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 Connecticut (one significantly rarer than the other), 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 almost exclusively found in Indiana in winter. 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 (Rare)
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!
Warblers are vibrant, small, colorful birds that are a major highlight of spring migration. Michigan is home to a wide variety of Warbler species. Some of them breed in Michigan while others just pass through. Here is everything you need to know about the warblers of Michigan.
American Redstart
Male American Redstart – Photo by Bill Grossmeyer
Female American Redstart – Photo by Alan Schmierer
Identification
Male American Redstarts have a black head, wings, back, and tail. They also have black on their chest and an otherwise white underside. While the black color on these birds is certainly spiffy, their most defining feature is their orange color on their sides, wings, and tail. Females look quite different having a gray head, light underside, brownish back, wings, and tail, and the orange of the male is exchanged with yellow in the same places. Females also have a white eye ring.
Range
American Redstarts winter in northern South America, Central America, the Caribbean, southern Mexico, Baja California, and Southern California. In spring, they not only spread out through the eastern United States but also much of the western United States. They breed in most of the eastern United States and much of Canada.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
American Redstarts are very active foragers and will catch prey in flight more than most other warbler species. They feed mostly on insects but will also eat fruits such as berries.
Where to Find this Bird
American Redstarts can be found mostly in deciduous forests during their breeding season. They tend to live and forage in the middle to high parts of the canopy. During spring migration it’s more common to see them lower down, especially around streams actively searching for food.
Bay-breasted Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler – Photo by Alan Schmierer
Identification
Male Bay-breasted Warblers are extremely unique looking warblers with a reddish-brown (bay) colored cap, chin, and sides, a cream colored back of the neck, gray and black striped back, and white wing bars. Males also have a dark black mask over their eyes. Females look nothing like the males, having mostly gray backs and wings with lighter colored undersides. They do still have the white wing bars and show light striping on their back.
Range
Bay-breasted Warblers winter in northern South America, some countries in Central America, and the Caribbean. In spring, they move up into the eastern United States, eventually ending up in Canada and some of the most northern states in the continental U.S. such as Maine and northern Minnesota.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Bay-breasted Warblers primarily feed on insects (particularly the larvae and pupae of spruce budworm) but will also feed on some fruits as well.
Where to Find this Bird
For people in the United States, Bay-breasted Warblers are easiest to see during migration. They tend to forage in the middle parts of trees but during migration will drop down a bit lower than when they’re on their breeding grounds.
Black-and-white Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler – Photo by Wayne National Forest
Identification
Black-and-white Warblers are white with complex black striping. They have the most black on their wings and tail along with stripes on their head and underside. Males have a darker black patch on the side of their face than females as well as a black chin which females lack. Both males and females have white eye rings.
Range
Black-and-white Warblers winter in northern South America, Central America, Mexico, and some of the southern states in the US. In spring they move north, breeding in many of the eastern states and much of Canada.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Black-and-white Warblers feed mostly on insects and other small invertebrates. They forage in a fashion similar to that of nuthatches, clinging to trees and inspecting crevices in branches. Unlike Brown Creepers which at first glance can look similar to Black-and-white Warblers, these birds move any and all directions as they forage whereas Brown Creepers only go up the tree.
Where to Find this Bird
Black-and-white Warblers can be found in mixed forest throughout the year. In some parts of their wintering areas they will be in more tropical forests, but they also winter in areas like South Texas. The best way to spot them is to look for a bird working tree trunks and branches.
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Male Black-throated Blue Warbler – Photo by Bill Grossmeyer
Female Black-throated Blue
Identification
Male Black-throated Blue Warblers are very distinctive with a deep blue back, dark gray to black wings, black on the face, chin, and sides, and a clean white underside. They also have a noticeable patch of white on each wing. Females are drastically different with buff-y coloration on the body and darker gray to brown on the head and wings. They also have a pale eye stripe and a hint of blue on their wings and head.
Range
Black-throated Blue Warblers winter in Central America, parts of eastern Mexico, and the Caribbean Islands. In spring they move north through the eastern United States ending up in their breeding locations in southeastern Canada, New England, parts of the northern Midwest, and the Appalachian Mountains.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Black-throated Blue Warblers feed mostly on insects but will also eat some fruits. Like all warblers they are active foragers.
Where to Find this Bird
During their time in North America, Black-throated Blue Warblers can be found in deciduous or mixed coniferous forests. They are often seen foraging lower in the canopy but not usually on the ground.
Black-throated Gray Warbler (Rare)
Black-throated Gray Warbler – Photo by Alan Schmierier
Identification
Black-throated Gray Warblers have a gray back, wings, and tail. Their head and face are white and black striped. As their name would suggest, this species has a black throat that is more prominent in males than females. Both males and females have a white underside with black streaks on their sides. Another interesting field mark is a golden-yellow spot between their bill and eye.
Range
Black-throated gray Warblers winter in western Mexico and Baja California. In spring, they move north into the western United States and the most southwestern parts of Canada. They have been known to stray from their normal range during migration and are spotted in states farther east than expected on an annual basis.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Black-throated Gray Warblers are very deliberate in the way they forage for food, slowly moving around shrubs, leaves, and branches looking for insects and spiders.
Where to Find this Bird
Black-throated Gray Warblers can be found in open conifer forests where they tend to forage in the middle parts of trees. During migration they can show up in a variety of different habitats.
Black-throated Green Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler – Alan Schmierer
Identification
Black-throated Green Warblers have a yellowish green back with the same color on the top of the head and the cheeks. The rest of their face is a brighter yellow. These birds have gray wings with white wing bars. Males have a dark black throat with black streaking on their sides. Females have less black on their throat. Both males and females have white undersides and yellow near their undertail.
Range
Black-throated Green Warblers winter in northern South America, Central America, parts of Mexico, the Carribean, and the most southern parts of Florida. In spring, they move north into the northeastern United States, southeastern Canada, and the Appalachian Mountain states.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Black-throated Green Warblers feed on insects and other small invertebrates. During nonbreeding season, they will also eat buds and fruits.
Where to Find this Bird
Black-throated Green Warblers reside in a variety of different types of forests where they are usually found higher up in the treetops. Fortunately, these birds have a very distinctive song, sounding like “zee zee zee zu zee.”
Blackburnian Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler – Photo by Kevin Bolton
Identification
Blackburnian Warblers are among the most beautiful warblers. Males have a black back and wings with white markings on the wings and just behind the neck. Their underside is white with some black streaks, but its their face that really stands out. In addition to a black pattern that goes over the eye and on the forehead, these birds have a gradient mix of yellow and orange. Female and immature males have a grayer back and show duller colored facial patterns as well as duller yellow on the face and chest.
Range
Blackburnian Warblers winter in northern and northeastern South America. During spring they move into the United States and Canada to breed, ending up in the northeastern states, midwestern states, and states around the Appalachian Mountains.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Blackburnian Warblers eat various insects (particularly spruce budworms) as well as other invertebrates that they actively search for.
Where to Find this Bird
Blackburnian Warblers are generally found high up in the canopy where the males orangey-yellow throat is visible. They breed in coniferous and mixed coniferous forests. Oftentimes, to get a good look at one, the best time is during migration when they will occasionally come down lower in the branches to feed.
Blackpoll Warbler
Male Blackpoll Warbler – Photo by Bill Grossmeyer
Identification
Male Blackpoll Warblers have have a black cap, gray, black, and white striped back, and hints of yellow on their wings. They have a white underside with black streaking, and a white cheek. Females look extremely different, sporting a mostly gray body with a darker colored head, back, and wings. They also have a tinge of yellow on their wings and head. Both males and females have distinctive orange legs, unique among warblers.
Range
Blackpoll Warblers winter in northern South America and migrate all the way into Canada and Alaska to breed, making their way through the eastern United States in the spring and fall.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Blackpoll Warblers eat mostly insects and other small invertebrates, but will also eat fruit, particularly during fall. These birds usually feed around five feet or more off the ground.
Where to Find this Bird
Blackpoll Warblers breed extremely far north in Canada and Alaska, so the best time to find them is during migration. Look for them in the middle to high parts of trees in usual places where warblers turn up such as streams, parks, and woodlands.
Blue-winged Warbler
Blue-winged Warbler – Photo by Bill Grossmeyer
Identification
Blue-winged Warblers are yellow with a thin, black stripe over their eyes. They have two white wing bars on their wings that are grayer than they are blue. The same color on their wings is also on their tail and their undertail is significantly paler than their underside.
Range
Blue-winged Warblers winter in Central America, the Carribean, and eastern Mexico. in spring they move into the eastern United States, spending the summer in the more northern part of the eastern U.S.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Blue-winged Warblers are very active foragers, moving in a way similar to chickadees. They feed on insects as well as other small invertebrates.
Where to Find this Bird
Blue-winged Warblers breed along forest edges, in thickets and scrub, along with more open wooded areas. They can be located by listening for their distinctive “bee-buzz” call.
Canada Warbler
Canada Warbler – Photo by Alan Schmierer
Identification
Canada Warblers have a slate gray head, back, wings, and tail. Their underside is bright yellow, and they have a black “necklace” on their chest. They have black coloring on their face as well and sport a bold, white eye ring. Females look very similar to the males but don’t have nearly much black on their chest.
Range
Canada Warblers winter in northwestern South America and southern Central America. In spring, they move north, breeding in southern Canada, the northeastern United States, and some of the Appalachian Mountain states.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Canada Warblers feed on insects and other small invertebrates which they actively hunt for. They will take flying insects on the wing.
Where to Find this Bird
Canada Warblers are most easy to find during migration when they show up along with other small migratory birds in typical warbler habitats such as forests and along rivers and streams. In the breeding season, these birds tend to gravitate toward forests with a lot of moss and ground cover such as ferns. They can be seen moving around lower in the trees but not usually on the ground.
Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warbler – Photo by Susan Young
Identification
Cape May Warblers have a yellowish gray back and wings, white wing bars, and a yellow underside with dark streaking. The most distinctive feature of these birds is their head and face. They have a dark cap, yellow chin and nape of the neck, and reddish cheeks. Females look similar but are duller in coloration.
Range
Cape May Warblers winter in Central America, parts of eastern Mexico, and the Carribean. In spring, they move north into the eastern United States. They end up breeding in Canada and some of the most northern states in the Midwest.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Cape May Warblers feed on insects and other small invertebrates, especially spruce budworm. They will also eat nectar from flowers and hummingbird feeders in addition to berries.
