Indiana, the Hoosier state, has always been a popular spot for backyard birds. Follow our tips below to make your backyard a welcoming shelter for the beautiful backyard birds of Indiana.
State Bird of Indiana
In 1933, the Richmondena Cardinalis Cardinalis (Northern Cardinal) was designated as the state bird of Indiana. Fun Fact: The Northern Cardinal is also known as the Red Bird!
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Backyard Birds of Indiana
● Over 418 bird species make up the pack of backyard birds of Indiana.
● American states like Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois share many backyard birds in common with Indiana.
● The birds of Indiana range from less frequently seen birds like the Eastern Whip-poor-will to more frequently seen birds like the Northern Cardinal.
Attracting Birds to Your Indiana Backyard
You can attract backyard birds to your backyard by following any of these methods:
● Lure them with the right native plants such as black-eyed Susan, ninebark, etc.
● Attempt to create a bird-friendly environment.
● Install a bird house or a perching stick.
Fun Bird Watching Activities for Your Backyard
Watching backyard birds is fun because it provides us an opportunity to experience nature at its best. It also offers you a window to forget the chaos of your daily routine, even if for some time. A few interesting bird watching activities for your Indiana yard are:
● Participating in the great backyard bird count which is conducted once a year.
● Try naming a particular bird by a song or bird call.
● Paint or draw backyard birds.
Identifying Backyard Birds
● The 1st step in identifying backyard birds is noticing their size. Tip: Look at the backyard bird and not the field guide.
● Focus on the bird’s tail and its range. What if you misidentify backyard birds? It happens all the time and even experts make the same mistake. DO NOT allow it to take over your enthusiasm for identifying backyard birds.
Carolina Chickadee
The Carolina Chickadee is found in the Southeastern United States. Carolina Chickadees are black and white, with gray wings. These Chickadees love sunflowers and peanut chips. They like to grab their food and then go somewhere else to eat, so they can be alone. The Carolina Chickadee likes to hang out with other birds, such as the Warbler.
House Finch
The House Finch can be found in most neighborhoods in North America. They have a bright red head and chest. House Finches like to eat sunflower seeds. The House Finch is a noisy bird and likes to be around other birds.
Mourning Dove
The Mourning Dove is a graceful bird with a small head and tail. These Doves can be found throughout North America. Mourning Doves perch on telephone wires or other high locations. Their flight is fast and straight. The Mourning Dove likes to eat seeds usually found on the ground.
Downy Woodpecker
The Downy Woodpecker is a black and white woodpecker. These Woodpeckers are often seen in backyards, parks, and woodlots. Woodpeckers don’t sing songs, they drum. In the winter Downy Woodpeckers like to hang out with other birds, such as the Nuthatch and Chickadee. The Downy Woodpecker can be found throughout North America.
Dark-eyed Junco
The Dark-eyed Junco is one of the most abundant birds in North America. They have a gray-brown body with bright white tail feathers. Dark-eyed Juncos are found on the ground in open or partially wooded areas. They have a twittering call and a trilling song.
Eastern Bluebird
The Eastern Bluebird lives in the eastern United States. They live as far south as Nicaragua, Central America. They have a royal blue back and head. Their chest is a red-brown color. Eastern Bluebirds can often be found perched somewhere high, like a power line. Bluebirds enjoy eating insects, berries, and wild fruit.
Song Sparrow
The Song Sparrow is one of the most familiar Sparrows. It has a brown and gray body with streaks. Song Sparrows are found all over North America. Their coloring can change depending upon the area they are in. Song Sparrows nest in shrubs and around wetlands. They eat small insects but will also come to bird feeders for seed.
Bird Feeders that Attract Backyard Birds
You are in luck if you wish to create your backyard bird’s “buffet”. Use the following favorites and have them in the bird feeders for those cute angels:
- Safflower
- Thistle
- Nyjer
- Suet
- Peanuts
- Black Oil Sunflower
Final Words
That summarizes the birding scene of backyard birds of Indiana. We hope that you have got some new ideas on attracting, identifying, and watching the local birds in your Indiana yard.
