Smithsonian Handbooks: Birds of North America -- Eastern Region 0789471566, 9780789471567

Citation preview

SMITHSONIAN

HANDBOOKS

OF

NORTH AMERICA

EASTERN REGION FredJ.Alsop Ruby-throated

Hummingbird

^l^k ^%

III

,

Ruddy Turnstone

Boston Public Library Boston, MA 02116'

r

jo Ayadojd

am Jd6uo| on

NMVdQHlIM

Digitized by the Internet Archive in

2014

https://archive.org/details/smithsonianhandbOOdkpu

SMITHSON AN HANDBOO S EC

BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA

EASTERN REGION Fred

J.

Alsop

III

SMITHSONIAN HANDBOOKS

BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA

EASTERN REGION Fred

J.

Alsop

III

Editor-in-Chief Russell Greenberg, Ph.D. Director of the Migratory Bird Center at the National Zoological Park

Senior Editor

Jill

Hamilton

LaVonne Carlson Art Director Tina Vaughan Publisher Sean Moore Production Director David Proffit

Editorial Director

Produced by Southern Lights Custom Publishing Managing Editor Shelley DeLuca Production Director Lee Howard Iraphic Design Miles Parsons,

Tim

Kolankiewicz, Scott Fuller

President Ellen Sullivan American Edition, 2001

First

2

4 6 8 10 9

Published

DK

in

7 5 3

1

the United States by

Publishing, Inc.

95 Madison Avenue

New Copyright

The name

York,

New

© 2001 DK

York 10016 Publishing, Inc.

of the Smithsonian Institution and the sunburst logo are

registered trademarks of the Smithsonian Institution. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

DK Publishing, Inc. offers special discounts for bulk purchases for sales promotions or premiums. Specific, large-quantity needs can be met with special editions, including personalized covers, excerpts of existing

guides, and corporate imprints. For

Markets Department, 95 Madison Avenue, New York,

more information, contact Special

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Inc.,

800-600-9098.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Birds of North America: East - 1st American ed.

1.

Birds

— East (U.S.) —

ISBN

p. cm. 0-7894-5156-6

Identification.

DK

2.

Birds

(alk.

paper)

— Canada, Eastern — Identification.

Publishing, Inc.

QL683.E27 B57 2001 598'.0974—dc21 00-047413 Printed and bound by R. R. Donnelley 6k Sons Co. in the United States. Color reproduction by Colourscan, Singapore.

See our complete catalog

www.dk.com

at

CONTENTS

A Introduction • 6 How this Book Works 8 Guide

to Visual

Anatomy

References 10

of Birds 12

Topography of

a Bird 14

Variations within Species 16

How to

Identify Birds 18

Identifying Birds in Flight 20

Behavior 22

Abundance and Distribution 24 Watching Birds

in the

Watching Birds

How

to

Be

a

Backyard 26

in the Field

28

Better Birder 30

Conservation 32 Extinction 34

ft Species Profiles

•

38

Glossary 728

Index 732

Acknowledgments 750

6

•

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION Birdwatching, it is

or birding as

now commonly

called,

is

more than 60 million North Americans - making it,the single largest hobby on the continent. North America is an practiced by

exciting place to go birding because it holds billions of birds representing

more than 900 species permanent or summer

that are residents,

visit regularly, or stray occasionally to

the continent.

AVIAN DIVERSITY Having attained the power of flight more than 150 million years ago, birds might be expected to be

uniformly distributed in every corner of the Earth. But they are not. They are bound to the earth by the habitats to which they have adapted and limited by geographical barriers as well as the history of their lineage. Different species are often associated with major plant communities, or biomes, that provide them with critical habitat

requirements all

for part or

of their annual cycle. Polar regions of

The

SNOWY OWL

is

a

resident

of the arctic tundra.

permanent

ice

and snow are home

insects for flycatchers, vireos,

The

GREAT BLUE HERON has

adapted to freshwater habitats.

to

Ivory Gulls; the arctic tundra to Snowy Owls, ptarmigans, jaegers, Gyrfalcons, and countless shorebirds in summer. The great block of northern coniferous forests provide seeds for crossbills, grosbeaks, finches, and nuthatches; in summer,

and

warblers abound. Deciduous forests, southern pine forests, grasslands, and deserts all hold particular species of birds different from those in other biomes. Other species, such as herons, are adapted for freshwater ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams; still others for marshes and seashores as well as the open ocean.

INTRODUCTION BIRDWATGHING

IN

• 7

EASTERN

NORTH AMERICA The

avian diversity of eastern North America is reflected in the more than 690 species of birds that have been recorded roughly east of the 100th meridian, the approximate north-south line used as a division in creating this

the birds inhabiting this vast the continent's greatest diversity of wood warblers. Many birdwatchers practice their hobby close to their own backyards. They learn to recognize the species they see most often and occasionally identify a "new" species for the yard, perhaps even photograph the birds they see. Many take their area

is

BLACK-THROATED

BLUE WARBLER in deciduous

nests

and

coniferous forests.

book.

Within the eastern half of the continent lie the ancient mountains of the Appalachians, the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts, grasslands, southern swamps and pine forests, the massive eastern deciduous forests, the Great Lakes, boreal coniferous forests, tundra, and ice fields.

Among

The

birding to the field. Some are so passionate that they travel North America identifying as many species as they can, often covering many miles on short notice to observe a newly discovered vagrant. Not even the most ardent birder has seen all of the more than 920 species now accepted as having occurred in North America. But that is part of the fun and challenge of birding. It holds something for every level of interest, and the amateur birder stands as much chance as the professional of making a discovery that sheds important light on the field of ornithology.

1

AMERICAN COOTS thrive in hardwood swamps.

