List of birds of New Hampshire facts for kids

New Hampshire is a beautiful state in the United States that is home to many different kinds of birds. This list tells you about the 425 bird species that have been seen and officially recorded in New Hampshire. It's put together by bird experts from the New Hampshire Rare Bird Committee (NHRBC) and New Hampshire Audubon (NHA).

Some of these birds are always here, while others visit during summer or winter, or just pass through on their long journeys (migrations).

What Do the Codes Mean?

You'll see some letters next to the bird names. Here's what they mean:

• I - Introduced: This means humans brought these birds to North America. They weren't originally from here.
• E - Extinct: These birds no longer exist anywhere in the world. They are gone forever.
• Ex - Extirpated: These birds used to live in New Hampshire but don't anymore. However, they still exist in other parts of the world.
• R - Review list: These birds are rare or unusual in New Hampshire. If someone sees one, they need to provide extra proof to confirm it.
• H - Hypothetical: These are birds that have likely been seen, but the sightings don't quite meet the official rules for a first-time record in the state.

The birds are listed in a special order called "taxonomic sequence." This is like a family tree for birds, grouping similar birds together. This order comes from the American Ornithological Society (AOS), which is a group of bird scientists.

Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl

Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae

This group includes ducks, geese, and swans. These birds are amazing swimmers and divers! They have webbed feet to help them paddle and special oils on their feathers to keep them dry. Their bills are often flat, which helps them find food in the water. New Hampshire has seen 43 different types of these birds.

Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies

Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae

This family includes pheasants, grouse, and turkeys. They are mostly ground-dwelling birds, often plump with wide, short wings. Many are hunted for food. Turkeys are very large, with a fleshy part under their beak called a wattle and a part hanging from their forehead called a snood. Male turkeys are bigger and more colorful than females. Grouse live in cooler areas and are also game birds. Males often do fancy dances to attract females. These birds have feathered legs and usually stay in New Hampshire all year round. Four species have been seen here.

• Wild turkey, Meleagallopavo
• Ruffed grouse, Bonasa umbellus
• Spruce grouse, Canachites canadensis
• Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (I)

Grebes

Order: Podicipediformes Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-sized birds that dive in freshwater. They have special lobed toes that make them excellent swimmers and divers. However, their feet are set far back on their bodies, so they look a bit clumsy on land. Five species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps
• Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus
• Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena
• Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis (R)
• Western grebe, Aechmorphorus occidentalis (R)

Pigeons and Doves

Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are birds with sturdy bodies, short necks, and thin bills. Six species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I)
• Band-tailed Pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata (R)
• Eurasian collared-dove, Streptopelia decaocto (I) (R)
• Passenger pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius (E)
• White-winged dove, Zenaida asiatica (R)
• Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura

Cuckoos

Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae

Cuckoos are birds that vary in size. They have slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs. Two species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus
• Black-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus

Nightjars and Allies

Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized birds that are active at night. They usually build their nests on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very short bills. Their soft feathers are colored to help them blend in with tree bark or leaves. Three species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor
• Chuck-will's-widow, Antrostomus carolinensis (R)
• Eastern whip-poor-will, Antrostomus vociferus

Swifts

Order: Apodiformes Family: Apodidae

Swifts are small birds that spend most of their lives flying. They have very short legs and almost never land on the ground. Instead, they perch on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long, swept-back wings that look like a crescent moon. One species has been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica

Hummingbirds

Order: Apodiformes Family: Trochilidae

Hummingbirds are tiny birds famous for hovering in the air by flapping their wings super fast. They are the only birds that can fly backward! Four species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris
• Anna's hummingbird, Calypte anna (R)
• Rufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus (R)
• Calliope Hummingbird, Selasphorus calliope (R)

