# ThingsDescriptions

Description:
Gray facial skin	Border to bare facial skin still present but dull gray	Gray-green legs	Head, neck, back and belly a duller gray-brown without iridescence	Head and neck streaked with white


Description:
Dull gray brown head, neck, back and belly sometimes with white streaking	Facial skin dull blue-gray, develops dull gray border during first autumn	Gray-green legs


Description:
Medium-sized long-legged long-necked wader	Chestnut head and neck	Dark body glossy green or purple	Long, downcurved brownish-olive bill	Gray-green legs with red joints	Dark brown eye	Holds neck extended in flight	Sexes similar


Description:
Locally common in freshwater and saltwater marshes and estuaries. Often feeds by probing bill in crayfish holes. Expanding range northward. May wander far from normal range. Flies with rapid, ducklike wingbeats, holding neck and legs extended and slightly drooped.


Description:
Red eye	Bare facial skin ringed entirely with a white band of feathering that remains of even width throughout	Bare facial skin at lores is bright red	Red legs	Head, neck, back and belly an iridescent purple-red, appearing dark or black at a distance or in poor light	Wings and tail iridescent green


Description:
Red eye	Bare facial skin is grayish, and not bordered by white	Gray-green legs	Head, neck, back and belly a duller gray-brown without iridescence	Head and neck streaked with white


Description:
Dull blue-gray facial skin	Eye becomes red during first fall, but may be difficult to observe	Gray-green legs	Dull gray brown head and neck sometimes with white streaking	Dull gray brown back and belly


Description:
Medium-sized long-legged long-necked wader	Chestnut head and neck	Dark body glossy green or purple	Long, downcurved reddish bill	Red legs	Holds neck extended in flight	Sexes similar


Description:
Fairly common in freshwater marshes, ponds, flooded pastures, wetlands, grassy fields. May also frequent brackish areas. Occasionally seen in dry fields.


Description:
Red eyes	Bill grayish with dark mottling	Head greenish and unfeathered with black nape band	White neck and back	Pink back and wings	Legs red, feet dark


Description:
Yellow eyes	Bill yellowish	White or very pale pink body plumage	White feathered head


Description:
Pink body with red highlights	Long, spoon-shaped bill	White neck	Head greenish (buffy in breeding season), no feathers	Large, long-legged wader with a long neck	Holds neck extended in flight	Sexes similar


Description:
Locally common in marshes, tidal ponds, sloughs and mangrove swamps along the Gulf Coast. May feed in shallow  brackish or salt water and occasionally fresh water by swinging their unusual bills in long arcs from side to side. Feeds alone or in small groups. Frequently seen in company of other wading birds.


Description:
Dark bill	Dark legs	Rich buff head, neck, chest and belly	Black back with chestnut edging to feathers	White flank stripe	White rump and undertail coverts	Dark tail	Wings dark with chestnut upperwing coverts visible in flight


Description:
Like adult, but duller with less contrast between back and rump


Description:
Dark back and wings with buffy edging	Buffy head	Dark bill	White rump band seen in flight	Large, long-legged, long-necked duck	Sexes similar


Description:
Broad, open freshwater marshes, rice fields, flooded agricultural land, cultivated fields. More active at night than day.  Favors waters with rich shoreline vegetation and floating water lilies. Often difficult to see as it congregates in dense bulrushes or far out in marshes. Highly social. Wanders widely. Seldom perches in trees, even though it was previously known as Fulvous Tree Duck.


Description:
Bright red bill with pale tip	Pink legs	Gray face and upper neck with white eye ring	Chestnut cap, nape, lower neck, chest and back	Black belly	White secondary coverts and white bases to the black primaries and secondaries creates a long wing stripe in flight and a visible pale patch at rest	Leading edge of wing chestnut like body


Description:
Dark gray bill	Dark gray legs	Paler brown body plumage	Gray belly


Description:
Bright red bill	Black belly, rump and tail	Gray head with white eye ring	Chestnut back, chest	Large, long-legged, long-necked duck	Sexes similar


Description:
Woodland streams, tree-lined ponds, marshes, swamps and along banks of rivers. Perches in trees. Flies to woods when disturbed. Roosts in low tree branches above water. Seldom seen on deep water. In flight, flock utters a constant whistle. Walks in a more erect stance than Fulvous Whistling-Duck. Often forages in grassy pastures or in corn or rice fields. Highly gregarious.


Description:
Orange bill with black base, lores and knob above bill	Black legs and feet	Entirely white plumage	Fluffy back feathers	Female has smaller bill knob	Sexes similar


Description:
White body, wings, neck, head	Bill orange or pink with black knob at base	Immature: brownish-white overall, bill gray	Large, long-necked waterbird with short legs and a short duck-like bill	Long neck held in distinctive "S" curve at rest


Description:
Eurasian species introduced into North America in the mid-19th century. Often seen in parks, ponds, rivers, reservoirs, coastal bays. May move to open saltwater in winter.  Holds neck in graceful curve when swimming, often with wings arched over back. In many areas,  Mute Swans are semi-domesticated. Wild populations on the east coast seem to be growing.


Description:
Breeds north of Arctic Circle in Eurasia on tundra lakes and marshes. When swimming, holds neck stiffly erect, not bent. Recorded in western and central Aleutian Islands of Alaska. A few records from California. Found on shallow freshwater ponds and lakes, sheltered brackish water and salt water.


Description:
Black bill	Culmen straight	Black of bill extends up to eye but does not encircle it	V shaped demarcation on forehead between black bill and white feathering	Black legs and feet	Entirely white plumage	Sexes similar


Description:
We are still arguing about this section! Check back later.	Body grayer than adult


Description:
White body, wings, neck,  head	Black bill	Black facial skin touches more of eye than in Tundra Swan	Large, long-necked waterbird with short legs and a short duck-like bill	Long neck held straight up with a kink at base


Description:
Locally common in quiet lakes and marshes, especially at Yellowstone National Park and Red Rock Lakes NWR. In winter, along Pacific coast.  Prefers shallow waters that allow for foraging on aquatic plants. Much larger than Tundra Swan. Has been reintroduced at a number of former breeding areas.


Description:
Black bill with variably-sized yellow spot at base	Culmen somewhat concave	Black of bill extends up to eye but does not encircle it	Straight demarcation on forehead between black bill and white feathering	Black legs and feet	Entirely white plumage	Sexes similar


Description:
White body, wings, neck,  head	Black bill is slightly concave	Yellow spot in front of eye	Large, long-necked waterbird with short legs and a short duck-like bill	Long neck held straight up with a kink at base


Description:
Arctic tundra in summer. In winter, coastal wetlands, shallow ponds, and estuaries as well as lakes and large reservoirs in the interior of North America. Most common swan. Associates in winter with Canada Geese. Flies in V-shaped wedge at altitudes of 6,000 - 8,000 feet. Migrates along both coasts.


Description:
Gray head, chin, and side of neck	Red throat and striped nape	White chest and belly	Dark back


Description:
Gray cap, forehead, nape, and back	White chin, throat, face, and belly	Gray nape not contrasting with white throat	Dark back speckled strongly with white


Description:
Dark red throat	Gray face and sides of neck	Black vertical stripes on white hindneck	Brownish-black back	Large diving bird with long body that rides low in the water	Dark thin bill is angled upwards at tip and is held above the horizontal	Feet set far back on body, and trail behind body in flight	Upperwings wholly dark in flight	Sexes similar	Immature like nonbreeding-plumaged adult, but with less well-defined face pattern


Description:
Breeds on Arctic tundra lakes.  Migrates along both coasts and is found in many types of marine habitats. Often found along coastal shorelines with shallow  water and in enclosed bays. Usually 1-2 seen at a time, often flying high overhead with rapid wingbeats, 1-2 miles offshore. Occasionally concentrates in larger groups of up to 175 at favorite feeding spots (e.g. off Cape May, NJ).


Description:
Breeds at edge of Arctic tundra and tiaga lakes in Cape of Wales region of Alaska. Most birds winter in Eurasia. A few migrate along Pacific coast. Prefers deeper waters and exposed ocean coastlines. Winters on salt water along Pacific coast. Forages in turbulent channels. Difficult to distinguish from abundant Pacific Loon in winter.


Description:
Dark bill	Gray crown and nape	Black chin, dark purple throat, and sides of neck striped black and white	White chest and belly	Black back with white checkering and spotting


Description:
Dark bill	Gray-brown cap, forehead, nape, and back	White chin, throat, and belly	Dark nape strongly contrasts with white throat	Sometimes has chin strap


Description:
Pale gray head and nape	Throat iridescent purple (can also appear black or green)	Back is checkered black and white	Winter: Sharp border between white and dark on neck	Large diving bird with long body that rides low in the water	Large bill is straight at tip and is held horizontally	Feet set far back on body, and trail behind body in flight	Upperwings wholly dark in flight	Sexes similar	Immature like nonbreeding-plumaged adult


Description:
Breeds at edge of Arctic tundra and taiga lakes of Alaska and Canada. Migrates along Pacific coast, in much larger flocks than other loons. Over 70,000 reported flying by in one day off Pigeon Point, California. Prefers deeper waters and exposed ocean coastlines. Winters on salt water along Pacific coast. Forages in turbulent channels. Usually silent in winter.


Description:
Black bill	Black head	Black neck with white markings	White chest and belly	Black back with white checkering and spotting


Description:
Pale gray bill	Gray-brown cap, forehead, nape, hindneck and back	White face, eye ring, chin, throat, foreneck and belly	Jagged border between white foreneck and dark hindneck


Description:
Like nonbreeding-plumaged adult but often with paler bill and white scalloping on back


Description:
Black head and bill	White neck ring with vertical black bars	Back checkered black and white	Winter: Irregular border on neck between white and dark areas	White triangular indentation on neck	Large diving bird with long body that rides low in the water	Large bill is straight, tapers to a point, and is held horizontally	Feet set far back on body, and trail behind body in flight	Upperwings wholly dark in flight	Sexes similar


Description:
Breeds at edge of northern lakes, preferring lakes with many small wooded islands, undisturbed by humans. This widespread loon prefers large lakes, protected bays, estuaries. Water must be deep enough for Common Loon to dive and elude its enemies. Migrates singly or in small groups, usually by day. Migration route is overland as well as along both coasts. Winters mainly on coastal waters and Gulf of Mexico, but occasionally on Great Lakes. Sleeps on the water. Must run across water to become airborne. Ponds that freeze quickly may trap bird in winter.


Description:
Yellow bill	Black head	Black neck with white markings	White chest and belly	Black back with white checkering and spotting


Description:
Pale bill	Gray-brown cap, forehead, nape, hindneck, and back	White face, eye ring, chin, throat, foreneck, and belly	Dark auricular spot


Description:
Pale yellow bill in breeding plumage	Black head and neck	White neck ring with black vertical bars	Back checkered with black and white	Large diving bird with long body that rides low in the water	Large bill is beveled upwards at tip and is held slightly above horizontal	Feet set far back on body, and trail behind body in flight	Upperwings wholly dark in flight	Sexes similar	Immature like nonbreeding-plumaged adult


Description:
Breeds on freshwater Arctic tundra lakes, slow-moving rivers and shallow ponds above the treeline.  Replaces the Common Loon in the high Arctic. Migrates along coast and around Alaska peninsula. Overland migration to eastern side of Great Slave Lake. Winters along Pacific coast from Alaska to British Columbia. Recent increase in records of wintering birds well inland on large lakes and manmade reservoirs. Largest of the loons, usually seen foraging alone in shallow, protected waters. Call louder and harsher than Common Loon.


Description:
Black ring around horn-colored bill	Whitish throat


Description:
Horn-colored bill without black ring	Brown throat


Description:
Small, stocky-bodied grebe with a short, thick bill	Black ring around stubby white bill	Black chin and throat	Brown plumage, darker on the crown and back	White undertail coverts	Feet set far back on body and trail awkwardly behind body in flight	Sexes similar


Description:
Common bird found on ponds, marshes and sluggish streams. Rare on salt water. Nests on marshy ponds with nest attached to reeds in shallow water. Often seen diving by taking a short leap forward. Solitary most of the year although flocks of 20,000 have been seen at the Salton Sea in California in November. On northern breeding grounds it is often the first grebe to arrive in the spring and the last to leave in the fall.


Description:
Black crown, nape, chin, and back	Dark bill


Description:
Small, stocky-bodied grebe with a short, thin bill	Dark gray head and neck	Golden-yellow eyes and thin, dark bill	Blackish crown, throat and back	White fluffy feathers on rump	White undertail coverts	Feet set far back on body and trail awkwardly behind body in flight	Sexes similar


Description:
Temporary or permanent bodies of fresh and brackish water. Many suitable habitats including small tree-lined ponds and ditches (especially in south Texas), lakes, and slow-moving parts of rivers and mangroves. Just as likely to be found on water with almost no vegetation as in openings in marshes. Non-migratory. This small, inconspicuous bird may be hard to find. Often spends time in thick vegetation near shores of ponds, sloughs and ditches. Seldom flies.


Description:
Black cap	Reddish neck	Pale gray face	Blackish hindneck and back	Whitish flanks and belly


Description:
Dark cap, hindneck and back	Dark gray face and foreneck, white crescent on cheek	Finger of white extending upwards at the rear of the head	Whitish flanks and belly


Description:
Black and white striping on head and upper neck


Description:
Like adult nonbreeding, but face pattern less distinct


Description:
A large, long-necked grebe with a long bill	Reddish foreneck	White chin and cheek	Black cap and back	Long, tapered bill	Bill yellow at the base (most evident on breeding adults)	White secondaries and leading edge of wing	Feet set far back on body	Sexes similar


Description:
Breeds in watery marshes and shallow marshy lakes and ponds. This large grebe is shy around the nest. It often spends much of the day sleeping. Dives below surface to feed on or near the bottom. Migrates individually or in small groups. Spends winter along both Pacific and Atlantic coasts. Prefers ocean, just beyond breakers. Usually alone. Silent in winter.


Description:
Head black with a golden stripe of feathers extending from eye to back of head	Reddish neck and flanks	Dark back	White belly


Description:
Black cap, hindneck, and back	White face, foreneck, flanks, and belly


Description:
Golden ear tufts (look like horns)	Chestnut foreneck	Black back	Small, stocky-bodied grebe with a short black bill, often with a pale tip	Blocky head, with a peak at the rearmost portion of the head	Feet set far back on body and trail awkwardly behind body in flight	White secondaries visible in flight	Sexes similar


Description:
Breeds on sheltered freshwater lakes, small ponds or sloughs. Prefers water 5-25 feet deep. When diving for food, it often stays submerged for 1-3 minutes and may cover 400 feet in one dive. Dives with a quick, graceful movement. Less gregarious than most other grebes. Migrates alone or in very small flocks. Winters spent along Pacific and Atlantic coast in salt water and nearby lakes, rarely inland.


Description:
Black head with a golden ray of feathers radiating from behind eye	Black neck and back	Reddish flanks


Description:
Slate-gray head, face, hindneck and back	White chin contrasts with dark face and dusky foreneck	Whitish flanks and belly


Description:
Golden ear tufts fan out behind eye	Black neck	Winter: dusky throat, dark cheek	Whitish chin extends up behind eye	Small, stocky-bodied grebe with short, thin bill with lower mandible beveled upwards at the tip	Black bill with no pale tip	Feet set far back on body and trail awkwardly behind body in flight	Head triangular, with a peak towards the center of the head	White secondaries visible in flight	Sexes similar


Description:
Breeds in large colonies on marshy, freshwater lakes. Very vocal with elaborate courtship displays. Often found together in large flocks in all seasons. Migrates at night . Large concentrations found in migration at Mono Lake in California. Some birds may remain at large inland lakes. Winters along Pacific coast or Gulf of Mexico where it prefers coastal lakes, open bays and the ocean.


Description:
Black cap extends down below eyes	Long neck, white on front, black on back	Long, thin yellowish-green bill	A large, long-necked grebe with a long greenish-yellow bill	Red eye	Black crown, face, and nape	Dark blackish-brown back and wings	White chin, throat, and belly	White secondaries	Feet set far back on body	Sexes similar


Description:
Breeds on large, freshwater lakes and marshes with extensive areas of open water bordered by emergent vegetation. Their spectacular courtship display is known as "rushing". The male and female move rapidly across the water, side by side, kicking their feet so rapidly that their bodies are almost completely out of the water. Migrates at night in flocks. Rarely seen in flight. This largest of the grebes winters on salt water or brackish bays, estuaries or sheltered sea coasts. May also be found on large inland bodies of water.


Description:
Black cap does not reach eyes	Long neck, white on front, black on back	A large, long-necked grebe with a long thin yellow-orange bill	Red eye	Black crown and nape	White chin, throat, face, and belly	Dark blackish-brown back and wings	White secondaries	Feet set far back on body	Sexes similar


Description:
Breeds on large, freshwater lakes and marshes with extensive areas of open water bordered by emergent vegetation. Their spectacular courtship display is known as "rushing". The male and female move rapidly across the water, side by side, kicking their feet so rapidly that their bodies are almost completely out of the water. Tends to forage farther from shore, and in deeper water than Western Grebe.  Uses springing dives more frequently than Western Grebe. Winters on salt water or brackish bays, estuaries or sheltered sea coasts. May also be found on large inland bodies of water.


Description:
47 inches  W 120 inches (119 cm  W 305 cm)


Description:
Pelagic. Found in the open oceans of the southern hemisphere. Glides on stiff outstretched wings, seldom flapping at all in heavy winds. When following ships, it coasts along side or crisscrosses the ship's wake. First North American record was July 7, 1967 north of San Francisco.


Description:
Large seafaring bird with extremely long wings	White head, body, undertail coverts, and rump	Upperwings and back dark	Black and white patterning on underwings	Bill and feet pinkish	Sexes similar


Description:
Pelagic. Seen regularly in Gulf of Alaska and Aleutian islands in the Bering Sea in summer. In California, found in deeper water well offshore, primarily  from late October to February.  Glides on stiff outstretched wings. Relatively small albatross found in open Pacific Ocean in Northern Hemisphere. Most abundant albatross within this range. Nests on sandy, grassy areas on low atolls next to shrubs.


Description:
White at base of bill	Sometimes has white on belly


Description:
Like adult but less white on bill and belly


Description:
Large seafaring bird with extremely long wings	Dark overall	White area around bill	Dark gray bill, head, body, wings, and legs	Undertail coverts and underside of flight feathers somewhat pale	Sexes similar


Description:
Pelagic. Only albatross seen regularly off the Pacific coast. Most numerous June-August off California coast. Pelagic, seldom seen from shore. Often follows ships for several hours. Glides on stiff outstretched wings, seldom flapping at all in heavy winds. Found in open Pacific Ocean in northern hemisphere. Prefers sandy habitat for nesting. Breeds on leeward Hawaiian Islands and atolls.


Description:
Pelagic. Formerly common, now extremely rare off the west coast. Almost wiped out by Japanese plume hunters between 1887 and 1903. Breeds only on the Japanese island of Torishima. Largest and rarest albatross in the north Pacific. Glides on stiff outstretched wings, seldom flapping at all in heavy winds. Found in open Pacific Ocean in northern hemisphere.


Description:
Pelagic. Accidental off the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. This small, slender albatross glides and banks like a shearwater. Found in the Southern Hemisphere in Atlantic and Indian Oceans.


Description:
Pelagic. One recorded from Washington state. Found in Southern Hemisphere, primarily in Indian Ocean and around the southern tip of Africa. Nests near New Zealand. Glides on stiff outstretched wings, seldom flapping at all in heavy winds.


Description:
Pelagic. Most abundant of the Southern Hemisphere albatrosses. Fearless, will closely follow ships. Recorded in North Atlantic off Norway and Great Britain. Accidental off New England and Maritimes in summer. This chunky albatross glides with stiff, outstretched wings.


Description:
Large shearwater	Thick yellow bill with tube on top	Rapid wingbeats	Glides on stiff wings	Thick neck and head	Uniform overall in color (dark in Pacific, light in Atlantic)	Rounded forehead	Sexes similar	Stocky pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed	Light morph: White head and underparts; Gray back, upperwings, rump, and tail; White "flash" in primaries visible from above; Mostly white underwings	Gray morph: Gray head, body, wings, and tail; Paler underside of flight feathers and upper side of primaries	Intermediate morph also occurs


Description:
Pelagic. Usually seen on high seas beyond the range of most gulls. Usually flies very fast in long arcs up and down over waves. Rather flat, stiff-winged appearance. They gather in large flocks near fishing boats. Seldom dive for food. Common and increasing on both coasts. Nests on rocky cliffs.


Description:
Black cap	White forehead and white collar	White band at base of tail	Dark bill with tube on top	Long wings and tail	White underwing with dark border and dark bar across coverts	In flight, flaps with long glides	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed


Description:
Pelagic. Nests in burrows 1500 feet above sea level, primarily on Hispaniola. Graceful, alternating with rapid wingbeats and long glides on tilted wings. Usually seen May through September in the Gulf Stream off North Carolina. Very rare outside the Gulf Stream. May be found inland after hurricanes.


Description:
Pelagic. Nests on Bermuda Islands. There are four North American records, all off the Carolina coast from late spring and summer. Also known as Cahow. This bird is critically endangered.


Description:
Short dark bill with tube on top	Dark eye patch	Gray belly and upperparts	Upperparts sometimes mottled with white	Whitish throat and breast	White underwing with dark bar across coverts	Rapid flight	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed	Sexes similar


Description:
Pelagic. Found in northeast Pacific almost exclusively over mid-ocean waters. Flight pattern is rapid, bounding. Much steeper ascent and descent than a shearwater. Does not follow ships. Silent at sea.


Description:
15-16 inches W 38 inches (38-41 cm W 97 cm)


Description:
Pelagic. Occurs in central south Pacific Ocean. Seen annually far offshore, along the Pacific coast in April and early May. Does not follow ships.


Description:
Pelagic. Widespread in the Pacific Ocean, this bird also occurs in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. There have been over a dozen sightings in the Gulf Stream off North Carolina, usually in late May and late July-August.


Description:
Pelagic. Found in north Atlantic Ocean. There have been over a dozen sightings off North Carolina in the past decade. Most sightings occur in late May and early June. There have also been sightings off Georgia and Virginia. This species was  split from Soft-plumaged Petrel (P. mollis) and is almost impossible to differentiate in the field.


Description:
Pelagic. Found in eastern Pacific Ocean. Two sightings from California and one from Oregon. Nests in the Galapagos Islands.


Description:
Pelagic.  Breeds from October to April on islands off New Zealand, ranges over most of north and central Pacific Ocean. Winters in the middle of the North Pacific south of Alaska. Almost all records for the lower 48 are from California, south of Point Reyes, more tham 60 miles out to sea. Usually sighted April to November.


Description:
Pelagic. Accidental off coast of California. Breeds on islands off the coast of Chile. Some believe Stejneger's Petrel may occur very far offshore of western US more often than current records would indicate. Few pelagic birding trips venture out far enough to reach this bird's range.


Description:
Pelagic. Primarily occurs in northwest Pacific Ocean. There have been a few sightings off the California coast in the fall. Gregarious. Flight languid with loose, rather angled wings.


Description:
Grayish-brown upperparts	White underparts	Yellowish bill with dark tip	Flight: deep, slow wingbeats	Large shearwater	Yellow bill with tube on top	White underparts	Brownish upperparts	Slow wingbeats	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed


Description:
Pelagic. Breeds in eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean. Seen off east coast in the summer and fall. Abundant in late summer and fall off Long Island, NY. Occasionally seen in the Gulf of Mexico. This long-winged shearwater's flight is buoyant, albatrosslike, with slow wingbeats.


Description:
White throat and belly	Pink feet and pink bill with dark tip	Grayish-brown upperparts	White wing linings and underparts mottled dark brown on edges	Large shearwater	White belly with dark chest and undertail coverts	Upperwings dark and paler on the inner wings	Slow wingbeats	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed


Description:
Pelagic. Nests on islands off the coast of Chile. Common from late spring through the fall off the Pacific coast of North America, from Baja California to Oregon. Rarely to southeast Alaska. Frequently seen traveling with large flocks of Sooty Shearwater.


Description:
19.5 inches (50 cm) W 43 inches (109 cm)


Description:
Pinkish bill with tube on top	Flesh-colored feet	Dark overall with pale flight feathers	Legs and base of bill a pale flesh color	Dark wing linings	Large shearwater	All dark plumage	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed


Description:
Pelagic. Breeds on islands off Australia and New Zealand.  Occurs primarily in Indian and western Pacific Ocean. Seen off Pacific coast of North America. Rare in California and uncommon in Washington. Usually seen offshore between May and November. Follows shrimp trawlers.


Description:
Large shearwater	White underparts and white band at base of tail	White cheeks and collar	Grayish-brown upperparts appear scaled	Dark bill with tube on top	Dark brown cap	Grayish-brown upperparts	Rapid wingbeats	Glides on stiff wings	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed


Description:
Pelagic. Breeds in the south Atlantic Ocean. Migrates northward along the Atlantic coast of North America in spring and summer. More common in the spring. Typical flutter and glide flight pattern of a shearwater. Flies low, hugging the waves.


Description:
Pelagic. Breeds throughout the tropical Pacific Ocean. Ranges throughout tropical Pacific and Indian Ocean. A few accidental records from California (July, August and December).


Description:
Bright white underparts	Gray and dark gray upperparts make "M" shaped pattern	Dark cap	Long, wedge-shaped tail	Medium to large shearwater	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed


Description:
Pelagic. Nests in large colonies around North Island, New Zealand. Seen along west coast during its southward migration during late summer and fall. Most common from Gray's Harbor, Washington to Monterey, California.


Description:
Dark overall	Dark bill and legs	Whitish underwing linings	Large shearwater	Dark bill with tube on top	Pale underwings	Rapid wingbeats	Glides on stiff wings	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed


Description:
Pelagic. Nests on islands off southern South America and New Zealand. Seen along Atlantic coast of North America as early as May and June but usually from July through September. Abundant along Pacific coast of North America where huge flocks migrate north and south. Often seen from shore.


Description:
Medium-size shearwater	Dark overall	Dark bill and legs	Whitish-gray underwing linings	Flight: fast wingbeats and short glides	Steep forehead	Sometimes has pale chin	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed


Description:
Pelagic. Nests on coastal islands of Australia. Seen along Pacific coast from British Columbia to California from October to January with peak southward migration in November and December. Migration is a huge figure-eight, clockwise pattern, across the Pacific from Australia to North America.


Description:
Medium to small shearwater	Bright white underparts	White undertail coverts extend to end of tail	Black upperparts	Black on head extends down below eye	Dark bill with tube on top	Rapid wingbeats	Glides on stiff wings	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed


Description:
Pelagic. Nests on small islands off Europe and Baja California. Common offshore along northern Atlantic coast from June to October.


Description:
Medium-size shearwater often seen from shore	Dark brown upperparts	White underparts	Dark undertail coverts	Grayish mottled face	Dusky mottling on side of breast may extend across breast	Brown upperparts not contrasting with white underparts	Underwings white with brown trailing edge	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed


Description:
Pelagic. Nests on islands off Baja peninsula. Common off Pacific coast from August to May. Rarely found more than 10 miles from the coast or islands. Often seen from shore.


Description:
Pelagic. Occurs in southern oceans and off western coasts of Europe and Africa. Accidental off the Atlantic coast of North America in the summer and fall.


Description:
Medium-size shearwater	Dark brown upperparts	White underparts	Underside of wing white with dark border	Long tail with dark undertail coverts	Dark cap extends below eye	Rapid wingbeats	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed


Description:
Pelagic. Breeds on Caribbean islands. Casual to common along Atlantic and Gulf coasts from May to December. Wing beat is much faster than those of other shearwaters.


Description:
Blackish overall	Wide white "U" shaped rump patch extends onto undertail coverts	Short squarish or slightly rounded tail	Wings short and rounded	Pale wing patch	Medium to small storm-petrel	Dark bill with tube on top	Gray carpal bar	Yellow feet sometimes protrude beyond squared or rounded tail	Often patters its feet on water surface	Size and flight style reminiscent of Purple Martin	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed


Description:
Pelagic. Breeds in the Southern Hemisphere. Commonly seen off the Atlantic coast of North America from May to September. Usually seen in the Atlantic's Gulf Stream. Skims across the waves with graceful, shallow, swallowlike flight. Thought by some ornithologists to be the most abundant bird in the world. Rare along Pacific coast from August to October.


Description:
Pelagic. Rare off the Atlantic coast between August and October. Seen far out at sea between North Carolina and Massachusetts. Very erratic flight can be recognized at long distances. Stiff, shallow wingbeats. May swing from side to side like a pendulum. Does not follow ships closely.


Description:
Pelagic. Recorded at Sable Island, Nova Scotia, August 10, 1970. Breeds eastern side of Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Winters along western coast of Africa. Formerly known as British Storm-Petrel.


Description:
Blackish-brown upperparts	Slightly paler underparts	Short tail	Small-sized storm-petrel	Dark bill with tube on top	Dark rump	Wedge-shaped tail	Deep, rapid wingbeats	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed


Description:
Pelagic. Breeds on islands near Baja California. Often seen off the coast of southern California between August and October. Very rare during in cool water but fairly common during El Nino years when water is warmer. Flies low over the water with deep wingbeats.


Description:
Pelagic. Breeds in the Galapagos Islands and on islands off the coast of Peru. Casual off the coast of California between  August and January. Flight fast, direct and forceful, often high above the waves. Deep wingbeats.


Description:
Large-sized storm-petrel	Dark bill with tube on top	Dark plumage	Narrow, rectangular, white rump patch	Slightly forked tail	Shallow wingbeats and glides like a shearwater	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed


Description:
Pelagic. Ranges in tropical oceans of the Atlantic and Pacific. Regular along Atlantic coast. Seen most often off the Carolinas in the Gulf Stream between mid-June to mid-August. Also seen in the Gulf of Mexico. There are a few records for southern California. Deep wing strokes and stiff-winged glides, like shearwater. Does not follow ships.


Description:
Medium-sized storm-petrel	Triangular whitish rump patch, divided by dusky line	Blackish-brown overall	Long, forked tail	Pale wing stripes on narrow, pointed wings	Dark bill with tube on top	Deep wingbeats	Flight style reminiscent of nighthawk	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed


Description:
Pelagic. Widespread, especially in northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Nests on Aleutian Islands south to the central Baja California islands and on Atlantic islands from Labrador south to Massachusetts. Distinctive flight very much like a bat or butterfly. More common along Pacific coast. Does not follow ships.


Description:
Medium-sized storm-petrel	Grayish brown overall	Dark crown, leading edge of wing	Long forked tail	Pale mottling on underwing coverts	Dark bill with tube on top	Somewhat paler underwings	Dark rump	Shallow wingbeats	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed


Description:
Pelagic. Breeds on islands off California coast with largest colony at Farallon Island. Fairly common May to November. Fluttery wingbeats. Smallest of the all-black, fork-tailed Storm-Petrels.


Description:
Bluish-gray upperparts	Light gray underparts	Dark eye and earpatch	Underwings dark on leading edge, paler on trailing edge	Long forked tail	Medium to large storm-petrel	Dark bill with tube on top	Underwings partly dark	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed


Description:
Pelagic. Nests on Aleutian Islands of Alaska during June and July. Ranges throughout northern Pacific Ocean. Rare along California coast but more common off British Columbia and Alaska. Stiff-winged glides, shallow wingbeats, deeply forked tail. Frequently settles on water, often in groups. Follows ships.


Description:
Large-sized storm-petrel	Blackish-brown upperparts	Pale bar on upper part of wing	Slightly paler underparts	Long, forked tail	Dark bill with tube on top	Dark rump	Deep, steady wingbeats	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed


Description:
Pelagic. Breeds from May to December on Santa Barbara Island and islands near Baja California. Abundant most years north to Point Reyes, California from August to November. Slow, deep wingbeats. Graceful flight.


Description:
Tern-sized	White head and body	Finely barred back	Outer primaries black	Dark eye patch sometimes extends across nape	Adult: Long white tail streamers; red bill	Immature: Lacks tail streamers; yellow bill	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed


Description:
Pelagic. Tropical oceans. Nests in the Pacific from Gulf of California south to the Galapagos Islands and in Caribbean from Panama to Lesser Antilles. Found almost annually off southern California coast from mid-July to mid-September. Very rare off Atlantic coast between May and late August. Flies with rapid, pigeonlike, steady wingbeats.


Description:
Tern-sized	White head and body	Adult: Long red tail streamers; red bill	Immature: Lacks tail streamers; bill is black changing to yellow	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed


Description:
Pelagic. Tropical waters of South Pacific and Indian Ocean. Accidental off coast of southern and central California between July and early October. Most difficult of the three tropicbirds to see in North America. Occasionally follows ships.


Description:
Tern-sized	White head and body	Outer primaries black	Dark eye patch	Adult: Long white tail streamers; yellow to orange bill; black diagonal bar on upperside of inner wing	Immature: Lacks tail streamers; yellow bill; finely barred back	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed


Description:
Pelagic. Tropical oceans. Seen almost annually in Dry Tortugas during April or May. Also seen along Gulf and Atlantic coast north to North Carolina between late May and mid-October. Most Atlantic sightings are well offshore in the Gulf Stream off of North Carolina. Has been  recorded in California.


Description:
Largest booby	White overall with black pointed wing tips	Buffy head	Pointed tail	Large bird that dives for fish from air	Adult: White head, body, tail, and inner wings; yellowish wash on head; black outer wing; large, gray, pointed bill; gray legs and feet	Immature: Dark brown plumage; white patches appearing as the bird ages	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed	Takes 4 years to reach adult plumage


Description:
Pelagic. Ranges over North Atlantic Ocean. Flight steady and purposeful, a series of flaps between glides. Breeds in large colonies on rocky cliffs. Seen migrating off Atllantic coast from September to December and returning north from March to May. Can often be seen from shore. Prefers coastal waters to open ocean. Stays at sea for first 3 years of its life. Rapid wingbeats alternate with short glides 30-50 feet above ocean surface.


Description:
Found along warm coastal waters around Baja California, Mexico. Usually not far offshore. Often seen fishing in small flocks in clear, shallow water. Breeds on islands in Mexico's Gulf of California. May wander in later summer and fall to the Salton Sea, California.


Description:
White with black tail and trailing half of wing	Dark mask surrounds eyes and chin	Yellow bill	Large bird that dives for fish from air	Adult: White head, body and wing coverts; dark primaries, secondaries, and tail; dark patches on back; dark mask; large, yellow, pointed bill; yellow legs and feet	Immature: Dark head and upperparts dark separated by light collar; underparts white with U-shaped line between throat and breast	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed	Takes 2 to 3 years to reach adult plumage


Description:
Pelagic. Tropical Oceans. Prefers deep water for fishing where it executes near vertical plunge-dives from 30-40 feet. Often found along the Gulf coast and  in the Dry Tortugas (Hospital Key) between April and August. May stray as far north as the Carolinas. Usually seen alone or in pairs. Follows ships. Often chased by frigatebirds which will grab booby's tail, causing it to disgorge fish which frigatebird then catches in the air!


Description:
Smallest booby	Adult-white morph: White head, body and tail; dark primaries and outer secondaries; underwings white with dark border; large, gray, pointed bill; red legs and feet; pink at base of bill	Adult-dark morph: Brown head and body; darker wings; white rump, undertail coverts and tail; large, gray, pointed bill red legs and feet; pink at base of bill	Immature: Dark brown plumage; dark feet	Large bird that dives for fish from air	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed	Takes 2 to 3 years to reach adult plumage


Description:
Pelagic. Common throughout most of the world's tropical oceans. Seen rarely on the Dry Tortugas, Florida. Also seen in the Gulf of Mexico and in Gulf Stream waters off Florida. Most Florida records are from April to September. Accidental on California coast. Flies with grace and speed, several flaps and a long soar. Very gregarious. May follow ships for days, freely perching on rigging.


Description:
Dark brown with white underparts and wing lining	Bill and feet yellow to gray-green	Head whitish (west) or dark brown (east)	Large bird that dives for fish from air	Adult: Dark head, breast, mantle, and tail; white belly cleanly separated from dark breast; underwings white with dark border; large, yellow, pointed bill; yellow legs and feet	Immature: Plumage similar to adult but belly is slightly paler than breast	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed	Takes 2 to 3 years to reach adult plumage


Description:
Pelagic. Found in warm tropical waters of Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans. Occasionally seen in the Gulf of Mexico, away from shore. Fairly common year-round in the Dry Tortugas.  Accidental along Atlantic coast, north to New Jersey. Rare along southern California coast and the Salton Sea, California. Often follows ships. May roost on buoys and oil rigs.


Description:
Black head, neck and body with white plumes and edgings on wing coverts


Description:
Tan head and neck	Black body with white plumes and edgings on wing coverts


Description:
Black overall with greenish gloss	White spots and streaks on shoulders	Long, pointed yellow bill	Long, thin neck, long tail	Female: light brown neck and breast	Large, dark waterbird with long, loosely-jointed tail	Often perches with wings spread to dry them	Often swims with just head and neck above surface	May soar for extended periods, like a hawk


Description:
Common in southern freshwater swamps, marshes, ponds, lakes and along rivers. In Florida, may be found on salt water as well. Frequently swims with only head and neck above water, giving the appearance of a snake rising out of the water. Often seen perching with wings half spread to dry. Can soar to great heights. In flight, with neck extended and tail spread, looks like a flying cross. Slow, regular wingbeats alternate with soaring on flat wings.


Description:
Entirely black plumage	Small white plumes on head during breeding season


Description:
Pale throat and chest darkening below to dark belly; some individuals are entirely pale underneath	Brownish back and upperwings


Description:
Black overall	Broad orange throat patch	Orange lores	Two tufts behind eye in breeding season	Flight: neck is crooked	Large, dark waterbird with a long, hooked bill and long tail	Often perches with wings spread to dry them	Sexes similar


Description:
Widespread. Along coastline, inshore waters, beaches, inland rivers and lakes. Highly adaptive, using a variety of habitats including both fresh and salt water. Flies at a higher altitude than other cormorants. Dives from surface in pursuit of prey. Found almost anywhere fish are plentiful. Nests on rocky islands, cliffs facing water, stands of trees near water.


Description:
Entirely dark plumage	Border to gular region becomes whiter


Description:
Dull brownish upperparts	Paler underparts


Description:
Yellowish throat pouch with white border tapers to a point	White plumes on side of neck in breeding plumage	Long tail	Large, dark waterbird with a long, hooked bill	Long, thin neck	Often perches with wings spread to dry them	Sexes similar


Description:
Lakes, marshy ponds and shallow inlets of coastal waters throughout tropical Western Hemisphere. Often perches on stumps or snags with wings and tail spread. Does repeated squatting or bouncing movement while in this position. Able to perch on relatively small branches or even wires. Frequently seen with Anhingas and Double-crested Cormorants.


Description:
Entirely black plumage	White flank patch in breeding season	Second-year bird like adult but browner


Description:
Pale belly with dark chest, neck and flanks	Brownish back and upperwings


Description:
Dark overall	White feathers surround small yellow throat patch	Thick neck and head	Large, dark waterbird with a long, hooked bill and long tail	White chin patch	Often perches with wings spread to dry them	Sexes similar


Description:
Along the Atlantic coast in winter south to Chesapeake Bay, rare further south. Breeds on remote cliffs and rocky islands of maritime Canada, in small colonies. Found in temperate regions throughout the world. Swims low, with tail submerged. and bill tilted slightly upward. A coastal bird, rarely wandering inland.


Description:
Entirely dark plumage except	Thin, white plumes on neck


Description:
Blackish-green overall	Pale buffy feathers on chin	In breeding season throat pouch blue with yellowish lower border	Head, neck, scapulars acquire fine white plumes	Large, dark waterbird with a long, hooked bill and long tail	Long, thin neck	Often perches with wings spread to dry them	Sexes similar


Description:
Common along sea cliffs and rocky pinnacles of the Pacific coast. Strictly marine, almost never seen inland. Gregarious, often in large flocks diving beyond the intertidal zone for small saltwater fishes. Dives with a forward leap to take small fish from just beneath the water's surface. Flies low in long lines between feeding and roosting grounds. Nests in colonies on flat or gently sloping surfaces of islands.


Description:
Entirely dark plumage except for white flank patch	Two crests on head	Thin, white plumes on neck


Description:
Dark glossy overall	No visible throat pouch	White patches on flanks during breeding season	Two crests, on crown and nape during breeding season	Large, dark waterbird with a long, hooked bill and long tail	Long, thin neck	Gular region red	Often perches with wings spread to dry them	Sexes similar


Description:
Surf-battered, rocky shorelines of the North Pacific Ocean. Feeds alone in tidal rips and surf close to rocks. Capable of deep dives, but prefers fishing in shallow water. Less gregarious than the other cormorants. Flies with head and neck held straight out. Head is as thick as neck, so silhouette is rather distinctive.


Description:
Entirely dark plumage except for white flank patch	Two crests on head	Thin, white plumes on neck	Bill is partially yellow


Description:
Red facial skin, brightest in breeding season	Gular region is blue and bordered bright red onto the forehead	Brown wings and glossy black upperparts	Large, dark waterbird with a long, hooked bill and long tail	Long, thin neck	Often perches with wings spread to dry them	Sexes similar


Description:
Nests in colonies on broad, flat ledges of steep coastal cliffs of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands of Alaska. Freely associates with murres, auklets and gulls. Exclusively marine, preferring wild, rocky coastlines.


Description:
62 inches (158 cm) W 108 inches (274 cm)


Description:
Long, orange bill with a pouch	Short orange legs and feet


Description:
Brown-gray mottling about wing coverts	Bill gray to flesh-colored


Description:
Huge, white bird with black primaries and outer secondaries	Very large orange-yellow bill with throat pouch	Trailing half of wing is black	Growth on upper mandible in breeding season	Flies with neck tucked	Does not plunge into water from the air as Brown Pelicans do but feeds while swimming	Sexes similar


Description:
Lakes, ponds, and coastal waters in winter. Breeds on isolated islands in lakes of inland North America. Usually found in flocks. Individuals reported from almost every state. White Pelicans, unlike Brown Pelicans, do not dive for food. They dip their bills into water while swimming. Will gather in groups for cooperative fishing.


Description:
White foreneck and head with yellow crown	Chestnut neck and nape	Gray-brown body plumage with slightly darker flight feathers


Description:
Yellowish crown	White head and neck	Gray-brown body plumage with slightly darker flight feathers


Description:
Dark brown overall, gradually acquiring adult plumage over three years


Description:
Very large dark bill and throat pouch	Grayish-brown body	White head and neck, often washed in yellow	Blackish belly	Long bill with a pouch, dark on Atlantic/Gulf coasts; bill paler along Pacific coast, becomes yellow during breeding season	Flies with neck tucked	Plunges from great heights into water to catch fish	Sexes similar


Description:
Relatively common along coastal areas. Dives for fish (mostly menhaden) from the air. Small groups often seen gliding low over water in formation. Often sits on pilings close to shore. Can fly up to 25 miles per hour. DDT seriously depleted California and Louisiana flocks. Now recovering. May wander north of normal range, primarily in summer months.


Description:
Very long, narrow wings	Deeply forked tail	Male: orange throat pouch, red when inflated during courtship	Female: broad white band across chest	Glossy black body, short neck	Very large	Chases other birds to steal their prey	Effortlessly glides on long, pointed wings and long, forked tail	Long, hooked bill	Adult male: Entirely black plumage; red, inflatable throat sac	Adult female: White breast; remainder of plumage black	Immature: White head and breast; remainder of plumage black


Description:
Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the Americas. Caribbean islands. Soars for long periods and rises to great heights. Common above Fort Jefferson in Dry Tortugas. Generally stays close to shore. Will steal food from gulls, terns and boobies in mid-air by harassing them until fish is dropped, then catching fish in the air. Also snatches fish from the surface of the ocean. Nests in large colonies atop mangroves, trees and shrubs or on rocks.


Description:
Found in tropical oceans, primarily Pacific and Indian. Nearest breeding colony is Revillagigedo Islands off western Mexico. One found dead in Perry, Oklahoma on November 3, 1975. Extremely difficult to separate Great Frigatebird from Magnificent Frigatebird in the field.


