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 Illinois. 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.
Grosbeaks are birds that are known for their sturdy looking build and thick bill. While they all share a similar appearance, grosbeaks are actually comprised of birds from two separate groupings. Out of five species of grosbeaks that live in the continental United States, three of them are technically in the cardinal family along with birds like tanagers, and the other two are in the finch family. Here is everything you need to know about the Grosbeaks of Iowa.
Grosbeaks in the Finch Family
Evening Grosbeak
Male Evening Grosbeak
Identification
Evening Grosbeaks are an extremely bright looking species. Males have electric yellow undersides, backs, and markings on their head just above the eye. They have black wings, a black tail, clean white wing patches, and an extremely thick bill. Females and immature birds are mostly gray with a yellow nape, black wings, and a black tail with white patches on them.
Range
The Evening Grosbeak’s range is somewhat misleading. They are year-round residents of Southern Canada and some parts of the Western United States. Most maps show their wintering range covering most of Michigan, Wisconsin, and New England, but through my experience, most winters Evening Grosbeaks only inhabit the most northern parts of these areas. Evening Grosbeaks do have years in which they fly farther South during winter but in recent years they have not irrupted in the same way that records from the past show. Additionally, the range of this species seems to be receding farther north into Canada each year.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Evening Grosbeaks have different diets depending on the time of year. During summer, they feed primarily on insects and other invertebrates, most notably spruce budworm larva. Other times of the year, Evening Grosbeaks eat various types of seeds including seeds from fruits.
Where to Find This Bird
Evening Grosbeaks can be found in conifer forests. They also can be found near bird feeders in their native range.
Badgerland Birding searches for an Evening Grosbeak in Milwaukee, WI
Grosbeaks in the Cardinal Family
Black-headed Grosbeak
Black-headed Grosbeak – Photo by abbeyprivate
Identification
Male Black-headed Grosbeaks have a black back and wings, a black tail, and a namesake black head. They show white spots on their wings and an orangey colored underside, making them look very distinctive. Females have a brown back and head along with a cream-colored eyebrow stripe. As opposed to the solid orange color of the males, females have a peach-colored wash on their undersides along with some thin striping.
Range
Black-headed Grosbeaks winter in Mexico. In spring, they expand north into the western half of the continental United States and southwestern Canada where they spend the summer.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Black-headed Grosbeaks have a varied diet that changes depending on the season. Their large bills make it easy for them to crush both seeds and nuts as well as insects and other invertebrates. In addition to those food items, they also eat many different types of fruits including poison oak, juniper berries, cherries, figs, and much more.
Where to Find This Bird
Black-headed Grosbeaks don’t necessarily have one specific preferred habitat but rather inhabit areas where multiple habitats come together. They aren’t typically found in unbroken stretches of habitat and seem to most likely occur in areas with tall trees and underbrush at least somewhat near water.
Blue Grosbeak
Blue Grosbeak – Photo by Alan Schmierer
Identification
As their name suggests, male Blue Grosbeaks are a deep blue color. They have a gray bill, small black mask, and two rusty wing bars. Females and immature males are orangey brown with faint wing bars still visible.
Range
Blue Grosbeaks spend the winter in Central America and Mexico. Some of them stay in Mexico year-round while others move north into the United States where they can be found in the southern states as well as the Great Plains States for the duration of the summer.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Blue Grosbeaks eat a combination of insects and seeds. They will also eat other invertebrates such as spiders and snails.
Where to Find This Bird
Blue Grosbeaks are most at home in open areas such as scrub and desert. They are also fond of edge habitats where they can hide in trees and thickets while singing.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Identification
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are dapper looking birds with a thick bill. Males have a black head, back, tail and wings with white markings also appearing on the wings. They have a white underside with their most noticeable feature appearing on their chest: A namesake bright red marking. Females have a mottled brown back with a yellowish underside and a white eye brow stripe.
Range
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks migrate annually from Northern South America, Central America, and Southern Mexico into the Eastern United States. In summer, they end up in the Northeastern U.S. and parts of Southern Canada.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks feed on different food items depending on the time of the year. During spring and summer, insects make up a large portion of their diet. While in fall, berries and other fruits become more of a staple. They will also eat seeds and other plant matter.
Where to Find This Bird
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks live in a variety of habitats including deciduous and mixed conifer woods, forest edges, areas with streams and other water sources, and in backyards. They will also visit both seed and fruit bird feeders, so this is a species that can be attracted to parks, backyards, and nature centers.
Summary
Grosbeaks are beautiful and popular birds to both birders and backyard bird lovers. Knowing more about the species that are expected in your area can be instrumental in finding and identifying them, especially since they have such irregular migratory patterns. Hopefully, this article has helped to answer some questions about the grosbeaks of Iowa.
Shrikes are unique in that they are predatory songbirds with a hooked bill, and cheery call. Nicknamed “Butcher Birds”, shrikes will hang their prey from thorns or barbed wire fences. There are two species of shrikes that can be found in Illinois, and they both look similar with a few noticeable differences.
Northern Shrike
Northern Shrike
Identification
Northern Shrikes look similar to Loggerhead Shrikes, with a gray back, white stomach, black mask, and black and white wings and tail. However, an adult Northern Shrike will have a thinner black mask, and a barred stomach, as opposed to a clean white stomach.
The Northern Shrike has some year-round range in Alaska, but mostly lives in Northern North America in summer and migrates down to the Northern and Central United States in winter.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Northern Shrikes feed mostly on insects and small vertebrates, but will sometimes also eat carrion. Although they do not have talons, Shrikes will use different tactics to kill their prey, including driving it into the ground or using their hooked bill. Once dead, Shrikes will sometimes wedge the prey onto a thorn or wire.
Where to Find this Bird
Northern Shrikes are found in Iowa in winter significantly more frequently than in other months. They can be found in edge habitat with open landscape nearby, and ample perches, whether manmade or natural.
Watch us search for a Northern Shrike in winter
Loggerhead Shrike
Loggerhead Shrike
Loggerhead Shrike
Identification
The Loggerhead Shrike is a gray bird with a thick, black mask, hooked black bill, gray body, clean white stomach, black and white wings, and black tail feathers. They look similar to the Northern Shrikes, but adults will have a thicker black mask and a clean white stomach, as opposed to the barred stomach of the Northern Shrike. Loggerhead Shrikes also have a more head-heavy appearance.
Watch us search for and find a Loggerhead Shrike in Texas
Range
Loggerhead Shrikes can be found year-round in many parts of Southern North America, and move further north in their breeding season, going as far as parts of Southern Canada. During their nonbreeding season, some individuals may expand further south into areas where they are not normally found year-round.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Loggerhead Shrikes feed mostly on insects, reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, and birds, but they will also eat organisms that are already dead such as roadkill.
Where to Find this Bird
Look for Loggerhead Shrikes in open areas that also have isolated perching structures such as low trees, shrubs, or fences.
Listen to the Loggerhead Shrike Call – Jonathan Jongsma (CC by 3.0)
A juvenile Loggerhead Shrike (Bill Grossmeyer photo)
Which of these species have you seen? Leave a comment below and thanks for reading!
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.
Iowa has two grouse species that live within its borders, but that doesn’t mean that they are easy to find. In this post, learn about these four species, including how to identify them, and where to find them.
Greater Prairie Chicken
Male Greater Prairie Chicken (Alan Schmierer Photo)
Female Greater Prairie Chicken (Dave Menke Photo, CC by 2.0)
Identification
Greater Prairie Chickens (also known as Pinnated Grouse) can be identified by their tan and brown barred bodies, small heads, short tails, and light colored throats. Males have golden yellow above their eyes and when mating, puff out yellow-orange throat sacks on their neck. Females look very similar to the males but with less noticeable gold coloration on their face and minimal orange coloration.
Range
The Greater Prairie Chicken once had a range that encompassed most of the Plains states as well as the Great Lakes states. While they do still reside in these areas, their range has condensed to specific areas. Greater Prairie Chickens can still be found in large portions of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and to a lesser extent in states like Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Greater Prairie Chickens feed on seeds, grains, fruits, and insects. They can be seen foraging in small to large groups in open fields where they can sometimes be very difficult to pick out.
Where to Find this Bird
The easiest time of the year to find Greater Prairie Chickens is in winter when they can be seen foraging in fields where they stand out more clearly against the snow. They can also be seen in early morning, roosting in trees. The other time of year they can be found is during spring when they lek, and males put on displays for females.
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.
Summary
Grouse can be quite difficult to find, but they are certainly fascinating to see in the wild. We hope that this article helped shed some light on the grouse of Iowa and how to find and ID them.
Swans are iconic birds known for their elegance and grace. There are 7 difference species of swans in the world, and only 3 species that breed in North America. All three species can be found in Illinois annually. Here is everything you need to know about these species.
Trumpeter Swan
Trumpeter Swan
Identification
Adult Trumpeter Swans are bright white birds with a black bill extending to the eyes. Their legs are black. They can be differentiated from Tundra Swans by having a more bell-shaped head, and a more “V-shaped” forehead when looking at the bird head on, compared to the “u-shaped” forehead of the Tundra Swan.
Range
Trumpeter Swans are common year-round in select areas of North America and have a spotty wintering distribution that moves north in the summer to parts of northern North America.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Trumpeter Swans feed mostly on aquatic vegetation such as roots and stems of aquatic plants. They can often be seen with their heads underwater and backsides up as they feed.
Where to Find this Bird
Look for Trumpeter Swans in or near water, in marshes, or in open or grassy fields, often in large flocks. They can also be found in mixed flocks with other swan species.
Tundra Swan
Tundra Swan (Michael Schramm/USFWS)
Identification
Adult Tundra Swans are bright white birds with a black bill extending to the eyes. Their legs are black. They can be differentiated from Trumpeter Swans by having a more slender head and “u-shaped forehead when looking at it head on, compared to a more “V-shaped” forehead and bell-shaped head of the Trumpeter Swan. Tundra Swans will sometimes have yellow markings on their bill, but these should not be used as a sole identification marker since Trumpeter Swans and other swan species can have these as well.
Range
Tundra Swans winter in eastern and western North America and migrate through northern North America to their breeding grounds in the far north.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Tundra Swans feed mostly on aquatic vegetation such as roots and stems of aquatic plants, as well as seeds, algae, and grains. They can often be seen with their heads underwater and backsides up as they feed.
Where to Find this Bird
Look for Tundra Swans in or near water, in marshes, or in open or grassy fields, often in massive flocks during migration. They can also be found in mixed flocks with other swan species.
Mute Swan
Mute Swan
Identification
Mute Swans are large white birds with a long neck, black legs, orange bill, and black knob on the forehead.
Range
Mute Swans are native to Europe and Asia but have been introduced into parts of North America. Certain populations breed in North America while other individuals may be escaped pets or farm birds.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Mute Swans feed on aquatic vegetation, mussels, worms, small fish, frogs, and other small vertebrates.
Where to Find this Bird
Mute Swans are normally seen as individual birds or in pairs and tower over smaller geese species. They can be found in marshes, open water lakes, or small urban ponds.
Summary
Swans are certainly impressive and elegant birds. Knowing which swans are likely in your state can be a major help when observing them in the field. Have you seen any of these swans before? Let us know in the comments below, and we hope you found this information helpful!
Be sure to check out the Badgerland Birding YouTube channel for videos on all things bird related.
Finches are a group of relatively small passerine birds that travel in flocks. Many finch species visit bird feeders and are very familiar to people while others are a bit more rare to see.
In Illinois, there are 10 finch species that show up on an annual basis that are certainly worth getting to know in order to maximize your experience with them at your bird feeder or out in the field.
American Goldfinch
Male breeding plumage American Goldfinch
Nonbreeding plumage American Goldfinch
Identification
During the breeding months, American Goldfinches are extremely colorful with males having bright yellow covering most of their bodies, a black cap on their head, black wings, and a black partially forked tail. In nonbreeding plumage, these birds are more dull with brownish bodies, a yellowish head, and black wings with white wing bars. Females in breeding plumage are still bright yellow but not to the same degree as the males. Females also have less black on the top of their head.
Range
American Goldfinshes can be found throughout most of the United States with the species following a typical migratior path of traveling south in winter and north into Canada to breed in summer. They are also found year round in many of the Midwestern, Northeastern, and Northwestern states.
Diet and Foraging Habits
American Goldfinches have a diet consisting of seeds. Some of their preferred seeds are sunflower and nyjer. American Goldfinches typically feed in flocks (with some flocks becoming quite large) and will also feed alongside other finch species such as Common Redpolls, and Pine Siskins.
Where to Find This Bird
In their native range, American Goldfinches are plentiful and easy to find. Search for this species in fields with tall weeds and grass, both deciduous and coniferous forests, parks, and of course backyards. Finch feeders with nyjer, thistle, or sunflower seeds are great attractants for this species.
Common Redpoll
Common Redpoll
Identification
The Common Redpoll is a compact finch species with a small, stubby, pointed yellow bill. They have a brown back streaked with cream, black above and below their bill, and a red patch on their head. Males have a rosy wash on their chest and flanks along with some streaking on their sides. Females and immature birds do not have noticeable red wash but do have dark streaking on their underside and flanks.
Range
Common Redpolls breed in the extreme Northern parts of Canada and Alaska as well as Southern Greenland. In winter, they migrate south into Southern Canada and the Northern United States. This species is irruptive and on years when food is scarce in the North, they expand farther into the United States and in greater numbers. The amount of Redpolls in the United States as well as the locations they spread to vary depending on the year.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Common Redpolls eat small seeds from trees such as birches, alders, and conifers. They will also eat berries and seeds from wildflowers. Common Redpolls are very acrobatic feeders, often foraging in large groups and hanging upside down as they pry seeds out of cones.
Where to Find This Bird
Common Redpolls follow the food and will show up wherever there are plentiful seeds to eat. When they are around, their buzzy calls can be heard in flight, and keeping an eye out for flocks of them in and around conifer trees will typically yield results. During irruption years, swarms of these birds will descend on bird feeders creating quite the spectacle. Thistle, nyjer, and sunflower seeds are all common bird feeder fill that will attract Common Redpolls.
Common Redpolls during an irruption year
European Goldfinch
European Goldfinch
Identification
In breeding plumage, European Goldfinches sport a bright red face with black near the base of the bill, back of the head, and wings. A patch of yellow can also be found on the wings. Their body is a brownish-buffy color with white on the underside and on the head between their red face and black stripe.
Range
European Goldfinches are native to Europe, Asia, and parts of Northern Africa. Some birds escaped captivity in the United States and established populations. The largest of these populations occur in Illinois, Wisconsin, and New York.
Diet and Foraging Habits
European Goldfinches feed primarily on seeds, especially those of the smaller variety such as thistles. They will often make appearances at bird feeders.
Where to Find This Bird
Look for European Goldfinches in wooded areas, around edge habitat, and even in more suburban locations. In the United States this species seems quite nomadic and doesn’t seem to stay in the same place for very long with the exception of some locations where they visit the same bird feeders repeatedly.
Evening Grosbeak
Male Evening Grosbeak
Identification
Evening Grosbeaks are an extremely bright looking species. Males have electric yellow undersides, backs, and markings on their head just above the eye. They have black wings, a black tail, clean white wing patches, and an extremely thick bill. Females and immature birds are mostly gray with a yellow nape, black wings, and a black tail with white patches on them.
Range
The Evening Grosbeak’s range is somewhat misleading. They are year round residents of Southern Canada and some parts of the Western United States. Most maps show their wintering range covering most of Michigan, Wisconsin, and New England, but through my experience, most winters Evening Grosbeaks only inhabit the most northern parts of these areas. Evening Grosbeaks do have years in which they fly farther South during winter but in recent years they have not irrupted in the same way that records from the past show. Additionally, the range of this species seems to be receding farther north into Canada each year.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Evening Grosbeaks have different diets depending on the time of year. During summer, they feed primarily on insects and other invertebrates, most notably spruce budworm larva. Other times of the year, Evening Grosbeaks eat various types of seeds including seeds from fruits.
Where to Find This Bird
Evening Grosbeaks can be found in conifer forests. They also can be found near bird feeders in their native range.
Badgerland Birding searches for an Evening Grosbeak in Milwaukee, WI
Hoary Redpoll (Rare)
Hoary Redpoll – Photo by Ryan Brady
Identification
The Hoary Redpoll is a small frosty looking finch species with a brownish gray back, a tiny yellow bill, a white underside with very faint streaking, and a a bright red patch of color on their head. Males have a faint red wash on their chest. This species is quite similar looking to the Common Redpoll and is expected to be lumped together with them in the near future.
If you’d like to know more about telling the Hoary and the Common Redpoll apart, click here to read about their difference or watch the video below.
In depth comparison of Common Redpoll and Hoary Redpoll
Range
Hoary Redpolls live extremely far north in North America, Europe and Eastern Asia. They breed in the Arctic tundra of Greenland, Russia, and Northern Canada. They do move south in the winter but don’t move too far into the United States most years with the exception of irruption years. Some of the Great Lakes sets get these birds annually.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Hoary Redpolls feed on small seeds from trees, grasses, and weeds. They also consume insects and buds. Like the Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpolls are very acrobatic while foraging, often hanging upside-down and voraciously picking seeds out of cones.
Where to Find This Bird
Hoary Redpolls can be found in tundra habitat in their breeding range. In their nonbreeding range, look for this specie mixed in with flocks of Common Redpolls in areas with plentiful food such as fields, conifer forests, and even backyard bird feeders.
House Finch
Male House Finch
Identification
Male House Finches have brown backs and wings with a bright red head, throat, and chest. They have streaking on their sides and and a brown stripe on their face. Female House Finches look the same as the males but without the bright red.
House Finches look very similar to Purple Finches. For tips on differentiating between the two, click here to read about it or watch the video below.
Learn the differences between the House Finch and the Purple Finch
Range
House Finches have a very interesting range. They were originally native to the Western half of the United States and Mexico, but were brought over to the Eastern half of the US and now inhabit both the East and the West, but not parts of the Central US. House Finches are generally nonmigratory and stick to the same areas year round.
Diet and Foraging Habits
House Finches eat seeds and other plant materials such as buds and fruits. They are common around urban backyard bird feeders where they will consume millet and sunflower seeds among other things.
Where to Find This Bird
House Finches are accustomed to spending time near humans, often being found in parks and backyards with bird feeders. This species can also be found in many different natural habitats as well including but not limited to oak and conifer forests.
Pine Siskin
Pine Siskin
Identification
Pine Siskins are an overall brownish tan color with cream colored wing bars and a lighter colored underside. They have heavy streaking on the sides and a lighter colored eye brow stripe. Pine Siskins ihave bright yellow edging on their wing and tail feathers.
Range
Pine Siskins have an extremely expansive range across the US and Canada. They live year round in Southern Canada, the Northern United States, and parts of the Western United States and Mexico. In summer, the breeding range of Pine Siskins extends up into Canada and Southwestern Alaska. In winter, Pine Siskins southern movements vary wildly from year to year with the species sometimes making it well into Mexico and the Southeastern US.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Pine Siskins eat a wide variety of food items including insects, buds, and seeds. The majority of their diet during the colder months is seeds ranging from seeds of deciduous trees to those of conifers. As their name would suggest, they are particularly fond of the seeds of pine trees. Pine Siskins are often found feeding in flocks flying from tree to tree and making their distinctive, buzzy call.
Where to Find This Bird
Pine Siskins live in a variety of habitats including deciduous and coniferous woods, parks, and backyards. If it’s the right time of year for them, exploring pine and other conifer forests will often times lead to an encounter. Another great place to find these lively birds is at home bird feeders where they will eat alongside other finch species such as American Goldfinches and House Finches.
Finding Pine Siskins during an irruption year
Purple Finch
Purple Finch
Identification
Male Purple Finches are stunning birds with a rosy pink wine-stained color on their back, head, and chest. They have dark brown wings and a brown colored tail. Male Purple Finches also have lighter and darker variations of pink on their face giving them the look of having an eye stripe. Females completely lack the rosy pink color of the males and have brown wings with cream colored undersides and a noticeable cream colored eye brow stripe. They also have streaking on their chest and sides.
Sometime Purple Finches can be hard to tell apart from House Finches. To find out how to differentiate between the two, click here to read our article about it or check out the video below.
Learn the differences between the House Finch and the Purple Finch
Range
Purple Finches live year round in the Northeastern states, Northern Great Lakes states, and West Coast states of the US as well as Southeastern Canada. Their summer range expands farther north into Canada and they move south in the winter (mostly in the Eastern United States).
Diet and Foraging Habits
Purple Finches eat many different types of seeds and berries. They will also eat soft buds from plants and feed on nectar from flowers.
Where to Find This Bird
Purple Finches can be found in forested areas with conifer forests seeming to be the preferred habitat. In winter, look for these birds near feeding stations where the males will stand out.
Badgerland Birding searches for Purple Finches
Red Crossbill
Male Red Crossbill – Photo by U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region
Identification
Male Red Crossbills are orangish red with brownish black wings and a brownish black tail. They have a marking that goes over their eye and is not terribly noticable unless seen at close range. Females are yellowish in color with brownish gray wings. Red Crossbills get their name for their interesting bill structure. The mandibles are crossed, making it easy for this species to open up pine cones to extract seeds.
Range
The range of Red Crossbills is complicated. They are extremely nomadic and will simply travel to where the food is. In general, this species is a year round resident of Western and Southern Canada, the Western and Northern forests of the United States, and parts of Mexico. During winter, they move into the the rest of the United States in search of fruitful cone crops. In any given year they may stay relatively far north or make it as far south as Texas and Mexico.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Red Crossbills are specialized to feed on conifer cones and do so by placing their crossed mandibles in-between the scales of the cones. They then open up the cone and eat the seed out of it. These birds typically feed in flocks and will descend on a tree together, feasting in what looks and sounds like a frenzy.
Where to Find This Bird
Red Crossbills can certainly be a tough species to get a read on. The best time to find them is to during an irruption year when many of them flood into the continental US. During these times, keep an eye out for conifer trees with healthy cone crops. Another good way to find this species is by listening for their “jip jip” flight call.
It’s worth noting that Red Crossbills have several different “types.” Each of these types has a slightly different call and habitat preference. It’s possible that at some point these birds could be split into multiple species
White-winged Crossbill
Male White-winged Crossbill
Identification
Male White-winged Crossbills are bright red with black wings, white wing bars, a black tail, a light colored under tail, and dark markings on their cheeks. Females are yellowish with darker wings, streaking on the underside, and dark cheek marks. Both males and females have the same crossed mandibles, differentiating them from most other finch species.
Range
White-winged Crossbills are year round residents of Canada, parts of Alaska, and parts of the Western and Midwestern United States. In winter, they move south into the continental United States. How far south they go depends on how much food is available in their typical range.
Diet and Foraging Habits
White-winged Crossbills feed on the seeds of conifer trees, particularly those of tamaracks and spruces. They will also eat spiders, insects, and buds. White-winged Crossbills usually feed in flocks, arriving at conifer trees and quickly getting to work pulling out seeds with their specialized mandibles.
