A Guide to the Most Common Backyard Birds in Kentucky

In “A Guide to the Most Common Backyard Birds in Kentucky,” readers will find a wealth of information about the diverse avian visitors that can be spotted in their own backyards. Drawing on the reliable data from the citizen science program eBird, this article offers a comprehensive list of the most frequently seen bird species in Kentucky, complete with captivating pictures and tips on how to attract them to your own little patch of paradise. Whether you’re a seasoned bird-watcher or just dipping your toes into the fascinating world of birding, this guide is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to identify and appreciate the vibrant bird life of Kentucky.

Northern Cardinal

The Northern Cardinal is a well-known and beloved bird in Kentucky. With its striking red plumage and distinctive crest on its head, it is hard to miss. The Northern Cardinal is the most common backyard bird in Kentucky, reported on 65% of bird watching lists.

Physical Description

The male Northern Cardinal is easily recognizable with its vibrant red feathers, black face mask, and pointed crest. The female, on the other hand, has a more subdued appearance with a pale brown body and hints of red on its wings and tail. Both genders have a cone-shaped bill and strong legs for perching and hopping.

Habitat and Range

The Northern Cardinal is a year-round resident in Kentucky and is found in a variety of habitats including forests, woodlands, and suburban areas. This bird has also adapted well to human-made environments such as parks and gardens. Its range extends throughout the eastern and central parts of the United States, from Maine to Texas.

Behavior

Northern Cardinals are known for their melodious songs, which are especially prominent during the breeding season. They have a variety of calls, including a loud whistle and a series of clear notes. Male cardinals are particularly territorial and will often defend their chosen territory by singing and displaying aggressive behavior, such as wing flicking and beak snapping.

Attracting to Your Backyard

To attract Northern Cardinals to your backyard, provide them with a birdfeeder filled with sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, or millet. These birds are also attracted to water sources, so placing a bird bath or a shallow dish of water in your yard can help draw them in. Additionally, planting shrubs, trees, and other dense vegetation can provide shelter and nesting sites for these beautiful birds.

Interesting Facts

• The Northern Cardinal is the state bird of seven U.S. states, including Kentucky.
• The bright red plumage of male cardinals is believed to serve as a signal to females of the male’s ability to provide food and protect the nest.
• Cardinals are not migratory birds, meaning they do not migrate long distances like some other bird species. Instead, they stay in their territory all year round.

American Robin

The American Robin is a familiar sight in many Kentucky backyards. With its orange breast, gray-brown back, and distinctive white eye ring, it is easily recognizable. While not as colorful as the Northern Cardinal, the American Robin is known for its cheerful song and its role as a harbinger of spring.

Physical Description

The American Robin is a medium-sized songbird with a plump body and a long tail. It has a bright orange breast and a grayish-brown back. Its head is black with a white eye ring, and its bill is yellow. Male and female robins have similar appearances, although the male may have darker colors and a slightly larger size.

Habitat and Range

The American Robin can be found throughout Kentucky and most of North America. It prefers open habitats such as lawns, gardens, and grassy fields. Robins are also commonly seen in woodlands and forests, especially during the breeding season when they build their nests in trees.

Behavior

American Robins are known for their distinctive song, which consists of a series of rich, flutelike notes. They are also known for their habit of hopping and running on the ground, stopping occasionally to cock their heads and listen for prey. Robins are primarily insectivorous but also eat fruit, especially during the winter months when insects are scarce.

Attracting to Your Backyard

To attract American Robins to your backyard, provide them with a birdbath or a shallow dish of water for drinking and bathing. Robins are also attracted to open areas of short grass, where they can search for worms and other insects. Avoid using pesticides in your yard, as they can harm the insects that robins rely on for food.

Interesting Facts

• Despite their name, American Robins are not true robins and are not closely related to the European Robin. Their name derives from the red breast of the European Robin, which reminded early European settlers of the American bird.
• American Robins are among the first birds to sing in the morning, often starting their melodious song well before sunrise. This behavior is particularly noticeable during the breeding season.
• Robins are known for their ability to detect earthworms by listening for their movements underground. They use their sharp eyesight and keen hearing to locate and capture their prey.

