Question of the Week: What's your favorite bird?

Published April 24, 2025 at 2:41 PM CDT

A juvenile and adult Sandhill Crane at Crex Meadows in Grantsburg, Wisconsin.

New birds are arriving on the Northern Minnesota scene every day this time of year. What are some of your favorite birds?

Springtime in Minnesota brings the return of many bird species. This week, we are wondering: What are your favorite birds?

A Great Blue Heron takes a bath. The image shows a large grey-and-blue heron with a yellow beak in the middle of shaking out its feathers. It is standing hip-deep in water and is clearly in the middle of rinsing its feathers. Water droplets are spraying from its sides. Away from the heron, the water is still and calm. — A Great Blue Heron takes a bath.

Here's what we heard

KAXE volunteer Alyssa Ellyn said, "My favorite bird is the Belted Kingfisher. The female has more striking color than the male with her reddish-brown belt, I love their chattering call, and their impressive fishing methods are always fun to watch."

Britta from Kinney likes Trumpeter Swans. "They're huge and noisy and breathtakingly beautiful," she said.

Barry from Bemidji texted, "I am fortunate to have Great Blue Herons nesting across the river from my house. I stepped out last night around 9 o'clock and heard them squawking repeatedly. I thought it was odd that they were active that late. So right now they are my favorite bird."

A Black-capped Chickadee perches on a branch in McGregor on Jan. 5, 2024.

Carolin from Grand Rapids said, "Chickadees are my favorite everyday bird. Makes me happy seeing them going about their business all year no matter the weather. Also love the Sandhill Cranes, prehistoric and such good dancers! Have to give a mention to the loons, too, haunting calls and such stunning birds."

KAXE Phenology Coordinator Charlie Mitchell chose the American Woodcock as a favorite. "They are also known as a bog sucker, timberdoodle, Labrador twister, hokumpoke, mudbat, or night partridge. They do an adorable bobbing dance while foraging for worms, their 'peent' call makes for great memes, and their heads are literally put on backwards — their eyes are located behind their ears."

Melissa texted, "I love birds and it is very hard to choose a favorite as I feel like I have many but one of my favs is the Brown Creeper. Such secretive cute little guys."

KAXE Development Director Chris Walker said, "I know it's cliché, but how can you not choose the loon? Their calls bring so much joy to my heart and instantly alleviate any stress or clutter in my mind."

Click the link above to listen to a conversation on the KAXE Morning Show about other staff members' favorite birds.

Read our Question of the Week post on our Facebook page for more suggestions.

What are your favorite birds? Let us know!