It’s February, and that means winter is very much here in the Northern Hemisphere. And, if you’re a Canada jay, winter also marks the busiest time of the year.
For us humans, the idea of being snuggled up somewhere warm during the winter months is tantalizing.
But not for the Canada jay. Late winter, around February to March, is peak nesting season for this hardy bird.
While other animals are hibernating, this small corvid is busy foraging, constructing nests and rearing chicks.
We will explore exactly what the Canada jay is, why they nest in winter, and what food they eat.
What is the Canada Jay?
The Canada jay is a type of passerine bird, belonging to the corvid family. They belong to the same family as crows and ravens.
This jay can be found in high-elevation boreal forests across North America, from Alaska to Canada. Although mostly found in the sub-alpine habitats of the far North, they can be found as far South as Colorado.
Canada jays are deceptively cute looking, with large beady eyes and cheeks of fluffy white. They are curious and inquisitive, bordering on friendly.
But don’t let this fool you. these jays have quite the reputation.
Often called “camp robbers”, they have been known to stay close to campsites and lodges, stealing any unattended food.
But then again, survival of the fittest, right? They need to be tough and merciless to be able to survive the harsh Northern winters.
What does the Canada Jay look like?
The Canada jay is a relatively small, short-billed jay.
They are mostly covered in gray plumage of varying shades. However, their cheeks and forehead have white feathers with a partial black cap.
They are slightly larger than an American robin, growing to roughly 11 inches in length. This, in part, is due to their long tail.
Juveniles are a darker gray and have a white moustache-like row of feathers at the base of their bill.
Canada jays can be seen flying in small groups, but are considerably less noisy than other species of jays.
Nesting behaviors of Canada Jays
Unlike many passerine birds of the Northern Hemisphere, which chose to nest in Spring or Summer, Canada jays breen throughout the Winter months of February and March.
Across their home range of the boreal and subalpine forests across northern North America, winter temperature can plummet to as low as -20°F (-28°C).
But this doesn’t deter this hardy jay. They’re built for these conditions.
Canada jays have thick and fluffy plumage that covers their legs and nostrils. They also spend the Summer and Fall putting on as much fat in preparation for the colder months ahead.
Although both sexes play a role in nest building, it is the male that does most of the work.
Firstly, he picks a site. Prime nesting spots are on trees close to the south-facing edge of a forest, to take advantage of the extra warmth from sunlight.
Next, it’s all about materials used for nest construction.
The Canada jay makes the base layer with a loose ball of spruce needles and tamarack twigs. Conifers are the dominant trees of the boreal forest, so nesting material is plentiful.
The nest is glued together with the sticky cocoons of caterpillars.
More twigs are added to the base layer, until a donut-shaped nest is formed. The interior is filled with smaller twigs, strips of bark, clumps of lichen, feathers and fur. This creates a highly insulated nest where eggs can be incubated and chicks raised successfully, despite the frigid conditions.
Both sexes of these birds are monogamous, staying with one another for the duration of their lives. The longest lived Canada jay recorded reached 17 years!
Why do Canada Jays nest in Winter?
Well, there are a few logical explanations:
1. Food Availability
By nature, Canada jays cache, or store, food. Throughout Summer and Fall, these jays forage and gather food. The food is stored in salvia-wrapped packages across their boreal forest habitat.
They use these food parcels throughout the Winter, ensuring they have plenty of resources available to feed their young.
2. Survival Advantages
Nesting early means chicks fledge early – often throughout March and April. This means young Canada jays can learn and develop their own food storage skills, in preparation for the coming winter.
3. Avoid Predators and Competition
Other boreal forest inhabitants, such as squirrels, also hoard food and may compete for the same resources.
By nesting early, Canada jays eliminate the need to compete for food, as many other animals are still hibernating.
Additionally, migratory predators, such as hawks, arrive later in the year, giving chicks the best chance of survival.
What do Canada Jays eat?
Don’t let the cute facade fool you.
Canada jays have a ferocious appetite, and will eat just about anything they can.
Sure, they’ll scavenge around campsites looking for any food left around from humans. Y’know, the likes of crumbs, fruits, chips etc etc.
But, there’s a more sinister side to the foraging behavior of Canada jays.
They are able to recognize, and take advantage of, any injured or dead animals that have been shot or trapped by hunters.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Canada jays have a range of foraging behaviors, allowing them to hunt a wide range of live prey.
They can catch flying insects on the wing. They wade in shallow water to snag any aquatic invertebrates. Kill small amphibians and mammals. Ruthlessly raid the nests of other birds to kill chicks or consume eggs. They even pursue and hunt smaller birds.
See, brutal.
When animal protein is in shorter supplies, Canada jays supplement their diet with plant matter, such as berries, as well as fungi.
Feeding Behaviors of Canada Jays
So, we’ve seen what Canada jays eat. But how do they eat?
Unlike their cousins, Blue jays, which utilize their hard bill, the Canada jay twists and tugs at pieces of food. This could be the berries off a branch, or meat from the bone – versatility is key.
Due to the unpredictable weather conditions of their range, these northern jays aren’t guaranteed a reliable food source year-round.
Instead, they need to get creative with storage methods.
They stick these saliva-wrapped parcels behind the bark of tree, under lichen, within conifer needles or other tree crevices. Tree resin helps preserve food by slowing down bacterial and fungal growth.
The jays are able to successfully recover stored food by means of olfaction, trial-and-error search and spatial memory.
Whilst many other animals hibernate, the Canada jay braves the frigid North American winters to nest.
By nesting in February or March, this jay reduces the risk of both competition and predation.
The additional months for a fledgling Canada jay allows them to learn vital foraging and caching behaviors. These skills will increase the likelihood they’ll survive throughout their first winter.
The ability to be able to store food is one of the reasons Canada jays are able to live, and nest, in the boreal and subalpine forests across northern North America, where the temperature can fall to way below freezing.
Curious and brave, chickadees are among the easiest birds to spot on a hike and among the first to visit a backyard feeder. No matter how many times you cross paths with a chickadee species, they are always a delight to see.
There are seven chickadee species across North America. All of these species share similar traits as well as distinct differences. Some of those differences are range and habitat or outward appearance.
In this blog, you’ll meet the seven North American chickadee species. You’ll learn how to identify each one, where their range is, and how they are different from the others. But first, let’s explore what unites these chickadee species together.
Chickadee Species Overview
All seven chickadee species in North America are in the Poecile genus. They belong to the Paridae family, which also includes titmice and tits. Because these chickadees belong to the same genus, they are closely related and share similar traits.
For instance, they all share a black or brown cap, black bib, and white cheek streak. They have small round heads and bodies and little black bills. Their wings are grey and their back is either grey, brown, or russet colored.
Furthermore, their common name alludes to the similar alarm call they all emit when a threat is near. Although the call varies in pitch and pace for each species, they all let out a chick-a-dee-dee call when alarmed.
Chickadees are year-round residents of their native range. While they may fly short distances in winter when food supplies dwindle, they mostly stay in the same area. They survive the winter by caching seeds in tree bark and roosting together in woodpecker cavities for warmth.
Later in the year, chickadees build their nest in tree cavities, with some excavating their own in decaying trees or adding the final touches to existing cavities. Most chickadees prefer woodland habitats with mixed deciduous or coniferous stands. You can find them flitting through the understory, hanging upside down on the ends of shrub twigs. Or you’ll see them as a distant flurry of movement as they flutter through the tops of evergreens.
While chickadees share several common traits, each species is different, whether in obvious or more subtle ways. As such, let’s meet each of the joyous and delightful chickadee species in North America.
The 7 Chickadee Species of North America
1. Black-Capped Chickadee
The black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) is the most common and widespread North American species. Its year-round range extends across most of Canada and into Alaska. It is also found throughout the northern United States, from Oregon to New York.
The furthest south their range extends is Colorado and northern New Mexico. Black-capped chickadees avoid desert areas as they depend on shrubs and trees for food and shelter.
As their common name suggests, black-capped chickadees have a black cap, black bib, and white cheek streaks. They have a tan blush on their sides, a white belly, a grey back, and black wings.
Black-capped chickadees prefer open and mixed deciduous woods and forest edges. Unlike some other chickadee species, the black-capped avoids continuous coniferous forests. They also don’t mind people and will nest in suburban areas if nest sites are available.
This brave chickadee species thoroughly investigates its surroundings, making them easy to attract to a bird feeder. They aren’t picky about their food and will enjoy backyard songbird feed, sunflower seeds, suet, and peanuts.
