Birding in Arkansas: Finches, Cuckoos and Roadrunners

If you enjoy bird watching in Arkansas, you will definitely enjoy looking for finches, cuckoos and roadrunners. These interesting and amusing birds are fun to watch and beautiful to observe, and can be found in many areas of the state of Arkansas. For tips on finding and identifying these pretty, funny birds while bird watching in Arkansas, see below.

Purple Finch. This lovely little bird has a rose colored body, with brown streaks on its neck and back. Its sides and belly have a faint raspberry wash, and its wings are brown. This is a medium-sized finch, and its tail is notched. Look for it while bird watching in both deciduous and coniferous forests in Arkansas, and it can also be found in coniferous trees in suburban back yards. Purple Finches feed on seeds, insects, and caterpillars.

House Finch. Look for this medium-sized finch while bird watching in the open fields, orchards, and suburban backyards of Arkansas. You can identify it from its pinkish-red head, throat, and bottom, along with its brown streaked back, wings and underparts. It also has a long, gently notched tail, and a short decurved bill. You'll find house finches feeding on seeds, insect, and fruit.

American Goldfinch. Unmistakable with its bright yellow body, black forehead, and black and white wings, this small finch can be found while bird watching in the fields, orchards, open woodlands and backyards of Arkansas. This beautiful little bird feeds almost exclusively on seeds, and loves sunflower seeds, thistle, and dandelions once they go to seed. The American Goldfinch is the state bird of New Jersey, Washington and Iowa.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Identify this pretty bird from its yellow bill, cinnamon and grayish brown wings, and long white spotted tail. It also has gray legs and feet. Its body is grayish brown on top and white underneath. You'll find the Yellow-billed Cuckoo while bird watching in the overgrown pastures, orchards, thickets and willow trees of Arkansas. It feeds on insects, fruits, berries and caterpillars.

Greater Roadrunner. This fascinating bird can be found while bird watching in the desert areas of Arkansas. It feeds on scorpions, snakes, and anything else it can catch and eat, including lizards, rodents, and other birds. It will also eat fruits and seeds. Identify it while bird watching from its shaggy crest, as well as the blue and orange skin behind its eyes. The Greater Roadrunner has a shaggy crest, and its body is brown and buff-colored streaked.

Source list:

Personal experience

http://www.birdsofarkansas.org

http://identify.whatbird.com

http://www.allaboutbirds.org