Common Backyard Birds in Kansas [2024]

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If you’re a Kansas birdwatcher hoping to identify the common backyard birds of your state, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we’ll closely examine 38 types of birds frequently spotted in Kansas backyards throughout the year.

From American Robins and Downy Woodpeckers to House Finches and White-breasted Nuthatches, you’ll learn when they migrate through the area and how to best distinguish them from similar species. To make identification even easier, we’ve included handy range maps for each entry.

Today, You Will Learn About 38 Types of Birds COMMON in Kansas!

You’re in for a treat as we explore 38 feathered friends who frequent Kansas’ skies and trees. From the familiar northern cardinal with its brilliant red plumage to the flashy acrobatics of tufted titmice, get ready for new discoveries.

Understanding birdwatching tips, feeding habits, migration patterns, and photography tricks will enrich your connection to these musical migrants fluttering through the changing seasons. Whether an American robin plucking a worm from your lawn or an eastern bluebird gracing your homemade nest box, embrace each sighting as a gift.

Let Kansas’ bounty of backyard birds delight the eye, serenade the ear, and dwell in the heart. This journey promises belonging, understanding, and newfound wonder in your local landscape.

American Robin

With their bright red breast and familiar song, you’ll spot American Robins hopping across lawns in backyards and open spaces across Kansas. Found throughout the United States in summer and concentrated across the southern U.

S. states in winter, robins are one of the most widespread and recognizable birds.

American Robins Are One of the Most Familiar Birds in Kansas!

Whenever a warm breeze blows on early spring days, you’ll spot American robins venturing from treetops to lawns, flashing their rusty red breasts and warbling cheerful carols as they hunt for earthworms.

• Famous for their bright red-orange breast and cheery song, American robins are a sign of spring in Kansas.
• In summer, they nest in trees and raise young on a diet of worms and insects.
• Come winter, they form large flocks to gather berries and fruits.
• Recognizable by a rusty breast, white throat, and melodious song, this familiar thrush brightens lawns and meadows.

American Robin Range Map

American Robins are found across most of North America, with Kansas near the center of their enormous range. From Alaska to Nova Scotia, these birds migrate in large numbers each year across the continent.

In winter, thousands gather in Kansas backyards, feeding on berries and bathing in unfrozen water. Come spring, they will be nesting and raising young right in your neighborhood before heading north again.

American Robins truly connect this continent through their huge seasonal movements.

Downy Woodpecker

As a backyard bird watcher in Kansas, you may see the fascinating Downy Woodpecker frequently visiting suet feeders and foraging on tree trunks. These small woodpeckers can be recognized by their checkered black and white plumage, red patch on the heads of males, and high-pitched pik call used to establish territories and attract mates across their range in the eastern half of the U.

S. and southern Canada. The Downy Woodpecker is a delightful sight for birders, who can observe its acrobatic trunk-clinging and enthusiastic feeding. With patience, you may notice their territorial drumming and displays, signs that a pair has claimed your yard.

Attracting Downies to your feeders creates an opportunity to admire their spotted plumage and study their behaviors.

Downy Woodpecker Range Map

This dapper woodpecker’s comical drumbeats echo through wooded neighborhoods across Kansas.

• Blends into tree trunks with white and black plumage.
• Chooses tree cavities or birdhouses for nesting sites.
• Pecks bark for spiders, beetles, ants and insect larvae.
• Pairs may return to the same territory year after year.
• Both parents incubate eggs and feed nestlings.

The downy woodpecker enlivens backyards with its industrious antics, rewarding birders who offer nesting boxes and suet. This species brightens cold months when food is scarce, bringing cheer with its clownish acrobatics on backyard feeders.

What Sounds Do Downy Woodpeckers Make?

The high-pitched pik! call of the Downy Woodpecker brightens your garden as you spot this busy bird drilling for insects in tree bark. This smallest woodpecker makes a range of vocalizations including whinnying calls, rattles, and the distinctive drumroll as it excavates nest holes.

Learning Downy Woodpecker sounds helps identify these active backyard birds as they forage for their primarily insect-based diet.

Call Type	Description	Function
Pik!	High-pitched	Contact call
Whinny	Nasal call	Long-distance contact
Rattle	Fast repetitive knocks	Territorial drumming
Drumroll	Rolling knocks	Nest excavation

Recognizing the sounds and behaviors of Kansas backyard birds like the Downy Woodpecker brings a sense of connection and appreciation for nature’s artistry.

