Birds: Isabella County, Michigan
Checklists

                                                                                            Compiled by R.V. Dietrich, Professor Emeritus

                                                                                    Photo consultant, Stan Lilley, Director,
                                                                                                                                             Chippewa Watershed Conservancy,
                                                                              

| Photo Archive | Location Maps |


Introduction
Two hundred eightyone (281) species of birds recorded for Isabella County Michigan are given on two lists: 
                  1. A.O.U. Listing -- common and scientific names according to the American Ornithologist's Union (A.O.U.) Check-list of North American Birds (7th edition) + 42nd, 43rd, 44th, & 45th Supplements, as published in The Auk 117: 847-858 (2000); 119:897-906 (2002); 120:923-932 (2003); 121:985-995 (2004); 
                2. Alphabetical List --common names in alphabetical order.  The  lists have been compiled from publications (see references), reports of Spring and Christmas counts, and observations by competent bird-watchers.

             With two exceptions -- the Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) and the (Fawn) Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia[Fringilla] guttata), for which there are so-to-speak enigmatic observations --  cage birds (e.g., canaries and parakeets), domesticated  fowl (e.g., diverse chickens, ducks, geese, and "exotic pheasants") and emus that are kept within the county are not included. 

An extensive Legend with remarks indicating the intent of the symbols used for breeding records and the letters based on seasonal population information follows the tabulations.  Thoughts relating to problems and conundrums met during preparation of the tabulations, and explanations of how most of them were resolved follow that Legend.  Birds whose names are in bold-face red on the list are illustrated by photographs taken within Isabella County that are included in the Photo Archive.

Addendum:
In early 2011, the Chippewa Valley Audubon Club opened a web site.  One can get to the site through the follwing link. 

                                                                 http://www.cvacmi.org

This web site is scheduled to contain many things of interest to bird-watchers and others who are interested in birds, both in general and within the general area where members reside.  This includes Isabella County and also adjoining Gratiot county. The site contains links to important and interesting sightings of birds in Michigan, as reported on E-bird, as well as information about meetings, field trips and projects of the club. In the future, it is planned to establish a format for the site  that will permit anyone interested to interact directly on the site through a series of blogs. 

------------

A.O.U.  Listing

ANSERIFORMES

        ANATIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 
 Legend - for details, see
        text at end of tables.
Greater White-fronted Goose, Anser albifrons Wo
o







Snow Goose, Chen caerulescens   photo   photo4  
Wo  Tu    So
o
o
o
u
  KEY
Ross's Goose, Chen rossii  photo  photo2  photo3          To
o
o


o
     T - Sp &/or Fall transient
Cackling Goose, Branta hutchinsii







o
     R - resident
!Canada Goose, Branta canadensis  photo2   photo3 Rf    +Tc
R
R
R
R
        c - common
!Mute Swan, Cygnus olor  photo2 Ru
R
R
R
R
       f - frequent
Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator          To






o

Tundra Swan, Cygnus columbianus   photo Wu   Tu
u
f
 
u
        u - uncommon
!Wood Duck, Aix sponsa  photo  photo2   Wo   Tf    So
o
f
u
f
       o - occasional
±Gadwall, Anas strepera           Tu
 
u
 
o

American Wigeon, Anas americana          Tu   So


u
o
u

!American Black Duck, Anas rubripes   photo Wu   Tu   Su
u
u
u
u
 
!Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos  photo2 Rf    +Tc
R
R
R
R

!Blue-winged Teal, Anas discors          Tf    Su
o
f
u
f
  Breeding Records
Northern Shoveler, Anas clypeata  photo 2
 Wo   Tu   So
o
u
o
o
        !  - definite
Northern Pintail, Anas acuta Wo   Tu   So
o
u
o
u
        #  - probable
!Green-winged Teal, Anas crecca Wo   Tu   So
o
u
o
u
        ±  - possible
Canvasback, Aythya valisineria Wo   Tu
o
u


u

Redhead, Aythya americana  photo Wo   Tu
o
u


u

Ring-necked Duck, Aythya collaris   photo Tu
o
f


u

Greater Scaup, Aythya marila Wo   Tu   So
o
u
o



Lesser Scaup, Aythya affinis Wo   Tf    So
o
f
o
f

White-winged Scoter, Melanitta fusca To






o

Long-tailed Duck, Clangula hyemalis Wo   To
o




o

Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola Wo   Tf
o
f


f

Common Goldeneye, Bucephala clangula  photo2 Wf    Tf    So
u
u
o
f

!Hooded Merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus  photo Wo   Tu   So
o
f
o
u