Where to Find This Bird
White-winged Crossbills can be found in stands of conifers with good cone crops. They will move around frequently, often chattering as they fly in a group. For people in the continental United States, fall and winter are the best times to see White-winged Crossbills.
Summary
Finches are energetic and exciting birds to be able to find or have around your yard. Knowing more about the species that are expected in your area can be instrumental in finding and identifying them, especially since they have such irregular migratory patterns. Hopefully, this article has helped to answer some questions about the finches of Illinois.
Flycatchers are both intriguing and maddening to birders. Some of them are extremely vibrant and distinctive, while many others are drab and nearly indistinguishable from other species.
A nice variety of flycatcher species move through Iowa with some breeding in the state. Here are the expected (and some rare) flycatcher species that can be found in Iowa.
Acadian Flycatcher
Acadian Flycatcher (Alan Schmierer Photo)
Identification
Acadian Flycatchers are members of the Empidonax group. This group is particularly hard to identify as they all have a similar look. Acadian Flycatchers have a greenish back, yellowish undersides, two white wing bars, a white eye ring, and a bi-colored bill with half of it being orange and half being darker.
The easiest way to identify this species is by habitat and call. The call of the Acadian Flycatcher is “peet-sah!”
Range
Acadian Flycatchers winter in Northern South America and make their way north into the U.S. during spring migration. They summer and breed in most of the Southeastern United States and make it as far north as Wisconsin in the Midwest and New York in the Northeast.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Acadian Flycatchers hawk insects from the air as well as grabbing them from the undersides of leaves. They can be seen flying and returning to the same perch time and time again.
Where to Find this Bird
Acadian Flycatchers can be found in mature forests, typically those with a lot of undisturbed forest.
Alder Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher (Alan Schmierer Photo)
Identification
The Alder Flycatcher is a member of the Empidonax group. They have an olive green back and head, light yellowish underside, white wing bars and a fairly nondescript eye ring.
Alder Flycatchers are best differentiated from the nearly identical Willow Flycatcher based on song. Their song sounds like “free-beer!”
Range
Alder Flycatchers winter in the Western part of South America and make their way into the United States to breed. Their summering sites are mostly in Canada with their range going from Alaska all the way to the Southeastern coast. In the United States, Alder Flycatchers migrate through the Eastern half of the country and in the Northern parts of the Great Lakes.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Alder Flycatchers are insectivores and eat butterflies, wasps, and grasshoppers among other insects. They may even eat fruit during the winter months.
Where to Find this Bird
Alder Flycatchers can typically be found in habitats that are somewhat wet including marshes, meadows, and thickets.
Alder Flycatcher “Free Beer” Call – Jonathon Jongsma – CC By 4.0
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Phoebe (Alan Schmierer Photo)
Identification
The Eastern Phoebe can be identified by its brownish gray back and even darker brownish gray head. They have a yellowish colored underside and no eye ring.
Range
Eastern Phoebes are common in Canada and the Eastern United States in summer where they breed. In winter they reside in the Southeastern United States and Mexico. Eastern Pheobes can be found year round in some Southeastern States including North Carolina, Kentucky, and Texas among others.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Eastern Phoebes eat primarily flying insects including wasps, moths, flies, and beetles. They will also eat fruit and seeds occasionally.
Where to Find this Bird
Eastern Phoebes can be found in wooded areas and are common near water sources. They will nest in manmade structures such as eaves of buildings and on decks.
Eastern Phoebe Call – Jonathon Jongsma – CC By 4.0
Eastern Wood Peewee
Eastern Wood Pewee (Andy Reago and Chrissy McClarren Photo – CC By 2.0)
Identification
Eastern Wood Peewees have grayish-green backs, wings, and heads with two white wing bars. Their underside is yellowish with a grayish wash. They have a peaked head with feathers that make them look somewhat crested. Eastern Wood Peewees have little to no eye ring and a bi-colored bill with part being dark and the other part being orange.
Range
Eastern Wood Peewees winter in Northwestern South America and migrate into the Eastern United States in spring to breed. Their summer range is as far west as the Dakotas and does go into Southern Canada. This is species migrates through Central America, Mexico, Florida, and the Gulf Coast.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Eastern Wood Peewees eat mostly insects. They will fly from their perch to take prey such as crickets, moths, flies, among other groups of insects. They will also eat seeds and berries.
Where to Find this Bird
Eastern Wood Peewees can be found in wooded habitats across their range. They like edge habitat, and can often be heard before they are seen with their long drawn out “pee wee” call.
Eastern Wood Pewee Call – Jonathon Jongsma – CC By 4.0
Great Crested Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatcher (Grayson Smith Photo – CC By 2.0)
Identification
Great Crested Flycatchers have a brownish back and wings with rufous accents. They also have rufous on their tail, a gray face and neck, a brownish crest, and a yellow underside.
The call of the Great Crested Flycatcher is a loud “breep!”
Range
Great Crested Flycatchers winter in Northern South America and Central America. They migrate north to Eastern North America and Southeastern Canada where they breed.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Great Crested flycatchers eat a variety of different invertebrates including bees, wasps, grasshoppers, beetles, and more. They will take insects from perches or on the wing. Great Crested Flycatchers will also eat berries.
Where to Find this Bird
Great Crested Flycatchers can be found in woodlands and edge habitat. They typically prefer deciduous or mixed woodlands. Listen for their “breep” call to know that they are in the area.
Great Crested Flycatcher “Breep” Call – Phillip Vanbergen – CC By 4.0
Least Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher (Alan Schmierer Photo)
Identification
Least Flycatchers are small members of the Empidonax flycatcher group with greenish gray backs, light gray to yellow undersides, white wing bars, and a white eye ring. They have a bi-colored bill with the top being darker and the lower part being orange. Least Flycatchers can also be identified by call. They make a crisp “chebeck” sound.
