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List of birds of Georgia (U.S facts for kids

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Brown Trasher (Toxostoma rufum) RWD1
The brown thrasher is the state bird of Georgia.

This list of birds of Georgia lists every wild bird species ever seen, identified and reliably documented in the American state of Georgia, as accepted by the Georgia Ornithological Society Checklist and Records Committee (GOSRC) as of 2010.

Unless otherwise noted, all species listed below are considered to occur regularly in Georgia as permanent residents, summer or winter visitors, or migrants. The following codes are used to designate some species:

  • (E) Extinct - a recent bird that no longer exists
  • (A) Accidental - a bird that occurs rarely or accidentally in Georgia, and for which the GOSRC requests a full report for verification.

Only those birds that are considered by the GOSRC to have arrived in Georgia without human assistance, or introduced species with established, self-sustaining populations in Georgia, are included on this list. Probable escapees are not included. There are 414 species on the Georgia state checklist.

This list is presented in taxonomic order and follows The Check-list of North American Birds (7th edition, 51st supplement, 2010), published by the American Ornithologists' Union. The table of contents is grouped into passerines (the largest order of birds) and non-passerines. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflect this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Introduced, casual, accidental, extirpated and extinct species are included in the total species counts for North America and Georgia.

Ducks, geese and swans

Lesser Snow Goose
Snow goose

Order: Anseriformes   Family: Anatidae

The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These are birds that are adapted for an aquatic existence with webbed feet, bills that are flattened to a greater or lesser extent, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to special oils. 40 species of Anatidae have been recorded in Georgia.

Chachalacas

Plain Chachalaca-juveniles
Plain chachalacas

Order: Galliformes   Family: Cracidae

The chachalacas are tropical fowl native to Mexico, only entering into southern Texas in their native range. They were introduced to Sapelo Island, Georgia in 1923.

New World quail

Virginiawachtel 2007-06-16 065
Northern bobwhite

Order: Galliformes   Family: Odontophoridae

The New World quails are small, plump terrestrial birds only distantly related to the quails of the Old World, but named for their similar appearance and habits. Only one species of New World quail has been recorded in Georgia.

Partridges, grouse, turkeys and Old World quail

Wild turkey eastern us
A large turkey, dark with a pinkish bare neck and head, walks through grass with woods behind

Order: Galliformes   Family: Phasianidae

The Phasianidae is the family containing the pheasants and related species. These are terrestrial birds, variable in size but generally plump, with broad, relatively short wings. Many are gamebirds or have been domesticated as a food source for humans. Two species of Phasianidae have been recorded in Georgia.

Loons

Common Loon head sideways
Common loon

Order: Gaviiformes   Family: Gaviidae

Loons are aquatic birds the size of a large duck, to which they are unrelated. With mostly black plumage and spear-shaped bills, loons swim well and fly adequately but, because their legs are placed towards the rear of the body, are clumsy on land. Four species of loons have occurred in Georgia.

Grebes

Podilymbus-podiceps-001
Pied-billed grebe

Order: Podicipediformes   Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. Five species of grebe have been recorded in Georgia.

Petrels and shearwaters

Kappensturmtaucher
Greater shearwater

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Procellariidae

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterized by united tubular nostrils with a median septum. Six species of procellarids have been recorded in Georgia.

Storm petrels

Wilson's storm petrel
Wilson's storm petrels

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Hydrobatidae

The storm petrels are the smallest seabirds, relatives of the petrels, feeding on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the ocean's surface, typically while hovering in bat-like flight. Three species of storm petrels have been recorded in Georgia.

Tropicbirds

Phaethon lepturus
White-tailed tropicbird

Order: Phaethontiformes   Family: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their long wings have black markings, as does the head. Two species of tropicbirds have been recorded in Georgia.

Storks

Woodstork17
Wood stork

Order: Ciconiiformes   Family: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, heavy, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long stout bills and wide wingspans. They lack the powder down that other wading birds such as herons, spoonbills and ibises use to clean off fish slime. Storks lack a syrinx and are mute. A single species of stork has been recorded in Georgia.

Frigatebirds

Femalefbird
Magnificent frigatebird

Order: Suliformes   Family: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black or black and white, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have colored inflatable throat pouches. One species of frigatebird has been recorded in Georgia.

Gannets and boobies

Morus-bassanus Northern Gannet
Northern gannet

Order: Suliformes   Family: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium-large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish. Three species of sulid have been recorded in Georgia.

