25 Backyard Birds in Alabama in 2023 (Pictures & Facts)

Last updated 11-04-2023 by Mathias

In this article, we try to help you answer the question: What species of backyard birds can I find in Alabama?

“The Heart of Dixie”, Alabama is the state we will be covering today. Alabama is a great state for birdwatchers, being home to 449 species of birds. The Northern Flicker is the state bird of Alabama, a medium-sized member of the woodpecker family. This list will cover the most frequent birds found in the backyards of Alabama.

25 most common backyard birds in Alabama:

1. Northern Cardinal (93.51% frequency)
2. House Finch (92.21% frequency)
3. Carolina Chickadee (90.91% frequency)
4. Mourning Dove (89.61% frequency)
5. Carolina Wren (87.01% frequency)
6. Tufted Titmouse (84.42% frequency)
7. American Goldfinch (80.52% frequency)
8. Northern Mockingbird (77.92% frequency)
9. Pine Siskin (71.43% frequency)
10. Red-bellied Woodpecker (71.43% frequency)
11. Downy Woodpecker (70.13% frequency)
12. American Robin (68.83% frequency)
13. Purple Finch (67.53% frequency)
14. Dark-eyed Junco (66.23% frequency)
15. Blue Jay (64.94% frequency)
16. Eastern Bluebird (59.74% frequency)
17. White-throated Sparrow (55.84% frequency)
18. Chipping Sparrow (54.55% frequency)
19. Yellow-rumped Warbler (54.55% frequency)
20. Brown Thrasher (54.55% frequency)
21. Spotted/Eastern Towhee (Rufous-sided Towhee) (53.25% frequency)
22. Brown-headed Cowbird (50.65% frequency)
23. Pine Warbler (46.75% frequency)
24. White-breasted Nuthatch (46.75% frequency)
25. Red-winged Blackbird (41.56% frequency)

1. Northern Cardinal

Image: © Suzie McCann | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Cardinalis cardinalis

Length: 8.3-9.1 in (21-23 cm)

Weight: 1.5-1.7 oz (42-48 g)

Wingspan: 9.8-12.2 in (25-31 cm)

Found in 93.51 percent of sites visited in Alabama

Male cardinals have a black and reddish-orange bill to go with their reddish-orange body. Female Northern Cardinals have reddish-brown wings, tails, and crests. In contrast to their male counterparts, they have black faces and red beaks.

Cardinal males are fiercely protective of their territory and will go to any lengths to keep outsiders out. A male cardinal is known to fight with his own reflection for hours at a time. Among North American songbirds, the female cardinal is one of the few that sings, and she does so while perched on her nest. To ensure that he doesn’t miss out on food for the nest, the male cardinal will use this cue.

Northern Cardinals can be found throughout the year in Alabama. For example, they’ve been sighted in Arizona and Texas in addition to the Midwest.

Northern Cardinals may use large tube feeders, hoppers, platforms, and ground feeders. Some of the seeds they eat are hulled sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, broken corn, millet, and milo.

2. House Finch

Image: © Martina Nordstrand | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Haemorhous mexicanus

Length: 5.1-5.5 in (13-14 cm)

Weight: 0.6-0.9 oz (16-27 g)

Wingspan: 7.9-9.8 in (20-25 cm)

Found in 92.21 percent of the sites visited in Alabama

A mature male House Finch has a flaming red face and breasts. On their back, belly, and tail are dark streaks that are easily noticeable in the wild. When an adult woman isn’t red, she has a basic grey-brown complexion and an unmarked face. The House Finch has a huge beak and a flat-topped skull, despite its small stature. Because of their short wings, they appear to have a larger tail. Although many finches have notched tails, the House Finch’s tail notch is smaller than those of other finches.

Gathering around feeders or trees for a common meal and discussion is a regular occurrence for the House Finch. You might see them eating weeds or the ground when they aren’t at the feeders. Their flight is particularly bouncy when compared to that of most finches.

All year long, these finches can be found in Alabama. During the winter, House Finches from the Great Lakes and Northeast migrate south.

It is possible to find these birds in established habitats such as parks and urban areas, as well as in backyards and privately owned properties. In large numbers, they are impossible to overlook.

Using a small amount of black oil sunflower seeds when feeding your birds is recommended. If these birds find your feeders, you can expect to see groups of up to 50 birds. Their preferred way of feeding is by tube feeders. Snacks like Nyjer and hulled sunflower seeds and safflower seeds are also popular among them.