Where to Find this Bird
Cape May Warblers breed in conifer forests, particularly spruce and fir. During migration they show up in a wide variety of locations. Search for them in places other warblers and migratory species frequent.
Cerulean Warbler
Male Cerulean Warbler
Identification
Male Cerulean Warblers are incredibly beautiful with a brilliant blue back and wings, white underside, and blue “necklace.” They have a white chin, blue striping on the flanks, and some black mixed in on their wings and tail. An additional feature to note are their two white wing bars. Females look something like a male that was washed in yellow. They have a greenish blue head, back, and rump. Females have wing bars too, but they are more yellowish than the clean white of the males.
Range
Cerulean Warblers winer in the northern and northeastern parts of South America. In spring, they migrate north to their breeding areas in the eastern United States. They do not breed as far north as many other warbler species, only just barely making it into Canada in the Great Lakes region.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Cerulean Warblers primarily feed on insects which they pick from leaves and branches in the treetops.
Where to Find this Bird
Cerulean Warblers breed in deciduous forests and live high up in the canopy. They can often be heard before they are seen as they make their buzzy calls. Due to their pension for living in the treetops, these birds can be difficult to see especially if the leaves have already grown in.
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler – Photo by Alan Schmierer
Identification
Chestnut-sided Warblers have a gray and black mottled back, a black marking from their mouth to the back of their head, and a yellow cap. They have a white underside, white cheeks, and a namesake chestnut-colored stripe down their side. Females look similar but their colors aren’t quite as bright.
Range
Chestnut-sided Warblers winter in northern South America, Central America, parts of Mexico, and the Carribean. In spring they move north, breeding in the northeastern United States as well as Canada, parts of the northern Midwest, and the Appalachian Mountains.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Chestnut-sided Warblers feed on insects and other small invertebrates. In particular, they eat caterpillars and other larvae which they pick from leaves and branches.
Where to Find this Bird
Chestnut-sided Warblers breed in areas altered in some way (usually deciduous forest). Typically, these areas have been previously burned or logged and are in the process of regrowing. During migration, they can be found in a wide variety of habitats.
Common Yellowthroat
Common Yellowthroat – Photo by Alan Schmierer
Identification
Common Yellowthroats have an olive-colored back, wings, and tail, and a yellow underside. They have a black mask with white above the black. Females lack the black mask and are grayer overall but still have a bright yellow throat.
Range
Common yellowthroats winter in Central America, Mexico, the Carribean, and parts of the southern United States. In spring, they move north into almost every part of the continental United States with the exception of some of the southwestern states. They also breed in southern Canada.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Common Yellowthroats feed on a variety of different insects as well as other small invertebrates.
Where to Find this Bird
Common Yellowthroats can be found in open areas such as brushy fields, marshes, oak savannas, and edge habitat. Since they stay hidden much of the time, listening for their rapid songs can be the best way to locate them. They sound like “wichity-wichity-wichity-wichity.”
Connecticut Warbler (Rare)
Connecticut Warbler – Photo by Alan Schmierer
Identification
Connecticut Warblers have a brown back, gray head, and yellow underside. They have black where their gray hood meets their chest but the amount of black varies depending on the individual. Females look similar but are slightly paler.
Range
Connecticut Warblers winter in northern South America and have a very limited range as they migrate north in spring, not encompassing nearly as much of the eastern U.S. as most other warbler species. They breed in the conifer forests of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Canada.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Connecticut Warblers primarily feed on insects but will also eat fruits from time to time. These birds have a unique foraging habit as they walk along the ground looking for food as opposed to hopping. They may also forage higher in trees as well if that’s where the insects are.
Where to Find this Bird
Connecticut Warblers are notoriously difficult to get a look at due to their sulky nature. People living in the northern Midwest can take a trip to the boreal forests where they nest and listen for their songs. Otherwise, the best time to see them is during migration when they move through and get reported for a week or two. Look for a bird staying low to the ground, and you may get lucky enough to catch a glimpse of these skulky birds.
Golden-winged Warbler
Golden-winged Warbler – Photo by Alan Schmierer
Identification
Golden-winged Warblers have a gray back, a yellow cap, and a light underside. They also have a yellow wingbar on each wing, a black throat, and a black marking on their otherwise white colored face. Females look extremely similar but display a bit more yellow on their back.
Range
Golden-winged Warblers winter in the northwestern part of South America, Central America, and the southern part of Mexico. In spring they move north and breed in the northeastern part of the continental United States, the Midwest, and some parts of southeastern Canada.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Golden-winged Warblers feed on insects and other small invertebrates that they search for amongst leaves and branches.
Where to Find this Bird
For many people in the United States, the best time to find Golden-winged Warblers is during migration. For people living in their breeding range, looking for semi open damp shrubby habitats and thickets can be a good way to find them. Listen for their songs that sound like “Bee buzz buzz buzz,” very similar to a Blue-winged Warbler but with extra buzzes at the end.
Hooded Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Identification
Hooded Warblers have an olive-colored back, grayish wings, and a gray tail with lighter colored feathers on the outside of the tail. Their underside is bright yellow as well as their face, and they have a namesake black hood around their head to their chin. Females do not have a full hood but still show partial black coloration on the top of their head. These warblers have lighter colored feathers on the outsides of their tails that are visible in flight.
Range
Hooded Warblers winter in northern South America, Central America, eastern Mexico, and the Carribean. In spring they move north and breed in the southeastern United States. In terms of eastern warblers, Hooded Warblers do not move as far north to breed as many others do.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Hooded Warblers feed on insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates either picking them from leaves or picking them from the ground.
Where to Find this Bird
Hooded Warblers breed in deciduous forests or mixed conifer forests. Look for them in the middle to lower parts of the dense forest. keep in mind however that they do spend some time high in the canopy as well.
Kentucky Warbler (Rare)
Kentucky Warbler – Photo by Bill Grossmeyer
Identification
Kentucky Warblers have a yellow-olive colored back and tail. Their underside is bright yellow, and they have distinctive black “teardrop” markings under their eyes. Males have a dark black cap while females have a dark gray cap.
Range
Kentucky Warblers winter in northern South America, Central America, eastern Mexico and the Caribbean. In spring they move north into the eastern United States, but their breeding range does not include some of the more northern states in the region such as Michigan and Maine.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Kentucky Warblers eat insects and other small invertebrates such as spiders. They feed low to the ground and often times even on the ground, searching the substrate for prey. They will also eat some fruits.
Where to Find this Bird
Kentucky Warblers can be found in dense forests with thick bushes and understory. Due to their habitat, they can often be heard easier than they are seen. Their song actually sounds quite similar to that of the Carolina Wren.
Kirtland’s Warbler (Rare)
Identification
Kirtland’s Warblers have a gray back with darker gray to black mixed in. Their head is gray with dark black between the bill and the eye. They also sport white eye crescents. These birds have a bright yellow underside with dark streaking on the sides. Females look very similar but without as defined of a black marking near the eye and slightly paler underside.
Range
Kirtland’s Warbler winter in the Bahamas, moving north in the springtime and ending up in their localized breeding areas in Canada, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Kirtland’s Warblers feed primarily on insects but will also eat fruits and even search flowers for nectar.
Where to Find this Bird
Kirtland’s Warblers are sometimes considered to be the “holy grail” of eastern warblers. If you don’t live near their breeding areas, then getting lucky and seeing one during migration is probably your best bet. If you are in one of the few states they breed in, look for Jack Pines between 10 and 13 feet tall and listen for their song.
Louisiana Waterthrush (Uncommon)
Louisiana Waterthrush – Photo by Bill Grossmeyer
Identification
Louisiana Waterthrushes have a brown back, head, and wings along with a light cream-colored underside. They have dark streaking on their underside and a cream-colored eyebrow stripe. Another feature to note are their bubblegum pink legs.
Range
Louisiana Waterthrushes winter in northern South America, Central America, the Carribean, and parts of Mexico. In spring they move north, inhabiting much of the eastern United States during the breeding season.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
As their name would suggest, Louisiana Waterthrushes spend a lot of time foraging along the water. They feed on terrestrial and aquatic insects and invertebrates.
Where to Find this Bird
Louisiana Waterthrushes can be found along the edges of clear streams, especially in mature forests. Keep an eye out for a bird along the water’s edge bobbing its tail. They usually prefer quicker moving water than Northern Waterthrushes do.
Magnolia Warbler
Magnolia Warbler – Photo by Bill Grossmeyer
Identification
Magnolia Warblers have a black back, black mask on their face, and a bright yellow underside with black streaking. They have white markings on their wings, a white lower eye crescent, a white eye-brow stripe, and a gray head. Female and immature birds have less black and show a white eye ring.
Range
Magnolia Warblers winter in Central America, southern Mexico, and the Carribean. In spring they move north into the eastern United States and breed in southern Canada, the most northern states in the Midwest, and the Northeast.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Magnolia Warblers feed on insects and other small invertebrates. In their breeding range, spruce budworm is a major food source.
Where to Find this Bird
During migration Magnolia Warblers can be found in forests, near streams, and in other areas frequented by migratory bird species. During the breeding season, these birds can be found in conifer and mixed conifer forests.
Mourning Warbler
Mourning Warbler – Photo by Bill Grossmeyer
Identification
Mourning Warblers have a bluish-gray head, olive-colored backs and wings, and yellow undersides. They have darker coloration by the base of their bill and eye. Males do not have an eye ring or eye crescents which helps to separate them from other species such as Nashville Warblers and Connecticut Warblers. Males also have a black bib on their chest. Female and immature birds lack the black bib and can show an eye ring which can be confusing when trying to make a correct identification.
Range
Mourning Warblers winter in northwestern South America and Central America. In spring, they move north into the northeastern United States and Canada.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Mourning Warblers feed on insects and other small invertebrates. They forage lower in shrubs and bushes than many other warbler species and can also be seen along the ground searching for food as well.
Where to Find this Bird
Mourning Warblers can be found in forests that have a lot of understory growth. A lot of places they inhabit include areas that have been burned, logged, or otherwise disturbed by humans.
Nashville Warbler
Nashville Warber – Photo by Bill Grossmeyer
Identification
Nashville Warblers have a gray head, greenish-brown colored back, and yellow underside. Their chin is also yellow, and some other features of note are their bold white eye rings, and orangey color barely visible on the top of the males head. Females look very similar to the males but with colors that are slightly more muted. From beneath, these birds can be identified by their yellow chest, lighter almost white color near their legs, and their yellow undertail.
