Top 25 awesome Backyard Birds of Minnesota you can see and enjoy

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Backyard birds of Minnesota

Minnesota is an excellent place for backyard birds! The climate and geography are perfect for them, with warm summers and cold winters with plenty of forests, wetlands, and prairies.

The state is located in the northernmost part of the continental United States, and as a result, its climate is influenced by both Canadian and Midwestern weather patterns.

The state’s northernmost regions, including the Iron Range and the Arrowhead, have a more subarctic climate, colder winters, and cooler summers which plays host to birds more suited for cold temperatures.

Minnesota’s climate is also influenced by its proximity to large bodies of water, such as Lake Superior and the Mississippi River.

The state’s western regions, including the Red River Valley, experience a warmer climate than other parts of the state due to the “heat island” effect created by the urban areas of Fargo and Moorhead.

Minnesota is a land of diverse habitats, from the tallgrass prairies of the Flint Hills to the hardwood forests of the Laurentian Uplands and many aquatic habitats from the state’s 11,000 smaller lakes and countless streams and rivers.

The prairies of the western and southern parts of the state are home to such grasses as big bluestem, side-oats grama, and switchgrass.

In the north, jack pine and red pine forests cover the landscape. And along the Mississippi River bluffs, oaks, maples, and basswoods create a beautiful hardwood forest.

This variety of plants and habitats provides homes and food for many species of birds, from giant eagles to tiny hummingbirds, throughout the year.

In this blog post, we’ll look at 25 of Minnesota’s most common backyard birds by surveying residents and utilizing data from ebird and other citizen science databases. By reading this article, we hope you will identify some new species and find out which ones live near you!

So if you’re interested in learning more about Minnesota’s backyard birds, keep reading!

Backyard Birds Of Minnesota

According to the latest data from ebird, there are 427 observed species of Birds in Minnesota. This data comes from over 917,000 checklists from over 21,000 avid birdwatchers. Identifying and seeing all 427 may be an overwhelming challenge, so we have chosen to focus on the birds you are more likely to see in your home, backyard, or bird feeders.

Here are some things to know about Backyard Birds of Minnesota:

  • 427 observed species
  • The Black-capped Chickadee is the most common backyard bird in Minnesota
  • The Black-capped Chickadee is the most common feeder bird in Minnesota
  • The Red-breasted Nuthatch is the smallest most common feeder bird in Minnesota
  • The American Crow is the largest backyard bird on this list
  • The Common Loon is Minnesota’s state bird

What Are The Most Common Backyard Birds Of Minnesota?

  1. Black-capped Chickadee
  2. Downy Woodpecker
  3. White-breasted Nuthatch
  4. Dark-eyed Junco
  5. Blue Jay
  6. Northern Cardinal
  7. Red-bellied Woodpecker
  8. Hairy Woodpecker
  9. American Goldfinch
  10. House Finch
  11. American Crow
  12. Pileated Woodpecker
  13. Red-breasted Nuthatch
  14. House Sparrow
  15. American Robin
  16. Mourning Dove
  17. Red-winged Blackbird
  18. Purple Finch
  19. Pine Siskin
  20. European Starling
  21. Northern Flicker
  22. Common Redpoll
  23. Common Grackle
  24. American Tree Sparrow
  25. Brown Creeper

Top 5 Hotspots For Birdwatching In Minnesota

If you prefer to venture away from home to do some birding, then visit one of Minnesota’s best hotspots for birdwatching. These hotspots are determined by the total number of species observed by fellow birdwatchers in Minnesota.

  1. Park Point Recreation Area
  2. Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge
  3. Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
  4. Old Cedar Avenue Bridge
  5. Izaak Walton Wetlands

Top 25 Backyard Birds Of Minnesota

The list below is determined by the number of bird watchers in Minnesota who have seen a species at least once, divided by the total number of bird feeder sites.

1. Black-capped Chickadee

The Black-Capped Chickadee is a widespread species of bird found throughout the Northern half of North America and is the most common backyard Feeder bird of Minnesota. These tiny birds can be seen in Minnesota all year round.

They have a black cap and black throat with white cheeks, and mostly gray-olive feathers on their back with a white chest and belly.

Black-capped Chickadees are tiny in size – with males and females only about 12-15cm (4.7-5.9 inches) long and weighing between 9-14g (0.3-0.5oz). They have a large head and short neck, and long narrow tails with short thick dark bills.

They can survive the harshest winter weather by eating high-calorie foods, fluffing their feathers for insulation, and roosting in tree cavities at night, often in small groups.

The Black-Capped Chickadee is an energetic species that prefers deciduous woods often found in forests or residential areas and parks where plenty of large trees are used for roosting and nesting.

Their diet consists of insects, spiders, small fruits, and seeds, but they are also familiar visitors to backyard bird feeders where they will readily eat sunflower seeds or suet. They will often make multiple trips to feeders to store extra food in tree crevices throughout the day.

The Black-capped Chickadee has been seen at 98% of all feeder sites in Minnesota.