Mourning Dove

The Mourning Dove is a familiar sight in Kentucky, with its gentle cooing and graceful flight. This bird is known for its soft, muted coloring and slender body shape. While not as flashy as some other backyard birds, the Mourning Dove’s soothing presence is often appreciated by birdwatchers.

Physical Description

Mourning Doves have a slender body with a long, pointed tail. They have a pale gray-brown plumage with dark spots on their wings. The head is light gray with a small black mark on the side of the neck. The eyes are dark and surrounded by a narrow ring of blue skin. The male and female doves have similar appearances, although the male may have brighter colors and a more defined black mark on the neck.

Habitat and Range

Mourning Doves are one of the most widespread and abundant birds in North America, including Kentucky. They can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, open fields, and suburban areas. These birds are highly adaptable and can tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions.

Behavior

Mourning Doves are ground-feeders and primarily eat seeds, fruits, and grains. They have a unique way of drinking water by sucking it up rather than scooping it with their bill. Mourning Doves are known for their soft, mournful cooing calls, which can be heard throughout the day. They are monogamous birds and form long-lasting pair bonds.

Attracting to Your Backyard

To attract Mourning Doves to your backyard, provide them with a ground feeder or scatter seeds on the ground. Doves prefer eating seeds such as millet, sunflower seeds, and cracked corn. They are also attracted to open spaces with low vegetation where they can forage for food. Providing a source of fresh water, such as a birdbath, can also help attract these birds.

Interesting Facts

• Mourning Doves are one of the few bird species that produce crop milk, a semi-solid substance that is fed to their young. Both the male and female doves can produce crop milk, which is regurgitated and fed to the chicks.
• The mournful cooing of the Mourning Dove is often associated with peace and tranquility. Its gentle sounds are said to evoke a sense of serenity and calmness.
• Mourning Doves are often called “turtle doves” due to their soft, gentle nature and resemblance to the European Turtle Dove. The association with love and devotion has made them a popular symbol in art and literature.

Blue Jay

The Blue Jay is a striking and charismatic bird that is commonly found in Kentucky. With its vibrant blue plumage, black crest, and noisy calls, it is hard to miss. Blue Jays are known for their intelligence, boldness, and sometimes mischievous behavior.

Physical Description

Blue Jays are medium-sized songbirds with a robust body and a long, rounded tail. They have a blue upper body, including the head, wings, and tail. The underparts are white, and the wings are boldly patterned with black bars and white patches. Blue Jays also have a prominent black crest on their head and a black collar around the neck. Female blue jays are similar in appearance but may be slightly duller in color.

Habitat and Range

Blue Jays are year-round residents in Kentucky and can be found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, forests, parks, and suburban areas. They are also known to visit bird feeders in backyards, especially when provided with peanuts or suet. Blue Jays are native to eastern and central North America and can be found from southern Canada to Florida.

Behavior

Blue Jays are highly vocal birds and have a wide range of calls, including their characteristic “jay” call and various screeches and whistles. They are known for their intelligence and ability to mimic the calls of other birds. Blue Jays are also renowned for their habit of caching food, such as acorns and other nuts, for later use. They have been observed hiding food in various locations and remembering where they stored it.

Attracting to Your Backyard

To attract Blue Jays to your backyard, provide them with a variety of foods, including sunflower seeds, peanuts, and suet. Blue Jays are also attracted to water sources, so a bird bath or a shallow dish of water can help draw them in. These birds are known to be bold and may chase away other birds from the feeder, so consider providing multiple feeding stations to accommodate different species.