3. Carolina Chickadee

Image: © Evan Lipton | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Poecile carolinensis

Length: 4.7-5.9 in (12-15 cm)

Weight: 0.3-0.5 oz (9-14 g)

Wingspan: 6.3-8.3 in (16-21 cm)

Found in 90.91 percent of the sites visited in Alabama

This bird’s plumage is comprised of shades of black, white, and grey. The wings are covered in gray and white feathers. The crown of the skull and the bib are both black. The bird’s eyes are difficult to discern because the black cap reaches beyond its black eyes. Unlike other birds, chickadees have a virtually spherical head and short neck. Tiny and muscular bills are contrasted with long and thin tails in this birds’ anatomy.

Foraging Carolina Chickadees have been observed memorizing hundreds of hiding places where they store food and seeds. Inquisitive by nature, raptors continually scrutinize the area around them, including people. A year-round native of the state of Alabama, the Carolina Chickadee is one of the first birds that people learn about.

When it comes to bird feeders, chickadees are among the most easily enticed. In pursuit of suet, sunflower seeds, and peanuts, birds like this one flock to feeding stations like this one. You may help chickadees by planting willow, birch, or alder trees in your yard.

4. Mourning Dove

Image: © Ryan Schain | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Zenaida macroura

Length: 9.1-13.4 in (23-34 cm)

Weight: 3.0-6.0 oz (96-170 g)

Wingspan: 17.7 in (45 cm)

Found in 89.61 percent of sites visited in Alabama

The colors of mourning doves’ feathers are greatly influenced by the surrounding landscape. With just black dots on their wings and white tail feathers, these birds may be identified. The tails of these doves are long, but their legs are short.

Mourning doves have quick, agile flight and strong wing beats. Mourning Doves fly in pairs, with the male in the lead, during mating season. During the absence of a female, males compete for mates. This is the third and last member of the pair.

In the spring, Mourning Doves move to northern Minnesota’s border with Canada and Michigan to mate.

In your location, you may observe them sitting on phone lines on a regular basis. That there is no vegetation on the ground is a sign of food storage by birds.

A platform feeder or seeds strewn on the ground can draw these birds. Birds’ nesting places are provided by evergreen trees and thick bushes. Cats have been known to attack and kill ground-dwelling birds, so keep them inside if they spend a lot of time there.

5. Carolina Wren

Image: © Don Danko | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Thryothorus ludovicianus

Length: 4.7-5.5 in (12-14 cm)

Weight: 0.6-0.8 oz (18-22 g)

Wingspan: 11.4 in (29 cm)

Found in 87.01 percent of the sites visited in Alabama

The typical hues of this bird are reddish-brown on the top and orange on the underbelly. The Carolina Wren, despite its enormous size, is built to last. They have a cocked tail that is long and elongated. Wrens have long, narrow necks and a broad, downward-curving beak.

Carolina Wrens are recognized for their abilities to devour fruit and other insects while scurrying through thick vegetation and mounting tree trunks. One of their favorite pastimes is spying on others and their possessions. As a kind of territorial defense, they will sing continually throughout the day and night.

The Carolina Wren can be found year-round in Alabama. There are no migratory wrens in this area, which means they stay put.

You should keep Carolina Wrens in mind. The song of this bird is both loud and piercing, and it may often be heard in densely wooded regions.

In the winter, Carolina Wrens are known to visit suet feeders in search of food. This species congregates in backyards when food is plentiful. There are a number of foods that Carolina Wrens enjoy eating in the wild. Tube feeders, suet cages, platforms, and hoppers are the most common places where you’ll observe them grazing.

6. Tufted Titmouse

Image: © Darlene Friedman | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Baeolophus bicolor

Length: 5.5-6.3 in (14-16 cm)

Weight: 0.6-0.9 oz (18-26 g)

Wingspan: 7.9-10.2 in (20-26 cm)

Found in 84.42 percent of sites visited in Alabama

Firstly, the Tufted Titmouse has a silver-grey upperside and a white underbelly. Their flanks are pink. The bird’s beak is blackened. These birds appear larger than most other feeder visitors due to their enormous heads and broad eyes. Their necks are thick. The size of Tufted Titmice is sometimes compared to sparrows.

Titmice are acrobatic foragers who move more carefully and slowly than chickadees. They frequent bird feeders with woodpeckers, chickadees, and nuthatches. Titmice are aggressive at feeders, especially the smaller ones.

The Tufted Titmouse can be seen all year in Alabama. Midwest, Southwest, East Coast, and certain Southern states have these people.

Look for the Tufted Titmouse in parks and backyards, flying between the outer limbs. The Tufted Titmouse’s high-pitched whistled song often precedes sightings in its natural habitat.