Rails, Gallinules, and Coots

Order: Gruiformes Family: Rallidae

This is a large family of small to medium-sized birds. They often live in thick plants near lakes, swamps, or rivers. They are usually shy and hard to spot. Most have strong legs and long toes, which help them walk on soft, uneven ground. They tend to have short, rounded wings and are not very strong fliers. Nine species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Clapper rail, Rallus crepitans (R)
• King rail, Rallus elegans (R)
• Virginia rail, Rallus limicola
• Sora, Porzana carolina
• Common gallinule, Gallinula galeata
• American coot, Fulica americana
• Purple gallinule, Porphyrio martinica (R)
• Yellow rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis (R)
• Black rail, Laterallus jamaicensis (R)

Cranes

Order: Gruiformes Family: Gruidae

Cranes are large birds with long legs and long necks. When they fly, they keep their necks stretched out, unlike herons, which pull their necks back. Most cranes have fancy and loud dances to find a mate. One species has been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Sandhill crane, Antigone canadensis

Plovers and Lapwings

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Charadriidae

This family includes plovers and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks, and long, pointed wings. You can find them in open areas all over the world, especially near water. Seven species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Northern lapwing, Vanellus vanellus (R)
• Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola
• American golden-plover, Pluvialis dominica
• Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus
• Semipalmated plover, Charadrius semipalmatus
• Piping plover, Charadrius melodus
• Wilson's plover, Charadrius wilsonia (R)

Sandpipers and Allies

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Scolopacidae

This is a large and varied family of small to medium-sized shorebirds. It includes sandpipers, curlews, and snipes. Most of these birds eat small bugs and worms they find in mud or soil. Different bill and leg lengths allow many species to feed in the same places without competing for food. Thirty-four species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

Skuas and Jaegers

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Stercorariidae

These are medium to large birds, usually gray or brown, often with white on their wings. They look like big, dark gulls but have a hooked bill. They are strong and agile fliers. Four species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• South polar skua, Stercorarius maccormicki (R)
• Pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus (R)
• Parasitic jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus (R)
• Long-tailed jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus (R)

Auks, Murres, and Puffins

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Alcidae

Alcids look a bit like penguins because of their black and white colors and upright way of standing. However, they are not closely related and can fly! Auks live on the open sea and only come to land to nest. Seven species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Dovekie, Alle alle (R)
• Common murre, Uria aalge (R)
• Thick-billed murre, Uria lomvia (R)
• Razorbill, Alca torda (R)
• Great auk, Pinguinus impennis (E)
• Black guillemot, Cepphus grylle (R)
• Atlantic puffin, Fratercula arctica (R)

Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Laridae

This family includes gulls, terns, and skimmers. They are medium to large seabirds, usually gray or white, often with black on their heads or wings. They have strong bills and webbed feet. Thirty species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

Loons

Order: Gaviiformes Family: Gaviidae

Loons are water birds about the size of a large duck, but they are not related to ducks. They are mostly gray or black and have spear-shaped bills. Loons are excellent swimmers and flyers, but they are very awkward on land because their legs are placed far back on their bodies. Three species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Red-throated loon, Gavia stellata
• Pacific loon, Gavia pacifica (R)
• Common loon, Gavia immer

Albatrosses

Order: Procellariiformes Family: Diomedeidae

Albatrosses are some of the largest flying birds. Some types have the biggest wingspans of any living bird! Two species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Yellow-nosed albatross, Thalassarche chlororhynchos (R)
• Black-browed albatross, Thalassarche melanophris (R) (H)

Storm-Petrels and Shearwaters

Order: Procellariiformes Families: Oceanitidae, Hydrobatidae, Procellariidae

Storm-petrels are the smallest seabirds. They are related to petrels and feed on tiny sea creatures and small fish from the water's surface while hovering. Their flight can look like a bat's. Shearwaters and other petrels are medium-sized seabirds. They have nostrils that are joined together and a long outer wing feather. Eight species from these families have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Wilson's storm-petrel, Oceanites oceanicus
• Leach's storm-petrel, Hydrobates leucorhous
• Northern fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis
• Black-capped petrel, Pterodroma hasitata (R)
• Cory's shearwater, Calonectris diomedea
• Sooty shearwater, Ardenna griseus
• Great shearwater, Ardenna gravis
• Manx shearwater, Puffinus puffinus

