Top 25 delightful Backyard Birds of Wyoming you can see at home

Wyoming is a state in the western United States known for its outdoor recreation and wildlife. Home to Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming is a popular destination for birders and nature lovers worldwide.

In Wyoming, a large variety of birds can be found in the backyard. This is because Wyoming has diverse habitats, from open prairies and rugged mountains to dense forests and winding rivers; Wyoming has something for every type of bird.

In addition to its natural landscape, Wyoming also boasts a wide variety of bird-friendly habitats. From urban areas to rural farms and ranches, there are plenty of places for birds to find food and shelter.

This blog post will look at Wyoming’s 25 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 at any time of the year.

Backyard Birds Of Wyoming

According to the latest data from ebird, there are 442 observed species of Birds in Wyoming. This data comes from over 198,000 checklists from over 14,000 avid birdwatchers. Identifying and seeing all 442 species is a daunting 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 Wyoming:

• 442 observed species
• The American Robin is the most common backyard bird species in Wyoming.
• The House Finch is the most common feeder bird of Wyoming.
• The Red-breasted Nuthatch is the smallest most common feeder bird in Wyoming.
• The American Crow is the largest backyard bird in the top 25 list.
• The Western Meadowlark is the state bird of Wyoming.

Top 5 Hotspots For Birdwatching In Wyoming

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

1. Wyoming Hereford Ranch
2. Hutton Lake National Wildlife Refuge
3. Saratoga Lake and Storer Wetlands
4. Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park
5. Lions Park

Top 25 Backyard Birds Of Wyoming

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

1. 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 small birds can be seen in Wyoming backyards 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 87% of all feeder sites in Wyoming.

2. Dark-eyed Junco

The Dark-Eyed Junco is a medium-sized sparrow found in the Northern Hemisphere from Alaska to Newfoundland and are year-round residents of Wyoming.

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 87% of all feeder sites in Wyoming.

3. Eurasian Collared-Dove

The Eurasian Collared-Dove is a small dove that lives in the Northern Hemisphere. They are abundant throughout Europe, North America, and South Asia. These Doves can be found anywhere in the US besides the Northeast and Canada, and are year-round residents of Wyoming backyards.

Males and Females are about 29-30cm (11.4-11.8 inches) long and weigh 140-180g (4.9-6.3oz). They are plump doves with long, squared-off tails and small heads. They have broad, round, black-tipped wings. Their plumage is a pale gray with darker flight feathers, and adults have a black hindneck collar.

Eurasian Collared Doves usually perch on tree branches, telephone wires, or other elevated structures. They are very social birds and can be seen in small to large flocks. They usually roost together at night in tall trees.

These Doves live in suburbs, towns, and agricultural areas and avoid heavily forested areas and city centers.

Eurasian Collared-Doves eat mainly seeds and some wasted grain, berries, and insects. They will visit backyard bird feeders that offer sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, corn, and millet.

The Eurasian Collared-Dove has been seen at 80% of all feeder sites in Wyoming.

4. House Sparrow

The House Sparrow is a common species of bird found throughout the world and are year-round residents of Wyoming backyards.

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 73% of all feeder sites in Wyoming.

5. Black-capped Chickadee

The Black-Capped Chickadee is a widespread species of bird found throughout the Northern half of North America and is a year-round resident of Wyoming.

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 73% of all feeder sites in Wyoming.

6. 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 loud birds can be seen in Wyoming 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 67% of all feeder sites in Wyoming.

7. Downy Woodpecker

The Downy Woodpecker is a small woodpecker found throughout North America and is a year-round resident of Wyoming.

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 67% of all feeder sites in Wyoming.

8. Northern Flicker

The Northern Flicker is one of the most common woodpecker species in Wyoming and is a year-round resident of the state.

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 63% of all feeder sites in Wyoming.

9. 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, and can be seen in Wyoming backyards all year round.

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 53% of all feeder sites in Wyoming.

10. Red-breasted Nuthatch

The Red-breasted Nuthatch is a small songbird found across most of North America and much of Canada, and can be seen in Wyoming all year round.

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 53% of all feeder sites in Wyoming.

11. American Robin

The American Robin is a common species of bird found throughout North America and is a year-round resident of Wyoming backyards.

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 53% of all feeder sites in Wyoming.

12. Mountain Chickadee

The Mountain Chickadee is a small-sized songbird that is found in mountains of North America, including the Sierra Nevada Mountains located in California to the Rocky Mountains range that runs through Alberta, British Columbia, Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, and into South Dakota.

Males and females are about 11-14cm (4.3-5.5 inches) long and weigh around 11g (0.4oz). They have large heads, rounded wings, tiny bills, and long rounded wings.

Like other chickadee species, they are gray above and paler grayish-white below. They have a black cap and throat and a white stripe over the eye that resembles an eyebrow. The white line is what differentiates Mountain Chickadees from other species.

