Birds of Connecticut
Connecticut's bird life is rich and diverse, with more than 400 species recorded within its borders. These include both resident birds that inhabit the state year-round and migratory birds that migrate seasonally. Connecticut birdwatchers and ornithologists have documented a wide variety of bird life, from common backyard birds to rare and elusive species. Connecticut's diverse habitats, including forests, wetlands, coastal areas, and urban environments, contribute to its appeal as a birding destination.
Featured Bird Species
1. Small Birds
Rusty Blackbird
Adult rusty blackbirds have predominantly black feathers with rusty brown edges, giving them a mottled appearance, especially during the breeding season. Their eyes are bright yellow with yellowish rims. During the non-breeding season, the overall color of their feathers is darker, with less pronounced rusty edges.
Rusty Blackbirds breed in the boreal forests of Canada and Alaska, with some populations breeding in the northeastern United States. Rusty blackbirds usually arrive at their breeding grounds in early spring. They build their nests in dense shrubs or small trees near water, constructing a cup-shaped nest out of grasses, twigs, and other plant material. Females lay a clutch of 3-5 eggs that incubate for about two weeks. In winter, they migrate south to the southeastern United States, the Mississippi Valley, and parts of the Caribbean.
Rusty blackbirds often forage in flocks, especially during migration and winter. They feed primarily on insects and other invertebrates, collected from vegetation or caught on the ground. They also eat seeds, berries, and aquatic invertebrates.
Bobolink
Male bobolinks are known for their striking black and white plumage coloration during the breeding season. They have a black back, wings and head with a distinctive white patch on the back of the neck and a yellowish nape. Females and non-breeding males have more subtle plumage coloration with brown and aqua blue streaks. Both males and females have short, conical bills and relatively short tails.
Bobolinks breed in grasslands and meadows in North America, preferring habitats with tall grasses and scattered shrubs. They are often found in agricultural areas, including hayfields, pastures, and old fields. During migration and winter, they inhabit open habitats such as marshes, wetlands, and rice paddies in Central and South America. Bobolinks breed throughout much of North America, from southern Canada to the northern United States to the Great Plains. They migrate south to winter in Central and South America, with some populations as far as Argentina.
Bobolinks are known for their melodious song, often described as a jumbled series of notes. Males sing to establish territories and attract mates during the breeding season. They travel and hop through tall grasses, probing for seeds, insects, and other small invertebrates with their sharp beaks. Bobolinks usually arrive at their breeding grounds in late spring or early summer. They nest on the ground, hidden in dense vegetation such as tall grasses or bushes. Females lay a clutch of 4-7 eggs, which are incubated for about two weeks.
Willow Flycatcher
Willow flycatchers are small birds with an olive-gray upperparts, yellowish underparts, and a white throat. They have a slight crest on the head and a long, slightly notched tail. They are similar in appearance to other Empidonax flycatchers, making them difficult to identify without close observation or vocalization. Willow flycatchers breed in a variety of wetland habitats, including marshes, swamps, riparian areas, and scrubby wetlands. They typically nest and forage in areas of dense vegetation such as willows, alders, and other shrubs.
Willow Flycatchers breed throughout much of North America, from southern Canada to northern Mexico. They migrate to Central and South America for the winter, with some populations traveling as far as Argentina. Some populations also inhabit parts of Mexico and Central America. Willow Flycatchers are primarily insectivorous, feeding on a variety of flying insects such as flies, beetles and moths. They often perch on tree branches or power lines, waiting for insects to fly by and then flying out to catch them in mid-air. They are known for their distinctive call, which is a descending "fitz-bew" or "whit-ip" sound.
Willow warblers usually arrive on breeding grounds in late spring and early summer. They build cup-shaped nests of grasses, plant fibers, and other materials, usually hidden in dense vegetation near water. Females lay a clutch of 3-4 eggs with an incubation period of about two weeks.
2. Medium-size Birds
Northern Parula
Northern Parulas are small songbirds with short, pointed bills and relatively short tails. Adult males have a striking blue-gray back, yellow throat and breast, and a white belly with a distinctive black stripe. They also have two white wing bars and a distinctive maroon band on the back. Females and juveniles are similar in appearance but are darker in color and have less distinctive markings.Northern Parulas prefer moist, dense forests, especially those dominated by deciduous trees such as oaks, maples, and birches. They frequent swampy areas, stream edges, and mature bottomland forests with dense bottomland shrubs and vines.