They frequent backyard bird feeders, and their numbers grow in the winter. They eat sunflower seeds as a snack, along with nuts, seeds, and suet. Place nest boxes in your yard to attract them. This will turn your land into a wildlife breeding site. Prepare the nesting boxes well in advance of mating season.

7. American Goldfinch

Image: © Darren Clark | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Spinus Tristis

Length: 4.3-5.12 in (11-13 cm)

Weight: 0.4-0.7 oz (11-20 g)

Wingspan: 7.5-8.7 in (19-22 cm)

Found in 80.52 percent of the sites visited in Alabama

The male adult has a bright yellow and black forehead in early spring. Adult male wings are black with white patterns. Females age to a darker golden color and appear more olive over all. Due to its lack of stripes and dark wings, the Goldfinch seems gloomy in the winter.

There are times when hordes of these acrobatic birds would gather around feeders or on the ground underneath them. Predators are drawn to their undulating, bouncing flight style and loud calls.

Outside of the breeding season, they are found in southern Alabama, northern Minnesota, Michigan, and even Canada. The American Goldfinch lives all year in northern Alabama. When not reproducing, they can be found around the country.

The American Goldfinch’s big size attracts it to a variety of bird feeders. Grow natural thistles or other composite plants in your yard to attract Goldfinches. Sunflower seeds and nyjer are favorites.

8. Northern Mockingbird

Image: © Jay McGowan | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Mimus polyglottos

Length: 8.3-10.2 in (21-26 cm)

Weight: 1.6-2.0 oz (45-58 g)

Wingspan: 12.2-13.8 in (31-35 cm)

Found in 77.92 percent of the sites visited in Alabama

There is a distinct difference between the Northern Mockingbird’s brown body and its lighter brown breast and abdomen. This species’ wings have two white bands and patches running along the top and bottom of the wingtips. The size of mockingbirds and robins is comparable.

The Northern Mockingbird will perch on fences, trees, and telephone poles, among other things, in order to announce its presence. It is possible for these birds to become violent toward intruders and to expel them from their region if it is essential to do so.

Because these birds do neither migrate or hibernate, they are constrained to a single geographic area. Year-round residents of Alabama and much of the rest of the country can spot the northern mockingbird.

After the grass has been mowed, you may see mockingbirds in your yard. Even power lines and telephone poles are common perches for birds of prey like the Northern Mockingbirds.

Despite their regular visits to backyards, Northern Mockingbirds rarely visit bird feeders. If you keep an open lawn with fruiting trees and shrubs surrounding, they’ll be drawn to your property. When in the wild, they like to consume mulberries, hawthorns, and blackberries, to name a few options.

9. Pine Siskin

Image: © Ryan Sanderson | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Spinus pinus

Length: 4.3-5.5 in (11-14 cm)

Weight: 0.4-0.6 oz (12-18 g)

Wingspan: 7.1-8.7 in (18-22 cm)

Found in 71.43 percent of sites visited in Alabama

Pine Siskins have sharp beaks and short, notched tails, and are roughly the size of a sparrow. The wings and tails of these blackbirds are tinged with yellow. Most other finches have a thicker bill, but thin-bill finches are unique. When these birds are in flight, look out for forked tails and pointed wingtips.

When temperatures dip overnight, the Pine Siskin’s metabolism speeds up fivefold. If they do this, they can survive in temperatures as low as –70°C (–94°F).

When the Pine Siskins aren’t giving birth, Alabama is a great area to watch them. These birds can be seen year-round across much of North America. Alaska, Canada, Texas, Minnesota, and even sections of Mexico are all regions where they can be found.

In fir trees, the Pine Siskin can be found perched at the summits of the branches. They can even be hung from a ceiling that is upside-down. The sound of a twisting shriek that can’t be missed should be on your radar. According to some, this phone conversation sounds like a sheet of paper is being torn apart. ‘ The Pine Siskin might be spotted one winter and then disappear the following winter in North America.

A Nyjer or thistle feeder works best for luring Pine Siskins to your yard. Millet and hulled sunflower seeds are also favorites. Plant and weed seeds are their favorite food.

10. Red-bellied Woodpecker

Image: © Scott Martin | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Melanerpes carolinus

Length: 9.4 in (24 cm)

Weight: 2.0-3.2 oz (56-91 g)

Wingspan: 13.0-16.5 in (33-42 cm)

Found in 71.43 percent of sites visited in Alabama

This woodpecker has a magnificent red crown and a black and white striped back. It also has white spots on its wings and a black and white striped back. Round heads and thin bodies give them a resemblance to Hairy Woodpeckers.