They live across mountainous coniferous forests but will also be seen in mixed woodlands, urban parks, and gardens with similar habitats at lower elevations.

Mountain Chickadees are insectivores and will feed on insects, spiders, caterpillars, beetles, and insect eggs. They mostly forage by gleaning from tree branches and trunks and hovering to catch their prey.

They can be found in backyards with bushes and trees and will often visit bird feeders that offer black oil sunflower seeds and suet cakes.

The Mountain Chickadee has been seen at 47% of all feeder sites in Wyoming.

13. Pine Siskin

The Pine Siskin is widespread throughout North America and some parts of Canada and Mexico. They can be seen all year round in the Wyoming mountain ranges and the lower elevations such s the great plains and Great Divide Basin during the colder non-breeding months.

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 43% of all feeder sites in Wyoming.

14. Black-billed Magpie

The Black-billed Magpie is a large bird found in the Northwestern and central part of North America and is a year-round resident of Wyoming.

Both males and females are 45-60cm (17.7-23.6 inches) long, weigh between 145-210g (5.1-7.4oz), and have a heavy black bill and a long diamond-shaped tail.

The Black Billed Magpie has black feathers on its head, back, and chest with a white belly. The wings are black with white “shoulders”, and glossy blueish-green highlights on their wings and tail.

Their preferred habitat is open grassland with some trees near bodies of water such as rivers or wetlands where they can find shelter from potential predators (or even human threats). They will also visit town parks where there might be a mix of lawns, shrubs, and brushy areas.

The Black Billed Magpie is an opportunistic scavenger that feeds on various items such as insects, carrion, seeds, fruit, and other birds’ eggs or young. They typically forage on the ground and often store food in various locations.

They are common at bird feeders in the west, where they will eat most anything that is put out for them (even if it’s not their preferred diet). Platform and Suet feeders are a favorite of the magpie.

The Black-billed Magpie has been seen at 43% of all feeder sites in Wyoming.

15. American Goldfinch

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

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 40% of all feeder sites in Wyoming.

16. Blue Jay

The Blue Jay is a common species of bird found throughout North America and can be seen in Wyoming during the colder non-breeding months.

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 40% of all feeder sites in Wyoming.

17. 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.

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 30% of all feeder sites in Wyoming.

18. Hairy Woodpecker

The Hairy Woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker found throughout North America and Southern Canada, and is a year-round resident of Wyoming.

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 27% of all feeder sites in Wyoming.

19. Cassin’s Finch

The Cassin’s Finch is a small, sparrow-sized bird found in the western half of North America and is a year-round resident of Wyoming.

Males and females are about 16cm (6.3-6.5 inches) long and weigh around 24-34g (0.8-1.2oz). They are similar to the Purple Finch and House Finch but have longer and heavier pointed bills and longer wings. They have notched short to medium-length tails and a peaked head.

Males and females have streaked undertail coverts, wings, and backs. Males have a bright red cap, rosy pink face, breast, and rump. The females are brown and white with fine steaks on their chests and underparts.

Cassin’s Finches can be found in evergreen forests located in the mountains during the warmer months and tend to move to lower elevations during the colder months.

They eat mostly seeds, berries, and buds but also feed on insects when available. They forage mainly in the trees with other finches like Pine Siskins and crossbills.

Cassin’s Finches have been known to visit bird feeders that offer sunflower seeds, millet, or thistle seeds in the winter months.

The Cassin’s Finch has been seen at 23% of all feeder sites in Wyoming.

20. 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 Wyoming during the summer and spring breeding months.

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 Wyoming.

21. White-breasted Nuthatch

The White-breasted Nuthatch is an exciting species to observe and can be found from southern Canada down into Central America. These beautiful birds can be seen in Wyoming 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 23% of all feeder sites in Wyoming.

22. Gray-crowned rosy-finch

The Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch is a small songbird found in the mountains of North America and can be seen in Wyoming backyards during the colder non-breeding months.

Males and females are about 14-21cm (5.5 to 8.3 inches) long and weigh around 22-60g (0.8-2.1 oz). They have a small body, a short tail, and a stout conical bill.

Male Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches are brown overall with rosy pink on their body and wings. They have gray sides and a black throat and forecrown. The females have a similar coloring, except they have less rosy-pink coloration.

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches can be found in high mountain woodlands, chaparral, forests, and gardens. They prefer areas with dense vegetation and cliffs for nesting but will also use open spaces if available.

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches are omnivorous ground foragers who eat various insects, berries, and seeds.

They have been known to visit bird feeders offering sunflower or thistle seeds.

The Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch has been seen at 20% of all feeder sites in Wyoming.

23. Rock Pigeon

The Rock Pigeon is a medium-sized bird found throughout North, Central, and South America.

Males and females are about 30-36cm (12 to 14 inches) long and weigh around 265-380g (9.3-13.5oz). They have broad wings, wide rounded tails, short legs, and a small head.

