The bright red plumage of the Northern Cardinal makes it one of the most recognisable birds in North America.
But cardinals aren’t the only birds that sport vivid red feathers or similar body shapes. Many other species can cause birdwatchers to do a double take, especially from a distance.
This article is for general knowledge only and is based on information from online sources. Bird appearance and distribution can vary depending on region and season.
1. Summer Tanager
Vibrant and eye-catching, male Summer Tanagers boast an all-over crimson coat that frequently leads to cardinal confusion. These songbirds lack the distinctive head crest that cardinals proudly display.
Their more slender, straight bill differs from the cardinal’s thick, conical beak designed for seed-cracking. When spotting a seemingly cardinal-like bird in summer woodlands, check these features to determine if you’ve actually encountered this rose-colored mimic.
2. Scarlet Tanager
Flashing through the forest canopy like a flame, the male Scarlet Tanager combines a brilliant ruby-red body with dramatic jet-black wings and tail. This striking contrast might not be visible from certain angles, making the bird appear all-red like a cardinal.
Found in eastern deciduous forests during breeding season, these shy birds typically remain hidden among leafy branches. Listen for their distinctive “chip-burr” call, quite different from the cardinal’s clear whistles.
3. Vermilion Flycatcher
A jewel of southwestern landscapes, the male Vermilion Flycatcher sports a flaming scarlet head and breast that rivals any cardinal’s brilliance. This petite aerial acrobat puts on quite a show, hovering and darting after insects with remarkable agility.
Significantly smaller than cardinals, these flycatchers prefer open habitats near water. Their hunting style, perching conspicuously before flying out to snatch insects, differs dramatically from the cardinal’s seed-focused foraging among shrubs and feeders.
4. Pyrrhuloxia
Often called the “desert cardinal,” Pyrrhuloxias share a family connection with Northern Cardinals and sport a similar elegant crest. Their plumage tells a different story, predominantly soft gray with striking red accents on the face, chests, wing, and tail.
The beak offers another clue: curved and yellow instead of straight and orange-red. Native to the southwestern United States and Mexico, these birds thrive in arid scrublands where Northern Cardinals rarely venture.
5. Red Crossbill
Named for their uniquely crossed bill tips—an extraordinary adaptation for extracting seeds from pine cones, Red Crossbills feature brick-red or yellowish-red plumage that might trigger cardinal confusion. These specialized finches travel nomadically in flocks, following conifer seed crops.
Unlike the melodious cardinal songs, Red Crossbills communicate with sharp “kip-kip” calls while feeding. Watch for their distinctive feeding behavior: hanging upside-down on cones, using their crossed bills like tiny wrenches to pry open scales.
6. House Finch (Male)
Cheerful suburban residents, male House Finches display raspberry-red coloration on their heads, chests, and rumps that can trigger cardinal misidentifications. These common backyard visitors are noticeably smaller and slimmer than cardinals.
The intensity of their red plumage varies dramatically based on diet, more colorful males have consumed more carotenoid-rich foods. Listen for their warbling song, longer and more complex than cardinal calls. Originally native to western North America, they’ve successfully colonized the entire continent.
7. Hepatic Tanager
The name “Hepatic” references this bird’s liver-colored plumage, a dusty brick-red that appears less vibrant than a cardinal’s scarlet suit. Found in pine-oak woodlands across the southwestern mountains, these tanagers prefer higher elevations.
Lacking the distinctive crest of cardinals, they feature a more robust build and slightly longer tail. Their behavior offers additional clues, watch for their habit of sitting upright on exposed perches, scanning for insects. Their slow, robin-like song contrasts with the cardinal’s clear whistles.
8. Painted Bunting (Male)
Arguably North America’s most colorful songbird, the male Painted Bunting wears a psychedelic coat that includes a brilliant red underside. From certain angles or distances, this red belly might trigger cardinal confusion before the bird’s full rainbow palette becomes visible.
These living jewels feature a blue head, green back, and red underparts, a combination that earned them the French name “nonpareil” meaning “without equal.” Smaller than cardinals and somewhat secretive, they often sing from dense cover in southern thickets and woodland edges.
