21 common birds of our wetland habitats
DESCRIPTION
21 Common Birds of our Wetland Habitats. Look for . . . Size Shape Color Habitat. Waders. Great Blue Heron. Adults look alike Residents year-round Often solitary, nocturnal. Common habitat: Marshes, ponds, estuaries, agricultural fields, rivers, and lakes. Greater Yellow Legs. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
21 Common Birds of our
Wetland Habitats
Look for . . .• Size• Shape• Color• Habitat
Waders
Great Blue HeronAdults look alike Residents year-roundOften solitary, nocturnal
Common habitat: Marshes, ponds, estuaries, agricultural fields, rivers, and lakes.
Greater Yellow LegsAdults look alikeSpring – late summerOften flock with other shorebirds
Common habitat: Wading in variety of shallow-water habitats.
KilldeerAdults look alikeCommon through FallSome winter over
Common habitat: Open habitats without high grass, suburban or rural, bare gravel areas for nesting.
Swimmers
Canada GooseAdults look alikeCommon year-roundOften in flocks; mate for life
Common habitat: Ponds, lakes, marshes, grassy fields, estuaries, rivers.
Common Merganser
Male
Female (note white chin)
Adults look very differentCommon resident
Common habitat: Fresh, clear water, also coastal bays, brackish river mouths.
MallardAdults look very differentCommon residentWide spread in our area
Common habitat: Fresh or salt water, grain fields, city parks.
Female Male
Aerialists
Swallows Adults look very similarFebruary thru late summerOften flocks with other swallows
Common habitat: Often share same habitat and nesting areas, cavity nesters, open areas near woods and water.
Tree Swallow
Violet Green Swallow
Eye in dark plumageOften more iridescent-blue above
Eye in white plumage with white rump
Often more iridescent-green
above
Barn SwallowAdults look very similarApril - SeptemberOften flocks with other swallows
Common habitat: Open areas near outbuildings, bridges, structures.
Deeply forked tailNest is half cup of mud, hidden under eaves of buildings/ structures in singles or colonies
Gulls – 2 most common
Western
Glaucous–winged
Adults look alikeJuveniles take 3-4 years reach adult plumageHybridize extensively in area; IDs difficultOften in large flocks with each other
Common habitat: Often share same habitat and nesting areas, colonial nesters, coastal areas & Puget Sound lowlands next to water.
Note much darker gray mantle, black wing tips & tail on
Western
1st yr Western Juv.
2nd yr Glau.Wing Juv.
Belted King FisherAdults look similarCommon year-roundVery aggressive & territorial
Common habitat: Near water; rivers, lakes, ponds and coastal bays.
Male
FemaleHas rufous belly band
Birds of Prey
Bald EagleAdults look alike, female largerJuv. 4-5 yrs for adult plumageYear-round resident
Common habitat: Usually in lowlands near water, coastlines, lakes and rivers.
1st yr Juv.
Turkey VultureAdults look alikeCommon Spring – FallOften in flocksRarely flap, dependant on thermals for soaring
Common habitat: Open areas, agricultural fields, clear cuts.
Distinctive ‘V’ flying pattern, wobbly, unsteady flight
Red-Tailed HawkMost common hawk in our regionAdults look alikeAdult plumage can vary extensively in West
Common habitat: Highly adaptable, variety of open habitats, edges, fields, freeway corridors, clear cuts, open woods.
Look for:Dark head & white belly band Flash of red tail in sunlight
Land Birds
Northern FlickerCommon residentAlso highly migratory
Common habitat: Open woodlands, any semi-open area, urban woodlots, lawns.
Female
Male
Anna’s HummingbirdCommon year-round; increasing & spreadingOnly males have bright head coloring
Males green & gray with bright red/pink crownFemales and juv. duller, small red/pink spot on throat
Common habitat: Open woods, shrubs, urban parks & gardens, residential feeders where humans influence range expansion.
Rufous HummingbirdRufous
Females and juv. green backs with orange tails and under parts. Some will have small orange-red mark on throat.
Common habitat : Forest openings, brushy edges, move from lowlands to mountains following the alpine blooms.
Adult males have red /orange iridescent gorget; upper back sometimes green, usually rusty orange.
