Did you see a brightly-colored red bird, orange bird, or yellow bird in Georgia and wonder what is was?
This page is for you!
This article shows you photos and identification of some of the most common birds in Georgia based on color.
The list of birds found in Georgia includes over 435 species. I’m going to assume that you saw a common bird of this color, but you certainly could have seen something less common, or even rare!
Shape (including the shape of the bill) and size are often more helpful in starting to identify a bird than the color. In fact, most birds in North American can be easily identified with a black-and-white photo!
Many birds are multi-colored, so that it may be hard to pick out a dominant color. Males and females may be colored quite differently. And some color patterns are similar among otherwise dissimilar species.
Nevertheless, I’m going to try to pick out some of the birds that you are most likely to see in backyards or towns. And I’ll show a few others that I get asked about a lot.
The birds with a noticeable amount of red on them in Georgia covered in this article are:
- Northern Cardinal
- House Finch
- American Robin
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Red-headed Woodpecker
- Summer Tanager
- Scarlet Tanager
The birds with a noticeable amount of orange on them in Georgia covered in this article are:
- Eastern Towhee
- Brown Thrasher
- Red-shouldered Hawk
- Barn Swallow
- Wood Thrush
- Cooper’s Hawk
- American Redstart
The birds with a noticeable amount of yellow on them, including lots of yellow and black birds, in Georgia covered in this article are:
- American Goldfinch
- Pine Warbler
- Yellow-rumped Warbler
- Northern Flicker
- Great Crested Flycatcher
- Common Yellowthroat
- Cedar Waxwing
- Northern Parula
- Palm Warbler
- Pine Siskin
- Eastern Meadowlark
- Yellow-throated Warbler
- Hooded Warbler
- Yellow-throated Vireo
Red birds of Georgia
Birds get the red, orange, and yellow in their feathers from carotenoids in the fruit, seeds, and plants they eat (source).
These carotenoid colors combine with melanin to form an infinite range of red feathers–pink, rusty, scarlet, violet, red-orange.
The following are red birds that you are most likely to see in Georgia.
Northern Cardinal
These are one of the most common backyard birds in the eastern United States. Their bright red color and unique head profile makes them instantly identifiable to most people–whether they are bird watchers or not!
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| Northern Cardinal. GeorgeB2 from Pixabay. |
Males of these large seed eaters are bright red with a black face and red crest.
Females replace most of the red with brown, The bill is large and orange.
These birds are found in woodlands, stream edges, residential areas.
Northern Cardinals are year-round residents throughout Georgia.
House Finch
When people ask about a bird with a red head at their feeder, it is usually this bird.
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| Male House Finch. Greg Gillson. |
Males of this dusty brown striped finch have red limited to the head (specifically the forehead and eyebrow), breast (chest), and rump. The red coloration tends toward orangish, and may rarely be yellowish.
Females are streaked, similar to the males but without red. They lack any strong pattern on the face and head.
Note the small round head and curved upper ridge on the bill.
Some people call these red-headed sparrows. Sparrows and finches are similar, but in general, male finches are brighter than the females and tend to hang out more in trees. Sparrow genders are usually quite similar in coloration and tend to feed mostly on the ground.
These birds are common in residential areas, especially at bird feeders. In the West more widespread in arid regions near water.
House Finches are year-round residents throughout Georgia.
American Robin
These are familiar lawn birds with red breasts.
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| American Robin. Greg Gillson. |
Male American Robins are brownish-gray above with a brick red breast. Females are paler orange below and paler gray above.
They are widespread in open country with scattered deciduous trees, residential areas.
American Robins are year-round residents throughout Georgia.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
These red-throated birds are the only hummingbird nesting in the eastern United States.
Males are dark green above and on the belly. They have a white upper chest. The throat is ruby-red.
Females are green above, white below, including white throat.
These birds are found in woodland edges, residential yards. Readily come to hummingbird feeders.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are summer residents throughout Georgia.
Red-headed Woodpecker
These well-known woodpeckers with red heads have a fitting name.
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| Red-headed Woodpecker. Public domain. |
These birds have the entire head bright deep red. Back and tail black. Underparts white, as are inner secondaries and rumpThey are found in a variety of wooded habitats. They prefer to have oak and beech trees available. Sometimes come to feeders in winter.
Red-headed Woodpeckers are year-round residents throughout Georgia.
