Northern Cardinal – Kentucky State Bird
Kentucky is a great place to watch and feed birds. Birdbaths, misters and drippers are especially effective in attracting birds, including non seed-eating species. Species that might be expected at feeders include: American Goldfinch, Carolina Wren, Carolina Chickadee, Blue Jay, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Cardinal and Mourning Dove. Each of these species is shown in the Nifty Fifty mini-guide.
On this page
The Nifty Fifty Birds of Kentucky
The Nifty Fifty is a mini-guide to the birds of Kentucky. It includes descriptions, images, video and songs of 50 of the most often observed birds of Kentucky.
Bird feeding
Developing bird-friendly habitat in your yard is the best way to attract a greater variety of species and to support local and migrating species. Native plants provide food and cover, are more insect and disease resistant than non-native species, and may require less water. A list of bird-friendly native plants for Kentucky are available by following the link on the left.
Bluebirds of Kentucky
The Eastern Bluebird is a year-round resident in Kentucky.
The Eastern Bluebird has a pleasant, musical song and a similar easy-to-identify flight call. They are most often found in open woodlands, parks, fields, along golf courses and cemeteries. The can be found in suburban areas with adequate open space.
Eastern Bluebirds
Bluebirds can be attracted to peanut butter mixes, suet and fruit. Raisins soaked in hot water to soften them are well received. The bluebird’s special favorite is mealworms.
Nesting
In Kentucky, nesting begins in early spring. Up to three broods may be produced by a nesting pair.
Visit the bluebird section for detailed information on feeding bluebirds or building your own bluebird house.
Hummingbirds of Kentucky
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only species that regularly visits Kentucky. It nests in the state each year, before migrating south. It flies across the Gulf of Mexico twice each year.
Visit the hummingbird section for details on attracting hummingbirds as well as images of all regularly occurring North American hummingbirds.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Purple Martins in Kentucky
Purple Martins arrive in Kentucky in early spring, returning from their wintering grounds in South America. Check the Purple Martin section for information on martins in Kentucky.
Detailed Purple Martin information is available in the Purple Martin section
Purple Martins are a popular backyard bird in Kentucky and are found throughout the state. Nest boxes should be opened in late February or early March to greet early arrivals.
Purple Martin Scouts
In Kentucky look for scouts to start arriving in early to mid-March. After nesting, martins form up into large roosts before migrating to South America.
Purple Martin, male
Birding
Kentucky provides birders with a variety of exciting birding locations.
The birding section of this site has tips on birding locations and bird identification. The state-based birding information section provides additional birding related information.
Kentucky Resource Information
Buckley Hills Audubon Society
Daviess County Audubon Society
Calhoun, KY 42327
Frankfort Audubon Society
PO Box 137
Frankfort, KY 40601
Henderson Audubon Society
732 S Adams St
Henderson, KY 42420
502-826-4793
Jackson Purchase Audubon Society
726 Bellevue Dr
Paducah, KY 42001
618-564-3367
Little River Audubon Society
PO Box 352
Hopkinsville, KY 42240
Louisville Audubon Society
3745 Illinois Ave
Louisville, KY 40213
Kentucky Birding Festivals
Bluegrass Birding Festival
May
Central Kentucky has great opportunities for birding with over 350 documented species.
Ohio Valley Birding Festival
April
The Ohio Valley Birding Festival is an Evansville Audubon Society event featuring guided spring migratory birdwatching hikes in southwestern Indiana and western Kentucky along with family friendly birding activities at John James Audubon Park in Henderson, Kentucky.