25 Backyard Birds in Minnesota in 2023 (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 Minnesota?

The Northstar State. Minnesota is in the midwest United States, it is on the Canada, U.S. border. Animals commonly found in Minnesota include foxes, deer, porcupines, raccoons, weasels, minks, muskrats, skunks, squirrels, and woodchucks. In northern Minnesota, you can see moose, black bears, wolves, elk, lynx, coyotes, otters, bobcats, and beavers. This article however will just focus on the many birds that can be spotted in Minnesota.

25 most common backyard birds in Minnesota:

1. Black-capped Chickadee (98.40% frequency)
2. Downy Woodpecker (93.14% frequency)
3. White-breasted Nuthatch (90.62% frequency)
4. Dark-eyed Junco (89.47% frequency)
5. Blue Jay (86.73% frequency)
6. Northern Cardinal (84.67% frequency)
7. Red-bellied Woodpecker (81.92% frequency)
8. Hairy Woodpecker (80.55% frequency)
9. American Goldfinch (76.66% frequency)
10. House Finch (71.62% frequency)
11. American Crow (56.75% frequency)
12. Pileated Woodpecker (56.75% frequency)
13. Red-breasted Nuthatch (54.92% frequency)
14. House Sparrow (54.69% frequency)
15. American Robin (52.40% frequency)
16. Mourning Dove (43.94% frequency)
17. Red-winged Blackbird (32.95% frequency)
18. Purple Finch (31.81% frequency)
19. Pine Siskin (29.06% frequency)
20. European Starling (26.32% frequency)
21. Northern Flicker (24.26% frequency)
22. Common Redpoll (23.34% frequency)
23. Common Grackle (23.34% frequency)
24. American Tree Sparrow (21.05% frequency)
25. Brown Creeper (19.91% frequency)

1. Black-capped Chickadee

Image: © Evan Lipton | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Poecile atricapillus

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 98.40 percent of the sites visited in Minnesota

Black, white, and grey are the colors of the Black-capped Chickadee. The bib and the top of the head are black, while the feathers on the wings are grey and white. Because the bird’s black hat extends beyond its black eyes, it’s difficult to see the bird’s eyes. Chickadees have a short neck and a huge head that is almost spherical in form. The beak is small and broad, while the tail is slender and long.

The Black-capped Chickadee can remember hundreds of hiding sites, and they like scattering their food and seeds in various locations to return to later. They are inquisitive birds that investigate everything in their own zone, including humans. The Black-capped Chickadee may be seen all year in Minnesota, and they are fast to notice bird feeders, so this is often the first bird that people learn.

Chickadees are among the simplest birds to attract using bird feeders. This bird visits feeders in search of suet, sunflower seeds, and peanuts. Chickadee nesting habitat may be provided by planting willow, birch, or alder trees.

2. 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 93.14 percent of the sites visited in Minnesota

Downy Woodpeckers have a checkered black-and-white appearance on their wings, a black-and-white striped head, and a little red patch on the back of their heads in males. Downy Woodpeckers in the West are often darker than those in the East. They have whiter wings in eastern North America than in the west. They have an overall dark wash in the Pacific Northwest.

Downy Woodpeckers are seen in mixed-species flocks throughout the winter; since they are flocked, they may spend less time looking for predators and have a higher chance of obtaining food because there are other birds nearby.

The Downy Woodpecker is a year-round resident of Minnesota and much of North America.

These are the most frequent Woodpeckers that may be seen at a backyard feeder. They love suet cage food, although black oil sunflower seeds, millet, and even chunky peanut butter are also favorites. They will even drink from hummingbird feeders on occasion.

3. 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 90.62 percent of sites visited in Minnesota

The back of the White-breasted Nuthatch is grey-blue. They feature a black head and neck region, as well as a white face and underparts. A chestnut tint may be seen on the lower belly and tail.

Nuthatches are small, nimble birds with a voracious appetite for large seeds and insects. They derive their name from pushing nuts, seeds, or acorns into tree bark then “hatching” the nut, seed, or acorn with their beak to consume the interior. Nuthatches are incredibly noisy, despite their little size, and their booming voice will frequently bring you right to them.

Throughout the year, the White-breasted Nuthatch may be found throughout practically all of Minnesota.