Perched on tree trunks and branches, woodpeckers chew bark with their enormous beaks. The Red-bellied Woodpecker’s flight pattern is similar to other woodpeckers’.

These woodpeckers can be found all year round in Alabama. In the Midwest, Southeast, and Eastern Seaboard of the United States, you’ll find most of these types of businesses.

For most of the year, Eastern woodpeckers can be spotted perched on tree trunks and branches. Woodpeckers make a lot of noise in the spring and summer, so learning their calls may be beneficial.

In the winter, provide them suet, peanuts, and sunflower seeds if you want them to come to your backyard. There have been reports of hummingbirds drinking nectar from feeders. The most popular feeders for these animals are suet cages and large hoppers. The black oil sunflower seeds, safflower, cracked maize, and mealworms are all favorites of these woodpeckers.

11. Downy Woodpecker

Image: © Evan Lipton | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Dryobates pubescens

Length: 5.5-6.7 in (14-17 cm)

Weight: 0.7-1.0 oz (21-28 g)

Wingspan: 9.8-11.8 in (25-30 cm)

Found in 70.13 percent of sites visited in Alabama

The male Downy Woodpecker has a small red patch on top of his head, and its wings and head are all checkered black-and-white patterns. Western Downy Woodpeckers tend to be darker in color than Eastern Downy Woodpeckers. As a result, their wings in the East are a darker shade of brown. The predominant color in the Pacific Northwest is a deep brown.

Downy Woodpeckers often gather in mixed-species flocks with other raptors during the winter. As a result, they have less time to keep an eye out for predators, and they may be able to collect food more quickly because there are others around to help them out.

The Downy Woodpecker can be found all over North America, including in Alabama.

In the backyard, you’re more likely to witness this type of Woodpecker. On top of their suet cages, they enjoy consuming black oil sunflower seeds, millet, and even peanut butter chunks. Birds will use hummingbird feeders to get water from time to time.

12. American Robin

Image: © Alex Eberts | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Turdus migratorius

Length: 7.9-11.0 in (20-28 cm)

Weight: 2.7-3.0 oz (77-85 g)

Wingspan: 12.2-15.8 in (31-40 cm)

Found in 68.83 percent of the sites visited in Alabama

The majority of American Robins are grey-brown, although there are outliers. Yellow is the color of their beaks. These critters’ undersides are a bright orange color. Despite the fact that both women’s heads and backs are gray, their heads are substantially lighter than their backs. The bodies of these birds are enormous, with long tails and short legs. You can use the shape and size of a robin to compare different bird species’ sizes and forms.

While soaring through the grass, this bird’s beak is arched upwards in order to take in the surroundings. Foraging for berries and nesting in trees is vital throughout the winter months. When American Robins consume honeysuckle berries, they can become drunk. In the fall and winter, the American Robin eats a lot of fruit.

In Alabama, these Robins can be found all year long. Everywhere south of Canada, American Robins can be found. Specimens have been discovered in the Gulf Coast, in the Southwest, and in Mexico.

There are robins all over your neighborhood park or in your own backyard. By listening to their distinct lilting and beautiful cries, it’s easy to find them. In the winter, these birds can be heard making gentle calls from the branches of fruit trees.

The American Robin prefers feeders placed on the ground or on a platform. If you put out suet, fruit, mealworms, hulled sunflower seeds, and peanut hearts, these birds will flock to your feeders in droves.

13. Purple Finch

Image: © Henry Trombley | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Haemorhous purpureus

Length: 4.7-6.3 in (12-16 cm)

Weight: 0.6-1.1 oz (18-32 g)

Wingspan: 8.7-10.2 in (22-26 cm)

Found in 67.53 percent of sites visited in Alabama

Male Purple Finches have pinkish-red breasts and heads, while their backs are a richer shade of red. The finch has a white belly and a pinkish-red head, which is why it’s called a finch. While male Purple Finches have a red bottom, females don’t. Instead, they have a lighter brown underside that is streaked with a darker brown. White eye stripes are also seen. In terms of size, an adult Purple Finch is comparable to a House Sparrow. Conical beaks on their skulls and notch-like tails make them formidable predators. According to experts, Pacific Coast Purple Finches have a darker colour than their eastern counterparts.

Purple Finches crack open seeds and eat nuts using their beaks and tongues, which they use. This approach is also used by Purple Finches to get nectar from flowers. In coniferous and mixed deciduous and coniferous forests, breeding is more prevalent than in other types of forests.

