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POCKET GUIDES

BACKYARDBIRDS

• Tips to Attract Them • Colorful Photo IDs• Full Range Maps • and Much MORE!

5I5IFAVORITES

‘Must-Have’ Reference for Backyard Bird Lovers

©2005 Reiman Media Group, Inc.

ATTRACT birds to your yard and identify them, too, with this hardcoverbook from Birds & Blooms, Birds inYour Backyard. This handy how-toguide reveals secrets and step-by-stepinstructions for planning a landscapethat welcomes winged visitors.

Easy Tips to Keep YourFeathered Friends Flocking!You’ll learn the best plants to

encourage birds to nest in your yard…how to grow your own bird food…how to add an irresistible birdbath orpond…the best seed to attract specificbirds…and much more!

Detailed directions will walk youthrough the process of constructing andmounting your own birdhouses andfeeders—21 of them! With these easy-to-build projects, you’ll have birdsfeeding and nesting in your yard in notime.

Featuring 600-plus colorful photosand drawings, Birds in Your Backyardcombines several books into one con-venient reference. Even experiencedbird-watchers will appreciate featureslike:

● A “field guide” identifying morethan 170 varieties of birds and butterflies.

● An A-to-Z landscaping “primer”with more than 75 flowers andplants your winged friends love.

● Secrets for successful bird-watch-ing and tips for capturing close-upphotos of your favorite birds.

Save $5.00 Off the Regular Price!As a member of our subscriber

“family,” you’re entitled to enjoy thisfull-color, 7-1/2" by 9" hardcover bookfor just $21.95, plus $4.95 for shipping

and handling ($5.50 for orders of twoor more books). You save $5.00—19%off the regular price of $26.95.

No-Risk, 100% GuaranteePlus, if ever you’re not completely

satisfied with your copy of Birds inYour Backyard, simply return it. You’llreceive a 100% refund, no questionsasked. So don’t delay, order your copy today!

Printed in U.S.A.

SubscriberDiscount

SAVE $5.00!

TO ORDER: Have your credit cardready and call us toll-free: 1-800/558-1013. Be sure to mention Suite 7785,item #33811. Or, if you prefer, just mailyour check or money order madepayable to “Country Store” for $21.95,plus $4.95 shipping and handling ($5.50for orders of two or more books) to:

Country StoreSuite 7785, 5925 Country LaneGreendale WI 53129-1498

Please add 5% state sales tax for ordersshipped to Wisconsin.

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Mountain Bluebird

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Scientific Name: Sialia currucoides.Family: Thrush.Length: 7-1/4 inches. Wingspan: 14 inches.Distinctive Markings: Males are brilliantblue all over. Females are gray overallwith pale-blue feathers on tail and wings.Nest: Pair builds a grass nest in cavityor birdhouse. Lays four to six pale-blueeggs between April and July.

Habitat: Meadows, clear-ings and open forestsat elevations of 10,000to 12,000 feet.Song: Similar to the east-ern bluebird’s song, butslightly higher pitched.Diet: Insects and berries.Backyard Favorite: Livemealworms.

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DISCOVER THE BIRDSIN YOUR OWN BACKYARD

DO YOU want to know more about the birds that share your back-yard? Then this Birds & Blooms Backyard Birds Pocket Guide willbe a reference you’ll want to keep handy. Quickly identify 51common songbirds—from the ones that serenade you from theback fence, to those that stop at your feeders on a regular basis.

Quick Index by Bird Families

3 Thrushes

6 Mockingbirds

7 Tanagers

9 Finches17 Wood-Warbler18 Hummingbirds20 Crows

21 Blackbirds

24 Nuthatches

25 Titmice

26 Swallows

28 Wrens

29 Woodpeckers

Key to Range Maps

■ Summer■ Migration■ Year-Round■ Winter

Editor Stacy Tornio Art Director Jennifer Dzik

Contributing Editor George Harrison Copy Editor Susan Uphill

Graphic Art Associates Ellen Lloyd, Catherine FletcherPhoto Coordinator Trudi Bellin

Assistant Photo Coordinator Mary Ann Koebernik Executive Editor Birds & Blooms Jeff Nowak

Reiman Media Group, Inc. 5925 Country Lane, Greendale WI 53129

PRINTED IN USA

www.birdsandblooms.com Cover: Scarlet tanager, Bill Marchel

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American RobinEastern Bluebird

Scientific Name: Hylocichla mustelina.Family: Thrush.Length: 7-3/4 inches. Wingspan: 13 inches.DistinctiveMarkings: Potbel-lied bird similar inshape to an Americanrobin. Bright reddishcrown and neck, whiteeye ring and a boldblack-spotted breast.Nest: Females buildnest in the crotch of atree or shrub. Resembles a robin’s nest. Song: Tranquil, peaceful liquid song.Sounds like “Ger-al-deeeeen.”Diet: Insects and a wide range of fruitsand berries.Backyard Favorites: Feeders with fruit orbird cakes made with cornmeal, peanutbutter and beef suet.