M

8 •

INTRODUCTION

HOW THIS BOOK WORKS Until

now, no tool for identifying

birds has also provided access to

information on behavior, nesting,

and similar birds in compact and user-friendly format. flight patterns,

a

Written for the novice as well as the experienced birder, this book showcases in individual page profiles each of the 689 species of birds

documented

America.

The

for eastern North species are in

taxonomic order and include all those known to breed east of the 100th meridian in North America north of Mexico, or adjacent islands and seas within 200 miles of the coast, and all species documented as regular visitors or vagrants by the American Ornithologists' Union (AOU) and the American Birding Association (ABA). Only those species listed on the current AOU Check-list of North American Birds (7th edition, 1998 and its 42nd Supplement, 2000) and the ABA 1998-99 ABA Check-list Report, Birding 2>\\ 518-524 are included. Other species that have been seen but not yet accepted by one of these two bodies are not included. Also excluded are a host of introduced exotic species that are living in the wild, mostly in southern California and southern Florida, that are not yet recognized

by either the

AOU

or the

ABA as

having viable breeding populations in North America.

FINDING YOUR BIRD To

find a bird, you can scan the pages of the book, or look up either scientific name or

common name

in

the index.

The

species are

taxonomic order, beginning with the nonpasserines such as grebes, loons, ducks, hawks, owls, doves, hummingbirds, and in

LEAST GREBE

(non-passerine)

Birds that do not perch and sing are in the first part of this book.

woodpeckers. They are followed by the passerines, the perching or songbirds, which begin on page 431. Once you have found your bird's species profile, it will help you identify the bird as well as provide ready reference to its

natural history.

NASHVILLE WARBLER

(passerine)

Birds that do perch and sing are in the second part o f this book.

INTRODUCTION

name

Scientific

Scientific

family nanu

of species ?

•

Average length

from

tip

of of tail

bill to r ip

Flight pattern

.

indicated by icon text provides

further insight

Color-coded

map shows Shape(s)

bird's range at

and

various times

location(s) of nest indicated

of year

by icon

\

Nest

description

and egg identification

Whether male and i female have similar or different plumage

Habitat symbols

Species use of man-made nesting structures or attraction to feeders

Factors affecting species' continued a viable population

existence as

9

INTRODUCTION

10 •

GUIDE TO VISUAL REFERENCES PHOTOGRAPHS

squared blackish

Because users of this guide will be viewing these birds in backyards, blue-black woodlands, and other natural crown environments, realisticwhitish photographs are used as visual reference.

tail with slight cleft

chestnut sides of

face extend to

forehead

Some

and seldomphotographed species are illustrated. Unless

short black

rare

bill

chestnut throat

with black

otherwise noted, the

center patch

primary image shows the male bird in breeding plumage. If the adult female has

blue-black

plumage second image depicts

significantly different

accompanying

and back

SWALLOW

from the male a the female in breeding plumage. If field marks are not visible in a photograph they are described in the

wings

CUFF whitish underparts

with dusky gray-brown sides

text.

and flanks

ILLUSTRATIONS Many

birds also have other plumages, including the

winter plumage, which are depicted in illustrations.

The plumage adults also

is

of the immature illustrated.

color morphs,

which

Some

if

different from both

species have different

are also illustrated.

SIMILAR BIRDS many

cases

White morph

Similar Birds

can be difficult to distinguish between Thus species accounts feature a list of similar birds with accompanying text that identifies distinct features and behavior that clearly set them apart. Male and female symbols indicate the sex of the bird that could be mistaken for the species being In

Light Morph Winter Juvenile plumage

it

certain birds in the field.

Cave Swallow Pale cinnamon-buff throat;

cinnamon

forehead; richer

cinnamon-rust rump.

profiled.

DISTRIBUTION MAP Each species profile has a map showing where the is likely to be seen either all year long (permanent resident), in the breeding season

(summer

bird

resident), or

winter (winter resident). The maps depict only those parts of each species' range within North America in the

and up

to

central

Mexico

approximately 100 miles offshore north of to the northern borders of Canada.

permanent resident

summer

resident

'inter resident

«

1

INTRODUCTION SCALE SILHOUETTES These show the

•

Flight Pattern

silhouette of the bird overlaid

proportionally on a copy of this book. Swift graceful flight alternating several

deep, rapid wing beats with long elliptical glides with sharp sweeping upturns at the end. Soars on thermals and updrafts.

FLIGHT PATTERN Each birds

flight pattern

NEST IDENTIFICATION

its

The Nest

more information on

Identification

box provides icons

in

flight patterns,

mud, with lining of grasses, down, and feathers • usually under eaves of buildings or under dams or bridges; sometimes on ridges of canyons; rarely on trunk of conifer tree under overhanging branch • built by both sexes • 3-6 white, cream, or pinkish eggs, marked with browns; oval to Pellets of clay or

Nest Identification

^

Location

shown

see page 20.

describing nest shape and location.

Shape

is

species profile by an icon. For

g

long oval, 0.8 x 0.5 inches.

Location

Shape

a

3

F

f

Burrow Excavated

Burrow Preformed

Crevice

Deep Cup

Floating

Platform

Saucer

A.

"W

loss of habitat.

• floating or anchored to standing vegetation in shallow by both sexes • 1-7 pale bluish white eggs that become nest-stained brown; subelliptical to long elliptical, some tending toward

Plant material

water

DATE

also

1890s to 1906, thousands shot coats,

Plumage

plumage

black and white but neck; short, dark

in

when

migration and winter.

fall

Flight Pattern

Shape

head

Western may have whiter lore and Clark's may have darker lore.