Storks

Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, heavy wading birds with long legs, long necks, and strong bills. They have wide wings. One species has been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Wood stork, Mycteria americana (R)

Boobies and Gannets

Order: Suliformes Family: Sulidae

This family includes gannets and boobies. Both are medium to large seabirds that live near coasts. They dive headfirst into the water to catch fish. Two species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Brown booby, Sula leucogaster (R)
• Northern gannet, Morus bassanus

Cormorants

Order: Suliformes Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Cormorants are medium to large water birds, usually with dark feathers and colored skin on their faces. Their bills are long, thin, and hooked. They have webbed feet with four toes. Three species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo
• Double-crested cormorant, Nannopterum auritum
• Neotropic cormorant, Nannopterum brasilianum (R)

Pelicans

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are very large water birds with a special pouch under their beak. Like other birds in their group, they have four webbed toes. Two species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• American white pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos (R)
• Brown pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis (R)

Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Ardeidae

This family includes herons, egrets, and bitterns. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns are usually shorter-necked and more secretive. When they fly, these birds pull their necks back, which is different from storks or ibises. Thirteen species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• American bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus
• Least bittern, Ixobrychus exilis
• Great blue heron, Ardea herodias
• Great egret, Ardea alba
• Little egret, Egretta garzetta (R)
• Western reef-heron, Egretta gularis (R)
• Snowy egret, Egretta thula
• Little blue heron, Egretta caerulea
• Tricolored heron, Egretta tricolor
• Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis
• Green heron, Butorides virescens
• Black-crowned night-heron, Nycticorax nycticorax
• Yellow-crowned night-heron, Nyctanassa violacea

Ibises and Spoonbills

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Threskiornithidae

This family includes ibises and spoonbills. They have long, wide wings and long bodies with long legs. Ibises have bills that curve downward, while spoonbills have straight, flat bills that look like spoons. Three species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• White ibis, Eudocimus albus (R)
• Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus
• White-faced ibis, Plegadis chihi (R)

New World Vultures

Order: Cathartiformes Family: Cathartidae

New World vultures are scavengers, meaning they eat dead animals. Unlike some other vultures, they have a good sense of smell to find carcasses. Two species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Black vulture, Coragyps atratus
• Turkey vulture, Cathartes aura

Osprey

Order: Accipitriformes Family: Pandionidae

The Osprey is a bird of prey that eats fish. It has a very large, strong, hooked beak to tear meat from its prey. It also has strong legs, powerful claws, and excellent eyesight.

• Osprey, Pandion haliaetus

Hawks, Eagles, and Kites

Order: Accipitriformes Family: Accipitridae

This family includes hawks, eagles, and kites. These birds of prey have very large, strong, hooked beaks for tearing meat. They also have powerful legs, sharp talons, and amazing eyesight. Thirteen species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Swallow-tailed kite, Elanoides forficatus (R)
• Golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos
• Northern harrier, Circus hudsonius
• Sharp-shinned hawk, Accipiter striatus
• Cooper's hawk, Accipiter cooperii
• American goshawk, Accipiter atricapillus
• Bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus
• Mississippi kite, Ictinia mississippiensis (R)
• Red-shouldered hawk, Buteo lineatus
• Broad-winged hawk, Buteo platypterus
• Swainson's hawk, Buteo swainsoni (R)
• Red-tailed hawk, Buteo jamaicensis
• Rough-legged hawk, Buteo lagopus

Owls

Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae

Owls are usually solitary birds of prey that are active at night. They have large eyes that face forward, good hearing, a hawk-like beak, and a circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk. Eleven species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Eastern screech-owl, Megascops asio
• Great horned owl, Bubo virginianus
• Snowy owl, Bubo scandiacus
• Northern hawk owl, Surnia ulula (R)
• Burrowing owl, Athene cunicularia (R)
• Barred owl, Strix varia
• Great gray owl, Strix nebulosa
• Long-eared owl, Asio otus (R)
• Short-eared owl, Asio flammeus
• Boreal owl, Aegolius funereus (R)
• Northern saw-whet owl, Aegolius acadicus

