Downy Woodpecker

The Downy woodpecker is a beautiful bird. Its the smallest woodpecker species in North America. They have a small red patch on the side of their head which attracts females. This bird is usually a backyard feeder and it joins flocks of chickadees and nuthatches.The size of the length is 5.5 to 6.7 inches and the wingspan is 9.8 to 11.8 inches. The downy woodpecker usually eat insects, such as beetles, ants, and caterpillars. They also eat black oil sunflower seeds. Their habitats are open woodlands, orchards, parks, and suburbs. Both male and female take up to 3 weeks making a nest.They are monogamous. Their status is 14 million in North America, so they are not endangered. The oldest downy woodpecker was 11 years and 11 months old. Their mating season is spring and summer.

Rock Dove

The rock dove is a stubby  bird with black pointy feathers ,   hot pepper red eyes , grayish  and purplish chest , and salmon colored feet . Coming in at around 11.8 to 14.2 inches, these birds aren't that big , but will be quite feisty when tampered with . They dwell in many urban cities , and can be spotted many times throughout here in Newark . They eat bread crumbs,  fruit , and rarely eat invertebrates. They coo to call their mates , young ones for food, or coo when an enemy or rival is around. To mate , the male will walk in repetitious circles , until the female says it's okay for the male to jump on her back where they can begin mating . They lay around 1 to 3 eggs and their babies are born altricial . There are around 400,000,000 pigeons in the world , and the population seems to be growing . I wonder how much pigeons there will be by 2025 !

Ruby Throated Hummingbird -C.Alicea

Chris Alicea 8/22/16

Birds: 3 Summary

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

The Ruby Throated Hummingbird is an interesting bird. They are very small birds and they move very fast while keeping their head in a steady position. The hummingbird is usually found in the US in wide open areas and across the Canadian prairies. They eat seeds from hummingbird feeders as well as nectar from red or orange tubular flowers and insects such as small bees, mosquitos, spiders and fruit flies. For the males, they aggressively defend their territory which may involve fights and chases, and even jabs with the beak. However, when a female enters his territory, they will display a courtship in a side to side motion or a “U Loop” to mate. As for reproduction, there is 7.3 million all over the world, so there species isn't a major concern for extinction. All in all, the Ruby Throated Hummingbird is an interesting bird that is very beautiful and can be found in open areas, especially when there is a hummingbird feeder around.  

The American Robin

The American Robin

The American robin is a very small bird. Its name in Latin is Turdus Migratoius. Turdus means thrush so it is a small bird that finds it's food on the ground. The wingspan of an American robin is 12.2-15.7 in. And their length is 7.9-11 in. The female robin is duller in color in comparison to the male. The male has a bright orange reddish color on its chest. And its head is black. For a male to attract a female he would raise his tail feathers and inflate there throat. And when they find a mate they stay with them forever sharing a kiss to symbolize it. The American robin likes to live in areas like front yards, golf courses and pine forests. They eat fruit like chokecherries, hawthorn and dogwood.

Brown Headed Cowbird

The Brown Headed Cowbird are very interesting birds. The bird is sexual dimorphism which means the male and female look very differently from each other. The male has a brown head and has a glossy black plumage. The female and the juvenile look alike because they both have brown plumage but, the juvenile has streaks on it's chest. They have a cone shaped beak to to crush seeds and nuts. They also eat insects such as grasshoppers and beetles. What's very interesting about these birds is that they brood parasites which means that they don't build their own nests to lay their, instead they lay their eggs on other bird's nest. If the cowbird finds a nest it would either move the eggs inside it to make some room, or it would take the egg out of the nests an they might eat the egg. When the birds mate the female choose their mates. The  male would try to impress the female by singing to her, fluff their feathers and even bow down to them. They are mostly monogamous but if the female feels like the male isn't pleasing her correctly, they would leave the male and look for another.  The cowbirds are located in Northern Mexico, The United States, and most of Canada. They live in open areas, grasslands, and woodlands. When they migrate they migrate with flocks of other black birds and they don't go to far they only go as far as 530 miles. This bird was very fun to research. 

