Common Barn-Owl Tyto alba

Common Barn-Owl Tyto alba

Although it is unmistakably owl-like, the Barn-Owl is not closely related to other North American owls, and is actually in a family of its own that includes ten other species from around the world. In flight, this large bird looks very white, especially from below. It nests in barns and other outbuildings as well as in tree cavities and caves.

Identification 14". Golden brown above, with grayish mottling on wings and back; pale buff to white below, with sparse dark spots on breast and wing linings. Face heart-shaped, white, with long, narrow bill. Feet and legs covered with bristly white feathers.

Voice Song a long, rasping screech, increasing in volume; also gives a loud hiss.

Habitat Farm areas, marshes, prairies, and open woodlands; also suburbs and cities.

Range SW. British Columbia, South Dakota, N. Illinois, and S. New England south to Central and South America. Some northern populations move south in winter.

Western Screech-Owl Otus kennicottii

Western Screech-Owl Otus kennicottii This pint-size owl was formerly thought to be identical to the Eastern Screech-Owl (0. asio). The two birds have distinct ranges and very different vocalizations; the western species gives a series of whistled notes that speeds up at the end. In the humid forests of the Pacific Ni Northwest, there is a rare reddish color phase of the Western Screech-Owl.

Identification 7-11". Small, with mottled upperparts and prominent ear tufts. Underparts whitish, with streaks and bars. Some geographical variation: Birds from drier areas tend to be paler gray, those from humid areas browner.

Voice A series of 7-20 soft, whistled notes, starting slowly and speeding up, and all on 1 pitch. Also a short trill and various yelping and barking noises.

Habitat Woodlands and forests, especially streamside areas with oaks.

Range SE. Alaska south along coast; east along Canadian border to S. Alberta and N. Montana, and south to Mexico. Does not migrate.

Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus

Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus
The magisterial Great Horned Owl gets its name from its large, conspicuous ear tufts, which it raises in moments of great excitement. These tufts are not ears at all; the powerful ears of the Great Horned Owl are hidden beneath feathers on the side of the head. Like most other owls, this species flies absolutely silently; its stealth is made possible by the loose, ragged outer edges of the flight feathers, through which the air flows without the telltale rushing sound produced by most birds in flight.

Identification 18-25". Large with widely spaced ear tufts. Dark gray-brown with fine whitish mottling above; buff-white below, with dark brown barring and white throat. Eyes bright yellow.

Voice A deep, sonorous, resonant series of hoots: hoo, hoo-koo-hoo, hoo, hoo; or hooo, hoo-hoo, hoooo, hoooo.

Habitat Forests, open country, swamps, deserts, and even large city parks.

Range Throughout North America; usually does not migrate.

American Kestrel Falco sparverius

American Kestrel Falco sparverius
The American Kestrel often hunts on the wing, hovering over fields and open land searching for mice, lizards, small snakes, and frogs; when grasshoppers are abundant, these insects usually become the bird's chief food. Formerly known as the Sparrow Hawk, this species flies on long, pointed wings; when it lands on a perch, it often pumps its tail up and down. The American Kestrel is the smallest North American falcon.

Identification Small, with long, pointed wings and rusty tail and back. Adult male has blue-gray wings and rusty crown; female has black-barred, rufous wings. Underparts white or buff, male's with black spots, female's with heavy streaks.

Voice A loud, shrill killy-killy-killy.

Habitat Open countryside, grasslands, farms, suburbs, and city parks.

Range S. Alaska to Newfoundland, south through South America. Winters north as far as S. British Columbia, Illinois, and New England.

Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor

Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor
This species is a common insect-feeder. It typically hunts at dusk, flying with its huge mouth wide open to catch insects on the wing, but it is also seen by day, and it has adapted to a wide variety of habitats, including rooftops in cities. The Common Nighthawk's cryptically colored plumage breaks up the outline of the bird when it is perched on the ground, helping it to escape the notice of predators.

Identification Mottled gray, white, black, and brown above; underparts buff with brown bars. Long, pointed wings marked with white patch near bend, visible in flight, as is white throat patch. Tail long. Female slightly duller than male.

Voice A nasal, insectlike beeerp or brrrrrrp.

Habitat Open woodlands, forests, meadows, sagebrush plains, and cities.

Range Breeds from SE. Alaska east to Quebec, south to N. California, Nevada, SE. New Mexico, Texas, and Florida. Winters in the tropics.

