Pennsylvania Birds

Vertebrate Zoology Partial list of birds found un Pennsylvania

Anseriformes, Anatidae, Branta canadensis

Canada goose; black neck and head with tall white cheek patch; brownish-gray body; YRR

Anseriformes, Anatidae, Aix sponsa

Wood duck; green, black, and white head with crest (M); gray wings, spotted flanks, white eye patched (F) YRR

Anseriformes, Anatidae, Anas Platyrhynchos

Mallard; blue and white wing patches; orange bill, green head, white neck ring, pale body (F), brown scalloped pattern on body and wings, dark eye stripe, black marking on orange bill (F); YRR

Anseriformes, Anatidae, Bucephala albeola

Bufflehead; white on back half of head (M), or cheek (F); dark head and back; white(M) or grayish-brown (F) below; Winter Resident

Anseriformes, Anatidae, Lophodytes cucullatus

Hooded Merganser; flat bill; large white patch on large crest, black spurs (M), brown crest (F); Migrant Breeder

Anseriformes, Anatidae, Mergus merganser

Common merganser; flat bill; long shaggy crest; dark head with white neck, breast, and undersides \ (M), rufous head and neck with white patches on the chin and throat (F); YRR

Anseriformes, Anatidae, Mergus serrator

Red-breasted merganser; flat bill; long shaggy crest; dark head with rufous breast (M), rufous head and neck (F); Winter Resident

Galliformes, Phasianidae, Bonasa umbellus

Ruffed grouse; rufous or gray pattern with white; dark bands on half circle tail and flanks; small beak; crest; YRR

Galliformes, Phasianidae, Meleagris gallopavo

Wild turkey; long legs; barred tail and flight feathers; tail large and rounded, beard (M); YRR

Gaviiformes, Gaviidae, Gavia immer

Common loon: black and white (checkered on back, striped on neck); long pointed black beak: red eye; Through Migrant

Podicipediformes, Podicipedidae, Podiceps auritus

Horned grebe; lobed toes; no tail feathers; yellowish “horn” behind each eye; rufous neck; Through Migrant

Podicipediformes, Podicipedidae, Podilymbus podiceps

Pie-billed grebe; lobed toes; no tail feathers; black ring on beak; light brown coloration; Migrant Breeder

Suliformes, Phalacrocoracidae, Phalacrocorax auritus

Double-crested cormorant; black with light gray on upper breast; orange throat and bill; which hooks downward at tip; Through migrant

Pelecaniformes, Pelecanidae, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

American white pelican; white, black visible in flight along wing trailing edges; long yellow bill with pouch; Rarity in PA

Pelecaniformes, Pelecanidae, Pelecanus occidentalis

Brown pelican; grayish-brown, black visible in flight along wing trailing edges; long dark bill with pouch; Rarity in PA

Pelecaniformes, Ardeidae, Botaurus lentiginosus

American bittern; relatively short legs; wide chestnut stripes running down long throat; Through migrant

Pelecaniformes, Ardeidae, Botaurus exilis

Least bittern; relatively short legs; chestnut color on long neck and upper wing patches; Migrant breeder

Pelecaniformes, Ardeidae, Ardea herodias

Great blue heron; grayish slate-blue color; dark crest and plumes; long neck and legs; Migrant breeder

Pelecaniformes, Ardeidae, Ardea alba

Great egret; long legs; white with yellow beak and black feet; Through migrant

Pelecaniformes, Ardeidae, Egretta thula

Snowy egret; long legs; white with black beak and yellow feet; legs black; Rarity in PA

Pelecaniformes, Ardeidae, Bubulcus ibis

Cattle egret; relatively short legs; white with cinnamon highlights; Rarity in PA

Pelecaniformes, Ardeidae, Butorides virescens

Green heron; relatively short legs; dark greenish back and wings; rufous neck; Migrant breeder

Pelecaniformes, Ardeidae, Nycticorax nycticorax

Black-crowned night heron; relatively short legs; short neck; black crown; crest; cheeks and throat white; Through migrant

Pelecaniformes, Ardeidae, Nyctanassa violacea

Yellow-crowned night heron; relatively short legs; medium-length neck; yellow crown; crest; cheeks black-white-black; Rarity in PA

Accipitriformes, Cathartidae, Cathartes aura

Turkey vulture; dark body with red featherless head; extensive white edges on the underside of long wings; Migrant breeder

Accipitriformes, Pandionidae, Pandion haliaetus

Osprey; chocolate brown above and in eye stripe, white below; long narrow wings; gray talons; Migrant breeder

Accipitriformes, Accipitridae, Buteo lineatus

Red-shouldered hawk; tail rufous above with dark and light bands below; rufous shoulder patches and breast bars; YRR

Accipitriformes, Accipitridae, Buteo jamaicensis

Red-tailed hawk; tail rufous above and below; rufous lengthwise streaks on breast; YRR