Interesting Facts

• Blue Jays are known to have complex social systems, with individuals forming family groups and engaging in cooperative behaviors such as mobbing predators.
• The bright blue coloration of Blue Jays is not due to pigments but is instead the result of light interacting with the structure of their feathers. This phenomenon, called “structural coloration,” gives their plumage its vibrant blue appearance.
• Blue Jays are excellent imitators and can mimic the calls of other birds, squirrels, and even certain electronic sounds. They have been known to fool other animals with their impressive vocal repertoire.

Black-capped Chickadee

The Black-capped Chickadee is a small, charismatic bird that is known for its friendly and curious nature. With its distinctive black cap and white cheeks, it is a familiar sight in Kentucky’s backyards and woodlands. Chickadees are known for their playful behavior and their cheerful calls.

Physical Description

Black-capped Chickadees are small songbirds with a stocky build, short wings, and a long tail. They have a black cap and bib on their head, white cheeks, and a white belly. The back and wings are gray, and the sides are buff-colored. Chickadees have a short, stout bill, which they use to crack open seeds and insects. Male and female chickadees have similar appearances.

Habitat and Range

Black-capped Chickadees are year-round residents in Kentucky and can be found in various habitats, including forests, woodlands, parks, and suburban areas. They are cavity nesters and will readily use nest boxes or tree cavities for breeding. These birds are native to North America and can be found across the northern parts of the United States and southern parts of Canada.

Behavior

Chickadees are highly sociable and often form small flocks during the non-breeding season. They are known for their acrobatic foraging behavior, clinging to tree branches and twigs as they search for insects and seeds. Chickadees have a variety of calls, including their characteristic “chick-a-dee-dee-dee” call, which gives them their name. They are also known for their ability to remember the locations of thousands of individual food caches.

Attracting to Your Backyard

To attract Black-capped Chickadees to your backyard, provide them with a variety of food sources, including sunflower seeds, suet, and mealworms. These birds are particularly fond of sunflower seeds and will readily visit feeders that offer this food. Chickadees are also attracted to nesting boxes, so consider installing one in your yard to provide them with a suitable nesting site.

Interesting Facts

• Black-capped Chickadees have a unique adaptation that allows them to lower their body temperature and enter a state of regulated hypothermia during cold winter nights. This helps them conserve energy and survive in harsh winter conditions.
• Chickadees are known for their boldness and are often willing to approach humans, especially when offered food. Some individuals have even been known to eat seeds from a person’s hand.
• Black-capped Chickadees have a large vocal repertoire and can communicate with a variety of calls. They use different calls to communicate with each other and to convey information about predators, food sources, and territory boundaries.

Eastern Bluebird

The Eastern Bluebird is a small and beautiful bird that is highly sought after by birdwatchers. With its bright blue plumage, rusty orange breast, and white belly, it is a stunning sight in Kentucky’s fields, meadows, and open woodlands. Bluebirds are known for their gentle and melodious song.

Physical Description

Eastern Bluebirds are small thrushes with a round body, a long tail, and a slim bill. The males have bright blue plumage on the back, wings, and tail, with a rusty orange or brick-colored breast. The females are duller in color, with more grayish-blue feathers and a paler breast. Both genders have a white belly and a distinct white eye ring.

Habitat and Range

Eastern Bluebirds can be found throughout Kentucky in a variety of open habitats, including fields, meadows, orchards, and suburban areas. They are cavity nesters and prefer open areas with scattered trees or fence posts, where they can easily find suitable nest sites. Bluebirds are native to eastern North America and can be found from Canada to the Gulf Coast.

Behavior

Bluebirds are known for their melodious and flute-like songs, which they often sing from perches such as fence posts or tree branches. They are skilled aerial hunters, feeding on a variety of insects, including beetles, grasshoppers, and spiders. Bluebirds are also known to eat fruits, particularly during the winter months when insect prey is scarce.

Attracting to Your Backyard

To attract Eastern Bluebirds to your backyard, provide them with suitable nesting sites such as nest boxes or hollowed-out gourds. These birds prefer open areas with short grass, where they can hunt for insects. Planting native flowering plants and berry-producing shrubs can also provide a food source for bluebirds. Additionally, offering mealworms or a specialized bluebird feed can help attract and sustain these beautiful birds.

