11 Most Common Winter Birds of Michigan

Michigan is one of the best states in the country for birdwatching due to its diverse landscapes including the Great Lakes, dense forests, and other natural habitats.

While some Michigan birds migrate south, there are still many winter birds of Michigan to see during the colder months. Some of these birds stay in the state year-round, while other birds migrate from the north and can only be seen in Michigan during winter.

As a Michigander, I love getting out in nature and birdwatching during the winter. Being able to see and hear a variety of birds definitely makes that cold winter weather more enjoyable!

In this post, I’ve listed a complete guide on the best winter birds of Michigan, including where to find them and how to identify them.

Winter Birds of Michigan

There are many types of birds in Michigan during the winter, from small songbirds to Snowy Owls. Below, you will find a list of the best winter birds in Michigan that can be seen from November through March.

1. Northern Cardinal

Northern Cardinals are one of the most popular winter birds in Michigan. They are very common throughout the southern part of the Lower Peninsula. It is also possible to see them in the northern part of the Lower Peninsula.

Male Northern Cardinals are easily identifiable due to their bright red color with a black face around their bill. Female Northern Cardinals are more of a pale brown color with red tinges and a black face around their bill.

2. Dark Eyed Junco

Dark Eyed Juncos are a medium-sized type of Sparrow and are known for their round head and long tail. They typically have streaks of gray or black with a white belly.

They come down to Michigan from Canada during the winter months and are typically found in the southern part of Michigan.

These birds will typically come to backyard bird feeders in the winter. Interestingly, these birds tend to go to the exact same place each winter so if they come to your backyard it is likely they will come back the next year.

3. Snow Buntings

Snow buntings are an Arctic bird that comes south to Michigan in the winter months. These birds are known for their snowy white colored wings and dark rusty patches. Their unique coloring makes it easy for them to blend in with the snow.

Snow Buntings are commonly found in large, open areas across Michigan. They travel to where they can find seeds, so you can usually find them around farm fields where crops have been grown or sometimes they will come to backyard feeders.

4. Snowy Owl

Each winter, Snowy Owls fly south from their home in the Arctic to the Great Lakes Region. These magnificent owls look like something straight out of Harry Potter and are fascinating birds to see in the wild.

Snowy Owls are easy to identify due to their snow-white color with black markings. Typically the best area to locate them is in the eastern side of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. They tend to like wide open areas such as the shoreline along the Great Lakes and spacious meadows.

5. Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpeckers are common in Michigan and can be found in the winter throughout the state. You can usually spot them in open woodlands, city parks, or at birdfeeders. In fact, one of the best ways to see this bird is to use a Suet bird feeder in your backyard.

Downy Woodpeckers can be identified by their black-and-white coloring with checkered spots. Males also have a noticeable red streak on their head.

6. Horned Larks

The only native Lark in North America, Horned Larks can be identified by their yellow face and black streaks along their eyes. These birds are commonly found year-round in southeastern Michigan, typically in fields, prairies, or around the lakeshore. They also tend to like airports due to the wide open spaces.

7. American Goldfinch

American Goldfinches are a bright yellow bird that can be found in Michigan during the winter. These birds are best known for their yellow coloring, but they also have black and white markings on their feathers.

They tend to like open areas like meadows and fields, but you can also find them at many different types of backyard feeders.

8. Pine Siskin

These small songbirds live in the northern part of the Upper Peninsula throughout the year but can be found across the entire state during the winter months. They are usually found in forests, fields, or at backyard feeders.

Pine Siskins are brown, usually with several streaks and yellow markings. These birds can be found in forests, weedy fields, or backyard gardens.

9. Blue Jays

Blue Jays are one of the birds that stay in Michigan year-round, including the snowy season. Some Blue Jays will migrate from northern parts of the state to southern Michigan, while other flocks stay put the entire winter.

These birds are commonly found in public parks, gardens, backyards, and on oak and pine trees.

Blue Jays are another easily identifiable bird thanks to their bright blue color with black and white markings.

10. Great Horned Owl

The Great Horned Owl is an owl that is easily recognized by their yellow eyes and the two feathered tufts on their head. This is the most common owl across Michigan, however, they are nocturnal so it may be easier to hear them rather than see them at night.

Usually, they are most active late at night and just before sunrise. However, in the winter months, there is a higher likelihood of spotting them in the evening hours as they start hunting earlier due to lower food supplies.

11. Red-Breasted Nuthatch

The Red-Breasted Nuthatch is a songbird more commonly found in Michigan during the wintertime. You can usually find them in forests, especially around oak, birch, maple, and pine trees.

They are identifiable by their blue-gray coloring, rust-colored belly, and a black streak across their eyes.

Best Places for Birdwatching in Michigan

Michigan is a fantastic state for bird watching due to its vast amounts of forests, fields, shorelines, and undisturbed natural areas. Below are a few of the top places to visit for birdwatching in Michigan.

Sleeping Bear Birding Trail

The Sleeping Bear Birding Trail is one of the best places to go birdwatching in Michigan. The trail runs from Manistee to Traverse City, spanning 123 miles along M-22.

Along the trail, there are several protected areas and it is home to the Piping Plover, which is an endangered shorebird. Many other types of birds can be seen along this shoreline trail.

Pointe Mouillee State Game Area

Pointe Mouillee is a wetland complex located South of Detroit on Lake Erie. This wetland is home to several waterbirds, waterfowl, and shorebirds. Exploring the wetland is easy, as you simply park at one of the 3 entrance points and then walk the trails.

Superior Birding Trail

If you are looking to go birdwatching in the Upper Peninsula, the Superior Birding Trail is a great choice as it is home to over 300 different bird species. The trail covers 150 miles from Seney National Wildlife Refuge to Whitefish Point.

FAQs

Final Thoughts: Michigan Winter Birds

There are so many different Michigan winter birds that birdwatching is a perfect winter activity. From Snowy Owls to Northern Cardinals, there are lots of various bird species to see here. There are also lots of options for where to see these winter birds, including trails like the Sleeping Bear Birding Trail, public parks, or even at your backyard feeder.

If you’re looking for other things to do during winter in Michigan, why not check out some of the best Michigan winter resorts? These resorts offer so many fun things to do, including skiing, indoor waterparks, holiday festivities, and more.

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