Purple Martin
Progne subis
Flying around back yard (rarely)
Their breeding habitat is open areas across eastern North America, and also some locations on the west coast from British Columbia to Mexico.
Purple Martins are aerial insectivores, meaning that they catch insects from the air. The birds are agile hunters and eat a variety of winged insects. Rarely, on occasion, they will come to the ground to eat insects. They usually fly relatively high, so, contrary to popular opinion, mosquitos do not form a large part of their diet.
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Genus: Progne (martins)
Family: Hirundinidae (swallows)
Order: Passeriformes (perching birds)
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Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
Passing through a time or two
The Barn Swallow is easily recognized by its long forked tail. It was originally a cave breeder, but now the swallow nests almost exclusively on man-made structures.
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Genus: Hirundo (swallows)
Family: Hirundinidae (swallows)
Order: Passeriformes (perching birds)
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Tufted Titmouse
Baeolophus bicolor
Feeders, yews, pine
A common bird of forest and feeders in the eastern United States, the Tufted Titmouse is often seen foraging in groups with other birds. It is quick to scold predators and is easily attracted to the mobbing calls of other species. Tufted titmice tend to be curious about their human neighbors and can sometimes be spotted on window ledges peering into the windows to watch what's going on inside.
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Genus: Baeolophus (titmouse)
Family: Hirundinidae (swallows)
Order: Passeriformes (perching birds)
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Black-capped chickadee
Poecile atricapillus
Feeders, yews, pine
One of the most familiar and beloved birds in northern North America, the Black-capped Chickadee is a frequent visitor to bird feeders. Its apparently cheerful activity throughout the harshest winters has won it the admiration of many people.
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Genus: Poecile (poecile)
Family: Paridae (tit)
Order: Passeriformes (perching birds)
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American Goldfinch
Carduelis tristis
Blue Spruce & feeders
Human activity has generally benefited the American Goldfinch. It is often found in residential areas, attracted to bird feeders installed by humans, which increases its survival rate in these areas. Deforestation by humans also creates open meadow areas which are the preferred habitat of the American Goldfinch.
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Genus: Carduelis (finches)
Family: Fringillidae (finches and honeycreepers)
Order: Passeriformes (perching birds)
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Pine grosbeak
Pinicola enucleator
One female at seedcake feeder 5/2/09
The males are reddish with gray markings while the females are grayish, and have some yellow on their heads. They are approximately 9 inches long, and have a wingspan of around 14 inches. These are relatively tame birds, and often appear in small flocks. Feeds mostly on berries and seed. The Pine Grosbeak represents an ancient divergence of the ancestors of the bullfinches. Possibly, its ancestors were wind-blown individuals of a proto-bullfinch which arrived via the northern Pacific. True to their name, they "enucleate" berries, extracting the seed and ignoring the fruit. In most photos they berry guts all over their faces.
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Genus: Pinicola (Pine grosbeak)
Family: Fringillidae (finches and honeycreepers)
Order: Passeriformes (perching birds)
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Purple Finch
Carpodacus purpureus
North side feeder and blue spruce, 3/25/11. Likely a migrating stopover
Purple Finch: Breeds (Monogamous) from British Columbia east to Newfoundland, southward in the western mountains to California and from eastern Minnesota east to West Virginia. Spends winters south to the U.S.-Mexico border. Preferred habitats include mixed and coniferous woodlands and ornamental conifers located in gardens.
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Genus: Carpodacus (Rosefinches)
Family: Fringillidae (finches and honeycreepers)
Order: Passeriformes (perching birds)
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American Robin
Turdus migratorius
All over
The American Robin is active mostly during the day and assembles in large flocks at night. Its diet consists of invertebrates (such as beetle grubs and caterpillars), fruits and berries. It is one of the first bird species to lay eggs, beginning to breed shortly after returning to its summer range from its winter range. Its nest consists of long coarse grass, twigs, paper, and feathers, and is smeared with mud and often cushioned with grass or other soft materials. It is among the first birds to sing at dawn, and its song consists of several discrete units that are repeated.
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Genus: Turdus (robins)
Family: Turdidae (thrushes, robins, chats, and wheatears)
Order: Passeriformes (perching birds)
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Genus: Sialia (bluebirds)
Family: Turdidae (thrushes, robins, chats, and wheatears)
Order: Passeriformes (perching birds)
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Indigo Bunting
Passerina cyanea
One sighting - in neighbor's elm
A brilliantly blue bird of old fields and roadsides, the Indigo Bunting prefers abandoned land to urban areas, intensely farmed areas, or deep forests.
