Birds in Arkansas

I think that Arkansas has the best state name of all. Called the Natural State, it is nestled in the mid-west between Tennessee and Oklahoma. In this post we will be looking at some of the best birds in this aptly named state.

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The State of Arkansas

Arkansas has a range of environments from the Ozarks in the northeast to the Ouachita Mountains in the central and western areas. The state river, the Arkansas runs south of the Ozarks and enters the Mississippi. In the south and southwest of Arkansas is the West Gulf Coastal Plain which is full of forests and farms. Lastly, the Mississippi Alluvial Plain runs to the south and is fertile lowland. So, there is a great range of environments to attract birds.

Arkansas rates at 41 out of all the states in terms of reported bird species to eBird. However, that is better than it sounds. With 421 species, it is in a group of 30 other states who also rank in the 400s. It is the 29th largest of the United States, which gives a lot of space to explore and find birds.

Forest Arkansas Birds

Barred Owl (Strix varia)

Identification

The Barred Owl is a large cryptic bird with a base of brown feathers. It is heavily barred and mottled with a paler buff color.

Size

Length: 16.9-19.7 in (43-50 cm)
Weight: 16.6-37.0 oz (470-1050 g)
Wingspan: 39.0-43.3 in (99-110 cm)

Range

The Barred Owl is a common and under-reported bird found across Arkansas. The darker the purple marking, the more sightings have been made. It inhabits woods near water and can be seen during the day at times.

What you might not know

The most dangerous predator to the Barred Owl is the Great Horned Owl. If the latter moves into the former’s neighborhood, the Barred Owl will move away.

Orange-crowned Warbler (Leiothlypis celata)

Identification

The Orange-crowed Warbler is rather dull, although plumage vary from gray to a brighter yellow depending on the population location. The crown is hard to find and sometimes just looks like a pale wash.

Size

Length: 4.3-5.5 in (11-14 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.4 oz (7-11 g)
Wingspan: 7.5 in (19 cm)

Range

The Orange-crowned Warbler is seen outside of the summer breeding season in Arkansas. Look for it in open woodlands, scrub areas and gardens.

What you might not know

The only sub-species of the Orange-crowned Warbler that doesn’t nest on the ground is one that lives on an offshore island with no predators that specialize in robbing nests.

Common Visitors to Bird Feeders

Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)

Identification

The state bird of Arkansas is the Northern Mockingbird and it is always a favorite of locals as it is a common backyard visitor to bird feeders. While looking rather plain with pale underparts and darker gray above, it does have rather impressive white bars on the wing seen in flight.

Size

Length: 8.3-10.2 in (21-26 cm)
Weight: 1.6-2.0 oz (45-58 g)
Wingspan: 12.2-13.8 in (31-35 cm)

Range

The Northern Mockingbird is a common bird in Arkansas and due to its adaptable nature, it can be found in varying environments including urban areas.

What you might not know

Northern Mockingbirds have been appreciated for their singing prowess for generations and there was a time when the best singers were caged and sold for huge sums. It has to be more entertaining to watch their antics on platform feeders and sing from the trees!

Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)

Identification

This small songbird is very distinctive with gray plumage that is darker on the back. It also has orange shades on the side of the belly, a black patch above the bill and a soft crest.

Size

Length: 5.5-6.3 in (14-16 cm)
Weight: 0.6-0.9 oz (18-26 g)
Wingspan: 7.9-10.2 in (20-26 cm)

Range

The Tufted Titmouse is one of the most common birds in Arkansas and can be found in different environments. It is a regular visitor to backyard bird feeders.

What you might not know

The Tufted Titmouse will take as much seed as it can from a bird table. It will then store its bounty close by in a number of places ready for harder times in winter.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)

Identification

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is a small hummingbird with a glossy green back and pale front. The male also has a startling red throat.

Size

Length: 2.8-3.5 in (7-9 cm)
Weight: 0.1-0.2 oz (2-6 g)
Wingspan: 3.1-4.3 in (8-11 cm)

Range

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is a summer visitor to Arkansas and can be found pretty much anywhere as it looks for places to breed. It will visit backyard feeders and also nest in any suitable manmade structure.

What you might not know

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird has short and stumpy legs that it can only use to support itself when resting. It cannot properly walk, only shuffle.

Common Birds of Open Country

Killdeer(Charadrius vociferus)

Identification

The Killdeer is a relatively large plover with brown shades on top and white underneath. The head is a messy but distinctive range of brown, tan, black and white.

Size

Length: 7.9-11.0 in (20-28 cm)
Weight: 2.6-4.5 oz (75-128 g)
Wingspan: 18.1-18.9 in (46-48 cm)

Range

The Killdeer is probably Arkansas’s most common shorebird and can be found living and breeding in many improbable places alongside humans.

What you might not know

While the Killdeer is officially classed as a shorebird, it is adept at surviving in dry areas and as such might turn up anywhere.

American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)

Identification

The American Crow is a small and very common member of the Corvid family. It is jet black and usually seen in large groups.

Size

Length: 15.8-20.9 in (40-53 cm)
Weight: 11.2-21.9 oz (316-620 g)
Wingspan: 33.5-39.4 in (85-100 cm)

Range

The American Crow is a very common Arkansas resident and can be seen in rural, forested and urban areas as can be seen by the darker purple concentration on the Range Map below.

What you might not know

The American Crow gather together in the winter to keep warm at night. These groups can number in the millions of birds.

Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)

Identification

The gorgeous little warblers are unmistakable with black and white stripes all over except for a clean white stomach.

Size

Length: 4.3-5.1 in (11-13 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.5 oz (8-15 g)
Wingspan: 7.1-8.7 in (18-22 cm)

Range

The Black and White Warbler is a summer visitor to Arkansas and can be found during this breeding period in forests and woodlands.

What you might not know

The Black and White Warbler forages along the limbs of trees and is so focused that it is relatively easy to get close to them.

Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)

Identification

The Savannah Sparrow is a brightly marked little bird with more strong brown streaks on the body and head. The throat is pale and it has a yellow streak behind the eye.

Size

Length: 4.3-5.9 in (11-15 cm)
Weight: 0.5-1.0 oz (15-28 g)
Wingspan: 7.9-8.7 in (20-22 cm)

Range

The Savannah Sparrow is seen in Arkansas outside of the summer breeding season. It can be found in a variety of climates but always in open areas.

What you might not know

The Savannah Sparrow is not named for its range and habitat. It was simply first examined by ornithologists in Savannah, Georgia.

American Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus)

Identification

The American Black Vulture is a large black scavenger with gray wingtips. The head is a muddle of bald facial skin.

Size

Length: 23.6-26.8 in (60-68 cm)
Weight: 56.4-77.6 oz (1600-2200 g)
Wingspan: 53.9-59.1 in (137-150 cm)

Range

The Black Vulture is less common than the Turkey Vulture but can still be found soaring above the skies of Arkansas, particularly in the west.

What you might not know

The American Black Vulture does not have a voice box. This means it can only make guttural hisses and rasping noises.

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

Identification

The Red-tailed Hawk is the most common raptor in the United States and is a very attractive raptor with variable plumage with browns and creams. The short tail is red on the top and is diagnostic.

Size

Male
- Length: 17.7-22.1 in (45-56 cm)
- Weight: 24.3-45.9 oz (690-1300 g)
- Wingspan: 44.9-52.4 in (114-133 cm)
Female
- Length: 19.7-25.6 in (50-65 cm)
- Weight: 31.8-51.5 oz (900-1460 g)
- Wingspan: 44.9-52.4 in (114-133 cm)

Range

The Red-tailed Hawk is commonly found in open areas either soaring while searching for prey or sitting on fence posts or utility poles. It is an Arkansas resident and present all year round.

What you might not know

Red-tailed Hawks are smart and co-operative. They will work in pairs to outsmart their prey by splitting up and waiting a either end of its means of escape.

Birds of Lakes and Rivers

Great White Egret (Ardea alba)

Identification

The Great White Egret is a large heron with pure white plumage and a distinctive kink in the neck. When identifying in the field, look for the gape, as it extends beyond the eye.

Size

Length: 37.0-40.9 in (94-104 cm)
Weight: 35.3 oz (1000 g)
Wingspan: 51.6-57.1 in (131-145 cm)

Range

The Great Egret can be found in suitable environments of large bodies of water across the state at any time of the year.

What you might not know

During the breeding period, the Great Egret looks even more spectacular. In the photo above, the birds are fading out of breeding but you can still see the green facial skin and plumes

Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)

Identification

The Belted Kingfisher is a large species with blue gray and white plumage. Its large bill is only overshadowed by the large shaggy crest.

Size

Length: 11.0-13.8 in (28-35 cm)
Weight: 4.9-6.0 oz (140-170 g)
Wingspan: 18.9-22.8 in (48-58 cm)

Range

The Belted Kingfisher is an Arkansas resident found across the state in any area with rivers, streams or bodies of water.

What you might not know

The photo above is a male Belted Kingfisher but the female also has a rusty brown loose ring around the breast. This is one of the few bird breeds where the female is more brightly colored than the male.

American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)

Identification

The American White Pelican is a huge waterbird with brilliant white plumage, orange legs, bill and eyes. It has an unusual horn like knob on its bill. In non-breeding plumage it is duller all over.

Size

Length: 50.0-65.0 in (127-165 cm)
Weight: 158.7-317.5 oz (4500-9000 g)
Wingspan: 96.1-114.2 in (244-290 cm)

Range

The American White Pelican is present across Arkansas outside of the summer months and in large bodies of water.

What you might not know

These pelicans use the pouch under their bill to catch food but they don’t store it there. Rather, they eat it quickly before moving away.

A Rare Bird of Arkansas

Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster)

Identification

The Brown Booby is a very attractive seabird with dark chocolate brown plumage and a pale belly. The eyes seem to be part of the pale bill.

Size

Length: 25.2-33.5 in (64-85 cm)
Weight: 33.5-60.0 oz (950-1700 g)
Wingspan: 52.0-61.0 in (132-155 cm)

Range

You might think that a seabird would be very unlikely to reach a land locked state and you would be right. However, seabirds like the Brown Booby do sometimes turn up at large inland lakes or reservoirs.

What you might not know

Birds of the Booby family usually just lay their eggs on the ground but the Brown Booby is the only one that will actually build a substantial nest.

Conclusion

My favorite Arkansas bird would have to be the Belted Kingfisher. I love those huge kingfishers that look so ungainly but in action are just amazing to watch. There are lots of birds easily seen in Arkansas and some great ones if you have checklists to tick. There are also lots of other interesting animals to view like bats, possums and deer. We hope you enjoyed our post on the birds of Arkansas and that you are now planning your next trip!

The State of Arkansas