11 Beautiful Backyard Birds to Look for During Winter

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Winter is magical and the weather creates a quieter, more reflective atmosphere. When snow buries the ground and the air stiffens, the backyard becomes a haven to bird enthusiasts. While you might assume the chillier months of the year would send every feathered friend packing for warmer skies, in fact, many of the most beautiful birds stick around, transforming the most basic of feeders into bustling activity centres.

It’s nice to watch them flit about, like having a special winter party and you and your backyard are on the invite list. Let’s take a look at the most common, but stunning birds you are likely to see in the colder months.

Cardinal

A showstopper! There is nothing as stunning as northern cardinal when those vibrant red feathers contrast against snowy backdrops. Females are less striking, but their brown and red accents are equally charming; males are particularly striking. Cardinals are famous for their sweet whistles, sometimes heard in winter. Watch for them around dense shrubbery or feeders filled with sunflower seeds, as that’s their favorite snack.

Blue Jay

Blue jays are known for their intelligence and their striking blue and white plumage — and their boldness is stunning when compared with other backyard visitors. These birds often store acorns they may find in the fall to keep them through the winter. They’re lively and their sharp calls make them easily identifiable, and they’re often seen swooping down to raid feeders for peanuts or suet.

Chickadee

Small but mighty, chickadees are birds of cheerfulness. They’re easily recognizable with their black caps and white cheeks and are a favorite of backyard birdwatchers. By nature, they’re curious and will often flit close to humans, as if to strike up conversation. Chickadees have a terrific memory for storing seeds and recalling where they’d hidden them, which is a necessity for surviving a cold.

American Goldfinch

Although they are famous for their bright yellow summer coats, American goldfinches sport a more subtle olive brown in the winter. The finches are social creatures, moving about in small flocks to feeders containing nyjer or thistle seeds. Featuring tiny round brown bodies, tufts on their heads, and shimmering sun yellow wings, they’re a delight to watch, and birdwatching has been shown to reduce stress and boost mental health, according to study.

Mourning Dove

Mourning doves are soft cooing callers with elegant profiles, and they add a bit of serenity to any backyard. These birds often gather in pairs or small flocks huddling together for warmth. Their shade of tan and gray fits in perfectly to their environment, and gentleness makes them seen as symbols of peace and resilience.

Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Despite its name, the red patch on its head is the most recognizable feature of the red-bellied woodpecker. These are energetic foragers, seen quite often clinging to tree trunks or suet feeders. Their sharp calls and drumming sounds show that they aren’t shy about being heard through the trees. If you get lucky, you might get to see one storing acorns for later in crevices.

Dark-Eyed Junco

They are often known as “snowbirds” because they are most visible during the winter. Their slate gray feathers contrast beautifully with their white underbellies, and they are small birds indeed. They’re ground feeders, so tossing a handful of seeds on the snow is a good way to attract them. On a chilly day, watching their gentle hopping and fluttering is oddly soothing.

White-Breasted Nuthatch

The White Breasted Nuthatch is a little quirky bird that is often observed descending head first down tree trunks. It is easy to identify, with its blue gray back, white face, and black cap. These birds are wonderful foragers that often put seeds away in bark crevices for safekeeping. You’re likely to spot them in winter woodlands and backyards, as their nasally “hyank yank” calls are a familiar sound.

House Finch

House finches have rosy red faces and chests, adding a bit of warmth to the winter snow. Also known as sociable birds, you may find these at a feeder with sunflower seeds or millet. They’re sweet singers, warbling away in the gloomiest of winter days. House finches are originally native to the western United States but have made themselves at home across a large part of the country.

American Robin

Though American robins are more associated with spring, a lot will stick around in the winter if food is plentiful. They’re often found in flocks and will dine on berries from holly or crabapple trees. With its orange red breasts and melodic song, it is a welcome visitor to our yards even in the dreariness of winter.

Downy Woodpecker

The smallest species of woodpecker in North America, the downy woodpecker, is big on charm. It’s a striking visitor to suet feeders, with black and white plumage and a red patch at the back of its head (in males). Curious and adaptable, these birds will often get quite close to people. Fun fact: their rapid drumming is for territorial claim and a way to find insects which hide in wood.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.