Ornithology practical

CN: Common Loon

O: Gaviiformes

F: Gaviidae

FM: large, black/white, feet at back of body

H: lakes, ponds, ocean coasts

CN: Red-Throated Loon

O: Gaviiformes

F: Gaviidae

FM: smaller than other loons, grey head, red patch on throat

H: Lakes, ponds, wetlands

CN: Great Cormorant

O: Suliformes

F: Phalacrocoracidae

FM: large, mostly black, white patch on flank and throat, blue eye

H: Shorelines and rocky seacoasts

CN: Double-Crested Cormorant

O: Suliformes

F: Phalacrocoracidae

FM: more gangly than other cormorant, small tufts on side of head, orange/yellow skin on base of bill and chin(no distinct white patch)

H: Lakes and ponds

CN: Northern Gannet

O: Suliformes

F: Sulidae

FM: mostly white, light yellow/peach on back of head and neck, black wing tips

H: Ocean

CN: Brant

O: Anseriformes

F: Anatidae

FM: short neck and short beak, white necklace, brown back and wings, black head and neck, whiter belly

H: marshlands, islands, ocean shores, tundra

CN: Snow Goose

O: Anseriformes

F: Anatidae

FM: mostly white, orange/pink beak, brown patchy on some of body, yellow speckled on face

H: Fresh and saltwater marshes, agricultural fields

CN: Canada Goose

O: Anseriformes

F: Anatidae

FM: black head and neck with white patch on cheek, brown body and wings, white on chest, black legs and feet

H: Marshes and fields

CN: Canvasback

O: Anseriformes

F: Anatidae

FM: black chest and rest of body white, rusty brown head, black beak

H: Small lakes, deep-water marshes (marine and freshwater), bays, and ponds

CN: Common Eider

O: Anseriformes

F: Anatidae

FM: long sloping front of head and bill, black/white, black cap, pale green nape

H: Ocean habitats near rocky seacoasts

CN: Black Scoter

O: Anseriformes

F: Anatidae

FM: black plumage, bright orange knob at base of bill with black beak, small/medium

H: Oceans, lakes, large rivers

CN: White -winged Scoter

O: Anseriformes

F: Anatidae

FM: black with white wing patch, white teardrop under eye, orange tipped beak with dark knob at base

H: Oceans, lakes, large rivers

CN: Long- Tailed Duck

O: Anseriformes

F: Anatidae

FM: long and slender tail feathers, white crest with tan face and brown cheek patch, black and orange patched beak, brown eye with white eye ring

H: Lakes, ponds, ocean coasts

CN: Common Merganser

O: Anseriformes

F: Anatidae

FM: Mostly white with dark green head, striking pink/red bill, larger duck (females have reddish brown head with crest)

H: Lakes, ponds, coastal shores

CN: Red-breasted Merganser

O: Anseriformes

F: Anatidae

FM: green head with crest, white collar, red breast, red eye, orange bill, black/white body

H:

CN: Bufflehead

O: Anseriformes

F: Anatidae

FM: small with large head and short bill, purple/green irridescence on head with white patch behind eye

H: Ponds, lakes, along coasts

CN: Mallard

O: Anseriformes

F: Anatidae

FM: iridescent green head, yellow bill, thin white collar around neck, brown/black/white body

H: wetland habitat, parks, farms, estuaries

CN: Wood duck

O: Anseriformes

F: Anatidae

FM: intricate plumage, green crested head, black/white/green and even reddish on head, chestnut/red breast, yellow/orange and base of beak

H: bottomland forests, swamps, freshwater marsh, beaver ponds, streams

CN: Green-Winged Teal

O: Anseriformes

F: Anatidae

FM: rusty red head with green patch around eye, black bill, black/white thin striped on body

H: Marshes, river deltas, forest wetlands, nest grasslands

CN: Northern Shoveler

O: Anseriformes

F: Anatidae

FM: large spoon shaped bill, dark green/black head, rusty sides, bright white chest

H: Wetlands, marshes, estuaries, ponds

CN: Black-bellied Plover

O: Charadriiformes
F: Charadriidae

FM: checkered upperwings, short and thick bill, dark legs and bill, black face and belly, white crown, black armpits in flight
H: Shorelines, mudflats, beaches

CN: Killdeer

O: Charadriiformes
F: Charadriidae

FM: white chest with two black bands, black band on forehead, round eye with red eye ring, brown on top with white on body
H: Grasslands, lawns, golf course, parking lot

