Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) Soft-Voiced Dove • Common Backyard Visitor • Ground Feeder Quick Facts Color: Light brown, gray wings, black spots Size: 9–13 in (23–34 cm) Wingspan: 17–18 in (43–45 cm) Weight: 4–6 oz (112–170 g) Call: Soft “coo-OO-oo” mourning call Lifespan: 1–5 years (wild), occasionally 10+ The Mourning Dove is one of the…
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) Fish-Hunting Raptor • Aerial Diver • Coastal & Inland Predator Quick Facts Color: Brown back, white belly, dark eye stripe Size: 21–26 in (53–66 cm) Wingspan: 5–6 ft (150–180 cm) Weight: 2.0–4.5 lbs (0.9–2 kg) Call: High-pitched whistles Lifespan: Up to 20+ years The Osprey is a unique raptor found across coasts,…
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) Colorful Backyard Finch • Social • Frequent Feeder Visitor Quick Facts Color: Males red/orange; females brown-streaked Size: 5–6 in (12–15 cm) Wingspan: 8–10 in (20–25 cm) Weight: 0.6–0.9 oz (16–27 g) Call: Bright, musical warbling Lifespan: 4–6 years (wild) The House Finch is one of the most common and charming backyard…
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) Large Wading Bird • Master Fisher • Icon of Wetlands Quick Facts Color: Blue-gray body, black head plumes Size: 38–54 in (97–137 cm) Wingspan: 5.5–6.6 ft (167–201 cm) Weight: 4–7.5 lbs (1.8–3.6 kg) Call: Harsh “fraaank” croak Lifespan: Up to 15+ years The Great Blue Heron is the largest and…
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) Smallest North American Woodpecker • Backyard Visitor • Tap-Tap Drummer Quick Facts Color: Black & white; males have a small red patch Size: 5.5–7 in (14–18 cm) Wingspan: 10–12 in (25–30 cm) Weight: 0.7–1.0 oz (20–28 g) Call: Sharp “pik” notes; descending whinny Lifespan: 2–4 years (wild) The Downy Woodpecker is…
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) Tiny Pollinator • Fast Flyer • Nectar-Feeding Hover Expert Quick Facts Color: Male ruby-red throat, green body Size: 2.8–3.5 in (7–9 cm) Wingspan: 3–4 in (8–11 cm) Weight: 0.1–0.2 oz (2–6 g) Flight: Capable of hovering & flying backwards Speed: ~30 mph; dive >60 mph Lifespan: 3–5 years The Ruby-throated Hummingbird…
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) USA Backyard Bird • Early Spring Song • Earthworm Hunter Quick Facts Color: Orange-red breast, gray-brown back Size: 9–11 in (23–28 cm) Wingspan: 12–16 in (31–40 cm) Weight: 2.7–3.0 oz (77–85 g) Call: Cheerful whistling “cheerily-cheer-up” Lifespan: 2–6 years wild The American Robin is one of the most familiar and beloved…
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) National Bird of the United States • Raptor • Symbol of Freedom Quick Facts Adult Color: White head & tail, dark brown body Beak: Large, hooked, yellow Size: 28–40 in (70–102 cm) Wingspan: 6–7.5 ft (1.8–2.3 m) Weight: 6.5–14 lbs (3–6.3 kg) Call: High-pitched whistles & chirps Lifespan: 20–30+ years wild…
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) USA Backyard Bird • Intelligent • Vocal & Social Quick Facts Color: Blue, white & black Size: 9–12 in (22–30 cm) Wingspan: 13–17 in (34–43 cm) Weight: 2.5–3.5 oz (70–100 g) Call: “Jay! Jay!” + whistles & mimicry Lifespan: 7+ years wild (up to 26 recorded) The Blue Jay is one…
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) USA Backyard Bird • Non-Migratory • Songbird Quick Facts Male: Bright red, black face mask Female: Brown with red accents Length: 8.3–9.3 in Wingspan: 9.8–12.2 in Weight: 1.5–1.7 oz Call: “cheer-cheer-cheer” Lifespan: 3–5 years wild The Northern Cardinal is one of the most iconic and recognizable birds in North America, loved…