2. Carolina Chickadee
The Carolina chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) closely resembles the black-capped chickadee. Where these two chickadee species’ ranges overlap, it can be nearly impossible to identify who’s who.
The Carolina chickadee is a permanent resident throughout the Southeast, from Oklahoma over to Virginia. Interestingly, where the black-capped chickadee’s range ends is where this chickadee species range begins. They’ve been known to interbreed and mimic the other species’ calls, making it hard to differentiate the two.
The best way to know the difference is range (when you’re not in the overlapping area of course). Carolina chickadees are also more reserved and are less likely to visit a backyard feeder. They are slightly smaller and have subtle differences, such as higher-pitched and faster calls.
This southern chickadee prefers deciduous woods and river groves. They prefer warmer climates and will stick to lower elevations in the Appalachian mountain range. This is an area where they can overlap with black-capped chickadees, which prefer higher elevations.
3. Mountain Chickadee
Mountain chickadees (Poecile gambeli) are found throughout the Rocky, Cascade, and Sierra Nevada Mountain ranges of western North America. They’re also found in the southwestern mountain ranges of Arizona and New Mexico. They prefer high altitudes and conifer forests of pine, fir, Douglas-fir, and spruce. In the winter, they can move into lower elevations in search of food.
This little chickadee species can be hard to spot; they spend most of their time in the high canopy of mountain forests. While they can be difficult to find on the trail, they’ll visit backyard feeders in their mountainous range.
If you do spot one or have them visit your feeder, they are easy to differentiate from other chickadee species. The mountain chickadee has a distinct white eyebrow stripe. These stripes form a ‘v’ where they meet at the base of the beak. This species has the typical black bib, white cheeks, grey back, and black cap.
4. Chestnut-backed Chickadee
The beautiful chestnut-backed chickadee (Poecile rufescens) has a richly russet-colored back, hence its common name. The brown-russet hue extends to the sides, contrasting with its white belly and grey wings. Along with the unique earth tones, this chickadee species has a dark brown cap, black bib, and white cheeks.
A Chestnut-backed Chickadee. Image by Wesley Barr via Flickr.
The chestnut-backed chickadee is found along the Pacific coast from central California up to Alaska. They prefer dense and wet conifer and oak forests. In their northern range, they’re often in forests of hemlock, spruce, fir, tamarack, and cedar. In their southern range in California, they’re mostly in the redwoods and pine-oak stands.
These chatty and sociable chickadees readily visit backyard feeders and nest boxes. Keep a stocked feeder and set out a nestbox in late winter—you’ll soon attract lively chestnut-backed chickadees to your yard.
5. Boreal Chickadee
In the far north, throughout Canada and up into the Arctic Circle, is the Boreal Chickadee’s (Poecile hudsonicus) year-long range. This species lives farther north than any other North American chickadee species. Their range extends into the Northeastern United States, and they’ll sometimes stage small invasions into the Great Lake states during winter.
Like most other chickadee species, the Boreal Chickadee prefers mixed conifer woods, especially spruce forests. In the west, they prefer high mountain forests. In the east, spruce bogs.
The Boreal Chickadee is easy to differentiate from the other chickadee species it overlaps with (mostly black-capped, as well as mountain and chestnut-backed in the west). It has a light brown to dusty brown cap, a black bib, and white cheek streaks. The white cheek streak fades into a light grey, and its back feathers are a mix of light grey and light brown. It has tan-peach blush on its sides beneath its wings.
The Boreal chickadee is much more elusive than the other North American chickadee species. It can be difficult to spot out on the trail, particularly during nesting season. However, it may visit backyard feeders in its Canadian range, especially during the winter.
6. Gray-headed Chickadee
Out of all the North American chickadee species, the gray-headed chickadee (Poecile cinctus) is the most unknown. It is a rare species with a small, year-long range in northern Alaska and northwestern Canada. However, it is more common and well-known in Northern Europe, where it is known as the ‘Siberian Tit.’
The gray-headed chickadee is similar in appearance to the Boreal chickadee. The main difference is the gray-headed has a longer and clearer white cheek stripe. In contrast, the Boreal’s white cheek stripe is much shorter and turns to grey past its eye. Plus, the gray-headed has a much smaller range than the Boreal.
This rare North American chickadee species prefers stunted spruce forests and streamside thickets. Because of its limited range, far northern territory, and uncommonness, this species is extremely hard to spot in North America.