Scientific Name:Sialia sialis.Family: Thrush.Length: 7 inches.Wingspan: 13 inches.Distinctive Markings:Male has blue back,wings and head, with awhite belly. Orange onbreast extends ontothroat. Females have the same markings,but duller.Nest: Built mostly by the female, in cavi-ty or birdhouse. She lays four to six pale-blue, sometimes white, eggs betweenMarch and July.Song: Soft warble, “tru-al-ly, tru-al-ly.”Habitat: Open backyards and farmland.Diet: Insects and berries.Backyard Favorite: Live mealworms.

Scientific Name: Sialia mexicana.Family: Thrush.Length: 7 inches.Wingspan: 13-1/2 inches.Distinctive Markings:Male has blue back,wings, head and throat,plus a bluish tinge on bel-ly. Orange on breast ex-tends onto back. Fe-males have the samemarkings, but are much duller.Nest: Pair builds a nest of grasses in acavity or birdhouse, then lines it with fin-er grasses. The female lays four to sixpale-blue eggs in April and May.Song: A subdued “f-few, f-few, f-few.”Habitat: Open woodlands with scatteredold trees, plus farmland and orchards.Diet: Insects and berries.Backyard Favorite: Live mealworms.

Scientific Name:Turdus migratorius.Family: Thrush.Length: 10 inches.Wingspan: 17 inches.Distinctive Markings:Male has orange breast,black head and tail, yel-low bill, white aroundeyes and on throat. Females are duller.Nest: Three to four pastel-blue eggs in aneat deep cup made of mud and grass.Song: Loud liquid song, “cheerily, cheer-up, cheerio.” Habitat: Yards, fields, farms and woods.Diet: Earthworms. Also eats insects,berries and some seeds.Backyard Favorites: Fresh fruit, raisins,hulled sunflower seeds and peanut butter.

Western Bluebird Wood Thrush

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Gray Catbird

Northern Mockingbird

Western Tanager

Scientific Name: Mimus polyglottos.Family: Mockingbird.Length: 10 inches. Wingspan: 14 inches.Distinctive Markings: Both sexes are graywith grayish-white undersides and whitepatches on the bottom of their wings.Nest: Pairs build cup-shaped nests inthe fork of a shrub. Lays three to six blueor green eggs with brown splotches.

Song: Almost unlimited variations.Repeats songs several times

with a pause before anew series.

Habitat: Back-yards, pastures,

orchards, farmhedges and wood-

land edges.Diet: Insects, fruit and

berries.Backyard Favorites: Berry-producing

plants, apple slices, peanut butter,suet, mealworms and raisins.

Scientific Name: Piranga ludoviciana.Family: Tanager.Length: 7-1/4 inches.Wingspan: 11-1/2 inches.Distinctive Markings: Male has bright-yellow body, black wings with prominentwhite bars. Red head in spring and sum-mer. Female is yellow with gray back.Nest: Three to five bluish-green eggswith irregular brown spots. Builds loose

nest of twigs high in the trees.Song: Similar to arobin, “Queer-it, queer.Queer-it, queer.” Habitat: Mature forests.Diet: Insects and fruit.Backyard Favorites:Dried fruit, orange halvesand sugar water.

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Scientific Name: Dumetella carolinensis. Family: Mockingbird. Length: 8-1/2 inches. Wingspan: 11 inches. Distinctive Markings: Slate-gray bodywith a black cap and tail, rust-red feath-ers under tail. Nest: Builds nests in garden shrubs orthickets near creeks or swamps. Femalesusually lay four glossy dark greenish-blue eggs; often raises two broods inone season. Song: Alarm call is acatlike mewing; song isa mix of notes, maymimick other songbirds. Habitat: Dense thickets.Easier to hear than seebecause they hide indense shrubbery. Diet: Insects and berries. Backyard Favorites: Will eat grape jelly.

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Scarlet TanagerScientific Name: Piranga olivacea.Family: Tanager. Length: 7 inches. Wingspan: 11-1/2 inches. Distinctive Markings: Male is fire red withblack wings until fall, when they molt toa humble yellow-green appearance. Fe-males look identical toyellow-green males,except with blackwings and tales. Nest: Females buildshallow saucer-shapednests. Song: Five phrases ina rapid pattern, simi-lar to an American rob-in with a sore throat. Habitat: Tends to stay high in treetops. Diet: Insects in forests, parks and subur-ban residential areas. Backyard Favorites: Orange halves, sug-ar water and grape jelly.

Scientific Name: Piranga rubra. Family: Tanager. Length: 7-3/4 inches. Wingspan: 12 inches. Distinctive Markings:Males have an overallbright rose-red colorthroughout the year. Fe-males range between ayellowish orange andgreen. Nest: Shallow cup on adogwood, oak or pinelimb. Four pale-blue or green eggs,speckled with browns and grays. Song: Five to 10 robinlike musical phrases. Habitat: Dry open woods, preferably nearwater. Diet: Bees and wasps, larvae hangingfrom eaves. Backyard Favorites: Sugar water andgrape jelly.