Peanuts, mealworms, suet, and hulled sunflower seeds attract them, and they are frequent feeder birds. Tube feeders and suet cages are common places to find them.

4. 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 89.47 percent of the sites visited in Minnesota

Juncos may be found in a variety of hues throughout the nation, although they are most often dark grey or brown. Their beak is pink, and their tail feathers are white. When it comes to the Dark-eyed Junco, there is a wide variety of geographical diversity. The Slate-Colored, Oregon, Pink-Sided, Red-Backed, Grey-Headed, and White-Winged Juncos are among the 15 races of the Junco.

Dark-eyed Juncos are among the most common birds in North American woodlands. They’re also one of North America’s most common birds, including populations in Alaska, Canada, California, New York, and even Mexico. They are ground foragers that also nest on the ground, hopping about around trees and bushes in search of falling seeds.

The Dark-eyed Junco may be seen all year in Minnesota’s northwest corner, and when they aren’t mating, they can be seen across the state.

Juncos frequent bird feeders, where they dine on black oil sunflower seeds, oats, cracked corn, and Nyjer. They are ground feeders, which means you may toss the seeds on the ground and they will eat them; they also like huge hopper feeders and platform feeders.

5. 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 86.73 percent of the sites visited in Minnesota

Blue Jays come in a variety of colors, with dazzling blue wingtips, light blue backs, and blue on the tops of their heads. Black accents may also be seen around the neck, wings, and eyes. They’re also white around their eyes, throat, and stomach. A huge crested songbird with a long rounded tail, the Blue Jay is a large crested songbird. They’re bigger than robins, but not as big as crows.

Blue Jays have a wide range of calls that may be heard from a long distance. The Blue Jays make the majority of their calls when sitting on a tree. Especially during migration, the Blue Jay is a fairly quiet flyer. Food is stored in a pouch in their neck.

The Blue Jay may be found all year in Minnesota, as well as in Oregon, Washington, and even eastern Canada.

Blue Jays are easily identified by their calls, which are quite loud. The Blue Jay migrates in loose flocks along the water’s edge. Although resident birds may form flocks, they normally fly through open regions one at a time and in silence.

Blue Jays love to eat from hopper or tray feeders. They prefer post-mounted feeders to hanging feeders. Suet, sunflower seeds, and peanuts are among their favorite foods. If there are oak trees nearby, the jays will be able to collect acorns in the future.

6. 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 84.67 percent of sites visited in Minnesota

Northern Cardinal males have a vivid red body, a black face, and a somewhat red beak. The female Northern Cardinal is a pale brown with a reddish hue to the wings, tail, and crown. They have the same black face and crimson beak as the males.

With the help of other male cardinals, the male cardinal will ferociously protect his area. When a male cardinal encounters its own mirror, it may typically battle the image for hours. The female cardinal is one of the few female songbirds in North America that sings, and she will often sing while sitting on her nest. This will alert the male cardinal when it is time to gather food for the nest.

The Northern Cardinal may be seen all year in southern Minnesota; they are mostly located in the midwest and east coast of North America, but have also been seen in Arizona, Texas, and sections of Mexico.

The Northern Cardinal will eat from huge tube feeders, large hoppers, platform feeders, and ground feeders. Black oil sunflower seeds, hulled sunflower seeds, safflower, cracked maize, millet, and milo are among the seeds they consume.

7. 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 81.92 percent of sites visited in Minnesota

The Red-bellied Woodpecker has a light overall appearance, a sharply striped black-and-white back, a brilliant red head, and white patches on the wingtips. They have the same sleek, round-headed appearance of the Hairy Woodpecker and are around the same size.

The Red-bellied Woodpecker, like other woodpeckers, prefers to cling to medium to big tree trunks and branches and pick at the bark with its long beak. The Red-bellied Woodpecker also has an undulating flying style, similar to that of other woodpecker species.

These woodpeckers may be seen all year in southern Minnesota. They tend to congregate on the midwest, southeast, and east coasts of the United States.

Throughout the year, seek for these woodpeckers in eastern forests, primarily around major branches at medium heights and tree trunks. During the spring and summer, the woodpecker makes a lot of noise, so it’s a good idea to understand their sounds.

Use suet, peanuts, or even sunflower seeds in the winter to attract these birds to your yard. Hummingbird feeders have even been spotted with them sipping from them. Suet cages, big hoppers, and platform feeders are favorites. Black oil sunflower seeds, safflower, cracked maize, and mealworms are all favorites of these woodpeckers.

