Pennsylvania’s backyards host an amazing variety of birds with stunning and unusual colors. Beyond the familiar cardinals and blue jays, some feathered visitors sport truly remarkable plumage that can turn an ordinary bird-watching day into something special.
Grab your binoculars and keep your eyes peeled for these colorful avian treasures that might be visiting your yard right now.
1. Indigo Bunting – Electric Blue Wonder
Male Indigo Buntings transform from brown to brilliant blue during breeding season, creating a dazzling electric blue appearance that seems to glow in sunlight. Their vibrant color comes from light refraction in their feathers, not actual blue pigment.
Look for these jewel-toned visitors at woodland edges and overgrown fields from late April through September. They love thistle and sunflower seeds in feeders, so stock up to attract these stunning birds to your backyard.
2. Scarlet Tanager – Flame in the Foliage
Sporting a blazing red body with jet-black wings, the male Scarlet Tanager looks like it belongs in a tropical rainforest rather than Pennsylvania. These shy birds prefer the canopy of deciduous forests but occasionally visit yards with mature trees.
Despite their brilliant coloring, Scarlet Tanagers can be hard to spot. Their tendency to stay high in treetops means you’ll need to scan carefully to catch a glimpse of this crimson beauty between May and September.
3. Rose-breasted Grosbeak – Pink-Hearted Visitor
With a striking black-and-white pattern topped by a rosy-red triangular patch on its chest, the male Rose-breasted Grosbeak brings tropical flair to Pennsylvania yards. The rose-colored “bib” looks like someone painted a valentine heart on the bird’s white breast.
These chunky finches have massive beaks that easily crack seeds. They adore black oil sunflower seeds and platform feeders during their spring and fall migrations. Listen for their sweet robin-like song that sounds surprisingly delicate from such a robust bird.
4. Cedar Waxwing – Masked Berry Lover
Cedar Waxwings sport smooth, silky plumage in shades of brown, gray, and yellow, accented with a rakish black mask and distinctive red waxy wingtips. The tail ends in a bright yellow band that looks dipped in paint.
Traveling in social flocks, these elegant birds descend on berry-producing trees and shrubs. Plant serviceberry, dogwood, or winterberry to attract them. Some waxwings develop orange-tipped tails instead of yellow when they eat certain introduced honeysuckle berries – a rare color variation to watch for!
5. Baltimore Oriole – Orange Flame in the Trees
Males flash brilliant orange-and-black plumage that seems to catch fire when sunlight hits their feathers. These tropical-looking birds return to Pennsylvania each spring, announcing their arrival with flute-like whistles that cascade through neighborhoods.
Unlike most colorful birds, Baltimore Orioles readily visit backyards offering the right treats. They go crazy for orange halves, grape jelly, and nectar feeders. Their pendulum-shaped nests hang from the ends of high branches, woven with remarkable precision by the female.
6. Purple Finch – Raspberry-Dipped Songster
Often mistaken for the more common House Finch, the true Purple Finch looks as though it was dipped in raspberry juice. Males display a deeper red coloration that extends across the head, breast, and back – not just on the head and chest like their cousins.
These northern visitors appear in Pennsylvania backyards primarily during winter months. Their chunky bodies and conical bills make short work of black oil sunflower seeds. Listen for their warbling song with a distinctive rising note at the end – sweeter and more melodious than the House Finch.
7. Prothonotary Warbler – Golden Swamp Jewel
Glowing like a drop of sunshine, the Prothonotary Warbler sports a brilliant golden-yellow head and chest against blue-gray wings. This rare warbler visits wet woodlands and swampy areas in eastern Pennsylvania during summer months.
Unlike most warblers that nest in trees, these golden beauties nest in tree cavities near water. Backyards near streams or wetlands with mature trees occasionally attract these luminous visitors. Their sweet “tweet-tweet-tweet-tweet” calls sound like someone gently whistling for a dog.
8. Pine Grosbeak – Rosy Winter Visitor
Resembling overgrown finches, male Pine Grosbeaks wear a beautiful rosy-red coat over their plump bodies. These northern birds rarely venture into Pennsylvania except during winter irruptions when food becomes scarce in their Canadian homeland.
Unlike many colorful birds, Pine Grosbeaks are remarkably tame and approachable. They may spend hours feeding on crabapples, mountain ash berries, or sunflower seeds at feeders. Their gentle disposition matches their soft, flute-like warbling calls that bring musical charm to cold winter days.
9. Blue-winged Warbler – Yellow Gem with Blue Accents
The Blue-winged Warbler combines a brilliant yellow body with striking blue-gray wings and a bold black eye-line. Despite their name, the blue on their wings is subtle – more of a slate-gray with a bluish tinge that catches the light just right.
These warblers prefer brushy fields and woodland edges across Pennsylvania during summer months. Yards with native shrubs and trees might attract these active insect-eaters. Their distinctive “bee-buzz” song sounds exactly like their name – a clear note followed by a buzzy trill.
10. Evening Grosbeak – Tropical-Looking Winter Visitor
Male Evening Grosbeaks sport a striking combination of yellow, black, and white, topped with a bold yellow eyebrow that gives them a perpetually surprised expression. Their massive pale bills can crack the toughest seeds with ease.
These northern finches visit Pennsylvania irregularly during winter months. When they arrive, they descend on feeders in noisy flocks, quickly emptying sunflower seed supplies. Their presence creates backyard excitement as their golden bodies brighten dreary winter days like tropical visitors misplaced in the snow.