Range
Nashville Warblers winter in southern Mexico, western California, and some countries in Central America. In spring they spread far and wide across the United States ending up in their breeding areas in the northwestern, northeastern, and midwestern part of the state. They also breed in the southern parts of Canada.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Nashville Warblers primarily feed on insects which they usually find high in the treetops. Some have also been known to eat suet.
Where to Find this Bird
Nashville Warblers are said to forage in the middle parts of trees, but in my experience, they are one of the birds that usually spends most of their time fairly high up in the canopy.
Northern Parula
Northern Parula – Photo by Bill Grossmeyer
Identification
Northern Parulas have a blueish gray head, wings, and rump. They have a yellow back, white wing bars, and white eye crescents. They have a yellow throat and chest with males having dark red on their chest as well. The rest of their underside is white. Females look similar but are not quite as colorful and do not have red on their chest.
Range
Northern Parulas winter in parts of eastern Central America, southeastern Mexico, the Carribean, and parts of the southern United States such as Florida and South Texas. In spring, they move north into most of the eastern United States and southeastern Canada.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Most of the Northern Parulas diet consists of insects and spiders but they also eat fruits, and nectar.
Where to Find this Bird
Northern Parulas tend to spend most of their time in the canopy in forested areas. Sometimes the best way to find them is to listen for their “zipper” songs.
Northern Waterthrush
Northern Waterthrush – Photo by Alan Schmierer
Identification
Northern Waterthrushes have a brown back, wings, head, and tail. They have a yellowish cream-colored underside with brown streaking and a yellowish cream-colored eyebrow stripe. Northern Waterthrushes generally have more underside streaking and are more yellowish in color than Louisiana Waterthrushes, but the two species can pose identification issues.
Range
Northern Waterthrushes winter in northern South America, Central America, much of Mexico, and the Carribean. In spring they move north inhabiting an impressive number of areas including the northeastern and midwestern United States, Canada, Alaska, and even parts of the northwestern U.S.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Northern Waterthrushes eat a variety of insects and invertebrates both aquatic and terrestrial. They wade into the water and will eat larval insects such as caddisflies. They have also been known to eat small vertebrates such as fish.
Where to Find this Bird
During migration, Northern Waterthrushes can be found along a variety of different water sources including rivers, streams, and wetlands. During their breeding season, they spend most of their time in places with standing water such as damp forests. Look for a bird near the water’s edge or in thick underbrush bobbing its tail.
Orange-crowned Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler – Photo by Bill Grossmeyer
Identification
Orange-crowned Warblers can vary in coloration depending on region and maturity. Most of the time, they are a dull yellowish color with yellow undertail coverts and a rarely noticeable orange spot on the top of their head. However, in some regions and in immature birds, they can be grayer overall and look fairly similar to Tennessee Warblers. Orange-crowned Warblers have an eye ring that can be paler or more yellow which also depends on region and maturity.
Range
Orange-crowned Warblers winter in northern Central America, Mexico, and the southern United States, making them one of the more northern wintering warbler species. They also winter along the pacific coast of the continental United States. In spring, they move north, breeding in Canada, Alaska, and the western U.S.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Orange-crowned Warblers have one of the most varied diets of any warbler species. They eat insects and other small invertebrates, sap, berries, seeds, suet, and even nectar from flowers. They forage in all levels of vegetation from near the forest floor to the canopy.
Where to Find this Bird
Orange-crowned Warblers will be in slightly different habitats depending on the time of the year and region. In the east, they are most easily found during migration in usual migrant stopovers. In winter, look for them in areas with thick vegetation such as woods and scrubby thickets.
Ovenbird
Ovenbird – Photo by Bill Grossmeyer
Identification
Ovenbirds have a reddish-brown back, wings, tail, and head, a white underside with black streaking, and a bold white eye ring. They have two black stripes on their crown with a thicker orange stripe in between.
Range
Ovenbirds winter in northern South America, Central America, Mexico, the Carribean, and Florida. In spring, the move north, breeding in the northeastern, and midwestern United States, as well as parts of eastern Canada.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Ovenbirds feed primarily on insects and other invertebrates. They are known for being adaptable with their food sources and will alter their feeding style and food sources to match with what is most abundant at the time. They will even sometimes eat seeds. Most of the time they tend to forage along the ground but will also feed in bushes and trees.
Where to Find this Bird
In their breeding areas, Ovenbirds are very vocal and can be tracked down by their loud songs. Look for a bird moving along the ground when in large forests but do note that they may also be up higher in the canopy as well.
Palm Warbler
Palm Warbler – Photo by Bill Grossmeyer
Identification
Palm Warblers have a rufous colored cap, a yellow eyebrow stripe, brown wings, and a brown tail. Their throat is yellow, and their underside is varying degrees of yellow depending on the subspecies. Some other notable features are their yellow rump and yellow undertail. It’s not just the look of this species that can help identify it but also the behavior. Palm Warblers are known for bobbing their tail similar to waterthrushes, this can be a useful diagnostic clue in the field.
Range
Palm Warblers winter in Central America, western Mexico, the Caribbean, the southeastern United States, and oddly enough, western California. In spring they move north into the eastern United States and Canada. Some of the states in the continental U.S. that these birds breed in include Maine, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Palm Warblers feed primarily on insects, but will also eat seeds and some fruits including berries.
Where to Find this Bird
Palm Warblers are different than many other warblers as they are not relegated to trees and thick vegetation. They will often forage along the ground and oftentimes associate more with sparrows than with other warblers.
Pine Warbler
Pine Warbler – Photo by Alan Schmierer
Identification
Pine Warblers have an olive-yellow colored head and back along with a bright yellow throat. They have gray wings with white wing bars, and a white back part of their underside. Another feature to note is their yellow eye ring. Females look very similar but are slightly paler.
Range
Pine Warblers winter in the southeastern United States and some of the islands in the Carribean. In spring, some stay in these areas to breed, but others move north, inhabiting most of the eastern United States and just barely reaching into southeastern Canada.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Pine Warblers feed on insects and other small invertebrates. They will also eat berries and seeds, making them one of the handful of warblers that will actually over winter in colder climates and visit bird feeders.
Where to Find this Bird
During migration, Pine Warblers can be seen along with other warblers in a variety of different habitats. When in their breeding areas, they live in pine and mixed pine forests where they can be heard making a trilling call that sounds very similar to a Chipping Sparrow.
Prairie Warbler (Rare)
Prairie Warbler
Identification
Prairie Warblers have an olive-yellow colored head, dark gray wings, and a chestnut-colored patch on their back. Their throat and underside are bright yellow with black streaking. On their face they have a black and yellow pattern distinctive to the species. Female and immature birds look similar but with a grayer head and face along with more muted colors.
Range
Prairie Warblers winter in parts of Central America, the Carribean, and Florida. In spring they move north into much of the eastern United States but don’t end up nearly as far north as other eastern warbler species with only small pockets of their range being in the Midwest and Canada.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Prairie Warblers feed on insects, spiders, and other invertebrates. They will also consume some fruits and other plants.
Where to Find this Bird
Look for Prairie Warblers in shrubby areas without dense canopy. These may include burned forests, recently logged forests or simply more scrubby areas with few large trees. Listen for their song that sounds like an ascending buzz.
Prothonotary Warbler (Uncommon)
Prothonotary Warbler
Identification
Prothonotary Warblers have an olive-colored back, gray wings, and a bright glowing yellow head and body.
Range
Prothonotary Warblers winter in northern South America, Central America, eastern Mexico, parts of the Carribean, and some states in the southeastern U.S. In spring they move into the eastern United States where they do not make it as far north as many other eastern warblers.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Prothonotary Warblers have diets that vary depending on the time of the year. During breeding season, they eat insects, and other invertebrates. During the nonbreeding season fruits and seeds make up a larger portion of their diet.
Where to Find this Bird
Prothonotary Warblers are sometimes known as “Swamp Warblers” because of the habitats they typically reside in. Look for these birds in swamps, flooded forests, and sometimes even marshes.
Yellow Warbler
Yellow Warbler – Photo by USFWS Mountain-Prairie
Identification
Male Yellow Warblers are bright yellow with grayish-yellow wings and reddish-brown streaking on their chest and underside. Females look similar but aren’t quite as brightly colored and lack the streaking on their underside.
Range
Yellow Warblers winter in northern South America, Central America, parts of Mexico, the Carribean, and even a few states in the southern United States. In spring, they move north and inhabit just about every part of North America including almost all of Canada and even Alaska.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Yellow Warblers are insectivores and actively hunt for prey, searching through leaves and branches to find a meal.
Where to Find this Bird
Yellow Warblers can be found in open areas. Some habitats to look for them in are marshes, shrubby fields, forest edges, and oak savannas.
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Myrtle Yellow-rumped Warbler
Audubon’s Yellow-rumped Warbler – Photo by Alan Schmierer
Identification
Also called “butterbutts,” the Yellow-rumped Warbler is known for a patch of yellow that can be seen right above its tail. They also have yellow patches right below their wings on their sides. Males will have a black mask, white throat and overall gray and black coloration. Females look similar to males with more brown on the top of their head and back.
In the western part of North America, Yellow-rumped Warblers are slightly different looking and have a yellow throat. This subspecies is known as the “Audubon’s” subspecies. The eastern subspecies is known as the “Myrtle” subspecies.
Range
The Yellow-rumped Warbler is one of the most common warblers in North America. Their wintering range covers many of the southern and western states and their migratory path goes through the central and eastern U.S. In Summer, they spend most of their time in Canada, some of the northern U.S. and parts of the west.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
The Yellow-rumped Warblers diet consists mostly of insects during the summer, including caterpillars, ants, grasshoppers, and spiders. During winter, their diet consists mostly of fruits. They have also been known to eat seeds. When foraging, they can be seen in any part of a tree, on the ground, or picking off bugs and returning to the same branch, much like a flycatcher. In winter, they form large flocks of almost exclusively other Yellow-rumped Warblers, but during the spring and winter, they can be found in mixed foraging groups.
Where to Find this Bird
In most states in the U.S., Yellow-rumped Warblers are common in the spring and fall while migrating through and are often seen near water.
Yellow-throated Warbler (Rare)
Yellow-throated Warbler – Photo by Bill Grossmeyer
Identification
Yellow-throated Warblers have a grayish-blue back, head, and tail. They have dark wings with two wing bars. They have white markings above their eye and black by their eye going down the sides of their bright yellow namesake throat. These birds have a white underside with some black streaking and a white eye crescent on the lower part of their eye.
