100 Birds Of The Northeast-A Comprehensive Guide To Avian Species In The Region

The Northeast region in the United States is certainly a Paradise for bird enthusiasts and nature lovers alike, with its exciting diversity of bird species found throughout the coastal shores of New England and the lush forests of the Appalachian Mountains.
This article will discuss 100 of the most common birds of the Northeast, describing their unique characteristics, habitats, and behaviors. It is useful for experienced birders and beginners looking to discover the natural world's wonders. Let's dive into this fabulous world of 100 great birds and learn about their role within this multicolored environment.

American Robin / Merle d'Amérique

The American Robin is a common songbird with a bright orange-red chest, and its song can be heard by nearly everyone, especially in early spring. That species has appeared in Northeast gardens, parks, and forests for decades, playing the role of one of the first harbingers of spring.

Mourning Dove / Tourterelle Triste

The Mourning Dove is a slender, mid-sized bird with a gentle, mournful cooing call. In rural and suburban areas, it frequently eats seeds and grains. It&'s often seen in pairs or small groups foraging on the ground or wires.

Blue Jay / Geai Bleu

The Blue Jay is an outstanding bird, particularly because of the striking blue colors on its back feathers and shrill, and often jarring, call. They are highly intelligent and very social birds; everyone is curious and bold.

House Sparrow / Moineau Domestique

House Sparrows are short, stout birds with brown and gray mottling. You would have thought to see them in backyards everywhere. Opportunistic feeders will adapt well to your neighborhood's level of human activity. They scratch over seeds and trash in cities and are one of the most widespread bird species in the world.

Canada Goose / Bernache du Canada

This bird has a black head and neck, a white chin strap, and a brown body. It occurs in enormous flocks near lakes, rivers, and fields. The major characteristics include loud honking and V-formation during migration; they feed on grasses, grains, and aquatic plants.

Northern Mockingbird / Moqueur Polyglotte

The Northern Mockingbird will mimic many other birds, animals, and even mechanical sounds. Gray with white wing patches, the bird occurs in common backyards, fields, and public parks. It is a vigorous, persistent singer, more of a night one to listen to, as it forages for insects, berries, and fruit.

American Crow / Corneille d'Amérique

The American Crow is one of North America's larger all-black birds. It is intelligent and adaptable. Crows are found in diverse habitats, including cities and towns, often roosting in large flocks. Insects, small animals, seeds, and carrion form a part of their diet. They are tool-using birds.

Carolina Chickadee / Mésange de Caroline

The Carolina Chickadee is a small, active bird with a black cap and bib, gray wings, and white cheeks. It is often seen in mixed forests and residential areas, frequently visiting feeders for seeds. Known for its curious nature, it has a distinctive “chick-a-dee-dee” call and is highly adaptable.

Red-tailed Hawk / Buse à Queue Rousse

A Red-tailed Hawk is a large bird of prey known by its broad wings and reddish-brown tail. These hawks are commonly seen soaring over open fields or standing along highways, hunting small mammals such as rodents and rabbits. The call is very common for a movie sound and consists of an extremely harsh, sharp sound, often used as a generic "hawk" sound.

Northern Cardinal / Cardinal Rouge

The Northern Cardinal is a vibrant red songbird commonly found in backyards, woodlands, and gardens. Males are bright red with a black mask, while females are brown with red tinges. Known for their melodic whistling songs, cardinals feed on seeds, fruit, and insects and often visit bird feeders.

Killdeer / Pluvier Kildir

The Killdeer is a middle-sized shorebird that calls which sounds like its name. Its upper parts are colored brown and white underparts with two black chest bands. It can often be found in open habitats, fields, and shores and eats insects and invertebrates. Their killing technique for predators is a "broken-wing" display where they pretend to be hurt to divert predators.

Dark-eyed Junco / Junco Ardoisé

The Dark-eyed Junco is a small, sparrow-like bird with a gray or black head and white underside. It is a common visitor in the Northeast during winter, regularly hopping around on the ground under feeders. Juncos feed on seeds and insects, often found in coniferous forests and woodlands.

White-breasted Nuthatch / Sittelle à Poitrine Blanche

The White-breasted Nuthatch is a slender, small bird with a black cap, a white face, and a blue-gray back. Its behaviors include creping down tree trunks headfirst when searching for insects and seeds. It is common in mature deciduous forests but quite often visits bird feeders.

Bald Eagle / Pygargue à Tête Blanche

The Bald Eagle is the national bird of the United States. It has a white head and tail, with wings that stretch out in such power. This bird keeps large bodies of water and eats mainly fish but sometimes will scavenge. Pesticides took these birds to near extinction, but they have returned strong.

Red-bellied Woodpecker / Pic à Ventre Roux

Although its name contains "red" the Red-bellied Woodpecker has only a vague reddish wash on its belly. Its bright red cap and nape more readily identify it. It is a forest-dwelling woodpecker that drills into trees for insects and sap but eats fruits, nuts, and seeds.

Carolina Wren / Troglodyte de Caroline

This is a small, reddish-brown bird with a loud and musical song that prefers dense thickets and brushy areas but frequently visits backyards and gardens. These birds are insectivorous but feed on beetles, caterpillars, and spiders; they also consume fruit and seeds, especially in winter.

Song Sparrow / Bruant Chanteur

With streaked brown plumage and a central spot on the breast, the Song Sparrow is one of the most familiar North American birds. Known for its cheerful, complex song, it lives in various habitats, from marshes to fields to gardens. Seeds, insects, and fruit comprise much of its diet.

Wild Turkey / Dindon Sauvage

The Wild Turkey is a large, ground-nesting bird with iridescent feathers and a fan-shaped tail. During the breeding season, males make a dramatic display of puffed feathers and gobbling. These omnivores rummage across the forest floor for acorns, seeds, insects, and small reptiles.

European Starling / Étourneau Sansonnet

European Starlings are medium-sized birds with iridescent black plumage specked with white spots. They have adapted well to urban and agricultural landscapes. Starlings are famous for their rhythmic flock movement, called murmurations. They feed on insects, fruits, and seeds, often competing with native species.

Tufted Titmouse / Mésange Bicolore

The Tufted Titmouse is a small bird with a distinctive gray crest, white underparts, and black forehead. It is commonly found in deciduous forests, backyards, and parks. These birds are frequent visitors to bird feeders, gathering seeds and nuts. They are also known for their cheerful “peter-peter-peter” call.

Mallard / Canard Colvert

The Mallard is a familiar, large duck with a glossy green head, white neck ring, and brown chest in males, while females are mottled brown. One of the most common duck species, this bird is commonly found in ponds, lakes, and rivers. Mallards feed on aquatic vegetation, insects, and small fish.

Common Raven / Grand Corbeau

The Common Raven is one of the largest passerines. It has black plumage and a deep, rasping croak call. These are considered intelligent birds. They can live in various habitats, such as forests, mountainous places, towns, and cities. They feed on carrion, insects, and seeds.

American Goldfinch / Chardonneret Jaune

American Goldfinch is a Small, bright yellow bird with black wings and a cheerful, twittering song. Males are brighter colored in the breeding season; females are duller. Tends to occupy fields, meadows, and gardens; primarily feeds on seeds, especially thistles, often at feeders.

House Wren / Troglodyte Familier

These are small, mouse-colored birds with a fast and merry song. House Wrens can usually be found in open woodlands. They are found in a lot of gardens and urban areas. They nest in cavities and feed on insects, spiders, and small invertebrates. They are known to defend their nesting sites aggressively.

Eastern Phoebe / Moucherolle Phébi

The Eastern Phoebe is a small flycatcher with a grayish-brown back and white belly. It is sometimes seen perched on low branches or fences and pumps its tail as it catches insects in the air. This bird is often seen near streams, bridges, or barns. An early spring migrant, it is known for its bold, raspy call of "feebee."

Common Yellowthroat / Paruline Masquée

The Common Yellowthroat is a small warbler with bright yellow in the throat and a black mask on males. It lives in marshes, wetlands, and brushy fields, being a secretive species; people hear it much more often than they see it. Its diet consists of insects and spiders, making it a valuable insect predator in its habitat.

Great Horned Owl / Grand-duc d'Amérique

This is the largest owl in size and has relatively large ear tufts and bright yellow eyes. It is recognized with a deep call that sounds like "hoo-hoo-hoo." It feeds upon mammals, birds, and reptiles, placing it high on the predator list of its ecosystem.

