Minnesota spans boreal forest in the north, tallgrass prairie in the west, and hardwood forest in the southeast. This range of habitats supports Northern Cardinals in the south, Pine Grosbeaks and crossbills in the northern boreal zone, and Scarlet Tanagers in the deciduous forests.
Red Birds Found in Minnesota
| Species | Red feature | When to see | Habitat |
|---|
| Northern Cardinal | Males bright red all over | Year-round | Gardens, woodlands, suburbs |
| Scarlet Tanager | Males bright red with black wings | Spring and summer | Mature deciduous forests |
| 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 |
| Pileated Woodpecker | Red crest | Year-round | Mature forests |
| House Finch | Red head, breast, rump (male) | Year-round | Suburbs, urban areas |
| Purple Finch | Raspberry-red wash (male) | Year-round | Mixed forests, feeders |
| Pine Grosbeak | Males rose-pink head and breast | Winter | Boreal forests, mountain ash |
| Red Crossbill | Males brick-red all over | Year-round (north) | Coniferous forests |
| White-winged Crossbill | Males rose-pink to red | Year-round (north) | Spruce-fir forests |
| Rose-breasted Grosbeak | Red breast triangle (male) | Spring and summer | Deciduous woodlands |
Best Birding Spots
| Location | Best species |
|---|
| Sax-Zim Bog | World-class winter birding, boreal specialties |
| Agassiz NWR | 290+ species, wetlands and grasslands |
| Tamarac NWR | Prairie-forest transition zone, diverse habitats |
| Itasca State Park | Mississippi headwaters, forest birds |
| Minnesota Valley NWR | Floodplain birds, urban accessible |
Seasonal Guide
| Season | What to expect |
|---|
| Spring | Tanagers and grosbeaks arrive, migration peaks |
| Summer | Breeding season, hummingbirds active |
| Autumn | Southbound migration, crossbill irruptions |
| Winter | Pine Grosbeaks, crossbills at Sax-Zim Bog, feeders active |
Sax-Zim Bog in northern Minnesota is one of the best winter birding destinations in North America, attracting Pine Grosbeaks, both crossbill species, and boreal owls. The bog draws birders from across the country every winter for species rarely seen further south.
