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GOLDEN GUIDES
BIRDS
A GUIDE TO FAMILIAR AMERICAN BIRDS
by
HERBERT S. ZIM, PH.D.
and
IRAN. GABRIELSON, LL.D., D. Sc.
Illustrated by
JAMESGORDON IRVING
� .,
GOLDEN PRESS • NEW YORK
Western Publishing Company, Inc.
Racine, Wisconsin
2� FOREWORD
©Copyright 1987, 1956, 1949 by Western Publishing Company, Inc. All rig hts
reserved. including rights of reproduction and use in any form or by any means.
including the making of copies by any photo process. or by any electronic or
mechanical device, printed or written or oral, or recording for sound or visual
reproduction or for use in any knowledge retrieval system or device. unless
permission in writing is obtained from the copyright proprietor. Produced in the
WOO D P ECKERS: C l i m b i n g b i r d s . B i l l
strong, pointed, with bristles o t nostril . Tail
feathers stiff ond poi nted . Toes : 2 i n front, 2
in back; or (rarely) 2 in front ond 1 in back.
pages 62-65
Storks
cormorants
lrch
troplcb
!:
;,
..
Plovers
Waterfowl
i;ts LC!,
-.ro..o-�
King
rlfrnlc
�... ...
e e� �
� Wrens
- and Creepers
,.,
Dippers
Hawks
and
i
iii
Eagles
I
�
Hummingbirds
Owls
Tern Loon Heron Kingfisher
A DAPTATIONS
AD APTATIONS OF BIRD S
/
Birds show unusual adaptations to their way
of l ife . The most i m portant and obvious is a
covering of feathers . These have developed from
� Robin
perching
the sca ly covering of reptiles. Each feather has
rows of branched barbs that hook together. On
the long flight feathers, the ba rbs mesh tightly
to form a fi rm structure . Contour feathers and
an undercoat of finer down cover the bird's
body. Form and structure of feathers va ry with
different birds.
Interna l ada ptations of birds incl ude a i r sacs
and light, hollow bones; a very rapid hea rt;
temperature severa l degrees higher than ours,
Pheasant
and other structures favoring a very active ex
istence . The animal food of birds incl udes i n -walking
Barbs and
barbules enlarged
vane
Shrike Cardinal Wood Thrush Crossbill Yellowthroat
OF FEET
)
common .
Other adaptations a re shown i n the legs and
feet of birds . The bi rd's three o r fou r toes have
been modified for cl imbing, scratc h i n g , g rasp
Woodpecker ing and tearing , and swi m m i ng . Long toes d i s
-climbing
tri bute the wei g ht of b i rds that wa l k on mud
and sand . Extra feathering protects the feet of
ptarmigans and a rctic owls . The long legs of
Yellowlegs waders, the webbed feet of swim mers, a nd other
-wading
adaptations indicate specia l i zed uses of var
ious kinds.
Most i nteresting of all adaptations a re those
of behavior. Ma ny spec ies have developed d is
ti nct patterns of l iving . Careful observations
will disclose the "persona lities" of different birds
and their soc i a l ada ptations .
Body
feather
with
after·
shaft
16
AMATEUR
ACTIVITIES
Eve ryone sta r t s watc h i n g
b i rds with the same ideas i n
mind: t o learn the i r names, to
Lewi s' Woodpecker
identify as many as possible,
a t feed i ng stat i o n and to see what kind of "rec-
ords" his watching w i l l yiel d . Some people a re content
doing these things and never venture beyond this stage.
Others find many more ways to broaden their know l
edge. Time, p l a c e , a n d experience w i l l determ ine how
fa r you want to g o . Here a re some suggestions:
·· \·::J
·- --�/'{
nesting ground to its wi nter quarters i n coasta l U n ited
States . In flight it is recogn i zed by its muffled cal l . It
feeds from the surface, using its long neck to reach
aquatic vegetation . The i ntroduced
{; Mute Swan (40 i n . ) , found spar
'(S� ingly i n the Great lakes, i n coasta l
waters, and some city pa rks, is told
__ by its ora nge b i l l and g racefu lly
cu rved nec k .
