Curious about the winter visitors to your Indiana backyard, the avian dwellers of the frosty season? The delightful spectacle of birds flocking to your feeders while you savor a steaming beverage by the window is a winter joy.
The following list showcases the prevalent winter avifauna of Indiana, with their respective frequency percentages:
1. Northern Cardinal – 53.98%
2. Downy Woodpecker – 46.07%
3. Dark-eyed Junco – 45.51%
4. Blue Jay – 41.38%
5. White-breasted Nuthatch – 41.28%
6. Red-bellied Woodpecker – 40.14%
7. Tufted Titmouse – 38.42%
8. American Crow – 35.33%
9. American Goldfinch – 34.87%
10. Carolina Chickadee – 34.49%
11. House Sparrow – 32.71%
12. Mourning Dove – 31.37%
13. European Starling – 29.91%
14. House Finch – 29.60%
15. Song Sparrow – 25.58%
16. Carolina Wren – 23.18%
17. American Tree Sparrow – 20.56%
18. American Robin – 18.77%
19. White-throated Sparrow – 17.44%
20. Northern Flicker – 16.29%
Become acquainted with these prevalent winter birds in Indiana and learn how to attract more of them to your yard, thus infusing each winter day with joy.
These represent the most common backyard birds during Indiana’s winter, and you might find them gracing your lawn or flocking to your feeders. They appear most frequently on state checklists in December and January, as documented on ebird.
Notably, Downy Woodpeckers tend to be more prevalent in Indiana during winter than in summer. Suet feeders often witness their company. Winter arrivals from Canada, such as American Tree Sparrows and White-throated Sparrows, join the avian community in Indiana.
The top 20 winter backyard birds in Indiana are as follows:
1. Northern Cardinal
With its vivid red plumage, complemented by contrasting black accents, the male Northern Cardinal is a splendid sight against the snowy backdrop. The females possess their own charm, showcasing brown hues, distinctive crests, and touches of red.
During breeding season, Northern Cardinals may exhibit territorial behavior, sometimes challenging their own reflections.
Due to their robust build and substantial beaks, Northern Cardinals require feeders with ample perching areas, such as the durable Woodlink Absolute feeder. Cardinals appreciate its spacious design, which prevents feeders from tipping, unlike their lighter counterparts. Moreover, it boasts squirrel-proof qualities—a valuable advantage.
To entice more Northern Cardinals to your feeders, offer sunflower seeds, peanut hearts, millet, and milo. They will partake in feasts provided by large tube feeders, hoppers, platform feeders, or even scattered food on the ground.
Male and female Northern Cardinals for identification
2. Downy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpeckers, small yet ubiquitous visitors to backyard feeders, often mingle with chickadees and nuthatches. Adorned with black and white plumage, they sport a red patch at
the rear of their heads, distinguishing them from their larger counterpart, the Hairy Woodpecker.
These woodpeckers frequent woodlots, streamside areas, city parks, and backyards, displaying a diet primarily consisting of insects, including beetle larvae. However, they also indulge in berries, acorns, and grains. In Indiana, Downy Woodpeckers reign as the most common woodpeckers during winter.
For smaller woodpeckers like Downy Woodpeckers, an upside-down suet feeder proves ideal, shielding them from rain while deterring bully birds. Opting for cost-effective bulk packs of suet cakes proves economical.
Additionally, black oil sunflower seeds are enticing to Downy Woodpeckers. A combination suet and hopper feeder provides a convenient solution, doubling the feeding opportunities in one apparatus.
To attract Downy Woodpeckers to your backyard, consider suet feeders, black oil sunflower seeds, millet, and peanuts on platform feeders.
3. Dark-eyed Junco
The Dark-eyed Junco, a species of sparrow, exhibits varied colorations across different regions. While the eastern population tends to feature slate-colored plumage, their western counterparts sport a combination of black, white, and brown hues.
Certain Dark-eyed Juncos remain year-round residents in the western territories and the Appalachian Mountains. However, those breeding in Canada and Alaska embark on winter migrations, extending their reach across much of the United States.
These charming birds favor open spaces and partially wooded areas, often foraging on the ground. It is advisable to position ground feeders away from shrubs to discourage hiding spots for cats and predators. Utilizing a covered feeder helps shield the feed from the elements, making it an excellent choice. Alternatively, a simple platform feeder, allowing rain to drain away, serves as a budget-friendly option.
