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Birds of Indiana
by Stella Huang
on Apr 30, 2024
From woodlands to wetlands, Indiana is rich in habitats that provide homes for a variety of bird species. Whether you're a seasoned birder or new to the world of birding, there's something for everyone as we uncover Indiana's hidden avian gems. Let's soar through the fascinating world of Indiana's birds.
Featured Bird Species
Indiana is home to a wide variety of bird species, with the total number of birds varying depending on factors such as habitat diversity, seasonal migration, and occasional sightings. According to the most recent data, more than 400 species of birds have been recorded in Indiana, including resident birds that roost year-round and migratory birds that migrate during different seasons. Birds are categorized as "large," "medium," and "small," which is a general classification based on the size of the bird relative to other birds. The following are large, medium and small birds based on the following birds in comparison.
1. Large Birds
Northern Cardinal
Northern Cardinals are known for their ebullient songs, which they use to communicate with each other. Male Northern Cardinals are known for their bright red plumage and have a crest on their head, while females are lighter in color and pale red. Both male and female birds have a distinctive black mask on their face. They have a stout, tapered bill that is perfect for cracking seeds. They eat mostly seeds, but also insects, fruits and berries. Northern Cardinals are widely distributed in woodlands, gardens, shrublands, and urban areas of eastern and central North America. They are common backyard birds. They often perch on tree branches or feeders and actively defend their territory.
Blue Jay
Blue jays are known for their striking blue and white feathers and have a crest on their head. They have a black necklace-like band around their throat, a white face, and black markings around their eyes. In addition, blue jays are omnivorous birds, feeding on a variety of foods, including nuts, seeds, insects, fruits, and occasionally small vertebrates. They primarily inhabit forests, parks, and residential areas in eastern and central North America. Blue jays are intelligent and articulate birds, known for their loud chirping and imitation of other birds. They are highly adaptable birds and frequent bird feeders. They are also known for their bold behavior at bird feeders and their habit of hiding food for later use.
2. Medium-size Birds
Hairy Woodpecker
The Hairy Woodpecker is similar in appearance to the Pileated Woodpecker, but is slightly larger. It has black and white plumage, a white belly, and a small red patch on the back of the male's head. The hairy woodpecker feeds primarily on insects, especially beetles and ants, but also eats seeds and fruit. They primarily inhabit a variety of forest habitats in North America, including woodlands, parks, and suburban areas. Despite their similarity in appearance to woodpeckers, hairy woodpeckers have a slightly different habitat, with hairy woodpeckers preferring larger trees and forests. Their behaviors include searching for insects by pecking and probing into bark and wood as well as drumming on trees as a means of communication and establishing territories, among other things.
Hairy woodpeckers are skilled climbers and spend most of their time foraging for insects on tree trunks and branches. They use their powerful beaks to drill wood in search of prey and dig nests. Their drumming in trees is usually part of their territorial and mating behavior. The breeding season for hairy woodpeckers is usually spring through early summer, and they form monogamous pairs. They excavate nests in dead or decaying trees and usually lay a clutch of three to six eggs.
Downy Woodpecker
The Downy Woodpecker is the smallest woodpecker in North America! It has black and white plumage, a white belly, and a distinct black and white stripe on the head. The male has a small red spot on the back of his head. The downy woodpecker feeds primarily on insects, especially beetles and ants, but also eats seeds and fruit. They primarily inhabit a variety of habitats, including woodlands, parks, and suburban areas throughout North America. Despite their small size, Downy Woodpeckers are agile climbers and can forage on a variety of trees and shrubs.
They usually form monogamous pairs during the breeding season from spring through early summer, Downy Woodpeckers. They excavate nests in dead or decaying trees, utility poles, or wooden structures and usually lay a clutch of three to six eggs. The downy woodpecker is widespread and abundant throughout its range and is not considered endangered. They are highly adaptable, thrive in a variety of habitats, and are frequently observed by birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
As the name suggests, the red-bellied woodpecker has black and white striped feathers on its back, a red cap on its head, and a pale belly with a faint reddish tinge. They primarily inhabit woodlands, forests, and suburban woodlands in the eastern United States. Red-bellied woodpeckers feed primarily on insects, but also eat fruits, nuts, and seeds. They search for insects and their larvae by probing and chiseling the bark of trees, and also like to store food in tree crevices. Like other woodpeckers, red-bellied woodpeckers are skilled climbers and spend most of their time foraging on tree trunks and branches.
Red-bellied woodpeckers are widely distributed and relatively common throughout their range. Although habitat loss and fragmentation may affect red-bellied woodpecker populations in some areas, they are not threatened. Interestingly, despite their name, the red color of their abdomens is usually not noticeable, especially when they are perched on tree trunks.
Red-bellied woodpeckers are widely distributed and relatively common throughout their range. Although habitat loss and fragmentation may affect red-bellied woodpecker populations in some areas, they are not threatened. Interestingly, despite their name, the red color of their abdomens is usually not noticeable, especially when they are perched on tree trunks.
White-throated Sparrow
The White-throated Sparrow is a medium-sized sparrow with a distinctive black and white stripe on the head, a yellow spot between the eye and bill, and a white throat with a black stripe around the edge. Their wings are brown with a striped back. White-throated sparrows feed primarily on seeds, insects, and berries; they forage on the ground, scratch in leaf litter to find food, and also patronize bird feeders, especially in winter.
You can find them in a wide variety of habitats, such as forests, woodlands, thickets, and bushes throughout North America. The song of the White-throated Sparrow is often described as "Oh sweet Canada Canada." During the summer, white-throated sparrows usually breed in dense brush, building cup-shaped nests out of grasses, leaves, and twigs, usually located in low spots in shrubs or saplings. They lay a clutch of 3 to 5 eggs that are incubated by the female for about 12 to 14 days.
You can find them in a wide variety of habitats, such as forests, woodlands, thickets, and bushes throughout North America. The song of the White-throated Sparrow is often described as "Oh sweet Canada Canada." During the summer, white-throated sparrows usually breed in dense brush, building cup-shaped nests out of grasses, leaves, and twigs, usually located in low spots in shrubs or saplings. They lay a clutch of 3 to 5 eggs that are incubated by the female for about 12 to 14 days.
Baltimore Oriole
Baltimore orioles are striking birds that are skilled acrobats and are often seen hanging upside down for insects or nectar. They are also talented singers, capable of playing a melodious flute. It has bright orange feathers on its underparts, black wings with white wing bars, and a black head with a bright orange face and throat. The female is more understated in color, being pale yellow rather than orange. Baltimore Orioles probe for nectar with their sharp bills and pick up insects from leaves and branches.
They inhabit open woodlands, parks, and suburban areas of eastern North America during the breeding season and migrate to Central America in the winter. Baltimore Orioles feed primarily on insects, fruit, and nectar. They frequent nectar feeders and fruit feeders. Baltimore Orioles are migratory birds, wintering in Central America and the Caribbean and migrating to North America during the breeding season. The breeding season for Baltimore Orioles is usually spring through early summer, and they form monogamous pairs. They build complex hanging nests of plant fibers, grasses, and string, usually woven into the thin branches of trees or shrubs. Females usually lay three to six eggs, which are incubated for about 12 to 14 days.
Dark-eyed Junco
The Dark-eyed Junco is a small gray bird with a white lower body and a dark hood that extends to the upper chest. They have a pink bill and white outer tail feathers that flash in flight. Dark-eyed Junco have a variety of plumage color variations throughout their range, with different color patterns in different areas. They have a variety of habitats such as forests, woodland edges, scrub, and suburban gardens in North America. Black-eyed Junco feed primarily on seeds, insects, and berries, and they often forage on the ground in groups, searching for food in piles of fallen leaves.
Their breeding season is usually spring through early summer, and black-eyed juncos form monogamous pairs. Cup-shaped nests are constructed of grass, moss, and twigs and are usually located on or near the ground in dense vegetation. Females usually lay a clutch of three to five eggs, which are incubated for about 12 to 14 days.
Brown-headed Cowbird
The Brown-headed Cowbird is a medium-sized blackbird with glossy black feathers and a distinctive brown head. Females are grayish-brown overall. Brown-headed cowbirds often follow grazing livestock, foraging for insects washed away by the movement of the livestock. Brown-headed cowbirds are found throughout North America in a variety of open habitats such as grasslands, farmlands, pastures, and urban areas.
Brown-headed cowbirds are known for their unique reproductive strategy, which is known as "chick parasitism." Instead of building their own nests, females lay their eggs in the nests of other birds, relying on the host bird to incubate and raise their young. During the breeding season, they may lay eggs in multiple host nests. This behavior may negatively impact host species, as bullfinch chicks may out-compete host chicks or even drive host chicks from the nest.
3. Small Birds
Purple Finch
Purple finches are medium-sized, robust finches with raspberry-red plumage in males and brown and streaked plumage in females. They have a thick, conical bill and a notched tail. Purple finches feed primarily on seeds, buds, fruits and insects, foraging in trees and bushes. Purple finches are often seen foraging in trees and bushes, cracking open seeds with their powerful beaks and removing the nutritious kernels. They also patronize bird feeders, especially those containing sunflower or thistle seeds.