Range
Least Flycatchers winter in Central America and Mexico. In spring, they are one of the earlier arriving flycatcher species in the United States, moving through much of the country and settling into the Northeastern United States and Southern Canada to breed. There are some locations in the Western United States where Least Flycatchers stay during the summer months.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Least Flycatchers eat mostly small insects such as leafhoppers, moths, ants, and grasshoppers. They will also eat certain types of grass seeds and berries.
Where to Find this Bird
Least Flycatchers can be found in or around wooded areas. They typically prefer deciduous or mixed forests. The easiest time to find the species is during migration when they are one of the first flycatcher species to move north and can be heard making their distinctive calls.
Least Flycatcher “Chebeck” Call – Jonathon Jongsma – CC By 4.0
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Olive-sided Flycatcher (Andy Reago and Chrissy McClarren Photo – CC By 2.0)
Identification
Olive-sided Flycatchers are rather large for flycatchers and are a brownish gray color with a somewhat peaked appearance to the head when its feathers are raised. The underside shows darker coloration on the sides with a yellow base color to the underside. This pattern is what gives this species its name. Olive-sided Flycatchers do not have a noticeable eye ring, and overall, look fairly distinctive among this group of bird species. The call of the Olive-sided Flycatcher is “three beers!”
Range
Olive-sided Flycatchers winter in Northern South America and migrate north through Mexico in spring. They breed in the Western United States north through Northern Alaska. This species also breeds in Southern Canada, the Eastern United States, and the Northern Great Lakes States.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Olive-sided Flycatchers eat insects, most of which are of the flying variety as this species typically catches prey out of the air. Some food items include wasps, grasshoppers, flies, and moths. Olive-sided Flycatchers also eat berries and other plant matter, but the majority of their diet is insects.
Where to Find this Bird
In many parts of the United States, Olive-sided Flycatchers are most easily found during the breeding season where they will typically be in conifer forests. In Canada and the Northern United States, boreal forests are a great place to find this species during summer. Olive-sided Flycatchers can also be found during migration in a wider variety of habitats.
Willow Flycatcher
Willow Flycatcher (Alan Schmierer Photo)
Identification
Willow Flycatchers look pretty much identical to Alder Flycatchers with an olive colored back, a lighter underside, two white wing bars, and an eye ring. These two species used to be lumped together as a species known as the Trails Flycatcher, and can only reliably be differentiated by call. The Willow Flycatcher call sounds like “Fitz-bew!”
Range
Willow Flycatchers winter in the Northern most parts of South America as well as Central America and parts of Mexico. They move into the continental United States in spring and breed in the Northern half of the country and the Southern part of Canada.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Willow Flycatchers eat mostly insects which they catch out of the air or pick off of leaves and branches. They will also eat certain types of berries.
Where to Find this Bird
Willow Flycatchers are most often found in areas with shrubs and cover near standing or running water. Edge habitat of marshes, springs, and rivers are all places well suited for Willow Flycatchers.
Listen to the Willow Flycatcher call
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Andy Reago and Chrissy McClarren Photo – CC By 2.0)
Identification
The Yellow-bellied Flycatcher is one of the more distinctive looking Empidonax Flycatchers. They have a yellow wash over their entire body with even their wing bars and eye ring showing yellow. their back is darker than their underside but still shows a yellow tint. The call of the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher is a sharp, pointed “Che-lunk!”
Range
Yellow-bellied Flycatchers winter in Central America and Mexico, They migrate through the Eastern half of the United States and breed in the Northern forests of the Great Lakes states and Eastern United States. The majority of the population breeds in Southern Canada.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Yellow-bellied Flycatchers eat primarily insects including flies, ants, beetles, and caterpillars. One interesting food item they have been known to eat are the berries of poison ivy.
Where to Find this Bird
Yellow-bellied Flycatchers are birds of the boreal forest. this habitat is the best place to find them during the breeding season in summer. They can also be found on the way up to their nesting sites in spring as well as their way back south in fall.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Call – Jonathon Jongsma – CC By 4.0
Eastern Kingbird
Eastern Kingbird (Mike Budd Photo)
Identification
The Eastern kingbird has a blueish gray back, head, and wings, with a white underside, and white tip of their tail. They are a medium sized perching bird with a heavy looking bill compared to other types of flycatchers.
Range
Eastern Kingbirds winter in the Northwestern part of South America and move through Central America, Cuba, and Eastern Mexico on their way north to the United States and Canada. As their name would suggest, Eastern Kingbirds breed in the Eastern United States but can also be found in the Northwestern US, Southwestern Canada, and Southeastern Canada.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Eastern Kingbirds feed on insects which they catch in typical flycatcher fashion by flying from a perch, grabbing the insect in mid air or off of vegetation, and landing back on the same perch again. Typical fare includes wasps, grasshoppers, crickets, moths, beetles, and more.
Where to Find this Bird
Eastern Kingbirds can be found in a variety of different habitats including open savannas. marshy areas, and edge habitat. They can be seen perching relatively low in trees and bushes. Look for them flying from their perches for short periods of time and returning to the same place again.
Eastern Kingbird Call – Jonathon Jongsma – CC By 4.0
Western Kingbird (Rare)
Western Kingbird (Alan Schmierer Photo)
Identification
Western Kingbirds can be identified by their brown wings, gray back and head, and bright yellow underside.
Range
Western Kingbirds winter in parts of Central America and Mexico. They move up north during migration and end up in the Western half of the United States and Southwestern Canada. Their breeding range goes as far east as Minnesota and Texas, but some individuals end up west of their expected range on an annual basis.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Western Kingbirds forage in the same way that other flycatchers do, feeding mostly on insects by catching them in mid air. In addition to many different insect species, they also eat some types of berries.
Where to Find this Bird
Western kingbirds can be found in open areas with few trees such as scrubland, farms, savannas, and grasslands.
Say’s Phoebe (Rare)
Say’s Phoebe (Alan Schmierer Photo)
Identification
Say’s Phoebes are brownish gray with a distinctive peach colored underside. They have a slightly darker head, wingtips, and tail than the rest of their body.
