TROPICAL BIRDING
HIGH ISLAND MIGRATION
Wonder
of Wings on the Upper Texas Coast
14
– 18 April, 2008
Leader: Jen Brumfield
Spring migration on the Upper Texas Coast is legendary. Shorebirds, gulls, and terns erupt from the south, filling the shorelines and farmlands, and neotropical passerines swarm and crowd patches of woodlands in what is surely one of the most astounding spectacles of spring migration in America. The big draw card for this tour is the abundance of fantastic migrant birds, and the Upper Texas coast offers a very real chance of seeing over 130 species in a single day. Our tour covered all the varied habitats of the region, from the oak motte migrant traps on High Island, to the inland Pineywoods and realm of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, to coastal beaches and marshes. Trips to the world-famous Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge and Bolivar Flats added to our burgeoning list of marsh and shorebirds. The weather during our tour was terrific, with afternoon temperatures in the mid 70s to low 80s, and clear skies. We had stunning views of hard-to-see species and easily amassed a five-day trip list of 172 species seen!
April 14: As soon as we walked out of the
airport we got to work immediately, noticing an alliance of Black and Turkey
Vultures circling overhead in a deep blue Texas sky. We hadn’t made it a mile
from the rental car pickup, when promptly ticked a trio of Upland Sandpipers
dashing around on a strip of lawn by the roadside – a very surprising and
welcome treat as these long-necked grass-plovers stood calmly not twenty feet
from the car. We celebrated with a quick pizza lunch and flew off towards High
Island.
On the
hour-long drive toward the coast, we had fun sorting through an assortment of
familiar roadside birds like Swainson’s Hawk, Loggerhead Shrike,
Cattle Egret, and ubiquitous Great-tailed Grackles. As we drew more near to the
Gulf coastal plains, the pine and deciduous woods gave way to vast agricultural
lands and the target of our first stop: rice fields for shorebirds. A
previously scouted location out Route 73 near Winnie was absolutely hopping
with Long-billed Dowitchers and dozens of Whimbrel, and
scrambling with Pectoral Sandpipers and Semipalmated Plovers. Both Black-bellied
and graceful American Golden-Plovers were in attendance, some
individuals sporting near perfect summer coats. Close inspection of the muddy
ruts turned up at least twenty highly sought-after Buff-breasted Sandpipers,
perhaps individuals that just might have recently arrived from their wintering
grounds on the Ecuadorian paramo.
After a
near clean sweep of inland shorebirds, plus a trio of swallows and a visit from
a raucous murder of Fish Crows, we were on our way to the coast. Route
124 south from Winnie to High Island is a wonderfully “birdy”, twenty minute
drive. The open coastal savannah and prairie seems limitless, and is pocketed
by numerous agricultural waterholes and tidal marshes. From the road, we
spotted Tricolored and Little Blue Herons, and numerous flocks of White-faced
Ibis. Passing over the Intercoastal Waterway bridge, we enjoyed a clear and
spectacular view of High Island. From here, you can begin to see what birds
see. Emerging from a smooth plane of prairie is a thick, green island of oaks –
a haven for migrating and nesting birds alike.
Our first
coastal woodland birding promptly began at TOS Hooks Woods Sanctuary on First
Street. We were met immediately by handfuls of Gray Catbirds, Red-eyed
Vireos, and glorious Summer Tanagers. Not twenty feet into the
Sanctuary, and just off the side of the trail, crept a handsome male Kentucky
Warbler. Nearby a sporty male Hooded Warbler danced with flicking
tail just below eye-level. From a scrubby field edge beyond the woods range a
high, snappy “beee-bzzztt” – the tell-tale song of Blue-winged Warbler.
