Breaking the Ice: Get to Know these Midwest Winter Birds

A common Midwest winter bird is the Northern Cardinal. This avian pal is known for its bold red feathers, which makes them real easy to see when things are white & snowy. The gals have brown coloring with a red beak & tuft of hair. The male cardinals are known for their bright red color, which makes them real easy to see when things are white & snowy.

On their plate: These backyard birds enjoy eating seeds, especially black oil sunflower ones.

Their favorite song: Northern Cardinals like to sing. In fact, they have over 20 songs in their playlist—most of which are higher-pitched tunes in patterns of three vocal sounds.

Busi’s fun fact: Many sports teams have named their team after these feathered creatures like the Arizona Cardinals and St. Louis Cardinals.

Mourning Doves are very common across the Midwest. Mourning Doves have a gray-brown color with dark-colored spots on their wings. These Pigeon-like birds have small heads and full bellies. They are birds that are gentle and laid back.

On their plate: These backyard birds enjoy feasting on seeds that fall on the ground. They also enjoy corn. Once they finish their meals, they then fly to a higher place to recover from their food coma.

Their favorite song: Mourning doves have a distinct cooing sound with a pause at the end before repeating the same pattern.

Busi’s fun fact: Mourning Doves are sometimes nicknamed turtle doves as they look so much like European Turtle Doves. Their most notable cameo was in the “Twelve Days of Christmas” as the two turtle doves. 

Blue Jays are some of the most decked-out birds. With a bright blue color, patterned feathers, and a funky hairdo-these birds are sure to steal the spotlight. But, they aren't all just looks-these backyard birds are known for their smarts too.

On their plate: Blue Jays love peanuts, insects, grains, and berries. Just know that these birds prefer to eat grab & go style. Catch a glimpse of them as they grab a seed, tuck it in their mouth, and fly to eat in their own space.

Their favorite song: Blue Jays may have a bold appearance, but their song is usually meeker. Listen for a combination of quiet whistles and sounds. Don't be fooled, they will raise their voice in a jeer if they're trying to get the attention of another Blue Jay or warn of a predator.

Busi's fun fact: Blue Jays are known for having some aggressive tendencies if they feel their feeder, nest, or flock is being invaded. Some birders have even spotted them stealing and eating another bird's eggs!

House Sparrows usually have a mix of brown and black backs, and gray-colored bellies. They are short and rounded little birds. While they aren’t flightless birds, they do prefer to hop around to get where they’re going.

On their plate: They are tiny but mighty eaters. They’ll eat just about whatever you put in your feeders. Seed, corn, insects, crumbs—you name it, they eat it.

Their favorite song: House Sparrows are shy when it comes to singing. You can usually find them letting out small chirps and cheeps rather than belting out a top-charted song.

Busi’s fun fact: House Sparrows take the phrase “rub some dirt on it” literally. They enjoy getting dirty and can often be spotted flicking dirt onto themselves.