Kansas Birds: Pictures And Bird Identification Tips

picture of a Western Meadowlark, the state bird of Kansas, and part of the Kansas birds section
As far as birds are concerned, there’s nothing the matter with Kansas. Species counts show an incremental increase year over year of bird species on the Kansas birds checklist, mostly because accidental birds get pushed by storms and winds into the state. Today the official Kansas birds checklist hovers around the 480 mark. Within a decade the number could approach the nice round 500 species mark.

The Western Meadowlark stands out among the entire list, chosen as the official state bird. Less well known is the fact that both native meadowlark species inhabit the Kansas grasslands. Logic suggests the Western Meadowlark is found in the western portions of the state and the Eastern Meadowlark is found in the eastern portions of the state.

Birds

Whether it’s their joyous singing or their bright yellow feathers and black breast band, it’s hard to miss the Western Meadowlark when it’s in the vicinity.

One of the typical grassland birds of the West and Midwest. They live on a diet of seeds and insects. The Tallgrass Prairies of the Flint Hills in Southeast Kansas ranks as the last and the largest of the remaining Tallgrass Prairies in the United States. In addition to providing breeding grounds for the Western Meadowlark, the habitat also hosts Greater Prairie-Chickens, Henslow’s Sparrows, Grasshopper Sparrows, Dickcissel and Upland Sandpipers.

picture of a Blue Jay, a very common feeder bird in the Eastern United States
Every day backyard birding is as popular in Kansas as it is elsewhere. Like the Meadowlarks, the Kansas Blue Jays also happily announce their appearance around the state with the typical jay-jay-jay vocalization. The blue feathers on the back and wings contrasted with a black ring around the throat easily distinguish it from another common Kansas bird with blue feathers, the Indigo Bunting.

They are most common in the east, however during spring and fall migration large numbers of nonresidents fly through the state. Jayhawk fans know they constitute the Jay in Jayhawks.

Slight changes might occur from year to year, however, according to the Kansas Ornithological Society, the five most common backyard birds in Kansas during the winter tend to remain the same:

House sparrow
American goldfinch
Dark-eyed junco
European Starling
Northern cardinal

picture of a Field Sparrow, and part of the Kansas birds section
Speaking of sparrows, the backyard birds that go by the common name sparrow also fit the Kansas birds model. While close to three dozen different types of sparrows make the Kansas birds list, only about half of them have been recorded in all, or most of the state’s 105 counties.

Three species, the Field Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow and Lark Sparrow have a breeding range across the entire state. With habitat preferences such as fields, grasslands and farms, they can be considered true Kansas birds. The picture shows a Field Sparrow.

Otherwise, the sparrows of Kansas are collectively classified as non-resident birds that often migrate to breeding areas over the summer months. During the winter months backyard feeders across the state are a great place to view most of these very nice birds.

Birding in Kansas

picture of a Common Nighthawk, a summer breeding bird in Kansas

Kansas bird diversity translates into great birding opportunities in the state. Local birding groups, especially in the eastern high populations areas such as metropolitan Kansas City often have built in birding opportunities. The Kansas City Metro Trail, for example, provides bird watching opportunities within blocks of the center of the city. It could not be easier to take a morning or afternoon off from a business trip.

A local favorite, the Common Nighthawk breeds in many areas of Kansas including around residential areas. They are a familiar summer site for many of the state’s birders.

Most people recognize them during flight. They tend to fly erratically, akin to a bat flight as they search for insects. As the name implies, they can be seen flying during the evening hours.

Wichita in central Kansas might be best known for the love of Purple Martins. Once per year the birds make a summer stop over in the city during the fall migration. As locals will tell you, if you’ve seen one Purple Martin, you have seen tens of thousands of them.

They are very social birds and Wichita rolls out the hospitality bandwagon for them.

In the south central part of the state around Wichita, multiple larger lakes and wetlands provide great birding opportunities.

The Great Plains Nature Center in Chisholm Creek Park is the local must see birding attraction. Paved paths make any birding excursion easy on the legs for all visitors. The park bird list reaches the one hundred and sixty mark.

picture of a Sandhill Crane
Kansas’ extensive river and creek system extends across the entire state. Anywhere there is water, there are bound to be birds. All four of Kansas’ National Wildlife Refuges are established near or on rivers in the eastern part of the state.

They serve as migratory stopping grounds for most of the waterfowl and shorebirds. Sandhill Cranes (pictured) are also present in large numbers.

Kansas Birds

picture of a red-bellied woodpecker, part of the Kansas woodpeckers section

Red-bellied woodpeckers are year round residents of most areas in Kansas. They are larger than average birds with an outgoing personality.

Red-headed woodpeckers rank as the most wide spread of the Melanerpes species, with a statewide presence in Kansas. They tend to populated western areas of the state during breeding season and tend to be year round residents in the eastern part of the state.

They enjoy open areas with grasses and woodlands, especially oak dominated areas because the consume acorns. Their propensity for nuts also means they are easily enticed to backyard feeders with suet or other healthy nuts such as sunflower seeds.

Woodpecker enthusiasts with backyard feeders can attest to their gregarious nature. They don’t mind flocking in large groups when food is plentiful. In those times, they can be a bit vocal. In the northernmost area of their range they are a summer resident for breeding and then migrate south for the winter.

Western states provide a very good habitat for a variety of uncommon woodpeckers. Mountains and larger tracks of old growth forest, especially Ponderosa Pine suit the Lewis’s Woodpecker needs.

The picture shows another of the woodpecker’s special features. More than any other native species, the purple to red hue on the feathers of the Lewis’s Woodpecker makes it stand out. The greenish head feathers and gray collar and chest compliment the dark wings and tail.

Downy Woodpeckers might rank as the most common of Kansas woodpeckers. They adapt equally well to most rural and residential areas. If trees are present, they will make themselves a year round home. In residential areas, they are common visitors to backyard feeders.

picture of a male ladder-backed woodpecker

Less wide ranging, the Ladder-backed woodpecker makes its home in a variety of Southwest habitats, from cacti to forest areas. A pattern of striped feathers on the back and spots on the breast provide initial identification marks. Males, like the one in the picture, also have a red cap.

Everything that is written about the Downy Woodpecker can be written about the Hairy Woodpecker with few caveats. The picture highlights the most important caveat, they have a larger bill than the Downy. Otherwise, the black and white striped face, white belly and back feathers look very similar. Males also have a red crown.

Look for them at the backyard feeder, although double check, because Downy Woodpeckers are more common feeder birds.

picture of a yellow-shafted Northern Flicker

The people of Kansas recognize the Flickers as their ground feeders of the woodpecker family. They prefer open habitats such as fields and residential areas because they supply them with their primary food sources such as insects, seeds and berries. The male is distinguished from the female by the red patch on the cheek.

Kansas hosts both Northern Flicker subspecies. The Red-shafted Northern Flicker, like the one in the picture, populates western areas of the state. The Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker populates eastern areas of the state.

The red crested head and white stripes across the face makes it difficult to mistake the Pileated Woodpecker for any other species.