25 Backyard Birds in Kentucky in 2022 (Pictures & Facts)

Last updated 17-04-2023 by Mathias

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

This article will look at the “Bluegrass State”, Kentucky, and its many species of birds. More than 350 bird species have been documented in Kentucky, and around 150 species breed in the state. River otters, minks, black bears, bobcats, and red foxes are mammals that are quite common in Kentucky. Almost half of this state is covered in forest, which explains why Kentucky is one of the country’s top three producers of hardwood.

25 most common backyard birds in Kentucky:

1. Northern Cardinal (98.21% frequency)
2. Mourning Dove (91.07% frequency)
3. Blue Jay (90.18% frequency)
4. Downy Woodpecker (88.39% frequency)
5. House Finch (87.50% frequency)
6. Dark-eyed Junco (87.50% frequency)
7. Tufted Titmouse (87.50% frequency)
8. Carolina Wren (84.82% frequency)
9. Red-bellied Woodpecker (83.04% frequency)
10. American Goldfinch (82.14% frequency)
11. European Starling (76.79% frequency)
12. American Robin (75.89% frequency)
13. Carolina Chickadee (71.43% frequency)
14. White-breasted Nuthatch (71.43% frequency)
15. Northern Mockingbird (65.18% frequency)
16. House Sparrow (64.29% frequency)
17. Song Sparrow (64.29% frequency)
18. White-throated Sparrow (59.82% frequency)
19. Purple Finch (46.43% frequency)
20. Brown-headed Cowbird (41.96% frequency)
21. Hairy Woodpecker (41.96% frequency)
22. Spotted/Eastern Towhee (Rufous-sided Towhee) (40.18% frequency)
23. Common Grackle (38.39% frequency)
24. Chipping Sparrow (38.39% frequency)
25. Red-winged Blackbird (36.61% 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 98.21 percent of sites visited in Kentucky

Cardinals have a red exterior with a black and slightly crimson bill on the males, which contrasts with the red exterior. Cardinals have a red exterior with a black and slightly crimson bill on the males. Northern Cardinal females have light brown wings and tails with a reddish tint, while the rest of their bodies are the same color as their wings and tails. It is possible to differentiate them from their male counterparts by the fact that they have a black face and a crimson beak.

A cardinal male’s territory is very important to him, and he will go to great lengths to ensure that no strangers access their area. Occasionally, a male cardinal may spend a significant amount of time in the mirror sparring with his own reflection. In fact, the female cardinal is one of the few songbirds in North America that can be heard singing, and she does it nearly entirely while she is perched on her nesting platform. As a result, the male cardinal will be able to tell when to go out and gather food for the nest as a result of this information.

The state of North Carolina is home to a significant number of Northern Cardinals, which may be seen there throughout the year, even during the winter. Their presence has been documented not just in the Midwest and East Coast of North America, but also in Arizona and Texas, among other areas.

There are several different types of feeding sources available to Northern Cardinals, including big tube feeders, hoppers and platforms, and even ground feeders. Hulled sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, broken maize kernels, millet, and milo are just a few of the seeds that they ingest.

2. 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 91.07 percent of sites visited in Kentucky

Mourning doves often have plumage that closely matches the color of the landscape. Their main noticeable traits are the black patches on their wings and the whitetail feathers on their tails. These doves are distinguished by their long tails and small legs.

Mourning doves are known for their rapid flight and consistent wing beats, making them a favorite of photographers. During the mating season, the male guides the female in a lone flight. In the absence of a female, males compete for potential mates, which may be stressful. The female is the couple’s third member and the most gorgeous.

During the breeding season, doves move to northern Minnesota’s border with Canada and Michigan to mate and rear their young. You may often notice them perched on telephone wires in your region. The lack of foliage on the ground indicates that the birds are saving food for later.

These doves will be drawn to a platform feeder or to seeds spread about the area. Evergreen trees and shrubs are preferred nesting locations for birds because they offer shelter from the weather. Maintaining your cat’s safety is important since cats have been known to attack and kill ground-dwelling birds in the past.