Feeder Type:

  • Large & Small Tube Feeders
  • Large & Small Hoppers
  • Suet Cage
  • Platform feeder

Feeder Food:

  • Black Oil Sunflower Seed
  • Hulled Sunflower Seed
  • Safflower
  • Nyjer
  • Suet
  • Peanuts & Peanut Hearts
  • Mealworms

2. Downy Woodpecker

The Downy Woodpecker is a small woodpecker found throughout North America and is a year-round resident of Minnesota. They are also the most commonly observed woodpeckers species in Minnesota.

They are smaller than most woodpeckers at about 14-17cm (5.5-6.7 inches) long and weigh between 21-28g (0.7-1oz).

Downy Woodpeckers have a black back and white stripe down the middle. They are white below, and their wings have a checkered black and white detailing them. The males have a red patch at the back of the head, and females have a black head. They have a petite-looking bill compared to their other woodpecker relatives.

Their beaks are short, solid, and pointed at the end, which they use to chisel wood for excavation or peck at the bark to find food underneath.

Their preferred habitat is wooded areas with plenty of trees near rivers, ponds, or wetlands – even urban areas with a mix of grasslands, shrubs, and woodlands.

They are acrobatic foragers whose main diet consists of insects it can glean and probe from trees. They will also eat seeds, berries, or fruit when needed and are more common at bird feeders than their larger relatives. They prefer suet feeders and enjoy black oil sunflower seeds, peanut butter, seeds, and millet.

The Downy Woodpecker has been seen at 93% of all feeder sites in Minnesota.

Feeder Type:

  • Suet Cage
  • Large & Small Hopper
  • Platform Feeder

Feeder Food:

  • Black Oil & Hulled Sunflower Seeds
  • Safflower
  • Suet
  • Peanuts & Peanut Hearts
  • Mealworms

3. White-breasted Nuthatch

The White-breasted Nuthatch is an exciting species to observe and can be found from southern Canada down into Central America and can be seen in Minnesota all year round.

White-breasted Nuthatches are small in size – only about 13-14cm (5.1-5.5 inches) in length and weighing between 18-30g (0.6-1.1oz). They have short tails with a thick dark bill. They have a distinctive appearance with blue-gray feathers on their back and a white face with a darker “hood” that runs from the top of their beak to the back, making them easily identifiable from other birds.

White-breasted Nuthatches prefer mature mixed forests and wooded areas in towns, suburbs and parks.

White-breasted Nuthatches are very energetic birds that spend most of their time climbing trees and searching for food in the bark. They mainly eat insects they can glean from bark and foliage but will also eat seeds in winter.

They are known to visit backyard bird feeders and prefer suet feeders, shelled peanuts, and sunflower seeds.

The White-breasted Nuthatch has been seen at 91% of all feeder sites in Minnesota.

Feeder Type:

  • Large & Small Tube Feeder
  • Large & Small Hopper
  • Suet Cage
  • Platform Feeder

Feeder Food:

  • Black Oil and Hulled Sunflower Seeds
  • Safflower
  • Suet
  • Peanuts & Peanut Hearts
  • Mealworms

4. Dark-eyed Junco

The Dark-Eyed Junco is a medium-sized sparrow found in the Northern Hemisphere from Alaska to Newfoundland and is a winter resident of Minnesota.

Males and Females are about 14-16cm (5.5-6.3 inches) long and weigh between 18-30g (0.6-1.1oz). They have a round head, short conical bill, and long tail.

The Dark-Eyed Junco varies in color depending on what region you are in but are mainly dark gray or brown with a light/pale pink bill and white outer tail feathers that are noticeable in flight.

The three most common sub-types and colors are:

  • Slate-colored Junco – Alaska, and East of the Rocky Mountains
  • Oregon Junco – Northern Rockies and Farther West
  • Gray-headed Junco – Southern Rockies

They live in coniferous forests, woodlands, scrubland, and tundra across the United States and Canada. You are more likely to find them in open areas like backyards, fields, and parks in winter.

They are ground foragers and eat insects, seeds, and berries. They eat mostly insects in the spring and summer and seeds and berries in the fall and winter.

They are also expected at backyard bird feeders in the winter, especially ones that offer sunflower seeds, millet, or cracked corn.

The Dark-eyed Junco has been seen at 89% of all feeder sites in Minnesota.

Feeder Type:

  • Large Hopper
  • Platform Feeder
  • Ground

Feeder Food:

  • Black Oil Sunflower seed
  • Hulled Sunflower Seeds
  • Safflower
  • Nyjer
  • Cracker Corn
  • Peanut Hearts
  • Millet & Milo
  • Oats

5. Blue Jay

The Blue Jay is a common species of bird found throughout North America and can be seen throughout Minnesota all year round.

Blue Jays are about 25-30cm (9.8-11.8 inches) long and generally weigh between 70 – 100g (2.5-3.5oz). They have a very short neck and bill with a thick blue crest on their head. They have very distinctive bright blue feathers on the top with white spots and gray-white color below, making them easy to identify from other birds.

Blue Jays are loud, boisterous birds that will eat almost anything they can find – making them one of the most common backyard visitors.