Almost as soon as we had heard it, we picked up on a brilliant male
Blue-winged, frantically foraging in young oaks under the warm Texas sun. High
above in the moss-covered limbs of the oaks, we enjoyed a quick view of the
nuthatch-like antics of the Black-and-white Warbler, before swiftly
keying in on a stunning Worm-eating Warbler, a species that specializes
at picking small caterpillars out from within clusters of dead leaves. The rich
buff-colored underparts, boldly striped head, and long, piercing bill were
studied at close range as the bird enthusiastically foraged just overhead. We
studied the Worm-eater to our hearts content until, reluctantly, we pressed on
for an afternoon of coastal shorebirding. A loud and hysterical White-eyed
Vireo led us to the parking lot, shouting “pick-up the beer CHICK”
just before we sped off.
To the west
of High Island, along the coast, lies Rollover Pass. This artificial channel
cuts through the Bolivar Peninsula, linking the East Bay to the Gulf Coast.
Extensive tidal mudflats offer exceptional habitat for thousands of foraging
and roosting shorebirds, gulls, terns, and herons and egrets. We hit the tides
just right, with masses of Black Skimmers, Willets, and Common,
Forster’s and Caspian Terns resting just offshore, offering first-rate
scope views. Troops of Brown and American White Pelicans were in
good supply, as were Ruddy Turnstones, Lesser Yellowlegs, and Short-billed
Dowitchers.
Bolivar
Flats has been christened as the “crown jewel of shorebird habitats” on the
Upper Texas Coast. We were eager to the hit the mudflats to rack up big
numbers, and sure enough, Bolivar produced big-time. The shorebird horde was
dominated by Western and Semipalmated Sandpipers, Sanderlings,
and loads of Dunlin. We took time to sort through the peeps, finding
glorious summer coats on the majority of the Western Sandpipers, while Dunlin
were still working on their rich ruddy upperparts and black belly patches. Short-billed
Dowitchers “stiched” their way through the shallows while regiments of Piping
Plovers pattered charmingly across the higher, sandier beach. A roosting
flock chock full of Royal Terns and Laughing Gulls offered crisp views of less
abundant Sandwich Terns, Least Terns, and, a bombshell band of Fulvous
Whistling-Ducks contrasting against the blue Gulf’s shores. Just offshore,
in the frothing Gulf, a band of Lesser Scaup held two prizes: two Surf
Scoters and a single White-winged
Scoter. A colossal wave of feeding American Avocets, perhaps four
thousand strong, moved together like one living beast. The final performance of
the day came in the form of an elegant, dancing Reddish Egret – an
uncommon species tied strictly to the Gulf Coast.
The last
show of the day was a special one – a trip to the HAS Smith Oaks Rookery for an
evening concert of herons and egrets. The Rookery at Claybottom Pond is a
magnet for colonial waterbirds; nowhere else in Texas can you so closely
observe hundreds of nesting herons, egrets, spoonbills, ibis, and cormorants. In
the fading golden light, we had point-blank scope views of Neotropic
Cormorants, Little Blue Herons, Black-crowned Night-Herons, White
Ibis, and stunning studies of several dozen Roseate Spoonbills. We
ended the first day of the tour with a spectacular 90 species!
April 15: The Live Oak stands at HAS Smith Oaks sanctuary was our first stop of the morning. After walking just ten feet from the car, motion in the moss-covered limbs above our heads revealed a dazzling male Cerulean Warbler. We spent plenty of time following this highly sought-after eastern warbler, enjoying great looks (some at eye level!) of this canopy species. Moving slowly down the boardwalk, a fine buzzy ‘zeeeeeeIP!’ alerts us to the presence of a Northern Parula, and close by we find a Black-throated Green Warbler showing off its brilliant golden cheeks. A platoon of Summer Tanagers – gorgeous rosy red males and orangish-green females – moved loudly through the crowns of the trees alongside numerous Red-eyed Vireos, while Gray Catbirds, multiple Brown Thrashers, and Carolina Wrens scratched in the leaf litter and shrubs below. The slight sound of the crinkling of dead leaves alerted us to another secretive Worm-eating Warbler foraging steadily a mere five feet from the trail. Across the woods we could hear the strong, sharp “SchWEET SchWEET SchWEET” notes belting out from the windpipes of a male Prothonotary Warbler. Promptly tracking him down turned up stunning views of this golden swamp warbler as he proudly proclaimed his territory.
