21 Common Birds of our Wetland Habitats

1. 21 Common Birds of ourWetland Habitats

2. Look for . . . • Size • Shape • Color • Habitat

3. Waders

4. Great Blue Heron Adults look alike Residents year-round Often solitary, nocturnal Common habitat: Marshes, ponds, estuaries, agricultural fields, rivers, and lakes.

5. Greater Yellow Legs Adults look alike Spring – late summer Often flock with other shorebirds Common habitat: Wading in variety of shallow-water habitats.

6. Killdeer Adults look alike Common through FallSome winter over Common habitat: Open habitats without high grass, suburban or rural, bare gravel areas for nesting.

7. Swimmers

8. Canada Goose Adults look alike Common year-round Often in flocks; mate for life Common habitat: Ponds, lakes, marshes, grassy fields, estuaries, rivers.

9. Common Merganser Adults look very different Common resident Male Female (note white chin) Common habitat: Fresh, clear water, also coastal bays, brackish river mouths.

10. Mallard Adults look very different Common resident Wide spread in our area Male Female Common habitat: Fresh or salt water, grain fields, city parks.

11. Aerialists

12. Swallows Tree Swallow Adults look very similar February thru late summer Often flocks with other swallows Eye in dark plumage Often more iridescent-blueabove Eye in white plumage with white rump Often more iridescent-greenabove Violet Green Swallow Common habitat: Often share same habitat and nesting areas, cavity nesters, open areas near woods and water.

13. Barn Swallow Adults look very similar April - September Often flocks with other swallows Deeply forked tail Nest is half cup of mud, hidden under eaves of buildings/ structures in singles or colonies Common habitat: Open areas near outbuildings, bridges, structures.

14. Gulls – 2 most common Adults look alike Juveniles take 3-4 years reach adult plumage Hybridize extensively in area; IDs difficult Often in large flocks with each other Glaucous–winged Western Note much darker gray mantle, black wing tips & tail on Western 1st yr Western Juv. 2nd yr Glau.Wing Juv. Common habitat: Often share same habitat and nesting areas, colonial nesters, coastal areas & Puget Sound lowlands next to water.

15. Belted King Fisher Adults look similar Common year-round Very aggressive & territorial Male Female Has rufous belly band Common habitat: Near water; rivers, lakes, ponds and coastal bays.

16. Birds of Prey

17. Bald Eagle Adults look alike, female larger Juv. 4-5 yrs for adult plumage Year-round resident 1st yr Juv. Common habitat: Usually in lowlands near water, coastlines, lakes and rivers.

18. Turkey Vulture Adults look alike Common Spring – FallOften in flocks Rarely flap, dependant on thermals for soaring Distinctive ‘V’ flying pattern, wobbly, unsteady flight Common habitat: Open areas, agricultural fields, clear cuts.

19. Red-Tailed Hawk Most common hawk in our region Adults look alike Adult plumage can vary extensively in West Look for: Dark head & white belly band Flash of red tail in sunlight Common habitat: Highly adaptable, variety of open habitats, edges, fields, freeway corridors, clear cuts, open woods.

20. Land Birds

21. Northern Flicker Common resident Also highly migratory Male Female Common habitat: Open woodlands, any semi-open area, urban woodlots, lawns.

22. Anna’s Hummingbird Common year-round; increasing & spreading Only males have bright head coloring Males green & gray with bright red/pink crown Females and juv. duller, small red/pink spot on throat Common habitat: Open woods, shrubs, urban parks & gardens, residential feeders where humans influence range expansion.

23. Rufous Hummingbird Adult males have red /orange iridescent gorget; upper back sometimes green, usually rusty orange. Males arrive in Feb. to build nests Species abundant through summer Rufous Females and juv. green backs with orange tails and under parts. Some will have small orange-red mark on throat. Common habitat : Forest openings, brushy edges, move from lowlands to mountains following the alpine blooms.

