Birds of Connecticut: A Beginner’s Guide to Birdwatching. Hovers more than other bluebirds and drops on prey from above, also catches insects in flight. Black bill, legs. Lazuli Bunting: Small finch, bright blue upperparts, cinnamon-brown breast and sides, white belly. As a beginner in the birdwatching world, look for some of these common Connecticut birds to get started on your checklist. Bill is black with yellow tip; legs and feet are black. Brown Pelican: Large, unmistakable seabird, gray-brown body, dark brown, pale yellow head and neck, oversized bill. Outer tail feathers are white. It has a direct flight with strong, shallow wing beats. Bill: Small and rather slender. Whitish underparts; underwings have brown trailing edge. Tail is short and brown with white corners. Black-backed Woodpecker: Small woodpecker with black back, black wings with white spots on flight feathers, barred flanks, white underparts. May eat from thistle socks. Larger than blackbirds and grackles. Longer legs. Short flight, alternates several rapid wing beats with wings pulled to sides. Black cap, wing tips, tail. I will use the data for Fairfield County to represent the birds in the Bridgeport area. Razorbill: Large seabird with black head, neck, upperparts, white line from bill to eye, and white underparts. Swift direct flight with rapid wing beats. Forages on ground. If so, you'll want to check this out. Sexes are similar. Eyes are red and bill is orange-red with black tip. Legs and feet are gray. Bill, legs, and feet are black. Wilson's Phalarope: This medium-sized sandpiper has gray-brown upperparts, red-brown streaks on back and shoulders, red-brown markings on white underparts, gray crown, white face, black eye-line, a black needle-like bill, gray wings and a white tail and rump. Wings are brown with chestnut-brown patches. AKA snakebird and water turkey. Identification: This is a key species for comparing with an unknown bird. Harris's Sparrow: Large sparrow with dark-streaked, brown upperparts and white underparts with dark-streaked sides. Tail is long and black. Wings are gray with two white bars. My review: Celestron Nature DX ED binoculars for birding Is the Celestron Nature DX ED 8x42 binocular any good for bird watching? They can quickly empty your feeder! Anhinga: Large, dark waterbird with long tail, snake-like neck, small head, red eyes, and long olive-brown bill. Attract with suet feeder. Tail is short, and legs are long. So the next two lists are the common birds ranked in winter and then in summer. For a birder who is just starting out, the colour of the bird will probably be the first piece of information that will be used in trying to put a name to the bird. The wings are short and rounded. It mainly feeds on insects and other small invertebrates. You may find that you wish to see birds in other places. Feeds on insects, fish, worms, small crustaceans and seeds. Common Snipe: Longest-billed of all snipes, best identified by broad white stripe at base of underwing. That shouldn't be too hard to figure out, should it? Long pointed wings and deeply forked tail. At your hopper or tray feeder they like black oil sunflower seeds and suet. Where possible I will place a link to an example of a common song for the birds listed. A thicker bar indicates a common bird. The most common backyard birds throughout the year in the state of Connecticut are these: These birds occur on more than 20% of eBird checklists for the state. A tropical species that barely crosses the border into Arizona and Texas, the Gray Hawk is an elegant, raincloud-gray raptor with neatly barred underparts. Tail has white edges, dark center and tip. These birds are ranked according to frequency--the percentage of all bird checklists on which a species occurs. It has a slow flight with deep wing beats and soars on updrafts. Sexes are similar. As an Amazon Associate I earn commissions from qualifying purchases. Direct flight with strong steady wing beats. Buff-breasted Sandpiper: This medium-sized sandpiper has a buff wash over the entire body except for the white vent. Common Eider: Large diving duck (v-nigrum), with distinctive sloping forehead, black body, white breast and back. It feeds on mollusks, worms and aquatic insects. Identification: Size: The size of a House Finch or Dark-eyed Junco. Bill, legs, and feet are gray. It provides information on all the birds listed on the ABA bird list. Habitat, range & behavior: Common in oak and oak-pine woodlands, wooded towns. Legs are yellow with very long toes. Bar charts combine the species list with abundance over time. This familiar bird is a resident in the northern half of the United States and a winter visitor in the southern half. Color: Eastern birds are a darker all-gray with white belly. Or, you may want to print a new list for each time you take a bird watching outing. Head is black and eyes are red. Introduced to North America as a game bird in the early 1900s. Bobs tail and often makes short flights to hawk insects. Red eyes with white eye-rings, and white patch above. Wings are long and relatively pointed. Sexes are similar. Diet includes insects, fish, shellfish and crabs. Shape: Medium build with a medium-long notched tail. Shape: Longer body. It has a black bill, legs and feet. The flight is labored and slow with dangling legs. Feeds on crane flies and brine shrimp. Snowy Plover: Small plover, pale brown upperparts, white underparts. Identification: Size: A small bird, but a large titmouse, this species is larger than chickadees, about the size of a junco or House Finch. Wings are dark with two white bars. Bill, legs, and feet are black. Forehead is chestnut-brown and throat and rump are buff. Forages on ground and in trees and bushes. Eat small berries from trees and bushes. Undertail coverts are white. Sexes are similar. The legs and feet are red. For that, you need the next type of checklist. The wings are short with white spotted black tips. Head is yellow with black throat and nape. Say's Phoebe: Medium-sized, active flycatcher with gray-brown upperparts and head, paler gray throat and upper breast, and pale rufous belly and undertail coverts. That way, for unusual birds, I can see the plumage. The tail is dark brown and pointed in flight. Gleans from bushes, weeds and trees. Both sexes are similar in appearance. Shape: Very plump with a fairly long tail. Flies in V or straight line formations. European Starlings, introduced in the U.S. about 150 years ago, have thrived and often join birds in the yard in flocks--much to the dismay of backyard hosts.Note that starlings in breeding plumage (left) are mostly black but upon closer look, quite iridescent. The Gray Catbird breeds over nearly all of the United States and southern Canada. The front of the face has a white patch and the bill is usually pink-orange. But it also includes photos of birds that have been taken in the county. Legs and feet are gray. Baird's Sandpiper: This medium-sized bird has scaled gray-brown upperparts, white underparts and a dark-spotted gray-brown breast. Head is flat with brown stripes. Flies in straight line formation with neck and legs outstretched, roosts high in trees and bushes at night. Bill: As long as head, thick, black. The bill is dark red. Wings are black with white patches. Color: Gray-brown upperparts, rusty orange breast. Very active bird, nervous and restless while foraging. Its flight is bounding and erratic with frequent changes of direction and speed. Identification: The gray squirrel is the largest and most common of the Connecticut squirrels. Color: That bright red color is matched by few other birds. Colloquially called "snow birds," they often arrive in backyards in winter from nearby mountain forests or more northern climes. Bird checklists are useful to keep track of birds in your backyard as you identify them. It has a buoyant, graceful flight with steady wing beats. All material here is original content and copyright by Greg Gillson. This product and/or its method of use is covered by one or more of the following patent(s): US patent number 7,363,309 and foreign equivalents. Bill: Short, pointed, conical, pink. While Blue Jays are quite blue, however, Tufted Titmice are … Wings are black with white spots. It has a black bill with a yellow spot at the base and black legs and feet. Cinnamon-brown underwings visible in flight. Are most of the records for breeding males or perhaps dull-looking immatures? Gray Catbird (21%) White-throated Sparrow (20%) Dark-eyed Junco (20%) These birds occur on more than 20% of eBird checklists for the state. The female (shown in foreground) and winter adult have brown streaked upperparts and no black bib. Shape: Appears large-headed, neckless, very short tailed. Because they are also aggressive toward other feeder birds, some people put mesh cages around smaller bird feeders. Winters from southern Canada and all of the lower 48-states to extreme northern Mexico. Franklin's Gull: This medium-sized gull has a gray back and white underparts. Bill: Long, chisel-shaped. The tail is white-edged. Wings and spectacularly long, deeply forked tail are black. Black-capped Chickadees, Dark-eyed Juncos, White-throated Sparrows are more common in winter. Pink-footed Goose: Short-necked goose with blue gray mantle and wing coverts, white belly, dark brown head, neck. Identification: Size: Fairly large for a backyard bird. They may eat peanuts from a tray feeder and eat from a suet block. Habitat, range & behavior: They are found in agricultural areas, woodland edges, city parks and lawns. Prefers to walk rather than fly. Color: Males are brown and gray with a black mask. Because of the titmouse's little topknot, some folks think the birds looks like a miniature Blue Jay. The most common backyard birds in Connecticut in winter (December to February) are these:Black-capped Chickadee (41% frequency)Dark-eyed Junco (40%)Northern Cardinal (37%)Blue Jay (36%)Tufted Titmouse (34%)Downy Woodpecker (34%)Mourning Dove (32%)American Crow (32%)White-throated Sparrow (31%)White-breasted Nuthatch (30%)House Sparrow (27%)Song Sparrow (25%)Red-bellied Woodpecker (24%)European Starling (24%)American Goldfinch (24%)House Finch (20%), The most common backyard birds in Connecticut in summer (June to July) are these:American Robin (59% frequency)Mourning Dove (49%)Gray Catbird (49%)Northern Cardinal (45%)Song Sparrow (45%)American Goldfinch (41%)Common Grackle (39%)Blue Jay (39%)House Sparrow (36%)American Crow (32%)Tufted Titmouse (29%)Chipping Sparrow (29%)Black-capped Chickadee (29%)Downy Woodpecker (28%)European Starling (27%)Barn Swallow (27%)Cedar Waxwing (25%)Red-eyed Vireo (24%)House Finch (23%)White-breasted Nuthatch (23%)Red-bellied Woodpecker (22%)House Wren (21%). Rump is pale gray or white with few or no streaks. The Leach's Storm-Petrel now has two subspecies, the Townsend's Storm-Petrel and Ainley's Storm-Petrel. They move into southern Canada in summer. Sexes are similar. It shows white wing linings in flight. Habitat, range & behavior: Breed in coniferous forests. It is a bar chart for the county. Swift low direct flight. Tail is long and pointed. Hops on ground to forage. Bill, legs are bright orange, upper bill develops a fibrous keel during breeding season. I've put this resource together for you to answer the question: What birds are in my backyard in Georgia? Webbing between toes is yellow. The eyes, bill, and legs of all morphs are yellow. Wings held downward. Western Grebe: Large, long-necked grebe with dark gray upperparts, white underparts, gray sides and flanks. Bill is pink with a brown tip and base. Tail and rump are black. Rusty feathers under tail. Black feathers around eye accentuates its size. Each county is likely to have numerous hotspots, too. Color: Glossy black throughout. The flight is highly undulating, rising and falling as they flap in short bursts. Identification: Size: Small birds about the size of a House Finch. Food and feeder preference: Insects and berries. Clay-colored Sparrow: Medium sparrow with black-streaked brown upperparts and buff underparts. Food and feeder preference: Omnivorous, they feed on large insects, grain, small mammals, carrion. Head, neck, and underparts are vibrant yellow and the undertail coverts are white. Eastern race has gray-green upperparts and distinct yellow wash on underparts. Gray cheek patch is marked by a thin, black line. As it hops, it often flicks its tail from side to side. Legs and feet are brown. Slightly smaller than domestic city pigeon. King Rail: Large rail with long, orange-based bill. Wings have faint pale bar on tips of greater coverts. Bill is long, thin, and dull olive-yellow. Identification: Size: Similar in size to White-crowned Sparrow. Bill is heavy and slightly hooked. Orange air sacs on both sides of the neck inflate during courtship display; long feathers on back of neck also raised during displays. No doubt that is because the state is quite small and has a similar habitat throughout. Not all birds can be found in backyards. Bill: Short, chisel-shaped. Short flights, alternates rapid wing beats with brief periods of wings pulled to sides. Feeds primarily on mosquito larvae but also takes mollusks and crustaceans. The back has white lines that form a V-pattern in flight. The feet extend past the tail in flight. The only puffin nesting on the Atlantic Coast. Eyes surrounded by orange and black markings; legs and feet are bright orange. Food and feeder preference: Insects, fruits, and seeds. Swift direct flight with rapid wing beats. That will let me know exactly what I am looking for when I am out in the field. ", Food and feeder preference: Feeds on weed seeds, thistle seed. Large strong legs. Wings are dark with two white bars. Swift direct flight with rapid wing beats, usually flies low over the water. There are other red finches, but these are the ones most likely in residential areas. Pink-gray legs and feet. New subspecies range maps for this bird will be available in the next iBird update at which time we will retire the Thayer’s Gull as it’s own species. Then you're on your way to exploring the wildlife in a larger world. Black legs and feet. 17 kinds with photos! Forages on ground, low in trees and bushes. Underparts are white, and buff-brown wash on throat. Eyes are red. Bridgeport is in Fairfield County. Clings to tree trunk on strong short legs propped up with short stiff tail. Feeds on caterpillars, insects, fruits, seeds and grains. Often soars like a raptor. This is one of the most common species in the eastern half of the United States. But that is easier to do with the following list. Little Stint: This medium-sized sandpiper has scaled-brown upperparts and white underparts. The sexes are similar; males are slightly larger. Small gull, pale gray upperparts, gray-white nape, white neck with thin black collar, and white, wedge-shaped tail; underparts are variably pink. The wings are gray-black with two white bars and large white patches, visible when spread. Ducks, Geese, and Swans Black-bellied Whistling-Duck* Fulvous Whistling-Duck* Pink-footed Goose* Greater White-fronted Goose Graylag Goose* Snow Goose Ross’s Goose* Brant Barnacle Goose Cackling Goose Magnificent Frigatebird: Large black seabird, orange throat patch inflates into a huge bright red-orange balloon when in courtship display. American Robin The American Robin is the state bird of Connecticut, so of course, you’ll be seeing them around! The back and sides of its coat are silver-gray in color and the underparts are white. There are hundreds of hotspots for every state. Size: About 12 inches long from bill tip to tail tip. Originated in Middle East and spread to most of Europe and Asia. Food and feeder preference: Grain, corn, acorns, small aquatic fish and amphibians. American White Pelican: Huge, white seabird, enormous outstretched wings show black primaries, outer secondaries in flight. Powered by. Colloquially called a "wild canary.". Breeds in eastern and central US and adjoining southern Canada. Yellow spot between eyebrow and bill. Wings have large white stripes visible in flight; tail has dark central stripe above and is white below. Similar in size to a chickadee. Larger than goldfinches and chickadees. You may be interested: Bird books for each individual state in the US, Related: 34 of the most common birds in the United States (with photos). Shape: Stocky with large head, short square-ended tail. In 2016 the American Ornithologist Union split the Clapper Rail into three species, the Clapper Rail, Ridgway's Rail and Mangrove Rail (not in North America). Black Guillemot Adult: Medium-sized seabird, black body with a large white wing patch and a dark, pointed bill. Males with red (sometimes orange or rarely yellow) crown, chest, rump. Atlantic Puffin: Medium seabird with black upperparts, white underparts, white face, and large, parrot-like, orange and gray bill. Wings are white with black primary and secondary feathers. Bird books for each individual state in the US, 34 of the most common birds in the United States (with photos), Best budget birding binoculars: Celestron Nature DX ED. White edges on side of tail. Male with small red spot at back of head. Purple Sandpiper: Medium sandpiper, upperparts are scaled gray-brown, crown is dark, and white underparts are streaked. You can learn more about what birds are in your own backyard using some easy and helpful features of eBird. Back, breast and neck have vivid black-bordered white bars. Direct flight, steady, strong wing beats. Dark wings, tail. Color: Dark blue-gray above, pale below. Check out our blog for more sightings of intriguing, uncommon, or otherwise notable birds. Wood Stork: Large, odd wading bird, mostly white except for black flight feathers and tail. Hawks from perch, hovers. Back of neck is black. To discourage them from your hopper and tray feeders do not feed birds human food scraps. The neck, breast and belly are white. Pale yellow legs, feet. Bill is gray. Head has black, white, and chestnut-brown stripes. Winters in extreme south US Gulf states, southward in eastern Mexico to Panama. To see this please jump to the Iceland Gull species account. There are bird lists for each county. Female has olive-yellow upperparts and dull yellow underparts. Head has stark black crown, face, and throat. Habitat, range & behavior: These birds are found in many woodland types, including oak, hickory and pine. The wings are gray and white-edged, and black at the tips; tail is white. Flies close to the water in straight line. Color: Black-and-white striped head. I also provide a photo and description section to help you with Connecticut bird identification of the most common birds native to Connecticut backyards. Summer Tanager: Large tanager, dark-red overall with a large, pale gray bill. Wispy crest. Brown-chested Martin: Medium-sized swallow with brown upperparts. Wings are brown with two white bars. Related to chickadees, they lack the black bib, but have a crest instead. Female is brown-scaled overall with dull blue shoulder patch, dark eyes and pale edged upper mandible. Thank you so much for visiting! Swift direct flight with steady wing beats. Short flights, alternates rapid wing beats with brief periods of wings pulled to sides. Color: They are grayish brown much of the year, with glossy iridescence and white spotting during the spring. American Avocet: Long-legged shorebird with long, thin, upcurved bill and distinctive black-and-white back and sides. Flies in V or straight line formation. Rapid direct flight with strong wing beats. Bill: As long as head. Source: Missouri Department of Conservation. Bill is gray. Head has red cap, black chin patch. The diet includes aquatic insects and plants. Black-necked Stilt: Large shorebird with sharply contrasting black upperparts and white underparts. Wings have white stripes visible in flight. White-winged Dove: Medium-sized, stout dove with gray-brown upperparts, gray underparts, and small, black crescent below eye. Legs and feet are gray. Soars on thermals and updrafts. Black-capped Petrel: Large petrel with white underparts, dark brown to black back and upper wings, black cap, and white collar (this field mark is missing in some birds). They are aggressive toward other feeder birds. In summer also moves into mid-Canada and northern half of US. Hotspots are public bird watching areas with their own species checklists and bar charts. Identification: Size: About the length of a Red-winged Blackbird or Northern Cardinal. Swift direct flight with rapid wing beats. It is named for its laughter-like call. Shape: Thick neck, large head, rather short square-ended tail. Originally deserts and grasslands. Wings have two bars: upper bar is yellow, lower bar is white. Browse through available african grey parrots for sale and adoption in connecticut by aviaries, breeders and bird rescues. Feeds on insects, caterpillars, fruits and berries. Common backyard birds in West Virginia (lists, pho... Common backyard birds in Nebraska (lists, photos, ID). Once you start viewing your backyard birds in Connecticut, you may find that you want to look for more types of birds than just backyard birds.

Nutro Crunchy Treats Apple, The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Ireland, Halo Bassinest Canada Reviews, Good Cs Per Minute Adc, Diy Bench Scraper, 20th Century Meissen Marks, Slack Yellow Triangle, Monday To Sunday Song,