List of Wisconsin Birds to Spot in the Wild

Wisconsin is a haven for birdwatchers, with its diverse landscapes and climates supporting an incredible array of avian species. The state is home to over 400 bird species, with many more passing through on their migrations.

The American Goldfinch is a common sight in Wisconsin's fields and backyards, its bright yellow plumage a welcome splash of color in the summer months. These birds are known for their distinctive song and acrobatic flight.

The state's forests are a haven for birds like the Common Loon, which can be spotted diving for fish in Wisconsin's many lakes and rivers. The Loon's haunting call is a familiar sound in the state's wilderness areas.

If you're new to birdwatching, the American Robin is a great species to start with, as it's easy to recognize and often visits backyard bird feeders.

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Waterbirds are a delight to spot in Wisconsin, and for good reason - they're incredibly diverse.

The American White Pelican, for instance, is a large waterbird that migrates to the state's lakes and wetlands each spring.

These birds can be identified by their distinctive white and black plumage, as well as their impressive 7-8 foot wingspans.

The American Avocet, on the other hand, is a smaller waterbird that's known for its striking black and white feathers and long, upturned bill.

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The Northern Shoveler is a medium-sized waterbird, measuring about 17-20″ in length. They have a distinctive shovel-shaped head, which is a great identifier.

Their diet consists of a variety of foods, including mollusks, insects, crustaceans, small fish, aquatic plants, and seeds. They're opportunistic feeders, taking advantage of whatever's available in their environment.

You might be interested to know that Northern Shovelers can be found in shallow wetland areas, salt marshes, lakes, flooded fields, and other overflow areas that collect water. They thrive in areas with plenty of vegetation.

If you're looking to attract Northern Shovelers to your yard, you can offer suet and peanut butter spread at your bird feeder. However, it's worth noting that their feeding habits are not directly related to feeders, as their natural diet consists of a wide range of aquatic and terrestrial foods.

Here's a quick rundown of their nesting habits:

The Belted Kingfisher is a large bird with a distinctive appearance, measuring 13″ long, sporting a blue/gray plumage with a white ring around its neck and a white chest.

They have a large head and long bill, making them well-suited for catching prey underwater.

Their diet consists of insects, spiders, seeds, small fruits, and berries.

In fact, they're particularly fond of insects and spiders, including their eggs and pupae.

While they may be attracted to yards with streams or ponds, they're unlikely to visit a bird feeder.

Belted Kingfishers are skilled diggers, using their strong beaks to excavate burrows along the water's edge for their nests.

They typically raise 1-2 broods per season, with 5-8 large white glossy eggs per brood.

Incubation lasts around 22-24 days, and the parents take turns caring for their young.

Many Belted Kingfishers migrate north in the spring to breed and raise their young, while others remain in their year-round range.

They can be found in all US states except North Dakota and Arizona, and along the Pacific coast of Canada's British Columbia.

Goose Pond Sanctuary in Wisconsin is home to an impressive array of waterbirds.

The sanctuary has a Snapshot Wisconsin camera set up at the corner of Jill's Prairie, where three trails meet adjacent to restored prairie, cropland, and a food plot.

Between October 2017 and February 2020, the camera captured photos of 31 bird species, including greater white-fronted geese, tundra swans, and hooded mergansers.

The high number of wetland bird species is a result of the high water levels last year, which drew raptors to the site in search of hunting perches.

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A total of 175 individual photos of ring-necked pheasants and 80 photos of sandhill cranes were captured by the camera, making them two of the most photographed species.

The camera also took photos of other birds, including American bitterns, great blue herons, and belted kingfishers, with over 700 photos in total.

The project's bird list is divided into three groups: ring-necked pheasants, sandhill cranes, and other birds.

The camera's photos help document changes in wildlife species and numbers, observe changes in habitats and the seasons, and record changes from dry to water and snow depths.

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The American Robin is a year-round resident in Wisconsin, with a distinctive red breast and a love for worms.

They can be found in a variety of habitats, including backyards and parks, where they forage for food on the ground.

American Robins are known for their earthworm-hunting skills, using their strong, pointed beaks to dig up worms in lawns and gardens.

In Wisconsin, American Robins typically breed from April to July, with females laying 3-5 eggs per clutch.

Their songs are a familiar sound in Wisconsin, with males singing a melodic song to establish territory and attract a mate.

The American Robin's diet consists mainly of earthworms, but they also eat insects, fruits, and berries.

They are known to visit bird feeders, especially during the winter months when natural food sources are scarce.

American Robins are cavity-nesting birds, often taking over old woodpecker nests or using nesting boxes provided by humans.

On average, a female American Robin lays 3-5 eggs per clutch, which incubate for about 12 days before hatching.

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Woodpeckers are a common sight in Wisconsin, and for good reason - they're found in every US state, including Wisconsin, and can be attracted to your backyard with the right food and habitat.

Downy Woodpeckers are particularly fond of suet, peanut butter spread, and sunflower seeds, making them a great addition to any bird feeder. They're small birds, only 6-7 inches long, and can be recognized by their black and white striped back.