Scientific Name: Carduelis tristis.Family: Finch.Length: 5 inches. Wingspan: 9 inches.Distinctive Markings: In spring andsummer, males are bright yellow withblack wings, tail and forehead. Femalesare duller yellow with white wing bars.In winter, both males and females areolive brown with wing bars.Nest: Cup-shaped nest, lined with this-tle or milkweed. Lays four to six pale-

blue eggs.Song: Melodic “per-chick-o-ree, per-chick-o-ree.”Habitat: Open areas likeyards, fields, fencerows andgroves.Diet: Seeds and berries.Backyard Favorites: Supplynyjer (thistle) in a tube feed-er with multiple ports, or in a nylonstocking.

American Goldfinch

Summer Tanager

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Purple Finch

Scientific Name: Carduelis pinus.Family: Finch.Length: 5 inches. Wingspan: 9 inches.Distinctive Markings: Both sexes appearsimilar, with brown-streaked bodies and

touches of yellow on wings and tails.Males have more yellow plumage,

visible during flight.Nest: Females build shal-

low nests of twigsand grasses, lined

with fur or feathers.Song: Canary-like calls

early in the morning rangefrom a tuneful “sweeet” to a

harsh rising “zzzzz” sound.Habitat: Backyards and coniferous forests.Diet: Seeds, nuts, vegetable shoots, rocksalt and insects.Backyard Favorites: Nyjer (thistle) in atube feeder with multiple perches.Also will eat cracked sunflower seeds.

House Finch Pine Siskin

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Scientific Name: Loxia curvirostra.Family: Finch.Length: 6-1/2 inches. Wingspan: 11 inches.Distinctive Markings: Upper and lowerparts of bill twist and overlap. Males arebrick red, with dark wings and a notchedblack tail. Females are dusky buff yellowwith dusky-black wings.Nest: Saucer-like nests near tips of coniferbranches. Lay three to five brown spotted

pale-blue or pale-green eggs.Song: Courting males sing vari-

ous whistle notes and warbledphrases.

Habitat: Coniferousforests in northern Unit-

ed States and Canada.Diet: Tree, sunflower and

nyjer seeds.Backyard Favorites: They

are drawn to road salt, so a salt lick willkeep them safely off the roadways.

Scientific Name: Carpodacus mexicanus.Family: Finch.Length: 6 inches. Wingspan: 9-1/2 inches.Distinctive Markings: Males have reddishforeheads, breasts andrumps. Femalesand juveniles arestreaked grayishbrown. All have brown-streaked bellies.Nest:Low in shrubs,door wreaths or hang-ing flowerpots; laysfour to five spottedbluish-white eggs. Song: A varied warble, often ending in along “veeerrr.”Habitat: Any wooded area or backyard.Diet: Seeds of berries and weeds.Backyard Favorites: Nyjer, sunflower,mixed birdseed, peanuts, fruit, suet and

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Scientific Name: Carpodacus purpureus. Family: Finch. Length: 6 inches. Wingspan: 10 inches. Distinctive Markings: Male is a raspber-ry tinge, brightest on head and rump. Tailis notched. Females and juveniles arebrown-gray striped. Nest: Prefers trees in dense foliage. Fe-males lays four to five pale green-blueeggs speckled with blacks and browns.Song: An unstructured but melodious,“fridi ferdi frididifri fridi frr” call. Habitat: Openingsin swamps, alongstreams and hillsidesnear feeding stations.Diet: Mostly a seed-eater,but also feeds on weeds,grasses, berries, beetlesand caterpillars. Backyard Favorites: Sun-flower seeds and millet.

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Red Crossbill

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Evening Grosbeak

Northern CardinalRose-Breasted Grosbeak

Black-Headed Grosbeak

Scientific Name: Cardinalis cardinalis.Family: Finch.Length: 8-3/4 inches. Wingspan: 12 inches.Distinctive Markings: Male is bright redwith a black face. Also has a prominentcrest and red bill. Female is fawn coloredwith red accents.Nest: Three to four whitish-gray eggs

with brown speckles. Builds anest of twigs and grasses

hidden in dense trees orshrubs.

Song: Over 2dozen different

songs. Most com-mon is “What cheer!

What cheer! Whatcheer!”

Habitat: Sheltered back-yards, woodland edges and parks.Diet: Seeds and insects.Backyard Favorites: Sunflower seeds andcracked corn.

Scientific Name: Coccothraustes vesper-tinus.Family: Finch.Length: 8 inches. Wingspan: 14 inches.Distinctive Markings: Males have a bright-yellow and brownish body, black tail, whitewing patchesand yellow bandabove their eyes.Females are grayishoverall with similarmarkings.Nest: Shallow cup-shaped nests. Laystwo to five blue orturquoise eggs.Song: Sharp, high andtrilling “kleerr” call.Habitat: Lives year-round in coniferousforests of northern U.S. and Canada, and inWestern mountains.Diet: Tree buds, seeds and some insects.Backyard Favorites: Scatter sunflowerseeds on the ground or in feeders.

