In the world of avian beauty, there is an intriguing group of birds that captivate our attention with their vibrant red plumage and striking black wings. Various species within this varied group display this remarkable color pattern, each with its particular traits and adaptations.
Come along with us as we go to explore the fascinating world of red birds with black wings. We will reveal the mysteries underlying their remarkable colors and throw light on the glories of nature’s creativity, from their mesmerizing mating displays to their distinctive adaptations for survival.
So, let’s dive into this colorful avian realm and explore the fascinating lives of these 20 remarkable Red Birds With Black Wings.
20 Red Birds With Black Wings
1. Scarlet Tanager
The Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) is a stunning bird that never fails to capture the attention of bird enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. With its vibrant plumage and melodious song, this species stands out as a true gem of the avian world.
The Scarlet Tanager is a medium-sized songbird, measuring approximately 17 to 18 centimeters in length. The male of the species boasts a brilliant scarlet plumage, with contrasting black wings and tail. They prefer dense foliage, where they can forage for insects and consume fruits.
2. Vermilion Flycatcher
The next bird on this list of red Birds with Black Wings is the Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus obscures). Found in parts of North, Central, and South America, this bird’s beauty and behavior make it a true delight to observe.
The vibrant vermilion plumage creates a vivid contrast against its black wings and back. Vermilion flycatchers primarily inhabit open areas such as grasslands, savannas, and forest edges. They are commonly occur in areas abundant in insects.
3. Pine Grosbeak
The Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator), one of the largest members of the true finch family, is a medium-sized bird (8-10 inches) inhabiting the subarctic areas of North America and Asia.
Since this species exhibits sexual dimorphism, therefore we will be considering only the males, which have rosy-red plumage with black wings and tails.
Pine Grosbeaks have a robust build with a thick neck and a strong beak adapted for cracking open seeds and fruits, their primary food sources. In the summer, they consume a variety of insects as well.
4. Masked Crimson Tanager
The bright crimson color of the Masked Crimson Tanager’s (Ramphocelus nigrogularis) body contrasts sharply with its jet-black mask, which extends from its eyes to its throat, which also contributes to its attractiveness.
Masked crimson tanagers are mostly frugivorous, supplementing their fruit diets with tiny insects like flying termites, like the majority of tanagers.
This species of tanagers exhibit cooperative breeding, in which the care of the offspring is done communally.
5. Andean Cock-Of-The-Rock
Next up, on this list of Red Birds with Black wings, we have the Andean Cock of the Rock (Rupicola peruvianus). The male Andean Cock of the Rock is particularly striking with its brilliant orange plumage and prominent, fan-shaped crest on its head.
Its name is derived from its rooster-like appearance and the characteristic rock-like mating displays performed by the males.
These birds are primarily frugivorous, feeding on a variety of fruits, berries, and seeds found in their forest habitat.
6. Crimson-backed Tanager
The Crimson-backed Tanager (Ramphocelus dimidiatus) is a stunning inhabitant of the tropical rainforests of Central and South America.
The male Crimson-backed Tanager is a sight to behold with its deep crimson-red back and contrasting jet-black wings and tail.
The IUCN puts the Crimson Backed Tanager under the category of Least Concern.
7. Crimson Sunbird
The Crimson Sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja), is a tricolor bird, the upper half being crimson red, the lower half grey, and the wings are black. Like other sunbirds, they too bear their characteristic curved bill.
A Southeast Asian bird, the Crimson Sunbird inhabits areas in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, etc. where they primarily feed on nectar and occasionally on insects.
8. White-capped Redstart
The next bird on this list of Red Birds with Black Wings, we have a small passerine bird, the White-capped Redstart (Phoenicurus leucocephalus), that inhabits high-altitude areas of the Himalayas.
The male boasts a bold white cap on its head, which gives the species its name, along with a bright reddish-chestnut-colored breast. White-capped Redstarts primarily feed on insects, spiders, molluscs, etc.
9. White-winged Tanager
The Tanager family is well known for their crimson-colored bodies, and the White Winged Tanager (Piranga leucoptera) is no exception to it.
With a length of about 15 centimeters, its most striking feature is its vibrant plumage, which consists of a brilliant red body, contrasting with bright white wing patches that give the species its name.
White-winged Tanagers are primarily frugivores, that feed on fruits and berries but also depend on insects for their protein intake. One can find this neo-tropical bird in the woodlands and forests of Central and South America.
10. Red Crossbill
The Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) is a unique and specialized bird species known for its fascinating beak adaptation, along with a brick red body and blackish wings.
Its crossed bill is uniquely specialized for removing seeds from coniferous tree cones. They can break open the cone scales and get at the nutrient-rich seeds because of this feature.
This specialized beak adaptation enables them to exploit a food source that is inaccessible to many other bird species, a fantastic example of Darwin’s theory on Finches.
11. Red Adavat
Popularly known as the Red Munia, the Red Adavat or the Strawberry Finch is a small bird native to South and Southeast Asia, inhabiting grasslands and agricultural areas.
The males especially have a crimson red body, with blackish wings, dappled with spectacular white spots. Their beak is short and conical, ideal for feeding on small seeds.
Red Adavats face several threats in the wild, including habitat loss and capture for the pet trade.
By safeguarding its habitats, preventing caging, and raising awareness about its conservation needs, we can ensure the continued existence of this charming bird in the natural world.
