Grouse are a particular group of game birds that are medium to large in size and are chicken-like in appearance. In North America, grouse have traditionally been hunted as a source of food, but to birders, they are desirable to find because of their unique qualities and beauty. While some grouse species are numerous, they can still prove to be elusive, and it’s always an adventure to try and find them.
In Ohio, there is one species that can be found in the state (the Ruffed Grouse). Here is everything you need to know about this species.
Ruffed Grouse
Ruffed Grouse (Pat Matthews Photo)
Identification
Ruffed Grouse male and females look similar in coloration with some slight differences. Overall, both males and females have a light-colored chest and underside, with dark and light brown barring and speckling. Their backs and wings are shades of brown with some white and darker markings mixed in. Ruffed Grouse have a crest on their head and during the breeding season, males will show black neck feathers as a display in addition to fanning their tails in a similar manor to a peacock.
Range
Ruffed Grouse can be found in the northern forests of North America. Their range encompasses most of Southern and Western Canada up into Alaska. In the United States, Ruffed Grouse live in the Midwest around the Great Lakes, in the Northeast, and some of the states in the Northwest such as Montana and Idaho, among others.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Ruffed Grouse eat mostly plant matter with just a small amount of their diet consisting of insects. Typical fare for the Ruffed Grouse is leaves, buds, ferns, grass, acorns, fruits, and twigs of birch and aspen trees.
Where to Find this Bird
Ruffed Grouse can be very difficult to see as they live in dense woodlands and move very deliberately. Some of the best times to see them is during winter when they stand out more than in months when there isn’t snow. Another way to see Ruffed Grouse is by driving forest roads where they can sometimes be seen on the edge of the tree line of walking on the road, or by visiting a lek in the spring.
In researching which species of grouse live in Indiana I was surprised to stumble upon something of a controversy. Most recent reports of Ruffed Grouse in the state are from Yellowwood State Forest where there seemed to be a lot of debate over how many individual bids actually reside in the area. It seems that with enough searching the hardwood forests of Indiana they can be turned up but are very tough to find.
Summary
Grouse can be quite difficult to find, but they are certainly fascinating to see in the wild. If you are able to spot a grouse in Ohio, it will almost certainly be a Ruffed Grouse.
Nuthatches are goofy birds that move along tree trunks and branches looking for food. There are four species of nuthatches that live in the United States and two of them can be found in Iowa. Here is everything you need to know about these two species.
White-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Identification
White-breasted Nuthatches have a blueish gray back and wings, white face and underside, and black back of the neck and top of the head. They have rust color on their underside near the tail.
Range
White-breasted Nuthatches are year-round residents of most states i the United States with only just a few regions such as South Texas not playing host to this species. They also live in southern Canada and much of Mexico with the exception of the coasts.
Diet and Foraging Habits
White-breasted Nuthatches eat primarily insects and other invertebrates. Much of the time they find such food items by climbing up and down branches and tree trunks and investigating each crevice in the bark. This species will also eat seeds, and even things such as suet and peanut butter. They are a common sight at bird feeders where they will take a seed and fly off to eat it or cache it for later.
Where to Find This Bird
White-breasted Nuthatches are a common species in deciduous forests. They also live in edge habitat and in parks and backyards. White-breasted Nuthatches are seen often at bird feeders and usually only stay for a short time to take food and leave, returning frequently to repeat this routine.
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Identification
Red-breasted Nuthatches are personable and energetic birds with blueish gray backs, rusty orange undersides, and white heads with black stripes. Males have slightly more striking colors than females but both have the same general patterns and colors.
Range
Red-breasted Nuthatches live year-round in the northern forests of North America including the southwestern portion of Alaska, much of Canada, and parts of the Northern, Eastern, and Western United States. As early as July, Red-breasted Nuthatches start making their way south for the winter. They can end up as far south as Texas and Louisiana depending on the year.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Red-breasted Nuthatches eat insects and other invertebrates like spiders when they are available. In times of the year when insects are not around, these birds eat conifer seeds. They will also visit bird feeders and take seeds to either eat in a nearby tree or save for later.
Where to Find This Bird
Red-breasted Nuthatches are birds of conifer forests and can usually be found in locations with healthy cone crops. They will also visit bird feeders where they show up momentarily and are gone just as fast as they came in.
Badgerland Birding searches for Red-breasted Nuthatches
Summary
Nuthatches are goofy and entertaining species that are very fun to watch. They are commonly encountered birds due to their propensity for visiting bird feeders. They are certainly a species worth knowing since you are certain to run into them while out in the field.
