When the land is covered in snow and the air is bitter cold, there’s something so soothing about watching the winter birds. They crowd on and beneath the feeder, and their appreciation for a free meal is evident in how quickly they come and how long they stick around.
But, who are these birds? If you’re curious about the winter birds you can attract to your feeder, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll start with the most common backyard winter birds from coast to coast. Then, we’ll get specific about the birds you can attract that are unique to your area.
Common Winter Birds Across North America
1. Chickadees
Black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) are one of the first arrivals to a newly stocked winter feeder. They’ll come in a lively flock, usually mixed with titmice and nuthatches depending on the area. These widespread birds are found across the northern United States and much of Canada. They are distinguished from other chickadees by their black cap and bill.
In the southeast, the Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) will come to feeders in the winter, though they’re less common than Black-capped Chickadees. They look almost identical to the Black-capped Chickadee, with only a few subtle differences. The best way to tell them apart is range.
On the West Coast, from Alaska down to California, the Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile rufescens) is a common winter bird that will happily visit backyard feeders. These chickadees have a distinct chestnut-colored back and sides, which sets them apart from the Black-capped Chickadees.
2. Mourning Dove
There is something so blissful about watching a Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) peck for seeds in the snow. Their yellow-peach breast and tan-colored wings contrast beautifully with the stark white landscape.
These widespread winter birds will readily visit a backyard feeder. They’ll eat the fallen seeds beneath the feeder. Often, they’ll eat as much as they can, then fly off to a nearby branch to digest their fill. Mourning Doves arrive in small flocks and will stick around your backyard all day enjoying your seeds.
3. Downy and Harry Woodpeckers
The Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) is the smallest woodpecker in North America. It is a year-long resident across its wide range, which includes most of the United States and Canada.
These winter birds have a black and white striped head and back and a white belly. The male has a red spot on its nape while the female does not.
The Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus) shares the same range as the Downy and is very similar in appearance. However, it is much larger and has a longer bill. Like the Downy, the male Hairy Woodpecker has a red nape mark and the female does not.
Both of these common woodpeckers are beautiful North American winter birds. They will readily visit your backyard feeder, especially if you provide suet.
4. Dark-eyed Juncos
In the birding world, Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis) are commonly called “snowbirds.” This is because they are migratory birds that breed in Canada and head south to the United States for winter. Most other migratory birds head farther south to much warmer climates, making Dark-eyed Juncos somewhat of a rarity.
Dark-eyed Juncos will arrive in medium to large flocks to your backyard feeder. They’ll hop about under hanging or platform feeders pecking the fallen seed. While these winter birds are widespread across the United States, several sub-species differ in appearance and range. However, they are fairly easy to tell apart. To learn which subspecies is in your area, check out our related article here.
5. Red and White-breasted Nuthatch
The White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) is a lovely visitor who will come to backyard feeders across the United States. As the name suggests, it has a stark white breast and belly, a black head stripe, a grey back, and black and white striped wings.
The Red-breasted Nuthatch is less common than the White-breasted, but will frequently visit feeders in winter. It is a year-long resident throughout Canada and parts of the Western United States, including the Rocky and Cascade Mountain ranges. It has a noticeable red breast and a black eyestripe. The Red-breasted Nuthatch is smaller than the White-breasted Nuthatch.
These nuthatches are endearing winter birds who enjoy sunflower seeds or suet. They like taking one seed at a time and may cache their bounty in nearby tree bark.
6. House Sparrow
In some areas, especially rural farms and urban neighborhoods, the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) will be the most common winter bird to visit your feeder. These small birds can dominate an area and the nearby feeder. However, these abundant winter birds are still enjoyable to see when the rest of the land is quiet and asleep.
Male house sparrows are easier to distinguish than the females due to their black bib, grey head, and chestnut nape. The females are light grey-brown with indistinct markings on their head and back.
7. American Goldfinch
In the winter, American Goldfinches (Spinus tristis) lack the bright yellow that makes them so easy to identify in the summer. Rather, these little finches are more conspicuous in the winter with tan-yellow feathers on their breast and back. The male can still have a bright yellow head.
These resident winter birds are abundant throughout the United States; however, some migrate to the South for winter. They congregate in flocks in weedy fields or at backyard feeders.
8. Song Sparrow
As the name suggests, the Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) is most easily identified by its unique, rhythmic song. Like most Sparrows, it has a striped face and chest with streaks of brown and silver.
These winter birds are year-long residents in much of their range across the United States, especially in the West. Some species migrate farther south from their northern breeding grounds to winter in the Southern and Central United States.
You’ll likely attract Song Sparrows to your winter feeder if you have brushy areas near your backyard or a large garden with shrubs.
9. White-crowned Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys) gather in wintertime flocks throughout the West and Southern United States. They are permanent residents in parts of their range, such as the West Coast and Rocky Mountain region. Otherwise, they’re a migratory bird that breeds in Northern Canada and migrates to the Southern United States and Mexico for winter.