8. 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 80.55 percent of sites visited in Minnesota

Hairy Woodpeckers are mostly black and white in coloration. They have black and white checkered wings. The head is black-and-white striped, with a flash of red on the rear of the skull for males. A broad swath of white extends down the back, which is mainly white. This medium-sized woodpecker has a square head and a long chisel-like beak. Leaning on tree trunks is done using the long tail feathers.

With its lengthy beak, the Hairy Woodpecker loves to cling to medium to big tree trunks and branches and pick at the bark. The Hairy Woodpecker’s flying path is similar to that of other woodpeckers, which is sluggish and undulating.

This woodpecker lives in Minnesota all year and migrates away from its native region in the winter. During certain winters, woodpeckers that breed inland migrate to the seaside.

Hairy Woodpeckers may be found on the trunks and major branches of huge trees. 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, particularly in the winter when food is scarce. Large hoppers and platform feeders are also used to feed them.

9. 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 76.66 percent of the sites visited in Minnesota

Adult males are brilliant yellow with a black forehead and black wings with white markings in early spring. Adult females have a duller golden tint and a more olive appearance. The Goldfinch is drab in the winter, with unstreaked brown and blackish wings.

The American Goldfinch is a feisty, lively little bird that clings to weeds and seed stockings, and mills in great numbers at feeders or on the ground under feeders. They often fly in an undulating, bouncing fashion, and they also call while in flight to attract attention.

These finches may be seen year-round in southern Minnesota, but they can also be found in northern Minnesota, Michigan, and even Canada while they are nesting. When they are not reproducing, they may be found all throughout the United States.

Almost every kind of bird feeder, including hanging feeders, platforms, and hoppers, attracts the American Goldfinch. Plant native thistles or other composite plants in your yard if you want Goldfinches to visit. Sunflower seeds and Nyjer attract them the most.

10. 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 71.62 percent of sites visited in Minnesota

The face and upper breast region of an adult male House Finch are rosy crimson. Their back, belly, and tail are streaked brown. Adult females are not red; instead, they are a plain grey-brown color with an indistinct face. The House Finch is a little bird with a flat head, big beaks, and a petite body. They have small wings that give the appearance of a larger tail. Some finches have notched tails, however the House Finch’s notch is modest in comparison to other finches.

The House Finch is a social bird that congregates at feeders or perches high in trees. They eat on weed stalks or on the ground when they aren’t at feeders. Their flying is bouncy, as is the case with most finches.

Throughout the year, these finches may be seen throughout a part of southern Minnesota. House Finches migrate south during the winter from the northeastern United States and the Great Lakes.

House Finches may be found in established environments such as city parks, urban areas, woodland margins, farms, and backyards. They are difficult to overlook since they are located in boisterous bunches.

If you put little black oil sunflower seeds in your feeders. These birds will attract groups of up to 50 birds to your feeders if they locate them. Platforms, hoppers, and tube feeders are their favorite sources of food. Hulled sunflower seeds, safflower, and Nyjer are other favorites.

11. American Crow

Image: © Henry Burton | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Corvus brachyrhynchos

Length: 15.8-20.9 in (40-53 cm)

Weight: 11.2-21.9 oz (316-620 g)

Wingspan: 33.5-39.4 in (85-100 cm)

Found in 56.75 percent of sites visited in Minnesota

The American Crow is entirely made up of black people. Legs, bill, the works. When they molt, however, the older, browner feathers might seem somewhat brown in comparison to the fresh, shiny feathers. They are huge birds with broad necks and lengthy legs. The crow’s beak is straight, and its wings are large and rounded while in flight. The wingtip feathers almost resemble outstretched fingers. They have a short tail with a somewhat squared off end.

Crows are exceptionally sociable birds, and flocks of thousands of crows may develop. The American Crow is a mischievous creature that is also a great problem solver. They’ve been known to raid trash cans and dig through old food containers.

Year-round, American Crows may be seen in southern Minnesota, but while they’re mating, they’re more likely to be found in Canada or northern Minnesota. Crows that breed in Canada often spend their winters in the United States.