Grouse are a particular group of game birds that are medium to large in size and are chicken-like in appearance. In North America, grouse have traditionally been hunted as a source of food, but to birders, they are desirable to find because of their unique qualities and beauty. While some grouse species are numerous, they can still prove to be elusive, and it’s always an adventure to try and find them.
In Massachusetts there is one species that can be found in the state (the Ruffed Grouse). Here is everything you need to know about this species.
Ruffed Grouse
Ruffed Grouse (Pat Matthews Photo)
Identification
Ruffed Grouse male and females look similar in coloration with some slight differences. Overall, both males and females have a light-colored chest and underside, with dark and light brown barring and speckling. Their backs and wings are shades of brown with some white and darker markings mixed in. Ruffed Grouse have a crest on their head and during the breeding season, males will show black neck feathers as a display in addition to fanning their tails in a similar manor to a peacock.
Range
Ruffed Grouse can be found in the northern forests of North America. Their range encompasses most of Southern and Western Canada up into Alaska. In the United States, Ruffed Grouse live in the Midwest around the Great Lakes, in the Northeast, and some of the states in the Northwest such as Montana and Idaho, among others.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Ruffed Grouse eat mostly plant matter with just a small amount of their diet consisting of insects. Typical fare for the Ruffed Grouse is leaves, buds, ferns, grass, acorns, fruits, and twigs of birch and aspen trees.
Where to Find this Bird
Ruffed Grouse can be very difficult to see as they live in dense woodlands and move very deliberately. Some of the best times to see them is during winter when they stand out more than in months when there isn’t snow. Another way to see Ruffed Grouse is by driving forest roads where they can sometimes be seen on the edge of the tree line of walking on the road, or by visiting a lek in the spring.
In researching which species of grouse live in Indiana I was surprised to stumble upon something of a controversy. Most recent reports of Ruffed Grouse in the state are from Yellowwood State Forest where there seemed to be a lot of debate over how many individual bids actually reside in the area. It seems that with enough searching the hardwood forests of Indiana they can be turned up but are very tough to find.
Summary
Grouse can be quite difficult to find, but they are certainly fascinating to see in the wild. If you are able to spot a grouse in Massachusetts, it will almost certainly be a Ruffed Grouse.
Swifts are quick moving aerial insectivores that soar through the sky with fast wing beats alternating with open-winged gliding. There are a handful of different swift species that live in the United States but only one species that can be found in Iowa. Here is everything you need to know about that species.
Chimney Swift
Chimney Swift (photo by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren)
Identification
Chimney Swifts are small cigar shaped birds with sharp looking wings in flight. They have dark brown backs and heads with a slightly lighter underside, and a noticeably whiter throat. They have very short tails that are not forked.
In flight, they make chattering noises and can be identified by their very quick flaps, almost making them look moth-like.
Range
Chimney Swifts winter in the Northwestern part of South America and migrate north into the Eastern United States where they spend the summer. They reach into the Southeastern portion of Canada during summer as well.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Chimney Swifts eat insects, mostly those of the flying variety. They will also pick insects off of branches and hover in place while they do. This species feeds over a wide variety of habitats and landscapes including more urban areas.
Where to Find This Bird
Chimney Swifts can be found in an extremely wide variety of places. Look for areas with many insects as this species is easy to see while foraging. Listening for the distinctive chattering calls of the Chimney Swift overhead is one of the easiest ways to locate the species.
It’s also worth noting that a great time to see Chimney Swifts is during fall migration when hundreds to thousands of them gather together and roost in chimneys. This event is quite the spectacle and many bird clubs hold events centered around seeing it.
Summary
Swifts are very unique birds that play an important role in the ecosystems of North American. Knowing which species is expected in your state can be instrumental in identifying which one you’re looking at.
Doves are birds of cultural importance across many different civilizations. Typically representing peace, hope, and purity, doves have always been symbolic of some of the most beautiful and serene things in life. There are many different dove species that inhabit North America, and four of them that can be found in Kentucky. Here is everything you need to know about those four species.
Mourning Dove
Mourning Dove
Identification
Mourning Doves have a pinkish gray underside with a darker gray back and wings. They have black spots on the wings and a black spot on each side of their face. This species often looks pudgy when they sit in a resting position.
Range
Mourning Doves are not particularly migratory as they live throughout most of the continental United States year-round. They do however extend south into Central America and Southern Mexico in winter and farther into southcentral Canada in summer.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Most of the Mourning Doves diet consists of seeds. They can often be seen foraging on the ground and are regular visitors at bird feeders where they will eat at platform feeders or under feeders.