The Red-winged Blackbird                                                                                                                                                                  

       The Red-winged Blackbird is one of the most common birds you can find in America. Although you might often mistake the female one for a common house sparrow, you will know when you spot the male blackbird, as they are easy to discern from their sleek black color and shiny red and yellow patch on each wing. The males use this patch for display to court females. First they will stay on a high perch for all the females to see their beautiful display, and when they catch the attention of one, they are off to mate. Although, these birds are polygamous, meaning that the male will mate with more than one female, some even having up to 15 mates in a lifetime!
       Some of the places you will commonly see them in are in areas that are wet, such as marshes and rice paddies, where they are able to feed off various insects that hide in aquatic plants. They tend to build their nests near the ground and are very territorial. In fact, they are one of the most aggressive birds out there, attacking anything that comes close to their territory. They are highly adaptable birds and are always quick to colonize, thus making them of least concern. In fact, they are so plentiful that they are sometimes considered pest species.

Herring Gull

The Herring Gull is a very unique bird in its own. From its unique way of living and shape of the bird it is. The males and females even though being very similar have a very slight difference and that's there size differential. It would be kind of hard to notice to a naked eye. We see the herring gull a lot most preferably when we go to the shore. The bird is not a shy or a scary bird they are willing to take even though it may be humans around. They often are found stealing food from humans or even from other birds. They eat mussels, crabs, sea urchins, squid, fish, insects and of course eat human food. As being a scavenger bird they eat whatever including there own babies and eggs. They breed once a year from April to June laying up to 3 eggs per season. The Herring Gull is a very successful bird and is a least concern on the list.

The American Crow

The American Crow are very intelligent birds. They are able to come up with the answers to difficult situations. They do not have a big change of scenery during the winter period,  for the most part they stay in their range. These birds are found throughout the united states. At times this bird can for flocks made up of thousands of other birds. They are common in open woodlands, fields, parking lots and city dumps. Their diet is made up of anything they can find such as grains, nuts, mice and insects to name a few.

Red tailed Hawk also known as Buteo Jamaicensis is very large bird measuring from 17.7 to 22 inches in length and having a wingspan of of 44.9 to 53.4 inches. The female is 25% larger than the males. Red Tailed Hawk has a rich brown color above and pale below. This also has a streaked belly with dark splotches. The tail is cinnamon red and that's where is got its name red tailed hawk. Red tailed hawks are very aggressive when defending nests and territory, they are monogamous with means they stay with there mate all its life. They do not migrate as much some fly south for a few months in winter but move up during breeding season. They stay in North America year round. Red tailed Hawks eat almost everything like other birds and little animals. You can find these in open areas like deserts, grasslands, roadsides, fields, etc.

Canada Goose

Anthony Njaramba
Secret Lives of Birds
The Canada goose are very social creatures. During most of the year they stay together in flocks like in a family and usually they are all related to each other. But with these large flocks come risk. Like a flock is a way easier target then a individual bird. Another problem is with finding food and having it to yourself not worrying about other birds fighting over it. The Canada Geese are native to Canada, United States, and Mexico. They tend to live in grassy areas with water nearby. Mostly grassy places that are trimmed, like in golf courses and parks. The reason being is because their main diet is grass and water.

