Arkansas birds at a glance
Arkansas sits where eastern woodlands, river bottoms and western influences meet. Sources such as the Encyclopedia of Arkansas describe a state list of roughly 400 species, though only a portion occur regularly, and many are rarities or migrants. For a backyard birder the practical list is much smaller. The state bird is the Northern Mockingbird, a gray bird with white wing patches that is known for its varied song.
Year-round yard birds
- Northern Cardinal: Males are bright red with a crest and black face. Females are tan with red touches in the wings and tail.
- Carolina Chickadee: Small, with a black cap and bib and white cheeks.
- Tufted Titmouse: Gray with a crest, black forehead and a hint of rusty color on the sides.
- Carolina Wren: Rich brown above, buff below, with a bold white eyebrow and a loud, ringing song.
- Blue Jay: Blue, white and black with a crest.
- Mourning Dove: Soft tan-gray with a long pointed tail.
- Downy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers: Downy is small with a short bill. Red-bellied has a black-and-white barred back and a red cap, with the red extending to the nape in males.
- Northern Mockingbird, American Robin and Eastern Bluebird are also regularly seen.
Summer birds
Many colorful birds are present mainly in the warm months:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird: The hummingbird most people see east of the Great Plains. Males show a red throat.
- Indigo Bunting: Males look deep blue, though the color depends on the light. Females are plain brown.
- Painted Bunting: Males are red, blue and green. Females are an even yellow-green. These are more likely in the western and southern parts of the state, though ranges shift.
- Summer Tanager: Males are all red, while females are yellow-orange.
- Purple Martin, Barn Swallow and Chimney Swift: Aerial insect-eaters often seen overhead.
Winter birds
Cold months bring birds from farther north. Dark-eyed Juncos, White-throated Sparrows and American Goldfinches are often seen at feeders, and Yellow-rumped Warblers may appear around suet and shrubs. Cedar Waxwings travel in flocks looking for berries.
What birds are mistaken for bluebirds?
The Eastern Bluebird has a blue back and a rusty orange throat and chest. Birds that can be confused with it include:
- Indigo Bunting: Blue all over in males, with no orange.
- Blue Jay: Much larger and crested.
- Blue Grosbeak: A blue bird with a heavy bill and brown wing bars.
- Tree Swallow: Blue-green above and white below, usually seen in flight.
Look for the orange breast. Only the bluebird has the combination of blue upperparts and an orange chest.
How to identify a bird you do not know
Start with size, shape and the main color pattern, then add behavior, habitat and time of year. Free apps such as Merlin Bird ID can suggest species from a photo or a recording of the song. Treat the suggestion as a lead and confirm it against a range map or field guide.
Related guides
Birds in the neighboring state to the west overlap strongly with Arkansas. Our Oklahoma bird identification chart lists many shared species.