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Scientific Name: Pheucticus ludovicianus.Family: Finch. Length: 8 inches.Wingspan: 12-1/2 inches. Distinctive Markings: Male is black andwhite with a triangle of rose red on hisbreast. Females are dark brown withwhite underparts that are streaked like asparrow. Nest: Males and females build loosely con-structed nests. Song: Long, continuous robinlike whistle. Habitat: Small treesand shrubs alonggardens and parks. Diet: Forages in treesfor seeds, insects andfruit. Backyard Favorites:May come to feedersfor sunflower and saf-flower seeds.

Scientific Name: Pheucticus melanocephalus.Family: Finch. Length: 8-1/4 inches.Wingspan: 12-1/2 inches.Distinctive Markings:Males have blackhead, brownish-orange underpartsand bicolored bill; black and white tail andwhite wing patches. Fe-male is brown withstriped head, back andsides. Nest: In dense outer fo-liage of tree or shrub.Song: Whistled warble, faster, higher andchoppier than the rose-breasted. Habitat: Along water and open woods. Diet: Seeds, berries and insects. Backyard Favorites: Sunflower and saf-flower seeds.

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Scientific Name: Junco hyemalis.Family: Finch. Length: 6-1/4 inches.Wingspan: 9-1/4 inches.Distinctive Markings: Coloration varies,as juncos interbreed freely. Common char-acteristics are dark eyes, white-edged tailsand black, brown or gray hoods.Nest: Cup-shaped nests on ground.Lays 4 to 6 eggs.Song: Trills vary inpitch and tempo, fromdry notes to tinglingsounds.Habitat: Near feeders,forests and bogs.Diet: Seeds, nuts andgrains in winter; insects, berries and grassseeds in summer.Backyard Favorites: Birdseed andcracked corn scattered on ground.

Dark-Eyed Junco

Painted Bunting

Scientific Name:Passerina cyanea.Family: Finch.Length: 5-1/2 inches.Wingspan: 8 inches.Distinctive Markings:Males are completelyblue during breedingseason. Females areplain brown with buff-colored streaksand a hint of blue in their wing feathers.Nest: Cup-shaped nests hidden 2 to 12feet off the ground in weeds or shrubs.Lays three or four bluish-white eggs.Song: Rapid double notes, “sweet-sweet,zee-zee, seer-seer, sip-sip.”Habitat: Overgrown fields, orchards,roadsides, thickets and open spaces nearwoods.Diet: Seeds, insects, grains and berries.Backyard Favorites: Nyjer (thistle) on theground or in a tube feeder; likes birdbaths.

Lazuli Bunting

Scientific Name: Passerina ciris.Family: Finch. Length: 5-1/2 inches. Wingspan: 8-3/4 inches. Distinctive Markings: Male has patch-work coloring—purple blue on head,bright-red eye rings, green on back, redon rump and underparts. Females aren’t

as colorful, but are the only all-greensparrow-like birds in North America.

Nest: Low cup-shaped nestsin thick foliage.

Song: Sweet war-ble, similar to an

indigo bunting.Habitat: Stays in

thick cover; lives inbrushy fields, gullies

and thickets. Diet: Insects, weed and

grass seeds, sunflower seeds and rice. Backyard Favorites: Stops at feeders forcracked sunflower seeds and white millet.

Scientific Name: Passerina amoena. Family: Finch.Length: 5-1/2 inches.Wingspan: 8-3/4 inches.Distinctive Markings: Male has a bright-blue head, back and tail, cinnamon feath-ers across its chest and a white belly.Winter feathers are streaked with tan.Females are a buff color.Nest: Constructs a cupof coarsely wovengrasses in a low shrub.Lays four pale-blue eggs.Song: A bright rapid songthat descends the musicalscale then rises at the end.Habitat: Brush or treesnear open areas.Diet: Insects and grass seeds.Backyard Favorites: Will visit feeders formixed nyjer seed or hulled sunflowers.

Indigo Bunting

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Yellow Warbler

White-Throated Sparrow

Spotted Towhee

Scientific Name:Zonotrichia albicollis.Family: Finch.Length: 6-3/4 inches.Wingspan: 9 inches.Distinctive Markings:White throat, yellowpatches in front of eyesand striped heads; someare white and black, others tan with black.Nest: Builds nest from fine materials on ornear the ground; three to six blue to greeneggs with reddish-brown specks.

Song: “Old Sam Peabody, Peabody, Pea-body” or “Oh, sweet Canada, Canada,Canada.”

Habitat: Gardens, residential areas, wood-lands and clearings.

Diet: Weed seeds, fruits, buds and insects.

Backyard Favorites: Red and white millet,sunflower, cracked corn and other seedsserved in tray feeders.

Scientific Name: Pipilo erythrophthalmus.Family: Finch.Length: 8-1/2 inches.Wingspan: 10-1/2 inches.Distinctive Markings:Black head, backand tail with whitebelly, orange-red sidesand red or white eyes.Nest: Builds nest nearground. Lays three tofour gray eggs speckledwith brown.Song: Musical with aslow song, “drink yourteeeeee.”Habitat: Old pastures, woodland edgesand brushy backyards.Diet: Insects, spiders, caterpillars, seeds,berries and small salamanders.Backyard Favorites: Oats or flaxseedscattered on the ground and suet.

