Birds

American Goldfinches are found throughout the United States and southern Canada. Males' bright yellow feathers contrast dramatically with the black patches on their head and wings. Females and juveniles are a duller yellow. During their short, swooping flights, goldfinches often make twittering sounds. Though some migrate south for the winter months, others stay put and are frequent visitors to backyard feeders. During winter months the plumage of both sexes become gray-brown.

State Bird of New Jersey, Washington, and Iowa

 

 

American Robin
The cheerful song of these birds is often considered a sign that spring has arrived in the northern states and Canada. Their distinctive red breasts, pointed bills and dark upper parts and heads make them easily identifiable. Robins are a common sight on lawns and are often seen hopping along the ground in search of worms and insects. Berries and fruit also round out their diets.
State Bird of Connecticut, Michigan, and Wisconsin

 

Baltimore Orioles are often found in wooded areas throughout the eastern United States and Canada. Males have a black head and wings with a bright orange belly. Orioles migrate to Mexico during the winter months. Their nests are woven pouches of grass that hang from a tree. They feed primarily on insects. They can be attracted to backyards with sugar-water solutions and oranges

 

State Bird of Maryland
 

Black-capped Chickadees are found year-round in the northern United States and into Canada. They feed on insects, seeds and berries. Chickadees nest in cavities in the soft wood of dead or dying trees and are frequent visitors to backyards. These curious little birds will sometimes take sunflower seeds from an outstretched hand. Their song is a clear, two-pitched fee-bee, and their call sounds much like their name, chick-a-dee.

State Bird of Maine and Massachusetts

 

 

Blue Grosbeak
These beautiful songsters are common throughout much of the United States. They are usually found near open fields, roadsides or streams, and make their nests in trees or bushes. Their strong bills are well adapted for breaking open nuts and seeds, but they also feed on a variety of insects. They spend the winter months in tropical regions

 

        

 

 

 

The noisy Blue Jay is found in backyards in the United States and Canada east of the Rockies. Their bright blue feathers, distinctive crest and piercing calls make them easy to identify. They can be bold and may steal eggs from other birds' nests. Their strong bills are well adapted for a variety of food including insects, seeds and nuts. They are frequent visitors to backyard bird feeders.

 

Painted Bunting
These dramatically colored birds are found in parts of the southeastern United States and in Texas, Oklahoma, and nearby states. Buntings have conical bills similar to finches. Painted Buntings are showing serious population declines in some areas and are of conservation concern. Their song is long and sweet.


 

Eastern Bluebirds are found in forest edges and open country east of the Rocky Mountains, and make their nests in natural tree holes. They feed on insects, berries and fruits. In many areas, bluebirds almost disappeared due to habitat loss and competition from non-native birds for nesting sites. Programs providing human-made bird boxes have helped some bluebird populations recover.

 

State Bird of New York and Missouri

 

 

Hooded Warblers have bright yellow feathers with a black cap and neck, giving them a hooded appearance. Their song is rich and musical. In breeding season they are found throughout much of the eastern United States in wet, wooded areas. They are the only warbler species to nest in tree cavities. They make their home near swamps or streams. During winter they fly as far as Mexico and Central America. Hooded Warblers eat a variety of insects

 

Northern Cardinal
Cardinals are found year-round east of the Rockies. Both males and females sing and have a variety of song types. Males are bright red, with crested heads. Cardinals eat insects and seeds and can be attracted to backyard feeders with sunflower seeds or peanut butter/ seed mixtures. Cardinals are known for their loud clear songs.

State Bird of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia, and Virginia

 

 

 

Purple Finch
This songbird produces rich warbling sounds and is found in coniferous and mixed-forest areas of northeastern America. Like other songbirds, they typically sing in the early morning and late afternoon. Males have a deep, rose-colored breast and head. Purple Finches eat a variety of seeds, and enjoy berries, insects and caterpillars.
State Bird of New Hampshire

 

 

 

 

Red-Headed Woodpecker
Woodpeckers have strong, sharp bills, ideal for breaking into dead trees looking for insects. Short legs, stiff tails and sharp claws allow them to anchor themselves on the sides of trees while they pound away. Many make their nests by excavating holes in dead trees. Red-headed Woodpeckers are found in the eastern United States. They are declining through much of their range and are of high conservation concern.

 

 

 

Red-winged Blackbirds are found throughout much of the United States and Canada. They are common in large flocks in open fields and marshes and forage in nearby orchards and woodlands. Males have distinctive red patches on their wings that are displayed in the spring to attract a mate and warn away rival males. Females build nests out of leaves and grasses. Red-winged Blackbirds feed on insects, fruits, seeds and grains.

 

 

Scarlet Tanagers are found in much of the eastern United States and southern Canada. They spend the winter in the rainforests of South America. Their prominent bills and the males' bright red color make them easy to identify. Tanagers glean insects from trees, shrubs and can even catch them in mid-air. They are forest dwelling, making their nests in the branches of large trees. Scarlet Tanagers may visit feeders for fruits such as oranges or bananas.

 

 

Swamp Sparrows are found in the eastern United States, Canada and the West Coast. Their song is a slow, musical trill. Common in marshy or lakeside areas, they prefer the cover of tall grasses. Swamp Sparrows can be distinguished by their red cap, grayish breast and white throat and belly. Females build nests of grass, often over water. They feed on insects and seeds.

