Virginia stretches from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic coast, with the Shenandoah Valley and Piedmont between. Northern Cardinals are everywhere year-round, Scarlet Tanagers nest in the mountain forests, and the state’s coastal refuges sit on the Atlantic Flyway.
Red Birds Found in Virginia
| 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 | Mountain deciduous forests |
| Summer Tanager | Males red-orange all over | Spring and summer | Pine-oak woodlands |
| 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) | Winter | Woodlands, feeders |
| Rose-breasted Grosbeak | Red breast triangle (male) | Spring and summer (mountains) | Deciduous woodlands |
| Red Crossbill | Males brick-red all over | Year-round (mountains) | Coniferous forests |
| White-winged Crossbill | Males rose-pink to red | Irregular winter | Spruce forests |
Best Birding Spots
| Location | Best species |
|---|
| Shenandoah National Park | Skyline Drive, mountain species, tanagers |
| Chincoteague NWR | Coastal migrants, shorebirds, Eastern Shore |
| Great Dismal Swamp NWR | 112,000 acres, swamp species, songbirds |
| Back Bay NWR | Coastal habitat, waterfowl, waders |
| James River Park (Richmond) | Urban riparian birding, Summer Tanagers |
Seasonal Guide
| Season | What to expect |
|---|
| Spring | Tanagers arrive, migration along Blue Ridge |
| Summer | Breeding season, hummingbirds active |
| Autumn | Southbound migration, hawk watches on Skyline Drive |
| Winter | Cardinals, finches, woodpeckers at feeders |
Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive offers birding at every elevation, with Scarlet Tanagers in the hardwoods and crossbills in the spruce-fir zone. Chincoteague NWR on the Eastern Shore is a major Atlantic Flyway stopover with spectacular shorebird migration.
