Birds
Below are my birding life list, a list of my
favorite birding spots, and links to a few birding Web
sites.
Bird Life List
My life list stands at 368 species, based
on the American Ornithologists Union Check-List of North American
Birds, Seventh Edition.
Gaviiformes
Loons (Gaviidae)
Red-throated Loon (Gavia
stellata)
Pacific Loon (Gavia pacifica)
Common Loon
(Gavia immer)
Podicipediformes
Grebes (Podicipedidae)
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus
podiceps)
Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena)
Horned
Grebe (Podiceps auritus)
Western Grebe (Aechmophorus
occidentalis)
Pelecaniformes
Gannets (Sulidae)
Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus)
Pelicans (Pelecanidae)
American White Pelican (Pelecanus
erythrorhynchos)
Brown Pelican (Pelecanus
occidentalis)
Cormorants
(Phalacrocoracidae)
Brandt's Cormorant (Phalacrocorax
penicillatus)
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax
auritus)
Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
Pelagic
Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pelagicus)
Anhingas (Anhingidae)
Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga)
Ciconiiformes
Bitterns, Egrets, Herons
(Ardeidae)
Tricolored Heron (Egretta
tricolor)
Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea)
Great Blue
Heron (Ardea herodias)
Great Egret (Ardea alba)
Cattle
Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
Green Heron (Butorides
virescens)
Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax
nycticorax)
Ibises
(Threskiornithidae)
White Ibis (Eudocimus albus)
Glossy Ibis
(Plegadis falcinellus)
White-faced Ibis (Plegadis
chihi)
Wood Storks
(Ciconiidae)
Wood Stork (Mycteria americana)
Vultures
(Cathartidae)
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus)
Turkey
Vulture (Cathartes aura)
California Condor (Gymnogyps
californianus)
Anseriformes
Ducks and Geese (Anatidae)
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)
Tundra
Swan (Cygnus columbianus)
Snow Goose (Anser
caerulescens)
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)
Wood Duck
(Aix sponsa)
American Wigeon (Anas americana)
Gadwall
(Anas strepera)
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
American
Black Duck (Anas rubripes)
Northern Pintail (Anas
acuta)
Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors)
Northern Shoveler
(Anas clypeata)
Redhead (Aythya americana)
Ring-necked
Duck (Aythya collaris)
Lesser Scaup (Aythya
affinis)
Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus
histrionicus)
Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis)
Black
Scoter (Melanitta nigra)
Surf Scoter (Melanitta
perspicillata)
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala
clangula)
Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephala
islandica)
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)
Hooded
Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)
Red-breasted Merganser
(Mergus serrator)
Common Merganser (Mergus
merganser)
Falconiformes
Hawks and Eagles (Accipitridae)
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
Mississippi
Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis)
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus
leucocephalus)
Northern Harrier (Circus
cyaneus)
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)
Cooper's
Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)
Northern Goshawk (Accipiter
gentilis)
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo
lineatus)
Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo
platypterus)
Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)
Red-tailed
Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo
regalis)
Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus)
Golden Eagle
(Aquila chrysaetos)
Falcons (Falconidae)
American Kestrel (Falco
sparverius)
Merlin (Falco columbarius)
Prairie Falcon
(Falco mexicanus)
Peregrine Falcon (Falco
peregrinus)
Galliformes
Pheasants, Grouse, Turkeys
(Phasianidae)
Common Pheasant (Phasianus
colchicus)
Blue Grouse (Dendragapus
obscurus)
White-tailed Ptarmigan (Lagopus
leucurus)
Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus)
Wild Turkey
(Meleagris gallopavo)
Quail (Odontophoridae)
California Quail (Callipepla
californica)
Gambel's Quail (Callipepla
gambelii)
Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus)
Gruiformes
Rails (Rallidae)
Sora (Porzana carolina)
Common Moorhen
(Gallinula chloropus)
American Coot (Fulica
americana)
Cranes (Gruidae)
Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis)
Charadriiformes
Plovers (Charadriidae)
American Golden-Plover (Pluvialis
dominica)
Gray (Black-Bellied) Plover (Pluvialis
squatarola)
Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius
semipalmatus)
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)
Piping
Plover (Charadrius melodus)
Snowy Plover (Charadrius
alexandrinus)
Oystercatchers
(Haematopodidae)
American Oystercatcher (Haematopus
palliatus)
Stilts and Avocets
(Recurvirostridae)
Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus
mexicanus)
American Avocet (Recurvirostra
americana)
Sandpipers
(Scolopacidae)
American Woodcock (Scolopax minor)
Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)
Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)
Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus)
Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda)
Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa)
Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca)
Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes)
Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria)
Spotted Sandpiper (Tringa macularia)
Wandering Tattler (Tringa incana)
Willet (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus)
Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
Black Turnstone
(Arenaria melanocephala)
Surfbird (Aphriza virgata)
Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus)
Sanderling (Calidris alba)
Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri)
Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla)
Wilson's Phalarope (Steganopus tricolor)
Gulls and Terns (Laridae)
Heermann's Gull (Larus heermanni)
Mew
Gull (Larus canus)
Ring-billed Gull (Larus
delawarensis)
California Gull (Larus californicus)
Great
Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)
Glaucous-winged Gull (Larus
glaucescens)
Western Gull (Larus occidentalis)
Thayer's
Gull (Larus thayeri)
Herring Gull (Larus
argentatus)
Bonaparte's Gull (Larus
philadelphia)
Laughing Gull (Larus
atricilla)
Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa
tridactyla)
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger)
Gull-billed
Tern (Sterna nilotica)
Royal Tern (Sterna
maxima)
Sandwich Tern (Sterna sandvicensis)
Common Tern
(Sterna hirundo)
Forster's Tern (Sterna
forsteri)
Least Tern (Sterna antillarum)
Black Skimmer
(Rynchops niger)
Murres, Puffins, Guillemots
(Alcidae)
Common Murre (Uria aalge)
Razorbill
(Alca torda)
Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle)
Pigeon
Guillemot (Cepphus columba)
Rhinoceros Auklet (Cerorhinca
monocerata)
Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica)
Tufted
Puffin (Fratercula cirrhata)
Columbiformes
Doves (Columbidae)
Rock Dove (Columba livia)
Mourning Dove
(Zenaida macroura)
White-winged Dove (Zenaida
asiatica)
Inca Dove (Columbina inca)
Cuculiformes
Cuckoos (Cuculidae)
Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus
erythropthalmus)
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus
americanus)
Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx
californianus)
Strigiformes
Owls (Strigidae)
Great Horned Owl (Bubo
virginianus)
Barred Owl (Strix varia)
Caprimulgiformes
Nightjars (Caprimulgidae)
Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles
acutipennis)
Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles
minor)
Whip-poor-will (Caprimulgus vociferous)
Apodiformes
Swifts (Apodidae)
Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica)
Vaux's Swift (Chaetura vauxi)
White-throated Swift (Aeronautes saxatalis)
Hummingbirds (Trochilidae)
Broad-billed Hummingbird (Cynanthus
latirostris)
Berylline Hummingbird (Amazilia
beryllina)
Blue-throated Hummingbird (Lampornis
clemenciae)
Magnificent Hummingbird (Eugenes
fulgens)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus
colubris)
Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus
alexandri)
Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna)
Costa's
Hummingbird (Calypte costae)
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
(Selasphorus platycercus)
Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus
rufus)
Trogoniformes
Trogons (Trogonidae)
Elegant Trogon (Trogon elegans)
Coraciiformes
Kingfishers (Alcedinidae)
Belted Kingfisher (Ceryle
alcyon)
Piciformes
Woodpeckers (Picidae)
Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes
erythrocephalus)
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes
formicivorus)
Gila Woodpecker (Melanerpes
uropygialis)
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes
carolinus)
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus
varius)
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides
pubescens)
Strickland's Woodpecker (Picoides
stricklandi)
Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides
villosus)
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)
Gilded
Flicker (Colaptes chrysoides)
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus
pileatus)
Passeriformes
Tyrant Flycatchers (Tyrannidae)
Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus
cooperi)
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus
virens)
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Empidonax
flaviventris)
Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax
virescens)
Alder Flycatcher (Empidonax alnorum)
Willow
Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii)
Least Flycatcher (Empidonax
minimus)
Gray Flycatcher (Empidonax wrightii)
Cordilleran
Flycatcher (Empidonax occidentalis)
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis
phoebe)
Say's Phoebe (Sayornis saya)
Black Phoebe
(Sayornis nigricans)
Dusky-capped Flycatcher (Myiarchus
tuberculifer)
Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus
cinerascens)
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus
crinitus)
Cassin's Kingbird (Tyrannus vociferans)
Western
Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis)
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
(Tyrannus forficatus)
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus
tyrannus)
Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher (Myiodynastes
luteiventris)
Shrikes
(Laniidae)
Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius
ludovicianus)
Vireos (Vireonidae)
Bell's Vireo (Vireo bellii)
White-eyed
Vireo (Vireo griseus)
Gray Vireo (Vireo
vicinior)
Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius)
Plumbeous
Vireo (Vireo plumbeus)
Yellow-throated Vireo (Vireo
flavifrons)
Philadelphia Vireo (Vireo
philadelphicus)
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)
Warbling
Vireo (Vireo gilvus)
Jays, Crows, Ravens (Corvidae)
Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus
cyanocephalus)
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)
Steller's
Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri)
Florida Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma
coerulescens)
Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma
californica)
Mexican Jay (Aphelocoma ultramarina)
Gray
Jay (Perisoreus canadensis)
Black-billed Magpie (Pica
pica)
Clark's Nutcracker (Nucifraga
columbiana)
Northwestern Crow (Corvus caurinus)
American
Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)
Fish Crow (Corvus
ossifragus)
Chihuahuan Raven (Corvus cryptoleucus)
Common
Raven (Corvus corax)
Larks (Alaudidae)
Horned Lark (Eremophila
alpestris)
Swallows (Hirundinidae)
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta
bicolor)
Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta
thalassina)
Purple Martin (Progne subis)
Northern
Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis)
Sand Martin
(Bank Swallow) (Riparia riparia)
Barn Swallow (Hirundo
rustica)
Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)
Chickadees (Paridae)
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile
carolinensis)
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile
atricapillus)
Mountain Chickadee (Poecile
gambeli)
Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile
rufescens)
Bridled Titmouse (Baeolophus
wollweberi)
Juniper Titmouse (Baeolophus ridgwayi)
Tufted
Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)
Verdins (Remizidae)
Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps)
Nuthatches (Sittidae)
Pygmy Nuthatch (Sitta
pygmaea)
Brown-headed Nuthatch (Sitta
pusilla)
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta
canadensis)
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta
carolinensis)
Creepers (Certhiidae)
Brown Creeper (Certhia americana)
Wrens (Troglodytidae)
Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus
brunneicapillus)
Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus)
Canyon
Wren (Catherpes mexicanus)