Range
Yellow-throated Warblers winter in Central America, parts of Mexico, the Caribbean, and parts of the southern United States. In spring they head north, breeding in the southeastern United States and as far north as Ohio and southern Wisconsin.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Yellow-throated Warblers are insectivorous and will scour branches and conifer cones. They will also stake out flowers to pick off the insects that are attracted.
Where to Find this Bird
Yellow-throated Warblers operate in a similar way to Black-and-white Warblers climbing around tree branches. they tend to stick to the high canopy of trees however so seeing them can be a challenging task. In my personal experience, during migration this species can be seen lower to the ground while they forage.
Tennessee Warbler
Tennessee Warbler – Photo by Alan Schmierer
Identification
Tennessee Warblers have a grayish-blue head, a greenish-yellow back and wings, and a light-colored underside. Females have a more yellow colored head, and both males and females have a light-colored stripe above their eye and white undertail coverts (an important feature to differentiate them from Orange-crowned Warblers).
Range
Tennessee Warblers winter in northeastern South America, Central America, southern Mexico, and the Carribean. In spring, they move north into some of the most northern states in the continental U.S. and much of Canada.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Tennessee Warblers feed on insects, spiders, and other invertebrates. During summer, caterpillars make up a massive part of their diet as well as spruce budworms. During the nonbreeding season they also feed on fruit and nectar from flowers.
Where to Find this Bird
Since Tennessee Warblers breed relatively far north in the continent, the best time for many people to see them is during migration. Whether during migration or on their breeding grounds, look for these birds foraging high up in the canopy flitting around the ends of branches.
Wilson’s Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler – Photo by Bill Grossmeyer
Identification
Wilson’s Warblers have an olive-colored back, grayish wings, and a yellow body. Males have a black cap on the top of their head which female and immature birds lack.
Range
Wilson’s Warblers winter in Central America, parts of Mexico, Baja California, and some states in the southern U.S. In spring, they move north, breeding in Canada, Alaska, the northwestern United States, and the most northeastern parts of New England.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Wilson’s Warblers feed primarily on insects and other small invertebrates. They will also lap up honeydew which is a sugary substance secreted by some types of insects.
Where to Find this Bird
Wilson’s Warblers tend to reside in areas with thick understory. They will occupy forest edges as well, particularly near streams or other water sources.
Worm-eating Warbler (Rare)
Worm-eating Warbler – Photo by Susan Young
Identification
Worm-eating Warblers have an olive-brown back, tan underside, and stripes on their head. They have a very long distinctive looking bill. In all, there aren’t any other warbler species in eastern North America that at all resemble this species.
Range
Worm-eating Warblers winter in Central America, southeastern Mexico, and the Carribean. In spring, they move north into the southeastern United States. Out of all eastern warbler species, Worm-eating Warblers are among some of the most southern nesting, not typically making it very high into the Midwest or the Northeast.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Worm-eating Warblers do not actually readily consume worms, but do eat caterpillars, insects, spiders, and slugs. The name may come from their preference for caterpillars that are sometimes colloquially called “worms.”
Where to Find this Bird
Worm-eating Warblers reside in thick, dense forests and stay low near the forest floor which make them challenging to see. Listen for their trill-y calls that sound very similar to Pine Warblers and Chipping Sparrows.
Summary
Warblers are always a major highlight during migration and serve as something to look forward to every year. We hope this post has helped answer some questions about these beautiful and energetic birds.
Owls are extremely charismatic species beloved by both birders and non-birders alike. Nocturnal, mysterious, and secretive, these birds play important roles in our culture.
There are seven species of owls that can be found in Connecticut with some being found quite frequently and others being rare visitors. Here are the owl species to be on the lookout for if you are in this state.
Barred Owl
Barred Owl
Identification
Barred Owls are bulky with round heads, white undersides with brown stripes, and brown backs. They also have white striping on their backs, and dark eyes typically looking uniform in color. Like many owl species, Barred Owls have a flat face known as a facial disk.
Barred Owls have a very distinctive call as they make a “who cooks for you” call. They are known to call even when it’s light out.
Range
Barred Owls are non-migratory and can be found yea- round in the Eastern United States, Southern Canada, and the Pacific Northwestern states of the US. Many of the Western states do not have resident Barred Owls in the wild.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Barred Owls eat many different types of small and medium sized creatures including mammals, other birds, amphibians, and reptiles. They have even been cited going into the water to catch fish and crustaceans. Barred Owls typically find a good vantage point and watch for potential prey items, they will then swoop down from above to catch their meal.
Where to Find This Bird
Badgerland Birding searches for a Barred Owl in an old growth forest
Look for Barred Owls in forests (conifer or deciduous) where there are plenty of tall trees to perch in and cavities to roost in. Older forests with taller trees are typically preferable. Swamps are also good places to find this species, especially in the Southeastern states.
Barred Owls are a species that will call during the daytime so listen for their classic “who cooks for you” call even when it’s light out.
Eastern Screech Owl
Red morph Eastern Screech Owl
Identification
Eastern Screech Owls are small, round looking birds with pointed ear tufts. They come in two different colors or “morphs,” with one being gray and the other being orange. Gray morph birds are very well camouflaged as they look almost exactly like bark with a light gray base color and darker patterns on the back, head, and underside. The orange version of the Eastern Screech Owl is known as a “red morph” bird and have a deep reddish orange base color with darker grayish black patterning on their back, head, and chest. Red morph birds have white coloration on their underside going from the throat down toward their legs.
Range
The aptly named Eastern Screech Owl can be found year-round throughout the Eastern half of the United States and Northeastern Mexico. They also make it into some parts of Southeastern Canada as well. The range of this species expands as far west as Montana, Texas, and Eastern Colorado.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Eastern Screech Owls eat a wide variety of small prey items including mammals, insects, crustaceans, amphibians, and reptiles.
Where to Find This Bird
Eastern Screech Owls are not at all picky about where they live. They can be found in all different types of forests including deciduous and coniferous, residential areas such as city parks, areas near rivers and streams, and edge habitat. They live almost anywhere with adequate tree cover. Often times, Eastern Screech Owls use the same roosting sites repeatedly, meaning that they are easy to find if you know where they are roosting. Look for them peaking out of tree cavities or nest boxes sunning themselves, or watch these same places and wait for them to pop out just before dusk when they usually stick their faces out of their roosting site and wait for the right time to take flight for a night of hunting.
Great Horned Owl
Great Horned Owl
Identification
Out of all of the Owl species in North America, the Great Horned Owl is probably the one that people encounter the most. They are quite large with very noticeable ear tufts and have varying shades of brown covering their back, head, and wings. the Underside of the Great Horned Owl is lighter with a brown wash and darker brown to black horizontal barring.
Great Horned Owls of the arctic population are much more pale and even sometimes look white in color with the same barring and patterns as their southern counterparts.
Range
The Great Horned Owl is extremely widespread across North America as their range encompasses most of Alaska and Canada, the entire continental United States, and the majority of Mexico. They also live in various parts of South America too. This species is non-migratory.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Great Horned Owls eat an extremely wide variety of different animals ranging from small rodents to significantly larger mammals such as skunks and porcupines. They will also eat fairly large bird species such as ducks and even other raptor species. One interesting and gruesome habit of Great Horned Owls is to decapitate their larger prey.
Where to Find This Bird
Great Horned Owls can be found in a variety of different habitats including coniferous forests, deciduous forests, swamps, and residential neighborhoods. The easiest way to find this species is to listen for them making their call: a low “hoo hoo.” During breeding season owls can often be heard calling to one another, a practice known as “dueting.”
Long-eared Owl (Uncommon)
Long-eared Owl
Identification
Long-eared Owls are medium sized owl species with very large ear tufts. They are brown on the back, wings, and head with orange, tan, and darker brown colors mixed in. Their underside is brown, white, and orange, giving them the appearance of the bark of a pine tree. Long-eared owls have orange facial disks outlined by dark brown.
Range
Long-eared Owls winter in Mexico and the Southern United States. In spring they move into the Northern United States and Southern Canada. There are many states in which Long-eared Owls are year-round residents such as Utah, Nevada, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, and many more.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Long-eared owls eat a variety of small rodents. They have also been known to consume birds as well. This species hunts for food in open areas where they typically capture prey on the ground.
Where to Find This Bird
Long-eared Owls are secretive birds that roost in thick tangles of brush and vegetation. They often roost in groups so if you happen to find one of these well camouflaged owls, others are most likely around. Some of their favorite trees to nest in are willows, cottonwoods, and tamaracks. Long-eared Owls can also be found by listening for their deep “hoo” calls often repeated in quick succession.
Northern Saw-whet Owl (Uncommon)
Northern Saw-whet Owl – Photo by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region
Identification
Northern Saw-whet Owls are a very small species with a large, round head. They have a brown back and head with white spots, a white underside, and light brown vertical stripes. They have a white facial disk and piercing yellow eyes.
Range
Northern Saw-whet Owls live year round throughout different parts of North America including Southern Canada, the Northeastern, Northwestern, and Midwestern United States in addition to select areas of Mexico. During winter, they end up filling in the other parts of the United States that they don’t inhabit the rest of the year, moving as far south as Texas and Louisiana some years.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Northern Saw-whet Owls eat small prey items such as mice. They also eat other small mammals and small birds.
Where to Find This Bird
Northern Saw-whet Owls can be found in forests ranging from deciduous to coniferous. They are notoriously difficult to find as they don’t usually use the same roost. To try and locate one, search pine stands (this bird seems to prefer roosting in conifers) and look for white- washed branches. Another way to find Saw-whet Owls is to listen for their call between late winter and spring which sounds like a drawn out “toot toot” repeated in succession.
Snowy Owl
Snowy Owl
Identification
Snowy Owls are iconic and recognizable birds. Adult males range from pure white to white with a few dark brown markings. Female and immature birds are white with much more dark barring. These birds always have a white face regardless of the age of the bird.
Range
Snowy Owls breed on the tundra of the high arctic. During fall and winter they descend into Southern Canada, Alaska, and much of the continental United States. Just how far these majestic birds will go is dependent on food sources in the north. While this can be somewhat complicated, it generally boils down to the more food availability during breeding season, the more owls are successfully raised in a given year. The more owls that are raised in the north, the more they spread out, thus leading to what’s known as an irruption in which many owls spread out farther south into the United States than usual. The typical southern range for these birds encompasses the states bordering Canada.