Winter

BREEDING Monogamous. Colonial. NESTING Incubation 23-24 days by

POPULATION

bill

similar

pattern in winter,

both sexes. Young climb on parents' backs within minutes of birth and leave nest soon. Young fed by both sexes. First flight at 63-70 days. 1 brood per year. •

more

•

built

oval, 2.3 inches long.

Habitat .„

TIME

Migration

Some

migrate

LOCATION

Weight

3 3 pounds

48

•

BIRDS OF

Family

NORTH AMERICA Species

PQDICIPEDIDAE

Aechmophorus

Len Sth

clarkii

Wingspan

26 inches

3() _4 0

inches

Clark's Grebe Until recently this bird was considered a pale morph of the it closely resembles in size, shape,

Western Grebe, which

behavior, habitat selection, and range. It differs in bill color and by having a white face abova and below the eyes, topped by a black cap. The range is not well known.

SONG Ascending kree-eek.

•

BEHAVIOR Gregarious; often colonial during the breeding season; wintering mostly in large numbers along the Pacific coast in salt water. Has structure •

neck that allows rapid, spearlike thrusting of Like other grebes, legs set far back under the body make walking on land slow and laborious but swimming in

bill.

and diving

easy.

much

Courtship behavior

like

Western Grebe, Similar Birds

with water "dances" including pairs running across the surface

with bodies vertical and necks thrust forward. • •

BREEDING Monogamous. Colonial. NESTING Incubation 23-24 days by

Western Grebe Only other

large, black-

and-white grebe with a long neck; yellow-green

both sexes. Precocial

1

young climb onto parents backs within minutes of birth. First flight at 63-77 days. Young fed by both sexes. 1 brood per year. •

POPULATION Common

to fairly

common

in

bill

instead of orange;

black of cap extends

down through

eye.

number;

accidental in the East. •

Conservation

Plume

hunters once devastated

Flight Pattern

populations. Oil spills and accidental drowing in

gill

nets

are current major causes of

mortality; also vulnerable to loss ot habitat.

Direct flight with rapid wing beats

Nest Identification Made Shape

ia § e

DATE

^

Location

Sexes similar

w

Hj^

Habitat

of floating detritus

hite eggs that

become

Migration 4

TIME

• in

shallow water

nest-stained brow

Some

migrate

LOCATION

• built

n. 2.3

by both sexes

•

1-6 bluish

inches long.

Weight

3 3

pound

BIRDS OF Family

Species

QlOMEDEIDAE

Thalassarche chlororhynchos

Length

NORTH AMERICA • 49 Wingspan

28 _ 32 inches

?0 _ 81 inches

Yellow-nosed Albatross This

large rather slender and lightly built seabird one of two species of albatross that make

is

:

homes in the south Atlantic but also make rare to casual their

long slender

appearances in the west Atlantic off our shores. Generally found well out to sea, this bird has sometimes been seen from

w

shore and even inland on rare occasions. It can

be identified bv its

light gray

light gray

head, black

head

bill

(the yellow

patch of color

on the upper mandible can only be seen on

slender hooked

black bill with yellow ridge and red tip

adults at close range),

and underwings, which are white underneath with dark tips and narrow dark margins on front and back. Juveniles have all-black bills, and the dark

markings on their underwings are wider.

SONG Generally silent at sea.

•

Breeding

call is a

high-

pitched sound and continual clattering and braying. • BEHAVIOR Often in small flocks where birds are more abundant. Less drawn to ships than the Black-browed Albatross. Feeds primarily night on the ocean's surface on squid, cuttlefish, and other marine animals. Land and water takeoffs require it to run across the surface into the wind while flapping its wings; may leap into air from cliffs. After breeding season adults and juveniles disperse widely in southern Atlantic and Indian Oceans. •

•

BREEDING Solitary to colonial. NESTING Incubation 78 days. Semialtricial

nest 130 days. •

1

rare

wanderer

Similar Birds

Black-browed Albatross Larger; bulkier; yellow

beak; longer dark eye line;

young remain

in

broader dark

anterior margin to

brood per year.

POPULATION A

at

underwing.

to the

Gulf and Atlantic

Coasts from Florida to the Maritimes. •

Conservation Many

albatrosses

Flight Pattern

were

killed for

feathers and wings in late 19th

^

and early 20th centuries; most of this took place on remote

*>

Soars effortlessh wht n winds permit;

may

and glide for hoi irs using little energy and few adjustments to wing position. soar

islands

when

nesting.

birds gathered for

Many

populations

have not recovered

in

still

number.

Nest Identification Made

Plumage

DATE

primarily of

mud

• conical •

1

white egg; oblong, 3.7 x 2.5 inches.

ILL-

Shape

Sexes simUar

Habitat

TIME

Migration

\ onm

j

LOCATION

sratorv

Weight

5 4 pounds

•

BIRDS OF

Fam,!>

DIOMKDEIDAE

50

NORTH AMERICA s P ecies

Thalassarche melanophris

Length

3 ,_ 37 inches

Black-browed Albatross This

common

is

a

Wingspan

^95

inches

white head

and neck +

on the open sea in the southern oceans, but only rarely crosses the Equator into the North Atlantic. The dark blackish back albatross

I

bird

contrasting against the white heap!, neck,

rump, and underparts recalls a very large Great Black-backed Gu but the bird's black

dark blackish •

tail

and stiff wing beats and glides on long narrow pointed wings

large

hooked

yellow bill xcith reddish tip

black tail

quickly identify this albatross.

Juveniles have a bill and underwings, and a narrow grayish collar.

darker

•

SONG

from •

Loud

braying

nest.

Behavior

Often follows on water to feed. making shallow dives from surface for food. Feeds on squid, cuttlefish, small fish, crustaceans, and garbage from ships. Like other albatrosses, it can spend extended periods at sea. where it drinks saltwater by removing excessive salts with salt glands in the tube nose. After breeding season adults and juveniles disperse widely in southern oceans ships. Settles

Similar Birds

Yellow-nosed Albatross Black

^

mandible: more

underwing with

Breeding Colonial. NESTING Incubation

narrow dark borders: light gray head.

