Kentucky has beautiful birds dwelling around, 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. In winter, one could spot the American woodcock and the brown creeper there.
The Kentucky Bird Records Committee or KRBC recognizes 391 official species of Kentucky as per the November 2019 records. The four extinct species include the passenger pigeon, ivory-billed woodpecker, Carolina parakeet, and Bachman’s warbler.
The northern cardinal was approved the state bird of Kentucky in 1926 and has continued to be the same since then.
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