Learn about the patterns of Snowy Owl migration and irruptions
Diet and Foraging Habits
Snowy Owls feed primarily on small rodents. In particular, they are fond of the lemmings that live in their breeding areas. This species will also eat birds as well with waterfowl being a usual menu item.
Snowy Owls hunt on open landscapes and often times sit for hours surveying their surroundings and watching for small rodents.
Where to Find This Bird
Badgerland Birding searches for Snowy Owls along the Lake Michigan coast
Snowy Owls vary in numbers depending on how good the prior year’s nesting season was. In their normal range they can be found in open areas such as farm fields, tundra, and grasslands. The best time to look for Snowy Owls is during an irruption year when many more birds are coming down from the north and flooding into the United States. During these times, Snowy Owls can actually be quite easy to find and end up in slightly more eclectic places such as lake shores and airports.
Short-eared Owl (Uncommon)
Short-eared Owl
Identification
Short-eared Owls are colored the same as the prairies and grasslands in which they reside. They have a light sandy colored back, wings, and tail with dark brown mottling. They have a cream colored underside with vertical stripes. This species has a white facial disk with both dark and sandy coloration just below their bright yellow eyes.
Short-eared Owls are highly maneuverable and acrobatic in flight, flying with rapid wingbeats that make them look moth-like. When flying, their flat faces are quite evident and help in separating them from other species such as Northern Harriers.
Range
Short-eared Owls are a species found across the globe in almost every continent. In North America, they winter in Northern Mexico and the Southern United States then move into the Northern Great Lakes states, Canada, and Alaska to breed in the summer.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Short-eared Owls eat small mammals such a slice, lemmings, shrews, and voles. They will also eat small to medium sized birds. Short-eared Owls are specialized hunters that acrobatically fly over open prairies keeping an eye out for ground dwelling mammals. They spend much more time in the air hunting compared to most other owl species.
Where to Find This Bird
Badgerland Birding scours a frozen marsh to find Short-eared Owls
Short-eared Owls can be found in open prairies and grasslands flying low over the landscape. The timing can be important when looking for Short-eared owls as they are crepuscular, meaning they are out most at dawn and dusk. However, there are times when they have been documented flying during the day as well.
Summary
Owls are enigmatic and beautiful birds that are always a treat to see when out in the field. Knowing the species that are expected in your state can be instrumental in identifying which one you’re looking at and understanding their behaviors. Hopefully, this article has helped to answer some questions about the owls of Connecticut.
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 Kansas with one being common and the other being a bit more rare. Here is everything you need to know about the bluebirds of Kansas.
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 (Uncommon)
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 Kansas.
Wrens are goofy and fast-moving little birds that are absolutely loaded with attitude. Due to their small size and quickness, they can be very difficult to identify. Luckily, many of them have differences in habitat as well as some key features to keep an eye out for that can be used to help differentiate them.
In Virginia, there are five wren species and one that visit annually. Here is everything that you need to know about these five species.
Carolina Wren
Carolina wren
Identification
Carolina Wrens are on the larger side among wrens. They have a reddish brown back, head, and wings with a peach colored underside. They have a white throat and a very well defined white eye stripe.
Range
Carolina Wrens are not migratory and live throughout the Eastern United States with the exception of some of the states in the Northeast and the Midwest. They can be found as far west as Texas and as far south as Mexico and even some Central American Countries. The Carolina Wren’s range is actually believed to be expanding as they are showing up farther and farther north each year.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Carolina Wrens eat many different varieties of invertebrates including spiders, moths, and crickets among others. They also eat pulp and seeds from fruit in addition to small vertebrates on occasion.
Where to Find This Bird
Carolina Wrens live in a variety of habitats ranging from woodlands, to scrubland, to backyards. Typically, anywhere that has some sort of cover will serve as a good home for this species. Carolina Wrens are often heard before they are seen, making a call that some say sounds like a tea kettle.
House Wren
House Wren
Identification
House Wrens are a small, grayish brown species that is fairly uniform in color with darker brown barring on the wings and tail. They will vary slightly in color and pattern depending on region.
Range
House Wrens are widespread across North America and South America with South America being a year-round home for this species. In winter, House Wren’s reside in the Southern US and Mexico. They make their way north in spring, eventually ending up covering most of the Continental United States and parts of Southern Canada.
Diet and Foraging Habits
House Wrens are insectivorous, eating mostly insects and other invertebrates that move along the ground such as beetles and spiders. They have also been known to eat flying insects such as dragonflies and moths as well.
Where to Find This Bird
House Wrens can be found in many different habitats. Essentially, as long as there is some vegetation to hide in, House Wrens will probably be around. They are common in back yards where they can be heard making their chattering call.
Marsh Wren
Marsh Wren – Photo by USFWS Mountain-Prairie
Identification
Marsh Wrens have a reddish brow back with dark barring on their wings and tail. They have white stripes on their upper back and a buffy to white colored eye stripe. Marsh Wrens have a light underside and often times have buffy sides.
Range
Marsh Wrens winter in Mexico and the Southern United States. In spring, they move north and spend the summer in the Northern United States and parts of Southern Canada. Interestingly, Marsh Wrens are year-round residents in some parts of the US including along the east and west coasts, as well as states such as Colorado and Utah among others.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Marsh Wrens consume Insects and and other invertebrates. They often feed close to the base of vegetation in swampy habitats.
Where to Find This Bird
As their name suggests, Marsh Wrens can be found in marshy habitats with lots of vegetation and standing water. They occupy both freshwater wetlands and coastal salt marshes.
Sedge Wren (Uncommon)
Sedge Wren
Identification
Sedge Wrens are a sandy to brownish color with lighter coloration on their sides. Their back, wings, tail, and head are darker tan to brown with light head striping, and darker barring on the wings and tail. They have a white throat, a white underside, and a tan eyebrow stripe.
Range
Sedge Wrens winter in Northeastern Mexico and the Southeastern United States. In spring, they move north into many of the Midwestern states, Great Lakes area, and South-central Canada.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Sedge Wrens eat insects and other invertebrates that they pick from dense vegetation. They may also eat small amounts of seeds.
Where to Find This Bird
Sedge Wrens reside in thick vegetation such as grasses, and of course sedges. Look for damp fields with tall grass or other plants, and Sedge Wrens will most likely be around.
Winter Wren
Winter Wren – Photo by Alan Schmierer
Identification
Winter Wrens are reddish brown with a lighter shade of color on their throat and underside. They have barring and speckling on their sides, tail, back, and wings. This species has a lighter colored eye stripe and has a very short stiff looking tail.
Range
Winter Wrens spend the winter in the Southeastern United States with the exception of Southern Florida. In spring, they move north into many of the Great Lakes states and much of Southeastern Canada. Winter Wrens can also be found in parts of Western Canada in summer. There are also some areas in the Northeastern United States where this species can be found year round.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Winter Wrens eat Insects and other invertebrates. During the winter, they have also been known to eat berries. They typically forage along the ground, searching logs and vegetation for small creatures to eat.
Where to Find This Bird
Winter Wrens can be found in forested habitats as well as shrubby areas with thick underbrush. They seem to enjoy spending time in tangled branches, often making them difficult to get a clear look at. In lowland areas with dense understory, keep an eye out for this small, quick moving species.
Summary
Wrens are fun birds to find due to their energetic personalities and feisty attitudes. Knowing the species that are expected in your state can be instrumental in identifying which one you are looking at in the field. Hopefully, this article has helped in answering some questions about the wrens of Virginia.
Vultures are large birds of prey that normally have a head or neck that is often devoid of feathers. Due to their habits of feeding on carrion, they have gotten a bad reputation, however their ecological niche is valuable, and they are quite interesting birds. There are two different vulture species that can be found in Maryland. Here is everything you need to know about those two species.
Turkey Vulture
Turkey Vulture (Cape Hatteras National Seashore Photo)
Turkey Vulture in flight (Brad Sutton Photo)
Identification
The Turkey Vulture is a large brown bird with a pinkish head that is featherless. In flight, the trailing edge of the wings will show white feathers, with the rest of the underside of the bird being brown. Turkey Vulture will often be seen soaring overhead, or perched on cliffs or other tall structures. They can also be seen near roadsides feeding on carrion.
Range
In North America, Turkey Vultures can be seen in southern states and central America year-round. They move into northern states and Southern Canada during the summer. The Turkey Vulture can normally be seen in Delaware during the spring, summer, and fall.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Turkey Vultures feed mostly on dead prey such as roadkill or carrion. It is said that Turkey Vultures will never attack live prey. They serve as a valuable “clean-up crew” in the ecosystems they inhabit.
Where to Find this Bird
Look for Turkey Vultures soaring overhead or perching up on high structures such as signs, power lines, cliffs, or tall trees. They will often roost or feed in groups. Also keep an eye out for these birds feeding in open areas or roadsides.
Black Vulture in flight (cuatrok77 photo – CC by 2.0)
Identification
Black Vultures look similar to turkey vultures except they have an all black head and appear to have white/gray wingtips when viewed from below, as opposed to white on the trailing wing edge, among other features.
Range
The Black Vulture can be found in many southern and southeastern states in the U.S. as well as in Central America. They are often seen as vagrants in more northern states in the U.S.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Much like the Turkey Vulture, Black Vultures will feed on roadkill and carrion, often large mammals. However, unlike the Turkey Vulture, they have also been known to eat weak, or dying live prey.
Where to Find this Bird
Black Vultures can be seen soaring overhead, or perched on powerlines, snags, cliffs, or on other tall structures. They can also sometimes be seen in mixed groups of other raptors such as Turkey Vultures.
Which of these species have you seen? Leave a comment below and thanks for reading!
Cormorants are slender diving waterbirds with a distinctive shape and set of habits. While there are many cormorant species that live in North America, there are only two that can typically be found in Kansas, with one being extremely abundant and the other being more rare. Here is everything you need to know about these two species.
Double-crested Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Identification
Adult Double-crested Cormorants have a dark brown to black head, neck, back, underside and wings. Juveniles will be lighter brown in color with a lighter throat and underside. Both adults and juveniles have orange by the eyes and base of the bill as well as a turquoise colored eye. Breeding adult birds have two tufts on their head that can sometimes be hard to see, but these crests are what this species is named for.
Range
Double-crested Cormorants live year round along the Pacific Coast of North America from Northwestern Mexico all the way up to the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. They also live year round in parts of Florida. This species winters in in the Southeastern United States and Northeastern Mexico. In spring, they move into the Northern United States and Southern Canada where they can be seen migrating in large flocks.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Double-crested Cormorants primarily eat fish which they catch by hunting them underwater. They will also eat other aquatic creature such as crustaceans and amphibians.
Where to Find This Bird
Double-crested Cormorants can be found in a variety of places with all of them usually being near bodies of water. Look for this species in trees lining lakes and ponds as well as in marshes. Often times, Double-crested Cormorants will congregate in large groups on islands or other places with adequate perches as they dry their wings and survey for prey.
Neotropic Cormorant (Uncommon)
Neotropic Cormorant – Photo by Alan Schmierer
Identification
Neotropic Cormorants are small members of the cormorant family. Adult birds are a shiny black color with white feathers on their head, back, and wings. They have a white triangle on the base of the bill known as a gular. Neotropic Cormorants have yellowish orange on the base of the bill and a turquoise colored eye. Juveniles are lighter in color overall, sporting brown coloration instead of black.
Range
Neotropic Cormorants live year-round in South America, Central America, much of Mexico, and the Gulf Coast of the United States. While much of the population is not migratory, some birds move north in spring and have a habit of turning up north of their normal range.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Neotropic Cormorants eat mostly fish, but will also consume insects, crustaceans, and amphibians. These birds are sight feeders and search for prey underwater where their streamlined bodies make them adept swimmers.
Where to Find This Bird
Neotropic Cormorants live in a wide variety of places including inland lakes, saltmarshes, and along ocean coastlines. They can often be seen perched in branches and other structures near water keeping watch for food.
For information on how to differentiate a Double-crested Cormorant from a Neotropic Cormorant click here to read an article on the subject or check out the video below.
Neotropic vs. Double-crested Cormorant
Birds that are Similar to Cormorants
There is one North American bird species that technically is not a cormorant, but is similar enough to include it on the list.
Anhinga (Rare)
Anhinga
Identification
Anhingas look extremely similar to cormorants with a long snake-like neck and a long pointed bill. They have longer tails than most cormorant species and show white on their wings. Overall, Anhingas are dark colored with dark brown to black bodies and lighter colored necks.
Range
Anhingas are year-round residents of the northern half of South America, the coasts of Central America and Mexico, and the southeastern coast of the continental United States. In summer, they move farther north and have a tendency to move pretty far north into the eastern United States.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Anhingas primarily feed on fish which they actively hunt for underwater and spear with their sharp, pointed bill. They will also eat crustaceans and other small invertebrates.
Where to Find This Bird
Anhingas can be found in areas with slow moving freshwater such as marshes, bayous, and general wetlands. Look for them drying their wings on perches or swimming in the water, sitting low mostly with just their head and neck above the waters surface.
Summary
Cormorants are unique, lanky birds that are a common sight near the water. Knowing the habits, range, and key identification features of each of these species can be incredibly useful in knowing what to look for in the field.
Cormorants are slender diving waterbirds with a distinctive shape and set of habits. While there are many cormorant species that live in North America, there are only two that can typically be found in Connecticut, with one being extremely abundant and the other being quite rare. Here is everything you need to know about these two species.
Double-crested Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Identification
Adult Double-crested Cormorants have a dark brown to black head, neck, back, underside and wings. Juveniles will be lighter brown in color with a lighter throat and underside. Both adults and juveniles have orange by the eyes and base of the bill as well as a turquoise colored eye. Breeding adult birds have two tufts on their head that can sometimes be hard to see, but these crests are what this species is named for.
Range
Double-crested Cormorants live year round along the Pacific Coast of North America from Northwestern Mexico all the way up to the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. They also live year round in parts of Florida. This species winters in in the Southeastern United States and Northeastern Mexico. In spring, they move into the Northern United States and Southern Canada where they can be seen migrating in large flocks.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Double-crested Cormorants primarily eat fish which they catch by hunting them underwater. They will also eat other aquatic creature such as crustaceans and amphibians.
Where to Find This Bird
Double-crested Cormorants can be found in a variety of places with all of them usually being near bodies of water. Look for this species in trees lining lakes and ponds as well as in marshes. Often times, Double-crested Cormorants will congregate in large groups on islands or other places with adequate perches as they dry their wings and survey for prey.
Great Cormorant
Great Cormorant – Caroline Jones Photo
Identification
Great Cormorants are larger than other Eastern Cormorant species. They look different depending on the region with some subspecies having more white on their head and neck. The birds in Eastern North America are glossy dark brown to black with white on their flanks and throat. They also have an orangey colored gular patch. Birds in nonbreeding plumage are a chocolatey brown color.
Range
Great Cormorants are extremely wide spread with the species being found in North America, Asia, Africa, Europe, and Australia. In North America they reside on the East Coast from Southeastern Canada all the way south to Florida and even the Gulf Coast.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Great Cormorants are specialists at hunting for and eating fish. They are known to specialize in bottom dwelling fish that they pull from crevices in rocks. They typically forage in shallower water under 50 feet in depth.
Where to Find This Bird
In the United States, look for Great Cormorants on rocky coasts in the states along the Atlantic Ocean. In particular, the more Northern States in New England are some of the places this species is most common.
Birds that are Similar to Cormorants
There is one North American bird species that technically is not a cormorant, but is similar enough to include it on the list.
Anhinga (Rare)
Anhinga
Identification
Anhingas look extremely similar to cormorants with a long snake-like neck and a long pointed bill. They have longer tails than most cormorant species and show white on their wings. Overall, Anhingas are dark colored with dark brown to black bodies and lighter colored necks.
Range
Anhingas are year-round residents of the northern half of South America, the coasts of Central America and Mexico, and the southeastern coast of the continental United States. In summer, they move farther north and have a tendency to move pretty far north into the eastern United States.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Anhingas primarily feed on fish which they actively hunt for underwater and spear with their sharp, pointed bill. They will also eat crustaceans and other small invertebrates.
Where to Find This Bird
Anhingas can be found in areas with slow moving freshwater such as marshes, bayous, and general wetlands. Look for them drying their wings on perches or swimming in the water, sitting low mostly with just their head and neck above the waters surface.
Summary
Cormorants are unique, lanky birds that are a common sight near the water. Knowing the habits, range, and key identification features of each of these species can be incredibly useful in knowing what to look for in the field.
Cormorants are slender diving waterbirds with a distinctive shape and set of habits. While there are many cormorant species that live in North America, there are only two that can typically be found in Illinois, with one being extremely abundant and the other being quite rare. Here is everything you need to know about these two species.
Double-crested Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Identification
Adult Double-crested Cormorants have a dark brown to black head, neck, back, underside and wings. Juveniles will be lighter brown in color with a lighter throat and underside. Both adults and juveniles have orange by the eyes and base of the bill as well as a turquoise colored eye. Breeding adult birds have two tufts on their head that can sometimes be hard to see, but these crests are what this species is named for.
Range
Double-crested Cormorants live year round along the Pacific Coast of North America from Northwestern Mexico all the way up to the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. They also live year round in parts of Florida. This species winters in in the Southeastern United States and Northeastern Mexico. In spring, they move into the Northern United States and Southern Canada where they can be seen migrating in large flocks.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Double-crested Cormorants primarily eat fish which they catch by hunting them underwater. They will also eat other aquatic creature such as crustaceans and amphibians.
Where to Find This Bird
Double-crested Cormorants can be found in a variety of places with all of them usually being near bodies of water. Look for this species in trees lining lakes and ponds as well as in marshes. Often times, Double-crested Cormorants will congregate in large groups on islands or other places with adequate perches as they dry their wings and survey for prey.
Neotropic Cormorant
Neotropic Cormorant – Photo by Alan Schmierer
Identification
Neotropic Cormorants are small members of the cormorant family. Adult birds are a shiny black color with white feathers on their head, back, and wings. They have a white triangle on the base of the bill known as a gular. Neotropic Cormorants have yellowish orange on the base of the bill and a turquoise colored eye. Juveniles are lighter in color overall, sporting brown coloration instead of black.
Range
Neotropic Cormorants live year-round in South America, Central America, much of Mexico, and the Gulf Coast of the United States. While much of the population is not migratory, some birds move north in spring and have a habit of turning up north of their normal range.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Neotropic Cormorants eat mostly fish, but will also consume insects, crustaceans, and amphibians. These birds are sight feeders and search for prey underwater where their streamlined bodies make them adept swimmers.
Where to Find This Bird
Neotropic Cormorants live in a wide variety of places including inland lakes, saltmarshes, and along ocean coastlines. They can often be seen perched in branches and other structures near water keeping watch for food.
In Illinois, Neotropic Cormorants are very rare visitors and only show up sporadically. They can sometimes be found in marshes, near ponds, or along the shores of the Great Lakes. Keep an eye on large flocks of Double-crested Cormorants for a smaller looking cormorant.
For information on how to differentiate a Double-crested Cormorant from a Neotropic Cormorant click here to read an article on the subject or check out the video below.
Neotropic vs. Double-crested Cormorant
Birds that are Similar to Cormorants
There is one North American bird species that technically is not a cormorant, but is similar enough to include it on the list.
Anhinga (Rare)
Anhinga
Identification
Anhingas look extremely similar to cormorants with a long snake-like neck and a long pointed bill. They have longer tails than most cormorant species and show white on their wings. Overall, Anhingas are dark colored with dark brown to black bodies and lighter colored necks.
Range
Anhingas are year-round residents of the northern half of South America, the coasts of Central America and Mexico, and the southeastern coast of the continental United States. In summer, they move farther north and have a tendency to move pretty far north into the eastern United States.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Anhingas primarily feed on fish which they actively hunt for underwater and spear with their sharp, pointed bill. They will also eat crustaceans and other small invertebrates.
Where to Find This Bird
Anhingas can be found in areas with slow moving freshwater such as marshes, bayous, and general wetlands. Look for them drying their wings on perches or swimming in the water, sitting low mostly with just their head and neck above the waters surface.
Summary
Cormorants are unique, lanky birds that are a common sight near the water. Knowing the habits, range, and key identification features of each of these species can be incredibly useful in knowing what to look for in the field.
Gulls are a type of bird that prove to be controversial in the birding community. Some people despise them for how difficult they can be to identify, while others love them for the same reason.
Michigan is home to a wide variety of gull species. With Great Lakes surrounding the state, many gulls are drawn to the shores of Michigan. Here are all of the expected gulls that can be found in the state along with some that are rare visitors. This article also includes identification tips and information on where to find them.