Common Merganser, Mergus merganser Wu   Tu
u
f


u

Red-breasted Merganser, Mergus serrator          Tu


u


o

Ruddy Duck, Oxyura jamaicensis          Tu


u


o

GALLIFORMES

        ODONTOPHORIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

!Northern Bobwhite, Colinus virginianus Ru
R
R
R
R

        PHASIANIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 
  KEY
!Gray Partridge(widely called "Hungarian Partridge"), Perdix perdix (introduced; now absent)









     T - Sp &/or Fall transient
     R - resident 
!Ring-necked Pheasant, Phasianus colchicus   photo2 Rf
R
R
R
R

!Ruffed Grouse, Bonasa umbellus  photo   photo2    photo3 Rf
R
R
R
R
        c - common
!Greater Prairie-Chicken, Tympanuchus cupido   (extirpated, last recorded 1981)









       f - frequent
        u - uncommon
!Wild Turkey, Meleagris gallopavo  photo2   photo3 Rc
R
R
R
R
       o - occasional       

GAVIFORMES

        GAVIIDAE




Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

!Common Loon, Gavia immer          Tu   So


u
o
o

 PODICIPEDIFORMES

        PODICIPEDIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 
  Breeding Records 
!Pied-billed Grebe, Podilymbus podiceps   photo2          Tf    Su
o
f
u
f
        !  - definite
Horned Grebe, Podiceps auritus          Tu


u


o
        #  - probable
Red-necked Grebe, Podiceps grisegena          To


o




        ±  - possible
       

PELECANIFORMES

        PHALACROCORACIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

±Double-crested Cormorant, Phalacrocorax auritus          Tu   Su


u
u
u

CICONIIFORMES

        ARDEIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

!American Bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus  photo Wo   Tu   Su
o
u
u
o
  KEY
!Least Bittern, Ixobrychus exilis          To   So


o
o


     T - Sp &/or Fall transient
     R - resident
!Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias photo1  photo2  photo3  Wo   Tf     Sf
o
f
f
f
   
Great egret, Ardea alba  photo  photo2  photo3           To   So




o
o
       c - common
       f - frequent
Little Blue Heron, Egretta caerulea  photo
          To


o




       u - uncommon
Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis          To


o


o
        o - occasional  
!Green Heron, Butorides virescens  photo     photo2   photo3   photo4            Tf     Sf


u
f
f

±Black-crowned Night-Heron, Nycticorax nycticorax          To   Su


o
u
o
 
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Nyctanassa violacea
          To 







o

       THRESKIORNITHIDAE




Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

Glossy Ibis, Plegadis falcinellus          To


o





FALCONIFORMES
        CATHARTIDAE




Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

Black vulture, Coragyps atratus



o





!Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura   photo   photo2   photo3
Wo    Tc  Sc
o
c
c
c

        ACCIPITRIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 
 Legend - for details, see   
!Osprey, Pandion haliaetus          Tu   Su


u
u
u
        text at end of  tables.
Mississippi Kite, Ictinia mississippiensis          To


o




  KEY
!Bald Eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus  photo  photo2  photo3  photo4 Wo   To
o
f


o
     T - Sp &/or Fall transient  
!Northern Harrier, Circus cyaneus Wu    Tf   Su
u
f
u
u
     R - resident 
!Sharp-shinned Hawk, Accipiter striatus  photo Ru    +Tu
R
R
R
R

!Cooper's Hawk, Accipiter cooperii  photo Rf     +Tu
R
R
R
R
        c - common
!Northern Goshawk, Accipiter gentilis  photo Wu    Tu  So
u
u
o
o
       f - frequent
!Red-shouldered Hawk, Buteo lineatus  photo   photo2 Wu    Tu  Su
u
u
u
o
        u - uncommon
!Broad-winged Hawk, Buteo platypterus  photo            Tu  Su


u
u
u
       o - occasional 
!Red-tailed Hawk, Buteo jamaicensis  photo  photo2  photo3 Rf     +Tf
R
R
R
R

Rough-legged Hawk, Buteo lagopus  photo  photo2
 Wu    Tf   So
u
f
o
f

Golden Eagle, Aquila chrysaetos
                So




o
o

        FALCONIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 
 Breeding Records
!American Kestrel, Falco sparverius  photo Rf     +Tf
R
R
R
R
        !  - definite
Merlin, Falco columbarius  photo Wo    To
o
o


o
        #  - probable
Peregrine Falcon, Falco peregrinus Wo    Tu  So
o
u
o
u
        ±  - possible