Rock Pigeons are gray with two black bars on their wings, and a black-tipped tail. They also have a white rump and a black neck with iridescent feathers on their throat.

Rock pigeons can be found in urban areas such as cities, towns, and villages. They prefer cliffs or ledges for roosting and nesting but will also use buildings if available.

Rock pigeons eat mostly seeds, grains, and fruits. They will also eat insects, snails, and other small invertebrates if given a chance.

They have been known to visit bird feeders that offer sunflower seeds, cracked corn, or millet. Rock pigeons will also eat bread crumbs and other human food scraps.

The Rock Pigeon has been seen at 20% of all feeder sites in Wyoming.

24. Sharp-shinned Hawk

The Sharp-shinned hawk is a small raptor with short, rounded wings and a long tail. They are found throughout North and Central America, and are year-round residents of Wyoming.

Males and Females are about 24-34cm (9.4-13.4 inches) long and weigh between 87-218g (3.1-7.7oz). They are just a bit larger than a Jay and the females are noticeably larger than the males. They are bluish-gray above and reddish-orange below with a darker cap.

They live in various habitats, including woodland edges, suburban areas, parks, open fields, and agricultural land from Canada to Southern Mexico.

Sharp-shinned hawks eat mostly songbirds and consume small mammals such as mice, rats, and squirrels. They ambush their prey by hiding in trees and pouncing on their unsuspecting victim.

They are common backyard birds that can often be seen perched on a tree branch or flying overhead. Sharp-shinned hawks prefer to feed on live prey and visit bird feeders that have attracted small mammals or songbirds.

The Sharp-shinned Hawk has been seen at 20% of all feeder sites in Wyoming.

25. Evening Grosbeak

The Evening Grosbeak is a large, stocky bird found throughout the northernmost part of North America. These beautiful birds are residents of Wyoming during the colder non-breeding months.

Males and females are about 16-18cm (6.3-7.1 inches) long and weigh around 53-74g (1.9-2.6oz). They have a large head, a thick pale bill slightly curved downwards, and a short tail.

Males are primarily black and yellow with a white patch on their wings. Males also have dark heads and a bright yellow stripe above the eye. Females are mostly gray with white and black wings and a greenish-yellow highlight around the neck area. The males have pale bills, and females have greenish-yellow bills.

Evening Grosbeaks can be found in open coniferous and deciduous forests, parks, or gardens.

They forage primarily in the treetops and eat seeds and insects in the warmer months and berries and tree seeds during the colder months.

Evening Grosbeaks have been known to visit bird feeders that offer black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer thistle, or millet.

The Evening Grosbeak has been seen at 17% of all feeder sites in Wyoming.

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

• American Robin (38% frequency)
• Common Raven (25% frequency)
• Northern Flicker (22% frequency)
• Red-winged Blackbird (22% frequency)
• House Sparrow (22% frequency)
• European Starling (20% frequency)
• Black-billed Magpie (20% frequency)
• Dark-eyed Junco (17% frequency)
• American Crow (16% frequency)
• Western Meadowlark (16% frequency)

What Are The Most Common Winter Backyard Birds Of Wyoming?

• House Sparrow (34% frequency)
• Eurasian-collared Dove (28% frequency)
• House Finch (28% frequency)
• American Robin (26% frequency)
• Black-billed Magpie (25% frequency)
• Common Raven (25% frequency)
• European Starling (25% frequency)
• Dark-eyed Junco (24% frequency)
• Northern Flicker (23% frequency)
• American Crow (21% frequency)

Birds To Spot Beyond The Backyard In Wyoming

If you decide to birdwatch away from your home, these are some of the other birds to look out for:

1. Western Meadowlark
2. Bohemian Waxwing
3. Tree Swallow
4. Swainson’s Hawk
5. Chipping Sparrow
6. Yellow Warbler
7. Cliff Swallow
8. Brewer’s Blackbird
9. Black Rosy-Finch
10. Yellow-headed Blackbird
11. Barn Swallow
12. Common Nighthawk
13. Pinyon Jay
14. Bank Swallow
15. Common Redpoll
16. Cedar Waxwing
17. Lark Bunting
18. Red-tailed Hawk
19. Mountain Bluebird
20. Red Crossbill
21. Sharp-shinned Hawk
22. Killdeer
23. White-winged Crossbill
24. Snow Bunting
25. Wilson’s Warbler
26. Marsh Wren
27. Western Tanager
28. Clark’s Nutcracker
29. Lark Sparrow
30. Sage Thrasher

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Keep an eye out for the backyard birds of Wyoming

Wyoming is home to many different types of birds that can be found in a variety of habitats throughout the state. Backyard birding is a great way to start birdwatching, and many common species can be seen right in your backyard.

If you want to venture beyond your backyard, visit one of Wyoming’s best hotspots for birdwatching. We would also love to hear about your favorite birdwatching spots or experiences in Wyoming.

If you have 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.