Range
Say’s Phoebes winter in Northern Mexico and move into the Western United States, parts of Western Canada, and Alaska to breed. They live year round in some of the Southwestern states and in parts of Mexico. Their native breeding range typically doesn’t go east of Nebraska and the Dakotas.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Say’s Phoebes diets are comprised of insects ranging from beetles, to grasshoppers, to bees and wasps. They forage in mid air as well as on the ground where they will sometimes land to grab an insect.
Where to Find this Bird
Say’s Phoebes live in areas with few trees such as scrub land, canyons, fields of sagebrush, and even urban places. Typically, areas that are flat and open are ideal places to find Say’s Phoebes.
The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher is quite possibly one of the most recognizable birds in the United States. They have brown wings, a blueish gray head and chest, orange sides, and salmon-colored feathers under their wings. Of course, they also have an extremely long, forked tail. This tail can be varied in size with some individuals having a very long tail and some having a more modest one. Juveniles have less extravagant colors and shorter tails.
Range
Scissor-tailed Flycatchers winter in Central America and Mexico. They then make the relatively short trip to states in the South-central part of the Country. The states Scissor Tailed Flycatchers typically breed in are Oklahoma, Texas, Nebraska, and Missouri among a few others. Although this range is more limited than other flycatcher species, they are known for their vagrancy as reports of this species appear in every state in the continental US.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Scissor-tailed Flycatchers are mostly insectivorous with grasshoppers, crickets, and other similar creatures making up the largest portion of their diet. These birds can be seen perching on wires, and other structures as they survey for insects. In addition, they will also eat berries on occasion.
Where to Find this Bird
Cruising country roads in the native range of the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher will usually turn up multiple individuals of this species. They can also be found around farms as well as in more urban environments such as parks and around cities.
Summary
Flycatchers can certainly be a tough group of birds to differentiate from one another, but with a little bit of knowledge on their expected habitats and identification tips, it can be a lot less stressful. In the end, for how many of them look the same, others look extremely different and flycatchers as a group are quite fascinating.
Cranes are among the largest and most noticeable birds in North America. These birds are always impressive to see when out birding and can turn up in some places you wouldn’t expect to see these tall, regal birds. In North America there are two crane species, and both of them can be found in Illinois. Here is everything you need to know about those two species.
Sandhill Crane
Sandhill Crane – Photo by Bill Grossmeyer
Identification
Sandhill Cranes have a mostly gray colored body with tan color mixed in. During the warmer months they typically are more tan than they are gray. They have a long neck and bill with white cheeks and red on top of their head.
Sandhill Crane chicks are a yellowish tan color and can often be seen tagging along with the adult parents.
Range
Sandhill Cranes winter in a few different areas around North America including northern Mexico, southern Texas, Florida, parts of California, parts of southern Louisiana, and other areas across the Great Plains states. In spring, they start heading north to breed in the northern United States and southern Canada. There are a few places where Sandhill Cranes stage prior to migration where they can be seen in absolutely massive numbers. Most of these areas are in the upper Midwest in states such as Minnesota and North Dakota.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Sandhill Cranes eat a wide variety of different food items. Much of their diet consists of plant matter such as tubers, berries, and seeds, but they also eat small vertebrates, insects and other invertebrates. Sandhill Cranes forage in shallow water as well as in farm fields where they eat grains from crops.
Where to Find This Bird
Sandhill Cranes can be seen in many different places. Some of the most common areas to find this species are shallow water marshes and open fields. However, Sandhill Cranes also show up on lawns in neighborhoods and even in parking lots in cities where they casually stroll around, often to the surprise of humans.
Whooping Crane (Rare)
Whooping Crane – Photo by Bill Grossmeyer
Identification
Whooping Cranes are absolutely massive, reaching heights of around five feet. They have a clean white body and red that covers their face and extends along the jaw line and on the top of the head. In flight, these cranes show black on the wing tips.
Range
The Whooping Cranes range is a bit complicated since they are actually split up into different populations. There are nonmigratory populations in Louisiana and Florida and migratory populations that winter in Florida and Texas and then migrate to Wisconsin and Canada respectively.
Diet and Foraging Habits
The large size of the Whooping Crane means they can eat many different types of animals, both vertebrates and invertebrates. They not only eat animals however, but also various plant material, both aquatic and terrestrial.
Where to Find This Bird
Whooping Cranes are most commonly found in marshland where they wade into water in search of food. Along their migratory routes they are seen in fields and wet grasslands. During their wintering times, they also reside in coastal waters and saltmarshes.
Summary
Cranes are spectacular birds to see as an avid birder or just a casual observer. Knowing where to expect them and which species are likely to be in your state and region can make it much easier to find and identify them.
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 Michigan. 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.
Plovers are a type of shorebird characterized by their round appearance and often look plump. They can be found near water or in open fields. While they are a sub-group of shorebirds, there are many species of plovers in the United States. In this post, you will be able to see all of the expected plovers in Illinois.
American Golden-plover
American golden-plover in breeding plumage (Peter Pearsall Photo)
American Golden-plover in nonbreeding plumage (Alan Schmierer Photo)
Identification
The American Golden-plover is quite an impressive looking bird when in breeding plumage. They have a black underside, beautiful golden feathers on the back and wings, and a white marking that goes all the way from the bill to the shoulder. In nonbreeding plumage, American Golden-plovers are buffy colored with gold and brown speckled wings, back, and head. During certain times of the year these birds will be half way between breeding and nonbreeding plumage as they transition.
Range
Like many shorebird species, American Golden-plovers are long distance migrants. They winter in Southeastern South America and fly all the way to their breeding areas in Alaska and the northern most parts of Canada.
Diet and Foraging Habits
American Golden-plovers feed mostly on invertebrates including insect larva and worms. They have also been known to eat some plant-based foods as well, including berries. This species hunts by running along the ground, periodically stopping to scan for food.
