The Common Grackle is commonly misconceived as a nuisance species, but we believe this bird is simply misunderstood. Common Grackles are large, noisy birds. However, we don’t think this makes them a nuisance. Rather, we believe they are fascinating creatures who deserve our interest and attention.
In fact, this bird has many unique abilities and behaviors that sets it apart from other species. From the magnetic, navigational minerals in their brains to their impressive flocking behavior – forming groups of up to a million birds – they never fail to amaze us. There is much to learn about the Common Grackle and trust us, you won’t regret taking the time to learn more about this misunderstood bird!
A Quick Overview About The Common Grackle
The Common Grackle has an iridescent black plumage that bears a glossy shine in the right light. Males have long, keel-shaped tails while females lack this and have plumage that is slightly duller yet still somewhat iridescent. Both genders have sharp, tapered bills and yellow legs and eyes.
A Common Grackle Male (Left) and Female (Right). Left image by Sue Milks via Flickr. Right image by Lynne Falterbauer via Flickr.
Common Grackles live across most of northern U.S. and southern Canada. They are often found walking in fields feeding on dropped seeds and wasted crops. This species is an opportunistic feeder and will eat nearly anything, including garbage. Don’t let their eating habits fool you, however, Common Grackles are intelligent birds. They pass many cognitive tests proving their skills in logic and reasoning. They are adaptable and exceedingly social birds.
12 Surprising Facts About the Common Grackle
The list of surprising facts about the Common Grackle goes on and on! Painstakingly, we narrowed it down to the twelve fun and interesting facts listed below. To start, let’s address why people often regard these birds as pests – and why we think they deserve a better reputation.
12. Common Grackles Are Commonly Perceived As Pests
Flocks of Common Grackles can occasionally decimate agricultural fields with excessive feeding, largely due to their big flock sizes. They are loud, noisy and abundant birds and often display bullish behavior at bird feeders, sometimes earning them a poor reputation among birders. As a result, there have been some tragic outcomes for these birds including the mass culling of them by both farmers and the U.S. government itself.
11. However, These Birds Actually Help Ecosystem Equilibrium
Despite their reputation, Common Grackles are actually essential to the health of the environment. They play an important role in plant biodiversity by dispersing seeds across the land through their droppings. They also act as a natural pest control in agricultural lands, feeding on insects like mosquitoes, black flies, and ants.
10. Common Grackles Roost in Unfathomably High Numbers
We’ve mentioned these birds typically travel in high numbers. But during the non-breeding season, Common Grackles also form large communal roosts. In October and November, these roosts can host over 100,000 birds. Their winter roosts are even bigger and some in the southeastern U.S. can contain over a million birds.
9. This Species Is in Steep Decline
The Common Grackle seems to be abundant. It is, in fact, one of the most abundant birds in North America. Yet, their population has been on the decline for some time and it is plummeting as of late. The IUCN Red List has responded by listing this bird as ‘Near Threatened‘ and there are some conservation efforts in the works to protect this species.
The Common Grackle nests differently than most birds. For starters, the female often abandons a nest halfway through building to start over somewhere new for no apparent reason. What’s more, she sometimes abandons the building process altogether to nest in another bird’s home – using both nests and excavated tree holes. She even does this while the nest is still occupied!
7. The Bird Has a Mysterious Behavior
The Common Grackle is one type of species that engages in anting. This is a behavior that consists of rubbing ants, marigolds, and other flowers and insects on its plumage. It is unsure why bird species do this behavior, yet it is thought the birds may be attempting to use the secretions to keep their plumage in good condition and critter-free.
6. Common Grackles Enjoy Mimicry
The Common Grackle is great at mimicry. It mimics noises from other birds as well as that of humans. It is not as skilled as parrots or ravens, but has an uncanny ability, nonetheless.
5. They Have a Very Diverse Diet
We mentioned the Common Grackle has a unique and diverse diet. What exactly do they eat? Examples include fruit, seeds, grains, insects, and worms. Many will also eat crustaceans, fish, frogs, mice, and other birds. They will even pick through human garbage!
This bird has a magnetic mineral in its head, beak, and neck that allows it to tap into Earth’s geomagnetic fields. This internal compass enables the bird to effectively navigate its surroundings. Other animals also possess this ability including bees, fish, turtles, whales, and bats.
3. They Are Common Characters in Mythology and Folklore
People have long been intrigued by Common Grackles. They commonly appear in North American and European folklore. People also believe they are symbolic, though what they are symbolic of depends greatly on who you ask. Some would say they represent good luck or, for others, a coming change.
Common Grackles have symbology in dreams, too. The message is often positive – a sign of soon reaching your goal or a reminder that resourcefulness helps accomplish your goals. It can also symbolise finding the courage to speak!
1. They Can Be Attracted to Your Backyard
Common Grackles are a bully at the feeder, but they are still a sight to be seen. Attract them with feeders placed a few inches above the ground and away from trees. They eat sunflower seeds, acorns, and corn. They also love a heated bird bath!
As you can see, the Common Grackle is indeed a misunderstood bird. Although often disregarded as a nuisance pest, they are, in reality, an intelligent, unique, and an all-around interesting species.
In the winter, it’s common to see the Dark-eyed Junco hopping and pecking about under a feeder. They’ll arrive in medium-sized flocks, and cover the snow with their little tracks.
Because these sparrows are abundant throughout central and eastern North America during winter, they’re considered a rare “snowbird.” Most other migratory birds head south for warmer climates, but for the Dark-eyed Junco, “heading south” is the United States. This makes them (and the other year-long birds) bright sparks of life in the otherwise cold and quiet landscape.
As such, the Dark-eyed Junco is a treasure for winter birders. In this bird guide, you’ll learn more about these special snowbirds, including the many Dark-eyed Junco sub-species across the United States. We’ll also discuss their range and habitat; mating and breeding habits; and how you can attract these special “snowbirds” to your backyard.
Dark-eyed Junco Overview
The Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) is a medium-sized sparrow in the Passerellidae or New World Sparrow family. They are the only species within the Junco genus that are abundant across North America.
However, within the Dark-eyed Junco species, there are several sub-species that were once considered separate species. These variations differ in plumage color, range, and habitat. That said, these different forms often mix in flocks where their ranges overlap.
Dark-eyed Junco Identification
No matter the Dark-eyed Junco variation, they all share the following characteristics:
Rounded, grey, or black head;
Short, pale pink bill;
Long tail with white outer tail feathers (especially noticeable in flight);
Juveniles are brown with streaks (no matter the variation)
Now, let’s get into each of the Dark-eyed Junco subspecies across the United States.
“Slate-colored” Juncos live in Central and Eastern North America. They are the only Dark-eyed Junco variation in the East.
Male “slate-colored” Dark-eyed Juncos have a dark grey to black hood, a grey chest and back, and a white belly. The female is lighter grey and sometimes has tan or brown hues on her head and back. This variation is easy to identify because they are mostly grey all over except the white belly.
The “Oregon” Junco variation is found throughout the Western United States. The male has a black to dark grey hood and a noticeable chestnut-colored back. He has a white underbelly with rusty tan hues on the sides. The female “Oregon” Junco has a light grey hood and less contrasting plumage colors.
This Dark-eyed Junco subspecies is similar to the “Oregon” Junco, but the males have a noticeably lighter grey head. The female “pink-sided” Junco appears very similar to the female “Oregon” Junco.
The “pink-sided” Junco is slightly larger than the other Junco variations. This Junco form is found throughout the Rocky Mountains. During the summer, they nest at higher elevations in the north-central Rockies region and winter farther south.
The “white-winged” Junco is found in and around the Black Hills in South Dakota. This subspecies looks like the “slate-colored” Junco but has white wing bars and is slightly larger. Furthermore, the males have a lighter grey head, chest, and back than the “slate-colored” Junco.
The “gray-headed” Junco lives in the Rocky Mountian and Great Basin regions. This Dark-eyed Junco variation overlaps with the “pink-sided” and “Oregon” Junco.
However, this subspecies is light grey on the head and chest with a reddish-tan patch on its back. It does not have pink or tan sides like the “pink-sided” and “Oregon” Juncos. Rather, it has more grey on its chest and sides.
In the southwestern United States, you’ll find the “red-backed” Junco. This Junco subspecies is similar to the “grey-headed” Junco. However, this variation has a lighter chin, chest, and a brighter red patch on its back.