With some
impressive warblers already under our belt, we headed to HAS Boy Scout Woods by
way of the Tropical Birding Information Center and observation tower, where
both Inca Doves and Eurasian Collared-Doves took time out to rest
in the shade below a Magnolia. The water drip near the grandstand benches was
stirring with several Yellow-throated Warblers, Gray Catbirds, and Song
Sparrows. Above our heads, glittering Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Summer
Tanagers, and a striking male Scarlet Tanager gorged themselves on ripe
mulberries. A molting male Indigo Bunting gave us a proper farewell as
we skipped over to TOS Hooks Woods in search of more magnificent migrants.
Hooks Woods was pumping with more Red-eyed and White-eyed Vireos, and we
immediately keyed in on a golden-faced Swainson’s Thrush that was intent
on having a meal of a female Eastern Pondhawk dragonfly. We were again treated
to a stylish male Kentucky Warbler lurking through the undergrowth, and
an equally well-dressed Hooded Warbler alighted just inches from the
boardwalk.
As the
afternoon air began to cook and the winds picked up, it made sense to try our
hand at birding Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, a 34,000-acre playground for
birds and birders. Here, shorebirds, rails, and other waterbirds find refuge
filled in the massive systems of coastal fresh and saltwater marshes and rare
coastal prairie. We were treated immediately to a flock of stately Black-necked
Stilts, a feeding frenzy of White-faced Ibis, and scattered pods of Pied-billed
Grebes, Northern Shovelers, and Blue-winged Teal. A specialty
of the Upper Texas Coast and Mallard look-alike, the Mottled Duck, was
found in good numbers in the rich cattail marshes. While a few Northern
Harriers stealthily drifted over the vast marshes, a loud and raucous
chorus of Marsh Wrens rang out from the alligator-infested roadside
gullies. The warm Texas sun shown brilliantly down upon dozens of Common
Moorhens as they sported their red frontal shields for all to see. Perhaps
the showiest bird of the marsh, the Purple Gallinule, showed off its
acrobatic antics by sitting at eye-level atop a bunch of cattails, mere feet
from the open car window. As if that wasn’t cool enough, one of the highlights
of the day came in the form of a boisterous pair of King Rails – who
kindly strutted the cattail edges for unobstructed, superb views. A visit to
the Shoveler Pond boardwalk provided excellent studies of Wilson’s Snipe,
elegant pairs of Black-necked Stilts, hordes of Blue-winged Teal,
a small pod of Fulvous Whistling-Ducks, and prolonged studies of a
preening Virginia Rail.
April 16:
Today’s journey started with a morning venture to HAS Boy Scout Woods
and Smith Oaks. Migrant activity was slowed by south winds and clear skies, so
we once again aimed our sights on open plain birding. To the west of High
Island, across Galveston Bay, sits a jewel in the form of Brazoria National
Wildlife Refuge. Well-known for two coastal prairie raptor specialties –
White-tailed Hawk and Crested Caracara – this cousin to Anahuac always harbors
a ton of shorebirds, herons, egrets, waterfowl, and more. It made sense to hit
Rollover and Bolivar Flats on the way to help rack up a big day list.
The drive
south along the Gulf was full of sights, from prolonged roadside looks at Long-billed
Curlew, to a flock of sporty Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks. A grand
surprise came in the form of an immature Crested Caracara – a hoped-for
tick at Brazoria – that came early. Rollover Pass was loaded with activity from
Sandwich and Least Terns to Black Skimmers and pelicans and cormorants.
The black-and-white coat and massive orange bill of an American
Oystercatcher was superbly studied. Nearby Bolivar Flats was at max
capacity. We easily found the hot ticket items – Snowy, Wilson’s, and Piping
Plovers – and enjoyed further looks at turnstones, Sanderlings,
Short-billed Dowitchers, and peeps galore. After a windy ride across Galveston
Bay we were well on our way to the sunny coastal prairie of Brazoria.