To entice Dark-eyed Juncos to your backyard feeders, offer an assortment of seeds such as black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer, cracked corn, millet, and peanuts. Optimal feeding arrangements include platform feeders or scattering the feed on the ground.
4. Blue Jay
Blue Jays, boasting striking blue crests, black-and-blue backs, and white undersides, are frequent songbirds. They tend to congregate in family groups, readily indulging in acorns when available and partaking in large flocks during migration along the Great Lakes and Atlantic coastlines.
While forests serve as their primary domain, Blue Jays exhibit a particular fondness for oak trees due to their affinity for acorns. Backyards with feeders also attract these charismatic birds. Their diet includes insects, nuts, seeds, grain, and, on occasion, eggs or nestlings.
Given their substantial size, Blue Jays prefer a swift grab-and-go feeding approach. Opting for tray or platform feeders facilitates their quick exits. The versatile Woodlink Audubon Platform Feeder allows for hanging, pole-mounting, or ground placement. Equipped with a mesh screen at the bottom, it ensures adequate rain drainage, preventing feed from turning moldy.
To invite more Blue Jays to your backyard, offer peanuts, sunflower seeds, suet, and consider providing a birdbath. Tray feeders or hopper feeders mounted on posts are their preferred feeding stations.
5. White-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatches, characterized by their active nature, exhibit gray-blue backs, white faces and bellies, and sport black caps. The lower belly and under the tail often showcase chestnut hues.
These agile birds frequent deciduous forests, woodland edges, parks, and yards featuring trees. Their diet primarily consists
of insects like beetles, caterpillars, ants, and spiders. Furthermore, White-breasted Nuthatches consume seeds and nuts, including acorns, hawthorns, sunflower seeds, and occasionally corn crops. To extract the seeds, they cleverly wedge larger nuts and acorns into tree bark, subsequently breaking them open with their bills—a behavior referred to as “hatching.”
White-breasted Nuthatches display a particular affinity for black oil sunflower seeds. Choosing a Droll Yankees feeder simplifies the cleaning process, ensuring that food remains free from mold, promoting bird health.
To attract these delightful birds, position sunflower seeds and peanuts in tube feeders or suet feeders within your backyard.
6. Red-bellied Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpeckers present a subtle reddish belly, often concealed from plain sight, complemented by red caps and napes and black-and-white striped backs. Measuring approximately 9 inches in length, they share a similar size to Hairy Woodpeckers. Notably, Red-bellied Woodpeckers manifest greater presence at Indiana feeders during winter than in summer.
These woodpeckers emit distinct calls throughout spring and summer, favoring woods and forests, particularly those with decaying wood in the eastern regions. Their diet predominantly comprises insects and spiders, but they also indulge in acorns, nuts, pine cones, select seeds, and fruits.
Suet serves as a reliable lure for Red-bellied Woodpeckers. Consider utilizing an upside-down suet feeder, an effective deterrent against squirrels and dominant birds. Bulk packs of suet cakes offer a cost-effective option.
Pairing black oil sunflower seeds with suet in a combination suet and hopper feeder ensures the provision of two feeders in a single apparatus.
7. Tufted Titmouse
Tufted Titmice possess gray plumage on their backs, underscored by a white underbelly. With their endearing gray crests and large eyes, they often join forces with chickadees, nuthatches, and woodpeckers.
These assertive birds, found in woodlands, parks, and backyard settings, primarily subsist on insects during summer, encompassing caterpillars, beetles, ants, wasps, spiders, and snails. Their dietary range extends to seeds, nuts, berries, and they possess a propensity for hoarding shelled seeds.
For Tufted Titmice, the Woodlink Hopper Feeder presents a squirrel-proof option, safeguarding the seed from rain while boasting exceptional durability. Suet feeders equipped with tail props prove particularly attractive, accommodating their long tails.
To entice Tufted Titmice to your backyard feeders, offer sunflower seeds, suet, and peanuts in tube feeders, suet cages, or platform feeders. Installing a nest box may also attract a breeding pair.
8. American Crow
American Crows, distinguishable by their large, entirely black bodies and hoarse cawing calls, inhabit diverse habitats ranging from treetops, woods, and fields to beaches and urban areas.
These omnivorous birds exhibit a wide-ranging diet, encompassing earthworms, insects, seeds, fruit, fish, young turtles, mussels, clams, and even eggs and nestlings of various bird species. During winter, American Crows assemble in massive roosts, with numbers potentially reaching two million.
