wisconsin wildlife primer - learn about your...

As a landownerinterested in

attracting wildlife toyour property, you’ll

need to know whatkinds of wildlife live in your

part of Wisconsin, what they eat, what typeof habitat they prefer and what they need fornesting or denning. This publication givesyou basic information about the needs of

some of Wisconsin's most common wildlife. Itis merely a quick-reference chart listing thefood, habitat, nesting sites, and distributionof these animals in Wisconsin. Use it to startlooking for wildlife already present on yourland and then develop project plans toattract animals native to your region.

You’ll also need to assess whether your landcurrently has the appropriate food, water,

If you’re looking for a new house, it isimportant to know what features you wantfor your “dream home” and what its ideallocation will be. You have to ask yourself:Where do I want to live in the world? Do Iwant to live in the city, the suburbs or thecountry? How many rooms does my familyneed? How close will I be to the grocerystore, work, the mall and the doctor? Animalsalso look for certain features when searchingfor a home in a particular area before they“move” into the neighborhood. What’s the habitat like? How much food isavailable? Where’s the nearest watering hole? Is there enough shelter toraise young? What’s the climate like in winter? How close are people to

their home territory? These are some of the key factors thatdetermine where wildlife will live in Wisconsin, and

whether they’ll choose your land as a suitable “home.”

Wildlife and Your Landa series about managing your land for wildlife

*Primer \prim•ar\ n. 1: a small book for teachingchildren to read. 2: a small introductory book on asubject.

Wisconsin Wildlife Primer*Wildlife Habits and Habitat

shelter and space to attract wildlife, orwhether you can adequately enhance yourproperty’s ability to attract wildlife byincorporating minor habitat modifications.For assistance in creating a wildlifemanagement plan for your property, pleaserefer to Putting Pen to Paper in this series.Be sure to read Calling All Wildlife to gainan understanding of some fundamentalconcepts in wildlife management. And, for anidea of what kind of trees, shrubs and vinesyou can plant to attract wildlife, read So,What Should I Plant? The moreinformation you have, the better you'llunderstand the habits and habitat of thewildlife you want to attract.

Wisconsin has historically been rich inwildlife resources. Wisconsin’s earliestEuropean explorers recorded a greatabundance and variety of wildlife in theforests, wetlands and grasslands of the state.From 1700 to 1800, the prairies andsavannas of southern Wisconsin teemed withelk, bison, wolves, cougars and white-taileddeer. The mixed conifer hardwoods innorthern Wisconsin provided habitat for

American (pine) marten, moose, deer andsmall populations of woodland caribou. Thestate’s central forests were home to millionsof passenger pigeons—populations so densepeople reported that the birds literally“blocked the sun from the sky” duringmigration.

Europeans had an impact on wildlife evenbefore they settled this land. By supplyinghorses and firearms to the native Americans,they helped these original people becomemore efficient hunters. The native Americansas well as American cavalry stationed atsuch outposts as Prairie Du Chienundoubtedly caused the extirpation of theherds of bison and elk which roamedsouthwest Wisconsin. The last bison wasreported to have been shot in the early1830s. The early lumberjacks who logged thenorthwoods each winter also impacted thepopulation of one of Wisconsin’s largesthoofed mammals in the 1800s, the moose.Moose prefer young forests with lushvegetation. As the mature forests werelogged it created better moose habitat.However, not only did it create better moosehabitat, it also created better white-tailed

2 Wildlife and Your Land

Wisconsin’s Wildlife Heritage: A Wildlife Wonderland

Extirpated:bison, caribou

deer habitat. Since deer carry a parasiticbrain worm which is deadly to moose, themoose population declined. This, togetherwith unregulated hunting, caused moose todisappear from Wisconsin by the early 1900s.

As these large grazers vanished, the wolf andcougar populations declined as well, sincetheir food source had disappeared. In orderto maintain a toehold in Wisconsin, theremaining large predators had to turn toalternative food sources—domestic livestock.Farmers couldn’t afford the loss of even onecalf or lamb to a hungry wolf or wild cat so in1865 the state legislature passed a $5 bountyfor each dead wolf that hunters brought in.The story was similar for cougars. By 1960,the timber wolf was declared extirpated fromWisconsin; and even though reports of cougarsightings still trickle in, wildlife biologistsbelieve most of these are unfounded or arethe result of an escaped or released captive-bred cougar.

When European settlers began flooding intothe state in the early and mid 1800s,unregulated hunting and trapping, as well asfarming and logging operations quicklyaltered the native landscape and its wildlifepopulations. Wetlands were drained, theprairies and savannas were plowed under,and northern forests were clearcut.Despite the disappearance of the largermammals from Wisconsin’s landscape, otherwildlife continued to flourish throughout thestate from the early to mid 1800s. Trappersfound abundant fisher, American (pine)marten and beaver populations; and hunterssaw no end to the flocks of passengerpigeons, prairie chickens, sharp-tailedgrouse, ducks and geese. But the harvest ofearly hunters and trappers wentunregulated. No one saw a need to imposebag limits because the wildlife populationsappeared so limitless. Not surprisingly, itwasn’t long before unregulated trapping ofmarten, fisher and wolverine lead to theirextirpation from the state by the early 1900s.Beaver and other furbearer populations werealso drastically reduced and were nearly

eliminated from the state by 1900. Markethunting caused the seemingly endless flocksof waterfowl to plummet; and the widespreaddestruction of passenger pigeon nests bymarket hunters interested in shippingbarrels of squab to eastern markets spelleddoom for this native bird.

The early settlers wielded a double-edgedsword against Wisconsin wildlife. Not onlydid their unregulated hunting and trappingcause wildlife populations to decline, buttheir swelling population created such drasticland use changes that wildlife lost the habitatthey needed to survive. The wild turkey andCarolina parakeet populations dramaticallydeclined due to loss of habitat. Civilizationwas expanding from the south and theclimate and habitat types of the northprevented the northward retreat of thesenative birds. Sharp-tailed and ruffed grouselost out in the south due to overgrazing and“clean” farming though they still maintain afoothold in the north. The draining ofmarshes, in addition to market hunting,caused waterfowl populations, including thetrumpeter swan, to drop dramatically. Poultryfarmers and commercial fishing interestsoften shot hawks, owls and fish-eating birdssince these birds preyed upon fish, game anddomestic fowl.

Wildlife and Your Land 3

Once extirpated:cougar, wolf

Although many types of native wildlifepopulations suffered as European settlerscontinued to change the landscape ofWisconsin, others actually increased. Theythrived in the habitats which farming andlogging provided. White-tailed deerpopulations in the thick northern forestswere originally moderately low, and theyremained low during the logging heydaybecause of intense exploitation. But as theforests resprouted with lush, young growthand as early farming provided a good mix offield and forest, the deer numbers swelled.When central Wisconsin farms grewperennial crops of bluegrass as a seed source,prairie chickens thrived. But it wasn’t longbefore these habitats were altered and theprairie chicken populations dropped. Stillother wildlife, such as coyotes, crows,blackbirds, and alien house sparrows,starlings and rodents, prospered all too wellby their association with people.

Hunters and early conservationists begannoticing the exploitation of Wisconsin’s naturalresources around the 1870s. They slowlyworked toward regulating the use of naturalresources as they enacted laws to protect wild-life populations and forest land. Wildlifemanagement was considered increasinglynecessary since people had greatly alterednatural landscapes. But the needs of wildlifefrequently conflicted with many human landuses. In 1908, Governor James O. Davidsonappointed the Wisconsin Conservation

Commission to manage the “basic naturalresources and related problems.” He had beeninspired during a Governor’s conference heldby President Theodore Roosevelt in which thepresident stressed the need for “conservation”which is defined as the wise use of ournatural resources.

With an enlightened view of conserving ournatural resources, new farming practiceswere put into action to prevent soil erosion,loggers replanted many acres of forest, andindustry began controlling environmentalpollution. Educational efforts began asconservation wardens met with schoolclasses, farming interests and public groups.In 1935, the state legislature ordered theteaching of “conservation of resources” inschools. It was finally recognized that carefulplanning and management could provide forthe future welfare of wildlife in Wisconsin.

People began to take an interest in what washappening to wildlife, and this led to thestudy of wildlife and their habitats. AldoLeopold, one of the founding fathers of thewildlife management profession, took up aleadership role as his followers began tostudy wildlife populations and conductresearch to understand and manage wildlifepopulations.

Efforts to restore some populations ofextirpated wildlife were undertakenthroughout the 1900s by reintroducing them


Reintroduced: wild turkeys, elk

into their former haunts. Some stockingattempts were successful, others werefailures. To date, successful restockingincludes: the wild turkey, trumpeter swan,American (pine) marten and fisher. Anexperimental reintroduction of elk wasinitiated in northern Wisconsin in 1995, andis currently being evaluated.

Other animals, such as the wolf and moose,were not reintroduced, but have found theirway here from neighboring Minnesota,Michigan, and Canada. The wolf populationcontinues to grow and spread, but the moosepopulations may be limited by the presenceof a parasitic brain worm transmitted bywhite-tailed deer.

Today, Wisconsin supports over 650 differenttypes of mammals, birds, reptiles,amphibians and fish, as well as countlessmillions of invertebrates. We truly live in awildlife wonderland.