Where to Find this Bird
Mourning Doves can be found in many different places including sparse woodlands, backyards, parks, and even areas heavily inhabited by humans such as cities. They can often be seen on power lines and also frequently feed along the ground in brush.
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Eurasian Collared-dove – Photo by Alan Schmierer
Identification
Eurasian Collared-Doves are fairly large birds with an overall sandy gray color. In certain light they have a bit of a pinkish hough to them. Their name is derived from a black marking on the back of their neck bordered by white.
Range
Eurasian Collared-Doves are native to Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa. They were brought to the United States where they proliferated and can now be found throughout most of the country year-round. They are most prevalent in the western half of the U.S. and at their lowest concentration in the Northeast. This species is also a resident of Mexico and Central America.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Eurasian Collared-Doves eat a variety of foods including berries, greens, and corn, but the largest part of their diet is seeds and grains. For this reason, they can often be found feeding in and around agricultural fields.
Where to Find this Bird
Eurasian Collared-Doves can be found in cities and other areas near human habitation where they frequent bird feeders and agricultural fields. They will sit on the ground but more often than not they can be seen on power lines.
Rock Pigeon
Rock Pigeon – Photo by Alan Schmierer
Identification
Rock Pigeons (also known as feral pigeons) come in many different varieties. Most of them are different shades of gray with darker gray on the head, neck and chest with lighter gray on the wings and underside. Rock Pigeons have two dark wing bars on each wing and blue, green, or even red iridescence on their head and neck. These birds can also be reddish in color and even pure white.
In my personal opinion, Rock Pigeons are actually quite beautiful and if they weren’t so common in the United States people would appreciate them more.
Range
Rock Pigeons can be found in almost every continent on Earth. However, they are only native to certain parts of Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa. In South America and North America Rock Pigeons are actually an introduced species and have spread to pretty much everywhere with the exception of Northern Canada.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Rock Pigeons feed mostly on fruits and seeds. They are also well known for eating scraps of foods in cities such as bread . They will move along the ground and peck at their desired meal while feeding.
Where to Find this Bird
In their wild range, Rock Pigeons live on cliffs and rock faces. In the United States, buildings and city structures imitate these habitats, meaning this species is now readily found in large cities. Additionally, look for Rock Pigeons in farmland where grains and seeds provide an easy meal.
White-winged Dove (Rare)
White-winged Dove – Photo by Alan Schmierer
Identification
White-winged Doves are grayish brown with their wings, head, and back being more brown, and their underside being more gray. They have blue near their eye and dark spots on their cheek. This bird gets its name from the distinctive white marking on each wing visible both when perched and in flight. In addition to the white wing markings, they also have white on the tips of their tail feathers.
Range
White-winged Doves live year-round in Mexico and parts of the Southern United States. In winter, they can be found more readily along the Gulf Coast. In summer, they move slightly north into more of the Southern United States.
Diet and Foraging Habits
White-winged Doves are primarily seed eaters but they will also consume fruit. In desert areas they have been known to eat the fruit of the Saguaro Cactus. In more urban places they will often feed on agricultural crops such as corn.
Where to Find this Bird
White-winged Doves can be found in a wide variety of habitats ranging from thickets, to desert, to urban environments. They will visit bird feeders, so if you live within their range keep an eye out for this species in your backyard. Another way to find White-winged Doves is to listen for their call which sounds similar to a Mourning Doves cooing but much deeper and more gruff.
Summary
Doves have learned to coexist with humans and thrive in places many other birds can’t. Knowing which species to expect in your region can be incredibly useful in identifying these plump and gregarious birds. Hopefully, this article has helped to answer some of your questions about the doves of Kentucky.
Swifts are quick moving aerial insectivores that soar through the sky with fast wing beats alternating with open-winged gliding. There are a handful of different swift species that live in the United States but only one species that can be found in West Virginia. Here is everything you need to know about that species.
Chimney Swift
Chimney Swift (photo by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren)
Identification
Chimney Swifts are small cigar shaped birds with sharp looking wings in flight. They have dark brown backs and heads with a slightly lighter underside, and a noticeably whiter throat. They have very short tails that are not forked.
In flight, they make chattering noises and can be identified by their very quick flaps, almost making them look moth-like.
Range
Chimney Swifts winter in the Northwestern part of South America and migrate north into the Eastern United States where they spend the summer. They reach into the Southeastern portion of Canada during summer as well.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Chimney Swifts eat insects, mostly those of the flying variety. They will also pick insects off of branches and hover in place while they do. This species feeds over a wide variety of habitats and landscapes including more urban areas.
