Birds Of Wisconsin: The Common Birds In The Badger State

Identification

The American Robin is actually a thrush and so is larger than you might think. Named for its red-breast, it also has a gray/brown back and white vents and throat.

Size
Length: 7.9-11.0 in (20-28 cm)
Weight: 2.7-3.0 oz (77-85 g)
Wingspan: 12.2-15.8 in (31-40 cm)

Range
The American Robin is a resident of Wisconsin and can be seen at any time of the year across the state as seen in the Range Map below.

Call

Comment
The American Robin is a true Wisconsin bird and deserves to be the state bird. It is not only common, but also beautiful, interesting and keeps the worms off the lawn!

Identification
A lovely, colorful warbler with grays, whites and yellows. The partial white eye ring is distinctive. This is the Myrtle subspecies found in Wisconsin. Other subspecies have yellow throats and no black on the face.

Size
Length: 4.7-5.5 in (12-14 cm)
Weight: 0.4-0.5 oz (12-13 g)
Wingspan: 7.5-9.1 in (19-23 cm)

Range
Seen mainly in spring and fall as it passes through the area on migration. When the Yellow-rumped warbler is in the state, it can be seen statewide in and on the edges of mixed forests.

Call

Comment
These are such delightful little birds. They are a common backyard bird feeder visitor and when they migrate between their summer and winter range, they will gather in large numbers making a dazzling display of color.

Identification
The most common hummingbird of the U.S. The male has the ruby throat while the female is a plainer green and white.

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
It is an amazing feat that the Ruby-throated Hummingbird performs on migration. It flies all the way from Central and South America on migration to breed in northern parts of America. When in the state, it can be seen across the region.

Call

Comment
If you want to see the Ruby-throated Hummingbird in your summer garden and watch its 50+ wing beats per second, put up special bird feeders for these little guys before they arrive and they should find you!

Identification
The Pileated Woodpecker is a stunning bird of Wisconsin with its iconic plumage. A black body has white streaks up the side and into the face. A bright yellow eye and vivid red crest make this bird incredible.

Size
Length: 15.8-19.3 in (40-49 cm)
Weight: 8.8-12.3 oz (250-350 g)
Wingspan: 26.0-29.5 in (66-75 cm)

Range
The Pileated Woodpecker can be seen across Wisconsin in any suitable habitat of large forest.

Call

Comment
This large and very loud woodpecker can be tempted to your backyard. It loves suet so try hanging a suet block out and see what happens!

Identification

Size
Length: 4.3-5.5 in (11-14 cm)
Weight: 0.4-0.6 oz (12-18 g)
Wingspan: 7.1-8.7 in (18-22 cm)

Range
Seen throughout the year, although less so in the summer months. The Pine Siskin is present across the state, particularly in northern Wisconsin.

Call

Comment
The Pine Siskin is resident in the north of the state but migratory in the southern two thirds, migrating to Canada to breed. Thus, this bird moves around a lot in the state.

Identification
The Rose-breasted Grosbeak female looks a lot like a sparrow with a finch beak – all browns and creams. The male is black on the back and head, with a white belly and sharp crimson patch on the breast.

Size
Length: 7.1-8.3 in (18-21 cm)
Weight: 1.4-1.7 oz (39-49 g)
Wingspan: 11.4-13.0 in (29-33 cm)

Range
A regular summer visitor to Wisconsin, the Rose-breasted Grosbeak can be found in forested areas and will visit backyard bird feeders.

Call

Comment
While the Rose-breasted Grosbeak are not very good nest builders, making flimsy affairs, they look after each other when on the nest by singing quietly to each other.

Identification
The Northern Harrier’s most striking feature is its owl-like face. It is dark on top and buff underneath with a streaky breast and barred wingtips.

Size
Length: 18.1-19.7 in (46-50 cm)
Weight: 10.6-26.5 oz (300-750 g)
Wingspan: 40.2-46.5 in (102-118 cm)

Range
The Northern Harrier is resident in Wisconsin and has a year-round range. It might be seen anywhere across the state. It hunts over open fields low down while searching for prey.

Call

Comment
The Northern Harrier looks quite indistinct in the air and may be difficult to identify. Look for a sharp V shape in the wings and the white coloring on the tail.

Identification
The Great Horned Owl is a large and common owl with a wide range of plumage colors. A red morph is pictured below but the gray morph is also striking. This owl has the iconic owl ‘hoot’ which you can hear on the xeno-canto.org file below.

Size
Length: 18.1-24.8 in (46-63 cm)
Weight: 32.1-88.2 oz (910-2500 g)
Wingspan: 39.8-57.1 in (101-145 cm)

Range
The Great Horned Owl is widespread across the United States and Wisconsin sees its fair share. Less common in north but it may be seen anywhere.

Call

Comment
This owl might look calm and serene but it is a vicious predator. It will tackle and kill other large animals like Osprey and other owls.

Identification
The Sora is a small rail with a distinctive yellow bill and grey eyebrow extending around the face. The rest of the bird is a grey and white front and patterned back with brown, white and black markings.

Size
Length: 7.5-11.8 in (19-30 cm)
Weight: 1.7-4.0 oz (49-112 g

Range
The Sora is a summer visitor to marshes and swampy areas across Wisconsin.

Call

Comment
Like most rails and crakes, it is a bit tricky to see the Sora as their natural behavior is to skulk around in marsh land. They are likely to be more common than is recorded but most people don’t want to stake out swamps at dawn to look for them!

Identification
I never really know why this is called the ‘green’ heron as it always appears to be deep grays and brown with cream streaks.

Size
Length: 16.1-18.1 in (41-46 cm)
Weight: 8.5 oz (240 g)
Wingspan: 25.2-26.8 in (64-68 cm)

Range
The Green Heron is a summer bird in Wisconsin. It is less present around the lake shores but otherwise can be seen statewide.

Call

Comment
Always the most interesting thing about this heron is that they are usually photographed as above, but if you watch them long enough they may extend that neck right out and become at least twice the size.