The visit proved wonderfully fruitful – especially in the way of shorebirds! But first we took advantage of the glorious weather to enjoy ace views of White-faced and White Ibis, moorhens, Little Blue Herons, Tricolored Herons, Pied-billed Grebes, and hordes of Northern Shovelers and Blue-winged Teal. In the far corner of the refuge we came upon an outstanding open mudflat absolutely teaming with waders. Immediately we picked up on the large buffy figures of Marbled Godwits, towering above a swirl of Dunlin, Long-billed Dowitchers, Western Sandpipers, and both yellowlegs. Careful scrutiny of the “dow” flocks turned up over twenty Stilt Sandpipers – a “stitcher” like dowitchers but more elegant and slim in figure. A tight flock of Wilson’s Phalaropes buzzed directly overhead and put down on the mudflats for extended views of their tell-tale spinning and swirling through the water and nervous dashing across the shore.
As the
afternoon faded we made our way out of the refuge, but not before a near-adult Bald
Eagle cruised overhead – an uncommon breeder on the upper Texas coast.
Searching the skies turned up our final highlight - a White-tailed Hawk floating and gliding overhead.
Another fine day was a wrap – with a total of 103 species under our belts on
today’s journey alone.
April 17: An extra early start to the day
was in order, with our sights set on the Pineywoods region and its
black-and-white prize – the Red-cockaded Woodpecker. The two-hour journey north
to the outer limits of Houston was filled with great anticipation for the new
set of species harbored in this special and unique Loblolly Pine ecosystem.
W.G. Jones State Forest is carefully managed by the Texas State Parks. Jones is
a “demonstration forest” where prescribed fires are set annually, and mature
forests are burned every three to five years. The cleared understory and forest
floor of these woods makes for near-perfect Red-cockaded habitat.
Upon
entering the forest we quickly spotted common and resident Carolina
Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, and White-breasted Nuthatches. A
very vocal family of Pine Warblers put on a show near the roadside, not far
from a secretive Pileated Woodpecker
poking its head out from around the side of a nearby set of pines. All at once
the high nasal squeaking of a Brown-headed Nuthatch alerted us to a
flurry of activity overhead. A troop of Red-headed Woodpeckers were
joined by Indigo Buntings and Summer Tanagers, while a background
chorus of Northern Parulas, Eastern Wood-Pewees, and Worming-eating
and Hooded Warblers filled the cool and moist woods surrounding us.
Temperature soon heated up and we new we needed to zero in our target. A long
walk through a thick portion of the forest left us with a horde of Blue-gray
Gnatcatchers, a pair of Eastern Bluebirds, and numerous White-eyed
Vireos – but empty in the cockaded camp. With the sun peaking high and hot
overhead, we made our way to the ranger headquarters and found a sandy trail
leading into a recently burnt section of pine woods. Here we found a series of
man—made and natural woodpecker cavities – with tell-tale entrances soaked in
thick tree sap. Red-headed Woodpeckers and Pine Warblers were seemingly
everywhere. We keyed in on a rambunctious family of noisy Brown-headed
Nuthatches – by far the most adorable and sprightly bird of the Pineywoods.
A well-deserved rest on a trailside bench soon reminded us that patience is
key. As we sat enjoying a trio of Mississippi Kites gliding just over
the canopy, motion stirred from a sap-encrusted cavity across the woods. A pair
of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, with their classy zebra coats and vivid
white cheeks – zipped out of the shadows and onto the sun-streaked trees just
ahead of us. We gasped in surprise and triumph and spent over five full minutes
watching the pair flake away bark in an active “lunchtime” frenzy. Superior
scope views were had, and we were victorious! As patience would play out, we
had caught the pair at a perfect moment – the “changing of the guard”: it
appeared as if the male and female might have been trading duties of the
nest.
After a
celebratory sit-down lunch, we sped back south to HAS Boy Scout Woods. A quick
walk along the boardwalk turned up a few new additions to the tour – an
orange-coated Veery, a surprise Philadelphia Vireo, and an
absolutely stunning Painted Bunting! After prolonged looks at the
dazzling reds, blues, and greens of this local bunting, we headed straight to
Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge for a late afternoon full of marsh birding.