Towhees

Scientific Name: Pipilo maculatus.Family: Finch.Length: 8-1/2 inches.Wingspan: 10-1/2 inches.Distinctive Markings:Black head, back and tailwith white belly, orange-red sides and multiplewhite wing marks.Nest: Builds near or onground. Lays three to fourgray eggs speckled with brown.Song: Wide variety of songs, which typi-cally feature high-pitched introductorynotes followed by a trill. Also has a buzzyrapid trill.Habitat: Old pastures, woodland edgesand brushy backyards.Diet: Insects, spiders, caterpillars, seeds,berries and small salamanders.Backyard Favorites: Oats or flaxseedscattered on the ground and suet.

Scientific Name: Dendroica petechia.Family: Wood-warbler.

Length: 5 inches. Wingspan: 8 inches.

Distinctive Markings:Male and female are

both bright yel-low overall. The

male has reddishstreaks on its breast.

Nest: The femalebuilds a tidy nest in a

low shrub from plantfibers and lays one egg a day for 4 to 5days. The male serenades her. Song: Sweet, high and clear notes,“sweet, sweet, sweet, I’m so sweet.”Habitat: Low trees and woodland edges.Especially likes willows in wet areas.Diet: Insects and wild berries.Backyard Favorites: Frequents birdbathsand ponds with moving water.

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Eastern Towhee

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Rufous Hummingbird

Anna’s HummingbirdRuby-Throated HummingbirdScientific Name:Calypte anna.Family: Hummingbird.Length: 4 inches.Wingspan: 5-1/4inches.Distinctive Markings:Adult males have irides-cent red crown andthroat. Females have red patch on throatand white markings over eyes.Nest: Made of plant down held togetherwith spiderwebs. Females lay two whiteeggs, each the size of a small bean.Song: Call is a high sharp “stit.”Habitat: Gardens and parks providingnectar-producing flowers and sugar-waterfeeders.Diet: Nectar, sugar water, spiders, smallinsects and tree sap.Backyard Favorite: Mix a solution of 4parts water to 1 part sugar to attract hum-mingbirds to your sugar-water feeders.

Scientific Name: Archilochus colubris.Family: Hummingbird.Length: 3-3/4 inches. Wingspan: 4-1/2 inches.Distinctive Markings: Ruby-red throaton male; both sexes have metallic-green back and head.Nest: Builds a cup-shaped nest the di-ameter of a quarter and camouflages itwith lichens. Lays two tiny white eggs.

Song: Faint; a rapid series of chippingnotes.Habitat: Areas withplentiful nectar-richflowers.Diet: Nectar, insects andtree sap.Backyard Favorites:Sugar water and brighttrumpet-shaped flowers.

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Scientific Name: Selasphorus rufus.Family: Hummingbird. Length: 3-3/4 inches Wingspan: 4-1/2 inches Distinctive Markings: Male is reddishbrown on back, base of crown and most oftail; scarlet gorget(throat). Female ismetallic greenabove, white belowand has pale rust-col-ored sides. Nest: May nest inloose colonies, up to10 nests in one area. Song: Call note is“chewp chewp”and wings make high buzzing sound. Habitat: Most northern of hummingbirds,migrating as far as Alaska.Diet: Attracted to nectar and tree sap. Backyard Favorites: Likes red flowers;sugar water at feeders. 19

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Scientific Name: Icterus galbuba.Family: Blackbird.Length: 8-3/4 inches.Wingspan: 11-1/2 inches.Distinctive Markings:Male has full blackhood and fire-orange plumage.Female is drab yellowwith dusky-brown wings.Nest: Woven bag-likestructure. Song: Short series ofclear whistles in variedpattern.Habitat: Deciduous woodlands, parks andsuburbs.Diet: Mostly insects and berries.Backyard Favorites: Comes to feedingstations for sugar water, halved orangesnailed to posts and grape jelly.

Baltimore Oriole

Western Scrub-Jay

Scientific Names: Aphelocoma californica.Family: Crow. Length: 11-1/2 inches.Wingspan: 15-1/2 inches.Distinctive Mark-ings: Bright bluewith a white bellyand gray patch onbacks. Male and fe-male look alike.Nest: The femalebuilds a bulky nest oftwigs in a low tree orshrub. Song: Hoarse rising call of“shreeeenk” or a rapid series “quay-quay-quay” or “cheek-cheek-cheek.”Habitat: Dense shrubbery among wood-ed parks and backyards.Diet: Nuts, fruits, insects and small animals.Backyard Favorites: Peanuts, suet, sun-flower seeds and cracked corn.

Has many othercalls, including whis-tle phrases, rattles anda harsh “shkrrr.”

Habitat: Backyards,parks and woodlands.

Diet: Omnivorous, in-cluding nuts, seeds,fruits, insects and frogs.

Backyard Favorites: Feeders with suet,sunflower seeds or peanuts.

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Scientific Name: Cyanocitta cristata.Family: Crow.Length: 11 inches. Wingspan: 16 inches.Distinctive Markings: Blue feathers andcrest with gray breast.Nest: Well hidden and often found in thecrotch of a tree 10 to 25 feet above theground. False nest of twigs built beforeactual nest. Females lay and incubatefour to five eggs. Song: Harsh scream, “jaaay, jaaay, jaaay.”

