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Red-headed birds is extremely distinctive. Some species that are native to us and have reddish markings on the head are presented here.
In a nutshell
- the head is seldom quite red
- the males often have a red head and are more conspicuous than the inconspicuous females
- almost all native woodpecker species have red markings on their heads
- they are not always red feathers
- sometimes they are red skin flaps (so-called roses)
Types from A - E
Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta)
Family: grouse
- slightly larger than a partridge, white wings; Upper side of male in breeding plumage dark, red flaps of skin over eyes; Females yellowish brown with dark markings, no red head
- Food: berries, shoots, buds, insects for the young animals
- Brood: May to July, one brood, ground breeders between rocks, nest well camouflaged
- Occurrence: Richly structured landscapes above the tree line, mainly in the Alps
Bee-eater (Merops apiaster)
Family: Spinte
- strikingly colourful, red-brown head, whitish-yellow throat, blue belly, long bill, black eye stripe
- Food: eponymous bees, bumblebees, wasps, hornets, but also other larger insects
- Brood: May to July, one brood, nests in cliffs, constructs long burrows with nest chamber at end
- Occurrence: warm areas with varied landscape and steep slopes, breeding bird in southern Europe and rarely in southern Germany
Redpoll (Carduelis flammea)
Family: Finches
- smaller than a sparrow, plumage striped brownish or grayish, deep red apex; Males with reddish chest
- Food: Seeds, insects, nuts, tallow (at feeding sites)
- Breeding: May to July, two broods, nest in bushes and trees made of brushwood, moss and straw
- Occurrence: in coniferous forests, around the tree line, in low mountain ranges, moorland, alder and willow trees, coniferous conservation areas in the lowlands
Black Grouse (Tetrao tetrix)
Family: grouse
- Males blue-black, tail feathers curled outwards, fanned out for courtship, red unfeathered spots above eyes; Females significantly smaller and with brownish camouflage color, no red head
- Food: buds, shoots, berries, insects
- Brood: April to June, one brood, ground-nesting in dense vegetation
- Occurrence: Moor and heath landscapes, sparse forests, rare
Linnet (Carduelis cannabina)
Family: Finches
- Males in breeding plumage with a conspicuous red crown and red breast, plain plumage less conspicuous without red; Females striped brown, no red head
- Food: seeds, insects
- Breeding: April to August, two broods, nests in several pairs at low height in bushes and trees
- Occurrence: open cultural landscapes with hedges and low trees, cemeteries, vineyards, parks and gardens, outside the breeding season in larger swarms, on the outskirts of settlements
Types of F - O
Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)
Family: smooth-footed chickens
- ground color of males and females mottled with brown; Males with blue-green head, red facial mask particularly noticeable during mating season; Females inconspicuous, no red head
- Diet: Seeds, grains, fruits, berries, worms, snails, insects
- Brood: April to June, one brood, ground nester, nest well concealed
- Occurrence: Structure-rich landscapes, forest edges, wetlands
Notice: The pheasant originally comes from Asia and was naturalized in Europe for hunting purposes.
Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra)
Family: Finches
- typical are the crossed beak and the forked tail, males with brick-red markings on the head, ground color rusty brown; Females olive green without red
- Food: Spruce seeds, flowers and buds of deciduous trees
- Breeding: year-round, often December to May, one or two broods, breeds in spruce, nest made of brushwood, moss and lichen
- Occurrence: Coniferous forest up to the tree line
Carmine bullfinch (Carpodacus erythrinus)
Family: Finches
- males with crimson markings on head, throat and chest, otherwise grey; Females brownish, no red head
- Diet: Insects, their larvae, buds, shoots, berries and seeds
- Breeding: May to July, one brood, nest low in scrub or young trees, constructed of stalks, grasses, fine roots and hair
- Occurrence: Wetlands rich in bushes, stands of willow and alder, light forests rich in herbs, parks
Types of P - R
Barn swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Family: Swallows
- slender, dark upper side, red throat and forehead, white belly, forked tail
- Food: flying small insects
- Breeding: May to August, two to three broods, nests in buildings, often stables or barns, bowl-shaped nest made of clay and culms on walls under ceiling, nests are often reused and therefore must not be removed
- Occurrence: in villages and individual farms, common everywhere, populations are nevertheless declining
Robin (Erithacus rubecula)
Family: thrushes
- small, plump, orange-red chest and forehead, large, dark eyes, otherwise brownish
- Food: Insects, snails, worms, berries, fruits
- Breeding: April to July, two broods, ground breeders in dense vegetation, cup nest made of leaves, grass, moss, also uses cavities close to the ground and low nesting boxes
- Occurrence: Deciduous and mixed forest with dense undergrowth, parks, gardens
Woodchat Shrike (Lanius senator)
Family: Shrikes
- top of head brown-red, belly and throat white, wings and forehead black; females somewhat paler
- Food: beetles, bumblebees, other large insects
- Brood: May to July, one brood, likes to nest in apple or pear trees (orchards), nest made of brushwood, stalks and roots
- Occurrence: open landscapes with suitable breeding trees, mainly southern Germany
Types from S - Z
Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus)
Family: Waxwings
- orange-brownish, top of head orange-red, black blindfold and wing markings, belly lighter, feather crest that can be erected
- Diet: Insects during the breeding season, otherwise berries of rowan, viburnum and hawthorn, fruit
- Breed: Breeds exclusively in Northern Scandinavia and Northern Russia
- Occurrence: with us overwintering guest, very sociable
Family Woodpeckers (Picidae)
great spotted woodpecker
- Gray and green woodpeckers: Basic color green-grey, top of the head bright red, especially in the male green woodpecker
- Black Woodpecker: mainly black, red «headstock»
- all other native species with red features on the head: plumage mottled black and white or striped, belly often lighter to whitish, undertail-coverts partly bright red
- Food: wood-dwelling insects and their larvae, young birds, eggs, fruits, nuts, tallow (at feeding sites), berries, ants and their pupae, snails, worms
- Brood: March to July, one brood, cavity breeders, carve brood cavities in diseased trees or take over abandoned cavities
- Occurrence: Deciduous and mixed forests, gardens, parks, orchards, cemeteries, mostly old trees necessary for breeding
- Species: Gray Woodpecker (P. canus), Green Woodpecker (P. viridis), Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius), White-backed Woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos), Great Spotted Woodpecker (D. major), Blood Woodpecker (D. syriacus), Middle Spotted Woodpecker (D. medius), Lesser Woodpecker (D minor)
Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)
Family: Finches
- strikingly variegated, with black, yellow, white and red, especially on the head and wings, ground color brown
- Food: mainly seeds of thistles, small insects during breeding season and other seeds
- Breeds: May to August, two broods, nests in forked branches of deciduous trees
- Occurrence: Parks, orchards, hedgerows, villages with old trees, sometimes hibernates in large flocks in Germany
frequently asked Questions
When is a garden bird friendly?It should be designed mainly in a natural way. With many wild plants, trees, piles of brushwood, thorn hedges and flowering plants for insects. Then birds will find enough food, hiding places and nesting material.
Can woodpeckers harm other birds?They might prey on fledglings and eggs. Therefore, nest boxes should always be reinforced with a metal plate around the entrance hole. The woodpecker can then no longer chisel open the nest box.
Which bird species have "roses" on their heads?These are mainly different types of chickens. The flaps of skin are particularly noticeable when they swell during the mating season.