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GOLDEN GUIDES BIRDS • BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS • FISHES FISHING • FLOWERS • FOSSILS • GEOLOGY INSECT PESTS • INSECTS • MAMMALS
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GOLDEN FIELD GUIDES BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA REPTILES OF NORTH AMERICA ROCKS AND MINERALS SEASHELLS OF NORTH AMERICA SKYGUIDE
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129 BIRDS IN FULL COLOR
BIRDS
A GUIDE TO FAMILIAR AMERICAN BIRDS by HERBERT S. ZIM, PH.D. and IRAN. GABRIELSON, LL.D., D. Sc. Revised and Updated by CHAN DLE RS. ROBBINS Illustrated by JAMESGORDON IRVING
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GOLDEN PRESS • NEW YORK
Western Publishing Company, Inc. Racine, Wisconsin
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FOREWORD
This book pictures in full color 129 of the most familiar American birds. Using these birds as keys, the text describes additional related and similar species, helping the reader to identify more than 250 birds in all. The selection of the most common birds of America and the assembling of concise information about them were achieved through long, detailed study of volumi nous data on our bird life. This might have been an impossible task were it not for the wholehearted coop eration and assistance of ornithologists and other natu ralists. John Aldrich, C. A. Cottam, Allen Duvall, D. F. Hoffmeister, A. C. Martin, Ernst Mayr, A. l. Nelson, A. Sprunt IV, R. E. Stewart, H. l. Webster, and Alex Wet more gave helpful comments and suggestions. Special thanks are due to Chandler S. Robbins of the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, who compiled the basic data for the range maps, and checked migration dates, tab ular data, and other factual information. James Gordon Irving has contributed his knowledge of birds as well as his unusual artistic talent. This Revised Edition, prepared by Chandler S. Rob bins, includes the latest information about birds, as well as recent changes in scientific and common names, bird classification, and geographical distributions.
Revised Edition. 1987
H.S.Z. I.N.G.
©Copyright 1987, 1956, 1949 by Western Publishing Company, Inc. All rig hts reserved. including rights of reproduction and use in any form or by any means. including the making of copies by any photo process. or by any electronic or mechanical device, printed or written or oral, or recording for sound or visual reproduction or for use in any knowledge retrieval system or device. unless permission in writing is obtained from the copyright proprietor. Produced in the U.S.A. Published by Golden Press. New York, N.Y. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 61-8323. ISBN 0-307-24053-3
3 HOW TO USE THIS B OOK
This is a field book made to fi t you r pocket when you go looking for birds. C heck each range m a p (exam p l e below) for b i r d s t h a t occur i n you r reg i o n . Concentrate on these birds . Areas where birds live in summer a re shown in red ; wi nter areas are in b l u e . Purple shows areas where the bird is a permanent resident. Migrating b i rds pass over parts of the white a reas in spring and fa l l . C heck the i r "ti meta ble" a s g iven on pp. 1 32- 1 5 3 , where you will a l so fi nd information on nests, eggs, and food . Ma rk each b i rd you are l i kely to see, and when you have seen it, record the date and place . Thumb through this book a n d become fa m i l ia r with the bird s . Then, when you see them , you ' l l recogn i ze some at first sight. Also use the i nformation o n pp. 1 54- 1 55 concerning books, museu m s , and places to see b i rd s . The more you look a t t h i s book, t h e m o r e facts you ' l l fi nd . T h e color p lates show spring p l u mage of adul t m a l e birds, and usua l l y fema les or young if they a re very different. The text emphasizes size, fie l d marks, i m por tant facts, differences between males a n d fema les, and related b i rds that are s i m i l a r. The birds have been se lected so that knowing one b i rd will help you to know others l ike it. The b i rds i l l ustrated are among the most common and the ones you have the best cha nce of seeing . N o rare birds a re pictured . I n a l most every part of the U nited States and south ern Canada you can see many of the b i rds in this book-plus other common loca l b i rds you w i l l soon learn to know.
4
�TOIDENTIFYBii Most birds can be identified at a g l a nce by experts because they know exactly what to look for. With prac tice you too can become an expert. Whereas some wildflower g u ides a re arra nged by color, bird guides are genera lly organized so that closely related species-those of s i m i l a r shape and behavior are together. Water birds a ppear first, fo l lowed by the more primitive land birds; the true song b i rds a re last. One q u ickly learns to sort unknown birds i nto the major categories cal led orders, such as herons, ducks, hawks, ki ngfishers, wood peckers, and perching b i rds (see pages 9- 1 1 ) . For water b i rds, note whether they wade, swi m , or d ive; for aer i a l feeders whether they consta ntly flap, soa r, or hover. For a l l birds, l ook closely at the size and shape of the bill (pages 1 4-15) and the shape and length of the tai l . Compare the tota l length with that of some fam i l iar species. Is i t the s i ze of a kinglet, a warbler, a sparrow, an oriole, a robi n , a flicker, or a crow? These cha racters w i l l help place b i rds in the correct family. The next step is to determine the species by looking for the presence or absence of wing bars, ta i l patterns, eye rings or eye stripes, and co lor patterns o n the head and elsewhere . I s the back plain or streaked? Do the underparts have horizonta l bars or longitud i n a l streaks? Eye color i s i m portant for owls and some vi reos . Behavior can a l so provide va luable c l ues. Does the bird wa lk or hop o r run? Does it wag its ta i l ? Does it catch insects on the wing and eat i n flight l i ke a swift or swa l low? Or does it repeated l y return to a n exposed
5 perch to eat insect prey l i ke a flycatcher or waxwing? Does it climb u p a tree trunk l i ke a woodpecker or a Brown C reeper, or work head-down l i ke a nuthatch? Does it eat berries l i ke a thrush or a n oriole, or probe i n the g round for worms a n d grubs l i ke a robi n , blackbird , or sta r l i ng? See pages 1 32- 1 53 for the pri ncipa l foods of each species. EQU I PM E N T The only essenti a l equ i pment for seeing birds is a pa i r of eyes . Good ears are a help, too . But there are ways of i ncreasing you r enjoyment, none of which i nvolves much expense . This book i s one, for a guide book is i m portant. As you acq u i re experience, you will want more advanced books (see page 1 54 ) . You r own records, if kept systematica l l y, a re a n i m portant pa rt of your equ i pment . A pocket notebook to record deta i l ed i nformation is worth carrying . Rugged c l oth ing, waterproof boots, and a bottle of mosquito repel lent a re p a r t o f an experienced b irder's equi pmen t . Field g lasses or bi nocu l a rs a r e t h e m o s t i m portant a n d most expensive item o f equipment . There's no denying thei r va lue i n bringing tree-top birds down to you . Like a good camera , a good pair of binoculars i s a precision tool and should be selected with care . The best g lasses are made with prisms to reduce the i r size. The power of the g lass tel l s how much closer it makes a b i rd a ppea r. Throug h 6x (6-power) g lasses a bird looks six times a s close. Glasses o f 6 x t o 8 x are best . Remember, the higher the power, the more l i m ited you r fiel d of vision . Glasses that admit the most light are the best. This depends o n the width of the front lens (usua l l y measured i n m i l l i meters) . A 6 x 35 lens admits twice a s much l i g h t as a 6 x 24 . T h e l a rge 7 x 5 0 bi nocu l a rs a re exce l lent f o r bird s . Those t h a t adjust by a single center focusing screw are most convenient.
6 W H E R E TO LOOK Birds are everywhere, but to see the most birds try looking in the best places: in moist wood lands or perhaps at the edge of a wooded swa m p . Young scrubby woods a r e l i kely t o have m o r e b i r d s than mature forests . Wood marg ins are genera l l y good , es pecia l ly d u r i ng m i g ration . But no single p lace is best . Sa l twater marshes and shores wi l l yield birds that one wi l l never fi nd i n pine woods. Other species prefer open fields, or western deserts . A wooded park i n the m idst of a city i s one of the very best places to look for b i rds during m ig ration s . If you explore your own reg ion, you wi l l d i scover certa i n spots a re favored-perhaps a sma l l g len with a brook, a wooded point on a lake, a marsh, or cottonwoods a long a r iver. On page 1 55 i s a l ist of some famous places to see birds. Make l oca l inqui ries. See a l so the books and museums l i sted on page 1 54 . HOW T O LOOK Experienced watchers go out early i n the morning when birds a re most active, a nd will often sit qu ietly i n a l i kely spot and let the bi rds come to them . Keen-eyed birds are easi l y frightened by movement. Don't make yourself conspicuous agai nst the open sky. Move slowly. Try to cover severa l distinct habitats, if possible-a wood land, marsh, fiel d , river ba n k , shore, or whatever your l oca lity affords . Eventua l l y you wi l l work out a route that wi l l g ive you the greatest variety of birds per time spent. Experience i n you r own reg ion will be you r best help. Make bird watching a year-round activity, for each season has its own specia l surprises and delig hts to offer the carefu l observer. WHY LOOK? B i rd i ng is enjoyed by m i l l ions of N orth Americans of all ages, and by m i l l i ons of others all over the wor l d . It is a hobby that can give pleasure at any place and at a ny time. Some prefer to do their observing
7 by themselves, others prefer the sociabil ity of birding a s a sma l l group. There are more t h a n 700 bird clubs i n the United States and wel l over 1 00 i n Canada . B i rd s a re by fa r the most popu l a r of w i l d l ife because they a re easy to see, easy to identify, g reat i n numbers and va riety, beautifu l to observe, attractive to hea r, and ever changing in occurrence and numbers . Even the experts get many thri l l s from fi nding unusua l or unex pected species. Many species migrate long d i stances , and at ti mes large numbers of birds a re blown off course and a re d i scovered hundreds of m i les from their usua l homes . A few western bi rds even occur on the Atlantic coast and vice versa . Many bi rders enjoy competition, such as beating the previous yea r's b i rd l ist, fi nding more species than a friend , or being the first to spot a returning migrant . Thousa nds of people take bird tours to exotic places . Ma ny others keep impressive l i sts of the species they have d i scovered right at home . Bird feeders and bird baths a l so bring much pleasure to shut- i n s . A n i nterest i n birds often expa nds i nto a greater appreciation for a l l w i l d l ife, and for the habitats that are essentia l to the i r surviva l . Many birders develop into wi l d l ife photog raphers or leaders of scouting or other youth groups . I n any case, on · e acq u i res a n a bsorbing hobby that can be enjoyed throughout life .
8 PARTS
OF
A BIRD
Names are too l s . B i rd experts have dozens of techni ca l names for the va rious parts of b i rd s . U s i ng these terms, they can describe a bird with g reat accuracy. The beg inner does not have the experience to use these terms, so only the essential technical terms a re used in this book. When you see a bird you cannot identify and wa nt help from an expert, try to observe the b i rd so wel l that you can describe its size, habits, a n d the color and form of the parts i l l u strated a bove . Put your i nformation down on pa per (don't trust your memory ) . By keeping these few parts i n m i nd you will systematize you r obser vations and record the deta i l s needed to get you r bird identified .
9 BIRD CLASSIFICATION
Birds are grouped into orders, families, and genera according to similarities of bills, feet, and internal tlnat omy. If you know these groups, the relationship and classification of birds will be clearer. Here is a simplified list of the main bird groups in this book; a family tree {pages 12-13) shows their relationships. On pages 156157 are listed the scientific names of all the birds illus trated. These names and the English names used are those adopted by the A.O. U. (American Ornithologists' Union) Committee on Classification and Nomenclature. LOONS: Large swi m m i ng and d iving birds; tails short; legs set far bac k . Four toes : 3 front ones fully webbed . Bill sharply pointed , higher than wide. page 21 GREBES: Smaller swimmers and d ivers . Ta i l lacking; legs f a r bac k . Four toes w i t h thin skin flaps (lobes) and with flattened nails. Bill slender, poi nted; higher than wide.
page 22 HERONS and BITTERNS: Long-legged wading birds . In flight, feet extend beyond tail but neck i s pulled i n . Bill straight and sharp; skin between eye and b i l l bare . Four toes, scarcely webbed or not webbed at a l l . Middle toenail h a s comb l i ke marg i n .
pages 23-2S DUCKS, GEESE, and SWANS:
Swim m i ng birds with d i st i nct ta i l s . Legs centered . Birds walk wel l compared to grebes and loon s . Four toes, front 3 webbed . Bill broad and flat, often with "teeth" along edge . Upper bill ending in short, flat hook or "na i l . " pages 26-33
10 CRANES, RAILS, and COOTS: Marsh birds flying with neck extended and feet dangling (ra i l s) ; wings rounded. Four toes, unwebbed (except for coot, which has lobes) . Middle toenail without comblike margin (see Herons). Feathered between eye and bil l . page 34 PLOVERS, SANDPIPERS, and SNIPES:
Long-legged shorebirds, mostly sma l l . Bill usually conica l , long and soft; nostrils open ing through slits in b i l l . Genera lly 4 toes: hind toe raised and short. Sanderli ngs and most plovers have only 3 toes. pages 35-39 GULLS and TERNS:
Mostly lig ht-colored m a r i n e b i r d s . W i n g s l o n g , n a rrow a n d pointed. Bill hooked (gulls) o r pointed (terns) with nostrils opening into slits that go through bill. Four toes: hind toe small and not webbed. pages 40-41 H A WKS, EA G LES, a n d V U LTURES:
Large birds. Bill strongly hooked; feet pow erful, claws long and curved . Vultures differ in having a bare head with nostrils connected pages 42-47 by hole through b i l l . GROUSE, QUAIL, and TURKEY:
Land bi rds that scratch for food. Bills short and stout . Feet heavy, strong; h i nd toe short and raised. Wings short and rounded. pages 48-50
PIGEONS and DOVES:
S m a l l - headed bi rds with s lender bills, grooved at base; and with nostrils opening through a bare fleshy a rea at base of b i l l . Legs short. Four toes, all on same leve l . Hind toe as long as shortest front one . pages 51 -52
11 Long , slim birds with slightly curved bil l . Tail long, feathers not stiff or poi nted ; central ta il feathers longest. Four toes : 2 i n front; 2 beh ind. page 53 CUCKOOS:
Bills strongly hooked . Toes with large curved claws; entire leg feathered . Eyes large and i mmovable in puffy, feathered "face." pages 54-56
OWLS:
Small swa l l owlike birds; bill small with no bristles at base. Mouth wide. Wings slender and very long , reaching beyond ta i l ; t a i l with 1 0 feathers . page 57 SWIFTS:
Birds with large heads , small bi lls, a n d w i d e mouths . Bill usually with bristles at base. Feet small; middle toe long with comblike claw. Feathers soft, dull colored . pages 58-59 GOATSUCKERS:
HUMMINGBIRDS: T i ny birds with bill s lender and needlel i ke-longer than head . Feet sma l l , weak . Feathers on bock usually shiny green . page 60
Head large and crested . Bill long , strong , poi nted . Feet small ond weak. Four toes: 2 of the 3 forward toes joi ned for half their length . page 61
KINGFISHERS:
WOO D P ECKERS: C l i m b i n g b i r d s . B i l l strong, pointed, with bristles o t nostril . Tail feathers stiff ond poi nted . Toes : 2 i n front, 2 in back; or (rarely) 2 in front ond 1 in back. pages 62-65
T he largest bird group. Lond birds, mostly smol l , with 4 toes-oil on the same leve l , never webbed . Hind toe a s long os m i d d l e front toe-on adaptation for perch ing . Ta il with 1 2 feathers.
PERCHING BIRDS:
j!»ages 66-1 27
Vultures
Petrels and Kin
Storks
cormorants
lrch troplcb
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Plovers
Waterfowl
A FAMILY TRE E OF BIRDS
The 860 species of birds in North America north of Mex ico a re classified into 70 fami lies . The major famil ies and their ap proximate re lationsh i ps are shown here. Famil ies with the most species north of Mex ico a re represented by the thickest branches .
Old World Finches
i;ts LC!, -.ro..o-� �... ... rlfrnlc e� � e King
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-
Wrens and Creepers
,., Dippers
Hawks and Eagles
i
iii
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Crows and Jays
Hummingbirds
Owls
Tern
AD APTATIONS
Loon
Heron
OF BIRD S
Birds show unusual adaptations to their way of l ife . The most i m portant and obvious is a covering of feathers . These have developed from the sca ly covering of reptiles. Each feather has rows of branched barbs that hook together. On the long flight feathers, the ba rbs mesh tightly to form a fi rm structure . Contour feathers and an undercoat of finer down cover the bird's body. Form and structure of feathers va ry with different birds. Interna l ada ptations of birds incl ude a i r sacs and light, hollow bones; a very rapid hea rt; temperature severa l degrees higher than ours, and other structures favoring a very active ex istence . The animal food of birds incl udes i n sects, worms, mol l usks, fi sh, and sma l l m a m ma l s . Plant foods i nclude seeds , b u d s , l eaves , and fru its . B i l l s have obvious adaptations re lated to d iet. Above are four birds, each from a different fam i ly, with s i m i l a r b i l l s adapted for eating fi s h . Barbs and barbules enlarged
vane
Kingfisher
A DAPTATIONS
/
� Robin perching
Pheasant -walking
Shrike
Cardinal
Wood Thrush
Crossbill
Yellowthroat
OF FEET
grasping
)
Woodpecker -climbing
Yellowlegs -wading
Above are five birds a l l belonging to the same order, perching birds. Each of these spe cies has developed a very different type of b i l l suited for eating particu l a r foods . These a re d ivergent devel opments from a common fa m i l y ancestor. This type o f devel opment i s a l so common . Other adaptations a re shown i n the legs and feet of birds . The bi rd's three o r fou r toes have been modified for cl imbing, scratc h i n g , g rasp ing and tearing , and swi m m i ng . Long toes d i s tri bute the wei g ht of b i rds that wa l k on mud and sand . Extra feathering protects the feet of ptarmigans and a rctic owls . The long legs of waders, the webbed feet of swim mers, a nd other adaptations indicate specia l i zed uses of var ious kinds. Most i nteresting of all adaptations a re those of behavior. Ma ny spec ies have developed d is ti nct patterns of l iving . Careful observations will disclose the "persona lities" of different birds and their soc i a l ada ptations . Body feather with after· shaft
16 AMATEUR ACTIVITIES Eve ryone sta r t s watc h i n g b i rds with the same ideas i n mind: t o learn the i r names, to identify as many as possible, Lewi s' Woodpecker a t feed i ng stat i o n and to see what kind of "records" his watching w i l l yiel d . Some people a re content doing these things and never venture beyond this stage. Others find many more ways to broaden their know l edge. Time, p l a c e , a n d experience w i l l determ ine how fa r you want to g o . Here a re some suggestions: ATTRACTING BI RDS BY FEEDING B i rds were here long before people fed them-and they w i l l continue to feed and care for themselve s . But if severe co ld or ice cuts off the food supply of wi nter birds, cooperative effor ts a re someti mes essentia l to save them . If you want to attract birds to you r yard or window, then feeding them will hel p. Place feed on a platform or wi ndow shelf to retard spo i l ing and to provide some protection from predators . F i nd out how to bu i l d feed ing stations. Set them near shrubbery to g ive the bi rds shelter. P lace l um ps of suet i n wire conta i ners for creepers, chickadees, nuthatches, and wood peckers. Sma l l grain (sunflower seeds , hemp, m i l let, and canary seed) will attract seed eaters. At a w i ndow station you can watch birds feed .
Siskins a n d other finches enjoy su nflower a n d thistle seeds
ATTRACTI N G B I RDS BY WAT E R I N G B i rds need drinking and bath ing water just as much as they need food . A watering place will attract birds dur i ng warm months when wild food is available. B i rds l i ke movi n g , sha l l ow water. A dripping hose or a trickle of water running i nto a one-inch pan with gravel on the bottom i s excellent. An old bucket with a triang u l a r piece of cloth pul led through a d r i p hole and hung over an o l d baking pan will do as wel l as any elaborate cement poo l . ATTRACTI NG BI RDS WITH COV ER AND SH ELTER B i rds need cover for protection agai nst wind , cold, and enemies. The best kind of cover for birds is shrubs and vi nes that provide food as wel l as a place to h ide . Pla nt� that look attractive to us are not nec essarily attractive to bi.rd s . N ative pla nts that reta i n their fru it in wi nter are best . Nesting boxes are seldom satisfactory u n less they a re built with a specific b i rd i n mind . A box for a wren must be very different from one for a flicker. Get complete instructions .