They are widespread at backyard bird feeders and will typically dominate smaller birds that visit simultaneously. They love sunflower seeds, cracked corn, and whole peanuts.

The Blue Jay has been seen at 87% of all feeder sites in Minnesota.

Feeder Type:

  • Large Tube feeder
  • Suet Cage
  • Large Hopper
  • Platform feeder
  • Ground

Feeder Food:

  • Hulled & Black oil Sunflower Seeds
  • Safflower
  • Suet
  • Cracker Corn
  • Peanuts & Peanut Hearts
  • Fruit
  • Mealworms

6. Northern Cardinal

The Northern Cardinal is a common species of bird found in the United States and is a year-round resident of Minnesota.

Northern Cardinals are small songbirds, with males and females generally weighing less between 42 – 48g (1.5 – 1.7 oz), and are 21-23cm (8.3-9.1 inches) long.

Northern cardinals have a distinctive crest on their head that can be raised when they feel threatened or aggressive; however, this behavior is not often observed in wild populations and has been lost to captive ones.

The Northern Cardinal’s feathers range from bright red in males to brownish orange in females, and their bills are short but wide at the base – giving them an upturned appearance, making them easy to identify.

Northern Cardinals have a varied diet that consists of fruits, seeds, berries, and insects and are very common at most bird feeders but prefer to eat seeds such as sunflower, safflower, and cracked corn from the ground.

The Northern Cardinal has been seen at 85% of all feeder sites in Minnesota.

Feeder Type:

  • Large Tube feeder
  • Large Hopper
  • Platform Feeder
  • Ground

Feeder Food:

  • Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
  • Hulled Sunflower Seeds
  • Safflower
  • Cracker Corn
  • Peanut Hearts
  • Millet
  • Milo

7. Red-bellied Woodpecker

The Red-Bellied Woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker with a long, chisel-like bill. They are found in the eastern half of the United States and can be seen in Minnesota all year round.

Males and Females are about 24cm (9.4 inches) long and weigh around 56-91g (2-3.2oz). Red-bellied Woodpeckers have black-and-white stripes above and a paler below. The male has red from its bill to its nape, while the female only has a red nape. Red bellies can be seen during flight but are more challenging to see when perched.

They live in various habitats, including woodlands, bottomland forests, swamps, riversides, and parks. They are most commonly found near water to find insects to eat. 

They will seldom peck at the wood of trees to find food but instead will forage for insects whenever the opportunity presents itself. They also feed on nuts, fruits, and seeds and store their food in bark crevices.

Red-bellied woodpeckers also visit backyard bird feeders that offer suet, sunflowers seeds, or peanut butter mixed with birdseed. While at backyard feeders, they are bullish birds and will often dominate other smaller birds and their cousins (Downy & Hairy Woodpeckers).

The Red-bellied Woodpecker has been seen at 82% of all feeder sites in Minnesota.

Feeder Types:

  • Large Hopper
  • Platform Feeder
  • Nectar Feeder
  • Suet Cage

Feeder food:

  • Black Oil & Hulled Sunflower Seeds
  • Safflower
  • Suet
  • Cracker corn
  • Peanuts & Peanut Hearts
  • Sugar Water
  • Fruit
  • Mealworms

8. Hairy Woodpecker

The Hairy Woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker found throughout North America and Southern Canada. They can be seen in Minnesota all year round.

The hairy woodpecker has a long chisel-like bill and long stiff tail feathers. Males and Females are about 18-26cm (7.1-10.2 inches) long and weigh around 40-95g (1.4-3.4oz).

They have black-and-white feathers: black back checkered with a white, white stripe down the middle back, and white below. The male has a red patch on the back of its head, while the female does not. They get their name from the “hairy” quality of the white on their backs.

They live in various habitats, including woodlands, bottomland forests, wooded suburbs, and parks. They will actively probe and drill into wood to look for insects under the bark. They will also feed on fallen or rotting logs to chisel through dead wood to find insect larvae. They will also eat fruits and seeds when given a chance.

They are common at backyard bird feeders that offer suet, sunflower seeds, or peanut butter mixed with birdseed.

The Hairy Woodpecker has been seen at 81% of all feeder sites in Minnesota.

Feeder Type:

  • Suet Cage
  • Large Hopper
  • Platform Feeder

Feeder Food:

  • Black Oil and Hulled Sunflower Seeds
  • Safflower
  • Suet
  • Peanuts and Peanut Hearts
  • Mealworms

9. American Goldfinch

The American Goldfinch is a common species of bird found throughout North America and is a year-round resident of Minnesota.

They are small songbirds 11-13cm (4.3-5.1 inches) long and weigh between 11-20g (0.4-0.70 oz), with males being slightly larger than females. 

Breeding adult males have a bright yellow color on their heads and rump with a black cap and black-tipped wings, making them easy to identify from other birds. Winter adult males are tan above and pale gray below with a yellow face and throat. 

Breeding adult females are olive-brown above and yellow below, and winter adult females are generally gray overall.

Their preferred habitat is overgrown, weedy fields, pastures, and well planted suburban areas and backyards.