Cormorants

Phalacrocorax-auritus-007
Double-crested cormorant

Order: Suliformes   Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Cormorants are medium-to-large aquatic birds, usually with mainly dark plumage and areas of colored skin on the face. The bill is long, thin and sharply hooked. Two species of cormorant have been recorded in Georgia.

Darters

Anhingadrying
Anhinga

Order: Suliformes   Family: Anhingidae

Darters are cormorant-like water birds with very long necks and long, straight beaks. They are fish eaters which often swim with only their neck above the water. Only a single species of anhingidae has been recorded in Georgia.

Pelicans

Brown-Pelican-Ponce-Inlet-FL
Brown pelicans

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are very large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. Like other birds in the order Pelecaniformes, they have four webbed toes. Both species of pelican that occur in North America have been recorded in Georgia.

Bitterns, herons and egrets

Lightmatter greatblueheron2
Great blue heron

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the herons, egrets and bitterns. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more secretive. Twelve species of bitterns, herons and egrets have been recorded in Georgia.

Ibises and spoonbills

Roseatespoonbill
Roseate spoonbills
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) at Bharatpur I IMG 5384
The glossy ibis can now be found throughout the world (with the exception of Antarctica)

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Threskiornithidae

The family Threskiornithidae includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings; the bill is also long, decurved in the case of the ibises, straight and distinctively flattened in the spoonbills. Three species of ibis and a single species of spoonbill have been recorded in Georgia. There are 4 Georgia species.

New World vultures

Cathartes aura -Mexico-8
Turkey vulture

Order: Cathartiformes   Family: Cathartidae

New World vultures are not closely related to Old World vultures, but superficially resemble them because of convergent evolution. Like the Old World vultures, they are scavengers; however, unlike Old World vultures, which find carcasses by sight, New World vultures have a good sense of smell with which they locate carcasses. Two species of New World vulture have been recorded in Georgia.

Osprey

OspreyNASA
Osprey

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Pandionidae

Pandionidae is a family of fish-eating birds of prey, possessing a very large, powerful hooked beak for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons and keen eyesight. The family is monotypic; its sole member, the osprey, has been recorded in Georgia.

Hawks, kites and eagles

Julie Waters broad winged hawk
Broad-winged hawk

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey that includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. They have very large, hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons and keen eyesight. Twelve species of this family have been recorded in Georgia.

Caracaras and falcons

Young American Kestrel
American kestrel

Order: Falconiformes   Family: Falconidae

The Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey containing the falcons and caracaras. They differ from hawks, eagles and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons. Three species of falcon have been recorded in Georgia.

Rails, gallinules and coots

ClapperRail2
Clapper rail

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Rallidae

The Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots and gallinules. The most typical family members occupy dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive, making them difficult to observe. Nine species of rails have been recorded in Georgia.

Limpkin

Limpkin1
Limpkin

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Aramidae

The limpkin is an odd bird that looks like a large rail, but is skeletally closer to the cranes. It is found in marshes with some trees or scrub in the Caribbean, South America and southern Florida. The family is monotypic, and its sole member has been recorded in Georgia.

Cranes

Sandhill Cranes at Hontoon Island
Sandhill cranes

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Gruidae

Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks extended. Most have elaborate and noisy courtship displays or "dances". Two species of crane have been recorded in Georgia.

Lapwings and plovers

Snowy Plover srgb
Snowy plover

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Charadriidae

The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are generally found in open country, mostly in habitats near water. Seven species of plover have been recorded in Georgia.

Oystercatchers

American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) in flight
American oystercatcher

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large, conspicuous and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. A single species of oystercatcher has been recorded in Georgia.

Stilts and avocets

American Avocet winter plumage
American avocet

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. Two species of this family have been recorded in Georgia.

  • Black-necked stilt, Himantopus mexicanus
  • American avocet, Recurvirostra americana

Sandpipers and allies

Catoptrophorus semipalmatus edit
Willet

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Scolopacidae

Scolopacidae is a large and diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds. Most eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or sand. Different lengths of legs and bills enable multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. 32 species of scolopacidae have been recorded in Georgia.

Gulls, terns and skimmers

Larus delawarensis portrait
Ring-billed gull

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Laridae

The Laridae are a family of medium to large seabirds and containing the gulls, terns, kittiwakes and skimmers. They are typically gray or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. 28 species of larids have been recorded in Georgia.