Hairy Woodpecker

As a Kansas birding expert, I am happy to share some key identification tips for distinguishing the hairy woodpecker. This medium-sized woodpecker can be told apart from the downy by noting subtle differences in size, bill length, and tail feathers.

The hairy woodpecker is larger with a longer bill and less marked tail feathers compared to the downy woodpecker. To identify, look for the hairy’s larger body size of 9-11 inches compared to the downy’s 5-7 inches.

Also note the hairy’s longer bill that is almost the length of its head, versus the downy’s smaller bill about half the length of its head. Finally, check the tail feathers – the hairy’s outer tail feathers are solid black without any white spots, while the downy’s tail feathers have distinct white barring.

Keeping an eye out for these differences in relative size, bill proportions, and tail markings will help distinguish the hairy woodpecker from its smaller lookalike, the downy.

Hairy Woodpecker Range Map

You can glimpse Hairy Woodpeckers across much of the central U.S., with Kansas near the western edge of their range.

1. Found in deciduous and mixed forests
2. Attract with suet feeders
3. Partial migratory patterns
4. Identify by large size and proportionately massive bill

As an enthusiast, equip yourself with quality optics to observe details like the boldly striped head and gleaming red patch on males. Join area birding groups to visit prime birdwatching hotspots where the raucous calls of this woodland drummer may echo through the trees.

Here Are the THREE Best Ways to Tell These Species Apart

While the two look alike, the smaller Downy Woodpecker lacks the all-white outer tail feathers and red nape of the Hairy Woodpecker.

Here are the top three ways to tell these species apart:

Plumage	Vocalizations	Habitat
Downies have white spots on outer tail feathers, less prominent red on males.	Downies make a soft pik sound, Hairies a loud peek.	Downies prefer trees like maples and birches, Hairies live in mature forests.
Downies have a small bill relative to their head size.	Downy drums are higher pitched and faster.	Hairies inhabit conifers like pine and spruce.
Male Downies lack a solid red patch, just red dots on the nape.	Hairy has a raspier, whinnying call.	Downies thrive around backyard feeders.

Keeping these identification tips in mind will help you distinguish between these two lookalike woodpecker species.

Size

You’ll notice the Hairy Woodpecker is a larger bird compared to other backyard birds in Kansas. Though shy, its size makes it easier to spot in trees while foraging. Focus on trunks and branches to catch a blur of black and white as it works chiseling into bark.

As one of the largest woodpeckers found in the state, consider placing nest boxes with a 1 1/2 inch entrance hole to attract this species. Observing and identifying birds takes patience and practice to recognize subtle differences.

Connect with your local Audubon Society for tips on improving your birdwatching skills.

Bill

Its large, chisel-shaped bill allows the Hairy Woodpecker to drill into hardwood trees for insects and larvae.

• The bill is long, pointed, and sturdy for excavating deep into tree trunks.
• It uses its tongue to extract insects from deep crevices.
• The bill’s chisel tip allows it to excavate rectangular cavities for nesting.

Observe the Hairy Woodpecker’s specialized tools for finding food and shelter among forest trees.

Outer Tail Feathers

Your eyes catch the outer tail feathers of the Hairy Woodpecker fanning out as it swoops to a tree trunk. Those stiff flight feathers are perfect for precision steering. The outermost tail feathers, called rectrices, provide critical aerodynamic control for birds.

Function	Description
Steering	Outer rectrices spread like a rudder for directional control in flight.
Braking	Spread rectrices increase drag and allow rapid deceleration.
Support	Stiff feathers provide a tripod-like base while climbing vertical trunks.

The specialized structure of these feathers enables woodpeckers to maneuver swiftly between perches.

American Goldfinch

While giving seed and nectar feeders in your area a watchful eye throughout the year, you’ll likely catch sight of the cheerful American Goldfinch. Originating from a vast range across North America as indicated on the map, this vibrant yellow songbird can often be found chirping joyfully while feeding on nyjer thistle and sunflower seeds in backyards and meadows.

The American Goldfinch, with its bright yellow plumage, is a familiar sight at bird feeders across much of North America. Its bouncy flight and mellow song add cheer wherever it goes. Sunflower seeds and nyjer thistle are favorite foods.

Backyards and open meadows allow sightings of this colorful finch nearly year round within its widespread breeding range.

American Goldfinch Range Map

The bright yellow American Goldfinch breeds across the central and eastern U.S., with over 5 million pairs nesting each year.