Plus, the upper mandible of its bill is darker than the lower mandible. This small feature sets the “red-backed” Junco apart in beak color from all other variations.
The “cassiar” Junco nests in British Columbia and Yukon Territories in Canada. They winter in the Western United States. As such, this Dark-eyed Junco subspecies overlaps with the “Oregon” Junco subspecies.
Male “cassiar” Juncos have a black head and chest, a stark white belly, and subtle brown hues on their back. They have light tan markings on their sides, but they’re not as noticeable as the pink and tan sides of the “Oregon” or “pink-sided” Juncos. They lack the bright chestnut back found in the other varieties. Females and immatures are less dark on the head and chest.
Habitat and Range
Due to their vast range, Dark-eyed Juncos are found in a variety of habitats. You can find them at sea level all the way to 11,000 feet in elevation.
While breeding and nesting, the Dark-eyed Junco prefers mixed conifer forests, semi-open wooded areas, and forest edges. In winter, you can find them in meadows, open woods, forest edges, roadsides, backyards, fields, parks, and brushy thickets.
Most Dark-eyed Juncos in the central and eastern United States migrate to Canada and Alaska in the spring to breed. However, those in California, the Pacific Northwest, and the Rocky Mountain region stay year-round. This is also true for their populations in the Appalachian Mountain range, the North East, and the Upper Great Lakes Region.
In these areas, these birds move to higher elevations or denser coniferous forests to breed. In the fall and winter, migratory Dark-eyed Juncos arrive back in the central and eastern United States. And the ones who went deeper into the forest or mountains to breed, emerge back out to open areas. This is when it’s easier to find Juncos, as they’ll often visit backyard feeders.
The Dark-eyed Junco is considered “socially monogamous.” This means mates pair off to breed and defend their territory but may also mate with neighboring birds.
In the spring, both sexes display courtship behaviors by hopping around while flicking open their wings and tail. The male birds will also pick up small pieces of nest material to show to the female. The female chooses her mate and seems to prefer males with more white in their tail.
Once a mate is chosen and a nesting site is established, the male will sing from a high perch to defend his territory. He will chase away intruders in a rapid flight while chirping loudly.
Dark-eyed Junco Nest
The female Dark-eyed Junco builds the nest after choosing the nest site. Most often, she will build a ground nest hidden under exposed roots, overhanging grass, or under a rock or log. She may also choose a depression or shallow hole in a slope to build her nest. Sometimes, she builds a nest aboveground in a shrub, tree, or building, but will rarely build above 10 feet.
The cup nest can vary in material, but the base is usually made with twigs, weeds, grass, or leaves. The inner layer is lined with soft grass, pine needles, hair, or feathers.
Eggs and Nestlings
The female Dark-eyed Junco lays 3-6 eggs and has 1-3 broods per year. The eggs are bluish-white to light gray. They can have brown or gray markings concentrated at the larger end of the egg.
The female incubates the eggs for about 12-13 days. Both parents feed the nestlings, which leave the nest after about 9-13 days.
How to Attract a Dark-eyed Junco to Your Backyard
After breeding, Dark-eyed Juncos form medium to large flocks that readily visit backyard feeders. Most often, they’ll hop about under hanging or platform feeders pecking the fallen seed. They will sometimes perch at a hanging or platform feeder, but will more often eat the seeds on the ground.
As such, attracting Dark-eyed Juncos to your backyard is fairly simple. All you really need to do is keep a stocked hanging or platform feeder. You can also scatter seeds on the ground to entice them.
Dark-eyed Juncos don’t have large beaks, so they prefer smaller seeds such as hulled sunflowers, millet, and cracked corn. They have a hard time breaking open unshelled sunflower seeds, so it’s best to choose hulled sunflower birdseed mixes.
Along with scattering seeds, you can attract Dark-eyed Juncos by leaving patches of weeds, brush piles, and shrubs in your backyard. In the winter, their diet consists of primarily weed seeds. So, if you leave weedy patches, you’re more likely to attract the Dark-eyed Junco (and other sparrow species) to your backyard.
The Dark-eyed Junco is one of those little birds that is easy to overlook. Quite literally, it’s easy to overlook them because you have to look down at the ground to find them. And even then, they aren’t the dazzling blue of a bluebird or the bright crimson red of a Northern Cardinal. No, their beauty is more subtle, but it is as clear as day if you take time to appreciate this humble sparrow.
Their beauty is in their consistency. When many other birds have left for the winter, the ones who stick around have a special place in a birder’s heart. In winter, these birds converge at a feeder, much to the delight of a backyard birder. And the dainty Dark-eyed Juncos are always there in large numbers, hopping and jumping about.
Do you have Dark-eyed Juncos visit your feeder in winter? Do you know which subspecies is in your area? Do you have any special memories or appreciative words for this “snowbird?” If so, we would love to hear from you in the comments below! Let’s spread some love and appreciation for the beautiful Dark-eyed Junco.
Nature is full of green plants, so when we see something red contrasting that hue, it’s hard to look away. Red birds look stunning in all natural environments, whether it’s fresh white snow or trees covered in leaves. If you live in North America, you’ve likely seen birds of this color occasionally. So, how common are red birds in North America, and which species might you see?
There are plenty of native North American birds with red feathers. Some have red feathers from head to tail while others have small patches of bold red feathers. No matter how much red is on a bird, that bird’s plumage looks stunning. You might see these birds appear in your yard sometimes, but for better odds, explore parks and nature trails while keeping your eyes peeled for red birds.
North America’s Red Birds
There’s a wide variety of birds with red feathers living from Canada to Mexico. Here are some of the native birds with the boldest red plumage.
Northern Cardinal (Male is an Iconic Red Bird)
Habitat: Woodland edges, thickets, gardens, parks
Diet: Seeds, fruits, vegetable matter, insects
Behavior: They can be territorial, especially during breeding seasons.
Interesting Fact: In rare cases, northern cardinals can appear yellow due to a genetic mutation.
Northern cardinals are the most iconic red birds in North America. The males have red feathers all over, along with black markings near their eyes. They have a short, thick red-orange bill that’s perfect for cracking open seeds. The females look almost identical to the males, but they have brown feathers instead of red ones.
These birds live in the eastern half of the United States and parts of Mexico year-round. You might hear their unique sounds, such as loud, metallic chirps before seeing their beautiful red feathers.
According to a study from L. LaReesa Wolfenbarger, the bright red coloring of male cardinals is important for mating and territory. She stated: “Redder males were paired with earlier breeding females, an established measure of mate quality in birds. Second, redder males obtained territories of higher quality, as measured by vegetation density.”
Scarlet Tanager (Male is Bright Red or Red-orange)
Habitat: Deciduous forests
Diet: Insects, berries
Behavior: They prefer to keep a distance from humans by staying high in the trees.
Interesting Fact: They can eat up to 600 tent caterpillars in only 15 minutes.
Male scarlet tanagers have bright red or red-orange feathers with dark-colored wings. Instead of red, females have dirty yellow feathers. When it isn’t a breeding season, the males typically have the same colors as females.
Even with such bold coloring, these birds can be difficult to spot since they hang out high in the forest canopies. During the non-breeding season, scarlet tanagers live in northern South America. Then, they migrate up to the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada to breed, sometimes stopping along the way.
Summer Tanager (Male is Bright Red)
Habitat: Open woodlands
Diet: Insects (particularly bees and wasps), berries
Behavior: They forage high in trees and may become territorial during the breeding season.
Interesting Fact: They catch wasps in mid-flight and rub them against branches to safely remove the stinger.
Female summer tanagers are one of the most stunning yellow birds in North America. Yet, the adult males are bright red all over instead. Young males are a dull yellow-green color, but patches of red feathers appear as they get older.
When it isn’t the breeding season, you can find summer tanagers from southern Mexico all the way to northern South America. Then, they migrate up to the southern half of the United States for the breeding season. They hunt pesky wasps, catching them in mid-flight without getting stung.
Hepatic Tanager (Male is Red-Orange)
Habitat: Open woodlands with pine trees
Diet: Insects, spiders, berries
Behavior: They typically keep a distance from humans while moving slowly across trees to find food.
Interesting Fact: Very few hepatic tanagers have been studied – only 106 have been banded in the United States.
The hepatic tanager is another species that has yellow females and red males. Males have some bold red-orange feathers, along with some duller patches near their wings and eyes. Before they’re full-grown, the males have dull yellow feathers like females.