GRUIFORMES

        RALLIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

Yellow Rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis          To


o





#Virginia Rail, Rallus limicola  photo
         Tf    Su


f
u
u

!Sora, Porzana carolina  photo          Tf     Sf


f
f
f

!Common Moorhen, Gallinula chloropus  photo2           To   So


o
u
o

!American Coot, Fulica americana Wo   Tu   Su
o
f
u
u

        GRUIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

!Sandhill Crane, Grus canadensis  photo  photo2  Wu   Tf   So
u
f
u
o

Whooping Crane, Grus americana
     (See photo at end of text that follows this list.) 		         To   So


o
o



CHARADRIIFORMES

        CHARADRIIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

Black-bellied Plover, Pluvialis squatarola          Tu


u


o

American Golden-Plover, Pluvialis dominica          To


o





Semipalmated Plover, Charadrius semipalmatus  photo   photo2
         Tf    So


f
o
f

!Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus  photo1  photo2
Wo   Tc   Sc
o
c
c
c

        SCOLOPACIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 
 Legend - for details, see   
Greater Yellowlegs, Tringa melanoleuca  photo2
         Tu   Su


f
u
u
        text at end of  tables.
Lesser Yellowlegs, Tringa flavipes  photo2          Tf    Su


f
u
f
  KEY
Willet, Tringa semipalmata
         To


o




     T - Sp &/or Fall transient  
Solitary Sandpiper, Tringa solitaria  photo   photo2          Tf    Su


f
u
f
      R - resident 
!Spotted Sandpiper, Actitis macularius   photo2           Tf     Sf


f
f
f
 
!Upland Sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda  photo          Tu   Su


u
u
o

Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Tryngites subruficollis
         To






o

Ruddy Turnstone, Arenaria interpres          Tu


u




        c - common
Red Knot, Calidris canutus          To


o




       f - frequent
Sanderling, Calidris alba          Tu


u


o
        u - uncommon
Semipalmated Sandpiper, Calidris pusilla          Tu   So


u
u
o
       o - occasional 
Western Sandpiper, Calidris mauri          To   So


o
o


 
Least Sandpiper, Calidris minutilla  photo2   photo3          Tu   Su


u
u
o
   Breeding Records
White-rumped Sandpiper, Calidris fuscicollis          To


o




        !  - definite
Baird''s Sandpiper, Calidris bairdii          To


o




        #  - probable
Pectoral Sandpiper, Calidris melanotos          Tu   Su


u
u
u
        ±  - possible
Dunlin, Calidris alpina  photo          Tu   So


u
o
u

Stilt Sandpiper, Calidris himantopus
         To   So


o
o



Ruff, Philomachus pugnax          To


o





Short-billed Dowitcher, Limnodromus griseus          Tu   So


u
o
o

Long-billed Dowitcher, Limnodromus scolopaceus          Tu   So


u
o
o

#Wilson's Snipe, Gallinago delicata   photo2
Wo   Tf    Su
o
f
u
f

!American Woodcock, Scolopax minor    photo Wo   Tf    Su
o
f
u
u

Wilson's Phalarope, Phalaropus tricolor  photo            Tu   So


u
o



Red-necked Phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus          To


o





  

        LARIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 
  Legend - for details, see 
Bonaparte's Gull, Larus philadelphia  photo
         Tu


u




        text at end of  tables
!Ring-billed Gull, Larus delawarensis   photo2 Rc   +Tc
R
R
R
R
  KEY
Herring Gull, Larus argentatus  photo
Wo   Tu   So
o
u
o
o
     T - Sp &/or Fall transient
Common Tern, Sterna hirundo          To   So


o
o
o
      R - resident
Forster's Tern, Sterna forsteri          To


o





Black Tern, Chlidonias niger          Tu   Su


u
u
o

COLUMBIFORMES

        COLUMBIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 
        c - common
!Rock Pigeon, Columba livia Rc
R
R
R
R
       f - frequent
!Mourning Dove, Zenaida macroura   photo2 Rc    +Tf
R
R
R
R
        u - uncommon
!Passenger Pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius
     (extinct, no records this century)









       o - occasional

PSITTACIFORMES

        ARINAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

Monk Parakeet, Myiopsitta monachus  
    (2 Summer observations – released/escaped birds!?!!)