Skuas

Stercorarius pomarinusPCCA20070623-3985B
Pomarine jaeger

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Stercorariidae

Skuas are medium to large seabirds, typically with gray or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They have longish bills with hooked tips and webbed feet with sharp claws. They look like large dark gulls, but have a fleshy cere above the upper mandible. They are strong, acrobatic fliers. Four species of skua have been recorded in Georgia.

Alcids

Alle alle1
Dovekie

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Alcidae

Alcids are superficially similar to penguins due to their black-and-white colors, their upright posture and some of their habits; however they are not closely related to penguins and are (with one extinct exception) able to fly. Auks live on the open sea, only deliberately coming ashore to breed. Two species of auk have been recorded in Georgia.

Pigeons and doves

Mourning Dove
Mourning dove

Order: Columbiformes   Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. Six species of columbidae have been recorded in Georgia.

Parrots

Order: Psittaciformes   Family: Psittacidae

Parrots are small to large birds with characteristic curved beaks. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and they have a generally erect stance. Although some parts of the United States have a variety of exotic psitticids established, Georgia has only a single native, and now extinct, species recorded.

Cuckoos, roadrunners and anis

Coccyzus-americanus-001
Yellow-billed cuckoo

Order: Cuculiformes   Family: Cuculidae

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. Three species of cuckoo have been recorded in Georgia.

Barn owls

Schleiereule fws
Barn owl

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Tytonidae

Barn owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. A single species of barn owl has been recorded in Georgia.

Typical owls

Strix-varia-005
Barred owl

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Strigidae

Typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk. Eight species of owl have been recorded in Georgia.

Nightjars

Caprimulgus carolinensisMDF28N01B
Chuck-will's-widow

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is cryptically colored to resemble bark or leaves. Three species of nightjar have been recorded in Georgia.

Swifts

ChimneySwift23
Chimney swift

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Apodidae

The swifts are small birds, spending most of their lives flying. They have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have very long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang. One species of swift has been recorded in Georgia.

Hummingbirds

Rubythroathummer65
Ruby-throated hummingbird

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Trochilidae

Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backwards. Eleven species of hummingbird have been recorded in Georgia.

Kingfishers

BeltedKingfisher23
Belted kingfisher

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs and stubby tails. One species of kingfisher has been recorded in Georgia.

Woodpeckers, sapsuckers and flickers

Red-bellied woodpecker on railing
Red-bellied woodpecker

Order: Piciformes   Family: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks. Nine species of woodpecker have been recorded in Georgia.

Tyrant flycatchers

Pe-easternkingbird
Eastern kingbird

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Tyrannidae

Tyrant flycatchers are passerines which occur throughout North and South America. They superficially resemble the Old World flycatchers, but are more robust and have stronger bills. They do not have the sophisticated vocal capabilities of the songbirds. Most, but not all, are rather plain. As the name implies, most are insectivorous. 16 species of tyrant flycatcher have been recorded in Georgia.

Shrikes

Loggerhead128
Loggerhead shrike

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Laniidae

Shrikes are passerines known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey. One species of shrike has been recorded in Georgia.

Vireos

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Vireonidae

Vireo olivaceus CT
Red-eyed vireo

The vireos are a group of small to medium-sized passerines restricted to the New World. They are typically greenish in color and resemble wood warblers apart from their heavier bills. Seven species of vireo have been recorded in Georgia.

Jays, crows, magpies and ravens

Cyanocitta-cristata-004
Blue jay

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Corvidae

The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence. Five species of corvids have been recorded in Georgia.

Larks

Shore Lark
Horned lark

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Alaudidae

Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds. One species of lark has been recorded in Georgia.

Swallows and martins

Hirundo-rustica-001
Barn swallow

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Hirundinidae

The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partly joined at the base. Seven species of swallows have been recorded in Georgia.

Chickadees and titmice

TuftedTitmouse23
Tufted titmouse

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Paridae

The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects. Two species of parids have been recorded in Georgia.

Nuthatches

WhitebreastedNuthatch23
White-breasted nuthatch

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sittidae

Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They have the unusual ability to climb down trees head first, unlike most other birds which can only go upwards. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails and powerful bills and feet. Three species of nuthatches have been recorded in Georgia.

Treecreepers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Certhiidae

Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin pointed down-curved bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves on vertical trees. A single species of treecreeper has been recorded in Georgia.