Accipitriformes, Accipitridae, Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald eagle; white on head and tail; yellow hooked beak and talons; brown body and wings; YRR

Gruiformes, Rallidae, Gallinula galeata

Common gallinule; orangeish-red bill with yellow tip; long thin, greenish legs; dark with white flank stripes; Migrant breeder

Gruiformes, Rallidae, Fulica americana

American coot; charcoal gray body with short white bill; small white marks under tail and rear of wings; Through migrant

Gruiformes, Gruidae, Grus canadensis

Sandhill crane; gray with cinnamon highlights and red crown; long legs; Rarity in PA

Columbiformes, Columbidae, Zenaida macroura

Mourning dove; light brownish gray with scattered large black spots; white and black on edges of long tail; YRR

Strigiformes, Strigidae, Tyto alba

Barn owl; heart-shaped white face; tawny-gray above, white below; long legs; Through migrant

Strigiformes, Strigidae, Asio otus

Long-eared owl; long ear tufts; slanted streaks run through eyes; tawny cheeks; breast darkly streaked and barred; Winter resident

Strigiformes, Strigidae, Asio flammeus WR

Short-eared owl; tiny ear tufts; dark triangles around eyes; brown back and wings with white spots; light breast with brown streaks; Winter resident

Strigiformes, Strigidae, Bubo virginianus

Great horned owl; large ear tufts; numerous dark horizontal bands on breast; tawny orange around eyes; YRR

Strigiformes, Strigidae, Bubo scandiacus

Snowy owl; white with numerous small dark spots; yellow eyes; Rarity in PA

Strigiformes, Strigidae, Strix varia

Barred owl; brown back and wings with small white spots; white breast with brown streaks; YRR

Strigiformes, Strigidae, Aegolius acadicus

Northern saw-whet owl; white V between eyes; brown back and wings with white spots; white breast with wide brown streaks; YRR

Strigiformes, Strigidae, Megascops asio

Eastern screech-owl; large ear tufts on relatively large head; rufous or gray with intricate patterning; YRR

Caprimulgiformes, Caprimulgidae, Chordeiles minor

Common nighthawk; diminutive beak; mottled brown back and wings, long wings with white wing bars; Migrant breeder

Coraciiformes, Alcedinidae, Megaceryle alcyon

Belted kingfisher; shaggy crest; long dark dark bill; white collar and belly; blue-gray back, head, and chest; rufous patches on chest and flanks in F; YRR

Piciformes, Picidae, Melanerpes erythrocephalus

Red-headed woodpecker; black with large white wing patches; full red hood on head; YRR

Piciformes, Picidae, Melanerpes carolinus

Red-bellied woodpecker; barred black and white wings and back; light brown belly and throat; red nape; extends onto top of head and between eyes in M; YRR

Piciformes, Picidae, Sphyrapicus varius

Yellow-bellied sap sucker; black and white with red crown; throat also red in M; some yellow coloration; elongate white wing patch; Migrant breeder

Piciformes, Picidae, Picoides pubescens

Downy woodpecker; black and white; posterior red patch on M; bill markedly shorter than head depth; YRR

Piciformes, Picidae, Picoides villosus

Hairy woodpecker; black and white; posterior red patch on M; bill length about equal to head depth; YRR

Piciformes, Picidae, Colaptes auratus

Northern flicker; light brown and black back and wings, yellow wing feather shafts; red V on gray nape; black chest patch and belly spots; white rump visible in flight; black mustache in M; YRR

Piciformes, Picidae, Dryocopus pileatus

Pileated woodpecker; black back and wings with white stripes onto head; red crest (more extensive in M); YRR

Passeriformes, Tyrannidae, Myiarchus crinitus

Great crested flycatcher; crest on back of head; gray head and throat; light yellow belly; rufous wing patches and underside of tail; some white in wings; Migrant breeder

Passeriformes, Tyrannidae, Tyrannus tyrannus

Eastern kingbird; gray above, darkest on cap and tail; white breast with light gray; white tips on tail feathers; Migrant breeder;

Passeriformes, Corvidae, Cyanocitta cristata

Blue jay; blue, white, and black color pattern; prominent blue crest; YRR

Passeriformes, Corvidae, Corvus corax

Common raven; all black with long, stout bill; relatively long, narrow wings; YRR

Passeriformes, Corvidae, Corvus brachyrhynchos

American crow; all black with long, stout bill; relatively short, wide wings; YRR

Passeriformes, Sittidae, Sitta canadensis YRR

Red-breasted nuthatch; blue-gray back and wings; dark cap and eye stripe; pale orange throat and chest; YRR

Passeriformes, Sittidae, Sitta carolinensis

White-breasted nuthatch; blue-gray back and wings; dark cap and white cheek; white throat and chest; YRR