Summer Tanager
These bright red birds are found toward the tops of tall trees in the southern United States.
Males are rose red with fairly heavy bill.
Females are yellowish or mustard-colored, some with a faint reddish wash.
In the East these birds are found in pine-oak woodlands. In the West they prefer tall cottonwood trees.
Summer Tanagers are summer residents throughout Georgia.
Scarlet Tanager
A brilliant red and black bird!
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| Male Scarlet Tanager. USF&WS. Public Domain. |
Males are unmistakable with brilliant red with black wings and tail.
Females are olive-green above, darker wings and tail, yellower under parts. Pale bill.
These birds live in deciduous woods.
Scarlet Tanagers are spring and fall migrants throughout Georgia, summer residents in northern Georgia.
Orange birds of Georgia
True orange-colored birds are not that common. Many birds that I have here are paler rusty.
The common pattern is an orange body and black or brown wings and tail. Another common pattern is for the orange to be restricted to the under parts.
The following are orange birds that you are most likely to see in Georgia.
Eastern Towhee
These birds with rusty-orange sides like to hide in dense bushes.
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| Female Eastern Towhee. Skeeze. Pixabay. |
Males are black above with white wing patch, white tail corners. The sides are rusty. The belly white. Eyes variable: brown, red, orange, white, tending toward whiter southward.
Females are similar, but upper parts brown.
These birds are found in forest understory, dense brush, backyard hedges. Come to feeders.
Eastern Towhees are year-round residents throughout Georgia.
Brown Thrasher
These are rather large rusty-orange songbirds.
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| Brown Thrasher. Linda Jones CC0. |
The upper parts of these birds is colored rusty-brown to orange. They show two white wing bars. Under parts are buff with heavy reddish-brown streaking.
These birds live in woodland edges and mature backyard landscaping.
Brown Thrashers are year-round residents throughout Georgia.
Red-shouldered Hawk
Okay, the shoulders are reddish. But the rusty-orange breast and wing linings are barred red too.
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| Red-shouldered Hawk. Greg Gillson. |
The upper parts are barred black and white. The tail is banded black and white. In adults the breast is barred orange.
Immature birds are streaked with brown on the breast.
These birds like woodland edges, residential edges, riparian groves.
Red-shouldered Hawks are year-round residents throughout Georgia.
Barn Swallow
These orange-bellied birds are a familiar sight across North America in summer.
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| Barn Swallow. Greg Gillson. |
These birds are purple-blue above with orange under parts and long forked tails. The color of the underparts in winter or on females are often cinnamon or buff-colored, but breeding males can be brighter orange-red.
These birds swoop low over fields and wetlands at lower elevations. They may build their mud nests in rafters on porches, garages, or other out-buildings.
Barn Swallows are summer residents throughout Georgia.
Wood Thrush
These spotted birds with the orange-brown upper parts tend to hide in understory trees and on the forest floor.
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| Wood Thrush. Tony Castro. CC BY-SA 4.0 |
These birds are reddish brown on the upper parts, especially rusty orange on the crown and upper back. White eye ring. Large heavy black spots on the under parts.
They live in deciduous and mixed woods. Spend much time on the ground, shuffling through the leaf litter.
Wood Thrushes are summer residents throughout Georgia.
Cooper’s Hawk
These crow-sized hawks with reddish orange bars on the under parts may show up in fall or winter to hunt birds at your feeder. Oh no!
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| Cooper’s Hawk. Greg Gillson. |
Adults with long gray and black banded tail. Dark gray above and cap on head. Under parts barred with rusty orange.
Immatures similar, brownish, streaked with brown on under parts.
Found in forests and woodlands, residential shade trees.
Cooper’s Hawks are year-round residents throughout Georgia.
American Redstart
In flight these small warblers flash orange or yellow in the wing and based of the tail.
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| American Redstart. Dennis Jarvis. Flikr. CC BY-SA 2.0 |
Males are black above, white on the belly. They have bright orange patches on side of breast, wings, and base of the tail.
Females are grayer, especially on the head. The orange of males is replaced by yellow on the females.
These birds are found in regenerating woods after a clear cut, and willow tangles along streams.
American Redstarts are spring and fall migrants throughout Georgia, summer residents in northern and western Georgia.
Yellow birds of Georgia
Yellow is a common bird color! Often it is mixed with black and white plumage in birds.
