The birds were selected from a list of the most popular searches, with a further filter of being very widespread.
On this page
- Number 1 – American Goldfinch
- Number 2 – American Robin
- Number 3 – Black-capped Chickadee
- Number 4 – Blue Jay
- Number 5 – Brown-headed Cowbird
- Number 6 – American Crow
- Number 7 – Common Grackle
- Number 8 – Downy Woodpecker
- Number 9 – Eurasian Collared-Dove
- Number 10 – Dark-eyed Juncos
- Number 11 – European Starling
- Number 12 – Purple/House Finch
- Number 13 – House Sparrow
- Number 14 – Killdeer
- Number 15 – Mallard
- Number 16 – Mourning Dove
- Number 17 – Northern Cardinal
- Number 18 – Northern Mockingbird
- Number 19 – Red-tailed Hawk
- Number 20 – Red-winged Blackbird
- Bonus Bird – Rock Pigeon
Number 1 – American Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
The brightly-colored male American Goldfinch looses its brilliant colors in the fall. In the winter, it looks more like the female American Goldfinch shown below.
Number 2 – American Robin
American Robin
The American Robin spends spring and summer months hunting for worms. In the winter they sometimes form very large flocks (up to tens of thousands of robins) and switch to fruit and berries.
Number 3 – Black-capped Chickadee
The Black-capped Chickadee is a favorite feeder bird. The very similar Carolina Chickadee is found in the southern United States.
Number 4 – Blue Jay
The beautiful Blue Jay is an under-appreciated mimic, and does an excellent Red-shouldered Hawk.
Number 5 – Brown-headed Cowbird
The Brown-headed Cowbird is a parasitic nester. The female lays her eggs in the nest of other species.
Number 6 – American Crow
American Crows have been hard hit by the West Nile virus. The Fish Crow and Northwestern Crow are very similar on appearance.
Number 7 – Common Grackle
Male and female Common Grackles are similar in appearance, females are less glossy and slightly smaller. The Common Grackle is one of the three grackle species in the United States. It is sometimes confused with Brewer’s Blackbird.
Number 8 – Downy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpeckers are common at backyard feeder stations. The very similar Hairy Woodpecker is larger, with a longer bill.
Number 9 – Eurasian Collared-Dove
The Eurasian Collared-Dove is an introduced species that is very rapidly expanding across the country, from initial Florida populations.
Number 10 – Dark-eyed Juncos
Dark-eyed Juncos are a common and popular backyard bird. They only appear in large parts of the country in winter and are sometimes referred to as snow birds. Several different races were previously considered separate species.
Number 11 – European Starling
The enterprising European Starling was introduced into the United States from Britain in the 1800s. It does millions of dollars in crop damages each year and competes with native species for nesting locations. This bird is in breeding plumage.
Winter plumaged European Starling.
Number 12 – Purple/House Finch
Originally a bird of the west coast, House Finches were sold as pet birds in New York City. Escaped birds formed a local population, which has expanded to the point that House Finches can now be found throughout the United States. Only the male has the reddish color. Easily confused with the Purple Finch.
Female House Finch
Number 13 – House Sparrow
Another import from England, the very common House Sparrow is found throughout the United States. It is an aggressive species that will even kill adult bluebirds to take control of a nesting cavity. Male shown in this image.
Female House Sparrow
Number 14 – Killdeer
The Killdeer is a type of shorebird, although it will nest far from beaches or shorelines, including rooftops and driveways.
Number 15 – Mallard
The ubiquitous Mallard is America’s best known duck. Wild populations are generally migratory. Male Mallard shown here.
Female Mallard.
Number 16 – Mourning Dove
The Mourning Dove is common in backyards and continues to be a widely-hunted game bird.
Number 17 – Northern Cardinal
The beautiful male Northern Cardinal is a popular subject for both amateur and professional photographers.
The female Northern Cardinal is not as colorful as the male, but can match or even exceed his singing skills.
Number 18 – Northern Mockingbird
The Northern Mockingbird is a master singer and may know as many as 200 different songs.
Number 19 – Red-tailed Hawk
The Red-tailed Hawk is often seen perched on telephone poles or fence posts.
Number 20 – Red-winged Blackbird
A flash of red on an all black bird is a sure indication of a Red-winged Blackbird.
Female Red-winged Blackbirds do not look anything like the males.
Bonus Bird – Rock Pigeon
While we are reluctant to refer to the Rock Pigeon as a bonus bird, it is one of the most common and widespread species.