Red Birds in Arkansas

Arkansas sits on the Mississippi Flyway with Ozark Mountain forests, Ouachita highlands, and Delta lowlands. This mix of habitats supports Northern Cardinals year-round, breeding Summer Tanagers and Painted Buntings, and waves of migrants each spring and autumn.

Red Birds Found in Arkansas

Species	Red feature	When to see	Habitat
Northern Cardinal	Males bright red all over	Year-round	Gardens, woodlands, suburbs
Summer Tanager	Males red-orange all over	Spring and summer	Pine-oak woodlands
Scarlet Tanager	Males bright red with black wings	Spring and summer	Mature deciduous forests
Painted Bunting	Red breast and rump (male)	Spring and summer	Dense brush, forest edges
Ruby-throated Hummingbird	Red throat patch (male)	Spring and summer	Gardens, forest edges
Red-headed Woodpecker	Entirely red head	Year-round	Open woodlands, dead trees
Red-bellied Woodpecker	Red cap and nape	Year-round	Deciduous forests, suburbs
House Finch	Red head, breast, rump (male)	Year-round	Suburbs, urban areas
Purple Finch	Raspberry-red wash (male)	Winter	Woodlands, feeders
Pileated Woodpecker	Red crest	Year-round	Mature forests

Best Birding Spots

Location	Best species
Holla Bend NWR	Wetland and forest birds, migrants
Hot Springs National Park	Forest birds, tanagers
Ozark National Forest	Hardwood forest species, woodpeckers
Buffalo National River	River and forest birds
Lake Chicot State Park	Waterfowl, woodland species

Seasonal Guide

Season	What to expect
Spring	Tanagers and buntings arrive, peak migration
Summer	Breeding season, Painted Buntings active
Autumn	Southbound migration, Purple Finches arrive
Winter	Cardinals, woodpeckers, finches at feeders

Arkansas gets both Summer and Scarlet Tanagers - Summer Tanagers in the Ouachita pine-oak forests and Scarlet Tanagers in the Ozark hardwoods. Painted Buntings breed in the southern part of the state, making Arkansas one of the most colourful birding destinations in the South.