They have a melodious song, often described as a series of warbling cries. The song of the male Purple finch is lilting and varied, consisting of a large number of warbling, trilling and whistling sounds. They inhabit a variety of forest habitats, including coniferous and mixed woodlands, as well as suburbs and gardens in North America. The breeding season for purple finches is usually spring through early summer, and they form monogamous pairs. They usually build cup-shaped nests in trees or bushes from twigs, grasses, and other plant material. Females usually lay a clutch of three to five eggs, which are incubated for about 12 to 14 days. Interestingly, despite their name, male purple finches can have raspberry-red plumage or a more subdued coloration, depending on their age and time of year.
Pine Siskin
The pine siskin is a small bird of the finch family with brownish, heavily streaked plumage, subtle yellow streaks on the wings, and a pointed beak. They usually have a slightly yellowish underparts and a distinctive forked tail. Pine siskin feed primarily on seeds, especially those of coniferous trees such as pine, spruce, and hemlock. They also eat seeds of other plants and insects. The pine siskin primarily inhabits a variety of coniferous and mixed forests as well as suburban areas and gardens in North America.
Pine siskin are very social birds and often form large flocks, especially during the non-breeding season. They are active and agile foragers, often flying from branch to branch in search of food. They also patronize bird feeders, especially those containing thistle seed or sunflower seed. Pine siskin usually breed in the boreal forests and mountains of North America. They usually build cup-shaped nests of twigs, grasses, and plant fibers in coniferous trees. Females usually lay 3 to 5 eggs, which are incubated for about 12 to 14 days. Pine siskin are partly migratory, with some populations moving south for the winter and others remaining on their breeding grounds throughout the year.
House Sparrow
House sparrows are small, with a rounded head and short tail. Males have bright plumage with a gray crown, chestnut patches, and a black bib at the throat, while females and juveniles have a more subdued, brownish, streaked plumage. The house sparrow usually measures about 5.5 to 6.7 inches (14 to 17 cm) in length and has a wingspan of about 7.5 to 9.5 inches (19 to 24 cm). This sparrow is highly adaptable and can be found in a wide variety of habitats, including urban areas, suburban areas, agricultural fields, grasslands, and open woodlands. They are especially common around human settlements, where they often nest and forage.
House sparrows are omnivorous and opportunistic eaters, consuming a wide variety of foods including seeds, grains, insects, fruits, and human food scraps. They will forage on the ground or in low vegetation, as well as at bird feeders and outdoor dining areas. House sparrows are social birds that often gather in large flocks, especially during the non-breeding season. They are good chirpers and communicate in flocks with a variety of chirps and trills. In addition, house sparrows are prolific breeders, usually laying multiple broods in a single breeding season. They build bulky nests of grass, twigs, and other plant material, usually located in burrows or crevices in buildings, trees, or dense brush. Females usually lay a clutch of 3 to 7 eggs, each of which can produce 5 to 10 chicks.
Chipping Saprrow
Chipping sparrows are small and slim, with brown and gray plumage, a rust-colored cap on top of their head, and distinctive white eye stripes on their eyes. They have a relatively plain appearance compared to some other sparrows. Chipping sparrows are known for their distinctive calls, including a dry, rhythmic trill that sounds like a sewing machine. They inhabit a variety of open areas in North America such as woodlands, fields, parks and gardens. Chipping sparrows feed primarily on seeds, especially grass seeds, but they also eat insects and berries, especially during the breeding season.
They are active and agile foragers and are often seen hopping around on the ground or in low vegetation in search of food. They may also pick up insects from leaves and branches or patronize birdfeeders filled with seeds. They have a distinctive chirping sound, often described as a series of dry or tinkling notes. During the breeding season (usually from spring through early summer), Chipping Sparrows form monogamous pairs. They build cup-shaped nests of grasses, twigs, and other plant material, usually located low in shrubs or trees. Females usually lay a clutch of three to five eggs, which are incubated for about 10 to 14 days.
Indiana's diverse habitats offer birders a wealth of opportunities to explore and enjoy. From woodlands to wetlands, Indiana is home to a huge variety of birds, each with their own unique characteristics and behaviors. Whether you're a seasoned birder or a newcomer to the world of birds, Indiana's avian wonders have something for you to discover. Whether it's watching them from a backyard feeder or exploring a nature preserve, let's cherish the beauty and diversity of Indiana's birding community and ensure a bright future for birds and birders alike.