Many birds with darker upper parts have yellow breast or belly.
The following are yellow birds you are most likely to see in Georgia.
American Goldfinch
These small little birds are bright yellow and black.
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| American Goldfinch. Greg Gillson. |
Males are bright lemon yellow with black and white wings and tail, black cap. White under tail coverts. Pink bill.
Females are duller yellow below and brownish above. Lack black cap.
Winter birds are pale brown or gray, a touch of yellow on the throat of males.
These are birds of open country, fields with saplings, clear cuts, residential areas. They avoid dense forests, mountains, deserts. They visit feeders.
American Goldfinches are year-round residents in northern Georgia, winter visitors in southern Georgia.
Pine Warbler
This yellow and gray bird is one of the few warblers to visit feeders–and the only one to eat seeds!
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| Pine Warbler. Nikolaus Schultz. Pixabay. |
These birds are yellow-green on head, back, and breast. Wings blue-gray with wide white wing bars. Yellow split eye ring.
Strongly associated with pine forests. Usually high in tree tops.
Pine Warblers are year-round residents throughout Georgia.
Yellow-rumped Warbler
These are abundant warblers across North America. Affectionately called “butter butts” by many birders, because of their bright yellow rumps that flash in flight.
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| Summer Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler. Greg Gillson. |
Western form (Audubon’s) with bright yellow throat and yellow rump. Large white wing patch.
Northern and Eastern form (Myrtle) with white throat, yellow rump, and two white wing bars.
Winter birds are dull gray brown, with bright yellow rump. Throat may be cream colored or white. Often difficult to tell the two forms apart in winter.
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| Winter Yellow-rumped Warbler. Greg Gillson. |
Breed in mountain or boreal conifers. Widespread in migration. Winter in low river bottoms, open weedy deciduous areas. Rarely come to feeders in winter.
Yellow-rumped Warblers are winter visitors throughout Georgia.
Northern Flicker
These woodpeckers spend much time eating ants on the ground.
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| Northern Flicker. Greg Gillson. |
These birds are larger than robins with brown and black barred upper parts. The underparts are pink with round black spots. There is a black crescent across the chest. When they fly away from you they reveal a large white rump.
Western birds have salmon-red under wings and under tail. Those in the East are colored yellow. The male face differs between the two populations–black whisker on the eastern birds, red whisker on western birds. Intergrades from overlap on Great Plains common. These may show male facial characteristics of both populations, or yellow-orange flight feathers.
These birds live in open woods with bare ground for foraging, residential yards.
Northern Flickers are year-round residents throughout Georgia.
Great Crested Flycatcher
These flycatchers have long tails and big heads with big bill and bright yellow belly.
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| Great Crested Flycatcher. Simard Francois. Pixabay. |
These birds are gray on the face and breast, brownish on rest of upper parts. Bright lemon yellow belly. The under side of the tail and some feathers of the wing are cinnamon colored.
These birds stay in the canopy of open woods.
Great Crested Flycatchers are summer residents throughout Georgia.
Common Yellowthroat
These buttery yellow birds are abundant in the marsh vegetation.
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| Male Common Yellowthroat. Greg Gillson. |
These skulkers have bright yellow throats and yellow undertail coverts. Males have a black domino mask edged broadly in white, which females lack. Upperparts are dull olive-green.
Immature males in fall show a shadowed black mask.
Found in damp situations and heavy deciduous brambles following clear cuts.
Common Yellowthroats are year-round residents in southern Georgia, summer residents in northern Georgia.
Cedar Waxwing
These crested birds with yellow band on the end of the tail are often found in flocks. They eat flying insects in summer, fruit and berries the rest of the year.
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| Cedar Waxwing. Greg Gillson. |
These birds are fawn-brown above, with dark gray wings and tail. They have a black mask and wispy crest. The belly is yellow. The wings have waxy red drops on the end of the tertials. The end of the tail has a brilliant yellow tail band.
They are found in open habitats with berries, including juniper woodlands and towns in winter.
Cedar Waxwings are winter visitors throughout Georgia, year-round residents in extreme northwest Georgia.
Northern Parula
This is a handsome blue and yellow warbler.
Males are blue on the hood and shoulders. Back green. Yellow throat and breast with a dark red spot mid-chest. Broken white eye ring. Two wide white wing bars.
Females are similar, but paler.
