Birds Often Seen on Roadsides, Power Lines and Fences

Hawks, Kites, Eagles – Family Accipitridae

Red-tailed Hawks are often seen on power poles, fence posts or trees near highways. Immature birds have banded tails and can be easy to approach.

Caracaras and Falcons – Family Falconidae

The American Kestrel is a small falcon. It is often observed on power line. Hovers when searching for prey.

 Crows and Jays – Family Corvidae

The American Crow can often be observed flying across highways.  Flies with a rowing motion.

Blackbirds, including Meadowlarks, Blackbirds, Grackles, Orioles - Family Icteridae 

Western Meadowlark.   Western and Eastern Meadowlarks are very similar, best told apart by voice. Both species  often observed on fence or power lines.

Shrikes – Family Laniidae 

Loggerhead Shrike.  Shrikes behave as small hawks, taking grasshoppers, mice or other birds.  Often observed on power lines. Compare with Northern Mockingbird.  

Towhees and Sparrows – Family Emberizidae 

The distinctive Lark Sparrow is often observed on fence lines.  White tail feather pattern obvious and distinctive in flight.