Birds of Lake Koshkonong
American Goldfinch
(Spinus tristis)
The American Goldfinch is one of Lake Koshkonong’s most eye-catching residents, flashing brilliant lemon-yellow plumage and a jaunty black cap as it bobs on cattails and willow twigs along the shoreline. Listen for its tumbling “po-ta-to-chip” call as small flocks weave over the water in their characteristic roller-coaster flight.
License: Public Domain
Red-bellied Woodpecker
(Melanerpes carolinus)
License: Public Domain
Baltimore Oriole
(Icterus galbula)
License: Public Domain
American White Pelican
(Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)
These huge, snowy-white pelicans drift across the lake in quiet flotillas, scooping fish with their bright orange pouched bills and working cooperatively to corral prey. Watch for their spectacular synchronized take-offs: a running start across the water followed by steady, powerful wingbeats that lift their nine-foot wingspans into graceful V-formations overhead.
License: Public Domain
Mallard
(Anas platyrhynchos)
License: Public Domain
Spotted Sandpiper
(Actitis macularius)
Watch for this shoreline wanderer teetering its tail with every step as it picks insects and small crustaceans from Lake Koshkonong’s muddy margins; the bold polka-dot belly it sports in spring and early summer fades to plain white before the bird heads south for winter.
License: Public Domain
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
(Archilochus colubris)
License: Public Domain
Sharp-shinned Hawk
(Accipiter cooperii)
License: Public Domain
White-breasted Nuthatch
(Sitta carolinensis)
License: Public Domain
Northern Cardinal
(Cardinalis cardinalis)
License: Public Domain
House Finch
(Haemorhous mexicanus)
A familiar visitor to feeders in Wisconsin, the male House Finch sports raspberry-red head and breast feathers—hue borrowed from the pigments in whatever seeds and berries he’s been eating. Listen for his cheerful, tumbling warble from treetop or telephone wire as he courts mates and defends a surprisingly small territory.
License: Public Domain
Canada Goose
(Branta canadensis)
License: Public Domain
House Sparrow
(Passer domesticus)
An adaptable backyard regular, the House Sparrow chatters from gutters and patios around Lake Koshkonong, flashing his bold black bib and chestnut crown as he hustles breadcrumbs and seeds alongside humans all year long.
License: Public Domain
Downy Woodpecker
(Dryobates pubescens)
License: Public Domain
Ruffed Grouse
(Bonasa umbellus)
Deep in Lake Koshkonong’s young aspen and oak thickets, the male Ruffed Grouse fans his intricately barred tail and lifts the dark “ruffs” on his neck before drumming the air with rapid wingbeats—a low, accelerating thump-thump that echoes through the spring woods and betrays an otherwise perfectly camouflaged forest dweller.
License: Public Domain
Photo License: Public Domain
All of the nature and wildlife photographs on this page were taken by me at or around Lake Koshkonong. I’ve released every image into the public domain, which means you’re free to download, copy, modify, and use them for any purpose—personal or commercial—without asking permission or providing attribution. Enjoy them, share them, and let them inspire your own projects.