7. Mexican Chickadee
The Mexican Chickadee (Poecilesclateri) is another rare chickadee species in the United States. It is mostly found in conifer forests throughout Mexico. This is the southernmost chickadee species in the world and the only one in Mexico.
There are only two places in the United States to spot Mexican chickadees: the Chiricahua Mountains of southeastern Arizona and the Animas Mountains of southwestern New Mexico. They are more common in the higher elevations of the Chiricahua Mountains.
No other chickadee species overlap with the Mexican chickadee, making it easy to identify in its year-long range (if you can find it). It resembles the black-capped chickadee, with a crisp black cap, bib, and white cheek streaks. The back and wings are light grey with a dark grey flank fading to a grey-white belly.
The 7 Delightful Chickadee Species of North America
Nearly every place you visit in North America has a local chickadee species you can find. Whether it’s the friendly and widespread black-capped chickadee, the high-elevation-loving mountain chickadee, or the elusive Boreal chickadee, these little birds will delight you with their lively character.
What chickadee species do you have in your area? What’s your favorite thing about chickadees? We would love to hear your stories and unique birding experiences in the comments below!
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.
A Wilson’s Warbler. Image by Steve Jones via Flickr.
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.
Below, you’ll find brief descriptions and identification photos of the 15 most commonly seen warblers in North America.
The days of struggling to identify warblers are over!
So get yourself a hot drink, take a seat and scroll down to discover the wonderful world of warblers.
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 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 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 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: 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 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 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: 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 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.
11. Tennessee Warbler
Image by Edward Post via Flickr.Image by Edward Post via Flickr.
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 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 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 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 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.
The Wonderful World of Warblers
There you have it, the wonderful warblers that you are most likely to see here, in North America.
Remember warblers are small, fast and insect-catching birds. If you find a bird that matches this description, chances are you have found a warbler. Check if it matches one of the 15 species above, or explore our complete guide to North America’s warblers here.
Whilst the Eastern Towhee lives in eastern USA, and the Spotted Towhee mostly lives in western USA, there are some areas on The Great Plains where the two species coincide and overlap.
2. Eastern Towhees are ground birds – kind of
Birds are synonymous with flight, right?
Not always.
The Eastern Towhee is a ground forager, and spends much of its time rummaging around in the undergrowth. If you live in the eastern USA, and have brushy, shrubby, or overgrown borders, chances are you’ll have a Towhee, or two.
But just because they’re ground foragers, it doesn’t mean they can’t fly. When singing to communicate, they will fly onto low hanging branches or shrubs.
3. They are a parasites dream
The brown-headed cowbird is a brood parasite. They lay their eggs in the nests of unsuspecting birds.
Many birds can identify the eggs of the cowbird, and take measures to remove them. But not the Eastern Towhee. These birds seemingly do not recognize the eggs of the cowbird and make no effort to remove them.
In some areas cowbirds lay eggs in more than half of all Towhee nests. To make matters worse, cowbirds remove the eggs of the Towhees which makes identifying the swap even harder.
4. Eastern Towhees are not social
It isn’t unusual to see Eastern Towhees on their own.
In fact, they are quite territorial – especially males. Several studies have observed threat displays between Towhees, including tail fanning, tail flicking and wing spreading. They’re trying to make themselves look as big as possible to ward off any potential rivals in the area.
5. They are relatively long-lived
The average lifespan of these birds is between 4 – 6 years in the wild.
The longest recorded Eastern Towhee in the wild was over 9 years old. It was first ringed in California in 1937.
For their size, this is quite an impressive achievement. The American Robin, which is slightly larger than the Towhee, has an average lifespan of just 2 years.
6. Eastern Towhees belong to the sparrow family
They have a thick, triangular, bill which has evolved to efficiently crack open seeds – a characteristic feature of many sparrows.
The Eastern Towhee is approximately 30% larger than a song sparrow.
7. They can flock together
Remember when I said Eastern Towhees aren’t very social? Well, take it with a pinch of salt.
In optimal environmental conditions, Towhees are solitary and territorial.
However, when faced with sub-optimal conditions and freezing weather, Towhees have been observed flocking together.
Towhees also display mobbing behavior. In the presence of a predator, multiple Towhees have been known to attack a single predator. This is most common in the nesting season.