Drip-bucket provides water
Martin box
Wren house
1 Weed n .... &r a.. .......
18
Build a box that can be eas i l y clea ned and used yea r after year. Don't place boxes too close; three or fou r nesting boxes t o a n acre a re usua l l y enoug h . Most b i rds set u p their own "territory" and wi l l keep other bi rds out. CREATING A LOCAL REFUGE A group of people may fi nd a way to create a loca l bird refuge to help b i rds care for themselves . Most commun ities have swam p or wasteland which can easily be developed i nto a bird refuge. Parks, golf courses, and cemeteries have been successfu l . Ample water supply is needed . Sma l l dams across a brook wi l l create shal low ponds that attract many birds. Swamp plants and g rasses should be en couraged as seed producers . Evergreens may be pla nted for shelter. BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY H u nting with a gun is g iving way to hunting with a camera . Only a few species of game birds may be shot, but you may photog raph any bird . B i rd photography offers thri l l s and hard wor k . It calls for patience and ski l l , but one fi ne shot makes it a l l worthwh i l e . Use a camera with a foca l plane shutter and a fast lens. A flash bulb is usua l l y necessary for c l ose photos even in daylight, because many bi rds prefer to feed i n the shade . Steller's Jay (11 ln.), only crested lay of the western conife rs
B I R D BAN D I NG Thin a l um i n u m bands a re put around b i rds' legs to help i n scientific studies . From the 43 m i l lion birds banded we have lea rned much a bout m i g rations, fl yways, l ife spa ns, pop ulation changes, and annual returns to the same nesting or wi ntering a rea s . Cooperation o f thousa nds o f a mateurs has greatly assisted scientific study of bird s . If you find a banded b i rd sick or dead (except a pigeon), look for a ser i a l number, l i ke " 1 240-2440 1 " o r "5093009 1 . " An address either outside or inside the band may read "Avise B i rd Band Write Wash DC USA" . Write the number on a postcard , stating when, where, how, and by whom the b i rd was found . Send the card to the Bird Ba nding Laboretory, Patuxent W i l d l ife Resea rch Center, Laure l , Md . 20708 . They w i l l send you the bi rd's h istory, and your report wi l l help their stud ies. Permits to band b i rds a re i ssued to q u a l ified persons i nvolved i n spec i a l stud ies. An a p p l i cant must be at l east 1 8 years old, must descr i be the proposed resea rch i n deta i l , and must g ive names of three experts who w i l l vouch for his or her qual ifications. Color bands
IJ
I
Official bird bands
20 B I RD C O U NTS A N D C E N S U S E S After you learn the common birds, you wi l l beg i n to keep l i sts of the species you s�e . This is the beg i n n i ng of an absorbing hobby. Soon you r l ists may i n c l ude est i mates of the number of birds seen as wel l as the species . N ext you may do a complete census of a specific a rea that will show the density of the bird popu lation there . Many b i rd cl ubs a l l over North America make one-day C h ristmas B i rd Counts during C h ristmas season . To partici pate, contact a loca l bird club or write to American Birds, National Audubon Society, 950 Third Avenue, New York, N . Y. 1 0022. Counts made during the breed ing season revea l from 2 to 20 adult birds per acre, depending on the type of vegetation (habitat) and the l oca l ity. C a re fu lly made counts, especially those repeated yea r after year such as on a Breed ing Bird Survey route, a re of rea l scientific va l u e . Specia l counts made d u r i ng m i g rations, or counts of b i rd colon ies or bird roosts, help u s under sta nd more about certa i n unusual species . B R E E D I NG B I RD ATLAS E S In many states and prov inces, i ntensive mapping projects are i n progress to show the nesting range of every bird species. Each state is d ivided into squa res of about 1 0 square m i les each, and vo l unteers compile nesting season l i sts of bi rds found in each square . Evidence of nesting, such as a d u l ts carry ing nesting mater i a l or food for young ma kes the records especially va l ua b le . These Atl a s projects usua l l y take five years to complete . Then they a re repeated after a period of yea rs to find out what changes i n bird d i stri bution have occurred . To fi nd out whether a n Atlas proj ect is in progress i n your a rea , contact the Laboratory of Ornithology, Cornell University, 1 59 Sapsucker Woods Road , Ithaca , N . Y. 1 4850 .
21
COMMON LOON Spot loons by their l a rge size, long body, short neck, poi nted bil l , and l o u d , yod e l - l i ke ca l l . loons a re expert d ivers, but kick a l ong the water before taking flight. I n winter, Common loon (24 i n . ) i s gray a bove a n d white beneath . The �------_,. slender-bil led Red-throated loon ( 1 7 i n . ) and Pacific loon ( 1 8 i n . ) are recogn i zed i n summer b y red or black throat patch contrasting with gray head .
P I E D- B I L L E D G R E B E Grebes a re expert d ivers and swi mmers . Sma l ler than most ducks, they float lower in the water, and are rarely seen i n flig h t . The Pied-bil led Grebe (9 i n . ) has a more rounded b i l l than other grebes . The throat patch i s lacking in wi nter. The H orned G rebe (9V2 i n.) i s told i n summer by black head with b r i g h t c h e s t n u t ear patches . Red-necked Grebe ( 1 3 i n . ) i s grayer, with conspicuous white cheek patches and a long, poi n ted, yel l owish b i l l .
23
GREAT B L U E H E RO N, our largest dark-colored wader, flies with a sl ow, reg u l a r wing beat . It usua l l y nests i n colonies . I t g ives a series o f low-pitched croaks when fl ushed . Tol d from other herons by its size (38 in . ) . The slender-billed Tricolored Heron (2 i n . ) of southern coasta l ma rshes has a sharply contrasting white bel l y. The me d i um-sized adu l t Black-crowned Night- Heron (2 1 i n . ) is black a bove , a l l -white beneath; young a re heav ily streaked brown and white.
24
GR E E N - BAC KE D H E R ON This small solitary heron (14 in.) is scarcely larger than a crow. It has a typical heron flight, with slow, deep wing strokes. Like other herons it eats aquatic animals. At a distance it may be confused with the larger American Bittern (23 in.) or an immature night-heron (21 in.), but its body is unstreaked and its yellow-orange legs are dis tinctive. When alarmed it raises its crest. Adult Little Blue Heron (22 in.) is more slender, uniformly dark all over, and with a pale base to its bill (see page 130).
25
CATT LE E GR ET This exotic bird (17 in. ), a native of Africa, recently colonized North America. It is still spreading into new areas. It usually feeds with cattle, but it nests in colonies with other herons. Young birds are all white. Other white herons are the Snowy Egret {20 in. ) with its slender black bill and legs and yellow feet, the immature little Blue Heron (22 in. ) with greenish legs and feet and a pale base to the bill, and the Great Egret (32 in. ) with yellow bill, black legs and feet {page 130).
26
TU N D RA (W H I ST L I N G) SWAN This very l a rge (36 i n . ) a l l -white bird migrates i n ¥-formation from its a rctic nesting ground to its wi nter quarters i n coasta l U n ited States . In flight it is recogn i zed by its muffled cal l . It feeds from the surface, using its long neck to reach aquatic vegetation . The i ntroduced {; Mute Swan (40 i n . ) , found spar ingly i n the Great lakes, i n coasta l '(S� waters, and some city pa rks, is told by its ora nge b i l l and g racefu lly cu rved nec k .
·· \·::J ·- --�/'{ __
27
CANADA GOO S E, a wel l -known and widely d i strib uted bird , is recog n i zed by its large size ( 1 6-25 i n . ) , long black neck , a n d white cheeks. Geese swi m with their necks stra ight up a n d fl y i n ¥-formation, with necks extended . They feed i n ponds and estuaries, but also g raze on g rass and sprouting gra i n . The sma l l , dark, a rctic-nest ing Brant ( 1 7 i n . ) , which wi nters i n flocks i n coasta l bays, h a s a sma l l white neck stripe instead o f white cheeks .
MA LLARD This large ( 16 in. ), common duck of ponds and sloughs has two white bars bordering its blue wing patch that identify both the colorful male and the mot tled brown female. The green head and white neck ring are also good field marks of the male. Mallards, like other surface-feeding ducks, take off in a vertical leap. They feed by tipping in shallow water. Mallards have been domesticated and often produce hybrids with other duck species.
29
AM E R ICAN BLAC K D UC K This common marsh land duck ( 1 6 i n . ) resembles the female Ma l l a r d , but i s da rker and has whiter wing l i n i n g s . Ma les have bright red legs and yel l owish bills; females a re d u l ler. Black Ducks prefer brackish water, especially i n wi nter. The s i m i l a r Mottled Duck ( 1 5 i n . ) is restricted to F l o � ida and the Gulf Coast . The wadespread Gadwa l l ( 1 4V2 in . ) is sl ightly sma l ler with a white bel l y and a sma l l rectangular white patch on the black tra i l i n g edge of the wing .
�-
·- ........ .
··-------
30
WOOD D U C K (l3 V2 i n . ) is tol d in flight by the wh i te tra i l ing edge of the wing , the long ta i l , short neck, and the b i l l held at a d i stinct downward angle. Note the large white eye ring of the female and young . Wood Ducks fl y low, dodg ing around trees, where they roost . The fl y i ng America n Wigeon (14 i n . ) shows a large wh ite patch on the forwa rd edge of the win g , a n d t h e male h a s a white crown and a broad green band through the eye .
NORT H E R N P I N TAIL Spot the s l i m pinta i l (l8V2 i n . ) by the male's slender white neck and long, pointed ta i l . In a l l p l u mages fl ying birds show a white stripe on the tra i l ing edge of the wing , which is the best field mark of the fema l e . This common surface-feed ing duck prefers fresh water. The tiny G reen-wi nged -------9 Tea l (lOV2 i n . ) has a broad g reen stripe across the face, contrasting with the plain brown hea d , and it has wh ite borders before and be hind the green wing patch .
32
CAN VASBACK This diving duck (15 in.) swims low, often in large flocks. The long bill and sloping forehead are distinctive. In flight note the large size, and the wings set far back on the white body. It often flies in clusters of 6 V's. Female has olive he�d and neck. � Smaller Redhead (14V2 m. ) has gray �,!' body, more rounded forehead. ts'fl Closely related lesser Scaup (12 in.) has violet head, white stripe .., down the extended wing. · · · ·· ·· · ·· · ·
·
'?J
33
COMMON M E RGAN S E R Mergansers a re loon l i ke diving d ucks with narrow, cyl i ndrical "toothed" b i l l s . They fl y l ow and prefer open water. White wing patches are visible i n flight. The Common Merga nser ( 1 8 i n . ) is strikingly white beneath . N ote the sharply defined white throat of the female. The Red breasted Merganser ( 16 i n . ) has a reddish breast and a l a rger crest and prefers sa l t water i n winter. The sma l ler Hooded Merganser ( 1 3 i n . ) has a fa n-shaped white crest .
34
AM E R ICAN COOT ( 1 2 i n . ) nests in marsh vege tation, but often wi nters i n open water. It i s the only ducklike bird with a cha l ky white bi l l . When d i sturbed it ei ther d ives or skits over the water with feet and wings. The closely related Common Moorhen (or F lorida Ga l l i nule, lOV2 in . ) has a red b i l l and fore head and a white str i pe under the wing . Both pump the neck when swi mming .
35
KILLDE E R (8 i n . ) , a large upland plover, is told by its double breast band and (in flight) by its orange-brown rump and ta i l . It frequents open meadows and p l owed fields, where its loud " k i l l deer" ca l l reso u n d s . It bobs its head as it wa lks. The young , which have o n l y one breast band, leave the nest a l most as soon as hatched . The much smaller Sem i pa l mated P l over (53/.o� i n . ) i s s i m i l a r b u t l a c k s t h e b r i g h t rump. It too h a s only o n e breast band; it prefers mud flats and beaches .
C OMM ON S N I P E This shy bird (9 i n . ) of meadows and open fresh-water swamps rises h i g h i n the spring a i r a t d u s k a n d circles with an u nforgettable "wi nnowing" sound; otherwise it stays close to vegetatio n . Field marks are very long bi l l , rather short legs, pointed wings, and zigzag flight. The plump American Woodcock ( 8 V.o� i n.) of moist woods and fields, a c l ose relative, has rounded wings and a richer brown color. Dowitchers ( 1 0 i n . ) , of mud flats and beaches, have a conspicuous white rump, and i n spring a re reddish-brown beneath .
37
LE S S E R Y E LLOW LEGS This gray-and-white sandpip er (8% in.) is one of our common shorebirds. In flight note its size, the white rump and tail, the slender, dark bill, and long, bright yellow legs. The Greater Yellow legs (ll in.) is very similar but with a longer, slightly upturned bill. Willets (l3V2 in.) are still larger and plumper, with dark legs and with bold black-and-white wing markings in � � rr flight. Still larger are the Whimbrel (14 in.)with its long down-curved bill and the Marbled Godwit(l6 in.)with its up-curved bill. _
;:t w
- - --- -- ·-----·
- __ ,
38
SPOT T E D SAN D P I P E R (6V.o� i n . ) This is our only sand piper with a strongly spotted breast. I n many i n land loca lities this is the most common shorebird and the only breed ing sandpiper. The spots a re present only i n the breed ing season, but the teetering wa lk and the narrow wing beats and l ow flight are disti nctive . The Solitary Sandpiper (7 i n . ), seen during migration, has a white eye ring, a n d barred white feathers on the sides of the ta i l .
39
L EAST SAN D P I P E R Best known a n d sma l l est o f the sma l l sandpipers, this bird prefers mud flats and sa l t marshes. N ote i t s sma l l size (43/4 i n . ) , rich brown back, breast band , yel l owish legs, and slender, stra ight bi l l . The Sem ipalmated ( 5 i n . ) and Western (51/4 i n . ) Sand pipers, often found with the least, have g rayer backs, stouter bills, and black legs; the ..._ Western has a longer, heavier b i l l and tends t o feed i n deeper water. The larger White-rumped Sandpi per (6V4 i n . ) has a distinct white rump.
40
H E RR I N G GULL (20 i n . ) is abundant a long the Atlantic Coast and parts of the interior. It is a great scavenger. Black wing tips of adu lts contrast with g ray wings and back . Legs a re flesh-colored . Immature birds a re d u l l gray-brown , becoming whiter with maturity. C a l ifornia and Ring-bi l l ed G u l l s ( 1 7 i n . ) are sma l ler with d u l l yel lowish o r g reenish legs; Ring-bil led has a black ring on the bi l l . Laugh ing Gull ( 1 3 i n . ) on the East Coast and Fra nkl i n's Gull (1 1 i n . ) i n the West have darker backs and black head s .
41
COMMON T E R N Terns are sma l l er, s l immer, and more g racefu l than gulls; wings a re slender and ta i l s often deeply forked . They dive head long i nto s e a or lakes after fish . C ommon Tern (14 i n . ) i s tol d by its black tipped redd ish bil l , dusky wing tips, and deeply forked white ta i l . Forster's Tern (14 i n . ) i s very simi l a r but with orange b i l l , pa ler wing tips, and grayer ta i l . The tiny least Tern (8V2 i n . ) has a yel l ow bill and white forehea d , the l a rge Caspian Tern (20 i n . ) a heavy b lood-red b i l l , and sl ightly forked ta i l .
T U R K EY and BLAC K V U LT U R E S, va luable scaven gers, soar high i n the sky. Turkey Vu ltures (25 i n . ) soar with their long wings s l i g htly a bove the hori zonta l ; the na ked red head completes identification of the adult. The sma l ler B lack Vu l ture (at right, 2 2 i n . ) of the Southeast has round white patches on the under side of its wing tips, and it flaps more than does the Turkey Vu lture. It has a dark head , a s do young Turkey Vu ltures, and a very short square ta i l ; it soa rs on hori zonta l wings .
43
OSPREY The Osprey or Fish Hawk (22 i n . ) occurs around the world. It is sma l ler and sl immer than the eag les, a nd has a large black spot under the "elbow" of the wing . N o other large hawk h a s as much white below. It flies with a characteristic backward bend at the "el bow. " Its huge nest may be placed on an isolated tree, a tower, a channel marker, or a duck blind . The birds wheel and soar over lakes, bays, and oceans, plunging feet foremost after fish . Young are simi lar to adults.
BALD EAGLE Eagles are large, long-winged hawks that soar on horizonta l wings. The white head and tai l mark the adult Bald Eagle (32 i n . ) . Younger birds are dark brown all over; it takes them severa l years to acquire adult plumage . Bald Eagles, our nationa l emblem, are usually found near water, as fish is their fa vorite food . The Golden Eagle (32 i n . ) of the West is all dark i n a l l plumages except for the white base of its tail and a flash of white under each wing .
45
COO P E R'S H AWK ( 1 5V2 i n . ) is typica l l y a wood land bird , rarely soaring i n the open except when migrati ng . Its short, rounded wings and l o n g , rounded ta i l identify it i n flight. The little Sharp-sh i n ned H awk (1 OV2 i n . ) looks simi lar, but has a square-ti pped ta i l and sma l ler hea d . The large N orthern Goshawk ( 1 9 i n . ) has a light gray breast, dark g ray back , and white l i ne over the eye . Fema les of all a re much larger than ma les; breasts of young are streaked lengthwise.
RE D-TAILED HAWK The Red-ta il i s a l a rge ( 1 8 i n . ) soaring hawk . Its wings are broad a nd its ta i l i s fa n shaped and chestnut-red above . Underparts are light except for a band of streaks across the bel ly. Young have a fi nely ba rred ta i l . Red-shouldered Hawk ( 1 6 i n . ) , of wooded stream va lleys, is rusty below with a d i st i nctly banded ta i l . Other soaring hawks include the Broad-winged Hawk ( 1 3 i n . ) of northeastern woods with its promi n e n t l y b a r red ta i l , a n d Swa i nson's H awk ( 1 8 i n . ) o f the West, with its broa d , dark chest band .
47
AM E R ICAN KESTR E L This is the sma l l est (8V2 i n . ) U . S . fa lcon-a hawk with long, poi nted wings. I t rarely soars. Note the rich reddish-brown back, tai l , and crown. The fema le i s told by narrow black bars on the ta i l . The s l ightly larger Merl i n ( 1 2 i n . ) i s un iformly dark above, heavi ly streaked bel ow, and has broad black ta i l bars . The Peregrine Fa lcon ( 1 5 i n . ) , which nests o n c l iffs a n d a few ta l l buiJd i ngs, i s a rare b u t wide-rang ing species with heavy black mus tache marks and a b l ue or brown back.
RI NG-N EC K E D PH EASANT This unmistakable Asiatic bird (27 i n . ) has been successfully i ntroduced over much of the U nited States. It is a favorite game bird of farmlands, where it feeds on waste grain, occasionally causing loca l crop damage. The handsome male is unrivaled i n its splen did coloring. The female is smal ler, brown all over, but with a short pointed tail that distinguishes it from the Ruffed Grouse and Prairie-Chickens (see next page) . Pheasants and their rel atives on the next two pages do not migrate.
RU F F E D G RO U S E This is an attractive chicken l i ke bird ( 1 4 in . ) of the deep woods. It suddenly springs i nto the a i r with a loud whirring o f wings. T h e drumming o f t h e ma le i s part o f t h e spring courtship. The fan-shaped t a i l w i t h its broad , dark terminal band is the best field mark. The Prairie-Chickens ( 1 4 i n . ) of the midwest prairies are finely barred all over with brown and white and have a black, rounded tai l ; they and the plain brown, narrow-tai led Sharp-tailed Grouse ( 1 5 i n . ) are re stricted to open country.
NORT H E RN BOBWH ITE Everyone knows the bob white's cal l, but these small quail (8 i n . ) are hard to see in ta l l grass and weeds . Their sma l l size, rich brown color, and stubby appearance make them easy to identify. Scaled , Gambel's, California, and Mounta in Quails, all 8-9 in. , have populations centered in New Mexico, Arizona, Cal ifornia, and Oregon, respectively; they are plain olive or gray on the back and have long head plumes. Fema les are dul ler than males .
51
ROC K DOVE (DOM ESTIC P I G EON) is descended from the wild Rock Dove of European coasta l cliffs . This chubby bird ( 1 1 i n . ) has a broad , fa n ned ta i l . C o l ors va ry from slate-blue to brown to white . Their nesting habits make them unpopular tenants i n cities. The large western Band ta i led P igeon ( 1 3V2 i n . ) has yel l ow legs and a pale tail ba nd . The White-crowned Pigeon ( 1 1 i n . ) of the F l orida keys i s a l l dark with a wh ite crown . The tiny Common Ground- Dove (5V2 i n . ) of the far South has a short black ta i l a n d chestnut wings.
MOU R N I N G DOV E Browner and s l i mmer than the Rock Dove and with a long, pointed ta i l , the Mourning Dove (lOV2 i n . ) nests in every state and provi nce . It i s named from its melancholy ca l l : "Coo-a h , coo, coo, coo." The white ta i l border is conspicuous i n flight. F l ight is rapid , and this dove is pri zed as a favorite game species i n many states. The White winged Dove ( 1 0 i n . ) of the South west is simi lar, but a large white wing patch is conspicuous i n flight . The southwestern Inca Dove (6V2 i n . ) is l i ke a m i niature Mourning Dove .
53
Y E L LOW- B I L L E D C U C KOO The s l i m , brown-and white cuckoos are dovelike i n a ppearance, but u n l i ke doves they rarely perch in the open . They a re among the few birds that eat hairy caterpillars. The Yel low-bil led Cuckoo ( 1 1 i n . ) has a yel low l ower bi l l , bright chestnut brown wing patches , and l a rge white ta i l spots . The more northern Black-bi l l ed C uckoo ( 1 1 i n . ) has a black b i l l , p l a i n brown wings, and indisti nct ta i l spots . Young a re sim ilar to adults.