This species’ range has spread out over the years with flocks living across areas of Mexico, Central America, and South America. When breeding, some of these birds appear in the southwestern United States.
Male vermilion flycatchers have stunning red and red-orange feathers across their bellies and the tops of their heads. Then, their wings, backs, and tails are a dark color, along with a dark stripe across their eyes. The females have a much simpler pattern with mostly brown, gray, and white feathers with a small patch of red-orange feathers near their legs.
You can find these stunning red birds across the southern United States and most of Mexico. Throughout most of their range, they stay in the same area year-round. They fly high in the sky, so it may be difficult to spot them. Listen for their sharp, squeaky sounds to help you find them.
Pine Grosbeak (Male Has Reddish-pink Spots)
Habitat: Open coniferous forests (especially spruce, pine, and fir)
Diet: Buds, seeds, fruits, vegetable matter
Behavior: They’re calm and slow-moving, making them less likely to get startled by humans.
Interesting Fact: They store food paste in pouches inside their jaws to serve to their chicks.
Pine Grosbeaks are gray birds with light reddish pink spots across their head, belly, and back. It almost looks like someone splattered reddish pink paint on them. Females look similar, but their patches are usually light orange and take up less of their bodies.
These birds don’t mind living where it’s cold. They live across Canada year-round, sometimes venturing to the northern United States when they’re not breeding. They also live in northern Europe and Asia.
White-Winged Crossbill (Male Has Light Red Head and Chest)
Habitat: Coniferous forests (especially spruce and tamarack)
Diet: Conifer seeds, insects
Behavior: They wander across forests in flocks rather than staying in one area.
Interesting Fact: One white-winged crossbill can eat up to 3,000 conifer seeds a day.
The white-winged crossbill has a stunning pattern. The males have light red feathers around their heads and upper bodies. Then, their wings are black with bright white patches while their lower bodies are mostly black with white specks. Females are mostly yellow with dark flecks everywhere. They have black wings with white patches just like the males.
These stunning red birds appear across Canada year-round. When they’re not breeding, they sometimes travel to the northern United States. They have dense, sharp beaks that are perfect for breaking through seeds.
As the name implies, these birds are bright red, but only on their heads. The rest of their bodies are black and white. Both males and females have the same color patterns. As juveniles, they have gray and white plumage, but bold red feathers appear on their heads as they mature.
You can find these woodpeckers across the eastern half of the United States. Some stay in the same place year-round while some fly to northern states when breeding and to southern states in the winter. Unlike other woodpeckers, they rarely peck at trees for food, but instead, they catch insects in mid-flight. They may create tree crevices to hide extra food.
“They’re in extreme decline, especially in the Midwest and Great Lakes area, maybe because of habitat loss and changes in their food supply,” said Dr. Henry Streby, assistant professor of environmental sciences and ornithologist. “We’re lucky to have Oak Openings just west of Toledo because it’s a place where red-headed woodpeckers seem to be doing relatively well. We want to figure out what’s working here and see if we can offer recommendations for habitat management elsewhere.”
Red Crossbill (Male Has Red and Orange Patches)
Habitat: Coniferous woodlands, groves
Diet: Conifer seeds, buds, berries
Behavior: They rarely show fear or aggression toward humans, and they wander around in flocks.
Interesting Fact: The bird’s unique bill shape can cross in either direction.
Red crossbills have dull gray/brown feathers with patches of red and red-orange covering the male’s head and body. The females have yellow patches instead of red ones. These birds have pointy, twisted bills, helping them access seeds more easily.
These birds live across most areas of North America, particularly across Canada and the western United States. However, red crossbills sometimes venture far from their usual range, depending on where they can find abundant food.
House Finch (Males Have Bright Red Face)
Habitat: Urban areas, backyards, parks, farms, open woodlands
Diet: Seeds, buds, berries
Behavior: They’re active during the day, frequently in areas near humans.
Interesting Fact: House finches have different songs depending on their location, as if they have accents.
House finches are brown birds, but the adult males have bright red feathers around their faces and chests. They’re common across most of Mexico and the United States (including Hawaii). They gather around bird feeders and make charming twittering songs.
If you’re interested in attracting these red birds to your yard, put small, black oil sunflower seeds into your feeders. Once some of these birds discover your feeder, they may bring flocks of 50 or more to enjoy the seeds.
American robins are some of the most common birds to find in North America. They appear across the United States year-round, but they may travel to Canada when breeding or to Mexico during the non-breeding season.
Their migration to Canada has shifted over the years, according to research. “We found that over the past quarter-century (1994–2018), robins have migrated ca. 5 d/decade earlier,” a 2020 study stated.
Both males and females share the same iconic coloring, which includes gray/brown feathers with a bright red or red-orange belly. They’re most commonly seen toward the end of winter, so people view them as a sign that spring has come.
More Red Birds in North America
Did you spot a red bird that doesn’t sound like any of the above species? Here are some more birds with red feathers in North America:
With this information in mind, you can more easily identify red birds as you see them. Keep an eye out for birds with beautiful red patterns because they appear across North America more often than you might realize. There’s no doubt that these red birds are a beautiful sight!
Conquering the code to eternal life has been the goal of some. Billions of dollars have been invested in the quest for immortality. And yet, so many of us are still being outlived by birds. Despite being considerably smaller than ourselves, with brains nowhere near as developed as our own, it seems there are some birds that can live as long as 80 years or more.
How certain species are able to survive for so long is a question scientists are still trying to obtain a definitive answer to.
However, longevity is not equally distributed throughout the bird kingdom.Whilst some avians live to great ages, others barely survive their first year.
On average, Eastern Bluebirds live to 2 years old in the wild. However, some have been known to live up to 10 years old. Image by Louis Ruttkay via Flickr.
This article will look at some of those species at either end of the spectrum – from the world’s oldest birds, to those with the shortest lifespans. We’ll also be exploring birds that have obtained great ages in captivity.
The Birds that Live the Longest
If I told you that there are birds that could outlive the average human lifespan, would you believe me?
Whilst many birds don’t survive past their first year, there are birds with a lifespan of anywhere between 20 – 60 years.
And that’s just the average – there are many recorded cases of birds far exceeding this lifespan.
There is one particular group of birds that seem to live the longest: the seabirds.
The average puffin life span is 25 years. We can determine a puffin’s age by counting the grooves on its beak: one groove represents two years of life. Image by Jeff Skyes via Flickr, Facebook, X.
Scientists aren’t 100% certain as to why seabirds live the longest, but predation and food availability could play an important factor.
Living most of their life on the wing, adult seabirds rarely come ashore. This eliminates the risk of coming into contact with potential predators.
Either that, or it’s the simple sea air that does wonders for the mind and soul.
Laysan Albatross
The Laysan albatross is a species of large seabird common around the Hawaiian Islands.
A long term bird ringing project, started in 1956 and led by renowned ornithologist Chandler Robbins, on Midway Island in the North Pacific Ocean continues to this day.
And the data has been quite spectacular.
In 2017, at the age of 67, a Laysan albatross had laid a healthy egg. She is the oldest known wild bird and has been breeding on the reserve since records began.
In 2023, the USFWS reported that Wisdom had once again returned to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, making her at least 73 years old.
Black-footed Albatross
Like the Laysan albatross, the black-footed albatross can be found throughout the Hawaiian atoll. The black-footed albatross is slightly larger than its cousin, and can be distinguished by their greyer hues and longer wingspan.
The Black-footed Albatross has a lifespan of over 60 years old. Image by Aaron Maizlish via Flickr.
Black-footed albatrosses are among some of the oldest lived birds with longevity records ranging from 40 to over 60 years.
They, like many other seabirds, mate for life.
Manx Shearwater
The Manx shearwater is a medium-sized sooty black and white seabird. It is Britain’s longest-lived wild bird.
I had the privilege of working with Manx shearwaters in the Scilly Isles, approximately 30 miles off the Cornish coast in the UK. I observed them breed and raise their chicks in burrows within steep and inaccessible cliffs.
On average, Manx shearwaters live to be 15 years old. However, in 2008, an individual caught in North Wales was recorded to have been 50 years old. It was first caught and tagged in 1957.
Flamingo
It’s not just seabirds that have long lifespans.
All 6 species of flamingo have an average lifespan between 20–30 years in the wild, but they can live up to 50 years in captivity.
The oldest flamingo on record was a greater flamingo who lived to be 83 years old at the Adelaide Zoo in Australia.
Betty, an American flamingo residing at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, was 67 years old at the time of her passing in 2022.
Scarlet Macaw
Macaws are somewhat a speciality of mine.
I spent years in Costa Rica working with scarlet macaws – arguably one of the most beautiful birds in the world.
But it’s not just their beauty that is impressive.
That’s right, they’re also on the list for one of the longest lived birds – capable of reaching a grand old age of 50 years in the wild.
The oldest living macaw was named Charlie, a captive blue-and-yellow macaw who lived to be at least 114 years old. Image by David via Flickr.
Rewind to 2012 in Costa Rica. This year marked a significant milestone for progressive conservation – the year when it became illegal to own any exotic animals.
Macaws, one of the most commonly sighted pets within Costa Rica, are now prohibited to own.
Great!
But there was one problem.
In captivity, macaws can live to be 75 or older.
Due to their longevity, many macaws had been with their owners for many many decades and, as such, were proving hard to be rehabilitated and rehomed. Some even outlived their owners.
So, it was agreed that owners who could prove they had their macaws for more than 40 years would be allowed to keep them. Even still, special ownership permits from the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) had to be obtained.
Birds Live Longer in Captivity
The wild can be a scary place.
Predators lurk around every corner.
Competition for food is fierce.
Competition for mates is even fiercer.
But all these worries just disappear for those living in captivity.
Now, I’m not saying all animals should be kept in captivity because, let’s be honest, it’s a pretty bleak and depressing existence – a whole manner of health problems can arise.
However, animals that are in captivity generally do live a lot longer than their wild counterparts.
In captivity, birds don’t need to worry about predators. They don’t need to worry about searching for their own food. They can even be treated with medication if they’re to get sick.
According to the Guiness Book of World Records, the title of World’s Oldest Parrot goes to a cockatoo – a group of parrots native to SouthEast Asia and Oceania.
At 1 year old, he arrived at Brookfield Zoo, Chicago, in 1934, where he remained until his death in 2016 – making him a whooping 82 years old.
But the case of the cockatoo is not a one-off.
There are countless records of captive birds long surpassing their would-be wild lifespan.
In 2010, news of Thaao, an Andean condor, caught the attention of many people. At the time of his death, he was said to have been 80 years old. Typically, wild condors don’t live past 50 years, making Thaao the oldest living condor in captivity, and most likely the oldest condor in the world.
The Birds That Don’t Live a Long Time
The average lifespan of a Northern Bobwhite is just six months, but some can live up to 5 years. Image by Ian Gill via Flickr.
Have you ever heard the saying “slow and steady wins the race”?
Well, these guys didn’t get the memo.
In biology, the whole point of survival is to stay alive long enough to pass on your genes to the next generation.
And some birds do exactly that.
In their opinion, there’s no point waiting around, evading predators at every possible chance.
Instead, some bird species live just long enough to reach sexual maturity, find a mate, and get down to business. Simple as that.
Typically, birds with a shorter lifespan are smaller birds. And ones you’re likely to see in your own backyard.
European Robin
In Europe, one of our most familiar and most loved of all garden birds is the robin.
With its vivid red breast, and their tendency to stay close whilst you do a spot of gardening, they are hard to confuse with any other bird.
Unfortunately, robins have an average lifespan of just 13 months, and about one in four never even reach the age of one.
House Sparrow
The house sparrow is a small passerine bird that can be found across the entire globe.
Despite their global dominance, their life expectancy is very short – rarely exceeding 2 years of age.
Because of this, house sparrows are opportunistic foragers and can be seen frantically collecting seeds, insects and a range of human-derived food, such as breadcrumbs.
This behavior allows them to reach sexual maturity from a young age, approximately just 1 year old.
Northern Bobwhite
The Northern bobwhite is a quail-like bird found across Eastern and Southern USA.
Whilst their dappled plumage offers excellent camouflage in their grassy habitat, they are at the bottom of the food chain.
A whole host of animals prey on the bobwhite – from mammals and reptiles, to other birds such as hawks and harriers.
But despite their short lifespan, they make up for it with prolific breeding abilities. In a single breeding season, a bobwhite pair can produce 2 or 3 broods, totaling 25 offspring or more.
In recent years, populations of the Northern Bobwhite have plummeted, perhaps owing to habitat loss and changes in agriculture.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The only native hummingbird breeding in Eastern North America, the ruby-throated hummingbird energetically darts from flower to flower, consuming nectar as they go.
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird lives to around four years on average. Image by Brenda Williamson via Flickr.
Because of their high metabolism, they must eat a lot to survive – roughly half their body weight a day.
As it is, the ruby-throated hummingbird only has a life expectancy of 4 years on average (although, the oldest recorded ruby-throated hummer reached 9 years of age). However, with human expansion, and the loss of vital food sources, competition is fierce and many do not survive their first year.
How Long do Birds Live? Final Thoughts
The bird kingdom is diverse – not only in appearances, but also longevity.
Some species, most notably seabirds, are able to survive for many decades.
Other birds, such as our own backyard residents, rarely exceed a year or two.
The major factors affecting how long birds live is predation and metabolism.
However, in our ever changing world, even those long-lived species are becoming more susceptible to an early grave, owing to our own bad practices – such as habitat loss, overexploitation of food sources and the exotic pet trade, to name a few.
Are you looking for a complete guide to the warblers of North America, including pictures, where to find them and identification clues? Then you’ve come to the right place.
Below you can find concise information and identification pictures of every species of warbler in North America. Your warbler ID struggles are over. So grab yourself a hot drink, take a seat and scroll down to discover the wonderful world of warblers.
First of all, how do you know you’ve spotted a warbler?
There’s huge variety in the color and shape of warblers in North America, but we can summarize them all as small, insect-eating birds.
These birds are full of energy and are often seen flittering from branch to branch and across the forest floor. They are also known for their epic migrations, with some species travelling from the most northerly parts of Canada as far down as South America.
The name “warbler” can cause confusion, as there are 12 other families of birds across the world that are also given the name “warblers”. Here in North America (north of the Mexican border) the vast majority of our warblers are part of the New World Warbler family, also known as the Parulidae.
The only breeding “warblers” in North America that aren’t part of the Parulidae group are the Olive Warbler and the Arctic Warbler.
In this guide, we are covering the 50 species of New World warblers in North America.
The 50 Warblers (Parulidae) Found in North America
Location: Breeds in northern coniferous or mixed forests, mainly in Canada. Winters in lowland forests in central America.
Size: Length = 5.5 in, Weight = 0.3-0.6 oz, Wingspan = 7.9-8.7 in
Note: Adult male unmistakable in summer with chestnut head and black face. But non-breeding males, females and juveniles closely resemble Blackpool Warblers and even hybridize with this species.
Location: Breeds across most of eastern US and up to Canada’s Northwest Territories in deciduous and mixed forests.Winters in southeastern US and as far down as northern South America in wooded areas.
Size: Length = 4.3-5.1 in, Weight = 0.3-0.5 oz, Wingspan = 7.1-8.7 in
Note: One of the earliest arriving warblers to breeding grounds. Distinguished by its ‘zebra’ striped plumage and vertical movements up and down trees similar to a nuthatch. Similar to Blackpoll Warbler male but lacks solid black cap.
Location: Breeds in coniferous and mixed forests across northeastern North America. Winters in Central and South America, particularly in montane forests.
Size: Length = 4.3-4.7 in, Weight = 0.3-0.4 oz, Wingspan = 7.9-9.1 in
Note: Bright orange and black breeding colours distinguish it from most other warblers. The similarly colored American Redstart lacks the orange throat.
Location: Breeds in Canada and Alaska, mainly in spruce and tamarack forests. Found in evergreen and deciduous forests in the US during migration and winters in northern South America.
Size: Length = 5.5 in, Weight = 0.4-0.5 oz, Wingspan = 8.3-9.1 in
Notes: Has the longest migration of any of the North American warblers, often travelling across open water for more than 2000 miles and 80 hours in one go. Named for the male’s black cap.
Location: Breeds in eastern Canada and US, preferring deciduous woods with a shrubby understory. Winters in the Caribbean and western coast of mainland Central America in similar forests including shade-coffee farms.
Size: Length = 4.3-5.1 in, Weight = 0.3-0.4 oz, Wingspan = 7.5-7.9 in
Notes: Males’ dark blue plumage is a stark difference to the olive-brown female. But both sexes can be distinguished from other warblers by the white ‘pocket handkerchief’ mark on their primary feathers.
Location: Breeds in coniferous and mixed forests in eastern and central North America and US. The “Wayne’s” subspecies breeds in swamplands in the Coastal Plain of Virginia and the Carolinas. Winters in the Caribbean and western coast of mainland Central America in similar forests.
Size: Length = 4.3-4.7 in, Weight = 0.3-0.4 oz, Wingspan = 6.7-7.9 in
Notes: A familiar migratory warbler in eastern US, often heard before its seen with the male being a persistent singer. Listen out for its thin, buzzy “zee-zee-zee-zoo-zee” call. Olive green crown, back and rump. Distinguished from similar looking warblers due to its eastern location.
Location: Found in early successional habitats like young forests and clearings and shrubby fields. Breeds in central-eastern US and southern Ontario. Migrates south in fall, crossing the Gulf of Mexico to winter in Mexico, Central American and the Carribean.
Size: Length = 4.3-4.7 in, Weight = 0.3 oz, Wingspan = 5.9 in
Notes: The heavy black bill and eyeline give this bird a distinctive pointy-headed look. This, along with its two white wing bars, help to distinguish from the similar-looking Prothonotary Warblers.
Location: Breeds in mixed and deciduous forests with dense undergrowth across central and eastern Canada and mainly northeastern US. Range also stretches across the Appalachian Mountains as far south as Georgia. Winters in northern South America in highland forests.
Size: Length = 4.7-5.9 in, Weight = 0.3-0.5 oz, Wingspan = 6.7-8.7 in
Notes: One of the last warblers to arrive at breeding grounds, and one of the first to depart. Nicknamed ‘necklaced warbler’ from its noticeable band of black and gray streaks across the chest on both sexes, but bolder on the male.
Location: Breeds in coniferous forests of North America. Winters in gardens and tropical forests in Caribbean and mainland Central America.
Size: Length = 4.7-5.1 in, Weight = 0.4-0.5 oz, Wingspan = 7.9-8.7 in
Notes: Named after the location it was first described, but in reality doesn’t spend much time in Cape May, New Jersey. Actually, the scientific name ‘tigrina’ is more accurate due to the black “tiger stripes” on the breast (more bold on males than females and juveniles).
Location: Breeds in deciduous forests, often close to water, in northeast US and into Ontario and Quebec, mainly in the Appalachians. Winters in evergreen forests from Colombia south to Bolivia.
Size: Length = 4.3 in, Weight = 0.3 oz, Wingspan = 7.9 in
Notes: An eye-catching bird, particularly the male with its ‘sky-blue’ back and head (bluish green for the female). One of North America’s most threatened migrant songbirds with 70% population decline in past 40 years
Location: Breeds mainly in northeastern US and central and eastern Canada in young deciduous regrowth and shrubby clearings created by disturbance like forest fires. In winter, found in tropical forests and edges.
Size: Length = 4.7-5.5 in, Weight = 0.4-0.5 oz, Wingspan = 7.5-8.3 in
Notes: Note the rich chestnut flanks and yellow (lime-green for females and juveniles) crown. This warbler’s range has expanded since the 19th century, as their nesting preferences mean they benefit from the clearing of forests.
Location: Breeds at high elevations, mainly in northeastern Mexico. The only place to see this warbler in the US is in the Chisos Mountains of Texas in Big Bend National Park.
Size: Length = 4.7-5.1 in, Weight = 0.3-0.4 oz
Notes: Overall understated and gray brown, except white eyering and bright yellow tail base. You’ll have to hike several miles in the Big Bend National Park if you want to see this bird in the US.
Location: Breeds in boreal forest and bog edges across southern Canada and some northern US states on the border. Winters in the lower Amazon Basin (SW Brazil & Central Bolivia), in both forest and dense scrubland.
Size: Length = 5.1-5.9 in, Weight = 0.5 oz, Wingspan = 8.7-9.4 in
Notes: A gray-hooded bird with a bold white eyering and yellow belly. With its preference for remote breeding areas and tendency to stay under thick vegetation cover, this bird has a reputation for being difficult to spot.
Location: Breeds only in juniper-oak woodlands in the Edwards Plateau, central Texas. Winters in pine-oak mountain forests of Mexico and northern Central America.
Size: Length = 4.7-5.1 in, Weight = 0.3-0.5 oz, Wingspan = 7.5-8.3 in
Notes: Identifiable lemon-yellow face with black eyeline. This bird is known as the “Gold Finch of Texas,” as it only nests in this state. Unfortunately, multiple threats like habitat loss is pushing this bird to extinction.
Location: Breeds in Great Lakes states, the central and southern Appalachians, and southern Canada in forested and shrubby habitats. Winters in open woodlands and shade-coffee plantations in Central and South America.
Size: Length = 5.1 in, Weight = 0.3-0.4 oz
Notes: Silvery gray with yellow wing patches and crown. Males have a bold black-and-white face pattern. Often hybridizes with the Blue-winged Warbler and faces strong competition from this species, which appears to be leading to its decline.
Location: Nests in mountainous pine-oak and pine forests in southwestern US, Mexico and Central America. Winters in similar habitat in Mexico and Central America.
Size: Length = 4.7 in, Weight = 0.3 oz, Wingspan = 7.9 in
Notes: Ashy gray above with yellow face and throat, while mainly white below. Similar looking to Yellow-throated Warblers but lacks long bill, used for probing in bark and pine cones for insects, and white face.
Location: Breeds in conifer forests along west coast of US, in western Oregon and Washington, and in California. Winters in mountainous pine-oak forests in Mexico, Central America and southern Californian coast.
Size: Length = 5.5 in, Weight = 0.3-0.5 oz, Wingspan = 7.9 in
Notes: Named after its elusiveness and trickiness to spot. Hybridizes with the closely related Townsend’s Warbler and is also being outcompeted by this species in overlapping areas. The full yellow face distinguishes this species.
Location: Breeds in deciduous forest in the east from southern Canada to Florida, and as far west as Texas. Winters in lowland areas of Caribbean, central America and northern South America.
Size: Length = 5.1 in, Weight = 0.3-0.4 oz, Wingspan = 6.9 in
Notes: Olive-green above and yellow below. Males have distinctive black hood and throat. Flits from branch to branch, flashing its white outer tail feathers.
Location: Breeds in deep, deciduous forest usually close to water in eastern US. Winters in similar habitat in Mexico, Central America and northern South America. Sometimes found in the Caribbean.
Size: Length = 5.1 in, Weight = 0.5 oz, Wingspan = 7.9-8.7 in
Notes: More often heard then seen in its dense forest habitat. Nests on the ground in thick shrub or at the base of a tree. Distinctive black “sideburns” and bright yellow “spectacles”.
Location: One of the smallest breeding ranges of any North American bird. Breeds mainly in north-central lower Michigan with small numbers in upper Michigan, Wisconsin and Ontario. Winters in the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands.
Size: Length = 5.5-5.9 in, Weight = 0.4-0.6 oz
Notes: Large warblers with specific nesting habitat requirements of dense and young Jack Pine trees in sandy soil, where they construct their nests on the ground. Very limited range. Distinguished from the similar-looking Yellow-rumped Warbler by its entire yellow underside and gray rump.
Location: Breeds in desert dry washes or areas along streambeds in southwestern US and north Mexico, mainly in the Sonoran Desert. Winters in western Mexico.
Size: Length = 3.5-4.7 in, Weight = 0.2-0.3 oz
Notes: A small gray warbler, actually North America’s smallest warbler, with a cinnamon rump and crown patch. Nests in tree or cacti cavities and woodpecker holes and is one of the only two cavity-nesting warblers (the Prothonotary Warbler is the other).
Location: Breeds in dense forest, often near water, from southern Alaska and the Yukon south to California and east to western South Dakota. A small population breeds in northern Mexico. Winters in similar habitat in Mexico and Central America.
Size: Length = 3.5-4.7 in, Weight = 0.2-0.3 oz
Notes: Once considered the same species as the Mourning Warbler but recent research found differences in morphology and song that separate the species. Also similar in appearance to the Connecticut Warbler, but notice the distinctive white crescents above and below the eye.