Interesting Facts

• Eastern Bluebirds face competition for nesting sites from non-native bird species such as European Starlings and House Sparrows. Providing dedicated bluebird boxes can help offset the loss of natural nesting sites and give bluebirds a better chance to reproduce successfully.
• Bluebirds are known for their ability to spot insects from a distance, thanks to their excellent eyesight. They can detect tiny movements on the ground or in the air and use their aerial agility to catch their prey.
• Many people associate bluebirds with happiness and good fortune. Their vibrant blue coloration has made them symbols of joy, hope, and renewal in various cultures and folklore.

House Finch

The House Finch is a common bird in Kentucky’s urban and suburban areas. With its reddish plumage, brown streaks, and cheerful song, it is a welcome sight in many backyard feeders. House Finches are known for their adaptability and their ability to thrive in a variety of environments.

Physical Description

House Finches are small songbirds with a short, conical bill and a stout body. Male House Finches have a reddish coloration on their head, breast, and rump, with streaks of brown on their back and wings. The females have a duller appearance, with grayish-brown feathers and less noticeable streaks. Both genders have brown eyes and a distinctive forked tail.

Habitat and Range

House Finches can be found throughout Kentucky, especially in areas with human habitation. They are highly adaptable and can be seen in a variety of habitats, including towns, cities, parks, and gardens. House Finches are native to the western United States but have expanded their range eastward due to introductions and natural dispersal.

Behavior

House Finches are social birds and often gather in flocks, especially during the non-breeding season. They are highly vocal and have a cheerful song, consisting of a long, warbling warble followed by a series of short, rapid notes. House Finches primarily eat seeds, especially those from plants such as sunflowers, dandelions, and grasses. They also consume fruits and berries when available.

Attracting to Your Backyard

To attract House Finches to your backyard, provide them with a birdfeeder filled with sunflower seeds, nyjer seeds, or millet. These birds are also attracted to water sources, so a bird bath or a shallow dish of water can help draw them in. House Finches are known to visit feeders frequently, so keeping the feeder stocked with fresh seeds will increase the likelihood of attracting them.

Interesting Facts

• House Finches were originally found only in the western United States but have expanded their range eastward in the past century. This expansion is thought to be the result of the illegal pet trade, as House Finches were illegally sold in New York City in the 1940s. These birds were released or escaped and established populations in the eastern U.S.
• Male House Finches often acquire their red coloration from the pigments found in their diet. A diet rich in carotenoids, such as those found in certain fruits and berries, can result in brighter and more intense red plumage.
• House Finches are known to engage in “anting” behavior, where they rub ants or other arthropods on their feathers. This behavior is thought to help rid the birds of parasites by utilizing chemicals found in the ants’ exoskeletons.

Tufted Titmouse

The Tufted Titmouse is a small and lively bird that is known for its perky crest and friendly disposition. With its gray plumage, white belly, and big black eyes, it is a charming visitor to Kentucky’s backyards and woodlands. Titmice are known for their acrobatic foraging and their clear, whistling songs.

Physical Description

Tufted Titmice are small songbirds with a round body, a short tail, and a prominent crest on their head. They have gray plumage on their back, wings, and tail, with a white belly and sides. The face is white, and the eyes are large and black. Male and female titmice have similar appearances, although the male may have slightly brighter colors and a more defined crest.

Habitat and Range

Tufted Titmice are year-round residents in Kentucky and can be found in a variety of habitats, including deciduous forests, woodlands, parks, and suburban areas. They are cavity nesters and will readily use nest boxes or natural tree cavities for breeding. Titmice are native to the eastern United States and can be found from the Great Lakes region to the Gulf Coast.

Behavior

Tufted Titmice are highly active birds and are often seen hopping and flying through the trees in search of food. They have a variety of calls, including a clear, whistling “peter-peter-peter” song, which can be heard throughout the year. Titmice are social birds and often travel in small flocks, foraging together and communicating with one another through a series of soft, scolding calls.