They mainly eat seeds from wild sunflowers, composite flowers or thistles, and very few insects. 

American Goldfinches are frequent visitors of backyard bird feeders – making them easy to spot around the yard. They prefer hulled sunflower and nyjer seeds.

The American Goldfinch has been seen at 77% of all feeder sites in Minnesota.

Feeder Type:

  • Large & Small Tube feeder
  • Large & Small Hopper
  • Platform Feeder
  • Ground

Feeder Food:

  • Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
  • Hulled Sunflower Seeds
  • Nyjer

10. House Finch

The House Finch is a small bird found in most of North America, including parts of the United States and Southern Canada. These tiny birds can be seen throughout Minnesota all year round.

House Finches are 12-15cm (5.1-5.5 inches) long and weigh between 16-27g (0.6-0.9oz).

They have short wings that allow for a quick flight, and their beaks are stubby and slightly curved on top with a long flat head. The males are known for their bright red heads and breast with brown wings, tails, and back.

Their preferred habitat is open, grassy areas with some trees – often near farmlands. They will also be found around towns and suburbs to find food quickly on the ground, such as birdseed spilled from backyard bird feeders (or even at pet food bowls left out for our furry friends).

They are ground forages whose preferred diet consists mainly of seeds, buds, and fruit. They are common at backyard bird feeders and will often feed in large numbers, especially when black oil sunflowers seeds are present in your feeders.

The House Finch has been seen at 72% of all feeder sites in Minnesota.

Feeder Type:

  • Large & Small Tube Feeder
  • Large & Small Hopper
  • Platform Feeder

Feeder Food:

  • Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
  • Hulled Sunflower Seeds
  • Safflower
  • Nyjer

11. American Crow

The American Crow is a large bird found throughout most of North America, except in some areas in the southern United States along the border with Mexico. These large birds can be seen in Minnesota all year round.

American Crows are large at about 40-53cm (115.8-21 inches) long and weigh between 316-620g (11.2-22oz). They are black all over, including their legs, feet, bill, and eyes.

They have a very distinct, short tail with broad wings that allow for a quick flight. They are known to be brilliant birds – able to use tools to obtain the food they otherwise couldn’t reach.

Their preferred habitat is open areas such as pastures with some trees – either deciduous or coniferous to roost at night when they sleep. They will often be found in urban areas where food is plentiful – for example, at dumpsters behind supermarkets or garbage bins.

They are omnivores and very opportunistic and will eat small mammals, insects, and amphibians but may also be found eating fruits or grain in the wintertime when other food sources are scarce. We have even personally seen crows stealing chicks from other nests and flying away to eat them.

Not your typical visitor to backyard bird feeders but may hang around yards that offer a compost heap, easy access to garbage, or pet food lying around.

The American Crow has been seen at 57% of all feeder sites in Minnesota.

Feeder Type:

  • Platform Feeder
  • Ground

Feeder Food:

  • Black Oil & Hulled Sunflower Seeds
  • Suet
  • Cracker Corn
  • Peanuts & Peanut Hearts
  • Fruit
  • Millet & Milo
  • Oats

12. Pileated Woodpecker

The Pileated Woodpecker is a very large-sized woodpecker species native to North America. They live in the eastern region of the United States and throughout the southern half of Canada from Nova Scotia to Vancouver and down the Pacific Coast. They can be seen in Minnesota all year round.

Males and females are about 40-49cm (15.8-19.3 inches) long and weigh around 250-350g (8.8-12.3oz). They have a long chisel-like bill, long neck, and a sweeping triangular red crest.

They have blackish plumage with white markings on their face and a large white area under their wings, which are only visible during flight or when they stretch their wings. Males have a red line on their cheeks.

Pileated Woodpeckers can be found in various wooded habitats such as coniferous and deciduous forests, woodlands, riparian corridors, parks, and suburban areas.

They create numerous large rectangular-shaped holes within their range, which is incredibly important to the area’s ecosystem. Many species of animals use their holes for shelter and security.

They feed primarily on insects such as carpenter ants and beetle larvae and consume fruits, nuts, and berries from trees. 

Pileated Woodpeckers typically visit backyard bird feeders that offer suet, sunflower hearts, and peanut kernels.

The Pileated Woodpecker has been seen at 57% of all feeder sites in Minnesota.

Feeder Type:

  • Suet Cage

Feeder Food:

  • Suet
  • Mealworms
  • Peanuts
  • Black Oil Sunflower Seed
  • Hulled Sunflower Seed

13. Red-breasted Nuthatch

The red-breasted nuthatch is a small songbird found across most of North America and much of Canada. These beautiful little birds can be seen in northern Minnesota all year round and in southern Minnesota during the winter months.

Both males and females are about 11-12cm (4.3 inches) long and weigh between 8-13g (0.3-0.5oz). They have a long, pointy bill, short, broad wings, and very short tails.

Both sexes are blueish-gray above and reddish-cinnamon below. Their heads are striped with a black cap, white eyebrows, a black line through the eye, and finally, white cheeks. Very similar looking to the white-breasted nuthatch.

