Looking for assistance in identifying the avian residents of your Louisiana backyard? Seek no further! Acquire detailed information, captivating images, and printable worksheets to aid you in the identification of these splendid Louisiana birds.
The act of setting up bird feeders and observing their visitors brings immense delight, which amplifies when you possess knowledge about their identities. Now, embark on a journey to discover the most frequently sighted avifauna in Louisiana, those delightful creatures that frequent your lawn or feeders.
If you are prepared to indulge in the delightful pastime of backyard birding, then continue reading to uncover the secrets of avian identification in Louisiana and discover ways to attract a greater variety of birds to your personal sanctuary.
Moreover, obtain complimentary printables of backyard birds found in Louisiana, complete with pictures, to facilitate the identification process and maintain a record of your backyard visitors.
Foremost Backyard Birds in Louisiana: Top 20 Selection
1. Northern Cardinal
2. Northern Mockingbird
3. Mourning Dove
4. Blue Jay
5. Carolina Wren
6. Yellow-rumped Warbler
7. Carolina Chickadee
8. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
9. American Crow
10. Red-bellied Woodpecker
11. Red-winged Blackbird
12. Eastern Phoebe
13. House Sparrow
14. American Goldfinch
15. Barn Swallow
16. White-throated Sparrow
17. Downy Woodpecker
18. European Starling
19. Common Grackle
20. Brown-headed Cowbird
These splendid avian beings, which frequently grace the Louisiana region, are the ones that appear most prominently on state checklists on ebird. The data is a combination of the most frequently sighted birds in Louisiana during the summer months of June and July, as well as the winter months of December and January.
To present you with the most probable avian sightings from the comfort of your abode, those birds that seldom visit feeders or backyards have been excluded from the compilation.
With this amalgamation of data, regardless of the time of year when you embark on your avian observations in Louisiana, you are bound to encounter these marvelous creatures at your feeders or frolicking upon your lawn.
Detailed Index:
Free Worksheets for Spotting Backyard Birds in Louisiana
These invaluable worksheets dedicated to bird identification encompass a comprehensive compilation of common backyard birds that frequent Louisiana during different times of the year. Whenever you feel inclined to delve into the enchanting realm of backyard birding, these practical guides shall provide you with vivid imagery and ample space to either mark the species you have observed or maintain a count of the total avian populace.
Backyard Birds Identification Worksheet – Page 1 (Louisiana)
Backyard Birds Identification Worksheet – Page 2 (Louisiana)
Backyard Birds Identification Worksheet – Page 3 (Louisiana)
Print your complimentary worksheets designed specifically for identifying the wondrous birdlife found in Louisiana.
Prominent Avian Residents of Louisiana Backyards: The Superb 20
1. Northern Cardinal
With its captivating crimson plumage and a contrasting black mask, the male Northern Cardinal provides a splendid spectacle, particularly against a wintry backdrop. The females are equally charming, adorned with their brown hues, elegant brown crests, and vibrant red accents, including their beaks.
During the breeding season, Northern Cardinals might exhibit territorial behavior, occasionally attacking their own reflection in a relentless defense of their domain.
To entice more Northern Cardinals to visit your backyard feeders, generously offer them sunflower seeds, peanut hearts, millet, and milo. They will gracefully partake in meals from large tube feeders, hoppers, platform feeders, or even enjoy scattered food on the ground.
In triguingly, a surprising number of vibrant red-feathered birds can be spotted in the enchanting landscapes of Louisiana.
2. Northern Mockingbird
Medium-sized songbirds adorned with petite heads and long tails, Northern Mockingbirds possess a gray-brown plumage, slightly paler on their ventral side than their dorsal region. During flight, one can discern two distinct white wingbars.
Usually observed as solitary beings or in pairs, these assertive creatures staunchly defend their territories. Over the course of their lives, male mockingbirds can acquire around 200 distinct melodies, skillfully imitating the songs of other avian species. From dawn till dusk, their enchanting melodies fill the air, echoing through the night.