1. Offer nyjer thistle seed – it’s a goldfinch favorite.
2. Provide a nyjer feeder with small perches and ports.
3. Supply fresh water for bathing and drinking.
4. Grow native flowers like sunflowers or coneflowers.
5. Be patient, they may take time to discover new feeders.

The migratory American Goldfinch is a joy to observe with its acrobatic flight and lively calls. Focus a pair of binoculars and discover their vibrant plumage and energetic behavior right in your own backyard.

To Identify Them by Sound, Listen for a Pretty Series of Musical Trills and Warbles

To identify American Goldfinches by sound, you can listen for their pretty series of musical trills and warbles. Their joyful songs brighten summer days. Record songs with apps like Larkwire to hone your birdsong identification skills.

Cross-reference with field guides and share your recordings with birding communities. Appreciating birdsong takes time but rewards with a deeper connection to nature’s music in your own backyard. Kansas goldfinches sing as they bounce between coneflowers – true sunlight in song.

House Sparrow

Yonder unlike some native species, these invasive House Sparrows have spread throughout Kansas.

1. Gray crown and black bib
2. Chubby brown and gray bodies
3. Loud chirping and calls

Though originally from Eurasia, House Sparrows now thrive in urban and suburban areas nationwide. They aggressively compete for nest sites, often taking over backyard birdhouses. You’ll spot these social, adaptable birds perching on telephone wires or foraging beneath feeders.

After hatching, both parents feed regurgitated insects and seeds to the noisy chicks. While House Sparrows damage crops and displace native birds, their hustle reflects resourcefulness. Maintain clean feeders to reduce disease transmission. Avoid using pesticides which also harm other species.

With care, we can find balance between this hearty introduced bird and cherished native songbirds.

House Finch

Two weeks till the house finch feeding frenzy hits your deck, buddy! These colorful avians are quite the showstoppers with their cherry red tones and enthusiastic song.

Here’s a quick guide to everything you need to know about attracting healthy, happy house finches to your yard:

Come February, have your feeders filled and enjoy the show when stunning flocks descend, feeding and nesting through summer.

American Crow

Have you seen the intelligent American Crow, one of the smartest birds in Kansas, gracing backyards and towns statewide? Believe it or not, American crows have amazing memories and problem-solving skills that allow them to thrive across their widespread range.

The American crow is known for its intelligence and adaptability, making it successful across North America.

American Crow Range Map

You’ll find American Crows throughout Kansas, though their numbers thin out a bit in the western parts of the state.

• Common year-round from the eastern border to central Kansas.
• Most numerous in riparian areas and suburban/urban habitats.
• Ranges extend westward along river corridors.
• Scattered sightings in western Kansas grasslands.

Clever and adaptable, American Crows thrive near human activity. Watch for these familiar all-black birds strutting across lawns or gathering to roost in trees at night.

Believe It or Not, American Crows Are One of the Smartest Birds in Kansas

Despite their bad reputation, you’re fascinated to discover American crows are among the most intelligent birds found in Kansas. Their learning abilities rival those of primates. Clever corvids like crows exhibit complex behaviors such as tool use, insight, and cooperation.

One should not underestimate these Kansas avian problem-solvers. American crows are masters of bird intelligence who overcome myths and bad press.

Song Sparrow

You can catch sight of Song Sparrows chirping cheerily in thickets and shrubs across Kansas. These sparrows sing their signature songs from exposed perches, declaring their territory. Look for streaky brown plumage and a bold gray crown stripe. Song Sparrows prefer low, dense vegetation near water for finding insects, seeds and cover.

During spring and summer, listen for their beautiful whistling song, often described as the finest of any North American sparrow. Song Sparrows thrive in weedy fields, forest edges, backyards and wetlands statewide.

Watch for these delightful sparrows hopping along open ground or flitting through low shrubs as you explore Kansas gardens and parks. With patience, you may be rewarded with a close view of one belting out its exuberant melody among the greenery.

White-breasted Nuthatch

The energetic song sparrow has wrapped up its time in the spotlight. Now, let’s turn our binoculars to the white-breasted nuthatch, another lively backyard visitor throughout Kansas. These agile little birds scamper up and down trees like woodpeckers, probing bark crevices for insects with their long slender bills.

Their nasal yank-yank calls ring out as they ascend tree trunks and explore branches.

In your own backyard, try tempting these masked bandits to feeders with sunflower seeds, suet, and peanuts. Their plump little bodies and bold black and white markings make them fun to watch.