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Maloney’s Guide to the Birds of Neshaminy
(Winter Edition)
2014-2015
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Winter Birds of Langhorne Area
Waterfoul – Associated with ecosystems with high water proportions or birds commonly found in water
1. Common Loon – Large bodies of open water 2. Pied Billed Grebe – Lakes and other large bodies of open water 3. Double Crested Cormorant – Lakes and large bodies of water 4. Great Blue Heron – Along edge of water, wading 5. Mute Swan – Large bodies of water 6. Canada Goose – Bodies of water and fields to feed and rest 7. Wood Duck – very secretive duck found in coves of freshwater 8. Mallard – Most common duck in the world 9. Common Merganser – Lakes and large bodies of water
Gulls – Seagull is not a specific species of bird, gulls are a large family and are common in the winter
10. Laughing Gull – Not found in the winter but found at the Jersey Shore 11. Ring Billed Gull – Open water, fields, parking lots 12. Herring Gull – Open water, fields, parking lots 13. Great Black Backed Gull – Open water, fields
Birds of Prey – Predatory birds
14. Turkey Vulture – Soaring in a V shape 15. Sharp Shinned Hawk – Small hawk of the woods, also found frequenting bird feeders 16. Red Tailed Hawk – Perched high on any structure from trees to power poles, common 17. Bald Eagle – Large bird found near open water
Shorebirds – Associated with the edge of aquatic regions or shallow waters
18. Killdeer – Fields with low cut grass
Doves –
19. Rock Pigeon – Urban Bird 20. Mourning Dove – Commonly found at feeders
Kingfisher – Birds found along bodies of water, dive in head first for fish
21. Belted Kingfisher – found along streams, lakes. Loud rattle call.
Woodpeckers – found in forests, perched upright on trees. Common drumming sound on trees
22. Red bellied Woodpecker – Large woodpecker of the forest 23. Downy Woodpecker – Small woodpecker found at feeders and forests alike 24. Hairy Woodpecker – Small woodpecker found in forests 25. Northern Flicker – Found in forest edges and fields sometimes feeding on the ground
Crows – Large black birds
26. Fish Crow – Found near water, but more and more all around 27. American Crow – Ultimate generalist species
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Songbirds – Small birds found often in flocks during the winter months for safety in numbers
28. Carolina Chickadee – Small acrobatic bird found in forests and feeders 29. Tufted Titmouse – Forests, feeders 30. Brown Creeper – Forests 31. White Breasted Nuthatch – Forests and feeders 32. Carolina Wren – Forests and disturbed areas 33. American Robin – Fields and edge habitats 34. Northern Mockingbird – Fields and urban settings 35. Cedar Waxwing – Flocks found in the tops of trees 36. Blue Jay – Forests, feeders 37. European Starling – Flocks of blackbirds found in fields and tree tops 38. Yellow-Rumped Warbler – Trees near water 39. Northern Cardinal – Fields, forest, feeders 40. Eastern Towhee – Fields 41. Common Grackle – flocks in fields 42. Red-winged blackbird – Wetlands, large flocks in fields 43. Brown headed cowbird – large flocks in fields 44. American Goldfinch – Fields, edge, feeders
Sparrows – small seed eating birds, often found at feeders or fields around seed bearing plants
45. Song Sparrow – Fields and edge, feeders 46. White Throated Sparrow – Fields, edge, and feeder 47. Dark eyed Junco – Fields and edge, and feeders 48. House Sparrow – (English sparrow) urban settings and feeders
Feeder birds – can be commonly found around bird feeders
Blue Jay Carolina Chickadee Tufted Titmouse White Breasted Nuthatch Downy Woodpecker Northern Cardinal American Goldfinch Song Sparrow White Throated Sparrow House Sparrow Dark Eyed Junco
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Table of Contents
13-14 Common Loon
15-16 Pied Billed Grebe
17-18 Double Crested Cormorant
19-20 Great Blue Heron
21-22 Mute Swan
23-24 Canada Goose
25-26 Wood Duck
27-28 Mallard
29-30 Common Merganser
31-32 Laughing Gull
33-34 Ring Billed Gull
35-36 Herring Gull
37-38 Great Black Backed Gull
39-40 Turkey Vulture
41-42 Sharp Shinned Hawk
43-44 Red Tailed Hawk
45-46 Bald Eagle
47-48 Killdeer
49-50 Rock Pigeon
51-52 Mourning Dove
53-54 Belted Kingfisher
55-56 Red bellied Woodpecker
57-58 Downy Woodpecker