Herring Gull
Herring Gull
Identification
Herring Gulls are large birds with a white body and head, gray wings, black wing tips, a thick yellow bill, and pink legs. Adult Herring Gulls have a yellow eye while juveniles have a dark colored eye as well as a dark colored bill. Sometimes, sub-adult Herring Gulls will have a mostly yellow bill with black near the tip, making them similar in coloration to a Ring-billed Gull. Juvenile Herring Gulls are darker in color ranging from dark tan, to brown, to gray depending on their cycle.
Range
Herring Gulls are extremely wide spread across the United States. They winter in the Southeastern United States, along the Mississippi River, the Gulf Coast, the East Coast, and the West Coast along the oceans. They can be found year round along the Great Lakes, the Northeastern U.S. and Southeastern Alaska. During spring they migrate through the Great Plains and Western States to get to their breeding grounds in Canada and Central Alaska.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Herring Gulls feed on many different types of food and have a reputation of eating almost anything including trash, carrion, eggs, and even smaller birds. The majority of their diet however consists of aquatic creatures including fish, mussels, and other invertebrates. Herring Gulls are extremely opportunistic and as a result have an extremely varied diet and are therefore able thrive in wide variety of habitats.
Where to Find this Bird
Herring Gulls are one of the most abundant gull species in the state, especially in winter. Traveling to the Lake Michigan coastline in winter will all but guarantee a sighting of this particular species. In fact, a trip to the Great Lakes at anytime of year will most likely yield numerous encounters with herring Gulls. For a more eclectic birding experience, searching out. landfill is also an easy way to find Herring Gulls.
Ring-billed Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Identification
Ring-billed Gulls can be identified by their white head and body, gray wings, black wing tips, yellow legs, and yellow bill with a black “ring” around it. Nonbreeding adults look mostly the same as breeding adults but with tan streaking on the head and neck.
Juvenile Ring-billed Gulls are white as a base color with brown and tan mottling. Their bills are pinkish as opposed to yellow and instead of a ring, they have a dark tip of the bill, making them bi-colored.
Range
Ring-billed Gulls are extremely widespread across the United States. They winter in the southern half of the country and migrate north to the Northern half of the country and into Canada, the Great Lakes states, and the Western States to breed. Some Ring-billed Gulls stick around the whole year near the Great Lakes.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Ring-billed Gulls are not picky about what they eat and will feed on fish, insects, worms, trash, and food given to them by people. Like other gulls they often forage near the water but this species also forages in open fields nowhere near water.
Where to Find this Bird
Ring-billed Gulls are extremely common and easy to find provided it is the right time of the year. In southern states the winter will be the best time to see this species and in northern states the summer will be the best. Around the Great Lakes, this species is typically found year round on the coasts. During summer, look for Ring-billed Gulls in parking lots and soaring overhead surveying for easy to forage food.
The Bonaparte’s Gull is a small gull species with a very thin, petit bill. They have a white body, gray wings, black wing tips, and reddish pink legs. In breeding plumage, Bonaparte’s Gulls have a black head with white eye crescents, while in nonbreeding plumage they have a white head with a black spot behind their eyes and light pink legs.
Range
Bonaparte’s Gulls winter in much of the southern United States in addition to the Bahamas, Cuba, and Northeastern Mexico. They also winter along the Northwestern coast of Mexico all the way up to the coast of Washington in the West and all the way up to Maine in the East. In spring, this species makes its way North over the United States and ends up in Canada and Alaska where they nest.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Bonaparte’s Gulls eat a variety of different food items with most of their diet being found in or around water. Some of the things they eat include small fish and medium sized insects in addition to surprisingly small creatures such as zooplankton and tiny invertebrates. These sleek gulls often forage in flocks and dip their bills in the water to catch prey on the fly. They will also forage in both dry and flooded fields and pick through the shallow water or sub-straight.
Where to Find this Bird
Bonaparte’s Gulls move through the state starting in the second to last week in March when they start showing up in the lower part of the state. Bonaparte’s Gulls numbers peak in mid April where they can be found in flooded fields and lake shores where they often congregate in large groups. In flight, Bonaparte’s gulls are sleek and acrobatic, looking tern-like as they maneuver through the air.
Glaucous Gull
Alan Schmierer Photo
Susan Young Photo
Identification
Glaucous Gulls are unique because they are one of the few gulls species that does not have black wing tips but rather white. They are the second largest gull species in the world and in some categories may outclass the larger Great Black-backed Gull such as weight. Adult breeding plumage Glaucous Gulls are very clean looking birds with a white head, white underside, gray wings, a yellow bill, and pink legs.
In nonbreeding plumage Glaucous Gulls look very similar to breeding plumage birds but have brownish streaking on their neck and head.
Juvenile Glaucous Gulls are even paler than the adults with a creamy white color covering their bodies with light brown patterning. Second winter Gloucaous Gulls can show as almost entirely white with very little brown mottling. Sub adult birds will have a pink colored bill with darker brown or black on the tip of it, making it bi-colored.
Range
Glaucous Gulls are very at home in the Arctic, with the most sightings of them taking place in Greenland, Iceland, Northern Europe, Northern Canada, and Alaska. In winter they travel south spending time in the Northeastern United States, the Northern Pacific Coast, and the Great Lakes. They can also be found inland from large bodies of water from time to time.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Glaucous Gulls are extremely opportunistic feeders. With their large size, they can eat a wide variety of food including fish, aquatic invertebrates, eggs, other birds, carrion, and trash. In the northern part of their range Glaucous Gulls have been known to feed on the remains of polar bear kills a are also recorded as eating the chicks (and also adults) of many different sea dwelling bird species.
Where to Find this Bird
Glaucous Gulls are at home near large bodies of water such as ocean coastlines and the Great Lakes. They can be found loafing on ice or beaches with other species in the winter months (which are the best times to see these large arctic gulls). The coasts aren’t the only places to see Glaucous Gulls however as they can also be seen in inland lakes and landfills.
Great Black-backed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Identification
The Great Black-backed Gull is the largest gull species in the world and even when compared with other large species such as Glaucous and Herring Gulls look noticeably larger. They have a white head, tail, and underside with a namesake black back as well as black wings and black primary feathers. Great Black-backed Gulls have a robust yellow bill and light pink legs.
Young Great Black-backed Gulls look similar to adults but with dark streaking on the head and underside as well as more of a checkered black and white pattern on the wings as opposed to the solid dark gray or black of an adult. Additionally, Great Black-backed Gulls have dark colored bills as opposed to the bright yellow of adults, but they do still have pink legs.
Range
Great Black-backed gulls are birds of the Atlantic Coasts. They can be found in many northwestern European countries as well as Iceland, Greenland, Eastern Canada, and the Eastern United States. In the U.S. Great Black-backed Gulls are seen most often in winter and typically move out of the continental U.S. during summer although there are some places along the Atlantic Coast where they are found year round.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Simply speaking, Great Black-backed Gulls will eat anything they can fit in their most including trash, crabs, fish, eggs, carrion, and other birds. They have been known to steal food from other species and eat the chicks of other sea dwelling birds.
Where to Find this Bird
Great Black-backed Gulls are most common in winter when they can be seen loafing on docks, beaches, and ice on the Great Lakes. They can also be seen frequently at landfills. In all of these places they stand out due to their impressive size.
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Lesser black-backed Gull (Ott Rebane Image)
Identification
Lesser Black-backed Gulls can be identified by their white head and body, dark gray to black wings, yellow bill, yellow legs, and dark primary feathers. They look similar in appearance to Great Black-backed Gulls but will be smaller overall and have yellow legs as opposed to the pink legs of the Great Black-backed Gull.
Juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gulls will be pale white or cream with black mottling on their body, head and neck. They have black bills when young and beginning of a dark back forming will typically be evident.
Range
The Range of the Lesser Black-backed Gull spans several continents including Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, and South America. Most of the sightings of this species occur in Western Europe in addition to many sightings occurring in Northern Canada and the United States. In the U.S. Lesser Black-backed Gulls winter in the Eastern half of the country with the most individuals being found near the Atlantic Ocean, but many other sightings occurring inland as well as near the Great Lakes.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Lesser Black-backed Gulls eat almost anything ranging from fish, to crustaceans, to carrion, to plant matter. Like most other large North American Gull species, Lesser Black-backed Gulls take advantage of human habitation by eating scraps of food and garbage left by humans. They will forage in the water on the fly or walk along beaches, even flipping over rocks and sticks in hopes of finding a meal.
Where to Find this Bird
Lesser Black-backed Gulls are most commonly seen in winter, and are a fairly normal sight along the Atlantic Ocean all the way from the Gulf of Mexico to Maine. They can also be found near the Great Lakes in winter where they flock with other Northern Gull species such as Great Black-backed and Glaucous Gulls.
Iceland Gull
Iceland Gull
Identification
Out of all The North American Gull species, Iceland Gulls are probably the most vexing when it comes to identification. This species consists of what was once two separate species; the Iceland Gull and the Thayer’s Gull. The “Iceland” type Iceland Gull is fairly easy to identify as they have gray wings and back, white head and underside, a yellow bill, and white wing tips. They are smaller and more dainty looking than Glaucous Gulls but clearly discernible from Herring Gulls due to the white primary feathers on the wings. The trouble comes mostly from the “Thayer’s” type Iceland Gulls which can be widely variable in appearance and be extremely close in appearance to Herring Gulls. Thayer’s Iceland Gulls are slightly smaller than Herring Gulls and have a thinner bill. The diagnostic white wing tips of other Iceland Gulls are not present in Thayer’s types but instead are replaced by dark wing tips with lighter undersides of the wing tips, a feature that can be very difficult to see. If unsure about the identification about a Thayer’s type Iceland Gulls, consulting an expert on the individual bird in question is the best choice.
Juvenile Iceland type Iceland Gulls have a white base color with dark mottling while juvenile Thayer’s type Iceland Gulls may be darker overall and will typically have dark wing tips.
Range
Iceland Gulls spend the summer in the Arctic Circle in Northern Canada, Iceland, and Greenland. In winter they move south into Northwestern Europe and the Northeastern United States. This species also shows up along the Great Lakes in winter.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Iceland Gulls eat mostly fish but will also eat other marine creatures such as crustaceans, carrion, zooplankton, and trash. Like other gull species, they are extremely opportunistic and will eat eggs and young of other birds as well as plant matter.