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Genus: Spizella (sparrows)
Family: Emberizidae (sparrows, buntings, juncos, larkspurs)
Order: Passeriformes (perching birds)
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American Tree Sparrow
Spizella arborea
white pine, yews, feeder (winter)
Small sparrow with a long notched tail. Adult: streaked back and wings, with two white wing bars; unstreaked gray-brown breast and belly, with a dark spot in the center. Juvenile streaky overall. Tail, rump, and nape of the neck solid gray. The upper mandible of the bill is dark and the lower is yellow. The head is mostly gray, with a rufous crown and eye-line.
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Genus: Spizella (sparrows)
Family: Emberizidae (sparrows, buntings, juncos, larkspurs)
Order: Passeriformes (perching birds)
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Chipping sparrow
Spizella passerina
All over - ground and low shrubs. A flock of 10-15 roosts in barberry on western border, uses it as hq while visiting various feeding stations and dried prairie plants during the day.
Throughout the year, Chipping Sparrows forage on the ground, often in loose flocks. Their diet consists mainly of seeds and crumbs of mostly any food, especially those fallen on the ground. Chipping Sparrows frequently forage directly from forbs and grasses, too. At any time of the year, especially, in spring, Chipping Sparrows may be seen in trees, even up in the canopy, where they forage on fresh buds and glean for arboreal arthropods.
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Genus: Spizella (sparrows)
Family: Emberizidae (sparrows, buntings, juncos, larkspurs)
Order: Passeriformes (perching birds)
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Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
Ground around yews and feeder
A widespread and common small sparrow, the Dark-eyed Junco is most familiar as a winter visitor to bird feeders. It comes in several distinctly different looking forms, but all are readily identified as "juncos" by their plain patterning, dark hood, and white outer tail feathers.
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Genus: Junco (Juncos)
Family: Emberizidae (sparrows, buntings, juncos, larkspurs)
Order: Passeriformes (perching birds)
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Red Fox Sparrow
Passerella iliaca iliaca
North side under spruce and yews
Migration stopevers enroute to/from Canada. We've seen them several years running, spring and fall, over a period of a few weeks. Multiple groups stopping off for a day or so each.
The Fox Sparrow is much larger than other sparrows.
They scratch in leaves for insects and seeds and often make so much noise that they sound like a much larger animal.
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Genus: Passerella (fox sparrows)
Family: Emberizidae (sparrows, buntings, juncos, larkspurs)
Order: Passeriformes (perching birds)
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White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
Feeders, pine
White-breasted nuthatches live in deciduous woodlands and mixed deciduous and coniferous forests. They prefer, older, more mature hardwood forests and may require the presence of oak trees. White-breasted nuthatches are also common visitors to backyard birdfeeders.
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Genus: Sitta (nuthatches)
Family: Sittidae (nuthatches)
Order: Passeriformes (perching birds)
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Red-breasted nuthatch
Sitta canadensis
Feeder - two sightings winter 09
The Red-breasted Nuthatch applies sticky conifer resin globules to the entrance of its nest hole. It may carry the resin in its bill or on pieces of bark that it uses as an applicator. The male puts the resin primarily around the outside of the hole while the female puts it around the inside. The resin may help to keep out predators or competitors. The nuthatch avoids the resin by diving directly through the hole.
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Genus: Sitta (nuthatches)
Family: Sittidae (nuthatches)
Order: Passeriformes (perching birds)
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European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
Ground, feeders
European Starlings prefer urban or suburban areas where artificial structures and trees provide adequate nesting and roosting sites. They also commonly reside in grassy areas where foraging is easy—such as farmland, grazing pastures, playing fields, golf courses, and airfields.
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Genus: Sturnus (starlings)
Family: Sturdinae (starlings)
Order: Passeriformes (perching birds)
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Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
Feeders, nest in spruce, honeysuckle
The Northern Cardinal, a frequent visitor to bird feeders is one of the most admired backyard bird species. A bird so admired that seven states have named it as their states bird.
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Genus: Cardinalis (cardinals)
Family: Cardinalidae (cardinal, grosbeaks, and relatives)
Order: Passeriformes (perching birds)
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Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Pheucticus ludovicianus
Feeders, red oak (nest? - saw juvinile there too)
The heavy bill of the grosbeak is used to glean food from trees. Diet consists of insects, seeds, and some fruits. Their insect diet consists of beetles, locusts, cankerworms, tent caterpillars, tussock moths, gypsy moths and other insect pests, thus making them an economically beneficial species.