Wrens

CarolinaWren23
Carolina wren

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Troglodytidae

Wrens are small and inconspicuous birds, except for their loud songs. They have short wings and thin down-turned bills. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous. Six species of wren have been recorded in Georgia.

Gnatcatchers

Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher
Blue-gray gnatcatcher

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Polioptilidae

The family Polioptilidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds, containing the gnatcatchers and gnatwrens. One species of gnatcatcher has been recorded in Georgia.

Kinglets

Regulus calendula1
Ruby-crowned kinglet

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Regulidae

The kinglets are a small family of birds which resemble the titmice. They are very small insectivorous birds in the genus Regulus. The adults have colored crowns, giving rise to their name. Two species of kinglet have been recorded in Georgia.

Old World flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Muscicapidae

Thrushes

American Robin 2006
American robin

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Turdidae

The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly but not exclusively in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs. Nine species of thrushes have been recorded in Georgia.

Mimids

Northernmockingbird
Northern mockingbird

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Mimidae

The Mimids, or mimic thrushes, are a family of passerine birds which includes thrashers, mockingbirds, tremblers and the New World catbirds. They are notable for their vocalization, especially their remarkable ability to mimic a wide variety of birds and other sounds heard outdoors. Four species of mimic thrush have been recorded in Georgia.

Starlings and mynas

European Startling (Sturnus vulgaris) RWD
European starling

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerines with strong feet. Their flight is strong and direct and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is open country, and they eat insects and fruit. Their plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen. A single species of introduced starling is established in Georgia.

Pipits

Anthus-rubescens-001
American pipit

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Motacillidae

Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground-feeding insectivores of open country. Two species of pipit have been recorded in Georgia.

Waxwings

Cedar Waxwing-27527-1
Cedar waxwing

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Bombycillidae

The waxwings are a group of passerine birds with soft silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. In the Bohemian and cedar waxwings, these tips look like sealing wax and give the group its name. These are arboreal birds of northern forests. They live on insects in summer and berries in winter. One species of waxwing has been recorded in Georgia.

Longspurs

Snjótittlingur
Snow bunting

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Calcariidae

The Calcariidae are a group of passerine birds that have been traditionally grouped with the Emberizeridae (New World sparrows), but differ in a number of respects and are usually found in open grassy areas. Three species of longspurs have been recorded in Georgia.

Wood warblers

Northern Parula with caterpillar
Northern parula

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Parulidae

The wood warblers are a group of small, often colorful, passerines restricted to the New World. Most are arboreal, but some are terrestrial. Most members of this family are insectivores. 42 species of wood-warbler have been recorded in Georgia.

American sparrows, towhees and juncos

Eastern Towhee-27527-3
Eastern towhee

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Emberizidae

The Emberizidae is a large passerine family. They are seed-eating birds with distinctively shaped bills. In Europe, most species are called buntings. In North America, most of the species in this family are called sparrows, although they are not closely related to the Old World sparrows in the family Passeridae. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns. 26 species of emberizids have been recorded in Georgia.

Cardinals, saltators and grosbeaks

IndigoBuntingonPlant
Indigo bunting

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cardinalidae

The cardinals are a family of robust, seed-eating birds with strong bills. They are typically associated with open woodland. The sexes usually have distinct plumages. Ten species of cardinalidae have been recorded in Georgia.

Icterids

Red winged blackbird - natures pics
Red-winged blackbird

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Icteridae

The icterids are a group of small to medium-sized, often colorful, passerines restricted to the New World, including the grackles, New World blackbirds and New World orioles. Most have black as a predominant plumage color, often enlivened by yellow, orange or red. 15 species of icterids have been recorded in Georgia.

Fringilline finches, cardueline finches and allies

AmericanGoldfinch23
American goldfinch

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Fringillidae

Finches are seed-eating passerines. They are small to moderately large and have strong, usually conical and sometimes very large, beaks. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. They have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. Seven species of finches have been recorded in Georgia.

Old World sparrows

HouseSparrow23
House sparrow

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passeridae

Old World sparrows, also known sometimes as weaver finches, are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small plump brownish or grayish birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects. A single species of Old World sparrow is established in Georgia.

Hypothetical species

The following species have been reviewed by the GOSRC and, while confirmed in identification, have been reported four or fewer times as sight-only records, without specimen, photographic or video record.

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List of birds of Georgia (U.S Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.