When the Purple Finch is not breeding, it can be seen throughout Alabama. The growth of cone crops tends to guide this short-distance migrant’s movements. Once they’ve left their breeding grounds in Canada for the winter, these birds can be seen all over the central and southern United States.

It’s possible that the Purple Finch will return the next year if you live in its winter range and haven’t seen one this year.

If you want to attract Purple Finches to your yard, put sunflower seeds, Nyjer, and millet into your tube feeder, hopper feeder, or platform feeder. The Purple Finch is attracted to coniferous trees, so if you have any in your yard, you may see one.

14. Dark-eyed Junco

Image: © Chris Wood | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Junco hyemalis

Length: 5.5-6.3 in (14-16 cm)

Weight: 0.6-1.1 oz (18-30 g)

Wingspan: 7.1-9.8 in (18-35 cm)

Found in 66.23 percent of sites visited in Alabama

While juncos can be found in a wide variety of hues throughout the United States, the most frequent are dark gray or brown. Their beaks are pink, and their tail feathers are a pale blue. The Dark-Eyed Junco has a wide range of distribution. The Slate-Colored, Oregon, Pink-Sided, Red-Backed, Grey-Headed, and White-Winged Juncos are only a few of the fifteen varieties of the Junco family.

It is a typical sight in North American forests to see a dark-eyed junco. In addition, they can be found in Alaska, Canada, the southwestern United States, the northeastern United States, and even Mexico, making them a common sight in North America. Nests are built in shrubs and trees where they forage for seeds that have fallen from the sky. If it is not breeding season, the Dark-eyed Junco may be observed in Alabama.

Some of the most common Junco staples include black oil sunflower seeds, cracked maize, oatmeal, and Nyjer. As ground feeders, they will eat seeds that have been placed on the ground in addition to huge hoppers and platform feeders.

15. Blue Jay

Image: © Scott Martin | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Cyanocitta cristata

Length: 9.8-11.8in (25-30 cm)

Weight: 2.5-3.5 oz (70-100 g)

Wingspan: 13.4-16.9 in (34-43 cm)

Found in 64.94 percent of sites visited in Alabama

There are several shades of blue on the Blue Jay. There is a shade of blue to suit any mood, from bright blue on the wingtips to a more subdued shade on the rear, to the top of the head. These creatures have black markings on their necks, wings, and eyes as well. White is the color of their eyes, throat, and stomach. There is a high crest on the head and a large, circular tail on this blue-gray songbird. They’re in the middle of the robin and crow sizes, with the robin being the larger.

The blue jay’s cries can be heard for miles around. The Blue Jay sings while perched on a tree with other Blue Jays around. During migration, blue jays tend to be a little quieter than usual. Their food is stored in a pouch on their neck.

You may see them as far north as eastern Canada if you’re lucky enough to live in Alabama, which is a year-round resident.

Blue jays are known for their loud screams, and they are known for being social birds. The fact that blue jays travel in large groups along shorelines makes it simple to spot them. Residents may congregate in big groups when in open areas, although they typically fly silently and one at a time across wide-open distances when doing so.

A tray feeder or hopper feeder is preferred by Blue Jays over a regular feeder. Tray feeders are superior to hanging feeders for them. Just a few of the things they enjoy eating are suet, sunflower seeds, and peanuts. Acorns will be available to the jays if oak trees are present in the area where they inhabit.

16. Eastern Bluebird

Image: © Keith Kennedy | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Sialia sialis

Length: 6.3-8.3 in (16-21 cm)

Weight: 1.0-1.1 oz (28-32 g)

Wingspan: 9.8-12.6 in (25-32 cm)

Found in 59.74 percent of the sites visited in Alabama

An adult male bluebird’s upperparts are bright blue, but his throat and breast are brown. She has a gray upper body with a blue tail and wingtips and white underparts. These birds have large rounded heads, large eyes, and a plump build, giving them the appearance of a sparrow-robin hybrid.

In addition to wires, low branches, and posts, the Eastern Bluebird enjoys perching on them. They often sit in open locations and scour the ground for prey. During the winter, they feed on fruiting trees, while during the summer, they graze on insects and other insects.

Eastern Bluebirds are common all year in Alabama. They are either year-round residents or short-distance migrants.

The Eastern Bluebird is most common in open areas with minimal vegetation, large trees, and nest boxes. These birds prefer the open air on power wires or fences to the shade.

Even if these bluebirds don’t regularly frequent feeders, they may show up if food is available. If you place mealworms in the backyard feeder, the bird will eat them. Also seen eating from a platform feeder and from the ground. Eastern Bluebirds eat mealworms, fruit, peanut hearts, and suet.

