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There are no flock members in this family.
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Vermivora chrysoptera- Golden-winged Warbler
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- The Golden-winged Warbler is a small eastern warbler found in early-successional habitats of north eastern United States and south eastern Canada. These habitats last only briefly and this species is being displaced in reforested areas by the Blue-winged Warbler, with which this species hybridizes extensively. These hybrids are known as Brewster's or Lawrence's Warblers.
- A neotropical migrant, the Golden-winged Warbler winters in southern Mexico, Central America and northern South America.
- The Golden-winged Warbler feeds on insects, often opening curled leaves to capture the insects hidden inside.
- Pair formation takes place shortly after the birds arrive on the breeding grounds. The nest is usually constructed within 10 days of arrival, but this may be delayed in wet weather. The female selects the nest site, usually on the ground in shaded edge habitat. An open cup of grass and dead leaves is constructed by the female and 4-5 white eggs are laid. The female incubates the eggs for about 10 days.
- Little is known about the development of the chicks. The chicks are fed by both parents until approximately 31 days of age after which they disperse.
- Changes in populations of Golden-winged Warblers have been closely linked to human land use. Current reforestation of former farm lands benefits this species initially, but this habitat must be maintained in an early successional state by prescribed burns. Competition with the Blue-winged Warbler causes regional declines of this species as does parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds.
- Millions of migrant birds die annually when they collide with antennas, buildings and other structures. Turn of lights and cover windows during migration to save lives. Learn more here.
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Dendroica caerulescens- Black-throated Blue Warbler
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View range map of Black-throated Blue Warbler
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The Black-throated Blue Warbler is a common wood-warbler of hardwood and mixed deciduous/ coniferous forests of the eastern United States and Canada.
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Male Black-throated Blue Warblers have a beautiful blue back and head and a black throat patch. Females have totally different plumage, and have a brown back and head and buffy underparts. This active little (5.25") bird is usually found in the scrubby understory rather than the forest canopy.
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Black-throated Blue Warblers are neo-tropical migrants that winter in Central America, the Bahamas, the Caribbean and northern South America.
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During the breeding season, Black-throated Blue Warblers are insectivores. The birds glean from the undergrowth and forest canopy and also hawk for insect prey. Outside the breeding season, the diet consists largely of fruits and seeds.
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Males defend territories during the breeding season. Year round Black-throated Blue Warblers are mostly solitary. Pairs form on arrival at the breeding grounds and usually last for the season, during which the pair may raise up to three broods.
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The female selects a nest site, usually located in a dense shrub, and builds a nest of dried grasses, twigs and moss. She incubates her clutch of about 4 ivory colored eggs for about 12 days. Both parents feed the nestlings insects, until they fledge after about 12 days.
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Both male and female Black-throated Blue Warblers perform a distraction display involving a broken-wing display in response to predators.
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Immature Black-throated Blue Warblers remain on the nesting territory for about four weeks after fledging. The parents continue to provide some food during this time.
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Deforestation, degradation of habitat and disturbance from human activities are threats to this species at both the breeding and wintering grounds. Climate change may also affect this species in the future.
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Black-throated Blue Warblers and other neo-tropical migrants are at risk from collision with tall buildings and communications towers during migration. Millions of migrant birds die annually when they collide with antennas, buildings and other structures. Turn of lights and cover windows during migration to save lives. Learn more at American Bird Conservancy. |
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- The Kirtland's Warbler is one of North America's rarest birds. Among Wood-Warblers, only the critically endangered, possibly extinct Bachman's Warbler is rarer. Breeding only in young jack pine forests in Michigan, the Kirtland's Warbler is an extreme habitat specialist. The entire population winters in the Bahamas. Rarely seen during migration, the Kirtland's Warbler is thought to fly nonstop on its south bound and north bound migrations.
- Kirtland's Warblers gather insects by foraging on the ground or gleaning from vegetation. Like many neotropical migrant warblers, the Kirtland's Warbler will also feed on soft fruits during the winter.
- Pair formation takes place once the birds reach the breeding grounds. The female constructs a nest of grasses, woody plants and pine needles on the ground at the base of a jack pine and concealed by grass and other low growing vegetation. She lays 3-6 buff eggs which she incubates for about 14 days. Both parents remove the egg shells right after hatching, taking them far from the nest. This is because they may attract predators. The female broods the chicks much of the time initially, and the male brings most of the food.
- The chicks fledge after about 9 days and hide in the vegetation on the ground, appearing like fallen pine cones. The parents continue to feed the chicks for up to 44 days, but they will gradually find most of their own food. The family will split up, the female taking half the chicks and caring for them, while the male cares for the remaining half. If it is early in the breeding season the pair will begin another clutch while they are still feeding the first brood.
- The Kirtland's Warbler has suffered extensively from Brown-headed Cowbird parasitism. The Brown-headed Cowbird occupied the Kirtland's Warbler's range in the 1880s following deforestation, and has become ever more abundant since. The cowbird lays its eggs in the warbler nest and leaves the host to raise the chicks. The cowbird chicks are bigger and hatch first, disposing of the warbler eggs or killing the warbler hatchlings. Cowbird parasitism reduced breeding success of the Kirtland's Warbler by 40-55% when nests were parasitized and 70% of nests were found to contain at least one cowbird egg.
- Loss of suitable breeding habitat sent this species into further decline. In 1957 three areas of land in State Forests were set aside to be managed for Kirtland's Warbler habitat. Prescribed burns and cutting of trees to maintain the young forests required by this species were carried out.
- Numbers of Kirtland's Warblers dropped by 60% between 1961-1971 and after this capturing of cowbirds was carried out to relieve the pressure on breeding Kirtland's Warblers. This proved extremely successful, but the numbers of cowbirds did not decline and large numbers must be captured annually.
- Additional protection for the Kirtland's Warbler came with the passing of the Endangered Species Act in 1973, and more habitat was protected and managed for this species. Numbers have grown since, but the population is not self sustaining, depending on the removal of cowbirds and continued management of its breeding habitat.
- Millions of migrant birds die annually when they collide with antennas, buildings and other structures. Turn of lights and cover windows during migration to save lives. Learn more here.
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- A generalist among warblers, the Yellow-rumped Warbler has a broad breeding range stretching from Alaska to Guatemala in the west and across the northern United States and southern Canada. During the winter this species is common in the southern United States, Mexico and the western Caribbean.
- While it requires coniferous forests for breeding, the Yellow-rumped warbler is found in many habitats during winter and will consume substantial amounts of fruit at this time.
- The Yellow-rumped warbler was formerly considered to be two separate species, the Audubon's Warbler in the west and the Myrtle Warbler in the east. These hybridize freely where their ranges meet and on this basis and genetic similarities they are now considered one species.
- The Yellow-rumped Warbler gleans for insects and also captures them in flight by aerial hawking. During the winter it may live entirely on fruits.
- The breeding behavior of this species is not well studied. Breeding density is low and nests difficult to locate. The female constructs a nest of grasses and pine needles in a coniferous tree. 3-6 eggs are laid and incubated for 12-13 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge after approximately two weeks.
- This species is doing well and has benefitted from planting of conifer plantations.
- Like all migratory birds, the Yellow-rumped Warbler is at risk from collision with antennas, buildings and other structures. This danger may be greatly reduced by turning off lights in tall buildings during migration. Learn more about this problem and how you can help here.
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- The Common Yellowthroat is a widespread member of the wood-warbler family. This species breeds throughout the United States and Canada and as far north as Alaska. With its distinctive black mask and cheery song, this bird is easily located in thick tangled vegetation in a variety of habitats. Wetlands are preferred but even prairies and pine forests may be used.
- The Common Yellowthroat forages on the ground for insects and spiders, and also gleans from vegetation.
- A nest of grasses and leaves is constructed by the female, usually on the ground or in low vegetation, and concealed among sedges and grasses. About 4 eggs are incubated for 12 days by the female. The chicks fledge after 14 days and are fed by both parents, or just the male if the female begins a second clutch.
- Parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds is common among this species. Nests which contain cowbird eggs produce four times as many cowbirds as Common Yellowthroats. The Brown-headed Cowbird is expanding its range due to habitat fragmentation and its impact on warbler populations continues to grow.
- All nocturnal migrants are especially vulnerable to collisions with antennas, buildings and other structures. A three year study found that 2710 Common Yellowthroats (and thousands of other birds) were killed in collision with a single television transmission tower in Florida. To learn more about this danger and how you can help visit Fatal Light Awareness Program.
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Wilsonia citrina- Hooded Warbler
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The Hooded Warbler is an attractive little 5.5" bird with a bright yellow face and a black hood and throat patch.
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Hooded Warblers are neo-tropical migrants that breed in southern Canada and the eastern United States and migrate to Central America for the winter. Breeding habitat is cypress swamps, moist woodlands and mature hardwood forests.
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There are pronounced behavioural differences between male and female Hooded Warblers. In winter, male Hooded Warblers occupy high quality woodland habitat while females occupy scrub and disturbed woodlands. During the breeding season males and females feed differently, males hawking for insects, while females glean insects from foliage.
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Pairs form on arrival at the breeding grounds and remain together for the duration of the season. The female builds a nest of fine grasses and plant fibers in a shrub or scrubby undergrowth. She incubates her clutch of 3-4 eggs for about 12 days. Both parents feed the nestlings until they fledge after about 9 days. The fledglings are then divided and half are cared for by each parent. If the female lays a second brood the male may take care of all the fledglings, or she may continue to care for them while incubating the second clutch. The fledglings become independent at about 4-5 weeks of age.
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Hooded Warblers are frequent hosts for Brown-headed Cowbirds, particularly where they are nesting in disturbed habitat. This species is also area sensitive and requires large areas of intact forest; forest fragmentation therefore threatens this species by reducing the number of available territories and increasing Brown-headed Cowbird parasitism. Loss of wintering habitat also threatens this species.
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Hooded Warblers and other neo-tropical migrants are at risk from collision with tall buildings and communications towers during migration. Millions of migrant birds die annually when they collide with antennas, buildings and other structures. Turn of lights and cover windows during migration to save lives. Learn more at American Bird Conservancy. |
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There are no flock members in this family.
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Piranga olivacea- Scarlet Tanager
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- The Scarlet Tanager is a striking red and black neo-tropical migrant. A bird of the forest canopy, the Scarlet Tanager can be hard to observe. The male is red with black wings. The female is yellow with an olive green back and grey/ green tail and wings. The birds are 7 inches long.
- Scarlet Tanagers breed in mature deciduous forests of the eastern United States and southern Canada. The birds migrate to South America for the winter. A nocturnal migrant, the Scarlet Tanager makes the longest migration of any Tanager species.
- Scarlet Tanagers eat insects and fruit. The birds forage by gleaning from bark crevices or by aerial hawking, in which the bird flies from a perch to capture a flying insect, returning to the perch to consume the meal.
- The pretty song of the male Scarlet Tanager may be heard constantly on the breeding grounds. Females may also sing, answering the song of their mate.
- During the breeding season Scarlet Tanagers preen and sunbath frequently. Males defend territories, advertising their claim from a prominent perch and countersinging with neighbors.
- This species is monogamous and pairs form once the females arrive at the breeding grounds where the males have already established territories.
- The female builds a nest of grasses on a branch. She lays 4 green/ blue eggs which she incubates for about 14 days. Both parents feed the chicks until they fledge after about 10 days. The immature birds are fed for a further two weeks before leaving the parents territory.
- Scarlet Tanagers are a host species for Brown-headed Cowbirds. Scarlet Tanagers aggressively defend the nest against Brown-headed Cowbirds but if a cowbird egg is successfully laid in the nest, the Scarlet Tanagers are unable to recognize it and raise it as their own.
- Scarlet Tanagers and Summer Tanagers sometimes have overlapping territories and countersing.
- This species is sensitive to forest fragmentation of the breeding habitat and deforestation of the wintering grounds.
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Piranga ludoviciana- Western Tanager
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- The Western Tanager is a brightly colored bird of western mountainous, open coniferous and mixed woodlands.
- The male Western Tanager is bright yellow with a red head and black wings. The female is olive with gray wings. This species is rarely observed as the birds spend most of their time in the dense, high forest canopy.
- Western Tanagers migrate to open forests of Central America for the winter. The birds are nocturnal migrants, traveling alone or in small groups. Sometimes Western Tanagers may associate with other song birds during migration flights.
- Western Tanagers eat insects and fruits. This species forages high in the forest canopy and also catches some insects on the wing.
- Western Tanager pairs may form before arriving at the breeding grounds. The female builds a nest of twigs and mosses in the fork of a tree. She incubates the clutch of 3-5 eggs for about 13 days. Both parents feed the chicks until they fledge after about 14 days. The immature birds remain with their parents for several weeks. At the end of the breeding season, the adults leave for migration first, the immatures later.
- This species is impacted by deforestation of both the breeding grounds and wintering grounds.
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Pipilo erythrophthalmus- Eastern Towhee
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- The Easter Towhee is a colorful bird of woodland undergrowth. It has contrasting black upper parts, rufous sides and a white belly and is 8.5 inches long. The female is similar but paler with brown upper parts.
- The Eastern Towhee and Spotted Towhee were formerly considered to be a single species and where known as the Rufous-sided Towhee until 1995. The two species hybridize in the area where their ranges overlap.
- A common bird of eastern North American open woodland habitats, this species is rarely observed as the birds are usually in dense undergrowth, brush, scrub or leaf litter.
- Northern populations of Eastern Towhee are migratory, breeding in south eastern Canada and the north eastern United States and wintering in Oklahoma and north east Texas. In the remainder of the species range the birds are resident year round.
- Eastern Towhees are omnivores, consuming insects, fruits, seeds and acorns. The species forages on the ground, hoping back and forth and scratching the ground to stir up insects. The birds may hop to and from a low perch, surveying the area.
- Both male and female Eastern Towhees sing during the breeding season. During courtship display the male opens and closes his tail and wings, flashing the white spots, while on a prominent perch.
- Male Eastern Towhees establish and defend territories. The female, selects the nest site and builds the cup shaped nest of grasses, leaves and bark in a scratch on the ground. She incubates the clutch of 3-4 eggs for about 12 days.
- Both parents feed the chicks until they fledge at about 11 days of age. Eastern Towhees may mob a predator which threatens the nest or young. The female may provide a distraction display to lead the predator away from the nest.
- Immature Eastern Towhees remain in the parents' territory for 3-4 weeks before dispersing. The pair may raise a second brood.
- Eastern Towhees have declined in abundance, probably due to loss or fragmentation of habitat.
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Spizella passerina- Chipping Sparrow
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- The Chipping Sparrow is an abundant species of open woodlands, towns and gardens across North America.
- Chipping Sparrows have an insect-like trill song. They make a "chip" call for which the species is named.
- This small (5.5 inches) sparrow has a chestnut crown, black eye line and white eyebrow.
- Chipping Sparrows breed in open woodlands, parks and gardens from northern Canada, south to the Gulf Coast. Populations in the southern United States are resident year round. Northern populations winter in Mexico and Central America.
- The diet of the Chipping Sparrow is predominantly seeds. During the breeding season the birds also eat insects. Fruit is also consumed. Most foraging is done on the ground, and the birds also glean from foliage, and hawk for insects.
- Male Chipping Sparrows arrive first on the breeding grounds and acquire territories. During this time they spend much time flying from perch to perch singing. The female arrive later and the pair chooses a nest site in a tree or shrub. The female builds the nest of grasses and sticks.
- The female Chipping Sparrow incubates the clutch of 4 blue/ green eggs for about 10 days. Both parents care for the young until they fledge at about 10 days of age.
- The immature birds remain with their parents for 2-3 weeks, and then form into flocks with other young birds.
- Polygyny and helps-at-the nest have occasionally been observed in this species.
- Chipping Sparrows benefitted from human modifications of the landscape which provided more open, partially wooded habitats in farms and towns. Since 1900, the species has been in decline due to changes in agricultural practices, which have resulted in the removal of small woodlots.
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Calamospiza melanocorys- Lark Bunting
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The Lark Bunting is a distinctive grassland bird of the Great Plains. This 7" sparrow is black with a white wing patch during the breeding season, but molts into a totally different brown/white plumage for the winter, at which time males resemble females.
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In the breeding season, Lark Buntings inhabit dry grassland, meadows, prairies and agricultural fields. The species is migratory and winters in southern Arizona, New Mexico, west Texas, and Mexico. Lark Buntings are diurnal migrants, and travel in flocks. This gregarious species may winter in flocks of hundreds of individuals, and is social all year.
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Lark Buntings hawk for insects and glean from foliage. During the breeding season, insects, particularly grasshoppers, predominate in the diet. Grass seeds and other vegetable matter make up a larger part of the diet in winter. Female Lark Buntings hawk for insects more frequently than males who mostly glean insects directly from foliage.
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Lark Buntings nest in small colonies and while usually monogamous, some are polygynous. The nest is located on the ground, usually close to cover, and is woven of grasses. The clutch consists of 4-5 pale blue eggs which the female incubates for about 11 days. The male may help with incubation, and both parents feed the chicks which fledge after about 9 days. The immature birds remain in the vicinity of the nest and are fed by the parents for several weeks, and may not leave the territory until after the parents have departed on fall migration. Immature Lark Buntings migrate together.
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Loss of native prairies is the greatest threat to the Lark Bunting; however the birds have adapted to use human modified landscapes. |
Melospiza melodia- Song Sparrow
I'm a Species of Concern
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- The melody of the Song Sparrow can be heard in open woodlands, parks, gardens and suburbs, usually close to fresh water, coast to coast across North America and from Canada south to Mexico.
- Song Sparrows are highly variable in plumage, size, beak size and song, with over 30 subspecies recognized. They have a large gray eyebrow and a streaked breast with a dark spot in the center.
- Northern populations are migratory, wintering in the southern and central United States and Mexico. During winter resident and migratory Song Sparrows may occupy the same locations.
- Song Sparrows favor riparian habitats, woodland edge, marshes, bogs and gardens.
- Song Sparrows eat seeds, berries and insects. Coastal populations eat crustaceans and mollusks. Song Sparrows forage on the ground in undergrowth, along stream banks and on tidal flats. The birds are adaptable and may glean from foliage, probe the ground or rake through undergrowth and leaf litter. They may catch insects in flight.
- Resident males defend territories year round and may remain paired over successive years with the same mate. Migratory males arrive at the breeding grounds and establish territories before the females arrive. Song Sparrows are usually monogamous, but polygyny is fairly common.
- The female builds a nest under a shrub or brush pile, lining it with grasses. She lays 3-4 blue/ green eggs which she incubates for about 13 days. The chicks are altricial and fledge after about 10 days. Both parents care for the chicks, with the male providing most of the food and the female brooding.
- After the chicks fledge the male continues to care for them and the female begins a second clutch. Several broods may be raised in a single season.
- Song Sparrows have adapted well to urban and suburban environments, but habitat loss may cause regional declines in some locations.
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Melospiza georgiana- Swamp Sparrow
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- The Swamp Sparrow is a common, though rarely seen bird of freshwater marshes, meadows and swamps in the eastern United States and boreal Canada.
- The Swamp Sparrow is reddish brown with a gray face and eyebrow. The bird is about 5.5 inches long, and has gray under parts.
- Swamp Sparrows migrate, wintering in the southeastern United States and Mexico.
- Swamp Sparrows eat seeds and insects, gleaning from foliage. Aquatic invertebrates are captured by wading in the shallow water edge and probing the mud.
- During the winter Swamp Sparrows form large roosting flocks. The birds also forage together in small flocks. During the breeding season the birds are territorial. The males arrive on the breeding grounds before the females and establish and defend territories.
- The female Swamp Sparrow builds a nest in a low bush in the marsh, using grasses and stems. She incubates the 4-5 green eggs for about 13 days. When the female is icubating and brooding the males brings her food. Both parents care for the chicks which fledge after about 12 days. The female continues to feed the chicks for about 2 weeks after fledging.
- Swamp Sparrows are a wetland species and so vulnerable to loss or degradation of wetland habitat.
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Junco hyemalis- Dark-eyed Junco
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- The Dark-eyed Junco is a common sparrow of forest edges, brushy fields, rural roadsides, agricultural fields and suburban back yard feeders. The species is found coast to coast in North America and from Canada to Mexico.
- Dark-eyed Juncos are varied, with five distinct groups recognized.
- The breeding range of Dark-eyed Junco extends across Alaska and Canada. In the western United States, the species is resident year round. Migrants winter in the central, eastern and southern United States.
- Dark-eyed Juncos eat spiders, seeds and insects. The birds forage in the leaf litter or glean from foliage. Winter feeding flocks may contain other species.
- Males establish breeding territories. During pair formation the birds engage in courtship displays of wing drooping, tail fanning and soft singing. The nest is usually in a shallow depression on the ground, with overhanging coverage. The female lines the nest with twigs, leaves and grasses.
- Only the female incubates the clutch of 4-5 pale blue eggs. The eggs hatch after 12 days and fledge about 12 days later. The female broods the chicks and both parents provide food for the young, mostly consisting of insects and spiders.
- Immature birds are independent of parents two weeks after fledging, and form into large flocks.
- Large flocks of Dark-eyed Juncos visit back yard feeders. To help this species join Project Feederwatch.
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Plectrophenax nivalis- Snow Bunting
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The Snow Bunting is a bird of the high arctic. In breeding plumage the males are white with a black back and tail, molting into typical brown sparrow plumage in fall. Females are more gray.
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Male Snow Buntings return to their high arctic breeding territories in April, when temperatures are around -30C. Competition for rocky cavities in which the birds nest is thought to account for this early arrival.
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After breeding, Snow Buntings migrate south to winter in Alaska, Canada and the northern United States. Snow Buntings migrate in large flocks, and are both diurnal and nocturnal migrants. Close to the arctic they migrate primarily at night.
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On migration and during the winter Snow Buntings use grassy fields, meadows and agricultural fields, where they forage on the ground for grass seeds and grain. The birds may be seen in large numbers along road sides and in farm yards following heavy snow fall. Snow Buntings follow coastal cliffs and beaches on migration, where they feed on crustaceans and mollusks. During the breeding season, insects are an important part of the birds' diet, and that of their nestlings.
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The males arrive at the breeding grounds first and establish territories which they defend by singing from a prominent perch. Males perform displays to females who may visit several territories before choosing a mate.
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The female Snow Bunting builds a nest of grasses, moss and feathers, inside a rocky cavity or burrow. Old nests may be reused. She incubates the clutch of 4-7 gray eggs for about 13 days. During this time the male brings food to the female. The chicks hatch and fledge asynchronously, leaving the nest after about 15 days.
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The parents divide the brood as they fledge, and continue feeding them. After a few days the young Snow Buntings begin to catch flies for themselves. The immature birds then form large pre-migratory flocks.
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The harsh climate of the Snow Buntings' habitat is the greatest factor in limiting populations of this species. Availability of nest sites is also a factor. |
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Cardinalis cardinalis- Northern Cardinal
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- The beautiful bright red Northern Cardinal is a common bird in parks and back yards in eastern and central United States, parts of Canada and Mexico. This popular species frequents back yard feeders and has been introduced in California, Hawaii and Bermuda. The Northern Cardinal is the State Bird of seven US states.
- The Northern Cardinal is an omnivore with a diet of seeds, insects and fruits. This opportunistic feeder forages for seeds on the ground, insects in trees and fruits from trees and shrubs.
- Both the bright red male and the more brownish female Northern Cardinals sing.
- Many pairs remain together year round; others form into flocks during the winter. The female constructs the nest in a small tree or shrub or among tangled vines. The cup of grass is placed in the fork of a branch. Usual clutch size is 2 or 3 eggs, and these are incubated by the female for approximately 12 days. The male feeds the female during incubation and brooding of the chicks. The chicks are fed exclusively soft insects in the first few days.
- The Northern Cardinal is a frequent cowbird host. Brown-headed Cowbirds parasitize Northern Cardinal nests by laying their own eggs in the nest and leaving the hosts to raise their chicks. Northern Cardinals frequently abandon parasitized nests or remove cowbird eggs, so the success of the cowbirds is limited.
- The chicks fledge after about 10 days and the parents continue to care for them until they are about 30 days old.
- Northern Cardinals have benefitted from human alterations of the landscape. Conversion of woodlands to agricultural fields and suburbs provided greater nesting habitat for this species. Winter feeders have allowed the Northern Cardinal to expand its range northwards.
- Join Project FeederWatch to help scientists learn more about this species. Or participate in the annual Great Backyard Bird Count held every February.
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Pheucticus ludovicianus- Rose-breasted Grosbeak
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The male Rose-breasted Grosbeak is a large (8 inches) finch with a black back and head, white breast and a large red triangular throat patch. Females are streaked brown all over.
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Rose-breasted Grosbeaks breed in deciduous and mixed forests, open woodlands, parks and gardens, along roadways and in wooded residential areas, in central and eastern North America. In winter, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks migrate to Mexico and South America.
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Rose-breasted Grosbeaks have a large conical beak which enables them to cut into flowers to obtain seeds and wild fruits. The birds also eat insects which they capture by hawking or gleaning or directly from the ground. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are frequent visitors to back yard bird feeders where their favourite foods are black-oil sunflower seeds and safflower seeds.
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Pairs form on arrival at the breeding grounds. Males sing their beautiful melodic song from a conspicuous perch in their territory. The nest is a loose cup of plant material placed in a shrub or tree.
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The clutch consists of about 4 blue/ green mottled eggs which both parents incubate for about 13 days. Both parents feed the chicks insects until they fledge after about 10 days. The immature birds remain dependent on their parents for 3-4 weeks, and remain on the territory until fall migration. If the female begins a second brood, the male will take over all the care of the first brood.
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In the wintering range, the Rose-breasted Grosbeak is trapped for the cage bird trade. Additional threats to this species include degradation of habitat and collision with manmade objects during migration.
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Passerina caerulea- Blue Grosbeak
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The Blue Grosbeak is a bright blue finch with two pretty chestnut wing bars and a large conical beak. The female is brown.
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Blue Grosbeaks breed across the United States in open woodlands, hedgerows, fields, and stream banks. The birds migrate south to winter in Central and South America.
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Blue Grosbeaks eat insects, snails and seeds. They glean from foliage, hunt from a perch, or forage directly on the ground. The birds flick their tails frequently and hop along the ground, but are swift in flight.
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Pairs form on arrival at the breeding grounds and last through the season. The female builds a nest of twigs lined with fine grasses, in a tree or vine. She lays 4 eggs which she incubates for 12 days. The female also provides most of the food for the chicks, but the male will take over once the chicks fledge at about 10 days of age, if she lays a second brood.
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Fledglings form pre-migratory flocks and feed on seeds and grain. They are later joined by the young of the second brood, and eventually the adults.
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Blue Grosbeaks are a frequent host species for parasitic Brown-headed Cowbirds, which can greatly reduce nesting success.
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Blue Grosbeaks and other migrant birds are at risk from collision with tall buildings and communications towers during migration. Millions of migrant birds die annually when they collide with antennas, buildings and other structures. Turn of lights and cover windows during migration to save lives. Learn more at American Bird Conservancy. |
Passerina ciris- Painted Bunting
I'm a Species of Concern
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- The spectacular coloring of the male Painted Bunting makes it one of the most colorful birds in North America. The male does not attain this bright plumage until the second fall of its life. Until then he is similarly colored to the female Painted Bunting who is also beautiful in her greenish yellow plumage.
- There are two distinct geographically isolated populations of Painted Buntings. The eastern population in coastal North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and northern Florida, and the western population found in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas Arkansas, and Louisiana have different migration patterns. The western population breaks its migration in Arizona and southern Mexico where the birds undergo a seasonal molt of their plumage. They then continue on into Central America where they spend the winter. Eastern populations molt before leaving the breeding grounds, and heading for Central America.
- During the breeding season the Painted Bunting is found in woodlands, including wooded yards, old agricultural habitats and roadside thickets.
- The Painted Bunting forages on the ground for seeds, except during the breeding season when it eats mostly insects.
- The female constructs a woven cup of grasses which is placed in low vegetation. Occasionally an old nest may be reused. 3-4 grey speckled eggs are laid, and incubated for 11 days by the female. The female cares for the chicks alone until they fledge at about 9 days of age. She continues to care for them until they are about 30 days of age, but they will gradually learn to find most of their food themselves.
- Historically the Painted Bunting was a popular cage bird, and thousands were captured for this purpose during the 1800s. Painted Buntings are still captured in large numbers on their wintering grounds in Central America.
- Habitat loss has its greatest impact in the eastern population which is smaller and has a more limited distribution. During the 1930s the practice of clearing roadside vegetation caused a dramatic decline in numbers. Development of coastal swamp thickets and woodland edge habitat has greatly diminished the availability of suitable breeding habitat.
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Spiza americana- Dickcissel
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- The Dickcissel is a semi-nomadic bird of prairie grasslands. A beautiful bird, with a yellow chest and black throat patch, the Dickcissel has a white eyebrow and streaked brown and black back.
- Dickcissels breed in the prairie grassland region of the central United States. The habitat may include grazed pastures and hayfields. The birds migrate to the llanos region of Venezuela. This is seasonally flooded grassland, much of which has now been converted to agriculture.
- Dickcissels are omnivores, eating a variety of seeds and insects. The birds forage on the ground in dense growth or pluck seeds directly from grasses.
- The song of the Dickcissel is one of the most common in prairie habitats. Males sing year round, and from dawn to dusk during the breeding season.
- Outside the breeding season Dickcissels are highly social. Winter flocks of Dickcissels fly in tight formations and sleep in large communal roosts.
- Dickcissels are polygynous. The male establishes a territory and advertises for a mate. Once the female begins to lay he begins to advertise for a second mate.
- The female Dickcissel builds the nest, incubates the eggs and cares for the chicks alone. The male continues to defend the territory, but plays no part in raising the young. The nest is interwoven storks in the grasses. Incubation lasts for about 12 days and the chicks fledge about 9 days after hatching. The young remain dependent for 2 weeks after which they join a pre-migratory flock. The male may have already departed the territory by the time the young are raised.
- Dickcissels are hunted on their wintering grounds. The species is considered an agricultural pest, and deliberate poisoning of large wintering flocks occurs. Loss of grassland habitat has also impacted this species. Early mowing of agricultural fields, destroys nests, and kills young.
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