Discover the world of Wisconsin winter birds in this article. You’ll find photos and essential information about 21 common bird species for easy identification, including details on their winter diet, habitat, range maps, and the best food to offer them for survival. With over 25 years of backyard birdwatching experience in Wisconsin, I’ll help make winter bird identification a breeze!
21 Common Winter Birds in Wisconsin Backyards
Based on 2022 winter data from Feederwatch.org, the top 21 birds in Wisconsin backyards are:
- Black-capped Chickadee
- Downy Woodpecker
- Dark-eyed Junco
- American Goldfinch
- Northern Cardinal
- White-breasted Nuthatch
- Mourning Dove
- Red-bellied Woodpecker
- House Finch
- Blue Jay
- Hairy Woodpecker
- House Sparrow
- Red-breasted Nuthatch
- Common Redpoll
- American Crow
- Tufted Titmouse
- European Starling
- Pine Siskin
- Pileated Woodpecker
- Purple Finch
- American Tree Sparrow
Wisconsin Winter Bird Identification Guide
In this guide, you’ll find photos, descriptions, natural diets, feeder diets, and range maps for 21 common winter backyard birds.
In order of the most common to the least, let’s begin with the black-capped chickadee.
1. Black-Capped Chickadee
Black-capped chickadees are small birds, approximately 5 1/4″ long, with a black cap, throat, and cheek, white breasts and bellies, and gray-olive bodies and wings. Their winter belly becomes a buff tan.
They primarily feed on seeds, especially pine cones, small fruits, and berries that stay on trees, shrubs, and vines.
At feeders, they enjoy black-oil sunflower and safflower seeds, suet, peanut butter, hulled peanuts, and mixed seeds.
During winter in Wisconsin, they prefer coniferous forest edges with abundant pine cones, open wooded areas, shrubs, willow thickets, and even tree-lined urban parks. Trees are important for their cavity nesting and winter roosting needs.
Range Map
2. Downy Woodpecker
Downy woodpeckers are small birds, measuring 6″ – 7″ long. Males have tuxedo-black bodies with a white stripe on the back, white belly, white outer tail feathers, spotted white wings, a yellow/tan spot above the beak, and a distinctive red patch on the back of the crown. Females lack the red coloring but are otherwise nearly identical.
Their diet consists of fruit and berries found on trees, shrubs, vines, and plants.
At feeders, they enjoy suet, peanut butter spread, hulled sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, hulled peanuts, corn, fruits, nectar (sugar water), and mixed seeds.
These non-migrating woodpeckers reside in Wisconsin year-round, tolerating snow and ice. They can be found wherever there are trees.
Range Map
3. Dark-eyed Junco
Dark-eyed juncos are tiny birds, measuring about 5.5″ – 6.5″ long. Males are dark gray with a white underside and a pink bill, while females are similar but brownish gray.
During winter, their diet primarily consists of seeds, and at feeders, they prefer Nyjer, black-oil sunflower seeds, hulled sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, cracked corn, hulled peanuts, and suet.
These winter visitors are found in various Wisconsin habitats, including thick coniferous and deciduous forests, open spaces, wooded edges, parks, and backyards.
Range Map
4. American Goldfinch
In winter, American goldfinches are small birds, around 4.5″ long, with dull brown bodies, paler yellow heads, and thicker white wing stripes after molting from their bright yellow summer plumage. Females resemble males but have more white tips on their wings.
Their winter diet consists of seeds from standing seed-bearing flowers (weeds and grasses) and dormant insects.
At bird feeders in winter, they prefer thistle seed (Nyjer).
These birds are common winter visitors throughout the contiguous US and can be found in weedy fields, roadsides, orchards, and backyards.
While most American goldfinches spend all four seasons in Wisconsin, some migrate west and south during winter.
Range Map
5. Northern Cardinal
Male northern cardinals are medium-sized, measuring about 8 1/2″ long, with bright red feathers, a black mask, red crown, orange beak, and black areas on their wings and tail. Females have an orange beak, buff-brown plumage with a tan crown, and a hint of red with red spots on their wings and tail.