17. White-throated Sparrow

Image: © Keenan Yakola | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Zonotrichia albicollis

Length: 6.3-7.1 in (16-18 cm)

Weight: 0.8-1.1 oz (22-32 g)

Wingspan: 7.9-9.1 in (20-23 cm)

Found in 55.84 percent of the sites visited in Alabama

The White-throated Sparrow gets its name from its distinctive striped head pattern and brown upper body and gray lower body. They have a massive and robust build, as well as features such as enormous bills, round heads, long legs, and long, slender tails. Between the eye and the beak, a golden patch can be seen.

As much as possible, sparrows like to keep their feet on the ground. While searching for food in the leaf litter, they become unwell. On trees and plants with young buds that are low to the ground, White-throated Sparrows will eat them.

When they’re not breeding, you can find White-throated Sparrows all around the state of Alabama. Migrants who travel short and medium distances make up this group. Autumn will see the beginning of the departure of the region’s seasonal residents.

Wooded areas and brushy fields are the most common places to find white-throated sparrows. The birds’ whistling song can be heard from a great distance when they gather in large groups to forage during the winter months.

It will visit feeders, where it will eat the seeds that have been strewn across them. Sunflower seeds, cracked corn, milo, and millet are also favorites of the white-throated sparrow.

18. Chipping Sparrow

Image: © Evan Lipton | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Spizella passerina

Length: 4.7-5.9 in (12-15 cm)

Weight: 0.4-0.6 oz (11-16 g)

Wingspan: 8.3 in (21 cm)

Found in 54.55 percent of the sites visited in Alabama

Compared to other sparrow species, the Chipping Sparrow’s beak is quite small in comparison to its long tail and slender body. The underparts of these sparrows are icy, and they have a pale face and a rusty cap.

Under the shelter of plants, the Chipping Sparrow prefers foraging on the ground. As well as from the branches of smaller trees, they will sing. When it was taken and released in Ontario in 1998, a Chipping Sparrow at least 10 years and 11 months old was the oldest one yet discovered.

They can be found across Alabama during the breeding season. Northern Arizona, Arkansas, and Tennessee breeders will spend their non-breeding months in either Baja, California, Mexico, or Florida.

During the winter, small groups of Chipping Sparrows may be seen foraging on open ground near trees in the area. When it comes to food, Chipping Sparrows prefer black oil sunflower seeds above everything else. Although these sparrows will occasionally eat from a feeder, they prefer to dine on the ground.

19. Yellow-rumped Warbler

Image: © Ezra Staengl | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Setophaga coronata

Length: 4.7-5.5 in (12-14 cm)

Weight: 0.4-0.5 oz (12-13 g)

Wingspan: 7.5-9.1 in (19-23 cm)

Found in 54.55 percent of the sites visited in Alabama

The Yellow-rumped Warbler is a big warbler that is predominantly gray with flashes of white and yellow. It is mostly grey with flashes of white and yellow. They have a huge head, a strong beak, and long, slender tails. They are nocturnal. The size of these warblers is comparable to that of a Black-capped Chickadee.

These warblers forage in the outer tree canopies at medium heights, where they are most comfortable. Yellow-rumped Warblers are extremely busy, and you will often see them flying out to collect insects in mid-air, as well as taking long trips from one location to another.

During the nonbreeding season in Alabama, these warblers can be encountered in large numbers.

Yellow-rumped Warblers are frequently observed sitting on the limbs of trees on the outside of the canopy. When they are on the prowl for insects, they may be rather apparent. During the winter, these birds can be spotted feeding at backyard feeders, which are provided by homeowners. Sunflower seeds, raisins, suet, and even peanut butter are among the foods that attract these warblers.

20. Brown Thrasher

Image: © Martina Nordstrand | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Toxostoma rufum

Length: 9.1-11.8 in (23-30 cm)

Weight: 2.1-3.1 oz (61-89 g)

Wingspan: 11.4-12.6 in (29-32 cm)

Found in 54.55 percent of the sites visited in Alabama

Brown Thrashers dwarf Northern Mockingbirds in terms of size and mass, despite the fact that they are smaller in size than Blue Jays. It is dark on the underparts of these birds, which are white with black lines on their wings and tails. Their appearance is characterized by a dark complexion and bright yellow eyes.

These birds like to forage in the underbrush or among the shrubs and bushes in order to remain undiscovered. When they sing from the branches of trees and plants, they like making a lot of noise and attracting attention. Brown Thrashers are ferocious birds who have been known to inflict major injury and even death on humans and their pets in their rage.