Description:
Found in tropical oceans, primarily western Pacific and Indian Oceans. Two outposts along Atlantic coast of Brazil. One seen at Deer Isle, Maine on July 3, 1960.


Description:
White crown and face	Black plume extending from above and behind eye to beyond back of head	Brownish-buff neck with black-bordered white stripe down center of foreneck	Blue-gray back, wings and belly	Black shoulder	Shaggy neck and back plumes in breeding plumage


Description:
Black cap	Brownish-gray back and upperwings	Lacks shaggy neck and back plumes	Lacks black plume extending from behind eye


Description:
White morph of Great Blue Heron	Large yellow bill	Yellow legs	White plumage	Single white plume extending back from above eye	Found only in South Florida, rarely north along the coast


Description:
Huge, long-legged, long-necked wader	Gray-blue overall	Long, thick, yellow bill	White head with black stripe above eye	Front of neck white with black vertical streak	Breeding adult: Yellow bill and long neck plumes	Usually holds neck in an "S" curve at rest and in flight	Sexes similar


Description:
Common in river and lake edges, wet meadows, freshwater marshes, swamps, fields and other wetland environments. Also tidal mudflats, sandbars and mangroves. Hunts by remaining motionless in shallow water and waiting for prey to come within striking distance. Flies with distinctive slow, labored wingbeats, trailing legs behind and head folded back on shoulders. Wary. May perch in trees. Most active just before dawn and at dusk.


Description:
Only very briefly attains full breeding plumage	Deep red bill	Deep red legs	Buffy feathering around the head, neck and back


Description:
Bill dull orange or yellow	Legs dull orange	Entirely white body plumage


Description:
Black bill turns pale yellow by early fall	Dusky legs


Description:
Fairly small and stocky	White overall with large, rounded head	Short, thick yellow-orange bill	Legs orange to yellow-green	Tucks neck in close to body in flight and often at rest, rarely extending it	Often seen feeding in pastures, highway medians or other open habitats away from water	Sexes similar


Description:
Variety of habitats including pastures, road shoulders, lawns, median strips, fallow fields, open grassy areas, meadows, orchards, and freshwater swamps. Rarely in marine habitat. Least aquatic of the North American herons. First nested in North America in 1953. Has spread dramatically since then. Common near grazing cattle. Eats insects kicked up by animals.


Description:
White overall	Long, heavy yellow bill	Black legs and feet	Large long-legged long-necked wading bird	Usually holds neck in an "S" curve in flight	Long white plumes on back in breeding season	Juvenile similar to nonbreeding-plumaged adult	Sexes similar


Description:
Common worldwide in freshwater and saltwater marshes, ponds, lagoons, streams, lakes, mangrove swamps, mud flats. Prefers open habitats for feeding. Stalks prey slowly, methodically in shallow water. Flight is buoyant. Spends the night roosting in trees or shrubs in large communal flocks.  Movements in treetops are light and graceful. The Great Egret is the symbol of the National Audubon Society.


Description:
Blue-gray body	Brownish head and neck with shaggy plumes


Description:
White body	White head and neck with shaggy plumes


Description:
Long pointed pink bill with black tip	Blue-gray body	Reddish-brown head and neck	Legs dark	Medium-sized, long-legged, long-necked wader	Dark legs and feet	Sometimes actively feeds by flapping wings and running through shallow water	Usually holds neck in an "S" curve at rest and in flight	White morph (rare): white overall	Sexes similar


Description:
Uncommon in saltwater flats and lagoons, shallow coastal waters, open salt pans and along shore. Rarely found far from coast. Those that are, are almost always juveniles. Breeds on islands or in mangroves. When feeding appears to be dashing and lurching around as if drunk! Will extend wings when feeding to form a canopy so that it can more easily see fish below surface. Flight is graceful and strong.


Description:
Blue-gray head, neck, back and upperwings	White line along foreneck	In breeding plumage, long blue filamentous plumes about head and neck, and buff ones on the back


Description:
Rich chestnut head and neck	Chestnut feathering on blue-gray back


Description:
White stripe down front of neck	Blue-gray upperparts	White belly, underwings	Long, slender bill yellowish to grayish with darker tip	Medium-sized long-legged long-necked wader	Usually holds neck in an "S" curve at rest and in flight	Sexes similar


Description:
Prefers coastal areas, rare inland. Found along shallow saltwater shores, marshes, mudflats, mangrove swamps and tidal creeks. Will also frequent freshwater swamps and river edges and lake shores near the coast. Active feeder, running around to capture prey. In shallow water, may be seen with legs bent almost double, watching for small fish. Often stands or wades belly deep in water.


Description:
Blue-gray black-tipped bill	Blue-gray belly, back and wings	Chestnut head and neck	Shaggy neck plumes


Description:
Blue-gray black-tipped bill	Head and neck blue-gray like body	Lacks shaggy neck plumes


Description:
White body plumage	Blue-gray tips to the outer primaries visible from below when bird is in flight	Gray lores	Black-tipped bill usually with blue-gray base, but occasionally yellow or flesh	In their first spring or first summer, immatures start gaining the adults' dark plumage and can be mottled with blue-gray and white.


Description:
Dark slate-blue overall	Purplish head and neck	Bill gray at base with dark tip	Bill long and pointed	Legs and feet dull green	Medium-sized long-legged long-necked wader	Usually holds neck in an "S" curve at rest and in flight	Dull green legs	Sexes similar


Description:
Common in inland freshwater lagoons, lakes, marshes, meadows, flooded grasslands. Also found in coastal saltwater wetlands such as mangroves and mud flats. Stalks prey quietly in shallow water. Flight is graceful and strong with relatively quick wingstrokes. Occasionally seen in company of Tricolored Herons.


Description:
Thin black bill and yellow facial skin	Black legs with yellow feet	Shaggy plumes on head, neck, and back in breeding plumage


Description:
Yellow stripe up the back of the black legs ,and yellow feet	With pale-based bill when they leave nest, becomes black during autumn	Lacks shaggy head, neck and back plumes


Description:
Black legs with bright yellow feet	White overall with yellow facial skin	Slender black bill	Wispy plumes on head neck in breeding season	Medium-sized long-legged wading bird	Usually holds necks in "S" curve in flight	Entirely white plumage	Sexes similar


Description:
Common in a wide variety of wetlands with fresh, brackish and salt water. Occurs along coast as well as inland. Marshes, ponds, mangrove swamps, occasionally in dry grasslands where it may associate with cattle. Extremely active. Moves briskly in the water, shuffling its feet to frighten prey out of hiding. Stabs repeatedly to catch it. Breeding colonies contain thousands of pairs of birds. Nuptial plumes of Snowy Egret were most sought after of all egrets' in early 20th century.


Description:
Wide variety of open wetlands in Eurasia, Australia and Africa with shallow fresh, brackish or salt water. Edge of rivers and lakes, marshes, rice fields, mudflats and mangroves. Migratory. Recorded in North America over a dozen times, usually in Newfoundland, Quebec or Nova Scotia during April or May.


Description:
Mainly coastal, in estuaries and bays of Korea, China and Philippines. Endangered. Migratory. Feeds in shallow waters at edge of mangroves or on tidal mudflats. One seen at Agattu Island, Alaska on June 16, 1974.


Description:
Along rocky shores, coral reefs and offshore islands of Africa and western India. Also estuaries, mudflats and mangroves. One seen at Nantucket Island, Massachusetts between April 24 and September, 1983.


Description:
Found in southern Asia in marshes, ponds, rice fields.  One North American record from the Pribilof Islands, Alaska in early August, 1996.


Description:
Chestnut neck	White chin	White stripe down center of neck


Description:
Reddish-brown and white streaks on head and neck	Extensive white spots on wing coverts


Description:
Small, short-legged and short-necked heron	Greenish upperparts and dark cap	Blue-gray back and wings	Chestnut neck and chest	Yellow facial skin	Center of throat and neck are white	Yellow legs	Tucks neck in close to body in flight and often at rest, rarely extending it	Sexes similar


Description:
Common near streams, ponds, marshes, coastal wetlands, lake shores, wet woodlands, mangroves. Inhabits both fresh water and salt water marshes. Often seen perching in trees. Solitary. Flight is rapid. When alarmed, flicks tail downward, stretches neck and raises crest. Roosts on or close to ground. Tends to feed during early morning and late afternoon.


Description:
Red eyes	Blue-gray neck, chest, back and belly	Dark centers to back feathers	Pale yellowish forehead and buffy-white crown	Black face and chin with broad white auricular stripe


Description:
Eyes yellowish to amber	Head, neck, chest and belly dark gray-brown streaked finely with buff and white	Darker cap	Wings and back darker brown with small white spots at the tips of the feathers	Greater secondary coverts with crisp white edgings and small spots at tips


Description:
Gradually acquires adult plumage over 2 years, losing spotting and streaking and gradually acquiring face and body plumage of adult


Description:
Black face with white cheeks	Buffy-white crown	Gray body	Dark, stocky bill	Fairly small, long-legged, short-necked heron	Tucks neck in close to body in flight and often at rest, rarely extending it	Black bill	Leg color varies with age	Long legs, with feet and part of legs extending beyond tail in flight	Sexes similar


Description:
Uncommon and local in tidal mudflats, mangrove swamps, cypress swamps, marshes, riverbanks, lakes, lagoons lush swamps and rocky shores. Found along coast but also inland near water's edge. Roosts in tall trees. Hunts at night, but also frequently seen during the day.


Description:
Red eyes, legs yellow	Black bill	Black crown and back	White face, throat, foreneck, chest and belly	Blue-gray wings	Two long, white, filamentous plumes extending from back of head in breeding plumage


Description:
Eyes yellowish to amber, legs dull greyish	Yellow base to bill	Brown head, neck, chest and belly streaked with buff and white	Wings and back darker brown with large white spots at the tips of the feathers; spots especially large on the greater secondary coverts


Description:
Acquires full adult plumage in its third year	First-year birds are similar to juvenile, but have less extensive spotting on upperwings and a dark cap	Second-year birds resemble the adult, but have a brown neck and wings contrasting with darker brown cap and back


Description:
Black crown and back	Gray wings, light gray underparts	Pale yellow legs (reddish in breeding season)	White plumes on back of crown in breeding season	Fairly small, stocky, short-legged and short-necked heron	Bill medium-sized and pointed	Tucks neck in close to body in flight and at rest, rarely extending it	Sexes similar


Description:
Common but local in marshes, wooded swamps, forests along shallow rivers and streams, and mangroves. Found in fresh, brackish and salt water habitats. Active at night. Hunts by standing motionless for long periods of time then quickly thrusting bill into water to catch small fish. Hunched posture. Flies with deep strokes and arched wings, head and back in a straight line


Description:
Black cap	Black back	Fairly faint brown streaks on foreneck


Description:
Brown cap	Brown back	More obvious brown streaks on foreneck


Description:
Buff cap does not contrast with face	Blackish streaks on foreneck	Brown back


Description:
Very small wading bird	Buffy underparts and inner wing patches	Dark crown and back (black in male, dark brown in female)	Two thin white lines down back	Buff face and sides to the neck	White chin, throat, foreneck and belly	Buff wing coverts visible in flight and at rest	Rare morph, Cory's Least Bittern, has darker wing coverts


Description:
Freshwater marshes, wetlands. Occasionally in brackish or saltwater areas near the coast in the south. Often seen making short flights low over the marsh. Prefers to walk through reeds and cattails rather than fly. Movements are quick and graceful. Head shoots forward with each step. Very secretive. When flushed, it flutters for a short distance and drops back down into reeds.


Description:
ku-ku-ku... (lower and throatier than B-B Cuckoo)


Description:
Freshwater marshes and reedbeds fringing lakes and flooded fields of Indian subcontinent through Southeast Asia to Japan; Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea. Common within range. Migratory. One seen at far western end of Aleutian Islands on Attu, Alaska May 17-22, 1989.


Description:
Brown upperparts with black streaking	Light underparts streaked brown and white	Dark outer wings	Wings pointed	Medium-sized wading bird	Black malar streak	Yellow bill with dark culmen	Black primaries and secondaries	Sometimes "freezes" with neck held upwards	Immatures similar to adults but lack the malar streak


Description:
Fairly common in cattails and bulrushes of freshwater or brackish marshes, wetlands, bogs, grassy fields. Often heard at dusk in marsh reeds. When alarmed, will freeze with head and neck pointing straight upward, blending into reeds. Flushes with rapid wingbeats, feet dangling. Flys low over marsh. Secretive and solitary. When feeding, stands motionless, bill level, then darts bill downward to catch frog or other prey.


Description:
Dark pink plumage	Hooked, pink bill with black tip


Description:
Pale pink and gray plumage	Hooked, light bill with black tip


Description:
Large pink, long-legged wader with a long neck	Pink legs and feet	Pale bill with pink and black tip	Black primaries and secondaries	Holds neck extended in flight	Rare and local in Florida	Occasionally escapes from zoos	Sexes similar


Description:
Saline lagoons and salt pans. Breeds in the Caribbean region, northern South America and many other areas of the world. Rare in southern Florida in winter. Most often seen at the end of Snake Bight Trail in the Everglades (two mile hike - bring a scope and insect repellant). Many sightings are escaped birds from parks and zoos. There is a free-flying feral flock at Hialeah Park, Dade County, Florida.


Description:
Yellow bill	Feathered head is grayish-brown


Description:
Large, long-legged wader with a long neck	White body	Black tail, wing tips and trailing edge of wings	Very thick, dusky downcurved bill	Head and neck unfeathered and black	Holds neck extended in flight	Sexes similar


Description:
Wet meadows, coastal swamps and marshes, mangroves, ponds, freshwater marshes, and shallow water in canals and ditches. Soar high above wetland regions, often flapping and soaring in unison. Roost in tall trees or on banks along waterways. Often common at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in southwestern Florida.


Description:
Large freshwater marshes, savannas, banks of large rivers and lakes, ponds and lagoons of southern Mexico, Central and South America. About a dozen North American sightings from Texas and Oklahoma between July and October.


Description:
Brilliant blue bill	Black face	Brown neck and breast	Brown and black body	Black tail


Description:
Dark bill	Dark crown, eyeline, and line on cheek separated by pale lines above and below eyeline	Grayish brown body with pale feather edging


Description:
Small, chunky diving duck	Long stiff-tail is often held vertically	Dark wings with white speculum	Immature and male eclipse similar to adult female


Description:
Found in the tropics of Central and South America and the Caribbean. Freshwater lakes, ponds, swamps and marshes with abundant vegetation and surrounded with dense tree cover. Most active at dusk and dawn. Irregular in southern and coastal Texas. During irruption years, as many as 70 have been found. There are also records from southern Florida, but most occurred between 1963 and 1984.


Description:
Breeding plumage worn in spring and summer	Brilliant blue bill	Black crown and nape	Rust-red lower neck, breast, back and body	White face	Black tail


Description:
Eclipse plumage worn fall-winter	Dark gray bill	Dark cap	Face white, as in breeding plumage	Gray brown neck and body plumage


Description:
Like winter male, but with dusky horizontal stripe crossing pale gray cheek patch


Description:
Male: White cheeks and (in summer) blue bill	Female: dark line across whitish cheek	Broad bill	Black head	Reddish-brown body	Small, chunky diving duck	Long stiff-tail is often held vertically	Dark wings	Immature similar to adult female


Description:
Common and widespread. Preferred habitat includes freshwater swamps, marshes, ponds and lakes with emergent vegetation and areas of open water. In winter, often found in flocks on large lakes, brackish lagoons and estuaries. Fly infrequently, pattering over the surface of the water for some distance before becoming airborne. Do not mix freely with other ducks.


Description:
Lakes, ponds and rivers in high Arctic or taiga zone of Eurasia during breeding season. Winters in open country, on marshes or agricultural land of Europe and eastern Asia in winter. Rare spring migrant in western Aleutian Islands of Alaska.


Description:
Breeds on rocky outcrops, crags and gorges in very open Arctic tundra of Greenland, Iceland and Spitzbergen. Winters in coastal estuaries and agricultural land of Scotland and the Netherlands. Accidental in North America in Newfoundland,  Quebec and Long Island, New York.


Description:
White band at base of bill	Bill pink or orange	Dark head	Black patches on belly	Medium-sized long-necked goose	Mostly brown plumage	White patch at base of pink bill	Irregular black spots on belly	White line separating belly from wings	White under and uppertail coverts, dark tail	Orange legs and feet	Greenland race has orange bill, strays to Atlantic coast	Immature:Mostly brown plumage darker on the upperparts; yellowish bill, legs, and feet	Sexes similar


Description:
Breeds in open inland tundra near marshes, lakes and rivers but occasionally along coast. Winters in open country, agricultural lands, grassy fields or in marshy habitats. In migration, flocks fly quite high in V-shaped formation. On the ground, White-fronted Geese tend to keep together as a flock or family group even when feeding with other geese. In winter, the Greenland form of this bird might be seen along the east coast.


Description:
Breeds on open, lightly wooded Arctic tundra and on lakes and slopes in mountain regions of Eurasia. Winters on marshes, lakes and ponds of the coastal plains near the Caspian and Black Seas and in eastern China. Rare. One North American record from Attu Island, Alaska on June 5, 1994.


Description:
White overall with black wing patch	Pink bill with black "grin patch"	Longer neck and flatter head than similar Ross's Goose	Medium-sized long-necked goose	Different color morphs	Frequently gathers in huge flocks	White morph-adult: Entirely white plumage; black primaries; pink legs and feet; pink bill with black patch along mandibles; sometimes has orangish stains on head	White morph-immature: Mostly white plumage; pale gray nape, back, and wing coverts; black primaries; dark legs and feet; dark bill	Blue morph-adult: White head and upper neck; dark lower neck and body-some have white bellies; pale gray upperwing coverts; scapulars dark-centered with white edges; mostly dark primaries and secondaries; pink legs and feet; pink bill with black patch along mandibles	Blue morph-immature: Mostly dark gray-brown plumage; dark legs and feet; dark bill	Sexes similar	Greater Snow Goose (C. c. atlantica) is about 2' longer and 1.3 lbs heavier than Lesser Snow Goose (C. c. caerulescens). There are no color morphs in the Greater Snow Goose.


Description:
Breeds on low, grassy tundra near water or on stony ground. Winters on low agricultural land, grainfields and grasslands, often near the coast. Large flocks migrate in undulating, wavy lines rather than a well defined V-shape. Blue phase of the Snow Goose is usually seen on the Gulf and east coast.	 Lesser Snow Goose: Lesser Snow Geese historically migrated from their northern breeding grounds down the Pacific and Mississippi Flyways to winter in the Central Valley of California, and the Gulf Coast of Texas, Louisiana, and Mexico; where the abundant emergent vegetation of the brackish or salt marshes provided both food and cover. Recently, they have expanded their winter range to interior agricultural lands in states such as Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, where corn, rice, and pasture grasses provide abundant food supplies. 	Greater Snow Goose:Greater Snow Geese leave their Arctic breeding grounds and migrate along a narrow corridor through eastern Canada and the northeastern U.S. to the mid-Atlantic coast (from New Jersey to North Carolina).


Description:
White overall with black wing patch	Pink stubby bill without black "grin patch"	Shorter neck and rounder head than similar Snow Goose	Sexes similar	Small goose	Different color morphs	White morph-adult: Entirely white plumage; black primaries; pink legs and feet; pink bill	White morph-immature: Mostly white plumage-pale gray upperparts; black primaries; dark legs and feet; dark bill	Blue morph-adult: White head and upper neck; dark lower neck and body; pale gray wing upperwing coverts; scapulars dark-centered with white edges; mostly dark primaries and secondaries: pink legs and feet; pink bill


Description:
Breeds on rocky or scrubby islands in large lakes of the Arctic. Winters on low agricultural land and grasslands. Almost always seen with Snow Geese. Common in California in winter. Ross's Goose has faster wingbeat than larger Snow Goose and lacks a "grin patch". A rare blue phase Ross's Goose exists.


Description:
Head and back of neck white	Chin and throat black	Silvery body with black and white barring	Bill pink or purplish	Small coastal goose	White tail	Orange legs and feet	Adult: White head and nape; pink bill; black throat	Immature: Dark head with variable white flecks; dark bill	Sexes similar


Description:
Breeds in western Alaska on open tundra near ponds, marshes and coastal lagoons or just above the high-tide line along the coast. This sea goose winters along rocky coastline, reefs, seashores and on sheltered sites with soft shores. Avoids human population centers, even during migration.  Rare in lower 48. Seen every few years at Lower Klamath Basin NWR in southern Oregon and northern California, usually in October and November.


Description:
Black head and neck	White chin strap	Dark wings and tail	"U" shaped white rump band	Large long-necked goose	Black bill	Brown back, upper wing and flanks	Brownish-white breast and belly	White upper tail coverts contrast with black tail	White undertail coverts	Smaller sized birds (Aleutian and Cackling Goose) split in 2004. Now known as Cackling Goose	Immature similar to adult	Sexes similar	Dusky: Found along Pacific coast of Canada and Alaska. Very dark brown in color, brown breast. L38", WS 55", 7.7 Lbs	Lesser: Found in Great Plains to s Texas and pacific coast. Intermediate size. L36", WS 53", 6 Lbs	Richardson's: Found in Great Plains to s Texas. Pale breast slightly grayer than larger forms. L 27", WS 47", 5 Lbs


Description:
One of the most common birds in North America. Found in a wide variety of habitats near water including tundra, open country, wooded, suburban and  semi-desert habitats. Flocks fly in V-shaped formation, often "honking" as they pass by. Often seen feeding in wetlands, grasslands, golf courses or cultivated fields. Becoming more abundant. There are a dozen or more subspecies recognized with a significant difference in size.


Description:
Breeds near bodies of water on crags and rocky outcrops in Arctic tundra of Greenland and Spitzbergen. Winters on lowland meadows and mudflats along the coast of Great Britain and the Netherlands. Strictly herbivorous. Casual October to April in eastern Canada and northeast United States. Many sightings may be of captive birds that have escaped -- common in captivity.


Description:
Black head, neck, bill and breast	White patch on each side of neck	White uppertail and undertail coverts	Small coastal goose	White patch on neck	Black legs, and feet	Very dark wings	"V" formation of flocks are more irregular in shape than other geese	Adult-Pacific coast: Very dark back; blackish belly; some white on flanks. White "necklace". Considered by many to be a separate species (Black Brant)	Adult-Atlantic coast: Dark back; pale belly and flanks. If the Brant is ever split, this form would be known as Pale-bellied Brant	Sexes similar


Description:
Breeds very far north in lowland Arctic tundra near the coast. Winters along estuaries and sandy shores. Locally common along both coasts in winter. Often seen resting on sandy points and sandbars. Flies low over water in ragged lines of 20-50 birds. This sea goose is rarely seen inland.


Description:
Heavily wooded tropical wetlands, usually in lowlands but occasionally on coastal lagoons or marshes. Breeds near slow-moving rivers. Found from southern Mexico to central and eastern South America. Has been seen on the lower Rio Grande of Texas, especially between Fronton and Falcon Dam. Feral birds are encountered throughout the lower 48.


Description:
Breeding plumage worn from fall through early summer	Red bill	Red eye	Green head	Striking white stripes about face and crest with a large white throat patch and "fingerlike" extensions onto cheek and neck	Chestnut breast and neck with vertical white stripe at lower margin	Golden flanks bordered above by a white flank stripe	White belly	Iridescent dark green-blue back and wings


Description:
In nonbreeding plumage, the male resembles the female, but often retains the distinctive neck patch and red bill


Description:
Gray bill	White teardrop shaped patch around eye	White throat	Gray-brown head and neck	Gray-brown breast stippled with white and fading to a white belly	Dark brown back


Description:
Gray bill	Female similar to adult female	Males similar to adult females, but with white neck patch


Description:
Male: glossy green head with large crest	White throat, partial neck ring and lines on head	Chestnut chest with white chevrons and buffy sides	Red eye and red at base of bill	A medium-sized duck with a long crest on head	Long-winged and long-tailed	Blue-green speculum with white rear border


Description:
Freshwater swamps, marshes, ponds, lakes and slow-moving rivers surrounded by deciduous forest. Will nest in man-made nest boxes. Found in pairs or small flocks in the summer. During the fall and winter, may form larger flocks when roosting or feeding. Wood Ducks ride higher on the water than other ducks. Often seen perching on stumps, snags or branches near water.


Description:
Breeding plumage worn from fall through early summer	Yellowish crown	Rufous head	Rusty breast	Pale gray back and flanks	White patch at rear portion of flanks	Black undertail coverts


Description:
Blue bill with black tip	Mottled dark brown body plumage with rustier flanks contrasting with paler head and neck	Dusky eye patch


Description:
Large dabbling duck	Reddish-brown head with buffy crown	Light gray sides and back	White patch next to black tail	Blue bill with black nail	White secondary coverts (grayer in females) and green speculum	Gray axillars	White belly	Juvenile similar to adult female


Description:
Found in Europe and Asia on shallow freshwater marshes, lakes and lagoons surrounded by scattered trees or open forest. Winters in coastal marshes, freshwater and brackish lagoons, estuaries and bays. Regular visitor to North America along both coasts. Most often seen as a lone bird among a flock of American Wigeon, rarely with Mallards or Northern Pintails.


Description:
Breeding plumage worn from fall through early summer	White crown	Green post-ocular stripe	Streaked gray lower face and neck	Rusty breast and flanks	Dark brown back	White patch at rear portion of flanks	Black undertail coverts


Description:
Similar to adult female but usually retains rusty flanks and white forewing


Description:
Large dabbling duck	White crown and forehead	Gray head with iridescent green patch behind eye	White patch before black tail	Brown underparts with white belly	Blue bill with black nail	White secondary coverts (grayer in females) and green speculum	Juvenile similar to adult female


Description:
Common in freshwater marshes, ponds, shallow lakes surrounded by meadows or other places to graze. In winter, found in coastal wetlands. Easy to pick out of a foraging mixed flock because of conspicuous white forehead and cap. Early fall migrant. Flies rapidly in compact flocks.


Description:
Breeds on freshwater lakes, ponds, rivers, lagoons, often in wooded habitats of eastern Asia. Winters on coast and in larger, shallow lakes, rice fields and flooded meadows of Japan and eastern China. Migratory. Over a dozen records from outer Aleutian Islands and the Pribilof Islands of Alaska.


Description:
Breeding plumage worn from fall through early summer	Black bill	Brown head	Gray body	Gray and brown breast, back and upperwing coverts	Black rump, uppertail coverts and undertail coverts	White belly	Adult male nonbreeding	Similar to adult female


Description:
Gray bill with orange edges	Mottled gray, brown and white body plumage	Distinct white belly patch


Description:
Grayish overall	Black tail and light brown head	White belly and white speculum	Female: mottled brown with white belly	White speculum	Large dabbling duck with steep forehead	Juvenile similar to adult female


Description:
Shallow marshes with lots of cover, wetlands, ponds, sloughs, lakes with abundant vegetation. Prefers to nest on grass-covered islands. In winter, found on coast and in brackish water along Gulf Coast. Found in small to medium sized flocks of up to a dozen. Dives more often than other dabbling ducks. Swift and agile in flight. Range is expanding eastward.


Description:
Breeds in eastern Asia along rivers, small lakes, ponds, and marshes in well-wooded country or in Arctic tundra. Winters in freshwater or brackish wetlands, flooded plains and meadows of eastern China and Japan. Over a dozen records from Alaska. "Lower 48" sightings may be birds of captive origin.


Description:
Breeding plumage worn from fall through early summer	Dark bill	Rich rust-colored head	Iridescent green face patch sweeping through eye and tapering to the back of head	Buff chest with dark spotting	Gray flanks and back	Vertical white line at fore part of flanks	Horizontal black line above flanks	Buff outer undertail coverts bordered by black	Black central undertail coverts	Eurasian race, sometimes seen in North America, lacks vertical line on flanks instead having a horizontal white line separating flanks and back and a pale upper border to the green face patch


Description:
Similar to adult female, but with duller face pattern


Description:
Dark gray bill	Pale brown head and neck	Dark brown cap and eye line	Dark brown back and upperwing coverts scalloped with buff	White breast spotted with brown	White belly


Description:
Very small, short-necked, and small-billed dabbling duck	Male: chestnut head with large dark green ear patch	Gray body with white stripe on side near neck	Buffy rump outlined in black	Green speculum	Whitish belly	Juvenile similar to adult female


Description:
Small freshwater lakes, shallow marshes with abundant vegetation. In winter may be seen in brackish wetlands or on coast. Feeds on mud flats, lake borders, marshes. Often walks long distances over land in search of food. Flight is fast and agile. During migration, the sexes sometimes separate into separate flocks. Smallest dabbling duck. Common throughout Northern Hemisphere where it is known as Common Teal.


Description:
Breeding plumage worn from fall through early summer	Gray back	Yellow bill	Green head	White ring around neck	Chestnut breast	Gray flanks and upperwing coverts	Black undertail coverts contrast with white tail


Description:
Similar to adult female, but usually with chestnut breast and an unmarked yellowish bill


Description:
Orange bill with black central patch	Pale brown face	Dark cap and eye line	Mottled brown and tan plumage


Description:
Male: iridescent green head	Yellow bill	Chestnut breast with narrow white neck collar	Black central tail feathers curl up	Large dabbling duck	Blue speculum with white bar along both leading and trailing edges	Silvery-white wing linings	Juvenile similar to adult female	In the southwestern United States the "Mexican Duck", formerly a separate species, has both sexes similar to the female Mallard


Description:
Abundant throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Found near shallow fresh or brackish water in a variety of habitats including marshes, swamps, wetlands, ponds, lakes. After breeding season, also found near coast on estuaries, bays and other sheltered sites. Avoids fast-moving water. Very tolerant of humans. Hardy, often wintering far north as long as it can find food and open water.


Description:
Mottled brown and buffy over entire body	Light buffy face and chin	Bright yellow bill	Large dabbling duck	Darker brown cap and eye line	Mottled dark brown and buff back and upperwing coverts	Blue-green speculum with white bar along trailing edge	Sexes similar


Description:
Common in Florida, Louisiana and Texas in coastal freshwater marshes, ponds, pastures, fields as well as coastal waters and salt marshes. Some consider Mottled Duck to be a subspecies of the Mallard. Often seen in pairs or small groups, not large flocks.


Description:
Greenish-yellow bill	Legs frequently bright red


Description:
Greenish bill with black patches	Legs generally orange


Description:
Blackish-brown overall	Paler brown head and neck	Violet speculum	Bill olive to yellowish in male, greenish in female	Large dabbling duck	Pale gray-brown face	Dark brown cap and eye line	Dark brown breast, belly, back and upper wing	Purple speculum without white borders	Bright silvery wing linings	Immature similar to adult


Description:
Woodland lakes, streams, freshwater or tidal marshes and estuaries. After breeding season, also found on large, open lagoons and on coast, even in rough sea waters. Common along Atlantic coast salt marshes north of the Carolinas. Often interbreeds with Mallard, which seems to be replacing American Black Duck, especially in deforested areas. One of the most wary, quickest ducks.


Description:
quack quack quack... (lower than a Mallard)


Description:
Found in eastern Asia and India on open, low ground with shallow, fresh water and abundant emergent vegetation. May winter in inland or coastal wetlands. Partly migratory. Accidental in Alaska on Adak and Kodiak Islands.


Description:
Male: 26 inches (66 cm) Female: 20 inches (51 cm)


Description:
Breeding plumage worn from fall through early summer	Pale gray bill with black stripe down center	Dark brown head	White neck, breast and belly with white finger extending up back of neck to rear part of face	Gray flanks and back with black centers to back feathers	Whitish patch at rear portion of flanks bordering undertail coverts	Black undertail coverts	Long, black central tail feathers	Green speculum with white rear border and chestnut forward border


Description:
Similar to adult female but retains green speculum


Description:
Gray bill	Tan head and neck	Mottled tan and dark brown back and body plumage, paler on belly	Brown speculum with white rear border


Description:
Male: chocolate brown head	White breast and neck with line extending onto head	Long pointed tail	Long neck	Medium-sized dabbling duck with very long neck, small head and attenuated rear	Juvenile similar to adult female


Description:
Shallow freshwater marshes, small lakes and rivers, preferably with dense vegetation cover. In winter, found on coastal lagoons and estuaries of brackish water or feeding in grainfields. Feeds in deeper water than other dabbling ducks. More common in the west with huge fall concentrations at Sacramento NWR in California. In flight, appears very streamlined.


Description:
Mangrove swamps, small ponds and lagoons with brackish or salt water of northern South America and the Caribbean region. There are about 25 records from the southeastern U.S. with the majority of sightings from southern Florida, usually in the winter months. Sightings from other states may have been birds of captive origin.


Description:
Found in Europe and Asia inland on swampy meadows, freshwater marshes, ponds and small lakes with abundant emergent vegetation. Winters on coastal marshes or lagoons or at sea. Migrants recorded each year in western Aleutian Islands and Pribilof Islands. Scattered sightings over much of North America during migration and the winter months. California has the heaviest concentration of sightings.


Description:
Breeding plumage worn from early winter through early summer	Blue-gray head with darker cap	White crescent on face in front of eye	Buff breast and flanks with darker spotting	White band at rear portion of flanks	Black undertail coverts	Adult male nonbreeding	Similar to adult female, but forewing brighter


Description:
Pale head	Dark crown and eye line	Pale eye ring, and loral spot	Mottled gray-brown body plumage with darker back


Description:
Small dabbling duck	Male: gray head with large white crescent in front of eye	Light blue wing patch	Female: brown overall with green speculum	Medium-sized dark bill without spatulate tip	Pale blue upper secondary coverts	Green speculum with white leading edge	Juvenile similar to adult female


Description:
Shallow freshwater marshes, ponds, potholes, sloughs, small lakes, swampy grasslands and flooded meadows in open country. In winter, brackish or salt water wetlands and also on the coast, in tropical mangrove habitat. Fairly common in the east. Twists and turns as it flies in small, compact flocks.


Description:
Breeding plumage worn from fall-spring	Red eyes	Dark bill	Bright cinnamon-red head, neck, flanks, and belly	Dark brown back with pale edging	Black undertail coverts	Adult male nonbreeding	Similar to adult female but retains red eye and brighter forewing


Description:
Gray bill	Brown eyes	Pale head	Indistinct dark eye line and crown	Indistinct pale eye ring and loral spot	Mottled warm brown body plumage with darker back


Description:
Small dabbling duck	Male: head, neck and underparts dark cinnamon	Blackish back and wings	Light blue wing patch	Long bill is somewhat spatulate at tip	Pale blue upper secondary coverts	Green speculum with white leading edge	Juvenile similar to adult female


Description:
Shallow marshes, ponds and lakes with abundant emergent vegetation and fringe vegetation. Both freshwater and brackish wetlands. Abundant in wetlands near Great Salt Lake, Utah. Seems to replace Blue-winged Teal west of the Rocky Mountains. Seldom seen in large flocks. This and Ruddy Duck are only two species of waterfowl to breed in both North and South America.


Description:
Breeding plumage worn from fall through early summer	Black bill	Eyes yellow	Green head	White lower neck, breast, and tail	Rusty underbody with white band on hind flanks	Dark back, with elongated white scapulars	Pale blue upper secondary coverts	Green speculum with white leading and trailing edges	Adult male nonbreeding	Similar to adult female


Description:
Eyes brown	Orange bill with dusky patches	Mottled brown and buff head, neck and back	Dusky blue upper secondary coverts	Dull green speculum with white fore border


Description:
Very long bill widens at tip	Male: dark green head	White breast	Chestnut flanks	Large dabbling duck	Large spatulate bill	Juvenile similar to adult female


Description:
Shallow, freshwater marshes , wetlands, ponds, prairie sloughs, lakes with vegetation and slow-flowing muddy creeks. In winter, also found on brackish lagoons, bays and tidal mudflats. More common west of the Mississippi River. When swimming, rides low in front with bill held down. One of earliest fall migrants.


Description:
chik-chik, chik-chik... (female quacks like mallard)


Description:
Breeding plumage worn from fall through early summer	Red eye	Reddish head and neck	Black breast	Pale gray back and flanks	White belly	Black tail, upper- and undertail coverts


Description:
Duller than breeding plumage, especially about the breast and back


Description:
Brown eye	Brown head and neck	Pale gray back and flanks	White belly


Description:
Forehead slopes to long black bill	Chestnut head and neck	Black breast and tail	White body	Medium-sized diving duck	Long sloping forehead and peaked crown produce distinctive profile	Black bill	Immature female similar to adult female, immature male is similar to female in autumn, but acquires breeding plumage during winter


Description:
Shallow, freshwater marshes and swamps in prairie country with abundant vegetation as well as areas of open water, large inland lakes. In winter, on larger lakes and coastal freshwater bays and lagoons. Canvasbacks have a rapid wingbeat and fly faster and higher than most other ducks, migrating in irregular V-shapes or in lines.


Description:
Well-vegetated swamps, marshes, wetlands, lakes and slow-moving rivers with areas of open water throughout Europe and central Asia. In winter, on larger lakes, reservoirs, brackish lagoons and tidal estuaries. Migrants reported from western Aleutian Islands and Pribilof Islands of Alaska. Also recorded in southern California and Saskatchewan.


Description:
Breeding plumage worn from fall through early summer	Eclipse-plumage male duller than in breeding plumage, especially about the breast and	Blue bill with white ring before black tip	Yellow eyes	Reddish head and neck	Black breast	Grayish back and flanks	Black tail, upper- and under-tail coverts	Whitish belly


Description:
Duller than in breeding plumage, especially about the breast and back


Description:
Brown eyes	Dark blue-gray bill with black tip	Brown head and body plumage	Whitish belly


Description:
Steep rounded forehead	Short bluish bill with black tip	Chestnut head and neck	Black breast and tail and white body	Medium-sized diving duck	Smoothly rounded head	Dark wing with grayish secondaries	Immature female similar to adult female, immature male is similar to female in autumn, but acquires breeding plumage during winter


Description:
Rather deep, freshwater swamps, marshes, wetlands, ponds, lakes with extensive areas of open water. In winter, on brackish coastal lagoons where they may gather in rafts of thousands of birds. Also seen in freshwater ponds in back of coastal beaches. Often associate with Lesser Scaup. Fly low over the water in tight, wedge-shaped flocks.


Description:
Breeding plumage worn from fall through early summer	Blue bill with white ring around base, white subterminal ring, and black tip	Yellow eye	Purple head and neck	Chestnut ring around neck is not easily visible	Black breast	Gray flanks with vertical white finger at forward portion	Dark back, tail, upper- and undertail coverts	Whitish belly


Description:
Dark brown crown and pale gray-brown face, becoming whitish on lores	Dark blue-gray bill with white ring before black tip	Brown eye with narrow white eye ring	Dark brown body plumage with very dark back


Description:
Small, compact diving duck	Male: peaked dark purple head	Bill has white ring at base and wider ring near tip	Black chest, back and tail	Light gray sides with white vertical patch	Dark wing with grayish flight feathers	Immature female similar to adult female, immature male is similar to female in autumn, but acquires breeding plumage during winter


Description:
Shallow freshwater marshy areas in open country with extensive cover of floating vegetation and areas of open water, woodland ponds, small lakes. More likely to be found in forested areas than other diving ducks. In winter, form large flocks on larger bodies of water, including estuaries and coastal lagoons, but more frequently seen on fresh water. Gregarious. More descriptive name for this bird would be Ring-billed Duck.


Description:
Breeding plumage worn from fall through early summer	Glossy purplish head with crest	Black breast and back	White flanks and belly	Black tail, upper- and under-tail coverts


Description:
Sometimes has small crest	Dark brown body plumage	Whitish belly


Description:
Small, compact diving duck with rounded crown	Male: dark purple head with crest	Black chest, back and tail	White sides	Yellow eyes	Blue bill with black nail at tip	Dark wing with dark-tipped white secondaries and inner primaries and pale gray outer primaries	Immature female similar to adult female, immature male is similar to female in autumn, but acquires breeding plumage during winter


Description:
Found in Europe and Asia on large, deep, freshwater lakes and ponds with open water and islands for breeding. In winter, found on brackish lagoons, city ponds, rivers and tidal bays. Often associates with Ringnecks, Canvasbacks and scaup. Regular visitor on outer Aleutian Islands of Alaska. Also found in small numbers each winter along the Pacific coast. Over 75 sightings from California.


Description:
Breeding plumage worn from fall through early summer	Glossy greenish head	Black breast	Whitish or pale gray flanks, white belly	Whitish back with fine black vermiculations	Black tail, upper- and under-tail coverts


Description:
Distinct white band around base of bill	Dark brown body plumage	Whitish belly


Description:
Small, compact diving duck	Male: rounded head is dark greenish	Black chest and tail	White sides and bold stripe on secondaries and primaries	Rounded crown	Yellow eyes (brown in immatures)	Blue bill with black nail at tip	Dark wing with dark-tipped white secondaries and inner primaries and pale gray outer primaries	Immature female similar to adult female, immature male is similar to female in autumn, but acquires breeding plumage during winter


Description:
Breeds on shallow, small lakes and tundra ponds in the high Arctic. Winters on both coasts on brackish lagoons, estuaries, bays and shallow marine waters. May also occur on the open ocean, well beyond the breakers.  Also winters inland on the Great Lakes, often forming large rafts. Greater Scaup prefer more open, saltwater habitats while Lesser Scaup prefer less saline bays.


Description:
Breeding plumage worn from fall through early summer	Glossy purplish head	Black breast	Whitish or pale gray flanks, white belly	Whitish back with fine black vermiculations	Black tail, upper- and under-tail coverts


Description:
Small, compact diving duck	Male: peaked head is dark purplish	Black chest and tail	White sides and bold stripe on secondaries	Yellow eyes	Blue bill with small black nail at tip	Dark wing with dark tipped white secondaries and pale gray primaries	Immature female similar to adult female, immature male is similar to female in autumn, but acquires breeding plumage during winter


Description:
Breeds on Canadian prairies in small ponds, lakes, marshes and sloughs in open country. Often near lightly wooded areas. Abundant in winter on large freshwater lakes, protected harbors and brackish bays and lagoons. Often form large rafts on water in winter. Uncommon on salt water. (Compare with Greater Scaup.)


Description:
Black crown	Greenish rear of head	Dark or yellow bill	Black underparts	White upperparts and breast	Black tail and around tail	Immature male similar to female but has white breast	Several different races differing mainly in bill shape and color


Description:
Dark gray to rusty-brown plumage with fine black barring	Barring on flanks in lines


Description:
Large diving duck	Male: white back and black flanks and tail	Sloping forehead with feathers extending along bill	Greenish nape	Female: rusty to gray overall	Bill feathered along side almost to nostril	Long sloping forehead


Description:
Marine habitat, breeding on islands along rocky coasts and estuaries of the high Arctic. Also breeds inland on tundra ponds and rivers. In winter, found along northern regions of both coasts in shallow bays, river mouths, rocky shores, shallow seashores. Also may occur on the Great Lakes in winter months. Long lines frequently seen flying low over the ocean. Seldom flies over land. Holds bill pointing down toward the water.


Description:
Pale blue crown and rear of head	Bright orange bill and frontal shield outlined in black	Black back, flanks, belly, and tail	White neck, breast, and spot near tail	Immature male similar to female but has white breast and orange bill


Description:
Gray-brown plumage with fine black barring	Barring on flanks arrow-shaped


Description:
Large diving duck	Male: orange shield over base of bill	Blue crown and nape	Black back and flanks	White breast	Bill feathered partly along side and down forehead	Steep forehead


Description:
Breeds along coast, on freshwater lakes, ponds, bogs and small rivers in the Arctic tundra. In winter, found at sea, in deep waters out of sight of land. In migration, hugs shoreline. Holds bill parallel to water.