During winter, they forage for small berries and seeds remaining on plants.
Frequent visitors to backyard feeders, they enjoy black oil sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, striped sunflower seeds, hulled peanuts, and cracked corn.
Northern cardinals are year-round residents in Wisconsin, favoring wooded edges, thickets, vines, city parks, and backyards.
Range Map
6. White-breasted Nuthatch
The white-breasted nuthatch is a small bird, approximately 5-6″ long, with a gray/blue back, white head, black cap, chestnut under the tail, and a slender pick-like beak. Females share a similar appearance, with a gray cap and neck.
During winter, their diet includes insects hibernating beneath tree bark and seeds, particularly from pine cones.
At bird feeders in winter, they enjoy suet, sunflower seeds, and shelled peanuts.
These birds are year-round residents in Wisconsin, thriving in mature deciduous and mixed forests, especially where cone crops are abundant. They are also commonly found in wooded suburban areas, orchards, parks, and backyards, often seen moving head-first down tree trunks while foraging for insects beneath the bark.
7. Mourning Dove
Mourning doves are sizable birds, approximately 12″ long, with smooth fawn-colored plumage. They have black spots on their wings and tail, a single black spot behind and below their eyes, wide brown tails with white edges, red-orange legs, a gray patch between their head and back, iridescent colors around their neck, large black eyes with light blue eye rings, and a pointy bill.
During winter, they primarily feed on seeds and are ground foragers, often eating seeds that drop below feeders.
Mourning doves are year-round residents in the lower two-thirds of Wisconsin, favoring open areas and tolerating chilly weather.
Range Map
8. Red-bellied woodpecker
Red-bellied woodpeckers are medium-sized birds, measuring around 9 1/4″ long, with a zebra-like striped back and a white rump. They have a red crown that extends down the neck and tan chests with a hint of red on the belly. Females lack the red crown.
In winter, their diet includes insects hibernating beneath tree bark, nuts, remaining fruits on trees and shrubs, and seeds, particularly from pine cones.
They enjoy suet and hulled peanuts at feeders during the winter.
Year-round residents in the lower two-thirds of Wisconsin, red-bellied woodpeckers prefer habitats in or near forests and woodlands.
9. House Finch
The house finch is a small bird, approximately 5″ long, with an orange/red face, chest, and rump, brown wings streaked with white, and a white belly with brown streaks. Females and juveniles are brown with white streaks.
In winter, they primarily feed on seeds and fruit, with black oil sunflower seeds being their favorite at feeders.
Year-round residents in the lower half and eastern parts of Wisconsin, house finches prefer areas around human dwellings, including buildings, backyard trees, shrubs, barns, as well as parks and urban areas.
Range Map
10. Blue Jay
Blue jays are large birds, measuring about 12″ long, with a medium blue and white body, a blue crest that they can flatten at will, a gray belly, and a white face. Their wings are a mix of white and blue with black spots. Female plumage looks the same.
During winter, their diet includes fruit, seeds on trees, shrubs, vines, and nuts.
At feeders in winter, they prefer whole peanuts, sunflower seeds, and cracked corn.
Year-round residents in Wisconsin, they can be found in coniferous forests, mixed wooded areas, suburbs, and urban regions.
Range Map
11. Hairy Woodpecker
The hairy woodpecker is a medium-sized bird, approximately 9″ long, with black-and-white plumage, a white belly, black wings adorned with white spots, a white stripe down the back, a red mark on the back of the head, and a long black bill. Females look similar but lack the red mark.
During winter, they primarily feed on seeds, nuts, and insects hibernating beneath tree bark.
At feeders in winter, they enjoy suet and hulled peanuts.
Year-round residents in Wisconsin, hairy woodpeckers prefer mature forests and areas with dense trees in urban and suburban regions.
