A bird flies through the air. — Purple Martin A purple martin soars through the air. © Shutterstock

Kentucky Birds

See what's visiting our nature preserves each season.

No matter what the season, there are always interesting birds to see at The Nature Conservancy's Kentucky nature preserves. In fact, birds move through Kentucky all year long. Some change habitats within state borders; others stop by during spring and fall as part of long journeys between breeding grounds and warmer climates.

Here are a few favorites you might see at one of our Kentucky nature preserves or state Wildlife Management Areas—places where we are working with partners to protect and manage habitats for avian visitors. See you outside!

Summer Birds
Fall Birds
Winter Birds
Spring Birds

Summer

In summer, birds are feeding young hatchlings. Soon the youngsters learn to fly and eventually leave the nest. As days grow shorter and summer begins to wane, birds are no longer as vocal as they had been in spring and early summer. Neotropical migrants prepare to make the long journey south for winter. In spite of shorter days, there is still a lot to see and hear before cooler weather arrives.

Kentucky Summer Birds

**Northern Bobwhite Quail** (Colinus virginianus) If you are near a grassland, you will likely hear, and maybe even see, this bird. This species is in decline, likely due to loss of habitat. © Rick Conner

**Wood Duck** (Aix sponsa) After breeding season ends in early summer, colorful wood ducks nest and raise their young in ponds, lakes and streams near forests throughout Kentucky. © Shutterstock

**Ruby-throated Hummingbird** (Archilochus colubris) Don’t be fooled by the small size.of these jewel-colored birds. They can cross the Gulf of Mexico in a single flight. © Kent Mason

**Yellow-billed Cuckoo** (Coccyzus americanus) This bird prefers to stay hidden but can’t hide from its distinctive call. The best chance to catch a glimpse of this bird is at a conservation area. © Jim Williams

**Baltimore Oriole** (Icterus galbula) Fond of fruit and nectar as well as insects, Baltimore Orioles are easily lured to backyard feeders. They are commonly seen near streams a © Creative Commons/Andy Reago and Chrissy McClaren

**Green Heron** (Butorides virescens) These smaller herons can be found looking for fish anywhere there is a water, likely a pond. © Steve S. Meyer

**Great-crested Flycatcher** (Butorides virescens) These smaller herons can be found looking for fish anywhere there is a water, likely a pond. © Creative Commons/Andy Reago and Chrissy McClarren

**Indigo Bunting** (Passerina cyanea) This bird represents one of the most common migrating birds in Kentucky during the summer. © Creative Commons/ Kurt Bauschardt

Fall

Fall is a time when falling leaves allow birdwatchers to catch a glimpse of some species that would otherwise be hidden in the trees. First come songbirds like warblers and vireos, followed by thrushes, grosbeaks and sparrows. As winter approaches, the woodpeckers, geese, ducks, loons and hawks arrive.

Kentucky Fall Birds

**Yellow-rumped Warbler** This winter songbird can be found in dizzying numbers up in the trees. © Dan Pancamo/Creative Commons

**Winter Wren** This petite bird with an energetic song visits southern states during winter. © Jolanda den Hartog

**Hermit Thrush** This visitor feeds on insects located on Kentucky forest floors. © Becky Matsubara

**Ruby-crowned Kinglet** You are sure to come across this tiny bird during a hike through one of our nature preserves. © Creative Commons/Dale Scott

**Red-breasted Nuthatch** This small active bird will likely be spotted on the trunk of a tree in search of insects. © Creative Commons

**White-crowned Sparrow** You may find this winter visitor foraging on the ground, beneath the bird feeder. © Creative Commons/USFWS

**Ring-billed Gull** Likely seen near water, these gulls actually make Kentucky a winter home. © Creative Commons/David Slater

**Wilson's Snipe** This is a shorebird that makes a winter home in Kentucky wetlands. © Creative Commons/Glen Golson, Jr.

**Yellow-bellied Sapsucker** Listen before you look for this member of the woodpecker family! © Andrew Weitzel/Creative Commons

**Sandhill Crane** Most commonly spotted in central and western Kentucky, these elegant birds impress when seen in large numbers flying across the sky. © The Nature Conservancy/Chris Hezler

**Sharp-shinned Hawk** The smallest hawk in North America is easier to find with leaves off of the trees. © Creative Commons/Festive Coquette

Winter

In winter, birdwatchers have a chance to catch a glimpse of woodpeckers, geese, ducks, loons, hawks and other species that become more visible after trees lose their leaves.