3. 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 90.18 percent of sites visited in Kentucky

Blue Jay’s blue plumage has variations. Whatever the occasion, there’s a bright blue on the wingtips or a more subtle blue on the back. Their necks, wings, and eyes are completely black. Their eyes, neck, and stomach are all white. This songbird has a pronounced crest on its head and a large, rounded tail. Crows are much smaller than these birds, which are in between the two in size.

The blue jay’s cries may be heard for miles. Many Blue Jays are singing from a nearby tree’s branches. Blue jays, especially those migrating, are fairly silent when flying. A bag around the wearer’s neck holds food.

They may be seen all year in Kentucky, along the Oregon and Washington coastlines, and into eastern Canada.

Blue jays are famed for their shrieks and friendliness. Birds assemble in large groups near water, increasing visibility. However, they fly softly and one-by-one across the vast landscape.

Blue Jays like a hopper feeder or an elevated tray for feeding. Feeders on trays function well for these birds. They like suet, sunflower seeds, and peanuts. The jays may produce acorns if there are oak trees nearby.

4. 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 88.39 percent of sites visited in Kentucky

The males have checkered black and white wings, striped black and whiteheads, and a red spot on the top of their heads. North American Downy Woodpeckers are a species of woodpecker. Western Downy Woodpeckers are frequently a deeper brown than their eastern counterparts. This causes their wings to be lighter in the Eastern hemisphere. The climate in the Pacific Northwest gives them a dark brown tint.

During the winter, Downy Woodpeckers form mixed-species flocks with other raptors. They can gather food faster and keep an eye out for predators when they are in huge groups.

Throughout the year, the Downy Woodpecker may be found throughout Kentucky and most of North America.

This Woodpecker is often spotted at a backyard bird feeder. They also like black oil sunflower seeds, millet, and peanut butter pieces when sitting on top of their suet cages. They like a wide range of veggies. The birds use hummingbird feeders for water.

5. 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 87.50 percent of the sites visited in Kentucky

A adult male House Finch’s face and upper breast are blood red, as is the rest of his body. Brown stripes may be seen on their back, abdomen, tail, and wings. In the absence of a red complexion and a marked face, elderly females have a basic grey-brown complexion and a smooth, unmarked face. With its powerful beak and flat-topped skull, the House Finch can defend itself successfully despite its small size. Their short wings create the illusion of a longer tail than they really have. Although many finches have notched tails, the House Finch’s tail notch is substantially less than others in its family.

It is a social bird that gathers at feeders or on trees to eat and talk with its colony. When they aren’t at the feeders, you may see them eating from weeds or the ground nearby. Their flying is bouncy compared to most finches.

In Kentucky, they may be seen all year, even in the cold. Wintering House Finches from the Great Lakes and Northeast migrate south to gather food.

Aside from parks and cities, woodland areas and private property are great places to look for these birds. Look for them in backyards and on private land. They are hard to overlook since they are so numerous.

Add black oil sunflower seeds to your bird’s diet for extra nourishment. If these birds visit your feeders, keep a look out for big groups of up to 50 birds. A tube feeder is ideal for feeding these creatures. Its preferred foods include hulled sunflower and safflower seeds, and a snack called Nyjer.

6. 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 87.50 percent of the sites visited in Kentucky

Juncos can be found in a wide range of colors across the United States, but they are generally dark grey or brown. These birds have a pink beak and white tail feathers. When it comes to the Dark-eyed Junco, there is a vast range of geographic variation. To name only a few famous Junco subspecies: Slate-Colored; Oregon; Pink; Red; Grey; White-Winged; and Red-Backed.

Dark-eyed Juncos can be found in vast numbers across North America’s forests, where they are among the most abundant birds. This majestic bird can be found from Alaska to Mexico, from Canada to the Californian coast to the New York metropolitan area. Ground-dwelling foragers, they eat and make their nests on the soil. Seeds that have fallen from trees and shrubs are the primary food source for these creatures.

The Dark-eyed Junco can be found all over Kentucky during the non-breeding season.

This bird is a frequent feeder visitor, preferring black oil sunflower seeds, oats and cracked corn as well as Nyjer. Due to the fact that they are ground feeders, it is easy to simply scatter the seeds on the ground and they will eat them. hopper feeders and platforms are very popular among them.