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Genus: Pheucticus (grosbeak)
Family: Cardinalidae (cardinal, grosbeaks, and relatives)
Order: Passeriformes (perching birds)
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Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
At feeders in early spring; usually a block away in marshland
One of the most abundant birds in North America, the Red-winged Blackbird is found in wetlands and agricultural areas across the continent. The black male can hide the brilliant red shoulders or show them off in a dazzling display. The striped female looks strikingly different than the male and could almost be mistaken for a large dark sparrow.
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Genus: Agelaius (American blackbirds)
Family: Icteridae (blackbirds, orioles, and relatives)
Order: Passeriformes (perching birds)
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Baltimore Oriole
Icterus galbula
At feeder by kitchen; in oaks in back
With its brilliant orange and black plumage, the Baltimore Oriole's arrival is eagerly awaited by birders each spring migration. Its preference for open areas with tall trees has made it a common inhabitant of parks and suburban areas.
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Genus: Icterus (New World orioles)
Family: Icteridae (blackbirds, orioles, and relatives)
Order: Passeriformes (perching birds)
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Brown-headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater
Ground, feeders
The Brown-headed Cowbird is the only brood parasite common across North America. A female cowbird makes no nest of her own, but instead lays her eggs in the nests of other bird species, who then raise the young cowbirds.
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Genus: Molothrus (cowbirds)
Family: Icteridae (blackbirds, orioles, and relatives)
Order: Passeriformes (perching birds)
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Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
Ground, feeders
A familiar sight on suburban lawns, the Common Grackle can be recognized by its iridescent purple and bronze plumage and long, keel-shaped tail.
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Genus: Quiscalus (grackles)
Family: Icteridae (blackbirds, orioles, and relatives)
Order: Passeriformes (perching birds)
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Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
Ground, feeders. Winter of 2010-11: sizeable population (>10) visits regularly. They hang out in tops of surrounding oaks during the day, take turns visiting the feeders. They clearly favor peanuts; take them back up in the trees to eat.
A familiar sight at bird feeders, the boldly patterned Blue Jay is unmistakable. It is abundant in the East and is extending into the West, using food and shelter provided by humans.
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Genus: Cyanocitta (jays)
Family: Corvidae (crows, ravens, rooks, jackdaws, jays, magpies…)
Order: Passeriformes (perching birds)
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Carolina Wren
Thryothorus ludovicianus
Feeder & on front porch. Two of them used the concave ends of rolled-up shades as a sleeping cubby
Singing one of the loudest songs per volume of bird, the Carolina Wren's "tea-kettle, tea-kettle, tea-kettle" is familiar across the Southeast. It is a common bird in urban areas, and is more likely to nest in a hanging plant than in a birdhouse.
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Genus: Thryothorus (carolina wrens)
Family: TROGLODYTIDAE (wrens)
Order: Passeriformes (perching birds)
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American Treecreeper
Certhia americana
White Pine on north side (yes, with chicadees and nuthatches!)
Throughout N. America
The Brown Creeper is best known for it's very active foraging behavior of flying to the base of a tree, spiraling upwards in search of food, and then flying to the base of another tree to begin the process again. In addition to constantly scouring crevices in tree bark for food, they also build their nests under flaps of loose bark. In the winter, Brown Creepers can often be found in mixed flocks with Chickadees and Nuthatches.
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Genus: Certhia ()
Family: Certhidae (Treecreepers)
Order: Passeriformes (perching birds)
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Coopers hawk
Accipiter cooperii
In white pine, ambushing birds at feeder - photo is taken thru kitchen window
A medium-sized hawk of the forest, the Cooper's Hawk specializes in eating birds. It is built for fast flight through the obstacle course of trees and limbs.
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Genus: Accipiter (hawks, goshawks and sparrowhawks)
Family: Accipitridae (hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures)
Order: Falconiformes (diurnal birds of prey)
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Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
In oak trees, occasionally on ground with kill.
The Red-tailed Hawk is a medium-sized bird of prey. It breeds throughout most of North America. The Red-tailed Hawk is carnivorous, and an opportunistic feeder. Its diet is mainly small mammals, but it also includes birds and reptiles.
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Genus: Buteo (Buzzards and hawks)
Family: Accipitridae (hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures)
Order: Falconiformes (diurnal birds of prey)
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Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Oak trees at back of lot
The bald eagle's natural range covers most of North America, including most of Canada, all of the continental United States, and northern Mexico; winter visitor to this area
The plumage of an adult bald eagle is evenly dark brown with a white head and tail. The tail is moderately long and slightly wedge-shaped. Males and females are identical in plumage coloration, but sexual dimorphism is evident in the species, in that females are 25% larger than males. The beak, feet and irises are bright yellow. The legs are feather-free, and the toes are short and powerful with large talons. The highly developed talon of the hind toe is used to pierce the vital areas of prey while it is held immobile by the front toes. The beak is large and hooked, with a yellow cere. The adult bald eagle is unmistakable in its native range.