24. Song and Perching Birds

25. American Crow Adults look alike Year-round resident Rarely seen aloneHighly adaptable, will eat anything Common habitat: Abundant in cities, towns, agricultural areas, river valleys. Less common in remote area, dense conifers, high mountains.

26. American Robin Adults look similar, female muted color Year-round resident Female Male Spotted Juv. Common habitat: Forests, cities, lawns, open areas. Typically ground feeders. Heavy flocks in winter.

27. Common Sparrows (4) Song Sparrow Most common sparrow Adults look alike Year-round resident; sings year round Our species appear darker than most Begins nesting in late winter; will have 4-5 nests a year Look for Thick gray stripe above eye Dense streaking on breast Often has central dark spot on breast Common habitat: Prefers shrubs and thickets in wetter areas. Common in all semi-open habitats, broken forest.

28. Common Sparrows con’t House Sparrow Adults look dissimilar Year-round resident throughout U.S. Clear breast; plain face; gray crown Thick conical beak Small flocks near human habitation Male Black bib Gray crown Chestnut hind neck White collar stripe Duller in winter Female Plain dull breast Light-buff eyebrow and collar stripe Plain drab crown Common habitat: Urban areas, parks, open farmland; frequents most feeders. Only sparrow found in all urban habitats in U.S.

29. Common Sparrows con’t White Crown Sparrow Adults look alike Year-round resident Distinctive black/ white head stripes Juveniles streaked overall Look for: Clean breast & head Two white wing bars Long tail Common habitat: Cities, parks, farms, shrubby woodland edges next to open areas. Often flock with other sparrows.

30. Common Sparrows Golden Crown Sparrow Adults look similar, female duller color Common winter/ spring Oct.-Apr. resident No black head stripes until spring Yellow much duller in winter plumage Look for: Clean breast & head Small yellow bill Subtle eye stripe Two white wing bars Long tail Common habitat: Ground feeders in open, damper areas of towns, parks, farms. Migrate to sub-alpine areas to nest.

31. Spotted Towhee Adults similar, female duller color Year-round resident Red eye, rufous flanks, white belly Juvenile heavily streaked, no hood Female Gray hood Softer colors Less white spots Male Black hood Dark rufous flanks White spots along wings and back Common habitat: Ground foragers. Seclusive in shrubby habitats in forested lowlands and urban areas.

32. Red-Winged Blackbird Adults look very different Year-round resident , though change habitats in winter Male All black Red epilates can be hidden Female Heavily streaked Rufous tones Bold buffy head stripes Common habitat: Typically found in wet, brushy or marshy areas.

33. Starling Adults look alike Year-round resident Most common song bird in U.S. Often flock in huge numbers Very different winter plumage Adult plumageBlack iridescent plumage with yellow beak during breeding Winter plumage Black/ brown plumage with white spots and black beak during winter Common habitat: Abundant in urban and agricultural areas. Rarely seen in dense forest or mountains.

34. Chickadees Adults look alike Year-round resident Flock with Chestnut-backed chickadees Black-capped Look for: Black cap and short throat bib Drab gray back, wings and long tail Buffy sides extend into whitish belly Common habitat: Found in variety of wooded habitats; especially fond of birch and alder. Rarely found in higher elevations.

35. Chickadees Chestnut-backed Adults look alike Year-round resident Flock with Black-capped chickadees Look for: Dark brown head and extended bib Rich dark chestnut back and flanks Whitish belly with very short tail Common habitat: Found in dense coniferous and mixed forests, mountains to urban and agricultural areas. Only found in Pacific NW to coast.

36. Waders- Great Blue Heron- Greater Yellow Legs- Killdeer Swimmers- Canada Goose- Common Merganser- Mallard Aerialists- Swallows - Gulls- King Fisher Birds of Prey- Bald Eagle- Turkey Vulture- Red-Tailed Hawk Land Birds- Northern Flicker- Hummingbirds Perching Birds- Crow- Robin- Sparrows- Towhee- Red-winged Blackbird- Starling- Chickadee 21 Birds of our Wetlands