Where to Find this Bird
American Golden-plovers are most often found in the continental United States during fall migration. Some common places to find them are in agricultural fields, along lake shores, and at sod farms.
Black-bellied Plover
Black-bellied Plover in breeding plumage (under the same moon Photo CC by 2.0)
Black-bellied Plover in nonbreeding plumage (Susan Young Photo)
Identification
Black-bellied Plovers are large as far as plovers go, similar in size to American Golden-plovers, but a little more stocky. They have black on their face, chest, and underside, but unlike American Golden-plovers they have a white under tail. They have white mottling on their back and wings as well as a white head and white stripe from the bill down to the shoulders.
In nonbreeding plumage, Black-bellied Plovers are much more sandy colored with darker shades on the wings, back, and head. In both breeding and nonbreeding plumage, this species shows black patches under the wing, visible in flight.
Range
The Black-bellied Plover is extremely widespread across the globe with numerous sightings in every continent except for Antarctica. In North America, they summer in the most Northern parts of Canada and migrate south to the coasts of both the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. During migration, they can be found inland on an annual basis.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Black-bellied Plovers eat a wide variety of invertebrates including insects, worms, urchins, crabs and much more. They will forage in farm fields and on mud flats in both fresh and salt water.
Where to Find this Bird
The best time to find Black-bellied Plovers is during winter and during fall migration. In winter, both the Atlantic and the Pacific coasts of the United States play host to the species. Look for them on beaches, mudflats, and break walls where they will be sitting on large rocks. During migration, sod farms, agricultural fields, and the shores of inland lakes are good places to search for Black-bellied Plovers.
Killdeer
Killdeer (Tom Koerner Photo)
Identification
The Killdeer is a widespread and recognizable bird in the plover family. They have a brown head, back, and wings, with a white underside. They have several black markings on their chest and head with two bands on their chest and two on the head with one of the stripes on the forehead and another looking something like a mustache. They have a rusty colored tail and a noticeable red eye.
Range
Killdeer do not migrate as far as other plover species, and many of them live in the United States and parts of Western South America year round. The Killdeer that do migrate, go from Northern South America, Central America, and Southern Mexico, into the United States, and end up breeding in either the U.S. or Southern Canada.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Killdeer run along the ground as they forage for food. They consume mostly invertebrates such as grasshoppers, worms, snails, and insect larva. They will forage both near water as well as in drier open areas.
Where to Find this Bird
Killdeer are common throughout most of the United States in the summer and are one of the first birds to return north in spring. Look for them in open areas with a lot of flat land such as athletic fields, sod farms, plowed fields, and even gravel lots. Listen for their “kill-deer” call as the walk around or fly over.
Other Notes: Killdeer are known for doing a broken wing display to distract predators and eventually lead them away from their nests. This behavior can be seen often during the nesting season.
Piping Plover
Piping Plover in breeding plumage (Derek Sallmann Photo)
Piping Plover in nonbreeding plumage (Ryan Sallmann Photo)
Identification
Piping Plovers are relatively small plovers with a brownish gray back and head, with a white underside, and white stripe over the eye. In breeding plumage, this species has black on the forehead and black around the neck. Nonbreeding adults and immature birds lack these black markings.
Range
Piping Plovers winter on the Southern Atlantic Coast as well as the Gulf Coast. In spring they move north to their breeding areas in the North-central United States, South-central Canada, the Northeastern United States, and some of the Great Lakes states.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Piping Plovers forage near the edge of the water searching for small invertebrates. They will forage in both marine and freshwater environments.
Where to Find this Bird
Piping Plovers breed in areas with sandy beaches and sparse vegetation. They show up along lake shores, ocean coastlines, and even rivers during migration.
Semipalmated Plover
Semipalmated Plover in breeding plumage (Ryan Sallmann Photo)
Semipalmated Plover in nonbreeding plumage (Ryan Sallmann photo)
Identification
Semipalmated Plovers are on the small side for shorebirds and have a brown back and wings, and a white underside. In breeding plumage they have a black band on their upper chest as well as a black mask. In nonbreeding plumage, the black on this species is much less visible or gone altogether.
Range
Semipalmated Plovers breed in the arctic and make their way south in fall. They winter along the ocean coasts of the United States, Mexico, and South America. They move through most regions of the United States in fall.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Semipalmated Plovers feed near the waters edge and occasionally wade in to very shallow water. They eat mostly aquatic invertebrates including worms and small crustaceans.
Where to Find this Bird
For people who live on the ocean coastlines, look for Semipalmated Plovers on beaches and mudflats in winter. For those that live in the interior of the country, the best time to see this species is during fall migration where they can be found on inland lakes and sandbars.
Snowy Plover (Rare)
Snowy Plover – Photo by USFWS Pacific Southwest Region
Identification
In breeding plumage, Snowy Plovers have a light grayish-brown back and wings and clean white undersides. They have black markings on their forehead, neck, and behind the eye along with a white eyebrow stripe. In nonbreeding plumage these plovers lack the black markings but due show light remnants of them on their neck.
Range
Snowy Plovers are year-round residents along the western shores of South America, the Gulf Coast, and the west coast of the continental United States and Mexico. During winter, they move to other parts of ocean shores on both the Atlantic and Pacific sides of the continent that they don’t inhabit during the other parts of the year. In summer, some Snowy Plovers breed in the interior of the western United States and central Mexico.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Snowy Plovers are sight foragers and will look around to find prey, then quickly move to catch it. Typical prey items include crustaceans, insects and other small invertebrates that they find in the sand.
Where to Find this Bird
Snowy Plovers can be found along oceans with sandy beaches. In these areas they skitter along with the tidal areas near the surf and the upper part of the beaches near vegetation. These plovers also spend time at wastewater ponds as well as salt flats and other areas with shallow water.
Summary
Plovers are a fascinating and cute looking group of shorebirds that are certainly worth knowing more about. Getting acquainted with these five species can make it much easier to know what to expect in the field.