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Genus: Haliaeetus (Sea Eagle)
Family: Accipitridae (hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures)
Order: Falconiformes (diurnal birds of prey)
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Red-bellied woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus
Feeders
The most common woodpecker in the Southeast, the Red-bellied Woodpecker is a familiar sight at bird feeders and in backyards. Yes, its belly is covered in a light red wash. But this woodpecker is easier to spot by the red on the back and top of its head.
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Genus: Melanerpes (woodpeckers)
Family: Picidae (near-passerine birds.)
Order: Piciformes (arboreal birds)
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Downy Woodpecker
Picoides pubescens
Feeders, house, trees
The smallest and most common American woodpecker, the Downy Woodpecker is found throughout most of North America from Alaska to Florida. It lives in a variety of habitats from wilderness forests to urban backyards, and comes readily to bird feeders.
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Genus: Picoides (woodpeckers)
Family: Picidae (near-passerine birds.)
Order: Piciformes (arboreal birds)
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Hairy Woodpecker
Picoides villosus
Feeders
The most widespread resident woodpecker in North America, the Hairy Woodpecker is one of the most familiar too. It comes readily to bird feeders and is found in a variety of habitats.
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Genus: Picoides (woodpeckers)
Family: Picidae (near-passerine birds.)
Order: Piciformes (arboreal birds)
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Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
Ground, feeders, nesting in backyard cherry
Mourning doves are highly adaptable birds and are found in a wide variety of habitats. They are more common in open woodlands and forest edges near grasslands and fields. They are most abundant in agricultural and suburban areas where humans have created large areas of suitable habitat.
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Genus: Zenaida (dove)
Family: Columbidae (pigeons & doves)
Order: Columbiformes (pigeons and doves)
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Eastern Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo silvestris
Roost in oaks winter 08-09; ground by feeders, woods, neighborhood
Wild Turkeys are surprisingly agile fliers and very cunning, unlike their domestic counterparts. Turkeys are very cautious birds and will fly or run at the first sign of danger. In flight they can reach a speed of 50 miles per hour (80 km/h).[citation needed] They usually fly close to the ground for no more than a quarter mile (400 m). Turkeys have many vocalizations: "gobbles," "clucks," "putts," "purrs," "yelps," "cutts," "whines," "cackles," and "kee-kees." In early spring, male turkeys, also called gobblers or toms, gobble to announce their presence to females and competing males. The gobble can carry for up to a mile.
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Genus: Meleagris (turkeys)
Family: Meleagrididae (turkeys)
Order: Galliformes (pheasants; turkeys; grouse; partridges; quails; chickens…)
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Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
Spotted landing in oaks in back; heard many nights
Found from the Arctic tundra to the tropical rainforest, from the desert to suburban backyards,
The Great Horned Owl is one of the most widespread and common owls in North America. We hear it most nights
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Genus: Bubo (horned owls)
Family: Strigidae (owls)
Order: Strigiformes (true owls)
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Mallard duck
Anas platyrhynchos
Just drop in occassionally, usually in spring
The Mallard inhabits most wetlands, including parks, small ponds and rivers, and usually feeds by dabbling for plant food or grazing; there are reports of it eating frogs It usually nests on a river bank, but not always near water. It is highly gregarious outside of the breeding season and will form large flocks, which are known as a sord
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Genus: Anas (dabbing ducks)
Family: Anatidae (ducks, geese, swans)
Order: Anseriformes (waterfowl)
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Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
Back yard Dec '12 - three sightings. Twice landed in oak tree, once on ground. Might have had its eye on neighbor's backyard pond.
The great blue heron breeds from southern Canada south to the West Indies and Mexico. It winters as far north as southern Alaska and southern New England.
Largest of the North American herons with long legs, a sinuous neck, and thick, daggerlike bill. Head, chest, and wing plumes give a shaggy appearance. In flight, the Great Blue Heron curls its neck into a tight 'S' shape; its wings are broad and rounded and its legs trail well beyond the tail.Look for Great Blue Herons in saltwater and freshwater habitats, from open coasts, marshes, sloughs, riverbanks, and lakes to backyard goldfish ponds. They also forage in grasslands and agricultural fields. Breeding birds gather in colonies or 'heronries' to build stick nests high off the ground. The great blue heron migrates in the fall, although some stay in the northern part of their range.
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Genus: Ardea (Large herons)
Family: Ardeidae (Herons and Egrets)
Order: Pelicaniformes (medium-sized and large waterbirds found worldwide)
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