7. 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 87.50 percent of sites visited in Kentucky

To begin with, the Tufted Titmouse is primarily silver-grey above, with a white underside. They have a peach hue to their flanks. The bird’s beak has a small black patch on it. Large heads and wide eyes give these birds the appearance of being larger than most of the other birds that come to feed at feeders. Their neck is surprisingly thick. Tufted Titmice are commonly compared to sparrows in terms of their size.

Titmice are acrobatic foragers who move more methodically and slowly than chickadees, making them an ideal choice for bird feeders. With woodpeckers, chickadees, and nuthatches, they are often seen at bird feeders. Tufted Titmice are more aggressive at feeders than other birds, especially the smaller ones.

Kentucky is home to the Tufted Titmouse, which can be observed all year. These people tend to cluster in the Midwest, Southwest, East Coast, and some parts of the South.

In parks and backyards, look for the Tufted Titmouse under the tree canopy, since it will fly through the outer limbs. The Tufted Titmouse’s high-pitched whistled song is often heard before you see the bird in its natural environment.

They are a frequent visitor to bird feeders in the backyard, and their numbers increase dramatically in the winter. In addition to nuts, seeds, and suet, they also eat a lot of sunflower seeds, the latter of which they like as a snack. Encourage them to procreate in your yard by placing nest boxes there. Your property will become a breeding ground for wildlife if you do this. Ensure that the nesting boxes are ready to go well in advance of mating season.

8. 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 84.82 percent of the sites visited in Kentucky

The underside of this wren’s back is a brighter orange than the top back. Despite its small size, the Carolina Wren is a substantial bird with a big head and a thick body. It’s possible to tell when they’re enthusiastic because of their lengthy tail, which cocks upwards. Large heads, short necks, and long, downward-curving beaks set these wrens apart.

As they search for food and insects, Wrens in the Carolinas like scurrying through dense undergrowth and mounting tree trunks. Yards, woodpiles, and even garages and sheds are popular destinations for their exploratory tendencies. In order to protect their territory, these birds would chirp on and on.

All year-round, the Carolina Wren can be seen in Kentucky. In other words, these wrens aren’t on a migration path.

Look out for the Carolina Wren, a male, in your neighborhood! There are times when its song can be heard coming from dark or wooded areas, with a piercing and booming tune.

Suet feeders may attract Carolina Wrens throughout the winter months. If there is food in your garden, this species will come to you. The Carolina Wren eats a wide variety of foods, including hulled sunflower seeds, suet, peanuts, and mealworms. Tube feeders, suet cages, platforms, hoppers, and even the ground have all been observed as food sources for animals.

9. 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 83.04 percent of sites visited in Kentucky

In terms of size, the Red-bellied Woodpecker isn’t much of a presence. Black and white strongly striped back, red crest, and white patches on wingtips are only some of the features of this bird. They have a sleek and round-headed look, like the Hairy Woodpecker.

With their long beak, Red-bellied Woodpeckers are adept at gnawing away at the bark of tree trunks and branches of medium- to large-sized trees. There is also an undulating pattern of flight in the Red-bellied Woodpecker comparable to other woodpecker types.

Throughout the year, these woodpeckers can be found in Kentucky. They tend to gather in the midwest, southeast, and east coastlines of the United States, respectively.

In eastern woodlands throughout the year, keep a lookout for these woodpeckers; they tend to congregate along large branches, at mid-heights, and on the trunks of trees. Learning to recognize the woodpecker’s various screams in the spring and summer can be beneficial.

Feeding these birds suet, peanuts, or sunflower seeds in the winter will help them come to your yard. Hummingbird feeders have occasionally been used to catch their nectar. Among their favorite sources of food are suet cages, large hoppers, and platform feeders. These woodpeckers eat a wide variety of foods, including broken maize, black oil sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, and mealworms.

10. 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 82.14 percent of the sites visited in Kentucky

A vivid yellow and black forehead characterize the early spring appearance of the male adult. The undersides of the adult male’s wings are black with white markings. As they get older, the females acquire a darker golden hue and appear more olive overall. The Goldfinch’s brown markings aren’t striped and its blackish wings make it look dreary in the winter.

