When you’re in Minnesota, you might be visiting the Twin Cities or the Mall of America. But the state is also known for its beautiful forests and lakes. Take a moment to unwind with nature and marvel at its majesty. Birdwatching is a hobby that many people share, and it’s incredibly easy to pick up.
You can get started with this guide on Minnesota birds, which will describe what they look like and what they would like to eat. You might start asking yourself questions about birdwatching, such as
- Is birdwatching fun and relaxing?
- Do I need a notebook to record what birds I see?
- How do I identify birds?
- What birds am I most likely to see?
This guide will give you a full list of the 20 most common Minnesota birds you might see, as well as descriptions of them in order to identify them. Have fun with your new hobby. Let’s get birdwatching!
20 Common Minnesota Birds
1. House Sparrow
House Sparrows have unique coloration based on their gender. Both sexes are a light brown, but males have a grey “cap” on their heads, with a black line coming down on their chin. They also have bold white cheeks. Females are lighter brown, with a tan line coming from behind their eyes.
Their backs are brown with black stripes running down them. They are very common in urban and suburban areas, due to the fact that they have adapted well to living near humans. They love grains and can be tempted with cracked corn and milo.
Expert Tip: They are also considered invasive species. They originate from the Middle East, and now compete with native birds and usually win.
2. Downy Woodpecker
These striking birds are small and cute. They have black bodies with white dots, stripes, and a white underbelly. The males have a red spot on the back of their heads that is very easy to spot. Females lack this red spot, but otherwise, the sexes look very similar.
They love bird feeders, especially peanuts (or peanut butter. Who knew?), and can often be seen in backyards year-round. They’re also known to drink the sugar water from hummingbird feeders with their small beaks. How cute?
3. American Crow
American Crows are known for their distinct all-black coloring, haunting “caw”, and intelligence. Both males and females are solid black, with an iridescent sheen to their feathers. They can be found in forests, fields, marshes, parks, landfills, and cemeteries, but they can also be seen around people.
They are smart enough to recognize the people who feed them as “friendly” and will come back for more food. Peanuts, in the shell or out, can attract them. Many are used to human foods such as french fries, but please, do not feed any birds processed human foods.
4. American Robin
These birds are very common and very beautiful. They’re also very easy to identify. Keep an eye out for brown bodies with red throats and stomachs. They also sport heads that are darker than their bodies, with white throats and splotches around the eyes. Females are paler than males, but they look very similar.
They are comfortable with people and can often be found in backyards. Many people will be able to identify a robin due to its familiarity and distinct appearance. Though they are often seen in the backyard, don’t expect them to come to your bird feeders, as these beauties only eat living insects and invertebrates such as worms.
5. Brown-headed Cowbird
The Brown-headed Cowbird is a stocky little fella, with a conical bill that’s thick compared to other birds. Males have black bodies and brown heads, hence the name. Females are all brown and have dark, black eyes. These birds will use the nests of other birds for their eggs.
They will then leave them for the nest-maker mother to do all of the work for them. How terribly rude to get a babysitter for a night like the rest of us.
Expert Tip: Brown-headed cowbirds have also adapted well to humanity’s development and can be found in residential areas in Minnesota.
6. Rock Pigeon
If you think of a pigeon, the image in your head is most likely a rock pigeon. These birds are very round and plump, with short legs, a thin bill, and a white spot where their bill begins. They also can have bright, red eyes. There are many colorations of Rock Pigeons,
including all-white (often called Doves) to grey and black with iridescent head and neck.
These birds are very common in urban areas, feeding off of the food people drop or the seed that humans throw them in parks. They make soft coos that are very distinct you’ve most likely heard them while in town.
7. Hairy Woodpecker
These birds are very stunning, boasting distinctive black bodies with white spots, streaks, and bellies. The males have a red spot on the back of their heads, making them stand out. Females do not have a red spot. While these small woodpeckers look very similar to the Downy Woodpecker, there are some key differences.
These birds have an erect posture while on trees and have a longer beak than the Downy Woodpecker. When in doubt, look at the tails, Hairy Woodpeckers have solid white feathers on the edge of their tails, while Downy Woodpeckers have spots of black on their white tail feathers.
8.) Blue Jay
Blue Jays are actually corvids, meaning they’re part of the same family as crows and ravens. They’re well known for their distinct blue, white, and black coloring. They have white bellies and a black “necklace” from the back of their head to the underside of their necks Males and females look identical to one another.
They also have small blue crests on the backs of their heads.
Expert Tip: Blue Jays are very bold birds, with a lot of personalities. Some people aren’t fond of these birds, as their feeding can be quite noisy. They also tend to take a lot of food at one time by shoving it into their throats and then flying off to feed away from other birds.
9. Red-winged Blackbird
These birds have a very striking appearance. The difference between the sexes is very staggering as well. The males sport all-black feathers, save for a spot of bright, burning red and yellow on their shoulders. The females are dark brown and are covered in beautiful white stripes.
They have a splash of light yellow around their beaks as well. While these birds like to nest in marshy areas, during the non-breeding season, they like grasslands and pastures. They can be found in large flocks made up of other blackbird species as well.
10. House Finch
House Finch males differ from females. It’s very easy to spot the males, as they have rosy coloring on their chests and heads. Females are pale brown. Both have streaks of dark brown on their stomachs, chests, backs, and wings. Both males and females have cone-shaped beaks that are ideal for eating seeds.
True to their name. House Finches can be found around urban areas namely in backyards and parks. These curious birds are also very likely to be the first ones to visit your feeder.
11. Common Grackle
While they may be described as common, these loud birds often make their spectacular presence known with their calls. They are large blackbirds that have long tail feathers. Their beaks have a slight curve to them. The males are glossy and black, with blue heads.
The females are similar, except they are not as glossy Blackbirds are social birds and gather in large flocks. They can be found in fields of farmland, or in cities. They can also eat almost anything, from seeds and nuts, fruit, and even small frogs and mice.
They can be aggressive and scare off smaller birds, making them a pest at birdfeeders when they roll through with their large flocks.
12. European Starling
European Starlings have a coloring that changes with the season. In the summer, these small birds have iridescent black feathers with a distinct shine to them. In the winter, this shine fades into a deep brown-black, and their beaks go from yellow to black. They have white spots all over their bellies in the winter.
These starlings are actually an invasive species, brought over from Europe in 1890 for New York’s Central Park.
Expert Tip: They can eat almost anything and have adapted well to humanity. They can be aggressive, however, and run off other birds from your feeders.
13. House Wren
These birds rarely visit bird feeders, as they would rather hunt insects. They have brown, round bodies, black eyes, and a long beak to snatch up bugs. They also have dark barring on their wings. Males and females are identical.
They are very adaptive and can make their nests almost anywhere, meaning sometimes they nest in areas that are inconvenient for humans, such as in garages or carports, right above your cars. They also like cans and boxes.
14. American Goldfinch
When they say Goldfinch, they really mean it. These birds are bright yellow in the summer, making them an easy spot. The males are very bright while the females are slightly duller.
They have black wings with white spots and a bold white wing bar In the winter, the yellow turns into a pale brown for both sexes, but these birds have the same dark and distinct wings year-round. If you want to attract American Goldfinches to your backyard, use Nyjer seed and sunflower kernels.
But be warned, these birds are timid in nature and can be scared off by “bullies”. You can use a feeder designed exclusively for Goldfinches to give them their own space.
15. Mourning Dove
Mourning Doves have a call that is very unique. It has a distinctly haunting tone to it hence their name. These doves are grey all over, with black spots on their wings. They also have stylish blue rings around their eyes and cute little pink legs. Males and females look the same.
To attract these beauties, put out a mixture of millet. Nyjer seeds, and cracked corn. They need a platform or tray to feed on. as they need a flat place to enjoy their meal.
16. Black-capped Chickadee
Black-capped Chickadees are very popular Minnesota birds, and it’s easy to see why. They’re adorable, with small bodies and large heads. They have grey and white bodies, with a bold black cap and bib on their oversized heads. They also have very tiny beaks.
Expert Tip: These birds are very curious, and will usually be one of the first birds to investigate your feeder. They like to know what’s going on in their territory.
They can use almost any kind of feeder, and enjoy sunflower seeds, suet, and peanuts.
17. Song Sparrow
Song Sparrows are cute, little sparrows that are easy to identify. They have brown streaks that make a central “spot” on their chests. They also have a brown crown on their head that has a grey stripe right down the middle. Song Sparrows have rust-brown bodies with grey coloring on their face, as well as grey streaks.
These birds are unique in the fact that they like to nest in weeds and grasses, making their homes low to the ground. Watch your step. You don’t want to accidentally crush one of these cuties.
18. Northern Cardinal
When you think of a Cardinal, the male Northern Cardinal most likely comes to mind. The males have bright red feathers, a little “mohawk” or crest, and a black mask around their eyes and chin. Females are much duller, having pale orange-brown feathers with red on their crests, tail, and wings. Both genders have distinctive thick beaks.
19. Red-bellied Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpeckers are gorgeous birds. Although their names are a bit confusing, as they actually don’t have red bellies. These birds have white bodies with black wings and backs covered in white bars.
The males have a red crown on their head that extends from their beak to the base of their neck, while females only have this red coloration on the back of their necks they are very common in Minnesota, frequenting bird feeders that have suet, peanuts, and sunflower seeds.
20. White-breasted Nuthatch
Pale cadet-blue coloring makes these birds stand out from most others. The blue in their feathers is almost grey, and they have white and black coloring. The sexes look nearly identical, save for the males having a pure black crown, while the females have a blue-grey crown. They have long pointy beaks and shorter tails.
Expert Tip: These Minnesota birds can be found in forests, although they can also be found near parks and cemeteries. To attract these beauties, you can use suet, sunflowers, and mealworms to make a delicious meal for them.
They are also highly vocal and are known for their distinctive call, which is described as a “yank” call.
What is the rarest bird in Minnesota?
The fact that a Vermilion Flycatcher hasn’t been seen in Minnesota in 21 years makes this even more unique. It is a bird that can be found in South America, Mexico, and the United States’ far south. The Vermilion Flycatchers that have been sighted in Minnesota have only been there for three days.
The vermilion flycatcher (Pyrocephalus obscurus) is a little tyrant flycatcher that can be found all over South America and Southern North America. Because of its vermilion-red coloring, it stands out among the otherwise drab Tyrannidae. The crowns, breasts, and underparts of males are bright red, with brown wings and tails.
Females lack the striking red color of the males and might be difficult to distinguish from Say’s phoebe. The song of the vermilion flycatcher is a pik-zee. Preference is given to riparian habitats and semi-open areas. They catch their meals while flying as aerial insectivores. In the summer, they begin their multi-month molt.
How many types of birds are there in Minnesota?
More than 420 different kinds of birds live in Minnesota’s 84,000 miles of forests, prairies, and lakes, which provide a diversified environment for them. This region of 10,000 lakes is a favorite bird-watching site, with a diverse range of bird species ranging from the Eastern Phoebe to the Contopus Flycatcher.
Because Minnesota has so many lakes, there are many ducks in various habitats throughout the state. Outside of lakes and streams, birds with strong, elongated beaks, long legs, and flat, webbed feet are common. The White Egret, Egret, Green Egret, and Great Blue Heron are examples of shorebirds.
Minnesota is home to a variety of flycatchers. The eastern phoebe, the lesser flycatcher, and the Contopus flycatcher. Ducks, swans, geese, loons, gulls, terns, plovers, and sandpipers are among the many waterfowl species that call Minnesota home.
Raptors are birds of prey, and Minnesota is home to numerous kinds. Many vultures, hawks, eagles, and falcons can be found throughout the state, including the Northern Harrier.
Common Ways to See Minnesota Birds
If you think the birds on this list are beautiful, cute, or amazing, then bird watching is a hobby for you. There are plenty of live birdfeeder cameras online that you can watch try and see which birds you can identify. There are also parks with feeders that you can watch from.
Or you could buy your own bird feeders and watch birds from the comfort of your own home. Bird watching is a relaxing, fulfilling, and enjoyable hobby that the whole family can partake in.
Many of the birds on this list can be seen across the country, so you can reference this list no matter which state you live in. Some birds might not appear, but that’s part of the fun of bird watching finding rare species to look at, or observing new and beautiful birds.
Some bird watchers even take pictures of birds they spot and put them in a catalog. There’s no wrong way to bird-watch. Other items to consider are specialized bird feeders and seeds/feed for which bird you’re trying to attract, and a bird call or whistle to mimic the sounds birds make. This will attract them to your backyard and feeder.