Red-breasted nuthatches can be found in coniferous forests such as spruce and fir, where they like to forage on the trunks and branches. They are very energetic and acrobatic birds and can often be seen hanging upside down while searching for food.

Their diet is primarily insects and spiders they glean from trees and bark in the summer and eat seeds in the winter.

They are also familiar visitors to backyard bird feeders where they eat seeds and suet.

The Red-breasted Nuthatch has been seen at 55% of all feeder sites in Minnesota.

Feeder Type:

  • Large and Small Tube Feeders
  • Large and Small Hoppers
  • Suet Cage
  • Platform Feeder

Feeder Food:

  • Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
  • Hulled Sunflower Seeds
  • Suet
  • Peanuts and Peanut Hearts
  • Mealworms

14. House Sparrow

The House Sparrow is a common species of bird found throughout the world and is a year-round resident of Minnesota.

Males and Females are about 15-17cm (5.9-6.7 inches) long and generally weigh between 27-30g (0.9-1.1oz). They have gray color on their head and chest, black spots on the feathers around their eyes, and brownish tails; however, they also have distinctive white spots on their wings.

House Sparrows are prevalent backyard visitors that can be identified by the distinctive appearance of two white spots on each side of the wing. They typically live in cities and towns with large populations, although they will visit backyards if suet feeders or birdseed is available.

House Sparrows eat mainly weed seeds, grain, and insects during breeding time. They typically prefer sunflower hearts and suet, although they also eat thistle seed, safflower seeds, and fruit when available.

Sparrows are highly social birds living in large flocks outside of breeding season that can sometimes become aggressive towards other birds.

The House Sparrow has been seen at 55% of all feeder sites in Minnesota.

Feeder Type:

  • Large Tube Feeder
  • Large Hopper
  • Platform Feeder
  • Ground

Feeder Food:

  • Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
  • Hulled Sunflower Seeds
  • Cracker Corn
  • Peanut Hearts
  • Millet 
  • Milo

15. American Robin

The American Robin is a common species of bird found throughout North America and can be seen throughout Minnesota all year round.

American Robins are 20-28cm (7.9-11 inches) long and weigh 77-85g (2.7-3oz).

American Robins have a distinctive orange chest with black spots; however, their back feathers are brownish gray. Their beaks are tiny but comprehensive at the base, giving them a very distinct appearance.

They are common in most environments across North America, especially in gardens, parks, and wooded areas around towns and suburbs.

The American Robin is known to poke around in leaf litter, looking for insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, and earthworms to eat in the summer months. They prefer berries or fruit during the autumn and winter months.

They are also known for being very friendly birds found at most bird feeders and prefer feeders that offer live mealworms.

The American Robin has been seen at 52% of all feeder sites in Minnesota.

Feeder Type:

  • Platform feeder
  • Ground

Feeder Food:

  • Hulled Sunflower Seeds
  • Suet
  • Peanut Hearts
  • Fruit
  • Mealworms

16. Mourning Dove

The Mourning Dove is a common species of bird found throughout North America and is a year-round resident of Minnesota.

They are about the size of an American Robin, with adults between 23-34cm (9.1-13.4 inches) long and weighing between 86-170g (3-6oz). Mourning Doves have grayish-brown feathers, and their heads are pale gray; however, they lack crests or head adornments.

Mourning Doves prefer open habitats in rural and urban areas and weedy fields.

Mourning Doves are ground foragers meaning that they eat seeds, grains, and other vegetation found on the ground. They have a varied diet but prefer to eat weed seeds such as dandelions or grasses in open fields rather than forest floors. Mourning doves also drink water from puddles created by rain which they find near trees and shrubs.

They are frequent visitors to backyard bird feeders and typically eat seeds that have fallen on the ground or platform feeders.

The Mourning Dove has been seen at 44% of all feeder sites in Minnesota.

Feeder Type:

  • Large Hopper
  • Platform feeder
  • Ground

Feeder Food:

  • Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
  • Hulled Sunflower Seeds
  • Safflower
  • Nyjer
  • Cracker Corn
  • Peanut Hearts
  • Millet & Milo
  • Oats

17. Red-winged Blackbird

The Red-Winged Blackbird is a stocky blackbird with a red shoulder and short tail. They are found in abundance in North America and Central America. They can be seen all year round in southern Minnesota and in northern Minnesota during the summer months.

Males and Females are about 17-23cm (6.7-9.1 inches) long and weigh between 32-77g (1.1-2.7oz). Males are all black with red shoulder patches tipped with a golden yellow color. Females have mostly dark brown plumage above, are heavily streaked below, and have some orange coloration on their face and throat.

They live in open habitats such as wetlands, marshes, prairies, meadows, pastures, agricultural fields, and suburban parks. They nest in marshes, wet prairies, and hayfields across the Northern half of North America from Alaska to Newfoundland.

They eat insects, seeds, and berries primarily during nesting or feeding their young and grain in the winter. Red-winged blackbirds gather in large flocks during the winter. They will often visit bird feeders that offer mixed seeds and grains and prefer to feed on the ground.

The Red-winged Blackbird has been seen at 33% of all feeder sites in Minnesota.

