Kentucky has a beautiful landscape ranging from farmlands to ponds. Continue reading to know everything about the backyard birds of Kentucky.
State Bird of Kentucky
In 1942, the Northern Cardinal was adopted and designated the state bird of Kentucky. For all of you who don’t know, the Northern Cardinal is a long-tailed, large songbird with a prominent crest and a thick bill.
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Backyard Birds of Kentucky
● Over 392 different bird species can be spotted at different times of the year.
● 4 bird species have been classified as extinct, 6 species were introduced to the North American continent, and 3 species of bird have been extirpated. Moreover, 9 species are defined as hypothetical.
● States sharing common backyards birds of Kentucky are Missouri, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.
● Backyard birds of Kentucky include Rusty Blackbird (less frequent) to Blue Jay (most frequent).
Attracting Birds to Your Kentucky Backyard
Stating simply, providing the basic needs of life will automatically bring the backyard birds to your doorstep.
What do we exactly mean here? A sense of security, good food, and a safe shelter.
Fun Bird Watching Activities for Your Backyard
Bird-watching is a fun activity because it sharpens your sight and encourages you to explore the world. If you wish, it can also make you an authority in neighboring areas. We have curated a fine list of amazing bird-watching activities that you should try in your yard:
● Participating in the great backyard bird count will always remain the topmost fun activity.
● Stopwatch bird activity – Have you ever wondered how long a bird takes to fly high up in the sky? Try this interesting bird activity to find out.
● Migration of birds activity – This super fun activity consists of tracking down the migratory routes of backyard birds.
Identifying Backyard Birds
A decent pair of binoculars is as important as a field guide in identifying backyard birds. Identifying different features over time can help you master this technique.
Tip: An experienced birdwatcher can help you in identifying backyard birds efficiently.
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.
Purple Finch
The Purple Finch is a purple-red finch that lives in eastern North America. They also have a large beak that they use to crack open seeds. The Purple Finch makes a warbling sound but can often mimic other birds like the Barn Swallow or Brown-headed Cowbird.
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.
American Robin
The American Robin can be found in yards and gardens across North America. They enjoy eating earthworms right out of the ground in the morning and fruit in the afternoon. American Robins have a round, orange chest. Their feathers are grey-brown in color. You can hear the Robin if you listen for their clear whistle. Female Robins often sleep in the nest while the male Robin goes out to gather.
American Crow
The American Crow is a common bird found throughout the United States. It is the familiar all-black bird seen in treetops, fields, or perched on a power line. The American Crow usually feeds off of the ground but will eat anything from insects to garbage!
Northern Mockingbird
The Northern Mockingbird is found throughout the United States. It is a gray bird with a white underbelly and black and white wings. The Northern Mockingbird is common in backyards, hopping along a fresh-cut lawn. The Northern Mockingbird sings all day.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
The Red-bellied Woodpecker is found in the eastern United States. These black and white barred woodpeckers don’t have a red belly but a red cap. Red-bellied Woodpeckers are loud and can be heard a lot during the spring and summer. The Red-bellied Woodpecker uses its long tongue and sticky spit to catch prey in deep crevices in trees.
Bird Feeders that Attract Backyard Birds
Black oil sunflower seeds have been highly successful in attracting backyard birds. Safflower and Nutrasaff is the no. 1 choice of Cardinals. The best part about this seed is that even Grackles, Starlings, and Squirrels eat it.
Final Words
We hope reading this article made you aware of the different backyard birds of Kentucky, and provided you with tips on attracting, identifying, and watching them.
