Birds native to Arkansas come in an interesting variety. Find out what beautiful birds fly in the skies of the Natural State!
Did you know that there are over 350 species of birds native of Arkansas? Living with such a variety is a thrill for locals and tourists alike. You are sure to have an interesting time surveying the skies on your own or with some company.
What are some of the birds native to Arkansas that you could watch out for? Read on to find out more!
Table of Contents
Birds Native To Arkansas
Arkansas bird identification is easy to do with a guide, but here are some of the ones you can’t miss.
Red-winged Blackbird
The red-winged blackbird is a stocky passerine. Its males are almost all-black, save for a patch on the top of the wings that have a gradient orange-to-yellow pattern. Its striking colors are available on the breeding male.
Northern Cardinal
The northern cardinal is a songbird in the Cardinalis genus and is commonly called simply the “redbird”. The has fiery red feathers decorated with streaks of grey, though its face has black feathers like a mask. The female has brown feathers tipped in red. Both have a stubby orange beak.
House Finch
The house finch is of the Fringillidae family and a very common bird in the Americas. The males and the females shared a light and dark brown feather pattern, though the male sets itself apart with a pattern of red streaks on its head and chest.
Blue jay
The blue jay is a wonderfully patterned passerine. It is found in Canada, the US, and some parts of Mexico. Unlike other birds, both males and females have the same vibrant blue feathers, and a pattered wing and tail. The difference lies in their sizes, where the females are noticeably smaller.
Indigo Bunting
The indigo bunting is a small Cardinalidae migratory bird. The males feature striking cyan feathers which tend to be deeper blue on the top of the head. The females, on the other hand, have brown colors, but can occasionally have blue streaks on their feathers.
American Robin
The American robin is a common and popular songbird in the US. It gets its name from the European version, which shares the same bright red-orange breast feather pattern. If you don’t notice the robin from its iconic red chest, then you might recognize its cheerful song.
Eastern Bluebird
The Eastern bluebird is a small thrush bird in the passerine family. Both the males and females are bright blue on the feathers. However, the male has a more striking blue pattern all over its wings, tails, and head, while the female may simply have brushes of blue on its wings.
Tufted Titmouse
The tufted titmouse has a roundish stocky build and an unforgettable little hairdo. Both the males and females have a stone grey feather pattern on the wings and a titular hair tuft on the top of their heads. They have some peach-toned feathers on their sides and a pure white or brown chest.
Mourning Dove
The mourning dove is also known as the holiday favorite, the turtle dove, is a slender bird in the dove family. Their population and big broods make them a popular sport animal in America. Both males and females have light brown and grey patterns on their feathers.
Downy Woodpecker
The downy woodpecker belongs to the small woodpecker family. The males and females have visual similarities in their black and white patterns on their wings, backs, and heads, which may come out looking striped or spotted. Their difference lies in the red stripe on the nape for the males.
Northern Mockingbird
The northern mockingbird is a bird that could sometimes migrate and show up in the wintertime in the South. Known to be particularly intelligent, they can recognize humans and breeding spots. Both males and females have a gray and black feather pattern and white chests.
American Crow
The American crow is a common passerine bird of the Corvidae family. It is a rather large bird that has a glossy black look for both males and females.
Great Horned Owl
The great horned owl, also known as the tiger owl, owes its name to its large size. Both males and females have big yellow eyes and a pattern of grey and brown streaks on their feathers. Their iconic look is due to their ear tufts. They are known to be a predator that hunts rabbits and rodents.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The ruby-throated hummingbird is a name true only for its males – which feature a striking pattern of red-orange feathers decorating the throat. That doesn’t mean the female is without its charms – both sexes have a small body with long wings that are decorated in a lovely, almost iridescent green.
Belted Kingfisher
The belted kingfisher is a water kingfisher. It subverts the physical expectation in sexes by having the female have the unique markings. While both sexes have a sharp hunting beak and a large head topped with a spiky tuft and blue-gray feathers, the females feature a brown band across their belly.
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
The yellow-billed cuckoo is also known as a rain crow due to its tendency to call out right before a storm. They have long tails that can have a white-spotted pattern. They are named after their bright yellow bills.
Broad-winged Hawk
The broad-winged hawk belongs to the genus Buteo. Adults of both sexes come up quite small compared to the rest of the hawk family. It has large pointed wings and features an outlined pattern on its wings.
Sedge Wren
The sedge wren is a passerine bird that is quite small in size. Both sexes look similar, with males and females having a round body decorated in streaked brown and black feathers. It has the habit of having its small tail standing upright.
Conclusion
If you are living in Arkansas or have a trip scheduled there, it’s time to bring out your inner birdwatcher and witness the beauty of nature.
What’s also great is that Arkansas houses a lot of the beautiful common birds in the country and continent. You don’t have to travel to see Wisconsin bird species in your free time.
Did you know what the birds native to Arkansas are and do you like to birdwatch? How was your experience? Let us know your stories in the comments below!