12. House Sparrow
In winter, house sparrows are small birds, around 6″ long, with brown plumage, a grayish-edged bib (which turns black in spring and summer), a white wing bar, gray belly, and crown. Females are slightly smaller, entirely light brown without black markings.
Their winter diet consists of seeds and fruit, and at feeders, they enjoy black oil sunflower seeds, cracked corn, peanut hearts, millet, milo, and mixed seed.
Year-round residents in Wisconsin, house sparrows are commonly found in urban, suburban, and rural areas, including cities, towns, villages, suburbs, and farms.
Range Map
13. Red-Breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted nuthatches are petite birds, measuring about 4.5″ long, with gray/blue backs, white heads featuring black stripes over each eye, and orange-cinnamon-colored breasts, along with a pointed pick-like beak. Females share the same appearance but with a more subdued underside color.
During winter, they primarily feed on insects hibernating beneath tree bark and seeds, especially from pine cones.
At feeders in winter, they enjoy suet, sunflower seeds, shelled peanuts, and fruit.
In the northern part of Wisconsin, red-breasted nuthatches are year-round residents, while in the rest of the state, they visit only during the winter. They are often seen climbing upside-down on deciduous trees while foraging for insects beneath the bark, and they are drawn to coniferous forests, particularly where cone crops are abundant.
14. Common Redpoll
The common redpoll, often called the “winter finch,” is a small bird, approximately 5″ long, heavily streaked, with a bright red crown, a black spot beneath the chin, and a raspberry splotch on its chest. During winter, the chest becomes redder/pink. Females resemble males but lack the raspberry chest, with whiter underparts during winter.
In winter, their diet mainly consists of seeds, often feeding on the ground or in seed-bearing trees when in flocks.
At winter backyard feeders, they prefer black-oil sunflower seeds, hulled sunflower seeds, and nyjer.
While many common redpolls leave their breeding grounds in northern Canada for Wisconsin during the winter, a few may venture even further south, although such instances are rare. They favor open areas with tree-lined surroundings.
Range Map
15. American Crow
American crows are large all-black birds, measuring approximately 16-20″ long, with wide necks and long straight bills. Both males and females share the same appearance.
Their diet is opportunistic, consisting of scavenged items found on the ground, including garbage. They also feed on insects, spiders, frogs, snakes, and other birds’ eggs and young.
Crows do not visit backyard feeders.
Common throughout the US, including Wisconsin, American crows can be found in a variety of habitats such as fields, open woods, forests, riverbanks, shores, towns, cities, parks, and more.
16. Tufted Titmouse
The tufted titmouse is a small bird, approximately 6″ long, with slate gray plumage on its upper parts, white on its chest, belly, and around the eyes. Beneath the wings, there is a patch of rusty brown, and their legs are gray. Their eyes are dark, and they sport a pointed “tuft” crest.
During winter, they primarily feed on seeds and fruits remaining on branches and vines.
At winter backyard feeders, they prefer suet.
Year-round residents in the southern half of Wisconsin, tufted titmice favor orchards due to the availability of fruit, often staying through the snowy season to glean whatever remains on the vines. They are also found in deciduous wooded areas and mixed woods.
17. European Starling
The European starling is a medium-sized bird, approximately 7 1/2″ long, with iridescent shades of purple and black, adorned with white speckles. They have a long pointed gray bill in fall, which turns yellow in spring, and a short tail. Females share the same appearance.
During winter, they primarily feed on seeds and fruit that remain on barren branches.
At winter feeders, they are opportunistic and will consume a variety of foods.
Year-round residents in Wisconsin, some migrate south to Mexico. They do not have strong habitat preferences but are commonly found in urban and residential areas, including backyard lawns, parks, and fields.
18. Pine Siskin
The pine siskin is a small brown bird, approximately 5″ long, with streaks on the back, breast, and belly. It features faint yellow plumage in the wing bars and at the end of the tail. Females resemble males but have less yellow on the wings and tail.
Their winter diet mainly consists of seeds.