At times, you may witness hordes of these acrobatic birds milling around feeders or huddled together on the ground beneath feeders. Their undulating, bouncing flight pattern and loud calls while in flight attract the attention of predators.

During the breeding season, these finches can be found throughout Kentucky, as well as northern Minnesota, Michigan, and even Canada. They can be found all over the United States when they aren’t reproducing.

Because of its large size, the American Goldfinch is attracted to a wide variety of bird feeders. If you wish to attract Goldfinches to your yard, you should grow native thistles or other composite plants. Their favorite foods are sunflower seeds and nyjer.

11. European Starling

Image: © Matt Davis | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Sturnus vulgaris

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

Weight: 2.1-3.4 oz (60-96 g)

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

Found in 76.79 percent of the sites visited in Kentucky

European Starlings, despite their black plumage, turn a vivid purple-green in the summer, with their beaks flashing a bright yellow. In the winter, they are brown, but as they get tanner, they turn white. The European Robin is the same size as the American Robin and has a short tail and a long, thin beak. They have narrow, pointed wings that give them the impression of being very small while flying.

Approximately 100 European Starlings were released in New York City’s Central Park in the 1800s, making history the first time they were ever seen in the United States of America. Those who desired to see every bird referenced in Shakespeare’s works live in the United States purposely released the starlings. It is estimated that more than 200 million European Starlings currently reside in the United States and Canada. They’ve been found all the way up in Alaska and even in Mexico.

Kentucky is home to a year-round population of European Starlings. When they are not reproducing, they can be found in the Caribbean and Mexico.

Cities and towns are the primary habitats for most European Starlings. Lawns, parks, and fields are the greatest areas to look for these starlings. You can see them zig-zagging across the grass. Even when walking, a starling would jab its beak into the ground several times. European Starlings, on the other hand, can often be found perched high in trees, perched in groups, or even flying in large flocks over fields and highways in the countryside.

Suet cages, hoppers, channel feeders, platform feeders, and even the ground are all places where these starlings might get food. Stocking your bird feeders with peanuts, black oil sunflower seeds, oats, peanut hearts, cracked corn, millet, and hulled sunflower seeds will help you draw these birds to your yard.

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 75.89 percent of the sites visited in Kentucky

Most American Robins are grey-brown with dark brown heads, but there are exceptions. Bright yellow is the color of their beaks. Their underparts are orange. A woman’s head is paler than the gray of her back. These birds have huge, spherical bodies, long tails, and slender legs. Size and shape comparisons between birds can be made by looking at a Robin.

Its beak is angled upwards as it leaps across the lawn, surveying the surroundings. During the colder months, foraging for berries and nesting in trees is essential. It is not uncommon for American Robins to become inebriated if they just consume honeysuckle berries as a food source. The American Robin eats a lot of fruit in the fall and winter.

Throughout the year, these Robins can be found in Kentucky. Everywhere south of Canada, American Robins can be found. The Gulf Coast, the Southwest, and Mexico have all yielded specimens.

At the park or on your lawn, you’ll find robins digging up worms. Listening to their call, which is clear, melodic, and melodious, is the best way to find them. It is common to see and hear these birds flocking together during the winter months around fruit trees.

Ground or platform feeders are preferred by the American Robin. If you want to attract these birds, stock your birdfeeders with a variety of suet and fruit, as well as mealworms, sunflower seeds, and peanut hearts.

13. 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 71.43 percent of the sites visited in Kentucky

The Carolina Chickadee’s colors are black, white, and gray. Gray and white feathers cover the wings. As far as I can tell from looking at it, it’s all black. The bird’s eyes can’t be seen since the black hat covers the bird’s black eyes. With a short neck, chickadees have an almost spherical head. They have long, narrow tails and small, thick bills.

These birds are reported to memorize thousands of hiding sites where they store their food and seeds so that they can subsequently find them again. Predator birds of prey are naturally curious creatures who are always scanning the area for prey, including humans. In Kentucky, you may see Carolina Chickadees all year round, and they are one of the first birds people learn about since they are so quick to discover bird feeders.