54
COMMON BARN-OWL This long-legged b i rd ( 1 4 i n . ) i s u nique among American owls, belong i ng to a separate family. The white, heart-shaped face and dark eyes identify it. The l ight buff pl umage i s conspicuous, but this owl i s rarely seen by day, and the hissing ca l l that it g ives at night is n o t often heard . It nests i n barns, belfries, and hollow trees, and is important i n control l ing rodents injurious to o r c h a r d s a n d g a rd e n c r o p s . I t s range is worldwide .
55
GREAT H O R N E D OWL (20 in . ) , aggressive and powerfu l , resembles a huge g ray screech-owl . Its ca l l i s a series of five to seven deep hoots , a l l on t h e same pitch . The sma l l er, slender long-eared Owl ( 1 3 i n . ) of the upper Midwest has s i m i l a r ea r tufts; it tends to give single hoots, wa i l s , or screa m s . The eastern Barred Owl ( 1 7 i n . ) and western Spotted Owl ( 1 6 i n . ) have dark eyes, no ear tufts. The Barred Owl typica lly g ives eight hoots, the Spotted Owl three or four.
EAST E R N and W E S T E R N S C R E E C H -OWLS Re cently separated i nto two species, these c l osely related nocturna l birds a re told from other common owl s by thei r sma l l size (8 i n . ) a nd presence of ear tufts . P l umage of these two i s a l most identica l , but g ray and brown color phases occur. Both species whistle rather than screech . Keen eyesight and noise less fli g ht enable them to prey on field rodents . The terrestri a l Bur rowing Owl (8 i n . ) of the prai ries and the N orthern Saw-whet Owl (7 in.) of the North woods lack ear tufts .
57
C H I M N EY S W I F T Swifts are a l most a lways in the a i r, fl ying with a batlike flight . Distinctive, stream l i ned birds, they usua l l y fl y i n groups and m i g rate i n l a rge flocks . The short spiny ta i l s of Chimney Swifts (5 i n . ) prop them against inside wa l l s o f c h i mneys when resting . There a re t h ree weste r n sw i f t s : Vaux's Swift (4V2 i n . ) , s i m i l a r to the Chimney; White-throated Swift (6V2 i n . ) , of steep canyons; and the rare Black Swift (7 i n . )-the last two colored as thei r names imply.
58
WH I P-POOR-W I L L When resting o n dead l eaves the nocturnal Whip-poor-wi l l (9 i n . ) is a l most i nvisi ble- more often heard than seen . It rarely flies by day. A rounded tai l , buffy-tipped i n the female, and a bsence of white i n the wing distinguish it from the n i g hthawks. The s o u t h e a s t e r n C h u c k-wi l l 's � widow ( 1 1 in . ) h a s buff on the throat and under the ta i l . The sma l l west ern Common Poor-wi l l (7 i n . ) has only tiny square white patches at the corners of the ta i l . ._
59
COMMON N IGHTHAWK (9 i n . ) , a c l ose relative of the Whip-poor-w i l l , has slender, poi nted wings and a long ta i l with slightly notched tip. I n flight note its d i sti n guishing white w i n g patc h . N i ghthawks a re constantly i n t h e a i r at night, fl ying i n a z i g z a g p a t h , circling, diving, and ba nking a s they catch fl ying i n sect s . T h e l ower-fl y i n g lesser N ighthawk (8 i n . ) of the Southwest has the white band nearer the tip of a more rounded wing . Young are similar to adults.
60
RU BY-TH ROAT E D H U MM I N G B I R D These eastern hummingbirds (3 i n . ) are gems of beauty and marvel s i n flight. They hover motionless, ca n fl y backward, and may come to brightly colored tubes of sugar water. The female and young are white-throated . Western hum mingbirds include the very s i m i l a r Broad-tai l ed (33f,. i n . ) of the southern Rockies; Anna's (3V2 i n . ), with crown and throat meta l l i c red; Black-chinned (3 i n . ) through out the western mounta i n s ; and the brown-backed Rufous (3V2 i n . ) of the Northwest.
61
B E LT E D K I NG F I S H E R ( 1 2 i n . ) Where there a re fish there are kingfishers, beating the air with irregular flaps, d iving into water head first, and emerg i n g with fish in their long beaks. N ote the ragged crest and harsh rat tling ca l l . I l lustration i s of a female; the male lacks the chestnut on sides and breast. The tiny Green K i ng fisher (?V2 i n . ) of southern Texas has a dark green back and a l most no crest .
R E D-H EAD E D WOO D P E C K E R Look for woodpeck ers on tree tronks, using their strong b i l l s to dig out wood-boring insects . The Red-headed (?V2 i n . ) i s the only eastern woodpecker with a tota l l y red hea d . The solid black back and large white wing patches a re good field marks . Young have brown head s . Ma le Red-bel l ied Woodpecker (8V2 i n . ) of the South east has enti re crown and back of neck red , and black-and-white bar ring on the back. The western Acorn Woodpecker (8 i n . ) has black back, chin, and breast band .
NORT H E R N F L I C K E R ( 1 OV2 i n . ) , large and broytn , i s identified b y its bobbing flight, white rump, b l a c k breast band, and golden or sa l mon wing and ta i l l i n ings. Like a l l wood peckers it nests i n a tree cavity, but this species often goes to the g round to eat ants. The eastern race (a bove) has yel l ow wing a nd ta i l shafts . The western Red-shafted and Gi lded races have red mustache marks at the base of the bi l l . Young of a l l races are s i m i l a r t o adult males, but adult females lack the mustache.
Y E L LOW- B E L L I E D SAP S U C K E R (7:Y.o� i n . ) Sapsuckers feed on the soft i nner bark and sap of trees . They dig rows of sma l l holes that leave scars on trunks and branches . N ote the vertical white patch on the black wing . The Red-breasted Sapsucker (7V.o� i n . ) of the western mounta i n states is s i m i l a r but with head and breast solid red . W i l l i a m son's Sap sucker (8V.o� i n . ) of the N o rthwest i s mostly b l a c k w i t h a white r u m p , large white wing stripe, and yellow bel ly. Fema le sapsuckers lack red on throat.
D OW N Y W OOD P E C KE R The Downy (53/4 i n . ) and H a i ry (?V2 i n . ) Wood peckers are common and wide spread and have similar plumage. The white stri pe d own the back is a good field mark for both . O n l y the males have the red spot on the back of the hea d . Young are l i ke adults. The H a i r y has a much heavier b i l l than the Downy Wood pecker, and its outer ta i l feathers a re entirely white. The Downy feeds with chickadees, tit mice, and nuthatches, and often visits feed ing stations i n wi nter for suet and seed s .
EAST E R N K I N G B I RD (6 3/4 i n . ) darts from its perch on a branch or fence i n true flycatcher fash ion . The white tip on the ta i l marks the Eastern species . The Gray Kingbird (7V2 i n . ) of the Southeast has an oversi zed b i l l a n d a tota l ly g ray notched ta i l . T h e Western Ki ngbird (7 in . ) is gray with a yel l ow belly and wh ite outer ta i l feathers . The s i m i lar Cassin's K i ngbird ( 7 i n . ) o f the western mounta ins has only a nar row grayish tip to its ta i l . Young a re similar to adults.
G R EAT C R E S T E D F LYCATC H E R is the o n l y la rge (7 i n . ) eastern fl ycatcher with a rusty ta i l . The yel l ow belly and wing bars a re good field marks. It is a n orchard and forest bird . It typica lly uses shed snake skins i n its nest, which i s placed i n a tree cavity or nest box . This fl y catcher is told from the Western K i n g b i rd by i t s ta i l c o l o r . T h e sma l ler, p a l e r Ash-throated F ly catcher (6V2 i n . ) replaces the Great Crested F lycatcher in the West. Young a re l i ke adults.
68
EASTE R N P H O E B E (53f4 in . ) If the persistent "fee-be" ca l l doesn't identify this bird, its equa l l y persistent tail bobbing wil l . It is an active flycatcher, with no wing bars or eye ring . It nests in the shelter of a porc h , out-build ing , or bridge. Say's P hoebe (6V4 in . ) i s a western bird with rusty breast and belly. Eastern and Western Wood Pewees (5V4 in . ) look l ike sma l l Eastern Phoebes b u t have two dis tinct wing bars and do not bob their ta il s .
L EAST F LYCATC H E R is the sma l l est (4Y2 i n.) eastern flycatcher. Its many c l ose relatives share the eye ring and two whitish wing bars; they a re best tol d apart by habitat and voice. Acadian F l ycatcher nests i n south eastern forests, Alder i n northern a lder swamps, W i l l ow on brushy h i l l sides, Yel l ow-bel l ied i n northeastern coni fers. I n the West the yel low-be l lied Western F lycatcher i s eas i l y identi fied; but the drab Hammond's, Gray, and Dusky are best l u m ped under the group's generic name, Empi donax. Young are similar to adults.
HORN E D LARK F l ocks of Horned Larks (6V2 i n . ) feed in bare fields and a long shores , wa lking as they feed . Note the black breast band, yel l ow throat, black ta i l , and, a t close range, the "horns . " Young birds a re streaked . This and the E urasian Skylark are true larks. Meadowlarks belong to the blackbird subfa m i l y. The Water P i pit (SV2 i n . ) , unrelated to the Horned Lark, is someti mes taken for i t . The Water Pi pit a l so wa lks, but has a lightly spotted buffy breast and a long bobbing ta i l with white outer feathers.
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P U R P L E MART I N Ma rtins a re the la rgest ( 7 i n . ) a n d most conspicuous o f t h e swa l l ows, strea m l i ned bi rds that do all of their feed ing on the wing . I n fl ight their wings are more triangular than other swa l lows' . Ma rtins nest in colonies, most often i n multi-celled martin box-es. The uniform dark color of the male identifies it. Fema les a n d young have grayish breast and white belly. The N o r thern Roug h-wi nged Swa l low (43/.o� i n . ) , which nests s i n gly i n drain pipes or h o l e s i n gravel ba nks, has a p l a i n brown back and chest, no violet .
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T R E E SWALLOW U nbroken b l ue-black a bove and white bel ow makes the Tree Swa l l ow (5 i n.) easy to pick out from a mixed flock of migrating swa l l ows . Fema l e is dul ler. Young birds are brown-backed . I n cold weather this swa l low can substitute bayberries for i n sects, so it can winter farther north than other swa l l ows. The western Violet-green Swa l low (43/.o� i n . ) i s s i m i l a r with a large white patch on each side of its rump. Swa l l ows are usua lly found near water.
73
BARN SWALLOW (6 i n . ) This is the one swa l low with a deeply forked "swa l l ow ta i l . " N ote the chestnut fore head and throat, and the buff underparts. Fema le and young are d u l ler with shorter ta i l s . N ests i n barns and under bridges . The C liff Swa l l ow (5 i n . ) i s s i m i l a r, but with short, square ta i l , buff rump, a n d w h i te forehea d . T h e B a n k Swal l ow (43/4 i n . ), which nests i n stream banks a n d gravel pits, is brown-backed with a brown band across its white breast.
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B L AC K- B I L L E D MAG P I E No other birds resemble the large black-and-white magpies with their sweeping ta i l s . The two species, Black-bi l l ed ( 1 8 i n . ) and Yel l ow billed ( 1 6 i n . ) Magpies, are d i stinguished by b i l l color and geography. The Ye l l ow-bil led Magpie l ives only i n the central Ca l ifornia va lleys . Magpies fl y and feed i n flocks. Thei r mixed d i e t incl udes fru i t s , m e l o n s , a n d o t h e r c r o p p l a n t s . They often l i ve a ro u n d r a n c h e s , a n d occa s i o n a l l y these relatives of the crows become ser i o u s loca l pests .
75
AM E R I CAN C ROW People often confuse two re lated birds with the fam i l i a r a l l-black American Crow ( 1 7 i n . ) . The coasta l Fish Crow ( 1 5 i n . ) is s i m i l a r except for its short nasal ca l l : "ca r, car. " The large Com mon Raven (2 1 i n . ) , rare i n m u c h of t h e E a s t , has rough throat feathers and a croaking ca l l . I t soars i n flight, showing the wedge shaped ta i l tip.
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BLU E JAY No other eastern b i rd is l i ke the noisy blue, black, and white B l ue Jay ( 1 0 i n . ) . Of the western jays, Stel ler's ( 1 1 i n . ) has a black head, throat, and breast, and long black crest ( page 1 8) . The short-ta iled, crestless Pinyon Jay (9 i n . ) i s d u l l blue with a darker crow n . The Scrub Jay (1 0 i n . ), found commonly west of the Rockies and i n central F lorida, has a blue cap, wings, and ta i l , and a dull blue necklace across the whitish u nderparts. Young of a l l jays a re s i m i lar t o thei r parents .
WH ITE- B R EAST E D N UTHATC H N uthatches creep down tree trunks head first, and often visit feed i ng sta tions. The White-breasted N uthatch (5 i n . ), with its white breast, throat, and face i s common i n deciduous woods . Other n uthatches prefer conifers . The northern Red-breasted N uthatch (4 i n . ) has orange-brown under parts a nd a dark line through the eye . The Brown-headed N uthatch (4 i n . ) of southeast pine woods has a chocolate cap. The gray cap of the tiny western Pygmy N uthatch (3V2 i n . ) comes down to its eye .
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B LACK-CAP P E D C H I C KA D E E (4V2 i n . ) The ca l l of this plump b i rd is its name. C h ickadees, constant visitors to feed ing stations, often feed upside down . The smaller (4V4 i n . ) Caro l i na C h ickadee of the Southeast has less buff on the sides, less white in the wing, and four or five notes in its whistled song i nstead of two or three . The brown -capped Borea l C h i ckadee (4V4 i n . ) is a wi nter visitor a long the C a n a d i a n border. T h e weste r n Chestnut-capped C h ickadee (4V4 i n . ) has a d u l l brown cap and a bright chestnut back .
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T U F T E D TIT MO U S E The poi nted crest a n d the per sistent whistled "peter, peter" call d isti nguish the Tufted Titmouse (SV2 i n . ) . It is to ld from chickadees by lack of the black bib, and from nuthatches by the stubby b i l l and perching habit. The cap a nd crest of Texas birds are black . The P l a i n Titmouse (5 i n . ) of the West lacks the rusty fla n k s . The slender, long-tai led Bushtit (JV2 i n . ) of the arid West i s plain gray-brown above, with no crest; crown is brown or gray. Young are similar to adults.
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B ROW N C R E E P E R This is the only sma l l (4% i n . ) brown tree-creeping bird . Its underpa rts are white, its ta i l stiff. It works up the tree i n a spira l , searching for i nsects and insect eggs that it digs out with its curved bi l l . Then it flies to the base of a nea rby tree and climbs up aga i n . As their ca l l s are high-pitched and their colors blend wel l with bark, these b i rds may be hard to detect . They prefer open mature wood s, nesting under loose bark . They feed in sma l l flocks of chi ckadees, king lets, and woodpeckers . In wi nter they l i ke suet feeders placed on tree trunks . Young are l i ke adults.
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H O U S E W R E N Wrens are sma l l , brown birds that usua l l y carry their ta i l s upright. The we l l - known House Wren (4V4 i n . ) is a garden b i rd that lacks d i sti nct head markings . The tiny northern Winter Wren ( 3 V4 i n . ) has a dark bel l y and shorter tai l . Caro l i na Wren (4% i n . ) of the Southeast has a large white eye stri pe and a ruddy back . Western wrens i n c l ude Bewick's Wren (4V2 i n . ) with a white eye stri pe and a long ta i l with narrow white border, Ca nyon Wren (4V2 i n . ) with white breast and contrasting dark belly, Rock Wren (4% i n . ) with fa int breast streaks and buff-fri nged ta i l , a n d t h e h u g e Cactus Wren (6V2 i n . ) of the deserts .
RU BY-C ROW N E D K I NGLET Kinglets are among our smal lest birds (3% i n . ) and a re doubly attractive be cause they a re primarily winter visitors . The i r sma l l , chunky bod ies, stubby ta i l s , a nd d u l l , ol ive color are disti nctive . The frequent flicking of wings is cha racteris tic of kinglets. The red crown of the Ruby-crowned K i n g l e t is often h i d d e n , b u t t h e l a rge eye ring w i l l d i stinguish this species when its ruby crown does not show. Fema le lacks the ruby crown . King lets breed i n northern spruce-fir forests . I n wi nter they a re often seen in shrubbery around buildings.
GO L D E N - C ROW N E D K I N G L E T (JV2 i n . ) is the more showy of our two American species . The female has a golden crown bordered with black and white. The male has a n additional orange stripe through the center of the golden crown . These king lets are often seen feed i n g o n t h e branches o f firs, spruce, and other con ifers, b u t in wi nter they a l so u s e deciduous woods . They e a t i n sects, so a re n o t attracted t o feed ing stations, a lthough they are often found with chickadees , nuthatches, creepers, and woodpeckers i n win ter. Common ca l l is three to five very high notes on the same pitch .
BLU E-GRAY GNATCATC H E R (4 i n . ) With its long, white-bordered ta i l , gnatcatchers look l i ke m i n iature mockingbirds . Common in the South , but seldom seen because of its preference for treetops i n moist woods . T h e b l u e back and the white eye r i n g aid identification; so does its habit of jerking its ta i l . Female and young lack black stripe over eye . The B lack ta i l ed Gnatcatcher (4 i n . ) of south western deserts has a black cap (male); the tail of both sexes is black beneath instead of mostly white .
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EASTE R N B LU E B I R D (5V2 i n . ) is an early spring m i grant i n t h e North . It i s a thrush, as t h e spotted breast of the young testifies. N o other blue b i rd i n the East has chestnut-brown breast. The Western B l uebird (5V2 i n . ) has chestnut o n the back a s wel l . The a d u l t m a l e Moun ta in B luebird (6 i n . ) o f the Rockies h a s a l i ghter sky-b l u e back, pa le b l ue breast, and white bel ly. B l uebird s may be attracted to nesting boxes with 1 V2 i n . holes. Female and young b luebirds a re much d u l l er.
WOO D T H R U S H The spotted thrushes a re typica l ly wood land bird s . Wood Thrushes (7 i n . ) are common i n deciduous wood s . They a r e recog n i zed b y the i r chest n u t - b rown b a c k s , b r i g h ter h ea d s , h e av i l y s potted breasts, and clear, fl ute l i ke song s . The Veery (6 i n . ) , which req u i res moist woods , a l so has a bright unmarked red-brown back, but with head and ta i l the same color as the back; it has only fa int spotting on its breast. T h e l o n g - ta i l ed Brown T h r a s h e r (page 9 1 ) h a s a streaked breast, but its eye is yel l ow.
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H E RM I T T H R U S H Famous songster of the mounta i n s a n d t h e North woods, t h e Hermit Thrush (7 i n . ) reverses the Wood Thrush pattern . Its ta i l , which i t s l owly raises and lowers, is much brighter than its bac k . The breast is less spotted than the Wood Thrush's, but more so than the Veery's . Other thrushes have d u l l , o l ive - brown backs and ta i l s . Swa i nson's Thrush (6V4 i n . ) has a buff eye ring and buff cheeks . The northern Gray-cheeked Thrush (6V4 i n . ) , an eastern m i grant, has g r a y cheeks and no eye ring . Young of a l l a re l i ke adults.
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AM E R I CAN RO B I N One of the most common native birds of towns and villages, the robin (8V2 i n . ) nests i n every state except Hawa i i a n d i n every Canadian provi nce . It is the largest of the thrushes, and young robi ns have the heavi ly spotted breasts that a re charac teristic of thrushes. Females a re s i m i l a r but d u l ler. Col onists named the robi n after a sma l l E u ropean thrush with a much red der breast. The Va ried Thrush (8 i n . ) of the Pacific states is s i m i l a r to our robin but has a black breast band (page 1 30).
GRAY CAT B I R D
Not q u i te as handsome as the mock
�
ingbird, the Gray Catbird { 7-lf_. i n . ) sings a l most a s wel l , but i s a poor i m i tator. Its name comes from its mewing ca l l . It feeds and nests l ow i n shrubs a n d vi nes, often near houses or i n m o i st thickets . Catb i rds a re s laty-gray except for the black cap and a chestnut patch under the base of the ta i l .
The s l ender b i l l
and
long,
···-
rounded ta i l w i l l separate the catbird from other dark birds its size. Young are l i ke adults.
-...._,
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NORT H E R N MOC K I N G B I R D "listen to the mock i ngbird . . . " goes the song , and the mockingbird (9 i n . ) i s , indeed , worth hearing. I t s song i m i tates other bi rds' songs perfectly, with original phrases added . Moc k i ng bi rds nest around homes, perch on chimneys a nd television a nten nas. Wh ite patches wings and ta i l a re conspicuous in flight. The loggerhead S h r i ke (7 i n . , page 93), wh ich a l so perches on wi res and fences, i s chunkier, with a thick b i l l and black mask.