Northern Flicker / Pic Flamboyant

The Northern Flicker is a woodpecker with barred brown back and bright yellow or red underwings. It forages on the ground for ants and beetles in forests, fields, and suburban areas. This bird's loud, repetitive call and unusual drumming behavior make it easy to recognize in the wild.

Grey Catbird / Moqueur Chat

Grey Catbird Black-capped songbird with slate-gray body. Their calls, whistling like a cat's mew, and their ability to mimic other sounds are distinctive. They are found in dense shrubs and thickets, where the main diet consists of insects, berries, and fruit. This shy and cautious bird is regularly seen around gardens.

White-throated Sparrow / Bruant à Gorge Blanche

White-throated Sparrow is a short, vocal bird with a white spot on its throat and a yellow spot on its face between the eyes and bill, This White-throated Sparrow forages for seeds and insects on the ground among woodlands and gardens.

Chimney Swift / Martinet Ramoneur

The Chimney Swift is a small, dark grayish bird with long, pointed wings. It is often seen flying in swift, erratic directions. It lives in chimneys and hollow trees and feeds on flying insects. These swifts rarely touch down, as most of their lives are spent in the air, so they are effective aerial hunters in the urban arena.

Belted Kingfisher / Martin-pêcheur d'Amérique

The Belted Kingfisher is a rather stout bird with a relatively large head and shaggy crest over beautiful blue-gray and white plumage. Frequently seen perched about rivers or lakes, it dives for fish, the mainstay of its diet. Its rattling call is a common enough sound around water bodies, and it's famous for the terrific dives it makes as a hunter.

Red-winged Blackbird / Carouge à Épaulettes

The Red-winged Blackbird males are easily recognized for their black, bright red, and yellow shoulder patch plumage. They are territorial during the breeding seasons in wetlands, fields, and marshes. They are very aggressive during this season. Insects, seeds, and grains are their primary foods, and their vocal song is often heard during spring.

Laughing Gull / Mouette Atricille

The Laughing Gull is a medium-sized gull with a black head in breeding plumage and a laughable call. It is common along coastlines and often scavenges over beaches and piers. It eats fish, insects, and scraps of human food. Its aerial antics and behavior make it very familiar in coastal regions.

House Finch / Roselin Familier

The male House Finch has a bright red head and breast; the female has brown streaking. Urban habitat in parks and gardens, on seeds, fruits, and buds. Social birds are often seen in flocks and may regularly visit the bird feeders throughout the Northeast.

Common Loon / Plongeon Huard

The Common Loon is a large waterbird with striking black-and-white plumage and a haunting, yodeling call. It is found in northern lakes and ponds and is an excellent diver, hunting for fish underwater. Loons are strong swimmers often seen floating low in the water, with their distinctive red eyes visible.

Great Crested Flycatcher / Tyran Huppé

The Great Crested Flycatcher is a medium-sized bird with a yellow belly and a distinctive crest. Found in woodlands and forests, it catches insects in mid-air or plucks them from leaves. It also feeds on berries and fruits. Known for its loud, whistling calls, this bird often nests in tree cavities.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet / Roitelet à Couronne Rubis

The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is a tiny, energetic songbird with olive-green plumage and a small red crown, which is often hidden. It is commonly found in coniferous forests and shrubs. This bird constantly moves, flicking its wings while foraging insects and spiders. Its rapid, complex song is surprisingly loud for its size.

Hermit Thrush/ Grove Solitaire

The Hermit Thrush is a medium-sized brown bird with a spotted chest and reddish tail. Known for its beautiful, flute-like song, this bird can be found in forests and woodlands. It picks at the ground to find insects, spiders, and berries. This is a solitary bird species; often, you see it foraging alone.

Wood Duck / Canard Branchu

Wood ducks are colorful waterfowl, with males sporting shimmering iridescent plumage of green, purple, and chestnut. They inhabit wooded swamps, ponds, and rivers and nest in tree cavities. Wood Ducks are omnivorous, feeding on aquatic plants, seeds, and small invertebrates. Their call and bright colors are enough to identify this species.

Yellow Warbler / Paruline Jaune

The Yellow Warbler is a small, bright yellow songbird with reddish streaks on the male's breast. Birds are found in thickets, wetlands, and forests and feed on insects and larvae. Their sweet, cheerful song is often heard in the spring and summer. These warblers migrate over large distances between breeding and wintering grounds.

Chipping Sparrow / Bruant Familier

The tiny one shows a rusty crown and black eye-line with gray underparts. Open woodlands, gardens, and suburbs are favored. Sparrows forage on the ground, seeking seeds and insects. Their clear, trilling song fills much of the Northeast during the breeding season.

Red-eyed Vireo / Viréo aux Yeux Rouges

The Red-eyed Vireo is a small olive-green bird with white on the underside and vivid red eyes. During the summer, it sings consistently in deciduous forests, feeding on insects and fruit. For its constant song, the Red-eyed Vireo also balances out insect populations.

Tree Swallow / Hirondelle Bicolore

A Tree Swallow is a small, iridescent blue-green bird with a white belly, often seen gliding gracefully over fields and water bodies. Flying insects are caught in mid-air. Tree Swallows will nest in cavities; when ground-nesting alternatives are possible, they may compete for nest boxes. They are migratory, wintering in Central and South America.

Cooper's Hawk / Épervier de Cooper

The Cooper's Hawk is a medium-sized raptor with long tails and short, rounded wings that enable it to accelerate through dense forests quickly. It prefers woodlands and suburban areas and feeds on birds and small mammals. With keen eyesight and powerful flight, it is a top-notch and stealthy hunter.

Ovenbird / Paruline Couronnée

Ovenbird is a small, drab warbler with olive-brown upperparts and spotted breast. Their loud, ringing song distinguishes them. Ovenbirds often forage on the ground in a forest; they make a small, oven-shaped nest on or in the ground.

Winter Wren / Troglodyte des Forêts

The Winter Wren is a small, darting bird with dark brown plumage and a short, stubby tail. It is generally heard much more than seen in dense forests and thickets, where its long, bubbling song resonates despite its small size. The bird eats almost entirely of insects, spiders, and other invertebrates that it forages on or near the ground.

Cedar Waxwing / Jaseur d'Amérique

The Cedar Waxwing's silky pale brown plumage and bright red waxy tips on its wing feathers make it a dashing bird. It forages for berries, fruit, and insects on the grounds of open woodlands, orchards, and gardens. Social birds are often in large flocks.

Snow Goose / Oie des Neiges

The Snow Goose is a large white waterfowl with black wingtips and a loud honking call. It migrates in large flocks and is usually seen flying in V-formations. It is found in wetlands and agricultural fields, feeding on grasses and grains. Snow Geese are known for their long migrations between breeding and wintering grounds.

Brown Thrasher / Moqueur Roux

The Brown Thrasher is a large songbird with reddish-brown plumage and bold streaks on its chest. It's known as a mimic of other bird calls and prefers dense shrubs and thickets. Forage for insects, seeds, and fruit grounds

Eastern Screech Owl / Petit-duc Maculé

The Eastern Screech Owl lives in woodlands and urban areas. It's a small nocturnal owl with excellent camouflage, making it look like tree bark. The bird makes loud calls at night, a trilling or whinnying sound.

Downy Woodpecker / Pic Mineur

The Downy Woodpecker is the smallest in North America. It is characterized by its black and white plumage and a red patch—rather prominent on males—and is easily identified. Forests, parks, and gardens often tap on tree trunks for insects, seeds, and suet from feeders.

Rock Pigeon / Pigeon Biset

The Rock Pigeon, commonly known as the city pigeon, inhabits cities on all continents. There are five subspecies of this bird. It has a rounded body, short legs, and dark grayish-blue plumage with iridescent feathers around the neck.

Wood Thrush / Grive des Bois

The Wood Thrush has a beautiful, flute-like song. It has reddish-brown on its back and a spotted breast. This thrush is an insectivorous and frugivorous bird that lives in deciduous forests. Sensitive to changes in its habitat, this bird indicates the state of forest ecosystems.

Red-breasted Nuthatch / Sittelle à Poitrine Rousse

The Red-breasted Nuthatch has white spots on its face, more marked blue-gray back, and rusty underparts. It climbs headfirst down tree trunks, seeking insects and seeds. Its nasal calls and active behavior make it a dynamic presence in forests.

Common Grackle / Quiscale Bronzé

The Common Grackle is a very large blackbird with an iridescent purple and bronze sheen to its feathers. It has a very long tail and a characteristic, piercing call. It can be found in urban, field, and forest environments. It feeds on insects, grains, and small animals, often gleaning in large flocks.

Eastern Wood-Pewee / Pioui de l'Est

The Eastern Wood-Pewee is a small, greyish flycatcher with a vocal "pee-a-wee" song. It is found in deciduous forests, where it quietly sits, watching for insects in mid-air. This species has an understated appearance and secretive habits, but its call could never be mistaken.

Pileated Woodpecker / Grand Pic

The Pileated Woodpecker is the largest in North America. Its bright red crest on its head and loud drumming identify it. It can be found in forests. Large rectangular holes are made in trees where it searches for ants and insects. Its loud call and large size make it a distinguishing species.

Brown-headed Cowbird / Vacher à Tête Brune

The Brown-headed Cowbird is a small, glossy blackbird with a brown head. It is a brood parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of other birds. This bird is a seed and insect-eater and breeds in open and forested habitats. Its parasitic nature negatively affects populations of native birds.

American Woodcock / Bécasse d'Amérique

The American Woodcock is a plump, mottled bird with a long bill for probing soil to find earthworms. They inhabit humid woodland and field edges, with a characteristic courtship display characterized by spiraling flights and vocalizations. They are consequently extremely difficult to see, as this secretive behavior is matched by excellent camouflage.

Barred Owl / Chouette Rayée

The Barred Owl is a large, nocturnal bird with striking dark eyes and horizontal bars across its chest. The mature forest-dwelling bird hunts small mammals, birds, and amphibians. This bird is a non-migrant bird, remaining in the territory throughout the year.

Golden-crowned Kinglet / Roitelet à Couronne Dorée

The Golden-crowned Kinglet is a tiny bird with a bright yellow crown ringed with black stripes. It forages high up through the coniferous forests, flitting nervously among the branches, looking for insects and spiders.

Eastern Whip-poor-will / Engoulevent Bois-pourri

The Eastern Whip-poor-will is a nocturnal bird known for its repetitive “whip-poor-will” call heard at dusk and dawn. It is camouflaged with brown and gray plumage, blending into forest floors. It feeds on flying insects and is most active during twilight, making it a mysterious presence in the woods.

Indigo Bunting / Passerin Indigo

The Indigo Bunting is a small, vibrant bird with bright blue plumage in males during the breeding season. It is found in open fields, woodland edges, and brushy areas and feeds on seeds and insects. Its cheerful song and striking color make it a favorite among birdwatchers.

Brown Creeper / Grimpereau Brun

The Brown Creeper is a small, cryptic bird with streaked brown plumage that blends into tree bark. It spirals up tree trunks, using its curved bill to probe for insects and larvae. Found in forests, its soft, high-pitched song is often overlooked, but its behavior is distinctive.

Fish Crow / Corneille de Rivage

The Fish Crow is a small, coastal crow with a nasal, higher-pitched call than the American Crow. It scavenges for fish, carrion, and human food scraps near rivers, lakes, and coastal areas. Its adaptability to various environments makes it a common sight in many regions.

Barn Swallow / Hirondelle Rustique

The Barn Swallow is a graceful, long-tailed bird with metallic blue upperparts and a tawny belly. It is often seen swooping low over fields and water bodies, catching insects mid-air. It builds mud nests under bridges, barns, and other structures, symbolizing the arrival of spring in many regions.

Eastern Towhee / Tohi à Flancs Roux

The Eastern Towhee is a striking bird with black upperparts, rust-colored sides, and a white belly. It is often heard rustling in the underbrush, searching for insects, seeds, and berries. Its distinctive “drink your tea” song makes it easily recognizable, especially in open woods and thickets.

Warbling Vireo / Viréo Mélodieux

The Warbling Vireo is a small, plain, grayish-green bird with a sweet, melodious song. It is found in woodlands, forests, and parks and feeds on insects and occasionally berries. Its continuous, warbling song often fills the summer air, even though the bird can be hard to spot among foliage.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird / Colibri à Gorge Rubis

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is a tiny, vibrant bird with a brilliant red throat in males. It is found in gardens and woodlands and feeds on nectar from flowers, occasionally catching insects. These hummingbirds are excellent flyers, capable of hovering and flying backward, and they migrate long distances to Central America.

Field Sparrow / Bruant des Champs

The Field Sparrow is a small, soft-colored bird with a pink bill and a clear, whistling song. It feeds on seeds and insects in open fields, meadows, and grasslands. Its gentle appearance and distinctive trill make it a beloved bird in rural areas, where it is often seen perched on low shrubs.

Eastern Bluebird / Merlebleu de l'Est

The Eastern Bluebird is a small thrush with bright blue upperparts and a rusty-orange chest. It is found in open woodlands, fields, and orchards and feeds on insects and berries. These cavity-nesting birds are often attracted to nest boxes and are cherished for their striking colors and cheerful songs.

Hairy Woodpecker / Pic Chevelu

The Hairy Woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker with black-and-white plumage and a white patch down its back. It resembles the smaller Downy Woodpecker but has a longer bill. Found in forests and woodlands, it feeds on insects, particularly wood-boring beetles, and is known for its strong, rhythmic drumming.

Baltimore Orioles / Oriole de Baltimore

The Baltimore Oriole is a brightly colored bird with orange and black plumage in males and yellow-orange in females. It is found in open woodlands, parks, and gardens and feeds on fruit, nectar, and insects. Orioles are known for their woven hanging nests and sweet, flute-like songs.

Eastern Meadowlark / Sturnelle des Prés

The Eastern Meadowlark is a medium-sized songbird with striking yellow underparts and a black “V” on its chest. It is found in grasslands and meadows and feeds on insects and seeds. Its clear, whistling song is familiar in open fields and is often seen perched on fence posts.

Black-capped Chickadee / Mésange à Tête Noire

The Black-capped Chickadee is a small, energetic bird with a distinctive black cap and bib. Known for its cheerful “chick-a-dee-dee” call, it is found in forests and backyards, feeding on insects, seeds, and suet, often visiting feeders.

Osprey / Balbuzard Pêcheur

The Osprey is a large raptor known for its skill in catching fish and diving feet-first into water. It is found near lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. Its white underside, dark upperparts, and striking black eye stripes make it easily recognizable.

Scarlet Tanager / Piranga Écarlate

The Scarlet Tanager is a brightly colored bird, with males sporting brilliant red plumage and black wings during breeding season. It is found in deciduous forests and feeds on insects and fruits. Despite its vivid appearance, it often remains hidden in the treetops.

Eastern Kingbird / Tyran Tritri

The Eastern Kingbird is a bold, medium-sized flycatcher with a dark back and white underparts. It aggressively defends its territory and feeds on insects, often catching them mid-air. Its signature white tail tip makes it easy to identify in open fields and woodlands.

Great Blue Heron / Grand Héron

The Great Blue Heron is a tall, graceful, wading bird with blue-gray feathers and a long neck. It is found near water and hunts fish, frogs, and small mammals by standing still or wading slowly. Its slow, deliberate movements make it a peaceful presence.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo / Coulicou à Bec Jaune

The Yellow-billed Cuckoo is a slender, secretive bird with a long tail and bright yellow lower bill. It prefers wooded habitats and feeds on large insects like caterpillars. Its slow, deliberate calls often announce its presence before it's seen.

Red-headed Woodpecker / Pic à Tête Rouge

The Red-headed Woodpecker is easily recognized by its striking, all-red head and black-and-white body. It feeds on insects, nuts, and fruit in open woodlands. This woodpecker is known for catching insects in flight and storing food.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak / Cardinal à Poitrine Rose

The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is a colorful songbird. Males sport a striking red chest, and females resemble large sparrows. Found in forests and gardens, it feeds on insects, seeds, and fruit. Its rich, melodious song is often compared to that of a robin.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker / Pic Maculé

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is a medium-sized woodpecker with black-and-white plumage and a yellowish belly. It drills rows of holes in trees to feed on sap and insects attracted to it. Found in forests, its rhythmic tapping is often heard before it’s seen.

Black-and-white Warbler / Paruline Noir et Blanc

The Black-and-white Warbler is a small bird with bold, zebra-like black-and-white stripes. It behaves more like a nuthatch, creeping along tree trunks and branches in search of insects. Found in forests, it’s known for its distinctive squeaky song and energetic foraging style.

Willow Flycatcher / Moucherolle des Saules

The Willow Flycatcher is a small, plain, grayish-brown bird known for its distinctive “fitz-bew” song. It is found in wet, shrubby habitats and feeds on insects, catching them in flight or from foliage. Its subtle appearance makes it easier to hear than see.

Hooded Merganser / Harle Couronné

The Hooded Merganser is a small diving duck with a striking fan-shaped white crest in males. Found in wooded ponds and rivers, it dives underwater to catch fish and aquatic insects. Its bold appearance and behavior make it a favorite among birdwatchers.

American Redstart / Paruline Flamboyante

The American Redstart is a small warbler with males displaying black and orange plumage. It is found in forests and wooded areas and is known for its active foraging behavior, flashing its bright tail feathers to flush out insects. Its high-pitched song is distinctive and cheerful.

Green Heron / Héron Vert

The Green Heron is a small, stocky heron with a dark greenish back and chestnut neck. It is found in wetlands and hunts fish by standing motionless or using bait to lure prey. Its creative hunting techniques and striking plumage make it an interesting species.

Purple Martin / Hirondelle Noire

The Purple Martin is the largest North American swallow, with glossy, dark purple feathers in males. It is found in open areas, feeds on flying insects, and often nests in colonies using human-made birdhouses. These birds are popular for their aerial acrobatics and social behavior.

Yellow-rumped Warbler / Paruline à Croupion Jaune

The Yellow-rumped Warbler is a small, colorful songbird with a distinctive yellow patch on its rump. It is found in forests and gardens and feeds on insects and berries. Its versatility in foraging and adaptability to different habitats make it a widespread species.

American Kestrel / Crécerelle d'Amérique

The American Kestrel is the smallest falcon in North America. It has striking blue-gray wings and a rust-colored back. It hunts insects, small mammals, and birds in open fields and grasslands. Its sharp eyesight and hovering flight make it a skilled predator.

Common Nighthawk / Engoulevent d'Amérique

The Common Nighthawk is a cryptically colored bird most active during dusk and dawn, feeding on flying insects. Its long wings and erratic flight make it easy to spot. Known for its nasal “peent” call, it nests on the ground or rooftops.

Ruffed Grouse / Gélinotte Huppée

The Ruffed Grouse is a medium-sized bird found in forests, known for its elaborate courtship display, where males drum their wings to attract females. Its brownish plumage provides excellent camouflage. It feeds on buds, leaves, and insects, thriving in diverse forest habitats.

Common Merganser / Grand Harle

The Common Merganser is a large, fish-eating duck with a sleek, serrated bill for catching prey. It is found in lakes and rivers and dives to hunt underwater. Males have striking white bodies with dark green heads, while females have gray bodies and reddish-brown heads.

Great Egret / Grande Aigrette

The Great Egret is a tall, elegant, wading bird with all-white plumage and a long, yellow bill. It is found in wetlands and coastal areas and feeds on fish, frogs, and insects. Its slow, deliberate movements and graceful flight make it a symbol of wetland health.

Double-crested Cormorant / Cormoran à Aigrettes

The Double-crested Cormorant is a large, dark waterbird with distinctive orange skin around its bill and a hooked beak. It is found near water, dives to catch fish, and is often seen drying its wings in the sun. Its adaptability to both fresh and saltwater makes it widespread.

Mute Swan / Cygne Tuberculé

The Mute Swan is a large, graceful bird with white plumage and an orange bill. Known for its elegant posture, it is often found in ponds, lakes, and rivers. Despite its name, it makes soft grunting and hissing sounds and can be quite territorial.

Turkey Vulture / Urubu à Tête Rouge

The Turkey Vulture is a large scavenger with dark plumage and a bare red head. It soars in wide circles, using its keen sense of smell to locate carrion. Found across various habitats, it plays an essential role in ecosystems by cleaning up dead animals.

Black Vulture / Urubu Noir

The Black Vulture is a stocky scavenger with black plumage and a bare, dark gray head. It is found in open areas and forests, feeds on carrion, and often follows Turkey Vultures to locate food. The black vulture is known for its powerful flight and communal roosting behavior.

Conclusion

These fascinating birds each play a vital role in their respective ecosystems, contributing to biodiversity and offering unique behaviors and characteristics that captivate birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike. Each species has distinct adaptations that ensure their survival. Observing these birds enhances our understanding of the natural world and encourages the preservation of their habitats.