List of birds of Ontario facts for kids

This list of birds of Ontario includes all the bird species recorded in the Canadian province of Ontario as determined by the Ontario Bird Records Committee (OBRC). As of July 2021 there were 508 species on this list, 291 of which are known to breed in the province. Ontario has a considerable variety of bird species. One of the factors in this diversity is the size and range of environments in Ontario. Another is the Great Lakes; many birds use the shores as a stopping point during migration.

The OBRC Checklist divides the province into the Lowlands, Central, and South review zones and requests documentation of sightings of birds which are rare or accidental in one, two, or all of the zones. Of the 508 species on the list, 177 are noted as rare anywhere in the province and another 108 are rare in one or two of the zones. Eight species have been introduced to North America. One species has been extirpated, one is extinct, and another might be.

This list is presented in the taxonomic sequence of the Check-list of North and Middle American Birds, 7th edition through the 62nd Supplement, published by the American Ornithological Society (AOS). Common and scientific names are also those of the Check-list, except that Canadian English spellings are used and the common names of families are from the Clements taxonomy because the AOS list does not include them.

The following codes are used to categorise some species:

• (A) Accidental – a species that only occurs in Ontario as a rare vagrant
• (B) Breeding – a species that currently breeds or has bred in Ontario
• (E) Extinct – a recent species that no longer exists
• (Ex) Extirpated – a species that no longer occurs in Ontario, but populations still exist elsewhere
• (I) Introduced – established solely as result of direct or indirect human intervention; synonymous with non-native and non-indigenous

Ducks, geese, and waterfowl

Order: Anseriformes   Family: Anatidae

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

• 

  Canada goose

• 

  Mute swan

• 

  Greater scaup

• 

  Common eider

• 

  Common goldeneye

• 

  Hooded merganser

New World quail

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.

• Northern bobwhite, Colinus virginianus (B)

Pheasants, grouse, and allies

Order: Galliformes   Family: Phasianidae

The Phasianidae is a family of birds which consists of pheasants, partridges, grouse, turkeys, and their allies. These are terrestrial species, variable in size but generally plump with broad relatively short wings. Many species are gamebirds or have been domesticated as a food source for humans.

• Wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavo (B)
• Ruffed grouse, Bonasa umbellus (B)
• Spruce grouse, Canachites canadensis (B)
• Willow ptarmigan, Lagopus lagopus (B)
• Rock ptarmigan, Lagopus muta (A)
• Sharp-tailed grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus (B)
• Greater prairie chicken, Tympanuchus cupido (Ex)
• Grey partridge, Perdix perdix (B) (I)
• Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (B) (I)

Grebes

Order: Podicipediformes   Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes 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.

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

Pigeons and doves

Order: Columbiformes   Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.

• Rock pigeon, Columba livia (B) (I)
• White-crowned pigeon, Patagioenas leucocephala (A)
• Band-tailed pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata (A)
• Eurasian collared-dove, Streptopelia decaocto (I)
• Passenger pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius (E)
• Inca dove, Columbina inca (A)
• Common ground dove, Columbina passerina (A)
• White-winged dove, Zenaida asiatica
• Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura (B)

Cuckoos

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.

• Groove-billed ani, Crotophaga sulcirostris (A)
• Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus (B)
• Black-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus (B)

Nightjars and allies

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized ground-nesting nocturnal birds with 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 camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves.

• Lesser nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis (A)
• Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor (B)
• Common poorwill, Phalaenoptilus nuttallii (A)
• Chuck-will's-widow, Antrostomus carolinensis (B)
• Eastern whip-poor-will, Antrostomus vociferus (B)

Swifts

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Apodidae

Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang.

• Black swift, Cypseloides niger (A)
• White-collared swift, Streptoprocne zonaris (A)
• Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica (B)

Hummingbirds

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 backward.

• Mexican violetear, Colibri thalassinus (A)
• Ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris (B)
• Black-chinned hummingbird, Archilochus alexandri (A)
• Anna's hummingbird, Calypte anna (A)
• Costa's hummingbird, Calypte costae (A)
• Calliope hummingbird, Selasphorus calliope (A)
• Rufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus (A)
• Broad-billed hummingbird, Cynanthus latirostris (A)

Rails, gallinules, and coots

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Rallidae

Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, gallinules, and coots. The most typical family members occupy dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general, they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers.

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

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 outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances".

• Sandhill crane, Antigone canadensis (B)
• Whooping crane, Grus americana (A)

Stilts and avocets

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.

• Black-necked stilt, Himantopus mexicanus (A) (B)
• American avocet, Recurvirostra americana (B)

Oystercatchers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large, obvious and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs.