Though not regular visitors to feeders, Northern Mockingbirds occasionally grace open lawn areas. To attract more of these melodious songsters, consider cultivating fruit-bearing trees or shrubs such as hawthorns, mulberries, and blackberry brambles.
3. Mourning Dove
Possessing graceful demeanors, small heads, plump bodies, and elongated tails, Mourning Doves radiate a soft brown hue accentuated by black wing spots.
Often seen perching upon telephone wires, these delightful doves diligently forage for seeds on the ground.
To lure a greater number of Mourning Doves to your backyard, scatter millet across the ground or within platform feeders. Additionally, they relish black sunflower seeds, nyjer, cracked corn, and peanut hearts.
4. Blue Jay
Blue Jays, common songbirds characterized by their upright blue crests, blue and black backs, and white underbellies, make for a splendid sight. They are known to form familial groups and relish acorns whenever available. While primarily residing in certain regions, they may migrate from the far northwestern reaches of the United States.
These vocal creatures display a fondness for peanuts, sunflower seeds, and suet, preferring them on tray feeders or hopper feeders positioned atop posts. Moreover, they greatly appreciate the presence of a birdbath.
5. Carolina Wren
Carolina Wrens, timid in nature, feature dark brown plumage atop their bodies, complemented by lighter shades underneath. Sporting a white eyebrow stripe, an upright tail, and a resonant teakettle-like song, they exude an enchanting aura.
These wrens can be spotted in wooded areas or amidst dense vegetation, and they occasionally visit backyard feeders.
To entice Carolina Wrens to grace your backyard feeders, consider offering suet feeders, hulled sunflower seeds, or peanut hearts within large tube feeders or atop platform feeders.
6. Yellow-rumped Warbler
Dressed in shades of gray, with vibrant flashes of yellow embellishing their faces, flanks, and rumps, Yellow-rumped Warblers bear delicate white wing patches. During winter, their appearance may transform into a paler brown hue, adorned with bright yellow rumps and sides, transitioning back to yellow and gray as spring arrives.
After predominantly breeding in Canada, these warblers embark on migratory journeys across the southern and central regions of North America, the Pacific Coast, Mexico, and Central America.
To attract Yellow-rumped Warblers to your backyard, entice them with sunflower seeds, suet, raisins, and peanut butter.
7. Carolina Chickadee
Tiny in stature, Carolina Chickadees captivate with their large heads, sporting a black cap and neck, contrasting with their
white cheeks and belly, all set against a soft gray back, wings, and tail.
Visually akin to the Black-capped Chickadee, these species may interbreed in regions where their habitats overlap.
Frequenting forests, parks, and backyards, Carolina Chickadees exhibit a preference for various feeders, including tube feeders, suet cages, or platform feeders. Offering them black oil sunflower seeds, Nyjer seeds, suet feeders, or peanuts shall ensure their presence.
8. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglets, small songbirds donning olive-green plumage, possess a brilliant red crown that often remains hidden from view. Breeding across Canada and the western mountainous regions, they undertake migratory ventures, wintering in the southern and southwestern states, as well as Mexico. During migration, they can be observed in various locales.
Swift and discreet, these energetic birds flit amidst foliage, lower branches, shrubs, and trees, ceaselessly searching for spiders and insects.
To entice Ruby-crowned Kinglets, offer suet feeders or platform feeders filled with hulled sunflower seeds, peanut hearts, and mealworms.
9. American Crow
Distinguished by their large, obsidian plumage, American Crows emit a resonant, cawing call. These ubiquitous birds can be encountered in a myriad of habitats, including treetops, woodlands, fields, beaches, and urban areas.
Their diet encompasses a wide array of fare, including earthworms, insects, seeds, and fruits, and they are renowned for their adaptability.
To attract more American Crows to your backyard, simply scatter peanuts, and watch as they gracefully grace your space.
10. Red-bellied Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpeckers sport a pale red belly that can be challenging to spot, accompanied by a crimson cap and nape, as well as a black-and-white striped back.
Embracing a boisterous demeanor during the spring and summer seasons, these woodpeckers frequent woods and forests, particularly those adorned with decaying wood.