Not All Native

Not all Wisconsin wildlife is native. Peoplehave wittingly or unwittingly introduced anumber of “exotics” or “aliens” to our state.Some of these, like ring-necked pheasant,Hungarian partridge, rainbow trout andbrown trout are considered useful becausethey occupy drastically altered ecosystemsthat can no longer support such natives asthe prairie chicken and brook trout. Theyprovide hunters with food and outdoorrecreation. Others, like carp, zebra mussel,ruffe, mute swan, starling, house sparrow,pigeon, Norway rat and house mouse, areconsidered pests. A recent exotic animal, thestone marten, in southeastern Wisconsinmay also have negative impacts yet to bediscovered. Nevertheless all are part ofWisconsin’s tapestry of wildlife.


Aliens:brown trout,

carp

Population boom:whitetail fawn

Mammals, those warm-blooded animals thathave hair and nourish their young with milk,are important to many of us. Seventymammals are native to the state; at least 4are extinct.

Mammals are valuable to people in a numberof ways. Game mammals, such as white-tailed deer, black bear, gray and fox squirrelsand cottontail rabbit provide many hours ofhealthy recreation in the field as hunters pittheir skill against the native wits of thesemammals. Venison and most wild game meatis low in fat and highly nutritious. Thefurbearers—beaver, muskrat, mink, otter,bobcat, coyote, red and gray foxes, raccoonand fisher—provide a source of income fortrappers as well as a source of fur for people’sclothes. All mammals are fun and interestingto watch in the wild, though some can be areal nuisance and cause damage to crops,orchards, bee hives, livestock and our homes.Rodents, skunks, opossums, woodchucks,beaver, deer, coyote and bear fit into thiscategory.

But mammals, like birds, reptiles,amphibians, fish and invertebrates, areimportant regardless of human values.

Different animals are found in differentregions of the state because they fit into thescheme of things. Each plays a particularrole, fills a certain niche within their naturalcommunity. They are dependent upon thevery community of which they are a part andmembers of that community are dependentupon them. Nature has established adynamic equilibrium between each type ofwild animal and other plants, animals andnon-living features of those naturalcommunities. If these natural communitiesare left undisturbed by people, theyultimately work to the benefit of all.

The ranges of Wisconsin’s mammals varyfrom a “toe hold,” such as that of the spottedskunk or white-tailed jackrabbit on ourwestern border, to a statewide presence suchas that of the white-tailed deer or red fox. Amammal’s range is not always constant orpermanent. Progressive expansion orshrinkage may be noted as a result ofchanges to the habitat, either by people or bythe changes wrought by nature (wild fires,tornadoes, changes in climate). Usually themeat-eating mammals require largerterritories than similar-sized plant-eatingmammals. Some mammals, including a few


Mammals

bats, migrate when winter arrives. Somesuch as ground squirrels and woodchuckshibernate in underground dens. Others, likeskunks or raccoons, sleep during extremewinter conditions. The remainder stay activeall winter. These include rabbits, red fox,coyotes and white-tailed deer.

Many smaller mammals provide a foodsupply for carnivores. But even smallmammals prey on insects. Bats, for instance,are beneficial as they help keep the mosquitopopulations down in areas where we live andrecreate. Small burrowing mammals such asmoles, shrews, and mice play an importantrole in developing the fertility of the soil.Combined with the actions of earthworms,fungi and bacteria, they help aerate the soil,manufacture humus and build up leaf mold.Many mammals act as scavengers or “clean-up crews” to help recycle dead plants andanimals. Beaver assist many other animalswhen they construct dams which createsmall ponds and wetlands along streams.

Mammals, unlikethe birds, aremuch moredifficult toobserve in thewild, since theyare very secretiveand most areactive in thetwilight hours andgenerally after dark. Mammals are best“observed” by following their tracks in thesnow in winter. Although many mammalswill rarely be seen, tracking allows you tolearn much about mammal behavior. Inaddition to tracks, mammals leave behindabundant signs such as droppings, barkchewings, grass tunnels, trails, tree rubs andground scrapes. If you are careful, quiet, anddetermined, you can have good results bystanding along a woodland or grasslandwildlife trail in the early morning, lateafternoon, or even on a bright moonlit night.Mammals leave abundant characteristicsigns. Tracks in the snow, droppings, barkchewings, grass tunnels, trails, and tree rubsall give clues to the type of animal that livesthere. It’s fun to learn these signs and tobecome a seasoned observer. Use field guidesto mammals, such as Allen Kurta’s Mammalsof the Great Lakes Region (University ofMichigan Press), or James Halfpenny’sMammal Tracking in North America(Johnson Books, Boulder), for more completeinformation.


Red fox

White-footed Mouse


Little Brown BatWhite-tailed Deer

EasternChipmunk

LeastChipmunk

BadgerFisher

Black Bears

Beaver

Coyote

Bobcat

Gray FoxRed Fox


Badger

Bats (7 kinds; LittleBrown Bat is common)

Black Bear

Beaver

Bobcat

Eastern ChipmunkLeast Chipmunk

Coyote

White-tailed Deer

Fisher

Gray FoxRed Fox

Ground squirrels, mice,pocket gophers, birdeggs

Moths, mosquitoes andother night-flyinginsects

Berries, acorns, insects,fish, carrion, fawns, birdeggs, honey, nuts

Bark and twigs ofaspen, cottonwood andwillow; roots, grasses

Small mammals,especially snowshoehares; some deer inwinter

Seeds, nuts, acorns,berries, insects, birdeggs, young mice, bulbs

Mice, rabbits, squirrels,carrion, fawns andground-nesting birds

Broad-leaf plants,acorns, fungi, field corn,apples, alfalfa; inwinter, twigs, especiallyhemlock, white cedar

Snowshoe hares, voles,squirrels, carrion, mice,porcupines

Mice, rabbits,pheasants, wild grapesand other berries andfruit, snakes, turtles,woodchucks, grass-hoppers, carrion

Grassland, savanna andfarmland

Agricultural areas,forests; flies over lakes,fields and woodsRural towns, cities

Forest

Wetlands and rivers

Forest; wilder sectionsof brushy northernforest, especially areaswith swamps and rockyoutcrops

Northern forests ofmixed evergreens anddeciduous trees andsouthern woodlands

Farmland, newly cutover forested areas,woodland edge. Note:Populations spreadinginto urban areas

Border areas betweenforest and clearings,wetlands, tamarack andcedar swamps, evenurban areas

Forest of dense conifersor mixed deciduous andconifer forests

Red fox prefersfarmland, mixedwoodlands; gray foxprefers forests to openbrush land

Underground dens insandy fields, pastures,hilltops

Daytime: under barnboards or siding in ruraltowns or farms; underloose bark or in treecavities in forestedareas; caves. Nightroosts: under porchawnings, behindshutters, barns. Winter:caves, attics, inside walls

Makes dens in hollow,downed trees, in uprightdead trees, or beneaththe ground

Lodges made ofsaplings, partiallyunderwater, or densbuilt into stream banks.Note: Protect largeornamental trees withhardware cloth

Dens in trees or underrocky outcrops

Dens in undergroundburrows, rock piles, rockwalls, house foundations.Note: Protect flowerbulbs with wire mesh

Lives in undergrounddens at base of cliff orunder a stump

Hides fawn in thicketsor dense grassy areas.Northern herds seekshelter in conifer standscalled “deer yards”

Dens in tree cavities;seeks shelter in hollowlogs, rock piles andabandoned beaverlodges

Dens in hollow logs ortrees or under rockpiles. May use desertedwoodchuck burrows inhillsides or may digtheir own burrow

Northwest, west

Statewide, morecommon south

Northern third andcentral forest

More common north,southwest, MississippiRiver

Northern third;sightings reported inBaraboo Hills, Vernon,Richland and Crawfordcounties. Uncommon

Eastern is foundstatewide. Least innorth and centralconifers

Statewide but morecommon in the north.Not common in wolfhabitat

Statewide

North and expandinginto central

Red Fox foundstatewide; Gray Foxfound southern third

Mammal Food Habitat Den Site Distribution


Pocket Gopher

Snowshoe Hare

American Pine Marten

Deer MouseWestern Harvest MouseWhite-footed Mouse

Woodland Jumping MouseMeadow Jumping Mouse

Mink

Star-nosed MoleEastern MoleShrews (5 kinds)

Muskrat

Opossum

River Otter

Porcupine

Roots, bulbs andrhizomes; clover, alfalfa,grass, dandelion,plantain, mullein, dock

Fresh twigs and bark ofyoung trees and shrubssuch as pine, alder,aspen, willow, hazelnut,birch, cedar, spruce andsumac, grasses, clover,berries

Voles, mice, squirrels,rabbits, small birds,nuts, fruits

Seeds, insects, berries,nuts, corn, small grains,soybeans

Seeds, berries, fungi,greens, insects

Muskrat, rabbits, mice,squirrels, snakes

Insects, earthworms,small animals, littlevegetable matter

Roots of cattails, arrow-heads, water lilies,rushes; periodically eatsfrogs, turtles, fish,crayfish, mussels

Carrion, small birds,frogs, mammals, fish,eggs, insects, fruits

Fish, crayfish, birds,small mammals

Bark and twigs of pinesand maples

Prairie, savanna, andscrub lands where soil isloose or sandy

Brushy woodlands,swamps and heavyforests especially withdense evergreens

Mature forests of denseevergreens or conifer-hardwood mix

Forest, grassland, oldfields, woodland edge,grain bins

Woodland Jumping,conifer forest orwoodland; MeadowJumping, forest edgeand moist meadows