Outside of the southern deserts, the American Crow is relatively abundant in the lower 48 states. These crows may be seen in city parks, rubbish dumps, groomed lawns, cemeteries, and campers, as well as in open places near woodlands. You’ll know where they are if you hear their noisy cawing.

Backyard feeders aren’t commonly frequented by American Crows. Crows may be attracted to your property if you have a lot of open space, a variety of trees, or food. You might also attract crows by scattering peanuts in an open area. They may also be seen eating out of your rubbish can or compost.

12. Pileated Woodpecker

Image: © Simon Boivin | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Dryocopus pileatus

Length: 15.8-19.3 in (40-49 cm)

Weight: 8.8-12.3 oz (250-350 g)

Wingspan: 26.0-29.5 in (66-75 cm)

Found in 56.75 percent of sites visited in Minnesota

Pileated Woodpeckers are similar in size to American Crows. It has a long neck and a triangular crest that extends off the rear of its head, making it rather enormous for a woodpecker. Their beak is long and chisel-like. The majority of these Woodpeckers are black, with white stripes across the face and neck. They wear a bright red headgear with a mohawk. On the males’ cheeks is a crimson stripe. This Woodpecker has white underwings that may be seen when in flight.

These woodpeckers devour carpenter ants by drilling rectangular holes into old, decaying wood. Their cry is strong and nearly whinny. A Pileated Woodpecker, at least 12 years and 11 months old, was caught and released in Maryland for banding operations.

Pileated Woodpeckers may be found in areas of Minnesota and Wisconsin, with the exception of the eastern half of the state.

In mature woods with abundance of dead and damaged trees, the Pileated Woodpecker may be found. Its thunderous banging and harsh shouts should be heard.

Suet cages are a good way to attract Pileated Woodpeckers to your yard. Black oil sunflower seeds, mealworms, hulled sunflower seeds, peanut hearts, suet, and peanuts are among their favorite foods.

13. Red-breasted Nuthatch

Image: © Blair Dudeck | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Sitta canadensis

Length: 4.3 in (11 cm)

Weight: 0.3-0.5 oz (8-13 g)

Wingspan: 7.1-7.9 in (18-20 cm)

Found in 54.92 percent of sites visited in Minnesota

The Red-breasted Nuthatch is a blue-grey bird with a distinctive head design that includes a black crown and white stripes above the eye. The underbelly of males has a cinnamon hue, while females’ underbelly is lighter. They have a long, pointed beak and are tiny birds. Red-breasted Nuthatches have a very short tail and nearly no neck. They’re around the same size as sparrows.

The Red-breasted Nuthatch becomes quite aggressive during nest construction, chasing away other hole-nesting birds including the Downy Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, and House Wren. Other species, such as Mountain Chickadees and Pygmy Nuthatches, are often used to line the nests of these Nuthatches.

The Red-breasted Nuthatch may be found all year in northern Minnesota, and outside of the mating season, it can be found across the state. Each year, the northernmost populations of this Nuthatch move south, and the Red-breasted Nuthatch may be spotted as far south as the Gulf Coast in some years.

Listen for the nasal cry of Red-breasted Nuthatches, as well as the noises of a flock of chickadees and other foraging birds, to locate them. These Nuthatches may be seen scurrying up tree trunks and branches.

Red-breasted Tube feeders, suet cages, hoppers, and platform feeders are popular with nuthatches. Black oil sunflower seeds, suet, peanut hearts, mealworms, and hulled sunflower seeds should all be included in your feeder.

14. 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 54.69 percent of sites visited in Minnesota

With a grey head, a black bib, and white cheeks, the male House Sparrow is a vividly colorful bird. Females have a simple brown hue with hints of a dingy grey on their backs, and their backs are striped. House Sparrows are not related to other North American sparrows; in comparison to other North American sparrows, the House Sparrow has a more chunkier breast, a bigger head, shorter tail, and rounder head.

In 1851, the House Sparrow arrived in Brooklyn, New York. It had made it to the Rocky Mountains about 50 years later. Because of its abundance, the House Sparrow has acquired a lack of fear of people, and as a result, it has become a model organism for avian research, with around 5,000 scientific publications produced using the House Sparrow as the subject species.

The House Sparrow may be found practically year-round almost everywhere in North America, as well as in several Central and South American nations and the Caribbean.

A visit to an urban location is one of the greatest methods to see a House Sparrow, and chances are you’ll see one hopping around the ground. You may even be able to get them to eat off your hand.

