43 posts
Barred owls are common in mixed forests with large trees in Kentucky. They nest in large tree cavities, usually about a foot wide, up to several feet deep, and about 20 to 40 feet off the ground. In the spring the female typically lays 2-3 eggs in the tree cavity,
April 19, 2026
In the spring, rose-breasted grosbeaks migrate through Kentucky, with a few breeding in eastern parts of the state. Grosbeaks, named for their large conical bills (gros means thick, or chubby in French), are among the largest birds in the finch family. Male rose-breasted grosbeaks are brightly colored with easily recognizable
April 12, 2026
Dogwoods are a favorite perch from which gray catbirds loudly proclaim their territory. While named for the cat-like sounds they make, their repertoires are much larger. Like mockingbirds, catbirds string together both musical and mechanical sounds they’ve heard to create their own unique songs that can last for several
April 05, 2026
Red-winged blackbirds are year-round residents of Kentucky and most of the continental US. They typically nest in cattails or bulrushes in marshes and swampy areas but may also nest in drier fields. Males fiercely defend their territory and may attempt to chase away animals or even people. Males often have
March 29, 2026
These tiny finches typically breed in the western United States and southern Canada, but some years they organize irregular migrations further south and can be seen in Kentucky. Close relatives of goldfinches, pine siskins are also primarily vegetarian and attracted to Nyger seeds. Not as showy as goldfinches, they are
March 22, 2026
While American goldfinches are year-round residents in Kentucky, you may only now be noticing them again as the males get more yellow after their late-winter feather molt. Goldfinches are rather strict vegetarians, only consuming occasional insects. In the spring they dine on fresh buds and small seeds left in the
March 15, 2026
As early as March, these striking little birds with yellow throat feathers, black and white streaks, and black eye patches, return to Kentucky to breed. While Spanish moss is a favorite nesting material, yellow-throated warblers will also form their cup-shaped nests using grasses, weeds, and pieces of bark. They usually
March 08, 2026
Chipping sparrows are perhaps the most common and familiar sparrow. They have a crisp, clean, cute look that inspired Warner Bros. to create Chipper, an animated sparrow as a rival to Tweetie Bird. Chipping sparrows were named for their sharp, rapid, trill of mechanical-sounding chips that is one of the
March 01, 2026
White-crowned sparrows breed primarily in northern Canada and Alaska, but winter all across the United States. They’ve been known to fly hundreds of miles in a single night enroute to warmer climes for the winter. Like the white-throated sparrow, they have distinct black and white head stripes, but no
February 22, 2026