Birds Of Kentucky

a brief look at a small sample of the many birds who call Kentucky home.

1. Birds of

2. 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

3. RED-HEADED WOODPECKER
No other Kentucky woodpecker has an all-red head

4. RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER
Will return to the same tree year after year

5. DOWNY WOODPECKER
One of Kentucky’s most abundant woodpeckers

6. NORTHERN FLICKER
The only woodpecker to regularly feed on the ground

7. YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER
Only woodpecker with a red chin patch

8. TREE SWALLOW
First swallow species to return each spring

9. BLUE GROSBEAK
Population has increased over the past 30 years!

10. INDIGO BUNTING
Migrates at night

11. BLUE JAY
The “alarm” of the forest

12. BELTED KINGFISHER
Fish-lover

13. CAROLINA WREN
Sings 40 different song types

14. EVENING GROSBEAK
Seed-cracking bill

15. AMERICAN REDSTART
Appears hyperactive when feeding

16. NORTHERN CARDINAL
Territorial in spring

17. PURPLE FINCH
Only seen during the winter

18. MALLARD
Will return to place of birth

19. ROCK DOVE
aka the Domestic Pigeon

20. MOURNING DOVE
Mates for life

21. GREAT HORNED OWL
Largest owl in the state

22. EASTERN SCREECH-OWL
Mates for life

23. CAROLINA CHICKADEE
Friendly bird

24. YELLOW BILLED CUCKOO
Ask him what time it is

25. KILLDEER
Only shorebird with two black neck bands

26. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD
Sign of Spring

27. AMERICAN COOT
Excellent diver and swimmer

28. AMERICAN CROW
One of the smartest birds

29. PURPLE MARTIN
Largest swallow in North America

30. WHIP-POOR-WHILL
Popular songbird

31. AMERICAN KESTREL
Only small prey bird with a rusty colored back or tail

32. HOODED MERGANSER
The nest-sharer

33. WILD TURKEY
Our would-be national bird

34. BALD EAGLE
Soar Eagle, Soar!