5 Amazing Birds With RED CHEEKS (ID Guide With Photos)

So, you have seen a bird with red cheeks but you are not sure what kind of bird you saw? Well, in this article we are going to talk about several birds that have red cheeks.

It can be super frustrating when you see a bird and you have no idea what kind it is. It is human nature to want to be inquisitive, learn about our surroundings, and make sense of what we have seen. 

That is why we have created this article, to help you identify that pesky bird with red cheeks. 

So, without further ado, let us get started!

Red-Cheeked Cordon-Bleu Finch

Also known as the red-cheeked blue waxbill, this small bird is native to Africa. They are small finches that are sky blue and brown with bright red circles on their cheeks. While omnivorous these birds live largely on a diet of grain and grass seeds.

They do eat insects and beeswax, but this is usually when they are younger and the parents bring protein-rich foods to their hatchlings to help with rapid growth.

These small birds are quite common in Africa, but that does not take away from their striking appearance. They have been introduced to the United States and parts of North America.

Let’s go over the basic information about the red-cheeked cordon-bleu finch:

• Latin Name – Uraeginthus Bengalus
• Native Home – Africa
• Plumage Color – These birds are sky blue and brown with two red dots on their cheeks. 

Red Whiskered Bulbul

These birds have a brown top from their shoulders down to their tail, their belly is white, and they have a black head and a very striking pair of red dots on their cheeks.

They are a medium-sized songbird that is generally found in small groups or in pairs. The red whiskered bulbul can most often be seen in gardens, orchards, at the edge of forests, or even in open forests.

They are quite a common bird in Asia and are often sold at markets as songbirds. These bulbuls have been introduced to parts of the United States. 

Let’s go over the basic information about the red whiskered bulbul:

• Latin Name – Pycnonotus Jocosus
• Native Home – Southern Asia
• Plumage Color – These birds are a mixture of white, brown, and black with a red spot on each of their cheeks.

Cockatiel

These birds are extremely popular companion birds. This is why they are so widespread, despite their place of origin being in Australia. These bold and cuddle parrots are curious, funny, and feisty all at once.

They tend to have yellow heads with a red circle on each cheek, their bodies are a mixture of gray and white giving them a rather striking appearance

These birds can live for up to twenty years and are quite social creatures. However, these birds could live longer in captivity. This is due to the optimum conditions in which they are cared for. 

Let’s go over the basic information about the cockatiel:

• Latin Name – Nymphicus Hollandicus
• Native Home – Australia
• Plumage Color – These birds are usually gray with yellow and white areas. They also have a red dot on each of their cheeks. 

Palm Cockatoo

Also known as the Goliath Cockatoo or the Great Black Cockatoo, this bird is quite large and striking. The dark plumage and dramatic Mohawk make this bird look all the more dramatic and certainly gives it goth vibes.

These birds can live up to sixty years of age in the wild and up to ninety years of age in captivity. While you are not likely to see one of these gorgeous birds in the USA they are certainly worth mentioning.

They are actually an endangered species and are more commonly seen at zoos or professional aviaries, but there are some people who may own one of these beautiful birds.

If you are lucky enough to have seen one of these birds in the wild, consider yourself extremely lucky. Their rarity makes it hard for many people to appreciate these birds in the wild. 

Let’s go over the basic information about the red palm cockatoo:

• Latin Name – Probosciger Aterrimus
• Native Home – Australia
• Plumage Color – These birds are all black or a smooth dark gray color and usually have bright red patches of exposed skin on either of their cheeks. 

Red-Crowned Parakeet

Otherwise known as a red-headed parakeet or a porete, these birds are endemic to New Zealand. These birds make great pets and are absolutely delightful to have around.

Their silly personalities and antics will always keep you amused and have a smile on your face. In the wild, these birds will live in a wide range of habitats including grasslands, forests, and shrubland.

They usually live in quite large flocks and when you see them fly you may notice that they are quite erratic in their movement. 

Because the red-crowned parakeet is a popular pet you may see them in the USA and you may even see some of these birds as they have been introduced to some areas of the country. 

Let’s go over the basic information about the red whiskered bulbul:

• Latin Name – Cyanoramphus Novaezelandiae
• Native Home – New Zealand
• Plumage Color – These birds are usually, mostly green with bluish or blackish-tipped wings, a red head, and a red dot on each cheek. 

Final Thoughts

That is all for this article, we hope you enjoyed learning about these amazing red cheeked birds and we hope that this little list of birds will help you identify the one that you saw.

There are a plethora of other birds out there that likely have red cheeks so if you do not find your bird on this list make sure to explore the internet, you are very likely to find exactly what you are looking for. 

We hope that you have enjoyed this article and learned something about some of these amazing birds regardless of whether they are the ones that you have seen or not. 

Have a fantastic day and we will see you in the next article. Goodbye for now!