59-60 Hairy Woodpecker
61-62 Northern Flicker
63-64 Fish Crow
65-66 American Crow
67-68 Carolina Chickadee
69-70 Tufted Titmouse
71-72 Brown Creeper
73-74 White Breasted Nuthatch
75-76 Carolina Wren
77-78 American Robin
79-80 Northern Mockingbird
81-82 Cedar Waxwing
83-84 Blue Jay
85-86 European Starling
87-88 Yellow-rumped Warbler
89-90 Northern Cardinal
91-92 Eastern Towhee
93-94 Common Grackle
95-96 Red-winged blackbird
97-98 Brown headed cowbird
99-100 American Goldfinch
101-102 Song Sparrow
103-104 White Throated Sparrow
105-106 Dark-eyed Junco
107-108 House Finch
109-110 House Sparrow – (English sparrow)
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Parts of a Bird
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How to Identify Hawks
Birds of prey (raptors) come in many shapes and sizes. When hawkwatchers identify birds of prey in flight, they
look mainly at body shape, proportions, and flight characteristics. There are three general types of raptors
recognizable by body and wing shape: buteos, accipiters and falcons. The shapes of these birds also indicate how
they fly and, thus, their life-styles. The following silhouettes help identify these three basic groups of raptors.
Buteos
These soaring hawks have long, broad wings and wide, fanned tails. Buteos are built to glide effortlessly on air
currents. They can soar for long stretches without flapping their wings. Their soaring ability lets them hunt for prey
while circling over open areas. They will perch on trees and utility poles and wait for unsuspecting prey to move
below. Buteos include the Broad-winged Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk and Rough-legged Hawk.
Accipiters
With short, round wings, and long, rudder-like tails, accipiters are agile forest hawks. These birds, which are adept
at maneuvering in thick woods, dart through trees, hunting birds on the wing. Although they sometimes soar like
buteos, their typical flight pattern is several flaps followed by a glide. Cooper’s Hawks, Northern Goshawks and
Sharp-shinned Hawks are examples of accipiters.
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Falcons.
Falcons, the fastest birds of prey, are built for speed with streamlined bodies and long, pointed wings. Falcons
most often flap continuously while in flight. The peregrine falcon can dive at speeds of over 150 miles per hour.
Falcons often hunt other birds on the wing. The smallest falcon, the American kestrel, is able to hover in one place
while hunting small rodents and insects. Falcons include the American Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, and Merlin.
Ospreys
The long narrow wings of Ospreys are often crooked at the wrist so that the leading edge of the wings forms an
“M” shape. Underneath, Ospreys have contrasting dark and light plumage. Ospreys tend to glide extensively on
migration. Ospreys hunt mainly for fish, and are seldom found far from water. In hunting, Ospreys plunge feet first
into the water to capture fish swimming near the surface. The bottoms of Ospreys’ feet are rough like sandpaper,
allowing them to grip their slippery prey.
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Eagles.
The two eagle species - the Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle - are two of the largest birds of prey found in North
America. The Bald Eagle is our national symbol. Adults have a white head and tail, and a dark body. The long, wide
wings are held flat while soaring and the large head and beak are noticeable from a distance. Bald Eagles, which
hunt live prey, mainly fish, are also scavengers. The Golden Eagle has a smaller head and beak and its wings often
form a slight “V” when it’s gliding.
Northern Harriers.
With wings held above the body in a shallow “V” these birds of prey with an “owl-shaped face” hunt over marshes,
meadows and open fields. Northern Harriers, or marsh hawks, can be identified by a white rump patch at the base
of their long narrow tails.
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Turkey Vultures.
Turkey Vultures also hold their wings in a “V” or dihedral. They are easily identified by their rocking flight as they
soar in circles taking advantage of rising thermal currents. Unlike most birds of prey, Turkey Vultures have a keen
sense of smell, which helps them to find dead and rotting animals for food.