Description:
Pale green head with large white patch around eye	Yellow bill	Black underparts	White upperparts


Description:
Dark brown plumage with fine black barring	Pale brown patch around eye


Description:
Large diving duck	Male: light green head	White eye patch bordered in black	Bill orange (male) or blue-gray (female)	Black breast and belly	Bill feathered to nostril


Description:
Breeds in tall grass near small lakes, ponds, bogs and streams of Arctic tundra, usually close to the ocean.  Favors shallow, muddy, coastal waters near river deltas. Spends the winters in the Bering Sea. Their exact location was only recently discovered (Auk 116:1009-1020). Rarest of the eiders and declining. More common in Siberia.


Description:
White head and flanks	Black on throat and back	Black around eye	Greenish patch on lores and rear of head	Black spot on breast	Black and white scapulars	Brownish belly


Description:
White head with black eye patch, chin and cillor	Light green patch before eye and on crown	Buffy underparts	Black tail	Diving duck	Gray unfeathered bill	Squarish head	Long tail


Description:
Breeds on grassy areas, often near Arctic ponds, small lakes, rivers and tundra bogs. In winter, at sea along low-lying rocky coasts, bays, river mouths. Smallest of the eiders. When swimming, often holds tail erect and angled upward.  Prefers clear waters. Flies much faster than other eiders.


Description:
Extinct. Last reported about 1875. One questionable record from 1878. Never very common. Only 44 specimens exist today. A sea duck, related to the scoters. It wintered along the Atlantic coast from Nova Scotia to Chesapeake Bay. Breeding range probably in Labrador. According to John James Audubon, it was shy, difficult to approach.


Description:
Blue-gray head and body	White crescent behind bill	Two white patches on side of head	White streaks on neck and breast	White scapulars	Brown flanks	Black tail, undertail covert, and uppertail coverts	Immature male similar to adult male but plumage duller


Description:
Two to three distinct spots on head	Brown head and body	Pale belly


Description:
Small diving duck	Male: slate-blue head, breast and back	Bold white patches in front of eye, on ear and neck	Chestnut flanks	Female: Three white patches on each side of face	Small gray bill	Dark wings


Description:
Breeds along fast-moving, turbulent streams and rivers of the rugged uplands. Spends winters along outer ledges of rocky coastlines. Dives for molluscs in the heavy surf. Swim in close formation. Harlequin Ducks are able to swim and walk underwater. More common on the Pacific coast. Fly low over the water, fast and agile with many twists and turns.


Description:
Male: 22 inches (56 cm) Female: 16 inches (41 cm)


Description:
Very long, black, central tail feathers	Black head, neck, chest, and back	Large white patch on the head around the eye	White flanks, belly and undertail coverts	Pinkish bill


Description:
Very long, black, central tail feathers	White crown, neck, back, flanks, and belly	Black chest and lower back	Gray face patch	Black bill with pale near tip


Description:
Short, black, central tail feathers	White head and neck with dark crown and face patch	Gray chest and back	Whitish flanks and belly	Black bill with pale near tip


Description:
White head and neck with dark crown and face patch	Gray back	White flanks and belly	Pale bill	Plumage somewhat darker in summer


Description:
Male: very long tail	Black head with white eye patch in summer	White head with dark neck patch in winter	Diving duck	Dark wings


Description:
Breeds on small tundra lakes, ponds, bogs,  rivers and coastal areas of high Arctic. Winters at sea along both coasts, far offshore. Also found inland in winter on Great Lakes. Unlike most ducks, Long-tailed Ducks have a distinct breeding and winter plumage. Active, noisy and relatively common. The common name was officially changed from Oldsquaw to Long-tailed Duck in the 42nd AOU supplement (Auk, July 2000).


Description:
Entirely black plumage	Bright orange patch at base of bill	Immature male similar to female but has yellow patch at base of bill


Description:
Dark crown and rear of head contrasting with paler face	Very dark plumage	Immature females somewhat paler


Description:
Medium-sized diving duck	Male: black overall	Large orange knob at base of bill	Silvery wing linings visible in flight	Dark bill	Rounded head	Paler undersides of flight feathers contrasting with darker wing linings


Description:
Breeds on freshwater ponds, small lakes or streams in tundra or bogs. Often in areas with scattered trees. Winters at sea in shallow waters of low-lying coasts. Smallest and least common of the 3 scoters. Last scoter to fly north and first to fly south during migration. May be quite numerous at traditional, local feeding areas. When swimming, holds head high with bill horizontal or pointing up, unlike other 2 scoters.


Description:
Entirely black plumage	White patches on nape and forehead	Colorful bill: white with a red tip and black spot at base	Immature male similar to female


Description:
Two variably white spots on face	Dark crown	Very dark plumage	Immature females somewhat paler


Description:
Medium-sized diving duck	Male: black overall	Large bill with white base with black spot and orange tip	White patch on crown and back of neck	Sloping forehead	Base of bill unfeathered


Description:
Breeds on small freshwater ponds and lakes in boreal forests or tundra country. Winters at sea in shallow waters of bays, estuaries and river mouths. Often seen diving for shellfish in the rolling breakers along coastal beaches. Only scoter limited in range to the New World. Casual inland migrant.


Description:
Entirely black plumage	Small white patch around eye	Black bill with a red tip	Immature male similar to female


Description:
Two variably white spots on face	Very dark plumage	Immature females somewhat paler


Description:
Medium-sized diving duck	Male: black overall with white patch near eye	White wing patch	Bill tip orange, white and black	Large white speculum sometimes visible at rest	Sloping forehead	Base of bill partly feathered


Description:
Breeds on small freshwater ponds, lakes, rivers of boreal forest and Arctic tundra. Sometimes well inland. Winters at sea along both coasts in shallow waters near the shore. Very common along New England coast in winter. Huge flocks reported off Long Island, New York. Largest of the 3 scoters. A few spend the winter on the Great Lakes each year.


Description:
Breeding plumage worn from fall through early summer	Dark glossy head	Large white patch on the head from behind the eye	White breast, belly and flanks	Dark back	Inner wing white and outer wing dark, visible in flight


Description:
Similar to adult female but with a larger white cheek patch


Description:
Dark brown head and body, breast and flanks paler	Oval white patch on face behind eye	White belly	White inner secondaries and otherwise dark wing, visible in flight


Description:
Very small compact diving duck	Male: Large white wedge on big head	White below, black back	Female: White patch on side of head	Very small dark gray bill	Immature female similar to adult female, but immature male has a larger white cheek patch


Description:
Breeds in forests near relatively shallow lakes and ponds. Nests in holes made by flickers and other large woodpeckers. In winter, found on larger lakes, rivers, brackish waters, sheltered bays and along coast. Smallest North American waterfowl. Flight is very fast with rapid wingbeats. Usually seen singly or in small groups.


Description:
Breeding plumage worn from fall through early summer	Glossy purplish head	Crescent-shaped white patch between eye and bill	White neck, breast and belly	Dark back	Black scapulars with row of rectangular white spots	Dark tail, upper- and under-tail coverts	White patch on wing split by black bar


Description:
Eclipse-plumage male like adult female but with darker bill and sometimes darker head


Description:
Medium-sized diving duck	Male: White crescent between eye and bill	White below	White spots on wing	Yellow eye	Steeply sloped forehead with flatter crown and peak at forward part of crown	Small, stubby bill	White patches on the secondaries and secondary coverts visible in flight	Juvenile similar to adult female but usually with darker bill


Description:
Breeds on freshwater lakes, ponds and rivers surrounded by coniferous forests. In winter, found in brackish or salt water on coastal lagoons, estuaries, and protected bays. Much less common than Common Goldeneye. In flight, makes a whistling noise with wings.


Description:
Breeding plumage worn from fall through early summer	Glossy greenish head	White circular patch below eye on face	White lower neck, breast, belly and flanks	Dark back	White scapulars with black striping


Description:
Medium-sized diving duck	Male: Round white patch between bill and eye	Golden-yellow eye	White below	Gently sloped forehead	Black bill is small, but larger than in Barrow's Goldeneye	White patches on the secondaries and secondary coverts visible in flight	Immature female is similar to the adult female	Immature male is like adult female but has a white breast, a darker head and a trace of the adult male's white patch before the eye


Description:
Breeds on freshwater lakes, ponds and rivers surrounded by coniferous forests. In winter, found on coastal lagoons, estuaries, and protected bays as well as inland on the Great Lakes, other large lakes and rivers. Common Goldeneye fly in small, compact flocks. In flight, makes a whistling noise with wings.


Description:
Yellow eye	Black head and back	Large white patch in the center of the crest	White breast and belly	Black and white stripes at forward portion of reddish flanks	Dark tail	Inner half of upperwings whitish, bordered by two dark bars	Breeding plumage worn from fall through early summer	Male in nonbreeding eclipse plumage similar to adult female


Description:
Brown eye	Cold gray-brown head, neck, flanks, back, and upperwings with paler breast	Faint reddish tinge to crest	White belly


Description:
Short, thin bill	Male: Black head with white fan-shaped patch	Brown flanks and black back	White breast with diagonal black line	Small, compact diving duck	Long, pointed bill with serrated edges	Erectile, fan-like crest extends from back of head	Dark bill and wings	Often cocks its tail like a Ruddy Duck	Immature similar to adult female


Description:
Uncommon. Breeds on secluded small lakes, ponds, swamps and fast-flowing streams and rivers in wooded areas. In winter, found on large lakes, rivers, coastal brackish lagoons and estuaries, very rarely on salt water. Flight is swift and silent. Usually seen in pairs or small flocks.


Description:
Breeds on freshwater lakes, ponds, streams, rivers and muskegs in taiga zone of Eurasia. In winter, on larger lakes, coastal brackish lagoons, estuaries. Uncommon on open sea. Migrants seen annually in western Aleutian Islands and Pribilof Islands of Alaska. Also recorded during the winter in British Columbia, Washington and south to California.


Description:
Greenish-black head	White neck	Reddish breast with dark streaks, bordered on sides by black-and-white patch	Gray flanks, tail, rump and uppertail coverts	Black back	White belly	White secondary coverts	Breeding plumage worn from fall through early summer	Male in nonbreeding eclipse plumage like adult female


Description:
Red-brown head, paler on throat, but without well-defined chin	Red-brown head fades evenly to paler breast	Gray and white breast and belly	Gray-brown body plumage


Description:
Male: dark green head with shaggy double crest	White neck ring	Reddish breast	Large, sleek diving duck	Long, pointed bill with serrated edges	Thin, red bill seems evenly tapered throughout length	Shaggy crest obvious in both sexes	Red eye	White secondaries	Immature similar to adult female


Description:
Breeds on deep lakes and small rivers, usually in wooded areas. Winters mostly at sea, frequenting both inshore and offshore waters, estuaries, bays and lagoons. Much more likely than other mergansers to be found on brackish or salt water. Red-breasted Mergansers often are seen in flocks of 100 or more birds.


Description:
Greenish-black head and upper neck	White breast, flanks and belly	Black back and upperwing coverts with white scapulars	White secondary coverts crossed with indistinct dark bar	Breeding plumage worn from fall through early summer	Male in nonbreeding eclipse plumage similar to adult female


Description:
Red-brown head meets pale breast in crisp line of division	Well-defined white chin	White breast and belly	Pale gray body plumage


Description:
Male: dark green head and red bill	White breast and sides	Dark back	Female: grayish body and reddish head	Large, sleek diving duck	Long, pointed bill with serrated edges	Red bill is thick at base, tapering towards tip	Sleek, tapered crest, more obvious on females than on males	Brown eye	White secondaries	Immature similar to adult female, often with a less-distinct chin patch


Description:
Breeds on freshwater lakes, ponds, rivers and streams, near trees. Winters on large lakes and rivers and brackish marshes. Flight is strong, fast and direct. Among the earliest spring migrants. Largest merganser. Dives quickly with a forward-curving plunge. Known as Goosander in Europe.


Description:
ah, ah, ah, ah... (low, even croaking in flight)


Description:
Very large, broad-winged, soaring bird	Dark brownish-black	Trailing edge of wings silvery-gray	Small red unfeathered head	Longer tail than Black Vulture	Longish, hooked bill	Rather short, thick legs	Holds wings in a dihedral angle (shallow "V" shape) while soaring and gliding	Spends most time soaring, infrequent flaps are slow and laborious	Plumage dark brown except for paler flight feathers, appearing black and gray	Immature like adult	Sexes similar


Description:
Common in dry, open country, farmlands, woodlands. Usually seen soaring alone or in small groups with wings in a shallow V (called a dihedral). Rocks and tilts erratically from side to side, with outer primaries separated. Slow, deep flapping in calm air. Perches on poles and dead trees, often with wings spread. Often observed eating road kill along highway. Roosts in tall trees, leaving late in the morning after thermals have formed.


Description:
Large, broad-winged, soaring bird	Black overall	Whitish wing tips	Short, broad wings	Flight: feet extend to edge of tail	Tail short and squared-off	Rather long, thick, gray legs	Longish, hooked, dark bill	Holds wings flat while soaring and gliding	Flies with several quick flaps and a brief glide	Unfeathered, gray head and throat	Plumage entirely black except for whitish outer primaries	Immature similar to adult	Sexes similar


Description:
Less common than Turkey Vulture, except along coast. Found in open country and around garbage dumps and fishing wharves. Flies on flat wings with 4-5 quick wingbeats between glides. Generally flies higher than Turkey Vulture when hunting as it searches for food by sight (not smell). Stubby appearance with very short tail.


Description:
47 inches (119 cm) W 108 inches (272 cm)


Description:
White patch on upper surface of inner wing-visible in flight and at rest	Reddish to yellowish head	Subadult similar to adult but has more mottling on underwing coverts	Immatures take several years to reach adult plumage	-


Description:
Head and neck dusky	Underwing coverts heavily mottled


Description:
Huge, broad-winged, short-tailed, soaring bird	Longish, hooked bill	Holds wings relatively flat while soaring and gliding	Unfeathered head	White underwing coverts	Plumage dark	Rare and local in the wild	Sexes similar


Description:
Usually seen soaring in search of carrion over rugged chaparral, arid foothills, pine-covered mountains and ridge tops. Flight is steady and direct. Largest land bird in North America. No record of Condor ever attacking a living animal. In 1985 almost extinct due to lead poisoning, pesticides. By 1987, all wild birds had been placed in captivity for breeding. Release program began in 1992. Power lines and antifreeze killed some of first birds released. By 1996 there were over 100 California Condors in captivity, with over a dozen birds in the wild, primarily in California. Released in Arizona in 1996.


Description:
Large, narrow-winged hawk	White head with dark brown eyeline broadening behind eye	White chin, throat, breast and belly (females have dark streaking on chest)	Dark brown upperparts and tail	Flies on flat wings with distinct kink at elbow	Wings taper to a rounded tip	Short hooked beak	Wings from below: flight feathers white barred with black, undersecondary coverts white and underprimary coverts black producing rectangular black mark at wrist	Brown tail has a number of white bands	Hovers and then plunges into water after fish


Description:
Fairly common in coastal areas. Also seen at marshes, wetlands, ponds, lakes. Flies 30-100 feet above water's surface. Slow, powerful wingbeat alternates with glide. Often, angled wing shows black wrist patch. Perches on snags or rocks near water. Will hover then plunge feet-first for fish. Large stick nests built in dead trees and man-made structures and platforms.


Description:
kyew, kyew, kyew, kyew, kyew (high pitched whistle)


Description:
Ranges from Mexico south to Argentina and Brazil. Uncommon in this range. Found in forests, usually in dense undergrowth or near freshwater marshes and wetlands searching for snails, insects, small amphibians. Perches for extended periods of time beneath the canopy. Flies with rapid flaps, and slow, unsteady glide. Very uncommon in south Texas between Falcon Dam and Santa Ana NWR.


Description:
Yellow eye	Black lores	Grayish overall	Reddish-brown back	Conical bill with dark upper mandible	Gray head and breast	Rusty back	White outer tail feathers	Unites States range restricted to southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico


Description:
Coniferous forests of Ponderosa pines, Douglas firs, Mexican pinyons; pine-oak slopes; mountains above 6,000 feet elevation. Forages on ground. Tame near picnic grounds in Arizona.


Description:
Yellow or white eyebrow	Brown crown with thin white central stripe	Tail short and notched	Dark whisker stripe	Conical bill	Brown upperparts ( varies from dark brown to gray-brown) with dark streaks	White underparts with dark streaks	Sexes similar	Juvenile plumage (summer) somewhat darker	Found in open fields with fairly short vegetation	Forages on the ground	Variation in plumage and size across its range


Description:
Salt marshes, open wet grasslands, tundra, hayfields, short-grass prairies, mountain meadows, streamsides, grassy dunes. Prefers areas with dense cover. Common. Many subspecies throughout North America with marked variation in appearance.


Description:
Large, flat head	Short tail	Orange face surrounding gray cheek	Orange throat	Buffy breast and flanks with blurry streaking	Gray stripe on center of crown and gray nape	Large, conical bill	White belly and undertail coverts	Brown wing coverts	Dark and light streaking on back	Sexes similar	Juvenile plumage (summer, sometimes fall) similar to adult but has buffier underparts with less streaking and browner, not gray, upperparts	Found in marshes and occasionally fields (migration)	Until recently, considered conspecific with Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow


Description:
Freshwater marshes, wet meadows, brackish marshes, lakeshores. In winter, salt and brackish marshes. Runs like a mouse. Sharp-tailed Sparrow split into two species (Nelson's and Saltmarsh) by AOU in 1995.


Description:
Yellow dash between eye and long bill	Dark whisker stripe separates white throat and cheek stripe	Blurry gray breast streaks on white or buffy breast	Large, conical bill	Large, flat head	Short tail	Dark gray plumage with indistinct streaks on breast	Sexes similar	Juvenile plumage (summer) similar to adult but has buffier underparts with less streaking and browner, not gray, upperparts	Found in coastal marshes	Some races are blacker and streakier underneath


Description:
Atlantic and Gulf Coast salt marshes, spartina grass near tidal creeks. Responds to pishing. Large feet make it easy for bird to run over muddy ooze. Flies only a short distance when flushed. Dusky and Cape Sable subspecies were once considered separate species.


Description:
Dark orange face with dark gray ear patch	Gray stripe on center of crown	Gray nape	Large, conical bill	Large, flat head	Short tail	White throat	Buffy breast and sides with dark streaks	White belly and undertail coverts	Brown wing coverts	Dark and light streaking on back	Sexes similar	Juvenile plumage (summer, sometimes fall) similar to adult but has buffier underparts with less streaking and browner, not gray, upperparts	Found in coastal marshes	Until recently, considered conspecific with Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow


Description:
Salt marshes. Breeds along Atlantic coast from Scarborough, Popham Beach south to Pea Island, North Carolina. Runs like a mouse. Sharp-tailed Sparrow split into two species (Nelson's and Saltmarsh) by AOU in 1995.


Description:
Buffy head, nape, central crown stripe and chest	Two dark stripes on each side of pale throat	Fine black streaks on nape	Large, conical bill	Large, flat head	Short, forked tail	White throat with two dark streaks at side	Brown upperparts with dark streaks	White underparts with dark streaks on breast and sides	Sexes similar	Juvenile plumage (summer, sometimes fall) buffier below and scalier above	Found in open fields	Forages on the ground


Description:
Prairies, weedy fields, moist meadows, rangelands, pastures. Uncommon. Forages on ground among long grass.


Description:
Buffy-orange face and chest	Gray ear patch	Dark crown with central white stripe (buffy at rear)	Chestnut streaks on nape	Large, conical bill	Large, flat head	Short tail	Black eye line becoming T-shaped behind eye	Sides finely streaked	White belly and undertail coverts	Brown wing coverts	Dark and light streaking on back	Sexes similar	Juvenile plumage (summer, sometimes fall) similar to adult but duller without nape patch and with buff central crown stripe	Found in marshes and fields


Description:
Wet grassy fields, edges of marshes, moist grassy plains, bogs. Fairly common but secretive and difficult to flush, preferring to run along ground. Flies only short distance before dropping back into grass.


Description:
Olive-green head, face and neck	Narrow, whitish crown stripe	Dark chestnut on wings	Large, conical bill	Large, flat head	Short tail	Two dark "whiskers"	Buffy streaked breast and sides	White belly and undertail coverts	Rusty wing coverts	Dark and light streaking on back	Sexes similar	Juvenile plumage (summer, sometimes fall) similar to adult but has fine streaks confined to sides of breast	Found in open fields with tall herbaceous vegetation


Description:
Weedy moist meadows, shrubby fields, overgrown pastures. In winter, in understory of pine woods. Prefers low damp areas with dense ground cover. Secretive nature and weak song make bird difficult to locate.


Description:
Buffy face, supercillium and breast	Flanks without streaks	Short tail	Dark crown with thin white stripe	Large, conical bill	Large, flat head	White belly and undertail coverts	Gray and brown streaks on nape, wing coverts and rump	Black and white streaking on back	Sexes similar	Juvenile plumage (summer, sometimes fall) similar to adult but has fine streaks on breast	Some variation in plumage across range with Florida birds being somewhat darker and Arizona birds having indistinct brownish streaks on sides of breast	Found in open fields	Forages on the ground


Description:
Prairie grasslands, pastures, old weedy fields, palmetto scrub, grain fields, hayfields. Fairly common but secretive.


Description:
pee-trip-treee (last syllable a raspy trill)


Description:
Unstreaked gray breast with dark central spot	Rufous crown	Rufous line behind eye	Bill dark above, yellow below	Gray supercilium and face	Gray breast with black spot	Rust patch at side of breast	White belly and undertail coverts	Buffy flanks	Tan back with dark streaks	Brown wings with wing bars	Slim, forked tail	Sexes similar	Juvenile plumage (summer) similar to immature but duller with streaked breast


Description:
Edge of taiga-tundra, woodland edges, brushy pastures, weedy fields, marshes, hedges, open country, groves of small trees. Usually seen in small flocks during the winter.


Description:
Long, deeply forked tail	White head, neck, chest, underwing coverts, belly, and undertail coverts	Slate gray back and upperwings	Black tail and flight feathers


Description:
Duller than adult with fine streaks on head and breast	Shorter, less deeply-forked tail than adult


Description:
Very long black forked tail	White head, chest, belly and leading portion of underwing	Black flight feathers	Black back	Medium-sized, graceful, long-winged, long-tailed hawk	Pointed wings	Short, dark, hooked bill	Sexes similar


Description:
Wet open woodlands, bottomlands,  wooded river swamps, marshes, wetlands, and along rivers, ponds and lakes. Agile and graceful in flight. Eats in flight by bending head and neck under body to eat prey held in talon. Will drink in flight, much like a swallow. Gregarious. Will sweep low over open fields and grasslands to catch food or soar very high for flying insects.


Description:
White head, chin, throat, chest, belly and underwing coverts	White underwing with primaries darkening on outer wing	Small black wrist mark on underprimary coverts	White tail	Pale gray back and upperwing with flight feathers darkening towards outer wing


Description:
Brown head, nape and back	White face	Brown streaks on white breast	Dark upperwing with pale tips to the coverts	Dark band at tip of white tail


Description:
Long, pointed wings with black shoulder patches	Long white tail with gray central feathers on upper side	Light gray above	White underparts	Medium-sized, graceful, long-winged hawk	Pointed wings	Long, squared-off tail	Short, dark, hooked beak	Red eye	Black upperwing coverts appear as black shoulder at rest	Often hovers and soars with wings held in a dihedral	Sexes similar


Description:
Formerly known as Black-shouldered Kite. The name was changed in 1993. Found in open country, brushy grasslands, farmlands, alfalfa fields with nearby trees, freshwater marshes, moist meadows. Flies with languid, floppy wingbeats, gliding with wings held above the horizontal. Dangles feet when hovering.  From a distance, resembles a gull.


Description:
Dark gray plumage	Darker flight feathers	Red legs and cere


Description:
Dark brown upperparts	Underparts heavily streaked	White supercilium	Yellow to orange legs and cere	Immature similar to adult female


Description:
Long, thin hooked bill	Long, squared-off tail with white base, broad dark band and gray terminal band	Reddish-orange legs and facial skin	Blackish above and below	Medium-sized hawk	Long, broad, rounded wings extend beyond tip of tail at rest	White upper and undertail coverts	Range restricted to southern Florida


Description:
Tropical freshwater marshes and wetlands with tall grasses dotted with clumps of trees and bushes. Feeds almost exclusively on apple snails. Flight is slow, with head down and considerable wing flapping, 5-30 feet above ground. Often perches in dead trees around a marsh. Common in Central and South America. Local and uncommon in southern Florida. Most often seen around Lake Okeechobee and the Shark Valley entrance to the Everglades.


Description:
Pale gray head with dark mask at lores	Gray breast, belly, underwing and undertail coverts	Dark gray back, upperwing coverts, primaries, and uppertail coverts	Pale silvery-gray secondaries visible from above	Blackish flight feathers visible from below	Black tail


Description:
Streaked, brownish head with pale superciliary line	Dark brownish back and upperwing	Breast, belly, and underwing coverts streaked heavily with rich brown	Dark tail has distinct white bands


Description:
Head and breast like adult, occasionally with remnants of brown	Underwing coverts streaked heavily with rich brown	Dark tail has distinct white bands


Description:
Dark gray above, pale gray below	Whitish-gray head	Long, black tail	Medium-sized, graceful, long-winged hawk	Pointed wings	Long, squared-off tail	Short, dark, hooked beak	Outermost primary about half the length of the longest primary	Sexes similar


Description:
Open woodlands, swamps, wet woodlands, wooded streams, semiarid rangelands near groves of tall trees. Gregarious, even when nesting. Flight is slow, smooth, graceful, veering deliberately in search for flying insects. Glides on flat wings. Common on southern Great Plains.


Description:
White head and upper neck	White tail	Dark brown body plumage	Yellow bill


Description:
Dark bill and dark cere	Dark brown body plumage, including head and tail	Variable amounts of white on underwing coverts, belly, and back	White head and tail, and dark underwings are gradually acquired in four years


Description:
Dark brown above and below	White head and tail	Large yellow bill	Immature: brown overall with white mottling	Very large, broad-winged, broad-tailed hawk	Rounded wings	Thick, hooked bill	Plucks fish from water with talons	Sexes similar


Description:
Along the coast and near large lakes, rivers. Nests on cliffs or in tall trees, usually near large bodies of water. Often perches on exposed limbs of tall trees near water. Eats fish, attracted to salmon runs (e.g. Chilkat River, Alaska in November.) In winter, often found in large concentrations near dams, wildlife refuges with ice-free water (Klamath/Tule Lake NWR in California), along Mississippi River. Official bird of the United States.


Description:
Range northern Eurasia and Greenland. Found along the seacoast, valleys of large rivers, large inland lakes. Often seen perched in trees or on crags. Accidental in Massachusetts. Casual in western Aleutian Islands. One female has resided in Temnak Valley on Attu Island, Alaska, since late 1970s.


Description:
Found in Asia along Siberian seacoast and large rivers near the coast. Eats mainly fish. Casual on Aleutian, Pribilof and Kodiak Islands of Alaska and at Taku Inlet near Juneau.


Description:
Fairly common in freshwater marshes, wetlands, sloughs, open grassy fields, prairies. In winter, also found in coastal marshes, often roosting in large groups. Flies very low over the ground using its sense of hearing to locate small animals. Acrobatic and agile in flight. Spectacular courtship flight consists of a series of U-shaped maneuvers, with a stall at the top of each "U".


Description:
Red eye	Black cap	Blue-gray back and upperwings	White breast, belly and underwing coverts marked by fine, thin, reddish bars	White undertail coverts	Tail, blue gray above and pale below, barred with black bands	Flight feathers, blue-gray above and pale below, with dark bars


Description:
Yellow eye	Brown head with indistinct pale supercilium	Brown cap, nape, back, and upperwings	Tail, brown above and pale below, barred with black bands	White underparts streaked extensively with dark brown, almost to the undertail


Description:
Short, rounded wings and squared tail	Blue-gray upperparts	Reddish-brown barring on white underparts	Crown and back similar in color	Short, dark, hooked beak	Long, narrow tarsi	Short, rounded wings	Long tail is squared-off at tip with prominent corners	Typically flies with several quick snappy wingbeats and a short glide, but also soars	Small rounded head does not project far beyond wings when soaring	Sexes similar, but females much larger


Description:
Large mixed woodlands, coniferous forests. In migration, fairly common along mountain ridges, lake shores and coast. Secretive. Flight is fast, silent through woods or just above canopy of forest where they use swift attacks to catch prey. Can turn abruptly in flight to snatch small bird out of the air. Easily confused with larger Cooper's Hawk, but "sharpie" has tail square at end, not rounded.


Description:
Yellow eye	Brown head with indistinct pale supercilium	Brown cap, nape, back, and upperwings	White underparts marked by thin black streaks, concentrated on chest	Tail, brown above and pale below, barred with dark bands	White terminal band


Description:
Large head and rounded tail	Crown much darker than back	Blue-gray upperparts	Reddish-brown barring on white underparts	Sexes similar, but females much larger	Medium-sized, broad-winged, long-tailed hawk	Short, dark, hooked beak	Long, thick tarsi appear short at rest because they are usually covered by belly feathers	Short, rounded wings	Very long tail is rounded at tip	Often flies with several quick wingbeats and a short glide, but also soars	Large angular head projects far beyond wings when soaring


Description:
Mixed and deciduous forest edges, deciduous streamside groves, open woodlands. Flight is low, swift, through woods and brush. Reaches talons out in air to catch prey, occasionally flying to water to drown it. Often perches quietly in crown of tree where it is difficult to see. Does not tolerate smaller Sharp-shinned Hawk in same woodlot.


Description:
Red eye	Blackish head and face with bold white supercilium	Gray back and upperwings	Pale gray chin, throat, breast, underwing coverts and belly finely vermiculate	White undertail coverts	Tail dark blue-gray above and pale below, barred with dark bands	Flight feathers dark blue-gray above and pale below, barred with black


Description:
Yellow eye	Brown head with bold white supercilium	Brown back and upperwings	White belly boldly streaked with black to undertail coverts	Tail, brown above and pale below, marked by jagged bars edged narrowly in whit


Description:
White eyebrow	Dark crown	Blue-gray back	Fluffy white undertail coverts	Underparts white with extensive gray barring	Medium-sized, broad-winged, long-tailed hawk	Short, dark, hooked beak	Rounded wings	Long tail rounded at tip	Flies with several flaps and short glide, also soars frequently	Short, dark, hooked beak	Long, very thick tarsi appear short at rest because they are usually covered by feathers	Sexes similar, but females much larger


Description:
Northern coniferous forests, deep conifer/mixed woodlands. Normally does not migrate. Irruptive - comes south in winters when normal supply of snowshoe hares, lemmings and Ruffed Grouse is not plentiful. Darts rapidly through woods, turning sharply, to catch prey. Juvenile males often seen at northern concentration points of raptor migration. Uncommon.


Description:
Variety of habitats from Mexico to South America. Dry, open woodlands, humid forests, tall second growth forests, savanna with marshes and ponds. Often near water.  In North America, one record from Santa Ana NWR in south Texas from December 20, 1987 to April 9, 1988.


Description:
Entirely dark plumage	Yellow legs and cere	Black tail with broad white band and thin white tip	Small white base of primaries-not always visible


Description:
Dark upperparts	Buffy patches visible on upper surface of primaries	Buffy underparts streaked with brown	Dark face with buffy supercilium and cheek	Numerous thin bands on tail with broad dark terminal band


Description:
Black overall	Wide band through middle of short tail, narrow band at tip	Wide, rounded wings	Yellow legs and facial skin	Medium-sized hawk	Broad rounded wings	Hooked beak	Short broad tail	Sexes similar


Description:
Along rivers and streams surrounded with mature forests or thickets. Hunts from low perches over running water. Also stalks around sandbars and mud flats. Rather tame and sluggish. Often seen soaring high above its riparian habitat. Ranges from Mexico to South America. Regular in southeast Arizona and southwest New Mexico.


Description:
Chocolate-brown head, neck, back, and belly	Chestnut underwing coverts and leg feathers	Dark flight feathers above and below	Chestnut upperwing has dark centers to many of the feathers	White undertail coverts	Black tail with white base and terminal band


Description:
Chocolate-brown head and neck with sparse pale streaking	White belly streaked with chocolate-brown	Leg feathers pale with chestnut barring	Upperwing and underwing coverts chestnut, with dark centers to many of the feathers	Pale bases to primaries create pale patch in outer wing	Dark tail with narrow white base and terminal band


Description:
Chestnut shoulder patches and, wing linings and leggings	Brown overall	Long black tail has broad white band at base, narrower band at tip	White undertail coverts	Large, long-tailed, broad-winged hawk	Short, dark, hooked beak with yellow cere	White uppertail coverts	Sexes similar


Description:
Dry country with mesquite and thorny shrubs, semi-arid woodlands, along valley streams in scrublands. Nests in mesquite, yucca and saguaro cactus. Frequently seen perched on telephone poles, tops of large cacti. If startled, fly low and land near original perch. Soars in easy spirals. Body held more horizontal than other hawks when perched. Often seen in small family groups. Relatively tame.


Description:
Gray upperparts	Underparts barred gray and white	Dark tail with two white bands, one wider than the other	White uppertail coverts	Pale underwings


Description:
Dark brown upperparts	Underparts heavily streaked	White supercilium contrasting with dark eyeline	Dark malar streak	Brown tail with numerous darker bands


Description:
Small buteo	Gray upperparts	Gray barred underparts and wing linings	White "U" shaped rump band	Broad, rounded wings	Hooked beak	Short broad tail	Yellow legs and cere	Sexes similar


Description:
Found in Mexico south to South America near streams and rivers, flanked by cottonwood and willow trees, with open land nearby, forest borders. This small, swift buteo flies like an accipiter. Local nester in southeast Arizona.


Description:
Found throughout Central and South America in open woodlands, wet or dry forests, river borders, shrubby areas with trees. Three records from southern Texas, October to April.


Description:
Brown head	Reddish breast and underwing coverts	Pale belly barred heavily with reddish	Reddish lesser upper secondary coverts appear as reddish shoulder at rest	Flight feathers dark above with white barring	Flight feathers pale below with dark barring	Dark tail has several narrow white bars	Florida birds (B. l. extimus) are paler about the head and have much paler breast	California (B. l. elegans) and Texas (B. l. texanus) birds are much richer red


Description:
Pale supercilium	Brown head, back and upperwing coverts	Small reddish patch on lesser secondary upperwing coverts	Underwing mostly pale, with faint barring on flight feathers	Dark brown tail with narrow buff bands


Description:
Reddish shoulders	Cinnamon breast	White spots on dark wings	Long wings with pale crescent at base of primaries	Short, dark, hooked beak	Large, fairly long-tailed, broad-winged hawk	Pale, translucent crescent at base of primaries	Sexes similar


Description:
Moist, mixed or deciduous woodlands, often near streams, swamps, wooded river bottoms. Prefers mature forests. Hunts by perching quietly on tree limbs. Very noisy in spring. Red-shouldered Hawks often return to same nesting area year after year.


Description:
Dark brown head, nape, upperwing, and back	Pale breast with thick, reddish bars to belly	Pale underwing with thick black margin to trailing edge	Thick black and white bands on tail of even width


Description:
Dark brown head, back, and upperwing	Pale breast streaked with black	Pale underwing with indistinct, broad, black trailing edge	Tail dark brown above and pale below with dark bands


Description:
Rare breeder in Alberta and rare migrant in West and Midwest	Dark chocolate brown head, back, breast, upperwings, belly, and underwing coverts	Black and white bands on tail of even width	Pale silvery flight feathers below are barred with black	Broad, black trailing edge to wings


Description:
Dark chocolate brown head, back, upperwings, breast, belly, and undertail coverts often with paler rufous and white streaks	Tail dark above and pale below with narrow dark bands	Pale silvery flight feathers with some barring and often a pale, rectangular window in the outer wing	Indistinct dark margin to trailing edge of wing


Description:
Medium-sized, broad-winged, broad-tailed hawk	Broad black and white bands on short, broad tail	Broad wings white below with black border at tip, trailing edge	Dark brown above, reddish barring below	Short, dark, hooked beak	Short, broad wings somewhat pointed at the tip	Sexes similar


Description:
Large deciduous forests, mixed coniferous-hardwood forests around wilderness lakes, streams, swamps. Often sits on low limbs waiting for prey such as frogs or toads. Nests near water in woods. Wingbeats are slower than Red-shouldered Hawk. Huge flocks seen in migration, especially at Hawk Mountain, Pennsylvania (west of Allentown) in mid-September.


Description:
Dark upperparts	Dark face with white chin	White underparts and wing linings	Dark secondaries	Barred tail-subterminal band widest	Immature similar to adult but face is streaked and tail bands are of equal width


Description:
Entirely blackish plumage	Whitish bases to primaries contrasting with black wing linings and secondaries	Barred tail-subterminal band widest	Immature similar to adult but underparts mottled with white and tail bands of equal width


Description:
Small buteo	Dark overall with lighter flight feathers	Short, gray tail with thin dark bands	Broad rounded wings	Hooked beak	Short broad tail	Wingtips help upwards while soaring	Long wings reach end of tail at rest	Light morph (rare): white underparts with dark hood	Range restricted to Florida	Sexes similar


Description:
Common throughout Mexico, Central and South America. Locally uncommon in southern Florida where it is found in mixed woodlands-grasslands, savannah regions, also in mangrove and cypress swamps of the Everglades. Often perches in tall trees. Soars very high on flat wings with outer primaries turned up. Dives for prey from great heights. Most often seen November through February soaring over wooded areas of the Everglades.


Description:
Gray-brown head	White chin patch	Reddish breast	White belly and underwing coverts	Dark flight feathers with faint barring	Dark brown back and upperwing	Gray tail, dark above and pale below, barred with narrow dark bars


Description:
Back and upperwing brown with pale edgings	Pale breast, belly and underwing coverts	Dark streaking on chest, often forms a necklace	Dark flight feathers	Pale supercilium and face with dark eyeline and malar steak


Description:
Dark brown head, back and upperwing	Underwing coverts often quite rufous	Flight feathers dark with barring, but paler than underwing coverts	Deep reddish brown breast with brownish barring below	Pale undertail coverts


Description:
Like light morph immature but much more heavily streaked


Description:
Very long-winged for a Buteo, with wings tapering noticeably at the tip	Pale wing linings	Dark flight feathers	White chin	Brown bib extends onto buffy or whitish underparts	Short, dark, hooked beak	Large, broad-winged, broad-tailed hawk	Intermediate plumages between light and dark morphs occur	Sexes similar


Description:
Plains, prairies, arid regions. Nests in shrubs and trees near wetlands and drainage ditches or in windbreaks in fields. Often seen perching on fence posts and telephone poles along the road. Quite tame. Soars with wings held in a shallow V-shape. Huge flocks in migration soar to tremendous heights on thermals of warm air, then glide down for great distances to next thermal.


Description:
White tail with wide black subterminal band	White underparts, wing linings, and rump	Faintly barred primaries darker than secondaries	Dark face	Rufous wash on scapulars and coverts


Description:
Tail grayish with black subterminal band	Dark belly and white chest	Dark underwing coverts


Description:
Dark underparts and wing linings	Faintly barred flight feathers	Pale faintly barred tail	White upper and undertail coverts	Vague white patch in center of breast


Description:
Short white tail with black band near tip	Dark gray upperparts, white underparts	Chestnut shoulders	Wings long and pointed	Large buteo	Wings extend at least to tip of tail at rest	Hooked beak	Broad tail	Yellow legs and cere	Sometimes hovers in flight	Wings held in dihedral	Sexes similar


Description:
Common in Mexico, Central and South America. Prefers drier savannah, open and semiopen country, ranchlands, partially wooded terrain, semiarid brush country and open coastal grasslands. Uncommon in Texas. Wings held in V-shape when soaring. Perches on ground as well as in bushes, trees and on utility wires. Attracted to fleeing prey at grass fires.


Description:
Black overall	Pale trailing edge of wings	Black tail with thick white bands	Yellow legs and gray facial skin	Medium-sized hawk	Long, broad, rounded wings	Wing linings dark with contrasting paler, barred, flight feathers	Hooked beak	Long, broad, dark tail with white bands	Yellow legs and cere	Immature similar to adult but with scattered white mottling on underparts, and gray bands on the tail	Wings held in dihedral	Sexes similar


Description:
Wooded canyons with streams, mesa and middle slopes of desert mountains near streams and rivers, wooded river bottoms, open or semiopen scrub. Usually nests in large cottonwood trees along canyon streams. Flight and appearance mimic Turkey Vulture., i.e. slow flight with wings in V-shape, tilting from side to side. This deception may give it an advantage in hunting.


Description:
Brown head, nape, back, and upperwings	White chin, throat, breast, and belly	Dark belly band formed by vertical streaks in band across belly	White underwings have dark carpal bar on leading edge, dark outer primary tips and a dark trailing edge and are otherwise pale with dark bars on the flight feathers on all but the outermost primaries	Tail appears brick red above and pink below	Breast and back pattern vary with geography, with some birds being intermediate between light and dark morphs	Found in eastern and western North America


Description:
Like adult, but with less distinct markings below, and brown tail with numerous narrow, dark bands


Description:
Wholly dark chocolate underparts, upperparts and underwing coverts with no apparent patagial mark	Pale underside to primaries and secondaries like light morph birds being pale with dark tips and dark bars on the flight feathers	Tail appears brick red above and pink below (like light morph adult)	Breast and back pattern vary with geography, with some birds being intermediate between light and dark morphs	Found in western North America


Description:
Dark brown head, neck, breast, back, upperwing and underwing coverts are variably mottled with white and buff	Dark brown tail with numerous darker bars	Paler flight feathers with dark barring on all but the outermost primaries


Description:
Entirely blackish body plumage	White necklace of streaks across breast	Tail variably pale gray, gray, or reddish, with dark terminal band	Breeds in Alaska and Canada and winters in central United States


Description:
Entirely blackish body plumage	Flight feathers extensively barred below (including outermost primaries)	Tail pale with numerous dark bars


Description:
Paler head and back than Eastern adult	Tail varies from pink to white	Belly band and patagial mark faint or absent	Inhabits Great Plains


Description:
like Krider's adult, but with whitish tail with several dark bands and whitish primaries without barring


Description:
Extremely variable within a population	Reddish upper tail	White chest with dark belly band	Dark bar on leading edge of underwing	Pale mottling on scapulars often forms "V"	Dark crescents marks at wrist on underwing	Short, dark, hooked beak	Large, broad-winged, broad-tailed hawk	Immatures have notably narrower wings and tail, and appear slimmer	Blocky translucent area in outer primaries	Flies with a dihedral	Extraordinary geographic variation	Sexes similar


Description:
Very common in a wide variety of habitats including (in the east) semi-open country with pastures or fields mixed with woods, roadsides, (in the west) prairies near groves of trees, plains, in deserts with some trees, (in northwest) mountain forests. Commonly observed soaring or perched overlooking an open area. Preys on rodents. Seldom seen in large flocks.


Description:
Very dark plumage	Flight feathers barred and paler than wing linings	Dark trailing edge to flight feathers	Dark wrist	Broad, dark, subterminal band on tail	Female has white base to tail; male has dark tail with thin paler bars


Description:
Plumage similar to dark morph adult but may be browner	Subterminal tail band less distinct than on adult	Whitish area on upper surface of primaries	Tail pale with indistinct darker bars


Description:
Wide, dark, subterminal tail band	Upperparts dark brown with some mottling	Dark wrist contrasting with mottled wing linings and paler flight feathers	Females have darker bellies than males; males have darker breasts


Description:
Plumage similar to adult light morph female	Belly black	White area on upper surface of primaries	Dark subterminal tail band on light tail with dark bars


Description:
Long white tail with wide dark band near tip	Dark wrist patches	Legs feathered down to toes	Pale head contrasts with darker back and belly band	Large buteo	Long, broad, rounded wings	Hooked beak	Broad tail	Yellow legs and cere	Sometimes hovers in flight	Wings held in slight dihedral	Intermediate plumages between light and dark morphs


Description:
In summer on open tundra in Arctic and subArctic, mountainsides, coastal wetlands.  In winter in fields, open country. Lemming cycle in north affects number seen in United States during the winter from November to March. Migrates in large flocks. Perches on low branches or atop fence posts. Often hovers while hunting. In flight, may spiral up to great heights. Tame and unsuspicious.