To attract American Crows to your backyard, consider scattering peanuts. However, exercise caution, as they may become nuisances if attracted to garbage or pet food left out.
9. American Goldfinch
American Goldfinches, renowned for their vibrant yellow plumage in males during spring, transition to a more subdued brown shade during winter. Female Goldfinches also exhibit a dull brown appearance throughout the year.
These delightful birds breed in northern states and Canada, migrating to southern regions. However, they remain year-round residents in the rest of the United States. American Goldfinches favor weedy fields and overgrown areas, foraging among sunflower, thistle, and aster plants. Suburbs, parks, and backyards also serve as common habitats.
American Goldfinches often travel in flocks, and witnessing a gathering of these birds can be a captivating sight. Encourage their presence by utilizing the Droll Yankees flocker feeder, featuring an impressive 20 ports.
To attract more American Goldfinches, consider planting thistles and milkweed. They readily visit most bird feeders, displaying a preference for sunflower seeds and nyjer seeds.
10. Carolina Chickadee
Carolina Chickadees, petite birds characterized by their prominent heads, black caps and necks, white cheeks and bellies, and soft gray backs, resemble Black-capped Chickadees visually. They often interbreed in regions where their habitats overlap. These charming birds can be found in forested areas, parks, and backyards.
Chickadees adopt a grab-and-go approach, swiftly taking a seed to a perch for consumption. To discourage larger bully birds or squirrels from pilfering feeders and to prevent flocks of chickadees from monopolizing the scene, the Woodlink Caged feeder offers an effective solution. Its easy-to-clean design simplifies maintenance. During winter, an upside-down suet feeder provides valuable supplementary nourishment.
To attract Carolina Chickadees to your backyard feeders, provide black oil sunflower seeds, Nyjer seeds, suet feeders, or peanuts. Tube feeders, suet cages, and platform feeders all serve as suitable feeding stations. Consider erecting nest boxes or nest tubes to entice breeding pairs.
11. House Sparrow
House Sparrows, commonly encountered in urban and suburban areas, make their presence known with their familiar chirping. These small birds exhibit brown plumage with streaks on their backs. They have adapted well to human settlements and are often found near houses, gardens, and feeders.
House Sparrows have a diverse diet, feeding on seeds, grains, insects, fruits, and scraps. They are adaptable and will readily visit various types of feeders, including tube feeders, platform feeders, or scattered food on the ground.
12. Mourning Dove
Mourning Doves, known for their soft cooing calls, are graceful birds with slender bodies and long tails. Their plumage showcases subtle shades of gray and brown, providing excellent camouflage. They are a common sight in both rural and urban areas.
These gentle birds primarily feed on seeds, such as sunflower seeds, millet, corn, and wheat. Mourning Doves prefer feeding on the ground or platform feeders, where they can easily access the scattered food.
13. European Starling
European Starlings, introduced to North America in the late 19th century, have become one of the most widespread and abundant bird species. They exhibit iridescent black plumage adorned with white spots during winter. Starlings are highly vocal and known for their complex songs and mimicry abilities.
Starlings have a diverse diet, including fruits, insects, seeds, and grains. They are adaptable feeders, often seen on suet feeders, platform feeders, or foraging on the ground.
14. House Finch
House Finches are small songbirds with brown or reddish plumage and streaks on their chests. Males display vibrant red coloring on their heads, chests, and faces, while females exhibit more subdued brown hues. These finches are adaptable and can be found in a variety of habitats, including residential areas, gardens, and parks.
Their diet primarily consists of seeds, including sunflower seeds, thistle, and other small seeds. House Finches readily visit tube feeders, platform feeders, or feed scattered on the ground.
15. Song Sparrow
Song Sparrows are medium-sized sparrows with brown plumage featuring streaks on their chests and a distinctive spot on their breast. They are known for their melodic songs, which vary among individuals.
These sparrows forage on the ground, searching for insects, seeds, and berries. They are also frequent visitors to feeders, especially when provided with a mix of seeds, such as black oil sunflower seeds, millet, and cracked corn.
16. Carolina Wren
Carolina Wrens are small, round-bodied birds with reddish-brown plumage and a white eyebrow stripe. They are known for their loud, musical songs, often heard in woodlands, forests, and suburban areas with dense vegetation.
These wrens primarily feed on insects, spiders, and small invertebrates. They may also consume berries and seeds. Providing suet feeders, mealworms, or offering a mix of seeds can attract Carolina Wrens to your backyard.
