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Birds of Kentucky

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

84,483
recent observations
50
species listed
50
birds

Naturalists have logged 84,483 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Kentucky. The most frequently seen is the American Robin, with 4,718 recorded sightings.

Most-observed birds in Kentucky

American Robin
Turdus migratorius
4,718 observations
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
4,501 observations
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
3,094 observations
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
2,902 observations
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
2,674 observations
Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo
2,480 observations
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
2,459 observations
American Goldfinch
Spinus tristis
2,177 observations
Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos
2,106 observations
Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis
2,099 observations
Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates pubescens
2,079 observations
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus
2,009 observations
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
1,963 observations
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
1,957 observations
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
1,946 observations
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
1,944 observations
House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus
1,937 observations
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
1,852 observations
Tufted Titmouse
Baeolophus bicolor
1,805 observations
Red-shouldered Hawk
Buteo lineatus
1,754 observations
Carolina Wren
Thryothorus ludovicianus
1,733 observations
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
1,694 observations
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
1,692 observations
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
1,631 observations
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
1,517 observations
Carolina Chickadee
Poecile carolinensis
1,498 observations
Indigo Bunting
Passerina cyanea
1,385 observations
Brown-headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater
1,323 observations
White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
1,321 observations
Black Vulture
Coragyps atratus
1,317 observations
Eastern Phoebe
Sayornis phoebe
1,297 observations
Killdeer
Charadrius vociferus
1,291 observations
Chipping Sparrow
Spizella passerina
1,284 observations
Barred Owl
Strix varia
1,260 observations
Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
1,253 observations
White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
1,229 observations
Eastern Towhee
Pipilo erythrophthalmus
1,132 observations
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
1,127 observations
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
1,099 observations
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
1,040 observations
Pileated Woodpecker
Dryocopus pileatus
1,039 observations
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
1,032 observations
Great Egret
Ardea alba
944 observations
Cooper's Hawk
Astur cooperii
941 observations · iNaturalist
Brown Thrasher
Toxostoma rufum
912 observations
Summer Tanager
Piranga rubra
836 observations
Wood Duck
Aix sponsa
820 observations
Red-headed Woodpecker
Melanerpes erythrocephalus
813 observations
Eastern Kingbird
Tyrannus tyrannus
796 observations
Green Heron
Butorides virescens
771 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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