They are found along streams and in swampy forests with willows, maples, birches, hemlocks and other trees.
Northern Parulas are summer residents throughout Georgia.
Palm Warbler
This rather drab bird has bright yellow under tail coverts. It tends to spend much time on the ground in disturbed soils. It constantly bobs its tail up and down.
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| Winter Palm Warbler. Greg Gillson. |
Breeding birds are rather gray with yellow throat, vent and under tail coverts. White eyebrow stripe. Chestnut cap. Eastern birds tend to be more yellowish on the breast.
In winter birds are very pale, but with yellow under tail.
They nest in bogs within boreal forests. They like similar habitat at other times of year: open land with isolated scrubby trees or bushes, including coastal scrub.
Palm Warblers are spring and fall migrants throughout Georgia, winter visitors in southern and southeastern Georgia.
Pine Siskin
These small brown-streaked birds are relatives of the goldfinches. But you would never know it until they fly and sport yellow wing stripes and tail base. Usually in flocks.
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| Pine Siskin. Greg Gillson. |
These birds are streaked brown. In flight they have a yellow stripe down the length of the wing. The sides of the base of the tail is also yellow. Some birds are paler, some darker, others brighter yellow, others duller.
These birds are found in summer in northern conifer woods. Irregularly irrupt hundreds of miles southward. Frequent at feeders.
Pine Siskins are winter visitors in northern Georgia, irregularly to southern Georgia.
Eastern Meadowlark
These pale brown birds with the brilliant yellow breasts are home on the ground in prairies. They sing from perches on isolated trees, power poles, fence posts.
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Eastern Meadowlark
Photo by Mike’s Birds from Riverside, CA, US [CC BY-SA 2.0]
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The upper parts are streaked black, white, brown, so they blend into the dried grass where they live. The under parts are bright yellow with a black necklace across the chest. Very similar to Western Meadowlark, best told apart by spring song.
These birds live in prairies and extensive pasture lands.
Eastern Meadowlarks are year-round residents throughout Georgia.
Yellow-throated Warbler
These birds with the bright yellow throats creep along the branches high in trees.
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| Yellow-throated Warbler. Dominic Sherony. CC 2.0 |
These are rather gray warblers with bright yellow throat and upper breast. Black crown and face mask with white patch behind. White eyebrow. Two broad white wing bars. Black streaks on white breast and belly.
They like pine-oak woodlands, sycamores, cypress.
Yellow-throated Warblers are summer residents throughout Georgia, year-round residents in southeastern Georgia.
Hooded Warbler
These birds are found low down in the forest understory. They flash white tail corners.
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| Male Hooded Warbler. Christopher O’Toole. Pixabay. |
Males are dark green above with a black cowl over the crown and onto the throat. Face and under parts are bright yellow. White tail corners.
Females are similar, but lack the black of the male. The crown is green and the throat yellow.
These birds are found in deciduous woods and swamps, primarily in brushy understory.
Hooded Warblers are summer residents throughout Georgia.
Yellow-throated Vireo
Vireos are slow moving small birds that sing throughout the day. These yellow-headed vireos are one of the most colorful of their clan.
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| Yellow-throated Vireo. MDF. CC BY-SA 3.0 |
These birds are blue-gray above, white below. Two white wing bars. Their head is olive yellow with yellow spectacles around the eye, and bright yellow throat.
These birds like large tracts of unbroken deciduous or mixed woodlands. Interestingly, however, they are often found on forest edges.
Yellow-throated Vireos are summer residents throughout Georgia.
Wrapping Up
Georgia has many colorful avian residents beyond the red, orange and yellow ones. Here are some of my favorites from across the state.
Summer Splendor:
- Cardinal: Georgia’s state bird, these fiery red cardinals dazzle with their crimson chests, black masks, and perky crests. Look for them in forests, backyards, and shrublands.
- Indigo Bunting: During breeding season (April-September), males transform into living sapphires, sporting a deep blue body with a black head and bib. Find them in open fields, grasslands, and shrubby areas.
- American Goldfinch: These tiny marvels wear sunshine on their wings during breeding season, boasting bright yellow bodies, black caps, and black wing bars. See them flitting through fields, meadows, and gardens.
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird: These emerald jewels with fiery red throats zip through gardens and woodlands, sipping nectar like aerial acrobats. Their iridescent feathers shimmer in the sunlight, adding a touch of magic to any scene.