Brown Thrashers travel across the country during their annual migration, stopping in a variety of locations. During the dead of winter, they travel southward from the northern reaches of their breeding habitat. During their breeding season, Brown Thrashers can be observed in the state’s northern regions, particularly in the state’s northernmost counties.

Keep a lookout for densely wooded areas such as hedgerows and forest margins if you want to maximize your chances of seeing this bird in its natural habitat. You will find it impossible to ignore the scurrying noises produced by these birds.

The Brown will eat whatever is put in front of him as long as it is available. Aside from feeding facilities, thrashers may also frequent the yards of people who live in the area. Thrashers may be attracted to shrubs and bushes that produce fruit because of the dense shelter they provide.

21. Spotted/Eastern Towhee (Rufous-sided Towhee)

Image: © Mason Maron | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Pipilo maculatus/erythrophthalmus

Length: 6.7-8.3 in (17-21 cm)

Weight: 1.2-1.7 oz (33-49 g)

Wingspan: 11.0 in (28 cm)

Found in 53.25 percent of the sites visited in Alabama

With a long tail and an externally pointed beak, the Towhee is a medium-sized sparrow. Male Spotted Towhees have jet black upper bodies and necks. There is a striking contrast between its white belly and reddish cinnamon flanks.
When Spotted Towhees look for seeds and other small invertebrates, they “double-scratch.” Hoping around on the ground and scaling lower branches to get food is a favorite pastime for these birds.
The Eastern Towhee makes its home in Alabama all year round. The Towhees’ method of life and existence revolves around migration.

Towhees are a common sight in the woods and weedy places. They have a meowing scream that sounds like a cat’s meow and a quick singing style. Keep an eye out for any clues of a lost pet in the underbrush and along paths covered in fallen leaves.

It may be as simple as putting out bird feeders to attract Spotted Towhees to your yard. On a platform or the ground, they prefer to eat their food. Feed your backyard feeder with sunflower seeds, millet, milo, and peanut hearts if you want to attract Towhees.

22. Brown-headed Cowbird

Image: © Jack & Holly Bartholmai | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Molothrus after

Male

Length: 7.5-8.7 in (19-22 cm)

Weight: 1.5-1.8 oz (42-50 g)

Wingspan:14.2 in (36 cm)

Female

Length: 6.3-7.9 in (16-20 cm)

Weight: 1.3-1.6 oz (38-45 g)

Wingspan: 12.6-15.0 in (32-38 cm)

Found in 50.65 percent of the sites visited in Alabama

Brown-headed Unlike other blackbirds, cowbirds have a smaller tail and a thicker head. Males tend to be glossy black with a dark brown or black head, while females are plain brown with a dark brown or black head.

Blackbirds prefer to dine on the ground, and they typically do so in groups with other birds, such as blackbirds and starlings. These noisy birds, Brown-headed Cowbirds, make a variety of clicking, whistling and gurgling noises.

For this species, its wintering habitats are 530 kilometers away from its breeding grounds. Throughout the year, the Brown-headed Cowbird can be seen in Alabama.

There are a lot of cowbirds out there. Amid the winter, look for their black and brown heads in groups of other species. The best way to locate these birds is to become familiar with their cries. Keep an ear out for their singing, as they call regularly.

Brown-headed In addition to sunflower seeds, cracked corn, milo, oats, peanuts, and millet, cowbirds eat a variety of other seeds and cereal grains. Hopper and platform feeders, as well as the ground, are places where birds can find food.

23. Pine Warbler

Image: © Ryan Schain | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Setophaga pinus

Length: 5.1-5.5 in (13-14 cm)

Weight: 0.3-0.5 oz (9-15 g)

Wingspan: 7.5-9.1 in (19-23 cm)

Found in 46.75 percent of the sites visited in Alabama

The Pine Warbler is a brightly colored bird, but it is not entirely yellow; their backs are olive green and they have whitish bellies, giving them their name. The beaks of these birds are fairly heavy, and they have lengthy tails to match their heft.

Because they prefer to nest in pine trees, these warblers might be difficult to notice because they are so high up in the canopy. Insects account for the vast majority of their food, but they also consume fruits and seeds. The Pine Warbler will browse on the ground or even from bird feeders on occasion, depending on the situation.

As part of their migration, Pine Warblers visit the southern United States, specifically the Southeast. During the entire year, these warblers can be seen in Alabama.

Traveling to a pine forest in the eastern United States is the most effective approach to see the Pine Warbler in its natural habitat. This type of Warbler prefers to perch high in the branches of pine trees. The Pine Warbler enjoys seeds such as millet, broken corn, sunflower seeds, peanuts, and suet. It will also consume suet and peanut butter.