If you're looking to attract Hairy Woodpeckers, try offering suet and hulled peanuts, and make sure to have some dense trees nearby. These birds are cavity nesters and can often be found in mature forested areas.

Pileated Woodpeckers, on the other hand, are a bit larger and can be identified by their distinctive red triangle-shaped crest. They're found in forests and wooded areas with tall deciduous and coniferous trees, and can be attracted with suet and nuts.

American Tree Sparrows are not woodpeckers, but they do inhabit wooded areas, especially on edges, just like the Red-Bellied Woodpecker. This is a common trait among many bird species.

If you're trying to attract American Tree Sparrows to your yard, you can try offering them black-oil sunflower seeds, hulled sunflower seeds, nyjer, cracked corn, and peanut hearts at your bird feeder. This is a great way to provide them with a consistent food source.

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In terms of nesting habits, American Tree Sparrows are similar to the Eastern Wood-Pewee. They both build cup-shaped nests and have a similar number of eggs per brood, with 3-5 eggs per brood for the American Tree Sparrow and 2-4 eggs per brood for the Eastern Wood-Pewee.

Here's a comparison of the nesting habits of these two bird species:

It's worth noting that American Tree Sparrows are true migrators, unlike the Red-Bellied Woodpecker, which remains in its year-round range all seasons of the year.

Woodpeckers are fascinating birds that can be found in many parts of North America. They're known for their distinctive drumming on trees, which helps them communicate and locate potential mates.

Some woodpeckers, like the Downy Woodpecker, can be found in almost every US state and Canadian province, making them a common sight in backyards and parks. They're small birds, about 6-7 inches long, with a white belly and a distinctive red patch on the back of their head.

Downy Woodpeckers are cavity nesters, typically using holes in tree trunks or nesting boxes. They usually only raise one brood per season, with 3-6 all-white eggs that incubate for 11-12 days.

Other woodpeckers, like the Hairy Woodpecker, are also non-migratory birds that can be found in a wide range of habitats, from mature forests to urban areas. They're similar in size to Downy Woodpeckers but have a more extensive range, including Mexico and Central America.

Hairy Woodpeckers are also cavity nesters, excavating their own holes in trees, and they typically raise one brood per year with 3-6 white eggs that incubate for 11-15 days.

If you're trying to attract woodpeckers to your yard, consider offering suet, peanut butter spread, or sunflower seeds at your bird feeder. These foods are a hit with many woodpecker species, including the Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers.

Here's a list of some common woodpecker species and their preferred foods:

Some woodpeckers, like the Pileated Woodpecker, are larger and more striking in appearance, with a distinctive red crest and black-and-white striped back. They're cavity nesters that excavate their own holes in trees, typically raising 3-6 white eggs that incubate for 15-18 days.

Red-bellied Woodpeckers are another common species, known for their zebra-like striped back and red crown. They're medium-sized birds that prefer dead trees or fence posts for nesting, raising 1-3 broods per year with 2-6 white eggs that incubate for 12-14 days.

Red-bellied Woodpeckers are non-migratory birds that can be found in the eastern half of the US, but not in New England.

Overall, woodpeckers are fascinating birds that can add excitement and interest to any backyard or park. By offering the right foods and creating a welcoming habitat, you can attract these amazing birds and enjoy their unique characteristics and behaviors.

Wisconsin is home to a variety of owl species, each with unique characteristics. The Barred Owl, Eastern Screech-Owl, and Great Horned Owl are just a few examples that can be found in the state.

These birds of prey are primarily brown with white spots and tan underneath, with dark brown streaks. They have large round faces with dark eyes and yellow bills. The Great Horned Owl, in particular, has a large barrel-shaped body with tufts of feathers that stick up, giving the appearance of ears.

In terms of diet, these owls are opportunistic feeders, eating small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and large insects. They don't visit bird feeders, so if you're hoping to spot one, try observing in wooded habitats or near water sources.

Here's a comparison of the three owl species:

Each of these owl species has unique characteristics, but they all play an important role in Wisconsin's ecosystem.

The Common Nighthawk is a medium-sized bird that's about 9 inches long, with a camouflaged brown and white coloration that helps it blend in with its surroundings. Its white chin and distinctive white bands on its wings and tail are only visible when it's in flight.

These birds are insectivores, catching their prey in the air. They're unlikely to visit a bird feeder, so if you're trying to attract them to your yard, you might want to focus on creating a insect-friendly environment instead.

The Common Nighthawk can be found throughout the US and Canada, wherever there are open areas, edges of woods, residential and urban spaces, prairies, and grasslands. They're incredibly adaptable and can thrive in a wide range of habitats.

When it comes to nesting, these birds don't build or use traditional nests. Instead, they lay their eggs on the ground, often on rocks or rooftops. They typically have 1-2 broods per year, with 2 eggs per brood that are cream-colored with lavender spots. Incubation lasts around 19-20 days.

The Great Horned Owl is a large bird, measuring about 22 inches in length. They have a distinctive appearance with a large barrel-shaped body and tufts of feathers that resemble ears.

Their diet consists of mammals, large birds, snakes, and large insects. They're skilled hunters, but they don't visit bird feeders.

Great Horned Owls can be found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands with open areas and even urban environments. They're adaptable birds that can thrive in different environments.

They typically nest in the same spot year after year, often taking over the nest of another large bird. A female Great Horned Owl lays 1-4 white eggs with a rough surface, which she incubates for 30-37 days.

Fledglings leave the nest about 30-45 days after hatching, and the parents continue to care for them until they're able to fend for themselves.

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Wisconsin is home to a diverse range of birds of prey, including hawks, eagles, and owls. These birds are known for their sharp talons and hooked beaks, which they use to hunt small mammals and birds.

The Red-tailed Hawk is one of the most common birds of prey in Wisconsin, with a wingspan of up to 5 feet. They can be found in a variety of habitats, including open fields and woodlands.

The Bald Eagle is a large bird of prey that is native to Wisconsin. It has a distinctive white head and tail feathers, with a dark brown body and wings.

The Great Horned Owl is a nocturnal bird of prey that is found in Wisconsin's woodlands and forests. It has a distinctive horn-like projection on its head, which it uses to make a haunting hooting sound.

The Sharp-shinned Hawk is a small but fierce bird of prey that is found in Wisconsin's woodlands and forests. It has a distinctive narrow wingspan and is known for its agility in flight.

The fox sparrow is a medium-sized bird found in Wisconsin, measuring about 7 1/2″ long with a rusty-red color.

You can attract these birds to your yard by offering the right food, such as black-oil sunflower seed, hulled sunflower seed, nyjer, cracked corn, millet, and milo.

Fox sparrows are commonly found in scrubby areas with thick vegetation, making them a great addition to any woodland or garden.

They're easy to spot with their heavy streaking of rust color on their breast and tail, and gray head and back.

As for their nesting habits, fox sparrows typically have 2 broods per season, with 2-4 pale green eggs with reddish spots per brood.

Incubation lasts for 12-14 days, and the female takes care of the eggs while the male provides food and protection.

Here are some recommended feeder foods for attracting fox sparrows:

Keep in mind that these birds are most active in areas with scrubby vegetation, so consider planting native shrubs or trees to attract them to your yard.

The house sparrow is a common sight in Wisconsin, and for good reason - they're found in nearly every part of the state. They're small birds, about 6″ long, with a distinctive brown and black coloration.

House sparrows are opportunistic eaters, snacking on seeds, insects, and fruit. They're particularly fond of black oil sunflower seed, cracked corn, and peanut hearts.

You'll often spot house sparrows in urban areas, towns, villages, and suburbs, as they're highly adaptable and thrive in close proximity to humans. They're also found on farms.

House sparrows are prolific breeders, with two to three broods per year. Each brood typically consists of four to six white eggs with brown markings.

One thing to note is that house sparrows don't migrate, so you'll see them year-round in Wisconsin.

If you're a birdwatcher in Wisconsin, you're in luck - the state is home to a wide variety of bird species.

The Wisconsin Society for Ornithology's checklist of valid species for Wisconsin as of February 2015 is a great resource to consult.

This checklist is based on the best information available at the time and is a valuable tool for identifying the birds you see in the state.

The checklist is also available online, making it easy to access and use in the field.

Avibase, a website that provides bird checklists, has been visited over 441 million times since 2003, indicating just how popular birding is.

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Wisconsin is a haven for birdwatchers, and one of the most delightful species to spot is the Field Sparrow. This small bird is about 5 1/4″ long and has a distinctive appearance with a gray face, bright white eye ring, and rusty patch behind the eye.

To attract Field Sparrows to your backyard, try offering them hulled sunflower seeds, millet, and cracked corn when scattered under the feeder. I've found that this combination works wonders in drawing in these birds.

Field Sparrows can be found in brushy woodlands with clearings and fields of tall grasses, making them a common sight in Wisconsin's countryside. If you're lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of them nesting in a cup-shaped nest low in a shrub or on the ground.

Here's a quick guide to Field Sparrow nesting habits:

Field Sparrows primarily feed on insects and small seeds, so it's no surprise that they're attracted to seeds like sunflower seeds and millet. By offering these foods, you can help support these wonderful birds in their natural habitats.

Wisconsin is a haven for birdwatchers, with a wide variety of species to spot. The state's checklist includes all bird species found in Wisconsin, based on the best information available at this time.

The checklist is a valuable resource for birders, compiled from a wide range of sources over many years. It's a testament to the dedication of bird enthusiasts who work tirelessly to document and track bird populations.

The taxonomic order and nomenclature used in the checklist follows Clements, version 2024. This means that the list is up-to-date and reflects the latest scientific understanding of bird classification.

If you're interested in viewing the list based on a different authority, you can click on one of the alternative lists available. This flexibility makes the checklist even more useful for birders who prefer a different classification system.

Wisconsin's bird species are also tracked by the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology, which maintains a checklist of valid species for the state. This list, as of February 2015, includes all species except those on the Review List.

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