Osprey Pandion haliaetus

Osprey Pandion haliaetus Found throughout the world, the Osprey is usually seen near water, although a lack of suitable nesting sites often prompts it to move far inland. This bird lives almost exclusively on fish, which it takes from the water with its talons, descending on its prey like a terrestrial hawk. Its feet have tiny spicules on the bottom that help the bird to maintain its hold on slippery fish.

Identification 22-25". Large, hawklike; brown above, white below, with white head; dark brown line runs through eye and on side of face. Juvenile similar but more mottled. In flight, wings show distinctive bend at "wrist."

Voice Loud whistling and chirping given at nesting and during courtship; also a kip kip ki-yeuk, ki-yeuk when alarmed.

Habitat Coastal areas, lakes, and rivers.

Range Breeds from Alaska and north-central Canada to Newfoundland, south to California and Arizona, Great Lakes area, and Nova Scotia; south along Atlantic Coast to Florida and Gulf Coast. Winters along southern coasts.

Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus

Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus This is a common raptor of marshlands, prairies, and open, grassy areas. The Northern Harrier hunts on the wing, flying great distances every day in its search for mice and other small animals. Like owls, this bird uses its sharp hearing to locate its prey. Formerly known as the Marsh Hawk, the Northern Harrier is a skillful flyer, and the male performs a magnificent courtship display.

Identification 16-24". Slim, with long wings and tail. Male light gray above, whitish with small reddish flecks below; tail obscurely barred. Female brown above with brownish streaks below. Both sexes have prominent white rump. Immature brown above, rusty below.

Voice Usually silent; a chattering kee-kee-kee near nest.

Habitat Grasslands, marshes, and open fields.

Range Breeds from Alaska to N. Alberta and eastward to Newfoundland; south to S. California, N. New Mexico, Ohio, and Virginia. Winters from Washington, N. Utah, Great Lakes region, and New England south to Mexico and Florida.

Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni

Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni This hawk is a common bird of open areas in the West. In migration, it is often seen in huge flocks; the birds rise on warm currents of air, spiraling upward, then descend in a long glide to the bottom of another thermal air current. It frequently hunts from fence posts and low trees, and often watches for prey from the ground.

Identification 19-22". Dark brown above with white throat and dark band across breast; outer flight feathers dark gray; wing linings white. Tail gray above, light below, with white tip. Dark-phase bird sooty-brown all over. Immature blackish brown above, buff below, with variable spots and streaks.

Voice Usually silent; sometimes whistles at nest.

Habitat Open plains, prairies, and meadows; sometimes nests in wetland areas.

Range Breeds mainly from S. British Columbia and Prairie Provinces south to south-central California, Arizona, New Mexico, and W. Texas; also in E. Alaska. Winters mainly in South America.

Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis

Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensisThe most widely distributed large hawk in North America, the Red-tailed is able to tolerate a broad range of habitats. There are several races of this species; the one most commonly encountered in the West is a bird of open country; it tends to have a darker head and more heavily marked underparts than eastern Red-tails.

Identification 19-25". Large; typical bird dark brown above, usually light below with dark band on belly. Tail rufous with dark band and paler tip. Geographical variations include a dark brown color phase and a pale phase with a white tail. Immature has grayish tail with narrow bands.

Voice A loud, harsh, descending tseer, usually given when disturbed.

Habitat Grasslands, pastures, open woods, and farmlands; also in plains, tundra, and deserts with scattered trees.

Range Breeds throughout most of North America; winters from Canadian border south.

Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos

Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetosThe majestic Golden Eagle often soars with its wings horizontal, watching from high in the air for the movement of a small mammal, snake, or turtle. Now protected by law, this species was formerly killed in great numbers, partly because of a mistaken belief that the bird is a threat to livestock. Golden Eagles rarely attack a healthy large animal, but they will take crippled or ailing lambs, deer, and waterfowl.

Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos Identification 30-40". Adult brown or dark brown overall; crown and nape edged with gold or tan. Immature similar; white wing patch and tail band visible in flight.

Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos Voice Usually silent; occasional mews and squeals.

Habitat Mountain canyons, ranchland, open countryside, forests, and tundra.

Range Breeds from NW. Alaska to N. Quebec, south to S. California, W. Texas, N. Manitoba, and Labrador. Winters from N. British Columbia and central Quebec-south to southern limit of breeding range.

Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Despite its fame, the Bald Eagle is rare. The victim of poisoning by pesticides, chiefly DDT, the species suffered a catastrophic decline; the outlawing of some poisons has helped to maintain these birds. The Bald Eagle is also shot illegally in many places, and in some areas its wetland habitat has been destroyed. Today, large numbers of these magnificent birds are found only in carefully patrolled wildlife refuges.

Identification 30-43". Very large, brown, hawklike bird with white head and tail and stout, hooked yellow bill. Immature variable, but with dark head and tail and black bill.

Voice A series of squeaky, thin cackling or chittering notes.

Habitat Seacoasts, lakes, rivers, and marshes.

Range Breeds in forested areas of Alaska and Canada south to Oregon, N. Idaho, Great Lakes area, and N. New England; also locally along Atlantic and Gulf coasts and in Florida. Winters from S. Canada south, especially along major river systems of the interior.

Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura

Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Large and mainly black, with a naked red head, the Turkey Vulture has more appeal in flight than it does when perched ominously in a tree. When it flies, this bird holds its wings in a shallow V; it does not flap its wings often, but tilts and glides, taking advantage of rising currents of warm air to gain altitude.

Identification 26-32". Large and blackish, with small, unfeathered red head and stout bill with sharply hooked tip. Legs and feet orange. Silvery-gray wing linings conspicuous in flight, making wings appear two-toned. Immature has dark head and gray feet.

Voice Generally silent; utters hisses and groans at nest or when disturbed.

Habitat Dry, open country; often along roadsides; sometimes roosts in woods.

Range Breeds from S. British Columbia to S. New England, south to Mexico. Winters from New Jersey to Florida and E. Texas; also in parts of the Southwest.

Ring-necked Pheasant Phasianus colchicus

Ring-necked Pheasant Phasianus colchicus
Introduced from Asia only a little more than a century ago, the Ring-necked Pheasant is now so well established in North America that it is the state bird of South Dakota. This species runs as often as it flies, and is comfortable in a wide variety of habitats, as long as there is suitable brushy cover. A male may mate with as many as four hens, each of which establishes a nest within the male's territory or crowing area.

Identification Male 30-36"; female 20-26". Chickenlike, with long, pointed tail. Male has bright green or blue-green head, red face, white neck-ring; body and wings iridescent bronze, gold, and red, with bold, dark spotting. Female soft brown, spotted and barred with black.

Ring-necked Pheasant Phasianus colchicus Voice A loud, crowing cuck-cuck or caiv-caiv, accompanied by loud wingbeats. Male cackles when taking off.

Ring-necked Pheasant Phasianus colchicus Habitat Grassy and brushy areas near woodlands; farms, pastures; also in cattail marshes in winter.

Range Much of United States and S. Canada in suitable farm regions; absent from high mountains and deserts.

Greater Roadrunner Geococcyx californianus

Greater Roadrunner Geococcyx californianus

This large, ungainly-looking cuckoo runs swiftly through deserts and woodlands in pursuit of lizards and other prey; it also runs to escape enemies (including the coyote), and it has been clocked at 15 mph, although its usual pace is somewhat more sedate. At dawn, the male Greater Roadrunner can be heard calling through the desert stillness from the top of a mesa or the branches of a dead tree.

Identification 20-24". Large, upright, with bushy crest and long tail. Streaked brown and buff above and on breast; dingy white on belly. Iridescence in tail and upperparts visible at close range; also blue-and-red patch behind eye. Immature lacks eye patch.

Voice A long, sad, descending coo, coo, coo, ooh, ooh, ooh; also a variety of whines and clucks.

Habitat Open, dry areas with scattered brush and thickets; open woodlands, agricultural areas, and grasslands.

Range N. California east to S. Kansas and NW. Louisiana, south into Mexico.

California Quail Callipepla californica

California Quail Callipepla californica
The California Quail is a plump little ground bird with a distinctive feathery plume adorning its forehead. Common in a variety of habitats, it is very gregarious, and in winter may form large, well-organized coveys composed of several families. As the members of the covey feed, one bird acts as a sentinel, keeping a lookout for danger.

Identification Blue-gray above with brownish wings; belly white with scaly pattern. Male has brown head with buff on forehead, bold white eyebrow, black face and throat, and white crescent on cheek; large, dark, fluffy head plume. Female has reduced pattern on head and face, and smaller plume.

Voice A loud ca-ca-cow or ca-caah-co; also various clucking notes and a pit or whit-whit.

Habitat Open areas with brush; chaparral, riverside areas, coastal canyons, and suburbs.

Range Resident from S. Oregon to Baja California; introduced and established from S. British Columbia south

Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura

Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura

The Mourning Dove is hunted extensively in some parts of North America, and it is estimated that more than half of the young birds born each spring do not live beyond their first year. Fortunately, these birds raise two to four broods each season, and so the Mourning Dove is still common. The sad notes of the bird's song are usually heard just before the dawn in spring and summer.

Identification 11-13". Slim, with small head and long, tapered tail. Soft, sandy brown or brownish gray above, with a few black spots; paler below, sometimes washed with pale cinnamon; tail feathers tipped with white.

Voice A low, sad whoo-oo, hoo, hoo, hoo; second note rises sharply.

Habitat Almost anywhere except dense forests: woodlands, streamsides, desert washes, gardens, city parks, and suburban backyards.

Range Breeds from S. Alaska and W. British Columbia through S. Alberta and Great Lakes to New England; south to Mexico and Florida. Northern populations migratory.

Band-tailed Pigeon Columba fasciata

Band-tailed Pigeon Columba fasciata
Larger than the related Rock Dove, the Band-tailed Pigeon is a shy forest bird, although in some places it is beginning to venture near feeders and backyard berry sources. In the early part of this century the species was hunted almost to extinction, but it seems to have recovered. The two North American subspecies are distinguished chiefly by habitat: One is found in humid forests along the coast, and the other occurs in drier mountain woodlands of the interior.

Identification 13-15". Dark gray above; long tail has wide, pale gray band at end. Head and underparts purplish or pink in male, gray-brown in female. Both sexes have whitish crescent on nape.

Voice A low, owl-like whoo-hoooo; often repeated.

Habitat Moist conifer forests along coast; pine-oak woodlands inland.

Range SE. Alaska along coast to Baja California; Utah and Colorado south to Central America. Winters from Washington, S. Arizona, and S. New Mexico south.

Rock Dove Columba livia

Rock Dove Columba livia The Rock Dove—alias the Pigeon—is thoroughly adapted to living in association with people. Native to Europe, it was probably the first bird species to be domesticated; a homing pigeon was reportedly used to carry the news of Julius Caesar's conquest of Gaul back to Rome. There are some Rock Doves that live in the wild, nesting as their ancestors did on rocky sea cliffs; these wild birds are notably shy of humans.

Identification 12-13". Stocky, with short, fan-shaped tail. Birds in the wild (and many in cities) bluish-gray with 2 narrow black wing bars, white rump, and some iridescence on sides of neck. Color variations include all-black, all-white, piebald, and reddish-brown birds.

Voice A soft, rolling coo-croo or coo-took-crooo.

Habitat Cities, parks, gardens, suburbs, and farm areas; rocky canyons or sea cliffs.

Range Throughout S. Canada and United States; does not migrate.

Black-billed Magpie Pica pica

Black-billed Magpie Pica pica

The large, black-and-white Black-billed Magpie has a remarkable tail—longer than its body—that streams behind the bird in flight. This species is similar to the Yellow-billed Magpie (P. nuttalli), which occurs only in central and southern California. The latter can be distinguished by its yellow bill and a patch of bare yellow skin just below the eye. Black-billed Magpies, like most members of the crow family, are omnivorous scavengers.

Identification 18-22". Black above and white below, with white wing patch and shoulders visible in flight. Tail long; appears tapered in flight. Bill dark.

Black-billed Magpie Pica pica Voice A high, nasal mag? and a harsh check-check-check.

Black-billed Magpie Pica pica Habitat Open countryside, savanna, brushy areas, and streamside thickets.

Range Breeds from S. Alaska through British Columbia and east to Manitoba, south to east-central California and Nebraska. Mostly nonmigratory; some wander north and east of range in fall and winter.

American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos

American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos

Common throughout much of North America, this large, black bird is a familiar sight in cities and towns as well as in open country and along the seashore. Crows are intelligent, and captive birds tested in puzzle-solving have provided many valuable insights into the learning process. American Crows are gregarious birds, and they form large flocks; they are sometimes joined by a handful of ravens.

Identification 17-21". Large and stocky. Black all over, with slight purplish sheen. Bill stout; tail squared.

Voice A raucous, familiar caw, caw, caw.

Habitat Open areas, woodlands, fields, suburbs, orchards, gardens, and city parks; tends to avoid deserts and dense forests.

Range Breeds throughout southern two-thirds of Canada and most of United States; winters south of Canadian border. Absent from much of interior Southwest.