Location: Breeds in small conifers in coniferous and mixed forests in Canada, Great Lakes region, New England and northern Appalachians. Winters in tropical forests and scrub in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.
Size: Length = 4.3-5.1 in, Weight = 0.2-0.5 oz, Wingspan = 6.3-7.9 in
Notes: Named ‘Magnolia’ as the first specimen of this bird was collected from a Magnolia tree, although you won’t often find this bird there. Identify by its white undertail coverts and black tail tip.
Location: Nests in berry-bearing plants in boreal forest northern US and southern Canada. Winters in lowland and highland tropical forest gaps and edges in Central and South America.
Size: Length = 3.9-5.9 in, Weight = 0.4-0.5 oz, Wingspan = 7.1 in
Notes: Once considered the same species as the MacGillivray’s Warbler but recent research found differences in morphology and song that separate the species. Also similar in appearance to the Connecticut Warbler, but lacks bold white eyerings or crescents.
Location: Breeds in shrubby tangles and regrowing forest clearings in northern and western US and southern Canada. Winters in southern California and Texas, Mexico and northern Central America.
Size: Length = 4.3-5.1 in, Weight = 0.2-0.5 oz, Wingspan = 6.7-7.9 in
Notes: Not found in Nashville, Tennessee except during migration. Boisterous yellow songster with gray hood, distinguished from below by its yellow breast, white lower belly and yellow undertail coverts.
Location: Breeds in low, densely vegetated habitats, not tall trees, across Alaska and Canada, south through the Rockies and Pacific Coast down to northern Baja California, Mexico. Winters across entire US Pacific Coast, and in southeastern US, and down across most of Mexico.
Size: Length = 4.3-5.5 in, Weight = 0.3-0.4 oz, Wingspan = 7.5 in
Notes: One of the dullest-colored warblers, with an overall yellow-olive color with grayish tones. The namesake orange crown patch is rarely seen. Western population are brighter-colored than the eastern counterparts.
Location: Breeds in mature deciduous and mixed forests across Canada and the eastern and central US. Winters in lowland forest in Florida, Central America, northern Venezuela and across the Caribbean.
Size: Length = 4.3-5.5 in, Weight = 0.6-1 oz, Wingspan = 7.5-10.2 in
Notes: The name of this bird comes from its dome-shaped nest which has a likeness to an fashioned brick oven. Often mistaken for Wood Thrush but is striped not spotted on the chest and belly.
Location: Breeds in boreal forest across west-central Canada east to Labrador and Newfoundland and south to very northern US. Winters in weedy fields and forest edges in southeastern US, Caribbean and Central America.
Size: Length = 4.7-5.5 in, Weight = 0.3-0.5 oz, Wingspan = 7.9-8.3 in
Notes: With its tendency to walk on the ground and wag its tail, this bird isn’t a typical warbler. Many people spot this bird on their spring and fall migration across eastern US. Large and stocky with a rusty cap.
Location: Breeds in pine forest or pine trees in deciduous woods across eastern US and southern Canada. Winters in similar habitat in central and southern eastern US.
Size: Length = 5.1-5.5 in, Weight = 0.3-0.5 oz, Wingspan = 7.5-9.1 in
Notes: Yellowish bird with an olive back an two distinctive white bars on its gray wings. Often on tops of pine trees but occasionally visits backyard feeders.
Location: Breeds in early successional habitats like scrubby fields, clearcuts and open woods in eastern US. Winters in similar habitat in south Florida and the Caribbean.
Size: Length = 4.3 in, Weight = 0.2-0.3 oz
Notes: Identify this bird from its semi-circle marking under the eye and line across the eye, which is black in males and grey in females and juveniles. Yellow underneath with black streaking on the flanks.
Location: Breeds in swamps and flooded woodlands in southeastern US. Winters in Central America and northern South America in coastal mangroves and lowland forests along streams.
Size: Length = 5.1 in, Weight = 0.4-0.5 oz, Wingspan = 8-9 in
Notes: Named after its bright golden yellow coloring which resembles the robes of a “Prothonotary” or clerk in the Roman Catholic Church. The wings and tail are blue-gray and its back yellow-olive.
Location: Breeds in “sky-islands” – coniferous/oak forests on the top of isolated mountains rising from dry desert in southwestern US and northwestern Mexico. Winters in similar habitat across Mexico and Central America.
Size: Length = 5.1 in, Weight = 0.4-0.5 oz, Wingspan = 8-9 in
Notes: This is an easy one to ID, with both males and females possessing the brilliant red face and ear patch. The Painted Redstart is the only other warbler with red plumage, but this bird has a red belly and not a red face.
Location: Only occasionally visits southeastern Arizona and southern Texas. Mainly found in low, brushy vegetation from Guatemala to northern Mexico.
Size: Length = 5.1 in, Weight = 0.4 oz
Notes: Distinctive rufous-colored head with white stripes above and below the eyeline. The subspecies that is sometimes spotted in the US has a lemon-yellow chest and white belly.
Location: Breeds in swamps, pine plantations and rhododendron thickets in southeastern US from eastern Texas to southern West Virginia. Winters in forests in northern Caribbean and in Mexico, Belize and northern Guatemala.
Size: Length = 5.1-5.5 in, Weight = 0.4-0.5 oz, Wingspan = 8.7-9.4 in
Notes: A very secretive bird and difficult to spot in the thick undergrowth its often concealed in. A brownish olive bird with a pale “eyebrow” and long, pink legs.
Location: Breeds in boreal forests and thickets across much of Alaska and Canada and very northern US. Winters in open woods, particularly shade-coffee plantations, in Central and northern South America
Size: Length = 3.9-5.1 in, Weight = 0.3 oz, Wingspan = 7.5-7.9 in
Notes: Overall greenish on top and white underneath, males have a gray head and white line over the eye. Poorly named as it can only found in Tennessee during its migration. Smaller and shorter-tailed than the similar-looking Red-eyed Vireo.
Location: Breeds in coniferous forests in southern Alaska and northwestern Canada south into the US Pacific Northwest. Winters either along the West Coast from Oregon down to north Mexico or south to the highlands of central Mexico and Central America.
Size: Length = 4.7-5.0 in, Weight = 0.3-0.4 oz, Wingspan = 7.5-8.3 in
Notes: Yellow face and breast with a black cheek patch, cap and throat. Also two thick white wingbars. Often hybridizes with the closely related Hermit Warblers where their ranges overlap.
Location: Breeds in pinyon-pine and oak woodlands in the southwestern Rocky Mountain states. Winters in thorn scrub and tropical forest at mid-elevations in Mexico.
Size: Length = 4.0-4.7 in, Weight = 0.2-0.4 oz, Wingspan = 7.5 in
Notes: Gray from above and white from below with yellow highlights on the chest and tail. Bright white eyering. Also has a longer, thinner tail than other warblers. Another confusing name – this bird is not found in Virginia.
Location: Breeds in low, shrubby areas across most of Canada south down the US West Coast, Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada to southern California. Winters mainly in Mexico and Central America, but some stay in southern California and along the Gulf Coast in Louisiana and Texas.
Size: Length = 3.9-4.7 in, Weight = 0.2-0.3 oz, Wingspan = 5.5-6.7 in
Notes: Latin name ‘pusilla’ means tiny and this bird is indeed one of the smallest warblers. Easily identifiable from its black “beret” cap and energetic tail wagging and wing flickering. Bright yellow from above.
Location: Breeds across eastern US in woodland habitats with dense understory. Winters in many habitat types, from mangroves to mountain forests, in southern Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America.
Size: Length = 4.4-5.2 in, Weight = 0.4-0.5 oz, Wingspan = 7.9-8.7 in
Notes: Distinctive stripes on its buff-colored head. Underparts are also buff but brown-olive from above. Hard to spot in their preferred dense habitat so listen out for the male’s very rapid trill song.
Location: Breeds across most of Canada, Alaska and US, excluding the southwestern states, in shrubby thickets and woods particularly near water. Winters mainly in mangrove forests of Central and South America.
Size: Length = 4.7-5.1 in, Weight = 0.3-0.4 oz, Wingspan = 6.3-7.9 in
Notes: The most widespread American wood-warbler, and also an easy one to identify. This is North America’s yellowest warbler and has prominent black eyes and an unmarked face. Males have cinnamon streaking on the breast.