64-79 days by both sexes. Semialtricial young stay in nest 4-5 months. First flight as early as 116 days. 1 brood per year. •

with yellow

extensive white on

primarily south of theTropic of Capricorn. •

bill

ridge on upper

•

Flight Pattern

Population

Rare

to

American western Atlantic from North Carolina to Newfoundland. One of most abundant casual in North

Soars effortlessly for long periods of time

on

stiff

albatrosses in cold seas of the

wings when there are winds: may and glide for long distances.

southern Atlantic.

circle, arc.

Nest Identification

Mud •

Plumage

DATE

Sexe§ Mmibr

Habitat

^m

TIME

1

and

grass • grassy tufts

on slopes or

cliffs

white egg with smattering of red spots

Migration

at

Nonmigratory

LOCATION

overlooking ocean • conical

the base. 2.6 x 4 inches.

We, S ht

Undetermined

BIRDS OF Family

Species

PrqCELLARIIDAE

pulmaniS glacialis

Length

NORTH AMERICA •

19 i nc hes

51

Wingspan 47 nch( j

Northern Fulmar When

threatened by an

enemy

handled by

or

the Northern Fulmar discharges

a person,

oil from This audacious bird follows fishing boats, often closely, to take advantage of refuse. its

stomach by

The

light

morph

is

its

superficially gull-like in

stiff-winged flight

is

pale wing patch at base of gray primaries

mostly gray white chest and belly; the

like a shearwater's. It a

foul-smelling

spitting.

appearance, but

above with

a

dark color morph

is

is

gray overall.

Fulmars are rarely seen from shore away from the breeding colonies, except during storms.

SONG When feeding,

•

rounded proportionally large white head

makes

chucking and grunting noises. During breeding season makes

large raised

nasal tubes

variety of guttural calls.

BEHAVIOR

•

Gregarious. hort heavy

Highly pelagic; may not come ashore until 3-4 years old.

mellow bill with

Grabs food with beak from just below surface and eats on the water.

hooked

tip

Sometimes makes shallow

dives, using

wings and feet

for

propulsion. Eats variety of fish, crustaceans, squid, marine worms, and carrion.

Feeds alone,

in pairs, or in

Drinks seawater by sucking it up dove-fashion. In flight carries wings stiffly and wheels up in arcs over waves by taking advantage of winds. flocks.

Similar Birds Light morph generally similar to gulls,

BREEDING Monogamous. Colonial. NESTING Incubation 52-53 days

• •

in

some

a

• also

more

pointed wings; darker, thinner

found •

wing

generally similar to other

shearwaters, which have

most do not follow

places. In winter

more slender

without nasal

tubes; deep, steady flapping

Population Common;

abundant

bill

beats (not stiff-winged)

by both sexes. Semialtricial young fed by both sexes. First flight at 46-51 days. 1 brood per year. •

which have

neck; thinner

at sea off

bill;

ships.

both coasts.

Conservation

Population growth possibly supported by fishery wastes in North Sea. Humans, introduced

Flight Pattern

x^x , x^x

predators, and avian predators Flap and glide flight on

bowed wings with

wing beats alternating with periods of effortless banking and gliding. bursts of stiff

toll, but humans are major predator for meat, eggs, and feathers.

take a

Nest Identification

sometimes layered with pebbles • may be built by white or off-white egg, often nest-stained and occasionally

Slight depression on ground •

both sexes •

Shape

Plumage

DATE

j-m

Location

Sexes simjlar

1

marked with reddish brown;

Habitat

^^

TIME

Migration

subelliptical, 2.9 inches long.

Migratory

LOCATION

Weight

r> ounces 21.5

52

•

Family

BIRDS OF

NORTH AMERICA Species

p ROCEL ARIIDAK

Length

j>terodrotna arminioniana

14 _ 16 inch(

Wingspan 38_4 0 jnches

Herald Petrel This

tropical seabird has three different color

intermediate, and dark.

These

morphs:

light

seabirds prefer the waters

below the Equator: but in August of 1933. a Herald Petrel was blow n by a hurricane to upstate New York. First recorded off North Carolina in the late 1970s, this bird has been seen May through early September since the early 1990s. Intermediate plumaged forms exist between the light and dark slender body

long icings

dark forehead and rap

dun Mat k

morphs

bill

that have

white, gray, or dark

Dark morph

gray variegated

chests and bellies. flight,

In

note the silver-gray

w hite base on the underwing flight feathers of the dark morph. and the dark M across the upper w ings of the to

SONG Several

•

and chatter resembling that of •

light

morph.

squeaky whistles, moaning notes. Also cooing

BKHAYIOR Wide

MORPH

ranging. Stays on

open sea and offshore

waters near nesting grounds. Eats mostly squid and crustaceans. Skims water, grabs pres w ith bill, and ingests w hile in flight. • •

Breeding Colonial. NESTING Breeding biolog\

poorh know

n.

Incubation

estimated at 49-54 days by both sexes. Semialtricial voting fed by both parents for 90-100 days then abandoned. Grown chick makes way to sea in next few days. 1 brood per year. •

x^x , x^x

coast of •

Several fhittery wing beats followed by

and high

POPULATION

Rare

Similar Birds

M

s

\

SHEARWATER

Light undervvings; shorter

more

tail;

broader,

stout bod\

;

high

forehead; very different flight pattern.

to

uncommon. Rare but regular in late spring to late summer off

Flight Pattern

glide,

Light

a tern.

a

erratic soaring arcs that

become higher and more dashing

as

wind

speeds increase.

