Members of the corvid family along with crows, jays, and ravens, magpies can be found at all elevations in urban and rural habitats, often strutting around open areas foraging for food. The Black-billed Magpie is not a discriminatory eater, either, consuming everything from grasshoppers and beetles to carrion and small rodents.
Good bird fact: Black-billed Magpies construct massive round nests that can reach up to three feet in diameter and look like large bushel baskets. On each side they create entry and exit holes. Listen to the Black-billed Magpie's call below, and learn more about its range and behaviors here. Juncos are a popular and widespread winter visitor to almost all of the United States from the boreal forests of the North and high mountains.
They prefer mixed woods and coniferous habitat, but they are staples of backyards, where they bounce around under feeders foraging and eating spilled seeds. The eastern version of the junco—the dark-eyed one above—features a white belly and a slate head and back, but there are a few different subspecies of the bird that vary geographically.
The term is often used for a variety of winter birds, but juncos are the true snowbirds. Listen to the Dark-eyed Junco's call below, and learn more about its range and behaviors here.
A permanent resident across the northern U. Easy to identify by their white cheeks sandwiched between a black cap and chin, chickadees also live in suburban environments and are popular feeder visitors, where they can readily be identified by quick bursts of their namesake call: chick-a-dee-dee-dee. Good bird fact: While juncos have several subspecies, there are quite a few different actual species of chickadees across the U.
Listen to the Black-capped Chickadee's call below, and learn more about its range and behaviors here. With a preference for being upside down, the nuthatch is one of the more acrobatic birds on this list, often spotted skulking along the tree limbs and down trunks throughout much of the U.
When not visible, its nasal yank-yank call gives away its presence. Good bird fact: Nuthatches have a penchant for caching food. In backyards, this bird conspicuously shuttles seeds from feeders and suet blocks to various hiding spots in loose tree bark for later snacking.
Listen to the White-breasted Nuthatch's call, and learn more about its range and behaviors here. At home in the deciduous and mixed forests of the East, this gray little bird is the only one of its size with a spiky crest, setting it apart from the other birds at feeders. Note the rust-colored wash under the wings and the little bit of black above the beak. The call, a confident and clear peter-peter-peter , is unmistakable. Listen to the Tufted Titmouse's call below, and learn more about its range and behaviors here.
Also extremely common, these birds thrive in human environments, where they can be found foraging on sidewalks and fluffed up in bushes. Another introduced species, House Sparrows hang in groups and wear a hodgepodge of colors: brown backs, gray chests and caps, and a blatant black patch covering their chins and throats.
Good bird fact: House Sparrows live in organized, military-like units that are led by the male with the biggest black patch. Listen to the House Sparrow's call below, and learn more about its range and behaviors here. If you've ever been scolded by a plucky little brown bird, chances are good it was a House Wren.
As the name suggests, this common wren species thives in urban and suburban spaces, gracing backyards, parks, and hedgerows with its cheerful, bubbly song. These birds can be furtive, but when defending their territory or nests, they become conspicuous, bouncing from perch to perch with their lightly striped tails held high, incessantly chattering at the intruder. Good bird fact: House Wrens nest in natural or manmade cubbies, but before they do, male House Wrens will often build several partially completed potential nests for their partners to choose from.
Once a nest is chosen, the female completes the build by adding lining. Listen to the House Wren's call below, and learn more about its range and behaviors here. Possibly the most common visitor to feeders throughout the U. A small bird, males stand out thanks to a dollop of red on their faces that diminishes as it stretches down their necks and breasts.
Females are all brown with light striping on their breasts. Male House Finches are easily confused with similar-looking Purple Finches, but this handy guide will keep you straight.
Good bird fact: Once only found in the American Southwest, the House Finches were introduced to the East by a New York pet-shop owners illegally selling finches.
To avoid prosecution, they released their birds in Listen to the House Finch's call below, and learn more about its range and behaviors here. Just as comfortable clinging to feeders as it is to the purple tops of thistle plants, the goldfinch is a cheery drop of sunshine during the summer and spring months across the northern U. In winter, where it can also be found in the southern U. There are roughly 10, bird species in the world, and more than have been recorded in North America.