Wetlands and forestedstreams

Grasslands, woodlandsand wetlands

Marshes, ponds, slowstreams, banks of largerrivers

Woodlands, hardwoodswamps, farmland,hedgerows

Rivers, streams andlakes

Forests

Builds extensiveunderground tunnels.Look for mounds of dirtwithout entrance hole

Hides in dense forestcover such as low-hanging evergreenbranches

Creates den in hollowlogs and tree cavities.Note: Rarely seen

Build small, grassynests lined with fur,feathers, and plants.May be found on theground, in wood piles,under old stumps orlogs, in holes in trees,inside walls of houses

Hibernate inunderground nests;summer nests of leavesand grass near surfaceor in dense vegetation

Burrows into banks oflakes, marshes, rivers

Moles burrowunderground; Shrewsbuild small nests of dryleaves and grassesunder old logs, hollowstumps or under piles ofgrass or brush

Builds dens in banks ora hut of mud, cattailand bulrush

Dens in tree cavities,burrows, or hollow logs

Creates dens in streambanks with underwaterentrance or builds denin hollow logs

Hides in trees, brush,caves, and rock crevicesin forests with someevergreens. Note: Canbe destructive to trees

West of WisconsinRiver, northwesternhalf

Snowshoe, north;White-tailed jackrabbit,western border

Northern thirdRARE

Statewide, exceptHarvest Mouse isrestricted to southwest

Meadow foundstatewide; Woodland innorthern half

Statewide

Eastern Mole, south andwest; Starnosed Mole,north and central;Masked and Shorttailshrews, statewide

Statewide

Southern half

Statewide, mostabundant in northernhalf

Northern and central



Masked Shrew

Opposums

Muskrat

Porcupine

Pocket Gopher

Harvest Mouse

Jumping Mouse

Deer Mouse Marten

Otters

Mink

Snowshoe Hare

Eastern Mole Star-nosed Mole


Cottontail

Woodchuck

13-lineGroundSquirrel

Flying Squirrel

Fox SquirrelGray Squirrel

Red Squirrel

Long-tailed Weasel

Short-tailed Weasel

Wolf

Raccoon

Meadow Vole

Bog Lemming

SpottedSkunk

StripedSkunk

Least Weasel


Cottontail Rabbit

Raccoon

Striped SkunkSpotted Skunk

Fox SquirrelGray Squirrel

Southern Flying SquirrelNorthern Flying Squirrel

Thirteen-lined GroundSquirrel

Franklins Ground Squirrel

Red Squirrel

Voles (5 kinds, MeadowVole is common)

Lemmings

LeastWeaselShort-tailed WeaselLong-tailed Weasel

Gray or Timber Wolf

Woodchuck

Raspberries and otherbriars, dandelions,plantain, clover, fruit;in winter, tree bark,dried corn

Frogs, fish, shellfish,small mammals, birds,eggs, reptiles, insects,fruit, field and sweetcorn, nuts

Insects, smallmammals, eggs, snakes,crayfish, poultry

Nuts, seeds, buds, fungi,bird eggs, corn

Seeds, nuts, buds,berries, insects, birdeggs, fledgling birds

Seeds, leafy material,insects, eggs

Pine nuts, seeds,berries, sap, mush-rooms, insects, birdeggs, fledgling birds

Grasses, sedges, roots,bulbs, clover, plantain,dandelion, goldenrod,yarrow, insects; inwinter, bark on youngtrees and shrubs

Mice, voles, insects,small birds, chipmunks

Deer, beaver, snowshoehares, small mammals

Grass, clover, plantain,apples, insects, snails,crops, weeds, gardenvegetables

Forest, farmland withforest and grasslandedges

Forest edge andfarmland

Farmland, woodlandedge, brush alongstreams and ditches

Hardwood forests, orsmall woodlotsinterspersed withfarmland

Forests with large dentrees

Grasslands, prairie,lawns

Forests with pine, fir,hemlock; some mixedhardwood forests

Low, moist grasslands,forest, bogs for somekinds

Longtail, shorttail:forest, brush land,prairies; Least:meadows and fields

Pack territories cover20–110 square miles indense expanses offorests

Farmland, edges ofbrushy forests or creeks

Seeks shelter in denseshrubs, briars, andbrush piles in sparsewoodlands andfarmlands. Note:Protect ornamental fruittrees and shrubs fromrabbits in winter andearly spring

Dens in hollow trees orlogs, especially thosenear water. Note: Protectyour sweet corn cropswith electric fencing

Burrows among treeroots. Seeks shelter inabandoned buildings orunder porches

Nests in hollow trees orbuilds leaf nests high inbranches

Nests in old woodpeckerholes, sometimes inattics

Underground burrowsfor raising young andhibernation

Dens in tree cavities,old woodpecker nests

Build nests of drygrasses and sedgesunder debris or inunderground tunnels.Note: Protect youngsaplings with wire mesh

Dens in abandoned moleruns, or beneath a rockpile, wood pile or inabandoned buildings

Den in 6–12 foot deepholes, hollow logs, orcaves

Burrows in ground,wood piles, stone walls,old stumps, foundationsof abandoned buildings;multiple entrances toden

Statewide

Statewide

Striped, statewideSpotted, no recentrecords

Gray Squirrel, state-wide; Fox Squirrel,statewide exceptnortheast

Southern, southern halfNorthern, northern half

Thirteen lined, state-wide; Franklins, western

Northern two-thirds

Statewide

Statewide

Northwest and central

Southern half


Birds, like mammals, are warm-blooded andcome in all shapes and sizes. However, theyare covered with feathers and have hollow,porous bones which allow all Wisconsinbirds—even the heaviest wild turkey—to fly.They also lay eggs, which they must incubatefor a period of several weeks to a month. Theytend to be more active during the daylightand therefore are fairly easy to observe.

About 400 different kinds of birds have beenobserved and recorded in Wisconsin. Sincebirds are very active and have high bodytemperatures they must keep their internalfires stoked by consuming a lot of food daily.Some consume nearly their body weight infood each day. Many birds eat seeds, some eatfruit. Some insect-eating birds devour about3,000 insects every 24 hours. Birds of preyconsume large quantities of mice, voles andother rodents, large insects, and other birds.Each type of bird has a certain habitatpreference. Some tolerate a wide variation inhabitat while others are very specific in theirhabitat needs. For this publication, Wisconsin

birds are grouped into several categories withonly representative examples listed:

Birds of PreyMarsh and Shore BirdsWaterfowlUpland Game BirdsMigratory SongbirdsResident Birds

You can enhance your land for different typesof birds. Putting out bird feeders well-stocked with sunflower seeds, thistle seedand suet is one easy way of attracting birdsto your property. But don’t forget that theyneed water and shelter, too. So plan oninstalling a year-round birdbath and eitherbuild or purchase a variety of nest boxes. Ifyou have an old field, pasture, or wetmeadow you can enhance it for grasslandsparrows, ring-necked pheasant, bobwhitequail, eastern bluebird, and such warblers asyellow warbler or yellowthroat. If you live inthe southern part of the state and have awoodland, consider planting oaks toencourage wild turkeys. In maturewoodlands, leave snags for hawks, owls,woodpeckers, chickadees and many othercavity nesting songbirds. If you own orborder a wetland, consider planting aminimum of 5 acres of dense, permanentgrass cover to encourage mallard nesting.Also, be sure to leave snags, old oaks andwillows as sources of nesting cavities forwoodducks.


Birds

Tundra Swan

Trumpeter Swan


Bald Eagle

Northern Goshawk

Northern Harrier(formerly Marsh Hawk)

Broad-winged Hawk

Cooper’s Hawk

Red-shouldered Hawk

Suckers, northern pike,muskellunge, bullheads,carp; occasionally geeseand ducks; carrion suchas deer, small livestock,waterfowl, fish duringwinter

Ruffed grouse, quail,ducks, chipmunks, redsquirrels, snowshoehare, poultry, mice,weasels, small hawks,owls, crows, doves, bluejays, thrushes, shrews,grasshoppers andcaterpillars

Rodents and other smallmammals, amphibians,snakes, birds, insects,fish

Small mammals such asyoung rabbits, redsquirrels, chipmunks,mice, moles, shrews;also snakes, frogs,lizards, small fish,larvae of large mothsand butterflies, beetles,grasshoppers andcrickets, crayfish; huntsfrom perch in woodlandsor while flying overtreetops or openmeadows

Northern flicker, quail,ring-necked pheasant,ruffed grouse, mourningdove, blue jay, ducks,least bittern, Americancrow, blackbirds,poultry, rabbits,squirrels, chipmunks,snakes, mice,grasshoppers, cricketsand bats

Primarily amphibians,reptiles, fish andcrayfish, but alsoinsects, small birds andsmall mammals

Large rivers, lakes,reservoirs; found inconcentration neardams along theMississippi and LowerWisconsin rivers

Mixed hardwood andconiferous forests

Wetlands, marshes,open fields, meadows

Deciduous woodlandsand mixed coniferoushardwoods aroundlakes, streams andswamps

Mixed, deciduous andsometimes coniferousforests, or along riveredges in deciduouswoods. Also, pineplantations in southeastWisconsin