CN: Piping Plover

O: Charadriiformes
F: Charadriidae

FM: sandy/grey color with white belly, orange at base of bill with black tip, black necklace, orange legs
H:

CN: American Woodcock

O: Charadriiformes
F: Scolopacidae

FM: small and plump, long thing bill, speckled brown/black plumage with cinnamon belly
H: forests and edges, old fields, shrublands

CN: Spotted Sandpiper

O: Charadriiformes
F: Scolopacidae

FM: Small with long legs, medium length orange bill with slight black tip, brown on back with white brown spotted belly
H: freshwater lakes and riverbanks, marine coasts, vegetation for nesting

CN: Ruddy Turnstone

O: Charadriiformes
F: Scolopacidae

FM: orange legs, calico for breeding, black bill, short and stocky
H: Northern american tundra(breeding), rocky shorelines, coastal shorelines and mudflats(non breeding)

CN: Purple Sandpiper

O: Charadriiformes
F: Scolopacidae

FM: short and stocky, plump, medium length thin bill that’s orange near nares, white belly with grey spots, greyish brown back
H: Rocky coastlines and pebble beaches

CN: Greater Yellowlegs

O: Charadriiformes
F: Scolopacidae

FM: medium-large bird, long yellow legs, long black bill that’s slightly upturned, dark brown back with white spots, lighter belly
H: lakes, ponds, bogs, forested, wetlands

CN: Lesser Yellowlegs

O: Charadriiformes
F: Scolopacidae

FM: smaller than greater yellow legs, yellow long legs, straight needle like bill that’s smaller than the greater, mottled brown on back with white belly

H: lakes, ponds, rivers, freshwater marshes, bogs

CN: Willet

O: Charadriiformes
F: Scolopacidae

FM: larger shorebird, long greyish legs, mottled brown back with white wing stripe in flight, dark speckled pattern over white belly, long black bill
H: lakes, ponds, rivers, freshwater marshes, bogs

CN: Herring Gull

O: Charadriiformes
F: Laridae

FM: white head and underparts, gray back with black wing tips, dull pink legs, yellow beak
H: lakes, shorelines, coasts, mudflats, garbage dumps

CN: Great Black-Backed Gull

O: Charadriiformes
F: Laridae

FM: largest gull, charcoal grey back with black wing tips, bulbous bill with red spot near tip, dull pink legs
H: ocean, coastline, landfill, pier, inland lakes

CN: Ring-Billed Gull

O: Charadriiformes
F: Laridae

FM: yellow bill with black band, light grey back with black wing tips, white head and belly, yellow legs, squared off tail

H: garbage dumps, parking lots, fields, coastal beaches, inland lakes

CN: Bonaparte’s Gull

O: Charadriiformes
F: Laridae

FM: striking black head, white neck and belly, grey back, red legs
H: rivers, lakes, bays, open ocean, tundra

CN: Common Tern

O: Charadriiformes
F: Laridae

FM: long and angular wings, forked tail, stumpy orange legs, slender orange bill with slight black tip, black cap, grey body with white belly
H:

CN: Roseate Tern

O: Charadriiformes
F: Laridae

FM: similar to common tern but with orange and black beak, the black is more pronounced, longer tail, rosy underparts
H: island beaches with rocks pebbles and low vegetation, ocean/coastline

CN: Arctic Tern

O: Charadriiformes
F: Laridae

FM: shorter bill than other terns, solid red bill, similar to other terns but no dark tips on wings
H: islands, barrier beaches, pack ice, open areas with little vegetation, open boreal forests

CN: Dovekie

O: Charadriiformes
F: Alcidae

FM: small chunky body, short bill and wings, black with white chest and belly, small white marking above eye
H: pelagic bird, marine, nests on cliffs and rocky islands

CN: Razorbill

O: Charadriiformes
F: Alcidae

FM: chunky black bill with white band, black head and back with a white band on wing tips, white band coming out from eye, white belly
H: Ocean near and far from shore, nests on cliffs and rocky islands

CN: Black Guillemot

O: Charadriiformes
F: Alcidae

FM: medium sized with small head and neck, black body with large white wing patch, bright red legs and feet, dark bill
H: near shore ocean waters and edge of sea ice, rocky islands, shorelines, cliffs

CN: Barn Owl

O: Strigiformes
F: Tytonidae

FM: Heart shaped face, mostly white front even legs, dark speckling on chest and wings, blue/grey reddish tan back
H: marshes, fields, forest edges, grasslands (open areas)