8. Eastern Towhees have a lot of predators
Unfortunately for this sparrow, the Eastern Towhee is quite low down on the food chain.
Besides brood parasites, they also face nest predation from a range of species that target eggs and hatchlings, including bull snakes, western rat snakes, eastern garter snakes and chipmunks.
Mature Towhees are predated on by birds of prey, such as short-eared owls, Cooper’s hawks, and short-tailed hawks.
9. They have a range of anti-predator strategies
Being low on the food chain means that the Eastern Towhee needs to be alert and aware.
We’ve learnt that some Towhees group together and mob predators. But they have more defenses up their sleeves.
To evade predators, Eastern Towhees initiate alarm calls to warn others of danger. This is either in the form of a two-parted, rising chewink, tow-hee alarm call. They also emit a sharp tic when mobbing or fleeing predators.
If a predator is detected whilst a Towhee is foraging in the undergrowth, they will stop and remain motionless for several minutes until the risk has passed.
If a predator is detected close to a nest, the female will cause a diversion by dragging their tail along the ground to mimic an injury. This distraction lures predators away from the nest (hopefully).
10. Safety in numbers? Not always
A recent assessment of the Eastern Towhee suggests there are approximately 29 million mature individuals.
Unfortunately, due to land use management, farming practices and deforestation, the population is declining.
However, the Eastern Towhee is protected under the Migratory Bird Act, prohibiting any form of capture and distribution.
11. Eastern Towhees have important ecological roles
Not only are they an important food source for other vertebrates, including snakes, mammals and other birds, they too are important predators of pest species.
Their diet consists approximately 30% of insects, and the Eastern Towhee is thought to control potentially harmful invertebrate species such as caterpillars, snails and grasshoppers.
A large proportion of their diet is plant matter, and Towhees play an important role in seed dispersion of some plant species.
12. Eastern Towhees are pretty noisy
Although they are relatively common and widespread, the Eastern Towhee is hard to spot.
However, as they look for hiding insects in the leaf litter, they cause quite the stir. Vigorous scratching at leaves and dirt create a lot of noise, for a considerably small bird.
They also have a variety of different calls – some of which are sex specific. Males produce a growl-like call, whereas females make whinny calls. Hatchlings and juveniles have specific calls, often associated with begging behaviors, such as screams and trills.
13. Eastern Towhees love a self-care routine
Preening, stretching, scratching, bathing, sunbathing, and anting are all common self-maintenance behaviors in the Eastern Towhee.
Anting is an unusual phenomenon whereby insects, typically ants, are rubbed onto the feathers of birds. It is unclear as to why Towhees do this, but it could be to remove parasites and clean feathers.
14. Eastern Towhees are sexually dimorphic
Males and females differ from one another. Males are larger and more colorful, especially in the breeding season. Their rounded head and back are black with white streaking on the wings and underbelly. Their sides are a deep rufus color.
Both male and female Eastern Towhees are seasonally monogamous, staying with the same partner for the duration of the breeding season, which is typically between March – July.
Males begin courtship displays by raising their tail feathers, flapping their wings, and singing specific songs.
Final Thoughts
Eastern Towhees are passerine birds belonging to the same family as sparrows.
For a relatively small bird, they have a surprisingly long lifespan of up to 6 years.
Although they have many predators, including brood parasites, they have a variety of defense mechanisms to protect themselves and their hatchlings.
To attract Eastern Towhees to your garden, keep areas of vegetation wild and untamed. Don’t be afraid to let your weeds and shrubs grow. This provides suitable foraging and hiding spaces for a whole manner of wildlife, not just Towhees!
It is in our nature to appreciate the diverse aesthetics in the world around us. And what better way to do that than enjoying nature’s most colorful birds? Next time you go birding or for a nature walk, look for these fifteen most colorful birds in the world.
15 Most Colorful Birds in The World
These birds have colored feathers, beaks, and spirits lending their great beauty, which we greatly appreciate. Let’s meet the world’s fifteen most colorful birds!
The Venezuelan Troupial is a large bird with a long tail and hefty bill. It has a black head with a blue marking around the eye and at the base of the bill. It has a bright yellow body and black wings with a white vertical stripe. The reason for its particular coloration isn’t known, but as with many birds it likely aids in identification and mating.
