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Birds of Kentucky

The birds most often spotted in Kentucky, ranked by recent research-grade observations.

84,857
recent observations
50
species listed
50
birds

Naturalists have logged 84,857 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Kentucky. The most frequently seen is the American Robin, with 4,725 recorded sightings.

Most-observed birds in Kentucky

American Robin
Turdus migratorius
4,725 observations
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
4,514 observations
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
3,113 observations
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
2,917 observations
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
2,683 observations
Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo
2,490 observations
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
2,473 observations
American Goldfinch
Spinus tristis
2,183 observations
Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos
2,116 observations
Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis
2,107 observations
Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates pubescens
2,090 observations
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus
2,030 observations
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
1,974 observations
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
1,967 observations
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
1,965 observations
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
1,950 observations
House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus
1,945 observations
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
1,860 observations
Tufted Titmouse
Baeolophus bicolor
1,812 observations
Red-shouldered Hawk
Buteo lineatus
1,764 observations
Carolina Wren
Thryothorus ludovicianus
1,740 observations
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
1,702 observations
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
1,698 observations
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
1,636 observations
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
1,518 observations
Carolina Chickadee
Poecile carolinensis
1,509 observations
Indigo Bunting
Passerina cyanea
1,385 observations
White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
1,335 observations
Black Vulture
Coragyps atratus
1,329 observations
Brown-headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater
1,324 observations
Eastern Phoebe
Sayornis phoebe
1,302 observations
Killdeer
Charadrius vociferus
1,297 observations
Chipping Sparrow
Spizella passerina
1,286 observations
Barred Owl
Strix varia
1,268 observations
Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
1,254 observations
White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
1,237 observations
Eastern Towhee
Pipilo erythrophthalmus
1,135 observations
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
1,134 observations
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
1,104 observations
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
1,050 observations
Pileated Woodpecker
Dryocopus pileatus
1,045 observations
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
1,041 observations
Great Egret
Ardea alba
944 observations
Cooper's Hawk
Astur cooperii
944 observations · iNaturalist
Brown Thrasher
Toxostoma rufum
914 observations
Summer Tanager
Piranga rubra
837 observations
Wood Duck
Aix sponsa
826 observations
Red-headed Woodpecker
Melanerpes erythrocephalus
816 observations
Eastern Kingbird
Tyrannus tyrannus
797 observations
Green Heron
Butorides virescens
772 observations

Built from recent research-grade iNaturalist observations. Identifications are community-sourced and may occasionally be wrong, and the ranking reflects where people record and photograph wildlife, so a species seen often here is not necessarily rare elsewhere. Some plants and animals are only out in certain seasons. Treat this as a lively snapshot of what people are finding, not a formal checklist.

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