Northern Parulas breed primarily in eastern North America, from the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada southward to Florida and the Gulf Coast. Some populations also breed in parts of the Caribbean. During the winter, they migrate to Central and northern South America.Northern Parulas are active foragers, flying among leaves and branches in search of insects, spiders, and other arthropods. They may also feed on berries and nectar, especially during migration.Northern Parulas usually arrive on breeding grounds in late spring and early summer. They nest in dense vegetation, usually in the forks of tree branches or in moss or lichen thickets. Females lay a clutch of 3-7 eggs, which are incubated for about two weeks.
Purple Martin
Purple martins are the largest members of the North American swallow family. Adult males have glossy purple-blue feathers on their backs and heads, while females and juveniles have duller, usually grayish-brown feathers. They have long, pointed wings and a forked tail. Purple martins are highly dependent on human-made nest boxes for breeding and usually nest in groups. They prefer open habitats near water, including coastal areas, marshes, lakeshores and rivers, and are also common in urban and suburban areas where nest boxes are provided.
Purple martins breed throughout most of North America, from southern Canada to northern South America. They migrate to their breeding grounds in North America in the spring and summer and then migrate south to Central and South America for the winter. Purple martins are social birds, often nesting in large flocks, sometimes consisting of hundreds of pairs. They are known for their aerial acrobatics and can be seen swooping and diving in pursuit of flying insects, which are their main food source.
Purple martins usually arrive on their breeding grounds in North America in early spring. They nest in tree cavities, both natural tree cavities and specially designed nest boxes provided by humans. The male arrives first, establishes a territory, and attracts females through calls and courtship displays. Females lay a clutch of 4-6 eggs, which are incubated for about two weeks.
Horned Lark
Horned Larks are unique in appearance, with a small, slender body and a short, pointed bill. Their plumage is a light brownish gray with intricate black and white markings, which provides excellent camouflage in open habitats. The "horn" in their name comes from the small black feathers that stick out from the sides of their head during the breeding season and look like horns. Horned larks live primarily in open habitats such as grasslands, fields, prairies, and agricultural areas. They prefer areas with sparse vegetation and bare ground where they can forage for seeds, insects and small invertebrates.
Horned larks are widely distributed in North America, with breeding ranges from the Arctic tundra to the southern United States, and wintering grounds extending into Mexico. It is also found in parts of Europe and Asia. The horned lark is a ground-dwelling bird that forages for food primarily by walking and running on the ground, probing for food with its sharp bill. They are often found in small flocks, especially during the non-breeding season, and may form larger flocks during migration.
Eastern Whip-poor-will
The Eastern Whip-poor-will's plumage is cryptic and helps them blend into woodland habitats. They have mottled gray and brown feathers with intricate patterns that provide excellent camouflage against bark and fallen leaves. They have large eyes and a wide beak for catching flying insects. Eastern Whip-poor-wills inhabit a variety of forest habitats, including deciduous and mixed woodlands, open pine forests, and scrub. They prefer habitats with dense understory vegetation and leaf litter where they can roost and forage for insects.
Eastern Whip-poor-will jays breed throughout much of eastern North America, from the southeastern United States to southern Canada. In winter, some populations migrate to warmer areas of the southern United States and Mexico. Eastern Whip-poor-wills are nocturnal birds and are rarely seen during the day. They are known for their distinctive call, which is repeated in a rhythmic pattern that sounds like "whip-poor-will." Males use this call to establish territories and to attract mates during the breeding season.
Black-billed Cuckoo
The Black-billed Cuckoo is a medium-sized bird with a slender body, long tail and relatively short legs. Its plumage is grayish-brown overall, with a white belly and underside of the tail. As the name suggests, it has a black bill and red eyes. The species is usually inconspicuous and blends in well with the foliage of trees and shrubs. Black-billed cuckoos inhabit a variety of densely wooded habitats, including deciduous forests, mixed woods, and riparian areas with dense understory vegetation. They are most common in areas where caterpillars are in good supply, and caterpillars are a major food source for adults and juveniles.
During the breeding season, black-billed cuckoos are found throughout much of the eastern United States and parts of Canada, as well as in Mexico and Central America. They migrate to Central and South America for the winter, crossing the Gulf of Mexico during their migration. Black-billed cuckoos are known for their mysterious and elusive nature. Their distinctive call is similar to "ka-ka-kow-kow-kowlp-kowlp" and is often heard more than seen.
Blue-winged Warbler
The blue-winged warbler is a small songbird with a slender body, short tail and relatively long wings. Adult males have bright yellow plumage on the lower half of the body, a yellow-green back, and distinctive blue-gray wings with white wing bars. Females and juveniles have similar markings but are generally darker in color. Blue-winged warblers typically inhabit early successional habitats such as young forests, thickets, and forest edges. They prefer habitats with a mixture of open areas and dense vegetation where they can forage for insects and nests.
Blue-winged warblers breed primarily in eastern North America, from the Great Lakes to the northeastern United States and southern Canada. They also breed in parts of the southeastern United States. During the winter, they migrate to Central and northern South America. Blue-winged warblers are active foragers, flitting from leaf to leaf and branch to branch in search of insects, spiders, and other arthropods. They may also feed on berries and nectar, especially during migration. Males are known for their distinctive song, which consists of a series of buzzing notes followed by a high-pitched "squeak-squeak-squeak-squeak."
3. Large Birds
Red-headed Woodpecker
The Red-headed Woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker with a bold and colorful appearance. As the name suggests, they have a bright red head that contrasts with their all-black body and white wing patches. They also have a distinctive white patch on their wings that is clearly visible in flight. Red-headed woodpeckers inhabit a variety of open and semi-open habitats, including woodlands, orchards, parks and suburban areas. Red-headed woodpeckers usually inhabit areas with mature trees, dead wood and clearings where they can forage for insects and nests.
The red-headed woodpecker is native to North America and ranges from eastern Canada to parts of the United States, primarily east of the Rocky Mountains. The red-headed woodpecker is a year-round resident in most areas, but some populations migrate short distances depending on food availability and weather conditions. These woodpeckers are known for their acrobatic foraging behavior, which involves clinging to tree trunks and branches while probing for insects under the bark with their powerful bills. They also catch insects in flight and may feed on fruits, seeds and nuts. Red-headed woodpeckers also have a habit of storing food in tree crevices and cavities.
Northern Harrier
The Northern Harrier has a distinctive appearance with an elongated body, long wings and a long tail. Adult males are characterized by gray upperparts, white underparts and striking black wingtips. Adult females and juveniles have brown, striped plumage giving a mottled appearance and a distinctive facial disc resembling an owl.
Northern Harriers live in open habitats such as marshes, grasslands, farmland and coastal areas. They prefer less vegetated areas where they can prey on small mammals and birds. During the breeding season, northern harriers are found in North America, from northern Canada to the southern United States. They also breed in parts of Europe and Asia. In winter, some northern harrier populations migrate south to Central and South America.
Northern Harriers are often seen flying low over their habitat, gliding and searching for prey. They have keen eyesight and hearing and are able to spot small mammals, birds and insects in the grass. They are known for their distinctive hunting behavior of flying low over fields, marshes, and other open areas, usually in a slow, buoyant flight. The Northern Harrier's diet consists mainly of small mammals such as mice, voles and rabbits, as well as small birds, reptiles and insects. They hunt by flying low and listening to prey calls.
Connecticut's rich bird life encompasses more than 400 species, painting a beautiful picture of vibrant diversity. From the dappled appearance of the Rusty Blackbird to the melodious song of the Chickadee, every species finds its place in Connecticut's diverse habitats. Migratory wonders such as Northern Larks and Purple Martins grace Connecticut's skies, while elusive resident birds such as Horned Larks and Eastern Whip-poor-wills will fascinate observers. Even red-headed woodpeckers and northern harriers find solace in Connecticut's woodlands and open spaces. Together, they weave a tapestry of avian wonders that entices enthusiasts to explore and cherish Connecticut's natural treasures.