Where to Find This Bird
Chimney Swifts can be found in an extremely wide variety of places. Look for areas with many insects as this species is easy to see while foraging. Listening for the distinctive chattering calls of the Chimney Swift overhead is one of the easiest ways to locate the species.
It’s also worth noting that a great time to see Chimney Swifts is during fall migration when hundreds to thousands of them gather together and roost in chimneys. This event is quite the spectacle and many bird clubs hold events centered around seeing it.
Summary
Swifts are very unique birds that play an important role in the ecosystems of North American. Knowing which species is expected in your state can be instrumental in identifying which one you’re looking at.
Eagles are thought of as regal and majestic birds that soar over the United States. There are a few different eagle species that make their way into the United States. In this post there is information about which species you can expect to find in your state in addition to identification tips and facts.
Bald Eagle
Adult Bald Eagle (Photo by Bill grossmeyer)
Juvenile Bald Eagle (Photo by Bill Grossmeyer)
Identification
The adult Bald Eagle is an unmistakable raptor species. They have a brown body with a white head and tail. In flight, they look quite flat as opposed to Turkey Vultures and other soaring species that sport a v-shaped wing pattern known as a dihedral. Bald Eagles have a large yellow bill.
Juvenile Bald Eagles don’t look quite as distinctive with varying degrees of mottled white mixed In with brown. Juveniles still have a noticeably large bill.
Range
Bald Eagles winter in most of the Southern United States and Northern Mexico. They migrate north into Canada and some of the Great Lakes states including Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. There are many areas where Bald Eagles live year round, most of which are around coastlines, rivers, or other bodies of water.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Bald Eagles eat primarily fish but will also consume amphibians, mammals, reptiles, and carrion. In fact, Bald Eagles can often be seen around landfills searching for scraps, or roadsides searching for roadkill. Two places one wouldn’t expect to see such a majestic bird.
Where to Find This Bird
The easiest way to see Bald Eagles is to watch the skies and look for a large bird with broad, flat wings soaring. In terms of places to see many Bald Eagles at once, search out dams or other places where fish congregate, here, several different Eagles may be waiting to get an easy meal. To see Eagles in their nesting habitat, forests near rivers and bodies of water that are far away from human habitation are the best places.
Golden Eagle (Rare)
Golden Eagle (Photo by Bill Grossmeyer)
Identification
Golden Eagles are very large raptors that are brown in color with slightly lighter feathers mixed in. They have a white band on the tail, and the nape of their neck has golden colored feathers. Immature birds have white at the base of their primary feathers visible in flight from underneath.
Range
Golden Eagles live year round in the western half of the United States and Northern Mexico. Some members of this species migrate north and breed in Alaska and Canada. During winter, Golden Eagles move east with some birds traveling a significant distance away from their expected area. This species can also be found in Europe and parts of Asia.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Golden Eagles typically eat mammals such as squirrels and rabbits, but they will also eat birds. This particular species has also been known to to take on much larger prey such as deer or even other larger predators such as coyotes.
Where to Find This Bird
Golden Eagles aren’t typically found near human habitation or near large tracts of forest. They are a species of open areas as well as mountainous areas. The easiest way to find them is to look for them soaring over.
Summary
Eagles are large and noticeable birds. Their regal look and importance as symbols of strength certainly make them intriguing. Knowing which eagle species are expected in your state can be instrumental in identifying which exact species you’re looking at.
In the world of birding, there are certain terms used to describe birds and the relation that we as individuals have with them. Phrases such as life bird, first of year, and state bird are all thrown around often and understood by others in the community. Another term that is well-known by birders and can sometimes hit them right in the heart is “nemesis bird.”
A nemesis bird is a particular species of bird that for whatever reason continues to elude you. The nemesis bird moniker usually comes about due to having taken many trips to try and see the same species only to come up empty each time. This inevitably causes frustration and even the feeling of being cursed when searching for that particular species. Its worth noting that a nemesis bird doesn’t even have to be a rare bird, it can simply be a common species that for whatever reason you have not had an encounter with ,yet even though you’ve put in the work.
Bohemian Waxwing
If you’ve been birding long enough chances are extremely high that you’ve acquired a nemesis bird or two. For us, the Yellow-breasted Chat was a nemesis bird for a while until we finally saw one after numerous attempts.
For an example of a nemesis bird in media, look no further than the most well-known birding movie the big year. In this film, big year record holder Kenny bostic played by Owen Wilson just can’t seem to find a Snowy Owl, making multiple trips and even skipping out on an important event with his wife to try and spot this elusive species.
