Quiz: How Many Female Bird Photos Can You ID?

Male birds tend to get all the attention, but females are just as beautiful. See how many you can identify in this female bird quiz.

A female rose-breasted grosbeak takes a break from eating berries.
Courtesy Carol Raynor

Answer: Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

Sometimes the female bird looks nothing like the male bird of the same species! To identify a mystery bird, look at the shape and size of the beak. In this image, a female rose-breasted grosbeak takes a break from eating berries. See 15 outstanding pictures of rose-breasted grosbeaks.

A female mountain bluebird perches high on top of a tree or shrub.
Courtesy Fox Lowry

Answer: Mountain Bluebird

A female mountain bluebird perches high on top of a tree or shrub. Follow these tips and learn how to attract bluebirds.

A female summer tanager sits on a decaying log.
Courtesy William Palmer

Answer: Summer Tanager

A female summer tanager sits on a decaying log. A bright red male summer tanager looks much different from the mustard yellow female bird. Discover 8 surprising facts about tanagers.

Orchard Oriole Female
Courtesy Lisa Gaylird

Answer: Orchard Oriole

A bright yellow female orchard oriole rests on a branch. Female orchard and Baltimore orioles share a warm-hued chest, head and tail feathers, but the female Baltimore has touches of tangerine orange while the orchard’s color runs closer to greenish yellow. Learn how to attract orioles.

Red Winged Blackbird Female
Courtesy Amy Estoye

Answer: Red-Winged Blackbird

A female red-winged blackbird hangs on the side of a dried stalk of grass. This female bird lacks the namesake red patch on its wings. Don’t miss these pictures that will change the way you look at black birds

A female pileated woodpecker clings to the side of an old fence post.
Courtesy Lillian Stewart

Answer: Pileated Woodpecker

A female pileated woodpecker clings to the side of an old fence post. Males have a red “mustache” stripe on their cheek. Don’t miss 15 adorable photos of bird mothers with babies.

A female northern cardinal stands on a snow-covered railing.
Courtesy Jean Owens

Answer: Northern Cardinal

Some female birds are less flashy in color than males, which helps them blend in better during nesting season. A female cardinal stands on a snow-covered railing. Here’s what it means to see a cardinal in your backyard.

A female downy woodpecker pecking at a moss-covered log.
Courtesy Dennis Peters

Answer: Downy Woodpecker

A female downy woodpecker pecks at a moss-covered log. The lack of a red spot on the back of this downy’s head is a quick way to tell that it’s a female. Learn how to tell the difference between downy and hairy woodpeckers.

A female house finch perches in a tree with red fall foliage.
Courtesy Karlie Larson

Answer: House Finch

A female house finch perches in a tree with red fall foliage. You’ll love these super pretty pictures of finches.

253987650 1 Catherine Hodge Bnb Bypc2020
Courtesy Catherine Hodge

Answer: Red-Bellied Woodpecker

A female red-bellied woodpecker clings to a bird feeder. Males sport full red foreheads, caps and napes, while females have red napes and just a touch of ruby at the base of their bills. Get to know the 11 most common types of woodpeckers.

female ruby throated hummingbird
Courtesy Barbara Houlihan

Answer: Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

A female ruby-throated hummingbird perches surrounded by red flowers. Females lack the bold ruby red throat of the males. Learn more about the life of a female hummingbird.

A female varied bunting pecks at a cactus fruit.
Courtesy Dawn Arjes

Answer: Varied Bunting

A female varied bunting pecks at a cactus fruit. Meet five other gorgeous bunting birds you should know.

A closeup of a female snowy owl looks back at the camera.
Courtesy Elaine Hessler

Answer: Snowy Owl

A female snowy owl looks back at the camera in a closeup photo. Female snowies are typically slightly bigger than the males. Discover the amazing types of owls in North America.

A female eastern towhee forages for food on the ground.
Courtesy Stephen Shelasky

Answer: Eastern Towhee

A female eastern towhee forages for food. Towhees are often seen scratching around on the ground.

female goldfinch
Courtesy Martha Tully

Answer: American Goldfinch

A female American goldfinch perches atop a gladiola flower. Meet the 3 types of goldfinches in the United States.

253929434 1 Joanne Kline Bnb Bypc2020
Courtesy Joanne Kline

Answer: Prothonotary Warbler

A female prothonotary warbler snags a large dragonfly. Attract a prothonotary warbler with a birdhouse.

Patriceiacovoni female house sparrow
Courtesy PATRICIA IACOVONI

Answer: House Sparrow

A female house sparrow perches in a tree. Learn how to keep house sparrow nests out of bluebird boxes.

Rachel Maidl
Rachel Maidl is a former senior editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. She enjoys bird-watching in her urban backyard and local state parks, gardening for pollinators and researching new plants. Her favorite backyard visitors are the bumblebees that visit her sedums.