North Carolina.

CONSERVATION

Vulnerable to human intrusion and predators introduced on nesting grounds.

Nest I dent ifica Hon Bare

Shape

H C si

Plumage Sexes similar

DATE

sexes

Location

J5»

ME

soil in •

1

burro

w hire e

>n

warm

island • burrow excavated or cleaned out

oval, 2.4 inches Ions'

Migration

Migratory

LOCATION

Wei § ht

5.7oui

by both

BIRDS OF NORT1 AMERICA 1

Family

p RO CELLARIIDAE

I

s P ecies Pterodroma ccdww

•

53

Wingspan 36 jnchcs

Len £ th 15 inches

Bermuda Petrel ror three hundred years this bird was believed to be extinct, but the Bermuda Petrel, also called the Cahow, was rediscovered in 1935 Today there are thought to be about two hundred birds, and its

population

is

large black-brown cap

extendi to eye level grayish

white forehead

slowly

brown

upperparts, .shading

and face

to

increasing under rigorous

black on

rump

protection on islets around

Bermuda.

occasionally

It is

warm

spotted in the

short heavy 1

waters

black bill'

of the Gulf Stream off the coasts of

North and South

Carolina after breeding season. In flight

it

shows

white underparts and white underwings with blackish margins and tips. Juveniles resemble adults. •

SONG

Call

eerie ca-

is

how, heard in the

fall

near

the breeding colony. •

Behavior

known about

Little

is

the behavior

and biology of

this bird

away from nesting Black-cappkd

colonies. Sightings off the

Petrel

Carolinas have been of

Wide white rump

solitary birds. Activities at

collar;

bill. Eats mostly from water surface. Does not follow boats.

•

sexes. •

fish

and squid taken

underwings; brownish black extends to eye and nape; brownish black upperwing

BREEDING Monogamous. Colonial. NESTING Incubation 51-54 days by

altricial 1

young remain

in nest

both sexes. Semi90-100 days, tended by both

• atypical

and/or rump.

Rare. Limited range

of Flight Pattern

individuals

often lack white collar

brood per year.

POPULATION

bill;

wings; paler

nocturnal. Catches food in

•

heavier

proportionally shorter

nesting colonies are primarily

is

slowly increasing by use

artificial

burrows that are

predator free and exclude tropicbirds as nest competitors.

Conservation

•

Endangered and protected by Fluttery wing beats alternate with glides. High erratic soaring arcs become higher and more dashing as wind speeds increase.

law. Efforts are ensuring adequate nesting sites that are

free of predators.

Nest Identification

No Shape

Plumage

DATE

Sexes simj

,

nest material • in ridges of

but most

j ar

Habitat^

TIME

^

cliffs or in

in artificial tailored nest

Migration

rock crevices, sometimes

chamber

Migratory

LOCATION

•

1

in

burrow,

white egg; oval, 2.4 inches long.

Weight

gy ounces

54

•

Family

BIRDS OF

NORTH AMERICA Species

p RO CELLARIIDAE

Len eth

Pterodroma hasitata

16 inches

Wingspan

35

^0 inches

Black-gapped Petrel This poorly known "gadfly" Gulf Stream, holds

petrel,

which

is

found well offshore

broad wings bent at the wrist in flight. Its dark tail is long and wedge-shaped, contrasting with the rump, uppertail coverts, and tail base, all of which are white in most birds, although a few atypical individuals have a dark rump. Above its white forehead and dark hooked bill, the black cap is separated from the brownish gray upperparts by a broad in the

its

white colla i

black cap white

forehead

long wedge-

shaped dark

tail

pinkish legs vhite

white is

collar,

although this field mark

is

underparts

lacking in

some

Similar Birds

birds. It

possible to mistake vers dark-plumaged individuals for the

very rare

Bermuda

Petrel well off the Atlantic Coast.

The

Bermi da Petrel

Black-

Much

capped Petrel is fairly common off the western edge of the Gulf Stream off North Carolina, and as many as a hundred birds have been recorded on some days. •

SONG Noisy at

remains silent •

narrower white

Larger; bill;

for its high, erratic, roller coaster-like

•

BREEDING

mountains and •

NESTING

Semialtricial

flight.

Little cliffs

is

on

known about breeding a

few islands

in the

habits.

Nests on

Caribbean.

tail;

Incubation 51-54 days by both sexes.

young remain

in nest

hooked black

black cap extends

below eye; white collar, underparts, and Vshaped band on uppertail coverts; dusky smuge on belly; black

arcing flight at sea, especially in steady winds. Springs lightly

from the water into

rump

GREATER Shearwater

night on breeding grounds. Generally

Noted

w hite

patch.

at sea.

BEHAVIOR

rarer; lacks

color; shorter bill;

flight pattern

differs.

90-100 days, and are fed by both sexes.

Flight Pattern

•

POPULATION

Declining

due to disturbance by humans and predation by mongooses and rats. • Often swoops upward above horizon.

in great arcs

CONSERVATION

Little

protection has been established

over

much

of

its

breeding range.

Nest Identification

No Shape

Plumage

DATE

£^

g

lining in either excav ated or preformed

burrow on sea

cliffs •

1

white egg.

Location

Sexes similar

Habitat

TIME.

Migration

Migratory

LOCATION

Weight

9-8

ounces

BIRDS OF Family

Species

PRQCELLARIIDAE

Length

pterodroma feae

NORTH AMERICA •

14inch(

Wingspan 37 jnchcs

Fea's Petrel Fea's Petrel and Zinos Petrel (P. madeira, a bird that breeds only on the island of Madeira) are so similar that it is extremely difficult to distinguish one from the other. Both are either threatened dark mask or endangered because of their small around eye.

populations, so taking a specimen has not

been appropriate. Without a specimen that would allow critical measurements to be taken in hand, it was not possible to certify which species had been seen off the mid-Atlantic Coast. However, recent photographs and field notes

duck black bill

tend to indicate the petrel being observed is the Fea's. The combination of white underparts, a dark facial mask, a partial breast band, mostly dark underwings, grayish brown upperparts pattern, and wings bent with a dark back at the wrist separate this gadfly petrel from others that appear off the East Coast.