Mature river bottomforests and woodedmargins of marshes,often close to cultivatedfields

Roost and nests in largetrees, often white pine.Nest is 4 feet indiameter and 3 feetdeep

Builds stick nest.Prefers large hardwoodtrees 30–40 feet aboveground; frequentlyselects birch, aspen,maple, and beech fornesting trees;occasionally selectsjuniper, pine, spruceand fir. May build ontop of old hawk nest

Nests on the ground intall grasses in ameadow or swamp nearwater

Builds stick nests inbirch, elm, maple,basswood or otherdeciduous trees, pine,hemlock; from 25–90feet above ground;occasionally 3–10 feetabove ground

Builds stick nest with“cup” lined with barkflakes, occasionallyrimmed with green treesprings in main crotchor on a horizontal limb.Nests 20–60 feet aboveground in deciduous orconiferous trees;occasionally uses oldcrow nests or same nestfrom previous year, buttypically builds a newnest in same area

Builds nests of mossytwigs and branches,lined with bark strips,bits of oak leaves andlichens in deciduoustrees averaging 80–95feet tall

Northern one-third inspring and summer;rare in southeast, southcentral and easternWisconsin. Number ofoccupied territories hasincreased from 108 in1973 to 645 in 1997

Northern one-fourth,and south into centralWisconsin

Statewide; uncommonwinter resident south

Statewide, butuncommon summerresident west andcentral. Often seen inlarge numbers duringfall migration

Statewide butuncommon. Watch for itnear birdfeeders inwinter in southern thirdof state

Statewide butuncommon summerresident; uncommonwinter resident south

Birds of Prey Food Habitat Nest Site Distribution


Red-tailed Hawk

Rough-legged Hawk

Sharp-shinned Hawk

American Kestrel

Osprey

Barred Owl

Great Horned Owl

Eastern Screech Owl

Primarily smallmammals such asrabbits; also birds,reptiles, and someinsects

Primarily smallmammals

Small birds up to pigeonsize; also small mam-mals, reptiles andinsects

Insects such asgrasshoppers, cricketsand beetles; also miceand other smallmammals, birds,lizards, toads, frogs andsmall snakes; huntsfrom a perch or whilehovering over areaswith short grassy cover

Primarily fresh panfish;also frogs, snakes,ducks, crows and smallmammals

Variety of birds, miceand other smallmammals, fish, frogs,salamanders, snakes,crayfish and largeinsects

Rabbit, squirrels,skunk, woodchuck,opossum, gopher, geese,turkey, pheasant, quail,mice, rats, weasels,mink, crow, crayfish,reptiles, amphibians,fish and large insects

Mice and other smallmammals, grass-hoppers, locusts, moths,beetles and otherinsects, spiders, fish,crayfish, salamanders,reptiles, songbirds

Woodland edge invariety of open habitatsincluding pasture, field,meadow and swampyareas

Grasslands, openmarshes and fields

Coniferous anddeciduous forests,conifer plantations andconifer swamps

Forest openings,marshes, grasslands,farmland, woodlandedges. Commonly seenon utility wires

Lakes, rivers, marshesand reservoirs

Oak and mixeddeciduous andconiferous forestsbordering lakes, steams,swamps, marshes or wetmeadows

Farm woodlots, openconiferous, deciduous ormixed woods,riverbottom forests,marshes, swamps, largecity parks and orchards

Variety of woodedhabitats, especially openwoods adjacent tomeadows, marshes orfields. Also, orchardsand shade trees intowns and cities

Builds nests of sticks intops of large deciduoustrees, usually 35–90 feetabove ground

Doesn’t nest inWisconsin but nestsprimarily on cliffs alongriver bluffs

Nests primarily inconifers, usually 30–35feet above ground. Nestis a compact platform oftwigs, sometimes linedwith smaller twigs orbark strips

Nests in nest boxes andtree cavities; nest sitesare usually alongstreams, ponds or forestedges, normally 10–35feet above ground

Nest site is near or inwater atop dead orliving trees, powerpoles, old eagle, gull orgreat blue heron nests,artificial nestingstructure; nest site maybe used by same pairyear after year

Nests 18–50 feet aboveground in tree cavities,hollows in top of brokentree stub or nests ofcrows and squirrels

Nests up to 70 feet highin large trees, usually inthe nests of red-tailedhawks, osprey, baldeagles, heron or crow.Sometimes nests in treecavities

Nests 5–35 feet high intree cavities, abandonedwoodpecker holes; alsonests in wood duck nestboxes

Statewide

Statewide in winteronly

Northern half

Statewide

Northern two-thirds insummer

Statewide

Statewide

Statewide, except rarein north



Bald Eagle

Goshawk

Harrier

Broad-wingedHawk

Barred Owl

Great Horned Owl

Screech Owl

Osprey

Cooper’s Hawk

Red-shoulderedHawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Rough-leggedHawk

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Kestrel


Turkey Vulture

Great Blue HeronSandhill Crane

GreatEgret

BeltedKingfisher

GreaterYellowlegs

PectoralSandpiper

Killdeer

Woodcock


Turkey Vulture Fresh or decayedcarrion, includingalmost all wild anddomestic animals; frogs,snakes, birds and fish

Hilly, forested regionswith exposed perches.Shaded nest sites oncliffs and in maturetrees

Lays egg directly on theground beneath fallentrees or tumbledboulders, in piles ofdiscarded brush, logsand/or rocks or inabandoned buildings, insmall caves, on rockledges, in hollow logsand in large hollowtrees. Nearly every siteis isolated fromdisturbance by people

Statewide


Sandhill Crane

Great Egret

Great Blue Heron

Belted Kingfisher

Sandpipers, Plovers andother shorebirds(Pectoral and SpottedSandpipers, Greaterand Lesser Yellowlegs,Piping and Semi-palmated Plovers,Killdeer, Sanderling)

American Woodcock

Mice, frogs, insects,roots, shoots of grains,grasses, seeds

Fish, insects, frogs,crayfish, salamanders,snakes, snails and smallmammals

Fish, crayfish, frogs,salamanders, snakes,insects, leeches andsmall mammals

Small fish, frogs,insects, crayfish,mollusks and mice

Small crustacea,aquatic worms andother aquaticinvertebrates found inmud, wet sand orfloating in water

Insects, earthworms

Grasslands, sedgemeadows, marshes,farmlands, bogs,sloughs, lakes, ponds,river deltas

Marshes, riverbottomlands, shallowlakes, bays and streams

Common in marshes,rivers and streams,bottomlands

Edges of lakes, ponds,rivers and streams

Muddy and sandyshorelines. Some occurin open fields andmeadows

Damp woods

Nests on mound ofemergent vegetation,grass, moss, or mudamong rushes, sedgesand other tall, densevegetation

Builds large stick nestsin trees 1–40 feet aboveground

Builds large stick nestin trees often above 50feet

Burrows 3–6 feet into astream bank nearwater, 1–3 feet from topof bank; builds a nestcavity often lined withdisgorged food pellets

Nest on ground. Most donot build nests. Needisolated areas free fromdisturbance of humansor pets

Nest on ground,spectacular courtshipflights on early springevenings

Statewide with heaviestnesting concentrationsin central Wisconsin

Statewide

Statewide

Statewide

Some statewide, othersrestricted, others onlymigrate through thestate

Statewide, can be seenin large numbers duringfall migration

Marsh and Shore Birds Food Habitat Nest Sites Distribution


Canada Goose

Dabbling Ducks (13kinds includingPintail, Shoveler,Gadwall)

Blue-winged Teal

Mallard

Wood Duck

Diving Ducks (20 kinds,including Scaup,Goldeneye, Bufflehead,and Ruddy Duck)

Redhead

Ring-necked Duck

Scaup (Greater orLesser)

Mergansers(3 kinds: Common,Hooded and Red-breasted)

Corn, small grains,alfalfa, seeds, grasses,sedges, berries,crustaceans, smallmollusks, large insects

Seeds, aquaticvegetation, insects,grain, grasses, sedges

Duckweed, grasses,smartweed, sedges, wildrice, corn, invertebrates

Pondweeds,smartweeds, bulrushes,millet, wild rice, insects,mollusks

Acorns, nuts, water lilyseeds, beetles, bugs,spiders

Aquatic plants, insects,crayfish, small fish,mollusks, grasses andsedges

Submerged leaves,seeds and stems ofaquatic plants such assago pondweed, wildcelery, algae, and wildrice

Submerged leaves, seedsand stems of aquaticplants such as sagopondweed, wild celery,algae, and wild rice

Aquatic plants, insects,crayfish, small fish andmollusks

Fish

Farmlands, lakes,rivers, marshes;frequent urban areas,especially parks and golfcourses

Wetlands, shallow,weed-filled waters

Wetlands in farmland

Marshes, ponds, riversand farmlands

Forested wetlands

Most prefer larger lakesand rivers; a few prefersmall lakes, ponds andsloughs; rarely come toland

Open waters of lakesand rivers

Open water of lakesnear woodlands

Large, open water lakesand rivers

Wooded lakes andstreams, large riverssuch as Mississippi

Builds nest of grassesand feathers on groundin marshy areas. Note:Can be a nuisance inagricultural and urbanareas

Do not commonly nestin Wisconsin, but needprotection of marshvegetation and shallow,open water

