Hawaiian Birds With Red Heads
Wondering what those Hawaiian birds with red heads were that you just spotted?
Most likely you just saw a red-crested cardinal, one of the most common red-headed Hawaiian birds!
But there are many more, and here’s a short list of Hawaiian birds with red heads:
- Red-crested cardinal
- ‘Apapane
- ‘I’iwi
- Northern cardinal
- Yellow-billed cardinal
- Red avadat
- House finch
- Red junglefowl
Not just eye-catching, the vivid crimson coloration of crowns are a deep reflection of evolution honing these birds, usually males, to attract mates and to signal dominance or territoriality.
The more vivid the coloration, the more easily these red-headed bird species stand out against the lush green foliage, making them easier to spot for fellow birds and prospective mates.
The red pigmentation is derived from carotenoids in the diet of the red-headed Hawaiian birds and indicates good health and strong genetics, further enhancing their appeal during mating season.
Bird lover? Check out detailed guides to Hawaiian birds, birds of Kauai and birds of Oahu!
Hey, by the way! Visiting Hawaii? While you finalize your packing, don’t forget to book your tours and activities, way in advance, to avoid disappointments! Start here, and pick the islands you plan to visit. Or go directly to the best Oahu tours, the best things to do in Maui, and the best Kauai helicopter tours!
Red Headed Cardinals
Cardinals are an introduced bird species, and three types of cardinals are common on Hawaii: the Red-Crested Cardinal, the Northern Cardinal and the Yellow-Billed Cardinal.
Of these the red-crested cardinals are most common while the yellow-billed cardinals are relatively rare.
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As the above images show, you can easily distinguish each based on their signature characteristics.
The Red-Crested Cardinal, often called the Brazilian Cardinal, has a crest and only a red head, the remainder of its upper body is gray and lower body snowy white.
The Northern Cardinal, often called Redbird, is crested and completely red except for a signature black mask on its face.
The Yellow-billed Cardinal looks like the red-crested cardinal but has a distinctive yellow beak and does not have a crest.
Native Red Headed Hawaiian Birds
The ‘apapane and the ‘i’iwi, two endemic Hawaiian honeycreepers, are common Hawaiian birds with red heads that you’ll spot on the birding trails in the rainforests of Hawaii, usually at higher elevations.
The ‘i’iwi has a signature long curved beak, a hallmark of coevolutionary adaptation to Hawaii’s tubular, nectar-rich, native flowers like the ohia lehua blossoms.
The ‘apapane, also a nectar specialist, has a sharper and only slightly curved beak.
Other Hawaiian Birds with Red Heads
Red junglefowl, wild ancestors of chicken, are found on all the main islands, and many have red heads.
Males of the common house finch have red coloration on their heads and foreheads, more prominent during mating season.
The Red Avadavat, another member of the finch family, often referred to as the Strawberry Finch, has a bright red beak, red coloration on head and reddish body with brownish wings.
Hiking Gear Checklist
Many of Hawaii’s hikes are demanding, make sure you are well equipped and well prepared. Here’s what we typically take with us:
- Water Bottle: I hate plastic bottles, and with opaque bladders you can’t see if it is moldy inside. We use this Hydro Flask water bottle – light, stainless steel, wide mouth (you can add ice), with double-wall vacuum insulation (greatly refreshing for hikes in summer). You can also get it with a Flex Straw Lid!
- Hiking Shoes: My preferred hiking shoes are the medium range Merrell Moab 3 Waterproof Hiking Shoe (men’s, women’s, men’s mid), great for Hawaii’s trails through mud and streams. My wife loves her high-end Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX Hiking shoes (men’s, women’s), also waterproof.
- Sunscreen: Hawaii’s sun can be harsh. Avoid sunburn with sunscreen compliant with Hawaii’s 104 Reef Act. The Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray, moisturizing with Vitamin E, is our go-to when we travel to Hawaii. Apply liberally and regularly!
- Trekking Poles: Great for hikes that involve climbing, both going uphill and downhill, and on trails that are wet, muddy and slippery! Improve your footing with this collapsible, high-end Black Diamond Trail Cork Trekking Poles, available for men and women.
- Headlamp: Planning a sunrise or sunset hike? Hiking in the dark is no fun, especially on many of Hawaii’s rainforest or ridge hikes. We love these two headlamps: the budget Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp and the premium Petzl Actik Core Headlamp, with many features.
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