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1. Common Loon
Common Name: Common Loon Scientific Name: Gavia immer
Habitat: Open Water: lakes, ocean.
Size: Large bird about 28 inches long
Commonality: Common on large bodies of water;
Rare in Core Creek.
Unique ID Tips: Large bird which dives under water and catches fish. Often only seen with just
barely visible body and long neck and head.
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Common Loon
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2. Pied-billed Grebe
Common Name: Pied-billed Grebe Scientific Name: Podiymbus podiceps
Habitat: Open water
Size: Smallest duck-like bird
Commonality: Not too common, but often found
as a singular bird in lakes and ponds
Unique ID Tips: Small duck swimming with bright bicolor bill from a dark line going through it.
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Pied-billed Grebe
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3. Double-crested Cormorant
Common Name: Double-crested Cormorant Scientific Name: Phalacrocorax auritus
Habitat: Open water; Ponds, lakes, oceans.
Size: Large bird, about 20 inches long.
Commonality: Common on ponds and lakes
Unique ID Tips: This bird behaves very similar to a
loon. It will dive and catch fish. Look for the cormorant swimming around with its large yellow bill angled up and barely any body visible. Bird is
all black.
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Double-crested Cormorant
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4. Great Blue Heron
Common Name: Great Blue Heron Scientific Name: Ardea herodias
Habitat: Found along the edge of wet habitats; wetlands, lakes, ponds, streams. Feeds on fish.
Size: Very tall bird, about 3 feet tall.
Commonality: Common in the right habitat.
Unique ID Tips: Very tall bird, with mix of white,
grey, and blue feathers. Large yellowish bill used for catching fish. Bird often found standing in
water. Large labored flight.
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Great Blue Heron
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5. Mute Swan
Common Name: Mute Swan Scientific Name: Cygnus olor
Habitat: Found in pairs on ponds and lakes
Size: Largest flying bird.
Commonality: Found often in residential lakes.
Unique ID Tips: Found often in pairs. Huge white
bird with bright orange bill. Unlike name, birds do make noise. Very territorial. Destroys the aquatic
vegetation of an area, pulls out plants by the roots.
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Mute Swan
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6. Canada Goose
Common Name: Canada Goose Scientific Name: Branta canadensis
Habitat: Freshwater lakes, ponds, streams. Foraging
on grass in fields.
Size: Large bird found in water
Commonality: Too common
Unique ID Tips: Loud birds, flying in V formation. Large brown bird with white patch behind eye.
Black neck and white rump.
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Canada Goose
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7. Wood Duck
Common Name: Wood Duck Scientific Name: Aix sponsa
Habitat: Found in freshwater lakes, ponds,
streams.
Size: Small duck, smaller than mallard
Commonality: Fairly common, very secretive bird, hides in corners of lakes, rarely out in open water.
Unique ID Tips: Males are very brightly colored; females have a distinct white eye ring. In flight,
they have very shallow and fast wing beats.
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Wood Duck
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8. Mallard
Common Name: Mallard Scientific Name: Anas platyrhynchos
Habitat: Freshwater lakes, ponds, and rivers
Size: About 16 inches in length
Commonality: The most common duck in the
world, very common in our area.
Unique ID Tips: Males have bright green head and light gray/white belly. Females are all brown and
white speckled with dark blue patch on wing. Both adults have bright yellow bill, an olive
colored bill is found on American Black Ducks.
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Mallard
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9. Common Merganser
Common Name: Common Merganser Scientific Name: Mergus merganser
Habitat: Freshwater lakes and ponds. Can be
found on rivers, but not a commonly as standing water.
Size: Just slightly smaller than a mallard
Commonality: Common in large flocks during the
winter, when lakes are not frozen over.
Unique ID Tips: Males and females sit low in the water, a very streamlined posture. Males are
predominantly white with dark head and thin bill. Females have reddish brown head and grey body.
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Common Merganser
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10. Laughing Gull
Common Name: Laughing Gull Scientific Name: Larus atricilla
Habitat: Jersey Shore
Size: Your average “sea gull”
Commonality: Only common in the summer
months
Unique ID Tips: Black head and white/gray body.
