It is found across northern and central United States and most of Canada, including southern portions of the Yukon and Northwest Territories.

Its abdomen is brown, turning dark red at maturity in both sexes.

[2][page needed] Some females have amber in basal areas of their wings.

As their name suggests, faces are dark red when mature.

[4] This species overlaps with and is difficult to distinguish from the ruby, saffron-winged, and white-faced meadowhawks.