Male is vivid red; female is warm brown with reddish accents and a crest.
How to recognize it
Male is vivid red; female is warm brown with reddish accents and a crest.
Where you may find it in Ontario
Hedgerows, dense shrubs and gardens. Local occurrence depends on habitat, region and season.
Food and ecological role
Seeds, berries and insects. Every species is part of a larger food web involving plants, insects, birds and mammals.
When to look
Year-round in much of southern Ontario.
Make your backyard more welcoming
Plant native shrubs and keep cats indoors.
Identification and safety
Use several features, not a single colour or silhouette, to confirm identification. Observe wildlife from a respectful distance; do not handle or feed wild animals. For species-specific photographs and further details, see the reference below.
Further reading: Species identification / reference. Also see Ontario backyard resources.