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The bird world is colourful. Only butterflies and fish can boast a greater variety of colors. Native red-bellied birds are particularly popular. We present twelve of them.
In a nutshell
- more than 500 bird species are native to Germany
- a red head or red belly in the male increases the success in finding a partner
- Red-bellied species are particularly popular with humans
- Colors in plumage are created by pigments and structural colors
Types from A - E
Linnet (Linaria cannabina)
- Size: 12 to 14 centimeters
- Appearance of the male: red chest, brown back, gray head, red forehead
- Appearance of the female: similar to a sparrow, without red parts
- Vocals: nasal, pressed
- Distribution: not widespread in Germany, lives on bushy slopes, in parks, in cemeteries
- Food: almost exclusively plant seeds, rarely insects
- Other names: flax finch
- Feature: partial puller
Notice: The linnet is on the Red List. It is highly endangered in Germany
Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)
- Size: 14 to 18 centimeters
- Appearance of the male: Belly and sides of head reddish-brown to brown-pink, crown blue-grey, back brown, forehead black, beak steel-blue in spring, otherwise horn-colored, white shoulder patch
- Appearance of the female: lighter overall than the male, back olive grey, bill light brown
- Vocals: very distinctive
- Distribution: everywhere in Germany in forests, parks and gardens
- Food: insects, spiders, berries, seeds
- Other names: noble finch
- Characteristic: resident bird
By the way, bird watchers remember the typical song of the chaffinch with the mnemonic “I-write-to-the-government”.
Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)
- Size: 17 to 19.5 centimeters
- Appearance of the male: compact body, short legs, iridescent blue plumage, orange-red belly
- Appearance of the female: same coloring as the male, differentiated by the red underside of the beak
- Song: sharp whistling call, simple song
- Distribution: not widespread in Germany, lives near flowing water
- Food: small fish, frogs, tadpoles and insects
- Other names: kingfisher
- Characteristic: resident bird
By the way, pairs of kingfishers can raise up to 21 young a year. In order for this to succeed, the male takes care of the young while the female incubates a new clutch.
Types of F - J
Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra)
- Size: 15 to 17 centimeters
- Appearance of the male: compact body, powerful crossed beak, dark brown wings and tail, red head, red belly, red rump
- Appearance of the female: olive green with a yellow rump, otherwise similar to the male
- Song: varied, nasal, purring, call "gip-gip-gip"
- Distribution: widespread in Germany in coniferous forests
- Food: Seeds of spruce and other conifers, flower buds, small insects
- Other names: Scots pine parrot
- Characteristic: not a migratory bird, but a migratory bird that migrates where there is enough food
Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus)
- Size: 13 to 14 centimeters
- Male Appearance: Slender body, red tail, red belly, black cheeks, black throat, white headband
- Appearance of the female: Breast off-white to light orange, back grey
- Singing: smacking
- Distribution: in Germany in varied landscapes, on meadow orchards
- Food: insects, spiders, worms, berries
- Other names: wood redstart
- Characteristic: resident bird
Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula)
- Size: 13 to 14 centimeters
- Male Appearance: Strong build, red breast, black cap, thick black beak
- Appearance of the female: Breast grey-brown, back grey
- Vocals: soft with whistling elements
- Distribution: everywhere in Germany in forests, parks and gardens
- Diet: Adults only eat seeds, young birds eat insects, spiders and seeds
- Other names: bullfinch, goldfinch, bloodfinch
- Characteristic: resident bird
Types of K - R
Carmine bullfinch (Carpodacus erythrinus)
- Size: 13 to 15 centimeters
- Appearance of the male: red head, red breast, red rump, otherwise brown-grey
- Appearance of the female: plain brown-grey with black stripes
- Singing: whistling, rhythmic, whistling call
- Distribution: mainly in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, in fields, in forests and parks
- Food: seeds, buds
- Other names: unknown
- Feature: migratory bird
Ruddy shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea)
- Size: 58 to 70 centimeters
- Appearance of the male: small goose with rust-red plumage, light-colored head, black neck ring
- Appearance of female: similar to male, face slightly lighter
- Singing: trumpeting calls
- Distribution: isolated in Germany on lakes and ponds
- Food: small fish, frogs, worms, insects, grasses, seeds
- Other names: unknown
- Feature: partial puller
Red-breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis)
- Size: 55 centimeters
- Male Appearance: Stocky body, strong neck, small beak, rust-red breast, rust-red throat, red sides of head, black plumage on back and abdomen. Female Appearance: Similar to male
- Singing: shrill staccato calls
- Distribution: isolated in Germany on lakes and ponds
- Food: Grass, glasswort, insects
- Other names: unknown
- Feature: migratory bird
Robin (Erithacus rubecula)
- Size: 13 to 14 centimeters
- Appearance of the male: orange-red coloring from front forehead to throat to chest, sides of head red, upper surface olive brown to grey, underside white, feet dark brown, beak black
- Appearance of the female: like the male
- Vocals: strong, fast zigs, sparkling vocals
- Distribution: distributed throughout Germany in deciduous and mixed forests with dense undergrowth
- Diet: Insects, spiders, worms, caterpillars, nuts and berries in winter
- Other names: Red-breasted Red-breasted snail
- Characteristic: resident bird
Types from S - Z
Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola)
- Size: 12 to 13 centimeters
- Appearance of the male: black head, white collar, red breast, dark beak, plain winter coat after moult
- Appearance of the female: slightly lighter than the male
- Song: whistling with smacking sounds
- Distribution: mainly in the east, south and west of Germany on open areas, raised bogs and heaths
- Food: insects, spiders, worms
- Other names: unknown
- Feature: partial puller
Rock Thrush (Monticola saxatilis)
- Size: 18 to 19 centimeters
- Male Appearance: Short-tailed thrush with a small beak, head and plumage bluish-grey, rust-red belly and breast, white back when flying
- Appearance of the female: brown, light throat and red-brown tail
- Vocals: soft flutes
- Distribution: in Germany almost exclusively in the Allgäu mountains, highly endangered
- Food: Insects, spiders, worms, small reptiles, berries
- Other names: mountain lark
- Feature: migratory bird
frequently asked Questions
What is the reason for the red color of the feathers?Embedded pigments result in the colorful colors of the bird feathers. Carotenoids, which are ingested with food, result in red, orange and pink tones in the plumage.
Why do males often have more intense coloring than females?The uneven color distribution has to do with the mating behavior of the birds. Every bird wants to have healthy offspring. Beauty is taken as a sign of health. The male birds have to compete for the favor of the females. A red head or a red belly makes the male bird interesting for the female.
Can birds distinguish colors?Birds, reptiles and fish are able to perceive a wider range of colors than humans. They use four types of color receptors to recognize color.