• American oystercatcher, Haematopus palliatus (A)

Plovers and lapwings

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Charadriidae

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 found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water.

• Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola
• American golden-plover, Pluvialis dominica (B)
• Eurasian dotterel, Charadrius morinellus (A)
• Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus (B)
• Common ringed plover, Charadrius hiaticula (A)
• Semipalmated plover, Charadrius semipalmatus (B)
• Piping plover, Charadrius melodus (B)
• Lesser sand-plover, Charadrius mongolus (A)
• Wilson's plover, Charadrius wilsonia (A)
• Snowy plover, Charadrius nivosus (A)
• Mountain plover, Charadrius montanus (A)
• Eurasian dotterel, Charadrius morinellus (A)

Sandpipers and allies

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Scolopacidae

Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers, and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.

• 

  Willet

• 

  Western sandpiper

• 

  Dunlin

• 

  Wilson's snipe

• 

  Red-necked phalarope

Skuas and jaegers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Stercorariidae

The family Stercorariidae are large birds, typically with grey 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.

• Pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus
• Parasitic jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus (B)
• Long-tailed jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus

Auks, murres, and puffins

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Alcidae

Alcids are superficially similar to penguins due to their black-and-white colours, their upright posture, and some of their habits, however, they are only distantly related to the penguins and are able to fly. Auks live on the open sea, only deliberately coming ashore to nest.

• Dovekie, Alle alle (A)
• Thick-billed murre, Uria lomvia (A)
• Razorbill, Alca torda (A)
• Black guillemot, Cepphus grylle (B)
• Long-billed murrelet, Brachyramphus perdix (A)
• Ancient murrelet, Synthliboramphus antiquus (A)
• Atlantic puffin, Fratercula arctica (A)

Gulls, terns, and skimmers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds and includes gulls, terns, kittiwakes, and skimmers. They are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet.

• 

  Laughing gull

• 

  Ring-billed gull

• 

  Iceland gull

• 

  Black tern

Loons

Order: Gaviiformes   Family: Gaviidae

Loons, known as divers in Europe, are aquatic birds the size of a large duck, to which they are unrelated. Their plumage is largely grey or black, and they have spear-shaped bills. Loons swim well and fly adequately, but, because their legs are placed towards the rear of the body, are almost helpless on land.

• Red-throated loon, Gavia stellata (B)
• Pacific loon, Gavia pacifica (B)
• Common loon, Gavia immer (B)
• Yellow-billed loon, Gavia adamsii (A)

Albatrosses

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Diomedeidae

The albatrosses are amongst the largest of flying birds, and the great albatrosses from the genus Diomedea have the largest wingspans of any extant birds.

• Yellow-nosed albatross, Thalassarche chlororhynchos (A)

Southern storm-petrels

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Oceanitidae

The storm-petrels are the smallest seabirds, relatives of the petrels, feeding on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. Until 2018, this family's three species were included with the other storm-petrels in family Hydrobatidae.

• Wilson's storm-petrel, Oceanites oceanicus (A)

Northern storm-petrels

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Hydrobatidae

Though the members of this family are similar in many respects to the southern storm-petrels, including their general appearance and habits, there are enough genetic differences to warrant their placement in a separate family.

• Leach's storm-petrel, Hydrobates leucorhous (A)
• Band-rumped storm-petrel, Hydrobates castro (A)

Shearwaters and petrels

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Procellariidae

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterised by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary.

• Northern fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis (A)
• Black-capped petrel, Pterodroma hasitata (A)
• Great shearwater, Ardenna gravis (A)
• Short-tailed shearwater/sooty shearwater, Ardenna tenuirostris/Ardenna griseus (A)
• Manx shearwater, Puffinus puffinus (A)
• Audubon's shearwater, Puffinus lherminieri (A)

Storks

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 pharynx and are mute.

• Wood stork, Mycteria americana (A)

Frigatebirds

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 coloured inflatable throat pouches. They do not swim or walk and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan-to-body-weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week.

• Magnificent frigatebird, Fregata magnificens (A)

Boobies and gannets

Order: Suliformes   Family: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium-large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish.

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

Anhingas

Order: Suliformes   Family: Anhingidae

Anhingas 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.

• Anhinga, Anhinga anhinga (A)

Cormorants and shags

Order: Suliformes   Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Cormorants are medium-to-large aquatic birds, usually with mainly dark plumage and areas of coloured skin on the face. The bill is long, thin and sharply hooked. Their feet are four-toed and webbed.

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

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.

• American white pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos (B)
• Brown pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis (A)

Herons, egrets, and bitterns

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons, and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and warier. Unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises, and spoonbills, members of this family fly with their necks retracted.