To entice the presence of Red-bellied Woodpeckers, provide suet feeders, which they often visit. Remarkably, they may even partake in sustenance from hummingbird feeders.
11. Red-winged Blackbird
Identifying Red-winged blackbirds is a breeze, thanks to their unmistakable all-black plumage, save for the striking red and yellow patches adorning their shoulders. In comparison, females exhibit a more subdued appearance with streaks of brown.
These birds often perch on telephone wires, and during the breeding season, males fiercely defend their territories, even going as far as attacking intruders who encroach upon their nests. In winter, they gather in large roosts, sometimes numbering in the millions.
To attract more Red-winged blackbirds to your backyard, generously scatter a mixture of grains and seeds on the ground. They are also partial to large tube feeders and platform feeders.
12. Eastern Phoebe
Plump and melodious, Eastern Phoebes display grayish-brown plumage on their backs and a whitish underside, accentuated by a darker head.
Migratory in nature, these charming songbirds breed across the northeastern states and Canada, venturing to the southeastern regions for winter.
Often spotted in solitary fashion, these avian wonders wag their tails while perched on low branches in tranquil woodlands. They exhibit a fondness for nesting on man-made structures such as bridges, barns, or houses, constructing nests from a combination of mud and grass. To entice Eastern Phoebes to visit your backyard, consider providing them with a suitable nest box.
13. House Sparrow
The House Sparrow, an introduced species that has thrived remarkably, ranks among the most ubiquitous birds. Often found in close proximity to houses and buildings, these sparrows display a surprising level of tameness, occasionally even feeding directly from one’s hand.
While deemed non-native and sometimes regarded as pests, House Sparrows can be observed in backyards even in the absence of deliberate feeding.
To attract more House Sparrows to your backyard, offer a variety of birdseed, including millet, corn, and sunflower seeds.
14. American Goldfinch
Renowned for their vibrant appearance, male American Goldfinches flaunt resplendent yellow and black plumage during spring. Females, on the other hand, exhibit a more subdued brown hue, similar to the winter plumage of males.
Breeding primarily in Canada and the northern two-thirds of the United States, American Goldfinches remain year-round residents in central states, while venturing to southern states during winter.
To entice more American Goldfinches to grace your backyard, consider cultivating thistles and milkweed. They readily visit most types of bird feeders and display a preference for sunflower seeds and nyjer seed.
15. Barn Swallow
Barn Swallows, characterized by their diminutive size, boast deep-blue backs, wings, and tails, complemented by reddish-brown underparts and facial features. Notably, their tails are adorned with long outer feathers, resulting in a distinctive forked appearance.
Breeding across extensive regions of North America before embarking on journeys to Central and South America, these agile creatures can be observed gracefully soaring above meadows, farms, and fields, tirelessly in pursuit of insects. They exhibit a penchant for constructing mud nests on man-made structures, particularly in barns.
To attract Barn Swallows, consider installing nest boxes or cups, and they may even indulge in ground-up eggshells placed on a platform feeder.
16. White-throated Sparrow
White-throated Sparrows feature a striking black and white striped head, highlighted by a bright white throat and a touch of yellow between the eye and bill. Their backs exhibit shades of brown, while their underparts sport a pleasing gray tone.
Migratory by nature, these sparrows breed predominantly in Canada before embarking on their journey southward, wintering in eastern and southern states, as well as California. Often congregating in sizable flocks, White-throated Sparrows can be found foraging on the ground in woodlands and along the edges.
To attract these delightful sparrows to your backyard, offer millet and black oil sunflower seeds on platform feeders.
17. Downy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpeckers, common visitors to backyard feeders, are often spotted mingling with other birds such as chickadees and nuthatches. Displaying a distinctive black and white pattern, these woodpeckers bear a red patch at the back of their heads, much like their larger counterpart, the Hairy Woodpecker.
To attract more Downy Woodpeckers to your backyard, consider suet feeders. They also enjoy partaking in black oil sunflower seeds, millet, and peanuts available on platform feeders.
18. European Starling
European Starlings, although not native to the region, have proliferated extensively, becoming one of the most abundant songbirds. Their stocky frames are adorned with iridescent shades of purple, green, and blue.
