Field Guide · Regional

Wildlife in Arkansas

The birds, plants, and insects most often recorded in Arkansas. A starting field list, drawn from iNaturalist research-grade observations, for what is likely living near you.

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Birds

Birds Commonly Recorded In Arkansas

Most-recorded birds reported across the state.

  1. Northern Cardinal Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis 3,385 records
  2. American Robin American Robin Turdus migratorius 2,772 records
  3. Eastern Bluebird Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis 2,155 records
  4. Great Blue Heron Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias 1,856 records
  5. Downy Woodpecker Dryobates pubescens 1,779 records
  6. Red-Bellied Woodpecker Melanerpes carolinus 1,688 records
  7. White-Throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis 1,674 records
  8. Northern Mockingbird Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos 1,630 records
  9. Canada Goose Branta canadensis 1,559 records
  10. House Finch Haemorhous mexicanus 1,496 records
  11. Tufted Titmouse Tufted Titmouse Baeolophus bicolor 1,459 records
  12. Carolina Chickadee Carolina Chickadee Poecile carolinensis 1,433 records
Plants

Plants Commonly Recorded In Arkansas

Plants observers log most often statewide.

  1. Virginia Springbeauty Claytonia virginica 2,211 records
  2. Chinese Privet Chinese Privet Ligustrum sinense 2,062 records
  3. American Sweetgum American Sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua 1,982 records
  4. Mayapple Mayapple Podophyllum peltatum 1,850 records
  5. Lyreleaf Sage Lyreleaf Sage Salvia lyrata 1,828 records
  6. Rue Anemone Rue Anemone Thalictrum thalictroides 1,752 records
  7. American Pokeweed American Pokeweed Phytolacca americana 1,709 records
  8. American Beautyberry American Beautyberry Callicarpa americana 1,610 records
  9. Eastern Redbud Eastern Redbud Cercis canadensis 1,589 records
  10. Red Buckeye Red Buckeye Aesculus pavia 1,577 records
  11. Virginia Creeper Virginia Creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia 1,557 records
  12. Violet Woodsorrel Violet Woodsorrel Oxalis violacea 1,482 records
Insects

Insects Commonly Recorded In Arkansas

The insects that turn up most in records.

  1. Monarch Monarch Danaus plexippus 4,157 records
  2. Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Papilio glaucus 2,465 records
  3. Common Buckeye Common Buckeye Junonia coenia 2,303 records
  4. Red-Spotted Admiral Red-Spotted Admiral Limenitis arthemis 1,967 records
  5. Pearl Crescent Pearl Crescent Phyciodes tharos 1,861 records
  6. Asian Lady Beetle Harmonia axyridis 1,817 records
  7. Fiery Skipper Fiery Skipper Hylephila phyleus 1,733 records
  8. Spicebush Swallowtail Spicebush Swallowtail Papilio troilus 1,708 records
  9. Eastern Tailed-Blue Eastern Tailed-Blue Cupido comyntas 1,656 records
  10. Pipevine Swallowtail Pipevine Swallowtail Battus philenor 1,600 records
  11. Western Honey Bee Apis mellifera 1,576 records
  12. Hackberry Emperor Asterocampa celtis 1,542 records

Go Deeper

Use the live finder to narrow this to your town and season. Then read Who Lives Here, how to attract wildlife to your yard, and planting for local wildlife. For tools and field guides, see the recommended gear.

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