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Laughing Gull
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11. Ring-billed Gull
Common Name: Ring-Billed Gull Scientific Name: Larus delawarensis
Habitat: Large bodies of open water, Parking lots,
mowed grass fields
Size: Larger than a crow
Commonality: Very common when in habitat
Unique ID Tips: This gull is smaller than others and has a distinct black strip on the bill. The coloring is very similar to other species of gull. Confused with Herring Gull which is larger and no stripe on
bill.
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Ring-billed Gull
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12. Herring Gull
Common Name: Herring Gull Scientific Name: Larus argentatus
Habitat: Open water, parking lots, and mowed
grass fields
Size: :Larger than a crow
Commonality: Common in habitat
Unique ID Tips: Medium sized gull with grey back and white head. Bill is bright yellow with small red patch on lower mandible. Mantle is a light
gray.
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Herring Gull
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13. Great Black-backed Gull
Common Name: Great Black-backed Gull Scientific Name: Larus marinus
Habitat: Open water, mowed grass fields
Size: Larger than a crow and the largest of the
gulls
Commonality: Fairly common in habitat
Unique ID Tips: Large gull, almost twice as large as a ring billed gull, with a very dark (black) mantle.
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Great Black-backed Gull
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14. Turkey Vulture
Common Name: Turkey Vulture Scientific Name: Cathartes aura
Habitat: Fields, Roadsides
Size: Large bird with a wingspan over 5 feet
Commonality: Very common
Unique ID Tips: Most often observed when
soaring overhead. Distinct V pattern of body in flight and rocks side to side. Secondary feather
appear see-through when in flight overhead.
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Turkey Vulture
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15. Sharp-shinned Hawk
Common Name: Sharp-shinned Hawk Scientific Name: Accipiter striatus
Habitat: Fields, woods, and feeders
Size: Small hark, just smaller than a crow.
Commonality: Uncommon, but can be found
when looking in the right habitat.
Unique ID Tips: Small bird of prey with brown and white patterned feathers. Square tail and small
head along with skinny legs. Long tail.
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Sharp-shinned Hawk
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16. Red-tailed Hawk
Common Name: Red-tailed Hawk Scientific Name: Buteo jamaicensis
Habitat: Open fields, and Edge forest habitats,
urban settings, along highways
Size: Large bird of prey. 20 inches tall.
Commonality: Very common
Unique ID Tips: Large and common raptor. Brown back and head and white belly. In flight tail looks brownish red. Younger birds have a
brown streaked “belly band”
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Red-tailed Hawk
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17. Bald Eagle
Common Name: Bald Eagle Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Habitat: Trees surrounding open water
Size: Large bird with a wingspan over 6 feet
Commonality: Commonly found if in the right
habitat
Unique ID Tips: Large bird, often seen soaring over water or perched. White head and white tail only visible on birds older than 4 years. Immature
are brown and white mottled.
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Bald Eagle
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18. Killdeer
Common Name: Killdeer Scientific Name: Charadrius vociferus
Habitat: Open fields
Size: About the size of a robin
Commonality: More common in the summer than
in the winter, but could be found if in the right habitat.
Unique ID Tips: Often heard before seen. Small upland shorebird with two distinct black stripes around the neck. Brown back and white belly.
Long wings compared to body.
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Killdeer
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19. Rock Pigeon
Common Name: Rock Pigeon Scientific Name: Columba livia
Habitat: Urban settings, birds of the city
Size: Just larger than a robin
Commonality: Very common when in the city or
urban setting.
Unique ID Tips: These are pigeons; they come in a variety of colors. Often seen in flocks of 10-20.
Also called pigeon, rock dove.
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Rock Pigeon
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20. Mourning Dove
Common Name: Mourning Dove Scientific Name: Zenaida macroura
Habitat: Feeders, forests, forest edge
Size: Fatter than a robin, but about the same size
Commonality: Very common
Unique ID Tips: Ground bird with gray mantle and
lighter belly. Often heard cooing.
