Identifying the birds that visit your backyard can be an enjoyable and rewarding hobby. Birds are fascinating creatures, and with the right knowledge, you can soon become an amateur ornithologist. There are hundreds of bird species in North America, but some are more common than others and are likely to pay your backyard a visit. Here’s a guide to help you identify these feathered friends.
First, let’s talk about the Red-breasted Robin. These birds are a common sight in backyards across the continent. They are relatively large songbirds with reddish-orange breasts and grayish-brown upperparts. As their name suggests, they are often spotted foraging for worms in lawns and gardens but also enjoy berries and insects. Keep an ear out for their beautiful, complex songs, which are a sure sign that spring has arrived.
Another common visitor is the Black-capped Chickadee. These lively little birds are easy to spot, with their distinctive black caps and throats, white cheeks, and gray bodies. Chickadees are active birds, often seen clinging to feeders or branches as they forage for seeds and insects. They are also known for their distinctive call, a clear “chick-a-dee-dee-dee” that carries well across backyards.
The Northern Cardinal is a bird that’s hard to miss. Both male and female cardinals have distinctive colors, with the males being a brilliant red and the females a more subtle olive-brown, but both featuring a prominent crest and red-colored accents. You’ll often see them in pairs, as they form strong, long-lasting bonds. Cardinals are predominantly seed-eaters, so attract them to your backyard by offering sunflower seeds.
Keep an eye out for the Mourning Dove, a slender, small-headed bird with a long tapered tail. These gentle birds are mostly brownish-gray, with white-edged feathers that give them a scaled appearance. Mourning Doves are ground feeders, often seen foraging for seeds or walking along the ground with a distinctive, bobbing walk. While they may not be the most colorful addition to your backyard, their soft cooing calls are soothing to hear.
Blue Jays are bold and beautiful birds that are sure to make an impression. As their name suggests, they are vivid blue, with a hint of white and black, and some individuals even displaying a slight purple hue. They are highly intelligent birds and are known for their varied and complex calls, which include imitations of hawk cries. Blue Jays are attracted to a variety of foods, including insects, seeds, and nuts.
These are just a few of the common backyard birds you may encounter. By learning to identify them, you can enhance your backyard birdwatching experience and develop a deeper appreciation for the diverse wildlife around you. So grab a pair of binoculars, download a bird identification app, and get ready to transform your backyard into a bird-watching paradise!
In the meantime, stay tuned for future articles, where we will delve deeper into the world of birdwatching, exploring more species and offering tips on how to create a bird-friendly haven in your own backyard. Happy birdwatching!
(Feel free to let me know if you would like me to make any changes or additions to this article. I can also suggest ideas for future articles in this series if that would be helpful!)