White-crowned Sparrows are larger sparrows with distinct white and black stripes on their head. These winter birds happily congregate under backyard feeders to peck at the fallen seed.
10. European Starling
If you have a flock of European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) visit your feeder, be ready for them to greedily take their fill. These dark glossy birds are intelligent and remarkably adaptable. They are considered an invasive species and have spread throughout most of North America (except northern Canada).
European Starlings prefer urban neighborhoods, city parks, and rural farms. These winter birds like to probe in the grass for insects, but will frequent feeders in the winter when other food isn’t available.
11. Brown Headed Cowbird
Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) are year-round residents throughout much of the Central and Eastern United States. They are also permanent residents along the west coast. The cowbirds that breed in Canada and the West-Central United States move farther south for the winter.
The male Brown-headed Cowbird has a glossy black body and a distinct brown head. The female is more tan-grey all over. This makes it easy to identify them when they will arrive in large flocks at a backyard winter feeder.
12. American Robin
We normally associate the American Robin (Turdus migratorius) with spring, as this is when we see them out in the yard searching for insects. Surprisingly, Robins are year-long residents across the United States. However, they aren’t as easy to find because they move to wooded areas with dense thickets in the winter.
That said, folks who have berry-bearing shrubs in their garden or backyard are likely to attract a winter flock. Those with numerous shrubs in their yard can have robins in their backyard all winter long.
Eastern North America Winter Birds
The following winter birds are common sights at backyard feeders throughout the Central and Eastern United States. However, they are not found in the West.
1. Northern Cardinal (Eastern Winter Bird)
The male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is stunning in the winter landscape. His bright crimson feathers shine against the stark white snow, making him a beloved backyard winter bird. The female is less colorful (but still beautiful) with a yellow-tan breast, grey back and crest, and distinct orange bill.
As common winter birds, they will readily come to a stocked feeder. The male and female will stick around all day, especially on snowy days, enjoying their free meal.
2. Tufted Titmouse (Eastern Winter Bird)
The Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) is tiny but mighty. With its little crest flaring up and “intimidating” chirps, it will shoo away other birds to claim its spot at the feeder.
These winter birds happily visit backyard feeders and are abundunt from western Nebraska down to Texas and over to the East Coast. Tufted Titmice have a grey back and crest, a white belly, and a tan blush underneath their wings.
3. Blue Jay (Eastern Winter Bird)
East of the Rocky Mountains, the Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) stands out with its raucous calls and stunning blue feathers. It is a year-long resident who happily visits winter bird feeders across the Central and Eastern United States.
Like the Northern Cardinal, the Blue Jay is incredibly beautiful in the snowy landscape. They will land on feeders, take their fill, and fly away in a flurry of blue and white to land in a nearby tree.
4. Red-bellied Woodpecker (Eastern Winter Bird)
The Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) is a delight to attract to the backyard in winter. Its prominent red stripe on its white head makes it easy to identify. It also has black and white bars on its back and a white chest with a subtle pinkish-red underbelly.
Like other woodpeckers, it prefers suet but will eat whatever seed is available at the feeder. Unlike titmice, doves, chickadees, or cardinals, the Red-bellied Woodpecker doesn’t stick around. Rather, it stops by as it flies through the area, which can be several times per day depending on the location.
Western North America Winter Birds
Like the birds listed above, the following winter birds are common throughout the West but aren’t in the East.
1. Spotted Towhee (Western Winter Bird)
The Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) is a bit of a trickster without meaning to be. These birds love to noisily scratch around in the undergrowth. When you’re out on a walk in the woods, it sounds like a large animal, such as a deer or even a bear, is about to lumber out. But no, out hops the little Towhee, and you’re surprised that a creature so small could make such a ruckus.
The Spotted Towhee is a frequent backyard feeder bird for those with shrubby patches in their yard. They are year-long residents throughout much of the West and are winter birds in parts of the Central and Southwestern United States.
2. Steller’s Jay (Western Winter Bird)
In the west, the Steller’s Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) is the prominent backyard jay. These winter birds have an impressive black crest, a black hood, and dark blue and black feathers.
The splendid Steller’s Jay is a common year-long resident in the Rocky Mountain region and West Coast states. They’ll happily visit winter feeders, often swooping with a shack-shack-shack call before landing on the feeder.
Attracting Winter Birds to Your Backyard
No matter where you live in North America, you can attract winter birds to your backyard by simply setting out a stocked feeder. You’ll soon catch the eye of your local bird species, which likely includes several of the birds listed in this guide.
Whether you attract a mixed flock of chickadees, titmice, and nuthatches, or you have the western Steller’s Jay and Spotted Towhee at your feeder, these winter birds bring life and joy to the cold scenery.
When the trees are bare and most of the foliage is brown and dead, nothing compares to the vibrant birds who flock to our feeders to feast on a free winter meal. They, along with a hot cup of tea or cocoa, help bring warmth to the long winter days.
What winter birds visit your feeder? Tell us about them in the comments below!