M

•

SONG

Loud

shrieking or softer

twittering, heard only at night

around nesting islands. • BEHAVIOR Solitary off North and mid-Atlantic Coasts. Spends most of its time at sea. May rest on water. Often feeds in large flocks around nesting islands and in waters of Southern Hemisphere. Eats various small fish and squid. Occasionally follows ships.

Flight alternates glides with rapid

wing beats

Similar Birds

Herald Petrel morph • ashy brown head and upperparts; ashy brown

Pale

mantle with blackish

in a zigzag

progression, sailing in high arcs in strong winds.

brown primaries; dark M marking across

BREEDING Monogamous. Colonial. NESTING Breeding biology poorly known.

underparts with dusky

•

•

upperwing; white

Incubation

breast band; white-

48-54 days by both sexes. Young altricial; single hatchling fed by regurgitation by both sexes for 90-100 days, then abandoned 1 brood per year. •

• Fluttery wing beats alternate with glides.

High

erratic soaring arcs as

become higher

wind speeds

increase.

Nest Identification shape

sap

Location

Plumage

DATE

Rare

undertail coverts.

in

North America off coasts of North Carolina, Virginia, Nova Scotia; May through September.

Flight Pattern

and more dashing

POPULATION

tipped blackish

Conservation

Highly

threatened species. Vulnerable to predation by rodents and cats

on breeding

islands.

• long horizontal burrow or space between rocks white egg, flecked with reddish or violet at large end; short subelliptical to short oval, 2.2 x 1.65 inches.

Small amount of plant material • built

by both sexes

•

1

^

Sexes similaf

Habitat

TIME

Migration

Mi gratory

LOCATION

Weight

Undetermined

55

56

•

Family

NORTH AMERICA

BIRDS OF

Species

PRQCELLARIIDAE

Length

Calonectris diomedea

18 _ 21 inche$

Wingspan

44 jnches

Cory's Shearwater The

found along the Atlantic Coast skims the wing beats and a buoyant flight similar to that of the albatross. When this bird is seen flying straight ahead, its wings show a distinctive downward bow from largest shearwater

surface of the ocean with slow

wing tip. The large pale bill as well as the way the brown upperparts blend gradually with the white underparts without producing a capped

wrist to

appearance

is

distinctive. Cory's

is

the

brownish gray upperparts

only Atlantic shearwater that

narrow pale

occasionally soars.

tips

of uppertail coverts contrast • with dark tail

large pinkish yellow bill

with dusky tip

•

SONG Generally

except on breeding grounds. silent

•

Behavior

Gregarious, often

forming flocks that

number

in the

hundreds

or

thousands.

Frequently follows predatory fish to

feed on the bait fish they drive to the

Greater Shearwater

water's surface.

cap with white collar

Feeds

across nape; clear white

at

Dark

night on

it

•

of

dusky color on belly; between dark upperparts and

takes from

clear contrast

the surface. Has a keen sense of smel •

distinct dark

rump band; smudge

crustaceans and large

squid

bill;

white underparts.

BREEDING Monogamous. Colonial. NESTING Incubation 52-55 days by

both sexes. Semialtricial stay in nest about 90 days, although parents abandon young while still in nest. Young are fed by both sexes at night.

young Flight Pattern

X^X , x^x

• Soars

if

wind

is

up, looping

and

circling

on

fixed wings. Or, deep wing beats with wings bowed downward in long low glide.

Nest Identification Shape

^

Location

Both sexes work together

Habitat

,

TIME

^

(

/

>o

Numerous,

but showing some decline.

used burrow

Plumage Sexes simi ar

DATE

Population

I

•

new burrow or clean out a previously rock • no material added • 1 white egg; blunt

to either dig a

sometimes under

a

oval or subelliptical, 2.X inches long.

,

Migration

Migrator>

LOCATION

Wei S nt 1.2

pound*

BIRDS OF Family

Species

PrqcELLARIIDAE

Length

puffinus graVis

NORTH AMERICA • Wingspan

18_2o nches i

39,5.48 inches

Greater Shearwater This large powerful shearwater

is

common off the AtlanticCoast of the US in spring migration fairly

where

remains well out to sea on its south Atlantic breeding grounds Party fishing boats and sports fishermen know this strong heavy-bodied bird well, for it often comes to their boats and may try to take the bait off their hooks as the lines are lowered to the bottom or

way

to

it

its

retrieved close to the surface. bird

The

sometimes takes

dark cap extending

white U-shaped

fish that are tossed

be/ov eye

band on upper

back overboard. Although it appears

tail coverts

gull-like at a distance,

the bird

is

easily

distinguished by stiff straight

its

wings.

A

dark brownish black cap * extends beneath the eyes and is often separated from the brownish gray back by a white nape collar. A dusky smudge on its belly and pinkish legs and feet are visible from below when the bird •

is

black-capped

in flight.

SONG Noisy with

catlike squalls

Petrel

when

Smaller; different flight

aggressively feeding around fishing trawlers. •

BEHAVIOR Attracted

to boats

pattern; different

wing

and tame

manner. Dives

to

20-30 feet

rump

in

Pale

•

•

bill;

lacks

distinctive cap, white

BREEDING Monogamous. Colonial. NESTING Incubation by both sexes.

Semialtricial

patch.