Using a bird feeder, you may easily attract chickadees. These suet, sunflower seed, and peanut-eating birds are common visitors to bird feeders. By planting willow, birch, or alder trees, you can provide chickadees with a place to raise their young.

14. 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 71.43 percent of sites visited in Kentucky

The back of the White-breasted Nuthatch is grey-blue in color. The creature’s white cheeks and underbelly stand out strongly against the creature’s black upper body, which is covered in scales. The color of their fur and belly can be described as chestnut.

Nuthatches, a type of bird, are known for consuming large quantities of seeds and insects despite their small size. Birds use their beaks to “eat” the insides of nuts and seeds, which they do by pressing them into the bark of trees. This process is known as “hatching.” Nuthatches may be small, but their boisterous squawks are frequently a good indication of where you should be looking.

White-breasted Nuthatch, which can be seen throughout the year in Kentucky, is a species of sparrow native to the state. In central Kansas, the nonbreeding season is a wonderful opportunity to observe them in their natural habitat.

Peanuts, mealworms, suet, and hulled sunflower seeds are some of this species’ favorite meals, as are mealworm larvae. Typically, they can be found in suet cages and tube feeders, which are common places to find them.

15. 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 65.18 percent of the sites visited in Kentucky

While the Northern Mockingbird has a grey-brown body, its breast and abdomen are a lighter shade of brown. Two white bands cross the top and bottom of the wingtips, as well as two white patches, are visible on the wings of this species. Mockingbirds and robins are around the same size in terms of size.

In order to announce its presence, the Northern Mockingbird will perch on fences, trees, and telephone poles, among other things. These birds, which are frequently encountered in pairs, can be aggressive toward intruders and will drive them away from their territory if necessary to protect their territory.

The fact that these birds do not migrate or hibernate means that they are restricted to a specific geographic location. The northern mockingbird can be found all the way up to Kentucky in the northern United States.

Seeing mockingbirds in your yard after the grass has been cut is a distinct possibility. Birds of prey such as Northern Mockingbirds frequently sit on tall trees, telephone poles, and even power lines in their natural surroundings.

Despite the fact that Northern Mockingbirds are frequent visitors to backyards, they do not usually stop at feeders. They will be attracted to your property if you maintain an open lawn with fruiting trees and bushes around. Mulberries, hawthorns, and blackberries are just a few of the fruits that they enjoy eating when they are out in the wild.

16. House Sparrow

Image: © Evan Lipton | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Passer domesticus

Length: 5.9-6.7 in (15-17 cm)

Weight: 0.9-1.1 oz (27-30 g)

Wingspan: 7.5-9.8 in (19-25 cm)

Found in 64.29 percent of sites visited in Kentucky

In contrast to the vividly colorful heads of House Sparrows, these birds have dark-hued heads with black-colored cheeks and gray-colored heads. Their backs are clearly striped and their skin is brown with a few grey spots. With a bigger chest, a shorter tail, and a rounder head, the House Sparrow stands out from other sparrows in North America because of its distinct features.

In 1851, Brooklyn, New York, opened its doors to the House Sparrow. More than half a century had passed before this invasive species reached the Rocky Mountains. The ubiquity of the Bird of Prey has led to it being a paradigm for bird research because of its lack of interest in humans. The House Sparrow has been the subject of about 5,000 research studies.

In addition to North America, this species can also be found in a number of nations in Central and South America.

Urban dwellers are likely to encounter House Sparrows hopping along the ground. It’s possible that they’ll even eat off your hand.

It’s possible that you won’t need a feeder in your backyard to attract House Sparrows. It is possible to feed animals using tube feeders or hoppers as well as platforms or the ground. Sunflower, peanut, peanut butter, black oil sunflower, and millet seed are some of the seeds they like to consume.

17. Song Sparrow

Image: © Jonathan Irons | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Melospiza melodia

Length: 4.7-6.7 in (12-17 cm)

Weight: 0.4-1.9 oz (12-53 g)

Wingspan: 7.1-9.4 in (18-24 cm)

Found in 64.29 percent of the sites visited in Kentucky

The Song Sparrow’s flanks and chest are striped brown with strong white streaks, and the underside is streaked white. Despite their small stature, these sparrows have a lot of muscle. With a big head and small beak, a long tail, and broad wings, the Song Sparrow is a distinctive bird.

Song Sparrows frequently travel through low vegetation or branches in their search for food. Song Sparrow males frequently sing from perches that are exposed, such as tiny trees. This species of sparrow can be found all throughout North America.

It can be seen all year in the Pacific Northwest, Northern Midwestern States, Eastern United States, and the Western United States, where it breeds. These birds can be found across the rest of the United States and Mexico during the nonbreeding season. Canada is home to the Song Sparrow’s breeding grounds.

Keep an eye out for Song Sparrows can be found in the vicinity of marshes and lush vegetation. They enjoy singing on branches that are exposed to the elements.

Song Sparrows can be fed from platforms or directly from the ground. If you want to attract these sparrows to your feeders, fill them with milo, sunflower seeds, millet, safflower, peanut hearts, nyjer, and cracked corn.

18. 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 59.82 percent of the sites visited in Kentucky

The White-throated Sparrow has a striped head pattern and is brown on top and gray on the bottom, giving it its name. They are large and full-bodied, with big bills, round heads, long legs, and long, slender tails, among other characteristics. A yellow patch can be found between the eye and the beak.

Sparrows prefer to stay near to the ground when possible. As they scratch through the leaf litter in quest of food, they become ill. In the summer, the White-throated Sparrow will eat fresh buds that are low on the branches of trees and plants.

It is possible to see White-throated Sparrows across Kentucky during the non-breeding season. They are migrants who travel small and medium distances. Seasonal residents of the northeast will begin to leave for the season in the fall.

Sparrows with white throats are generally found on the ground in wooded areas or in brushy edges of fields. Foraging in big groups during the winter months makes it easier to locate the birds because their whistling song can be heard from a distance.

This bird will frequent feeders, where it will consume the seeds that have been placed beneath them. White-throated sparrows eat a variety of seeds and grains, including sunflower seeds, cracked corn, milo, and millet.

19. 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 46.43 percent of sites visited in Kentucky

Purple Finch males have pinkish-red breasts and heads, and their backs are a darker color than their female counterparts. The finch’s belly is white with pinkish-red colors, which is visible from its head. Female Purple Finches are not red at all; instead, they are a lighter brown with streaks on the underside. They have white eye stripes on their faces. Purple Finches are large and robust birds that are around the same size as House Sparrows. These magnificent birds have conical beaks, and their tails are notched. Purple Finches on the Pacific Coast are substantially duller in appearance than their eastern cousins.

Purple Finches eat seeds and nuts with their beaks and tongues, which they crack open with their beaks and tongues. In addition, the method is employed to obtain nectar from flowers. Forests with conifers or a combination of deciduous and coniferous trees are the most common places to find breeding birds.
Outside of the mating season, Kentucky is the wintering ground for the Purple Finch. These birds migrate in short distances, following cone crops, and their behavior is chaotic and unpredictable. As they make their way south for the winter, they spread out throughout most of the central and southeastern United States.

The chance exists that if you live inside the Purple Finch’s winter range and do not see it this winter, you will see it the next year.

To attract Purple Finches, place sunflower seeds, Nyjer, and millet in your tube feeder, hopper, or platform feeder. Purple Finches are attracted to the color purple. As a bonus, the Purple Finch is drawn to coniferous trees, so planting some in your yard will encourage them to pay you a visit as well.

20. 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 41.96 percent of the sites visited in Kentucky

Brown-headed Cowbirds are small blackbirds with a shorter tail and a thicker head than most blackbirds. Males are usually glossy black with a rich brown head, and females are plain brown with a similar brown head.

Blackbirds like to feed mostly from the ground, and they often do this in mixed groups with blackbirds and starlings. Brown-headed Cowbirds are noisy birds, making multiple clicks, whistles, and gurgling calls.

Wintering grounds for this bird are as far away as 530 miles from breeding grounds. The Brown-headed Cowbird can be found in Kentucky throughout the year.

Cowbirds live in fields, meadows, and lawns. Look for their glossy black and brown heads in mixed-species groups in the winter. To find these birds, it is best to learn their calls. They call frequently, so keep an ear open for their song.