Description:
Pale head, neck, breast, and belly	Variable rufous mottling on underwing coverts	Variably rufous to deep brown leg coverts	Tail variably mixed with white, pink, gray, or pale rufous	Gray or blue-gray upperwings have rufous upperwing coverts


Description:
Pale head, neck, breast, and belly	White leg coverts	Dusky tail with several dark bands	Gray or brown-gray back and upperwings


Description:
Entirely dark-brown body plumage	Undersides of flight feathers are pale without barring	White comma in outermost underwing coverts	Tail like light morph adult


Description:
Entirely dark brown body plumage	Undersides of flight feathers are pale without barring	White comma in outermost underwing coverts	Tail like light morph immature


Description:
White underparts with chestnut streaks on wing linings	White tail washed with chestnut	Chestnut leggings form a "V"	Chestnut back and shoulders	Short, dark, hooked beak	Large, broad-winged, broad-tailed hawk	Extremely long gape extends to below eye	Legs feathered to toes	Sexes similar


Description:
Dry open country, arid intermountain regions, grassy prairies, treeless plains. Often seen sitting on fence post, low tree or knoll watching for prey. Soars in great circles high in sky. Also skims over ground in open country looking for prairie dogs or jackrabbits.


Description:
Golden feathering on nape	Plumage almost entirely dark brown, without white in underwing coverts	Two pale brown median tail bands	Golden band on upperwing coverts


Description:
Plumage almost entirely dark brown	White bases to outer secondaries and inner primaries produces oval, white patch	White tail with broad, crisp, dark terminal band


Description:
Plumage gradually darkens to resemble that of adult, with white in wings disappearing


Description:
Very large, broad-winged, broad-tailed hawk	Brown overall with golden wash over crown and neck	Tail faintly banded with gray	Yellow feet	Long, broad wings	Immature: white patch at base of primaries	Short, dark, hooked beak with yellow cere	Sexes similar


Description:
Open country in mountains and hilly regions of western north America. Often seen soaring over mountain ridges. Common at Snake River Birds of Prey Natural Area in Idaho. May dive from great heights at speeds of 150 miles per hour.  In fall, seen annually at Hawk Mountain, Pennsylvania (west of Allentown). In winter, occasionally found far from breeding range at National Wildlife Refuges preying on injured waterfowl.


Description:
Black back	Breast and upper back marked by fine, dark vermiculations


Description:
Brown back	Pale buff neck and throat	Pale breast streaked with dark brown


Description:
Medium-sized, broad-winged, long-tailed hawk	White neck and white throat streaked with black and buff	Red-orange facial skin	White patches barred with black at end of black wings	Long yellow legs	Thick, gray hooked beak, with reddish cere and bare facial skin around eye	Long neck, especially apparent in flight	Black cap with slight crest at rear of head	White bases to outer six primaries form white panel on outer wing like that on Black Vulture	White rump, uppertail and undertail coverts	White tail with black barring and thick terminal band	Black belly	Sexes similar


Description:
Uncommon in Texas and Florida. Found in open arid and semiarid scrublands, grassland with scattered trees, ranchlands and also in prairie region of central Florida. Seen on the ground or perching on fence posts and tops of trees. Often seen walking along roadsides. Scratches like chicken for insects. The AOU split this species in July, 2000 from the South American species, Caracara plancus.


Description:
Found in Mexico south to Peru and northern Argentina in evergreen and deciduous forests. One North American record from Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park, Texas first seen on January 24, 1994.


Description:
Rust patch on crown	Rust nape, breast, back and tail	Rust tail has a broad black subterminal band and a narrow white terminal band	Pale belly	Blue-gray wing coverts	Dark flight feathers with pale subterminal spots creating a "string of pearls"	Black spots on scapulars, wing coverts and flanks


Description:
Pale buff breast streaked with brown	Rust-brown nape, back and wing coverts	Back and wing coverts barred heavily with black	Rust-brown tail with numerous dark bars of even width and a narrow white terminal band


Description:
Barred rust-brown back barred heavily with black	Streaked breast


Description:
Blue-gray wings	Chestnut back with black spots	Chestnut tail with broad black tip	Two black stripes on white face	Short, dark, hooked beak	Small, long-tailed falcon	Long, narrow, pointed wings	Gray crown	White cheeks	Black spot at rear of crown on both sides	Seen from below, flight feathers are pale with dark barring	Juveniles and immature females like adult female


Description:
Borders of woodlands, farmlands, open fields, pastures with scattered trees, marshes, suburban areas, grasslands, arid plains, deserts with giant cacti, wooded canyons, forest openings. Often seen perched on wires along roads in rural areas. Hunts on the wing, often hovering. Often pumps tail up and down upon landing. Smallest falcon. Common.


Description:
Found in Europe and western Asia in cultivated country with fields and meadows, on heaths, moors and bogs up to willow zone in mountains. Perches on wires and posts beside road. Often seen hovering, much like closely related American Kestrel. Over a dozen North American records in the spring and fall from Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Brunswick and also western Aleutian Islands of Alaska.


Description:
Dark blue-gray back, paler than suckleyi but darker than richardsoni	Dark tail has wide, complete, blue-gray bands	Adult female	Dark, brownish back	Brown tail has narrow, complete buffy bands	Prairie Merlin (F. c. richardsonii)	Breeder and resident in prairies of south-central Canada and the upper Midwest of the United States with some moving south to New Mexico	Large spots on flight feathers visible from above	Lacks mustache mark


Description:
Pale supercilium	Pale brown cheeks	Pale blue-gray back	Blue gray tail with narrow black bands


Description:
Pale supercilium	Pale brown cheeks	Pale brown back	Complete white bands on brown tail	Black Merlin (F.c.suckleyi)	Resident in upper Pacific Coast forests from British Colombia to Alaska, occasionally straying to New Mexico in winter	Very dark back, wings and head	Dark mustache mark	Flight feathers dark above


Description:
Blue-gray cast seen in good light	Black tail with incomplete blue-gray bands


Description:
Small, long-tailed falcon	Blue-gray upperparts	Light underparts with brown streaking	Dark tail with whitish barring	Female: dark brown with lighter underparts	Short, dark, hooked beak	Long, pointed wings, broad at the base	Thin, pale black mustache mark	Underwings checkered with black and white	Juveniles and immature females like adult female	Three distinct races occur in North America: Taiga Merlin (F. c. columbarius) breeds in northern Canadian boreal forests from Newfoundland to Alaska and winters in the southern United States; migrants occur frequently along both coasts but are rare inland	Flight feathers dark above


Description:
Uncommon. Found in a variety of habitats including open woodlands, marshes, fields, grasslands, edges of lakes and ponds, coastline. Three subspecies nest in boreal coniferous forests, prairie-parkland and humid Pacific coastal regions. Preys on birds, caught in flight. Hunts with a series of shallow swoops. Seldom glides. Seen each fall during migration at Cape May, New Jersey.


Description:
Found in Europe and Asia,  winters in Africa, south of the equator. Prefers open woodlands, fields. Captures its prey in the air. Less than ten records in North America, all in the summer months in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska.


Description:
Found in Mexico to Central and South America. Open plains covered with cactus, mesquite, and yucca. Dry to arid semiopen grasslands with scattered trees. Accidental in Texas. Formerly nested in southeast Arizona, southern New Mexico and south Texas. Recently reintroduced in south Texas.


Description:
Pale brown bars on darker back	Whitish underparts have a few dark streaks on breast and spots on the belly


Description:
Lacks pale bars on back feathers making back appear darker	More heavily streaked underparts


Description:
Dark wing linings and arm pits	Whitish underparts heavily spotted with black	Pale brown upperparts	Light, translucent flight feathers	Short, dark, hooked beak	Dark brown cap and cheek	Wingtips fall a couple inches short of tail on perched birds	Pale supercilium and patch behind eye	Pale face and throat with thin, dark mustache mark	Dark axillars and underwing coverts	Brown back with paler brown fringes	Brown tail with very faint darker bands


Description:
Dry open country, prairies, deserts, arid plains, foothills and mountains, riverine escarpments, canyons. Nests on protected ledges of cliffs. Flight is direct and very swift. In winter, descends to lower elevations. Occasionally hovers.


Description:
Gray upperparts	Underparts white with dark streaks	Flight feathers distinctly paler than wing linings	Thin moustache mark	Pale supercilium	Tail gray with thin white bands	Immature similar to adult but plumage is browner


Description:
White plumage	Black barring on back and wings	White tail	Immature similar to adult but plumage is variably darker


Description:
Dark brown upperparts	Underparts heavily streaked	Flight feathers distinctly paler than wing linings	Dark tail	Immature similar to adult


Description:
Heavy-bodied	Long, broad wings	Long, tapered tail	White morph: white with dark streaks on back	Very large falcon	Long, broad-based, pointed wings	Short, dark, hooked beak


Description:
This is the largest of the falcons. Habitat includes Arctic tundra, escarpments, coastal wetlands, open country. Flies close to the ground and preys on ptarmigans and other birds. Perches with its body leaning forward. Occasionally ranges far to south in winters when food is not available. Seen annually in the upper midwest and regularly in the Dakotas, Montana, Wyoming and northern Idaho. Also seen annually in Washington, especially near river deltas. Typically observed November through March.


Description:
Black cap and moustache	Pale throat and breast	Barred belly	Gray upperparts	Underwings barred black and white	Long, thin tail with gray and white bands


Description:
Dark brown cap and moustache	Dark brown upperparts	Streaked underparts


Description:
Black crown, nape and cheek	Long, tapered wings	Long, broad tail	Bluish-gray back	Large falcon	Long, pointed wings extend to tail tip at rest	Short, dark, hooked beak	Several races occur with those from the Arctic being palest


Description:
Open country with rocky cliffs near lakes or rivers, tall city buildings and bridges, in winter along coast where prey (other birds) is plentiful. Almost wiped out by DDT. Efforts of Peregrine Fund (see web site at http://www.peregrinefund.org) and others have helped to bring this bird back from the edge of extinction.


Description:
Long dark green tail with white tip	Brownish olive back	Small head	Large, small-headed, round-winged, long-tailed, ground-dwelling bird	Plain brown plumage, darker on upperparts	Long dark tail with white tip	Reddish throat not always visible	Range restricted to south Texas	Sexes similar


Description:
Found in Mexico, south to Costa Rica. Dry open woodlands, dry brushy areas, chaparral thickets. Range in North America limited to scrubby areas along lower Rio Grande River in south Texas. Feeds in trees on leaves and buds. Can become very noisy, especially at dawn, calling out its own name. Shy, except in places like Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, Texas, where your life bird is likely to be seen on top of a picnic table!


Description:
Two long, thin head plumes	Chestnut throat outlined in white	Chestnut sides with white barring	Small, chunky, short-tailed, round-winged ground-dwelling bird	Long, straight, black head plume	Gray head and breast	Olive-brown back and tail	Chestnut flanks with white bars	Sexes similar


Description:
Arid foothills, chaparral, brushy ravines, edges of coniferous forests, brushy mountain slopes up to 10,000 feet. Fairly common but very difficult to observe. Non-migratory but they descend to lower elevations in the winter, traveling 20-40 miles, mainly on foot. Gregarious.


Description:
Small, chunky, short-tailed, round-winged, ground-dwelling bird	White tipped crest	Gray chest feathers tipped in black look like scales	Gray-brown head with white-tipped crest	Gray-brown upperwings	Blue-gray about neck, upper back and chest with black scaling	Buff belly scaled with black, is chestnut on males in south Texas	Gray flanks with white streaks	Female has less conspicuous crest and dark brown streaks on sides of face and throat	Immatures similar to female


Description:
Desert and semi-desert scrublands, desert grasslands mixed with scrub, barren mesas and plateaus scattered with creosote bushes, cactus and mesquite. Seldom flies. Often seen among weeds of dry washes or near streams. Coveys of 30 or more common in the winter.


Description:
Black, forward-tilting, teardrop-shaped crest	Pale buff forehead	Dark brown cap	Black face	White border to face	Blackish nape stippled with white spotting	Dark blue-gray chest	Brown back and upperwings	Buff belly with darker scaly markings and chestnut center	Brown flanks with white streaks


Description:
Short, curved, dark brown, teardrop-shaped crest	Gray or brown head, chest, back, and upperwings	Chestnut flanks with white streaks	Pale belly with darker scaly markings


Description:
Black plume on forehead	Scaled belly	Male: black chin	Female: light brown chin	Small, chunky, short-tailed, round-winged ground-dwelling bird	Immature similar to female


Description:
Coastal scrub, arid foothills, chaparral, brushy areas, open woodlands, farms, ranches, parks, suburban areas, stream valleys. Usually found near permanent sources of water. Very gregarious. Common. Roost low in trees or bushes.


Description:
chi-ca-go, chi-ca-go or qua-quer-go, qua-quer-go


Description:
Black, forward-tilting and teardrop-shaped crest	Black forehead	Chestnut crown	Black face	White border to face	Blue-gray nape, chest, back and upperwings	Yellowish belly with black central portion	Rusty-brown flanks with white streaks


Description:
Short, curved, dark brown, teardrop-shaped crest	Gray head, chest, back and upperwings	Chestnut flanks with white streaks	Pale belly	Lacks black throat of male


Description:
Black plume on forehead	Chestnut sides	Male: black chin, black belly patch	Female: light brown chin	Small, chunky, short-tailed, round-winged, ground-dwelling bird	Immature similar to female


Description:
Desert scrublands, low river valleys with dense mesquite thickets, willow thickets along streams, chaparral, scrubby mountain ravines. Found in arid habitat near permanent sources of water. Common. Gregarious. Males often seen calling from open perches.


Description:
White chin and supercilium	Black cap, eyeline, nape and throat	Reddish-brown body stippled with white and black spots	Pale belly


Description:
Buff throat and supercilium	Dark cap, eyeline, nape and throat	Reddish-brown body with darker back	Black and white streaks and chevrons about underparts and back	Pale belly


Description:
Dark face	Unmarked cinnamon breast and belly	Reintroduced with limited success to southeast Arizona


Description:
Mottled reddish-brown	White (male) or buffy (female) eyebrow and chin	Streaked sides	Dark streak through eye	Small, chunky, short-tailed, round-winged, ground-dwelling bird	Slight crest at top of head


Description:
Widespread and fairly common in woodland edges, edges of fields, thickets, old pastures, hedges between crop fields, woods, brushy fencerows, and in southwest in brushy canyons, dry grasslands with mesquite and cactus. Spends most of time on the ground. Often heard before it is seen. Whistles its name. Roosts in tight circles on ground, with head pointed outward.


Description:
Bold black and white face pattern	Buffy crest that projects backward over nape	Belly dark brown	Flanks and sides of breast gray with white spots	Back brown with buffy streaks	Wing coverts brown with black spots


Description:
Plumage dull brown, darker on upperparts	Semblance of face pattern of male but mottled brown and buffy	Buffy crest on nape


Description:
Male: bold black and white face pattern	Female: very faint face pattern like male	Brown crest	Rounded appearance	Small, stocky, round-winged, ground-dwelling bird	Short, rounded, brown tail


Description:
Open coniferous forests, grassy oak canyons, juniper or pine-oak woodlands, wooded semiarid mountain slopes, rocky ravines. Secretive. Squats and sits motionless when alarmed. Fairly easy to see at Davis Mountains State Park, Texas.


Description:
Male: 46 inches (117 cm) Female: 37 inches (94 cm)


Description:
Larger head with wattle at throat, caruncled forehead, and projection behind the bill	More iridescent plumage


Description:
Very large, small-headed, round-winged, long-tailed, ground-dwelling bird	Dark, iridescent body	Iridescent bronze and green wings	Bare head is pink and blue	Male has red skin patch on throat	Dark breast, belly and upper back	Barred primaries	Dark, fan-shaped tail with brown or buff band at tip


Description:
Open woodlands with clearings, forest edges, brushy areas. Semiarid mountains in the southwest. Roost in trees at night. Spends early morning and late afternoon foraging on ground for acorns, seeds, fruits, nuts and insects. Poor flier. Largest North American game bird.


Description:
Red comb over eye	Black throat with white border	Black breast with white barring	Gray plumage with white spots on belly and black barring on upperparts	White spots on uppertail coverts on "Franklin's Grouse"	Black tail with pale brown terminal band or black tail feathers in "Franklin's Grouse"


Description:
Gray-brown or reddish-brown plumage with dark-brown and white barring on underparts	Black tail with brown terminal band


Description:
Medium-sized, stocky, round-winged, chicken-like bird	Male: black throat and breast with red over eye	Black tail with chestnut tip	Long, squarish tail


Description:
Northern coniferous forests with dense undergrowth, muskeg, berry patches. Spends most of time perched in spruce, fir, jack pine and larch trees eating buds and needles. Often seen along roadsides. Tame and unafraid.


Description:
Yellow to orange comb over eye	Red neck sac, inflated in mating display, surrounded by white feathers	Entirely dark plumage with faint mottling about back and upperwings	Black tail


Description:
Brown plumage with dark brown and white marking to underparts	Brown tail with grayish terminal band


Description:
Blue Grouse was split into Sooty and Dusky Grouse by AOU in July 2006	Medium-sized, stocky, round-winged, chicken-like bird	Gray chin and breast	Orangish-yellow patch above eye	Black tail with gray tip	Long, squarish tail


Description:
Open conifer and mixed woodlands, edges of aspen groves, mountain slopes,  brushy areas, berry patches. In winter moves UP the mountains to conifer forests where they spend almost all their time in the trees. Solitary. Prefers more open areas than Sooty Grouse.


Description:
Red comb over eye	Reddish-brown head and neck	White wings and leg feathering	Body reddish-brown barred with black or white depending on molt stage


Description:
Brown plumage with black spotting and barring	Small red comb over eye


Description:
Entirely white plumage except for dark brownish tail	Small red comb over eye


Description:
White in winter, reddish-brown and white in summer	Male has red patch over eye (not always visible)	Medium-sized, stocky, round-winged, chicken-like bird	Squarish black tail	Small but stout black bill	Legs and toes feathered	Brown or white uppertail coverts cover center of tail


Description:
Common in Arctic tundra, mountain slopes and upper edge of timberline, willow and alder thickets, bogs. In winter, found in brushy habitat in sheltered valleys at lower altitudes.


Description:
Red comb over eye	White wings and leg feathering	Body brown barred with black or white depending on molt stage	Black tail


Description:
Brown plumage with black spotting and barring	Black tail


Description:
Entirely white plumage except for black tail	Males, and some females, have black eyeline


Description:
White in winter, brown and white in summer	Male: in winter has black line through eye	Male has red skin patch above eye	Medium-sized, stocky, round-winged, chicken-like bird	Squarish black tail	Small black bill	Legs and toes feathered to tips of toes in winter, base of toes in summer	Brown or white uppertail coverts cover center of tail


Description:
Hilly Arctic tundra, high rocky slopes above timberline, willow thickets. Found in higher and more barren habitat than the Willow Ptarmigan. One of the hardiest of all birds.


Description:
Red comb over eye	White wings, tail and leg feathering	Body brown barred with black or white depending on molt stage


Description:
Brown plumage with black spotting and barring	Small red comb over eye	White wings and tail


Description:
Entirely white plumage	Small red comb over eye


Description:
White tail	White in winter	Medium-sized, stocky, round-winged, chicken-like bird	Squarish white tail in nonjuvenile plumage	Small black bill	Legs and toes feathered	Brown or white uppertail coverts cover center of tail


Description:
Arctic tundra, rocky slopes above timberline. Only ptarmigan that nests in the US lower "48" where it lives at high altitudes of 10,000 - 14,000 feet. Found in areas with birch, willow and alder shrubs. In winter, moves to slightly below tree line.


Description:
Medium-sized, stocky, round-winged, chicken-like bird	Dark band near tip of tail	Small crest	Black ruffs on side of neck	Gray or brownish-red overall	Breast whitish with brown and black bars and chevrons	Long, squarish tail	Tail reddish-brown or gray with narrow black and pale bars and broad blackish subterminal band	Sexes similar


Description:
Deciduous and mixed forests, hardwood forests with dense undergrowth, aspen groves, brushy areas, cut-over woods. In winter, in coniferous or mixed conifers and deciduous woods. In spring, males makes accelerating, drumming noise by rapidly flapping wings while perched.


Description:
drumming-thumping, accelerates into a whir


Description:
Yellow comb over eye	Blackish-brown throat and v-shaped mark on neck separated by white	White breast	Grayish nape, back and upperwings stippled with white	Black belly	Two olive-green air sacs inflated when displaying


Description:
Buffy throat with black markings	Lower throat and breast barred with blackish-brown	Gray-brown plumage mottled with white and darker brown	Dark belly


Description:
Long pointed tail	Black belly	Male: white ruff on chest,  black chin, yellow above eye	Large, rounded-winged, ground-dwelling, chicken-like bird	Immature similar to adult female but paler	Legs are feathered to base of toes


Description:
Arid foothills, sagebrush plains, salt desert scrub, rangelands, chaparral. Found near big sagebrush which it depends on for food and cover. Gather on leks (display grounds) for mating from late March to late May. Largest of North American grouse.


Description:
Arid foothills, sagebrush plains, salt desert scrub, rangelands, chaparral of Colorado and Utah. Found near big sagebrush which it depends on for food and cover. Gather on leks (display grounds) for mating from late March to late May.


Description:
Yellow comb over eye	Pinkish to pale violet neck patch exposed when displaying


Description:
Medium-sized, stocky, round-winged, chicken-like bird	Narrow, pointed tail with white outer tail feathers	Scaled underparts	Male inflates purple neck sacs during courtship	Dark spots on brown back	Short crest on crown	Whitish plumage with darker brown, black and tan chevrons about head, neck, back and underparts	Legs feathered to base of toes	Sexes similar


Description:
Variety of habitats including brushlands, grasslands, sagebrush, woodland edges, brushy prairies, cleared farmland, bogs, river canyons, and boreal forest edges. Prefers to walk, rather than fly even though it is a strong flier. Gathers in the spring  at leks to "dance" in courtship display.


Description:
Yellow-orange comb over eye	Dark, elongated head feathers can be raised or lain along neck	Circular, orange unfeathered neck patch inflated when displaying


Description:
Shorter head feathers and lacks yellow comb and orange neck patch


Description:
Heavily barred dark brown, buff, reddish-brown	Dark, rounded tail	Male: yellow patch above eye	Medium-sized, stocky, round-winged, chicken-like bird	Short, rounded, dark tail	Buff plumage barred extensively about breast, back, wings and belly with darker bars	Sexes similar


Description:
Native grasslands, tallgrass prairies mixed with croplands. Uncommon and local. Population declining. The Attwater's Prairie Chicken is a dark form found in southeast Texas. In spring, male inflates bright orange neck sacs during displays at the lek (display ground).


Description:
Yellow-orange comb over eye	Dark, elongated head feathers can be raised or lain along neck	Circular, pinkish unfeathered neck patch inflated when displaying


Description:
Shorter head feathers and lacks yellow comb and pink neck patch


Description:
Dark brown barring on brown back and white chest	Dark, rounded tail	Male: yellow patch above eye	Medium-sized, stocky, round-winged, chicken-like bird	Short, rounded, dark tail	Buff plumage barred extensively about breast, back, wings and belly with darker bars	Sexes similar


Description:
Arid or sandy native grasslands, shortgrass prairies, sagebrush. Uncommon and local. Population declining.  In spring, male inflates reddish-purple neck sacs during displays at the lek (display ground). Found in different habitat and more to the southeast than Greater Prairie-Chicken.


Description:
Introduced from Asia into the Ruby and East Humboldt mountains of northeast Nevada between 1963 and 1979. Found in remote, rugged, rocky, mountainous areas. Cackles and clucks as it feeds.


Description:
Stocky, ground-dwelling quail with short, rounded wings	Male: white throat outlined in black	Red legs and feet	Flanks boldly barred black and white	Short, thick, red bill	Red eye ring	Black band above bill, through the eye and across upper neck	Buff face and throat enclosed by black necklace	Blue-gray crown, nape, breast and back, with a brownish suffusion on the back	White belly	Black bars on pale flanks	Rufous outer tail feathers visible in flight	Immatures similar to adults	Sexes similar


Description:
Introduced from Eurasia in the 1930s. Found in arid rocky slopes and canyons in mountainous areas, dry sagebrush, brushy or grassy slopes, talus slopes, brushy stream bottoms. Prefers areas with little vegetation. Gathers in coveys of 20-40 birds. Escapes from danger by running.


Description:
Stocky, ground-dwelling partridge with short, rounded wings	Rust colored face, throat, outer tail feathers	Male has dark chestnut-brown patch on center of belly, female has smaller or absent marking	Gray chest	Grayish-brown bird without bright markings	Short, thick, pale bill	Tawny cinnamon face with uncrested brown crown and ear patch	Gray nape and breast with fine, dark vermiculations	Brown back and upperwings	Reddish-brown bars on flanks	Rufous outer tail feathers visible in flight	Immatures similar to adults but have yellow rather than blue-gray feet	Sexes similar


Description:
Introduced from Eurasia around 1900. Found on northern plains, grasslands, pastures, hayfields and grainfields, open farmlands, and in the west, canyons and brushy stream bottoms. Prefers cool, moderately dry climate. Forms coveys of a dozen or more birds in the fall.


Description:
Male: 33 inches (84 cm) Female: 21 inches (53 cm)


Description:
Green head	Pale bill	Unfeathered red facial skin around eye	White ring around neck	Golden plumage with bluish and greenish iridescence and black spots scattered throughout	Long, pointed, golden tail feathers with black barring	Spurred legs


Description:
Buffy brown head and underparts	Dark brown back with paler edgings and centers	Black spots and bars scattered about head, neck and flanks	Long, buff-brown, pointed tail	Lacks spurs


Description:
Chunky, long-tailed, round-winged, ground-dwelling bird	Very long tail with black bars	Red patch around eye	Green head	White neck band	Small head and thin neck	Immatures similar to adult female	Some subspecies have green body or white wings, but are very locally introduced


Description:
Introduced from Asia in mid to late 1800s. Found in cultivated farmlands usually near crop fields, hedges and weedy ditches between fields, marsh edges, open country, small woodlots, woodland edges, brush piles. Fairly common. Also known as Common Pheasant.


Description:
kok-kok (squawky, raucous, followed by wing-whir)


Description:
Found in Asia and Europe on open or semiopen bogs or marshlands. In migration, also found on farmlands, heaths. Less than a dozen North American records from Nebraska and New Mexico (all in March), Alaska and Alberta. Almost always found with migrating Sandhill Cranes.


Description:
Dark bill	Unfeathered red crown and lores	Entirely gray plumage, that often becomes stained with rust or brown, especially about the back and wings	Whitish cheeks and chin


Description:
Feathered crown	Gray-brown plumage mottled with cinnamon


Description:
Gray overall	Dark red patch on crown and lores	Whitish cheek, chin and upper throat	Large, long-legged, long-necked bird	Long, pointed black bill	Holds neck straight both at rest and in flight, not tucking it in like herons do	Dark gray legs extended in flight	Long, fluffy tertials droop down over tail and primaries


Description:
Tundra, shallow open wetlands, marshes, sloughs, shallow ponds, grasslands, edges of fields. Often dance in spring by jumping 6-7 feet in the air with wings half spread. Often feed in dry fields during the day and return to wetlands in the evening. Some races in Mississippi and Florida do not migrate. In mid-March over 500,000 Sandhill Cranes gather along the Platte River in Nebraska between Grand Island and North Platte.


Description:
Red crown	Black at base of bill extending onto cheek	Entirely white plumage


Description:
White body with scattered brown feathers	Pale brown head and neck


Description:
White overall	Black wing tips	Dark red crown and facial skin	Black mask	Very large, long-legged, long-necked bird	Long, pointed bill	Holds neck straight both at rest and in flight, not tucking it in like herons do	Dark legs extended in flight	Long, fluffy tertials droop down over tail and primaries	Black primaries	Rare and local-breeds in NW Canada and winters in coastal Texas, reintroductions attempted in NW United States and Florida


Description:
Freshwater marshes of Wood Buffalo National Park, Alberta. Winters in shallow coastal marshes of Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Texas (boat tours in the winter usually permit good views of these birds). Sometimes seen along the Platte River in March with Sandhill Cranes. Endangered. Intensive management and breeding programs have saved the Whooping Crane from extinction. Introduced flock in Idaho winters in New Mexico. Also introduced to central Florida. Tallest flying bird in North America.


Description:
ker-laa, ker-laa (second note higher-pitched)


Description:
Chocolate brown overall with white streaks and speckles	Long, slightly decurved bill with yellowish-orange base and dark tip	Large long-necked long-legged wading bird; with neck extended in flight	Often flicks and cocks short tail while walking a high-stepping gait	Dark brown plumage	Head, neck, and underparts streaked extensively with white	Back and upperwing coverts have bold white spots and streaks	Immature similar to adult, but paler	White-streaked underwing coverts visible in flight	Sexes similar


Description:
Freshwater marshes of saw grass, marshy riverbanks, wetlands, edges of swamps in southeastern United States. When walking, often pumps its tail. Common at Wakulla Springs State Park in northern Florida (take the jungle boat trip).


Description:
kraaaaaah (loud, piercing, usually repeated)


Description:
Found in freshwater marshes, wet grassy ditches and rice fields in Mexico, Greater Antilles and South America. Two North American records. One in Beaver County, Pennsylvania on November 12, 1976 and one in Brown County, Texas on August 9, 1977.


Description:
Rich reddish-brown face, neck, breast, and wing coverts	White throat	Dark brown cap and hindneck	Brown back feathers with tawny edges	Whitish belly	Flanks strongly barred with white and dark brown


Description:
Pale buff head and neck	Back and upperwings darker than in adult	White belly	Barring on flanks less distinct than in adult


Description:
Fairly large, chunky, short-tailed, round-winged, ground-dwelling marsh bird	Reddish-brown edges to black feathers on back	Flanks dark with white stripes	Reddish-brown head, neck and breast	Long, slightly decurved bill	Most often seen walking, rarely flies	Often flicks and cocks its short tail, exposing white undertail coverts	Sexes similar


Description:
Freshwater marshes, brackish marshes, swamps, rice fields. In winter may be found in coastal marshes with Clapper Rails. Hard to see. Heard most often at dawn and dusk. Migrates at night. Some authorities believe King Rail is a freshwater race of the Clapper Rail.


Description:
Gray cheeks	Buffy breast	White throat and belly	Flanks barred with white and gray-brown


Section:
Gulf Coast (R.l.scottii) and West Coast adults (R.l.levipes and R.l.yumanensis)

Description:
Cinnamon breast, brighter in R.l.levipes	White or pale throat	Cheeks gray in R.l.scottii, brownish-gray in Western subspecies	Flanks barred with white and dark brown


Description:
Fairly large, chunky, short-tailed, round-winged, ground-dwelling marsh bird	Long, slightly decurved bill	Grayish edges to brown feathers on back	Flanks dark with narrow white stripes	Breast grayish to reddish-brown	Gray-brown cap, hindneck, back and upperwings	Most often seen walking, rarely flies	Often flicks and cocks its short tail, exposing white undertail coverts	Sexes similar	Juveniles similar to adults, but upperparts darker


Description:
Coastal salt marshes, wetlands, brackish marshes, tall marsh grasses surrounding lower Colorado River and Salton Sea, California. Common in the east. Very noisy at dusk and before a storm. When walking, bobs head and twitches tail. Often seen on mud flats at low tide.


Description:
Reddish bill	Legs brown or orange	Supraloral stripe and throat whitish	Blue-gray cheeks	Rust-colored breast and belly	Dark crown and back, edged tawny brown	Black and white barred flanks	Chestnut wing


Description:
Bill color duller than in adult	Grayish face	Whitish about foreneck and breast	Gray-black hindneck, back and flanks	Chestnut wing	Barring on flanks indistinct


Description:
Reddish-brown edges to black feathers on back	Gray cheeks	Chestnut wing patch	Reddish-brown crown, neck and breast	Fairly small, chunky, short-tailed, round-winged, ground-dwelling marsh bird	Long, slightly decurved bill	Most often seen walking, rarely flies	Often flicks and cocks short tail while walking, exposing white undertail coverts	Sexes similar


Description:
Freshwater marshes, brackish marshes, wetlands, drier areas of coastal salt marshes. Secretive. Variety of songs, including one that sounds like a pig grunting. Runs through marsh when in danger. Difficult to flush. Flight is usually short and weak.


Description:
Dark brown and buffy striped upperparts crossed by white bars	White patch on trailing edge of wing visible in flight	Short, thick bill is yellowish to grayish-green	Buffy breast	Small, chunky, short-tailed, round-winged, ground-dwelling marsh bird	White secondaries	Short, thick, yellow bill	Black upperparts with thin white fringes to feathers and broad buffy streaks	Dark crown, yellow supercilium, and dark eyeline	Belly whitish	Flanks and undertail coverts barred black and white	Rarely flies, therefore, rarely seen	Sexes similar	Juvenile darker than adult


Description:
Shallow freshwater marshes, wetlands, grassy fields, wet meadows. In fall and winter in saltwater marshes, savannas, rice fields. Extremely shy, rarely appearing in the open. Active at night. Call sounds like someone is tapping two small stones together. In breeding season, this call can go on and on for hours.


Description:
tik-tik, tik-tik-tik,... (2-3 rhythm, repeated)


Description:
Very small, chunky, short-tailed, round-winged, ground-dwelling marsh bird	Black overall	White speckles on wing	Chestnut on back of neck	Bill short and black	Black head and breast	Brown nape	Dark back and wing coverts with small white spots	Flanks barred black and white	Short dark bill	Rarely flies, therefore, rarely seen	Sexes similar


Description:
Inland freshwater marshes, coastal marshes, in back of beaches near sandy flats with Salicornia grasses, swamps, wetlands, grassy fields, wet meadows. Uncommon and extremely secretive. Birds in coastal areas may be flushed out into open at very high tides. Smallest of rails. Calls at night.


Description:
Breeds in Europe and Asia, migrates to Africa for the winter. Found in drier portions of freshwater marshes, upland hay fields, grassy fields, meadows. Fewer than six records since 1905 in North America. One from New York, others from Canadian Maritime Provinces between September and early November.


Description:
Yellow bill	Black lores and throat (paler in nonbreeding plumage)	Blue-gray face, sides of neck, and breast	Brownish cap, nape, hindneck, back and upperwings	Whitish belly	Dark brown and white barring on flanks


Description:
Pale yellowish bill	Buff-brown face, foreneck and breast; whitish throat	Brownish cap, nape, hindneck, back and upperwings	White spotting on back and upperwing coverts	Flanks less distinctly barred with white and dark brown


Description:
Black face and center of throat and breast	Stubby yellow or yellowish-green bill	Brownish overall with white streaks on back	Fairly small, chunky, short-tailed, round-winged, ground-dwelling marsh bird	Most often seen walking, rarely flies	Often flicks and cocks short tail while walking, exposing white undertail coverts	Sexes similar


Description:
Common in small freshwater marshes, wetlands, bogs, wet grassy meadows, marshy areas next to lake or pond, ricefields, grainfields. In winter also found in saltwater marshes. Easiest rail to see in North America. Easy to flush, feeds at edge of openings in the marsh. Will usually respond to clapped hands.


Description:
Found in wet grassy fields, marshes, pastures, grassy bushy areas of South America. Two North American records. One at College Station, Texas February 17, 1972 and one at Richmond, Virginia on December 15, 1978.


Description:
Red frontal shield above bill	Red bill with a yellow tip	Slate gray head, neck, breast and belly	Brownish back and upperwings	White stripe along upper flanks	Tarsus and feet greenish yellow, tibia red


Description:
Small, dull red frontal shield	Dark bill with dull yellow tip	Pale gray-brown head and underparts	Whitish throat and belly	Dark gray-brown upperparts	White stripe along flanks


Description:
Red forehead shield	Short, thick red bill with yellow tip	Blackish-olive head and body	White line along flanks	Fairly large, duck-like waterbird with short wings and a short tail	Frequently seen both swimming and walking	Often flicks and cocks short tail while walking, exposing white outer undertail coverts which are also easily visible while swimming	Sexes similar


Description:
Freshwater marshes with cattails and bulrushes, ditches of open water, pond and lake edges, slow-moving rivers. Often associates with American Coots. Climbs through dense reeds with ease. Bobs head when swimming. When threatened, half flies-half runs along surface of water. May dive for food but also feeds on land.


Description:
Red eyes	Red bill with yellow tip	Pale blue frontal shield above bill	Yellow legs and feet	Purple head, neck, breast and belly	Green back and upperwings


Description:
Brownish eyes	Dark olive or yellowish bill	Buff brown head, neck and breast	Olive-brown back	Greenish upperwings	Whitish belly and throat


Description:
Bright purplish-blue head, neck and underparts	Short, thick red bill with yellow tip	Legs and extremely long toes are yellow	Green back	Fairly large, duck-like waterbird with short wings and a short tail	Frequently seen both swimming and walking	Often flicks and cocks short tail while walking, exposing white undertail coverts	Sexes similar


Description:
Freshwater marshes, coastal freshwater lowlands, overgrown swamps, lagoons, wetlands with pickerelweed, ponds and lakes with lily pads. Migratory. Tends to wander far from normal range where it could be seen in almost any habitat. Very long toes support it as it walks across lily pads. Almost tame in Everglades National Park, Florida.


Description:
White bill with dark reddish ring just before tip	White frontal shield with reddish oval near tip	Slate gray head, neck, back, upperwings, breast and belly


Description:
Lacks the frontal shield of the adult	Horn-colored bill may lack ring near tip	Pale gray-brown head, neck, upperwings, breast and back; feathers on underparts often with paler edges


Description:
Dark slate blue-black overall	Short, thick whitish bill with dark band near tip	Small reddish-brown forehead shield	Fairly large, duck-like waterbird with short wings and a short tail	Frequently seen both swimming and walking	Often flicks and cocks short tail while walking, exposing white outer undertail coverts	Sexes similar	Toes have lobed webbing, unlike gallinules


Description:
Marshes, wetlands, ponds, lakes, bayous, marshy rivers. In winter, occasionally found on salt water. Very common. Usually seen in large flocks close to shore. Bobs its head when swimming. Often dives to feed.


Description:
Found in Europe and Asia in marshes, wetlands, edges of ponds and lakes . Four North American records. Two from Labrador, one from Newfoundland and one from St. Paul Island, Alaska. All occurred between late October and late December.


Description:
Large shorebird	Fairly short, yellow bill and frontal shield	Long toes	Pale green flight feathers	Adult: Dark plumage, darkest on head	Juvenile: White underparts; white supercilium	Rare in south Texas


Description:
Found in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America in marshes, marshy ponds, swamps, fields. About 40 records from south and central Texas and two records from Arizona. Most often seen along the lower Rio Grande Valley. Has nested in Texas. Often seen foraging in the open as they walk across the surface vegetation on extremely long toes.


Description:
Found in Europe and Asia in coastal shores, inland wetlands, fields, river banks. One North American record from Tor's Cove, Newfoundland on May 22, 1994.


Description:
Bright orange, long, thick bill	Black head and breast	Dark brown back	White underparts, wing and base of tail	Large shorebird	Dark gray back and wings	White belly	Large white patch on inner wing	White uppertail coverts and dark tail	Pink legs	Adult: Yellow eye; orange orbital ring	Juvenile: Eye dark and orbital ring not conspicuous; dark end of bill; upperparts faintly fringed with buff


Description:
Atlantic barrier islands, coastal marshes, mudflats, beaches, rocky shores. Feeds on oysters and other mollusks during falling tide. Uncommon. Shy and wary.


Description:
Long, thick orange or reddish-orange bill	Black overall	Pinkish legs	Large shorebird	Yellow eye	Orange orbital ring	Juvenile like adult but bill has dark tip and plumage is browner


Description:
Rocky Pacific coasts, rocky islands, rocky ledges, only rarely on sandy beaches or mud flats. Moves with slow, jerky motion. Does not migrate. Rather solitary.


Description:
Found in Europe and Asia on coastal lagoons, shallow lakes, river mouths and saltpans. Migrates to Africa. One North American record from Nizki Island, Alaska on May 24 to June 5, 1983.


Description:
White spot above eye in dark cap	Black cap, hindneck, nape, back, underwings and upperwings	White tail and rump	White forehead, lores, chin, throat, breast and belly


Description:
Similar to adult male, but has a brownish-black back


Description:
Similar to adult female, but brownish back feathers have broad pale brown edges


Description:
Large, very long-legged shorebird	Extremely long red or pink legs	Black head, back and wings	White underparts	White spot above eye	Long, very thin black bill	Juvenile similar to adult female	Legs extend well beyond tail in flight


Description:
Wide variety of wet habitats including freshwater marshes, alkaline lakes, wet meadows, brackish ponds of salt marshes, wetlands, flooded fields, freshwater ponds in back of beaches. Very active when feeding. Distracts predators by pretending to have a broken wing or broken leg.


Description:
Rust red head, neck and chest	White lores and eyering	White upper back, breast, belly and tail	White back is bordered by two long, black stripes on the scapulars	Black outer wing and white inner wing, with a black bar through middle of inner wing


Description:
Similar to adult breeding, but head, neck, and chest are grayish


Description:
Gray face	Rusty wash on head and hindneck


Description:
Long, very thin black bill is upturned at tip	White underparts	Summer: Head and neck cinnamon	Bold black and white pattern on wings and back	Large, very long-legged shorebird	Blue-gray legs	White rump and tail	Sexes similar, but bill is more strongly recurved in female than in male


Description:
Shallow saline lakes, sloughs, wet meadows, wetlands, marshes, saltwater or brackish ponds, lakeshores. Often seen feeding in large flocks, sometimes in a long line. Sweeps bill from side to side. A graceful, unmistakable bird.


Description:
wheek or kleet (given in flight, repeatedly)


Description:
Found in Mexico, Hispaniola and northern South America on drier savanna and flat open country, pastures. Nocturnal. One North American record from Kleberg County, Texas on December 5, 1961.


Description:
Found in Asia and Australia on open plains, bare ground around lagoon edges, grassy airfields, marshes, rice fields, floodplains. Migratory. Two North American records. One from Attu Island, Alaska on May 19-20, 1985 and one from Gambell, St. Lawrence Island, Alaska on June 5, 1986.


Description:
Found in Europe and Asia on damp short-grass meadows, fields, near wetlands, coastal pastures. Over 25 isolated North American records from eastern Canada and the northeast United States, most in November to January.


Description:
Found in Greenland, Europe and Asia on tundra, moors, bogs, fields, coastal pastures. Seen occasionally in North America, usually in Newfoundland and Labrador during April and May. Recorded as far south as Delaware.


Description:
Medium-sized, long-winged shorebird	Summer: dark crown, black face and underparts; broad white stripe extends from forehead down to shoulder	Winter: white eyebrow and grayish-brown back	No wing stripe	Wingtips extend beyond tail	Dark rump	Short, fairly thin, dark bill	Legs black	Adult breeding: Black face, throat, and underparts; white border to black face and throat; gold and black spangled crown, nape, back, and wings	Adult nonbreeding: Gray-brown upperparts with paler edging; pale gray breast; white supercilium; whitish underparts; underwing coverts and axillars gray	Juvenile: Similar to adult nonbreeding but upperparts have "cleaner" appearance and more gold spotting; black and gold spotted tertials; finely streaked breast; white supercilium; underwing coverts and axillars gray


Description:
Breeds on Arctic tundra in Canada and western Alaska. In migration, in plowed fields, short-grass pastures, prairies. Migrates south along Atlantic coast and winters in South America. Spring migration is up the middle of North America. Formerly known as Lesser Golden-Plover prior to split with Pacific Golden-Plover.


Description:
Medium-sized, long-winged shorebird	Summer: dark crown, black face and underparts; white stripe extends from forehead, down neck and along flanks	Winter: yellowish eyebrow and yellowish tinge to back; no wing stripe	Wingtips extend beyond tail	Dark rump	Short, fairly thin, dark bill	Legs black	Adult breeding: Black face, throat, and underparts; white border to black face and throat; gold and black spangled crown, nape, back, and wings	Adult nonbreeding: Gray-brown upperparts with paler edging; pale gray breast; yellow supercilium; whitish underparts; underwing coverts and axillars gray	Juvenile: Similar to adult nonbreeding but upperparts have "cleaner" appearance and more gold spotting; black and gold spotted tertials; finely streaked breast; yellow supercilium; underwing coverts and axillars gray


Description:
Breeds on Arctic tundra of Alaska. In migration, often found in plowed fields, short-grass pastures, prairies, tidal mud flats. Migrates along Pacific coast and winters on Pacific islands and in southern Asia with a few remaining along the coast in California. Formerly known as Lesser Golden-Plover prior to 1993 split with American Golden-Plover.


Description:
Medium-sized, long-winged shorebird	Black axillaries, wide white wing stripe and white rump	Summer: White crown, undertail coverts; black face, chest and belly; back speckled black and white; white wing stripe; white rump	Short, fairly thick, dark bill	Legs black	Adult breeding: Black face, throat, and breast; white border to black face and throat; pale gray crown and nape; black and white spotted back and wings; white belly and undertail coverts	Adult nonbreeding: Medium gray upperparts with paler edging; pale gray breast; white supercilium; white underparts; black axillars visible in flight	Juvenile: Similar to adult nonbreeding but upperparts have more contrast; black and white spotted tertials; finely streaked breast; white supercilium; black axillars visible in flight


Description:
Nests on Arctic tundra.  In migration and in winter, found on beaches, mudflats, salt marshes, tidal sand and mud flats, seacoast, plowed fields, wet grassy pastures. Often seen in spring migration up Mississippi Valley. Winters along both coasts.


Description:
Found in Europe and Asia on shallow shores, sandy or gravel ground, heaths, river shores. Migratory. Breeds in eastern Canada on Ellesmere, Bylot and Baffin Islands. Rare migrant in western Alaska.


Description:
Small shorebird	Dark brown back and white underparts	Dark neck ring	Summer: orange legs and short orange bill with black tips	Winter: bill dark, legs dull orange	Short, thin bill	Upperparts brownish-gray	Underparts white	White collar	Adult breeding: Black breast band; orange legs; orange base to dark bill; white forehead and line behind eye; black patch around eye, across forehead, and to bill; gray crown	Adult nonbreeding: Breast band paler; orange to yellow legs; dark bill; facial markings paler	Juvenile: Similar to adult in nonbreeding plumage. Upperparts neatly fringed with white; yellowish legs


Description:
Coastal beaches, tidal mudflats, ponds in salt marshes, lakeshores, muddy creek and river edges, freshly plowed fields. Common. Frequently seen in the interior of North America during migration. In flight, compact flocks twist and turn in unison. Semipalmated Plovers often feed by running along the beach with their heads up then stop suddenly to peck at the sand.


Description:
Found all across Europe and Asia in open sandy fields, gravel pits, sewage ponds, lakeshores. Three North American records, all in Aleutian Islands in May or June.


Description:
Small shorebird	Wide dark neck ring (lighter in female)	Brown upperparts, white underparts	Thick, dark bill	Legs flesh-colored	Upperparts medium-gray	Underparts white	White collar	Adult breeding: Broad black breast band; white forehead and supercilium; black patch above white forehead; gray crown and cheeks	Adult nonbreeding: Incomplete gray breast band; white forehead and supercilium; gray crown and cheeks	Juvenile: Incomplete gray breast band; white forehead and supercilium; pale fringes to upperparts;gray crown and cheeks


Description:
Ocean beaches, coastal dunes, sand and mudflats, barrier islands, open beaches at mouths of rivers. Will run from danger, rather than fly.


Description:
Medium-sized, long-winged shorebird	Two black neck rings	Flight: chestnut rump very visible	White underparts	Dark brown upperparts	Short, fairly thick dark bill	Legs flesh-colored	Red eye ring	White forehead and white stripe behind eye	Brown face; black lores and upper borders to the white forehead and collar	White collar	Brown cap, back and wings	White wing stripe at the bases of the flight feathers is visible in flight	Brown tail with black subterminal band, white terminal band and barred, white outer tail feathers	Tail extends beyond wing tips at rest	Sexes similar	Juveniles similar to adult


Description:
Common and vocal on open grassy fields, lawns, soccer fields, grassy areas of airports, meadows, dry upland prairies, farm fields, shores, riverbanks. Usually seen flying alone in erratic flight. Utters loud kill-deer call. Will pretend it has a broken wing to draw predators away from ground nest. Easily alarmed.


Description:
kill-deeeeer or kee-dee, kee-dee, kee-dee...


Description:
Small shorebird	Very pale grayish upperparts	Dark neck ring may be incomplete	Short, thick bill is black in winter, orange and black in summer	Legs orange (paler in winter)	Short, stubby bill	Upperparts pale gray	Underparts white	White collar	Orange legs	Adult breeding: Thin black breast band; orange base to dark bill; white forehead; black line from eye to eye across forehead; gray crown	Adult nonbreeding: Breast band paler and not complete; dark bill	Juvenile: Similar to adult in nonbreeding plumage; upperparts faintly fringed with white


Description:
Sandy beaches, sandy flats between sand dunes, lakeshores. Prefers areas of sparse vegetation. Uncommon. Population is declining in spite of protective measures being taken at nesting sites along Atlantic coast.


Description:
Small shorebird	Pale grayish upperparts	Partial dark neck ring	Thin, pointed dark black bill	Dark ear patch	Dark or grayish legs	Adult breeding: Black bar at side of breast; white forehead and supercilium; black patches above white forehead and behind eye; pale gray upperparts; white underparts	Nonbreeding and juvenile plumages are similar to adult but black patches are absent


Description:
Barren sandy beaches, mudflats, in interior of North America often found at shores of salt ponds and alkaline lakes. Usually allow humans to approach closely. Uncommon.


Description:
Found in Mexico south to central Argentina and Chile on coastal beaches, mudflats, sandbars in large rivers. Not highly migratory. One North American record from Uvalde, Texas on May 9-12, 1992.


Description:
Small shorebird	Short, fairly thin, dark bill	Legs black	Adult breeding: Black and white face pattern; rusty breast band; gray upperparts and white underparts	Adult nonbreeding: Gray upperparts; white underparts; gray-brown patch at side of breast	Juvenile: Upperparts have pale fringes to feathers	Rare stray to West Coast


Description:
Found in Asia on dry alpine habitat and tundra. Rare migrant to Aleutian Islands and western Alaska where it is seen on beaches, coastal mudflats, along the coastal intertidal zone. A few may nest in Alaska.


Description:
Black cap	Dark lores	White supercilium	Whitish forehead, foreneck, breast and belly	Pale sandy-brown face, nape, hindneck, back and upperwings; flight feathers darker	Buffy sides to breast	White wingstripe at the base of the secondaries and inner primaries	Tail brown with black subterminal band and whitish outer tail feathers


Description:
Similar to breeding-plumaged adult, but lacks black cap and lores	Often has a broad buffy breast band


Description:
Pale brown face with a paler brown supercilium	Whitish chin, throat, breast and belly	Darker brown back than adult, with pale edgings giving it more of a scaled appearance


Description:
Medium-sized, long-tailed, long-winged shorebird	Very short, fairly thick bill marks it as a plover	White underparts with no banding, white underwings	Summer: white forehead with black crown patch; brown upperparts; dark line between bill and eye	Yellowish to flesh-colored legs	Juvenile similar to adult	Sexes similar


Description:
High arid plains, dry upland short-grass prairies, semidesert. In winter, often found in bare dirt fields and open arid areas. Forms flocks in migration and during the winter. The Mountain Plover is NOT found in the mountains! One of few shorebirds that lives away from water.


Description:
Found in Europe and Asia on dry mountain moors, tundra, steppe-type terrain. Migratory. Has bred in northern and western Alaska and on St. Lawrence Island. Migrants seen in western Aleutian Islands, Alaska.


Description:
Found in Asia, Europe, Africa, Australasia on damp grassy moorlands, muddy estuaries, mudflats, rice fields and flooded grasslands, muddy lakeshores. Migratory. Rare in western Aleutian, St. Lawrence and Pribilof Islands of Alaska. Accidental in migration along eastern coast of North America.


Description:
Large shorebird	Long, slightly upcurved bill is pink at base, black at tip	Tail black	Uppertail coverts white	Black wing linings contrasting with white bases to flight feathers	White wing stripe	Dark legs	Adult breeding: Gray, streaked head with white supercilium and dark eyeline; chestnut underparts with dense black and gray barring; black upperparts with small white spots	Adult nonbreeding: Gray upperparts and breast; white underparts	Juvenile: Similar to adult nonbreeding; wing coverts have small black tips; brownish wash to gray upperparts


Description:
Breeds on Arctic tundra, bogs, marshes at edge of boreal forests. Migrates through Great Plains in the spring and off the east coast in the fall. During migration, usually seen on mud flats, flooded fields, ricefields, muddy estuaries, shallow ponds, also on sandy beaches. Often feeds by standing in water up to its belly. Gregarious.


Description:
Large shorebird	Long, slightly upcurved bill is pinkish-orange at base, black at tip	Tail barred black and white	Whitish underparts in winter plumage	Pale wing linings	Upper surface of wings fairly uniform	White rump (dark in Alaskan race) and barred tail	Dark legs	Adult breeding: White supercilium and dark eyeline; reddish-brown head, neck and underparts; black upperparts with white and reddish-brown feather edges and spots	Adult nonbreeding: Gray upperparts and breast; wing coverts gray with black streaks; white underparts	Juvenile: Similar to adult nonbreeding; wing coverts boldly marked with black and white; brownish wash to gray upperparts	Breeds in Alaska but rare elsewhere in United States


Description:
Nests on Arctic lowland tundra and hilly uplands in Alaska. Casual in fall migration along Pacific coast where it is seen on tidal mudflats and estuarine marshes. There have been a number of sightings from Willapa Bay, Washington. The European race has been seen along the Atlantic coast.


Description:
Similar to breeding-plumaged adult, but underparts without or with less barring


Description:
Very large, long-legged, long-necked shorebird	Long, slightly upcurved bill is pinkish-orange at base, black at tip	Reddish-brown overall	Mottled with black on back and wings	In winter, underparts buffy with no barring	Cinnamon wing linings	Juvenile similar to adult	Adult breeding: Pale buff head, neck, breast and belly; pale face with dark loral stripe; dark brown barring on breast and flanks; dark back feathers notched with buff creating a mottled effect; upperwings brown, with inner wing contrasting with darker outer wing in flight	Sexes similar


Description:
Breeds in wet meadows of northern prairies near lakes and ponds. In winter, found along coastline, muddy estuaries, tidal mudflats, beaches, lake shores, sheltered bays, saltmarshes. Often in small flocks. Common along Pacific coast in winter.


Description:
Found in Asia on grassy clearings in larch woodlands, river valleys, inland grasslands, bare fields, edges of freshwater ponds and lakes. Three North American records. Two at Santa Maria, California in mid-September, 1984 and 1988. One at St. Lawrence Island, Alaska in June, 1989.


Description:
Probably extinct. Nested on Arctic tundra in northern Canada. Migrated north through Texas coast, Great Plains and western Mississippi Valley. Migrated south through northeast Canada, New England and the Atlantic coast. Most sightings this century were along Texas coast in spring migration, often associating with American Golden-Plovers in fields, pastures and drier areas of marshes.


Description:
Large shorebird	Long, downcurved bill	Two dark stripes on crown	Dark eyeline	Brown overall	Dark legs	Brown upperparts with small light and dark spots	Brown streaked neck and breast	White belly and undertail coverts	Plain upperparts, no wing stripe and dark rump	Juvenile has larger buff spots on the upperparts	European race, stray to Atlantic coast, has white rump


Description:
Nests on open tundra. Winters on beaches, mud flats, sandbars, coastal wetlands, wet fields, salt marshes, estuaries and tidal creeks, lake shores, moorlands. Fairly common on both coasts in migration. Fly in V-shaped flocks or long irregular lines during migration.


Description:
whistled notes - clear, 5-7 at a rapid pace


Description:
Large shorebird	Long decurved bill	Dark legs	Grayish-white and brown head stripes	Brown upperparts with small light and dark spots	White belly and undertail coverts	Plain upperparts, no wing stripe	Rusty rump and tail	United States range restricted to Alaska and Hawaii


Description:
Breeds on Arctic tundra in western Alaska, near mouth of Yukon River. Migrates to Pacific Islands, gathering first along west coast of Alaska on beaches, mudflats, fields. Casual as migrants on the Aleutian Islands and south Alaska.


Description:
Found in Central Asia in the Siberian taiga zone in marshlands, peat bogs, shallow fresh or brackish waters. Migratory. One North American record from Crescent Beach, Ontario in the fall of 1925 (date uncertain).


Description:
Found throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, the Orient and Australasia on upland moors, grassy boggy areas in forests, damp grasslands, in winter along beaches, mudflats. Migratory. Six records from North America from Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Massachusetts, New York.


Description:
Found in southeast Asia and Australia in damp bogs, peat marshes, beaches, mudflats, sandy or muddy estuaries. Migratory. Almost annual from Aleutian and Pribilof Islands between late May and early July.


Description:
Very long, decurved bill	Pale buff head and neck faintly streaked with darker brown	Buff brown underparts with sparse dark streaking on flanks	Dark back with pale edges and notches to feathers	Dark brown outer wing contrasts with paler inner wing in flight


Description:
Much shorter bill, often with less downward curve


Description:
EXTREMELY long downcurved bill (half the length of body)	Cinnamon brown upperparts, buffy underparts	Crown finely streaked with brown	Very large, long-necked, small-headed shorebird	Brownish rump and barred tail	Cinnamon wing linings	White eye ring, dusky eyeline	Sexes similar


Description:
Nests on both wet and dry uplands of Great Plains grasslands, preferring gravelly soil. In winter found in estuaries, mudflats, salt marshes, sandbars, coastal shorelines, sandy beaches, lake edges, grainfields. Winter flocks are very wary.


Description:
Dark cap	Pale head and neck streaked with brown	Whitish eyering and throat, pale lores	Brown back and wing coverts with pale edges and black bars	Buff neck and breast and white belly with dark chevrons on neck, breast and flanks


Description:
Very pale head without the contrast between the cap and face of the adult


Description:
Long-legged, long-necked shorebird of grasslands	Small head with large dark eyes	Long tail and wings	Yellow legs	Thin, short yellow bill	Black rump and long tail, with dark bars	Dark outer wing contrasts with brownish inner wing in flight	Often perches on fence posts or stumps	Sexes similar


Description:
Upland fields with tall grass, meadows, hay and alfalfa fields, plains, prairies. Seldom seen near water. Often seen perching on posts and stumps or walking through tall grass with only its head visible. After alighting, briefly holds wings high above back before folding them. Rather solitary. Uncommon.


Description:
Found in Europe and Asia in bogs, shallow freshwater marshes, wetlands, lake edges, ponds, grassy fields. Migratory. Rare in western Aleutian Islands and Pribilof Islands of Alaska. Also recorded along both coasts, less often inland.


Description:
Found in Europe and Asia in coastal wetlands, boggy heaths and moors, wet meadows, shores. Two North American records involving three birds. One from Port Union, Newfoundland on April 29-May 6, 1995 and one from Cape Broyle, Newfoundland on April 29-May 5, 1995.


Description:
Found in Eastern Europe and Asia on shallow freshwater marshes, wetlands, lowland lake edges. Migratory. Likes to wade in shallow water. One North American record on Buldir Island, Alaska on September 2, 1974.


Description:
Found in Europe and Asia on mudflats, wetlands, bogs, shallow marshes, ponds. Migratory. Rare in western Aleutian, Pribilof and St. Lawrence Islands of Alaska. Also recorded in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland in fall and winter.


Description:
Head, neck, and chest are extensively streaked with black	Pale flanks are barred with black	Whitish belly with sparse dark bars and chevrons	Back and upperwings are dark brown, dappled with black and white	White notches on wing feathers appear as white spots on back	Whitish supercilium and eyering, dusky lores


Description:
Head and neck pale, streaked sparsely with brown	Breast, and to a lesser extent, flanks, streaked and spotted with gray-brown	Dark brown back, with pale flecks and feather edges	Buff notches on wing feathers appear as white spots on back


Description:
Medium-sized long-legged shorebird	Long legs yellow to orange	Long, slightly upturned bill (150% length of head)	Dark bill often has a slightly paler base	Dark upperside with white marks	Bright yellow legs	White tail is crossed with thin black bars	Juvenile similar to nonbreeding-plumaged adult	Sexes similar


Description:
Nests on tundra, muskeg. Winters on coastal mud flats, shallow pools, lakeshores, marshes, edges of creeks, pastures occasionally on ocean beaches. Less gregarious than Lesser Yellowlegs. Often bobs whole body up and down when walking.


Description:
tu-tu-tu (whistled - three or more notes)


Description:
Head, neck, and chest are finely streaked with black on a pale ground	Whitish supercilium and eyering, dusky lores	Flanks are barred finely with dusky	Whitish belly	Back and upperwings dark brown, dappled with black and white	White notches on wing feathers appear as white spots on back


Description:
Head and neck pale, streaked sparsely with brown	Breast, and to a lesser extent, flanks, streaked and spotted with gray-brown	Dark brown back with pale flecks and feather edges	Buff notches on wing feathers appear as white spots on back


Description:
Medium-sized long-legged shorebird	Long legs yellow to orange	Long, slightly upturned bill (same length as head)	Dark upperside with white marks	White tail crossed with thin black bars	Juvenile similar to nonbreeding-plumaged adult	Sexes similar


Description:
Nests on muskeg to edge of tundra, grassy marshes, drier areas than Greater Yellowlegs. Winters on mud flats, shallow pools in salt marshes, lakeshores, short-grass marshes, edges of creeks, pastures with rain puddles. Gregarious. Easier to approach than Greater Yellowlegs.


Description:
Found in Europe and Asia in woodlands, ditches, gullies, small ponds, muddy edges of ponds and lakes, and along seashore during migration. Less than a dozen records from western Aleutian Islands, St. Lawrence Island, in May, June and August.


Description:
Head, neck, and chest streaked with dark brown and white	Dark brown back and upperwings with small white spots	White belly	Whitish supraloral stripe, dark lores


Description:
Smooth gray-brown head and neck fading to white belly	Gray-brown back speckled with white


Description:
Fairly small, long-legged shorebird	Dark brown upperparts heavily spotted with white	White underparts with streaked breast	Bold white eye ring	White outer tail feathers barred with black	Dark underwing	Greenish legs	Dark rump	Dark tail has black bars on the white outer tail feathers	Juvenile similar to nonbreeding-plumaged adult	Usually solitary, often bobs tail	Sexes similar


Description:
Shallow pools, sides of slow-moving woodland streams, small estuaries, and ponds, lake and river shores, fresh and brackish marshes. Often bobs its tail and head. Usually seen alone or in small flocks. Tends to keep wings raised momentarily after landing.


Description:
Found in Europe and northern Asia in bogs, freshwater marshes, flooded meadows, wetlands. Migratory. Has nested on western Aleutian Islands, St. Lawrence and Pribilof Islands of Alaska. Casual in western and northern Alaska.


Description:
Found in Europe and Asia along shores of lakes and ponds, stony shores. Migratory. Rare in western Aleutian, St. Lawrence and Pribilof Islands of Alaska. Recorded once at Nome, Alaska.


Description:
Orange bill with a black tip	Pale supercilium and dark eyeline	Brown head, hindneck, back, and upperwings with small black bars	White throat, breast and belly with bold black spots


Description:
Variably dark bill with pale base	Pale brown head with dark eyeline and pale supercilium	Plain dark back, upperwings with dark and buff bars	Sides of breast brown, with finger of white extending up in front of leading edge of wing when at rest	Throat, breast, and belly white, without dark spots


Description:
Fairly small, short-legged shorebird	Distinctive, stiff winged, fluttery flight on bowed wings	Teeters tail when feeding and walking	Summer: Large black spots on white underparts; upperparts brown with dark barring	Winter: White below (no spots) and grayish above; yellowish or pinkish legs; white wingstripe visible in flight	Juvenile similar to nonbreeding-plumaged adult	Sexes similar


Description:
Common near edges of ponds and lakeshores, marshes, streams, rivers, wet meadows, coastline, wetlands. Usually alone, constantly bobs and teeters. Flies with stiff, rapid wingbeats. Roosts at night on stumps, rocks or logs. Migrates at night.


Description:
Found in western Asia on mudflats, rice fields, along river edges, rocky coasts. Migratory. Rare in western Aleutian, St. Lawrence and Pribilof Islands of Alaska. Casual on western and northern Alaska mainland. Accidental along coast south to California.


Description:
Medium-sized shorebird	Dark gray upperparts	Whitish below with extensive fine gray barring	White eyebrow with gray specks	Winter: Gray with white belly; medium-sized dark bill; dark yellow legs; solid gray upperparts; indistinct white supercilium; pumps tail	Adult breeding: Black and white barring on underparts	Adult nonbreeding and juvenile: Gray breast; white belly


Description:
Breeds along gravel edges of mountain streams above treeline. Usually seen alone or in small groups along rocky coastline of the Pacific during winter. Teeters and bobs as it feeds. Rarely seen on mud flats or beaches.


Description:
Found in Europe and Asia on muddy riversides and lakeshores. Rare in western Aleutian, St. Lawrence and Pribilof Islands of Alaska and on western and southern coasts of Alaska. Accidental in California, British Columbia and Manitoba.


Description:
Head, neck, back and upperwings gray-brown mottled with black	Pale stripe above darker lores	Breast and flanks barred extensively with black (in Eastern C.s.semipalmatus)	Breast and flanks barred with narrow dark bars (in Western C.s.inornatus)	White belly


Description:
Pale gray-brown head, neck, back, upperwings and breast	Pale area above darker lores	White belly


Description:
Warm brown head, neck, back, breast and upperwings	Buff notches on wing feathers appear as white spots on back


Description:
Large, long-legged shorebird	In flight: bold white wing stripe on black wing	Winter: plain gray-brown upperparts, whitish below	Summer: mottled brown above and below	Gray legs	Long, thick, straight  black or blue-gray bill with darker tip	Blue-gray legs	Whitish tail with dusky terminal band	Sexes similar


Description:
Wet grassy areas, moist prairies, salt and brackish marshes, bays, lakeshores, muddy banks of creeks. In winter, along beaches, mud flats and at Salton Sea, California. Often wades up to belly. Common. Noisy, especially when disturbed.


Description:
Striking black and white head pattern	Rufous and black back and wings	Black breast with enclosed white patch	White belly


Description:
Gray-brown head and upperparts	White throat	Black breast with enclosed white to gray patch	White belly	Juvenile has pale edges to back and wing coverts


Description:
Small, short-legged shorebird	Orange legs	Black bib with black and white head	Summer: chestnut and black on back and wings	Winter: brown head, back and wings	Short, dark bill is fairly thick with a slight upturn to the lower mandible	Legs are yellow to red	Bold wing pattern visible in flight is produced by a white wing stripe, a white lower back and white at the base of the leading edge of the wing	White tail with black terminal band	Juvenile is similar to nonbreeding-plumaged adults	Sexes similar


Description:
Nests on coastal Arctic tundra. In winter, along coastal areas, stony, rocky and sandy beaches, also with Black-bellied Plovers in bare fields, grassy flats. Feeds singly or in small flocks. Uses bill to turn over stones and rocks, looking for food. Travel in large flocks in migration.


Description:
Black head, chest, upper back, scapulars, and upperwing	White spot at the lores and white supercilium	White spots on sides of neck and breast	White belly


Description:
Dark brown head with generally pale throat and post-ocular stripe, but without pale spot at lores	Blackish-brown chest, back and upperwings	White belly


Description:
Small, short-legged shorebird	Black head, breast and back	White underparts	Summer: White eyebrow, lore spot and neck spots	Short, dark bill is fairly thick with a slight upturn to the lower mandible	Legs are usually dark, but occasionally are dark red or pinkish	Bold wing pattern visible in flight is produced by a white wing stripe, a white lower back and white at the base of the leading edge of the wing	White tail with black terminal band	Juvenile is similar to nonbreeding-plumaged adults	Sexes similar


Description:
Nests on coastal Arctic tundra. In winter, along rocky coastal areas, stony, rocky beaches, barnacle-covered reefs. Occasionally on sand. Feeds singly or in small flocks. Uses bill to turn over stones and rocks, looking for food. More common on Pacific coast than Ruddy Turnstone.


Description:
Black legs	Pale gray crown and nape, hindneck whiter	Thick, dark eyeline extends down neck, becoming chestnut, and turns onto back, forming V	White throat and supercilium	Rich rusty foreneck	White breast and belly	Gray back and upperwings	Rusty stripe at base of wings


Description:
Plumage duller than in female breeding	Black legs	Dark brown crown and eyeline, extending down neck and onto back	Back and upperwings gray-brown	White throat, supercilium, and hindneck	Pale rusty foreneck	White breast and belly


Description:
Yellowish legs	Gray crown, hindneck, and back	Pale face with variable black stripe through eye	White throat, breast and belly


Description:
Similar to the nonbreeding-plumaged adult but browner	More distinct face pattern with a prominent dark cap and dark eye stripe	Buffy wash to the neck and chest	Pale buffy edges to feathers on back and upperwing coverts


Description:
Fairly small, long-legged shorebird	Thin, straight, black bill much longer than head	Often swims, spinning about and picking at the water	Summer: wide blackish stripe on face and side of neck; reddish-brown wash on breast	Winter: Gray above, white below and thin gray line through eye


Description:
Freshwater  marshes, grassy edges of ponds, lakes, bays, wetlands, grassy fields. In winter, may also be found in saltwater marshes.  Will spin rapidly on water to stir up food. Largest of the Phalaropes. Most likely to be found on land or muddy shores.


Description:
Dark gray head, nape, breast, flanks and back	White throat with reddish lower border	Buff streaks on back	White underparts	Adult male breeding similar but considerably duller


Description:
Gray crown and upperparts	Black eye patch	White underparts


Description:
Similar to the nonbreeding-plumaged adult	More distinct face pattern with a prominent dark cap and dark eye stripe	Buffy wash to the neck and chest	Pale buffy edges to feathers on back and upperwing coverts


Description:
Fairly small, long-legged shorebird	Thin, straight, black bill	Often swims, spinning about and picking at the water	Summer: chestnut on front and sides of neck; dark back with buffy stripes	Winter: blue-gray upperparts with white stripes, black eye patch; black legs; dark-centered rump; thin white stripe in wing


Description:
Breeds on Arctic and subArctic tundra. Seen on the ocean during migration as well as inland on water. Winters at sea in the Southern Hemisphere. Much more  common in the west. Will spin rapidly on water to stir up food.


Description:
Red underparts and neck	White face and dark crown	Black back with buff feather edges	Yellow bill	Adult male breeding similar but considerably duller


Description:
Gray crown and upperparts	Black eye patch	White underparts	Dark bill


Description:
Similar to the nonbreeding-plumaged adult	More distinct face pattern with a prominent dark cap and dark eye stripe	Buffy wash to the neck and chest	White edges to feathers on back and upperwing coverts


Description:
Fairly small shorebird	Short, thick bill, yellow with black tip in summer	Often swims, spinning about and picking at the water	Summer: chestnut underparts, white face	Winter: pale gray upperparts; wide dark eye patch; dark-centered rump; wide white stripe in wing


Description:
Breeds on Arctic tundra. Seen on the ocean during migration, usually far offshore. Rare inland. Winters at sea. More maritime than other Phalaropes. Will spin rapidly on water to stir up food.


Description:
Found in Europe and Asia. Breeds in woodlands with clearings, dry areas with ground cover. Winters in north Africa and southern Asia. Migratory. Formerly casual visitor to eastern North America. One record this century from Cleveland, Ohio on November 6, 1935.


Description:
Dumpy, short-legged, short-tailed, rounded-winged shorebird	Extremely long, straight bill	Very large, dark eye set high in head	Black crown with buffy barring	Explosive takeoff when flushed, wings make twittering sound in flight	Buff-brown head, breast and belly buff to pale cinnamon	Black nape crossed by pale lines	Dark eyeline and auricular stripe	Gray-brown back, with black and chestnut feathering interspersed between two pale Vs	Upperwings reddish-brown; underwings brown, with rusty wing linings	Rusty rump; dark rectrices tipped gray/white	Juvenile similar to adult	Sexes similar	Found in woodlands and shrubby fields


Description:
Young forests with scattered openings, moist woodlands and thickets, grassy meadows, alder thickets, bottomlands, along banks of streams. In spring, performs elaborate courtship flight at dusk, rising in widening circles and zigzagging back to earth and calling with a nasal "peent" sound.


Description:
Found in northern Asia in Arctic and boreal habitats. Winters in India and southeast Asia in a wide variety of wetland habitats such as freshwater marshes, grassy fields. One record from Attu Island, Alaska on May 25, 1991.


Description:
Freshwater marshes, bogs, wetlands, wet grassy fields, pastures, grassy edges of small streams. In migration may be found in brackish or salt marshes. Male courtship flight involves power dive which causes outer tail feathers to vibrate, producing an unusual sound. Feeds at dawn and dusk.


Description:
Found in northern Europe and Asia in boreal marshlands. Winters in India and Africa in a wide variety of wetland habitats such as freshwater marshes, fields with soft silty mud. Three records from North America: St. Paul Island, Alaska in 1919, Jack Lane Bay, Labrador, December 24, 1927 and Butte County, California November 20, 1938.


Description:
Reddish underparts	Dark crown and eyeline with reddish supercilium	Black bases to back feathers with reddish edges	"hendersoni" race has reddish belly and black spots on sides of breast and flanks	"griseus" race has white belly and densely spotted foreneck and barred flanks	"caurinus" race has small white belly and densely spotted foreneck


Description:
Pale gray head with white supercilium	Pale gray breast with faint spotting	Gray upperparts	White belly and undertail coverts


Description:
Back feathers dark with broad orange edges	Tertials dark with orange stripes	Head and breast with orange wash and scattered spots


Description:
Medium-sized shorebird	Long, straight bill	Greenish legs	Orangish neck and chest with black spots	White belly and light tail	Winter: gray-brown above, whitish below; dull, yellowish legs	White rump extends in wedge onto back	Tail barred black and white	Sexes similar	Several different races


Description:
Breeds in subArctic tundra of Canada and coastal Alaska. In migration and winter found in shallow ponds, open marshes, tidal creeks and flats, mudflats, brackish wetlands. Prefers salt or brackish waters to fresh water. Fairly common on both coasts. Seen in virtually every state during migration.


Description:
Reddish underparts with black spots on throat and breast and barred belly and flanks	Dark crown and eyeline with reddish supercilium	Black bases to back feathers with reddish edges


Description:
Mantle feathers dark with thin brown edges	Head and breast with brown wash and scattered spots


Description:
Medium-sized shorebird	Long, straight bill	Greenish legs	Orangish neck and chest with black spots	White belly and dark tail	Winter: gray-brown above, whitish below	Dull, yellowish legs	White rump extends in wedge onto back	Tail barred black and white	Sexes similar


Description:
Breeds in subArctic tundra of Canada and coastal Alaska. In migration and winter found in open mud flats, shallow ponds, open marshes, wetlands. Unlike Short-billed Dowitcher, prefers fresh water. Fairly common on Pacific coast and western half of continent.


Description:
Streaked head and back	Rusty scapulars with black tips	Black chevrons on white underparts


Description:
Solid gray upperparts and breast	White belly with irregular gray streaks	Juvenile has pale edges to back and wing coverts


Description:
Small, short-legged shorebird	Short, blunt bill is yellow at base	Short yellow or yellowish-green legs	Summer: head and neck heavily streaked; chestnut patches on scapulars	White wing stripe	Black subterminal band contrasts with white tail and rump	Juvenile is similar to nonbreeding-plumaged adults	Sexes similar


Description:
Nests in rocky mountains of Alaska above treeline. In winter, along rocky Pacific coast, rocky reefs and beaches. Usually feeds on barnacles and mollusks on rocks at edge of surf. In migration may occasionally be seen on sandy beaches.


Description:
Reddish face, throat and breast	Gray crown, nape and back	Wing coverts gray and black with reddish spots	White belly with black spots


Description:
Solid gray upperparts and breast	White belly with irregular gray markings along flanks	White supercilium and dark eyeline	Juvenile has fine black and white edges to back and wing coverts creating a scaly look


Description:
Fairly small shorebird	Summer: reddish-brown face and underparts	Back is gray, black and reddish-brown	Short, straight bill	Short legs	Dark legs	Gray wing stripe	Gray rump and tail	Sexes similar	Juvenile is similar to nonbreeding-plumaged adults


Description:
Nests on high Arctic tundra. In migration and winter, on sandy or stony beaches, mudflats, sandbars, saltwater marshes, tidal flats. Huge concentrations gather on the shores of Delaware Bay in May during northward migration to eat eggs of Horseshoe Crabs.


Description:
Found in Northern Siberia on subArctic highlands in summer. Found in Australasia and India in winter along coastline on sandy or muddy estuaries, coastal mudflats. Over a dozen North American records from western Aleutian, St. Paul and St. Lawrence Islands of Alaska. Also at mouth of Nome River in Alaska. All seen in May or June.


Description:
Reddish head, back and breast with black spots	Gray wings	White belly


Description:
Pale gray head and upperparts	Faint, partial gray breast band	White underparts	Indistinct white supercilium and dark eyeline


Description:
Checkered upperparts	Black patch in front of folded wing	Faint, partial gray breast band	White underparts	Face pattern bolder than adult nonbreeding


Description:
Small shorebird	Flight: prominent white wing stripe	Medium-length, thin, dark bill	Wide, white wing stripe	Black line on rump extends onto tail	Winter: pale gray upperparts, white below; legs and bill black	Summer: head, neck and breast rusty brown	Sexes similar


Description:
Breeds in high Arctic tundra. In winter, along the coast on sandy beaches, tidal flats. Inland migrants found along lake beaches, river sandbars. Very common worldwide. Seen running back and forth at ocean's edge as waves seem to chase small flocks. Sanderlings eat small mollusks and crustaceans exposed by retreating waves.


Description:
Black back feathers and wing coverts with gray edges	Some black streaking on breast	White underparts	Indistinct white supercilium, gray crown and cheeks


Description:
Back and wing coverts gray with narrow black centers	Faint, partial gray breast band	White underparts	Indistinct white supercilium, gray crown and cheeks


Description:
Black-based back feathers and wing coverts with white and gray edges	May have faint orangish wash to upperparts and breast	Faint, partial gray breast band	White underparts	Dark crown contrasts with pale supercilium


Description:
Very small shorebird	Black legs	Short, straight bill with blunt tip	Summer: grayish-brown back	White breast streaked with dark gray and white belly	Dark legs	Thin, white wing stripe	Black line on rump extends onto tail	Sexes similar


Description:
Breeds in high Arctic tundra. In winter on beaches, mudflats, tidal lagoons, ponds, marsh creeks. Inland during migration on muddy shores of rivers and lakes. Probably the most abundant shorebird. Large flocks often seen flying and sharply turning in unison before settling back down on beaches or mudflats.


Description:
Rufous scapulars, crown and ear coverts	Black back feathers and wing coverts with white edges	Much black streaking and spotting on breast	Black chevrons on flanks	White underparts	Indistinct white supercilium


Description:
Rufous scapulars	Black-based back feathers and wing coverts with white and gray edges	Faint, partial gray breast band	White underparts	Indistinct gray crown and pale supercilium


Description:
Very small shorebird	Black legs	Short, thin, dark bill thinner at tip than at base and often with a slight droop	Summer: rufous wash on crown and ear patch	White breast with black spots extending down along flanks	Thin, white wing stripe	Black line on rump extends onto tail	Sexes similar


Description:
Breeds on dry high Arctic tundra in western Alaska. In winter along coast on beaches, mudflats. Inland during migration at a variety of wetlands. Forages in deeper water than Semipalmated Sandpiper. Very common along Pacific coast. Gregarious and relatively tame.


Description:
Found in Northeast Asia on dry tundra. In migration occurs at inland wetlands with very shallow water and mud. They winter in Australasia along the coast at open beaches, mudflats. Name was changed in 1995 from Rufous-necked Stint. Breeds irregularly in western and northern Alaska along the coast. Rare migrant in western Aleutian, St. Lawrence and Pribilof Islands. Rare migrant along Pacific and Atlantic coasts. Most records are from June through August.


Description:
Found in northern Europe and Asia on high Arctic tundra. Winters in Africa, India and the Middle East. In migration found at inland wetlands. In winter along coast on tidal mudflats and marshes. Gregarious. Well over two dozen North American records since the first in 1979. Many from Alaska. Others from Atlantic coast of Canada and United States. Also seen on Pacific coast. Seen May through September with the peak in late July.


Description:
Found in Asia and Europe breeding in sheltered sites on woodland fringes. Winters in Africa and India on inland wetlands, freshwater marshes, mudflats, ponds. Migratory. Rare in western Aleutian, St. Lawrence and Pribilof Islands of Alaska and coastal western Alaska. Also has been seen in British Columbia and Washington.


Description:
Found in Asia nesting in a variety of tundra and boreal habitats. In winter in Australasia at freshwater marshes, wetlands, tidal mudflats. Rare in western Aleutian, St. Lawrence and Pribilof Islands of Alaska and coastal western Alaska. Also has been seen in British Columbia, Oregon and Washington.


Description:
Brown head	Black back feathers and wing coverts with brown edges	Brown breast with black spotting	White underparts	Indistinct white supercilium with darker crown and eyeline


Description:
Similar to adult breeding but plumage gray-brown	Gray-brown breast band	White underparts	Indistinct white supercilium with darker crown and eyeline


Description:
Black-based back feathers and wing coverts with bright rusty edges	White "V" on back	Breast with golden cast and fine streaking	White underparts	Rusty crown and pale supercilium


Description:
Very small shorebird	Yellowish or greenish legs	Short, thin pointed bill is slightly downcurved	Summer: dark brown back	Breast has dark streaks ending abruptly at white belly	Thin, white wing stripe	Black line on rump extends onto tail	Sexes similar


Description:
Nests on subArctic tundra. In winter on wet muddy areas, grassy areas, wet short grasses of salt marshes, tidal flats, sloughs, muddy lake shores, muddy margins of brackish ponds and creeks, also on sandy or gravel beaches. Smallest sandpiper. Tame.


Description:
Brownish tinge to crown and face	Pale supercilium	Black back feathers and wing coverts with gray edges	Streaked breast and flanks	White underparts


Description:
Upperparts dark gray with black feather centers	Dark gray breast	White underparts	White supercilium with darker crown and eyeline


Description:
Black-based back feathers and wing coverts with brown edges to scapulars and whiter edges to wing coverts	White "V" on back	Finely streaked breast	White underparts	White supercilium with brownish crown and pale face


Description:
Small shorebird	Wings extend beyond tail	White rump seen in flight	Short, thin, dark bill slightly decurved	Summer: reddish-brown on crown and sides of back	Streaking on breast extends down along flanks	Black legs	Thin, white wing stripe	Long wings	Sexes similar


Description:
Nests on  Arctic tundra near coast. In migration found in shallow grassy pools, wet meadows, marshes, tidal mud flats, sandbars, beaches. Winters at southern tip of South America.


Description:
Pale brown head with dark streaks	Pale supercilium	Black back feathers and wing coverts with pale brown edges	Pale brown breast with fine streaks	White underparts


Description:
Upperparts pale gray with black feather centers	Dark gray-brown breast with fine dark streaks	White underparts	Indistinct white supercilium with darker crown and eyeline


Description:
Black-based back feathers and wing coverts with pale brown edges giving a scaly look	Pale brown breast with fine dark spots	White underparts


Description:
Small shorebird	Wings extend beyond tail	Dark rump	Buffy-brown upperparts and breast	No streaking on flanks	Short, thin, dark bill	Black legs	Black patch on rump extending onto tail	Thin, white wing stripe	Long wings	Sexes similar


Description:
Nests on  high Arctic tundra. In migration,  found inland on wet meadows, margins of wetlands, lakeshores, also at rotting kelp of upper coastal beaches. Winters in South America.


Description:
Brown head with dark streaks	Pale supercilium	Black back feathers and wing coverts with brown edges	Brown breast with fine streaks ending abruptly and contrasting with white underparts


Description:
Similar to adult breeding	Upperparts a duller brown


Description:
Similar to adult breeding	Back feathers and wing coverts with pale brown, rust, or golden edges	White 'V's on back	Dark rusty crown


Description:
Medium-sized shorebird	Dark brown streaks on breast stop abruptly at white belly	Yellowish legs	Medium-sized, thin, dark bill drops slightly at tip	Yellow legs	Black patch on rump extending onto tail	Thin, white wing stripe	Sexes similar


Description:
Nests on Arctic tundra and dry grasslands of tidal flats. In migration in wet meadows, grassy marshes, wet fields, pond edges. Rarely at mud flats. Migrates through interior of North America.


Description:
Breeds in Siberia on Arctic tundra. Seen in migration in western Alaska and occasionally along Pacific coast in grassy flats of salt marshes, wetlands, salt meadows, pools on wet fields. Often associates with Pectoral Sandpiper in migration. Seen most often in fall between mid-September and early November, mostly juveniles.


Description:
Dark gray streaked head	Pale indistinct supercilium with dark cheeks and crown	Black back feathers and wing coverts with thin white edges	Dark gray breast with dark streaks and spots extending onto white underparts


Description:
Dark gray head without darker streaks	Dark gray breast with streaks extending onto flanks	Very dark back with thin gray edges


Description:
Similar to adult breeding	Black back feathers and wing coverts with neat white edges	Dark streaking on breast


Description:
Small shorebird	Winter: gray head, neck, chest and back	Gray spots on white belly	Long slender bill curves downward, orange-yellow at base	Legs orange-yellow	Medium-sized, thin, dark bill with yellow base	Black patch on rump extending onto tail	Thin, white wing stripe	Sexes similar


Description:
Breeds on Arctic tundra of Canada and Greenland. Winters along Atlantic coast on rocky shores, rock jetties, breakwaters, rocky islets, seaweed coated rocks. Searches for food as tide falls, exposing crustaceans and mollusks on rocks. Winters farther north along Atlantic coast than other shorebirds. Range is increasing southward.


Description:
Brown and white head	Pale indistinct supercilium with brown cheeks and crown	Black back feathers and wing coverts with rust edges	Brown breast with dark spots	Black belly and white undertail coverts


Description:
Similar to adult nonbreeding	Upperparts browner than nonbreeding adult


Description:
Small shorebird	Long, thin bill droops slightly, greenish-yellow base	Legs greenish-yellow	Summer: Black patch on lower breast	Crown and back are black, edged with chestnut	Black patch on rump extending onto tail	Thin, white wing stripe	Sexes similar


Description:
Breeds on Arctic tundra in eastern Asia and in Aleutian Islands and western Alaska. Winters along Pacific coast, south to northern California, on rocky shores. Usually in the company of Black Turnstones and Surfbirds.


Description:
White head and breast with faint black streaks and spots	Black belly	Rusty mantle with black spots	White undertail coverts and flanks


Description:
Gray head with pale indistinct supercilium	Gray breast with indistinct streaking	Gray upperparts	White belly and undertail coverts


Description:
Similar to adult nonbreeding	Upperparts rustier than nonbreeding adult	Head and breast with brownish wash


Description:
Medium-sized shorebird	Long black bill, downcurved at tip	Summer: Large black patch on belly; back reddish-brown	Winter: head, neck and breast gray-brown	Black legs	Black patch on rump extending onto tail	White wing stripe	Sexes similar


Description:
Breeds in Arctic and subArctic tundra in Alaska and Canada. In migration, found at inland mud flats. In winter, along coastal beaches, tidal flats, beaches, muddy ponds, lagoons. Common along both coasts in winter. Travel in huge flocks during migration.


Description:
Reddish-brown head, mantle, breast, and belly	Black bases to back feathers	White undertail coverts with dark spots


Description:
Gray head with white supercilium	Gray breast with indistinct streaking	Gray upperparts	White belly and undertail coverts


Description:
Similar to adult nonbreeding	Mantle black with thin pale white edging	Head and breast with brownish wash


Description:
Medium-sized shorebird	Long downcurved black bill	Summer: chestnut underparts and mottled chestnut back	Winter: gray upperparts, whitish underparts	Black legs	White rump	White wing stripe	Sexes similar	Rare in United States


Description:
Found in northern Asia, nesting in coastal Arctic tundra. In summer found from west Africa to Australasia on muddy wetlands, mudflats. Migratory. Gregarious. Has nested in northern Alaska. Rare in western Aleutian, St. Lawrence and Pribilof Islands of Alaska. Typically seen along the Atlantic coast. Casual along Pacific coast and inland. Seen about 20 times per year in the Lower 48.


Description:
Found in Asia nesting on coastal tundra near freshwater pools. Winters on muddy coasts and coastal lagoons. Prefers shallow waters and soft mud. About half a dozen North American records, mostly from western Aleutian Islands and one at Vancouver, British Columbia. All seen in June, July or August. Probably fewer than 4,500 birds exist today.


Description:
Found in northern Europe and Asia nesting in lowland bogs. In migration, at inland wetlands. In winter, along the coast on mudflats. Migratory. Five North American records, four in western Aleutian Islands, Alaska during August and September. One at Jamaica Bay, New York in August 1998 (present for 6 days).


Description:
Reddish-brown crown and cheeks	White supercilium	Black bases to back feathers with thin pale edges	Neck and breast heavily spotted with black	Underparts heavily barred with black


Description:
Similar to adult nonbreeding	Mantle feathers with black bases and contrasting buff and rust edges	Head and breast with brownish wash


Description:
Medium-sized shorebird	Long greenish legs	Long, thin downcurved bill	Summer: chestnut patch on side of head	Striped crown and whitish eyebrow	White rump	Sexes similar


Description:
Breeds on Arctic tundra. In migration prefers ponds, inland and coastal pools, muddy edges of creeks in marshes, lagoons. Fairly common fall migrant along Atlantic coast. Some birds spend the winter at the Salton Sea, California. Feeds by wading up to belly, compact flocks. Often seen with dowitchers.


Description:
Medium-sized shorebird	Buffy face, breast and belly	Short black bill	White underwings	Long yellow legs	Buff plumage	Mantle has black-centered feathers	Small black spots on side of breast	White underwings	Juvenile similar to adult but has smaller scapulars with whiter edges and darker centers to the wing coverts	Sexes similar


Description:
Breeds along coast on Arctic tundra. Migrates through interior of North America, stopping in short grassy fields, wet rice fields, pastures, burned-over grasslands.


Description:
Male: 12 inches (31 cm) Female: 10 inches (25 cm)


Description:
Found in Europe and Asia in the summer in lowland marshes and damp grasslands. Winters in Africa, India, Australia on grassland, rice fields, short-grass marshes, muddy shores of freshwater ponds and lakes. Migratory. Associates with Yellowlegs. Scarce migrant along the Atlantic coast in spring and late summer. About two dozen sightings per year along the Pacific coast, usually in the fall. Has bred in Alaska.


Description:
Breeds in Iceland and Northern Europe and winters in North Atlantic ocean. Seen far from shore between November and April in the mid-Atlantic states. Sightings in Massachusetts are typically between late August and mid-September. Very rare in summer. Strong, powerful flier. Massive, barrel-chested appearance. Robs gulls and terns of their prey.


Description:
Breeds in AntArctic and winters (our summer) in North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans. Occurs far from shore between May and November. Seen in the spring on the east coast and in spring and fall on the west coast. Most often seen on pelagic trips out of Westport, Washington during September and October. Strong, powerful flier. Massive, barrel-chested appearance. Robs gulls and terns of their prey.


Description:
Central tail feathers elongated and spatulate	Heavy pale-based bill	Black cap covers eye and crosses chin	Yellow area below cap	White nape and chin	Very dark upperparts	White underparts with dark mottled breastband, flanks, and undertail coverts	White patch at base of primaries; diffuse on underside and along the shafts from the upperside


Description:
Central tail feathers elongated and spatulate	Heavy pale-based bill	Entirely dark plumage except for white bases of primaries


Description:
Rounded, central tail feathers barely project beyond rest of tail	Upperparts dark with pale edgings	Primaries dark with pale shaft streaks on outer 5-7 primaries	Head, body, and wing linings barred-belly may be pale	Uppertail coverts barred black and white


Description:
Variable; gradually acquires adult plumage	Occurs in both dark and light color morphs	Best identified by tail feather shape, size, and bill shape


Description:
Large Jaeger, heavyset, thick-necked with broad-based wings	Central tail feathers long, twisted and oval-shaped	Bulky body and thick neck	Dark breast band on light morph birds (light morphs outnumber dark morphs)	Thick, heavy bill with prominent gonydeal angle	Powerful, yet agile, flight	Juveniles take several years to reach adult plumage	Light and dark color morphs	Mainly pelagic but occasionally seen inland	Sometimes chases other birds to steal their food	Sexes similar


Description:
Breeds on low, swampy Arctic tundra. Winters at sea. Usually seen well off west coast in August and September. Rarely seen from shore. Largest of the Jaegers. Often robs other gulls, terns, shearwaters of their catches. Follows fishing boats.


Description:
Central tail feathers elongated and pointed, but are not as long as the tail	Black cap covers eye and crosses chin	Yellow area below cap	White nape	Very dark upperparts	White underparts with smooth pale gray breastband and dark undertail coverts	White patch at base of primaries; diffuse on underside and along the shafts from the upperside	Pale-based bill


Description:
Central tail feathers elongated and pointed, but are not as long as the tail	Pale-based bill	Entirely dark plumage except for white base of primaries


Description:
Pointed central tail feathers barely project beyond rest of tail	Head, body, and wing linings barred-belly may be pale	Often cinnamon colored	Upperparts with pale edgings	Primaries dark, with white streaks on outer 3-5 primaries	Primaries usually pale-tipped	Uppertail coverts with wavy bars, often cinnamon colored


Description:
Medium-sized Jaeger, not particularly heavyset or dainty	Central tail feathers long and pointed	Neck and body thinner than Pomarine	White at base of primaries on underwing	Light morphs about as common as dark morphs	Bill not particularly thick with gonys 2/3 of the way to the tip	Mainly pelagic but occasionally seen inland	Sometimes chases other birds to steal their food	Powerful, yet agile, flight	Juveniles take several years to reach adult plumage	Light and dark color morphs	Sexes similar


Description:
Breeds on Arctic tundra and along coast of Arctic Ocean. Winters at sea. Often seen from shore along both coasts in August and September. Rarely in inland waters. Robs other gulls, terns, shearwaters of their catches. Follows fishing boats.


Description:
Central tail feathers very elongated and pointed; longer than tail	Black cap covers eye and crosses chin	Yellow area below cap	White nape	Gray upperparts	White underparts and dark undertail coverts	Blackish outer wing and secondaries and gray inner wing; not as much white on primaries as other jaegers	Small, black bill


Description:
Central tail feathers very elongated and pointed	Small, black bill	Entirely dark plumage except for base of primaries


Description:
Rounded central tail feathers project pretty far beyond rest of tail	Head, body, and wing linings barred-belly may be pale	As birds age, gray of adult plumage becomes more apparent and tail feathers lengthen	Upperparts often with pale edgings	Primaries dark with white shaft streaks on outer 2 primaries	Often dark intrusion into white primary patch from below	Axillaries and uppertail coverts strongly barred black and white


Description:
Small Jaeger with long tail extension behind narrow-based wings	Central tail feathers very long and pointed	Neck and body thinner than other two Jaegers	White chest, no white on underwing	Light morphs common, dark morphs rare	Small bill with subtle gonydeal angle near midpoint of bill	Mainly pelagic but occasionally seen inland	Sometimes chases other birds to steal their food	Powerful, yet agile, flight	Juveniles take several years to reach adult plumage	Light and dark color morphs	Sexes similar


Description:
Breeds on dry upland Arctic tundra. Winters at sea in Southern Hemisphere. Migrates well off shore in August and September. Rarely seen from shore. Smallest of the Jaegers with buoyant and graceful flight. Only occasionally robs other gulls, terns, shearwaters of their catches. Follows fishing boats.


Description:
Mostly white plumage with dark smudging around face	Dark, terminal tail band	Black tips to flight feathers, coverts, and some scapulars


Description:
White overall	Black bill with yellow tip, dark eye	Black legs	Stocky body and long wings	Fairly small gull	Large dark eye	Sexes similar


Description:
Breeds on islands in the high Arctic. Winters in Arctic seas near pack ice. Casual along the Atlantic coast. Lives entire life near ice and snow. Scavenger, eats garbage, dead Arctic animals. Seen along the northeast coast. Also seen near the Great Lakes, usually in December or January.


Description:
Bright red bill with dark tip	Black legs	Dark eye	White head	Dark gray back and upperwings	Gray underparts	White tertial crescent	Black primaries	White trailing edge to wings	Black tail with thin white terminal band


Description:
Like adult breeding but dark streaks about gray head


Description:
Pale bill with black tip	Black legs	Black plumage	Wings dark brown


Description:
White head, red bill with black tip	Dark gray belly, back and wings	Black tail with white band at tip	Winter: head streaked gray-brown	Medium-sized gull	Fairly short, small bill with indistinct gonydeal angle


Description:
Common along the Pacific coast and offshore waters except for spring nesting season when it is found in the Gulf of California, Mexico. Rare inland. Often seen scavenging along shores and beaches with other gulls.


Description:
Found along the Pacific and southern Atlantic coasts of South America. Four North American records, one from Pensacola, Florida in 1968, and three from Marco Island, Florida in 1970-1976. No seasonal pattern.


Description:
Found in Eastern Asia. Partly migratory. Three accepted North American records. One from Attu Island, Alaska on May 29,1980, Amchitka Island, Alaska on June 6, 1982 and one on St. Lawrence Island, Alaska June 2-13, 1988.


Description:
17.5 inches (45 cm) W 48 inches (122 cm)


Description:
Bright yellow bill with complete black ring at gonys	Bright yellow legs	Yellow eye	White head, neck, breast and belly	Pale gray back and upperwings	White tertial crescent	Black primaries with white tips and two white mirrors on outer primaries	White tail


Description:
Like adult breeding but thin dark streaks about head and duller soft parts


Description:
Black bill quickly developing pale base	Pale head, breast, back and belly with light brown scalloping	Dark upperwing coverts with wide white edgings	Pale belly	Dark outer primaries	Dark terminal band on white tail


Description:
Pink bill with black tip	Pink or gray legs	White head, neck and upper breast streaked with brown	Pale gray back	Upperwing coverts dull brown	Pale gray secondaries	Black primaries	Dark terminal band on white tail


Description:
Like adult nonbreeding but often with black-tipped yellow bill, entirely dark primaries and partial tail band


Description:
Pale gray mantle	Yellow bill with black ring near tip	Yellowish legs and yellow eye	Black wing tips with small white dots	Medium-sized gull	Fairly short, small bill with indistinct gonydeal angle


Description:
Common over a wide range. Found at inland marshes, wetlands, ponds, lakes and at coastal mud flats, beaches. Often seen eating fries at McDonald's parking lots (really).


Description:
Bright yellow bill with complete black ring distal to red spot at gonys	Bright yellow legs	Brown eye	White head, neck, breast, and belly	Gray back and upperwings	White tertial crescent	Black primaries with white tips and two white mirrors on outer primaries


Description:
Like adult breeding but blurry brown streaking and spotting on head and nape


Description:
Black bill quickly developing pale pink base	Wholly brown body plumage	Dark brown primaries	Dark brown secondaries and greater secondary coverts appears as double dark bar on trailing edge of wing in flight	Black legs quickly become pink	Dark outer primaries	Dark tail	Pale rump marked with bark bars and appears dark


Description:
Green-yellow bill with black tip	Pale head, neck, upper breast, and belly with brown streaking	Dull brown upperwing coverts	Dark brown primaries and tail	Gray back	White tail with dark terminal band


Description:
Like adult nonbreeding, but often lacks adult bill pattern, wing pattern, and often retains a partial tail band


Description:
Dark gray mantle	Yellow bill with black and red spots	Gray-green or yellowish-green legs and dark eye	Dusky trailing edge on underwing	Medium-sized gull	Fairly large bill with distinct gonydeal angle	Fairly rounded forehead and smaller bill give more "gentle" appearance than Herring Gull


Description:
Common along Pacific coast and beaches in winter. Breeds along shores of lakes and ponds in western Canada and United States. Feeds on insects in fields, plains. Statue erected by Mormons in Salt Lake City, Utah honors the California Gull for saving them from a cricket plague in 1848. State bird of Utah.


Description:
Bright yellow bill	Dull yellow legs	Dark eye	White head, neck, breast, and belly	Medium gray back and upperwings	White tertial crescent	Black primaries with white tips and white line dividing black and gray	White tail	European birds differ in details of wingtip pattern with North American birds having more white


Description:
Like adult breeding but brown smudges about head


Description:
Black bill quickly developing pale base	Dark brown plumage


Description:
Pink bill with black tip	Pink or gray legs	White head, neck and upper breast streaked with brown	Belly brown	Medium gray back	Upperwing coverts dull brown	Medium gray secondaries	Black primaries	Dark tail (European birds have white tails with sharp black terminal bands)


Description:
Like adult nonbreeding but often with black-tipped yellow bill, mostly dark primaries and partial tail band


Description:
Thin, pointed yellow bill	White rounded head with dark eye	Dark gray mantle	Yellow legs	Winter: head washed in brown	Medium-sized gull	Fairly short, small bill with indistinct gonydeal angle	European birds, which occasionally stray to Atlantic Coast, are somewhat similar to United States birds	Sexes similar


Description:
Common on Pacific coast, river valleys. Breeds on marshy ponds and lakes near woods and along sea coast. In winter at dumps, harbors, sewage outlets, mud flats, plowed fields, beaches.


Description:
Bright yellow bill with red spot at gonys	Pink legs	Yellow iris	White head, neck, breast, and belly	Gray back and upperwings	White tertial crescent	Black primaries with white tips and two white mirrors on outer primaries	White tail


Description:
Black bill	Brown body plumage	Dark brown primaries and secondaries	Black legs quickly become pink	Dark barred rump	Dark tail


Description:
Pinkish bill with black tip	Pale brown head, neck, upper breast, and belly	Dull brown upperwing coverts	Dark brown primaries and tail	Gray back	White tail with black terminal band


Description:
Pale gray mantle and white body	Long yellow bill with red spot on lower mandible	Pink legs	Yellow eye	Black wing tips with white dots	Large gull	Fairly large bill with distinct gonydeal angle	Flat forehead and large bill give "mean" appearance


Description:
Most abundant gull in North America. Found along both coasts although much more common along Atlantic. Also large inland lakes, rivers, sewage ponds, dumps, wharves, mud flats, beaches, plowed fields. Follows ships.


Description:
Found in southern Eurasia and northern Africa. Partially migratory. Yellow-legged Gull considered by some to be a race of Herring Gull. North American records from Quebec (1973) and Newfoundland (1985), as well as at Washington D.C. at the Georgetown Reservoir and Laytonsville, Maryland  (winters of 1990-1993).


Description:
Bright yellow bill with red spot at gonys	Pink legs	Dark eye	White head, neck, breast, and belly	Gray back and upperwings	White tertial crescent	Primaries tips blackish from above, gray tips from below	White tail


Description:
Black bill	Wholly brown body to pale brown plumage	Pale brown primaries	Pale brown secondaries	Black legs quickly become pink	Pale brown tail band


Description:
Pale bill with black tip	Pale brown head, neck, upper breast, and belly	Dull brown upperwing coverts	Brown primaries and tail	Gray back	White tail with dark terminal band


Description:
Variable four-year gull	Pink legs	Yellow bill with red spot on lower mandible	Eye usually brown	Sexes similar	Large gull	Fairly large bill with indistinct gonydeal angle	Rounded head


Description:
Breeds on Arctic tundra in northern Canada. Winters along Pacific coast. Rare inland and on Atlantic coast.  Difficult to identify in the field. Once considered a race of the Herring Gull, some now consider Thayer's Gull to be a race of the Iceland Gull. However, Peter Thayer, creator of this software, believes it to be a separate species that should not be lumped into Iceland Gull until he has seen one!


Description:
Bright yellow bill with red spot at gonys	Yellow legs	Yellow iris	White head, neck, breast, and belly	Dark gray back and upperwings	White tertial crescent	Black primaries with white tips and one or two white mirrors on outer primaries	White tail


Description:
Black bill	Wholly brown body plumage but may be paler on head	Back appears somewhat checkered	Dark brown primaries	Dark brown secondaries and secondary coverts	Pinkish legs	Dark outer primaries	Pale rump marked with dark bars and appears pale	Dark tail


Description:
Variably pinkish bill with black tip	Pale brown head, neck, upper breast, and belly	Dull brown upperwing coverts	Dark brown primaries and tail	Dark gray back	White tail with black terminal band


Description:
Dark gray mantle	Yellow bill with red spot on lower mandible	Yellow legs	Pale eye	Black wing tips with one or two white spots	Large gull	Slim bill with indistinct gonydeal angle	Round head	Sexes similar


Description:
Found in Europe. Very uncommon on the Atlantic coast along beaches, mudflats, harbors, landfills, garbage dumps, sewage outlets, and occasionally plowed fields. Also seen around Great Lakes. Becoming more common.


Description:
Bright yellow bill with red spot at gonys	Pink legs	Yellow iris	White head, neck, breast, and belly	Dark gray back and upperwings (paler in northern birds)	White tertial and scapular crescent	Black primaries with white tips and a single white mirror on outermost primary	White tail


Description:
Like adult breeding but has faint brown streaking on head


Description:
Black bill	Wholly brown body plumage	Dark brown primaries and secondaries	Black legs quickly become pink	Dark tail	Whitish rump contrasts with dark back


Description:
Pinkish bill with black tip	Pale head, neck, upper breast, and belly	Dull brown upperwing coverts	Dark brown primaries and tail	Dark gray back


Description:
Dark gray mantle and white body	Large yellow bill with red spot on lower mandible	Pink legs	Upperwings dark gray with darker tips	Large gull	Fairly large bill with distinct gonydeal angle	Flat forehead and large bill give "mean" appearance


Description:
Common along the Pacific coast and offshore in a variety of marine habitats. Rare inland. Follows ships. Scavenges along beaches and at garbage dumps.


Description:
Breeds in Gulf of California, Mexico. Occasionally wanders north to the Salton Sea in southern California. Usually seen alone or in small groups along the shore at the south end of the Salton Sea between June and September.


Description:
Pelagic, coastal in winter. Found in oceans of the Southern Hemisphere.  North American records from Louisiana in 1989, Galveston, Texas during  February - April, 1996, Delaware, 1998 and Maryland, 2000. Because of the difficulty of positive identification to species without a specimen, and also because it seems unlikely that a sub-AntArctic species would colonize the subtropical Gulf of Mexico, the species is not officially recognized by the A.O.U.


Description:
Found on northeast coast of Asia. Rare in Aleutian Islands and western Alaska. Accidental in the Lower 48. Most numerous in winter. Usually seen at edge of pack ice.


Description:
Bright yellow bill with red spot at gonys	Pink legs	Yellow iris	White head, neck, breast and belly	Black mantle	White tertial and scapular crescent	Black primaries (do not contrast with back) with white tips and two white mirrors on outer primaries	White tail


Description:
Like adult breeding but faint brown streaking on head


Description:
Black bill	White head, neck, breast, and belly with very fine dark streaks	Back and upperwings strongly checkered with dark brown and white	Dark primaries	White tail with fine bars and black terminal band	White rump contrasts with back


Description:
Pinkish bill with black tip	Pale head, neck, upper breast, and belly , streaked finely with brown	Dull brown upperwing coverts	Black back	White tail with black terminal band


Description:
Like adult nonbreeding, but often lacks adult bill pattern, wingtip pattern, and often retains brown upperwing coverts and a partial tail band


Description:
Very large gull	Black mantle	Huge yellow bill with red spot on lower mandible	Pink legs	Pale eye	White tip at end of wing	Very large bill with distinct gonydeal angle	Flat forehead and large bill give "mean" appearance


Description:
Along the Atlantic coast, bays, garbage dumps, mud flats, offshore fishing banks. Coastal species, but occasionally wanders up large rivers. Largest gull in North America. Aggressive around other gulls.


Description:
Bright yellow bill with red spot at gonys	Pink legs	Dark eyes	White head, neck, breast and belly	Pale gray mantle	White tertial crescent	Pale gray primaries (do not contrast with back) have white tips	White tail


Description:
Black bill	Wholly pale brown body plumage	Pale brown primaries do not contrast with body plumage	Pale brown tail does not contrast with back	Black legs quickly become pink


Description:
Black bill with pink base	Pale brown head, neck, upper breast, belly, primaries and tail	Pale gray back


Description:
Pale gray mantle	Large yellow bill with red spot on lower mandible	Pink legs	Dark eye	Upperwings pale gray overall, underwings white	Large gull	Very large bill with distinct gonydeal angle	Flat forehead and large bill give "mean" appearance


Description:
Along the Pacific coast in a variety of marine habitats, garbage dumps, docks. Inland along large river valleys of the northwest. Hybridizes with Western Gull. Most abundant gull in Pacific Northwest. Will drop food from air onto rocks to crack open shell.


Description:
Bright yellow bill with red spot at gonys	Pink legs	Light eye	White head, neck, breast, and belly	Gray back and upperwings	White tertial crescent	Primaries tips white	White tail


Description:
Pinkish bill with distinct black tip	Ghostly white to pale brown plumage	White primaries	White secondaries	White tail with gray to pale brown speckling


Description:
Pale bill with black tip	Pale head, neck, upper breast, and belly	Pale gray back


Description:
Like adult basic but often lacks adult bill pattern


Description:
Light gray mantle and white body	Long yellow bill with red spot on lower mandible	Pink legs	Yellow eye	Pale gray wings with translucent white tips	Large gull	Bill large with distinct gonydeal angle	Squarish head	Wingtips extend slightly beyond tail at rest


Description:
Breeds in Arctic. Winters along Pacific and Atlantic coasts, open waters of Great Lakes and Hudson Bay. Seen in harbors, at garbage dumps and at feeding sites with other gulls. In summer feeds on other birds and lemmings.


Description:
Bright yellow bill with red spot at gonys	Pink legs	Light eye	White head, neck, breast, and belly	Gray back and upperwings	White tertial crescent	Primary tips white with gray subterminal markings	White tail


Description:
Black bill	Ghostly white or pale plumage with pale brown edgings	White primaries	White secondaries	Black legs quickly become pink	White tail with gray to pale brown speckling


Description:
Like adult nonbreeding but often lacks adult bill pattern


Description:
Gray mantle and white body	Yellow bill with red spot on lower mandible	Pink legs	Usually yellow eyes (some brown)	Pale gray wings with translucent white tips	Fairly large gull	Bill relatively slim with indistinct gonydeal angle	Rounded head	Wingtips extend well beyond tail at rest


Description:
Breeds on cliffs of Baffin Island and coastal Greenland. Winters along Atlantic coast south to Virginia. Seen most often scavenging at garbage dumps, sewage outlets, fishing piers, docks.


Description:
16.5 inches (42 cm) W 40 inches (102 cm)


Description:
Red bill	Black head	Thin white crescents above and below eye	White neck, breast, and belly	Dark gray back and upperwings	Pale scapular crescent and tertial crescent	Dark primaries, usually with no white tips	Dark primaries blend into gray of upperwings without white division	White tail


Description:
Black bill	White head with faint black streaking on rear part of head	Dark primaries, usually with small white tips	White tail


Description:
Black bill	Entirely warm brown head, neck, back, and upperwings	Pale edgings to upperwing coverts	Pale belly	Dark terminal band on white tail


Description:
First-year bird has gray back, brown upperwing coverts, pale gray head with black streaks on rear head, grayish breast , and white tail with complete black terminal band	Second-year bird is essentially like adult nonbreeding, but often has a remnant of a tail band and does not have white tips to primaries


Description:
Dark gray mantle and black hood (gray wash on nape in winter)	Dark red bill (black in winter and in non-adult plumage)	Black to dark red legs	Dark eye with white crescents above and below	Black outer primaries and white tail	Medium-sized, long-winged gull	Long bill somewhat droopy towards tip	Head flat at forehead, giving "mean" look	Adult plumage reached in third year


Description:
Beaches, coastal areas, saltwater marshes, wetlands, plowed fields, also along rivers and lakes. Abundant on southern beaches and salt marshes. Fairly common at southern end of Salton Sea, California. Will beg for food from humans at the beach. Follows fishing boats.


Description:
Red bill	Black head	Fairly bold white crescents above and below eye	White neck, breast, and belly	Dark gray back and upperwings	Pale scapular crescent and tertial crescent	Dark primaries, with bold white tips	Dark primaries divided from gray upperwing by white bar	White tail with pale gray central retricies


Description:
Black bill	Prominent black half hood on rear of head


Description:
Black bill	Black half hood (does not include forehead)	Gray back	Brown upperwings	Pale edgings to upperwing coverts	Pale foreneck, breast and belly	Dark terminal band on white tail does not include outer tail feathers


Description:
First-year bird has gray back, brown upperwing coverts, black half hood, white breast and belly, and white tail with black terminal band that does not include outer tail feathers.	Second-year bird like adult breeding, but may not show strong white division between mantle and wingtips. Birds with black hoods often show pale flecks around face.


Description:
Dark gray mantle and black hood (dark half hood in winter)	Short dark red bill (black in winter and in non-adult plumage)	Black to dark red legs	Dark eye with white crescents above and below	Gray wings with white band before black wing tips	Medium-sized, fairly short-winged gull	Bill is relatively short and straight	Fairly round head gives "gentle" appearance	Adult plumage reached in second year


Description:
Freshwater marshes and marshy lake shores of the northern prairies, fields, pastures. Common at Great Salt Lake, Utah in summer. Graceful flight. Follows farmers plowing their fields.


Description:
Dark brown head	Dark red bill	Very narrow white crescents above and below eye	White nape, neck, breast, belly, and tail	Pale gray back and upperwings	Pale scapular crescent and tertial crescent	White wedge on top of outer primaries	Black tips to primaries creates black trailing edge to primaries and black wingtips at rest


Description:
Like adult breeding except lacks dark hood and instead has black spot on ear coverts


Description:
Head and body like adult nonbreeding	Pale-based bill	White tail with black terminal band	Pale gray upperwing marked by dark carpal bar, dark trailing edge and slight white wedge in outer primaries	Second-year birds are essentially identical to birds in adult nonbreeding plumage


Description:
Small, tern-like gull	Gray mantle and dark brown hood (dark ear patch in winter)	Red bill	Red legs and dark eye	Outer wing has white leading edge and dark underside	Short, thin bill	Undersurfaces of primaries are black (except outermost is white)


Description:
Found in Europe and Asia. Locally scarce in winter along the Atlantic coast. Also seen in migration in western Alaska. Seen at inland freshwater marshes, grainfields, grasslands, as well as coastal regions, harbors, mud flats.


Description:
Black head	Very narrow white crescents above and below eye	White neck, breast, belly, and tail	Pale gray back and upperwings	Pale scapular crescent and tertial crescent	White wedge on outer primaries	Black tips to primaries creates black trailing edge to primaries and black wingtips at rest	Pale underwing and underside of primaries


Description:
Like adult breeding except lacks black hood and instead has black spot on ear coverts


Description:
Juvenile strongly washed with brown which fades rapidly with wear	Head and body like adult nonbreeding	White tail with black terminal band	Pale gray upperwing marked by dark carpal bar, dark trailing edge and slight white wedge in outer primaries


Description:
Small, tern-like gull	Gray mantle and black hood (black ear patch in winter)	Black bill	Orange-red legs and dark eye	Outer wing has white leading edge and narrow black trailing edge	Short, thin, black bill	Adult plumage reached in second year


Description:
Nests in conifer trees near water in northern Canada and Alaska. In summer, found at ponds, wet meadows, migrating inland along rivers. In winter, along both coasts, bays, harbors, mud flats, sewage outlets. Common on the Great Lakes.


Description:
Black head extending onto upper neck	White nape, neck, breast, belly, and tail	Pale gray back and upperwings	White trailing edge to primaries and secondaries	Dark gray underwings	Red legs


Description:
Like adult breeding except lacks black hood and instead has black spot on ear coverts and smudgy gray cap


Description:
Head and body like adult nonbreeding	White tail with black terminal band	Pale gray upperwing marked by dark carpal bar and dark outer primaries	Pale trailing edge to wing	Pink legs	Second-year birds are similar to birds in adult nonbreeding plumage but have some dark visible in the primary tips and underwings are not as dark


Description:
Small, tern-like gull	Pale gray mantle and black hood (black ear patch in winter)	Black bill, dark eye	Red legs	Wings pale gray above, dark below with white wing tips	White trailing edge on short, rounded wings	Short, thin, black bill	Short, rounded wings


Description:
Found in Europe and Asia. Began nesting in North America in 1962 (southeast Ontario).  Habitat is grassy marshes, marshy ponds, flooded fields. Associates with Black or Forster's Terns in summer. In winter often found with Bonaparte's Gulls near tidal channels and sewage ponds. They have nested near Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Smallest of all gulls.


Description:
Black head	Black bill with yellow tip	White neck and underparts	Gray mantle	Bold wing pattern: black outer primaries bordered by white triangle on trailing edge of wing extending to wrist and gray inner wing	White tips to black primaries	Dark eye with red orbital ring	Black legs	White tail


Description:
Similar to adult breeding but has white head with dark smudges


Description:
Gray-brown rear of head, nape, mantle, and sides of breast	Thin white edges to mantle create scalloped look	White underparts	Wing pattern similar to adult but inner wing is brown	Black primaries lack white tips	Dark bill	Pinkish legs	Black terminal tail band


Description:
Bold black, gray and white wing pattern ("W" pattern)	Dark gray mantle and black hood	Black bill with yellow tip, dark eye	Black legs	Small gull	Shallowly forked tail


Description:
Pelagic. Breeds on Arctic tundra. Winters at sea in the Southern Hemisphere. Fairly common migrant off Pacific coast. Rare near shore. Often flies with deep wingbeats, close to water. Seldom glides.


Description:
Pale pink head and underparts	Thin black ring around head	Pale gray mantle	Pale gray wings with white trailing edge	Red legs	White tail


Description:
Lacks pinkish cast to plumage	Lacks black ring around head	Grayish smudges on rear of head


Description:
Black ear spot	Gray back	Black outer primaries and carpal bar	Black terminal tail band	Dull pink legs


Description:
Pale gray mantle with thin black collar (partial collar in winter)	Pale pink underparts in breeding plumage	Black bill	Large dark eye	Red legs	Long, pointed wings and wedge shaped tail	Small gull	Short black bill	Wedge-shaped tail


Description:
Found in northeastern Asia where it breeds along swampy river deltas in Arctic tundra. Found on ice packs of Arctic Ocean most of the year. Migrates along northern coast of Alaska, common at Point Barrow in September and October. Seen regularly in June at Churchill, Manitoba (this spot is probably the most easily accessible tundra in North America). Over two dozen Lower 48 records. The first Lower 48 sighting in June 1975 attracted 10,000 birders to Newburyport, Massachusetts.


Description:
Bright yellow unmarked bill	Dark eye	White head, neck, breast, and belly	Gray back and upperwings	Thin white tertial crescent	Primary tips black with no white spots	White tail


Description:
Like adult breeding but dark smudges on nape


Description:
Black bill	Black ear spot	Black collar	White head, tail, and underparts	Gray back	Black outer primaries and carpal bar contrasting with paler inner primaries and secondaries	Black terminal tail band


Description:
Gray mantle and white head (black ear patch in winter)	Yellow bill, dark eye	Black legs	Black wing tips	Wings white below, gray above	Medium-sized gull	Bill relatively slim with indistinct gonydeal angle	Sexes similar


Description:
Pelagic. Nests in large colonies on coastal cliffs of Alaska, Canada and Greenland. Uncommon on both coasts. Winters well out at sea. Follow ships. Better able to fly and glide in strong winds than other gulls. Drinks only salt water.


Description:
Yellow unmarked bill	Dark eye	Red legs	White head, neck, breast, and belly	White tertial crescent	Primary tips black with no white spots	White tail


Description:
Black bill	Black ear spot	Thin black collar	Gray back	Black outer primaries	White tail


Description:
Dark gray mantle and white head (black ear patch in winter)	Yellow bill	Dark eye	Red legs	Black wing tips	Wings dusky gray below, dark gray above	Medium-sized gull	Short bill with indistinct gonydeal angle	Dark gray mantle	Breeds locally on islands off Alaska-very rarely observed elsewhere in western United States and Canada	Sexes similar


Description:
Pelagic. Nests in large colonies on coastal cliffs of islands in the Bering Sea.  Very uncommon on Pacific coast. Winters well out at sea. Follow ships. Faster wingbeat and much less common than Black-legged Kittiwake.


Description:
Found in Africa, Eurasia and Australasia in freshwater marshes, wetlands, inland waterways, occasionally on coast, rare at sea. One North American record from Cape May, New Jersey (July 12-15, 1993) and Ted Harvey Conservation Area and Little Creek Wildlife Management Area, Delaware (July 18 - August 21, 1993).


Description:
Found during summer in Europe and Asia at inland freshwater marshes, lakes, rivers. Winters in Africa, Asia, Australasia, occasionally at coastal marshes. Very rare in North America. Seen May through August along the Atlantic coast. Delaware and Virginia have recorded the most sightings. Also reported inland and from western Aleutian Islands.


Description:
Dark legs	Black head, neck, breast, and belly	White undertail coverts	Dark gray back; and upperwings with no apparent contrast	Gray rump and tail	Pale underwing coverts


Description:
White face, foreneck, breast, and belly	Irregular black cap connected to dark ear spot	Entirely gray back and upperwing (paler than in breeding plumage)	Dark gray shoulder bar


Description:
White face, foreneck, breast, and belly	Irregular black cap connected to dark ear spot	Brownish back and upperwing	Dark gray shoulder bar


Description:
Like adult nonbreeding but often with blackish mottling in first summer


Description:
Small tern with relatively short, black bill	Black head and body	Wings and tail dark gray	White undertail coverts	Winter: white below, dark gray above	Slow swallow-like flight	Swoops down and picks prey off surface off water	Very short, dark legs	Short, notched tail	Smoothly rounded head without crest	Sexes similar


Description:
Inland near freshwater marshes, lakeshores, wet meadows, ponds, prairie sloughs, wetlands. Common along Atlantic coast during migration. Skims low over water's surface like a swallow, catching insects. Flight is erratic and buoyant. Hovers.


Description:
Found in South America, east of the Andes, along rivers, large lakes and the coast. Mainly a freshwater species. Three North American records. One at Chicago, Illinois July 15-September 20, 1949; one at Evans Lake, Ohio May 29, 1954; and one at Kearney Marsh, New Jersey on May 30, 1988.


Description:
Black legs	Black cap	White face, neck, breast, and belly	Pale gray back and upperwings


Description:
Similar to adult breeding, but has a white forehead and dark streaking about the rear of the head, and variable dark ear spot


Description:
Similar to adult nonbreeding but mantle has brownish spots


Description:
Medium-sized, robust tern	Short black bill	Black crown and nape	White below, pale gray above	Black legs and feet	Short, notched tail	Pale underwings	Sexes similar


Description:
Salt marshes, wetlands, outer beaches, estuaries, coastal bays, fields, rare inland except in Florida and at Salton Sea, California. Formerly abundant but almost exterminated in early 1900s for eggs and feathers. Found worldwide, local and uncommon in North America.


Description:
Deep red bill, often with indistinct black ring at tip	Black legs	Black cap with very slight crested appearance	White face, neck, breast, and belly	Pale gray back and upperwings	Pale underwings with dusky gray on outer 5-6 primaries	White tail	Takes three years to reach full adult plumage


Description:
Similar to adult breeding, but has a black cap streaked with white and darker, more worn, primaries


Description:
Pale legs	Deep orange bill	Brownish cap streaked with white	Upperwing coverts and scapulars marked by crisp, black scalloping	White face, neck, breast, and belly	Pale upperwing has darker outer primaries and secondaries	Grayish tail


Description:
First-year birds are like nonbreeding-plumaged adults but have darker uppersurfaces to the outer primaries, dark secondaries, a grayish tail, and a pale forehead	Second-summer birds are almost identical to breeding-plumaged adults, but have often white spots in the cap, darker outer primaries and some gray in the tail


Description:
Large, barrel-chested tern with long, thick, reddish bill	Black cap (gray in winter) extends over forehead to bill	Dark wing tips	White underparts	Black legs and feet	Short, notched tail	Hints of a crest at the rear of the head	Pale underwings with dark patch in primaries	Sexes similar	Dives into water for prey


Description:
Fairly common at large lakes, coastal waters, marshes,  rivers, canals, bays, beaches. Largest tern in North America. Fishes with bill pointed downward, hovers. Flight more gull-like than tern-like.


Description:
Black legs	Black cap	White face, neck, breast, and belly	Pale gray back and upperwings	White rump and tail, often with dark edgings	Plumage held in spring (March to May)


Description:
White forehead and crown	Black mask extends rearward from eye to spiky crest at rear of head	White eye ring in dark mask	Outer primaries and tail feathers darken with wear, becoming dark gray in nonbreeding plumage


Description:
Pale legs	White forehead and crown	Dark brown mask extending rearward from eye to spiky crest at rear of head	White neck, breast, and belly	Pale gray back	Dark brown carpal bar	Dark brown uppersurface to secondaries and outer primaries	Gray tail with dark margins


Description:
First-year birds generally have dark secondaries and outer primaries, and a slightly more extensive black mask	Second-summer birds are generally very similar to adults in breeding plumage but often have darker primaries and secondaries and white tips to feathers in black cap


Description:
Large tern with fairly thick orange bill	Crested black cap in summer	Cap gray in winter with white forehead and black nape	Dark outer primaries and trailing edge of upper wing	Forked tail	Fairly long, deeply forked tail	Spiky crest at the rear of the head	Pale underwing with dark tips to outer primaries	Takes three years to reach full adult plumage	Sexes similar	Dives into water for prey


Description:
Saltwater habitats such as coastal areas, beaches, bays, offshore areas. Rare inland. Nest in dense colonies. Feeds by hovering,  then diving below water's surface.


Description:
Black legs	Black cap	White face, neck, breast, and belly	Pale gray back and upperwings	White rump and tail, often with dark edgings


Description:
White forehead	Black mask extends rearward from eye to spiky crest at rear of head	Eye is surrounded by dark mask


Description:
Legs black with variable amounts of yellow	White forehead	Dark brown mask extending rearward from eye to spiky crest at rear of head	White neck, breast, and belly	Pale gray back	Dark brown carpal bar	Dark brown uppersurface to secondaries and outer primaries	Tail dark gray with darker tips and paler edges


Description:
First-year: Similar to juvenile but has grayer upperparts	Second-year: Similar to adult nonbreeding but may retain a few juvenile flight and tail feathers


Description:
Large tern with long, thin, orange bill	Black crown, nape and crest	White underparts, occasionally with pinkish tinge	Pale gray upperparts	Strongly curved culmen makes bill appear to droop at tip	Fairly long, deeply forked tail	Spiky crest at the rear of the head	Pale underwing with dark tips to outer primaries	Achieves full adult plumage by its second summer	Sexes similar	Dives into water for prey


Description:
Mexican species that is found along the coast of California at sandy beaches and estuaries in the summer and fall. Often seen with other terns on sandy areas  between the Pacific Ocean and coastal bays. Breeds near San Diego.


Description:
Black legs	Black cap	White face, neck, breast, and belly	Pale gray back and upperwings	White rump and tail


Description:
White forehead and streaked crown	Black mask extends rearward from eye to spiky crest at rear of head


Description:
Similar to adult nonbreeding but has dark feather edgings to mantle	Yellow tip to bill may not be evident	Occasionally have yellowish bills


Description:
Large tern with long, thin, black bill with yellow tip	Black cap and crest in summer	Winter: white crown and black patch from eye to nape	Legs and feet black	Fairly long, deeply forked tail	Spiky crest at the rear of the head	Pale underwing with dark tips to outer primaries	Sexes similar	Dives into water for prey


Description:
Along the Gulf and lower Atlantic coast along beaches, estuaries, bays, inlets, jetties, coastal islands. Exclusively a saltwater species. Often found with Royal Terns.


Description:
Red legs	Orange-red bill with black tip	Black cap	White face	Medium gray foreneck, breast, and belly	Gray back and upperwings	Dark wedge in outer primaries	Primary pattern darkens with wear through season so that outer 5 primaries are entirely dark by late summer	White rump and tail, with dark edges to outer retricies	Tail extends only to tip of primaries at rest


Description:
Red legs	Black bill	White forehead, face, foreneck, breast, and belly	Black cap extends up from eye to crown and rearward from eye to back of head	Outer primaries and tail feathers darken with wear, becoming dark gray in nonbreeding plumage	Dark carpal bar


Description:
Pale flesh-colored legs	Pink to yellow-based bill turning to black with age	White forehead, foreneck, breast, and belly	Back color variable-often gray with pale brown and black feather edges	Dark carpal bar	Gray wings with brown tips to the upperwing coverts	Dark secondaries and lesser coverts contrast with paler inner wing	Short tail with dark tips


Description:
First-year birds like adult nonbreeding	Second-summer birds like adult breeding, but often with white feathers in cap, paler breasts and faint carpal bars.


Description:
Medium-sized tern with slender, pointed orange-red bill with black tip	Pale gray underparts	White forked tail with black outer edges	Black cap and nape in summer, white forehead in winter	Long, deeply forked tail	Smoothly rounded head without crest	Pale underwing with broad, blurry, dark trailing edge	Gray upperwing with dark outer primaries (variable according to state of condition of plumage)	Window of translucent primaries shows through wings on inner primaries and outer secondaries	Alaskan birds can have all dark bills and brown legs	Can take three years to reach full adult plumage	Sexes similar	Dives into water for prey


Description:
Nest in large colonies along Atlantic coast and inland on sandspits or isolated islands. Common at lakes, ponds, bays, beaches, coastal waters. Rarely flies very far out to sea. Often seen in migration along Pacific coast.


Description:
Red legs	Red bill	Black cap	White cheek	Medium gray foreneck, breast, and belly-darker than Common Tern	Gray back and upperwings	White rump and tail, with dark edges to outer retricies	Tail extends just beyond tip of primaries at rest	Molts into nonbreeding plumage on wintering grounds


Description:
Dark bill	White forehead with black mask continuing across nape	White underparts	Gray back and upperwings


Description:
Pale red to brown legs	Black bill	White forehead, foreneck, breast, and belly	Dark patch around eye and across rear of head	Gray back with dark gray feather edges	Indistinct carpal bar	White secondaries


Description:
Medium-sized tern with short, slender, short red bill	Gray upperparts, paler below	Black cap and nape in summer	Narrow black trailing edge on wing tip	Short legs	Long, deeply forked tail	Smoothly rounded head without crest	Pale underwing with thin, well-defined, dark trailing edge	Gray upperwing	Translucent flight feathers	Breeds from Maine to Alaska but migrates mostly at sea, rarely seen from land	May attain full adult plumage in third year	Sexes similar	Dives into water for prey


Description:
Nests in Arctic tundra, south to the northern Prairie Provinces of Canada on lakes, ponds, river sandbars and along the coast. Migrates well offshore along both coasts. Winters at sea in the Southern Hemisphere. Some may migrate, round trip, over 22,000 miles. As a result, Arctic Terns see more daylight during their lifetime than any other animal on earth!


Description:
Orange legs	Orange bill with black tip	Black cap	White face, foreneck, breast and belly	Pale gray rump and tail, with dark inner edges and white outer edges to longest tail feathers	Tail extends just beyond tip of primaries at rest	Plumage held in spring to early summer	Molt to nonbreeding plumage starts in July and is nearly complete by early fall


Description:
Orange legs	Black bill	White head, face, foreneck, breast, and belly	Black patch surrounding eye	Freshly molted primaries typically very pale


Description:
Pale orange legs	Black bill	White forehead, foreneck, breast, and belly	Black eye patch	Pale brown back	No carpal bar	Gray wings with brown tips to upperwing coverts


Description:
Black bill and legs	First-year birds generally have dark secondaries and outer primaries, and a slightly more extensive black mask	Second-summer birds are generally very similar to adults in breeding plumage but often have darker primaries and secondaries and white tips to feathers in black cap


Description:
Medium-sized tern with slender, pointed orange-red bill with black tip	Orange legs and feet	White underparts, pale gray above	Black cap and nape in summer, black eye patch in winter	Long, deeply forked tail	Smoothly rounded head without crest	Pale underwing with broad, blurry, dark trailing edge	Gray upperwing with pale primaries (and variably dark outermost primaries, dependent on plumage wear)	Little translucence in flight feathers when seen from below	May take three years to reach full adult plumage	Sexes similar	Dives into water for prey


Description:
Nests in freshwater marshes, marshy lake edges of southwestern Canada and northern United States, coastal marshes along both Atlantic and Pacific. Fairly common. Often seen along beaches, bays, coastline. Seen in migration through interior of United States and around Great Lakes region.


Description:
Red legs	Mostly black bill during breeding season can become half pink or pinkish-red based by mid summer	Black cap	White underparts, sometimes with pinkish cast	White rump and tail	Tail extends beyond tip of primaries at rest	Molt to nonbreeding plumage begins in July


Description:
Black bill	White forehead	Black around eye and across nape


Description:
Shorter tail than adult	Crisp black scalloping on back	Black bill	Dark cap with white flecks	Dark legs


Description:
Dark bill	White forehead	Dark patch around eye and across rear of head	Dark legs	Body plumage similar to adult	May not acquire full adult plumage until third year


Description:
Medium-sized tern with slender, pointed, long, thin black bill (red base in summer)	Black cap and nape	White below, pale gray above	Long forked white tail	Smoothly rounded head without crest	Pale underwing-somewhat dark tips to outermost primaries but inner primaries lack dark trailing edge	Pale gray mantle	May attain full adult plumage in three years	Local breeder in northeastern United States and Florida, winters outside United States and rarely observed during migration	Sexes similar	Dives into water for prey


Description:
Nests from Nova Scotia to Virginia on coastal islands, sandy or rocky beaches often in the company of Common Terns.  More pelagic than other terns. Uncommon and declining. Flies with snappy wingbeat and noticeably buoyant flight.


Description:
Black legs	Black bill	Black cap with white forehead	Gray underparts	White rump and tail


Description:
Scaly brownish wash to upperparts	Black bill with red lower mandible	Dark cap with pale forehead	Reddish legs	Tail with dark tips


Description:
Medium-sized tern with short, slender, pointed bill	Dark gray above and below" White forehead	Black cap	Black bill and legs	Long, deeply forked tail	Smoothly rounded head without crestMostly pale underwing with dark bar on secondaries	Gray mantle	Sexes similar	Dives into water for prey


Description:
Nest in loose colonies along the western coast of Alaska and throughout the Aleutian Islands. First recorded in Aleutians in 1962. Rarely  observed away from breeding grounds. Feeds by hovering 30-40 feet above water then diving (often submerging) for small fish.


Description:
Black cap with thin white forehead patch	White collar	White underparts	White underwing coverts and dark flight feathers below	Pale bases to primaries on underwing


Description:
Dark upperparts with pale edges to feathers	White underparts	White collar	Head pattern less distinct than adult	Paler wing linings and belly


Description:
Medium-sized tern with long wings	Brownish-gray upperparts	Black cap	White forehead patch extends beyond eye	White collar	Dark, slender, pointed bill	Long, deeply forked tail with white outer tail feathers	Smoothly rounded head without crest	Gray-brown upperparts	Black legs	Limited range in United States-mostly pelagic	Sexes similar


Description:
Pelagic. Fairly common during the summer in the Gulf Stream off the southeastern coast from North Carolina to Florida Keys . Often observed on boat trips between the Dry Tortugas and Key West. Nests in the Bahamas and West Indies.


Description:
Black cap with broad white forehead	White underparts	White underwing coverts and flight feathers below


Description:
Dark brownish wash to plumage	Small pale spots on upperparts	Paler wing linings and belly


Description:
Fairly large tern with dark, slender, pointed bill	Brownish-black upperparts, white below	Black cap extends to dark back	White forehead patch	Long, dark, deeply forked tail	Smoothly rounded head without crest	Black legs	Limited range in United States-mostly pelagic	Sexes similar


Description:
Pelagic. Breeds in a large, dense colony in the Dry Tortugas, Florida between March and September. Uncommon along Atlantic coast and in Gulf of Mexico. Flies with deep, strong wingbeats over tropical seas. Often soars in circles. Feeds by plucking fish from surface, not by diving. One of the most abundant birds in the world.


Description:
Yellow legs	Yellow bill with tiny black tip	Black cap with white forehead patch before eye	White face, foreneck, breast, and belly	Pale gray rump and tail	Entirely gray back and upperwing with dark outer two primaries


Description:
Orange legs	Black bill	White forehead, face, foreneck, breast, and belly	Black cap mottled with white	Entirely gray back and upperwing with dark outer two primaries


Description:
Pale orange legs	Pinkish bill becomes black with age	White forehead, foreneck, breast, and belly	Black eye patch	Pale crown streaked with brown and black	Pale brown back with brownish center to feathers	Dark carpal bar	Gray wings with brown tips to upperwing coverts	Dark outer five primaries forms bold, dark, wedge in flight	Short tail with dark gray-brown tips


Description:
Black bill and legs	Black half hood	Pale forehead	Pale crown streaked with black	Dark carpal bar


Description:
Diminutive tern with slender, pointed yellow bill with small black tip in summer	Legs orange-yellow	Black cap and nape with white forehead	Flies with very rapid wingbeats	Very short legs	Short, forked tail	Smoothly rounded head without crest	Pale underwing with blurry primaries along leading edge	Sexes similar	Dives into water for prey


Description:
Along both coasts, bays, coastal ponds, sandy beaches, inland along Mississippi and Missouri Rivers and their tributaries.  Has nested on rooftops in Florida! Flight is very light, buoyant and graceful.


Description:
Fairly large tern with dark, slender, pointed bill	Dark gray-brown overall	Whitish-gray cap	Long, wedge-shaped tail	Long, dark, wedge-shaped tail	Very dark brown plumage	Black legs	Limited range in United States-mostly pelagic	Sexes similar


Description:
Pelagic. Nests in a colony on Bird Key in the Dry Tortugas, Florida. Found in tropical oceans worldwide. Occasionally seen perching on floating debris at sea. Does not dive, but catches fish by flying low over the water's surface.


Description:
Medium-sized tern with dark, slender, pointed bill	Long, dark, wedge-shaped tail	Blackish plumage	Black legs	Limited range in United States, sometimes seen in Dry Tortugas off Florida	Sexes similar


Description:
Pelagic. Very uncommon visitor to Dry Tortugas, Florida. One or two Black Noddies may be found among the thousands of Brown Noddies on Bird Key or Bush Key. Found in tropical oceans worldwide.


Description:
Large red-orange bill with black tip	Lower mandible longer than upper	Red legs	Black upperparts and crown	Short white tail with black center	White forehead and underparts	Dark upperwing with white trailing edge	Pale underwings	Duller above in winter	Immatures are mottled above	Sexes similar	Skims surface of water with bill searching for prey


Description:
Coastal bird seen near bays, tidal estuaries, canals, ocean beaches, large rivers and lakes. Favors salt water. Nests on sand spits and barrier islands. Flies very low over the water, skimming the surface with its lower mandible.


Description:
Very small alcid that dives for food from water surface	Black head, breast and back	White belly	Short stocky black bill	Winter: white on throat and chin extending behind ear	Immature like nonbreeding-plumaged adult; short, dark bill; white edges to scapulars; thin, white trailing edge to secondaries	Adult breeding: Blackish head, neck, back, wings, and tail; white breast, belly, and undertail coverts	Adult nonbreeding: White throat and upper breast; whitish crescent on side of neck; dark face	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed


Description:
Pelagic. Breeds on cliffs and rocky slopes along the coast in the North Atlantic as well as small numbers on islands in the Bering Sea. Winters far out at sea. Late fall storms occasionally blow birds in to coast or inland. Dives for food from surface. Abundant in its pelagic range. Can occasionally be seen from shore in winter in the Canadian Maritimes.


Description:
Large alcid that dives for food from water surface	Very large, arching black bill with white line across tip	Large black head and thick neck	White line from eye to top of bill in summer	White underparts	Immature like nonbreeding-plumaged adult but bill thinner	Pointed tail	Thin white trailing edge to secondaries visible at rest	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed	Adult breeding: Black head, neck, back, wings, and tail; white breast, belly, and undertail coverts	Adult nonbreeding: White chin and throat; less crisp division between upperparts and underparts	Sexes similar


Description:
Breeds on rocky cliffs in Greenland and northeastern Canada, usually with murres. Winters on the Grand Banks off Newfoundland. When swimming, often holds tail cocked. Flies low, beating wings rapidly. In migration, flies in small flocks in single file.


Description:
Extinct in 1844. Formerly found along the coast of northeast North America. Flightless. Strong swimmer and diver. Killed by fishermen and Eskimos for food and bait and also for feathers (to make pillows and mattresses).


Description:
Large alcid that dives for food from water surface	Thick, short black bill with white line on upper mandible	Black head, neck and upperparts	White underparts, comes to a point at base of neck	Immature like nonbreeding adult	Small, rounded tail	Blurry streaks make flanks appear dusky	Thin white trailing edge to secondaries visible at rest	Adult breeding: Blackish head, neck, back, wings, and tail; white breast, belly, and undertail coverts; white on breast extends into dark neck as a sharp point	Adult nonbreeding: White foreneck; dark face	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed


Description:
Breeds on rocky cliffs of the Pribilof Islands, Ellesmere Island, and many other rocky islands in the Arctic. Generally, occurs farther north than Common Murre. May be most abundant seabird in Northern Hemisphere, estimated at over 40 million.


Description:
Large alcid that dives for food from water surface	Long, slender pointed black bill	Blackish-brown head, neck and upperparts	White underparts, oval shaped at base of neck	Immature like nonbreeding-plumaged adult but often with smaller bill	Small, rounded tail	Blurry streaks make flanks appear dusky	Thin white trailing edge to secondaries visible at rest	Adult breeding: Blackish head, neck, back, wings, and tail; white breast, belly, and undertail coverts	Some Atlantic birds have white eye ring and line extending to the rear of face; white breast meets dark neck as blunt, rounded intrusion	Adult nonbreeding: White foreneck; dark line extending from eye across cheek	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed


Description:
Nests in dense colonies on rocky cliffs. Very common along the Pacific coast, less common on Atlantic coast. Flight is swift and strong. Often forms large rafts on water. Feeds by diving, often underwater for a minute or more. Recorded at depths of 200 feet or more.


Description:
Medium sized alcid that dives for food from water surface	Black overall with white wing patch	Orangish-red legs and feet	Thin, dark bill	Winter: white below, barred black and white above	Immature like nonbreeding adult but has mottled wing patch	Large white patch in wing visible at rest and in flight	White wing linings	Adult breeding: Entirely black plumage	Adult nonbreeding: White head, neck, and underparts; gray, mottle back; black wings and tail	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed


Description:
Rocky coasts of Maine, Canada, and northern Alaska, usually close to shore in summer. Winters in shallow open waters near nesting places. Flies close to water with rapid wingbeats.


Description:
Medium size alcid that dives for food from water surface	Black overall with white wing patch containing black triangle	Orangish-red legs and feet	Thin, dark bill	Large white patch in wing visible at rest and in flight	Small, dark wedge in white wing patch	Dark wing linings	Winter: white head, neck and underparts, back gray and white	Immature like nonbreeding adult but has mottled wing patch	Adult nonbreeding: White neck and underparts; dark areas on face; gray, mottled back; black wings and tail	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed


Description:
Common along rocky coasts of  Alaska south to Santa Barbara, California. Nests alone or in small colonies. Stays close to shore in breeding season. Feeds on fish at or near the bottom. Flies close to water with rapid wingbeats. Often seen sitting on rocks near the surf.


Description:
Small alcid that dives for food from water surface	Dark brown upperparts	Mottled brown and white underparts	Dark tail	Thin, short, dark bill	Immature like nonbreeding adult but has mottled underparts	Adult breeding: Extensively mottled with brown and white; dark wing linings and tail	Adult nonbreeding: Dark cap extending below the eye; white throat, nape, and underparts; dark patch on side of breast; dark back, wings, and tail; white scapulars	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed


Description:
Coastal waters, protected bays, inside passageways, of northern Pacific. Nests inland in evergreen trees or on the ground. Nocturnal. Strong, fast flier. Flies low over water but at great heights when flying inland.


Description:
Found in eastern Asia along ocean shores and bays. Nests in conifer trees. Over a dozen sightings from interior North America. Split from Marbled Murrrelet in 1997.


Description:
Small alcid that dives for food from water surface	Mottled buffy-brown and white	White belly	Thin, short, dark bill	Black tail with white outer feathers	Winter: black cap above eyes, white face	Immature like nonbreeding-plumaged adult but has mottled underparts	Adult breeding: Extensively mottled with brown and white; white belly; white outer tail feathers	Adult nonbreeding: Dark cap does not include the eye; white throat, nape, and underparts; dark back, wings, and tail; indistinct breast band; white scapulars	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed	United States range largely confined to coastal Alaska


Description:
In summer in protected waters of coastal Alaska. Often found near tidewater glaciers, especially Glacier Bay, Alaska. Nocturnal. Flight is strong and swift, faster than other murrelets. Nests on the ground in rocky alpine habitat, usually away from sea.


Description:
Small to medium size alcid that dives for food from water surface	Black upperparts	White breast	Short, thick black bill	White chin, throat, breast, belly, and undertail coverts	Very dark lores, crown, nape, back, wings, and tail	White wing linings	Incomplete white eye ring	One form has more white around the eye	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed	United States range mostly confined to coastal southern California	Sexes similar


Description:
Breeds in colonies on rocky islands off Baja California, Mexico and California's Channel Islands. Seen in the United States along the coast of southern California, usually a few miles out to sea. Most common in late summer and fall as far north as Washington. Also can be seen from March into July off San Diego County, California. Usually seen in pairs, riding low in the water with necks stretched up.


Description:
Small to medium size alcid that dives for food from water surface	Thin, short, dark bill	White throat, breast, belly, and undertail coverts	Very dark lores, chin, crown, nape, back, wings, and tail	Dark shoulder extends onto side of breast	Dark wing linings	Incomplete white eye ring	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed	United States range largely confined to coastal southern California	Sexes similar


Description:
Breeds in colonies on rocky islands within the Gulf of California and along the coast Pacific of Baja California, Mexico. Seen in the United States along coast of southern California, usually two or more miles out to sea during August and September. Usually seen in pairs, riding low in the water with necks stretched up. Flies low to water, making it difficult to see underwing clearly -- a key field mark to help separate Craveri's from Xantus' Murrelet.


Description:
Small alcid that dives for food from water surface	Gray back	Black head and throat	Short, pale yellow bill	White underparts extends up to cheek	Immature like nonbreeding adult but has whiter chin and throat	Adult breeding: Black chin, throat, face, crown, and nape; white side of neck, breast, belly, and undertail coverts; gray back and wings; white streaked line behind eye to nape; white wing linings	Adult nonbreeding: Black on throat less extensive and with some white feather edging; white line behind eye mostly obscure; white streaking on nape largely absent	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed


Description:
Breeds in colonies on rocky islands of the Aleutian Islands, Alaska south to British Columbia. In flight, holds its head higher than other murrelets and does not rock from side to side as other murrelets do. Feeding takes place in offshore waters throughout the year. Swims in line, one ahead of the other.


Description:
Small alcid that dives for food from water surface	Dark gray upperparts, gray underparts and whitish belly	White crescent above and below eye	Pale mark at base of lower mandible	Rounded wings	Short, dark bill with obscure yellow base	Gray chin, throat, breast, and flanks	White belly and undertail coverts	Juvenile is similar to adult, but paler with a white throat	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed


Description:
Pelagic. Nests in colonies along the Pacific coast. Nocturnal at the nest. Feeds in offshore waters farther from shore than murrelets. Common.


Description:
Small alcid that dives for food from water surface	Thick, short, orange-red upturned bill	White plume extends from back of each eye	Dark upperparts and throat (whitish in winter)	White underparts	Yellow eye	Adult breeding: White plume behind eye; blackish head, neck, and upperparts; white belly, and undertail coverts	Adult nonbreeding: Blackish head, nape, and upperparts; white throat, breast, belly, and undertail coverts; bill darker	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed	United States range mostly confined to Alaska, stray elsewhere


Description:
Pelagic. Nests in rock crevices in cliff faces or rocky shores. Found in pairs or small groups in Bering Sea and western Gulf of Alaska. On open ocean in winter. Rare in Lower 48. Rolls from side to side in flight, as do most other Auklets. Least gregarious of the auklets.


Description:
Small alcid that dives for food from water surface	Entirely blackish plumage	Black crest extends forward from forehead	Thick, short, orange upturned bill	White plume extends from back of each eye	Yellow eye	Immature similar to adult nonbreeding but lacks crest and bill is dark	Adult breeding: Black crest on top of bill; white plume behind eye; bright orange bill	Adult nonbreeding: Smaller crest; bill appears smaller and darker	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed	Inhabits islands and surrounding waters of Alaska


Description:
Pelagic. Nests in rock crevices in cliff faces or rocky shores. Very common and gregarious. Perform spectacular aerial displays at dusk as they return to the colony. Noisiest of auklets on breeding grounds. Winters on open ocean. Can dive almost 200 feet for food.


Description:
Small alcid that dives for food from water surface	Stubby knobbed bill, dark red with pale tip	Dark upperparts, mottled whitish underparts	White-tipped scapulars and primaries	Forehead streaked with white bristly feathers	Yellow eye	Adult breeding: White line behind eye; white streaking on forehead; blackish upperparts; white throat; underparts variably mottled black and white; scapulars tipped with white	Adult nonbreeding: Underparts whiter than in breeding plumage; face pattern more obscure than in breeding plumage	Immature similar to adult nonbreeding	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed	Inhabits islands and surrounding waters of Alaska


Description:
Pelagic. Eggs laid on bare rocks in rock crevices or rocky shores. Locally common in Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands of Alaska. Millions can be seen at Pribilof Island in June and July. Spends winter at sea off coast of eastern Siberia. Rolls from side to side in flight, as do most other Auklets.


Description:
Small alcid that dives for food from water surface	Thick, short bill	Yellow eye	Entirely blackish plumage	Adult breeding: Black crest sprouts from forehead; three white plumes on face; bill red with paler tip	Adult nonbreeding: Smaller crest; smaller white plumes on face; bill appears smaller and darker	Immature similar to adult nonbreeding but lacks crest and bill is dark	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed	Inhabits islands and surrounding waters of Alaska


Description:
Pelagic. Nests on central Aleutian Islands in rock crevices in cliff faces or rocky shores. Seen close to shore in tide rips during the summer. Spends winter in small flocks on open ocean. Least known of the Auklets.


Description:
Medium to large alcid that dives for food from water surface	Blackish-brown upperparts	Yellow knob at base of orange bill in breeding plumage	White plumes on face behind eye and bill	Large head and short, thick neck	Gray plumage, darker on back	Belly and undertail coverts mottled white and gray	Yellow eye	Adult breeding: Two white plumes on face: one behind the eye and the other behind the bill; hornlike projection at base of upper mandible	Adult nonbreeding: White face plumes less distinctive; horn absent	Immature similar to adult nonbreeding but lacks plumes and bill and eyes are darker	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed


Description:
Nests in burrows on slopes and cliff tops. Nocturnal. Forages in inshore waters during the day. Common along west coast in fall and winter, usually seen singly or in small groups. Escapes danger by diving.


Description:
Medium sized alcid that dives for food from water surface	Huge, brightly color bill, primarily orange and yellow	White face and underparts	Black collar	Dark upperparts	Black crown, nape, throat, and upperparts	White breast, belly, and undertail coverts	Red legs and feet	Adult breeding: Extremely colorful bill; white, triangular face patch	Adult nonbreeding: Bill somewhat duller; gray, triangular face patch	Immature similar to adult nonbreeding but bill is smaller and darker	Sexes similar	Breeds on rocky islands and coasts in northeastern United States and eastern Canada	Pelagic in winter south to mid-Atlantic states


Description:
Pelagic. Breeds along Atlantic coast on coastal islands, rocky cliffs. Gather in rafts near islands or cliffs where they will nest, to court. Often seen carrying many fish in its bill back to nest site. Winters in the open Atlantic, farther out and in deeper waters than murres and Razorbill.


Description:
Medium to large alcid that dives for food from water surface	Huge bill, yellow at base and orange at tip	Bright red-orange legs	White face	White underparts with dusky wing linings	Black crown, nape, throat, and upperparts	White breast, belly and undertail coverts	Adult breeding: Extremely colorful bill-yellow at base and red at tip; white, triangular face patch; hornlike projection from top of eye; thin, dark line from eye to nape	Adult nonbreeding: Duller bill lacks yellow plate at base; gray, triangular face patch	Immature similar to adult nonbreeding but bill is smaller and darker	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed	Inhabits open ocean habitats and coasts from Alaska south (rarely) to California


Description:
Pelagic. Breeds in Alaska and eastern Siberia along the Pacific coast in burrows on top of islands. Most often seen well of the coast of California  from May to July. Often dives underwater when approached by boat, rising completely out of water before plunging under the waves. Spends the winter on open sea. Hardest to see of the three Puffins.


Description:
Medium to large alcid that dives for food from water surface	Dark upperparts and underparts	White face	Huge bill is orange with greenish base	Long pale yellow tufts behind eyes	Adult breeding: Extremely colorful bill-yellow at base and red at tip; white, triangular face patch; yellow tufts extending from behind the eye	Adult nonbreeding: Duller bill lacks yellow plate at base; dark face; lacks obvious tufts	Immature similar to adult nonbreeding but bill is smaller and darker	Sexes similar	Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed	Breeds from coastal Alaska to California, pelagic in winter


Description:
Pelagic. Nests along Pacific coast in burrows along cliff tops. Often runs across water for great distances before becoming airborne. Spends winter far out at sea. Largest of the puffins. Least likely puffin to dive when approached by boats.


Description:
Dark bill	Dark gray head, neck and upper breast	Green and purple iridescence on hindneck	Pale gray back, wings and belly	Two dark bars on wings (formed from dark tips to secondaries and greater secondary coverts)	Dark gray primaries	White rump	Pale gray tail with black terminal band


Description:
The familiar "pigeon" of cities and parks	Large, chunky dove	Extremely variable colors from all white to all black	Dark gray head, neck and tip of tail	Two dark wing bars	Light gray back	Medium length tail is squared off at tip	Highly variable plumage (some can be entirely chestnut, white, black or anything in between)	Adult similar to juvenile	Sexes similar


Description:
Eurasian species that has been introduced around the world. Brought to Virginia about 1622. The familiar pigeon of statue sitting fame. Now abundant in towns, cities, parks, farms, bridges, all urban areas. Often nests on buildings. Associates very closely with humans. Tame.


Description:
Large pigeon	Dark plumage	White (male) or grayish-white (female) crown	Large, square tail	Iridescent green on back of neck	Sexes similar	Range restricted to south Florida


Description:
Found in West Indies in woodlands. Seen in southern Florida and Florida Keys in mangroves, wooded islands and flying swiftly overhead. White-crowned Pigeons normally roost along the coast in mangroves and fly inland to feed on fruit trees. Gregarious. Hard to miss while driving down Highway 1 from Key Largo to Key West.


Description:
Found in Antilles, West Indies in open woodlands, humid rain forests, often near water. Formerly known as Red-necked Pigeon. Two North American records, both from Key West, Florida. One on October 24, 1898 and another on May 6, 1929.


Description:
Large, chunky dove	Purplish head and breast	Scaly green iridescent nape marked above by a white band	Yellow bill with black tip	Large gray band at end of tail	Medium length tail is squared off at tip	Dark gray back and primaries	Pale gray secondary coverts and rump	Pale belly	Adult similar to juvenile	Sexes similar


Description:
Western bird found in mountainous areas of conifers, chaparral (northwest), oak trees and mixed woodlands, foothills (southwest), parks. Often seen perching for long periods of time at top of tall trees.


Description:
Large pigeon	Purplish-black overall	Red bill with yellow tip	Red legs	Dark plumage	Sexes similar	Range restricted to south Texas


Description:
Found in Mexico and Central America in mature deciduous forests, river thickets. Seldom comes to the ground except to drink. Very uncommon in lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas from coast to Falcon Dam. Usually seen in the summer in dense woods and scrub undergrowth. Shy.


Description:
Found in Asia in parks, gardens, suburbs. Also known as Rufous Turtle Dove. Three North American records, all from Alaska. One from St. Paul Island June 23-July 18, 1984, one 50 miles off Pribilof Island on July 20-26, 1986, and one on Attu Island May 20-June 12, 1989.


Description:
Thin black collar with white upper border	Pale gray head and underparts	Dark primaries	Long, squared tail-undersurface with black base and white tip, uppersurface gray with white outer tips	Sexes similar	Established in the southern U.S. and rapidly expanding northward


Description:
Found in Europe and Asia. Accidentally introduced to the Bahamas in the 1970s. Now found in suburbs, parks throughout Florida. Expanding to surrounding states and beyond. The Eurasian Collared-Dove is replacing small unsustainable colonies of Ringed Turtle-Dove (Streptopelia risoria). In 1992 the American Birding Association removed Ringed Turtle-Dove from their list of naturally occurring species found in the United States and added Eurasian Collared-Dove. Ringed Turtle-Dove is an entirely domestic bird, with no natural populations anywhere in the world and is thought to be derived from the African Collared-Dove (S. roseogrisea).


Description:
Black collar with white dots	Pinkish-brown overall	Long, rounded tail	Outer tail feathers black, tipped with white	Gray head	Long, pointed tail	Sexes similar	Range restricted to southern California


Description:
Found in southern Asia. Introduced in Los Angeles, California in 1917. Now found in coastal areas from Santa Barbara south to San Diego. Common in residential areas with large trees, cities, towns, suburbs, parks, gardens, woods near rivers.


Description:
Extinct in 1914. By far the most abundant bird that ever lived. Flocks of 1-2 billion birds estimated by Wilson, Audubon in early 1800s. Formerly found in open woodlands of beechnut, acorn, maple trees. Decline began about 1850, decline accelerated drastically in 1870s. Cutting of forests and slaughter by hunters prime reasons for decline. Last nest in the wild was about 1894.


Description:
Pale buff-brown head, neck, breast, and belly	Purple and green iridescence on neck	Small black mark on lower neck	Medium brown back and upperwings, with large black spots on coverts	Long tail is pointed at tip	Dark brown tail with white tips to outer four tail feathers


Description:
Dark brown mottled head neck and breast	Scaly neck and upperwings with numerous black spots on coverts and scapulars	Pale belly	Medium length tail is pointed at tip


Description:
Medium-sized, somewhat slender dove with very thin neck	Long, pointed tail	Outer tail feathers tipped with white	Pinkish wash on underparts	Black dots on wing	Iridescent sides of neck on male	Black bill	Sexes similar


Description:
Widespread and very common. Suburbs, woodlands, farmlands, open lands with scattered trees, fields, grassy meadows, backyard feeders, near water in arid regions. Found almost anywhere except dense forests. Wings make whistling noise in flight. North American population estimated at 400 million.


Description:
Found in the West Indies and Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico in lowlands, open country. Now accidental in southern Florida and Florida Keys. Less than ten records over past 50 years. Seen near mangroves, coastal scrub. May have been a resident of the Florida Keys at one time.


Description:
Large, chunky dove	Long white wing patch shows as line on sitting bird	Black line at base of cheek	Brownish-buffy overall	Fairly long, black bill	Pale blue, teardrop-shaped orbital ring to eye	Pale gray-brown head, neck, back, belly, and upperwings, with darker brown primaries	Purplish iridescence on neck	Bold white wing patch, visible at rest, formed by pale secondary coverts	Dark brown tail with white corners bordered above by black line	Adult similar to juvenile	Sexes similar


Description:
Deserts, desert scrubland, mesquite, dry woodlands, agricultural areas, residential areas, wooded areas along streams, citrus groves. Gregarious.


Description:
Pinkish-buff head, neck and breast	Pinkish unscaled belly	Blue hindneck and nape


Description:
Pale gray head, neck, nape, and breast	Gray unscaled belly


Description:
Small, chunky dove	Grayish overall (male pinker)	Scalloped appearance on head and breast	Reddish bill with black tip	Short tail with white corner spots	Black-tipped orange bill	Gray-brown back and upperwings	Black spotting on wing coverts	Cinnamon inner webs of primaries visible in flight, and occasionally at rest	Cinnamon wing linings	Juvenile similar to adult female


Description:
Open country, farmlands, dry brushy rangeland, open woodlands, forest edges, orchards, fields, sandy cultivated land, roadsides, lawns. Smallest North American dove. Common and tame.


Description:
Small dove	Reddish-brown upperparts (grayer on female)	Black on underwing coverts	Grayish head with no scaling	Brownish-pink underparts	Rusty patches in primaries visible in flight	Blackish patch in wing linings	Short tail with black outer tail feathers	Sexes similar	Rare but regular stray to southwestern United States


Description:
Found in northern Mexico to South America in humid open and semiopen habitats, towns, clearings. Well over 100 North American records from southern Texas to southern California between mid-October and early May. Most found at oases and riparian areas in the desert Southwest.  Range of Ruddy Ground-Dove is apparently expanding northward. Only 5 records prior to 1978, all from south Texas.


Description:
Small, slender dove	Scalloped appearance overall caused by dark-tipped feathers	Belly heavily barred	Chestnut wing tips	Black bill	Blue orbital ring	Pale gray-brown body is darker on back and upperwings and is extensively scaly (including back and belly)	Cinnamon inner webs of primaries visible in flight, and occasionally at rest	Long tail slightly rounded at tip	Tail is brown centrally, with black edges and white outermost tail feathers	Adult similar to juvenile	Sexes similar


Description:
Dry open country with mesquite and cactus, cities, towns, lawns, parks and gardens, fields, farms, feedlots. Often seen perched on telephone wires and along roadsides in arid southwest. Tame.


Description:
Stocky bird with whitish forehead and chin	White tips on corner of square tail	Dark brown wings and tail	Pale brown head, back and underparts	Darker upperparts	Sexes similar	United States range restricted to southern Texas


Description:
Found in Mexico to South America. Northern edge of range reaches the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas. Preferred habitat is dry woodlands with dense, brushy  undergrowth, riparian thickets. Usually seen alone walking on ground in search of berries.


Description:
Found on Hispaniola and other islands in the West Indies in semi-arid woodlands and lowland scrub. Five North American records from the 20th century, all from southern Florida. May have been a resident of Key West at one time.


Description:
Found in Mexico and the West Indies south to South America in humid forests and woodlands as well as coffee and cacao plantations. Five North American records from the Dry Tortugas and the Florida Keys, December through May. Most recent record is December 15, 1977 at Dry Tortugas.


Description:
Found in arid regions of Australia. Usually called a "parakeet" in the pet trade. Escaped cage birds have established wild populations in suburban Miami and southwestern Florida coast. Often seen in suburbs, parks. Escaped birds may be seen almost anywhere in North America.


Description:
Found in Mexico and northern Central America in deciduous and pine forests. Established in southern Texas. Common in Brownsville suburbs. Recently added to Texas checklist.


Description:
Found in northwest Mexico in pine forests. Flight is slow with shallow wingbeats. No North American records since 1938. Formerly occurred in southeast Arizona. Recent attempts to reestablish the Thick-billed Parrot in Arizona were not successful. The released birds were eaten by hawks.


Description:
Extinct. The last Carolina Parakeet died in September, 1914 at the Cincinnati Zoo -- remarkably, the same place, month and year as  the last Passenger Pigeon died! Formerly found in swamps, wet deciduous woodlands, wooded river bottoms. Highly gregarious. Slept inside hollow trees. Killed for feathers to put in ladies' hats and by farmers who did not want the birds eating fruit and corn from orchards and fields. 1904 was the last year birds were seen in the wild.


Description:
Purple throat (black in poor light) longest at sides	White spot behind eye	Green upperparts	Grayish underparts with greenish and rusty sides	Black, forked tail with broad white tips


Description:
Pale throat	White spot behind eye	Green upperparts	Buffy breast	Pale belly	Green tail-outer feathers have rusty base, black middle and white tip	Immature male similar to female but may have a few purple throat feathers


Description:
Male: Purple throat and sides of neck	Downcurved bill	Forked tail	Gray belly and buffy flanks, green upperparts	Long, thin, decurved bill	United States ranged restricted to southeastern Arizona and west Texas. Stray elsewhere.


Description:
Found in  Mexico in arid to semiarid scrub, brushy woodlands. Reaches northern limits of its range in Big Bend/Chisos mountains area of Texas. Closely associated with agave plant found in arid foothills and mesas of western Texas. Has also been seen in southeastern Arizona in the spring and summer.


Description:
Bright green back and crown	Entirely dark tail	White underparts with greenish flanks	Iridescent scarlet gorget	Black face and chin


Description:
Green back and crown	White chin and throat with variable amounts of thin dark streaking	White underparts	Dark tail with white tips on outer tail feathers


Description:
Small hummingbird	Male: iridescent red throat and black chin	Green upperparts, whitish underparts	Greenish flanks	Female: throat and underparts whitish, green above	Long, straight, thin bill


Description:
Common in the east in gardens with flowers, woodland edges, orchards, suburban areas with hummingbird feeders, parks. Only hummingbird that regularly nests east of the Mississippi River. Attracted to the color red. (Do NOT color the sugar water fed to hummingbirds, just have part of hummingbird feeder colored red.)


Description:
Bright green back and crown	Entirely dark tail	White underparts with greenish flanks	Black face, chin, and upper throat	Iridescent purple gorget at lower throat


Description:
Small hummingbird	Male: black chin with violet band below	White chest and central belly	Upperparts and flanks green	Long, straight, thin bill


Description:
Oak woodlands, riparian woodlands of canyons and lowlands, foothills, towns, rivers. Common. Seen at higher elevations later in the summer. Western equivalent of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird.


Description:
Bright green back	Entirely dark tail	Gray underparts with greenish flanks	Rosy-red iridescent crown and gorget


Description:
Green back and crown	Gray chin and throat with variable amounts of thin dark streaking or rosy red spots depending on age and sex	Gray underparts	Dark tail with white tips on outer tail feathers


Description:
Medium-sized hummingbird	Male: head, throat and sides of neck iridescent rose-red	Green upperparts	Grayish underparts	Female: small red spots on throat	Long, straight, thin bill


Description:
Coastal lowlands, parks, gardens, suburbs, chaparral, woodlands, foothills, canyons, live oak woodlands, mountains. Also seen in the desert in winter. Very common in California.


Description:
Bright green back	Entirely dark tail	White underparts with greenish flanks	Iridescent purple crown and gorget, with long pointed extension far down neck


Description:
Green back and crown	Dark mask on face through eye	White chin and underparts	Dark tail with white tips on outer tail feathers


Description:
Small hummingbird	Male: crown, throat and gorget on side of neck iridescent purple	Green upperparts and flanks	Chest and central belly white	Long, straight, thin bill


Description:
Desert and chaparral, dry foothills, sage scrub areas, arid washes and hillsides, suburban flower gardens. Often seen perching at tip of yucca or ocotillo plants.


Description:
Bright green back and crown	White underparts	Greenish flanks	Gorget composed of purple-red streaks on white background	Green tail


Description:
Green back and crown	Green tail with dark subterminal markings and white tips to outer tail feathers	White chin and throat with thin dark streaking	White underparts with pale salmon wash on flanks	Dark tail with a trace of rufous color and white tips on the outer tail feathers


Description:
Very small hummingbird	Male: purple-red streaks on throat	Short bill	Green above and on flanks	White breast and central belly	Relatively short tail does not extend past wings at rest


Description:
Open woodlands, mountain meadows bordered by conifer trees, aspen thickets, brushy areas within conifer forests, canyons with streams. Smallest bird that nests in the United States or Canada.


Description:
Found in highlands of Mexico in cloud forests and pine or pine-oak forests. One North American record of two females in Ramsey Canyon, Huachuca mountains, Arizona on July 2, 1896. Not seen in United States in last 100 years.


Description:
Bright green back and head	Entirely dark tail	White underparts with greenish flanks	Rosy-red gorget	Distinctive wing whistle when flying


Description:
Green back and crown	White chin and throat with variable amounts of thin dark streaking	White underparts	Dark tail with buff bases and white tips on outer tail feathers	Rufous flanks


Description:
Medium-sized hummingbird	Male: rose-red throat	White underparts with green sides	Metallic green upperparts	Female: underparts whitish with buffy flanks, green above	Long, straight, thin bill


Description:
Mountain regions with pine, fir, aspen forests; meadows with flowers or willow thickets. Narrowed outer tips of first two primary feathers in male's wings create a slot which causes a whistling noise when it dives through the air in courtship displays.


Description:
Rufous back, flanks, rump, and tail	Occasionally variants occur with greenish backs and crowns	Brownish-red crown and face	Bright red gorget	White breast


Description:
Green back and crown	White underparts	White throat variably marked with dark streaks (immatures) or central group of red spots (adult females)	Rufous wash on flanks	Immature males similar to adult female but central tail feathers like adult male (rufous with dark tips)	Dark tail with rufous at the bases of the retrices, and white tips on the outer three retrices


Description:
Small hummingbird	Male: throat iridescent orange-red	Rufous tail, back and flanks	White collar	Long, straight, thin bill


Description:
Woodland edges, gardens, parks, forests, thickets, mountain meadows. Seen in the lowlands during the spring and the mountains during the fall. Migrates early - north in February, south in August.


Description:
Rufous flanks, rump, and tail	Green back and crown	Brownish-red face	Bright red gorget	White breast


Description:
Small hummingbird	Male: throat iridescent orange-red	Rufous tail and flanks	Green crown and back	White collar	Long, straight, thin bill


Description:
Found in southern South America. Escaped cage birds have established breeding colonies in Florida and Texas. Also small colonies along the Atlantic coast. Usually seen in crop fields, suburbs, and towns, especially around Miami, Florida and Austin and Houston, Texas.


Description:
Found in central South America. Escaped birds are established in the wild in the suburbs along the southeastern coast of Florida and near Los Angeles, California. Usually seen in suburban areas and parks. The parking lot of Parrot Jungle (SW 112th St. & SW 57th Ave. in South Miami) is a good "habitat" for many wild parrots and parakeets.


Description:
Found in eastern Mexico in pine-oak woodlands and forest edges, semiopen country. Escaped birds have established breeding populations in suburban areas of Miami and Los Angeles. Birds seen in southern Texas near Brownsville may be escaped birds or wild birds at northern edge of their Mexican range.


Description:
Found in Europe, Asia and Africa in open country with bushes and trees, open woodlands and in mountainous birch forests and forest edges. Migratory. Seen over a dozen times in the Aleutian and Pribilof Islands and western Alaska between late May and early July. Also one May record from Massachusetts.


Description:
Found in Asia in deciduous forests and forest edges. Migratory. At least seven North American records, all from Alaska. Two from St. Paul Island, two from St. Lawrence Island, one from Attu Island, one from Rat Island and one from Cape Prince of Wales. All occurred in June or July.


Description:
Black overall with iridescent bronzy sheen	Long tail, very wide at end	Bulky bill with thin keel	Bill extends above crown	Entirely black plumage	Often found in small groups	Sexes similar	United States range restricted to southern Florida	Inhabits grassy, scrubby areas


Description:
Dense brushy areas near fields or marshes, scrublands. Gregarious. Often dips and wags tail while perched. Not recorded before 1937 when a hurricane carried birds from West Indies to Miami Beach, Florida. Most common at Loxahatchee NWR and Bailey Tract of Ding Darling NWR.


Description:
Black overall with iridescent purple and green sheen	Long tail, very wide at end	Bulky bill with grooves (visible only at close range)	Bill does not extend above crown	Entirely black plumage	Sexes similar	Often found in small groups	Inhabits grassy, scrubby areas


Description:
Bushy pastures with livestock, woodland edges, woodlands, thickets, farm fields, semi-open country, orchards, also near marshes, riparian habitat. Usually feed on the ground, hopping in a clumsy manner. May roost in flocks of 30-40.


Description:
Large, long-legged, long-tailed cuckoo	Brown and white streaks overall	Blue and red streak behind eye	Long legs	Has bushy crest, often raised when standing still	Long, thick, dark bill	Dark head is extensively spotted	Pale foreneck and upper breast with dark stripes	Dark back and upperwing has extensive pale edgings creating striped appearance	White bases to primaries show as a crescent on wing in flight	Pale belly	Long, dark tail with white tips to outer tail feathers	Spends much of its time on the ground


Description:
Desert scrubland, arid open country, mesquite groves, also in chaparral, grasslands, agricultural areas. Usually seen running quickly (15 miles per hour), with neck outstretched, chasing a lizard or insects. Sometimes perches on fence or utility poles although most of time is spent on the ground. Shy.


Description:
Red orbital ring	Cold brown head, nape, back, upperwings, and uppertail	White chin, foreneck, breast and belly	Tail is gray below with very narrow white tips to tail feathers


Description:
Yellow orbital ring	Brown head, nape, back, upperwings and uppertail, with pale tips to wing coverts	White chin, foreneck, breast and belly suffused with pale buff	Tail is gray below with very narrow buff tips to tail feathers


Description:
Slender, long-tailed cuckoo	Very long dark tail with white spots on underside	Black downcurved bill	Reddish eye ring	Dark brown upperparts	Sexes similar


Description:
Woodlands, woodland edges, dense thickets, orchards, near streams. Favors more extensive woodlands than Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Very difficult to see in dense foliage. Almost always heard before they are seen.


Description:
Black bill with yellow basal half of lower mandible	Tail feathers with extensive pale tips below


Description:
Tail feathers have significantly smaller pale tips below	Occasionally with entirely black bill


Description:
Slender, long-tailed cuckoo	Very long dark tail with three pair of white spots on underside	Downcurved bill is black above and yellow below	Grayish-brown upperparts	Rufous on wings	Yellow orbital ring	Cinnamon inner webs to primaries, often visible at rest	Brown head, nape, back, and upperwings	White chin, breast, and belly	Brown uppertail has black outer tail feathers with white tips	Sexes similar


Description:
Dense thickets, woodland edges, brushy roadsides, orchards, willow thickets near streams or ponds.  Unlike Black-billed Cuckoo, it is seldom seen in large woods. Very difficult to see in dense foliage. Almost always heard before they are seen.


Description:
Long tail, black underneath with large white spots	Black mask	Buffy underparts	Downcurved bill is black above and yellow below	Gray head	Gray-brown upperparts	Sexes similar	United States range restricted to coastal Florida


Description:
Coastal mangrove swamps, coastal scrub, dense thickets near salt water in southwestern Florida and Florida Keys. Very shy. Often responds to recordings of its call on back roads of Sugarloaf Key, Big Pine Key and No Name Key during the  spring... but please, avoid harassing birds! Use recordings sparingly! Wait 5 minutes between playing of recordings and LOOK -- the bird is probably within 50 feet of you! Too many birders use tapes in these areas already!


Description:
Large, nocturnal, predatory bird	White, heart-shaped facial disk	Dark eyes	Rusty-brown upperparts	Underparts white to buffy with small spots	Large, rounded head	Pale facial disks with dark frame	Tawny and gray upperparts with small black and white spots	Sexes similar	Sometimes found in barns and silos


Description:
Barns, open woodlands, fields, meadows, prairies, savannahs, marshes, suburban areas, woods, farmlands, desert. Nocturnal. Nests in tree cavities, caves and a variety of unoccupied structures such as silos and barns. Found almost worldwide in a variety of habitats.


