American Robin standing on the ground holding a bundle of dry twigs and grass in its beak for nest building.

Spring Nesting Birds in My Arkansas Backyard

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Spring is here, and my backyard in Arkansas has turned into a busy place for birds building nests. Sitting on my deck, I get to watch it all happen. It’s like a quiet, natural show playing out just a few feet away.

Female Eastern Bluebird holding a large bundle of dry grass in her beak while perched on a wooden post.
A female Eastern Bluebird perches on a post with a beak full of dry grass, ready to build her nest in an Arkansas backyard.

Eastern Bluebirds Take the Lead

The Eastern Bluebirds are the most active this season. Two pairs have moved into the birdhouses I set up. Their bright blue feathers really stand out against the fresh green of spring. These birds aren’t just pretty—they’re also a sign of conservation success. Their numbers have bounced back thanks to people helping with nest boxes and habitat.

Male Eastern Bluebird standing on a birdhouse roof, holding a thin strand of nesting material in its beak.
A male Eastern Bluebird pulls a stray piece of grass off the birdhouse roof—nesting teamwork in action after the female dropped it.

A Variety of Backyard Visitors

Blue Jay standing on the ground with nesting material in its beak, surrounded by grass and dry leaves.
A Blue Jay collects twigs and grass in an Arkansas backyard, preparing its nest during the busy spring breeding season.

Besides the bluebirds, plenty of other birds are nesting nearby. I shared more about the Eastern Bluebirds and Chickadees in this blog post:

  • American Robins are easy to spot on the lawn, collecting worms and grass for their nests.
  • Blue Jays are loud and flashy, always announcing themselves.
  • Carolina Chickadees are small but busy, darting between trees with nesting material.
  • Mourning Doves prefer quieter corners. Their soft cooing adds a peaceful sound to the yard.
  • Red-bellied Woodpeckers make their presence known by calling and pecking at tree trunks.
Carolina Chickadee perched at the entrance of a wooden birdhouse, actively nesting during spring.
A Carolina Chickadee uses a wooden birdhouse in my Arkansas backyard as a nesting site during the busy spring breeding season.

The Secretive Wrens

I don’t always see the Carolina Wrens, but I hear them. They’re good at hiding their nests in tucked-away spots, but I know they’re around.

Carolina Wren standing on a weathered tree stump.
A Carolina Wren perches on a weathered stump in my Arkansas backyard. These secretive birds often nest in hidden, tucked-away spots.

A Simple Reminder

If you’re interested in helping nesting birds in your own yard, check out this NestWatch resource from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. It offers tips on birdhouses, safe nesting practices, and how to support breeding birds.

Every nest in my yard tells a story—of survival, change, and new life. Watching these birds build and raise their young is a quiet reminder of how nature keeps moving. It’s simple, and it’s beautiful.

I’ll be out here with my camera, keeping an eye on them as spring moves along. You don’t have to go far to see wildlife. Sometimes, it’s right outside your door.

American Robin standing on the ground holding a bundle of dry twigs and grass in its beak for nest building.
This American Robin was busy collecting dry twigs and grass for its nest. I photographed it on the ground, just as it picked up a large piece of nesting material—one of the many signs that spring is here.

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