Nests in short grassaround edges ofwetlands, especially inungrazed fields,semipermanent shallowpotholes surrounded byhayfields or grasslands

Nests primarily inupland grasses, yet canbe found nesting incattails

Nests in old woodpeckerholes in old trees or inwood duck nest boxesset 15 feet aboveground, over water

Many diving ducks donot nest in Wisconsin

Nests primarily inprairies and parklandsof the U.S. and Canada;migrates throughWisconsin in spring andfall; winters in lakes,coastal bays and inlandmarshes along theAtlantic and Gulf ofMexico

Nests on the ground bywater in clumps of tallplants in shallow water

Doesn’t nest inWisconsin, mostabundant in spring andfall migration

Common and Hoodedmergansers nest in treecavities; Red-breastednests on the ground

Statewide, especiallyHoricon Marsh, GrandRiver Marsh, PineIsland, Crex Meadows,Theresa Marsh

Statewide

Southeast and east-central

Statewide

Statewide

Statewide, especiallyLake Michigan,Mississippi River, LakeWinnebago

Statewide

Northern third

Statewide

Statewide, commonalong Mississippi Riverin March and earlyApril

Waterfowl Food Habitat Nest Sites Distribution


Canada Geese

Pintail

Mallard

Blue-winged Teal

Wood Ducks

male, leftfemale, right

Goldeneye

Hooded Merganser

Redhead

Ring-necked Duck

Greater Scaup


Wild Turkey

Ring-necked Pheasant

Bobwhite Quail

Greater Prairie Chicken

Sharp-tailed GrouseRuffed Grouse


Greater Prairie Chicken

Ruffed Grouse

Sharp-tailed Grouse

Ring-necked Pheasant(Non-native)

Bobwhite Quail

Wild Turkey

Seeds, berries, insects,grain, buds, leaves,tender vegetation

Aspen buds and catkins,hazelnuts, acorns,catkins, berries, wildgrape, clover, insects

Seeds, berries, insects,buds, leaves and tendervegetation

Corn, grains, weedseeds and insects

Wild grape, bittersweet,sumac, corn, soybeans,grasshoppers, crickets,beetles

Acorns, insects, berries,seeds, alfalfa, corn.leaves, catkins, nuts

Large expanses of opengrasslands with someshrubs and wet marshareas

Forests with varyingages of aspen and alderthickets

Scrub oak, barrens,earliest stages of forestsuccession withopenings and scatteredthickets

Farmland withhayfields, grasslandsand wetlandsintermixed

Farmlands interspersedwith brushy areas,grassy marshes,hedgerows or thickets ofhazel, raspberry,grapevines, willow andelderberry

Farmland interspersedwith oak-hickorywoodlands

Nests on ground

Nests on the ground inthick young aspenstands

Nests on ground

Builds nest on groundin tall, dense grasses

Nests on ground. Live ingroups called “coveys”

Nests on ground indense cover

Only in isolated spots incentral Wisconsin

Statewide, restrictedareas in south

Northwest

Southern half

Southwest

Southwest, southerncounties, somenortheast counties, andsome northwestcounties

Upland Game Birds Food Habitat Shelter Distribution


Northern Oriole(Formerly Baltimore

Oriole)

Red-winged Blackbird

Eastern Bluebird

Bobolink

Indigo Bunting

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Blackberries,blueberries,elderberries, grapes,pears, peas,caterpillars, ants,beetles, spiders,grasshoppers, bugs,wasps; at feeders:orange halves, smalltrays of grape jelly,mealworms, brokenwalnuts, apple slices,suet and bread

Ants, beetles, canker-worms, caterpillars,grasshoppers, grubs,weevils, snails andspiders; barley,bristlegrass, canary-grass, corn, millet, oats,peanuts, ragweeds,wheat, crabgrass andsunflowers

Spiders, wasps,caterpillars, worms,beetles, grubs, crickets,grasshoppers, weevils,ants, centipedes,cutworms, snails,sowbugs, blackberries,blueberries, cherries,cotoneaster, Virginiacreeper, dogwoods,elderberries,chokeberries,eunoymus, poison ivy,raspberries, serviceberries; at feeders: driedcurrants, raisins,peanuts, peanut butter,pecans, bread, cake,pitted dates, dried figs

Insects and seeds ofweeds and grasses

Insects, seeds of herbsand grasses, elder-berries, blueberries,blackberries, straw-berries

Seeds, grains, insectsand small invertebrates

Open deciduous woods,forest edges, parks,residential areas,farmlands, orchards,river bottoms, uplandhardwoods

Cattail marshes, wetmeadows, swamps,pastures, hedgerows,grasslands, field edges,roadside ditches

Woodland edges,orchards, gardens,meadows, cemeteries,golf courses, pastures

Hayfields, opengrasslands, old fields,pastures, sedge andgrass meadows

Forest edges, openbrushy fields, roadsidethickets

Deciduous or mixedsecond-growth woods,swamp and streamborders, old orchards,suburban trees, edges ofwoods and pastures

Weaves an intricatepouch-like nest, whichhangs pendulously25–30 feet at the tip ofbranches of elm,cottonwood, birch,boxelder, aspen, oak,maples, willows or appletrees; Nest is built withmilkweed down, doghairs, weed fibers, wooland yarn or any otherfibrous material

Weaves nest in cattails,rushes, sedges, reeds orbushes, near or overwater, usually no morethan 3 feet aboveground

Builds nest in bluebirdnest boxes, rottenfenceposts, natural treecavities, old woodpeckerholes; most attempt tore-nest and produce asecond brood

Builds nests in a slightnatural hollow or scrapein the ground in densestands of alfalfa, clover,timothy, or weeds

Builds a cup of driedgrasses and plant fibers1–12 feet above groundin crotch of a bush,shrub or low tree, or ina tangle of berry vines

Builds a flimsy nest ofsmall twigs, weed stemsand plant rootlets in thefork of a deciduous treeor shrub at 4–15 feetabove ground

Statewide

Statewide

Statewide, butuncommon south andeast

Statewide

Statewide

Statewide

Migratory Songbirds Food Habitat Nest Sites Distribution


Eastern Bluebird

Red-winged Blackbird

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Indigo Bunting

BaltimoreOriole

Bobolink


Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Eastern Meadowlark

Dark-eyed Junco

Purple Martin


Ruby-throatedHummingbird

Dark-eyed Junco

Purple Martin

Eastern MeadowlarkWestern Meadowlark

Flower nectar and pollenfrom: cardinal flower,columbine, coralberry,buckeye, scarlet runnerbeans, bee balm(monarda), eveningprimrose, gladiolus,hibiscus, honeysuckle,lilies, butterfly weeds,morning glory,nasturtium, petunia,phlox, snapdragon,thistle, trumpet creeper,weigela, zinnia, hosta,coral bells; hummingbirdfeeders filled with red-colored sugar water;very small insectsattracted to nectar andsometimes flying insectsattracted to uneatenprey at hawk nests

At feeder: black oilsunflower seeds, whiteproso millet, crackedcorn, corn, grainsorghum, peanuts,peanut butter, oldbakery goods such aswheat or corn bread andpie crusts, brokenwalnuts, wheat,oatmeal, pumpkinseeds; In the wild:amaranth, crabgrass,barnyard grass, bristlegrass, canary grass,dropseed, goosefoot,wild hemp, oats,petunia, ragweed,switchgrass, wheat,lamb’s quarters,chickweed, purslane,wild sunflower, pineseeds; weevils, beetles,flies, moths,grasshoppers, ants,spiders

Flying insects, someground insects andspiders

Mainly insects insummer; seeds of wastegrain, weeds andgrasses in winter

Hardwood and mixedhardwood forests,meadows, woodlandedges and clearings,orchards, backyardgardens

Coniferous or mixedforests, and forestedges. In winter atsuburban and rural birdfeeders

Farmlands, parks,suburban yards,preferably near water;also marsh edges, lakeshores, meadows nearpools and open, cut-overwoodlands near water

Open grasslandsincluding hayfields,meadows, pastures,prairies; Eastern preferspastures

Builds tiny nest inbranches the size ofwalnut halves, typically10–20 feet above theground; often near orsometimes directly overwater or near woodlandtrails on a horizontalbranch; Nest is made ofspider silk and plantdown and covered onoutside with lichens

Commonly buildscompact nest of grasses,rootlets, and moss onthe ground, concealedbeneath weeds andgrasses; occasionallymay place nest up to 8feet above ground inshrubs or treesBreeds in boreal forestand conifer plantationsin northern counties

Nests in colonies inpurple martin houses orsets of hanging gourdsset 15–20 ft. aboveground; sometimes inhollow tree cavities

Builds nest in a naturalhollow or scrape on theground. Weaves a loosedome-shaped roof overnest

Statewide

Statewide in winter

Statewide, but morenumerous in easternand southeasternWisconsin

Statewide



NighthawkWhip-poor-will

American RobinThrushes

Grassland Sparrows

Barn Swallow

Tree Swallow

Chimney Swift

Scarlet Tanager

Brown ThrasherGray Catbird

Flying insects

Earthworms, wildberries and fruit such ascrabapples, apples,cherries, elderberries,blackberries, blueberries,cranberries and a varietyof insects and spiders

Insects, weed seeds,spiders

Flying insects

Flying insects; wildberries and seeds in coldweather when insectsare scarce

Flying insects includingbeetles, flies, ants, bugs;sometimes caterpillarshanging from treebranches