27
�-
duck ( 1 6 i n . ) resembles the female Ma l l a r d , but i s da rker
and has whiter wing l i n i n g s . Ma les have bright red legs
and yel l owish bills; females a re d u l ler. Black Ducks prefer
brackish water, especially i n wi nter. The s i m i l a r Mottled
Duck ( 1 5 i n . ) is restricted to F l o � ida
and the Gulf Coast . The wade- ·- ........ .
;:t
upturned bill. Willets (l3V2 in.) are still larger and
plumper, with dark legs and with bold
�
black-and-white wing markings in �
flight. Still larger are the Whimbrel
(14 in.)with its long down-curved bill
_
wrr
- - --- -- ·-----·
�
ingbird, the Gray Catbird { 7-lf_. i n . ) sings a l most a s wel l ,
but i s a poor i m i tator. Its name comes from its mewing
ca l l . It feeds and nests l ow i n shrubs a n d vi nes, often
near houses or i n m o i st thickets . Catb i rds a re s laty-gray
except for the black cap and a
chestnut patch under the base of the ···-
�
face . The Green-tailed Towhee (6V4
i n . ) of western mounta ins has a
green back, reddish crown , white
throat, and gray sides .
SPA R R OW S
Worldwide there are nearly 300 species of sparrows,
of wh ich 52 have been recorded i n North America north
of Mexico. Towhees, juncos, and some less wel l -known
birds such as grassquits and longspurs a re i ncl uded i n
these tota l s . The o n l y ones d i scussed here a re birds that
occur over much of the continent and are l i kely to be
found by beg i nners.
Sparrows a re sma l l to med ium-sized b i rds with stout
con ical b i l l s adapted for crushing seeds , which a re their
main d iet. Seed-eaters have a better chance for wi nter
surviva l i n the North than d o i nsect-eaters, so spa rrows
are conspicuous wi nter residents i n areas where daytime
wi nter temperatures a re l i kely to remain below freezing
for severa l consecutive days .
Most sparrows have streaked backs. Head and breast
patterns can be used to identify most species . Each
species has its own particu l a r nest i ng habitat i n summer,
but during migration and in wi nter several species often
flock together. Sparrows a re short-distance m i g rants,
wintering largely with i n the U n i ted States and southern
Canad a . They arrive on the i r breed ing grounds early in
spring . Most species prefer fields rather than woodlands.
1 10
F I E L D S PARROW This common sparrow (5 i n . ) of
brushy fields d i splays a redd ish-brown c rown ; its p l a i n
breast, p i n k bill a n d legs, a n d broad
gray eye ring c l i nch its i dentifica
tion . Its song is a n accelerating se
ries of s l urred whistles. Compare
the Field Sparrow with the Ameri
c a n Tree, C h i p p i n g , and Swam p
Sparrows, w h i c h have t h e same
reddish cap.
W H I T E - C R O W N E D S PA R R OW The b l a c k - a n d
white crown, erect posture, plain gray breast a n d throat,
and pink or ye l l owish b i l l identify this sparrow (5% i n . ) .
Young have brown and buff head stripes. Western birds
use suburban habitats , but eastern birds prefer hedge
rows bordered by large fiel ds. The
Golden-crowned Spa rrow (6V4 i n . ),
which winters i n the Pacific states,
differs by havi ng a dull yel low crown
bordered with black.
Most sw i m m i n g b i rd s
that depend o n fl ying or
crawl ing i n sects can not
Arctic Tern ( 1 3 in.): grayish; red winter in cold climates.
bill; black cap. Some seed -eaters a l so m i
grate. Some birds m i g rate b y day, others b y n i g h t . N o
one knows j u st h o w b i r d s fi nd their w a y from their sum
mer to their w i nter homes.
Migrations north and south o re best know n . Some
birds move only a few hundred m i les from their bree d i ng
to their w i nter range; others cover severa l thousa n d .
Sca r l et Ta nagers travel from Peru t o northern U . S .
MISSISSIPPI ATLANTIC
F LYWAY F LYWAY
Upland Sandpiper ( 1 0 in.) mi Red Knot (8V2 i n . ) concentrates on
grates from the Arctic and the prai the Atlantic coast enroute from the
ries to central South America. Arctic to Chile.