Feeder Type:

  • Ground feeding
  • Large Tube Feeder
  • Large Hopper
  • Platform Feeder

Feeder Food:

  • Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
  • Hulled Sunflower Seeds
  • Cracker Corn
  • Peanut Hearts
  • Millet
  • Oats
  • Milo

18. Purple Finch

The Purple Finch is a small finch found mainly in the eastern half of the North American continent and can be seen in northern Minnesota year-round and in southern Minnesota during the winter months.

They can also be seen on the west coast of the United States and southern Canada.

Males and Females are about 12-16cm (4.7-6.3 inches) long and weigh between 18-32g (0.6-1.1oz). They are about the same size as a house finch but with a chunkier appearance. They have short notched tails and a robust conical bill, perfect for cracking seeds.

Contrary to the name, Purple Finches are not really purple. The males have a raspberry-colored head, breast, and rump, with their wings and back having a pinky tinge. The females have no red and a patterned head and are more brown and white above and streaked below.

They live in coniferous forests, woodlands, gardens, and parks. They primarily forage on the ground or in trees for seeds, buds, fruit, and some insects and spiders

They are also common at backyard bird feeders that offer sunflower seeds, thistle, or nyjer seed during the winter.

The Purple Finch has been seen at 32% of all feeder sites in Minnesota.

Feeder Type:

  • Large and Small Tube Feeder
  • Large and Small Hopper
  • Platform Feeder

Feeder Food:

  • Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
  • Hulled Sunflower Seeds
  • Nyjer
  • Millet

19. Pine Siskin

The Pine Siskin is widespread throughout North America and some parts of Canada and Mexico. They are year-round residents of northern Minnesota and winter residents in southern Minnesota.

Both males and females are about 11-14cm (4.3-5.5 inches) long and weigh between 12-18g (0.4-0.6oz). Both males and females are brown, with dark streaking throughout their bodies. They are a small finch with a sharply pointed bill and a short notched tail.

They are slightly darker above and paler below with two whitish-yellow wing bars. A yellow wing stripe can be seen during flight but is more difficult to see when perched.

They prefer open coniferous forests where they can forage in trees, looking for seeds among needles of the branches. Pine siskins are social birds and often travel in a few hundred bird flocks. They are very active and can be seen hopping around on the ground or flying quickly from tree to tree.

Pine siskins eat seeds almost exclusively but will take insects or larvae when available if seeds are not readily accessible. They are also frequent visitors to backyard bird feeders that offer sunflower seeds, or nyjer seeds.

The Pine Siskin has been seen at 29% of all feeder sites in Minnesota.

Feeder Type:

  • Large and Small Tube Feeder
  • Small Hopper
  • Platform Feeder
  • Ground

Feeder Food:

  • Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
  • Hulled Sunflower Seeds
  • Nyjer

20. European Starling

The European Starling, also known as the Common Starling or just simply Starling, is a loud, boisterous bird that can be found throughout most of North America, Europe, and parts of Asia to North Africa in wintertime. These beautifully colored birds can be seen throughout Minnesota all year round.

European Starling is roughly the size of a Robin at about 20-23cm (7.9-9.1 inches) long and weighing around 60-96g (2.1-3.4oz). Their breeding plumage is a glossy purplish-green with yellow beaks, and winter plumage is brown with white spots and a black bill. They have short wings which allow for a quick flight and a short tail. They have a long, slender bill and legs that are pinkish.

European Starlings winter in large flocks – often roosting with other bird species such as Blackbirds or Fieldfares to keep warm at night.

Their preferred habitat is open, grassy areas with some trees, but they can also be found in towns, suburbs, or human settlements out in the countryside.

They are opportunistic feeders that mainly eat insects and feed on berries, seeds, and grains. They are known to visit bird feeders in backyards to eat almost any type of food available – including suet mixes or peanuts.

The European Starling has been seen at 26% of all feeder sites in Minnesota.

Feeder Type:

  • Large Tube feeder
  • Suet Cage
  • Large Hopper
  • Platform Feeder
  • Ground

Feeder Food:

  • Black Oil & Hulled Sunflower Seeds
  • Suet
  • Cracker Corn
  • Peanuts & Peanut Hearts
  • Fruit
  • Millet & Milo
  • Oats

21. Northern Flicker

The Northern Flicker is one of the most common woodpecker species in North America and is a year-round resident of Minnesota.

They are about 28-31cm (11-12.2 inches) long and weigh 110-160g (3.9-5.6oz). They are slim woodpeckers with rounded heads, long pointy tails, and a long, slightly downward curving bill

Northern Flickers are brownish-gray above and paler below. They have a crescent-looking black bar on their chest and black spots on their bellies.

Eastern males have black whiskers, a red nape, and bright yellow under their tails, while females lack the same black whiskers as males.

Western males have red whiskers and red under their tails, while females lack the same red whiskers as males.

Northern Flickers live in open areas such as fields, pastures, woods but can also be seen around towns and suburbs.

Northern Flickers are seen foraging for ants and other insects on the ground, but they also eat fruits, nuts, and seeds. They use their long curved bill to pry insects out of logs or trees.