Variety of insects andother small inverte-brates; also some wildfruits

Insects, spiders, worms,small invertebrates,berries and fruits

Nighthawks found incities on gravel rooftops,railroad right-of-ways,sand dunes; sandy ruralareas, plowed fields,plains, remote blacktopareas; whip-poor-willsfound in open hard-woods or mixed oak andpine forests

Deciduous or mixedconiferous-deciduousforests, also riverbottomforests; robins verycommon in suburbanyards, parks

Habitat types varyamong species, butgenerally includepastures, hayfields,open grasslands,marshes, grassy dunes,wet meadows, prairies

Farmsteads with barnsand outbuildings, opengrasslands, open forests,lakeshores

Open woodlands andfarmlands near ponds,streams and lakes; alsoriver bottomlands,beaver ponds, woodedswamps and marsheswhere dead trees standin or near water

Cities, towns and farms

Mature oak forests,bottomland hardwoodforests, groves, parks,orchards

Brushy woods, woodlandedges and thickets, nearsuburban or ruralhomesteads, dry marshedges, roadside shrubs,abandoned fields andfencerows

Neither bird buildsnests; nighthawks layeggs on gravel rooftopsor on bare ground;whip-poor-wills lay eggson ground on deadleaves

Robins build nest ofmud and grass indeciduous or coniferoustrees or shrubs, on nestplatforms in opengarages, church ledgesor abandoned buildings

Build nests of grasseslow to or on the ground

Builds mud nests onrafters of old barns orbuildings; sometimesunder bridges or inculverts

Builds nest of grasses inbluebird nest boxes, treecavities and abandonedwoodpecker holes about3–15 feet above ground

Builds nest on walls ofchimneys, silos, oldwells or in little-usedgarages, barns andshacks; sometimes intree hollows or stumps

Builds a small, flimsycup on horizontal oak,maple or elm limb about8–15 feet above ground

Thrashers build bulkynest from 1–3 feet abovethe ground butsometimes on the groundunder tangled thickets.Catbirds build nests2–10 feet above groundin dense willow andalder thickets, lilac andberry bushes or in smalltrees bordering streams

Statewide

Some statewide, a fewrestricted to northernforests

Statewide

Statewide, but leavesstate in August

Statewide

Statewide

Statewide

Statewide



Chimney Swift

Tree Swallow

Scarlet Tanager

Savanna Sparrow

Brown Thrasher Nighthawk

Catbird

Robin

Wood Thrush

Barn Swallow


Vireos (7 kinds, red-eyed vireo typical; afew are rare)

Warblers (37 kinds,yellow warbler typical,several are rare)

House Wren

Small insects andcaterpillars

Small insects, smallinvertebrates;occasionally may eatseeds and berriesparticularly duringcolder seasons wheninsects are not common

Insects, smallinvertebrates

Woodlands, deciduousthickets, brambles,undergrowth, openmixed northernhardwood-coniferousforests, mature wetforest, second-growthwoods and residentialareas

Variety of forest typesand river bottomlandhabitats. Each kind ofwarbler has its ownspecific habitatrequirements

Woody vegetation insuburban and ruralareas; frequentswoodland edges, openforests and clearings

Weaves nests of barkstrips, cobwebs, finegrass high in tree tops

Weaves small, round,cupped nests of grassesand other plant fibers,placed from groundlevel to tops of trees,depending on the type ofbird

Wrens build nests intree cavities, fenceposts,stumps, abandonedwoodpecker holes ornestboxes with openingspreferably 1 inch indiameter

Red-eyed Vireo andWarbling Vireo foundstatewide, othersrestricted or not ascommon

Few statewide, mostrestricted duringnesting season tonorthern andnortheastern counties;some restricted tofloodplain forests

Statewide


Yellow Warbler Red-eyed Vireo

House Wren


Northern Cardinal

Black-capped Chickadee

Mourning Dove

Northern Flicker

At feeders: gray-stripeand black oil sunflowerseeds, safflower seeds,and peanut hearts,bread, cantaloupe seeds,peanut butter, pumpkinseeds, squash seeds,watermelon seeds, driedapples and raisins; Inthe wild: cedar berries,cherries, blackberries,elderberries, grapes,mulberries, raspberries,plums, strawberries,viburnum, blueberries,barley, bristlegrass,buckwheat, corn,hazelnut, hackberries,millet, oats, ragweed

At feeders: black oilsunflower seeds,peanuts, peanut butter,pumpkin seeds, suet,old bread anddoughnuts; In the wild:insects such as motheggs, katydids, spiders,caterpillars, beetles,flies, wasps; alsoblueberries, black-berries, wild cherriesand seeds fromgoldenrod, ragweed,hemlock; fat from deadanimals such as white-tailed deer during falland winter

Insects, grain, birdseed,snails, fruits, nuts;feeds primarily on weedseeds and winter grains,sunflowers, sorghum,ragweed, millet,barnyard grass,California poppy,canary grass, foxtail,bristlegrass, wild hemp,Japanese millet

Primarily ants; alsobeetles, caterpillars,cockroaches,grasshoppers, crickets,wild berries, red cedar,plums, hawthorn,hackberry seeds, corn,acorns, oats ragweed,rye, wheat; at feeders:suet, peanut butter,raisins and apples

Thickets, forest edges,groves, suburbangardens, parks, smallrural and urbanwoodlots, farmsteads,urban backyards, openswamps

Deciduous andconiferous forests, ruralwoodlands, suburbanand rural areas withmature trees andorchards; favors edge

Open mixed woods,Christmas tree farms,orchards, suburbanareas, farmlands, woodedges, church andcemetery sites

Farm groves, urbanbackyards, orchards,open deciduous andconiferous forests, parksand savannas

Builds loose-knit, butbulky, nest of twigs,vines, bark strips,grasses and places it indense shrubbery ofconifer tree or smalldeciduous tree orvine/briar tangle;generally less than 10feet high

Excavates hole about4–10 feet above groundin very soft, rottingwood of dead tree suchas aspen, paper birch,yellow birch, willow,basswood, maple orwhite ash; or builds nestin fence post; will useexisting cavities or birdhouses; nest cavitiesfrequently lined withrabbit fur

Builds a platform ofloosely woven sticks onhorizontal branches inshrubs and trees,especially conifers about10–25 feet above ground

Excavates a nestingcavity in living tree,dead tree, utility pole,fencepost or side ofbuilding 2–60 feet aboveground

Statewide

Statewide

During summer:common in southernand central Wisconsin,uncommon in the north;in winter, common insouthern Wisconsinfarmlands

Statewide, butuncommon winterresident in southernWisconsin; rare winterresident in centralWisconsin

Resident Birds Food Habitat Nest Site Distribution


American Goldfinch

Blue Jay

White-breasted NuthatchRed-breasted Nuthatch

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Cedar Waxwing

Weed seeds fromragweed, dandelion,goldenrod, chickweed;some insects such asaphids, caterpillars,plant lice; at feeders:thistle (niger) seed,finch mix, black oilsunflower seed, crackednut meats, millet seeds

At feeders: gray-stripesunflower seeds,safflower seeds,peanuts, peanut butter,pumpkin seeds, squashseeds, suet, bread,crackers, raisins,apples; In the wild:blueberries, cherries,elderberries,strawberries, serviceberries, grapes,mulberries, plums,choke cherries, acorns,sumac seeds, corn, oats,wheat, buckwheat,sorghum, nuts,hazelnuts, pine seeds,insects, animal andplant matter

At winter feeders:black-oil sunflowerseeds, safflower seeds,suet; also eat acorns;red-breasted pries openconifer cone scales andremoves seeds for muchof its food; In spring andsummer: beetles, ants,spiders and otherinvertebrates;sometimes white-breasted uses nectarfeeders that have beenplaced for Baltimoreorioles

Cambium and tree sapand insects attracted tothe sap pits, which itdrills in a regular seriesof pit-like holes in trees;flying insects, acorns;will visit feeders for suet,peanut butter, crackedwalnuts, fruits; will alsodrink at nectar feeders

Wild fruits and berries,particularly red cedarberries, insects

Mixed woodlands,meadows, weedy fields,farmland, urbanbackyards, fencerows,orchards, pastures withscattered trees, edges offorest and swamp

Variety of woodedhabitats, farms, parks,cities and suburbs

White-breasted prefersdeciduous and mixedwoodlands, urban andrural yards; red-breasted prefers coniferforests

Deciduous, coniferousand mixed deciduous-coniferous forests,especially with aspen.Can be found duringmigration in orchards,parks, farmlands, orwoodlands

Open woods, orchards,farmland

Builds nest of thistleand cattail down late insummer; places nest inupright branches orhorizontal limbs of awide variety of treesand shrubs usuallyabout 5–15 feet aboveground

Builds bulky nest oftwigs, bark, leaves,mosses and plant fibersabout 10–25 feet aboveground and hidden incrotch of conifer ordeciduous tree; alsonests occasionally inshrubs

Nests in old woodpeckerholes about 5–50 feetabove the ground(white-breasted) orabout 15 feet aboveground (red-breasted),birdhouses (rarelybirdhouses for red-breasted)

Excavates cavity in liveor dead trees from 3–35feet above ground;especially favor aspeninfected with fungus

Builds nest of looselywoven grasses andfibers placed onhorizontal limb of a tree4–50 ft. above ground

