Field Guide/Birds/Eastern US and Canada

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Revision as of 17:48, 7 July 2008 by Jomegat (talk | contribs) (move some birds)

The range maps presented here are color-coded, with yellow indicating the summer range, blue indicating the winter range, and green indicating the year-round range. Some of the range maps do not follow this color code, but it is not difficult to decode them.

Passerine (perching birds)

Cardinalidae (Cardinal)
Male Cardinal
Range
Female Cardinal
Fledgling Cardinal
Description
These are robust, seed-eating birds, with strong bills. They are typically associated with open woodland. The sexes usually have distinctive appearances; the family is named for the red plumage (like that of a Catholic cardinal's vestments) of males of the type species, the Northern Cardinal.


Cyanocitta cristata (Blue Jay)
Blue Jay
Range
Description
The Blue Jay is a bird with predominantly lavender-blue to mid-blue feathering from the top of the head to midway down the back. There is a pronounced crest on the head. The color changes to black, sky-blue and white barring on the wing primaries and the tail. The bird has an off-white underside, with a black collar around the neck and sides of the head and a white face. Its food is sought both on the ground and in trees and includes virtually all known types of plant and animal sources, such as acorns and beech mast, weed seeds, grain, fruits and other berries, peanuts, bread, meat, eggs and nestlings, small invertebrates of many types, scraps in town parks and bird-table food.


Mimus polyglottos (Northern Mockingbird)
Northern Mockingbird
Range
Description
The Northern Mockingbird builds a twig nest in a dense shrub or tree, which it aggressively defends against other birds and animals, including humans. When a predator is persistent, Mockingbirds from neighboring territories, summoned by a distinct call, may join the attack. Other birds may gather to watch as the Mockingbirds harass the intruder. This bird is mainly a permanent resident, but northern birds may move south during harsh weather. Mockingbirds have a strong preference for certain trees such as maple, sweetgum, and sycamore. They generally avoid pine trees after the other trees have grown their leaves. Also, they have a particular preference for high places, such as the topmost branches of trees. Although many species of bird imitate other birds, the Northern Mockingbird is the best known in North America for doing so. It not only imitates birds but also other animals and mechanical sounds.


Turdus migratorius (American Robin)
During the breeding season, the adult males grow distinctive black feathers on their heads; after the breeding season they lose this eye-catching plumage.
Range
An American Robin nest with eggs
Juvenile Robin
Description
The American Robin has gray upperparts and head, and orange underparts, usually brighter in the male. Robins are frequently seen running across lawns, picking up earthworms by sight. In fact, the running and stopping behavior is a distinguishing characteristic. When stopping, they are believed to be listening for the movement of prey.


Baeolophus bicolor (Tufted Titmouse)
Tufted Titmouse
Range
Description
These birds have grey upperparts and white underparts with a white face, a grey crest, a dark forehead and a short stout bill; they have rust-colored flanks. The male and female have identical plumage.

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Nature/Birds/Chickadee

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Nature/Birds/White-breasted Nuthatch


Sialia (Bluebird)
Male Eastern Bluebird
Range
Mountain Bluebird
Mountain Bluebird range
Description
These are one of the relatively few thrush genera to be restricted to the Americas. As the name implies, these are attractive birds with blue, or blue and red, plumage. Female birds are less brightly colored than males, although color patterns are similar and there is no noticeable difference in size between sexes. There are three species of bluebird; the Eastern Bluebird, the Mountain Bluebird, and the Western Bluebird. The Western Bluebird is very similar to the Eastern Bluebird in appearance.


Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Nature/Birds/Redwinged Blackbird

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Nature/Birds/American Crow

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Nature/Birds/Common Grackle

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Nature/Birds/Gray Catbird

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Nature/Birds/Brown-headed Cowbird

Piciformes (woodpeckers)

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Nature/Birds/Red-headed Woodpecker

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Nature/Birds/Red-bellied Woodpecker

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Nature/Birds/Pileated Woodpecker

Hummingbirds

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Nature/Birds/Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Caprimulgiformes

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Nature/Birds/Whip-poor-will

Galliformes (turkeys, chickens, grouse, quails, and pheasants)

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Nature/Birds/Bobwhite Quail

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Nature/Birds/Ruffed Grouse

Columbidae (doves and pigeons)

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Nature/Birds/Rock Pigeon

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Nature/Birds/Stock Pigeon

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Nature/Birds/Turtle Dove

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Nature/Birds/White-tipped Dove

Falconiformes (eagles, falcons, and hawks)

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Nature/Birds/Bald Eagle

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Nature/Birds/Golden Eagle

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Nature/Birds/Peregrine Falcon

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Nature/Birds/Red-tail Hawk

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Nature/Birds/Osprey

Ciconiiformes (storks, herons, egrets)

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Nature/Birds/Great Blue Heron

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Nature/Birds/Great Egret

Charadriiformes (waders, gulls, and auks)

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Nature/Birds/Herring Gull

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Nature/Birds/Semipalmated Sandpiper

Anseriformes (ducks, geese, and swans)

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Nature/Birds/Canada Goose

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Nature/Birds/Northern Pintail