Males arrive in Feb. to build nestsSpecies abundant through summer
Song and Perching Birds
American CrowAdults look alikeYear-round residentRarely seen aloneHighly adaptable, will eat anything
Common habitat: Abundant in cities, towns, agricultural areas, river valleys. Less common in remote area, dense conifers, high mountains.
American RobinAdults look similar, female muted colorYear-round resident
Common habitat: Forests, cities, lawns, open areas. Typically ground feeders. Heavy flocks in winter.
Female
Spotted Juv.
Male
Common Sparrows (4)Song Sparrow Most common sparrow
Adults look alikeYear-round resident; sings year roundOur species appear darker than mostBegins nesting in late winter; will have 4-5 nests a year
Common habitat: Prefers shrubs and thickets in wetter areas. Common in all semi-open habitats, broken forest.
Look forThick gray stripe above eyeDense streaking on breastOften has central dark spot on breast
Common Sparrows con’tAdults look dissimilarYear-round resident throughout U.S.Clear breast; plain face; gray crownThick conical beakSmall flocks near human habitation
Common habitat: Urban areas, parks, open farmland; frequents most feeders. Only sparrow found in all urban habitats in U.S.
House Sparrow
FemalePlain dull breastLight-buff eyebrow and collar stripePlain drab crown
MaleBlack bibGray crown Chestnut hind neckWhite collar stripeDuller in winter
Common Sparrows con’tWhite Crown Sparrow Adults look alike
Year-round residentDistinctive black/ white head stripes
Juveniles streaked overall
Common habitat: Cities, parks, farms, shrubby woodland edges next to open areas. Often flock with other sparrows.
Look for:Clean breast & headTwo white wing barsLong tail
Common Sparrows Golden Crown Sparrow Adults look similar, female duller color
Common winter/ spring Oct.-Apr. residentNo black head stripes until springYellow much duller in winter plumage
Common habitat: Ground feeders in open, damper areas of towns, parks, farms. Migrate to sub-alpine areas to nest.
Look for:Clean breast & headSmall yellow billSubtle eye stripeTwo white wing barsLong tail
Spotted TowheeAdults similar, female duller colorYear-round residentRed eye, rufous flanks, white belly
Juvenile heavily streaked, no hood
Common habitat: Ground foragers.Seclusive in shrubby habitats in forested lowlands and urban areas.
MaleBlack hoodDark rufous flanksWhite spots along wings and back
FemaleGray hoodSofter colorsLess white spots
Red-Winged Blackbird
MaleAll blackRed epilates can be hidden
FemaleHeavily streakedRufous tonesBold buffy head stripes
Adults look very differentYear-round resident , though change habitats in winter
Common habitat: Typically found in wet, brushy or marshy areas.
StarlingAdults look alikeYear-round residentMost common song bird in U.S.Often flock in huge numbersVery different winter plumage
Common habitat: Abundant in urban and agricultural areas. Rarely seen in dense forest or mountains.
Adult plumageBlack iridescent plumage with yellow beak during breeding
Winter plumageBlack/ brown plumage with white spots and black beak during winter
Chickadees Black-capped Adults look alike
Year-round residentFlock with Chestnut-backed chickadees
Common habitat: Found in variety of wooded habitats; especially fond of birch and alder. Rarely found in higher elevations.
Look for:Black cap and short throat bibDrab gray back, wings and long tailBuffy sides extend into whitish belly
ChickadeesChestnut-backed
Common habitat: Found in dense coniferous and mixed forests, mountains to urban and agricultural areas. Only found in Pacific NW to coast.
Look for:Dark brown head and extended bibRich dark chestnut back and flanksWhitish belly with very short tail
Adults look alikeYear-round residentFlock with Black-capped chickadees
21 Birds of our Wetlands• Waders
- Great Blue Heron- Greater Yellow Legs- Killdeer
• Swimmers- Canada Goose- Common Merganser- Mallard
• Aerialists- Swallows - Gulls- King Fisher
• Birds of Prey- Bald Eagle- Turkey Vulture- Red-Tailed Hawk
• Land Birds- Northern Flicker- Hummingbirds
• Perching Birds- Crow- Robin- Sparrows- Towhee- Red-winged Blackbird- Starling- Chickadee