Statewide

Statewide

White-breasted, state-wide;Red-breasted,north

Statewide, butuncommon duringsummer in central andsouthwest Wisconsin;uncommon in winter insouthern Wisconsin;rare in centralWisconsin

Statewide



White-breasted Nuthatch

Sapsucker Cedar Waxwing

Blue Jay

Cardinal

Mourning DoveChickadee

Goldfinch

Flicker


Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Three-toed Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Red-headed Woodpecker

Insects including wood-boring beetle larvae andants; wild berries,sumac seeds, corn; Atfeeders: sunflower seed,suet, peanuts, peanutbutter, meat scraps,cracked pecans, cheese

Beetles, ants, aphids,millipedes, spiders,caterpillars, insectlarvae, cherries, apples,mulberries, black-berries, service berries,poison ivy berries,dogwood, chokecherries, acorns, corn,hazelnuts; At feeders:sunflower seed, suet,broken walnuts,peanuts

Insects and wood-boringlarvae of moths andbeetles, fruits, acorns,tree cambium

Carpenter ants, wood-boring beetles and otherinsect larvae, sumacseeds, wild fruit, acorns;At feeders: suet

Wood boring beetles,crickets, ants,grasshoppers, insectlarvae; several wildfruits, seeds, acorns,hazel and hickory nuts;At feeders: suet, orangehalves, apples, peanuts,peanut butter, sun-flower seed, shelled corn

Beetles, ants,caterpillars, bugs,honeybees, acorns,beechnuts, apples, corn,berries; At feeders: suet,sunflower seeds

Urban areas,farmsteads, smallwoodlots,boreal/hardwood forests,orchards, bottomlands

Farmlands withwoodlots, swamps,hardwood andconiferous forests,orchards, urban areas

Northern tamarack-spruce bogs and firforests, burned areasand swampy forestswith dead trees

Mature hardwoodforests, groves of largehardwood trees, matureforests near rivers andlakes

Deciduous forests,parks, orchards,gardens, backyards

Prefers mature oakwoodlots, farmlandwoodlots, orchards,mixed hardwood forests

Excavates hole 8–18inches deep in living ordead trees, stump,fencepost, or in rottingwood often 10–30 feetabove ground

Excavates nest cavitiesin dead or living treeswith decayed heartwoodfrom 5–30 feet aboveground

Excavates cavity from5–12 feet above groundin live or dead pine,spruce, aspen and cedar

Excavates large, deepcavities with oblongentrances in very largetrees at least 16 inchesin diameter, 25–50 feetabove ground

Excavates nest cavitiesabout 13–40 feet aboveground in dead oak,birch, maple, apple andbutternut trees; treestumps, utility polesand wooden buildings

Excavates cavitiesusually about 20–30 feetabove ground in trees;sometimes excavatescavities in fence posts

Statewide

Statewide

Northern boreal/coniferforests

Statewide, but morecommon in north-central and southwest

Fairly common inwestern and southernWisconsin; uncommonin northern and easternWisconsin

Statewide, butuncommon winterresident in southernand central Wisconsin



DownyWoodpecker

Red-headedWoodpecker

Red-belliedWoodpecker

HairyWoodpecker

Three-toed Woodpecker

PileatedWoodpeckersfemale, abovemale, below


House Finch

Pigeon (Rock Dove)

House Sparrow

Starling

Weed seeds such as wildmustard, mullein,pigweed, chickweed,aphids, caterpillars,sunflowers, thistle seedand finch mix

Seeds, waste grain,insects, fruit

Seeds in wild and atbird feeders, insects,bread, old bakery goods

Insects, grubs and otherlawn pests, mulberriesand other berries

Farms, cities, parks,open woods, adapts tohuman dwellings

Farmland, cities

Around humandwellings

Around humandwellings, especially infarm country; cities,suburbs, orchards,parks, gardens

Builds nest of twigs,grasses and debrisplaced in tree cavities,bird boxes and buildingledges

Roosts in old buildings,barns and under bridgesor cliffs; Droppings candeface buildings andsidewalks

Builds ball of grasses,weeds, trash placed inbluebird houses, porchrafters, holes in walls,awnings, behindshutters; competes withbluebirds and treeswallows in nestboxes

Fills cavities in trees orbirdhouses with a massof grasses, corn husks,cloth, feathers;competes with purplemartins in birdhouses

Southern half. Native toSouthwestern U.S., butwere shipped illegally toNew York as “Holly-wood Finches;” thespecies has sinceescaped and spread tonew territories

Statewide. Native to theOld World north of theequator

Statewide. Native toEurasia and NorthAfrica

Statewide. Native toEurasia

Non-native Birds Food Habitat Nest Sites Distribution

Pigeon

Starling

House Finch

House Sparrow


Reptiles and amphibians, collectively knownas “herptiles” or “herps” for short, are cold-blooded animals unlike the warm-bloodedmammals and birds. The reptiles includesnakes, lizards and turtles; amphibiansinclude frogs and salamanders. Most snakes,all lizards and some turtles prefer to live onland. Most turtles prefer a life in or nearwater. However, all amphibians must laytheir eggs in water or very damp habitats.Therefore, wetlands—from marshes, swampsand moist woodlands to lakes, streams,ponds and temporary pools—are essential tothe survival of amphibians. Many reptiles, onthe other hand, are not as dependent onwetlands as are the amphibians. Because thethick, hard scales which cover reptilianbodies provide protection from drying air andsun, most Wisconsin snakes and lizards livefar from water. Still, aquatic turtles andwater snakes are very dependent onwetlands.

Amphibians are also different from reptilesin that they go through a metamorphosis, orchange in body shape. Just think about frogsin their early tadpole stage. Lastly, allWisconsin herptiles are silent creaturesexcept for the unique vocalizations of thefrogs. Who has not appreciated hearing thejingling of spring peepers or the trilling oftoads on a warm spring night?

Herps are very beneficial to people. Severalkinds of snakes, for instance, consume largequantities of rodents each year. Only two,fairly rare kinds of snakes are poisonous: thetimber rattlesnake found in the rugged bluffcountry along the Mississippi and LowerWisconsin Rivers, and the Massasauga, ashy, retiring rattler of the swamps. Frogs andtoads also do their best to reduce the supplyof insects including mosquitoes, black flies,and other pesky flying insects. As with birdsand mammals, herps are important in theirown right. Both reptiles and amphibians

serve as food for other, larger animals, so allplay a critical role in the circle of life and thecycles of nature.

Landowners don’t often think of attractingreptiles or amphibians to their property.These cold-blooded, “slimy” or “scaly”creatures just don’t seem to have theaesthetic appeal that the “warm fuzzy” birdsand mammals have. Nevertheless, since thisgroup of animals plays an invaluable role inthe ecological scheme of things on theWisconsin landscape, you may want to plansome projects to encourage their presence.You could, for instance, restore a wetland onyour property where one once existed andmay have been filled in or plowed under. Or,consider improving your woodland by leavingdowned timber on the woodland floor,especially in moist lowland woods wheresalamanders and some frogs would benefit.Your property’s biodiversity and overallnatural health will be greatly increased.

Read more about reptiles and amphibians inNatural History of Amphibians and Reptilesin Wisconsin by Richard Carl Vogt, published1981 by the Milwaukee Public Museum andFriends of the Museum.

Green frog

Reptiles and Amphibians


Mudpuppy

Spiny Softshells

Musk Turtle

Painted Turtle

Blandings Turtle

Ornate Box Turtle

Wood Turtle

Snapping Turtle

Map Turtle

TigerSalamander

Red-backedSalamander


Blandings Turtle

Ornate Box Turtle

Map Turtles (3 kinds)

Musk Turtle

Painted Turtle (2 sub-species)

Snapping Turtle

Soft-shelled Turtles (2kinds, Spiny is mostcommon)

Wood Turtle

Mudpuppy

Red-backed Salamander

Tiger Salamander

Prefers crayfish, insects,earthworms, vegetation,berries

Insects, cactus andother succulent plants,berries

Fish, insects, snails

Insects, fish, carrion inwater

Aquatic vegetation,snails, crayfish, insects,fish, carrion, tadpoles

Insects, crayfish,mollusks, worms,leeches, fish, frogs,birds, aquatic plants

Fish, crayfish, aquaticinsect larvae

Insects, earthworms,berries, vegetation

Worms, and otheraquatic invertebrates,insects, small fish

Small insects and insectlarvae

Earthworms, cricketnymphs, grasshoppers,moths, flies, spiders,beetles, cicadas

Shallow, weedy bays ofrivers, lakes andmarshes

Dry, sandy floodplain,prairies adjacent to thelower Wisconsin River

Lakes, rivers with slowto moderate current

River backwaters andlakes

Ponds, shallow lakes,and slow moving rivers

Lakes, rivers, creeks,ponds and marshes

Primarily rivers, largelakes and reservoirs

On land or water nearfast moving streams inforested areas

Bottoms of rivers andlakes during every stageof life cycle

Damp litter and rottedlogs in woodlands,sphagnum bogs

Breeds in prairie ponds,marshes, kettlepotholes, lakes,woodland ponds, farmponds

Seeks shelter insideshell or on marshbottom or in submergedvegetation

Hibernates in self-excavated or mammalburrows; hides underbushes or in burrows

Hide in deep areasunder sunken logs,occasionally in aquaticvegetation; hibernatebehind logs and rockson riverbottom