Where to Find this Bird
Iceland Gulls are most easy to find in winter in the United States where they live on ocean shores and large inland lakes. In the Midwest, look for these elegant looking gulls on the Great Lakes. Another less glamorous place to find them is landfills where they can be found in winter along with many other gull species.
Black-legged Kittiwake (Rare)
Black-legged Kittiwake (Nonbreeding) (Photo by Bill Grossmeyer)
Black-legged Kittiwake with Chicks (Robin Corcoran Photo)
Identification
Adult breeding plumage Black-legged Kittiwake’s have a white body and head with gray wings. They have black wing tips, a slightly curved yellow bill, and namesake black legs. Overall ,the Black-legged Kittiwake is a relatively small gull species.
In nonbreeding plumage adults look almost the same as those in breeding plumage but with black on the back of their head.
Immature Black-legged Kittiwake’s have the same white body and gray wings but have a few extra markings that adults don’t have. Juveniles will show a black spot on their head, a white stripe on their neck, and a black “M” marking on their wings that looks like a black stripe when their wings are folded. Juvenile Black-legged kittiwakes also differ from adults by having a black bill as opposed to yellow.
Range
Black-legged Kittiwakes are birds of ocean coastlines. They can be found along the ocean in Western Europe, Iceland, Greenland, the Eastern United States, Eastern Canada, the Pacific coast of the United States, Alaska, and the Eastern parts of Russia and Japan. Black-legged Kittiwakes are most commonly seen in the United States in winter but can be found in Alaska in summer, and also turn up as rarities in inland states.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Black-legged Kittiwake’s diet largely consists of small fish in addition to other small marine creatures like jellyfish, zooplankton, and squid. This species has been known to feed near whales and boats where they they can be seen looking for scraps left behind. It’s worth noting that Black-legged Kittiwakes are not known for visiting landfills like many other North American Gull species are.
Where to Find this Bird
Black-legged Kittiwakes are rare in most inland states in the U.S. They are easier to find along the oceans but juveniles will turn up from time to time in the Great Lakes and other bodies of water. Look for a bird that looks somewhat like a non-breeding Bonaparte’s Gull or Little Gull but with the extra black markings.
Laughing Gull (Uncommon)
Nonbreeding Laughing Gull (Alan Schmierer Photo)
Laughing Gull
Identification
Laughing Gulls are medium sized gulls with a whit underside, gray wings, dark wing tips and a relatively large, deep red, slightly curved bill. In adult breeding plumage this species has a black head with thin white eye crescents.
In nonbreeding plumage, Laughing Gulls look similar but have a darker bill, a white head, and only a small patch of black on their head.
This species can be difficult to distinguish from Franklin’s Gulls but can be done with a little knowledge about what ID features to look at. For more information on this, you can check out our post titled Franklin’s Gulls vs. Laughing Gull. You can also watch our video about the topic below.
Range
Laughing Gulls winter in Northern South America, Central America, Mexico, and some of the Southern states in the United States such as Florida. While many Laughing Gulls reside on the Southeastern Coasts of the United States year round in addition to Cuba and the Bahamas, others migrate north during breeding season ending up in the Northeastern United States and the Great Lakes.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Laughing Gulls diet’s consist of many different food items including invertebrates, fish, squid, small fruits, carrion, and scraps left by people. They can be seen congregating in places with many humans waiting for free handouts or discarded food.
Where to Find this Bird
Laughing Gulls are extremely common along the Atlantic Coast of the United States and can be seen in high numbers on public beaches, often associating with other species of gulls and terns. In the Midwest, this species shows up around the Great Lakes in late spring and while rare, can typically be picked out from groups of gulls.
Franklin’s Gull (Uncommon)
Nonbreeding Franklin’s Gull (Andy Reago and Chrissy McClarren Photo – CC by 2.0)
Breeding Franklin’s Gull
Identification
Breeding plumage Franklin’s Gulls have a white neck and underside, gray back and wings, a black hood, and deep red bill. Some of the extra identification features about them to note are the large white spots on their folded black primary feathers, their large white eye crescents, and sometimes a pink wash on their chest and underside (other gull species can show this pink wash as well).
Nonbreeding Franklin’s Gulls look ver similar to breeding plumage birds but instead of a completely dark hood they have a partial faded looking black hood that often still shows their white eye crescents.
Range
Franklin’s Gulls have an interesting range compared to most other North American Gull species. They spend the winter along the Western coast of South America and migrate north in spring. Franklin’s Gulls are not as common along the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts as they are in states such as Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota, but they can still be found along the coasts in migration. This species spends the summer in Southcentral Canada, Montana, and North Dakota.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
While Franklin’s Gulls eat mostly invertebrates such as insects. They will also consume worms, mollusks, small fish, and other small aquatic creatures. Franklin’s Gulls have some interesting foraging habits including twirling in the water to stir up food items, as well as following farming equipment to catch insects.
Where to Find this Bird
Franklin’s Gulls are an uncommon but expected migratory bird in most states with the peak time to view them typically being the later weeks of May or first weeks of June. They turn up in mixed flocks of gulls and terns in farm fields and lake shores. In the Great Lakes States the best places to find them are usually along the coasts.
Little Gull (Uncommon)
Little Gull (Photo by Ekaterina Chernetsova – CC by 2.0)
Nonbreeding Little Gull (Andrew Cannizzarro Photo – CC by 2.0)
Identification
The Little Gull is aptly named as it has the distinction of being the smallest gull species in the world. In breeding plumage, This species has a white underside, light gray wings, dark underwings, red legs, a black hood, and a tiny black bill.
In nonbreeding plumage Little Gulls look the same but without a full black hood and instead just a dark spot on the side of the head and black smudging on the top of the head.
Range
Little Gulls are actually more of a Eurasian species than they are a North American Species. Most of the population resides in Europe year round, moving to Northern Europe to breed. In the United States, there is a small breeding population occurs in Canada and around the Great Lakes. This species is rare in most parts of the United States.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Unlike larger gulls, Little Gulls are more limited by the type of food they can eat simply due to their size. Their diet consists mostly of small fish, insects, and other invertebrates that can be found near water. Little Gulls behave more like terns when foraging, often hovering above the water and swooping in to catch flying insects or to scoop fish from the surface.
Where to Find this Bird
Little Gulls can only be found in a few regions of the United States. They can sometimes be found wintering on the Atlantic Coast, especially in New England. In the Midwest they can be found sparingly on the Great Lakes.
Sabines Gull (Rare)
Sabine’s Gull (Peter Pearsall Image)
Identification
Sabine’s gulls are a very interesting looking gull species with a white body, gray wings, and a black head. The head is not quite the same as other dark-headed gulls however as it has a darker edge to it looking like it has a ring of black separating the head and neck. The bill of the Sabine’s gull is also unique as it is black with a yellow tip. In flight, Sabine’s gulls show black primaries and white secondaries, making it look like they have two white triangles on their wings along with one large gray triangle.
Juvenile Sabine’s gulls do not have a black heads but rather smudges of grayish brown on their head, neck, and back. In flight, Juvenile Sabine’s gulls show a similar pattern to those of the adults but with the more muted brown tones instead of the gray back of the adults. Additionally, juvenile Sabine’s gulls will show a black stripe on their tail while in flight.
Range
Sabine’s Gulls spend most of their time In the arctic, breeding in Northern Canada and Alaska. During migration, this species moves along the Pacific Coast of the United States. It’s worth noting that Sabine’s gulls are also found in Western Europe. For most people in the continental U. S., the best time to see this species is during fall migration.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Sabine’s gulls eat insects, small fish, crustaceans, and other aquatic invertebrates. They feed in a variety of places including tide pools, around fishing boats, and in snow drifts. They also feed in a variety of different ways from catching prey mid air, to foraging along the shore and picking through debris to find insects.
Where to Find this Bird
Sabine’s Gulls are rare in the Midwest and can typically only be seen during fall migration.
Slaty-backed Gull (Rare)
Slaty-backed Gull
Identification
Slaty-backed Gulls have a white underside and head, namesake slate colored back, pink legs, and a yellow bill. Nonbreeding adults have dark streaking on their neck and head. The key identification feature of this species is the white markings on the wing tips leading to what many call the “string of pearls” look on the wings in flight.
Range
Slaty-backed Gulls are most common in Japan, South Korea, Eastern Russia, and Alaska.. With the exception of Alaska, they are rare in the rest of the United States, but they do show up on the Pacific Coast, the East Coast, and the Great Lakes more often than in other parts of the country.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
Slaty-backed Gulls are large bodied, oceanic predators that feed on many different food items including fish, crustaceans, carrion, trash, and really anything they can fit in their mouth. This species will eat eggs and nestlings of other bird species in addition to eating smaller seagoing bird species.
Where to Find this Bird
Slaty-backed Gulls are quite rare in the continental United States but do show up from time to time. Look for this species along the Great Lakes where they can sometimes be found in groups with other gulls and in landfills, Note that this is a species that seems to be more common around the Great Lakes than it used to be, but be aware that they can sometimes get confused with “Great Lakes Gulls” which are hybrids between Herring Gulls and Great Black-backed Gulls.
California Gull (Rare)
California Gull (Alan Schmierer Photo)
Identification
California Gulls look very similar to Herring Gulls with a white body and head, gray wings and back, black wing tips with white spots when folded, and a yellow bill. One big difference between Herrings Gulls and California Gulls is that California Gulls have yellow legs while Herring Gulls have pinkish legs.
Nonbreeding adults look virtually the same but with more streaking on the necked head.
Range
California Gulls winter along the Pacific coast from southern Mexico to Washington state. In summer, California Gulls breed in Southwestern Canada and some of the states in the northwestern U.S. including Montana, North Dakota, Colorado, and northern California. They live year round in states like Idaho and Washington. California Gulls are migratory and will occasionally show up in states in the Midwest and Northeast. However, they are considered rare in most places east of the North and South Dakota.
Diet and Foraging Behavior
California Gulls are omnivorous and eat pretty much anything ranging from fish, to insects, to fruit, to garbage. They forage on land, in the water, and in flight.
Where to Find this Bird
California Gulls can easily be found along the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington where they are quite common. They can also be seen inland during the spring and summer. Look for California Gulls around lakes and rivers along with more urban environments. Another place California Gulls can be found is at garbage dumps.
Summary
Gulls can be both frustrating and exciting species to find and identify. Michigan has a wide variety of gulls to find, and we hope that this article helped shed some light on how to find and ID them.