House Sparrows are so numerous that you probably won’t need to set out a feeder to attract them to your yard. Tube feeders, hoppers, platform feeders, and straight off the ground are all favorites. Hulled sunflower seeds, milo, peanut hearts, black oil sunflower seeds, and millet are among their favorite seeds.

15. 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 52.40 percent of sites visited in Minnesota

The American Robin has a dark brown head with white patches around the eyes, a brilliant yellow beak, and warm orange underparts. Females have lighter heads that contrast less with the grey on their backs. American Robins have a broad, spherical body, a long tail, and lengthy legs for a songbird of their size. When comparing the size and form of birds, robins are thought to be an excellent comparison.

The American Robin is a hardworking bird that enjoys bounding over lawns and even standing upright with its mouth angled forward to scan its surroundings. They frequently form big flocks in the winter and linger in trees to eat berries or even roost. When American Robins solely consume honeysuckle berries, birds might get inebriated. In the autumn and winter, the American Robin consumes a lot of fruit.

Across the year, these Robins may be found throughout Minnesota; during the mating season, they can be found in northern Minnesota. The American Robin may be found almost wherever south of Canada, with some populations reaching as far south as the Gulf Coast, the Southwest, and even Mexico.

These Robins may be seen dashing across your yard or digging for worms in your neighborhood park. Listen for them by hearing their cry, which is clear, melodic, and melodious. Look for them in big groups in the treetops, especially near fruit trees, in the winter, and listen for their low call notes.

American Robins will eat from the ground or from platform feeders. Fill your feeders with suet, fruit, mealworms, hulled sunflower seeds, and peanut hearts to attract these birds to your yard.

16. 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 43.94 percent of sites visited in Minnesota

Mourning Doves have hues that typically blend in with their open-range environment. Their general color is brown-tan, with black dots on their wings and white tail feathers with black borders. These doves have a chubby body, lengthy tails, and small legs.

Mourning Doves are quick flyers with strong wingbeats that allow them to make quick descents, ascents, and dodges. During the breeding season, three Mourning Doves may be seen flying in a close formation, with the male of a married couple at the lead. The second is an unmated male that pursues his adversary to the location where he expects to lay his eggs. The female of the mated couple is the third.

The Mourning Dove may be seen all year in southern Minnesota, but during mating season, they migrate to the north of the state, between Michigan and Canada.

They often perch on telephone lines and other perches in your area. Keep an eye out for bare areas of land where birds congregate to stock up on food.

Scatter seeds, such as millet, on platform feeders or on the ground to attract these doves to your yard. You may supply them with suitable nesting areas by planting thick bushes and evergreen trees. Keep your cats indoors, however, since birds that spend a lot of time on the ground are more susceptible to cats.

17. 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 32.95 percent of sites visited in Minnesota

Red-winged Blackbirds are stocky, broad-shouldered, and have a medium-length tail and a thin cone-shaped beak. They’re shiny black on the outside and bright red and yellow on the shoulders. When perched, Red-winged Blackbirds have a hump-backed appearance. With their brilliant shoulders, these birds are difficult to miss.

Male Red-winged blackbirds will do practically everything to attract attention, including sitting on high perches all day and singing their song. Females, on the other hand, remain lower and sprint through foliage in search of food, as well as fast constructing nests. For the winter, Red-winged Blackbirds will form large flocks that may include starlings and other blackbird species.

These blackbirds may be seen all year in southern Minnesota, but during mating season, they migrate to northern Minnesota. Blackbirds in the southern states and Mexico do not migrate, but blackbirds in the northern states spend their winters roughly 800 miles away from their breeding grounds.

The Red-winged Blackbird is often seen perched on telephone lines when driving through the countryside. They may also be spotted when visiting wetlands and cattail marshes. These blackbirds will most likely be the most visible and heard birds.

Red-winged Blackbirds may be attracted to your yard if you place mixed grains and seeds in your feeders. Because Red-winged Blackbirds like to eat on the ground, you might sprinkle seed or grain on the ground.