Description:
Small, nocturnal, predatory bird	Dark eyes	Small ear tufts	Grayish overall in north, reddish in the south	Large, rounded head	Dense streaking on underparts with finer barring	Dark gray or brown upperparts	Sexes similar	Breeds in western United States


Description:
Ponderosa pine forests in the Rocky Mountains westward. Also in oak forests in Arizona. Occasionally found in wooded lowlands during migration. Nocturnal. Responds to tapes of its song from May to July. Uncommon.


Description:
Found in Russian Far East in deciduous forests along river valleys and in plains, winters in southeast Asia. Migratory. Two North American records. One at Buldir Island, Alaska on June 5, 1977 and one at Amchitka Island, Alaska on June 20, 1979.


Description:
Small, nocturnal, predatory bird	Yellow eyes	Pale bill	Ear tufts prominent, if raised	Underparts marked with bars and streaks	Large, rounded head	Dense streaking on underparts with finer barring	Plumage color ranges from rusty, brown and gray	Sexes similar


Description:
Open woodlands, deciduous forests, parks, farms, riparian groves, swamps, old orchards, small woodlots, suburban areas. Strictly nocturnal. Fairly common.


Description:
Small, nocturnal, predatory bird	Yellow eyes	Dark bill	Ear tufts prominent, if raised	Underparts marked with bars and streaks	Large, rounded head	Dense streaking on underparts with finer barring	Dark gray or brown upperparts	Sexes similar


Description:
Oak woodlands, wooded canyons, riparian groves, deserts, deciduous forests, parks, farms, old orchards, small woodlots, suburban areas. Strictly nocturnal. Fairly common.


Description:
accelerating hollow whistles, constant pitch


Description:
Small, nocturnal, predatory bird	Yellow eyes	Dark bill	Ear tufts prominent, if raised	Underparts marked with coarse barring	Gray overall	Large, rounded head	Dense streaking on underparts with finer barring	Dark gray upperparts	Sexes similar	United States range restricted to southeastern Arizona


Description:
Dense oak groves and oak-conifer woodlands, sycamore woodlands, usually between 4,000 and 6,000 feet in elevation. Nocturnal. Roosts during the day on tree limb close to trunk.


Description:
Very large owl with prominent ear tufts	Bulky shape	White throat patch	Ear tufts spread far apart	Yellow eyes	Dark bill	Upperparts mottled brown, gray, and black	Pale underparts with fine brown bars	Reddish-brown facial disks bordered by black with a lower border of white	Pale gray form inhabits northern Canada	Sexes similar


Description:
Can be found in almost any habitat including coniferous and deciduous woodlands, deserts, open country, along coast, and urban areas (likes to eat rats caught in city parks). Nests as early as February. Widespread and fairly common. Primarily nocturnal.


Description:
Large, diurnal, predatory bird	White overall with some dark barring and spots	Yellow eyes	Large, rounded head	Immatures are boldly barred with black	Immature females darkest, adult males lightest in color	Sexes similar


Description:
Tundra, open grasslands. When lemmings are scarce in the Arctic, Snowy Owls may stage an "invasion" and travel south to spend the winter in the northern United States. During invasion years they can often be seen perching during the day on posts and utility poles. Prefer open farmlands, marshes, meadows, seacoast, lakes, airports. Primarily nocturnal.


Description:
Rather large owl	Dark eyes	Dark horizontal barring on pale upper breast	Dark vertical streaking on pale belly	Yellow bill	Back brown, mottled with pale spots and dark bars	Face pale with dark concentric rings surrounding eye	Sexes similar


Description:
Dense coniferous or mixed woodlands, wooded swamps, deep forests often near water, lake shores, bottomland. Primarily nocturnal. Very common in Florida. Responds to imitations of its call. Occasionally calls during the day.


Description:
Large, nocturnal, predatory bird	Dark eyes	White spots on head, back, and underparts	Yellow bill	Large, rounded head	Brown facial disks with dark border	White underparts with brown cross-shaped markings	Sexes similar


Description:
Dense humid coniferous forests and mountains in the northwest, thickly wooded canyons in the southeast. Nocturnal. Requires large stand of old forest for hunting. Population declining due to habitat destruction. The Spotted Owl of the Pacific northwest has come to symbolize the ecology vs. economics debate in the United States.


Description:
Very large, nocturnal, predatory bird	Yellow eyes appear small	Two white horizontal marks below chin	Long tail	Large, rounded head	Gray facial disks with darker rings	Large gray upperparts with paler barring	Pale underparts with large, dark irregular streaks	Sexes similar


Description:
Boreal forests, wooded bogs, dense conifer forests with open areas in mountains. Very uncommon. Primarily nocturnal. Tends to hunt during the day in invasion years when it has been forced south in the winter to find food. Areas around Duluth, Minnesota and Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan are good spots for Great Gray Owls in invasion years. Also seen along high meadows of Yosemite National Park in California.


Description:
Found in Mexico south to Ecuador and northern Argentina in a variety of wooded habitats. Hunts along forest edges and in semiopen areas. One North American record. Dead Mottled Owl found near Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park, Texas on February 23, 1983.


Description:
Diurnal, predatory bird	Long, barred tail	Gray facial disks with black borders	Grayish underparts with heavy brown barring	Yellow eyes	Large, rounded head	Pale facial disks with dark border	Dark brown upperparts with white spots	Sexes similar


Description:
Open country, spruce forests, spruce-tamarack bogs. Flight is hawk-like and low. Hunts during the day (diurnal). Will raise tail and slowly lower it. Relatively tame. May appear well south of normal range during "invasion" years when northern food sources are scarce. Often seen in northern Minnesota and northern Michigan from mid-November to early March.


Description:
Predatory bird, more diurnal than other species of owls	Long dark brown tail with light bars	Two black marks on back of head	Crown spotted with white	Underparts white with dark streaks	Large, rounded head	Yellow eyes	Dark brown upperparts with white spots	Sexes similar


Description:
Coniferous forests, open pine-oak, oak, and riparian woodlands, dense woodlands in foothills and mountains. Hunts during the day and at night but most active at dawn and dusk (crepuscular). Flies with quick wingbeats, low to the ground.


Description:
Predatory bird, more diurnal than other species of owls	Long, dark tail with reddish-brown to pale bars	Two black marks on back of head	Crown faintly streaked	Underparts white with reddish-brown streaks	Large, rounded head	Yellow eyes	Crown finely streaked with white	Rusty brown upperparts with white spots	Sexes similar	United States range includes southern Arizona and Texas


Description:
Saguaro desert, lowland desert with vegetation, dry open woodlands, scrub woodlands along Rio Grande River in Texas and southern Arizona. Call can easily be imitated and works well in bringing owl out into the open. Active during day and at night. Flies low with quick wingbeats. Often seen at woodlands below Falcon Dam, Texas. Also found on the King Ranch in Texas.


Description:
Very small, nocturnal, predatory bird	Very short tail	Yellow eyes	Underparts whitish-brown without streaks	No ear tufts	Large, rounded head	Brown upperparts with white spots	Brown and gray breast with white belly	Sexes similar	Inhabits the southwestern United States


Description:
Saguaro desert, desert lowlands, foothills, wooded canyons with sycamore or oak trees, oak and oak-pine woodlands, riparian areas. Nests in cavities in saguaro cactus and in trees. Strictly nocturnal. Males respond to tape recordings of their song. Smallest owl in the world!


Description:
Fairly small, long-legged, ground-dwelling owl	Long legs	White throat	Upperparts brown with white spots	Underparts whitish with brown barring	Yellow eyes	Yellow bill	Brown upperparts with white spotting on the back, wings, and head	Dark chest with white spotting	White belly with brown barring	Face mostly whitish with brown auriculars	Juvenile has buffy to whitish underparts	Sexes similar


Description:
Open country, prairies, grasslands, deserts, airports, golf courses. Nocturnal, but sometimes active during the day. Frequently bobs up and down. Perches during the day at burrow entrance or on low post. Easiest of the owls to see.


Description:
Small, nocturnal, predatory bird	White underparts streaked with chocolate brown	Whitish facial disk with black border	Small yellow eyes	Forehead black with small white spots	Large, rounded head	Mostly pale facial disks with dark border	Pale bill	Dark brown upperparts with large white spots	Pale underparts with large, dark irregular streaks	Sexes similar


Description:
Dense coniferous forests, muskeg. Nocturnal. Permanent resident west of the Great Plains. Also nests in northern Minnesota. Eastern sightings are typically in the fall and in early spring. Tame. Very difficult to locate when roosting during the day. Probably the most difficult of the North American owls to see.


Description:
Small, nocturnal, predatory bird	Brown upperparts with large white spots	Pale underparts with large, dark irregular streaks	Reddish-brown facial disk without black border	Small yellow eyes	Large, rounded head	Dark bill	Sexes similar


Description:
Dense coniferous or mixed forests, wooded swamps, tamarack bogs, spruce groves. Strictly nocturnal. In winter, roosts in dense evergreens. Whitewash buildup and regurgitated pellets can help locate winter birds. Tame.


Description:
Large, nocturnal, predatory bird	Slender	Large, rounded head with long close-set ear tufts	Yellow eyes	Rufous facial disk	Breast and belly boldly streaked and barred	Gray-brown upperparts with small black and white markings	White underparts with black cross-shaped markings	Sexes similar	Often roosts in dense conifers


Description:
Conifer groves, riparian habitat, thick coniferous and deciduous woods. Hunts near marshes, fields. Uncommon. Gregarious in winter. Strictly nocturnal. One of the most secretive owls.


Description:
Found in Mexico and northern Central America in pine forests. One record from December, 1996 at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, Texas.


Description:
Medium-sized owl	Dark patch surrounds yellow eyes	Face relatively dark and unpatterned	Dark bill	Boldly streaked breast	Belly whitish with light streaking	In flight, buffy patch above, black wrist patch below	Upperparts mottled brown and white, with darker bars on flight feathers	Breast tawny with darker streaks fading to a white belly with diffuse darker streaking	In flight, pale underwings with prominent black wrist marks are obvious	Sexes similar	Perhaps the most aerial owl, the Short-eared flies low over fields and marshes at dawn and dusk with floppy, moth-like wingbeats


Description:
Open country, marshes, moorlands, tundra, grasslands, weedy fields, airports, dunes. Crepuscular, hunting at dawn and dusk by flying very low over open fields with irregular wingbeat. Somewhat gregarious in winter. Easy to see, for an owl.


Description:
Buff throat	Buff spots on inner primaries


Description:
White bar near tip of rounded wings	Throat white (male) or buffy (female)	Underparts buffy-brown with faint barring	Very short bill	Upperparts with gray and white patterning	Brown and white patterning on head and chest	Dark wings with conspicuous pale patch 2/3 of the way out from the bend in the wing	Dark tail with thin white bars


Description:
Dry, open country, arid lowlands, deserts, dry fields, scrubland. Often seen skimming over ponds and riparian vegetation or perched on roadsides. Active at dawn and dusk.


Description:
White bar 2/3 of way along long, pointed wings	Throat white (male) or buffy (female)	Underparts whitish with faint barring	Tail slightly forked	Very short bill	Blackish upperparts with gray and white patterning	Brown and white patterning on head and chest	Underparts with heavy dark bars	Dark tail with thin white bars


Description:
Open woodlands, forests, towns, cities, suburbs, meadows, sagebrush plains, mountains. More active during day than other nightjars. Common on summer evenings high above city lights.


Description:
White bar near tip of long, pointed wings	Throat white (male) or buffy (female)	Underparts buffy-brown with faint barring	Tail slightly forked	Very short bill	Blackish upperparts with buff and gray patterning	Pale underparts with barring	White patch at base of primaries visible in flight	Active at dawn, dusk and at night	United States ranged restricted to southern Florida


Description:
Found in the Greater Antilles of the Caribbean in open country. Occasionally seen (and heard) at dusk at Key West and Marathon, Florida airports, and on the Dry Tortugas. Has also been seen on southeastern Florida mainland. Can be separated from Common Nighthawk only by sound.


Description:
Long, rounded tail	Broad white band on wings	White tail patches on male (buffy on female)	Chestnut ear patch	Very short bill	Brownish upperparts with buff and black patterning	Pale underparts with barring	White patch at base of primaries visible in flight	Nocturnal-often sits on roads	United States ranged restricted to southern Texas


Description:
Found in Mexico south to South America. Northern edge of range reaches southern Texas. Occurs in dry country, brushy woods, woodland edges and clearings, scrub of Rio Grande Valley, Texas. Forages after dark. Often possible to see eyeshine of Pauraques by driving slowly along country roads just after dusk.


Description:
Short, rounded tail	Short, rounded wings	Broad white band above dark throat	Gray tail with darker barring and pale tips to outer tail feathers	Very short bill	Upperparts with gray and black patterning	Underparts pale with diffuse dark mottling	Dark throat bordered below with white patch	Sexes similar (with minor differences in tail pattern)


Description:
Dry, low brushy areas, sagebrush, pine and oak woodlands, coniferous woodlands, chaparral-grasslands of coastal slopes. Often seen on roadsides after dusk. Hunts on or near ground. Only bird known to go into hibernation.


Description:
White patch borders lower margin of black throat	Brown and black barred tail with white inner margins to outer tail feathers


Description:
Buff patch borders lower margin of throat	Entirely brown tail barred with black


Description:
Rufous-brown overall	Long, rounded tail	Rounded wings	Buffy throat and white necklace	Very short bill	Brown and white patterning on head and chest	Mottled brownish underparts with thin dark bars	Buff throat


Description:
Pine-oak woodlands, live oak groves, farm fields, forest edges, woods along rivers. North America's largest nightjar. Strictly nocturnal. Often seen sitting on roads at night. Flight is silent, mothlike.


Description:
Found in Mexico and northern Central America in arid rocky washes, desert canyons, brushy slopes. Rare summer resident in Arizona and New Mexico. Occasionally seen at night at Florida Wash near Ramsey Canyon, Arizona as well as Guadalupe Canyon and Aravaipa Canyon. Nocturnal.


Description:
White patch borders lower margin of black throat	White tips to the outer tail feathers


Description:
Buff patch borders lower margin of throat	Buff tips to the outer tail feathers


Description:
Gray-brown overall	Rounded tail	Rounded wings	Dark throat with white or buffy necklace	Very short bill	Upperparts mottled heavily with gray, black, and brown	Underparts pale with gray and black mottling	Black throat


Description:
Rural country areas, farm woodlots, open coniferous and mixed woodlands, clearings, also wooded mountains and canyons of the southwest. Calls often heard after dusk. Occasionally seen along side of road at night taking dust bath. Has red eyeshine.


Description:
Found in eastern Asia in plains, mountain forests in cut-over areas. Migratory. Winters in southern Asia. One North American record from Buldir Island, Alaska on May 31, 1977.


Description:
Black overall	Long, thin, pointed wings	Long tail, slightly forked	Small aerial bird with cigar-shaped body and crescent-shaped wings	Tail short and strongly notched	Entirely blackish plumage	Sexes similar	Juvenile similar to adult


Description:
Nests and roosts in seacoast caves, rocky cliffs and behind waterfalls in the west. Usually seen very high in the air at edges of clouds, often over mountains or canyons. Easiest to see in overcast weather when they forage at lower levels, usually over lakes, ponds and rivers. Often soars. Uncommon.


Description:
Found in Mexico, Greater Antilles and South America in humid foothills and highlands. Soars for long periods of time without flapping wings. Six North American records. Three from coastal Texas, one from Louisiana, one from California and one from Florida.


Description:
Found in eastern Asia in mountains and wooded plains. Migratory. Four North American records, two at Shemya Island and two at Attu Island, Alaska. All were seen in May.


Description:
Small aerial bird with cigar-shaped body and crescent-shaped wings	Long, thin pointed wings	Short stubby tail	Dark gray-brown upperparts	Paler throat and chest	Short tail bluntly squared off	Plumage sooty gray above with slightly paler rump	Buff throat darkening to sooty gray on belly	Underwings pale gray	Sexes similar	Juvenile similar to adult


Description:
Nests in chimneys, barns, hollow trees. Gregarious and common. Almost always observed in the air. Flight combines shallow wingbeats with gliding and erratic turns, like a bat. Looks like a flying cigar.


Description:
Small aerial bird with cigar-shaped body and crescent-shaped wings	Long, thin pointed wings	Short stubby tail	Dark gray-brown upperparts	Throat and chest paler than Chimney Swift	Short tail bluntly squared off	Plumage sooty gray above with paler rump	Whitish throat darkening to sooty gray on belly	Underwings pale gray	Sexes similar	Juvenile similar to adult


Description:
Nests in hollow trees. Feeds over lakes and rivers surrounded by forests. Flight is erratic and batlike, with less soaring than some other swifts. Usually seen in open skies. Vaux's Swift is the western equivalent of the Chimney Swift.


Description:
Long, forked tail	White on throat, belly and sides of rump	Black upperparts	Small aerial bird with cigar-shaped body and crescent-shaped wings	Short tail strongly notched at tip	Whitish throat extending down central belly and tapering to blunt point	Black belly and sides of breast with isolated white spot on flanks	Underwings pale gray	Sexes similar	Juvenile similar to adult


Description:
Nests in cliff crevices and mountains. Seen above rocky cliffs of mountains, desert canyons, rugged foothills. Common. One of fastest flying birds in North America (up to 200 miles per hour). Flight is a series of swoops and sharp turns, all executed at tremendous speeds.


Description:
Found in lowlands and settled districts of the Greater Antilles. Flight is batlike. One North American record of a pair at Key West, Florida July 7 - August 13, 1972.


Description:
Found in Europe and Asia over lakes and wetlands. Gregarious. Migratory. One North American record on St. Paul Island, Alaska on June 28, 1950.


Description:
Found in Asia in mountains and settled areas, winters in Australia. Migratory.  Over a dozen North American records, mostly from the western Aleutian Islands and Pribilof Island, Alaska. Seen May-June and August-September.


Description:
Found in the highlands of southern Mexico, Central America and northern South America. Humid to semiarid pine-oak, oak and evergreen forest and edge, clearings with flowers. Over 30 North American records since the first in 1961, primarily from Texas. Casual in south and central Texas and in Arkansas from April through October.


Description:
Found in northeastern Mexico and south to central Panama in semiopen areas, forest edges. One North American record from  Corpus Christi, Texas January 6-27, 1992.


Description:
Bill has bright red base	Blue throat	Green head and body	White undertail coverts	Black forked tail


Description:
Dark bill with reddish lower mandible	Thin white line behind eye	Grayish throat and underparts	Green upperparts and sides	Tail has pale outer tips	Immature male similar to female but may have blue feathers in throat


Description:
Male: iridescent green overall with blue throat	Long, thin red bill with black tip	White undertail coverts	Forked bluish-black tail	United States ranged restricted to southeastern Arizona and west Texas


Description:
Desert mountain canyons, brushy slopes, low mountain woodlands, riparian woodlands, desert washes near mesquite, sycamore and cottonwood trees. Nests in foothills in arroyos and canyons near streams.


Description:
Found in southern Baja California, Mexico in arid to semiarid scrub, open brushy woodlands, gardens. One North American record of a female in Ventura, California from January 30 -March 26, 1988.


Description:
Long, thin bill with bright red base	Broad white stripe behind eye	Black face	Purple forehead and chin	Green throat and upperparts	Grayish belly and undertail coverts	Female and immatures duller with spotted throat	United States ranged restricted to southeastern Arizona


Description:
Found in Mexico in pine-oak, oak and evergreen forests. Rare in southeastern Arizona mountains. Resident in some years at Ramsey Canyon, Arizona. Has also been sighted in Texas and New Mexico. Usually seen between mid-May and mid-September.


Description:
Violet crown	White underparts	Bright red bill with black tip	Bronzy-green upperparts	Long, thin bill with bright red base	Purple crown	Green back	Clear white underparts	Sexes similar	United States ranged restricted to southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico


Description:
Found in western Mexico in arid to semiarid scrublands, thorn forests, riparian woodlands. Reaches northern limits of its range in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico where it is seen in low mesquite-sycamore or higher oak-sycamore canyons. Locally uncommon. Seen occasionally at feeders in Patagonia, Arizona.


Description:
Found in western Mexico in woodlands, forest edges, scrub oak areas, clearings. Rare in southeastern Arizona in mountain forests and moist canyons. There have been over 50 sightings since the first in 1964. Typically seen from early June to late July.


Description:
Found in Mexico south to central Costa Rica in arid woodlands, woodland edges, thorn forests, plantations. One North American record from Patagonia, Santa Cruz County, Arizona on July 21-23, 1992.


Description:
Bronzy green upperparts	Buffy belly	Chestnut tail	Bill reddish with black tip	Long, thin bill with reddish base	Metallic green head and breast	Green back	Buff belly	Sexes similar	United States ranged restricted to Gulf Coast.


Description:
Found in Mexico in arid to semihumid forests and forest edges, brushy scrub, clearings. Reaches northern limits of its range in the southern tip of Texas. Uncommon. Seen in undergrowth in wooded areas, especially at Sabal Palm Grove Sanctuary and Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas.


Description:
Blue throat (black in poor light)	White stripe behind eye	White malar streak	Green upperparts	Grayish underparts	Black, rounded tail with broad white tips


Description:
Gray throat	White stripe behind eye	White malar streak	Green upperparts	Dull gray underparts	Dark, rounded tail with broad white tips


Description:
Large hummingbird	Male: blue throat and iridescent green upperparts	Female: gray throat and underparts, green above	White eye stripe and faint whisker stripe	Long, thin bill	United States ranged restricted to southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico and west Texas. Stray elsewhere.


Description:
Found in western Mexico in pine-oak and oak woodlands, clearings with flowers. Reaches northern limits of its range in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico and Big Bend State Park, Texas. Seen in higher mountain canyons near streams. Common at feeders in Huachuca and Chiricahua mountains of Arizona.


Description:
Metallic green throat (black in poor light)	White spot behind eye	Black breast	Purple crown	Dark blackish-green upperparts	Gray undertail coverts	Black forked tail


Description:
White spot behind eye	Dull gray underparts	Dark blackish-green upperparts	Dark, rounded tail with grayish-white corners


Description:
Large hummingbird	Male: purple crown, metallic green throat	Black breast and upper belly	Green back	Female: Green back and sides, grayish underparts	Long, thin bill	United States ranged restricted to southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico


Description:
Found in western Mexico in pine-oak woodlands, evergreen forests, desert grasslands, clearings with flowers. Reaches northern limits of its range in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico and Big Bend State Park, Texas. Seen in mountain canyons near streams and drier open pine forests, usually at elevations above 5000 feet. Common at feeders in Huachuca and Chiricahua mountains of Arizona.


Description:
Found in Mexico south to Costa Rica in arid to semiarid forest edges, thorn forests. Over twenty-five North American records from southern Arizona. Usually seen between late June and early September. First recorded in September 1969.


Description:
Found in the Bahamas in scrubby woodlands, gardens. Common in Nassau. Five North American records from Homestead (2), Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and Lantana, Florida.


Description:
Coastal woodlands and edges, brushy areas near conifer forests, meadows, gardens and parks near the coast.  Migrates early (even earlier than Rufous Hummingbird) - north in early February, south in August.


Description:
Found in highlands of Mexico in pine and pine-oak woodlands.  Over twenty North American records from southeast Arizona, mostly in Cave Creek Canyon in the Chiricahua mountains. Mostly between June and October. Also sightings from Huachuca Mountains.


Description:
Bright red belly	White breast band	Male: green neck and back	Short, yellow bill	Black mask and pale eye ring	Dark green breast, head and upperparts	Red belly and undertail coverts	Long tail, barred underneath and squared at tip	Female duller than male with less red underneath	United States range restricted to southeastern Arizona


Description:
Found in Mexico and Central America in arid to semiarid woodlands, thorn forests, deciduous riparian woods. Reaches northern limits of its range in southeastern Arizona. Often seen in oak or pine-oak woodlands in mountain canyons and in sycamore and cottonwood trees near canyon streams at altitudes between 4,000 and 6,000 feet. Easiest to see in late spring or summer on South Fork Trail in Cave Creek Canyon near Portal, Arizona.


Description:
Very large bill	Blue-gray head, back, wings and breast band	White throat, collar and belly	Long, stout bill	Blue-gray, ragged crest	Male has rusty breast and belly, female has rusty belly, blue-gray breast and white breast band	Barred tail	United States range restricted to southern Texas


Description:
Found in Mexico south to the southern tip of South America near rivers, streams, lakes, marshes. Northern limits of range reach southern tip of Texas along lower Rio Grande Valley. First nested in United States at Falcon Dam, Texas in 1970. Prefers larger rivers and lakes than Belted Kingfisher. Perches on roadside wires. Bobs and flicks tail.


Description:
White underparts with reddish belly band extending down flanks


Description:
Large, short-legged, big-headed, big-billed bird	Blue-gray head, back, wings and breast band	White chin, throat and neck	Slate blue head, with white spot near lores	Slate blue breast band	Slate blue back and upperwing coverts with small white spots	Slate blue tail with numerous dark and light bands	Hovers over water and dives headfirst into water in pursuit of fish


Description:
Common and widespread near wetlands, ponds, lakes, streams, estuaries, also rocky seacoasts. Often perched conspicuously on dead branches over rivers and streams. Solitary, except in breeding season. One of few North American birds where female is more colorful than male.


Description:
stuttering, non-musical, dry rattle in-flight


Description:
Dark green upperparts	White collar and white outer tail feathers	White underparts with dark green spots	Very large bill	Male: rusty breast band	Long, stout bill	Green crest	White throat and collar	Green upperparts with white spotting	Male has rusty breast, female has dark spotting on breast	White belly and undertail coverts with dark spots	United States range restricted to southern Texas


Description:
Near small shady streams, rivers, ponds and lakes with heavy vegetation along the shore. Usually seen perching on branch or rock just above water's surface. Rarely hovers. Reaches northern limit of its range in southern Texas.  Most common along lower Rio Grande Valley.


Description:
Found in Europe and Asia in open woods, parks, and gardens. Winters in Africa. One North American record at Old Chevak, Youkon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska on September 2-3, 1975.


Description:
Found in Europe and Asia in open deciduous or mixed woodlands, parks, gardens. Migrates to Africa in the winter. One North American record from Cape Prince of Wales, Alaska on September 8, 1945.


Description:
Dark bronze-green head, back, upperwings, rump, and uppertail	Gray collar and upper breast	Deep red face	Pink belly


Description:
Bronze-green upperparts	Brownish head and chest (with faint barring)	Pink belly


Description:
Fairly large, dark, woodpecker	Rosy-red underparts	Gray collar and breast	Dark red face	Sexes similar	Flies with slow, steady crow-like wingbeats


Description:
Open woodlands and woodland edges, especially open ponderosa pine forests, foothills, cottonwood groves along streams, clearings caused by recent forest fires. In winter, found in oak woods or nut orchards. Locally common. Catches flying insects by "flycatching" or soaring out slowly into the air.


Description:
Bright red head and neck	White breast, belly, rump, and vent	Black back and wings with prominent white secondaries visible in flight and at rest	Black tail


Description:
Mottled brown head and neck	White breast, belly, and rump variably marked with brown streaking	Dark brown back and upperwings with paler edgings	White secondaries broken by brown lateral bars	Dark brown tail


Description:
Fairly large, strikingly black and white woodpecker	Bright red head, neck and throat	White underparts	White wing patch on black wing	White rump	Sexes similar


Description:
Woodland edges, farmlands, open groves of large trees, river bottomlands, suburban areas, parks. Often seen at large, dead trees. Will dart out into air to catch insects. Forages on ground. Rarely drills into trees.


Description:
Red cap extends back from white forehead


Description:
Red cap at rear of head separated from white forehead by black area at top of head


Description:
Medium-sized woodpecker	White eye surrounded by black	Black surrounding bill	White cheeks and forehead	Red on crown	Pale yellow throat	White eye	Black head	Black chest, nape, back, and wings	White bases to outer primaries appear as small white crescent in flight	White rump	White belly and vent, with fine dark streaks on flanks	Black tail


Description:
Common and very conspicuous in the west. Seen in oak woods, pine-oak woodlands where oak trees are common, parks, towns. Found in small (2-15) noisy colonies. Drills holes in "granary tree" in fall to store acorns. During summer eats mostly insects.


Description:
Medium-sized woodpecker	Black and white barred back and tail	Tan head, throat, chest and belly	Male has red crown	Back strongly barred with black and white	Black wings barred and spotted with white	White bases to the primaries appear as white crescent in flight	White rump and uppertail coverts with sparse dark barring	Dark tail with barred central tail feathers


Description:
Saguaro deserts, scrub desert with creosote bushes and mesquite, dry washes, cottonwood groves near streams, canyons of foothills with willow and sycamore trees, river bottoms, towns, cities. Noisy and conspicuous.


Description:
Medium-sized woodpecker	Black and white barred back	White-tan head, chest and belly	Male has red crown	Pale gray head, throat, breast, and belly	Yellow nape patch and yellow spot above bill	Back strongly barred with black and white	Black wings barred and spotted with white	White bases to the primaries appear as white crescent in flight	White rump and uppertail coverts	Dark tail with dark central retricies


Description:
Dry woodlands, mesquite brushland, pecan groves, orchards, parks, gardens, woods with large trees along river bottoms, upland mixed pine-oak forests. Conspicuous and vocal like closely related Red-bellied Woodpecker.


Description:
Red nape patch, gray crown, and red spot above bill


Description:
Red cap extending from bill to nape, which does not include eye and gray face


Description:
Medium-sized woodpecker	Black and white barred back and tail	White-tan head, chest and belly	Red nape	Male has red crown	Pale gray face, throat, breast, and belly	Back strongly barred with black and white	Black wings barred and spotted with white	White bases to the primaries appear as white crescent in flight	White rump and uppertail coverts with sparse dark markings	Dark tail with black and white barring on the central retricies


Description:
Open deciduous forests, wet woodlands, pine forests, oak woods, parks, shade trees in the suburbs, wooded bottomlands, swamps. Undulating flight, like most other woodpeckers. Common and conspicuous.


Description:
churrr, churrr (throaty, deeply trilled)


Description:
Wings and back patterned more or less like adult	Head brownish and streaked, with weak postocular stripe and moustachial stripe	Reddish wash on forehead	Pale chest barred heavily with brown	Yellowish belly sparsely barred and streaked with brown	Juvenile plumage retained until first spring


Description:
Medium-sized woodpecker	Red forecrown	Black and white head	Yellow belly	Long white shoulder patch and white rump	Male has red chin, female white	Black head traversed by white postocular stripe extending down neck	Red forehead	Pale moustachial stripe offsets black chest and complete, thick black border to throat	Black back with faint white bars	Black wings, with white barring on flight feathers and bold white patch on wing coverts	Yellow breast fades to whitish lower belly and vent, and is streaked sparsely about the flanks	White rump	Dark tail with black and white barring on centralmost and outermost retrices


Description:
Deciduous forests, mixed deciduous-conifer forests. In winter found in almost any woodland habitat, orchards, parks. Drills series of regularly spaced holes about 1/4 inch in diameter in tree trunks (at least 275 species of trees - and counting). Comes back later to drink sap and eat insects attracted to the sap. Tree's scars visible years later.


Description:
Wings and back patterned more or less like adult	Head brownish and streaked, with weak postocular stripe and moustachial stripe	Pale chest barred with brown	Yellowish belly sparsely barred and streaked with brown	Juvenile plumage lost by mid-September


Description:
Medium-sized woodpecker	Red forecrown	Black and white head	Yellow belly	Long white shoulder patch and white rump	Male has red chin and nape, female white chin	Black head traversed by white postocular stripe extending down neck	Pale moustachial stripe offsets black chest and black border to throat	Black border to throat incomplete, narrows or is broken at its midpoint	Black back with faint white bars	Black wings, with white barring on flight feathers and bold white patch on wing coverts	Yellow breast fades to whitish lower belly and vent, and is streaked sparsely about the flanks	White rump	Dark tail with black and white barring on centralmost and outermost retricies


Description:
Deciduous forests, mixed deciduous-conifer forests with aspens. In winter found in almost any woodland habitat, orchards, parks. Sapsuckers drill a series of regularly spaced holes about 1/4 inch in diameter in tree trunks (at least 275 species of trees - and counting). They come back later to drink sap and eat insects attracted to the sap. Tree's scars visible years later. Formerly considered a race of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.


Description:
Deeper red head and breast	Black back with yellowish bars	White area limited to area above bill


Description:
Paler red head and breast	Black back with whitish bars	White areas above bill extends diagonally down slightly across cheek


Description:
Wings and back patterned more or less like adult	Head brownish and streaked, with weak postocular stripe and moustachial stripe	Pale chest barred lightly with brown	Yellowish belly sparsely barred and streaked with brown	Juvenile plumage retained until mid-September


Description:
Medium-sized woodpecker	Red head, nape and breast	White mark above bill	Yellow belly	Long white shoulder patch and white rump	Whitish feathering at lores at base of bill	Black back with faint bars	Black wings, with white barring on flight feathers and bold white patch on wing coverts	Yellow belly fades to whitish lower belly and vent, and is streaked sparsely about the flanks	White rump	Dark tail with black and white barring on centralmost and outermost retricies


Description:
Conifer forests, mixed deciduous-conifer forests near the coast. Prefers lower elevations and moister forests than Williamson's Sapsucker. Sapsuckers drill a series of regularly spaced holes about 1/4 inch in diameter in tree trunks (at least 275 species of trees - and counting). They come back later to drink sap and eat insects attracted to the sap. Tree's scars visible years later. Formerly considered a race of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.


Description:
Black head, breast, and back	White postocular stripe extends to nape	Pale moustachial stripe is fairly thin	Red throat in adult male, white throat in immature male	Black wings, with white barring on flight feathers barred and bold white patch on wing coverts	Bright yellow belly, with some black and white barring on flanks


Description:
Entirely pale brown head	Pale back barred with black	Dark brown wings spotted and barred with white	Heavily barred breast and sides	Pale yellow belly


Description:
Medium-sized woodpecker	Male: Black head with narrow white stripes, chin red	Yellow belly	Long white shoulder patch and white rump	Black back	White rump	Dark tail with black and white barring on centralmost and outermost retricies


Description:
Open dry coniferous forests, mountains with spruce, fir and pine trees. In winter prefers lower elevations with pine and pine-oak woodlands. Sapsuckers drill a series of regularly spaced holes about 1/4 inch in diameter in tree trunks (at least 275 species of trees - and counting). They come back later to drink sap and eat insects attracted to the sap. Tree's scars visible years later.


Description:
Found throughout Europe and Asia in woodlands, suburban areas, gardens, parks. Two North American records, both from Attu Island, Alaska. One on October 9-31, 1986 and one (same bird?) on April 27, 1987.


Description:
Black forehead, crown, cap, and hindneck


Description:
Small black and white woodpecker	Black and white barred back and wings	White-tan underparts with black spots	Male has red crown	Mostly white head	Black triangular border to white auriculars	Buffy white throat, breast, and belly	Black spotting on sides of breast and flanks	Black back barred with white extends to nape	Black wings with white spotting on coverts and flight feathers	Black rump	Black tail with white outer tail feathers barred with black


Description:
Scrublands at deserts' edge, cottonwood groves and brushy areas along small streams, wooded canyons, brushlands with cactus and mesquite, rural areas, towns, parks. Often feeds on the ground.


Description:
Small black and white woodpecker	Black and white barred back and wings	White underparts with black spots	Male has red patch on nape	Black head	White postocular stripe curves around to almost meet white moustachial stripe and appears as a pale border to dark auriculars	White throat, breast, and belly	Small amounts of black spotting on sides of breast and flanks	Black back barred with white does not extend to black nape	Black wings with white spotting on coverts and flight feathers	Black rump	Black tail with white outer tail feathers barred with black


Description:
Oak woodlands, chaparral mixed with scrub oak, riparian habitats with willow and cottonwood trees, wooded canyons with sycamore and alder trees. Feeds on tree trunks by chipping away bark, rather than drilling. Prefers moister habitat than Ladder-backed Woodpecker.


Description:
Very small black and white woodpecker	Very short bill	Black wings with white spotting on coverts and flight feathers	White back	White underparts	Mostly black head set off by broad white supercilium and lower border to auriculars	Black nape	Black rump	Black tail with white outer tail feathers barred with black


Description:
Common and widespread in deciduous and mixed forests, small woodlots, suburbs, orchards, gardens, urban areas. In the west, often found in willow and poplar trees along streams.  May hang like a chickadee from small branches or leaves. Comes to feeders. Downy Woodpeckers are more closely related to Ladder-backed Woodpeckers than to the similar looking Hairy Woodpeckers. Smallest woodpecker in North America.


Description:
Small red spot at rear margin of white face is rarely visible


Description:
Small, black and white woodpecker	Large white cheek patch	Black and white barred back and wings	White underparts, streaked sparsely with black about sides of breast and flanks	Black cap and nape	White postocular spot	Dark moustachial stripe extends down side of neck	Black back barred with white	Black wings spotted with white in wing coverts and flight feathers	Black rump	Black tail has white outer tail feathers barred with black


Description:
Mature open pine or pine-oak forests. Nests only in large southern pine trees afflicted with heartwood disease. Pine pitch drips down trunk, repelling snakes and making it easier to spot nests. Habitat loss is causing population declines. Many conservation efforts now underway to save bird and its nesting habitat. Hard to see in field.


Description:
Solid brown back	White underparts with brown spots	Male has red patch on nape	Pointed bill	Brown crown, cheek, malar streak and upperparts	White border to cheek	White underparts with dark spotting	Male has red nape patch	United States range restricted to southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico


Description:
Oak and pine-oak forests on mountain slopes and foothills of southeastern Arizona. Also found in canyons in the same area. Found at elevations below Hairy Woodpecker and above Ladder-backed Woodpecker. Split from Strickland's Woodpecker of Mexico in July, 2000 (AOU 42nd supplement).


Description:
Medium-sized black and white woodpecker	Black wings with white spotting on coverts and flight feathers	White back	White underparts	Fairly long bill	Mostly black head set off by broad white supercilium and lower border to auriculars	Black nape	White underparts	Black rump	Black tail with white outer tail feathers	Significant racial variation can result in juveniles with barred outer tail feathers (Queen Charlotte Islands), juveniles with barred backs and flanks (Maritime provinces) and birds with brown feathering replacing the black (Pacific Northwest).


Description:
Deciduous and coniferous forests, hardwood swamps, streamside woods. Shier than similar looking Downy Woodpecker. Found on larger trees in the same area as Downy Woodpeckers.


Description:
Medium-sized woodpecker	White head with dark postocular stripe	White throat	Black back, chest, tail	White stripe on black wing	Entirely black body plumage, wings and tail except white bases to the outer primaries, which form a white crescent in flight


Description:
Open coniferous forests in mountains. Prefers sugar and ponderosa pine trees where it can often be seen hanging from cones. May occasionally alight on trunk or branch upside down! Typically winters at lower elevations than summer range of 4,000-9,000 feet.


Description:
Yellow cap at top of head with fuzzy edges


Description:
Medium-sized black and white woodpecker	Black and white barred back	White underparts with barred flanks	Male has yellow crown	Black head	Narrow postocular stripe widens towards rear of head and extends down neck	White moustachial stripe	White throat, breast, and belly	White back barred with black (in most races)	Black wings marked with white spots on flight feathers	Black rump	Black tail with white outer tail feathers that are barred inwardly with black	Rocky Mountain subspecies (P. t. dorsalis) has an entirely white back	Eastern subspecies (P. t. bacatus) has a dark, heavily barred back	Western subspecies (P. t. fasciatus) has a whitish, sparsely barred back


Description:
Spruce and fir forests, burned over areas, swampy forests with dead snags. Prefers denser conifer forests and higher elevations than similar Black-backed Woodpecker. Tends to be less active than other woodpeckers.


Description:
Medium-sized black and white woodpecker	Black back	Black wings	White underparts with barred flanks	Male has yellow crown	Black head and back	Narrow postocular streak	White moustachial stripe widens at rear margin and extends along lower margin of auriculars	White throat, breast, and belly	Black wings marked with white spots on flight feathers	Black rump	Black tail with white outer tail feathers


Description:
Coniferous forests, burned over areas. Often seen low in conifers or in dead trees out in the open. Noisy on its nesting ground. Range and habitat overlap with Three-toed Woodpecker, but one will be common and the other rare in any local area.


Description:
Brown cap and nape	Gray face, chin, and throat	Tail and underwings are entirely red below, and retricies and primaries have red shafts	Male has red whisker


Description:
Gray cap and nape	Tan face, chin, and throat	Tail and underwings are entirely yellow below, and retricies and primaries have yellow shafts	Male has black whisker


Description:
Large woodpecker	Black crescent on upper breast, black spots on chest	White rump	Brown barred back	Red (west) or yellow (east) underwings	Red crescent on nape	Brown back and wings barred with black	Beige breast and belly spotted heavily with black	White rump (obvious in flight)	Tail dark above	Formerly considered two species, Yellow-shafted and Red-Shafted flickers


Description:
Widespread in a variety of habitats including open woodlands, suburban areas, saguaro deserts, parks, mature forests. Feeds on the ground, eating ants. Yellow-shafted race of the east and Red-shafted race of the west are still considered one species. But Gilded Flicker is now a separate species.


Description:
Large woodpecker	Black crescent on upper breast, black spots on chest	Brown barred back	Yellow underwings	Pale brown cap and nape	Pale gray face, chin, and throat	Beige breast and belly spotted heavily with black	White rump (obvious in flight)	Tail dark above	Tail and underwings are entirely yellow below, and retricies and primaries have yellow shafts


Description:
Stands of giant saguaro cactus, desert lowlands and foothills, riparian habitats with cottonwood and willow trees. The American Ornithologists' Union split Gilded Flicker from Northern Flicker in 1995. It is, once again, considered a separate species.


Description:
Very large (crow-sized) black and white woodpecker	Black back, wings and chest	White patch on underwing	Prominent red crest at rear of head	Black and white stripe on face	White throat	Entirely black body plumage at rest except a white line that extends from bill down sides of neck to upper flanks	In flight shows pale bases to primaries on upperwing and entirely white underwing covert


Description:
Mature deciduous and coniferous forests, cypress swamps, edges of woodland meadows. In east, becoming more tolerant of humans, moving into suburban areas and second-growth forests. Shy. Largest North American woodpecker.


Description:
kik-kik-kik-kik-kik... (rate & pitch rise then fall)


Description:
Not seen in United States since early 1970s until 2003 in Arkansas. Last remaining birds were in Cuba until late 1980s or early 1990s. Formerly found in old-growth hardwood forests of river bottoms and along the edges of pine forests. Dead trees supplied food, primarily larvae of wood-boring beetles. Cutting of habitat and hunting reduced populations. Never very common.


Description:
Very small flycatcher	Grayish-olive upperparts and breast	Dark crown often raised into crest	Two buffy wing bars	Faint whitish eyebrow	Indistinct supercilium	Grayish upperparts with yellowish wash	United States ranged limited to southeastern Arizona and southern Texas


Description:
Dry country near wooded streams, woodland thickets, mesquite, sycamore or cottonwood trees in riparian habitat. Often difficult to see. Male singing from top of tallest trees is best way to locate this flycatcher. Much more common in Arizona than Texas.


Description:
Found from northern Mexico south to South America in forests, woodlands and adjacent scrub. One North American record from High Island, Texas on May 20-23, 1984.


Description:
Found in islands off the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico to Virgin Islands and the Lesser Antilles in forests, woodlands and scrub areas. One North American record from Escambia County, Florida on April 28, 1984.


Description:
Found in northern Mexico south to the northern Andes mountains of South America in highlands of pine-oak forests, evergreen forests, clearings, plantations, arid semiopen areas. One North American record from Rio Grande Village, Big Bend National Park, Texas on November 3, 1991 - January 17, 1992.


Description:
Dark grayish-olive overall	Narrow white patch from chin to belly	Brownish-olive streaked sides	Large head	Dark face with indistinct eye ring	Fairly large, dark bill	White throat, center of breast, belly and undertail coverts	Indistinct wing bars	White flank tuft feathers sometimes protrude over top of wings	Juveniles have somewhat browner upperparts	Often perches at the very top of a dead snag	Commonly feeds by flying out to catch insects and returning to same perch