Kingfishers

Order: Coraciiformes Family: Alcedinidae

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

• Belted kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon

Woodpeckers

Order: Piciformes Family: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails, and long tongues for catching insects. Many woodpeckers tap loudly on tree trunks with their beaks. Nine species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Red-headed woodpecker, Melanerpes erythrocephalus
• Red-bellied woodpecker, Melanerpes carolinus
• Yellow-bellied sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius
• American three-toed woodpecker, Picoides dorsalis (R)
• Black-backed woodpecker, Picoides arcticus
• Downy woodpecker, Dryobates pubescens
• Hairy woodpecker, Dryobates villosus
• Northern flicker, Colaptes auratus
• Pileated woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus

Falcons and Caracaras

Order: Falconiformes Family: Falconidae

This family includes falcons. They are different from hawks and eagles because they use their beaks to kill their prey, not their talons. Four species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• American kestrel, Falco sparverius
• Merlin, Falco columbarius
• Gyrfalcon, Falco rusticolus (R)
• Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus

Tyrant Flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Tyrannidae

Tyrant flycatchers are found all over North and South America. They look a bit like Old World flycatchers but are stronger and have sturdier bills. Most of them eat insects. Eighteen species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Ash-throated flycatcher, Myiarchus cinerascens (R)
• Great crested flycatcher, Myiarchus crinitus
• Tropical kingbird/Couch's kingbird, Tyrannus melancholicus/Tyrannus couchii (R)
• Western kingbird, Tyrannus verticalis (R)
• Eastern kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus
• Scissor-tailed flycatcher, Tyrannus forficatus (R)
• Fork-tailed flycatcher, Tyrannus savana (R)
• Olive-sided flycatcher, Contopus cooperi
• Western wood-pewee, Contopus sordidulus (R)
• Eastern wood-pewee, Contopus virens
• Yellow-bellied flycatcher, Empidonax flaviventris
• Acadian flycatcher, Empidonax virescens
• Alder flycatcher, Empidonax alnorum
• Willow flycatcher, Empidonax traillii
• Least flycatcher, Empidonax minimus
• Eastern phoebe, Sayornis phoebe
• Say's phoebe, Sayornis saya (R)
• Vermilion flycatcher, Pyrocephalus rubinus (accidental)

Vireos

Order: Passeriformes Family: Vireonidae

Vireos are small to medium-sized birds. They are usually greenish and look a bit like wood warblers, but they have heavier bills. Seven species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• White-eyed vireo, Vireo griseus
• Bell's vireo, Vireo bellii (R)
• Yellow-throated vireo, Vireo flavifrons
• Blue-headed vireo, Vireo solitarius
• Philadelphia vireo, Vireo philadelphicus
• Warbling vireo, Vireo gilvus
• Red-eyed vireo, Vireo olivaceus

Shrikes

Order: Passeriformes Family: Laniidae

Shrikes are known for catching small animals and even other birds. They sometimes impale their prey on thorns. A shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey. Two species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Loggerhead shrike, Lanius ludovicianus (R) (Ex)
• Northern shrike, Lanius borealis

Crows, Jays, and Magpies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Corvidae

This family includes crows, ravens, and jays. Corvids are larger than average songbirds, and some of the bigger ones are very smart. Six species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Canada jay, Perisoreus canadensis
• Blue jay, Cyanocitta cristata
• Black-billed magpie, Pica hudsonia
• American crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos
• Fish crow, Corvus ossifragus
• Common raven, Corvus corax

Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice

Order: Passeriformes Family: Paridae

The Paridae are mostly small, sturdy woodland birds with short, strong bills. They can adapt to different environments and eat a mix of seeds and insects. Three species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Black-capped chickadee, Poecile atricapilla
• Boreal chickadee, Poecile hudsonica
• Tufted titmouse, Baeolophus bicolor