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Mourning Dove
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21. Belted Kingfisher
Common Name: Belted Kingfisher
Scientific Name: Megaceryle alcyon
Habitat: Near open water, lakes, ponds, rivers
Size: About the size of a crow
Commonality: Common in habitat
Unique ID Tips: Often heard providing a rattle sound in flight. Perches over water and dives
headfirst for fish. Females have a reddish/brown stripe across their belly, males do not.
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Belted Kingfisher
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22. Red-bellied Woodpecker
Common Name: Red-bellied Woodpecker Scientific Name: Melanerpes carolinus
Habitat: Forests, Forest Edge, Feeders
Size: Robin sized woodpecker
Commonality: Very common in habitat
Unique ID Tips: Very bright red head with white
face patches. Black and white laddered back with white breast and rosy belly which is often not
visible.
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Red-bellied Woodpecker
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23. Downy Woodpecker
Common Name: Downy Woodpecker Scientific Name: Picoides pubescens
Habitat: Forests, Forest Edge, Feeders
Size: Smallest Woodpecker, about 2/3 the size of
a robin
Commonality: Possibly the most common woodpecker
Unique ID Tips: Small black and white laddered
back woodpecker. Males have a red mark on the back of their head, females do not. Bill is as long as the head is thick. Most often confused with
Hairy Woodpecker.
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Downy Woodpecker
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24. Hairy Woodpecker
Common Name: Hairy Woodpecker Scientific Name: Picoides villosus
Habitat: Forests, Forest Edge, Feeders
Size: Just slightly larger than a Downy, but smaller
than a robin
Commonality: Fairly common
Unique ID Tips: Small black and white woodpecker. Males have a red patch on the back
of their heads, females do not. Distinguishing mark is the size of the bill which is longer than the
head is thick. This denotes the difference between downy and hairy woodpecker.
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Hairy Woodpecker
Downy Hairy
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25. Northern Flicker
Common Name: Northern Flicker Scientific Name: Colaptes auratus
Habitat: Forest, Edge habitats, Fields, Feeders
Size: About the size of a robin
Commonality: Fairly common in habitat
Unique ID Tips: Woodpecker that often perches
vertically on branches and not just the trunk. Gray barred back and brown with black spotted breast. Dark black collar and red patch on the back of the head. Feathers have a yellow tint
when in flight.
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Northern Flicker
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26. Fish Crow
Common Name: Fish Crow Scientific Name: Corvus ossifragus
Habitat: Forests, fields, edge, riparian zones
Size: Larger than a robin
Commonality: Fairly common
Unique ID Tips: All black bird, very large and
noticeable. Physically very similar to American Crow, but when it vocalizes, it makes two nasally
“ehhh” sounds.
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Fish Crow
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27. American Crow
Common Name: American Crow Scientific Name: Corvus brachyrhynchos
Habitat: Forests, Edge, Fields, Riparian zones
Size: Large bird, bigger than a robin
Commonality: Common
Unique ID Tips: This species was decimated by the West Nile Virus and a lot of the habitat has been
occupied by the identical Fish Crow. When vocalizing, they only make one nasal sound at a
time.
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American Crow
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28. Carolina Chickadee
Common Name: Carolina Chickadee Scientific Name: Poecile carolinensis
Habitat: Forests, Edge Habitats, Feeders
Size: Smaller than sparrows, about 3-4 inches
tall
Commonality: Very Common
Unique ID Tips: Loud small bird often found in mixed flocks in the winter. Has “ADD” and is always moving around in the tree tops. Has black cap and throat with stark white face.
Commonly confused with Black-capped chickadee which is not found in our area
anymore.
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Carolina Chickadee
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29. Tufted Titmouse
Common Name: Tufted Titmouse Scientific Name: Baeolophus bicolor
Habitat: Forests, Feeders
Size: Smaller than a robin, just larger than
sparrow
Commonality: Fairly common
Unique ID Tips: Small gray bird with tufted cap on head. Often found in flocks with chickadees
around feeders. Gray back with white belly and in ideal circumstances a reddish brown band just
along wing line.
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Tufted Titmouse
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30. Brown Creeper
Common Name: Brown Creeper Scientific Name: Certhia americana
Habitat: Forests
Size: Smaller than sparrow
Commonality: Fairly Common
Unique ID Tips: Small bird often found tight to the trunk of a tree and it forages by climbing vertically up the tree. Brown back and white belly allow it
to blend in well with the tree bark. Very sharp beak for picking out insects.