At winter backyard feeders, they favor Nyjer, black-oil sunflower seeds, hulled sunflower seeds, and suet.
While some pine siskins remain in northern Wisconsin throughout the year, others expand their range to settle throughout the rest of the state during the winter. They are commonly found in open areas and wooded edges.
19. Pileated Woodpecker
Pileated woodpeckers are large birds, approximately 19″ long, mainly black with white stripes on their face and neck, and white underwings. Their distinctive flaming red triangle-shaped crest is noticeable, and males also sport a red cheek stripe. Females are similar but have a shorter crest and lack the red cheek stripe.
In winter, they primarily feed on insects, particularly carpenter ants found under tree bark.
They can be attracted to winter feeders with suet, shelled peanuts, safflower seeds, and sunflower seeds.
These woodpeckers remain in Wisconsin for winter, except in the southeastern part of the state where they are uncommon. They inhabit forested areas with tall deciduous and coniferous trees, as well as lower fruit and nut-bearing trees and shrubs.
20. Purple Finch
Purple finches are small birds, around 6″ long, featuring a raspberry-red head with lighter shades on the breast, back, and rump, while their wings and tail are brown. Females have brown plumage with striped breasts and white streaks across their eyes.
Their diet consists of seeds, insects, and fruit.
At backyard feeders, they favor black oil sunflower seeds.
Many purple finches in northern Wisconsin remain there for winter, while others migrate south into the rest of the state just for the season. They prefer coniferous forests in the summer and mixed forests near streams, as well as tree-lined backyards.
21. American Tree Sparrow
The American tree sparrow is a small bird, around 6″ long, with brown plumage, a tan breast, and a rust-colored crown. They feature a single black spot on their chest, dark upper bills, and yellow lower bills, with gray eyebrows around their eyes. Females look the same.
In winter, they primarily eat seeds and can be attracted to black-oil sunflower seeds, hulled sunflower seeds, nyjer, cracked corn, and peanut hearts at backyard feeders.
These sparrows migrate to Wisconsin exclusively for the winter season, preferring wooded areas, especially along the edges.
More Wisconsin Winter Birds
Alright, now that we’ve covered the 21 common backyard winter birds, what about the rest? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! Some birds make Wisconsin their winter home, while others drop by only when the first snowflake falls.
If you’re curious about the birds you might spot in your specific area of the state, let’s dive into it.
Birds that Stay in Wisconsin for the winter
Let’s praise the year-round birds that decide to stay in Wisconsin for winter. They deserve props!
Some of them are part of the 21 common backyard winter birds while others are not. Here are the birds that stay in Wisconsin for the winter.
American Crow |
American Goldfinch |
American Robin |
Barred Owl |
Belted Kingfisher |
Black-Capped Chickadee |
Blue Jay |
Brown Creeper |
Canada Jay (Gray Jay) |
Downy Woodpecker |
Eastern Bluebird |
Eastern Meadowlark |
Eastern Screech-Owl |
Eurasian Collared-Dove |
European Starling |
European Starling |
Evening Grosbeak |
Great Horned Owl |
Hairy Woodpecker |
Horned Lark |
House Finch |
House Sparrow |
Mallard |
Mourning Dove |
Mute Swan |
Northern Bobwhite |
Northern Cardinal |
Northern Flicker |
Northern Mockingbird |
Pileated Woodpecker |
Pine Siskin |
Purple Finch |
Red Crossbill |
Red-Bellied Woodpecker |
Red-Breasted Nuthatch |
Red-Headed Woodpecker |
Red-Tailed Hawk |
Red-Winged Blackbird |
Rock Pigeon |
Sharp-Shinned Hawk |
Short-eared Owl |
Song Sparrow |
Tufted Titmouse |
White-Breasted Nuthatch |
White-Winged Crossbill |
Wild Turkey |
Wood Duck |
Wisconsin Winter Birds Just Visiting for the Season
While it may be hard to believe, a few brave bird species choose to migrate to Wisconsin for the winter, despite the freezing temperatures and harsh climate. These winter visitors include common redpolls, pine grosbeaks, American tree sparrows, white-crowned sparrows, white-throated sparrows, snow buntings, northern shrikes, great gray owls, gyrfalcon, rough-legged hawk, and snowy owls.