Larks

Order: Passeriformes Family: Alaudidae

Larks are small ground birds known for their often beautiful songs and display flights. Most larks are not very colorful. They eat insects and seeds. One species has been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Horned lark, Eremophila alpestris

Swallows

Order: Passeriformes Family: Hirundinidae

Swallows are built for catching food while flying. They have slender bodies, long, pointed wings, and a short bill that opens wide. Their feet are better for perching than walking. Seven species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Bank swallow, Riparia riparia
• Tree swallow, Tachycineta bicolor
• Violet-green swallow, Tachycineta thalassina (R) (H)
• Northern rough-winged swallow, Stelgidopteryx serripennis
• Purple martin, Progne subis
• Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
• Cliff swallow, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
• Cave swallow, Petrochelidon fulva (R)

Kinglets

Order: Passeriformes Family: Regulidae

Kinglets are a small family of very tiny insect-eating birds. Adult kinglets have colorful patches on their heads, which is how they got their name. Two species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Ruby-crowned kinglet, Corthylio calendula
• Golden-crowned kinglet, Regulus satrapa

Waxwings

Order: Passeriformes Family: Bombycillidae

Waxwings are passerine birds with soft, silky feathers. They have unique red tips on some of their wing feathers that look like sealing wax. These birds live in northern forests and eat insects in summer and berries in winter. Two species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Bohemian waxwing, Bombycilla garrulus
• Cedar waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum

Nuthatches

Order: Passeriformes Family: Sittidae

Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They have a special ability to climb down trees headfirst, which most other birds can't do. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails, and strong bills and feet. Two species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Red-breasted nuthatch, Sitta canadensis
• White-breasted nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis

Treecreepers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Certhiidae

Treecreepers are small woodland birds that are brown on top and white underneath. They have thin, pointed, downward-curving bills that they use to pull insects out of tree bark. Like woodpeckers, they have stiff tail feathers that help them balance on tree trunks. One species has been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Brown creeper, Certhia americana

Gnatcatchers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Polioptilidae

These delicate birds look and act like Old World warblers, constantly moving through leaves to find insects. Gnatcatchers are mostly soft bluish-gray and have the long, sharp bill of an insect-eater. Many have distinct black patterns on their heads (especially males) and long, often upright, black and white tails. One species has been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Blue-gray gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea

Wrens

Order: Passeriformes Family: Troglodytidae

Wrens are small and often hard to see, but they have very loud songs. They have short wings and a thin, downturned bill. Several species often hold their tails straight up. All wrens eat insects. Six species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• House wren, Troglodytes aedon
• Winter wren, Troglodytes hiemalis
• Sedge wren, Cistothorus platensis (R)
• Marsh wren, Cistothorus palustris
• Carolina wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus
• Bewick's wren, Thryomanes bewickii

Mockingbirds and Thrashers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Mimidae

This family includes thrashers, mockingbirds, and catbirds. These birds are famous for their amazing singing abilities, especially how well they can copy the sounds of other birds and outdoor noises. They tend to be dull gray and brown in color. Four species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Gray catbird, Dumetella carolinensis
• Brown thrasher, Toxostoma rufum
• Sage thrasher, Oreoscoptes montanus (A)
• Northern mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos

Starlings

Order: Passeriformes Family: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized birds with strong feet. They fly strongly and directly, and most live in large groups. They prefer open areas and eat insects and fruit. Many species have dark, shiny feathers. One species has been recorded in New Hampshire.