Regarded by some as pests due to their aggressive behavior, these birds tend to form large, noisy flocks, often perching in groups atop trees or soaring over fields.
To attract more European Starlings to your backyard, offer black oil sunflower seeds, suet, cracked corn, and peanuts.
19. Common Grackle
The Common Grackle, a blackbird species distinguished by its elongated body and glossy iridescent plumage, stands taller and possesses a longer tail than typical blackbirds.
While they consume various crops, their preference often leans towards corn. They congregate in noisy groups, perched high in trees. While they reside in most eastern states year-round, they embark on migrations from the far northern United States and Great Plains after breeding.
To attract more Common Grackles to your backyard, generously scatter mixed grain and seed on the ground or platform feeders.
20. Brown-headed Cowbird
Male Brown-headed Cowbirds feature black bodies and brown heads, boasting short tails and robust beaks. Conversely, females exhibit a brown hue throughout their plumage, often displaying slight streaking.
Notorious for their nesting habits, Brown-headed Cowbirds engage in brood parasitism, destroying the eggs of smaller songbirds to lay their own eggs in the host’s nest, relying on the host bird to raise their young.
Breeding in northern and western regions of North America, these cowbirds subsequently migrate southward. However, they remain year-round residents in eastern and southern states, as well as the Pacific Coast.
Best Bird Feeders to Attract Birds
The array of bird feeders available will attract a diverse range of avian species to your backyard in Louisiana. Tube feeders filled with different types of birdseed, such as black oil sunflower seeds, can entice Goldfinches, Chickadees, Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, and Pine Siskins. Ground feeders or trays beneath tube feeders offer opportunities to attract Cardinals, Jays, Finches, and Sparrows. Platform feeders containing millet or corn appeal to small and medium-sized birds like sparrows, Blackbirds, Towhees, Juncos, Doves, Grackles, and Starlings. Peanut feeders entice
Woodpeckers, Chickadees, Nuthatches, Titmice, Jays, Juncos, Finches, and Sparrows. Suet feeders, particularly in winter, are favored by Woodpeckers, Cardinals, Nuthatches, Kinglets, Wrens, and Chickadees. Additionally, hummingbird feeders attract these captivating tiny birds, as well as other avian visitors.
How to Attract Birds to Your Backyard in Louisiana
To attract more birds to your Louisiana backyard, consider implementing the following tips:
– Provide a water feature, such as a birdbath, fountain, or stream, ensuring the water remains clean and free from stagnation.
– Cultivate native plants that offer food and shelter, such as blackberries, wild grasses, elderberries, serviceberries, oaks, beeches, cherries, sumacs, hemlocks, purple coneflowers, sunflowers, milkweed, cardinal flowers, trumpet honeysuckle, Virginia creeper, buttonbush, and dogwoods.
– Allow your grass to grow longer to provide cover and produce seeds.
– Create a brush pile, which serves as a source of food, protection, and nesting opportunities for birds.
– Refrain from using pesticides and herbicides, as these substances can be toxic to birds and hinder their natural foraging activities for insects and seeds.
– Install nest boxes to attract breeding birds, ensuring they are cleaned annually.
How to Identify Birds in Louisiana
To enhance your bird identification skills in Louisiana, consider the following tips:
– Pay attention to the size of the bird, categorizing them as small, medium, or large.
– Observe the shape of the bird, noting tail length, bill shape, wing structure, and overall body shape.
– Take note of the color pattern, including the dominant color of the head, back, belly, wings, and tail, as well as any secondary colors or distinctive patterns.
– Consider the bird’s behavior, such as its location (ground or treetops) and flocking tendencies. Take note of its feeding habits.
– Identify the habitat in which the bird is found, whether it be woodlands, parks, shrubs, grasslands, meadows, shores, or marshes.
– Utilize bird identification apps, such as those offered by ebird or Audubon, for assistance in identifying bird species.
By employing these strategies, you can embark on a rewarding journey of birding and bird watching, appreciating the avian wonders that Louisiana has to offer.