These colorful birds occur in Venezuela and Colombia—in fact, they are Venezuela’s national bird! They may also reside in the Caribbean islands of Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, Trinidad, and Puerto Rico.
Preferred Habitat – dry areas like woodlands, gallery forests, dry scrub, and plains, and open savannas for foraging
Unique Behavior – Venezuelan Troupials have two unique behaviors. First, they are thieves. They do not build their nests but kick other birds out of their carefully created nests and take over. Second, they have a unique feeding behavior. Their preference is juice, and they get it by piercing fruit with their bill to drink the fruit juice and leave the flesh behind
The Painted Bunting is a colorful species of cardinal. In French, it is referred to as ‘Nonpareil,’ which means ‘without equal’ and refers to its exceptional coloration. Its paint-like plumage is red, blue, yellow, green, and black. Males have blue heads, red throats and bellies, and greenish-yellow backs. Females are colorful but not as brightly-toned.
Its coloration comes from a combination of feather structure and pigmentation. Pigments include melanin, carotenoids, and porphyrins.
The Painted Bunting is found in the southeastern United States, Mexico, and Central America. It often nests on the southern Atlantic Coast of Florida and winters in the northwestern Caribbean. Others nest further west, who typically winter in Mexico and Central America.
Preferred Habitat – Low shrub areas, riparian vegetation, and open forests
Unique Behavior – The western population of Painted Buntings time their migration with their molting. They fly to northern Mexico, where they take a break and finish their molting before completing the journey south
Of all the colorful birds, it’s safe to say the Crimson-Crested Woodpecker has the most colorful and eccentric head. Its crest is a fiery red and stands straight up on edge! It has a dark-as-night black body with two white stripes on its back and a white patch on its cheek.
The Crimson-Crested Woodpecker’s coloration is influenced by its diet, habitat, and geographic location. The coloration is used to communicate with other woodpeckers, attract mates, and defend territory.
This bird is found from Panama to Paraguay and every mainland South American country except Chile and Uruguay.
Preferred Habitat – Lowland forests and edges
Unique Behavior – The Crimson-Crested Woodpecker is one of the largest and most powerful woodpeckers in its range
The Western Rosella, or moyadong, is a species of parrot. Males’ heads, necks, and underbody are primarily red. This bird has a yellow or cream-colored cheek patch, green and black scalloping on its upper body, and red on its underbelly. Females are greenish below with drab red or green heads.
This bird’s red feathers come from pigments called psittacofulvins. This differs from other bird species, which typically get their red coloration from carotenoids in their diet.
The Western Rosella has only been sighted in the southwestern corner of Australia. It is isolated from its sister species in the north and east of the country.
Preferred Habitat – Forests and other types of wooded country known as kwongan
Unique Behavior – These birds are known for obliterating fruit in orchards. In fact, it once caused them to come near extinction as they were viewed as vermin and hunted
People consider the plumage of this East-Asian duck the most ornate of all the duck species. Males boast iridescent feathers of red, brown, orange, and green. Due to its beautiful coloration, the male Mandarin Duck is a popular specimen in oriental art. Its coloration isn’t only about beauty, however. Its bright coloration aids in attracting a mate- the brighter the plumage, the healthier the bird, the better the chances at mating!
The female’s plumage, on the other hand, is duller. This is due to sexual dimorphism, which means that the male and female specimens have varying appearances. This is common in many birds and other animal species, and primarily, the more eccentric coloration goes to the male specimen.
Mandarin Ducks typically reside in Korea, Japan, China, and eastern Siberia. However, due to the pet trade, they can now be found worldwide. Mandarin Ducks prefer the wild, and their chosen home is riparian habitats alongside rivers and streams.
Preferred Habitat – Alongside rivers and streams
Unique Behaviors – While Mandarin Ducks often reside at sea level, they sometimes venture as high as 5,000 feet above! No fears of height here- that’s washed out at hatching time when chicks must take a leap of faith from their tree-top nest
The Central American Flame-Colored Tanager, formerly known as the Striped-Back Tanager, is a medium-sized songbird. Males are adorned with a red-orange hue, and females have a subdued yellowish-orange hue. Both sexes have heavily streaked upper parts and two bold white wing-bars on darkly colored wings.