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

Ibises and spoonbills

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Threskiornithidae

Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which comprises the ibises and spoonbills. Its members have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary flight feathers. They are strong fliers and, despite their size and weight, very capable soarers.

• White ibis, Eudocimus albus (A)
• Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus
• White-faced ibis, Plegadis chihi (A)
• Roseate spoonbill, Ajaia ajaja (A)

New World vultures

Order: Cathartiformes   Family: Cathartidae

The 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.

• Black vulture, Coragyps atratus
• Turkey vulture, Cathartes aura (B)

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.

• Osprey, Pandion haliaetus (B)

Hawks, eagles, and kites

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Accipitridae

The Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey, which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers, and Old World vultures. These birds mostly have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight.

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

Barn-owls

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.

• Barn owl, Tyto alba (B)

Owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Strigidae

The 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.

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

Kingfishers

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails.

• Belted kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon (B)

Woodpeckers

Order: Piciformes   Family: Picidae

Woodpeckers, sapsuckers, and flickers 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.

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

Falcons and caracaras

Order: Falconiformes   Family: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey, notably the falcons and caracaras. They differ from hawks, eagles, and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons.

• Crested caracara, Caracara plancus (A)
• American kestrel, Falco sparverius (B)
• Merlin, Falco columbarius (B)
• Gyrfalcon, Falco rusticolus
• Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus (B)
• Prairie falcon, Falco mexicanus (A)

Tyrant flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Tyrannidae

Tyrant flycatchers are Passerine birds 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 are rather plain. As the name implies, most are insectivorous.

• Ash-throated flycatcher, Myiarchus cinerascens (A)
• Great crested flycatcher, Myiarchus crinitus (B)
• Great kiskadee, Pitangus sulphuratus (A)
• Sulphur-bellied flycatcher, Myiodynastes luteiventris (A)
• Variegated flycatcher, Empidonomus varius (A)
• Tropical kingbird, Tyrannus melancholicus (A)
• Cassin's kingbird, Tyrannus vociferans (A)
• Thick-billed kingbird, Tyrannus crassirostris (A)
• Western kingbird, Tyrannus verticalis (B)
• Eastern kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus (B)
• Grey kingbird, Tyrannus dominicensis (A)
• Scissor-tailed flycatcher, Tyrannus forficatus (A)
• Fork-tailed flycatcher, Tyrannus savana (A)
• Olive-sided flycatcher, Contopus cooperi (B)
• Western wood-pewee, Contopus sordidulus (A)
• Eastern wood-pewee, Contopus virens (B)
• Yellow-bellied flycatcher, Empidonax flaviventris (B)
• Acadian flycatcher, Empidonax virescens (B)
• Alder flycatcher, Empidonax alnorum (B)
• Willow flycatcher, Empidonax traillii (B)
• Least flycatcher, Empidonax minimus (B)
• Grey flycatcher, Empidonax wrightii (A)
• Dusky flycatcher, Empidonax oberholseri (A)
• Eastern phoebe, Sayornis phoebe (B)
• Say's phoebe, Sayornis saya (A)
• Vermilion flycatcher, Pyrocephalus rubinus (A)

Vireos, shrike-babblers, and erpornis

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Vireonidae

The vireos are a group of small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are typically greenish in colour and resemble wood warblers apart from their heavier bills.

• Black-capped vireo, Vireo atricapilla (A)
• White-eyed vireo, Vireo griseus (B)
• Bell's vireo, Vireo bellii (A)
• Yellow-throated vireo, Vireo flavifrons (B)
• Blue-headed vireo, Vireo solitarius (B)
• Plumbeous vireo, Vireo plumbeus (A)
• Philadelphia vireo, Vireo philadelphicus (B)
• Warbling vireo, Vireo gilvus (B)
• Red-eyed vireo, Vireo olivaceus (B)

Shrikes

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Laniidae

Shrikes are passerine birds known for the habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A shrike's beak is hooked, like that of a typical bird of prey.

• Loggerhead shrike, Lanius ludovicianus (B)
• Northern shrike, Lanius borealis (B)

Crows, jays, and magpies

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.

• Canada jay, Perisoreus canadensis (B)
• Blue jay, Cyanocitta cristata (B)
• Clark's nutcracker, Nucifraga columbiana (A)
• Black-billed magpie, Pica hudsonia (B)
• Eurasian jackdaw, Corvus monedula (A)
• American crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos (B)
• Fish crow, Corvus ossifragus (B)
• Chihuahuan raven, Corvus cryptoleucus (A)
• Common raven, Corvus corax (B)

Tits, chickadees, and titmice

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Paridae

Chickadees and titmice 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.