24. White-breasted Nuthatch

Image: © Ryan Schain | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Sitta carolinensis

Length: 5.1-5.5 in (13-14 cm)

Weight: 0.6-1.1 oz (18-30 g)

Wingspan: 7.9-10.6 in (20-27 cm)

Found in 46.75 percent of sites visited in Alabama

The White-breasted Nuthatch’s back has a grey-blue tint, which contrasts with its white breast. Even though their top bodies are completely black, their cheeks and undersides are completely white. The color of their tail and belly can be described as chestnut in appearance.

Nuthatches, despite their small size, have a preference for huge seeds and insects, which they consume in large quantities. These animals “hatch” nuts and seeds by pressing them into the bark of trees and then “eating” them from within, a practice that has been utilized for thousands of years. Nuthatches are small, yet their booming calls may often be heard miles away, directing you on the right path.

In Alabama, the White-breasted Nuthatch can be observed throughout the year, regardless of the season. During the non-breeding season, central Kansas is an excellent location to observe them.

Peanuts, mealworms, suet, and hulled sunflower seeds, all of which this species enjoys, are frequent feeder items for this species. They are frequently seen in the vicinity of suet cages and tube feeders, among other places.

25. Red-winged Blackbird

Image: © Connor Charchuk | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Agelaius phoeniceus

Length: 6.7-9.1 in (17-23 cm)

Weight: 1.1-2.7 oz (32-77 g)

Wingspan: 12.2-15.8 in (31-40 cm)

Found in 41.56 percent of sites visited in Alabama

Red-winged Blackbirds have large shoulders and a small cone-shaped beak. It has a short tail and a stocky build. The surface is polished black, while the inside is bright red and yellow. The Red-winged Blackbird’s back has a prominent hump when perched. With their bright shoulders, these birds are hard to miss.

Male Red-winged blackbirds will sit on high perches and sing all day long to attract females. Females, on the other hand, stay lower and dash through the forest in quest of food and building eggs. Blackbirds and starlings may be present in huge Red-winged Blackbird groups during the winter.

In Alabama, these blackbirds can be observed all year. The blackbird population in the southern United States and Mexico does not migrate, whereas the northern United States population does.

A Red-winged Blackbird sitting on a telephone line is a common sight in the countryside. They can be observed in cattail marshes and waterlogged places. These blackbirds will probably be the most visible and heard.

Red-winged Blackbirds may visit your yard if you give them a combination of grains and seeds. You can attract Red-winged Blackbirds by scattering seed or grain on the ground.

Bird Watching in Alabama

Birdwatching in Alabama is a great choice if you’re looking for an exciting and rewarding hobby that will get you outside and closer to nature. Alabama’s diverse habitats support a diverse range of bird species, making it an ideal destination for both novice and experienced birdwatchers.

Alabama’s local climate and weather play an important role in the birdwatching experience. The state can be hot and humid in the summer, making it difficult to stay outside and observe birds. The cooler months, on the other hand, are ideal for bird watching, with mild temperatures and calm winds providing ideal conditions for spotting birds.

Bird watching in Alabama is best from late winter to early spring, when migratory birds arrive and local birds begin to breed. Bird watching is also popular during the autumn migration of birds. The variety of habitats found in Alabama, such as wetlands, coastal areas, and forests, allows birdwatchers to see a diverse range of species.

Attracting Backyard Birds in Alabama

Attracting birds to your backyard is one of the most enjoyable birdwatching experiences you can have in Alabama. Getting up close and personal with the beauty of birds is a great way to become more acquainted with the many species of birds in the area.

Getting birds to visit your yard is a simple but rewarding process. To begin, keep your yard and garden clear of debris, as clutter can deter birds from visiting and nesting. Additionally, to provide a suitable environment for birds, keep your garden well-maintained and watered. Planting native plants and trees that provide food and shelter for birds will also help them find their way to your yard.

Birdseed is the most popular food choice for attracting birds. Different types of birdseed will attract different bird species, so make sure to select the appropriate seed for the birds you want to attract. You can also place bird feeders around your yard to provide easy access to food for birds.

Finally, provide clean water for the birds to drink and bathe in. A birdbath or small pond in your backyard can be a great addition, providing a safe and convenient place for birds to rest and clean themselves.

Birding locations in Alabama

• Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
• Gulf State Park Fishing and Education Pier
• Conecuh National Forest
• Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge
• Talladega National Forest
• Cheaha State Park
• Guntersville Lake/State Park
• Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge