Wisconsin is home to approximately 440 bird species and hundreds of birdwatchers. Robins, the official bird of Wisconsin, are abundant and easy to see in the spring, with their tawny bellies bobbing along the ground and in the air. However, they are not the only birds that can be seen in your backyard during the summer months.
Birds of Wisconsin comprise species that have been documented in the United States of America’s state of Wisconsin and accepted by the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology’s Records Committee (WSORC). As of March 2021, the official list contained 440 species and a species pair. 91 are accidental, 34 are casual, 53 are unusual, might have been imported to North America, and two are known to be extinct, while another is suspected to be. A further twelve species are classified as speculative.
Wisconsin birds of prey
In Wisconsin, the Forest Raptors group of birds comprises a variety of resident and migratory hawk and owl species. Northern Goshawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Merlin, American Kestrel, Long-eared Owl, Great Horned Owl, Barred Owl, Great Gray Owl, Eastern Screech Owl, and Northern Saw-whet Owl are all included in this list. Raptors are seen as barometers of environmental health due to their status as top carnivores.
Due to the fact that many Forest Raptor species are secretive and difficult to census, basic information on their abundance and status is limited. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources increased its emphasis on data collection in 2002, through educational materials, training, and field surveys.
Eagles in Wisconsin
You are in luck if you want to view a bald eagle in Wisconsin. They can be found today in Wisconsin’s northern two-thirds. Bald eagle populations have been increasing year after year since the Endangered Species Act was enacted and DDT was banned.
The bald eagle, once an endangered species, has made a remarkable recovery, particularly in Wisconsin. Spotting one of these magnificent birds used to be an uncommon occurrence, but today, eagle sightings are almost anticipated in many regions of the state – yet they are no less spectacular.
Owls in Wisconsin
Owls in Wisconsin rarely leave the state, as the state’s climate and prey are ideal for the state’s five most frequent owl species!
As with all predators, owls contribute significantly to nature by removing individuals considered surplus from prey populations. Owls utilize unique techniques to get an advantage over their prey. They have extraordinary vision and hearing, silent feathers, piercing talons, and razor-sharp beaks.
While in Wisconsin, pay attention to these Owls.
Common backyard birds of Wisconsin
There are bird species that are migratory and visit the state just during certain times of the year, while others are permanent residents. The birds that make Wisconsin their permanent home are more frequently observed in the backyards of feeder owners, as they frequent them. While migratory birds also frequent the feeders during their seasonal migration.
We’ve produced a list of some of the most attractive common backyard birds found in Wisconsin, complete with photographs and identification. Additionally, we added information on the frequency with which the birds are observed, as well as the time of year during which they are observed.
Woodpeckers in Wisconsin
Wisconsin is primarily aquatic, with over 32,900 miles of rivers and streams, 15,000 inland lakes, and hundreds of tiny ponds. This attracts a variety of insects to the numerous shores and surrounding woodlands, providing the ideal habitat for woodpeckers to pursue their prey.
A woodpecker’s unique bill enables it to search for insects beneath the bark of a tree. While some of the following woodpeckers are easy to view, others are difficult to locate and can only be seen at specific times of the year.
Best Birdwatching Spots in Wisconsin
Spring is the best time in Wisconsin, and people can scarcely wait for the season’s welcoming, colorful blooms to appear. Spring is also the peak migration season for Wisconsin Birds! Bird watching has grown in popularity across the country, to the point where it is now regarded as the fastest-growing hobby.
Here are the top 5 spots you can visit when you are in Wisconsin.
- Crex Meadows
- Horicon National Wildlife Refuge
- Lake Superior/ North Woods Birding and Nature Trail
- Sandhill Wildlife Area
- Schlitz Audubon Center
Other Wisconsin birds
The following is a list of birds found in Wisconsin. The birds are illustrated and labeled with their bird identifiers. Whether you’re seeking for brown birds or more colorful birds, the list below is certain to have them.
If you have encountered a bird in Wisconsin that is not yet on our list or that you cannot identify yourself, we’ll be happy to identify it for you. Simply take a picture of it and upload your picture, a quick description and the U.S. state where it was found here on our bird identification page.