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Bullock’s Oriole

Scientific Name: Icterus spurius.Family: Blackbird.Length: 7-1/4 inches.Wingspan: 9-1/2 inches.Distinctive Markings: Male has chestnutfeathers and a black hood. Female isdusky yellow-green and gray.Nest: Basket-like nest inforked tree branchor bush. Lays fourto five pale-blue orpale-gray spotted eggs.Song: High lively warble.Habitat: Orchards, openwoodlands and farm-lands.Diet: Searches trees andshrubs for insects, whichmake up 90% of diet.Backyard Favorites: May be attractedto berries, sugar water and oranges.

Scientific Name: Icterus bullockii.Family: Blackbird.Length: 9 inches. Wingspan: 12 inches.Distinctive Markings: Male has a blackcrown, orange cheeks and large whitewing patches. Female is mostly yellowwith a gray back.Nest: Woven bag-likestructure.Song: Short series of nasal-likewhistles.Habitat: Open areaswith shade trees.Diet: Insects, citris andsugar water.Backyard Favorites:May be attracted tosugar-water feedersand oranges.

Bullock's Oriole

Scientific Name: Agelaius phoeniceus.Family: Blackbird.Length: 8-3/4 inches. Wingspan: 13 inches.Distinctive Markings:Males have glossy-black bodies with redand yellow shoulderpatches. Females havebrown backs and heavilystreaked undersides.Nest: Female builds a well-camouflaged grass nestamong shrubs, cattails orgrasses, sometimes sus-pended over water or on the ground infields. She lays three to five blue-greeneggs with dark scrawls.Song: “Konk-la-ree” or “o-ka-lee.”Habitat: Fields, marshes and near water.Diet: Grains, seeds, insects and berries.Backyard Favorites: Birdseed mixes andcracked sunflower seeds.

Western and Eastern MeadowlarkOrchard Oriole

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Scientific Name: Sturnella magna andSturnella neglecta.Family: Blackbird. Length: 9-1/2 inches. Wingspan: 14 inches. Distinctive Markings:Streaked brown aboveand yellow breast markedby broad black; shorttailed and long billed. Nest: Lays eggs onground in depression 1to 3 inches deep.Song: Eastern song is clearer and higherwith a simple whistle of “seeeooaaaseeeeadoo;“ western has a rich low war-ble of “sleep loo lidi lidijuvi.“Habitat: Open grassy habitats, oftenperched on fences and bushes. Diet: Insects, grain and weed seeds. Backyard Favorites: May eat oats, cornor wheat from feeders on ground.

Red-Winged Blackbird

Orchard Oriole

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Scientific Name: Poecile atricapillus.Family: Titmouse.Length: 5-1/4 inches.Wingspan: 8 inches.Distinctive Markings:Black cap and chin,white cheeks.Nest: Six to eightwhite eggs withbrown spots. Usesbirdhouses and naturalcavities to protect itsnest of plant fibers,wool, hair and moss.Song: “Chick-a-dee-dee-dee.”Habitat: Wooded suburbs and openwoodlands.Diet: Insects, berries and seeds.Backyard Favorites: Sunflower seeds,suet and thistle.

Black-Capped Chickadee

White-Breasted NuthatchRed-Breasted Nuthatch

Scientific Name: Sitta carolinensis.Family: Nuthatch.Length: 5-3/4 inches. Wingspan: 11 inches.Distinctive Markings:Males and femaleslook similar, witha short tail, bluish-gray back and wings,black cap and whitebreast.Nest: Hair, fur andshredded bark built innatural cavities andbirdhouses. Lays fiveto 10 white eggs with multicolored markings.Song: Nasal “yank-yank-yank” call.Habitat: Area with plentiful trees.Diet: Insects and larvae; pine, fir andmaple seeds; mountain ash and juniperberries; oak, beech and hickory nuts.Backyard Favorites: Sunflower seeds, un-salted peanuts, birdseed mix and suet.

Scientific Name: Sitta canadensis.Family: Nuthatch. Length: 4-1/2 inches.Wingspan: 8-1/2 inches.Distinctive Markings: Black eye linewith a white stripe directly above it,rust-colored breast; female similar.Nest: Cavity in a tree, a nest box orabandoned woodpecker hole.

Song: High-pitchednasal “yenk, yenk, yenk.”

Habitat: High-elevationevergreen forests andwooded backyards.

Diet: Insects, berries, nuts and seeds.

Backyard Favorites: Sun-flower seeds and suet.

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Tree SwallowTufted TitmouseScientific Name: Baeolophus bicolor.Family: Titmouse. Length: 6-1/2 inches. Wingspan: 9-3/4 inches. Distinctive Markings: Gray above andwhite below, rusty-brown flanks, promi-nent pointed crest and large dark eyes. Nest: Natural cavities in trees. Song: Resembles “peter, peter, peter”call; also has a harsh chattering sound towarn other birds of intruders. Habitat: Deciduous woodlands, prefer-ably in swamps and riv-er bottoms; hasadapted to resi-dential wooded areas.Diet: Insects, berriesand seeds. Backyard Favorites:Sunflower and safflowerseeds, most kinds ofnuts, peanut butter andsuet.

