Birds of Kentucky

Kentucky has beautiful birds, some being regular residents, while a few migrate in summer, fall, and winter. The Nature Conservancy in Kentucky is home to birds like the northern bobwhite quail and yellow-billed cuckoo in the hotter months. One could spot the American woodcock and brown creeper in winter.

The Kentucky Bird Records Committee (KRBC) recognizes around 400 birds as official species inhabiting the state. The 4 extinct species are the passenger pigeon, ivory-billed woodpecker, Carolina parakeet, and Bachman’s warbler.

The northern cardinal has been designated as the state bird of Kentucky since 1926.

Birds of Kentucky

Backyard Birds:

All-year-round: Northern Cardinal, Blue Jay, Tufted Titmouse, Mourning Dove, American Goldfinch

Migratory Birds:

In Summer: Indigo Bunting, Baltimore Oriole, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Great-crested Flycatcher

In Winter: Northern Harrier, Fox Sparrow, Canvasback, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Phoebe

Birds of Prey: Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk

Water Birds: American White Pelican, Sandhill Crane, Least Tern, Wood Duck, American Wigeon

Rare Birds: Purple Gallinule, Wood Stork

Common Birds Identification by Color

Blue Birds

  • Eastern Bluebird
  • Blue Jay
  • Mountain Bluebird
  • Western Bluebird

Red Birds

  • House Finch
  • Northern Cardinal
  • American Robin
  • Common Redpoll
  • Red-shouldered Hawk

Yellow Birds

  • Eastern Meadowlark
  • American Goldfinch
  • Common Yellowthroat
  • Prairie Warbler
  • Yellow-throated Warbler

Black Birds

  • European Starling
  • Red-winged Blackbird
  • Brown-headed Cowbird
  • Common Grackle
  • Rusty Blackbird

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