This is another species of bird that uses color manipulation for its benefit. In winter, molting season, males appear closer in coloration to females. When their colored feathers come back in, it is a confusing mess temporarily, but it keeps them safe during their time of vulnerability. It can be presumed that coloration also aids in mate selection, as is the case with most sexually dimorphic species.
They live in the lush, green treetops of mountainous forests ranging from southern Mexico to Panama. They are occasionally spotted in large trees of non-forested areas such as pastures, coffee plantations, and gardens.
Preferred Habitat – Humid mountain forests
Unique Behavior – This is one of the only species known to eat army ants. They eat the soldiers and the wasp pupae and larvae they are carrying
Unlike Mandarin Ducks, there is no discernable difference between male and female Scarlet Macaws. Even juvenile Scarlet Macaws bear resemblance to their adult counterparts except for the color of their eyes- bright blue for juveniles and a washed-out yellowish hue for adults.
The Scarlet Macaw landed on our most colorful birds list for a reason: its brilliantly colored plumage! Their heads, shoulders, and upper tail feathers are a beaming red. Blue plumage dazzles on their wings and lower tail feathers. They have a large yellow stripe below their shoulders and a hint of iridescent green below that. They additionally adorn a white eye patch and have a thick black band just before their white and black beak.
The Scarlet Macaw’s coloration may seem flashy to us, but in its home, it is camouflage. The rainforests of Central and South America are vibrant places lushly covered in colorful fruits, flowers, and other plants. The bird’s coloration helps it blend in to avoid predators.
Preferred Habitat – Tropical rainforests and humid evergreen forests
Unique Behavior – Scarlet Macaws are adept at mimicking human speech
Peacocks are well-known, colorful birds, technically pheasants, originating in South China and parts of Africa. They are known for their brightly colored, uniquely adorned, and shimmering tail feathers- particularly the males’. These fan-like tail feathers comprise sixty percent of the bird’s body and are the easiest way to identify this most colorful bird.
Their unique coloration is a result of structural coloration. The color we see is iridescent only because of the microscopic structure of the feather itself interfering with light waves. For what purpose is the peacock so colorful? The flashy tail feathers are used to attract mates. This is paired with a fancy dance of tail feather shaking and foot stomping!
Peacocks are commonly kept as farm animals and pets. However, Peacocks originated in the wild. And there are still plenty of them there! Wild Peacocks roam across Asia and Africa in forests. Yet, they still like to pay a visit to the local farmer’s field to help pick up any leftover grains.
Preferred Habitat – Open tropical seasonal forests with trees for roosting
Unique Behavior – These birds have big appetites. In addition to leftover grains, they feed on grasshoppers, insects, and even mice
The Rainbow Lorikeet is a striking parrot species with deep and contrasting coloration. Both sexes have a blue belly, green wings, tail, and back, and an orange breast. They are difficult to spot during the day as their flocks move quickly, but luckily, they are noisy enough to alert you that they are there. At night, they roost in a community in the trees.
This bird’s coloration helps it evade predators by blending in with its surroundings. It also plays a hand in mating rituals. During these rituals, males put on quite a show for the females, which includes dancing, hanging upside down, prancing, bobbing from side to side, and more.
The Rainbow Lorikeet is indigenous to Australia and its surrounding islands. It is commonly found on the eastern seaboard. Due to the release of captive birds of this species, there is a striking population in Perth.
Preferred Habitat – Rainforest, coastal bush, and woodland areas
Unique Behavior – Rainbow Lorikeets are so accustomed to humans that you can hand-feed them in most areas! Make sure to use a safe food for this species if you choose to partake
The Golden Pheasant has many names, including the Chinese Pheasant and Rainbow Pheasant. These colorful birds have plumage of red, orange, and blue coloration. They have extraordinarily long tail feathers light enough to blow in the wind, and males have a distinctive long, flowing crest. Females have a muted coloration and are brown and buff in appearance. They do not have a crest.
This bird’s coloration has various roles. It aids in courtship, camouflage, and predator deterrence and even depicts a specimen’s ranking in the social hierarchy. The brighter an individual’s plumage, the higher its status.
This is a dazzlingly colored Chinese gamebird that lives in China’s western and central mountainous forests. It thrives in coniferous and mixed forests. In China, the Golden Pheasant is a sign of good luck and prosperity.
