EC Birds (Image Descriptions) Flashcards
Have chunky beaks and frequent birdfeeders. Males are brighter while females are duller and more brown
Northern Cardinal
Smaller swan with small yellow spot on concave beak
Tundra swan
Woodpecker with blue/gray and black feathers, with a dark strip that extend across the top of the head. (in addition to namesake feature) Unlike other woodpeckers, they don’t always peck at a head up / tail down orientation
White-breasted Nuthatch
Have brown eyes that are separated and surrounded at a distance by dark brown strips.
Barred owl
Have a “snood” or projection that points up above beak. It expands into a long, red string that hangs down when they become agitated or aroused
Turkey
Tend to be feisty and hog birdfeeders from other birds. Known for their color
Blue jay
Their namesake feature is a black line around an otherwise white beak. They are mostly gray and usually swimming
Pied-billed grebe
Larger swan with completely black and straight beak (no yellow or orange)
Trumpeter swan
Males: Bright green heads. Dark breast feathers with white or gray sides. Narrow bills (yellow for both males and females). Females have brown bodies
Mallard Duck
Males: Dull green heads. Prominent brown-red splotch on the sides and white breast feathers. Very broad bills (black for males, yellow for females) Females have brown bodies
Northern shoveler
Very exotic appearance. Often have green, blue, or purple crests that come off the back of their heads. Dark brown breast, light brown belly. Has many colors that are separated by black and white stripes
Wood duck
When showing off, they have black fur that wraps around their head and large, patterned feathers with rectangular black tips that they hold up like a peacock. Otherwise, they are a speckled mix of brown, white, and black, often with a spike of “hair” on top of their head
Ruffed grouse
Most identifiable by very long and narrow beak that angles towards ground. Have shades of brown and black
American Woodcock
You already know
Canada Goose
Large swan with fatter necks and orange beak, seen at RVC
Mute swan
Similar body shape to herons. Has a brown and white striped belly, a pattern that extends to a pointy beak. Are shy and often found in wetland grasses
American bittern
Have a black stripe around an otherwise white neck. Gray heads and black and white bodies. Usually swimming
Common loon
Tall, with long black legs and a red spot above the eyes. White neck area transitions to brownish feathers.
Sandhill crane
Males are black with the namesake feature while females are a mottled brown and white pattern. I get divebombed by them at hole 3 at Timber Pointe
Red-winged blackbird
Have chicken-like feet with yellowish legs. Round, black bodies with red eyes and white beak with black spots at the end
American coot
Their namesake color is found on their head and feathers, and contrasts with brown breasts and white undersides
Eastern bluebird
Have pointy ear tufts (namesake feature) and yellow eyes with an intense stare. Look very aloof and confident
Great horned owl
Visit birdfeeders but eat along the ground. Roundish and dull beige colored, usually with black-tipped wings and black spots further up feathers
Mourning dove
Have ear tufts and intense yellow eyes like great horned owl but are smaller. Come in gray and rufous (red/brown) color phases
Screech owl
“Scamp” of a bird that is small, with a black and white “V” pattern on head that converges at beak. Can get used to human presence
Black-capped Chickadee
