Newbie wanting to identify a bird (1 Viewer)

[NW1]

I'm about 15 miles west of St. Louis, MO.

I just saw a bird I've never seen before. I could not get a photo.

Bright red overall like a male cardinal, possibly even a deeper red.
Larger than a cardinal, closer to a jay. Not as full as a robin.
No crest.
It had a dark gray mask but not as defined as a cardinal. The mask extended above the eyes, more all over the face but the outline was more "scattered"

Thank you!

 

[delia todd]

Hi NW1 and a warm welcome to you from all the Staff and Moderators. I've moved your post to the ID forum, as they're better placed to be able to help you.

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing your news.

 

[KC Foggin]

Hi there and a warm welcome to you from those of us on BirdForum!
I'm assuming you saw it in the U.S. but it is always a good thing to state where and when you saw the bird.
My guess is leaning on a male Summer Tanager but I'm sure others will have more suggestions

 

[Indobirder]

I'm assuming you saw it in the U.S. but it is always a good thing to state where and when you saw the bird.

I'm about 15 miles west of St. Louis, MO.

I just saw a bird

 

[rkj]

"Bright red overall" does not leave too many possibilities. Summer Tanager, as KC Foggin has suggested, seems the most likely. Your description might fit Hepatic Tanager better, but that would be far out of range. If you have misjudged the size, which is very easy to do, House Finch, Purple Finch, or Vermilion flycatcher (also out of range) might be considered.

 

[Kits]

Welcome to Birdforum. I hope you enjoy your visits.

 

[Jeff Hopkins]

Both Scarlet and Summer Tanagers sometimes show some darker shading around the eyes. So I think it was one of those.

Do you remember whether the wings were red or black? If red, then Summer Tanager. If black, then Scarlet Tanager.

 

[gsimonel]

From the way you described the size and the black mask, I would guess a Baltimore oriole. They're really bright orange, but in the right light it might look reddish.

 

[gsimonel]

Now that I think about it, an orchard oriole is redder than a baltimore oriole.

 

[Andy Hurley]

@ Indobirder

I'm about 15 miles west of St. Louis, MO.

I'm assuming you saw it in the U.S. but it is always a good thing to state where and when you saw the bird.

I agree with KC.
Not everybody in our wide world knows about the US state abbreviations, MO could also be the OP's name. St Louis is in France, Canada, Gaudeloupe, Reunion, Senegal and in Missouri USA plus 6 other St Louis something, including Saint-Louis-lès-Bitche — Wikipédia, France. No worries though, typing a comma and 3 letters USA, clarifies exactly where in the world a person is from. Saves unneeded stress...