Field Ornithology 2024 - Key Bird Species

These flashcards cover key species identified in the Field Ornithology course, highlighting bird characteristics, behaviors, and habitats.

Canada Goose

A large waterfowl with a black head and neck and a prominent white cheek patch, known for various subspecies.

Mallard

A common species of duck with males showing a green head and white neck ring, while females are mottled brown.

Rock Pigeon

An introduced species originally from the Mediterranean, now common in urban areas, recognized by its selective breeding.

Mourning Dove

A plump dove known for its long tail and mournful call, has expanded its range in North America.

Killdeer

A shorebird known for its two black chest bands and broken-wing distraction display to protect its nest.

Ring-billed Gull

Common nesting gull in southern Ontario, characterized by yellow legs and a yellow beak with a black ring.

Common Loon

A goose-sized waterbird with a distinctive black upper body and white spots, known for its diving abilities.

Great Blue Heron

A large bird found in wetlands, recognized for its colonial nesting and unique flight posture.

Turkey Vulture

A large bird with a distinctive teetering glide, known for its featherless red head.

Osprey

A raptor known for its fishing abilities and large stick nests, easily recognized by its brown and white plumage.

Red-tailed Hawk

A large hawk characterized by its red tail and dark streaking, common in open habitats.

Barred Owl

The only common owl in Ontario with brown eyes, features horizontal barring on the chest.

Belted Kingfisher

A fish specialist known for nesting in riverbanks and its distinctive appearance with a large beak.

Pileated Woodpecker

A large woodpecker recognized by its bright red crest and rectangular feeding holes.

Eastern Kingbird

A flycatcher with aggressive behaviors towards predators, known for its diagnostic tail pattern.

Blue Jay

A bird with a striking blue color and unique calls, often found in urban feeders.

American Crow

A familiar bird recognized for its distinctive sharp calls and social roosting habits.

Tree Swallow

A striking bird with white below and blue above, nests in cavities and has seen population declines.

Barn Swallow

A common swallow with reddish-orange underparts and now often nests in human-made structures.

Black-capped Chickadee

A small, friendly bird with a black cap and bib, known for coming to bird feeders.

White-breasted Nuthatch

A bird distinguished by its ability to creep down tree trunks and its chisel-like bill.

House Wren

A small brown bird that nests in cavities and fills them with sticks to limit competition.

Eastern Bluebird

A thrush with blue above and red chest, common in open grazing areas.

American Robin

A widespread thrush known for its red breast and adaptability to urban environments.

Gray Catbird

A common bird in scrubby habitats, characterized by its meowing call.

European Starling

An introduced species with glossy black plumage, noted for its yellow bill during breeding.

Cedar Waxwing

A crested bird with yellow-tipped tails, known for variations in winter populations.

American Goldfinch

A small finch with bright yellow males in breeding plumage, common year-round.

Common Yellowthroat

A warbler with a distinctive black mask in males, commonly found in wetland habitats.

Yellow Warbler

A common warbler known for its bright yellow plumage and preference for scrub habitats.

Yellow-rumped Warbler

A migratory warbler with a yellow rump, with distinct breeding male plumage.

Chipping Sparrow

A small bird with a bright red crown, known for its presence in urban yards.

Song Sparrow

A common nesting sparrow with rusty brown coloration and distinctive breast markings.

White-throated Sparrow

A sparrow with two color morphs, known for its distinct white throat and song.

Dark-eyed Junco

A common winter bird with slate gray males and brown females, known for its prominent white tail feathers.

Northern Cardinal

A bright red bird with a prominent crest, expanding its range into Ontario.

Red-winged Blackbird

Common in wetlands, males are noted for their bright shoulder patches during breeding.

Common Grackle

A blackbird noted for its long tail and distinctive yellow eye, commonly found in urban areas.

Brown-headed Cowbird

A small blackbird known for its parasitic nesting behavior.

Baltimore Oriole

A strikingly colored bird known for its orange and black plumage and diagnostic hanging nests.