Cory's Shearwai

pursuit of fish. •

under

pattern; white

forehead; larger white

on water near them. Attends fishing boats where it competes for food in a hostile

young fed by both sexes

POPULATION Total

First flight at

nape collar, white Ushaped rump patch, and smudge on belly.

84 days.

at night.

well over 5 million and seems to be

Flight Pattern

increasing. From the Gulf of Maine northward it is common in the summer. •

Conservation Many

by severe storms in North Atlantic; carcasses sometimes found on beaches. are killed

In strong winds soars in high arcs, c ften

banking to change direction. Or, de ep wing beats with a long glide near w ater.

Nest Identification Shape

Plumage

DATE

g

Location

Sexes similar

Habitat

TIME

Lined with grass

• sharply

among

white egg.

rocks •

1

Migration

angled

•

about 3 feet long

\ fj gratory

LOCATION

•

sometimes

Weight j

57

in crevice

9 pounds

58

NORTH AMERICA

BIRDS OF

•

Family

s P ecies

PrqcELLARIIDAE

Length

Puffin us griseus

18 _ 20 inches

I

Wingspan 37,43 inches

Sooty Shearwater A common summer

silvery gray

long slender

underling

both the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts, this stocky shortvisitor off

necked sooty brown bird is

probably the best-

known shearwater

in

North American waters. It

normally feeds well

offshore, but during

strong onshore winds

hundreds of birds may be seen by observers from the shoreline.

Look

for the long

slender dark wings

with silvery gray

underwing

Some

coverts.

may have white underwing

a

birds

lining.

Legs and feet

are blackish.

SONG The

•

Sooty except for noisy squeals when squabbling for food. Also makes inhaled and exhaled koo-wah-koo-wah-koo-wah when on breeding grounds.

Shearwater

is

silent

BEHAVIOR This

•

follow ships like

Similar Birds dark sooty brown

Shearwater Shorter

Does not

bird often gathers in large flocks.

some other

Short-tailed

plumage, darkest on tail and primaries

seabirds, but

is

4>

attracted to fishing

on long narrow slightly sweptback wings. Sometimes makes short dives for fish, squid, and crustaceans. May plunge to dive on open wings from several feet above water.

BREEDING

•

isolated islands in

•

less

linings often

restricted to a panel

slightly

onto the inner

median primary coverts; underwings may be dark overall, lacking

The

pale panels • only in

the West.

NESTING

Incubation 52-56 days by both sexes. Semialtricial young remain in nest for about 97 days. Adults usually leave at Flight Pattern night. Young fed bv both sexes at night.

Strong direct flapping alternating with long glides.

• Population The Sooty Shearwater is an abundant bird, with a total population of more than 10 million.

Hp

Nest Identification Made Shape

Plumage

DATE

^

gj

Sexes simUar

of leaves and grass

•

up

to 10 feet long • built

by both sexes

•

1

egg; elliptical, 1.9 x 3 inches.

Location

Habitat

^

TIME.

Migration

M gratory j

LOCATION

on

median secondary

coverts and extending

Sooty Shearwater nests on various the southern oceans.

Colonial.

underwing the

trawlers. Flies with long glides

bill;

contrasting grayer

Weight

,

8

pound

white

BIRDS OF Family

Species

PrqCELLARIIDAE

Length

pufftnus p uffinui

j

,

2 _ 15

NORTH AMERICA • j

nch(

59

Wingspan 33.35 inchcs

Manx Shearwater From a distance in flight, this medium-sized shearwater appears simply black above and white below. The white undertail coverts extend almost to the tip of the short and the underwing linings are white. Some rare East Atlantic races are not as white blackish below. In all plumages note how upperparts the dark cap extends onto the face and auriculars below tail,

black cap extends belo*

white of chin

and throat extends of head behind ear coverts to side

hite

the eye, bordered

below and behind by

a

underparts

^ndles^^

whitish

crescent that extends from chin and

head behind the auriculars, or ear Shearwaters seem to be increasing in numbers, with more birds being recorded on pelagic birding trips off the throat to the side of the

coverts.

North Carolina

shearwater is excellent on the wing with stiff rapid wing strokes followed by shearing glides low over the water. Banks from side to side, showing black upperparts first, then the snow-white underparts. Good swimmer; sometimes goes underwater for fish and squid. Adults •

may

forage

to

at

it

Audubon's Shearwater

coast.

SONG Generally silent at sea. BEHAVIOR Gregarious. This

•

Similar Birds

Manx

4

more than 600 miles from nesting burrow, returning night. Does not follow ships, but is attracted to smaller

Similar but smaller;

dark undertail coverts; different flight pattern

with more rapid, fluttering

wing

beats.

Black-vented Shearwater In the

West only

•

dark

mottling on sides of face, neck,

duskv

to

and

breast;

dark undertail

fishing boats and trawlers. •

BREEDING

Monogamous.

Colonial. •

Flight Pattern

Long wing

glides interrupted by several rapid beats.

Nesting

incubation

47-63 days by both sexes. Semialtricial young fed by both sexes. Parents abandon young at 60 days. Young leave nest 8-9 days later. 1 brood per year. •

Population Apparently

increasing off the East Coast.

Nest Identification grass and leaves • on ground • on isolated islands • built by both white egg; broad or blunt ovate or subelliptical, 2.35 x 1.6 inches.

Lined with

Shape

Plumage

DATE

S.

sexes

3

Sexes similar

Habitat

TIME

•

1

Migration

Mj gratory

LOCATION

Weight

j

0 pound

60

•

Family

BIRDS OF

NORTH AMERICA Species

PrqCELLARHDAE

p

lt

Length

fflllus ifa

n inches

Wingspan

27 jnches

Audubon's Shearwater The

smallest shearwater regularly seen off the Atlantic beats

more

rapidly than any other Atlantic shearwater.

its wings This stocky bird with broad wings has dark brown upperparts, matching its tail, which is long for a shearwater. Pinkish legs and feet, dark undertail coverts, and dark tail are visible from below.

