17 Birds That Spend Their Winters in Kansas

Nothing is better than hiking on a trail, spotting beautiful birds, and being one with nature. There are plenty of birds to see throughout Kansas, but what about during the winter? Many birds migrate in or out of Kansas; however, this article highlights common birds to visit in winter. You may find some of these birds in your backyard eating out of your bird feeder. Take the time to observe these beautiful birds and see which ones will bless you with their presence in winter.

1. European Starling

The European Starling birds are black with white dots. They also have a light purple and green coloration when observing in the light. These birds fly over fields and perch upon objects around Kansas.

2. American Goldfinch

The American Goldfinch is a beautiful bird living in weedy fields and overgrown areas. These birds also hang around the suburbs and parks throughout Kansas. This bird is yellow, has a gray nape, and has black and white wings. Females are duller in color, and males are duller during the wintertime.

3. Downy Woodpecker

The Downy Woodpecker can be found hanging around streams and city parks. Although these birds can make a nuisance of noises, they eat the pesky insects we dislike. This type of woodpecker is generally black and white with a red patch at the top of its head.

4. Red-bellied Woodpecker

The Red-bellied Woodpecker is a black and white bird with white undersides and a small red patch on its belly. Males have a red cap, whereas females are brown. These woodpeckers forage in woodlands, forests, and urban areas.

5. Dark-eyed Junco

The Dark-eyed Junco has a color variation of dark gray to brown and white outer tail feathers. They also have dark eyes, hence their name. This bird has a short beak for breaking open seeds. These birds can be found in Kansas’s forests, woodlands, and gardens.

6. American Crow

The American Crow is the most well-known blackbird and has a “cawing” call. These birds hang around places, scavenging for food in woodlands, urban areas, and agricultural fields. These opportunistic birds are brilliant.

7. Blue Jay

Blue Jays are intelligent and noisy birds living in woodlands, parks, and suburban areas. This bird has a blue upper body and grayish-white undersides. They also have black lines on their faces.

8. American Robin

The American Robin can be found in woodlands, forests, mountains, fields, and parks; however, they stay in wooded areas for nesting in winter. These birds have a black head and neck with a reddish-orange breast. American Robins eat earthworms, snails, fruit, and insects.

9. Eurasian Collard Dove

The Eurasian Collard Dove is a plump bird with a grayish-brown coloration of its body. They also have a half-black collar around their neck, hence the name, and black feathered tips. You may see these birds in urban areas, gardens, and agricultural fields.

10. White-breasted Nuthatch

The White-breasted Nuthatch has a white face, belly, grayish back, and head. These birds’ habitats include deciduous forests, woodland edges, parks, and yards.

11. Western Meadowlark

The Western Meadowlark has a flat head and a slender bill. This bird has a yellow breast and throat with white and black wings. You can see a black “V” shape across the breast and collarbone in the proper lighting. These birds hang around grasslands, meadows, and pastures.

12. Northern Cardinal

The Northern Cardinal is red with a cute black face. Females are pale brown with a reddish coloration of the wings, tail, and crest. You can spot these birds in dense shrubs, woodland edges, gardens, and parks.

13. Canada Goose

The Canadian Goose is known for migrating; however, those that live in the northern states, such as Kansas, stay year-round. Canadian geese are typical birds around lakes, rivers, ponds, and urban parks. The Canada Goose’s body is brownish-gray with white cheeks and a black head.

14. Black-capped Chickadee

The Black-capped Chickadee bird has a grayish-brown body, white cheeks, and a black cap. These birds have a thin beak for eating certain seeds and insects. You can spot these birds in woodlands, forests, and suburban areas.

15. Northern Flicker

The Northern Flicker is a large woodpecker weighing between 110 and 160 grams. This bird is brown with black spots and has a red line on its nape and cheek. The red-shafted Northern Flicker is what you will see throughout Kansas.

16. Tufted Titmouse

The Tufted Titmouse bird has a grey back with white undersides. You may notice their wing feathers are black and grey. These beautiful little birds live in eastern Kansas’s city parks and deciduous forests.

17. Rock Pigeon

Rock Pigeons are the grey birds you see foraging around cities in big flocks. The Rock Pigeon has orange feet and black bands across their wings. In the light, you may see a greenish-purple coloration on their necks.