Nestled in the Appalachian foothills and bordered by the Ohio River, Kentucky is a state that boasts a rich diversity of water birds. Its plentiful rivers, lakes, and wetlands create a varied landscape that attracts an array of these remarkable creatures.
Kentucky water birds
| Water Bird Species | Frequency in Kentucky | Where to Find in Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| American White Pelican | Uncommon | Lake Barkley, Kentucky Lake |
| Double-Crested Cormorant | Common | Lakes and rivers statewide |
| Great Blue Heron | Very Common | Lakes, rivers, and wetlands statewide |
| Great Egret | Common | Wetlands, Ballard Wildlife Management Area |
| Snowy Egret | Uncommon | Ballard Wildlife Management Area |
| Green Heron | Common | Wetlands and small bodies of water statewide |
| Black-Crowned Night-Heron | Uncommon | Urban areas, Green River |
| Mallard | Very Common | Lakes, ponds, and rivers statewide |
| Wood Duck | Common | Wooded streams and rivers |
| Blue-Winged Teal | Common | Wetlands, Ballard Wildlife Management Area |
| Northern Pintail | Common | Wetlands and large bodies of water |
| Canvasback | Uncommon | Large lakes and reservoirs |
| Redhead | Uncommon | Large lakes and reservoirs |
| Ring-Necked Duck | Common | Lakes and ponds statewide |
| Lesser Scaup | Common | Lakes and reservoirs statewide |
| Bufflehead | Common | Lakes and rivers statewide |
| Hooded Merganser | Common | Wooded rivers and ponds |
| Common Merganser | Uncommon | Large bodies of water, Kentucky Lake |
| American Coot | Very Common | Lakes, ponds, and rivers statewide |
| Sandhill Crane | Common | Barren River, Lake Barkley |
| American Wigeon | Common | Wetlands and large bodies of water |
| Osprey | Uncommon | Lakes Barkley and Cumberland |
Water Bird Species Found in Kentucky
Where to Spot Kentucky’s Water Birds
You won’t find many water birds around the bird feeders however if you venture out into the wildlife parks, there are plenty of wading birds and shore birds to be seen! However, many Kentucky birds of prey might visit bird feeders, just to prey on the little backward birds in kentucky at the bird feeder!
Mammoth Cave National Park, Edmonson County: Aside from its famed underground passages, this park also boasts the Green and Nolin Rivers, which attract water birds such as Great Blue Herons, Double-Crested Cormorants, little blue herons and various species of ducks and other medium sized birds.
Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake, Western Kentucky: These two massive lakes and the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area sandwiched between them serve as fantastic locations for spotting water birds like the American White Pelican, Western Grebe, and other wading birds and numerous waterfowl thanks to the abundant water and dense vegetation surrounding it.
Daniel Boone National Forest, Eastern Kentucky: The numerous rivers and streams flowing through this forested area provide habitats for species such as the Green Heron, American Coot, and Mallard. You can also see prarie warblers (the females have dark stripes whilst the males have vibrant yellow underparts).
Sloughs Wildlife Management Area, Henderson County: This large wetland reserve on the Ohio River floodplain is a hotspot for a wide variety of water birds, including Snowy Egrets, Great Egrets, and Sandhill Cranes and other large birds.
Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, Bullitt and Nelson Counties: Not far from Louisville, the forest’s Lake Nevin is a great spot for observing water birds such as the Great Blue Heron, Bufflehead, and the Northern Pintail.
| Neighboring State | Best Spots for Birdwatching |
|---|---|
| Illinois Water Birds | Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary, Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge, Middle Fork River Forest Preserve |
| Indiana Water Birds | Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area, Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge, Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge |
| Missouri Water Birds | Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Mingo National Wildlife Refuge |
| Ohio Water Birds | Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, Cuyahoga Valley National Park |
| Virginia Water Birds | Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge |
| West Virginia Water Birds | Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge, New River Gorge National Park |
| Tennessee Water Birds | Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Reelfoot Lake State Park, Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge |