Explore Birds | Animal Education for Kids | EEK! Wisconsin

A bird is a warm-blooded, egg-laying, winged vertebrate that has a body covered with feathers.

The American Bald Eagle

American Bald Eagle

We all know the bald eagle as a national symbol with its distinctive "bald" white head.

American Goldfinch on a branch

American Goldfinch

The male goldfinch, easily recognized in the summer by its yellow body and black wings.

an American Kestrel perching on a branch

American Kestrel

This small falcon is sometimes called the "sparrow hawk."

American Tree Sparrow on a tree branch

American Tree Sparrow

Sparrows are common winter residents of southern Wisconsin.

White pelicans on edge of water

American White Pelican

Believe it or not, these once-scarce pouched birds are now appearing in ever-growing numbers in Wisconsin.

Barn Owl

This graceful but ghostly bird can locate a mouse in the dark of night.

Barred Owl

Whoooo is this owl with such a strange name? Let's find out.

Black-capped Chickadee

Black-capped Chickadee

Chick-a-dee-dee, chick-a-dee-dee-dee.

Blue jay in tree

Everyone knows the blue jay and its angry "ki-ki-ki" or "j-j-j" call.

Bobolink

This colorful bird is well suited to life in the prairie. Its tan, black and white markings hide it well in the yellow-tan grasses.

Canada Goose

Hundreds of thousands of Canada geese (not "Canadian" geese) pass through Wisconsin in their famous V-formations, honking up a storm.

The Common Loon

That eerie sound you hear is not a ghost haunting a northern lake.

Common Redpoll

In flight and behavior these birds resemble goldfinches or siskins.

Common Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroat

Keep an eye and ear out for this black-masked yellow-throated male bird.

Dark-eyed Junco in tree

Dark-eyed Junco

The dark-eyed junco is sometimes known as the "snowbird."

Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

You can spot this critter as it hops along tree trunks looking for food.

Eastern Bluebird

Eastern Bluebird

The bluebird is one of a birdwatcher's favorite bird

Eastern Meadowlark

Eastern Meadowlark

Hark, it's the meadowlark, atop a fencepost, roadside pole, wire or shrub.

Evening Grosbeak on a branch

Evening Grosbeak

A fairly common winter resident in Wisconsin.

Goshawk

These hawks rely on speed and cunning to catch their prey.

Majestic Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron

Have you ever seen groups of huge nests made of large sticks weighing down tall tree tops?

Greater Prairie Chicken in a field

Greater Prairie Chicken

Other names for this bird include pinneated grouse, prairie hen, and old yellowlegs.

Hairy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Dryobates villosus

Birds migrating flying over water

Migratory Birds - Photo Gallery

Images of birds that migrate.

Perched Mourning Dove

The mourning dove was named the state symbol of peace in 1971.

Male and Female Nothern Cardinals

Northern Cardinal

The scarlet male cardinal needs no introduction, but the female is less obvious.

Osprey with carp, Image Credit: Joe Riederer

The Osprey is also known as the fish hawk.

Ovenbird

This warbler can be found hopping on the floor of Wisconsin's mature forests.

Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcon

Faster Than A Speeding Bullet?

Pileated Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Have you ever seen oval, 3-4 inch holes bored into the trunks of standing dead trees?

Pine Grosbeak on a branch

A rare winter resident of southern Wisconsin and uncommon in the north.

Pine Siskin at a feder

This member of the finch family is an uncommon summer resident in northern Wisconsin.

Purple Finch

A famous bird expert once described the male purple finch as "a sparrow dipped in raspberry juice."

Red-headed Woodpecker

Red-headed Woodpecker

Common name: red-headed woodpecker

Red-winged Blackbird in Flight

Red-winged Blackbird

Find any wet or moist habitat in Wisconsin and there you'll find the common red-winged blackbird.

Ring-necked Pheasant

Ring-necked Pheasant

This ornate game bird is not native to Wisconsin, but is stocked for sport hunting.

Robin

Wisconsin state bird.

Ruffed Grouse

You're walking in the woods on a nice spring day, when suddenly y

Sandhill Crane

What is that large stork-like bird flying over Wisconsin's marshes?

American Woodcock aka Timberdoodle

Timberdoodles - The Woodcock

Coming this spring to Wisconsin's woods.

Trumpeter Swans on ice

Snow-white trumpeter swans are a spectacular sight.

Tundra Swan

Come spring and fall you may have the good fortune to see these large, white birds.

Turkey Vulture

This large bird species has been around since prehistoric times.

Upland Plover

Another name for this bird is upland sandpiper.

White-Breasted Nuthatch

White-Breasted Nuthatch and Red-Breasted Nuthatch

Nuthatches are "upside-down birds."

Whooping Crane

2006 marked the first year that whooping cranes hatched in the wild in the Midwest in over 100 years!

Wild Turkey

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble.

Male and Female Wood Ducks

The wood duck is often called Wisconsin's most beautiful duck with its bright, multi-colored feathers.

At a Glance

American Bald Eagle

We all know the bald eagle as a national symbol with its distinctive "bald" white head.
American Goldfinch

The male goldfinch, easily recognized in the summer by its yellow body and black wings.
American Kestrel

This small falcon is sometimes called the "sparrow hawk."
American Tree Sparrow

Sparrows are common winter residents of southern Wisconsin.
American White Pelican

Believe it or not, these once-scarce pouched birds are now appearing in ever-growing numbers in Wisconsin.