CN: Barred Owl

O: Strigiformes
F: Strigidae

FM: Dark eyes, round head and face, yellow beak, stripey brown and white body
H: mature forest, open fields

CN: Northern Saw-Whet Owl

O: Strigiformes
F: Strigidae

FM: small, no ear tufts, round face with bright yellow eyes, white chest/belly with light brown patches, dark brown back
H: coniferous forest, wetlands, swamps

CN: Eastern Sreech Owl

O: Strigiformes

F: Strigidae

FM: small, ear tufts, mottled brown/red/grey body
H: wooded areas near water= parks, orchards, marsh, meadow

CN: Cooper’s Hawk

O: Accipitriformes

F: Accipitridae

FM: grey crown and back, copper and white belly, thicker white tips on tail feathers than sharp shinned, black bands on tail, square shaped head
H: Forests, woodlands, urban areas

CN: Sharp- Shinned Hawk

O: Accipitriformes

F: Accipitridae

FM: copper and white belly, grey crown and back, less white tips on tail feathers than cooper’s hawk, dark bands on tail, rounder head

H: Dense closed canopy forest, ag. fields, suburban areas

CN: Red-Shouldered Hawk

O: Accipitriformes

F: Accipitridae
FM: red/copper on chest (more red than white), brown wings with white spots in checkerboard pattern, yellow beak with black tip

H: Mature forests and wetlands

CN: Northern Goshawk

O: Accipitriformes

F: Accipitridae
FM: Large, dark grey crown, white supercilium, dark grey wings and tail, yellow legs and feet, white chest and belly with thin stripes

H: Mature coniferous and deciduous forest

CN: Red-tailed Hawk

O: Accipitriformes

F: Accipitridae
FM: whitish on chest and belly with darkish band across belly, dark on head and wings, distinct red tail

H: Grassland, forests, agricultural areas, urban areas

CN: American Kestrel

O: Falconiformes

F: Falconidae
FM: colorful falcon, reddish body with black spots, grey wings, copper belly, black stripes on face, deep orange/yellow legs and feet

H: open areas with perches, grasslands, marshes, pastures

CN: Merlin

O: Falconiformes

F: Falconidae

FM: has tomial tooth versus the hawks!, yellow eyering, gray bands on tail, white front with brown streaks, grey back, grey crown and nape

H: open forests, coastal areas, grassland, pasturea

CN: Ruffed Grouse

O: Galliformes

F: Phasianidae

FM: narrow pale eye line, black neck feathers that puff for mating, mottled brown with white and black speckled pattern

H: Brush and young forests

CN: Spruce Grouse
O: Galliformes
F: Phasianidae
FM: red eyebrow, more grey than ruffed grouse, barred white and grey belly, black bib on neck line
H: Mixed coniferous forests

CN: Chimney Swift
O: Caprimulgiformes
F: Apodidae
FM: flatter sloped head with large eye, short beak, pointed wings, grey all over with light patch on chin and neck
H: urban/rural, nests in man made structures

CN: Ruby-throated Hummingbird
O: Caprimulgiformes
F: Trochilidae
FM: small, irridescent green with red on throat, long and thin beak
H: forests, meadows, parks

CN: Common Nighthawk
O: Caprimulgiformes

F: Caprimulgidae
FM:short neck, small and flat head, mottled brown and white all over, distinct white patch on wings
H: coastal areas, grasslands, forests, urban ares

CN: Whip-Poor-Will

O: Caprimulgiformes

F: Caprimulgidae
FM: small and flat head, small beak, similar to nighthawk, whiskers on either side of beak!, mottled brown and grey
H

CN: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
O: Piciformes
F: Picidae
FM: black crest with red on the front of crest, red on throat, black eyeline, black and white body, white wing bars

H: early successional forests and woodlands

CN: Red-bellied Woodpecker
O: Piciformes
F: Picidae
FM: orange/red crown connecting to nape, faint red belly, black wings and back with white spots, mostly white face
H: early successional forests and woodlands

CN: Northern Flicker
O: Piciformes
F: Picidae
FM: tan chest/belly with distinct black dots, pink/tan face with grey crown, red bar between nape and crown, black patch under eye, yellow/orange under tail and wings
H:

CN: Common Raven

O: Passeriformes
F: Corvidae
FM: entirely black including beak and legs, larger than Crow, shaggy throat feathers
H: forests, by coast, grassland

CN: American Crow

O: Passeriformes
F: Corvidae
FM: all black, smaller than Raven
H: fields, open woodlands, forests, ag. fields, suburban areas

CN: Blue Jay

O: Passeriformes
F: Corvidae
FM: large blue crest, shades of blue, black and white
H: Forest edges, woodlots, suburban areas

CN: Gray Catbird

O: Passeriformes
F: Mimidae
FM: slate gray with black cap, rusty brown batch under tail
H: tangled shrubs, small trees and vines, forest edge, thickets, old fields, fence rows

CN: Northern Mockingbird

O: Passeriformes
F: Mimidae
FM: long thin bill with a slight downward curve, gray brown overall with white wing bars, white patch on wings, white outer tail feathers
H: towns, suburbs, backyards, parks, forest edges, open land at low elevations

CN: Red-winged Blackbird

O: Passeriformes
F: Icteridae
FM: all black with red/yellow shoulders
H: fresh and saltwater marshes, crop fields, meadows

CN: Baltimore Oriole

O: Passeriformes
F: Icteridae
FM: solid black head with white wing bar, orange everywhere else, black legs

H: woodland orchards, rivers, parks, suburban areas

CN: Brown-Headed cowbird

O: Passeriformes
F: Icteridae
FM: short tail with thick head, finch like beak, glossy black on body with a rich brown head
H: fields, pastures, meadows, forest edges, lawns

CN: Cedar Waxwing

O: Passeriformes
F: Bombycillidae
FM: has crest, peach/tan on head/belly, black mask outlined by white, grey wings and tail feathers tipped with yellow, small red tip on feathers on wing, pale yellow underparts
H: Woodlands, orchards, suburban areas

CN: Eastern Phoebe

O: Passeriformes
F: Tyrannidae
FM: large head that looks flat, small and straight flat beak, darker brown/gray head and back, lighter on chest and belly, sometimes raised feathers on head
H: suburban areas, woodlands

CN: Eastern Kingbird

O: Passeriformes
F: Tyrannidae
FM: head is darkest black, back of body is black and chest is bright white, smallish and straight flat beak, white tips on tail feathers
H: Open habitats, grasslands, edges of forest and water, wetlands

CN: Northern Cardinal

O: Passeriformes
F: Cardinalidae
FM: bright red with black face, crest
H: woodlots, shrubby forest edges, suburban areas

CN: Scarlet Tanager

O: Passeriformes
F: Cardinalidae
FM: bright red with black wings and tail, small yellow patch on upper wing
H: forests, shrubby habitats, suburban areas

CN: Rose-breasted Grosbeak

O: Passeriformes
F: Cardinalidae
FM: stocky triangular thick bill, black and white on back, white on chest/belly, red on throat and middle of breast, pinkish/red under wings, squared off tail
H: woodlands, forest edges, parks, very light pinkish beak

CN: Palm Warbler

O: Passeriformes
F: Parulidae
FM: Rusty cap, yellow belly and face, olive/brown neck and wings and tail, yellow eyebrow
H: open woodland, thick cover in boreal forest, bogs, scattered evergreen trees

CN: Pine Warbler

O: Passeriformes
F: Parulidae
FM: large chunky body, yellow on belly/chest with yellow/olive back, gray wings with white wing bars, white lower belly
H: pine or mixed pine deciduous forests

CN: Black and White Warbler

O: Passeriformes
F: Parulidae
FM: striped black and white all over, thin slightly curved bill
H: deciduous forest and mixed deciduous/coniferous forest

CN: Ovenbird

O: Passeriformes
F: Parulidae
FM: chunky body, white eyering, olive back and wings, white belly with dark brown streaks, black and orange striped crown
H: Mature broadleaf or mixed forests

CN: Red-eyed Vireo

O: Passeriformes
F: Vireonidae
FM: eyes red in adults, gray cap with white eyebrow bordered by thin black stripes, olive green back with bright white belly
H: deciduous forest (trees with large leaves)

CN: Blue-headed Vireo

O: Passeriformes
F: Vireonidae
FM: moss green on back, grey head, white spectacles, white underneath with green/yellow sides, two white wing bars, tail and wings have some black
H: mature boreal and montane forests

CN: Song Sparrow

O: Passeriformes
F: Passerellidae
FM: grey and rusty brown, rusty brown strripes on crown and eyeline, gray/beige on face, white underneath with streaky brown
H: open habitat, tidal marshes, aspen parklands, overgrown pastures, forest edges, shrubs, freshwater marsh and lake edges

CN: White-throated Sparrow

O: Passeriformes
F: Passerellidae
FM: long narrow tail, black/white crown stripes with yellow spot between eye and bill, white throat, black eyeline, brown back and wings, gray face and streaky light gray belly
H: forests, dense vegetation, regrowth areas, ponds, meadows, bogs

CN: Chipping Sparrow

O: Passeriformes
F: Passerellidae
FM: rusty cap with black eyeline and gray face, gray belly, brown on back with distinct black/brown tiger stripes, scalloped cream wing bars.
H: grassy forests, woodlands, edges

CN: Dark-eyed Junco

O: Passeriformes
F: Passerellidae
FM: full chest, pale pink beak, beak is short and stout, primarily gray/black with white underparts, white outer tail feathers
H: forests

CN: Ruby-crowned Kinglet

O: Passeriformes
F: Regulidae
FM: very small bird, almost no neck with large head, small thin and straight bill, muted olive/yellowish plumage with ruby crown, white eye ring, white wing bar
H: mature forests, northern hardwood forests, spruce stands

CN: Golden crowned kinglet

O: Passeriformes
F: Regulidae
FM: rotund with almost no neck, very small, yellow crown bordered by black stripes, pale olivr sbovr snd gray below, thin white wing bar, white supercilium
H: forests, pine/spruce plantations

CN: Purple Finch

O: Passeriformes
F: Fringillidae
FM: raspberry red head with lighter red belly, darker brownish red back, thick finch beak
H: forests, wooded streams, shrubby areas, weedy fields and backyards

CN: House Finch

O: Passeriformes
F: Fringillidae
FM: smaller than most finches, rosy red face and upper chest, streaky brown back and underside of belly
H: buildings, lawns, small conifers, urban areas

CN: American Goldfinch

O: Passeriformes
F: Fringillidae
FM: small body with small head, bright yellow with black forehead and wings, white on wings, white patches above and below tail
H: weedy fields, open floodplains, overgrown areas

CN: Brown Creeper

O: Passeriformes
F: Certhidae
FM: long slender downcurved bill, small, tan/white/brown mottled body with white belly, white supercillium
H: forests, snag trees

CN: Black-capped Chickadee

O: Passeriformes
F: Paridae
FM: black cap extending under eye with white on face, black throat, grey on back and wings, cream colored belly
H: forests, open woods, parks, disturbed areas

CN: Tufted Titmouse

O: Passeriformes
F: Paridae
FM: small with large head and large dark eye, pointed crest, grey on back/head with black patch above beak, white on front of face and underparts, peach washed patch on flanks
H:

CN: Carolina Wren

O: Passeriformes
F: Troglodytidae
FM: tail often cocked upward, large head with almost no neck, slightly downturned bill, brownish red on back and buffy orange below, brownish red crown with white supercilium
H: woods, shrublands, forests, riparian areas, brushy clearcut forests

CN: Northern House Wren

O: Passeriformes
F: Troglodytidae
FM: upright tail, chunky body with no neck, slightly downturned bill, dull brown overall with barring on wings and tail
H: forest edges, open woodlands, shrublands, residential areas, wooded swamps

CN: White-breasted nuthatch

O: Passeriformes
F: Sittidae
FM: bill is long and thin and straight, black cap and patch on nape, white face and underside, chestnut/red patch on lower belly and under tail, grey/blue back, black horizontal stripes on wings
H: forests, woodlands

CN: Red-breasted nuthatch

O: Passeriformes
F: Sittidae
FM: bill is long and thin and straight, grey/blue back with brownish on wings, cinnamon underneath, black cap with white supercilium and thick black eyeline, white under chin
H: forests

CN: American Robin

O: Passeriformes
F: Turdidae
FM: black head with broken white eye ring, grey on back and wings, orange underneath with white patch under tail, yellow beak
H: forest edges, shrublands, parks, lawns and short grasslands, fruit tree groves

CN: Eastern Bluebird

O: Passeriformes
F: Turdidae
FM: blue on head back and wings, peach/red on throat and breast, white underneath
H: meadows and openings surrounded by trees

CN: Hermit Thrush

O: Passeriformes
F: Turdidae
FM: round body, dark eye with white eye ring, brown/tan back with muted reddish brown tail, white belly with brown speckles
H: woods, shrublands, forests, riparian areas, brushy clearcut forests