Sedge Wren (Cistothorus
platensis)
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus
ludovicianus)
Winter Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)
House
Wren (Troglodytes aedon)
Dippers (Cinclidae)
American Dipper (Cinclus
mexicanus)
Kinglets (Regulidae)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus
calendula)
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus
satrapa)
Old World Warblers (Sylviidae)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila
caerulea)
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher (Polioptila
melanura)
Thrushes (Turdidae)
Varied Thrush (Zoothera naevia)
Eastern
Bluebird (Sialia sialis)
Western Bluebird (Sialia
mexicana)
Mountain Bluebird (Sialia
currucoides)
Townsend's Solitaire (Myadestes
townsendi)
Veery (Catharus fuscescens)
Swainson's Thrush
(Catharus ustulatus)
Hermit Thrush (Catharus
guttatus)
Wood Thrush (Catharus mustelinus)
American
Robin (Turdus migratorius)
Mimics (Mimidae)
Gray Catbird (Dumetella
carolinensis)
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus
polyglottos)
Sage Thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus)
Brown
Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum)
Curve-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma
curvirostre)
Starlings (Sturnidae)
Common Starling (Sturnus
vulgaris)
Pipits and Wagtails
(Motacillidae)
Water Pipit (Anthus spinoletta)
Waxwings (Bombycillidae)
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla
cedrorum)
Silky-Flycathers (Ptilogonatidae)
Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens)
New World Warblers (Parulidae)
Tennessee Warbler (Vermivora
peregrina)
Orange-crowned Warbler (Vermivora
celata)
Virginia's Warbler (Vermivora virginiae)
Northern
Parula (Parula americana)
Yellow Warbler (Dendroica
petechia)
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Dendroica
pensylvanica)
Magnolia Warbler (Dendroica magnolia)
Cape
May Warbler (Dendroica tigrina)
Black-throated Blue Warbler
(Dendroica caerulescens)
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dendroica
coronata)
Black-throated Gray Warbler (Dendroica
nigrescens)
Townsend's Warbler (Dendroica
townsendi)
Black-throated Green Warbler (Dendroica
virens)
Blackburnian Warbler (Dendroica
fusca)
Yellow-throated Warbler (Dendroica
dominica)
Grace's Warbler (Dendroica graciae)
Pine
Warbler (Dendroica pinus)
Prairie Warbler (Dendroica
discolor)
Palm Warbler (Dendroica palmarum)
Bay-breasted
Warbler (Dendroica castanea)
Blackpoll Warbler (Dendroica
striata)
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta
varia)
American Redstart (Setophaga
ruticilla)
Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria
citrea)
Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapillus)
Northern
Waterthrush (Seiurus noveboracensis)
Louisiana Waterthrush
(Seiurus motacilla)
MacGillivray's Warbler (Oporornis
tolmiei)
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)
Hooded
Warbler (Wilsonia citrina)
Wilson's Warbler (Wilsonia
pusilla)
Red-faced Warbler (Cardellina
rubrifrons)
Painted Redstart (Myioborus pictus)
Tanagers (Thraupidae)
Hepatic Tanager (Piranga flava)
Summer
Tanager (Piranga rubra)
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga
olivacea)
Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana)
Sparrows and Towhees
(Emberizidae)
McCown's Longspur (Calcarius
mccownii)
Lark Bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys)
Fox
Sparrow (Passerella iliaca)
Song Sparrow (Melospiza
melodia)
Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii)
Swamp
Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana)
White-throated Sparrow
(Zonotrichia albicollis)
White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia
leucophrys)
Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia
atricapilla)
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)
Savannah
Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)
American Tree Sparrow
(Spizella arborea)
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella
passerina)
Brewer's Sparrow (Spizella breweri)
Field
Sparrow (Spizella pusilla)
Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes
gramineus)
Lark Sparrow (Chondestes
grammacus)
Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza
bilineata)
Sage Sparrow (Amphispiza belli)
Green-tailed
Towhee (Pipilo chlorurus)
Eastern Towhee (Pipilo
erythrophthalmus)
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo
maculatus)
California Towhee (Pipilo crissalis)
Canyon
Towhee (Pipilo fuscus)
Cardinals and Grosbeaks
(Cardinalidae)
Dickcissel (Spiza
americana)
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus
ludovicianus)
Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus
melanocephalus)
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis
cardinalis)
Blue Grosbeak (Guiraca caerulea)
Indigo
Bunting (Passerina cyanea)
Painted Bunting (Passerina
ciris)
Blackbirds and Orioles
(Icteridae)
Hooded Oriole (Icterus
cucullatus)
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)
Bullock's
Oriole (Icterus bullockii)
Orchard Oriole (Icterus
spurius)
Scott's Oriole (Icterus parisorum)
Yellow-headed
Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus)
Red-winged Blackbird
(Agelaius phoeniceus)
Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella
magna)
Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta)
Common
Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)
Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus
major)
Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus
mexicanus)
Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus
cyanocephalus)
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus
ater)
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)
Finches (Fringillidae)
Pine Siskin (Carduelis pinus)
American
Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis)
Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis
psaltria)
Brown-capped Rosy-Finch (Leucosticte
australis)
Purple Finch (Carpodacus purpureus)
Cassin's
Finch (Carpodacus cassinii)
House Finch (Carpodacus
mexicanus)
Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator)
Red
Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra)
Evening Grosbeak
(Coccothraustes vespertinus)
Weaver Finches
(Passeridae)
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
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Favorite Birding Locations
Arizona
Arizona-Sonora
Desert Museum
Grand Canyon
National Park
Madera
Canyon, Coronado National Forest
Patagonia-Sonoita
Preserve
Ramsey Canyon
Preserve
Sabino
Canyon, Coronado National Forest
Saguaro National
Park
California
Bolinas
Lagoon
Cabrillo National
Monument
Golden Gate National
Recreation Area
Golden Gate Park
Point Reyes National
Seashore
Colorado
Arapaho National
Wildlife Refuge
Mesa Verde National
Park
Pawnee National
Grassland
Rocky Mountain
National Park
Roxborough
State Park
Iowa
Big Marsh Wildlife Area
DeSoto
Bend National Wildlife Refuge
Dewey's Pasture State Wildlife
Preserve
Dolliver
State Park
Hartman
Reserve Nature Center
Hayden Prairie
State Preserve
Kalsow Prairie
State Preserve
Little Wall
Lake
Ottosen Potholes Preserve
Sweet Marsh Wildlife Area
Woodman Hollow
State Preserve
Yellow River State
Forest
Minnesota
Nerstrand-Big
Woods State Park
Rice
Lake State Park
North
Carolina
Blue Ridge Parkway
Cape Hatteras
National Seashore
Hemlock Bluffs Nature
Preserve
Fort
Fisher State Recreation Area
Lake
Jordan State Recreation Area
Jones
Lake State Park
Mackay
Island National Wildlife Refuge
Mattamuskeet
National Wildlife Refuge
Nantahala
National Forest
Pea Island
National Wildlife Refuge
Pocosin
Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
Umstead
State Park
Weymouth
Woods State Park
Yates
Mill Pond County Park
Nova Scotia
Bird Islands (near Big Bra D'Or, Cape Breton Island)
Cape Breton
Highlands National Park
Oklahoma
Tallgrass
Prairie Preserve
Salt
Plains National Wildlife Refuge
South Carolina
Huntington
Beach State Park
Magnolia
Gardens and Plantation
Utah
Arches National
Park
Bryce Canyon
National Park
Canyonlands National
Park
Zion National
Park
Virginia
Seaside First Landing
State Park
Washington
Cape
Flattery
Olympic National
Park
Wyoming
Grand Teton National
Park
Yellowstone
National Park
Return to top
Birding Web links
American
Ornithologists Union
Cornell Lab of
Ornithology
Patuxent
Wildlife Research Center (includes Breeding Bird
Survey data)
Southeastern Arizona Bird
Observatory
Triangle (North
Carolina) Birder's Guide (includes local weekly
checklist)
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Last updated October 19, 2007
The material located at this site is not endorsed, sponsored or provided
by or on behalf of North Carolina State University.
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