Anahuac never disappoints. We cleaned house in herons and egrets, and
enjoyed further looks at passing Northern Harriers. Blue-winged Teal
and Mottled Ducks barely outnumbered the masses of American Coots.
Clear blue skies over Anahuac produced crisp, sunny views of troops of Black-necked
Stilts, platoons of Common Moorhens, and feeding parties of Greater
and Lesser Yellowlegs, and Long-billed Dowitchers. As the sun fell
heavy towards the horizon, we made our way towards the saltmarsh and Yellow
Rail Prairie, hoping to score a rail or two. Several Soras announced
their secretive presence, and we picked up on the short, rough call of a Seaside
Sparrow – conspicuously “teed up” not fifty feet from the car. Mere seconds
afterward, a Clapper Rail made a few dashes back and forth across the
road - pausing at the gully’s edge for killer looks before slinking back to
secrecy. On the way out, sharp-eyed Barbara zeroed in on a posing American Bittern,
which nervously took to the air, giving us a farewell flap out of the refuge.
April 18 : Our final day of the tour was to
end early due Barbara’s late afternoon departure out of Houston. With only a
partial day to work with we made the best call we could due to weather: return
to Anahuac for more big diversity! Heading straight to the refuge’s mudflats
and flooded fields was a fruitful choice – as we soon landed great views of
both American Golden-Plovers and Black-bellied Plovers, not to
mention a small horde of fashionable Semipalmated Plovers to boot. The
Dowitcher brigade was joined by a host of other species - with Semipalmated and Western
Sandpipers, Dunlin, and Pectoral Sandpipers crawling
everywhere. Picking carefully through
the flocks turned up lesser numbers of Least Sandpipers, a few Stilt
Sandpipers, and several Wilson’s Snipe – all of which put on a
superb show in the scope. Though highlights came aplenty, a small pod of Wilson’s
Phalaropes fed excitedly a mere hundred feet away, giving us dramatic
views. A blood-billed Caspian Tern basked in the sun near the shorebird
flock, while a swarm of Roseate Spoonbills, White Ibis, and White-faced
Ibis swirled through the shallows in the heat haze.
The cattail
marshes were absolutely bursting with birds – from coots and moorhens to Marsh
Wrens, Belted Kingfishers, and Common Yellowthroats, to Eastern
Kingbirds and Orchard Orioles. We could tell it was to be a
first-rate day for rails and bitterns! Sure enough, our luck began with
point-blank studies of a golden-billed Sora, which was followed by
half-dozen Purple Gallinules, and finally, a jaywalking King Rail!
Our fine afternoon continued with gallinules aplenty, crowds of Savannah
Sparrows, a flyover Osprey, and Gull-billed Terns, a Wilson’s
Snipe, and a pack of Fulvous Whistling-Ducks at famed Shoveler Pond.
As we made our rounds through the refuge, the cattail-brimmed ditches and
impoundments continued to explode with activity. In the mix were several
miniature Least Bitterns – no doubt one of the trip favorites. As the
afternoon wore on, we prepped ourselves for the ride back to Houston, but not
before spending time listening to the rough windpipes of a Seaside Sparrow harmonizing
with the strange accents of nearby coots and Pied-billed Grebes. On the
way out of the refuge, two Franklin’s Gulls cruised by high overhead, as
if sending us a final farewell from high up in the deep blue Texas skies.