While bostic does eventually get his snowy owl in the movie, in real life, the nemesis bird chase often remains ongoing. A nemesis of ours that still continues to vex us is the Tropical Parula. We chased reports of this beautiful bird in south texas, spending way more hours than we’d care to admit in multiple locations only to never get a conclusive look at one.
Hopefully someday we will get to check the Tropical Parula off of our nemesis bird list, but when we do, another species is sure to have added its name to that same list.
What are your nemesis birds? Let us know in the comments below and as always, thanks for watching, we’ll see you next time, on Badgerland Birding.
Kingfishers are fascinating birds that specialize in catching and eating fish. There are a handful of different kingfisher species in North America, but only one species that can be found in Illinois. Here is everything you need to know about that species.
Belted Kingfisher
Male Belted Kingfisher (Photo by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Southwest Region)
Female Belted Kingfisher (Photo by USFWS Midwest Region)
Identification
Belted Kingfishers are short, compact birds with large pointed bills. Males are grayish blue with a large crest, a white underside, and a grayish blue band across their chest. Females look similar to the males but have rust on their sides and a second band (rust colored) underneath the blue chest band. Both males and females have a white spot near their eye on each side of the head.
Range
Belted Kingfishers winter in Northern South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Southern United States. In spring they migrate north throughout most on the United States, Canada, and Alaska where they spend the summer. Some Belted Kingfishers stay in the Northern United States year round provided there is open water.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Belted Kingfishers are primarily fish-eaters, choosing to eat fish that are on the medium to small side such as sticklebacks and various minnows. They find and catch prey by sitting high on a perch and scanning for fish by sight. Once they spot something they want, they dive in head first and use their bill to grab onto the food item. In addition to fish, Belted Kingfishers will also eat amphibians, reptiles, crustaceans, and small mammals.
Where to Find This Bird
Belted Kingfishers can be found near water including rivers, ponds, streams, and lakes. Clear water is most optimal for kingfishers as they need to be able to see prey in order to catch it. Listen for this species rattling call and look for them swooping low as they fly from perch to perch.
Summary
Kingfishers are unique birds that occupy a very specific niche in the ecosystem. With just one species living in Illinois, any encounter with one of these vibrant and energetic birds is sure to be a Belted Kingfisher. Hopefully this post has helped answer some of your questions about the Kingfishers of Illinois.
Bluebirds are affable members of the thrush family named for their coloration. There are three species of bluebirds native to North America, and two species that can be found in Missouri with one being common and the other being a rare visitor. Here is everything you need to know about the bluebirds of Missouri.
Eastern Bluebird
Male Eastern Bluebird
Identification
Male Eastern Bluebirds have a sky blue back, wings, tail, and head. They have a reddish orange chest and underside as well as a very faint eye ring. Females have a grayish colored head with blue wings and a darker orange underside with a more noticeable eye ring. Both males and females have white on their underside near their legs.
Range
Eastern Bluebirds live year-round in parts of Mexico, Central America, and the Southeastern United States. In summer, many of them move north into the Northeastern United States and Southeastern Canada.
Diet and Foraging Habits
The diet of Eastern Bluebird varies depending on the time of the year. When insects are available, they make up an extremely large part of their diet. Other times of the year this species eats an array of fruits.
Where to Find This Bird
Eastern Bluebirds can be found around open spaces near edge habitat. Prairies, fields, and pastures are all places where this species can be found regularly in addition to more forested areas as well as around ponds.
Badgerland Birding searches for Eastern Bluebirds
Mountain Bluebird (Rare)
Mountain Bluebird
Identification
Male Mountain Bluebirds are bright blue with a white under-tail, and lighter coloration on their lower underside. Females are blueish gray with brighter blue on their tail and wings. Both males and females have a light eye ring.
Range
Mountain Bluebirds are a species of Western North America with a wintering range that dips into Mexico, and a summertime range that reaches into the heart of Alaska. They can be found year round in states such as California, Utah, and Nevada, among others.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Mountain Bluebirds are mostly insectivorous and eat a variety of small invertebrates including grasshoppers, caterpillars, and spiders. They will also eat berries and other fruits including those of sumac and mistletoe.
Where to Find This Bird
Mountain Bluebirds can be found in open spaces such as the edges of prairies and fields. They can also be found in higher elevation places such as mountainsides and coniferous woodlands.
Badgerland Birding searches for a female Mountain Bluebird outside of its normal range
Summary
Bluebirds are typically birds that people are happy to see. Knowing more about the species that are expected in your area can be instrumental in finding and identifying them. Hopefully, this article has helped to answer some questions about the bluebirds of Missouri.