18. 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 31.81 percent of sites visited in Minnesota

The male Purple Finch has a pinkish-red breast and head, with a darker hue on the back. The finch’s belly is white, with pinkish-red highlights from its head. Female Purple Finches have no red on their bodies; instead, they are a lighter brown with streaks on the underside. A white eye stripe may be seen on the females. Purple Finches are huge and hefty, around the size of a House Sparrow. Their beaks are conical and strong, and their tails are notched. The Pacific Coast Purple Finches are substantially duller than the Eastern Purple Finches.

The Purple Finch will shatter apart seeds with its beak and tongue before eating the nut. This is also how they collect nectar from a bloom. These finches prefer coniferous woodlands or mixed deciduous and coniferous woods to nest in.

Purple Finches may be observed all year in northern Minnesota. When they are not reproducing, they may be seen farther south in Minnesota. These birds are irregular short-distance travellers that follow cone crops. When they leave their nesting grounds in Canada for the winter, they move over the central and southeastern United States.

If you reside in the Purple Finch’s winter range and don’t see them this winter, there’s a good chance you’ll see them the next season.

Fill your tube feeder, hopper, or platform feeder with sunflower seeds, Nyjer, and millet to attract the Purple Finch to your yard. They are particularly drawn to coniferous trees, so if you have some in your yard, the Purple Finch will come to visit.

19. 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 29.06 percent of sites visited in Minnesota

Pine Siskins have sharp and pointed beak and short notched tails, and are about the size of a sparrow. The wings and tail of these birds are brown with slight yellow borders. Their beak is slenderer than that of other finches. Look for forked tails with pointed wingtips while these birds are flying.

When temperatures drop below freezing overnight, the Pine Siskin’s metabolic rate may increase to five times its typical rate. They can do this for many hours at a time, allowing them to endure temperatures as low as –70°C (–94°F).

The Pine Siskin may be found in Minnesota when it isn’t reproducing. They can only be seen in a few areas in Minnesota all year. Across fact, at certain times of the year, these birds may be found in much of North America, including Alaska, Canada, Texas, Wisconsin, and even sections of Mexico.

Pine Siskins may be found on the extremities of conifer branches, and they can even hang upside down. Keep an ear out for a unique, harsh winding cry. This cry has been described as sounding like a piece of paper being ripped apart. The Pine Siskin is a North American bird that might be sighted one winter and then disappear the next.

Set up a Nyjer feeder, or even a thistle feeder, in your backyard to attract Pine Siskins. Smaller seeds, such as millet or hulled sunflower seeds, are other favorites. They may be spotted munching on seed heads from plants or weeds.

20. 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 26.32 percent of sites visited in Minnesota

Although European Starlings seem black at first sight, they are really an iridescent purple-green hue with brilliant yellow beaks in the summer. These starlings are dark with white dots in the winter. They are similar in size to the American Robin, with short tails and long, narrow beaks. They have short, pointed wings that make them seem little while flying.

The European Starling first came in the United States in the 1800s, when 100 of them were released in New York’s famed Central Park. A group of individuals intended to have every bird mentioned by Shakespeare in America, which is why these starlings were purposefully released. In North America now, there are around 200 million European Starlings. They’ve been observed as far north as Alaska, and even as far south as Mexico.

The European Starling is a year-round resident in Minnesota. They may be found in Mexico and the Caribbean when they are not reproducing.

The European Starling is most usually seen in urban areas. Look for these starlings on lawns, in city parks, and in fields. You’ll be able to watch them moving in a zig-zag pattern over the grass. Every few steps, these starlings even stab their beak into the earth. At the countryside, however, the European Starling is more likely to be seen in the tops of trees, sitting in groups, or even flocking across fields and highways.

Suet cages, hoppers, platform feeders, tube feeders, and the ground are all popular feeding spots for these starlings. Fill your feeders with peanuts, black oil sunflower seeds, oats, peanut hearts, cracked corn, millet, and hulled sunflower seeds if you want these birds to visit your yard.

21. Northern Flicker

Image: © Warren Lynn | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Colaptes auratus

Length: 11.0-12.2 in (28-31 cm)

Weight: 3.9-5.6 oz (110-160 g)

Wingspan: 16.5-20.1 in (42-51 cm) 

Found in 24.26 percent of the sites visited in Minnesota

The Northern Flicker has a white patch on its rump and is brown overall. The undersides of the tail and wings of eastern birds are brilliant yellow, while the undersides of the tail and wings of western birds are red. Northern Flickers are a cross between a robin and a crow in size. They have broad, slender heads and are relatively big woodpeckers. Their bills are virtually slanted down.