The American Goldfinch

The American Goldfinch is one of the most common songbirds in the US. It is as small as the tufted titmouse. During breeding season males have a bright yellow with black wings with white stripes. They have a bright orange. Females and males that are not in breeding season have a dull look to them, the are a light brown color. There diet consist of only fruits and seeds, no meat whatsoever. They are found in grasslands, farms, parks, and backyards. They are the only songbirds to molt twice a year and they are the state bird for New Jersey. The American Goldfinch is truly an amazing bird

White Throated Sparrow

The White Throated Sparrow also known as Zonotrichia albicollis are very abundant and are of least concern. The males and females have the same brownish color along with a very bright eyebrow. While the juvenile is duller and doesn't have that yellow eyebrow. They live in Canada, the Northern US, and Northern Midwest. They won't migrate very far because they try to stay close to their homes. They will eat anything from bugs to seeds to fruit. When they try to mate the male will become aggressive to try to impress the mate and to try to scare off any competitors. They will also sing to the female to try a different way to attract her. When they find a mate they lose their aggression. So the White Throated Sparrow is a very interesting bird and can be a very cute one.

Northern Mockingbird

The Northern Mockingbird, otherwise known as Mimus Polyglottus, is a grey medium-sized songbird that is mostly recognized for its endless singing and its outstanding ability to mimic various sounds. These birds can be found all throughout North America. Although, these birds rarely migrate, there are times when they will go further south. This only occurs when the weather is really cold. Being an omnivore, this bird eats a wide variety of fruit and insects, such as berries and beetles. This species can as well be found in habitats such as parks, residential areas, farmlands, or any grassy areas with hedges or thickets. During mating season, the male Northern Mockingbird can attract a female by first establishing a territory. Once this is done, the male bird will chase her around while singing to her. He will also perform a flight display, which shows off their beautiful white wing patches.

Wild Turkey

      The Wild Turkey, also known as, Meleagris Gallopavo, is a relatively large and heavy bird. When it comes to flight, having a wingspan as wide as the average height of a 13 year old boy might seem like an advantage, but due to their heavy weight Wild Turkeys spend most of their time on the ground foraging on food. Their diet consists of nuts, seeds, fruit, plant matter, and other things, such as salamanders and even snails. Wild Turkeys can be found almost anywhere in the U.S. thriving year-round in open forests. They can also be found in Mexico and southern Canada. During their mating season male turkeys make gobbling sounds to attract possible mates and to warn off competition with other males. Providing no parental care, male turkeys spend most of their time trying to find their next mate instead of staying with a single female helping and caring for their future hatchlings ( Bad Fathers!). Therefore, being left helpless and alone, females are left with the babysitting all to themselves. Although managing to successfully nurture up to 17 hatchlings up to adulthood is never easy, especially for single mothers, Wild Turkeys are doing a great job at keeping their numbers high. With a global breeding population of 7.8 million and a rating of  7 out of 20 in the Continental Concern Score , Wild Turkeys are of least concern.

European Starling

The European Starling is a rather common bird and is the least of our concern. With it's glossy black feathers with a purple-greenish iridescent color to to them, both sexes are the same height, length, and wingspan. Both of the parents stay with the egg and incubates the egg until it hatches. The egg process can take up to 12 days.Starlings like to eat almost any thing, from things like insects garbage, fruits and plants like sumac. They were brought to us by Shakespearean enthusiast in the nineteenth century who really admired their great mimicking ability. These birds are everywhere throughout the United States and some parts of Canada. The adults like to migrate 40 degrees north  while the younger ones like to migrate to the south. In the winter, their black (summer) feathers molt and are replaced with brown feathers with white dots. Most like to spend their day sitting on a wire or in a tree making weird noises,

Mourning Doves

Mourning Doves

     Mourning Doves can be found almost anywhere around us in the U.S. With an outstanding 350 million soaring the skies and roaming the ground they are least concerned even while 20 million of them are being hunted every year. As a member of the Columbidae family Mourning Doves mostly eat seeds such as corn, millet, safflower, and sunflower seeds which makes up 99 percent of their diet.

Mourning doves migration differs from other birds because of their order. First the young leaves first, second the females, last of all the males. Not all of the males migrate some of them decide to stay in the North. Mourning birds Use the Coo sound howl to verify many things, to look for mate, claiming territory, and raising the young. The Mourning Dove can be found almost anywhere in the U.S. and are easily spotted with their Brown and Tank colored feathers which highly differs

from the Rock Pigeon.