Scientific Name: Hirundo rustica.Family: Swallow.Length: 6-3/4 inches. Wingspan: 15 inches.Distinctive Markings:Metallic dark-blueback with a reddish-brown throat. Maleshave orangish belly,while females are buffcolored or white. Shortbill, long forked tail.Nest: Builds nest ofmud and dried grass-es lined with horsehair or feathers undereaves of buildings. Lays four to fivebrown-speckled white eggs.Song: Twittering “kittick-kittick-kittick.”Habitat: Any area near water with ap-propriate nesting sites.Diet: Flying insects.Backyard Favorites: Ponds or nestingshelves under overhangs.

Barn Swallow

Scientific Name: Tachycineta bicolor.Family: Swallow. Length: 5-3/4 inches.Wingspan: 14-1/2 inches.Distinctive Markings: Iridescent green-ish-blue above and white below. Femalesmay be duller.Habitat: Open areas with scattered treesand water.Song: Typically an early-morning singer,the tree swallow’s song is a pleasant gur-gling chatter when in flight. Nest: Femalesbuild nests intree cavities,woodpecker holesand bluebird boxes. Diet: Insects, berriesand seeds.Backyard Favorites:Offer feathers in asuet cage or on lawnsas nesting material.

Scientific Name:Progne subis. Family: Swallow.Length: 8 inches.Wingspan: 18 inches.Distinctive Markings:The male sports shinyblue-black feathers overits entire body. The fe-male has a dark head and tail with gray orwhite feathers on its throat and belly.Nest: Male helps the female construct anest of plant materials before she laysfour to five white eggs.Song: A low-pitched warble.Habitat: Open areas with water nearby. Diet: Insects.Backyard Favorites: Attract martins bymounting a multi-compartment house orseveral gourds on a 14-foot pole. Locateit in an open area at least 40 feet from

the nearest trees.

Purple Martin

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House Wren

Scientific Name: Troglodytes aedon.Family: Wren.Length: 4-3/4 inches.Wingspan: 6 inches.Distinctive Markings: Brown body withnarrow dark bars on wing and tail.Nest: Six or seven speckled-white eggs ina nest of twigs. Male builds multiple“dummy” nests, and then female choos-es one.Song: Varies; rapid rolling trill that risesand then descends into a bubbling song.Habitat: Backyards,parks and openwoods.Diet: Insects.Backyard Favorites:Birdhouses with 1-1/8-inch entrance holes.

Scientific Name: Melanerpes carolinus.Family: Woodpecker.Length: 9-1/4 inches.Wingspan: 16 inches. Distinctive Markings: Males have ze-bra-striped back, red hood and nape,reddish tinge on belly. Females areidentical, but only have a red nape. Nest: Male and female excavate nest-ing cavity in old stumps and trees.

Scientific Name: Thryothorus ludovi-cianus.Family: Wren. Length: 5-1/2 inches.Wingspan: 7-1/2 inches.Distinctive Markings: Stocky wren withwhite eye stripe and bright rusty-brownplumage.Nest: Builds bulkynest in tree cavities,woodpiles, mailboxes,etc. Song: Often heard as“tea-kettle, tea-kettle,tea-kettle.”Habitat: Brush and heavyundergrowth in woodedareas.Diet: Spiders, insects and some berriesand seeds.Backyard Favorites: Serve peanuts, suet,peanut butter and nutmeats.

Song: Loud, harsh “quirr“ sound. Habitat: Wooded areas; visits yards andgardens with trees andshrubs. Diet: Larvae, insects,acorns and berries.Backyard Favorites: Bird-seed and beef suet at garden feeders; may drinksugar water.

Carolina Wren

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Red-Bellied Woodpecker

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Red-Headed WoodpeckerDowny Woodpecker

Scientific Name: Picoides pubescens.Family: Woodpecker.Length: 6-3/4 inches.Wingspan: 12 inches.Distinctive Markings: Smallest wood-pecker; red patch on the back of themale’s head, short bill with downy feath-ers at the base.Nest: Excavates or reuses a cavity in adead tree or uses a woodpecker nestingbox. Lays four to five white eggs.Song: Short and flat “pik“ call.Habitat: Any open wood-ed area, includingparks and backyards.Diet: Insects, caterpillars,berries and nuts.Backyard Favorites: Suetand peanut butter.

Scientific Name: Colaptes auratus.Family: Woodpecker.Length: 12-1/2 inches. Wingspan: 20 inches.Distinctive Mark-ings: All maleflickers have amustache. East-erns have a blackmustache, and west-erns sport a red one. Nest: Males and fe-males work togetherto excavate nestingcavities in dead trees,utility poles and fence posts. Lays six toeight white eggs.Song: “Flicka, flicka.” Also a loud “wick,wick, klee.”Habitat: Backyards and open woodlands.Diet: Insects, berries and weed seeds.Backyard Favorites: Attract with a largebirdhouse high above the ground.

Northern Flicker

Scientific Name: Melanerpes erythro-cephalus.Family: Woodpecker.Length: 9-1/4 inches.Wingspan: 17 inches.Distinctive Marking: Red feathers com-pletely cover head and neck. Male and fe-male look the same.Nest: Excavates hole in live or dead trees,fence posts or utility poles.Song: Harsh “queeah, queeah, queeah.”Habitat: Open woodlands. Seeks out ar-eas free of under-brush.Diet: Insects,berries and nuts.Backyard Favorites:Cracked sunflowerseeds and suet.

Hairy Woodpecker

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Scientific Name: Picoides villosus.Family: Woodpecker.Length: 9-1/4 inches. Wingspan: 15 inches. Distinctive Markings: Al-most identical to downybut smaller; distingushedby a longer heavier bill,and an inconspicuoustuft. Females lack red onback of head. Nest: Cavity excavated by both sexes;usually lays four white eggs.Song: A strong “peek” or “peech”, sharp-er than the downy. Habitat: Lives mostly in forests, but maymove to open country in fall and winter. Diet: Insects, larvae of wood borers, fruitand nuts. Backyard Favorites: Comes to feedingstations for suet, sunflower seeds, meat

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Birds in Your Region

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BIRD SUMMER WINTER

NE NW SE SW NE NW SE SW

CREEPERBrown creeper • • • • • • •CROSSBILLRed crossbill • • • • • •FINCHESAmerican goldfinch • • • • • • •Common redpoll • •House finch • • • • • • • •Pine siskin • • • • • •Purple finch • • • • • •GROSBEAKSBlack-headed grosbeak • •Blue grosbeak • •Evening grosbeak • • • • • • •Pine grosbeak • • •HUMMINGBIRDSAnna’s hummingbird • • • •Black-chinned hummingbird • •Broad-tailed hummingbird •Calliope hummingbird •Ruby-throated hummingbird • •Rufous hummingbird •JAYSBlue jay • • • •Gray jay •Pinyon jay • • • •Scrub jay • • • •Steller’s jay • • • •JUNCODark-eyed junco • • • • • • •KINGLETSGolden kinglet • • • • • •Ruby-crowned kinglet • • • • •MIMIC THRUSHESBrown thrasher • • •Gray catbird • • • •Northern mockingbird • • • • • •

BIRD SUMMER WINTER

NE NW SE SW NE NW SE SW

BLACKBIRDSBrewer’s blackbird • • • •Brown-headed cowbird • • • • • • •Common grackle • • •Red-winged blackbird • • • • • • • •BLUEBIRDSEastern bluebird • • • •Mountain bluebird • • •Western bluebird • • • •BUNTINGSIndigo bunting • •Lazuli bunting •Painted bunting • •BUSHTITBushtit • • • •CARDINALNorthern cardinal • • • • • •CHICKADEESBlack-capped chickadee • • • •Carolina chickadee • •Mountain chickadee • • • •

■ Northeast■ Northwest■ Southeast■ Southwest

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Birds in Your Region

Winter wren • • • •

BIRD SUMMER WINTER

NE NW SE SW NE NW SE SW

TITMICEPlain titmouse • •Tufted titmouse • • • •TOWHEESBrown towhee • •Eastern towhee • • •VIREOSRed-eyed vireo • • •Warbling vireo • • • •White-eyed vireo • •WARBLERSAmerican redstart • • •Black and white warbler • •Black-throated blue warbler •Common yellow throat • • • • •Hooded warbler •Ovenbird • •Wilson’s warbler • •Yellow warbler • • • •Yellow-rumped warbler • • • • •WAXWINGSBohemian waxwing •Cedar waxwing • • • •WOODPECKERSDowny woodpecker • • • • • • • •Gilded flicker • •Hairy woodpecker • • • • • • • •Ladder-backed woodpecker • •Lewis woodpecker • • • •Northern flicker • • • • • • • •Red-bellied woodpecker • • • •Red-breasted sapsucker • • •Red-headed woodpecker • • • •Yellow-bellied sapsucker • • • •WRENSCactus wren • •Carolina wren • • • •House wren • • • • • •

BIRD SUMMER WINTER

NE NW SE SW NE NW SE SW

NUTHATCHESBrown-headed nuthatch • •Pygmy nuthatch • • • •Red-breasted nuthatch • • • • • • •White-breasted nuthatch • • • • • • • •ORIOLESBaltimore oriole • • •Bullock’s oriole • • •Orchard oriole • •Scott’s oriole •PIGEONSMourning dove • • • • • • • •Rock dove • • • • • • • •SPARROWSAmerican tree sparrow • •Chipping sparrow • • • • • •Field sparrow • • •Fox sparrow • • •House sparrow • • • • • • • •Song sparrow • • • • • •Swamp sparrow • • •White-crowned sparrow • • •White-throated sparrow • • •STARLINGEuropean starling • • • • • • • •TANAGERSScarlet tanager •Summer tanager • •Western tanager • •THRUSHESAmerican robin • • • • • • •Hermit thrush • • • • •Wood thrush • •

■ Northeast■ Northwest■ Southwest■ Southwest