CUCULIFORMES

        COCCYZINAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 
   Breeding Records
!Black-billed Cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus  photo  photo2          Tu    Sf


u
f
u
        !  - definite
        #  - probable
!Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus          Tu   Su


u
u
u
        ±  - possible

STRIGIFORMES

        TYTONIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

!Barn Owl, Tyto alba (extirpated)










      STRIGIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 
  KEY
!Eastern Screech Owl, Megascops asio Ru
R
R
R
R
     T - Sp &/or Fall transient
!Great Horned Owl, Bubo virginianus   photo Ru
R
R
R
R
     R - resident 
Snowy Owl, Bubo scandiacus  photo   photo2 Wo   To
o
o


o

!Barred Owl, Strix varia   photo   photo2 Ru
R
R
R
R
        c - common
!Long-eared Owl, Asio otus Wu    Tu
u
u


u
       f - frequent
!Short-eared Owl, Asio flammeus Wo    To
o
o


u
        u - uncommon
!Northern Saw-whet Owl, Aegolius acadicus           To


o


o
       o - occasional 

CAPRIMULGIFORMES

        CAPRIMULGIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

!Common Nighthawk, Chordeiles minor          Tu    Sf


u
f
u

#Whip-poor-will, Caprimulgus vociferus          Tu   Su


u
u
o

APODIFORMES

        APODIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

!Chimney Swift, Chaetura pelagica          Tu   Sf


f
f
u

        TROCHILIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

!Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Archilochus colubris  photo2  photo3   photo4   photo5           Tf   Sc


f
c
u

Rufous Hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus   photo







o

CORACIIFORMES

        ALCEDINIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

!Belted Kingfisher, Ceryle alcyon   photo2   photo3
 Wu    Tf    Sf
u
f
f
f

PICIFORMES

         PICIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 
  KEY
!Red-headed Woodpecker, Melanerpes erythrocephalus  photo  photo2  photo3    Ru   +Tu
R
R
R
R
     T - Sp &/or Fall transient    
     R - resident 
!Red-bellied Woodpecker, Melanerpes carolinus   photo2  photo3 
Rf
R
R
R
R

        c - common
#Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius   photo   photo2 Wo   Tu   So
o
f
o
u
       f - frequent
!Downy Woodpecker, Picoides pubescens  photo2 Rf
R
R
R
R
        u - uncommon
!Hairy Woodpecker, Picoides villosus   photo2 Rf
R
R
R
R
       o - occasional 
!Northern Flicker, Colaptes auratus   photo2 Rf    +Tu
R
R
R
R

!Pileated Woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus  photo Ru
R
R
R
R

PASSERIFORMES

        TYRANNIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 
 
Olive-sided Flycatcher, Contopus cooperi          To   So


o
o
o
    
!Eastern Wood-Pewee, Contopus virens  photo   photo2          Tf     Sf


f
f
f
     
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Empidonax flaviventris          Tu   Su


u
u



 
!Acadian Flycatcher, Empidonax virescens                 Su




u


   Breeding Records     
#Alder Flycatcher, Empidonax alnorum          Tu   So


u
o
u
        !  - definite      
#Willow Flycatcher, Empidonax traillii          Tu   So


u
o
o
        #  - probable          
!Least Flycatcher, Empidonax minimus          Tf    Su


f
u
f
        ±  - possible
!Eastern Phoebe, Sayornis phoebe  photo2          Tf     Sf


c
f
f

!Great Crested Flycatcher, Myiarchus crinitus  photo2          Tf     Sf


f
f
u

!Western Kingbird, Tyrannus verticalis                 So




o



!Eastern Kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus  photo2   photo3               Tc   Sc


c
c
o

Gray Kingbird, Tyrannus dominicensis
                 So




o



        LANIIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

!Loggerhead Shrike, Lanius ludovicianus Wo    Tu  Su
o
u
u
o

Northern Shrike, Lanius excubitor  photo Wu    To
u
o


o

        VIREONIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 
  KEY
White-eyed Vireo, Vireo griseus          To


o




     T - Sp &/or Fall transient
!Yellow-throated Vireo, Vireo flavifrons
photo2
         Tu   Su


u
u


     R - resident 
Blue-headed Vireo, Vireo solitarius    photo2          Tu


u


o
        c - common
!Warbling Vireo, Vireo gilvus   photo2          Tf     Sf


f
f


       f - frequent
Philadelphia Vireo, Vireo philadelphicus          Tu


o


u
        u - uncommon
!Red-eyed Vireo, Vireo olivaceus   photo2
          Tf     Sf


f
f
f
       o - occasional 

        CORVIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 
  Breeding Records   
!Blue Jay, Cyanocitta cristata  photo  photo2  Rc
R
R
R
R
        !  - definite
!American Crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos   photo2 Rc
R
R
R
R
        #  - probable
Common Raven, Corvus corax Ru
R
R
R
R
        ±  - possible

        ALAUDIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

!Horned Lark, Eremophila alpestris   photo  photo2 
Rf 

R
R
R
R

        HIRUNDINIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 
   KEY
!Purple Martin, Progne subis     photo2          Tu   Su


u
u


     T - Sp &/or Fall transient
!Tree Swallow, Tachycineta bicolor   photo2
         Tc    S


c
c
u
     R - resident 
!Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Stelgidopteryx serripennis  photo2           Tf     Sf


c
c


     
        c - common
!Bank Swallow, Riparia riparia   photo           Tf     Sf


c
c


       f - frequent
!Cliff Swallow, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota   photo  photo2           Tf     Sf


f
f


        u - uncommon
!Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica  photo2          Tc   Sc


c
c


       o - occasional 

        PARIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

!Black-capped Chickadee, Poecile atricapillus  photo2  Rc
R
R
R
R

Boreal Chickadee, Poecile hudsonica Wo
o







!Tufted Titmouse, Baeolophus bicolor  photo2    photo3  Rf
R
R
R
R

        SITTIDAE  

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

!Red-breasted Nuthatch, Sitta canadensis  photo2  Wf    Tu   So
f
u
u
u

!White-breasted Nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis  photo2  Rf
R
R
R
R

        CERTHIIDAE




Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

#Brown Creeper, Certhia americana   photo Wu   Tu   So
u
u
o
u

        TROGLODYTIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

±Carolina Wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus  photo4
Wo   To   So
o
u
o
o
  Breeding Records   
!House Wren, Troglodytes aedon  photo1
         Tf     Sf


f
f
f
        !  - definite   
!Winter Wren, Troglodytes troglodytes  photo
Wu   Tu   So
o
u
o
u
        #  - probable   
#Sedge Wren, Cistothorus platensis  photo2           Tu   Su


u
u
u
        ±  - possible   
!Marsh Wren, Cistothorus palustris  photo3           Tu   Su


u
u


   

        REGULIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

Golden-crowned Kinglet, Regulus satrapa  photo  photo2 
Wu    Tf
u
u


f

±Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Regulus calendula   photo2    Wo    Tu
o
u


u

        SYLVIIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

#Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea          Tu   Su


u
u
u

        TURDIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 
 Legend - for details, see   
!Eastern Bluebird, Sialia sialis  photo2    Wu   Tf     Sf
u
f
f
f
        text at end of tables. 
Townsend's Solitaire, Myadestes townsendi Wo   To
o
o


o
  KEY
!Veery, Catharus fuscescens   photo           Tu   Su


u
u
o
     T - Sp &/or Fall transient
Gray-cheeked Thrush, Catharus minimus          To


o


o
     R - resident 
Swainson's Thrush, Catharus ustulatus          Tu


u


u

#Hermit Thrush, Catharus guttatus  photo   photo2 Wo   Tf    So
o
u
o
f
        c - common
!Wood Thrush, Hylocichla mustelina   photo           Tf    Su


f
u
o
       f - frequent
!American Robin, Turdus migratorius  photo2  photo3  Wf    Tc   Sc
f
c
c
c
        u - uncommon
Varied Thrush, Ixoreus naevius Wo   To
o
o




       o - occasional 

        MIMIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 
  Breeding Records
!Gray Catbird, Dumetella carolinensis   photo2
Wo   Tf     Sf
o
f
f
f
        !  - definite
!Northern Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos  photo
Wo   To   So
o
o
o
o
        #  - probable
!Brown Thrasher, Toxostoma rufum  photo   photo2 Wo   Tf     Sf
o
f
f
f
        ±  - possible

        STURNIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

!European Starling, Sturnus vulgaris    photo2    photo3 Rc
R
R
R
R

        MOTACILLIDAE




Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

American Pipit, Anthus rubescens  photo2            Tf


f


u

        BOMBYCILLIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

Bohemian Waxwing, Bombycilla garrulus  photo   photo2
Wo
o







!Cedar Waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum  photo2 Rf
R
R
R
R

        PARULIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 
 Legend - for details, see   
#Blue-winged Warbler, Vermivora pinus  photo          Tf


f




        text at end of tables. 
!Golden-winged Warbler, Vermivora chrysoptera  photo          Tu   Su


u
u


  KEY
±Tennessee Warbler, Vermivora peregrina  photo          Tu   So


u
o


     T - Sp &/or Fall transient
Orange-crowned Warbler, Vermivora celata          To


o


o
     R - resident 
±Nashville Warbler, Vermivora ruficapilla  photo  
         Tf    So


f
o
u

Northern Parula, Parula americana          To   So


o
o


        c - common
!Yellow Warbler, Dendroica petechia    photo          Tc    Sf


c
f


       f - frequent
±Chestnut-sided Warbler, Dendroica pensylvanica   photo          Tu   Su


u
u
u
        u - uncommon      
±Magnolia Warbler, Dendroica magnolia   photo          Tu


u


u
       o - occasional 
Cape May Warbler, Dendroica tigrina  photo
         Tu   So


u
o
o

Black-throated Blue Warbler, Dendroica caerulescens          Tu   So


u
o
u

±Yellow-rumped Warbler, Dendroica coronata Wo   Tf    So
o
f
o
f

±Black-throated green Warbler, Dendroica virens          Tf    Su


f
u
f

±Blackburnian Warbler, Dendroica fusca          Tu


u


u

Yellow-throated Warbler, Dendroica dominica  photo            To


o


o
  Breeding Records
Pine Warbler, Dendroica pinus  photo          Tu


u




        !  - definite
Prairie Warbler, Dendroica discolor                 So




o


        #  - probable
Palm Warbler, Dendroica palmarum   photo          Tu


u


u
        ±  - possible
Bay-breasted Warbler, Dendroica castanea   photo          Tu   So


u
o
u

Blackpoll Warbler, Dendroica striata   photo          Tu   So


u
o
u

Cerulean Warbler, Dendroica cerulea          To


o





±Black-and-white Warbler, Mniotilta varia          Tf    Su


f
u
f

!American Redstart, Setophaga ruticilla   photo  photo2
          Tf    Su


f
u
f

Prothonotary Warbler, Protonotaria citrea          To


o





!Ovenbird, Seiurus aurocapilla   photo   photo2
          Tc    Sf


f
f
f

#Northern Waterthrush, Seiurus noveboracensis          Tf    So


u
o
o

!Louisiana Waterthrush, Seiurus motacilla   photo   photo
          To


o





Connecticut Warbler, Oporornis agilis          To


o


o

±Mourning Warbler, Oporornis philadelphia          Tu   Su


u
u
o

!Common Yellowthroat, Geothlypis trichas  photo
          Tc    Sf


c
f
f

Hooded Warbler, Wilsonia citrina          To   So


o
o



Wilson's Warbler, Wilsonia pusilla   photo          Tu   So


u
o



!Canada Warbler, Wilsonia canadensis  photo          Tu   So


u
o
o

±Yellow-breasted Chat, Icteria virens           To


o





        THRAUPIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

!Scarlet Tanager, Piranga olivacea  photo           Tu  Su


u
u
o

        EMBERIZIDAE



Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 
 Legend - for details, see   
!Eastern Towhee, Pipilo erythrophthalmus    photo   photo2 Wo   Tf    Su
o
f
u
f
        text at end of tables.
American Tree Sparrow, Spizella arborea  photo Wf     Tf
f
f


f
  KEY
!Chipping Sparrow, Spizella passerina  photo
   photo2		 Wo   Tc    Sf
o
c
f
c
     T - Sp &/or Fall transient
!Clay-colored Sparrow, Spizella pallida          Tu   Su


u
u


     R - resident 
!Field Sparrow, Spizella pusilla  photo Wu   Tf     Sf
u
f
f
f

!Vesper Sparrow, Pooecetes gramineus Wo   Tf     Sf
o
f
f
f
        c - common
!Savannah Sparrow, Passerculus sandwichensis  photo          Tf     Sf


c
f
f
       f - frequent
        u - uncommon
!Grasshopper Sparrow, Ammodramus savannarum  photo    photo2          To   Su


u
u
o
       o - occasional 
#Henslow's Sparrow, Ammodramus henslowii  photo   photo2
         Tu   Su


u
u
o

Le Conte's Sparrow, Ammodramus leconteii          To


o




  Breeding Records
Fox Sparrow, Passerella iliaca  photo
Wo   Tf    So
o
f
o
f
        !  - definite
!Song Sparrow, Melospiza melodia  photo Wu   Tc   Sc
u
c
c
c
        #  - probable
Lincoln's Sparrow, Melospiza lincolnii          Tu


u


o
        ±  - possible
#Swamp Sparrow, Melospiza georgiana  photo Wo   Tu   Su
o
f
u
u

