open country, soaring on thermals while searching for carrion with their exceptional sense of smell. Their wobbly, unstable flight pattern with wings held in a shallow V-shape distinguishes them from other large soaring birds.
Turkey Vultures roost communally in large trees or on man-made structures, often gathering in impressive numbers during winter months in southern Oklahoma. Their hissing calls and defensive vomiting behavior when threatened make them memorable encounters.
Field Identification Tips:
- Red featherless head (adults only)
- Wings held in shallow V while soaring
- Wobbly, unsteady flight pattern
- Silver-gray flight feathers contrast with dark body
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
The tiny Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) possesses a hidden red crown patch that’s often concealed beneath other feathers. Males flash this brilliant ruby stripe when excited or agitated, making positive identification challenging without optimal viewing conditions. These diminutive birds measure only 3.5-4 inches long, making them among Oklahoma’s smallest birds.
Ruby-crowned Kinglets inhabit coniferous and mixed forests during migration and winter months throughout Oklahoma. They constantly flit through branches, nervously flicking their wings while searching for small insects and spiders in bark crevices and needle clusters.
Behavioral Clues:
- Constant wing-flicking motion
- Nervous, hyperactive feeding behavior
- Often travels in mixed-species flocks
- Distinctive “jidit-jidit-jidit” call
Listen for their surprisingly loud and complex song that includes musical trills and whistles, often delivered from concealed perches in dense vegetation.
Cassin’s Finch
Male Cassin’s Finches (Haemorhous cassinii) show bright rosy-red crowns and heads that appear more defined and contrasted than Purple Finches. Their red coloring is typically brighter and more concentrated on the head and upper breast, with cleaner white underparts and less overall rosy wash than Purple Finches.
These finches primarily occur in Oklahoma during winter months and migration, preferring coniferous forests and areas with scattered pine trees. They’re less common than Purple or House Finches but can be identified by their slightly larger size, longer bills, and more notched tails.
Cassin’s Finches often feed in flocks during winter, moving through pine and fir trees in search of seeds and buds. Their flight calls include distinctive “keeah” notes that help distinguish them from similar species.
Comparison Table: Red Finches of Oklahoma
| Species | Head Color | Body Color | Habitat Preference | Season in OK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purple Finch | Raspberry wash | Overall rosy | Mixed forests | Winter/Migration |
| House Finch | Orange-red face | Streaky brown | Suburban areas | Year-round |
| Cassin’s Finch | Bright rosy crown | Clean white below | Coniferous areas | Winter/Migration |
These 14 species represent the most commonly encountered birds with red heads throughout Oklahoma’s diverse habitats.
By focusing on key field marks, seasonal patterns, and behavioral differences, you’ll develop the skills needed to identify each species confidently.
Whether you’re watching backyard feeders or exploring state parks, these striking birds provide year-round opportunities for rewarding wildlife observation.
Remember that lighting conditions, viewing angles, and seasonal plumage changes can affect how red coloration appears in the field.
Practice observing multiple identification features beyond just color, including size, bill shape, flight patterns, and vocalizations to ensure accurate species identification.