BIRD LIST
Total
species: 176
heard
only: 4
WATERFOWL:
Anatidae
Fulvous Whistling-Duck
Dendrocygna bicolor
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna
autumnalis
Mottled Duck
Anas fulvigula
Blue-winged Teal
Anas discors
Northern Shoveler
Anas clypeata
Lesser Scaup
Aythya affinis
Surf Scoter
Melanitta
perspicillata
White-winged Scoter Melanitta fusca
GREBES: Podicipedidae
Pied-billed Grebe
Podilymbus podiceps
HERONS, EGRETS & BITTERNS: Ardeidae
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
Great Egret
Ardea alba
Reddish Egret
Egretta rufescens
Tricolored Heron
Egretta tricolor
Little Blue Heron
Egretta caerulea
Snowy Egret
Egretta thula
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibis
Green Heron
Butorides virescens
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax
niycticorax
Yellow-crowned Nigh-Heron Nyctanassa
violacea
Least Bittern
Ixobrychus exilis
American Bittern
Botaurus lentiginosus
IBIS & SPOONBILLS: Threskiornithidae
White Ibis
Eudocimus albus
White-faced Ibis
Plegadis chihi
Roseate Spoonbill
Platalea ajaja
PELICANS: Pelecanidae
American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Brown Pelican
Pelecanus occidentalis
CORMORANTS: Phalacrocoracidae
Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax
auritus
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax
brasilianus
ANHINGA: Anhingidae
Anhinga
Anhinga anhinga
NEW WORLD VULTURES: Cathartidae
Black Vulture
Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
OSPREY: Pandionidae
Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
HAWKS, EAGLES, & KITES: Accipitridae
White-tailed Kite
Elanus leucurus
Mississippi Kite
Ictinia mississippiensis
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Northern Harrier
Circus cyaneus
Cooper’s Hawk
Accipiter cooperii
Broad-winged Hawk
Buteo
platypterus
Swainson’s Hawk
Buteo swainsoni
White-tailed Hawk
Buteo albicaudatus
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
FALCONS & CARACARAS: Falconidae
Crested Caracara
Caracara cheriway
RAILS, GALLINULES, & COOTS: Rallidae
Clapper Rail
Rallus longirostris
King Rail
Rallus elegans
Virginia Rail
Rallus limicola
Sora
Porzana carolina
Purple Gallinule
Porphyrio martinica
Common Moorhen
Gallinula chloropus
American Coot
Fulica americana
OYSTERCATCHERS: Haematopodidae
American Oystercatcher Haematopus
palliates
AVOCETS & STILTS: Recurvirostridae
Black-necked Stilt
Himantopus mexicanus
American Avocet
Recurvirostra Americana
PLOVERS & LAPWINGS: Charadriidae
American Golden-Plover Pluvialis dominica
Black-bellied Plover
Pluvialis squatarola
Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus
Wilson’s Plover
Charadrius wilsonia
Killdeer
Charadrius vociferus
Piping Plover
Charadrius melodus
Snowy Plover
Charadrius alexandrinus
SANDPIPERS: Scolopacidae
Wilson’s Snipe
Gallinago delicata
Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus
griseus
Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus
scolopaceus
Marbled Godwit
Limosa fedoa
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopus
Long-billed Curlew
Numenius americanus
Upland Sandpiper
Bartramia longicauda
Spotted Sandpiper
Actitis macularius
Solitary Sandpiper
Tringa solitaria
Greater Yellowlegs
Tringa melanoleuca
Willet
Tringa semipalmata
Lesser Yellowlegs
Tringa flaviples
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpres
Sanderling
Calidris alba
Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris
pusilla
Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri
Least Sandpiper
Calidris minutilla
Baird’s Sandpiper
Calidris bairdii
Pectoral Sandpiper
Calidris melanotos
Dunlin
Calidris alpine
Stilt Sandpiper
Calidris himantopus
Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites
subrificollis
Wilson’s Phalarope
Phalaropus tricolor
GULLS & TERNS: Laridae & Sternidae
Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensis
Herring Gull
Larus smithsonianus
Laughing Gull
Larus atricilla
Franklin’s Gull
Larus pipixcan
Least Tern
Sternula antillarum
Gull-billed Tern
Gelochelidron nilotica
Caspian Tern
Hydroprogne caspia
Common Tern
Sterna hirundo
Forster’s Tern
Sterna forsteri