Among all these, only a handful of birds have become favorites because of their beautiful colors, harmonious songs, charming personalities, and amusing behaviors. But while they may be familiar and welcome to many birders in the field and the backyard, how much do you know about each of these top species?
These 15 birds are among the most popular in North America. Aptly named for the male's brilliant red throat, ruby-throated hummingbirds are the most common hummingbird species east of the Mississippi River. Their appearance in their northern breeding grounds is eagerly anticipated every year, and they readily come to yards with nectar-bearing flowers or where hummingbird nectar is offered.
The state bird of seven states, the northern cardinal is widespread and easily recognized. The male's bright red plumage and perky crest give it a simultaneously regal and whimsical look, and the female's softer fawn and pink-tinged plumage make her equally lovely. Year-round guests in many yards, these songbirds are always welcome and readily visit feeders offering sunflower or safflower seeds.
Boldly colorful, the Baltimore oriole is the most familiar oriole in eastern North America. These orange-and-black birds were once lumped with their western counterpart, the Bullock's oriole, as one species. Today, Baltimore orioles are welcomed as songbirds and have also found a place of honor as mascots for teams and schools and the state bird of Maryland. These birds visit yards where oranges and jelly are offered. A familiar bird found on lawns as it searches for worms , the American robin is the state bird of Connecticut, Michigan , and Wisconsin.
These thrushes have an orange-red breast and gray upperparts, and males have a darker gray-black head. While they are often considered spring birds, American robins actually stay in much of their range year-round. They are also frequent performers in the dawn chorus. The smallest backyard woodpecker in North America, the downy woodpecker is easily recognized by its black and white plumage and small bill.
It will frequently visit suet feeders and also dines on seeds, fruit, and nuts. These woodpeckers are popular guests, even taking up residence in birdhouses. Identify males by the red spot on their nape, while females are simply black and white. Any birder feels rich when American goldfinches visit their yards, and these birds love Nyjer seed. Males are easily recognized by their brilliant yellow plumage and contrasting black markings , though females are paler and less boldly marked.
The melodious song of these birds gives them another nickname, the wild canary. In southwestern regions, the lesser goldfinch is a similar and equally beautiful bird. Curious and feisty, the black-capped chickadee is a dynamic bird whenever it visits feeders, which it does often if black oil sunflower seed is offered. These birds are easily recognized by their black caps and throats, buffy flanks, and gray upperparts.
In southern regions, these birds are replaced by their nearly identical cousin, the Carolina chickadee; both can be attracted to yards.
Bluebirds are highly sought after garden guests, and the eastern bluebird is the most familiar of the three North American bluebird species. Their rich colors, insectivorous diets , and friendly personalities make them backyard favorites, and every birder can try to attract bluebirds. NA - National Geographic The Society of National Geographic provides some of the best books available for those who have an interest in birds.
The book called "The Complete Birds of North America", is a book recommended to be part of any birders library. This book covers all the native and vagrant species of birds seen on the North American Continent.
It provides information on all the birds listed on the ABA bird list. This book goes into great details, describing the individual species and their races.
That aside, their website provides wonderful information pertaining to many articles regarding nature. It was initially formed for the preservation of egrets and herons as well as waders, who were being hunted and killed, so their feathers could be used in the clothing industry.
Today, there are many chapters of the NAS all over the continent and all individual groups have a common goal, to educate the public. In doing so, creating awareness of the birds and their plights. They were the driving force in promoting the original international laws, protecting migratory birds. Today, their website has made information available on articles, images and sounds, relating to all the native birds seen in North America.
I hope you will take advantage of these suggested websites. I have used each of them, in one way or another, throughout the years in my quest to better identify and understand our fine feathered friends. Enter Bird's Name in Search Box: www. Click on the bird names listed below to see pictures of the Field and Stream Birds seen in North America. Northern Red Bishop. Budgerigar "Budgie". Red-whiskered Bulbul. Eurasian Hoopoe.
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