B ROWN T H RAS H E R Related to the mockingbirds, thrashers have the same long rounded ta i l s ; most have down-curved b i l l s . They feed and nest near the ground . The widespread Brown Thrasher ( 1 0 i n . ) is the ri chest chestnut a bove a nd streaked with brown below. The only western thrasher with heavy streaks, Sage Thrasher (7 i n . ) , has white tips on its outer ta i l feathers . le C onte's Thrasher (9V4 i n . ) is an ashy-gray desert b i rd with a plain breast. The Cal ifornia Thrasher ( 1 0 i n . ) is dark brown and unstreaked with a long down-curved bi l l ; no wing bar s .
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C E DAR WAXWI N G (53/.o� i n . )
These warm-brown ,
crested bi rds cannot be mistaken , espec i a l l y when a whole fl ock is feed ing on cherries or m u l berries. Watch for the wide yel l ow ta i l band . Young a re fa intly streaked below and have less crest. The g rayer Bohem ian Wax wing (6V.o� i n . ) of the Northwest has bright c i nnamon i n stead of white under the base of its ta i l . Bohem ian Waxwi ngs nest in western Canada, but occasio na l l y wi nter i n the north central state s . The i r i rreg u l a r appearance makes them mystery birds.
LOGG E R H EAD S H R I KE (7 i n . ) Shri kes feed on i n sects, rodents, and sma l l birds. They often hang their prey on thorns or barbed-wi re fences . Rese m b l i ng mocking birds, the s h r i kes are chunk ier, have a bl ack eye mask, and a heavy hooked bi l l . Thei r rapid wing beats and bounding flight a re d i sti nctive . The Northern S hrike is a larger species (8 i n . ) with a fa intly barred breast that is seen only i n winter i n t h e northern states . Its black mask i s d ivided by the b i l l , which is light below. Young a re browner than adults.
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E U RO P E A N STA R L I N G (6 i n . ) Introduced into N ew York in 1 890, sta r l i ngs have been sprea d i ng ever since. I n some places they a re a nuisa nce and even a pest . But they a re handsome birds, g iven to musical song and m i m icry. Sunl ight on their pl umage makes a ra i n bow of colors. N ote the short ta i l , p l u m p body, and ( i n s p r i n g and summer) the yel l ow b i l l . Young birds are u n i form brown w i t h dark b i l l s , a n d adults i n wi nter a re speckled with white.
WARBLERS
The wood-wa rblers a re a strictly American subfa m i l y o f t h e large b i rd fam i l y known as t h e E m beri zids, which also incl udes the tanagers, g rosbeaks, spa rrows , black birds, and orioles. F ifty-eight of the 1 09 species of wood-warblers occur i n the U n ited States and include some of our most beautifu l b i rd s . To many, wa rblers are the most exciting birds to watch because of their many species, bright colors, d i stinctive songs, and m i g ratory habits . Most wi nter i n the tropics and m i g rate north to their breed ing grounds i n April and May; as many as 25 species may be found on a warm May morn i n g . Lea rning the songs from records or ta pes will help beg i n ners fi nd add itional species. Warblers are sma l l , active wood land bi rds with slen der, stra ight bills for catching crawling or fl ying i n sects . Ma les m igrate a few days a head of the d u l l er-colored fema les. The best time to see them is before the trees a re in fu l l leaf. Young birds and autumn a d ults of many species are more drab and less easy to identify. By November most wa rblers have left for their wi nter homes in the tropics, but the Yel l ow-rumped Warbler (page 1 00) can be found all wi nter i n southern and coasta l states.
96 Y E L LOW WAR B L E R This i s the only wa rbler with yel l ow spots on the tai l . The male has d i sti nctive chestnut streaks on his breast . The Yellow Warbler (4 i n . ) prefers shrubs or low trees, so is easily seen. The Orange-crowned Warbler (4V4 i n . ) of the West is d u l l yel l ow-green all over, with a sma l l orange crown patch and no wing bars or tai l spots.
BLAC K-AN D-W H I T E WARBL E R Only two eastern warblers a re striped black and white: the common B lack and-white Warbler (4V2 i n . ) and the Blackpo l l (4V2 i n . ) , which has a solid black crown and i s seen only d u r i ng m i g r a t i o n . The B l a c k - a n d - w h i te feeds a long tree trunks and l a rge bra nches. Female and young lack the black throat . The western Black throated G ray Wa rbler has a p l a i n , a l most unstreaked back.
BLAC K-T H ROATE D B LU E WAR B L E R This warbler (4V2 i n . ) is rea l l y wel l named . N o other North American bird has a b l ue back and black throat. The only d i stin guishing mark of the p l a i n o live female i s the sma l l white w i n g s p o t . T h e B l a c k - t h r o a ted Green Warbler (4V4 i n . ) of the East has a yellow-green back and golden face. The Cerulean Warbler (4 i n . ) of the Midwest i s blue a bove, white below with a narrow black necklace.
�-\--
. . . . . . . .• . ...
97
98 COMMON Y E L L OWTH ROAT (4V.o� i n . ) This is a warbler of marshes and moist wayside shrubbery. The black mask and yel l ow throat mark the m a l e . The female has the yel l ow throat but no mask. Its whitish bel l y and absence of wing bars a i d identifi cati o n . The Kentucky Warbler (4V2 i n . ) of southeastern wood lands has a large yel low eye ring, black crown and sideburns, and entirely yel l ow underpa rts.
OVE N B I RD This is another grou nd- l oving warbler often seen wa lking i n the leaves, its ta i l bobbi ng . The Ovenbird (5 i n . ) resemb les a sma l l thru s h : plain ol ive brown a bove with a streaked breast. The ora nge crown with black borders and a narrow eye ring make identification posi tive . Its "teacher, teacher, teacher" song is easy to remember. Watch for i t i n eastern dec i d uous forests . Young lack the orange crown .
NORT H E R N WAT E RTH R U S H These p l u m p warblers stay near the ground i n swamps and brooks . The N orth ern Waterthrush (5 i n . ) has a d i sti nct yel l owish cast to the heavily streaked underparts, and usua l l y a buffy eye line. The more southern louisiana Waterthrush (5V.o� i n . ) is whiter be low, except for the buffy l ower flanks; its throat is unstrea ked , the eye line wh ite and broader. Both species teeter l i ke sandpipers .
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1 00 Y E L LOW- R U M P E D WAR B L E R The yel l ow rump, crown, and side patches mark this warbler (4% i n . ) . Female, young, and wi nter birds o re browner. Western birds hove yel l ow throats. This species migrates ea rlier i n the spring and later i n the fa l l than other common wa rblers . It i s often found i n Iorge flocks. The yel l ow-rumped Magno lia Wa rbler (4V4 i n . ) of the East has a b l o c k - streaked ye l l ow breast , much more white in wings and to i l . Fema le, young ore browner.
AM E R I CAN R E DSTART The orange and block mole (4V2 i n . ) i s a striking bird of moist deciduous forests . The fema l e i s yel l ow and ol ive-gray, but with the some pattern . Redstorts conti n u a l l y flit about and catch i n sects flycatcher fashion . The Pointed Redsta r t (4V2 i n . ) of evergreen forests i n Arizona and New Mexico has a red breast, flashy white wing and to i l patches .
WILSON'S WAR BL E R A sma l l (4V4 i n . ), very active warbler, unbroken yel l ow below, p l a i n o l ive-yellow above . There ore no wing bars or to i l spots . The fema le locks the block cop . I t prefers moist thickets a n d swamps and i s especially fond of wi l l ows . Hooded Warbler (4V2 i n . ) of south eastern forests is similar except mole has a block head and throat with yel l ow face; both sexes hove white to i l spots .
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RED-EY E D V I R E O Vi reos are larger and less active than wa rblers . The Red-eyed (5 i n . ) , common i n decid uous forests, has a gray crown bordered with black, a broad white l i ne above the red eye, and no wing bar s . The dark-eyed Warbling Vi reo (43f.o� i n . ) l a c k s dark head marks . A pa le yel l ow eye ring and two wing ba rs help identify the White-eyed Vireo (4V2 i n . ) . The Yel l ow-throated Vi reo (5 i n . ) of the East and the b l u i sh headed Solitary Vireo (43/.o� i n . ) have broad wing ba rs and eye rings. A l l young have brown eyes.
SCARLET TANAG E R (6V4 i n . ) The male is our only red b i rd with black wings. The fema le is u niform yel l ow g reen with d usky wings. The male Summer Tanager (6V2 i n . ) of the South is entirely red , its mate orange-yellow. It prefers p i ne woods, while the Scarlet uses mixed or deciduous . The Western Ta nager (6V4 i n . ) is bright ye l l ow, with red only on the head ; this is our only tanager with wing ba rs . Ta nagers are t o l d from o r i o l es by t h e i r shorter, heavier b i l l s .
N ORT H E R N CARD I N A L The card i n a l (73/4 i n . ) is the o n l y eastern red bird with a crest . The h eavy red bil l , with black at the base, is a good fie l d mark . The l ight brown female has the crest and red b i l l , but l i t t l e red on the body. Young have d u s k y b i l l s . Card i na l s are common i n shrubbery, hedgerows, and wood marg i n s . I n recent years t h e card i n a l has gradua l l y spread northward . The crested Pyrrhu loxia (?V2 i n . ) of the Southwest is mostly g ray with red face , crest, breast, and ta i l , and the genera l card i na l shape .
ROS E - B R EAST E D GROSB EAK The male (7V4 i n . ) , nearly a l l black and white, flashes a deep rose patch on its breast. The female is streaked ye l l ow-brown and white l i ke a n overgrown spa rrow. like a l l gros bea ks they have heavy conical b i l l s . The closely related B lack-headed Grosbeak (7V4 i n . ) of the west a l so has the black head and back, but its enti re underparts are orange-brown . The Evening Grosbeak (7V4 i n . ) of the North and the western mountains is a bri l l iant yel l ow with black-and-white wings and ta i l .
1 06
I N DIGO B U NT I N G This i s our only sma l l bird (4V2 i n . ) that is entirely blue. Fema le and young are un iform g ray-brown . They l ive in hedgerows and wood marg i n s . T h e southern Blue Grosbeak (6V-4 i n . ) i s much l a rger with chestnut wing bars and a much heavier bi l l . Other bunt i ngs a re a lso splashes of bri l l iant color. The Laz u l i Bunt i ng (SV2 i n . ) of the West i s similar to the Indigo, but has white wing bars, chestnut breast, and white be lly. The male Pai nted Bunting (4V2 i n . ) of the South is a showy combination of red below and blue and green a bove; but the fe male is p l a in yel l ow-gree n .
R U F O U S-S I D E D TOW H E E This towhee (7V4 i n . ) may be told by its "chewink" ca l l and by its plumage. The black back a nd ta i l (wh ite tip), white bel l y, a nd chestnut side patches are good field marks . Eyes of the a d ul t are bright red (wh i te in southea stern birds) . The female is brown instead of black. This species nests i n thickets within both coniferous and decid uous woods . A western form has many sma l l white spots on the wings and back . All towhees a re ground feeders that scratch vigorously i n dead leaves f o r insects and seeds .
B ROWN TOWH E E This western towhee (7V4 i n . ) i s pla i n brown above, gray below, w i t h a chestnut cap and with orange-brown on the throat and under the tai l . Favored habitats a re suburban shru bbery, chap arra l , and stream borders. The shy Abert's Towhee (73/4 i n . ) of Southwest deserts is chest nut-brown a l l over, with a black face . The Green-tailed Towhee (6V4 i n . ) of western mounta ins has a green back, reddish crown , white throat, and gray sides .
l --�
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SPA R R OW S Worldwide there are nearly 300 species of sparrows, of wh ich 52 have been recorded i n North America north of Mexico. Towhees, juncos, and some less wel l -known birds such as grassquits and longspurs a re i ncl uded i n these tota l s . The o n l y ones d i scussed here a re birds that occur over much of the continent and are l i kely to be found by beg i nners. Sparrows a re sma l l to med ium-sized b i rds with stout con ical b i l l s adapted for crushing seeds , which a re their main d iet. Seed-eaters have a better chance for wi nter surviva l i n the North than d o i nsect-eaters, so spa rrows are conspicuous wi nter residents i n areas where daytime wi nter temperatures a re l i kely to remain below freezing for severa l consecutive days . Most sparrows have streaked backs. Head and breast patterns can be used to identify most species . Each species has its own particu l a r nest i ng habitat i n summer, but during migration and in wi nter several species often flock together. Sparrows a re short-distance m i g rants, wintering largely with i n the U n i ted States and southern Canad a . They arrive on the i r breed ing grounds early in spring . Most species prefer fields rather than woodlands.
1 10 F I E L D S PARROW This common sparrow (5 i n . ) of brushy fields d i splays a redd ish-brown c rown ; its p l a i n breast, p i n k bill a n d legs, a n d broad gray eye ring c l i nch its i dentifica tion . Its song is a n accelerating se ries of s l urred whistles. Compare the Field Sparrow with the Ameri c a n Tree, C h i p p i n g , and Swam p Sparrows, w h i c h have t h e same reddish cap.
AMERICAN TREE S PARROW The bright reddish cap together with the single dark breast spot identifies the American Tree Sparrow (5V4 i n . ) . N ote a l so that the b i l l is d a r k a bove, yel l owish below. T h e sweet song is rarely heard i n its wi nter range . This b i rd i s not related to the Eurasian Tree Sparrow (5 i n . ), which has been i ntroduced i nto southern I l l inois a nd which looks l i ke a House Sparrow with a sma l l black cheek patch and brown crow n .
V E S P E R S PARROW White outer ta i l feathers d isti n guish the Vesper Spa rrow (5 V2 i n . ) , a bird of l a rge open fields. Otherwise, except for the sma l l chestnut wing patch, this b i rd resembles the Song Sparrow (page 1 1 4) . Other sma l l birds with white outer ta i l feathers are the slender-bil led long-tailed pipits and the D a r k - eyed J u n c o . The L a r k Sparrow (53/4 i n . ) o f t h e West h a s a broad white fringe around the ta i l , a large chestnut ear patch , a n d a centra l breast spot.
111
1 12 C H I P P I N G S PARROW This sma l l sparrow (4V2 i n . ) is told by its reddish crown , clear white underparts, white l i ne over the eye , black l i ne through the eye , and black bi l l . Young have streaked crowns with little or no red . The song is a ra pid series of unmusica l "ch i ps" on the same pitch . The C h i pping Spar row prefers lawns, golf courses, and other short-grass habitats.
W H I T E - C R O W N E D S PA R R OW The b l a c k - a n d white crown, erect posture, plain gray breast a n d throat, and pink or ye l l owish b i l l identify this sparrow (5% i n . ) . Young have brown and buff head stripes. Western birds use suburban habitats , but eastern birds prefer hedge rows bordered by large fiel ds. The Golden-crowned Spa rrow (6V4 i n . ), which winters i n the Pacific states, differs by havi ng a dull yel low crown bordered with black.
WH ITE-TH ROAT E D S PARROW This bird (53/4 i n . ) i s told from the preced ing by a disti nct white throat and a sma l l spot of yel l ow before the eye . I t lacks the erect posture and g ray hind neck of the White-crowned Spar row. Its whistled "Old Sam Peabody Peabody Pea body" song is fa m i l i a r in the North woods in summer, and can a l so be heard on wa rm wi nter mornings. I n wi nter it prefers wood margins and thick ets, and i s never found far from cover.
1 13
1 14 SONG S PARROW A large brown center spot on a boldly streaked breast, and a rather long, rounded ta i l that i t pumps a s i t flies, a re the field marks of the Song Sparrow (5V2 i n . ) . Its melodious, var ied song , one of the first signs of spring, is easy to recogn i z e . At a l l seasons Song Sparrows a re found i n hedgerows, shrubbery, and weedy fields. The smal ler Lincol n's Sparrow (43/4 i n . ) , most common in the West, i s s i m i l a r but with a buff breast band crossed by fi ne dark streaks.
SWAMP S PARROW (5 i n . ) N ote the Swa mp Spar row's white throat, red-brown crown , plain gray breast, and rounded ta i l . The rusty wings, dark b i l l , and the broad gray stri pe over the eye (buffy in young b i rds) w i l l confirm the identification . It p refers moist brushy habitats at all seasons . Its song i s a s l ow musical tri l l .
F O X SPA RROW O u r largest true sparrow (6V4 i n . ) , this b i rd i s recog ni zed b y its bright red-brown ta i l and its heavi ly streaked breast. Though a l ittle l i ke the Her mit Thrush (page 87) i n size and markings, the Fox Sparrow has a heavier b i l l and larger, more conspicuous breast strea ks. It frequents woods and thickets, and it scratches in dry l eaves with both feet at once l i ke a towhee .
1 15
DAR K- E Y E D J U NCO This even gray b i rd (5V4 i n . ) with clear wh ite outer ta i l feathers and a whitish b i l l i s usua l l y seen o n o r nea r the ground , feed ing o n seeds . The female is browner, especially on the back and sides. Juncos are common nesting b i rds i n the N orth woods, preferring con ifers . They a re attracted to feeders i n winter. Western races tend t o have b l a c k e r h e a d s a n d m o r e r u st y backs. A large race (6 i n . ) i n the Black H i l l s of South Dakota has white wing ba rs. Adu l t Yel low-eyed J u ncos of Arizona have yel l ow eyes.
1 17
EAST E R N M EADOW L A R K This bird (8V2 i n . ) pre fers pastures, meadows , and gra i n fie l d s . The very s i m ilar Western Meadowlark (8V2 i n . ) is s l i g htly pa ler o n t h e back, and t h e yel l ow of t h e throat g o e s h i g her on t h e cheek . T h e only other large songb i rds with white outer ta i l feathers a re the mocki ngbird and the shrikes. N ote the black "V" on the yel l ow breast of the meadowlarks. Young of both spec ies are l i ke the adults. The We s t e r n M e a d ow l a rk's s o n g i s louder a n d more fl ute l i ke than the simple whistle of the Eastern bird.
1 18
BOBO L I N K The male (6 i n . ) , the only N orth Ameri can songbird that i s light a bove, a l l -black below, i s easy to identify. H owever, the female and the m a l e in fa l l are sparrowlike, with buff breasts and black-and-buff stripes on the crown . I n summer it eats i n sects in hayfields, but . in fa l l it may damage rice crops . The other gra ins it eats a re of no c o m m e rc i a l va l ue . The B o bo l i n k winters i n South America . Its song i s one of the most bea utiful of b i rd song s .
RE D-WI N G E D B L AC K B I R D The m a l e (7V4 i n . ) i s unique with i t s red shoulders, margi ned with buff. The female is dusky brown a bove with a heavily streaked breast and genera l l y with no h i nt of the red shou lder. The Tricolored Blackbird (lV2 i n . ) of C a l i fornia's centra l va lleys has deeper red shoulders with a white marg i n . Both species are abundant marsh and field birds, nest i n g in reed s , c a t ta i l s , a n d shrubs . They form large flocks dur ing fa l l , wi nter, a nd spring .
1 20
B R E W E R'S B L AC K B I R D (8 i n . ) This is the blackbird of western ranches and corra l s . The yel l ow eye of the male and the purplish ti nge to its head feathers a re field marks . It wa lks with its wings s l ightly d rooping . The female i s pla i n brown ish g ray with brown eyes. The Rusty Blackbird (8 i n . ) of the East i s s i m i lar, b u t w i t h white eyes and rusty tips to its feathers . The Rusty Black bird seldom flocks with other black birds; it is usua l l y found in swa mp forests instead of i n fiel d s .
121
COMMON G RAC K L E Grackles are abundant, l a rge blackbirds with long wedge-shaped ta i l s . The Common Grackle ( 1 0- 1 2 i n . ) i s a fa m i l i a r suburban and fa rmland bird that nests i n colonies i n evergreen trees . N ote the iridescent p l u mage of the m a l e . The Boat-ta i l ed Grackle ( 1 2- 1 6 i n . ) is found a long the coast from Delaware to Texas, and the Great-ta i l ed Grackle ( 1 2 - 1 6 i n . ) is becom ing abundant i n the southern Great P l a i n s . Female grackles a re much sma ller than males.
1 22
BROWN-H EAD E D C OWB I RD (6V2 i n . ) has the u nfor tunate habit of a lways laying its eggs i n nests of other bird s . Its eggs hatch sooner than those of its host; only the fast-growing cowbirds su rvive . The cowbird i s our smal lest blackbird, and the only one with a brown head . It gets its name from its habit of feed i n g w i t h c a t t l e . L i ke o t h e r blackbirds, they wa lk, but they hold their ta i l s hig her when wa lking than do their relatives . The fema l e i s u n i form mouse-gray.
1 23
N O RT H E R N O R I O L E The bri l l iant male (7 i n . ) is a showy bird . The female is o l ive a bove , d u l l orange yel l ow below, with two pa le wing bars; she selects a ta l l shade tree for h e r hanging nest . Western males have orange on the sides of the head and over the eye . The Orchard Oriole (6 i n . ) , east of the Rockies, is simi lar, but is brick red , not orange; the female Orchard Oriole is greenish-yel l ow. Young orioles are similar to fema les . Other orioles are in the Southwest .
1 24
PU RPLE F I NC H
The male Purple F i nch {5V2 i n . ) i s
old-rose i n color, not purple. Females a r e sparrow l i ke , streaked brown a n d white w i t h a d i sti nctive dark strea k at the side of the throat. Both sexes have the heavy seed crush i ng b i l l , pale l i ne over the eye , and notched ta i l . Feeders with sunflower seeds attract fl ocks o f Purple F i nches i n wi nter. I n the West, the s i m i l a r Cassi n's F i nch {6 i n . ) i s recog n i zed by the contrast between its bri l l iant red crown and the browner hind neck and bac k . Both species nest i n conifers b u t a re often found in deciduous trees and shrubs i n wi nter.
1 25
HOUSE FINCH
This abundant suburba n b i rd (5V"'
i n . ) is ea sily attracted to feed i n g station s . the West,
a flock was released on
A
native of
Long I s l a n d i n
the 1 950's, and t h e descendents a r e n o w sprea d i n g rapidly i n the East. T h e male has more brown on the wings, bac k , and breast than the Purple F i nch . The fema le
is
nondescript,
more fa intly
the female P u rple F i nch, and with out the promi nent l i ne over the eye and
the
dark streak bes ide the
throat. The b i l l i s nearly as l a rge as the Purple F i nch's, the ta i l less notched .
streaked
than
1 26
AME R I CAN G O L D F I N C H The ye l l ow body, black cap and wings mark the American Goldfi nch (4V4 i n . ) . I n flight i t is recogn ized b y its ro l ler-coaster flight and its clear song . It i s a bird of weedy fields and meadows, feed ing near the ground, and nesting i n young trees . Fema le, young, and wi nter males are d u l l yel l ow-brown , with wing bars but no black on the head . The western Lesser Goldfinch (3% i n . ) i s s i m i lar, with black crown , but dark (green or b l ack) back and d u l ler yel l ow breast. Sunfl ower or thistle seeds wi l l attract goldfinches to feed ing stations.
H O U S E S PA RROW This b i rd (5V4 i n . ) , m i snamed English Sparrow, i s a native of E u rope belonging to the Old World Sparrow fam i ly. I mported from E n g l a nd in 1 850, it became establ ished , spread rapid ly, and i s now widespread . The g ray crown and black throat of the male a re cha racteristic, a s a re the unstreaked brown crown and broad buff l i ne over the eye of the fema l e . U n l i ke our native sparrows, the House Sparrow nests i n cavities a nd bird boxes . It i s an aggressive species, driving native bi rds from feeders and nest boxes.
MIG R ATI ONS OF B IRD S Most sw i m m i n g b i rd s that depend o n fl ying or crawl ing i n sects can not Arctic Tern ( 1 3 in.): grayish; red winter in cold climates. bill; black cap. Some seed -eaters a l so m i grate. Some birds m i g rate b y day, others b y n i g h t . N o one knows j u st h o w b i r d s fi nd their w a y from their sum mer to their w i nter homes. Migrations north and south o re best know n . Some birds move only a few hundred m i les from their bree d i ng to their w i nter range; others cover severa l thousa n d . Sca r l et Ta nagers travel from Peru t o northern U . S .
Townsend's Warbler (4V. in . ) flies from Alaska and Yukon to Central America.
Dickcissel (53/, in.) migrates in enormous numbers from our grass lands to South America.
1 29 and back. Some warblers, vireos, and flycatchers travel even farther. The champion migrant is the Arc tic Tern; some breed in the Arctic and winter in the Antarctic, 1 1 , 000 miles away. They fly over 25, 000 miles a year and cross the Atlantic in their migration. Four North American flyways form connecting paths between northern breeding grounds and wintering areas in the southern United States, Mexico, Cuba , and South America . Their use by waterfowl i s best known, though most migrating birds use them . Fly ways overlap in the breeding grounds, though each tends to have its own population. The periods of spring and fall migrations are the times you will see the most birds. See pages 1 3 1 - 1 53 for when to look for migrants.
MISSISSIPPI F LYWAY Upland Sandpiper ( 1 0 in.) mi grates from the Arctic and the prai ries to central South America.
ATLANTIC F LYWAY Red Knot (8V2 i n . ) concentrates on the Atlantic coast enroute from the Arctic to Chile.
(8 in.): Robin-like, black bar on orange breast.
Varied Thrush
Even ing Grosbeak (7V. in.): larger than goldfinch; huge beak.
Besides north and south m igrations, vertica l move ments occur in high mounta i n s . Sum mer resi dents nest h i g h among spruce and fir i n summer, later moving down to footh i l l s and va l leys for more dependable wi nter food . Many spec ies norm a l l y m igrating fa rther north breed at h i g h elevations in the mounta i n s . Another pattern i s that shown b y young her ons and eag l e s . Soon after they leave the nest, they wa n d e r n o r t h w a r d . By late summer or ea rly fa l l many are hundreds of m i les n o r t h of t h e i r n e st i n g g r o u n d s . Before w i nter they go south aga i n . Left: Great Egret (32 i n . ), a large heron, all white; black legs, yellow bill. Right: Little Blue Heron (22 in.), smaller than Great B l ue (p. 23). Legs green ish. Young wh ite; blue tint on wings.
TH E BIRDS AT A GLAN C E
The ta bles on pages 1 32- 1 53 g ive conc isely, for each bird i l l ustrated , a wea lth of facts on m i g ration, nests and eggs , and feed ing habits . The i nformation on m i g ration is g iven by key cities: DC-Washington, D . C . ; NY-New York; B-Boston; StL St . Louis; SF-San Francisco; P-Portland, Oreg . You can estimate the a rriva l of birds i n your reg ion from dates for the nearest key city. There is about a week's d i ffer ence between DC and NY and between N Y and B for most migrating birds. Birds found i n a n area the yea r round are l i sted a s "permanent residents . " F o r "summer residents" ( S R ) , which come n o r t h i n t h e s p r i n g , stay a l l sum mer, and depa rt i n the fa l l , the ta ble gives the average dates of arriva l and departure . Average dates for "winter resi dents" (WR) a re similarly g iven . F i n a l ly, some birds come north i n the spring and, after staying a wh i l e , conti nue nor thward . These c a n b e seen f o r only a few weeks in spring and fa l l . These birds are "tra nsients" (Tr) . Approxi mate dates for all birds a re g iven in abbre viated form: E , M, and L stand for "early, " "m idd le, " and "late . " " E -Apr" mea n s ea rly April a n d "M-Oct" sta nds for middle October. Loca l weather, food supply, and other factors i nfl u ence arriva l and departure of bird s . After several yea rs, your own personal records may prove a better loca l guide than the abbreviated data g iven here, espec i a l l y if you compare dates w i t h those recorded b y other o b servers i n you r county. B i rd s and their nests and eggs are protected by federa l and state laws . We do not encourage visiting nests, but if a nest i s fou n d , the i nformation on pages 1 32- 1 53 w i l l h e l p t o identify t h e owner.
131
1 32 Pa g e
Migration
Name
Arrive
fflfls
Depart
Size (in.)
No.
21
Common Loon
DC B StL SF
M-May L-May L-Nov E-May
3.5 X 2 . 2 2 Variable; greenish or dull brown with faint black spots.
22
Pied-billed Grebe
DC M-Mar SR L-Oct E-Apr SR M-Oct B S t L M-Mar SR L-Nov p Perma nent Resident
1 .7 X 1 . 1 4-8 Ve r l i g h t b l u e - g r e e n , dar er or b u f f ; u n marked.
23
Great Blue Heron
NY B StL SF
S R L-Nov E-Apr E-Apr SR M-Nov S R L-Nov E-Mar Permanent Resident
3-4 2.4 X 1 .8 Pa l e bluish een to dull blue; unmar ed.
24
Green-backed Heron
DC B StL SF
M-Apr L-Apr M-Apr M-Mar
l .S X 1 . 1 3-6 Pa l e greenish or greenish blue; unmarked.
25
Cattle Egret
DC M-Apr NY L-Apr StL E-May
Tr M-Oct SR E-Oct SR L-Aug
1 .8 X 1 .3 Very pale green .
26
Tundra Swan
DC M-Nov StL M-Oct SF E-Oct
WR M-Apr WR L-Apr WR E-Apr
4.3 X 2 . 8 2-6 White or pale yellow.
27
Canada Goose
DC L-Sept B L-Sept StL E-Oct p M-Sept
WR Tr WR WR
M-Apr L-Apr M-Apr M-May
3.4 X 2 . 3 4- 1 0 Cream to d u l l reenish white. Later bu fy and mottled .
28
Mallard
DC Perma nent Resident N Y E-Oct WR M-Apr StL E-Sept WR E-May p Perma nent Resident
2.3 X 1 .6 6- 1 2 Pa l e greenish to grayish buff.
29
American Black Duck
DC NY B StL
2.3 X 1 . 7 6- 1 2 Gra ish white to g reenish uff. S i m i l a r to Ma llard.
30
Wood Duck
DC L-Feb S R M-Nov NY M-Mar S R E-Nov StL M-Feb S R L-Nov p Permanent Resident
E-Oct L-Sept E-Apr E-Oct
WR WR Tr WR
SR SR SR SR
E-Oct M-Sept L-Sept L-Oct
Perma nent Resident Perma nent Resident Perma nent Resident L-Oct WR E-Apr
t
r
3-9
�
�
2.0 X 1 .6 Du l l crea m to buff.
8- 1 5
1 33 Nests Materials
location
Vegetable debris.
On g round on small is land or near shore of lake or pond.
Ma i n l y fish; crabs, some i n se c t s a n d m a r i n e a l · gae.
Decaying vegetation.
In shallow water. Float ing among rushes in lakes and ponds.
C r a yfi s h , c r u s t a c e a n s , small fish, and insects.
Sticks.
High up in tree or cliff near water.
Ma i n l y fish; also crustaceans, frogs, and m ice.
Sticks and twigs.
In trees, but near water; occasionally on ground.
Ma i n l y fish, aquatic insects and crustaceans.
Sticks and twigs.
In trees or shrubs, 5 - 1 2 ft. up.
Insects, es ecia lly grasshoppers ; rog s, s p i d ers. Also ticks.
Grasses, sedges, and mosses.
6 ft. diameter mound i n m a rs h e s o r w e t g ra s s y meadows.
Stems, seeds, and roots of aquatic plants.
Twigs, weeds, grasses, lined with down.
On dry ground near water, often on small island.
Pondweeds, grasses; seeds of wheat, barley, sedges.
On ground among hi h grass or reeds; u s u a y near water.
Pondweeds, wild rice and other seeds; aquatic insects.
Reeds and li ned with
3 rasses, own.
R
�
r,
Grasses, weeds, l e a v e s ; fe a t h e r l i n in g .
Usually on round in grass or brush. ometimes far from water.
Same as Mallard .
Grasses, twigs, leaves; down - l i ned.
Up to 60 ft. above ground; i n a hole i n tree or stump.
W i l d rice, ondweeds, acorns, s e e s, and fru its; some insects.
/.
1 34 Pa g e
Migration
Name
Arrive
'"'
Depart
Size (in.)
No.
31
Northern Pinta i l
NY M-Sept WR M-Apr Tr L-Apr StL L-Sept WR L-Apr SF E-Sept p Permanent Resident
32
Ca nvasback
DC NY StL SF
E-Apr M-Apr L-Apr L-Apr
2.5 X 1 .6 6- 1 0 Olive gray or d u l l green.
33
Common Merganser
DC M-Nov WR E-Apr 8 M-Oct WR L-Apr StL M-Nov WR M-Apr p Perma nent Resident
2.5 X 1 . 7 6- 1 7 Pale buff; unmarked .
34
American Coot
DC NY StL SF
M-Oct WR E-May E-Oct Tr L-Nov S R M-Nov M-Feb Permanent Resident
1 .9 X 1 . 3 8- 1 2 Light buff, speckled with dark brown or black.
35
Kil ldeer
NY E-Mar SR E-Nov 8 L-Mar S R L-Oct StL L-Feb S R L-Nov SF Perma nent Resident
1 .5 X 1 . 1 4 Buff or darker; heavily spotted or mott led.
36
Common S n i pe
DC M-Sept Tr E-May Tr L-Nov StL L-Feb WR E-May SF E-Sept p Permanent Resident
4 1 .6 X 1 . 2 Pa l e o l i v e t o brown; darker spots and specks.
37
Lesser Yel lowlegs
DC NY StL SF
38
Spotted Sandpi per
39
40
E-Nov M-Oct L-Oct M-Oct
WR WR WR WR
2.2 X l . S Similar to Mallard .
S-1 2
Tr Tr Tr Tr
M-Oct E-Oct E-Oct E-May
1 .6 X 1 . 1 3-5 Buff with bold blotches of c ocolate and blackish.
DC M-Apr 8 E-May StL M-Apr p L-Apr
SR SR SR SR
L-Sept M-Sept E-Oct M-Oct
4 1 .3 X 0.9 White to cream; heavily ma rked with dark brown and black.
Least Sandpiper
DC L-Apr StL E-Apr SF E-July p E-May
Tr Tr WR Tr
L-Sept L-Oct M-May L-Sept
3-4 1 . 2 x o. a Pa l e brown or gray; marked with brown, gray, or black.
Herring Gull
DC NY StL SF
WR WR WR WR
M-May L-May L-Apr M-Apr
2.9 X 1 .9 3-4 Variable. Whitish to gray or brown; brown spots and blotches.
E-Apr E-Apr E-Apr E-Aug
M-Sept L-Aug M-Oct L-Oct
l
1 35 Nests
Food
Materials
Location
Straw, grass, rushes; lined with down .
On dry g r o u n d in t h e open.
Rushes, pondweeds, seeds of aquatic plants; mol l u scs and insects.
Reeds, l i ned with down.
On ground i n reeds or rushes, near water.
Wild celery, pondweeds and other a quatic pla nts; mo ll uscs, some and aquatic insects.
Leaves, grasses, moss; lined with down.
On g ro u n d ; b e n e a t h bushes a n d between boulders; or in a h o l e in a tree.
Fish, crayfish, frogs, oc casional aquatic insects.
Heaps of reed s , r u s h e s , a n d c o a rse grass.
On ground near water; sometimes half afloat.
Duckweeds and other aquatic plants. Moll uscs, crustacea ns, and aquatic insects.
Slight depression l i n e d w i t h p e b b l es , grasses, o r debris.
A hollow i n g round, in pastures or fie lds.
Mainly insects and earth w o r m s ; sma I I c r u s t a ceans.
Slight de p ression lined wit h grass.
On ground or on slight el evation in meadows, open marshes, or bogs.
I n se c t s , crustaceans, worms, seeds of swamp and aquatic plants.
Sli g ht depression with littl e or no lining.
On 9 round a long shores and 1n manhes, often un der sma l l bush.
Small fish, snails, worms, crustacea ns, a n d some insects.
Slight de p ression lined wit h grasses.
On ground or cavity i n rocks, on sandy or rocky shores. Banks of streams and open upland fields.
M a i n l y i n se c t s ; w o r m s , spiders, and small crus taceans.
S l i g h t d e p res s i o n , spari ngly lined with grass.
O n g ro u n d o r rock in g ra s s y l o w l a n d s n e a r w a t e r. S o m e t i m e s o n moist upland.
Aquatic insects, worms, and small crustacea ns.
Seaweeds; m a rs h plants, chi ps, feath ers, s h e l l s . S o m e times no nest.
On ground. Birds nest i n colonies. Often on is lands; sometimes under heavy vegetation.
Small fish, molluscs, crus t a c e a n s , i n se c t s , gar .. bage, blueberries.
1 36 Pave
,,,.
Mleration
Name
Arrive M-Apr L-Apr E-May L-Apr
Depart E-Oct M-Oct E-Oct E-Nov
Size (in.)
No.
2-3 1 .6 X 1 . 2 Va r i a b l e . D u l l greenish wh ite to brown; darker spots.
41
Common Tern
DC NY B SF
42
Turkey Vulture
DC Perma nent Resident S R M-Nov NY L-Mar S R M-Nov SF E-Mar p S R L-Sept M-Ma r
43
Osprey
DC B Stl SF
44
Bald Eagle
DC Perma nent Resident
45
Cooper's Hawk
NY B Stl SF
46
Red-tai led Hawk
Permanent Resident throughout its range, except in north central states
2-4 2.6 X 1 . 8 D u l l or creamy white; spotted brown or purple; ra rel y unmarked .
47
American Kestrel
Permanent Resident throughout its ra nge, except in north central states and Canada
4-7 1 .3 X 1 . 2 White or ti nted with buff; spotted or speckled with brown.
48
R ing-necked Pheasant
Permanent Resident throughout its ra nge
6- 1 6 1 . 8 X 1 .4 Buff to dark olive; occasionally greenish.
49
Ruffed Grouse
Permanent Resident throughout its ra nge
8- 1 4 1 .5 X 1 . 1 Pa le buff but varying in color; unmarked .
50
Northern Bobwhite
Permanent Resident throughout its range
1 0-24 1 .2 X 1 .0 White; unmarked .
L-Mar L-Apr E-Apr M-Ma r
SR SR SR Tr
SR SR Tr SR
M-Oct E-Oct L-Oct M-Oct
Tr E-Oct E-Apr S R E-Oct M-Apr S R L-Oct M-Ma r Permanent Resident
2.8 X 1 .9 1 -3 Dull white or buff; irregular brown spots.
2-4 2.S X 1 .8 Va riable. D u l l white t o buff or light brown with brown blotches. 3.5 X 2 . 9 White; unmarked .
1 -4
3-6 1 .9 X 1 .6 Blu ish or greenish white; u n m a rk e d t o h e a v i l y spotted with brown .
1 37 food
N.. ts Location
Materials H o l l o w, l i n e d w i t h s h e l l s , to w e l l - b u i l t mound o f grass and seaweed.
On sand or bare rock, someti mes among grasses. Usua lly on is· lands.
feeds a l most wholly on small fish, but also some insects.
None.
On grau nd, rock ledge, or h o l low l o g i n sec l u d e d places, near water or in waods.
Ca rrion.
Platform of sticks; add i t i o n s m a d e from year to year.
In trees: 1 5-50 ft. up or on roc k s . O s p r e y s n e s t a l o n g coasts.
Al most entirely fish.
La e nest of branches an sticks. Additions and repairs a re made yearly.
In treetops or cl iffs; 30-90 ft. in forested or woo e d reg i o n s , n e a r streams, la kes, or ocean .
Mostly fish; some rodents and a few birds.
Branches and twigs; often l ined with bark.
�referred,
U s u a l l y i n trees: p i n e s 25-65 ft. up. a r e l y on grou nd.
Ma i n l y w i l d b i rd s a n d poultry; some mammals; other vertebrates and insects.
Branches and twigs; l i n e d w i t h rasses, weeds, dead eaves.
In tall trees, 20-80 ft. up; in forest areas or i n small groves.
Ma i n l y ro d e n t s ; s o m e reptiles and poultry.
No nest material, unless some was left by previous occupant.
I n cavity of tree, cl iff emba nkment, 7-80 ft. up; often in f a r m s or orchords.
La rgely insects, some radents, l izards, and small birds.
Dead l e a v e s , g r a s s , straw.
On graund i n bushy pastures, moorlands, grass, and gra i n fields.
Corn, wheat, barley, wild fru its, and i nsects.
S h a l l o w d e p ress i o n , l ined w i t h leaves.
On graund, at base of tree in w o o d e d u p l a n d s o r dense th icket; under logs.
Leaves, buds, and fruits of forest p l a n t s . O c c a · sional i n sects.
Grass, stems, strips of bark.
On g round in rass tangles, open fiel s, hedgerows.
Corn a n d ra i n . R a g · weed, le e e z a , acorns, and wee seeds.
:a'
�
':f.'
J
:l
9
1 38 Page
Mig r atio n
Name
A rrive
Eggs
Depart
Size (in.)
No.
51
Rock Dove
Permanent Resident throughout its range
1 .5 X 1 . 1 White; unmarked.
2-3
52
Mourning Dove
DC Permanent Resident NY M-Mar S R M-Nov 8 SR L-Oct L-Mar SR M-Nov SF L-Mar
1 . 1 x o.s White; unmarked.
2
53
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
DC NY StL SF
54
Common Bam-Owl
Permanent Resident except at northern edge of its range
1 .6 X 1 . 2 White; u n marked.
55
Great Homed Owl
Permanent Resident throughout its ra nge
2.3 X 1 .9 2-3 Rough wh ite; u n marked.
56
Eastern and Western Screech-Owls
Perma nent Residents t h roughout their range
1 .4 X 1 . 3 White; u n m a rked.
3-5
57
Chimney Swift
DC M-Apr B L-Apr StL E-Apr
SR E-Oct SR E-Sept SR E-Oct
0.8 X 0.5 White; unmarked.
4-5
58
Whip-poor-will
DC L-Apr B E-May StL M-Apr
SR M-Sept SR M-Sept SR M-Oct
2 1 .2 X 0.8 Crea m y w h i t e ; spotted with brown.
59
Common N ighthawk
DC E-May B M-May StL L-Apr p E-June
SR SR SR SR
1 .2 X 0.9 2 Du l l white; spotted with gray and brown.
60
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
DC L-Apr NY M-May StL L-Apr
SR L-Sept SR M-Sept SR E-Oct
E-May E-May L-Apr L-May
SR SR SR SR
L-Sept L-Sept L-Sept L-Sept
L-Sept M-Sept E-Oct L-Sept
2-4 1 . 2 X 0.9 Light blu ish g reen; unmarked; occa s i o n a l l y mottled.
0.5 X 0.4 White; unmarked.
5-1 1
2
1 39 Nests Materials
Location
Sticks, straw, and debris.
Building (30 ft. and h i g h e r } , o n s h e l tered eaves or ledge.
Corn, oats, weed seeds, farm gleanings.
Stems, straws, some limes leaves and moss.
In trees (pines preferred) 2-45 ft. above ground; in upland, sometimes in wet lowlands.
Wheat, corn, grass, and weed seeds.
Sticks, rootlets, straws, pine needles, lichens.
In trees or thickets, 3-20 ft. up. Prefers margins of woods, orchards, or thick ets.
Insects, mostly caterpil lars, including hairy spe cies.
Sometimes ru bbish or debris. Usually no nest.
Tree c a v i t i e s ; stee p l e s , barns. Sometimes under ground i n burrows or holes in emban kments.
Mice, rats, gophers, and some birds.
Sometimes uses old hawk nests; some times none.
I n large trees (preferably p i n e s ) I 0-90 f t . u p . Sometimes in tree hollow or even on ground.
Ra bbits, s q u i rre ls, rats, wild birds and poultry.
No nest; or uses any available materi a l .
Hol low of tree (5-50 ft. u p } , c r a n n y, nook of building.
R o d e n t s , s m a l l b i rd s , frogs, fish, a n d i n sects.
Coarse twigs, h e l d to gether by saliva of bird.
Usually near lop of chim neys or rarely in barns or sheds; sometimes inside wells.
F l i es, mosqu itoes, a nd other small insects, caught in flight.
No nest construction. Uses s l i g h t d e p res sion i n leaves.
O n g ro u n d , u s u a l l y i n brushy wood margins, on well-dra i n ed land.
Moths, flying ants, and other insects caught in flight.
None. Eggs laid on bare surface.
On ground, rock, or on flat roofs of building; in open fields, pastu res, or city lots.
Similar to Whip-poor-wi ll.
Plant-down, bits of li chen outside; bound by threads of saliva and spider web.
Placed or "saddled" on branch of tree-3-50 ft. above g round.
N e c t a r of fl o w e rs a n d small insects.
1 40 Page
Nome
Migration A rrive
Eggs
Depart
Size (in.)
No.
61
Belted Kingfisher
DC Permanent Resident 8 E-A SR L-Oct StL L-Fe S R L-Nov SF Permanent Resident
62
Red-headed Woodpecker
DC Perma nent Resident NY E-May Tr L-Sept StL Permanent Resident
63
Northern Flicker
DC Permanent Resident SR L-Oct NY M-Mar 8 M-Apr SR M-Oct SF Perma nent Resident
5-9 1 . 1 X 0. 9 Glossy wh ite; unmarked.
64
Yel low-bellied Sapsucker
DC L-Sept M-Apr 8 StL E-Mar SF E-Oct
S-7 0.9 X 0. 7 Glossy wh ite; unmarked.
65
Downy Woodpecker
Permanent Resident throughout its ra nge
66
Eastern Kingbird
DC Lr NY E- ay StL L-Apr M-May p
SR SR SR SR
M-Sept E-Sept L-Sept M-Sept
3-4 1 .0 X 0. 7 C r e a m y w h i t e , spotted with brown.
67
Great Crested Flycatcher
DC E-May 8 M-May S t L L-Apr
SR M-Sept SR E-Sept SR M-Sept
3-6 0.9 X 0. 7 C r e a m y, s t r e a k e d w i t h brown.
68
Eastern Phoebe
DC M-Mar NY M-Mar StL M-Mar
SR L-Oct SR M-Oct SR L-Oct
4-5 0.8 X 0.6 White; occasionally spotted with brown.
69
Least Flycatcher
DC E-May 8 E-May StL E-May
Tr L-Sept SR E-Sept Tr E-Oct
0.6 X 0. 5 White; unmarked.
70
Homed Lark
Permanent Resident in the Un ited States
t
!r.
WR Tr Tr WR
E-May L-Oct M-Nov L-Apr
5-8 1 .3 X 1 .0 Glossy white; unmarked.
1 .0 x o. a White; unmarked.
0.8 X 0.6 White; unmarked.
4-6
4-6
3-4
3-5 0.8 X 0.6 Dull white; speckled with brown or purple.
141 Food
Nests Materials
Location
Nest l ined with fish bones and scales, leaves, g rass.
At end of burrow in bank or bluff. Usually not more than I 0 ft. up. Usually near water.
Ma i n l y fish; some crusta ceans and frogs.
A gourd-shaped hole, padded with c h i ps.
E x c a v a t i o n s in t r e e s , posts, poles: 5-80 ft. u p .
Beetles, ants, other i n sects. Acorns, other wild fruits and seeds.
Hole, p a d d e d w i t h chips.
Cavity 1 0-24 in. d e e p i n trees, snags, poles: 6 i n . 6 0 f t . up.
Ants, beetles, and other insects. Wild fru its and seeds.
Hole, lined with chi ps.
Cavity in dead or live tree 8-40 ft. up; in woods or orchards.
Ants, beetles, other in sects and their eggs. Wood and sap; wild fru its.
Gourd-shaped exca vation: 6- 1 0 in. deep.
In dead limb 5-50 ft. up; wood lands, orchards.
Ants and boring insects, spiders, snails. Some fruits and seeds.
Rootlets, grass, twine, hair, wool. Lined with fine grass, moss.
On horizontal limb of tree; bushes, eaves, fence rails, bridges: 2-60 ft. up.
Bees, ants, g rasshoppen, beetles, etc. Also some wild fru its.
Twigs, grass, leaves, moss, feathers, and usua lly a cast-aff snakeskin.
Cavity i n dead l i m b or post . S o m e t i m e s b u i l d ings; 3-70 ft. up.
Moths,
Of mud, covered with moss and dead leaves, l i ned w i t h grass rootlets, moss, feathers.
I n s h e l t e r of u n d e rc u t b a n k s , t ree roots, c u l verts, eaves, or inside farm buildings; 1 -20 ft up.
Flying i nsects: beetles, fl i e s , m o t h s , e t c . S o m e w i l d fru it; few seeds.
Grasses, ba rk fibers, l i ned w i t h f e a t h e rs and other soft mate rials.
Fork of tree or upright twigs: 2-60 ft. up. Usu ally along wood margins.
Small i nsects: flies, mos quitoes, moths, beetles.
Depre s s i o n , l o o s e l y filled w i t h grass, fi bers, feathers.
On ground, in cultivated fields, sand dunes, or ba r ren islands; in cover of grass and moss.
Mixed d iet of i nsects and (in winter) seeds of weeds and grasses.
g ra s s h o p p e r s , Oc-
sects. �!�i:n : r;�� .!�
1 42 Page
Migration
Name
lflfll
Arrive
Depart
Size (in.)
No.
71
Purple Martin
DC L-Mar NY M-Apr Stl L-Mar
SR E-Sept Tr L-Aug SR M-Sept
1 .0 X 0 . 7 White; unmarked.
4-5
72
Tree Swa llow
DC B Stl SF
L-Ma r M-Apr M-Mar E-Mar
Tr SR SR SR
M-Oct M-Sept L-Oct L-Oct
0.7 X 0 .6 White; unmarked.
4-7
73
Barn Swa llow
NY E-Apr Stl E-Apr SF L-Mar p M-Apr
SR SR SR SR
L-Sept L-Oct M-Oct M-Sept
0.8 X 0.5 White, spotted brown.
3-6 with
74
Black-bi l l ed Magpie
Permanent Resident throughout its ra nge
4-8 1 . 3 X 0.9 Grayish, heavily marked with brown.
75
American Crow
Permanent Resident except in Canada
3-5 1 .6 X 1 . 2 Va riable. Pale greenish or bluish, • otted or blotched wit brown.
76
Blue Jay
Permanent Resident throughout its range but irregular in winter in t h e north
4-6 1 . 1 X 0.9 Greenish to olive, spotted with brown .
77
White-breasted Nuthatch
Perma nent Resident throughout its ra nge
5-8 0.8 X 0.6 W h i te, rarely p i n k ish; speckled o r spotted with brown.
78
Black-capped Chickadee
Permanent Resident throughout its ra nge
5-8 0.6 X 0.5 White, finely spotted with brown.
79
Tufted Titmouse
Permanent Resident throughout its ra nge
5-8 0.7 X 0.6 White to buff; speckled with grayish brown .
80
Brown Creeper
DC NY Stl SF
WR L-Apr E-Oct WR E-May L-Sept L-Sept WR L-Apr Perma nent Resident
t
0.6 X 0.5 White, speckled brown.
5-8 with
1 43 Food
Nesta Materials
location
Leaves, grass, straw, twigs.
I n cavities of trees, holes in cl iffs: 3-30 ft. high . Freq u e n t l y u s e s m u lt i celled bird houses.
Flying i n sects: flies, bees, b e e t l e s , fl y i n g a n t s , moths.
Gross, lining of feathers.
Hol lows and cavities in trees, woodpecker holes, crevices i n buildings; also birdhouses; 2-50 ft. up.
Flies, moths, bees, bee tles and other fl y i ng in sects. Uses bayberries os o wi nter food .
Mud reinforced with plant materi a l . Lined with feathers.
Commonly i n barns, out buildings, porches; 5-20 ft. up. Nest adheres to on upright su rface.
E n t i re l y fl y i n g i n s e c t s : fl i e s , bees, a n t s , beetles.
Lorge nest of sticks and mud; l i n i n g of rootlets or horsehair.
In bushes and trees: 8-30 ft. up.
Grasshoppers; other in sects, carrion, s m a l l mammals; wild a n d cul tivated fruits.
Twigs and sticks, l ined with rootl ets, vines, grass.
In trees (preferably pine woods), height 1 0-70 ft.
Corn and other gra i ns, weed seeds, wild fruits; grasshoppers and other insects.
Twigs and rootlets, lined with g ro ss, feathers.
In o fork of tree: 5-50 ft. up. Prefers evergreen for ests. But often in suburbs, forms, and villages.
Acorns, beechnuts, corn and other g ra i n . Some in sects, eggs, and young birds.
Grass, plant fibers, twigs, hair, and feathers.
A c a v i t y or d e s e r t e d woodpecker hole: 5-60 ft. up. Ma t u re trees p r e ferred.
Beetles, ants, other in sects and their eggs. Also seeds in w i nter. Prefers sunflower seeds.
Moss, hair, feathers, grass; lined with plant down .
Cavity i n rotted stump or limb, or deserted wood pecker hole; 1 -50 ft. up.
I nsects and their eggs, weed and tree seeds; wild fru its.
Leaves, moss, bark; li ned with feathers.
D e s e r t e d wood p e c k e rs' holes or stumps: 2-85 ft. up.
Ants, bugs, and other in sects; some seeds a n d fruits.
Twigs, plant fibers; sometimes lined with spider web, feathers, or hair.
I n trees, behind or be tween loose bark: 5 - 1 5 ft. up. U s u a l l y in d e e p woods.
Ma i n l y i n sects: beetles, bugs, caterpillars, ants, i nsect eggs.
1 44 Migration
Name
Arrive
Egg•
Depart
Size (in.)
No.
81
House Wren
DC NY StL SF
M-Apr L-Apr M-Apr E-Mar
SR SR SR SR
M-Oct E-Oct M-Oct L-Oct
0.7 X 0.5 5-10 Dull white, densely spotted with brown.
82
Ruby-crowned King let
NY E-Apr B M-Apr StL E-Oct p M-Apr
Tr Tr Tr SR
L-Oct M-Oct L-A r M- ct
4-9 0.5 X 0.4 White to crea m . S i m i lar to Golden-crowned Kinglet.
83
Golden-crowned Kinglet
DC NY StL SF
WR M-Apr E-Oct L-Sept WR M-Apr L-Sept WR L-Apr Perma nent Resident
0.6 X 0.4 5- 1 0 White t o crea m; spotted with pale brown .
84
Blue-gra Gnatcatc er
DC NY StL SF
SR M-Sept M-Apr L-Apr SR E-Sept SR L-Sept L-Mar Permanent Resident
4-5 0.6 X 0.5 W h i t e o r b l u i s h w h i te; speckled with brown .
85
Eastern Bluebird
DC Permanent Resident NY M-Mar SR M-Nov SR L-Nov StL L-Feb p Permanent Resident
0.9 X 0. 7 4-6 Pale blue; ra rely white; unma rked.
86
Wood Thrush
DC NY B StL
L-Apr E-May M-May L-Apr
M-Oct E-Oct M-Sept E-Oct
3-5 1 . 1 X 0.8 B r i g h t reenish b l u e ; u n marke .
87
Hermit Thrush
DC NY B SF
M-Oct WR E-May E-Apr SR M-Nov M-Apr SR E-Nov Permanent Resident
0.9 X 0. 7 G re e n i s h marked.
88
American Robin
DC NY StL SF
Permanent Resident E-Mar SR M-Nov Permanent Resident Permanent Resident
1 .2 X 0.8 G re e n i s h b l u e ; spotted.
89
Gray Catbird
DC L-Apr NY E-May StL L-Apr
90
Northam Mockingbird
DC Permanent Resident StL Permanent Resident SF Permanent Resident
�
SR SR SR SR
&
SR L-Oct SR E-Oct SR M-Oct
j
blue;
3-4 un-
3-5 rarely
4-6 0.9 X 0. 7 Deep g re e n i s h b l u e or bluish green; unmarked. 3-6 1 .0 X 0 . 8 Greenish t o b l u e ; spotted brown, mostly at large end.
1 45 food
Neab Materials
location
Twigs, stems, grasses, li ned with feathers, hair.
A cavity in hollow tree: 5-60 ft. up. Woodlands, farmyards, and in cities. B i rd boxes c o m m o n l y used .
Small insects: bugs, bee tles, caterpillars, etc.
Plant down, covered by mosses a n d l i chens. B o u n d w i t h plant fibers.
In conifers, often saddled on a limb; 5-50 ft. up.
Ants, plant lice, sca le in s e c t s , a n d i n s e c t e g 11 s . O c ca s i o n a l u s e of w o l d fruits.
Green mosses, l i ned with fine inner bark, b l a c k root l e t s , a n d feathers.
In coniferous trees, p artly suspended from twogs: 460 ft. up.
I n s e c t s : fl i e s , b e e t l e s , p l a n t lice; insect eggs.
Te n d r i l s , fi n e b a r k , a n d g ra s s e s . F i r m l y woven a n d covered with lichens.
On a branch or in a crotch in tree near water; 1 0-70 ft. up.
Ma i n l y s m a l l i n s e c t s : beetles, flies, caterpillars, moths.
Grasses, rootlets, hair, and some feathers.
In hollow trees, deserted woo d p e c k e r h o l e s , a n d birdhouses; 3-30 ft. up.
Man insects, including beet es, weevils, and g rasshoppers. Also holly, dogwood, and other wild fru its.
Leaves, rootlets, fi ne twigs. Firmly woven, with i n n e r w a l l of mud.
U s u a l l y in s a p l i n g s in woods; 3-40 ft. up.
B e e t l e s , a n t s , c a t e rp i l lars, and other i nsects. Some wild fruits and weed seeds.
Moss, grasses, leaves. L i n e d w i t h roo t l e t s a n d p i n e need les.
On or near ground in pine or hemlock woods.
Food similar Thrush.
Mud w a l l and b o t t o m , reinforced with grass, twine, twigs. Lined with grass.
In tree crotch or among branches, 5-70 ft. up. I n woods o r open country. O n build ings, in rural areas.
Garden and field in sects, w o r m s ; c u l t i va t e d a n d w i l d fru its. Some seeds.
Twigs and leaves. Lined with bark shreds, rootlets.
I n shrubbery, thicket; 1 1 0 ft. and rarely 2 5 ft. up. Prefers d e n s e l o w lands.
Food similar to Mocking bird.
Bulky nest of coarse t w i g s , weed s t e m s , shreds, stri ng, rags.
In shru bs, thickets, vines; near houses; 1 - 1 5 ft. up, rarely h i g her.
B e e t l e s , g r a s s h o p p e rs , a n d other i nsects; some wild fruit in season-grape and holly preferred.
r,
to
Wood
1 46
......
Migration
Name
A rrive
En•
Depart
Size (in.)
No.
91
Brown Thrasher
DC NY B Stl
M-Oct M-Oct M-Sept M-Nov
3 -6 1 . 1 x o. s Grayish or greenish white; t h i c k l y spotted with brown.
92
Cedar Waxwing
WR E-June DC E-Sept SR M-Nov NY M-May Stl L-Sept WR M-June Permanent Resident p
3-5 0.9 X 0.6 Grayish blue; speckled brown or black, mostly a t large end.
93
Lag e rhead Shri e
94
Euro ean Star ing
Perma nent Resident throughout its ra nge, exce t in extreme Nor!
96
Yel low Warbler
DC NY Stl SF
96
Black-and-white Warbler
96
!f.
�
NY B Stl SF
E-Apr L-Apr L-Apr M-Mar
SR SR SR SR
Tr L-Oct E-Aug Tr L-Oct M-Ma r Permanent Resident Perma nent Resident
�
3-S 1 .0 X 0.8 Dull white; spotted and light blotched with brown. 4-6 1 .2 X 0.9 Whitish or pale blue; unmarked.
M-Sept L-Aug M-Sept L-Sept
4-5 0.7 X O.S Pale bluish white; brown s p o t s form i n g ring a t larger end.
DC M-Apr NY L-Apr Stl M-Apr
SR E-Oct SR M-Sept SR L-Sept
4-5 0.7 X 0.5 Greenish white to buff; spotted and blotched with brown.
Black-throated Blue Warbler
DC NY B Stl
E-May E-May M-May E-May
Tr Tr Tr Tr
3-5 0. 7 X 0.5 Crea my white; speckled with brown and Iavender, mostly at larger end.
98
Common Yel lowthraat
DC NY Stl SF
SR M-Oct L-Apr SR M-Oct E-May E-Apr SR E-Oct Perma nent Resident
98
Ovenbird
DC L-Apr NY E-May Stl L-Apr
SR E-Oct SR M-Sept SR E-Oct
4-6 0.8 X 0.6 W h i t e , spotted w i t h brown, espec i a l l y at larger end.
98
Northern Waterthrush
DC L-Apr B M-May Stl L-Apr
Tr Tr Tr
4-5 0.8 X 0.6 White to cream ; spotted with brown an gray.
L-Apr E-May L-Apr M-Apr
SR SR SR SR
E-Oct L-Sept M-Sept M-Sept
L-Sept E-Sept L-Sept
3-5 0.7 X 0.5 Crea my wh ite; speckled with brown and black; chiefly at large end.
J
1 47 Materials
Location
Bulky nest of coane t w i g s , weed s t a l k s , leaves. Lined with rootlets, grass.
In bushes, vines, brush, and low trees; 0- 1 2 ft. up.
B e e t l e s , g r a s s h o p pe r s , caterpillan, etc. Also some acorns and wild fru it.
Bulky nest of bark, leaves, grasses, root lets, moss, and some times mud.
Often in fruit and shade trees; 5-50 ft. up.
Wild and cultivated fruits: g rapes, dogwood, haw thorn, cherries; some in sects.
Strips of bark, small twigs, and vegetable fi bers; l i n e d w i t h grasses.
In thorny hedges or low trees; 5-20 ft. up.
I n s e c t s ; g r a s s h o p p e rs , beetles; some small ro dents and birds.
Large, p o o r l y b u i l t nest o f grasses and twigs.
In hollow of tree or crev ice of building; 3-40 ft. up. Uses bird boxes.
B e e t l e s , g r a s s h o p p e rs , and other insects; wild and cultivated fruits and g ra i n .
Fine grasses and fi. bers; lined with plant down, fi n e g ra s s , some hair.
In shrubs and trees; 3-8 ft. up. Rarely 40 ft. Fields and orchards, near water.
Caterpillan, weevils, and other sma ll insects. S l ight amount of plant food.
S t r i p s of fi n e b a r k , g rasses; l i n ed w i t h rootlets or hoin.
On ground, at base of trees, logs, or rocks.
P l a n t l i c e , c a t e r p i l l a rs , beetles, sca le a n d othe� i n sects.
B a r k , fi n e g r a s s e s , p i n e ne6d les. Lining of black rootlets.
I n heavy undergrowth of dense woods; 1 - 1 0 ft. up.
Mainly i n sects: caterpil lan, sma l l beetles, plant l ice, etc.
Bark, coarse grasses, dead leaves. Lined with fine grass ten drils.
On or near ground. Usu ally in d u m p of grass, in moist location.
I n s e c t s : c a n k e rw o r m s , weev i l s , l eafhop pers, caterpillars, etc.
Bulky, covered nest. Entrance at one side. Of l e a v e s , c o a r s e grasses, and rootlets.
On leaf-covered ground in open woods.
B e e t l e s , g r a s s h o p pe r s , and other ground in sects. Worms and spiden.
Moss, li ned with ten drils and fine rootlets.
On ground in a mossy bank or under roots of fa llen tree.
I nsects: beetles, bugs, caterpillan, leafhoppen, and spiders.
1 48 P age
Migration
Name
A r rive
Eggs
Depar t
No.
M-May E-May M-May L-Apr
0.7 X 0 . 5 4-5 White, speckled with brown; often fonning ring at larger end.
DC L-Apr B E-May StL M-Apr
SR E-Oct SR M-Sept SR L-Sept
0 . 7 X 0.5 4-5 Bluish white; brown spots occasionally ringing large end.
Wilson's Warbler
DC NY StL SF
E-May M-May E-May L-Ma r
Tr Tr Tr SR
L-Sept M-Sept M-Sept L-Sept
0 . 7 X 0.5 4-5 White or pinkish; brown spots f o r m i n g r i n g at larger end.
1 02
Red-eyed Vi reo
DC E-May B M-May StL M-Apr p E-May
SR SR SR SR
E-Oct M-Sept E-Oct L-Sept
3-4 0.9 X 0.6 White, sparsel speckled with brown or lack.
1 03
Scarlet Tanager
DC L-Apr B M-May StL L-Apr
SR E-Oct SR M-Sept SR E-Oct
0.9 X 0. 7 3-4 Pale reenish or bluish; speck ed brown at larger end.
1 04
Northam Cardinal
Perma nent Resident
1 05
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
DC E-May NY M-May StL L-Apr
Tr E-Oct SR M-Sept SR E-Oct
0.9 X 0. 7 4-5 Pale blue; spotted with brown.
1 06
Indigo Bunting
DC L-Apr B M-May S t L L-Apr
SR E-Oct SR M-Sept SR L-Oct
0.7 X 0.6 3-4 Pale b l u i s h wh ite; unmarked.
1 07
Rufous-sided Towhee
NY M-Apr B L-Apr StL E-Mar
SR E-Oct SR E-Oct SR L-Nov
1 .0 X 0 . 7 4-5 White or inkish; brown specks at a rge end.
1 08
Brown Towhee
Permanent Resident
1 00
Yel low-rumped Warbler
DC NY StL SF
1 00
American Redstart
1 00
L-Sept L-Sept M-Sept L-Sept
WR WR WR WR
Size (in.J
�
r,
I .O X 0 . 7 3-4 Pale bluish white; final s p o t t e d w i t h red d i s brown.
�
r.
1 .0 X 0 . 7 3-4 Va riable; b l u i s h marked with purple and black.
1 49 Food
Nests Materials
Location
Plant fibers; l i n i ng of grasses.
Con iferous trees in heavy woods; 5-40 ft. up.
Mainly common insects, but takes poison ivy, ba y· berry, and other fru its on winter.
Bark, leafstalks, plant down. Firmly woven and li ned with root lets.
Usually in the crotch of a sa pling; 3-30 ft. a bove ground, ra rely higher.
Small insects: flies, bee tles, moths, leafhoppers, etc.
Ball of grass and moss wrapped in l e a v e s . lined w i t h fi ne root lets.
On ground among bushes in swampy land.
Small insects, similar to other warblers. Makes slight u s e o f p l a n t food .
Strips of bark, paper, plant down. Firmly and smoothly woven. lined with bark and tendrils.
Suspended from a forked branch; 3-75 ft. up.
Caterpillars, moths, bugs, beetles, and other i n sects; sma l l a m o u n t o f wild fru it.
Fine twigs and weeds. lined with vine ten drils and stems.
On horizontal limb, often near its end; I 0-70 ft. up.
Mainly insects: ants, bee tles, moths, caterpillars. Dogwood, blackberry, and other wild fru its.
Twigs, rootlets, strips of bark. lined with grasses and rootlets.
I n thick bushes or vines; 2- 1 0 ft. up. Rarely up to 30 ft.
Gra e, holly, blackberry; wil seeds and a good many kinds of i nsects.
loose nest of fi n e t w i g s , w e e d s , root lets.
In trees or bushes; 5-20 ft. up.
I n se c t s , i n c l u d i n g b e e t l e s , c a t e i l l a rs , a n t s , bees. W i l fruits when ava i lable.
Grasses, bits of dead leaves, bark; l i ned w i t h fine grass, root lets, hairs.
I n crotch of bush or sap ling; 1 - 1 0 ft. up. Rare ly as high as 20 ft.
Diet m i xed: caterpillars and other insects; some wild fru its, weed seeds.
Dead leaves and bark; fi n e with l i ned grasses.
Usuall y on ground, some times o n bushes or sap lings; 0- 1 0 ft. up.
W i l d fru i t s a n d weed seeds. Insects, worms, and spiders.
Grasses, weeds, and twigs. lined with rootlets.
O n g ro u n d o r in l o w bushes. Less t h a n I 0 ft. up.
Oats and barley; weed s e e d s , c a t e rp i l l a rs a n d other insects.
d
'/
1 50 Page
Mlf""""'
Name
....
Arrive
Depart
NY M-Apr B M-Apr StL E-Mar
SR L-Oct SR M-Oct SR L-Nov
3-5 0.7 X 0.5 W h i t e t o p a l e b l u e or ree n ; s p e c k l e d w i t h rown.
American Tree Sparrow
NY M-Nov B L-Oct StL M-Nov L-Oct p
WR WR WR WR
L-Mar E-Apr L-Mar M-Mar
4-5 0.8 X 0.6 Pale green ish or b l u ish reen; speckled with light rown.
110
Vesper Sparrow
DC E-Apr B M-Apr StL M-Ma r p E-Apr
SR SR Tr SR
L-Oct M-Oct E-Nov M-Sept
4-5 0.9 X 0.6 Dull white; thickly spotted with brown.
1 12
Chipping S parrow
DC B StL SF
L-Mar M-Apr L-Mar M-Apr
SR SR SR SR
E-Nov M-Oct L-Oct M-Oct
4-5 0.7 X 0.5 Greenish blue; speckled w i t h b r o w n , m o s t l y at larger end.
112
White-crowned Sparrow
DC NY StL SF
Tr M-Nov E-May Tr L-Oct M-May M-Apr Tr L-Nov Permanent Resident
1 12
White-throated Sparrow
DC L-Sept NY L-Sept StL E-Oct
1 14
Song Sparrow
Permanent Resident over much of its range
1 10
110
Field Sparrow
WR M-May Tr M-May Tr M-May
Size (in.)
No.
g g
4-5 0.9 X 0. 6 Bluish and greenish wh ite, spotted with brown. 4-5 0.8 X 0.6 White to bluish; speckled and blotched with reddish brown. 4-5 0.8 X 0.6 Va riable. White or greenish; s otted and speckled with rown.
c
114
Swam p Sparrow
DC E-Oct B M-Apr StL E-Oct
WR E-May S R M-Oct WR L-Apr
4-5 0 . 8 X 0.6 Bluish white; spotted or blotched with brown.
1 14
Fox Sparrow
DC NY StL SF
L-Oct M-Oct E-Oct E-Oct
Tr Tr Tr WR
E-Apr M-Apr M-Apr L-Apr
4-5 0 . 8 X 0.6 Greenish white; spotted with d u l l brown.
1 16
Dark-eyed J unco
DC E-Oct NY L-Sept StL E-Oct E-Oct p
WR WR WR WR
E-May E-May L-Apr M-Mar
4-5 0.8 X 0.6 Pa le blu ish wh ite; brown spots ma form ring at larger en .
J
1 51 NHfS
Materials
Location
Coarse grasses, weeds, rootlets. Lined with fine grass and hairs.
On ground or low bushes ( 1 0 ft. or less) in fields, overgrown pastures.
S i m i l a r to American Tree s a rr�w, with some use o gra o n .
Grasses, rootlets, and hair.
On ground or in stunted conifers near timberline; near water.
L a rg e l y w e e d s e e d s ; crabgrass, p i gweed, sedge, etc. S o m e i nsects eaten .
Coa rse g r a s s . L i n e d w i t h fi n e r g ra s s e s , rootlets, hairs.
On ground in dry upland fi e l d s ; a l o n g d r y road sides.
Weed s e e d s of m a n y kinds; some gra i n , and various insects.
Grasses, fi ne twigs, rootlets. Thickly l i ned with hair.
In trees or b u s h e s ; i n shrubbery near houses; 335 ft. u p . R a re l y on ground.
Weed s e e d s , o a t s , a n d timothy; leafhoppers and other common i n sects.
Grasses, m o s s , a n d roo t l e t s . L i n e d w i t h hair.
Usually on ground or i n c l u m p o f grass in woods or thickets.
Ragweed, pigweed, knot weed, and other weed seeds; some g ra i n and a number of kinds of in sects.
Grasses, ro o t l e t s , moss, strips of bark. Lined with fi n e r grasses.
U s u a l l y on ground i n h e d g e ro w s a n d w o o d land undergrowth.
Food very similar to that of White-crowned Spar row.
Nest of grasses and roo t l e t s . L i n e d w i t h fine grasses a n d hair.
On g ro u n d o r in l o w bushes; in grass thickets or sapli ngs. U p to 8 ft.; ra rely 1 5 ft.
Food similar to that of Swa m p Sparrow.
Coarse grasses, root lets, dead leaves. Lined with fi n e r g rasses a n d s o m e times hair.
On or close to grou nd; in grasses in wet meadows, marshes or swa mps.
S e e d s of w e e d s a n d grasses. Beetles, caterpil lars, and other i nsects.
Coarse grasses. Lined w i t h fi n e r g ra s s e s , hair, mosses, feath ers.
O n g ro u n d o r in low bushes; coniferous forests or a l d e r t h i c k ets p r e ferred.
Weed seeds, wild fruits, some grain, m i l l i pedes, and various insects.
Grasses, m o s s , a n d roo t l e t s . L i n e d w i t h fi ne grass a n d hair.
On or very near ground in fa l l e n tree, l og s , u p turned roots; under over hanging banks, a long wood roads.
Ragweed, crabgrass, and other weed seeds. Some caterpillars and other i n sects.
r
1 52 Pa t
•
Name
Mit ration Arrive
117
Eastern Mea!lowlarlc
DC NY B Stl
11B
Bobolink
DC E-May B M-May Stl E-May p L-May
1 19
Red-wi Blackbi
DC NY Stl SF
1 20
Ett•
Depart
Permanent Resident M-Ma r SR L-Oct L-Mar S R L-Oct Permanent Resident Tr SR Tr SR
Size (in .)
No.
1 . 1 x o.B 3-7 Wh ite; completely spotted a n d s p e c k l e d w i t h brown .
L-Sept M-Sept L-May M-Sept
4-7 0.9 X 0.6 Dull white; spotted and blotched with brown and gray.
SR M-Nov M-Feb M-Ma r S R L-Oct E-Mar S R E-Nov Permanent Resident
3-5 1 .0 X 0.7 B l u i s h w h i te ; i rre u l a r spots a n d streaks o purpie and black.
Brewer's Blackbird
Stl M-Ma r Tr E-Apr SF Permanent Resident p Permanent Resident
4-7 1 .0 X O .B Dull w h i t e ; a l m o s t entirel spotted with brown and lack.
121
Common Grackle
DC M-Feb S R L-Nov NY E-Mar S R E-Nov Stl Permanent Resident
1 . 2 X 0.8 3-7 B l u i s h white; s eckled and spotted dar brown to black.
1 22
Brown-headed Cowbird
DC E-Mar NY M-Ma r Stl E-Mar p E-May
SR SR SR SR
E-Nov M-Oct L-Nov L-Sept
0.9 X 0.7 4-5 White or blu ish; heavily s p e c k l e d w i t h g ray o r brown.
1 23
Northern Oriole
DC L-Apr NY M-May Stl M-Apr
Tr L-Sept SR E-Sept SR E-Sept
0.9 X 0.6 4-6 White; i rregular streaks and blotches of brown and black.
1 24
Purple Finch
DC NY Stl SF
E-Oct WR E-May L-Mar Tr E-Nov E-Oct WR L-Apr Permanent Resident
4-6 O.B X 0.6 Blue; s o tted and speckled wit brown at larger end.
1 25
House Finch
Permanent Resident
3-5 O.B X 0.6 Pale blue, nearly white; t h i n l y speckled with black.
1 26
American Goldfinch
Permanent Resident
3-6 0.7 X 0.5 P a l e b l u i s h w h i te ; u n marked .
1 27
House Sparrow
Permanent Resident throughout its ra nge
4-7 0.9 X 0.6 W h i t e to d u l l b r o w n ; speckled w i t h brown.
':l ed
,
t
�
'i,
1 53
N..ts
Food
M a te ria ls
Location
Grasses and weeds; often arched over.
U s u a l ly on g r o u n d i n grassy fields or meadows.
G ra i n a n d w i l d g r a s s seeds, wild fruits, grass h o p pe r s , a n d o t h e r i n sects.
Nest of grasses, weed stems, and rootlets.
O n g ro u n d i n t h e t a l l meadow g rasses.
W i l d rice, c u l t ivated grains, weed seeds, cat e rp i l l a rs a n d o t h e r i n sects.
C o a rse g r a s s e s a n d weeds. Lined w i t h finer grass a n d root lets.
Attached to low bushes, reeds; usually in swamps. Usually less than 1 5 ft. up.
Weed and marsh plant seeds; g ra i n ; some fru it and insects i n season.
Tw i g s a n d coa rse grass. Lined with finer grass.
On ground or in shrubs or coniferous trees; 0- 1 0 ft. up.
O a t s and other g ra i n , weed seeds, s o m e i n sects.
Bul ky, but compact. Of mud and coarse g ra s s e s ; l i n e d w i t h finer grasses.
Nests i n colonies, most often i n coniferous trees; sometimes in bushes; 580 ft. up.
Gra i n and weed seeds. Some wild fru it; beetles, g r a s s h o p p e rs , c r i c k e t s , etc .
None added.
Eggs laid in nests of other birds. Usually 1 or 2 in any one nest.
Gra i n and weed seeds. Grasshoppers and other insects.
Grasses, plant fibers, hair, string, etc. Firmly interwoven.
H a n g i n g from e n d of branches in shade or fruit trees; 1 0-90 ft. up.
Caterpillars, beetles, and other insects; wild and some cultivated fruits.
Tw i g s , g r a s s e s , a n d rootlets. Thickly lined with hairs.
Woods, in pine and spruce trees; 5-60 ft. up.
Tree seeds and wild fruits. Some insects.
Rootlets and grasses. Lined with horsehair.
Trees, bushes, and vines; 5-20 ft. above ground. Often on or near build ings.
Weed seeds, tree seeds, plant lice and other in sects.
F i n e g ra s s e s , b a r k , moss; thickly l i ned w i t h thistledown.
I n trees or bushes; 5-35 ft. up.
Mainly weed seeds, grain, and w i l d fru i t . O c c a s i o n a l p l a n t l i c e and cat erpillars.
Of any available ma teri a l : stri ng, straw, twigs, paper, etc.
In any available place: in b u i l d i n g s , s t r u c t u re s , eaves; over 5 f t . u p .
Corn, oats, wheat, and other gra i n ; weed seeds; some insects during spring and summer.
1 54 BIRD I NG AI DS
PUBLICATIONS Here a re a few of the best publ ications to sta r t you on more adva nced bird study: Robbi ns, C . S . , B . Bruun, and H . S . Z i m , B i rd s of North A m e r i c a , A Guide to Field Identification, Golden Press, N . Y. , rev. ed . , 1 98 3 . Peterson, R . T. , A F i e l d G u i d e t o t h e B i rd s o f E a ste r n a n d C e n t r a l North A m e r i c a , 4th ed. , 1 980; A F i e l d G u i d e t o We stern B i rd s , 1 96 1 . B o t h Houghton Mifflin, Bosto n . Petting i l l , 0 . S . , J r. , A G u i d e t o B i rd F i n d i n g E a s t o f t h e M i s s i s s i p p i , 2nd ed . , 1 977. A G u i d e t o B i rd F i n d i n g We st o f the M i s s i s s i pp i , rev. ed . , 1 98 1 . Both Oxford U n iv. Press, N . Y. Pasquier, R. F. , Watc h i ng B i rd s - An Introduction to Ornithol ogy, Houghton Miffl i n , Boston, 1 977. Rickert, J. E . , A Guide to No rth American B i rd C l u b s , Avian Publications, P. O . Box 3 1 0, E l i zabethtown, Ky. 4270 1 . Dennis, J . W. , A C o m p l ete G u i d e to B i rd Feed i n g , Knopf, N . Y. , 1 975 . Martin, A. C . , H . S. Z i m , and A. L. Nelson, A m e r i c a n W i l d l i fe a n d P l a nt s ; Dover, N . Y. , 1 96 1 . A m e r i c a n B i rd s magazine, published by the National Audubon So ciety, 950 Third Ave . , New York, N . Y. 1 0022 .
M U S E U M S A N D ZOOS are good places to supple ment you r fie l d study. Albany: New York State Museum Atlanta : Georg ia State Museum Cambridge, Mass . : Museum of Comparative Zoology, H arvard U n iv. Chicago: Field Museum of Natural H i story; Brookfield Zoo Denver: Denver Museum of Natural H i story Gainesville, F la . : Florida State Museum los Angeles: los Angeles County Museum; Griffi th Park (Zoo) N ew Orleans: louisiana State Museum ; Audubon Park (Zoo) New York: American Museum of Natural H i story; N . Y. Zoolog ical Park Philadelphia : P h i ladelphia Academy of Natural Sciences; Phi ladelphia Zoological Gardens San Francisco: Cal ifornia Academy of Sciences; San Fra nci sco Zoolog ical Gardens Seattle: Was h i ngton State Museum Washington, D . C . : National Museum of Natural H i story; National Zoological Park
PLAC E S F OR STU D Y I N G BI RDS
These National Wild l ife Refuges (NWR), National Parks ( N P), and other areas are fa mous for number and va riety of birds .
Great er Road r u n n e r (22 i n . ) , a
long-toiled desert bird, rarely flies .
U N I T E D STAT E S A l a b a m a : D a u p h i n I s l a n d . A r i z o n a : Huachuca Mts . , Tom bstone . Ar· kansas: White R iver N W R , St. Charles. C a l i forn i a : Tu le-Kiamath Basin, Tu l e l a ke; Sacramento NWR, W i l lows; Yosemite N P. C o l o ra d o : Rocky Mt. N P. C o n n e c t i c u t : A u d u bon Nature Center, Greenw i c h . De l a w a r e : B o m b a y H o o k N W R , S myrna . F l o r i d a : Everg lades N P. , H omestead ; S t . M a r k s N W R , S t . Ma r k s . Georg i a : Okefenokee N W R , F o l kston . I l l i n o i s : Chautauqua N W R , Hava n a . K a n sa s : Cheyenne Botto m s , Great B e n d . Lou i s i a n a : S a b i ne N W R , H a ckberry. Ma r y l a n d : Ocean C i t y ; P o c o moke R i v e r Swa m p , Powe l l sv i l l e . M as sa c h u s e tts : P o r k e r R iver N W R , Newburyport; M o n o m o y N W R , S o u t h Chath a m . M i c h i g a n : S e n e y N W R , Seney. M i n n esota : I t a s c a S t a t e P k . M i s s i s s i p p i : N o x u bee N W R , Brooksvi l l e . M o n ta n a : Red Rock L a k e s N W R , L i m o . N e b r a s k a : Va l e n tine N W R , Va l e n t i n e . N e w H a m p s h i re : Connecticut L a k e s , P i ttsburg .