Passeriformes, Certhiidae, Certhia americana

Brown creeper; downcurved bill; white breast with buff, black, and white pattern above; stiff two-part tail; YRR

Passeriformes, Turdidae, Sialia sialis MB

Eastern bluebird; blue tail above; blue back, wings, and head with bright orange breast (M), gray back and head with some blue on wings and pale orange breast (F); Migrant breeder

Passeriformes, Turdidae, Hylocichla mustelina

Wood thrush; reddish brown above; white breast with bold dark spots from throat to belly; Migrant breeder

Passeriformes, Turdidae, Catharus fuscescens

Veery; rufous-brown above; white breast with rufous-brown spots on chest; Migrant breeder

Passeriformes, Turdidae, Catharus guttatus

Hermit thrush; brown above with reddish top of tail; white breast with bold dark spots on throat and chest; Migrant breeder

Passeriformes, Turdidae, Turdus migratorius

American robin; rust-orange breast; gray back and wings; dark head; white corners on dark gray tail; YRR

Passeriformes, Mimidae, Mimus polyglottos

Northern mockingbird; gray, darker above than below; white patches on wings and edges of long tail; YRR

Passeriformes, Mimidae, Dumetella carolinensis

Gray catbird; medium gray with dark black cap and tail; rufous patch under long tail; YRR

Passeriformes, Mimidae, Toxostoma rufum

Brown thrasher; rufous above with long dark streaks on lighter breast; slightly down curved bill; long tail; Migrant breeder

Passeriformes, Sturnidae, Sturnus vulgaris

European starling; iridescent green, purple, and black with small white dots; yellow bill; YRR

Passeriformes, Parulidae, Seiurus aurocapilla

Ovenbird; black streaks on white breast; diverging dark stripes on head with orange coloration between; Migrant breeder

Passeriformes, Parulidae, Mniotilta varia

Black-and-white warbler; black and white striping; black more extensive on head and breast in M; Migrant breeder

Passeriformes, Parulidae, Setophaga ruticilla

American redstart; orangeish-red (M) or yellow (F) patches on flanks, wings, and sides of tail base; hooded black (M) or gray (F) head; Migrant breeder

Passeriformes, Parulidae, Setophaga petechia

Yellow warbler; yellow all over but slightly duskier on back; (M) with prominent orange breast streaks; Migrant breeder

Passeriformes, Parulidae, Setophaga pensylvanica

Chesnut-sided warbler; two white wing bars; elongate chestnut patches under wings, yellow cap, and black mask and striping on back and tail (M), greenish-yellow above, pale gray below, white eye ring (F)

Passeriformes, Parulidae, Setophaga palmarum

Palm warbler; chestnut cap; yellow eyebrow stripe and breast; black eye stripe; chestnut streaks on breast; Through migrant

Passeriformes, Parulidae, Setophaga coronata

Yellow-rumped warbler; yellow patches on flanks, rump, and in (M) cap; two white wing bars; black streaks on sides of white breast; Winter resident

Passeriformes, Cardinalidae, Piranga rubra

Summer tanager; red all over (M); dark wings and tail, greenish-yellow body (F); large bill; Rarity in PA

Passeriformes, Cardinalidae, Piranga olivacea

Scarlet tanager; black wings and tail, red body (M), dark wings and tail, greenish-yellow body (F); Migrant breeder

Passeriformes, Cardinalidae, Cardinalis cardinalis

Northern cardinal; stout orange bill; red crest; black around eyes and bill; red otherwise (M), red on wings and tail (F); Migrant breeder

Passeriformes, Cardinalidae, Pheucticus ludovicianus

Rose-breasted grosbeak; stout bill; black hood and tail, black and white wings, red breast (M), brown with white eyebrow and wing bars, streaked breast (F); Migrant breeder

Passeriformes, Cardinalidae, Passerina cyanea

Indigo bunting; stout bill darker above; blue all over (M) or just highlighting tail (F); Migrant breeder

Passeriformes, Icteridae, Quiscalus quiscula

Common grackle; iridescent (moreso in M); blue, black, and purple; long tail; yellow eye

Passeriformes, Icteridae, Agelaius phoeniceus

Red-winged blackbird; black with red and yellow patch on wing (M); brownish-rufous with dark streaks (F); Migrant breeder

Passeriformes, Icteridae, Molothrus ater

Brown-headed cowbird; stout bill; glossy black with brown head (M), light brown (F); Migrant breeder

Passeriformes, Icteridae, Sturnella magna

Eastern meadowlark; yellow breast and throat with prominent black V; light brown background color above with dark markings; white eyebrow stripe and edges of tail; YRR

Passeriformes, Icteridae, Icterus galbula

Baltimore oriole; two white wing bars; black hood, wing edges, and tail center with orange breast, wing edges, and tail edges (M); black wings with orange-yellow breast, back, and tail edges (F); Migrant breeder