• Carolina chickadee, Poecile carolinensis (A)
• Black-capped chickadee, Poecile atricapilla (B)
• Boreal chickadee, Poecile hudsonica (B)
• Tufted titmouse, Baeolophus bicolor (B)

Larks

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.

• Horned lark, Eremophila alpestris (B)

Swallows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Hirundinidae

The family Hirundinidae is a group of passerines characterised by their adaptation to aerial feeding. The family includes swallows and martins. These adaptations include a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings, and short bills with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base.

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

Leaf warblers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Phylloscopidae

Leaf warblers are a family of small insectivorous birds found mostly in Eurasia and ranging into Wallacea and Africa. The species are of various sizes, often green-plumaged above and yellow below, or more subdued with grayish-green to grayish-brown colors.

• Yellow-browed warbler, Phylloscopus inornatus (A)

Kinglets

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Regulidae

The kinglets are a small family of birds which resemble the titmice. They are very small insectivorous birds. The adults have coloured crowns, giving rise to their name.

• Ruby-crowned kinglet, Corthylio calendula (B)
• Golden-crowned kinglet, Regulus satrapa (B)

Waxwings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Bombycillidae

The waxwings are a group of 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.

• Bohemian waxwing, Bombycilla garrulus (B)
• Cedar waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum (B)

Silky-flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Ptiliogonatidae

The silky-flycatchers are a small family of passerine birds which occur mainly in Central America. They are related to waxwings and most species have small crests.

• Phainopepla, Phainopepla nitens (A)

Nuthatches

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sittidae

Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They have the unusual ability to climb down trees head first, unlike other birds which can only go upwards. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails, and powerful bills and feet.

• Red-breasted nuthatch, Sitta canadensis (B)
• White-breasted nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis (B)

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.

• Brown creeper, Certhia americana (B)

Gnatcatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Polioptilidae

Gnatcatchers are a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs.

• Blue-grey gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea (B)

Wrens

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.

• Rock wren, Salpinctes obsoletus (A)
• House wren, Troglodytes aedon (B)
• Winter wren, Troglodytes hiemalis (B)
• Sedge wren, Cistothorus platensis (B)
• Marsh wren, Cistothorus palustris (B)
• Carolina wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus (B)
• Bewick's wren, Thryomanes bewickii (A) (B)

Mockingbirds and thrashers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Mimidae

The mimids are a family of passerine birds that includes thrashers, mockingbirds, tremblers, and the New World catbirds. These birds are notable for their vocalization, especially their remarkable ability to mimic a wide variety of birds and other sounds heard outdoors. The species tend towards dull greys and browns in their appearance.

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

Starlings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen.

• European starling, Sturnus vulgaris (B) (I)

Thrushes and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Turdidae

The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly 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.

• Eastern bluebird, Sialia sialis (B)
• Mountain bluebird, Sialia currucoides (A)
• Townsend's solitaire, Myadestes townsendi
• Veery, Catharus fuscescens (B)
• Grey-cheeked thrush, Catharus minimus (B)
• Bicknell's thrush, Catharus bicknelli (A)
• Swainson's thrush, Catharus ustulatus (B)
• Hermit thrush, Catharus guttatus (B)
• Wood thrush, Hylocichla mustelina (B)
• Eurasian blackbird, Turdus merula (A)
• Fieldfare, Turdus pilaris (A)
• American robin, Turdus migratorius (B)
• Varied thrush, Ixoreus naevius

Old World flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Muscicapidae

The Old World flycatchers are a large family of small passerine birds. These are mainly small arboreal insectivores, many of which, as the name implies, take their prey on the wing.

• Siberian rubythroat, Calliope calliope (A)
• Northern wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe (A)

Old World sparrows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passeridae

Old World sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small plump brownish or greyish birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed-eaters, but they also consume small insects.

• House sparrow, Passer domesticus (I) (B)
• Eurasian tree sparrow, Passer montanus (I) (A)

Wagtails and pipits

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.

• White wagtail, Motacilla alba (A)
• American pipit, Anthus rubescens (B)
• Sprague's pipit, Anthus spragueii (A)

Finches, euphonias, and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Fringillidae

Finches are small to moderately large seed-eating passerine birds with a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have 12 tail feathers and nine primaries flight feathers. Finches have a bouncing flight, alternating bouts of flapping with gliding on closed wings, and most sing well.

• Brambling, Fringilla montifringilla (A)
• Evening grosbeak, Coccothraustes vespertinus (B)
• Pine grosbeak, Pinicola enucleator (B)
• Grey-crowned rosy-finch, Leucosticte tephrocotis (A)
• House finch, Haemorhous mexicanus (B) (native to the southwestern U.S; introduced in the east)
• Purple finch, Haemorhous purpureus (B)
• Cassin's finch, Haemorhous cassinii (A)
• Common redpoll, Acanthis flammea (B)
• Hoary redpoll, Acanthis hornemanni (B)
• Red crossbill, Loxia curvirostra (B)
• White-winged crossbill, Loxia leucoptera (B)
• Pine siskin, Spinus pinus (B)
• Lesser goldfinch, Spinus psaltria (A)
• American goldfinch, Spinus tristis (B)

Longspurs and snow buntings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Calcariidae

The Calcariidae are a group of passerine birds that were traditionally grouped with the New World sparrows, but differ in a number of respects and are usually found in open grassy areas.

• Lapland longspur, Calcarius lapponicus (B)
• Chestnut-collared longspur, Calcarius ornatus (A)
• Smith's longspur, Calcarius pictus (B)
• Thick-billed longspur, Rhynchophanes mccownii (A)
• Snow bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis

New World sparrows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passerellidae

Until 2017, these species were considered part of the family Emberizidae. Most of the species are known as sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many of these have distinctive head patterns.

• Cassin's sparrow, Peucaea cassinii (A)
• Bachman's sparrow, Peucaea aestivalis (A)
• Grasshopper sparrow, Ammodramus savannarum (B)
• Black-throated sparrow, Amphispiza bilineata (A)
• Lark sparrow, Chondestes grammacus (B)
• Lark bunting, Calamospiza melanocorys (A)
• Chipping sparrow, Spizella passerina (B)
• Clay-coloured sparrow, Spizella pallida (B)
• Brewer's sparrow, Spizella breweri (A)
• Field sparrow, Spizella pusilla (B)
• Fox sparrow, Passerella iliaca (B)
• American tree sparrow, Spizelloides arborea (B)
• Dark-eyed junco, Junco hyemalis (B)
• White-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys (B)
• Golden-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia atricapilla (A)
• Harris's sparrow, Zonotrichia querula (B)
• White-throated sparrow, Zonotrichia albicollis (B)
• Vesper sparrow, Pooecetes gramineus (B)
• LeConte's sparrow, Ammospiza leconteii (B)
• Nelson's sparrow, Ammospiza nelsoni (B)
• Baird's sparrow, Centronyx bairdii (A)
• Henslow's sparrow, Centronyx henslowii (B)
• Savannah sparrow, Passerculus sandwichensis (B)
• Song sparrow, Melospiza melodia (B)
• Lincoln's sparrow, Melospiza lincolnii (B)
• Swamp sparrow, Melospiza georgiana (B)
• Green-tailed towhee, Pipilo chlorurus (A)
• Spotted towhee, Pipilo maculatus (A)
• Eastern towhee, Pipilo erythrophthalmus (B)

Yellow-breasted chat

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Icteriidae

This species was historically placed in the wood-warblers (Parulidae) but nonetheless most authorities were unsure if it belonged there. It was placed in its own family in 2017.

• Yellow-breasted chat, Icteria virens (B)

Troupials and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Icteridae

The icterids are a group of small to medium-sized, often colourful passerine birds restricted to the New World and include the blackbirds, meadowlarks, cowbirds, grackles, and New World orioles. Most species have black as a predominant plumage colour, often enlivened by yellow, orange, or red.

• Yellow-headed blackbird, Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus (B)
• Bobolink, Dolichonyx oryzivorus (B)
• Eastern meadowlark, Sturnella magna (B)
• Western meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta (B)
• Orchard oriole, Icterus spurius (B)
• Hooded oriole, Icterus cucullatus (A)
• Bullock's oriole, Icterus bullockii (A)
• Baltimore oriole, Icterus galbula (B)
• Scott's oriole, Icterus parisorum (A)
• Red-winged blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus (B)
• Brown-headed cowbird, Molothrus ater (B)
• Rusty blackbird, Euphagus carolinus (B)
• Brewer's blackbird, Euphagus cyanocephalus (B)
• Common grackle, Quiscalus quiscula (B)
• Great-tailed grackle, Quiscalus mexicanus (A)

New World warblers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Parulidae

The wood-warblers are a group of small often colourful passerine birds restricted to the New World. Most are arboreal, but some are more terrestrial. Most members of this family are insectivores.

• 

  Blue-winged warbler

• 

  Northern parula

• 

  American redstart

• 

  Common yellowthroat

Cardinals and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cardinalidae

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.

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

See also

• List of birds
• Lists of birds by region
• List of birds of Canada