New J e r s e y : C o pe May P o i n t , Cope May; B r i g a n t i n e N W R , Oceanvi l l e . N e w Mex i c o : Bosque d e l Apache N W R , Socorro . N e w Yo r k : Montauk P t . State P k . , Monta u k . N o r t h C a ro l i n a : Mattamu skeet NWR, Swan Quarter; Greenfi e l d P k . , W i l m i ngton . North Da kota : Des Lacs N W R , Kenmare. O h i o : Buc keye Lake, Hebro n . O k l a h o m a : W i c h i ta Mts . N W R , I n d i a homa . O reg o n : Ma lheur N W R , Pri nceton; Netarts Bay, Neta r t s . P e n n s y l va n i a : H a w k Mt. , K e m p t o n . R h o d e I s l a n d : Sakonnet P t . , L i t t l e Compton . South C a ro l i n a : Cape R o m a i n N W R , Awendaw. S o u t h Dakota: S a n d L a k e N W R , C o l u m b i a ; B l o c k H i l l s . Te n n e s s e e : Great Smoky Mts . N P, Gat l i n b u r g ; Reelfoot NWR, U n i o n C i t y. Tex a s : Santa Ana NWR, A l a m o ; Laguna Atascosa N W R , R i o Hondo; Rockport; Guada l u pe Mts . Ve r m o n t : M i s s i sq u o i NWR, Swanton . V i rg i n i a : Back Bay N W R , V i rg i n i a Beach; C h i ncoteague N W R , C h i ncotea g u e ; Dismal Swa m p N W R , Suffo l k . Wa s h i n g t o n : W i l lapa B a y a r e a , Westport; O l y m p i c N P ; Mt. R a i n i e r N P. W i sco n s i n : Horicon N W R , Mayv i l l e . Wyom i n g : Ye l l ow stone N P.
C A N A DA Al berta : Banff N P. M a n itoba : C h u rch i l l ; R i d i ng Mt. N P. O n t a r i o : A l g o n q u i n P r ov i n c i a l P k . ; P t . P e l e e N P. Q u e b e c : Bonaventure I s .
1 56 SCIENTI F I C
NAM E S
Fol lowing a r e t h e scientific n a m e s o f species i l lustrated in th i s boo k . The genus name is first; the species name fo l l ows . The numbers i n heavy type ind icate the pages where species a re i l l ustrated . 1 6 lewis' Woodpecker: Mela-
18 19 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
nerpes lewis P i ne Siskin: Carduelis pinus Cyanocitta stelleri Icteric virens Gavia i m mer Podilymbus pod iceps Ardea herod ias Butorides striatus Bubulcus ibis Cygnus columbianus Bra nta canadensis Anas platyrhynchos Anas rubripes Aix sponsa Anas acuta Aythya va lisi neria Mergus merganser Fulica americana Charadrius vociferus Ga l l i nago g a l l i nago Tri nga flavipes Actitis macularia Calidris minutilla larus argentatus Sterna h i rundo Turkey: Cathartes aura Black: Coragyps atratus Pandion hal iaetus Haliaeetus leucocephalus Acc i piter cooperii Buteo jamaicensis Falco sparver ius Phasianus colchicus Bonasa umbellus Colinus virginianus
51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84
Col umba Iivia Zen a ida macroura Coccyzus americanus Tyto alba Bubo virginianus Eastern : Otus asio Western : Otus kennicot t i i Chaetura pelagica Caprimulgus vociferus Chordeiles minor Archilochus colubris Ceryle alcyon Me lanerpes erythrocepha l u s Colaptes auratus Sphyrapicus varius Picoides pubescens Tyrannus tyra nnus My iarchus crin itus Sayorn i s phoebe Empidonax m i n imus Eremoph ila a l pestris Progne subis Tachycineta bicolor H i rundo rustica Pica pica Corvus brachyrhynchos Cyanocitta cri stata Sitta caro l i nensis Porus atricapi l l u s Porus bicolor Certhia americana Troglodytes aedon Regulus calendula Regulus satrapa Polioptila caeru lea
1 57 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 97
99
101
1 02 1 03 1 04 1 05 1 06 1 07 1 08 1 09 1 1 1
Sialia sialis Hylacichla muste l i na Catharus guttatus Turdus migratorius Dumetella carol i nensis Mimus polyglottos Toxostoma rufum Bombyc i l l a cedrorum Lanius ludovicianus Sturnus vulgaris Dendroica petechia Yel low: Dendroica petechia Black-and-white: Mniotilta varia B lack-throated Blue: Dendroica caerulescens Yel l owthroat: Geoth lypis trichas Ovenbird: Seiurus auroca p i l l u s Northern Waterthrush: Seiurus noveboracensis Yel l ow-rumped: Dendroica coronata American Redstart: Setophaga ruticilla Wilson's: Wilsonia pusilla Vireo o l ivaceus P i ranga o l ivacea Card i n a l i s card ina l i s Pheucticus l udovicianus Passerine cyanea Pipilo erythrophtha lmus Pipilo fuscus Spizella passerina F i e l d : Spizella pusilla Tree : Spizella arborea Vesper: Pooecetes gramineus
1 1 3 Chipping: Spizella
115
116 117 118 119 1 20 1 21 1 22 1 23 1 24 1 25 1 26 1 27 1 28
1 29
1 30
1 55
passeri ne White-crowned : Zonotrichia leucophrys White-throated : Zonotrichia albicollis Song: Melospiza melodia Swamp: Melospiza georg iana Fox : Passerella i l iaca J unco hyemalis Sturnella magna Dali chonyx oryzivorus Agelaius phoeniceus E uphagus cyanocephalus Quisca lus quiscula Molothrus ater Icterus galbula Carpodacus purpureus Carpodacus mexicanus Cardue l i s tristis Passer domesticus Arctic Ter n : Sterna parad i saea Townsend's Wa rbler: Dendroica townsendi Dickcisse l : Spiza americana Upland Sandpiper: Bartram i a longicauda Red Knot: Calidris canutus Thrush: lxoreus naevi u s Grosbeak : Coccothraustes vesperti n u s Great Egret: Casmerod ius a l bus Heron: Egretta caerulea Roadrunner: Geococcyx californianus
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1 58
INDEX Asteri sks ( * ) denote pages o n which birds are i l l ustrated .
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Band i n g , * 1 9 B a rn- Ow l , C o m m o n , *54, 1 38 - 1 39 Bills, * 1 4- * 1 5 B i rd houses, * 1 7 B i rd " adaptat i o n s , 1 4 - 1 5 attracti n g , 1 6 - 1 7 c l a ss i f i c a t i o n of, 913 counts, 2 0 fa m i l y t r e e of, * 1 2 *13 fee d i n g , 1 6- 1 7 l i f e h i st o r i e s , 2 0 parts of, 8, 1 4 - 1 5 B i rd watch i n g , 4 - 7 , 1 55 B i t t e r n , A m e r i ca n , 24 B l a c k b i r d , B rewer's , * 1 20 , 1 5 2 - 1 5 3 Red-winged, * 1 1 9, 1 52- 1 53 R u s t y, 1 2 0 Tr i c o l o r e d , 1 1 9 B l u e b i r d s , * 8 5 , 1 4 41 45 B l u e J ay, * 1 8 , * 76 , 1 42- 1 43 Bobo l i n k , * 1 1 8 , 1 52 - 1 53 Bobwhite, N o r t h e r n , * 5 0 , 1 3 6- 1 3 7 Books, reference, 1 54 B r a n t , 27 B u n t i n g s , * 1 06 , 1 48 - 1 49 B u s h t i t , 79 Canada Goose, * 2 7 , 1 32- 1 33 Canva s b a c k , * 3 2 , 1 34 - 1 3 5 C a rd i n a l , N o r t h e r n , * 1 04 , 1 4 8 - 1 4 9 C a t b i r d , G ray, * 89 , 1 44 - 1 45
C a t t l e Egret. * 2 5 , 1 3 2- 1 33 C h a t , Ye l l owbrea sted , * 1 9 C h ickadees, * 78 , 1 42 - 1 43 C h u c k - w i l l 's-wi dow, 58 Coot, A m e r i c a n , * 3 4 , 1 3 4 - 1 35 Cowb i r d , Brownheaded , * 1 2 2 , 1 52- 1 53 Creeper, Brown, * 8 0 , 1 42 - 1 43 Crows, * 7 5 , 1 42- 1 43 Cuckoos, * 5 3 , 1 3 8 - 1 39 D i c k c i ssel , * 1 2 8 Dove, Common G ro u n d- , 5 1 Inca, 52 Mourn i n g , * 5 2 , 1 3 8 - 1 39 Rock, * 5 1 , 1 3 8- 1 39 White-winged, 52 Dowitcher, 3 6 D u c k , American B l a c k , *29, 1 32- 1 33 lesser Sca u p , 32 Ma l l a r d , * 2 8 , 1 3 2 1 33 Mot t l e d , 2 9 Northern P i n ta i l , * 3 1 , 1 34 - 1 35 Woo d , * 3 0 , 1 3 2 1 33 E a g l e s , * 44, 1 36- 1 3 7 Egret, Cattle, *25, 1 32 - 1 33 Great, 2 5 , * 1 30 Snowy, 2 5 E m p i donax F l ycatc h e r s , 69 Evening Grosbeak, * 1 30
F a l c o n , Pereg r i n e , 4 7 Feathers, * 1 4 - * 1 5 Feed i n g s t a t i o n s , * 1 6*17 Feet, * 1 4 - * 1 5 f i n c h , C a s s i n's, 1 24 House, * 1 25 , 1 52- 1 53 P u r p l e , * 1 24 , 1 25 , 1 52- 1 53 fish Hawk. See Osprey f l i cker, N or t h e r n , * 6 3 , 1 40 - 1 4 1 f l ycatcher, Aca d i a n , 69 A l d e r, 69 Ash-throated, 6 7 D u sky, 6 9 Gray, 69 Great C rested , * 6 7 , 1 40 - 1 4 1 H a m mond's, 69 least, * 6 9 , 1 40141 Wester n , 69 W i l l ow, 69 Ye l l ow- b e l l i e d , 69 F lywa ys, * 1 2 8 - * 1 2 9 Gadwa l l , 2 9 Gallinule, Florida. See Moorhe n , Common Gnatcatchers, * 8 4 , 1 44 - 1 45 Godw i t , M a r b l e d , 3 7 Goldfinch, American, * 1 26 , 1 52 - 1 53 lesser, 1 2 6 Goose, C a n a d a , * 2 7 , 1 32- 1 33 Goshawk, N o r t h e r n , 45 Grackles, * 1 2 1 , 1 521 53 Great Blue H e r o n , * 2 3 , 1 32- 1 33 Grebes, * 2 2 , 1 3 2 - 1 3 3
1 59 Grosbe a k , B l a c k headed, 1 05 Even i n g , 1 05 , * 1 3 0 Rose-breasted , * 1 05 , 1 4 8 - 1 49 Gro u n d - D ove , 5 1 Grouse, Ruffe d , * 49, 1 3 6- 1 3 7 Sharp-ta i l e d , 49 Gulls, *40, 1 34 - 1 35 Hawk, B r o a d - w i n g e d , 46 Cooper's, * 4 5 , 1 36- 1 37 F i s h . See Osprey Red - s h o u l d e r e d , 4 6 Red-ta i l e d , * 4 6 , 1 36- 1 37 S ha r p- s h i n n e d , 45 Swa i n son's, 46 Heron , B la c k - c r owned N ight-, 23 Great Blue, * 2 3 , 1 32- 1 33 Green - b a c k e d , * 24 , 1 3 2 - 1 3 3 little Blue, 24, 25, * 1 30 Tr i c o l o r e d , 1 3 Hummingbirds, *60, 1 38- 1 39 I n d i g o B u n t i n g , * 1 06 , 1 4 8 - 1 49 Jay, B l u e , * 1 B. * 7 6 , 1 42 - 1 43 P i nyon , 76 Scrub , 76 Steller's, * 1 8 , 76 J u n c o , D a r k - eyed , 1 1 0, * 1 1 6, 1 5 0- 1 5 1 Ye l l ow-eyed , 1 1 6 Kestre l , A m e r i c a n , * 4 7 , 1 36- 1 37 K i l ldeer, * 3 5 , 1 341 35 K i n g b i r d s , * 66 , 6 7 , 1 40- 1 4 1 K in g fi s he r s , * 6 1 , 1 40141
Kinglet, Goldencrowned, * 8 3 , 1 44- 1 45 R u by-crowned, * 8 2 , 1 44 - 1 4 5 l a r k , H a r n e d , * 70 , 1 40- 1 4 1 loons, * 2 1 , 1 3 2 - 1 3 3 Mag p i e s , * 74 , 1 4 2 1 43 Mallard, * 2 8 , 1 321 33 Martin, Purple, * 7 1 , 1 42- 1 43 Meadow l a r k s , 70, * 1 1 7 , 1 52 - 1 53 Mergansers, * 3 3 , 1 34 - 1 3 5 Merl i n , 4 7 Migration, 1 28 - 1 30 Mock i n g b i r d , N o r t h e r n , * 90, 1 44 1 45 Moorhen, C o m m o n , 34 N a t i o n a l p a r k s , 1 55 N i g hthawk s , 5 8 , * 5 9 , 1 3 8- 1 3 9 N ight-Heron, Blackcrowned, 2 3 N uthatch, Brownheaded, 77 Pygmy, 77 Red - breasted , 77 W h i t e - breasted, * 7 7 , 1 42 - 1 4 3 O r i o l e , B a l t i m o r e . See O r i o l e , N o rt h ern Northern, * 1 23 , 1 52 - 1 53 Orchard, 1 23 Osprey, * 4 3 , 1 3 6 - 1 3 7 Oven b i r d , 98- * 9 9 , 1 46- 1 4 7 Ow l , B a r n - , * 5 4 , 1 3 8 1 39 Barred, 5 5 Burrowi n g , 5 6 Great H o r ned , * 5 5 , 1 38- 1 39
Owl (cont . ) , long-ea red , 5 5 Saw-whet, 5 6 Screec h - , *56, 1 3 8 1 39 Spotted , 5 5 Pewee s , Wood - , 6 8 Ph easan t , R i n g necked , * 4 8 , 1 36- 1 37 Phoebes , * 6 8 , 1 40 141 Pigeons, * 5 1 , 1 381 39 P i n ta i l , N o r t h e r n , * 3 1 , 1 34- 1 35 P i p i t , Water, 70 P l over, S e m i pa l mated , 35 Poor-wi l l , C o m m o n , 58 Prairie-Chickens, 48, 49 Pyrr h u l o x i a , 1 04 Qu a i l s , * 5 0 , 1 3 6- 1 3 7 Raven, C o m m o n , 75 Redhead , 3 2 Red K n o t , * 1 2 9 R e d s t a r t s , 1 00 - * 1 0 1 , 1 48 - 1 49 Red-winged B l a c k b i r d , * 1 1 9 , 1 5 2- 1 53 Refuges, 1 B notional w i l d l ife, 1 55 R o a d r u n ner, Greater, * 1 55 Robin, American, * 8 8 , 1 44 - 1 45 Rock Dove, * 5 1 , 1 38- 1 39 S a n d p i per, least, * 3 9 , 1 34 - 1 3 5 S e m i p a l m a te d , 3 9 S o l i ta r y, 3 8 Spotted , * 3 8 , 1 34 1 35 U p land, * 1 29 Weste r n , 3 9 White-rumped, 39
1 60
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Sapsuckers, • 64, 1 40 141 Scaup, lesser, 3 2 Scientific n a m e s , 1 5 61 57 Scree c h - O w l s , • 56, 1 38- 1 39 S h r i k e , loggerhead, 90, *93, 1 461 47 N o r t h e r n , 93 S i s k i n , Pine, * 1 6 Skylark, E u r a s i a n , 70 Snipe, Common, *36, 1 34 - 1 35 Spar row, A m e r i c a n Tree , 1 1 0- * 1 1 1 , 1 50- 1 5 1 C h i p p i n g , * 1 09 , 1 1 2 - * 1 1 3 , 1 50151 English, * 1 27, 1 521 53 E u r a s i a n Tree, 1 1 0 F i e l d , 1 1 0- * 1 1 1 , 1 50- 1 5 1 Fox, 1 1 4 - * 1 1 5 , 1 50- 1 5 1 G o l d e n - c rowned, 1 12 House, * 1 27 , 1 521 53 l a rk, 1 1 0 Song , 1 1 0 , 1 1 4* 1 1 5 , 1 5 0- 1 5 1 Swa m p , 1 1 4- * 1 1 5 , 1 50- 1 5 1 Tre e . See Sparrow, A m e r i c a n Tree Ves per, 1 1 0 - * 1 1 1 , 1 50- 1 5 1 W h i te - c rowned , 1 1 2 - * 1 1 3 , 1 50151 W h i te - t h roated, 1 1 2 - * 1 1 3 , 1 50151 Sta r l i n g , E u ropean, * 94 , 1 46 - 1 4 7 Swa l l ow, B a n k , 73 Barn, * 7 3 , 1 4 2 - 1 43 C l i ff , 7 3 Tree , * 7 2 , 1 4 2 - 1 4 3 V i o le t- gr een , 7 2
Swa n , Mute, 2 6 Tu n d r a , * 2 6 , 1 3 2 1 33 W h i s t l i n g . See Swa n , Tu ndra Swifts, • 5 7 , 1 3 8- 1 3 9 Ta nagers, *1 0 3 , 1 4 8 1 49 Tea l , Green-wi nged , 31 Te r n , Arct i c , * 1 2 8 Caspian, 4 1 C o m m o n , • 4 1 , 1 3 61 37 Forster's, 4 1 least, 4 1 T h ra s her, Brown, 8 6 , * 9 1 , 1 46 - 1 4 7 C a l iforn i a , 9 1 le Conte's, 9 1 Sage, 9 1 T h r u s h , Graycheeked , 8 7 Hermit, *87, 1 1 4 , 1 44 - 1 45 Swa i n son's, 8 7 Va ried , 8 8 , * 1 30 Wood , *86, 87, 1 44 - 1 45 T i t m o u s e , Tufted, * 79 , 1 42- 1 43 Towhee, Abert's, 1 08 Brown, * 1 0 8 , 1 4 8 1 49 Green-ta i l e d , 1 08 Rufou s - s i d e d , * 1 07 , 1 48- 1 49 Tu rkey Vu lt u re, * 4 2 , 1 36- 1 37 Veery, 8 6 , 87 Vi reos, * 1 0 2 , 1 4 81 49 Vultures, *42, 1 3 61 37 Wa r bl er, Black-andwhite, 96- * 9 7 , 1 46 - 1 4 7 B l a c k po l l , 96 B l a c k -throated B l u e , 96- * 9 7 , 1 46 - 1 4 7
Wa r b l e r {c o nt . ) , B l a c k - t h roated Gray, 96 B l a c k - t h roated Green, 96 C e r u l e a n , 96 Ho oded , 1 00 Kentucky, 98 Magno l i a , 1 00 Myr t l e . See Wa rbier, Ye l l owrumped Ora nge-crowned , 96 Townsend's, * 1 2 8 W i lson's , 1 00 * 1 0 1 , 1 4 8 - 1 49 Ye l l ow, * 95 , 9 6 * 9 7 , 1 46 - 1 4 7 Ye l l ow - r u m p e d , 9 5 , 1 00 - * 1 0 1 , 1 48 1 49 Ye l l owthroat. See Ye l l owthroa t , Common Wate r t h r u s h e s , 9 8 * 99 , 1 46 - 1 4 7 Waxw i n g , Bohem i a n , 92 C e d a r, * 92, 1 46 1 47 Whimbrel, 37 W h i p - poor -w i l l , * 5 8 , 1 38- 1 39 W i g e o n , A m e r i c a n , 30 Wil let, 37 Woodcoc k , A m e r i c a n , 36 Wood pecker, A c o r n , 6 2 Downy, * 1 6 , * 65 , 1 40- 1 4 1 H a i ry, 6 5 lew i s ' , * 1 6 Red - be l l i e d , 6 2 Red-headed, * 6 2 , 1 40- 1 4 1 Wood - Pewees , 68 Wren s , * 8 1 , 1 44 - 1 45 Ye l l o w l e g s , lesser, * 3 7 , 1 34 - 1 3 5 Ye l l owt h ro at , C o m m o n , 9 8 - * 99 , 1 46- 1 4 7 A B C D E F
BIRDS A GOLDEN GUIDE® HERBERT S. ZIM, Ph . D. , Sc . D. , an originator and
former editor of the Golden Guide Series , w a s also an author for many yea r s . Author of some ninety books and editor of about as many, he is now Adjunct Pro fessor a t the University of Miami and Educational Consultant to the American Friends Service Commit tee and other organizatio n s . He works on educa tiona l , popula tion and environmental problem s . The l a t e I R A N. GAB RIELSON, LL . D. , D. S c . , was President of the Wildlife Management Institute. A former director of the U . S . Fish a nd Wildlife Service, he was also known for his books on birds of Alaska and Oregon . CHANDLER S. ROBBINS, wildlife research biologist for the U.S. Fish a nd Wildlife Service, h a s h a d broad field experience in a l l 50 state s . An internationally known expert on identification, he h a s banded over 1 20, 000 birds, a nd has identified more than 600 spe cies in North America a lone. Mr. Robbins is senior au thor of the popular Golden Field Guide Birds of
North A m erica .
JAMES GORDON IRV ING has exhibited paintings a t the American Museum of Natural History and the Nationa l Aud ubon Society. In the Golden Guide Se ries he h a s illustrated Mammals, B irds , Insects, Rept iles and Amph ibia n s , Stars, Fishes, a nd Ga m ebirds .
GOLDEN PRESS
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NEW YORK
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A GOLDEN GUIDE®
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