Their presence adds diversity to the landscape and gives us something to look forward to during winter. You can find photos of these birds below, and more details about them are provided later in the article.
Common Redpoll
Pine Grosbeak
American Tree Sparrow
White-Throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Snowy Owl
Snow Bunting
Gyrafalcon
Rough-Legged Hawk
Northern Shrike
Winter Birds of Northern Wisconsin
Do you live in northern Wisconsin and wonder which winter birds you can expect to see – before the first snowflake falls? No problem. They’re all listed below.
American Crow |
American Goldfinch |
American Tree Sparrow |
Barred Owl |
Belted Kingfisher |
Black-Capped Chickadee |
Blue Jay |
Brown Creeper |
Canada Goose |
Cedar Waxwing |
Common Raven |
Common Redpoll |
Downy Woodpecker |
Eastern Screech-Owl |
European Starling |
Evening Grosbeak |
Gray Jay (Canada Jay) |
Great Horned Owl |
Great Blue Heron |
Great Gray Owl |
Gyrfalcon |
Hairy Woodpecker |
House Sparrow |
Northern Cardinal |
Northern Flicker |
Northern Mockingbird |
Northern Shrike |
Pileated Woodpecker |
Pine Grosbeak |
Pine Siskin |
Purple Finch |
Red Crossbill |
Red-Breasted Nuthatch |
Rock Pigeon |
Rough-Legged Hawk |
Sharp-Shinned Hawk |
Snowy Owl |
Snow Bunting |
White-Breasted Nuthatch |
White-Winged Crossbill |
Wild Turkey |
Winter Birds of Southern Wisconsin
I didn’t forget about you southern Wisconsinites! Below are the birds you can expect to see in winter:
American Crow |
American Goldfinch |
American Robin |
American Tree Sparrow |
Bald Eagle ?? |
Barred Owl |
Belted Kingfisher |
Black-Capped Chickadee |
Blue Jay |
Brown Creeper |
Canada Goose |
Cedar Waxwing |
Common Grackle |
Common Redpoll |
Cooper’s Hawk |
Downy Woodpecker |
Eastern Bluebird |
Eastern Meadowlark |
Eurasian Collared-Dove |
European Starling |
Golden-Crowned Kinglet |
Great Blue Heron |
Great Horned Owl |
Hairy Woodpecker |
Horned Lark |
House Finch |
House Sparrow |
Mallard |
Mourning Dove |
Mute Swan |
Northern Cardinal |
Northern Flicker |
Northern Mockingbird |
Northern Shrike |
Pine Grosbeak |
Red-Bellied Woodpecker |
Red-Breasted Nuthatch |
Red-Headed Woodpecker |
Red-Shouldered Hawk |
Red-Tailed Hawk |
Red-Winged Blackbird |
Rock Pigeon |
Rough-Legged Hawk |
Sharp-Shinned Hawk |
Short-Eared Owl |
Song Sparrow |
Snow Bunting |
Snowy Owl |
Swamp Sparrow |
Tufted Titmouse |
White-Breasted Nuthatch |
White-Throated Sparrow |
White-Crowned Sparrow |
White-Winged Crossbill |
Wild Turkey |
Wood Duck |
Conclusion
Winter in Wisconsin can feel never-ending, but watching these common winter backyard birds can make it more enjoyable. Attract them by offering their favorite foods and fresh water.
When spring arrives, bid farewell to the winter visitors and welcome back the returning migratory birds to Wisconsin.
I hope you’ve identified your favorite winter Wisconsin bird or learned more about them. Happy Birding!
References
- Range maps courtesy of The Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Feederwatch.org