birds of kentucky

Birds of

For the birds

• Kentucky is home to more than 360 different kinds of birds

• Reasons include Kentucky’s vast open space, the diversity of its habitat and variations in the weather

RED-HEADED WOODPECKER

No other Kentucky woodpecker has an all-red head

RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER

Will return to the same tree year after year

DOWNY WOODPECKER

One of Kentucky’s most abundant woodpeckers

NORTHERN FLICKER

The only woodpecker to regularly feed on the ground

YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER

Only woodpecker with a red chin patch

TREE SWALLOW

First swallow species to return each spring

BLUE GROSBEAK

Population has increased over the past 30 years!

INDIGO BUNTING

Migrates at night

BLUE JAY

The “alarm” of the forest

BELTED KINGFISHER

Fish-lover

CAROLINA WREN

Sings 40 different song types

EVENING GROSBEAK

Seed-cracking bill

AMERICAN REDSTART

Appears hyperactive when feeding

NORTHERN CARDINAL

Territorial in spring

PURPLE FINCH

Only seen during the winter

MALLARD

Will return to place of birth

ROCK DOVE

aka the Domestic Pigeon

MOURNING DOVE

Mates for life

GREAT HORNED OWL

Largest owl in the state

EASTERN SCREECH-OWL

Mates for life

CAROLINA CHICKADEE

Friendly bird

YELLOW BILLED CUCKOO

Ask him what time it is

KILLDEER

Only shorebird with two black neck bands

RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD

Sign of Spring

AMERICAN COOT

Excellent diver and swimmer

AMERICAN CROW

One of the smartest birds

PURPLE MARTIN

Largest swallow in North America

WHIP-POOR-WHILL

Popular songbird

AMERICAN KESTREL

Only small prey bird with a rusty colored back or tail

HOODED MERGANSER

The nest-sharer

WILD TURKEY

Our would-be national bird

BALD EAGLE

Soar Eagle, Soar!