They will often visit backyard bird feeders that offer sunflower seeds, suet, or peanut butter.

The Northern Flicker has been seen at 24% of all feeder sites in Minnesota.

Feeder Type:

  • Suet Cage
  • Large Hopper
  • Platform Feeder

Feeder Food:

  • Black Oil and Hulled Sunflower Seed
  • Safflower
  • Suet
  • Peanuts and Peanut Hearts
  • Cracker Corn
  • Millet

22. Common Redpoll

The Common Redpoll is a small, active finch found throughout the Northern half of America and Canada. These tiny birds can be seen in Minnesota during the winter months.

Common Redpolls are about 12-14cm (4.7-5.5 inches) long and weigh between 11-20g (0.4-0.7oz). They have a compact body, short yellowish pointy bill, and short notched tails. Both males and females have red foreheads and black chins, with a brown and white body that is heavily streaked. Winter males have pale red breast and sides, and winter females have more streaking than the male.

In winter, they breed in the Northern hemisphere from Alaska and Northern Canada, and Greenland. They often move about in large flocks foraging for seeds as they move about.

The Common Redpolls’ preferred habitat is open areas such as pastures with some trees or coniferous forests to find shelter from the Northern winter. They are also found in towns, suburbs, or human settlements where they can find food to survive during the harsh Northern winters.

They feed primarily on seeds they can glean from trees, foliage, or fields in the North and will often visit bird feeders that offer tiny seeds such as nyjer or hulled sunflower seeds.

The Common Redpoll has been seen at 23% of all feeder sites in Minnesota.

Feeder Type:

  • Large & Small Tube Feeder
  • Large & Small Hopper
  • Platform Feeder
  • Ground

Feeder Food:

  • Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
  • Hulled Sunflower Seeds
  • Nyjer

23. Common Grackle

The Common Grackle is a large blackbird found in abundance throughout the Eastern and Mid-Eastern parts of North America. These large birds can be seen in Minnesota during the summer/spring breeding period.

They are about the size of a Mourning Dove and are around 28-34cm (11-13.4 Inches) long and weigh between 74-142g (2.6-5oz). Males are slightly larger than females. They have a flat head with yellow eyes and a stout beak to eat insects, seeds, fruits, small invertebrates, and snails. 

They have a long tail and shiny black plumage. The male has a greenish iridescence to their feathers, while the female is less glossy with brown feathers on her head.

The Common Grackle is usually found in large flocks in open habitats that include farmlands or grassland areas. Still, it will also be seen around residential areas where food scraps are available, like compost piles or bird feeders. They can sometimes be found near wetlands too.

Common Grackles are opportunistic omnivores that eat mainly insects and some grain but supplement with food items like seeds, fruits, small invertebrates, and snails. They usually feed or forage on the ground but will also scavenge in the garbage around residential areas if given the opportunity.

The common grackle will often visit backyard bird feeders and don’t seem to be too picky when it comes to the type of feed present.

The Common Grackle has been seen at 23% of all feeder sites in Minnesota.

Feeder Type:

  • Large Hopper
  • Platform Feeder
  • Ground

Feeder Food:

  • Black oil Sunflower Seeds
  • Hulled Sunflower Seeds
  • Safflower
  • Suet
  • Cracker Corn
  • Peanuts & Peanut Hearts
  • Fruit
  • Millet & Milo
  • Oats

24. American Tree Sparrow

The American Tree Sparrow is a small sparrow found throughout North America and can be seen in Minnesota during the winter months.

Males and females are about 13-14cm (5.5 inches) long and weigh around 13-28g (0.5-1.0oz). They have a long, thin tail, a small bill, and a small head.

Their bill is bicolored, which is dark above and yellow below. They have a rusty-colored cap, a rusty eye line, and a rusty-colored striped back. Their wings have two white wing bars, and their underparts are primarily gray with some pale brown coloration on their sides and breast.

American Tree Sparrows can be found in open areas near woods, gardens, or parks during the warmer months and move to more dense areas such as weedy fields, shrubs, and forest edges during the colder months. They breed in the far north of Canada and spend their winter migration below the Canadian border.

They eat mostly seeds in winter and insects during the summer months. They forage mainly on the ground but can also be seen in bushes or trees.

American Tree Sparrows frequently visit bird feeders in the winter that offer black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer thistle, or millet.

The American Tree Sparrow has been seen at 21% of all feeder sites in Minnesota.

Feeder Type:

  • Ground
  • Platform Feeder
  • Large hopper

Feeder Food:

  • Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
  • Nyjer
  • Peanut Hearts
  • Millet

25. Brown Creeper

The Brown Creeper is a small brown bird with a spiked-tipped tail and a thin, curved bill. They are found throughout North America and parts of Central America. They can be seen in northern Minnesota year-round and in southern Minnesota during the winter months.

Males and Females are about 12-14cm (4.7-5.5 inches) long and weigh between 5-10g 0.2-0.3oz). They are a streaked brown above and white below (difficult to see when it is hidden against a tree). It uses its spiked-tipped tail to prop itself up against tree trunks as they climb.