Retreats to bottom orhides in densesubmerged vegetation

Burrows or lays onbottom during winter;hides in densesubmergent vegetation

Stays on muddybottoms of ponds indense aquaticvegetation

Hide in sandy or muddybottoms; nest nearwaters edge

Hibernates under cutbanks or in deeper poolswith at least moderatecurrent

Hides amongst rocks onbottom of rivers andlakes

Hides under logs andleaf litter, in sphagnummoss or under ground

Spends much of the yearunderground inwoodlands; migrates tobreed on first rainynights associated withfrost-out

Statewide except for sixnorth-central counties,THREATENED

Southwest and south-central, ENDANGERED

Mostly restricted tosouth-central,southwest and west

Southern one-fourthand along Mississippifrom La Crosse south

Statewide

Statewide

Primarily western two-thirds, abundant in theBlack, Chippewa,Mississippi, andWisconsin rivers

Primarily northern two-thirds, THREATENED

Statewide

Northern half

Central, southeasternand northwestern

Turtles Food Habitat Shelter Distribution

Salamanders Food Habitat Shelter Distribution


Bullfrog

Western Chorus Frog

Blanchards Cricket Frog

Green Frog

Northern Leopard Frog

Mink Frog

Pickerel Frog

Spring Peeper

Eastern American Toad

Eastern TreefrogCopes Treefrog

Wood Frog

Insects, small fish, otherfrogs, small turtles

Mites, midges,caterpillars, spiders,beetles, ants, spiders

Small insects,invertebrates

Insects, invertebrates




Small insects

Earthworms,mealworms, gardeninsects

Small insects,invertebrates

Insects

Permanent bodies ofwater

Prairies, marshes,riverbottom forests,woodland pools nearshallow or temporarywater or semi-openareas

In or near permanentwater with submergedplants and low, gradientshorelines with low,sparce vegetation

All types of permanentwater; prefers tallshoreline vegetation,including brush

Breeding: lakes, streams,rivers, ponds; Foraging:fields and wet prairies

Lives at or near theedges of bogs associatedwith lakes and streams

Cool, clear waters ofspring-fed lakes andstreams

Wooded areas withtemporary or semi-permanent ponds,swamps and marshes

A variety of habitatswherever there areinsects, moisture andshallow waters forbreeding

Eastern: forest interiorand edges; Copes: oaksavannas, woodland orbrushy field edges

Lowland hardwoodforests and other largetracts of moist woods

Hides in shorelinevegetation or insubmerged vegetation

Hides under vegetation,climbs on shrubs andgrasses; hibernatesunder rocks, logs andground litter

Leaps in zigzag patternto escape predators;rapidly jumps intowater and then back toland; may hide undersubmerged vegetation

Near waters edgeriparian areas; hides inshoreline vegetation orin debris on lake bed

Often found far fromstanding water duringthe summer; hibernatesunder water

Hides under sphagnummats or in emergentvegetation; flees acrossthe water surface anddives

Takes shelter inshoreline vegetation andin the water; often hidesin water cress; breeds inwarmer adjacent pondsor backwaters

Hides under damp leaflitter, under logs andbark

Breeds in wateranywhere; burrowsunder leaf litter, underlogs or in loose soil

Eastern: hides in treesand under bark; Copes:hides on underside ofleaves in brush or inleaf litter; both breed intemporary andpermanent ponds

Hides among forest floorleaf litter

Statewide but patchy

Statewide

Extreme southwest,ENDANGERED

Statewide

Statewide

Northern thirdto half

Scattered statewideexcept extreme north-central counties

Statewide

Statewide

Statewide

Nearly statewide exceptfor extreme southcentral counties

Frogs Food Habitat Shelter Distribution


Spring Peeper

Chorus Frog

Cricket Frog Eastern Tree Frog

Toad

Leopard Frog

Mink Frog

Wood Frog

Pickerel Frog

Green Frog

Bullfrog


Blue Racer

Brown SnakeBullsnake

Garter Snake

Hog-nosed Snake

Massasauga

Milk Snake

Fox Snake

Ring-necked Snake

Smooth Green Snake

Timber Rattler

Northern Water Snake


Blue Racer

Brown Snakes (2 kinds,Red-bellied andNorthern are bothcommon)

Bullsnake

Garter Snakes (5 kinds,Eastern is mostcommon)

Eastern Hog-nosed Snake

Massasauga Rattlesnake

Milk Snake

Fox Snake

Racerunners and otherlizards, snakes, frogs,insects, small birds,rodents

Earthworms, smallinsects, invertebrates

Mostly rodents,sometimes groundnesting birds and eggs

Frogs, insects,salamanders, earth-worms, small fish, smallmammals

Toads, frogs, largeinsects

Small rodents, smallbirds, frogs

Mostly rodents, oftenother snakes, includingrattlesnakes

Mostly small rodents,sometimes small birds

Open fields, open oakwoodlands, dry rockysouthwest facing slopes,dry prairies, oaksavannas

Dry to slightly moistareas such as surfaceleaves on open woodlandfloors, southern lowlandhardwood forest,marshes, old fields,under rubbish or vacantlots

Loose sandy soil in dryprairies, oak savannas,pine barrens, and oakopenings; south andwest slopes in bluffsalong Wisconsin andMississippi rivers

Lake, creek and rivermargins, grassy fields,sedge meadows, bogs,wet prairies andhillsides

Open fields, hillsides,especially open sandyareas, also southernlowland hardwood forestnear rivers duringsummer months

Marshy areas, bogs,lowland hardwoodforests and more openswamps with sunny, dryopen fields nearby

Moist forest edges nearopen woods andgrasslands; alsowoodlots and pasturesnear streams and rivers

Marshes, farmlands,open moist woodlands,southerly exposed slopesof bluffs

Seeks shelter under flatrocks or in limestonecrevasses, or inmammal burrows

Hibernate in desertedanthills, rock crevassesand buildingfoundations

Hibernates in deep rockfissures on SW exposedhills, burrows of pocketgophers or groundsquirrels; seeks summershelter in dense groundcover, flat rocks andmammal burrows

Hides underground,under logs, infoundations and under avariety of litter

Seeks shelter in its ownburrows which it makesin sand or else seeksshelter in abandonedrodent burrows

Hibernates in mammalburrows, especiallycrayfish burrows

Hibernates infoundations or otherburied rock structures;found under boards andlogs in summer

Found in trees and hidein the holes of oak andhickory; hibernatesunderground in naturalrock structures, rock-lined dug wells anddeep rock foundations;in summer, often hidesunder boards and piecesof metal

Southern half

Statewide

Southwest and West

Statewide for EasternGarter Snake only

Statewide except fornorthcentral counties

West and West-central,ENDANGERED

Southern two-thirds

Statewide

Snakes Food Habitat Shelter Distribution


Northern Ring-neckedSnake

Prairie Ring-necked Snake

Smooth Green Snake

Timber Rattlesnake

Northern Water SnakeQueen Water Snake

Western Slender GlassLizard

Six-lined Racerunner

Five-lined SkinkNorthern Prairie Skink

Small salamanders,earthworms, smallsnakes, lizards

Insects, earthworms,small invertebrates

Primarily rodents andother small mammals

Frogs, salamanders,fish, crayfish, largerinvertebrates

Insects, small lizards,small snakes, bird eggs



Northern: Moistdeciduous forests;Prairie: Southwestfacing bluffsides alongWisconsin andMississippi rivers

Open grassy fields andgrassy woodlots

Rocky, open or woodedhillsides and nearbyfields and lowlands, oakwoodlands

Borders of creeks, riversand lakes

Open meadows, drymesic prairie, oaksavanna with sandysoils

Dry sandy areas in openfields and on rockyhillsides

Dry, sandy areas inopen fields and oak andpine barrens

Both: Hide under rocks,bark, fallen trees;Northern: hides in logsor leaf litter by day,forages at night;Prairie: by day, baskson dry prairie hillsides

Found under logs ormetal

Found along bluffsassociated with theMississippi andWisconsin rivers

Takes refuge in thewater

Hides in sedge clumpsand animal burrows

Hides in brush, grassclumps, and its ownburrows

Hides in stumps, rottinglogs, slab and sawdustpiles; may climb treesand low brush to forageand escape predator

Northern: northernthirdPrairie: southwest

Mostly statewide,except along extremewestern counties andsouthwest

West and southwest

Northern: statewideRESTRICTED

Queen: extremesoutheastENDANGERED

West and central,ENDANGERED

Southwest

Prairie: northwestFive-lined: central andnortheast

Lizards Food Habitat Shelter Distribution


Glass Lizard

Six-lined Racerunner

Five-lined Skink

Prairie Skink


Notes

Wildlife and Your Land Staff: Mary K. Salwey, Project Director; JanetL. Hutchens, Project Assistant; Todd Peterson, Chief, Public Service andUser Program Section. Editorial assistance by Robert Hay, Cold-bloodedSpecies Manager; Sumner Matteson, Avian Ecologist; Scott Craven,UW-Extension; Adrian Wydeven, Mammalian Ecologist; and KeithWarnke, Upland Wildlife Ecologist. Graphics and layout by KandisElliot. Published by the Bureau of Wildlife Management, WisconsinDepartment of Natural Resources, P. O. Box 7921, Madison, WI, 53707.

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