The Scissor-Tail Flycatcher

Common Name: Scissor-Tail Flycatcher

Scientific Name: Tyrannus forficatus

Habitat: Breeds in open grasslands with occasional trees and shrubs.

Range: The Scissor-tail Flycatcher lives in the Central United States and

Interesting Fact: The Scissor-tail Flycatcher uses many human products in its nest, such as string, cloth, paper, carpet fuzz, and cigarette filters. One study of nests in an urban area in Texas found that artificial materials accounted for 30% of the weight of nests.

Source: Cornell, University (2009). Scissor-Tail Flycatcher. Retrieved April 17, 2009, from All About Birds Web site: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Scissor-Tail_Flycatcher/id

The Orchard Oriole

Common Name: Orchard Oriole

Scientific Name: Icterus spurius

Habitat: Nests in gardens, orchards, suburban areas, along streams and lakes, and in large planted trees near houses. In winter found in tropical forests.

Range: The Orchard Oriole lives in the Eastern United States in the Summer and Central America during the Summer

Interesting Fact: The Orchard Oriole eats nectar and pollen from flowers, especially during the winter. It is an important pollinator for some tropical tree species, transferring the pollen from flower to flower on its head.

Source: Cornell, University (2009). Orchard Oriole. Retrieved April 17, 2009, from All About Birds Web site: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Orchard_Oriole/id

Picture retrieved from: http://pie.midco.net/dougback/miscphotos/orchard_oriole.jpg

The Northern Mockingbird

Common Name: Northern Mockingbird

Scientific Name: Mimus polyglottos

Habitat: Look for Northern Mockingbirds in towns, suburbs, backyards, parks, forest edges, and open land at low elevations.

Range: The Northern Mockingbird lives in the United States in its entirety.

Interesting Fact: Northern Mockingbirds continue to add new sounds to their repertoires throughout their lives. A male may learn around 200 songs throughout its life.

Source: Cornell, University (2009). Northern Mockingbird. Retrieved April 17, 2009, from All About Birds Web site: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Mockingbird/id

Picture retrieved from: http://sdakotabirds.com/species/photos/northern_mockingbird_1.jpg

The Pileated Woodpecker

Common Name: Pileated Woodpecker

Scientific Name: Dryocopus pileatus

Habitat: Found in deciduous or coniferous forests with large trees.

Range: The Pileated Woodpecker lives in the Eastern United States year-round.

Interesting Fact: A Pileated Woodpecker pair stays together on its territory all year round. It will defend the territory in all seasons, but will tolerate floaters during the winter.

Source: Cornell, University (2009). Pileated Woodpecker. Retrieved April 17, 2009, from All About Birds Web site: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pileated_Woodpecker/id

The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Common Name: Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Scientific Name: Archilochus colubris

Habitat: Ruby-throated Hummingbirds live in open woodlands, forest edges, meadows, grasslands, and in parks, gardens, and backyards.

Range: The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird lives in the Eastern United States in the summer and Central America in the Winter

Interesting Fact: The Ruby-throated Hummingbird beats its wings about 53 times a second.

Source: Cornell, University (2009). Ruby-Throated Hummingbird. Retrieved April 17, 2009, from All About Birds Web site: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ruby-Throated_Hummingbird/id

Picture retrieved from: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2c/Male_Ruby-Throated_Hummingbird_1.jpg/300px-Male_Ruby-Throated_Hummingbird_1.jpg

The Song Sparrow

Common Name: Song Sparrow

Scientific Name: Melospiza melodia

Habitat: Look for Song Sparrows in nearly any open habitat, including marsh edges, overgrown fields, backyards, desert washes, and forest edges. Song Sparrows commonly visit bird feeders and build nests in residential areas.

Range: The Song Sparrow lives in the United States in its entirety. It lives in the Midwestern United States in Winter and early Spring.

Interesting Fact: The Song Sparrow is found throughout most of North America, but the birds of different areas can look surprisingly different. Song Sparrows of the Desert Southwest are pale, while those in the Pacific Northwest are dark and heavily streaked. Song Sparrows of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands chain are even darker, and they’re huge: one-third longer than the eastern birds, and weighing twice as much.

Source: Cornell, University (2009). Song Sparrow. Retrieved April 17, 2009, from All About Birds Web site: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Song_Sparrow/id

The Purple Martin

Common Name: Purple Martin

Scientific Name: Progne subis

Habitat: Breeds near human settlements where nest houses are provided, especially near water and large open areas. Also in saguaro cactus, and in western montane forests around beaver ponds.

Range: Purple Martins live in the Eastern United States during the summer and migrate to South America during the winter.

Interesting Fact: The Purple Martin is unusual among birds that use nest boxes; several pairs will nest in a single box with multiple compartments. However, one male will attempt to defend multiple compartments. Western martins are less likely to use boxes with multiple compartments

Source: Cornell, University (2009). Purple Martin. Retrieved April 17, 2009, from All About Birds Web site: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Purple_Martin/id

Picture retrieved from: http://media.photobucket.com/image/Purple%20Martin/nikovich2/PurpleMartin-small-0308.07.jpg