Varied Thrush (8 in.): Robin-like, Even ing Grosbeak (7V. in.): larger
black bar on orange breast. than goldfinch; huge beak.
p
StL E-Sept WR E-May buff.
Perma nent Resident
Materials location
Sticks and twigs. In trees, but near water; Ma i n l y fish, aquatic in-
occasionally on ground. sects and crustaceans.
Grasses, sedges, and 6 ft. diameter mound i n Stems, seeds, and roots of
mosses. m a rs h e s o r w e t g ra s s y aquatic plants.
meadows.
Grasses, weeds, �
Usually on round in grass Same as Mallard .
l e a v e s ; fe a t h e r l i n - or brush. ometimes far
in g . from water.
p
SF E-Sept WR E-May darker spots and specks.
Permanent Resident
38 Spotted DC M-Apr
8
SR L-Sept 1 .3 X 0.9 4
Sandpi per E-May SR M-Sept White to cream; heavily
StL M-Apr
p
SR E-Oct ma rked with dark brown
L-Apr SR M-Oct and black.
Sli g ht depression with On 9 round a long shores Small fish, snails, worms,
littl e or no lining. and 1n manhes, often un crustacea ns, a n d some
der sma l l bush. insects.
:a'
La e nest of branches In treetops or cl iffs; 30-90 Mostly fish; some rodents
an sticks. Additions ft. ':f.'
in forested or and a few birds.
and repairs a re made woo e d reg i o n s , n e a r
yearly. streams, la kes, or ocean .
No nest material, un- I n cavity of tree, cl iff em- La rgely insects, some ra-
less some was left by ba nkment, 7-80 ft. up; dents, l izards, and small
previous occupant. often in f a r m s or or- birds.
chords.
p
StL L-Apr SR E-Oct gray and brown.
E-June SR L-Sept
Sticks, straw, and Building (30 ft. and Corn, oats, weed seeds,
debris. h i g h e r } , o n s h e l tered farm gleanings.
eaves or ledge.
Stems, straws, some In trees (pines preferred) Wheat, corn, grass, and
limes leaves and 2-45 ft. above ground; in weed seeds.
moss. upland, sometimes in wet
lowlands.
Coarse twigs, h e l d to Usually near lop of chim F l i es, mosqu itoes, a nd
gether by saliva of neys or rarely in barns or other small insects,
bird. sheds; sometimes inside caught in flight.
wells.
p
StL L-Apr SR L-Sept with brown.
M-May SR M-Sept
Nest l ined with fish At end of burrow in bank Ma i n l y fish; some crusta
bones and scales, or bluff. Usually not more ceans and frogs.
leaves, g rass. than I 0 ft. up. Usually
near water.
Hole, lined with chi ps. Cavity in dead or live tree Ants, beetles, other in
8-40 ft. up; in woods or sects and their eggs. Wood
orchards. and sap; wild fru its.
Gourd-shaped exca In dead limb 5-50 ft. up; Ants and boring insects,
vation: 6- 1 0 in. deep. wood lands, orchards. spiders, snails. Some fruits
and seeds.
Materials location
Leaves, grass, straw, I n cavities of trees, holes Flying i n sects: flies, bees,
twigs. in cl iffs: 3-30 ft. high . b e e t l e s , fl y i n g a n t s ,
Freq u e n t l y u s e s m u lt i moths.
celled bird houses.
Gross, lining of Hol lows and cavities in Flies, moths, bees, bee
feathers. trees, woodpecker holes, tles and other fl y i ng in
crevices i n buildings; also sects. Uses bayberries os
birdhouses; 2-50 ft. up. o wi nter food .
Lorge nest of sticks In bushes and trees: 8-30 Grasshoppers; other in
and mud; l i n i n g of ft. up. sects, carrion, s m a l l
rootlets or horsehair. mammals; wild a n d cul
tivated fruits.
Twigs and sticks, In trees (preferably pine Corn and other gra i ns,
l ined with rootl ets, woods), height 1 0-70 ft. weed seeds, wild fruits;
vines, grass. grasshoppers and other
insects.
Twigs and rootlets, In o fork of tree: 5-50 ft. Acorns, beechnuts, corn
lined with g ro ss, up. Prefers evergreen for and other g ra i n . Some in
feathers. ests. But often in suburbs, sects, eggs, and young
forms, and villages. birds.
Moss, hair, feathers, Cavity i n rotted stump or I nsects and their eggs,
grass; lined with limb, or deserted wood weed and tree seeds; wild
plant down . pecker hole; 1 -50 ft. up. fru its.
Leaves, moss, bark; D e s e r t e d wood p e c k e rs' Ants, bugs, and other in
li ned with feathers. holes or stumps: 2-85 ft. sects; some seeds a n d
up. fruits.
Materials location
Twigs, stems, grasses, A cavity in hollow tree: Small insects: bugs, bee
li ned with feathers, 5-60 ft. up. Woodlands, tles, caterpillars, etc.
hair. farmyards, and in cities.
B i rd boxes c o m m o n l y
used .
Plant down, covered In conifers, often saddled Ants, plant lice, sca le in
by mosses a n d l i on a limb; 5-50 ft. up. s e c t s , a n d i n s e c t e g 11 s .
chens. B o u n d w i t h O c ca s i o n a l u s e of w o l d
plant fibers. fruits.
Te n d r i l s , fi n e b a r k , On a branch or in a crotch Ma i n l y s m a l l i n s e c t s :
a n d g ra s s e s . F i r m l y in tree near water; 1 0-70 beetles, flies, caterpillars,
woven a n d covered ft. up. moths.
with lichens.
Leaves, rootlets, fi ne U s u a l l y in s a p l i n g s in B e e t l e s , a n t s , c a t e rp i l
twigs. Firmly woven, woods; 3-40 ft. up. lars, and other i nsects.
with i n n e r w a l l of Some wild fruits and weed
mud. seeds.
93 !f.
Lag e rhead NY E-Aug Tr L-Oct 1 .0 X 0.8 3-S
Shri e B M-Ma r Tr L-Oct Dull white; spotted and
Stl Permanent Resident blotched with light
SF Perma nent Resident brown.
94 �
Euro ean Perma nent Resident 1 .2 X 0.9 4-6
Star ing throughout its ra nge, Whitish or pale blue; un-
�
exce t in extreme marked.
Nor!
Materials Location
Bulky nest of bark, Often in fruit and shade Wild and cultivated fruits:
leaves, grasses, root trees; 5-50 ft. up. g rapes, dogwood, haw
lets, moss, and some thorn, cherries; some in
times mud. sects.
Fine grasses and fi. In shrubs and trees; 3-8 Caterpillan, weevils, and
bers; lined with plant ft. up. Rarely 40 ft. Fields other sma ll insects. S l ight
down, fi n e g ra s s , and orchards, near water. amount of plant food.
some hair.
S t r i p s of fi n e b a r k , On ground, at base of P l a n t l i c e , c a t e r p i l l a rs ,
g rasses; l i n ed w i t h trees, logs, or rocks. beetles, sca le a n d othe�
rootlets or hoin. i n sects.
Materials Location
Bark, leafstalks, plant Usually in the crotch of a Small insects: flies, bee
down. Firmly woven sa pling; 3-30 ft. a bove tles, moths, leafhoppers,
and li ned with root ground, ra rely higher. etc.
lets.
Ball of grass and moss On ground among bushes Small insects, similar to
wrapped in l e a v e s . in swampy land. other warblers. Makes
lined w i t h fi ne root slight u s e o f p l a n t food .
lets.
Fine twigs and weeds. On horizontal limb, often Mainly insects: ants, bee
lined with vine ten near its end; I 0-70 ft. up. tles, moths, caterpillars.
drils and stems. Dogwood, blackberry, and
other wild fru its.
Materials Location
M a te ria ls Location
Bul ky, but compact. Nests i n colonies, most Gra i n and weed seeds.
Of mud and coarse often i n coniferous trees; Some wild fru it; beetles,
g ra s s e s ; l i n e d w i t h sometimes in bushes; 5- g r a s s h o p p e rs , c r i c k e t s ,
finer grasses. 80 ft. up. etc .
None added. Eggs laid in nests of other Gra i n and weed seeds.
birds. Usually 1 or 2 in Grasshoppers and other
any one nest. insects.
Rootlets and grasses. Trees, bushes, and vines; Weed seeds, tree seeds,
Lined with horsehair. 5-20 ft. above ground. plant lice and other in
Often on or near build sects.
ings.
Of any available ma In any available place: in Corn, oats, wheat, and
teri a l : stri ng, straw, b u i l d i n g s , s t r u c t u re s , other gra i n ; weed seeds;
twigs, paper, etc. eaves; over 5 f t . u p . some insects during spring
and summer.
1 54
BIRD I NG AI DS
C A N A DA
Al berta : Banff N P. M a n itoba : C h u rch i l l ; R i d i ng Mt. N P. O n t a r i o :
A l g o n q u i n P r ov i n c i a l P k . ; P t . P e l e e N P. Q u e b e c : Bonaventure I s .
1 56
SCIENTI F I C NAM E S
--1.-
---- �
1 58
INDEX
Asteri sks ( * ) denote pages o n which birds are i l l ustrated .
�
A r c t i c Te r n , * 1 2 8 C a t t l e Egret. * 2 5 , F a l c o n , Pereg r i n e , 4 7
1 3 2- 1 33 Feathers, * 1 4 - * 1 5
Band i n g , * 1 9 C h a t , Ye l l ow- Feed i n g s t a t i o n s , * 1 6-
B a rn- Ow l , C o m m o n , brea sted , * 1 9 *17
*54, 1 38 - 1 39 C h ickadees, * 78 , Feet, * 1 4 - * 1 5
Bills, * 1 4- * 1 5 1 42 - 1 43 f i n c h , C a s s i n's, 1 24
B i rd houses, * 1 7 C h u c k - w i l l 's-wi dow, House, * 1 25 ,
B i rd " 58 1 52- 1 53
adaptat i o n s , 1 4 - 1 5 Coot, A m e r i c a n , * 3 4 , P u r p l e , * 1 24 , 1 25 ,
attracti n g , 1 6 - 1 7 1 3 4 - 1 35 1 52- 1 53
c l a ss i f i c a t i o n of, 9- Cowb i r d , Brown- fish Hawk. See
13 headed , * 1 2 2 , Osprey
counts, 2 0 1 52- 1 53 f l i cker, N or t h e r n ,
fa m i l y t r e e of, * 1 2 - Creeper, Brown, * 8 0 , * 6 3 , 1 40 - 1 4 1
*13 1 42 - 1 43 f l ycatcher, Aca d i a n ,
fee d i n g , 1 6- 1 7 Crows, * 7 5 , 69
l i f e h i st o r i e s , 2 0 1 42- 1 43 A l d e r, 69
parts of, 8, 1 4 - 1 5 Cuckoos, * 5 3 , Ash-throated, 6 7
"'
"'
D u sky, 6 9
,.... w
B i rd watch i n g , 4 - 7 , 1 3 8 - 1 39
...