• European starling, Sturnus vulgaris (I)

Thrushes and Allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Turdidae

Thrushes are a group of songbirds that are plump with soft feathers. They are small to medium-sized insect-eaters or omnivores, often finding food on the ground. Many have beautiful songs. Twelve species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Eastern bluebird, Sialia sialis
• Mountain bluebird Sialia currucoides (R)
• Townsend's solitaire, Myadestes townsendi (R)
• Veery, Catharus fuscescens
• Gray-cheeked thrush, Catharus minimus (R)
• Bicknell's thrush, Catharus bicknelli (R)
• Swainson's thrush, Catharus ustulatus
• Hermit thrush, Catharus guttatus
• Wood thrush, Hylocichla mustelina
• Redwing, Turdus iliacus (R)
• American robin, Turdus migratorius
• Varied thrush, Ixoreus naevius

Finches and Allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Fringillidae

Finches are seed-eating birds that are small to medium-sized. They have strong, often cone-shaped beaks. All finches have twelve tail feathers and nine primary wing feathers. These birds fly with a bouncy up-and-down motion, and most sing well. Twelve species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Common chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs (R)
• Brambling, Fringilla montifringilla (R)
• Evening grosbeak, Coccothraustes vespertinus
• Pine grosbeak, Pinicola enucleator
• House finch, Haemorhous mexicanus
• Purple finch, Haemorhous purpureus
• Common redpoll, Acanthis flammea
• Hoary redpoll, Acanthis hornemanni
• Red crossbill, Loxia curvirostra
• White-winged crossbill, Loxia leucoptera
• Pine siskin, Spinus pinus
• American goldfinch, Spinus tristis

Longspurs and Snow Buntings

Order: Passeriformes Family: Calcariidae

This group of birds is usually found in open, grassy areas. Four species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Lapland longspur, Calcarius lapponicus
• Chestnut-collared longspur, Calcarius ornatus (R)
• Smith's longspur, Calcarius pictus (R) (H)
• Snow bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis

New World Sparrows

Order: Passeriformes Family: Passerellidae

Most birds in this family are called sparrows, but they are not closely related to the Old World sparrows. Many of these birds have unique patterns on their heads. Twenty-six species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

Troupials and Allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Icteridae

The icterids are a group of small to medium-sized, often colorful birds found only in the New World. This family includes blackbirds and orioles. Most species are mainly black, sometimes with bright yellow, orange, or red colors. Eleven species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Yellow-headed blackbird, Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus (R)
• Bobolink, Dolichonyx oryzivorus
• Eastern meadowlark, Sturnella magna
• Western meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta (R)
• Orchard oriole, Icterus spurius
• Bullock's oriole, Icterus bullockii (R)
• Baltimore oriole, Icterus galbula
• Red-winged blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus
• Brown-headed cowbird, Molothrus ater
• Rusty blackbird, Euphagus carolinus
• Common grackle, Quiscalus quiscula

New World Warblers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Parulidae

New World warblers are a group of small, often colorful birds found only in the Americas. Most live in trees, but some are more ground-dwelling. Most members of this family eat insects. Thirty-eight species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

Cardinals and Allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Cardinalidae

Cardinals are a family of sturdy, seed-eating birds with strong bills. They usually live in open woodlands. Males and females often have different colored feathers. Eleven species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

• Summer tanager, Piranga rubra (R)
• Scarlet tanager, Piranga olivacea
• Western tanager, Piranga ludoviciana (R)
• Northern cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis
• Rose-breasted grosbeak, Pheucticus ludovicianus
• Black-headed grosbeak, Pheucticus melanocephalus (R)
• Blue grosbeak, Passerina caerulea
• Lazuli bunting Passerina amoena (R)
• Indigo bunting, Passerina cyanea
• Painted bunting, Passerina ciris (R)
• Dickcissel, Spiza americana

Images for kids

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  The purple finch is the state bird of New Hampshire.

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  Canada goose

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  Green-winged teal

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  Common eider

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  Long-tailed duck

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  Upland sandpiper

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  Purple sandpiper

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  Spotted sandpiper

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  Laughing gulls

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  Great black-backed gull

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  Roseate tern

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  Eastern towhee

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  Chipping sparrow

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  Saltmarsh sparrow

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  Lincoln's sparrow

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  Blue-winged warbler

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  Common yellowthroat

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  Blackburnian warbler

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  Black-throated green warbler

See also

• List of birds
• Lists of birds by region
• List of birds of North America