Royal Tern
Thalasseus maximus
Sandwich Tern
Thalasseus sandvicensis
SKIMMERS: Rynchopsidae
Black Skimmer
Rynchops niger
PIGEONS & DOVES
Rock Pigeon
Columba livia
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Steptopelia decaocto
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
White-winged Dove
Zenaida
asiatica
Inca Dove
Columbina inca
SWIFTS: Apodidae
Chimney Swift
Chaetura pelagica
HUMMINGBIRDS: Trochilidae
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus
colubris
KINGFISHERS: Alcedinidae
Belted Kingfisher
Megaceryle alcyon
WOODPECKERS: Picidae
Red-headed Woodpecker Melarnerpes
erythrocephalus
Red-bellied Woodpecker Melarnerpes
carolinus
Red-cockaded Woodpecker Picoides
borealis
Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus
pileatus
TYRANT FLYCATCHERS: Tyrannidae
Eastern Wood-Pewee Contopus virens
Eastern Kingbird
Tyrannus tyrannus
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus
forficatus
SWALLOWS: Hirundinidae
Tree Swallow
Tachycineta bicolor
Purple Martin
Progne subis
Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx
serripennis
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
Cliff Swallow
Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
KINGLETS: Regulidae
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula
WAXWINGS: Bombycillidae
Cedar Waxwing
Bombycilla cedrorum
WRENS: Tryglodytidae
Carolina Wren
Thryothorus ludovicianus
House Wren
Troglodytes aedon
Sedge Wren
Cistothorus platensis
Marsh Wren
Cistothorus palustris
MOCKINGBIRDS & THRASHERS: Mimidae
Gray Catbird
Dumetella carolinensis
Northern Mockingbird Mimus
polyglottos
Brown Thrasher
Toxostoma rufum
THRUSHES: Turdidae
Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis
Veery
Catharus fuscescens
Swainson’s Thrush
Catharus ustulatus
Wood Thrush
Hylocichla mustelina
GNATCATCHERS: Sylviidae
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila
caerulea
CHICKADEES & TITS: Paridae
Carolina Chickadee
Poecile carolinensis
Tufted Titmouse
Baeolophus bicolor
NUTHATCHES: Sittidae
Brown-headed Nuthatch Sitta pusilla
SHRIKES: Laniidae
Loggerhead Shrike
Lanius ludovicianus
CROWS & JAYS
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
Fish Crow
Corvus ossifragus
STARLINGS: Sturnidae
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
VIREOS: Vireonidae
White-eyed Vireo
Vireo griseus
Philadelphia Vireo
Vireo philadelphicus
Red-eyed Vireo
Vireo olivaceus
NEW WORLD WARBLERS: Parulidae
Blue-winged Warbler Vermivora pinus
Tennessee Warbler
Vermivora
peregrine
Northern Parula
Parula americana
Black-throated Green Warbler Dendroica
virens
Yellow-throated Warbler Dendroica dominica
Pine Warbler
Dendroica pinus
Cerulean Warbler
Dendroica cerulean
Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia
American Redstart
Setophaga ruticilla
Prothonotary Warbler Protonotaria citrea
Worm-eating Warbler Helmitheros vermivorum
Ovenbird
Seiurus aurocapilla
Kentucky Warbler
Oporornis formosus
Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis
trichas
Hooded Warbler
Wilsonia citrine
TANAGERS: Thraupidae
Scarlet Tanager
Piranga olivacea
Summer Tanager
Piranga rubra
SPARROWS & ALLIES: Emberizidae
Chipping Sparrow
Spizella passerine
Savannah Sparrow
Passerculus
sandwichensis
Seaside Sparrow
Ammodramus maritimus
Swamp Sparrow
Melospiza georgiana
White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis
CARDINALS & ALLIES: Carinalidae
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus
ludovicianus
Blue Grosbeak
Passerina caerulea
Indigo Bunting
Passerina cyanea
Painted Bunting
Passerina ciris
BLACKBIRDS & ORIOLES: Icteridae
Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus
Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella
magna
Boat-tailed Grackle
Quiscalus major
Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
Great-tailed Grackle
Quiscalus
mexicanus
Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater
Baltimore Oriole
Icterus galbula
Orchard Oriole
Icterus spurious
FINCHES & ALLIES: Fringillidae
American Goldfinch
Carduelis
tristis
OLD WORLD SPARROWS: Passeridae
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus