Jun 5, 2026
Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Areai
Photo attribution
(c) Rev. Lee A. Payne, Jr., some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Birding Guide
Birding Guide for Kentucky
Forests, caves, rivers, and rolling hills
Birding highlights, common sightings, and the best places to look for birds in Kentucky. Use the highlight list to start quickly, then work through the full guide for a broader local view.
Sightings
105
Species
52
Active Months
12
Category Overview
Birds across Kentucky
This guide focuses on birdlife within Kentucky's wider region guide, helping families explore common sightings, shoreline birds, forest species, and the places where birding is easier to begin.
Latest Sightings
Recent bird sightings in Kentucky
A recent look at bird sightings across Kentucky.
May 30, 2026
Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Areai
Photo attribution
(c) Rev. Lee A. Payne, Jr., some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
May 22, 2026
Bat Cave and Cascade Caverns State Nature Preservesi
Photo attribution
(c) Anna Hess, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
May 19, 2026
Holy Cross Church and School Complex-Latoniai
Photo attribution
(c) Lindsey G., some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
May 17, 2026
Holy Cross Church and School Complex-Latoniai
Photo attribution
(c) Lindsey G., some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Sightings Map
See where bird sightings cluster
Start wide, then zoom in to see where bird sightings cluster across Kentucky.
Loading map…
Top Highlights
Top 5 birds to see in Kentucky
These birds are snapped the most across this region.
Places to Start
Best places for birding in Kentucky
These place guides connect well with the birds covered in this region.
Zoo21 sightings15 species
Kentucky, US
Louisville Zoo
You might spot African Lion, Komodo Dragon, and Rosy Boa.
View place guide →
Park65 sightings8 species
Kentucky, US
Cherokee Park
You might spot Great Waterleaf, Lesser Celandine, and White-Tailed Deer.
View place guide →
Park30 sightings12 species
Kentucky, US
Kentucky Horse Park
You might spot Bird's-Eye Speedwell and Barn Swallow.
View place guide →
Park30 sightings12 species
Kentucky, US
Lexington Cemetery
You might spot Eastern Gray Squirrel, Monarch, and American Robin.
View place guide →
Park30 sightings12 species
Kentucky, US
Lost River Cave
You might spot Fortune's Spindle, Amur Honeysuckle, and Osage-Orange.
View place guide →
Park30 sightings12 species
Kentucky, US
Old Louisville
You might spot Eastern Gray Squirrel and American Robin.
View place guide →
Full Guide
Full Kentucky birds list
The complete ranked list for this guide, ordered by sightings count.
19 snaps28 snaps37 snaps45 snaps54 snaps64 snaps74 snaps83 snaps93 snaps103 snaps113 snaps123 snaps132 snaps142 snaps152 snaps162 snaps172 snaps182 snaps192 snaps202 snaps212 snaps221 snaps231 snaps241 snaps251 snaps261 snaps271 snaps281 snaps291 snaps301 snaps311 snaps321 snaps331 snaps341 snaps351 snaps361 snaps371 snaps381 snaps391 snaps401 snaps411 snaps421 snaps431 snaps441 snaps451 snaps461 snaps471 snaps481 snaps491 snaps501 snaps511 snaps521 snaps
Duck
American Robin
Eastern Screech-Owl
Downy Woodpecker
Barred Owl
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Canada Goose
Peregrine Falcon
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Black Vulture
Carolina Wren
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
House Sparrow
Indigo Bunting
Mute Swan
Toulouse Goose
Vulture
Bald Eagle
Barn Swallow
Brown Thrasher
Carolina Chickadee
Chipping Sparrow
Cooper's Hawk
Eastern Bluebird
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Field Sparrow
Hairy Woodpecker
Horned Lark
House Finch
Lincoln's Sparrow
Mississippi Kite
Mourning Dove
Northern Mockingbird
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Palm Warbler
Pekin Duck
Pigeon
Pileated Woodpecker
Prothonotary Warbler
Sandhill Crane
Sedge Wren
Song Sparrow
Swainson's Thrush
Trumpeter Swan
Tufted Titmouse
Veery
White-throated Sparrow
Wood Duck
Other Guides
Keep exploring Kentucky
Switch from birding to flowers and bugs for a broader view of Kentucky's wildlife and nature.