Attracting to Your Backyard

To attract Tufted Titmice to your backyard, provide them with a variety of food sources, including sunflower seeds, peanuts, and suet. These birds are also attracted to water sources, so a bird bath or a shallow dish of water can help draw them in. Titmice are cavity nesters, so consider providing nest boxes with a 1 1/4-inch entrance hole to accommodate their nesting needs.

Interesting Facts

• Tufted Titmice are known to hoard food, storing it in various locations such as tree crevices, under bark, or in leaf litter. They have an excellent spatial memory and can remember the locations of hundreds of hidden food caches.
• These birds are cooperative breeders, meaning that offspring from previous years often remain with their parents to help care for the next generation of nestlings. This cooperative behavior increases the chances of the young birds’ survival and allows for the transfer of valuable knowledge and skills.
• Tufted Titmice have been known to exhibit “mobbing” behavior, where they gather in small groups and harass a potential predator, such as an owl or a hawk. This behavior is thought to help protect the nesting territory and the young birds from danger.

Downy Woodpecker

The Downy Woodpecker is a small and industrious bird that is frequently encountered in Kentucky’s woodlands and backyards. With its black and white plumage, distinctive black spots, and the flash of red on its head, it is easily recognizable. Downy Woodpeckers are known for their drumming behavior and their ability to excavate nest cavities in trees.

Physical Description

Downy Woodpeckers are small woodpeckers with a stocky build, a short neck, and a chisel-like bill. They have black and white plumage, with white underparts and black wings patterned with white spots. The males have a small patch of red on the back of their head, while the females have a solid black cap. These birds have a stiff tail and a sharp bill, which they use to excavate insect galleries and drum on trees.

Habitat and Range

Downy Woodpeckers can be found throughout Kentucky and most of North America. They inhabit a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, parks, and residential areas with mature trees. These birds are adaptable and can utilize dead branches, tree trunks, and even wooden fences as foraging and drumming surfaces.

Behavior

Downy Woodpeckers are skillful foragers and drill small holes in wood to extract insect larvae and pupae. They are also known for their drumming behavior, where they rapidly tap their bills against a resonating surface, such as a dead branch or a hollow tree trunk. This drumming behavior serves various purposes, including communication, attracting mates, and establishing territory.

Attracting to Your Backyard

To attract Downy Woodpeckers to your backyard, provide them with a variety of food sources, including suet, peanuts, and sunflower seeds. These birds are also attracted to trees with dead or decaying branches, as these provide abundant food sources in the form of insect larvae. Consider leaving dead branches intact or installing a suet feeder specifically designed for woodpeckers.

Interesting Facts

• Downy Woodpeckers are often mistaken for their larger relative, the Hairy Woodpecker. The two species have similar patterns and plumage, but the Downy Woodpecker is smaller and has a shorter bill.
• These birds have a unique adaptation that helps protect their brains from the high forces generated while drumming. The hyoid bone, which supports the tongue, acts as a shock absorber, redirecting the forces away from the brain.
• Downy Woodpeckers often excavate their nest cavities in dead or decaying trees. These cavities are later used by other cavity-nesting birds, such as cavity-dwelling ducks, owls, and other woodpeckers.

Additional Resources

• Cornell Lab of Ornithology: The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s website provides a wealth of information on bird identification, behavior, and conservation. It features a comprehensive online bird guide, as well as citizen science projects that allow birdwatchers to contribute data and observations.
• Kentucky Ornithological Society: The Kentucky Ornithological Society is dedicated to the study and conservation of birds in Kentucky. Their website offers information on birdwatching resources, local birding hotspots, and upcoming events and field trips.
• Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Department: The Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Department is responsible for managing and conserving the state’s natural resources, including its bird populations. Their website provides information on birding and wildlife viewing areas, as well as regulations and licenses for hunting and fishing activities.