30 posts
Unlike many birds that leave the area in the winter, the dark-eyed junco returns to Kentucky in October and November to spend the winter. This sparrow is one of the most common birds in North America. You are likely to see small groups of them foraging for seeds on the
Smaller than a chickadee, the energetic ruby-crowned kinglet is one of the smallest songbirds in North America. These birds earned their name because the males have a tiny patch of red feathers toward the back of their large heads. These feathers fan up when males are excited. If you are
Kentucky’s state bird, the northern cardinal, is a year-round resident in Berea. With striking red feathers and crest and black faces, male cardinals are the subject of much “redbird” folklore, typically signifying messages from loved ones and/or good luck. Females have their own elegant warm brown coloring and
Trick or Treat! If local birds could choose Halloween costumes, many would undoubtedly don the iridescent feathers of the male peacock. Blue peacocks hail from India and Sri Lanka, while green peacocks live in Myanmar and Java. Peafowl, the name given to both males and females, are the largest members
The barred owl asks the question with its call
Great blue herons frequent creeks and marshes all around Berea and are typically year-round residents. With a wingspan of more than 6 feet, and sometimes reaching a standing height of nearly 5 feet, great blue herons are the largest herons in North America. They can hunt during the day or
Brown-headed cowbirds were so named because they follow herds of grazing animals, such as buffalo and later cows, eating the insects disturbed by the herd. But today cowbirds are best known for being “brood parasites.” They don’t build nests. Instead, they lay eggs—often dozens of eggs in a
Carolina chickadees often hang upside down to gather berries, seeds, and insects under branches. They may hide, or cache, food for times of scarcity, tucking seeds and insects under bark, or leaves, or even house shingles. Chickadees are known to modify their signature chickadee-dee-de-dee call by adding more “dees” at
The northern yellow-shafted flicker is a colorful feast for the eyes with bright yellow feathers under its wings and tail and a body adorned with patches of red, gray, tan and black. The northern flicker is a woodpecker but prefers to forage for ants and beetles on the ground with