12. White Winged Crossbill
Next up on this list of red Birds with Back Wings, we have the White Winged Crossbill, a species of the Finch family. The White-winged Crossbill gets its name from the white wing bars that beautifully contrast with the rest of its crimson plumage.
This species’ unique tool for prying open and removing seeds from cones is its crossed bill. Since conifer seeds are these birds’ main source of food, their movements are greatly determined by the availability of these seeds.
The White-winged Crossbill has a distinctive method of reproduction. It has no set breeding season; rather, it can reproduce whenever the circumstances are favorable.
This bird lives in coniferous woods and tundra regions in the northern hemispheres of North America, Europe, and Asia.
13. Crimson Rosella
The Crimson Rosella is a vibrant and captivating parrot species native to Australia. Usually, the length of this medium-sized parrot is approximately 30 centimeters.
Its brilliant red head, chest, and back contrast nicely with its deep blue wings with black patterns and tail, giving it a striking look.
While termites, moths, caterpillars, and other insects are occasionally consumed by Crimson Rosellas, they are predominantly herbivorous and eat a range of seeds, fruits, and nuts.
14. Red-headed Woodpecker
Scientifically named Melanerpes erythrocephalus, this woodpecker is found primarily in North America, spanning from eastern Canada to the southern United States.
The Red-headed Woodpecker is recognizable by its vivid redhead, which stands out clearly against its glossy black body and white belly.
This coloration makes it easily recognizable and distinguishes it from other woodpecker species. One can expect to find these woodpeckers in deciduous woods, open woodlands, and parklands.
The Red-headed Woodpecker is not only a stunning bird, but it also plays a crucial role in the health of the ecosystem. As cavity nesters, they create nesting sites that are later used by other birds and animals.
15. Red-breasted Meadowlark
The body of the Red-breasted Meadowlark, which is around 19 centimetres long, is covered in a pattern of red, black, and white hues. The male is mostly black with a brilliant red neck and breasts. It has a distinctive white stripe above its eye, adding to its eye-catching appearance.
The scientific name militaris and the Trinidadian nickname “Soldier Bird” are derived from its amazing “redcoat” plumage. These birds may be found in a range of grassland environments, such as savannas, marshes, and farmlands.
The Red-breasted Blackbird breeds in southern Brazil, Trinidad, northern Peru, and central Costa Rica, all of which it has recently occupied.
16. White-browed Meadowlark
The fascinating White-browed Meadowlark, or Sturnella superciliaris, is a bird that is endemic to South America. Except for a vivid red neck, belly, and wing epaulets, and a white supercilium, the male has mostly black plumage.
The red-breasted meadowlark, L. militaris, which breeds further north, and this species are very closely related and were once thought to be subspecies of that bird.
White-browed meadowlarks prefer open grassland habitats, such as savannas, meadows, and agricultural fields, where they can forage for insects, seeds, and small fruits.
17. Red-necked Woodpecker
On this list of Red Birds with Black Wings, the Red-necked Woodpecker, specifically known as Campephilus rubricollis, comes next. The Red-necked Woodpecker, which inhabit some parts of Central and South America, has a brilliant red head and neck and a black body.
These woodpeckers live in a variety of forested environments, including secondary-growth forests, tropical rainforests, and wooded regions along rivers.
Being adept climbers, they spend a lot of time scavenging for food on tree trunks and branches. With the use of their specialized bill, they pull insects from cracks in the bark, including beetles, ants, and larvae.
18. Southern Ground Hornbill
Bucorvus leadbeateri, or the Southern Ground Hornbill, is well-known for its distinctive appearance. Its big, black body is covered in a crimson face patch. These hornbills live in grasslands, savannas, and forests, and they choose places with a combination of open regions and sporadic trees.
They spend majority of their time on the ground hunting for food, which includes insects, tiny reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals, along with fruits, berries, and seeds. They are largely dwell on the ground.
The Southern Ground Hornbill is known for several distinctive behaviors, including its loud, booming cry. This distinctive call can travel up to great distances and is serves for both, territory defense and group communication.
19. Red-collared Myzomela
The Red-collared Myzomela (Myzomela rosenbergii) is a tiny bird species endemic to the islands of Papua New Guinea. The male’s have a black torso, a bright red neck and breast, with size ranging between ranging between 10 -11 centimeters.
Papua New Guinea’s islands are home to only one species of it. Primary habitats for it include lowland and foothill rainforests, secondary growth, and gardens. It has a reputation for hovering close to blooms and collecting nectar with its large, curved beak.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) rates the Red-collared Myzomela as a species of least concern. However, like many bird species, it faces threats such as habitat loss due to deforestation and human activities.
20. Pesquet’s Parrot
The Dracula Parrot, or Psittrichas fulgidus, is a fascinating and unusual bird species found in the New Guinean jungles. The Dracula Parrot is quite an eye-catching and unique looking bird species. It is a huge parrot, with a length of around 45 to 50 centimeters.
It bears a glossy shine to its primarily black plumage. Its most distinguishing characteristic is a lower body bearing a vivid scarlet or maroon coloration. The Pesquet’s Parrot’s appearance is so intimidating earning it the nickname “Dracula Parrot.”
Pesquet’s Parrot lives in thick woodlands, especially in hilly areas, and has quite a menacing look despite its vibrant colors.
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A zoology student turned writer. Nature has always been a magnet to me, and to unearth some of its secrets through my articles is my prime intention. If not engaging myself with nature and anime content, you can always find me going through some Bengali classics or filling the air with some soulful Tabla beats. An artist, trying to throw some colors to my blank canvas of life.