w
1 55 Gray, 69
B i t t e r n , A m e r i ca n , 24 D i c k c i ssel , * 1 2 8 Great C rested ,
� B l a c k b i r d , B rewer's , Dove, Common * 6 7 , 1 40 - 1 4 1
� * 1 20 , 1 5 2 - 1 5 3
Red-winged, * 1 1 9,
G ro u n d- , 5 1
Inca, 52
H a m mond's, 69
least, * 6 9 , 1 40-
o() �
w
1 52- 1 53 Mourn i n g , * 5 2 , 141
R u s t y, 1 2 0 1 3 8 - 1 39 Wester n , 69
� Tr i c o l o r e d , 1 1 9 Rock, * 5 1 , 1 3 8- 1 39 W i l l ow, 69
"' �
<.:)
B l u e b i r d s , * 8 5 , 1 4 4- White-winged, 52 Ye l l ow- b e l l i e d , 69
z
1 45 Dowitcher, 3 6 F lywa ys, * 1 2 8 - * 1 2 9
02
:::>
B l u e J ay, * 1 8 , * 76 , D u c k , American B l a c k ,
"'
1 42- 1 43 *29, 1 32- 1 33 Gadwa l l , 2 9
<i)
151 le Conte's, 9 1 1 00 - * 1 0 1 , 1 48 -
u
1 53 T h r u s h , Gray- Ye l l owthroat. See
cheeked , 8 7 Ye l l owthroa t ,
� E u r a s i a n Tree, 1 1 0
F i e l d , 1 1 0- * 1 1 1 , Hermit, *87, 1 1 4 , Common
� 1 50- 1 5 1 1 44 - 1 45 Wate r t h r u s h e s , 9 8 -
w
Fox, 1 1 4 - * 1 1 5 , Swa i n son's, 8 7 * 99 , 1 46 - 1 4 7
u
:;(
1 50- 1 5 1 Va ried , 8 8 , * 1 30 Waxw i n g , Bohem i a n ,
(!)
V>
G o l d e n - c rowned, Wood , *86, 87, 92
z
"'
1 12 1 44 - 1 45 C e d a r, * 92, 1 46 -
::>
T i t m o u s e , Tufted, * 79 , 1 47
V>
House, * 1 27 , 1 52-
1 53 1 42- 1 43 Whimbrel, 37
.... �
:I:
l a rk, 1 1 0 Towhee, Abert's, 1 08 W h i p - poor -w i l l , * 5 8 ,
Song , 1 1 0 , 1 1 4- Brown, * 1 0 8 , 1 4 8 - 1 38- 1 39
* 1 1 5 , 1 5 0- 1 5 1 1 49 W i g e o n , A m e r i c a n , 30
Swa m p , 1 1 4- * 1 1 5 , Green-ta i l e d , 1 08 Wil let, 37
1 50- 1 5 1 Rufou s - s i d e d , * 1 07 , Woodcoc k , A m e r i c a n ,
Tre e . See Sparrow, 1 48- 1 49 36
A m e r i c a n Tree Tu rkey Vu lt u re, * 4 2 , Wood pecker, A c o r n , 6 2
Ves per, 1 1 0 - * 1 1 1 , 1 36- 1 37 Downy, * 1 6 , * 65 ,
1 50- 1 5 1 1 40- 1 4 1
W h i te - c rowned , Veery, 8 6 , 87 H a i ry, 6 5
1 1 2 - * 1 1 3 , 1 50- Vi reos, * 1 0 2 , 1 4 8- lew i s ' , * 1 6
151 1 49 Red - be l l i e d , 6 2
W h i te - t h roated, Vultures, *42, 1 3 6- Red-headed, * 6 2 ,
1 1 2 - * 1 1 3 , 1 50- 1 37 1 40- 1 4 1
151 Wood - Pewees , 68
Sta r l i n g , E u ropean, Wa r bl er, Black-and- Wren s , * 8 1 , 1 44 - 1 45
* 94 , 1 46 - 1 4 7 white, 96- * 9 7 ,
Swa l l ow, B a n k , 73 1 46 - 1 4 7 Ye l l o w l e g s , lesser,
Barn, * 7 3 , 1 4 2 - 1 43 B l a c k po l l , 96 * 3 7 , 1 34 - 1 3 5
C l i ff , 7 3 B l a c k -throated Ye l l owt h ro at , C o m -
Tree , * 7 2 , 1 4 2 - 1 4 3 B l u e , 96- * 9 7 , m o n , 9 8 - * 99 ,
V i o le t- gr een , 7 2 1 46 - 1 4 7 1 46- 1 4 7
A B C D E F
BIRDS
A GOLDEN GUIDE®
HERBERT S. ZIM, Ph . D. , Sc . D. , an originator and
former editor of the Golden Guide Series , w a s also an
author for many yea r s . Author of some ninety books
and editor of about as many, he is now Adjunct Pro
fessor a t the University of Miami and Educational
Consultant to the American Friends Service Commit
tee and other organizatio n s . He works on educa
tiona l , popula tion and environmental problem s .