±White-throated Sparrow, Zonotrichia albicollis  photo Wu   Tc
u
f
o
c

Harris's Sparrow, Zonotrichia querula.          To


o





White-crowned Sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys  photo          Tf    So


f
o
f

Dark-eyed Junco, Junco hyemalis  photo2  Wf    Tf    So
f
f
o
f

Lapland Longspur, Calcarius lapponicus  photo2 Wu   Tf
o
f


o

Snow Bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis    photo   photo2
 Wf    Tf
f
f


f

        CARDINALIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

!Northern Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis  photo2   photo3  Rc
R
R
R
R

!Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Pheucticus ludovicianus  photo   photo2  photo3  photo4          Tf     Sf


c
f
u

Black-headed Grosbeak, Pheucticus melanocephalus Wo
o







#Indigo Bunting, Passerina cyanea  photo2          Tf     Sf


f
f
o

!Dickcissel, Spiza americana  photo  photo2           To   So


u
o



        ESTRILDIDAE




Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

(Fawn) Zebra Finch, Taeniopygia[Fringilla] guttata  photo
(Summer observation – a released/escaped bird!!?!)
          











        ICTERIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 
 Legend - for details, see   
!Bobolink, Dolichonyx oryzivorus  photo2            Tf    Sf


f
f


        text at end of tables.
!Red-winged Blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus  photo2   photo3  Wu    Tc   Sc
u
c
c
f
  KEY
!Eastern Meadowlark, Sturnella magna  photo2 Wo    Tf    Sf
o
f
f
f
     T - Sp &/or Fall transient
#Western Meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta          Tu    Su


u
u


     R - resident 
±Rusty Blackbird, Euphagus carolinus  photo
Wo   Tu
o
u
o
u

!Brewer's Blackbird, Euphagus cyanocephalus          Tu    So


u
o


        c - common
!Common Grackle, Quiscalus quiscula  photo2   photo3  Wo   Tc    Sc
o
c
c
c
       f - frequent
!Brown-headed Cowbird, Molothrus ater  photo2 Wo    Tf    Sf
o
c
f
f
        u - unco
#Orchard Oriole, Icterus spurius   photo2           To    So


u
o


       o - occasional 
Bullock's Oriole, Icterus bullockii            To


o





!Baltimore Oriole, Icterus galbula  photo2   photo3           Tf     Sf


f
f



        FRINGILLIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 
 
Brambling, Fringilla montifringilla          To


o




  Breeding Records   
Pine Grosbeak, Pinicola enucleator Wo   To
o
o
o
o
         !  - definite     
!Purple Finch, Carpodacus purpureus  photo   photo2
 Wu   Tc   So
u
f
o
u
        #  - probable
!House Finch, Carpodacus mexicanus  photo2  Rc
R
R
R
R
        ±  - possible
Red Crossbill, Loxia curvirostra Wo   Tu
o
u


o
    
White-winged Crossbill, Loxia leucoptera  photo   photo2 Wo   Tu
o
u


u
    
Common Redpoll, Carduelis flammea  photo   photo2
Wu   To
u
o


o
    
Hoary Redpoll, Carduelis hornemanni  photo Wo
o




o

Pine Siskin, Carduelis pinus  photo   photo2 Wu   Tu   So
u
u
o
o

!American Goldfinch, Carduelis tristis  photo2 Rc   +Tu
R
R
R
R

Evening Grosbeak, Coccothraustes vespertinus  photo
 Wu   Tu
o
u


u


        PASSERIDAE

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

!House Sparrow, Passer domesticus Rc
R
R
R
R


| Home |

Alphabetical  List

A A A A A A A A A A A A

B B B B B B B B B B B

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 
 Legend - for details, see
        text at end of tables.
bittern, American!  photo Wo   Tu   Su
o
u
u
o
                 
bittern, least!          Tu   So


o
o


  KEY
blackbird, Brewer's!           Tu   So


u
o


     T - Sp &/or Fall transient
blackbird, red-winged!  photo2   photo3
Wu   Tc   Sc
u
c
c
f
     R - resident 
blackbird, rusty±   photo Wo   Tu
o
u
o
u

bluebird, eastern!   photo2    Wu   Tf  Sf
u
f
f
f
        c - common
bobolink!  photo2           Tf     Sf


f
f


       f - frequent
bobwhite, northern! Ru
R
R
R
R
        u - uncommon
brambling         To
(1 record)