Location: Breeds in coniferous and mixed forests from northern Alaska and Canada to the midwestern States. Winters in a variety of open and second-growth habitats across central and southwestern US south all the way to Panama.
Size: Length = 4.7-5.5 in, Weight = 0.4-0.5 oz, Wingspan = 7.5-9.1 in
Notes: Affectionally named “butter-butt” from the bright yellow rump that distinguishes this species. Adult also have a yellow crown patch. Widespread and well-known.
Location: Breeds in forest canopies in southeastern US. Winters in the most southerly points of the US south to Central America and the Caribbean, often in palm trees.
Size: Length = 5.1-5.5 in, Weight = 0.3-0.4 oz, Wingspan = 8.3 in
Notes: One of the few warblers that can be found during the winter in the US. Identified by its yellow throat offset by a black triangle marking below the eye. Overall gray and white with black streaks down the sides.
Location: Breeds in thick vegetation, especially in marshy areas, across most of North America. Winters in shrubby habitats in the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico.
Size: Length = 4.3-5.1 in, Weight = 0.3 oz, Wingspan = 5.9-7.5 in
Notes: Identify the male with its black “bandit” mask. The female is brownish-green with a yellow throat and unmarked face. Listen for the male’s wichety-wichety-wichety song in marshes, wetland edges and brushy fields.
Location: Breeds across most of eastern US and into southeastern Canada in deciduous and coniferous forests. Winters in Florida, Mexico, northern Central America, and the Caribbean.
Size: Length = 4.3-4.7 in, Weight = 0.2-0.4 oz, Wingspan = 6.3-7.1 in
Notes: Distinguished by its white eye crescents, yellow-green back patch and chestnut band across the breast. Look for this bird in forests laden with Spanish moss or beard lichens – its nest-building materials.
Location: Breeds across most of northeastern and central US and southern Canada in second-growth woodland. Winters in lowland forests and edges from the tip of Florida across the Caribbean, as well as Central America to northern South America.
Size: Length = 4.3-5.1 in, Weight = 0.2-0.3 oz, Wingspan = 6.3-7.5 in
Notes: Males are glossy black with bright orange patches on the sides, wings and tail. In contrast, females and juveniles are olive-brown with a gray head and underparts and lemon-yellow patches instead.
Location: Only found in southern US, in parts of Arizona, New Mexico and West Texas, during breeding. Otherwise resides and winters in Mexico and Central America. Chooses highland pine-oak and oak as its habitat.
Size: Length = 5.1-5.9 in, Weight = 0.3-0.4 oz, Wingspan = 8.3 in
Notes: Velvety black overall with a scarlet-red belly, white wing patch and outer tail feathers and a white crescent under the eyes. Juvenile is gray instead of scarlet below.
Location: Nests along woodland streams across most of eastern US and north into Ontario. Winters in tropical lowlands from Mexico to northwestern South America and the Caribbean.
Size: Length = 5.9-6.1 in, Weight = 0.6-0.8 oz, Wingspan = 9.4-10.6 in
Notes: Thrush-like long brown body with brown streaking and long legs. Fewer streaks on breast and throat than the Northern Waterthrush. Found walking along streams bobbing its tail up and down.
Location: Breeds in bogs, swamps and streambanks across the lower two-thirds of Canada and Alaska and very northern US. Winters in a variety of forest, farm and garden habitats from southern Florida, Louisiana and Texas to northern South America and the Caribbean.
Size: Length = 4.7-5.5 in, Weight = 0.5-0.7 oz, Wingspan = 8.9-10 in
Notes: Very similar thrush-like appearance as the Louisiana Waterthrush, although underparts are whiter and “eyebrow” more buff-colored. Heavily streaked below.
Location: Breeding range just barely extends into southern Texas. Otherwise, these forest and woodland birds reside year-long from Mexico all the way to northern Argentina.
Size: Length = 4.3-4.5 in, Weight = 0.2-0.3 oz
Notes: Colorful with blue-grey upperparts and yellow-orange underparts. Brighter-colored than the Northern Parula and lacks its white eye-arcs and chesnut breast band.
With their striking blue plumage, male Indigo Buntings are a summer favorite amongst birders. They delight the air with their songs, sitting proudly on their perches. Whether you spot an Indigo Bunting on the roadside, out in the field, or your backyard, it is always a memorable experience.
In this birdwatching guide, you’ll learn where Indigo buntings are, how to identify them, and tips for attracting them to your backyard. We’ll also explore what makes them so unique, other than their lovely blue feathers, of course.
Indigo Bunting Identification
Indigo buntings (Passerina cyanea) are small, sparrow-sized birds in the Cardinalidae or Cardinal family. Like other cardinal family members, they have a short tail and a conical bill.
The male Indigo Bunting is easy to identify during breeding season with his dark blue plumage from head to tail. The head has slightly darker blue feathers than the rest of the body. The wings are black and blue.
The non-breeding male is less noticeable and takes on more brown plumage on his head, back, and belly. While molting, he can have patchy areas of brown and blue.
An adult male Indigo Bunting in breeding plumage (left) and an adult non-breeding male (right). Left image by Greatblue1 via Flickr. Right image by Karen Hooper via Flickr.
The immature male and female are less conspicuous, with dark brown feathers above and pale tan below. They have faint sparrow-like streaks on the chest. Females stay more camouflaged to help protect their young, which they predominantly rear.
An adult female Indigo Bunting (left) and a juvenile (right). Left image by Mike Nolen via Flickr. Right image by Larry Reis via Flickr.
What do Indigo Buntings Sound Like?
One of the easiest ways to spot an Indigo Bunting is by listening for their song in their preferred habitat. The males like to perch on top of tall grass or shrubs and loudly sing their rapid and excited song. Once you hear it, you’ll soon spot the little bird nearby, perched on a branch above the shrubby undergrowth where the female hides.
I recommend listening closely to their song on Audubon to familiarize yourself with its pattern and pitch. That way, when you hear it out in the field, you’ll quickly recognize and locate the Indigo Bunting.
Range and Habitat
In the spring, Indigo Buntings migrate across the Gulf of Mexico and the Great Plains states to breed throughout the Central and Eastern United States. Their range extends from Eastern North Dakota down to Eastern Texas all the way over to the East Coast. The Indigo Bunting is also found in parts of the Southwest, from Southern Colorado over to Southern California.
The Indigo Bunting is abundant and widespread, making them easy to find if you know where to look. For breeding and nesting, they prefer brushy and weedy edges, such as roadside, fields, and forest edges.
You can find them in orchards, meadows bordering a forest, railroad or powerline clearings within a forest, swamp and wetland edges, and woodland clearings. In their western range, they are most often found near streams.
During migration, they travel in flocks, foraging in open lawns, grasslands, and fields. They migrate to their non-breeding grounds from September to mid-November.
Indigo Buntings winter in southern Florida, southern Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean Islands, and northern South America. In these areas, they prefer brushy habitats, such as forest undergrowth, weedy fields, and woodland edges.
How to Attract an Indigo Bunting to Your Backyard
The best way to attract Indigo Buntings to your backyard is to provide (or maintain) their preferred habitat. This means leaving an area of weeds and shrubs to nest in.
They especially love thistles, tall grass seeds, and insects. In the summer, their diet consists mostly of spiders, beetles, and caterpillars. As such, it’s important to not use pesticides in your yard to ensure they have plenty of insects to eat (which will help the other birds visiting your backyard too).
You can attract the Indigo Bunting with a bird feeder, but they won’t stick around unless you have shrubby undergrowth. Otherwise, they may enjoy your mealworms and sunflower and nyjer seeds while passing through during their spring and fall migration.
Interesting Facts About the Indigo Bunting
The male Indigo Bunting is well known for his beautiful blue plumage, but this isn’t the only unique feature these birds have. These birds migrate at night, guided by the stars. And, in fact, their feathers aren’t really blue…
Star Navigation
In 1967, a research study showed that Indigo Buntings depend on constellations to orient them as they migrate at night. As migration season approaches, they become more active at night. When they migrate, these birds are highly active from dusk to just before sunrise, using the stars to navigate through the dark.
While it’s still not fully understood how Indigo Buntings or other night-time migrators use the stars for guidance, it’s thought that they start learning as early as nestlings. It’s proposed that they start studying the night sky before they can fly, and they instinctively know the direction to head when the season starts to shift.