Northern Flickers spend a significant amount of their time on the ground. Many woodpeckers prefer to rest on their tails on a tree trunk when perched in trees. They keep upright on horizontal branches when perched in trees.

The Northern Flicker may be seen all year in Minnesota. They are either permanent residents or short-distance migratory who spend the winter in the northern regions of their range. Flickers breed farther south in the southern states and typically remain put for the winter.

If you’re looking for a Northern Flicker, go for a stroll in open forests or along forest boundaries. Look for a feeding area on the ground or in a nearby tree. When they’re flying, look for their white patch.

If you want to attract a breeding pair of Northern Flickers to your yard, consider putting up some nesting boxes, but make sure you do it well before breeding season begins. Suet cages, hoppers, and platform feeders are their favorite sources of food. Try suet, peanuts, millet, sunflower seeds, safflower, cracked corn, and peanut hearts in your feeders.

22. Common Redpoll

Image: © Eric Gofreed | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Acanthis flammea

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

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

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

Found in 24.26 percent of sites visited in Minnesota

The Common Redpoll is a streaking bird with streaks that run down the sides of its body. They have a little red spot on their forehead and are primarily brown and white. These are little songbirds with tiny heads and seed-eating bills. Their tail is short and has a notched tip.

Common Redpolls may travel in groups of up to a thousand birds. They prefer to move quickly when foraging for seed in weedy areas or tiny trees. They’ll typically be foraging one minute and then disappear in a whirlpool the next.

During the winter, the Common Redpoll may be seen in Minnesota. They are irruptive migratory who migrate south in the winter on a whim, based only on food supply patterns.

The majority of individuals in the United States will most likely witness a Common Redpoll throughout the winter. They like to feed in weedy meadows and forests. Keep an ear out for their piercing, energizing sounds.

Common Redpolls like thistle and Nyjer feeders, as well as sunflower seeds, black oil, and hulled varieties in particular. Tube feeders, hoppers, platforms, and the ground are all places where they feed.

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 23.34 percent of sites visited in Minnesota

A Mourning Dove is roughly the same size as a Common Grackle. They have lengthy legs and are big and lanky. Their beak is longer than other blackbirds and their skull is flat. Their wings seem small in compared to their big tail while flying. Male Grackles are bigger than female Grackles. When seen from a distance, the Common Grackle looks to be black, but closer inspection reveals purple-blue glossy heads and green-purple iridescent bodies.

Grackles may be seen in big groups, feeding on lawns and agricultural fields, and even soaring. The Common Grackle will peck for food instead of scratching. The Common Grackle is a cunning bird that may be seen following plows to collect mice and other invertebrates. Grackles often intimidate smaller birds at feeders.

Breeding Common Grackles may be seen throughout northern Minnesota. They are only seen year-round in southern Minnesota. Grackles may be found as far north as northern Canada during the mating season. They may be found in southern Texas when they are not breeding.

Stock your big hopper or platform feeder with suet, milo, oats, millet, cracked corn, safflower, hulled sunflower seeds, and fruit if you want Common Grackles in your yard. Grackles will be attracted to your seeds if you scatter them on the ground near the feeder.

24. American Tree Sparrow

Image: © Dorian Anderson | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Spizelloides arborea

Length: 5.5 in (14 cm)

Weight: 0.5-1.0 oz (13-28 g)

Wingspan: 9.4 in (24 cm)

Found in 21.05 percent of sites visited in Minnesota

The female and male American Tree Sparrows have a red cap and eyeline, a grey head, a streaked brown back, and a smooth grey breast. They’re about the same size as a House Sparrow, with rounder heads and fat, chubby bodies. The American Tree Sparrow has a tiny beak and long, slender tails when compared to other sparrows.

Every day, these sparrows must consume roughly 30% of their whole body weight in food and water. It would be a death sentence if they tried to fast for a whole day. Small groups of American Tree Sparrows may typically bounce about on the ground looking for grass and weed seeds. Individual sparrows may often sit on goldenrod stalks or low tree branches in the open.

When they are not reproducing, the American Tree Sparrow may be found in Minnesota. In the winter, they travel to northern and central North America, including North Dakota, Montana, and portions of Canada. The American Tree Sparrow is a medium-distance migratory that may be found in Alaska and northern Canada while nesting.