17. American Tree Sparrow
American Tree Sparrows are small, chunky sparrows with gray-brown plumage, rusty caps, and a small dark spot on their chest. They are winter visitors to Indiana, migrating from their breeding grounds in Canada.
These sparrows primarily feed on seeds, including millet, cracked corn, and sunflower seeds. Ground feeders or platform feeders are ideal for attracting American Tree Sparrows to your backyard.
18. American Robin
American Robins are medium-sized birds with a reddish-orange breast and gray-brown upperparts. They are familiar sights in residential areas, parks, and gardens. Robins are
known for their distinctive, melodious songs.
While robins primarily feed on earthworms, they also consume insects, berries, and fruits. They will readily visit feeders offering mealworms, fruits, or berries.
19. White-throated Sparrow
White-throated Sparrows feature striking plumage with black and white stripes on their heads, a bright white throat, and yellow spots above their eyes. They are primarily winter visitors to Indiana, breeding in northern regions.
These sparrows prefer foraging on the ground, where they search for seeds, berries, and insects. Providing a mix of seeds and scattered food can attract White-throated Sparrows to your backyard.
20. Northern Flicker
Northern Flickers are medium-sized woodpeckers with brown plumage, speckled underparts, and distinctive markings on their face and wings. They are known for their distinctive “wick-a-wick-a-wick” calls and drumming sounds.
These woodpeckers have a varied diet, feeding on ants, beetles, fruits, and seeds. They may also visit suet feeders or platforms where insects and seeds are available.
By welcoming these diverse bird species to your backyard feeders, you can create a vibrant and enchanting winter birdwatching experience in Indiana.
Top Bird Feeders for Winter Bird Attraction in Indiana
To attract a diverse range of bird species during the winter in Indiana, it’s best to utilize various types of bird feeders. Suet feeders prove particularly popular during this season.
Tube feeders can be filled with different types of birdseed, attracting a variety of birds depending on the seed used. Black oil sunflower seeds are particularly enticing to Goldfinches, Chickadees, Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, and Pine Siskins.
Ground feeders or trays placed beneath tube feeders with black oil sunflower seeds can attract Cardinals, Jays, Finches, and Sparrows.
Platform feeders stocked with Millet or Corn are perfect for enticing small and medium-sized birds like Sparrows, Blackbirds, Towhees, Juncos, Doves, Grackles, and Starlings.
Peanut feeders are a magnet for Woodpeckers, Chickadees, Nuthatches, Titmice, Jays, Juncos, Finches, and Sparrows.
Suet feeders, especially in winter, are highly beneficial for attracting Woodpeckers, Cardinals, Nuthatches, Kinglets, Wrens, and Chickadees.
Tips for Attracting Birds to Your Indiana Backyard
If you’re seeking to attract more birds to your Indiana backyard during winter, here are some helpful suggestions:
Offer a variety of bird feeders to cater to different bird species, with a particular focus on suet feeders during the winter season.
Install a water feature such as a birdbath, fountain, or stream, ensuring that the water remains clean and not stagnant. Consider using a heated birdbath for winter.
Cultivate native plants that provide food and shelter, including fruit-bearing trees, shrubs, and plants 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 additional seed sources.
Maintain a brush pile in your yard, which offers food, protection, and nesting opportunities for birds.
Avoid using pesticides and herbicides, as they can be toxic to birds and hinder their natural foraging behavior for insects and seeds.
Install nest boxes to attract breeding birds and make sure to clean them annually.
Tips for Bird Identification in Indiana
Here are some tips to aid in bird identification in Indiana, regardless of the season:
- Pay attention to the size of the bird, noting whether it is small, medium, or large in comparison to familiar birds like sparrows, pigeons, or geese.
- Observe the bird’s shape, including tail length, bill shape, wing shape, and overall body shape. Take notes or draw an outline to capture the silhouette.
- Note the bird’s color pattern, identifying the main colors of the head, back, belly, wings, and tail, as well as any secondary colors or patterns. Look for banding, spots, or highlights.
- Observe the bird’s behavior, such as whether it is on the ground or in trees, alone or in flocks, and try to identify its feeding habits.
- Consider the habitat where the bird is found, such as woodlands, parks, shrubs, grasslands, meadows, shores, or marshes.
- Utilize bird identification apps, such as those developed by eBird or Audubon, for assistance in identification.