Brown-headed Cowbirds eat sunflower seeds, cracked corn, milo, oats, peanut hearts, and millet. Birds will feed at hoppers and platform feeders, as well as on the ground.

21. Hairy Woodpecker

Image: © Matthew Plante | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Dryobates villosus

Length: 7.1-10.2 in (18-26 cm)

Weight: 1.4-3.4 oz (40-95 g)

Wingspan: 13.0-16.1 in (33-41 cm)

Found in 41.96 percent of sites visited in Kentucky

Hairy Woodpeckers are mostly black and white in coloration. Their wings are black and white with black and white checkers. The males have a flash of red on the rear of their heads, which contrasts with the black and white stripes on their heads. There is a lengthy strip of white that runs down the predominantly white back of the animal. This woodpecker is medium in size, has a square head, and a long chisel-like beak, and it lives in the eastern United States. In order to rest on tree trunks, the birds utilize their long tail feathers.

Using its long mouth, the Hairy Woodpecker enjoys clinging to medium to big tree trunks and branches and picking at the bark with its long beak. The Hairy Woodpecker has a flying style that is similar to that of other woodpeckers: sluggish and undulating.

This woodpecker may be observed throughout the year in Kentucky, however, it tends to stray out from its usual region during the winter. During certain winters, the woodpeckers that breed inland may migrate to the seaside to feed and reproduce.

Hairy Woodpeckers may be found on the trunks or major branches of big trees, and they are easy to see. If you listen closely, you can hear their bill feverishly pounding on the tree trunk as they are foraging.

Set up a suet cage, peanut and black oil sunflower seed feeders in your backyard to attract Hairy Woodpeckers, which will be particularly important during the winter months when food will be scarce. Furthermore, they get their feed via big hoppers and platform feeders.

22. 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 40.18 percent of the sites visited in Kentucky

Large sparrow, Towhee has a long, round tail and an outwardly pointed beak. Spotting Towhee Upper body and neck in men are jet black in color. Reddish cinnamon flanks contrast with the white belly.

It is called “double-scratching” because Spotted Towhees jump backward while searching for seeds and other small invertebrates. These birds enjoy hopping around on the ground and scaling lower branches in search of food.

The Eastern Towhee is a year-round resident of Kentucky. Migration is a way of life and a way of existence for the Towhees.

Scattered over woodlands and weedy areas, Towhees are a common sight. They have a fast singing style and a meowing cry that sounds like a cat. Keep an eye out in the underbrush and along paths covered in fallen leaves for any signs of a missing pet.

Attracting Spotted Towhees to your yard might be as simple as putting out bird feeders. They prefer to dine on the ground or on a platform rather than on a plate or bowl. If you want to attract Towhees to your backyard feeder, fill it with sunflower seeds, broken corn, millet, milo, and peanut hearts.

23. Common Grackle

Image: © Jack & Holly Bartholmai | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Quiscalus quiscula

Length: 11.0-13.4 in (28-34 cm)

Weight: 2.6-5.0 oz (74-142 g)

Wingspan: 14.2-18.1 in (36-46 cm)

Found in 38.39 percent of sites visited in Kentucky

The size of Mourning Doves and Common Grackles is about the same. Their limbs are long and slender. Their heads are flat and their bills are longer than those of other blackbirds. Their long tails dwarf their little wings when they’re flying. When it comes to the size of grackles, males are larger than females. From a distance, the Common Grackle appears black, but up close, its purple-blue glossy head and green-purple iridescent body reveal their true colors.

Grackles in large flocks can be spotted flying or grazing in lawns and agricultural areas all over the United States. The Common Grackle pecks for food instead of clawing. Mice and other invertebrates are frequently found by the Common Grackle as it follows plows. At feeders, grackles have a reputation for intimidating smaller birds.

Common grackles can be seen in Kentucky throughout the year. During mating season, grackles can be found as far north as northern Canada. In southern Texas, they may be spotted when they aren’t reproducing.

Grackles love suet, milo, oats, milo, cracked corn, safflower, hulled sunflower seeds and fruit, so put some in your huge hopper or platform feeder. If you scatter grackle seeds around your feeder, they’ll be attracted to it.