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Brown Creeper
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31. White-breasted Nuthatch
Common Name: White-breasted Nuthatch Scientific Name: Sitta carolinensis
Habitat: Forests, feeders
Size: Sparrow sized
Commonality: Fairly common
Unique ID Tips: Forest bird found feeding on
insects on the trunk of the tree. Bird feeds while heading down the trunk of the tree head first.
Back is gray and the belly is white. Sometimes a reddish-brown color is visible on the flanks. Very
nasally trumpet sound.
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White-breasted Nuthatch
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32. Carolina Wren
Common Name: Carolina Wren Scientific Name: Thryothorus ludovicianus
Habitat: Forests, Edge
Size: Sparrow-sized
Commonality: Fairly common
Unique ID Tips: Small bird found foraging on the ground. Light brown colored with bright white
supercilium. Tail is often erect and upright. Song is remembered as “Tea-kettle, tea-kettle, tea”
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Carolina Wren
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33. American Robin
Common Name: American Robin Scientific Name: Turdus migratorius
Habitat: Open fields, forests, feeds on worms on
the ground
Size: about 10 inches tall
Commonality: Very common year round
Unique ID Tips: Found often in flocks, known as the harbinger of spring, although they are found year round. Red bellied birds with small white
tips of the tail.
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American Robin
34.
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34. Northern Mockingbird
Common Name: Northern Mockingbird Scientific Name: Mimus polyglottos
Habitat: Edge, Urban
Size: Robin-sized
Commonality: Fairly common
Unique ID Tips: Larger gray bird with longer tail.
In flight, white wing patches are very visible. Very loud and will mimic all other species. It will
repeat the songs 2-3 times.
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Northern Mockingbird
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35. Cedar Waxwing
Common Name: Cedar Waxwing Scientific Name: Bombycilla cedrorum
Habitat: Forests
Size: Robin-sized
Commonality: Fairly common, found in flocks
Unique ID Tips: Often found in fruiting trees.
Found high atop other trees, and identified by high pitch “zzzzz” sound. Cream colored body with grey wings and very bright feather tips.
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Cedar Waxwing
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36. Blue Jay
Common Name: Blue Jay Scientific Name: Cyanocitta cristata
Habitat: Forest, Edge, Feeders
Size: Just larger than a robin
Commonality: Common
Unique ID Tips: Large, loud, blue and white bird.
Crest on hear and large slow flapping motion when in flight. Black outline of face. Not
recognized as a mimic, the blue jay has the ability to sing other birds songs, especially to scare other
birds away from feeders.
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Blue Jay
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37. European Starling
Common Name: European Starling Scientific Name: Sturnus vulgaris
Habitat: Urban, Fields
Size: Robin-sized
Commonality: Very Common
Unique ID Tips: Found in large flocks either
feeding on the ground or in vocal groups in trees.
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European Starling
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38. Yellow-rumped Warbler
Common Name: Yellow-rumped Warbler Scientific Name: Stetophaga coronata
Habitat: Riparian forests, forests
Size: Sparrow-sized
Commonality: Fairly common
Unique ID Tips: Often called “butter-butt”
because of the yellow patches on their rump and sides of the wings. Found looking for insects at
mid height in trees.
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Yellow-rumped Warbler
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39. Northern Cardinal
Common Name: Northern Cardinal Scientific Name: Cardinalis cardinalis
Habitat: Understory Shrubs and feeders
Size: About the size of a robin
Commonality: Very Common
Unique ID Tips: Male is bright red with pointed head crest. Female is brown but with a bright
yellow orange beak
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Northern Cardinal
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40. Eastern Towhee
Common Name: Eastern Towhee Scientific Name: Pipilo erythrophthalmus
Habitat: Fields, Edge
Size: Robin-sized
Commonality: Fairly common
Unique ID Tips: Loud bird with black back and
head. The sides are rufous colored and the belly is white. Often heard with its call note “TWEE” or
the song “Drink-Your-TEEEEEEE”
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Eastern Towhee
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41. Common Grackle
Common Name: Common Grackle Scientific Name: Quiscalus quiscula
Habitat: Fields, Forests, Urban, riparian zones
Size: Robin-sized
Commonality: Fairly common
Unique ID Tips: Larger black bird that in the right
light appears iridescent. Found in flocks often with starlings, cowbirds, and red-winged
blackbirds.