• SONG Generally this shearwater is silent. However, it has been heard to emit a variety of sounds including squeals, grunts, and cooing produced on its breeding grounds and

dark upperparts

during confrontations with other birds.

/

dark hooked bill

white underparts

• BEHAVIOR Away from its breeding areas, Audubon's Shearwater is often seen in flocks that may number up to hundreds of birds. As a rule, this shearwater does not usually follow ships. It tends to spend most of its time on the water, where it may dive for its primary diet of marine organisms and animals, especially fish and squid.

•

Similar Birds Little Shearwater More white in face and

1

under wings; white tinder

tail

coverts;

grayish legs and feet; different flutter-and-

glide flight.

BREEDING This

shearwater nests in colonies on small isolated islands, usually in rock crevices or under clumps of

Manx Shearwater Larger; different flight

dense vegetation. •

NESTING

young

stay in

pattern with

more

soaring and less

Incubation 51 days by both sexes. Semialtricial nest 71-73 days. Fed by both sexes at night. 1

flapping.

brood per year. • •

Flight Pattern

POPULATION Declining. Conservation

Protected in only part of

its

breeding range. Caribbean populations disturbed by Flap and glide flight

wing

ith

humans; adults and young taken from nest burrows for food.

rapid

beats.

Nest Identification

No Shape

S3P

Plumage Sexes simi ar

Habitat

i

DATE

lining •

on ground

or in rock crevice • built

by both sexes

•

1

white egg,

Z inches long.

TIME

Migration

Migratory

LOCATION

We 'S ht 5.9 ounces

BIRDS OF Family

Species

ProCELLARIIDAE

pujfmm assimiUs

Length

1()

NORTH AMERICA • 61 Wingspan

_ n inche5

23 _ 25 nchcs ;

Little Shearwater The

smallest of the shearwaters, this bird has been

spotted off the Atlantic coast of North America only

a

few times. Unlike many seabirds, Its sma

it

brown

often follows ships.

slaty

black-and-white or dark slaty-brown and white appearance (similar to that of

blue-black nape

size,

the larger

to

slaty

brown

to

blue-black back

and cap

Manx

Shearwater), white

and stiffwinged fluttering face,

flight are all

Under

distinctive.

extensively white

conditions of light

winds,

it

flies

underwing with narrow black margins and tip

with

several quick shallow

whirring wing beats, laty

followed by short low

However, winds it arcs and glides.

in

brown

to blue-

black on leading edge

higher

Jading lighter gray on of wing,

soars,

to

trailing edge

wheeling, gliding, and sideslipping over waves and

Similar Birds

executing quick fluttering

wing beats •

SONG

in the troughs.

Often

Audubon's Shearwater

silent at sea.

Larger and chunkier;

Throaty, wheezy sounds; a rapid

longer

repetitive kakakakakakaka -itrrr. •

BEHAVIOR

grounds.

Solitary; often in small flocks near

Swims and

bill;

dark

undertail coverrs; wider

dark margins on underwings; less white on sides of neck and

breeding

dives for food. Also picks food off surface of

water, pattering with feet across water and with wings held

face;

above back

charcoal-gray wings.

Usually feeds alone; sometimes time on the water. • •

and squid. small flocks. Spends a

like a large storm-petrel. Eats fish in

Manx Shearwater

of

Larger, darker face;

BREEDING Monogamous. Colonial. NESTING Incubation 53 days by both

young

lot

unmarked

stay in nest 72 days; fed at night

broader dark edge

to

underwings; different flight progression.

sexes. Semialtricial

by both sexes.

1

brood

per year. Flight Pattern

•

Population Accidental

off the Atlantic Coast.

•

Conservation

flapping action and banking glides. In

Vulnerable to disturbance by humans; also predation at nesting colonies by introduced

strong winds, arcing banks and glides.

predators.

Flies low, fast,

and straight with rapid

Nest Identification Burrow without by female

Shape

Plumage

DATE

Sexes simi

,

ar

Habitat

TIME

•

1

lining •

white egg;

on ground under rock crevice or elliptical, 1.9

Migration

Mi gratorv

LOCATION

in

bank

dug mostly

x 1.3 inches.

Wei § ht 8.0 ounces

62

•

Family

BIRDS OF

NORTH AMERICA Species

HYDROBATIDAE

Oceania

Len §tn 6-7.5 inches

oceanicus

Wingspan j

5 — j 7 inches

Wilson's Storm-Petrel This

is

the storm-petrel that

and

off the Atlantic Coast,

most abundant birds

it

is most commonly seen may be one of the

in the world. It

is

the

smallest storm-petrel seen off the Atlantic Coast.

Few

pelagic birds are easily

identified from a rocking boat at sea, dark sooty Drown piu maze 6 •

but this species can be identified by r its short squared tail and feet ,

,

•

,

\

,

extending beyond the

dark

bill

tip of the

green webbing

squared to slightly rounded tail

bet-ween toes

broad white U-shaped


_ 8

5 feer

Trumpeter Swan The

largest waterfowl in

swan

in

the world.

around 1900 due

The

to

North America

is

also the largest

species was on the brink of extinction

egg and feather^collection

as well as the

unlimited shooting of these birds. The population at that time is estimated to have been as low as a thousand individuals. Saving this species was one of the most notable conservation efforts of the 20th century. •

SONG

bill held

naked black

parallel to

lore,

water when

taper into point at eye andform V at forehead

Resonating honking notes; far-reaching ko-ho. Often compared to old-

deep rasping

swimming