They live year-round across most of Canada from British Columbia to Newfoundland, and in the United States from Alaska to California, east to Maine, and south through Mexico.

Brown Creepers can be found in various forest habitats, including coniferous forests, mixed hardwood-coniferous forests, deciduous forests, riparian corridors, and even suburban parks.

They are primarily insectivores and eat spiders, seeds, and berries. They forage by climbing up tree trunks looking out for food, or gleaning food from branches and leaves.

Brown creepers are common backyard birds that can often be seen at feeders that offer suet or peanut butter and prefer to feed on the ground.

The Brown Creeper has been seen at 20% of all feeder sites in Minnesota.

Feeder Type:

  • Suet Cage

Feeder Food:

  • Suet
  • Hulled Sunflower Seeds
  • Peanut Hearts

What Are The Most Common Backyard Birds All Year Round In Minnesota?

  • Black-capped Chickadee (51%)
  • American Crow (44%)
  • American Robin (36%)
  • Blue Jay (34%)
  • Downy Woodpecker (31%)
  • American Goldfinch (29%)
  • White-breasted nuthatch (29%)
  • Northern Cardinal (29%)
  • Red-winged Blackbird (26%)
  • Hairy Woodpecker (19%)
  • Red-bellied Woodpecker (19%)
  • Mourning Dove (17%)
  • House Sparrow (15%)
  • House Finch (14%)
  • European Starling (13%)

What Are The Most Common Winter Backyard Birds Of Minnesota?

  • Black-capped Chickadee (56%)
  • American Crow (45%)
  • Downy Woodpecker (35%)
  • White-breasted Nuthatch (32%)
  • Blue Jay (29%)
  • Northern Cardinal (26%)
  • Dark-eyed Junco (26%)
  • Hairy Woodpecker (23%)
  • Red-Bellied Woodpecker (19%)
  • American Goldfinch (17%)
  • European Starling (12%)
  • Red-breasted Nuthatch (10%)
  • Common Redpoll (10%)
  • American Tree Sparrow (8%)

Birds To Spot Beyond The Backyard In Minnesota

When you decide to venture away from your home to do some birdwatching, these are some of the other birds to look out for:

  1. Purple Martin
  2. Common Loon
  3. Common Nighthawk
  4. Broad-winged Hawk
  5. Rusty Blackbird
  6. Cedar Waxwing
  7. Yellow-rumped Warbler
  8. Cliff Swallow
  9. Tree Swallow
  10. Chimney Swift
  11. Snow Bunting
  12. Sharp-shinned Hawk
  13. Bohemian Waxwing
  14. Brewer’s Blackbird
  15. Killdeer
  16. Yellow-headed Blackbird
  17. Red-tailed Hawk
  18. Red Crossbill
  19. Bald Eagle
  20. Golden-crowned Kinglet
  21. Palm Warbler
  22. Brown-headed Cowbird
  23. Fox Sparrow
  24. Rough-legged Hawk
  25. Tennessee Warbler
  26. American Redstart
  27. Swainson’s Thrush
  28. Magnolia Warbler
  29. Eastern Kingbird
  30. Nashville Warbler

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What kind of birds are in Minnesota?

Minnesota is home to many kinds of bird species like Song Birds, Water Birds, and Birds of Prey. The most common of which include the Black-capped Chickadee (51% frequency), American Crow (44% frequency), American Robin (36% frequency), Mallard (30% frequency), Canada Goose (29% frequency), Bald Eagle (16% frequency), Red-tailed Hawk (9% frequency) and the Turkey Vulture (8% frequency).

How many species of birds are in Minnesota?

There are 427 documented species of birds that have been observed in Minnesota.

What birds of prey live in Minnesota?

Minnesota is home to many raptor species such as Hawks, Falcons, Eagles, Owls and Vultures. Some of the most common include the Broad-winged Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk, Gyrfalcon, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Prairie Flacon, Barn Owl, Boreal Owl and the Barred Owl.

What Is The State Bird Of Minnesota?

The Common Loon is the state bird of Minnesota.

What Is The Most Common Backyard Bird Seen In Minnesota?

The Black-capped Chickadee is the most common backyard feeder bird in Minnesota.

Keep a watchful Eye for the backyard birds of Minnesota

There you have it, the 25 most common backyard birds of Minnesota! We hope this list inspires you to get outside and start birdwatching. Remember, you don’t need binoculars or a fancy camera to enjoy birds, just your eyes and ears!

If you are interested in birdwatching away from the backyard, visit any of Minnesota’s top five hotspots listed above. We would also love to hear from you about your favorite birdwatching spots or experiences in Minnesota.

If you have any questions about identifying more species or finding out which ones live near you, let us know! We would love to help identify new bird species for our readers.

Don’t forget to check out our other blog posts for more information about birds and nature.

So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start birding!

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Author
I am an avid birdwatcher with a passion for learning all I can about these fantastic creatures. I love finding new species of birds in my backyard, neighborhood, or when I travel. I enjoy sharing everything I learn about how these creatures live their lives; feedback and experience is much appreciated!

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