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Common Grackle
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42. Red-winged Blackbird
Common Name: Red-winged Blackbirds Scientific Name: Agelaius phoeniceus
Habitat: Wetlands, Fields
Size: Robin-sized
Commonality: Common in habitat, especially
during warmer months
Unique ID Tips: Males are black with red and yellow wing patches. Females are brown and
white stripped birds.
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Red-winged Blackbird
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43. Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Name: Brown-headed Cowbird Scientific Name: Molothrus ater
Habitat: Mowed grass fields, edge
Size: Robin-sized
Commonality: Common in large flocks
Unique ID Tips: Black bird with noticeably brown head. Found in large flocks with starlings, red-
winged blackbirds, and grackles. Known for parasitizing nests of smaller birds by laying eggs in the other species nest and using the hosts to raise
their young.
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Brown-headed Cowbird
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44. American Goldfinch
Common Name: American Goldfinch Scientific Name: Spinus tristis
Habitat: Forests, fields, feeders
Size: Sparrow-sized (3-5 inches tall)
Commonality: Very common
Unique ID Tips: Bright yellow bird with black
wings and black forehead. In winter the birds molt to a dull brown-yellow with a distinct wing bar. Very small beak for eating seeds. Flight is undulated and often hear three “kik”s in flight.
Maloney APES Birds Page 100
American Goldfinch
Maloney APES Birds Page 101
45. Song Sparrow
Common Name: Song Sparrow Scientific Name: Melospiza melodia
Habitat: Fields, Edge, feeders
Size: Sparrow (3-5 inches tall)
Commonality: Common
Unique ID Tips: Small bird with brown and white patterning. Very distinct brown mandible stripes which resemble sideburns or a mustache. Most
diagnostic marking is a dark brown dot right in the chest.
Maloney APES Birds Page 102
Song Sparrow
Maloney APES Birds Page 103
46. White-throated Sparrow
Common Name: White-throated Sparrow Scientific Name: Zonotrichia albicollis
Habitat: Forests, Fields, Feeders
Size: Sparrow (3-5 inches tall)
Commonality: Very Common in the winter
Unique ID Tips: Small brown bird with a light gray/white belly. Face has two bright white
stripes on top of head and a bright white throat. Lores are diagnostically yellow and are very
noticeable when looking at bird.
Maloney APES Birds Page 104
White Throated Sparrow
Maloney APES Birds Page 105
47. Dark-eyed Junco
Common Name: Dark Eyed Junco Scientific Name: Junco hyemalis
Habitat: Fields, Forest edges, and Feeders
Size: Sparrow sized
Commonality: Very common in winter only
Unique ID Tips: Small bird with upper body
black/slate grey, and white belly. Beak is pink. In flight, outer tail feathers stark white
Maloney APES Birds Page 106
Dark-eyed Junco
Maloney APES Birds Page 107
48. House Finch
Common Name: House Finch Scientific Name: Haemorhous mexicanus
Habitat: Forests, fields, feeders
Size: Sparrow-sized (3-5 inches tall)
Commonality: Common
Unique ID Tips: Small brown and white bird. Males look as though their upper body was
dipped into cranberry juice. Females are dull brown and white streaked body.
Maloney APES Birds Page 108
House Finch
Maloney APES Birds Page 109
49. House Sparrow
Common Name: House Sparrow Scientific Name: Passer domesticus
Habitat: Urban
Size: Sparrow (3-5 inches tall)
Commonality: Common
Unique ID Tips: Small brown bird with brown back and white belly. Males have black throat and grey
patch on their head. These birds are commonly found in yards and dominating feeders in
suburban yards.
Maloney APES Birds Page 110
House Sparrow
Maloney APES Birds Page 111
Common Name: Scientific Name:
Habitat:
Size:
Commonality:
Unique ID Tips:
Maloney APES Birds Page 112