21 Common Birds of our Wetland Habitats

21 Common Birds of our

Wetland Habitats

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

Waders

Great Blue HeronAdults look alike Residents year-roundOften solitary, nocturnal

Common habitat: Marshes, ponds, estuaries, agricultural fields, rivers, and lakes.

Greater Yellow LegsAdults look alikeSpring – late summerOften flock with other shorebirds

Common habitat: Wading in variety of shallow-water habitats.

KilldeerAdults look alikeCommon through FallSome winter over

Common habitat: Open habitats without high grass, suburban or rural, bare gravel areas for nesting.

Swimmers

Canada GooseAdults look alikeCommon year-roundOften in flocks; mate for life

Common habitat: Ponds, lakes, marshes, grassy fields, estuaries, rivers.

Common Merganser

Male

Female (note white chin)

Adults look very differentCommon resident

Common habitat: Fresh, clear water, also coastal bays, brackish river mouths.

MallardAdults look very differentCommon residentWide spread in our area

Common habitat: Fresh or salt water, grain fields, city parks.

Female Male

Aerialists

Swallows Adults look very similarFebruary thru late summerOften flocks with other swallows

Common habitat: Often share same habitat and nesting areas, cavity nesters, open areas near woods and water.

Tree Swallow

Violet Green Swallow

Eye in dark plumageOften more iridescent-blue above

Eye in white plumage with white rump

Often more iridescent-green

above

Barn SwallowAdults look very similarApril - SeptemberOften flocks with other swallows

Common habitat: Open areas near outbuildings, bridges, structures.

Deeply forked tailNest is half cup of mud, hidden under eaves of buildings/ structures in singles or colonies

Gulls – 2 most common

Western

Glaucous–winged

Adults look alikeJuveniles take 3-4 years reach adult plumageHybridize extensively in area; IDs difficultOften in large flocks with each other

Common habitat: Often share same habitat and nesting areas, colonial nesters, coastal areas & Puget Sound lowlands next to water.

Note much darker gray mantle, black wing tips & tail on

Western

1st yr Western Juv.

2nd yr Glau.Wing Juv.

Belted King FisherAdults look similarCommon year-roundVery aggressive & territorial

Common habitat: Near water; rivers, lakes, ponds and coastal bays.

Male

FemaleHas rufous belly band

Birds of Prey

Bald EagleAdults look alike, female largerJuv. 4-5 yrs for adult plumageYear-round resident

Common habitat: Usually in lowlands near water, coastlines, lakes and rivers.

1st yr Juv.

Turkey VultureAdults look alikeCommon Spring – FallOften in flocksRarely flap, dependant on thermals for soaring

Common habitat: Open areas, agricultural fields, clear cuts.

Distinctive ‘V’ flying pattern, wobbly, unsteady flight

Red-Tailed HawkMost common hawk in our regionAdults look alikeAdult plumage can vary extensively in West

Common habitat: Highly adaptable, variety of open habitats, edges, fields, freeway corridors, clear cuts, open woods.

Look for:Dark head & white belly band Flash of red tail in sunlight

Land Birds

Northern FlickerCommon residentAlso highly migratory

Common habitat: Open woodlands, any semi-open area, urban woodlots, lawns.

Female

Male

Anna’s HummingbirdCommon year-round; increasing & spreadingOnly males have bright head coloring

Males green & gray with bright red/pink crownFemales and juv. duller, small red/pink spot on throat

Common habitat: Open woods, shrubs, urban parks & gardens, residential feeders where humans influence range expansion.

Rufous HummingbirdRufous

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.

Adult males have red /orange iridescent gorget; upper back sometimes green, usually rusty orange.

Males arrive in Feb. to build nestsSpecies abundant through summer

Song and Perching Birds

American CrowAdults look alikeYear-round residentRarely 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.

American RobinAdults look similar, female muted colorYear-round resident

Common habitat: Forests, cities, lawns, open areas. Typically ground feeders. Heavy flocks in winter.

Female

Spotted Juv.

Male

Common Sparrows (4)Song Sparrow Most common sparrow

Adults look alikeYear-round resident; sings year roundOur species appear darker than mostBegins nesting in late winter; will have 4-5 nests a year

Common habitat: Prefers shrubs and thickets in wetter areas. Common in all semi-open habitats, broken forest.

Look forThick gray stripe above eyeDense streaking on breastOften has central dark spot on breast

Common Sparrows con’tAdults look dissimilarYear-round resident throughout U.S.Clear breast; plain face; gray crownThick conical beakSmall flocks near human habitation

Common habitat: Urban areas, parks, open farmland; frequents most feeders. Only sparrow found in all urban habitats in U.S.

House Sparrow

FemalePlain dull breastLight-buff eyebrow and collar stripePlain drab crown

MaleBlack bibGray crown Chestnut hind neckWhite collar stripeDuller in winter

Common Sparrows con’tWhite Crown Sparrow Adults look alike

Year-round residentDistinctive black/ white head stripes

Juveniles streaked overall

Common habitat: Cities, parks, farms, shrubby woodland edges next to open areas. Often flock with other sparrows.

Look for:Clean breast & headTwo white wing barsLong tail

Common Sparrows Golden Crown Sparrow Adults look similar, female duller color

Common winter/ spring Oct.-Apr. residentNo black head stripes until springYellow much duller in winter plumage

Common habitat: Ground feeders in open, damper areas of towns, parks, farms. Migrate to sub-alpine areas to nest.

Look for:Clean breast & headSmall yellow billSubtle eye stripeTwo white wing barsLong tail

Spotted TowheeAdults similar, female duller colorYear-round residentRed eye, rufous flanks, white belly

Juvenile heavily streaked, no hood

Common habitat: Ground foragers.Seclusive in shrubby habitats in forested lowlands and urban areas.

MaleBlack hoodDark rufous flanksWhite spots along wings and back

FemaleGray hoodSofter colorsLess white spots

Red-Winged Blackbird

MaleAll blackRed epilates can be hidden

FemaleHeavily streakedRufous tonesBold buffy head stripes

Adults look very differentYear-round resident , though change habitats in winter

Common habitat: Typically found in wet, brushy or marshy areas.

StarlingAdults look alikeYear-round residentMost common song bird in U.S.Often flock in huge numbersVery different winter plumage

Common habitat: Abundant in urban and agricultural areas. Rarely seen in dense forest or mountains.

Adult plumageBlack iridescent plumage with yellow beak during breeding

Winter plumageBlack/ brown plumage with white spots and black beak during winter

Chickadees Black-capped Adults look alike

Year-round residentFlock with Chestnut-backed chickadees

Common habitat: Found in variety of wooded habitats; especially fond of birch and alder. Rarely found in higher elevations.

Look for:Black cap and short throat bibDrab gray back, wings and long tailBuffy sides extend into whitish belly

ChickadeesChestnut-backed

Common habitat: Found in dense coniferous and mixed forests, mountains to urban and agricultural areas. Only found in Pacific NW to coast.

Look for:Dark brown head and extended bibRich dark chestnut back and flanksWhitish belly with very short tail

Adults look alikeYear-round residentFlock with Black-capped chickadees

21 Birds of our Wetlands• 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