Preferred habitat – Dense underbrush or forested areas
Unique Behavior – The Golden Pheasant prefers staying grounded and spends very little time flying. It is most often spotted running on the ground
The Kingfisher is a small to medium-sized colorful bird. It is found worldwide, but most species are found in the tropical regions of Asia and Europe. This is a blue bird with an orange underbelly. It also has an exceptionally long blue beak!
Fun fact: About ninety species of Kingfishers are comprised of only three families. Their most notable and admirable characteristic is their spectacular dives into water.
Quetzales claim their fame with their iridescent, varied coloration and exceptionally long and flowing tail feathers. They have bright green plumage that changes to blue depending on the light. Males have bright red chests. Females also have colorful plumage but may have brown and grey tones included. Both males and females have two long, flowing, bright green-blue tail feathers.
Like many birds on this list, Quetzales’s coloration serves a purpose. Their green, shimmering upper wings blend in with the wet overgrowth of their habitat during or after a rain—which is often.
This bird is found in the forests and humid highlands of Central America (mainly Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Honduras) and southern Mexico. They select their habitat based on the availability of dense foliage and abundant fruit trees used for both food and shelter.
Preferred Habitat – Cool, moist, high-altitude forests with dense canopies
Unique Behavior – Quetzales are not social birds and spend their lives alone. They only come together to breed and then go back their separate ways
As the name suggests, the Blue-and-Yellow Macaw is a blue and yellow Neotropical parrot. It is also known as the Blue-and-Gold Macaw. Its back and wings are sky blue, and its belly and underwing are yellow. Its extended tail feathers take on the same configuration. It has remarkably fluffy feathers at its crown and a white face with black stripes below the eyes. People often consider it the most beautiful of all the parrot species, but we’ll leave that for you to decide.
Some of the Blue-and-Yellow Macaw’s coloration comes from genetics. But some of it comes from what they eat! They eat a diet rich in fruits, seeds, and nuts that contain carotenoids. When absorbed, these carotenoids turn into pigment and lend these parrots their beautiful coloration! For this reason, each bird’s plumage is unique as its access to and preference for certain foods influences its plumage- specifically the brightness of each hue.
These smart birds use the color they earn from their genes and diets. They use coloration to attract mates, hide from predators, communicate, and establish social hierarchies.
The Blue-and-Yellow Macaw lives in swampy tropical forests in South America, ranging from Panama to Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay. They exist in exceptionally high numbers in the Amazon Rainforest.
Preferred Habitat – Swampy tropical rainforest
Unique Behavior – The Blue-and-Yellow Macaw is one of the most trainable and intelligent parrot species
The Bali Mynah, also known as the Rothschild’s Mvnah, is a member of the warbler species. This bird species doesn’t have an array of colors. However, It has one striking and rare coloration that landed it on our last: white. It has gleaming white plumage, completely undisturbed save for a bright blue mask outlining its jet-black eyes.
White birds are rare. Their coloration, or lack thereof, is due to an unusual lack of pigmentation caused by certain genetic conditions. There aren’t many benefits associated with this coloration, but because of its rarity, white birds hold high spiritual significance. They represent purity, innocence, guidance, enlightenment, and peace.
As the name suggests, the Bali Mynah is from Bali, Indonesia. Due to human interference, its range is restricted to only a few areas of Bali.
Preferred Habitat – Dry forest, shrublands, tree and palm savannas, and flooded savanna woodland
Unique Behavior – The Bali Mynah is monogamous, having only one mate for each breeding season
The Gouldian Finch, also called the Rainbow Finch. It is Australia’s most colorful grassfinch. Both sexes have assorted colored patches, including red, black, blue, white, green, and yellow. Interestingly enough, not all birds in this species are identical. Only 75% of the population have black faces, while the remaining 25% have red faces. Beyond that, yellow-faced birds occur occasionally, the yellow coloration due to a lack of pigmentation in a naturally red-faced bird.
As we have discovered, there are a variety of reasons to have colorful plumage. However, the main benefit this species reaps is the skill of location. The bright multi-colored plumage helps the birds find one another in the dark. It is especially useful when mom is finding her way back to the nest to feed her babies. It even helps her see where their mouths are to ensure no cleanup is required!
As mentioned, this bird is native to Australia, particularly northern Australia and the Kimberley region of western Australia.
Preferred Habitat – tropical savannah, thickets, and woodlands with grassy plains
Unique Behavior – It nests exclusively in tree hollows or holes in termite mounds
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