 

 

 

Tufted Titmouse
Tufted Titmice are found throughout the eastern United States. Titmice are loud, active birds and may hop among branches, or even hang upside down to look for insects under leaves or branches. They are found in a variety of habitats including wooded areas, parks and suburban backyards. They eat a variety of insects and seeds, often coming to birdfeeders for sunflower seeds.

 

 

Western Meadowlarks are often found in fields, meadows and prairies. They have a flutelike song. Meadowlarks have round-bodies, sharp, long bills, and yellow breasts with a black band. They eat insects, seeds and grain. Females weave dome-shaped nests of grasses that are hidden in tall grass.

 

State Bird of Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Kansas, Wyoming, and Oklahoma

 

Western Tanager

During spring and summer, Western Tanagers are found as far north as northwestern Canada. They migrate to Mexico and Central America for the winter. Males are bright-colored with a distinctive reddish-orange head and bright black wings. Females are yellow-green. This species can be found in evergreen forests, and feeds on insects and fruit. Some tanagers become regular visitors to bird feeders for fruits such as oranges or bananas.

                                                                                

 

Bald Eagle
These magnificent birds of prey have an average wingspan of 6-8 feet and weigh about nine pounds. Once on the endangered list, they are protected by law and are recovering in number. They are usually found near water, where they hunt for fish and water birds. The Bald Eagle is the national bird of the United States.

 

 

Barn Owl
With their white, heart-shaped face and long legs, Barn Owls are easy to identify. They are also one of few owls that will live near humans, nesting in barns and buildings. Most farmers welcome their presence, as these owls hunt mice and rats. Like most owls, excellent hearing allows them to hunt in total darkness.

 

Great Gray Owls are the largest owls in North America, and are found in Alaska, Canada, and a few remote western mountain areas in the United States. Despite their large size, Great Gray Owls prey mainly on rodents. Unlike most owl species, these birds hunt during the night or day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red-tailed Hawks are common throughout much of North America, and can be identified by their reddish tails and white bellies with dark streaks. They can often be seen perched along wooded areas or roadsides and have learned to live close to humans. Weighing over 2 pounds and having wingspans of 4-5 feet, these hawks can catch a variety of prey including insects, fish, birds and mammals.

 

 

Peregrine Falcon
Reaching top speeds of more than 175 mph, Peregrine Falcons are some of the fastest birds in the world. They can be found in most regions of the United States, south into South America and north into Canada and Alaska. Their prey consists mainly of other birds captured during flight. Breeding programs have brought falcons into cities where they nest on tall buildings.

 

 

 

Great Horned Owls are the heaviest owls in North America, and are found throughout much of the United States, even living near people. They live in forests or field edges, and are generally nocturnal. Weighing an average of three pounds, they are strong for their size and capable of hunting preys larger than themselves. Skunks, rabbits, snakes, and even cats are preyed upon by Great Horned Owls.

 

Green-Wing Teal 
One of the smallest of the North American ducks, Green-Winged Teals are found throughout the United States and Canada. Most spend the winter months in the milder climates of the southern United States and Mexico. As part of the dabbler family of ducks, they eat food found along the surface of the water. They also pull snails, plants and seeds up from the shallows by tipping upside down or walking along the water's edge.

 

 

Common Loon
These water birds breed on lakes and rivers of the northern United States and Canada. They winter primarily along the coasts. Loons are about the size of large ducks and spend most of their time on the water. Excellent swimmers, they can dive deep and remain underwater for up to five minutes. They eat small fish, snails, crabs, and frogs. A distinct laughing sound is just one of the many calls Common Loons make.

 

 

Wood Ducks are found throughout eastern North America and parts of the West. They spend the winter months in the southern United States and Mexico. As their name implies, Wood Ducks prefer wooded swamps, marshes and ponds and usually nest in tree cavities. Their feet are adapted to allow them to grab and perch on tree branches. Males are among the most dramatically colored ducks.

 

 

 

Canada Geese are common throughout much of the United States and Canada. They are often seen in pairs or small groups on open water, fields, grasslands, even golf courses. During winter months, some migrate to the southern United States. To reduce wind resistance, flocks fly in a V-shaped formation. Tired leaders drop back and are replaced by fresher birds. Their call is a distinct honking noise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mallards are found in freshwater ponds, marshes and lakes throughout much of North America. As part of the dabbler family of ducks, they eat food along the surface of the water. They pull snails, plants and seeds up from the shallows by tipping upside down or walking along the water's edge. Some Mallards are comfortable near people. The males' distinctive green heads make them easy to identify.

 

 

Canvasback
Found in ponds, lakes, fresh and salt water, Canvasbacks are well adapted for swimming and diving. As one of the largest of the North American diving ducks, these birds are somewhat awkward when walking on land, and they may need to "run" on the water in order to take flight. They generally feed in large flocks.
 

 

 

 

Northern Flicker

Also known as the Yellow-shafted Flicker and the Yellowhammer, this North American woodpecker is the state bird of Alabama. They are found in wooded and suburban areas across much of the United States, and make their nests in hollow trees, buildings or nest boxes. Flickers are often found seeking insects (especially ants) on the ground in backyards and farm fields.
State Bird of Alabama

 

 

 

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