According to Cornell Lab All About Birds, “The birds [Indigo Buntings] possess an internal clock that enables them to continually adjust their angle of orientation to a star—even as that star moves through the night sky.”
Plumage Color
Surprisingly, the male Indigo Bunting isn’t actually blue. Their feathers don’t have blue pigment. Rather, their feathers appear dark blue due to microscopic structures that refract and reflect blue light. This interesting fact isn’t excluded to Indigo Buntings; all blue birds lack blue pigment.
While their feathers don’t have any blue pigment, they still have the pigment melanin. This pigment has a brown-black hue, which is easily apparent in non-breeding males and females.
You can even see this pigment in one of the male Indigo Bunting’s “blue” feathers. If you hold up the feather towards the light, the brown-black hues are illuminated. This is because the light is behind the feather; when the light hits the feather from the front, it appears blue.
The Beautiful and Fascinating Indigo Bunting
Whether you’re a seasoned birder or a novice, the Indigo Bunting is a prize to see. No matter how many years you witness them breed or pass through, they always invoke a sense of awe, especially when their blue feathers shine in the bright summer light.
Now that you’ve learned how to identify the Indigo Bunting and know where to find them, it’s only a matter of time before you spot one out in the field. Remember to listen to their excited warbling song. Once you spot one, you can impress your fellow birdwatchers with your knowledge about this bird, such as their star navigation and “blue” feathers.
Humans are one of the giants of the natural world. And yet, we seem to adore those much smaller than us. In fact, the tinier, the better. Birds are a great example of this – who can’t help but admire a tiny bird. Believe it or not, the world’s smallest bird is only two inches long!
Some are so tiny they could fit in the palm of our hand, and some are even smaller. Want to learn more about the small birds of the world? Keep reading, and we’ll share the top fifteen smallest birds in order.
Here are the Top Fifteen Smallest Birds in the World
Let’s meet the world’s top fifteen smallest birds. We’ll start from the the fifteenth smallest all the way up to the smallest bird in the world.
Its difficult to judge size from a photo, but most of us know how big a quarter coin is (about an inch). That’s why we’ve used one to help us see the scale of the photo and how small the bird really is.
Starting off at the fifteenth smallest, we have the Red-Cheeked Cordon-Bleu, a finch measuring five inches in length. It weighs just under ten grams. Males are bright blue, brown, and yellow. Females are of a paler complexion. Find this bird in central and eastern Africa.
Fun Fact: This bird builds a unique nest: a dome-shaped grass structure with a side entrance!
The Lesser Goldfinch weighs eight and a half to eleven grams and is three and a half to four and a half inches in length. It is a golden bird found widely between southern North America and northern South America. Unlike other members of their species, they tend to flock near water.
Fun Fact: The Lesser Goldfinch is monogamous and pairs breed year round.
The Verdin is four and a half inches in length and weighs six to eight grams. It resides in the southwestern United States and the northern region of Mexico. This bird is small and pale with a yellow head. It is known for its rapid flight and monogamous behavior.
Fun Fact: Verdins share nest building responsibilities- rare in the bird world!
12. Brown Gerygone: Australia’s Third Smallest Bird
The Brown Gerygone bird is four inches in length and weighs five and a half grams. True to its name, this is an all-over brown bird with darker coloration on its back. Its name means ‘born of song’ referring to its sweet, melodic voice.
Fun Fact: This bird is newly named! The Brown Gerygone used to be the Brown Warbler.
The Spotted Pardalote is a small songbird of the Australian forests who, like the Weebill, prefers areas with lots of eucalyptus trees. This bird is three to four inches in length and weighs six grams. The spotted plumage on its back, head, and wings makes this bird easily distinguishable. They are excitable when feeding and even flip upside down to reach into nooks and crannies in the bark.
Fun Fact: This bird makes its nest by digging- sometimes directly into tree trunks to make a nest big enough for multiple pairs to share!
In ninth place, the Common Firecrest from Northwestern Africa and temperate Europe is three and a half inches long and weighs five to seven grams. It has a round body and vibrant-colored feathers. The Firecrest is unique in that it is exclusively insectivorous and will even hover to catch flying insects.
Fun Fact: The Common Firecrest is culturally significant in ancient Greek history and is the main character of a popular legend.
The Goldcrest is a small plump bird roughly three and a half inches long and weighing four and a half to seven grams. It has grayish-green plumage and a white belly. Males have a black and yellow striped head. This bird is highly migratory and found widely across Europe and Asia. It begins its journey in late August and continues until early November.
Fun Fact: During migration, the Goldcrest joins sedentary groups of birds of its own species and flies long distances with the mismatched groups.
The Weebill, Australia’s smallest bird, is three to three and a half inches long and weighs six grams. It has a light yellow and olive coloration with brown wings. This bird loves eucalyptus trees and the insects that reside within their leaves.
Fun Fact: The Weebill has a unique nest, a dome-shaped pendant made from fine, pliable materials. The nest is suspended from a branch deep in the tree canopy. This bird is resourceful and uses anything from insect cocoons to plant fibers to bind and conceal its nest.
The Cape Penduline Tit is rather scruffy-looking. Similar to the Weebill, it has an olive coloration with brown wings. In comparison, it has a darker head and beak. It is three inches in length and weighs eight grams. This bird prefers dry savannahs and shrublands across southern Africa.
Fun Fact: Also similar to the Weebill, the Cape Penduline Tit has an interesting nesting tactic. They build two entrances. One is the actual entrance, while the other is a fake leading to an empty space. This tricks predators and keeps the eggs and chicks safe.
The Pale-Billed Flowerpecker is the first on our list without striking coloration. This bird is pale brown with slightly darker wings and uppers. Its bill is pale and curved – hence the name. At three inches long and weighing between four to eight grams, this bird is certainly small. It resides in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and western Myanmar.
Fun Facts: The Pale-Billed Flowerpecker is the master of adaptation. It lives in a variety of habitats ranging from deep forests to cityscapes. It also has a diverse diet consisting of both berries and nectar.
The Costa’s Hummingbird has a purple neck and throat with a soft, white underbelly. The plumage on its throat flumes out, making it look like a mustache. It is three to three and a half inches long and weighs two and a half to three and a half grams. The Costa’s Hummingbird is native to the Southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico.
Fun Fact: This small bird slows its heartbeat and reduces its body temperature to adapt to low nighttime temperatures. Its heartbeat reduces to about fifty beats per minute compared to its usual five-hundred to nine-hundred beats per minute resting rate.
4. Calliope Hummingbird: Smallest Bird in North America
The Calliope Hummingbird is the smallest bird in North America at just three to three and a half inches long and weighing two and a half to three and a half grams. It has a short tail and beak (for a hummingbird) with short wings that extend past its tail. The Calliope Hummingbird resides in the United States and Canada.
Fun Fact: The Calliope Hummingbird feeds low to the ground and is defensive during breeding season.
The Bumblebee Hummingbird, found in the mountainous regions of Mexico, is the second smallest hummingbird. It weighs two and a half grams and is three inches in length. It sports iridescent green, blue, and especially purple plumage.
Fun Fact: The female Bumblebee Hummingbird can catch up to two thousand insects a day when nesting!
The second smallest bird in the world is the Esmeralda’s Woodstar at barely two and half inches in length. It is also one of the rarest birds in the world with only about 1,000 individuals left. The Esmeralda’s Woodstar has a dazzling green back and crest with a white belly. It adorns a shining purple mark on its neck and a bright yellow patch above its wing.
Fun Fact: Esmeralda’s Woodstar is nicknamed Estrelitta, or little star. And while it resides mainly in South America, its conservation efforts span worldwide.
The Bee Hummingbird of the Cuban archipelago wins the title of the world’s smallest bird. It weighs two grams and is only two to two and a half inches in length. This species is an iridescent blue, sporting a black head with peculiar bright pink and orange spots.
Fun Facts: The Bee Hummingbird is even smaller than many insects! And it holds two world records. Beyond being the smallest bird in the world, it also has the second fastest heartbeat of 1,260 beats per minute.
Who Knew Birds Could Be So Small?
There you have it – the top fifteen smallest birds in the world! Ranging from a mere two to eight grams, you’ll need a good pair of binoculars to catch a glimpse of these tiny creatures.
Want to know which birds are the rarest? Check out our guide to the Top 15 Rarest Birds in the World here.
Happy birding!
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