Gray Catbird

          The bird I did my Presentation on was the Gray Catbird which is a medium size bird that is slate gray, reddish undertail covert, and a dark eye and bill. The Gray Catbirds can be found in dense shrubs, and thickets of young trees in both the winter and summer. Catbirds from across North America to spend their winters along the Gulf Coast from Florida. Once the bird finds a good area they make their nest 3-10 feet from the ground made out of grass, twigs, weeds, and pieces of trash. they have nesting they usually have 3-5 eggs that has a greenish blue color. The food that they eat is insects like ants, beetles, and grasshoppers, they also eat fruit like blackberries, cherries, and elderberries. The interesting thing about catbirds they meow like actual cats so You never know if it's a cat or a catbird making meow sounds.

Blue Jays

Blue Jays are common bird to see in the Eastern/Central part of the United States. There scientific names are are Cyanocitta Cristata, which stands for Crested Blue Chattering Bird. Males and females have the same physical traits, crest, black breast band, and black eyeline. Even their blue, grey and white top coat is the same. There mating is a bit peculiar though, 3 to 10 males will follow a single female and try to serenade her with head bobbing and mating calls. Only one luck male will be picked to be the life long mate of that female, and to strengthen that life long bond the male will bring food to her. Blue Jays live almost most anywhere but they can be usually found near oak trees because of there fondness for acorns. A Blue Jays migration style is all over the place sometimes the will migrate south sometimes they wont it depends on them. Blue Jays eat pretty common bird stuff, insects, seeds acorns. They have been sometimes to known to eat the eggs and hatchings of other birds. Blue Jays are also pretty clever birds, they have a talent for mimicking calls of other birds like hawks and crows. They use this talent to scare other birds from feeders to get a easy meal.

The Common Grackle

The common grackle or "Quiscalus Quiscula" is the largest of three types of grackle and has a status of least concern. The males have black or purple feathers with a green or blue iridescence and the females are mainly brown throughout. They reside in the East and Southeast parts of North America. However, they will move north and central in order to breed. They are omnivorous and will forage the grounds, shallow waters and shrubs for things like insects, berries, grains or even other birds. They do what ever it takes to get food. They are usually in large groups and the males will begin to sing a very high pitch, scratchy song and perform a dance in order to find a mate.They rub other insects on their body to get rid of parasites and despite the common thought of these birds being regular stupid black birds, the Common Grackle can be quite clever and cunning.

Tufted Titmouse

Tufted Titmouse is a large bird coming from the small bird category. It has gray upper parts, pale gray underparts, and rust brown flanks. Its head has dark gray cap and crest, pale face and white eye ring. they are common east of the Great Plains in the woodlands and Midwestern United States. they started out in Mississippi and now make their way up as far as Canada. Tufted titmice breed during march through may and average around 8 eggs per season. Also they build their own nests only a few miles from where they fly. The nests are made from other animal hairs and feathers. They are very active birds and often seen flying around in trees and hanging upside down looking for food. Mostly are known for singing and singing their most famous song "Peter-Peter-Peter."    

The Mallard Duck

The Mallard Duck, though relatively simple and common, is quite the interesting avian. Anas platyrynchos, its scientific name, means flat billed duck in Greek (platyrynchos) and Latin (anas). The Mallard can primarily be found in wetlands in North America, migrating southwards and northwards during the early fall and late winter respectively. The mallard is also a good example of sexual dimorphism, with males possessing the iconic iridescent green head and yellow bill while females are mottled brown throughout. In courtship, mallard drakes attempt to impress the hens, who select mates, by engaging in several "dances," such as a head bob. One of the more interesting things about the mallard duck is how its diet changes based on its habitat and time of year- when insects begin to produce offspring, the mallard eats eggs and larvae along with its normal seeds and aquatic vegetation. Furthermore, mallards that live in places with humans are more friendly to the people because they are sometimes fed by them.