Year-round Charmers:
- Eastern Bluebird: These sky-blue beauties with rusty orange breasts add a touch of elegance to parks, orchards, and open woodlands. Their melodious songs are a delight to hear.
- Painted Bunting: Males flash a patchwork of vibrant greens, blues, and reds, making them one of the most colorful birds in North America. Look for them in open fields and woodland edges, especially in southern Georgia.
- Downy Woodpecker: Small but vibrant, these black and white woodpeckers drum on trees and sport a bright red patch on the nape of their neck. You’ll find them in various wooded habitats.
- Blue Jay: These bold and vocal birds flash their stunning combination of blue, black, and white through forests and woodlands. Keep an eye out for their acrobatic displays and loud calls.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of bird has a red head in Georgia?
There are several possibilities for a bird with a red head in Georgia, depending on additional details like size, habitat, and time of year. Here are some likely candidates:
Summer residents (April-October):
- Red-headed Woodpecker: This striking bird boasts a completely red head, black back, and white underparts. Look for them in open woodlands, parks, and even backyards where they drum on trees.
- House Finch: Males showcase a brown streaked body with a bright red chest and head during breeding season. They frequent backyards, feeders, and open areas.
- American Robin: While the male robin displays a rusty red breast, females and juveniles can appear more brownish with a faint reddish tinge on the head, especially during breeding season. Look for them in lawns, parks, and woodlands.
Year-round residents:
- Northern Cardinal: Females and juveniles have a duller brown plumage compared to males, with less vibrant red on the head. Look for them in forests, backyards, and shrublands.
- Downy Woodpecker: Small but vibrant, these black and white woodpeckers have a bright red patch on the nape of their neck. You’ll find them in various wooded habitats.
Where can I find the Eastern Towhee in Georgia?
Finding Eastern Towhees in Georgia is certainly possible, as they are present year-round throughout most of the state. However, their preferred habitat and secretive nature require some dedicated birding effort. Here are some tips to increase your chances of spotting these elusive beauties:
Habitat:
- Look for areas with dense undergrowth: Eastern Towhees prefer thick understory in various habitats, including deciduous and mixed forests, woodland edges, overgrown fields, and shrublands. They particularly favor areas with fallen logs, brush piles, and tangles of vines.
- Think “wettish”: While not strictly associated with water, they often favor slightly damp areas with moist soil or low vegetation.
- Explore different elevations: Their distribution may vary depending on the elevation within the state. They’re generally more common in the mountainous regions of North Georgia and along the coast but can be found at lower elevations too.
Behavior:
- Listen for their calls: While they are shy and often hidden, their clear, loud “chewink” or “tow-hee” calls can be used to locate them. Be patient, as they often call from within dense cover.
- Stay still and observe: Once you hear their call, remain patient and quiet. They may venture into more open areas for brief moments, allowing you to catch a glimpse.
- Look for scratching: They forage on the ground for seeds and insects, creating a distinctive scratching sound as they kick leaves and debris with their feet.
What is the small bright yellow bird in Georgia?
There are several possibilities for a small, bright yellow bird in Georgia, depending on the time of year and other details like size, habitat, and any additional markings. Here are some likely candidates:
- American Goldfinch: This tiny songbird is a common sight in urban and suburban areas during breeding season. Males boast a vibrant yellow body, black wings with white bars, and a black cap. You’ll see them flitting in fields, meadows, and even backyards.
- Yellow Warbler: These small, active warblers have a greenish-yellow back, yellow throat and breast, and black wings with white bars. They prefer dense vegetation in forests and parks during breeding season.
- Pine Siskin: These flocking birds have a streaked yellow body, black wings with white bars, and a yellow rump. Look for them in coniferous forests and at feeders, especially during winter.
- Yellow-throated Vireo: The bright yellow eye ring, throat, and breast of this vireo are distinctive. Its wings are dark gray, with two bold, white wing bars. Immature birds look similar to the adults, but are paler yellow. Find them in open woodlands and edges.
Related Articles:
See photos and learn about the most common backyard birds in Georgia, regardless of color.
See photos and learn what to feed winter birds in Georgia.
Here’s a quick tutorial of how I would teach you to identify birds: 7 Steps to Identify Birds!
Birds with red heads in North America.
Yellow-and-black birds in North America.