24. 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 38.39 percent of the sites visited in Kentucky

The Chipping Sparrow’s medium-sized beak is made up for by its long tail, which is unusually lengthy for a sparrow. These birds stand out due to the contrast between their white feathers and bright red caps created by their frigid undersides.

In order to avoid being eaten by predators, the Chipping Sparrow prefers to eat on the ground, far from any vegetation. Additionally, you may hear them singing out of little trees. It was at least 10 years and 11 months old when a Chipping Sparrow was spotted in Ontario in 1998.

These birds can be found all over the state of Kentucky when they’re in breeding mode. During the colder months, they’ll head south to places like Baja California or Mexico.

Chipping Sparrows can be found in small groups on open ground near trees throughout the winter months. Black oil sunflower seeds are preferred by Chipping Sparrows as a primary source of sustenance. However, it is not uncommon for these sparrows to forage for food on the ground rather than at feeders.

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 36.61 percent of sites visited in Kentucky

The Red-winged Blackbird The blackbird is a stocky bird with wide shoulders and a short cone-shaped beak. It has a medium-length tail and a stocky appearance. They are shiny black on the outside and brilliant red and yellow on the inside of the shoulders. When perched, Red-winged Blackbirds have a distinctive hump on their backs. With their vivid shoulders, these birds are difficult to mistake for anything else.

The male Red-winged blackbirds will go to nearly any length to get female attention; they would sit on high perches and shout out their song all day long to attract female attention. The females, on the other hand, remain at a lower level and sprint through foliage in search of food, as well as fast constructing nests. Red-winged Blackbirds congregate in large groups during the winter, and these groups may include starlings and other kinds of blackbirds, depending on the circumstances.

These blackbirds may be seen throughout the year in Kentucky. The blackbird population in the southern United States and Mexico does not migrate, but the blackbird population in the northern United States spends its winters around 800 miles away from its breeding region.

If you take a trip across the countryside, you will most likely come across a Red-winged Blackbird perched on a telephone line. They may also be seen when walking through cattail marshes and flooded areas. These blackbirds will most likely be the most often seen and heard birds.

Red-winged Blackbirds may visit your yard if you provide a mixture of grains and seeds in your bird feeders. Because Red-winged Blackbirds like to dine on the ground, you might sprinkle seed or grain on the ground to attract them.

Bird watching in Kentucky

Kentucky is an excellent place to go bird watching. This state has a wide variety of birds for avid bird watchers. In Kentucky, you can see over 300 different bird species, ranging from small songbirds to large waterfowl.

From spring to fall is the best time of year for bird watching in Kentucky. During this time of year, the state is teeming with migrating birds, providing bird watchers with numerous opportunities to observe and identify them. During the winter, some resident birds can still be found in the state, though the variety of species is much reduced.

Dress appropriately for the weather when bird watching in Kentucky. Summers in Kentucky can be hot and humid, so dress comfortably and bring plenty of water with you. Temperatures can drop quite low in the winter, so you’ll want to dress in layers to stay warm.

It’s also important to keep in mind that some birds may only be in Kentucky for a short time. As a result, it’s critical to keep an eye out for changes in bird activity and plan your bird-watching excursions accordingly.

Attracting Backyard Birds in Kentucky

Attracting backyard birds in Kentucky can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. You can attract a wide variety of birds all year by providing the right habitat and food sources.

To attract birds to your backyard, you must first create a habitat that meets their needs. This includes providing food sources, such as a bird feeder filled with seeds or suet, as well as water sources, such as a birdbath, to ensure that the birds get the nutrition they require. Plants that provide food and shelter for birds, such as berry-bearing shrubs and trees, can also be added to your backyard.

The weather in Kentucky can also influence how many birds you can attract to your backyard. The heat and humidity of the summer months can make it difficult for some birds to survive. As a result, it’s critical to make sure your backyard has enough shade and water sources for the birds to keep them cool.

Cold temperatures can make it difficult for some birds to find food during the winter months. As a result, it’s critical to keep your bird feeders stocked with birdseed and your birdbath filled with water so that the birds can get the nutrition they require.