Winter is the greatest time to look for American Tree Sparrows. On snowy fields and bird feeders, little groups tend to congregate. Despite its name, the American Tree Sparrow is more likely to be seen gathering food on the ground than dining in trees.

Large hoppers, platform feeders, and even the ground are popular feeding spots for these sparrows. Fill your feeders with Nyjer, millet, peanut hearts, hulled sunflower seeds, and black oil sunflower seeds to attract the American Tree Sparrow to your yard.

25. Brown Creeper

Image: © Scott Martin | Macaulay Library

Scientific name: Certhia americana

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

Weight: 0.2-0.3 oz (5-10 g)

Wingspan: 6.7-7.9 in (17-20 cm)

Found in 19.91 percent of the sites visited in Minnesota

Brown Creepers are lanky songbirds, despite their tiny size. They have long tails, a thin body, and a slender beak. The Brown Creeper’s upper surface is striped brown and buff. Their white underbelly is frequently camouflaged against tree trunks. These birds mix quite well with the bark.

To find tiny insects and spiders, the Brown Creeper loves to hitch upward along tree trunks. They move in a quick, jerky pace, supported by their stiff tails. Brown Creepers have a high, wavering call note that is comparable to that of a Golden-crowned Kinglet.

Brown Creepers may be found in eastern Minnesota during the nesting season, and in the northeast of Minnesota all year. They may be seen all year in central and western Colorado. The Brown Creeper may be found in most of the United States, as well as Alaska, certain southern portions of Canada, Mexico, and even some Central American nations, depending on the time of year.

You could see a Brown Creeper zigzagging up a tree in search of spiders and insects. Brown Creepers may be seen in parks and suburban areas throughout the winter. Very a gloomy woodland, the Brown Creeper may blend in nicely with tree bark and be difficult to notice, but if you keep your eyes alert, you could see some movement from the little bird.

Even though Brown Creepers prefer to consume insects, they also like peanut butter and suet in the winter. Sunflower seeds, grass seeds, maize, and pine seeds are some of the additional winter foods that the Brown Creeper will consume. Set up a suet cage in your backyard if you want to attract the Brown Creeper.

Bird Watching in Minnesota

Minnesota provides a one-of-a-kind bird watching experience for bird watchers of all skill levels. With over 400 bird species and a diverse range of habitats, bird watchers of all levels will find plenty of opportunities to observe and appreciate the beauty of birds in the state. Minnesota’s varied landscapes, from northern boreal forests to prairies and the Great Lakes, provide a diverse range of bird species to observe.

The weather in the state can present both challenges and opportunities for bird watching. The weather is usually mild from April to October, making it an ideal time to observe birds. Snow and cold temperatures, on the other hand, can make bird watching difficult during the winter months. It is critical to dress appropriately and to have binoculars on hand.

Birders can also attend one of the state’s many birding festivals, which usually take place in the spring and fall. These festivals offer the opportunity to observe birds at specially set-up feeders, learn more about birds from experts, and meet other birders.

Overall, Minnesota is an excellent place for bird watchers of all levels, from novice to expert. Bird watchers from all over the world come to Minnesota to observe the many species of birds that call the state home, thanks to a variety of bird habitats, numerous birding festivals, and the beauty of the state’s diverse landscapes.

Attracting Backyard Birds in Minnesota

Birding does not have to be limited to parks and nature preserves. Attracting birds to your backyard can be both fun and educational. Bird watchers can increase their chances of seeing a variety of species close to home by providing food, shelter, and water.

The best time to put up bird feeders in Minnesota is late summer and early fall. Birds are preparing for the winter and will be more likely to visit your feeders during this time. Suet and sunflower seeds are two of the most popular bird foods, and various feeders can be used to attract various species. Setting up bird houses or nesting boxes can also help attract birds while also providing them with shelter to roost in.

Because the weather in Minnesota can be unpredictable, choosing weather-resistant feeders is your best bet. If the temperature drops, you may need to provide more food and water for the birds. Also, keep bird feeders and bird houses clean to prevent disease spread.

Bird watchers can attract a variety of birds to their backyard by providing food, water, and shelter. Bird watching up close can be a rewarding experience for both novice and experienced birders. Minnesota birders can create a bird haven in their backyard with the right setup.