o




       o - occasional 
bufflehead      – see duck, bufflehead










bunting, indigo#   photo2          Tf     Sf


f
f
o

bunting, snow     photo   photo2 Wf    Tf
f
f


f

C C C C C C C C C C C

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

canvasback      – see duck, canvasback









  Breeding Records
cardinal, northern!   photo2   photo3  Rc
R
R
R
R
        !  - definite
catbird, gray!  photo2 Wo   Tf     Sf
o
f
f
f
        #  - probable
chat, yellow-breasted±          To


o




        ±  - possible
chickadee, boreal Wo
(1record)
o







chickadee, black-capped!  photo2 Rc
R
R
R
R

coot, American!  Wo   Tu    Su
o
f
u
u

cormorant, double-crested±          Tu    Su


u
u
u

cowbird, brown-headed!  photo2 Wo   Tf     Sf
o
f
f
f

crane, sandhill!   photo  photo2 Wu   Tf    So
u
f
u
o

crane, whooping   (photo below text)            To    So


o
o



creeper, brown#    photo Wo   Tu    So
u
f
o
u

crossbill, red Wo   Tu
o
u


o

crossbill, white-winged   photo   photo2 Wo   Tu
o
u


u

crow, American!   photo2 Rc
R
R
R
R

cuckoo, black-billed!  photo   photo2          Tu    Sf


u
f
u

cuckoo, yellow-billed!          Tu    Su


u
u
u

D D D D D D D D D D D

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 
 Legend - for details, see
        text at end of tables.
dickcissel!   photo   photo2           To   So


o
o



dove, mourning!   photo2 Rc   +Tc
R
R
R
R
  KEY
dove, rock
     – see pigeon, rock










     T - Sp &/or Fall transient      
     R - resident 
"DOWITCHERS"    [Long-billed &Short-billed -- not distinguished in most  records]          Tu   So


u
o
o

duck, American black!   photo Wu   Tu   Su
u
u
u
u
        c - common
duck, bufflehead Wo   Tf
o
f


f
       f - frequent
duck, canvasback Wo   Tu
o
u


u
        u - uncommon
duck, common goldeneye   photo2 Wf    Tf    So
u
f
o
f
       o - occasional 
duck, gadwall ± Tu


u


o

"SCAUP DUCKS" Wo   Tf/u So
o
f
o
f

        [Greater & Lesser -- not distinguished in most records]










duck, long-tailed Wo   To
o




o
  Breeding Records
duck, mallard!   photo2 Rf    +Tc
R
R
R
R
        !  - definite
merganser, common Wu    Tu
u
f


u

merganser, hooded!  photo Wo    Tu  So
o
f
o
u

merganser, red-breasted Tu


u


o

duck, northern pintail Wo   Tu   So
o
u
o
u
        #  - probable
duck, northern shoveler   photo2 Wo   Tu   So
o
u
o
o
        ±  - possible
duck, redhead   photo Wo   Tu
o
u


u

duck, ring-necked          Tu
o
f


u

duck, scoter, white-winged          To
(1 record)






o

duck, ruddy          Tu


u


o

duck, teal (blue-winged)!          Tf    Su
o
f
u
f

duck, teal (green-winged)! Wo   Tu   So
o
u
o
u

duck, wigeon (American)          Tu   So


u
o
u

duck, wood!  photo  photo2   Wo   Tf    So
o
f
u
f

dunlin  photo          Tu   So


u
o
u

E E E E E E E E E E E

Wi 
Sp
Su
Fa

eagle, bald!   photo  photo2  photo3  photo4 Wo   Tu
o
u


o

eagle, golden
                 So




o



egret, cattle          To


o


o

egret, great  photo  photo2  photo3            To  So




o
o

F F F F F F F F F F F

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 
 Legend - for details, see
        text at end of tables.
falcon, American Kestrel!   photo Rf    +Tf
R
R
R
R

falcon, merlin   photo Wo   To
o
o


o
  KEY
falcon, peregrine Wo   Tu   So
o
u
o
u
     T - Sp &/or Fall transient
finch, house!  photo2  Rc
R
R
R
R
     R - resident 
finch, purple!   photo   photo2 Wu   Tc   So
u
f
o
u

finch, zebra (fawn)   photo










flicker, northern!    photo2 Rf    +Tu
R
R
R
R
        c - common
flycatcher, Acadian!                 Su




u


       f - frequent
flycatcher, alder#          Tu   So


u
o
u
        u - uncommon
flycatcher, great crested!   photo2          Tf     Sf


f
f
u
       o - occasional 
flycatcher, least!          Tf    Su


f
u
f

flycatcher, olive-sided          To   So



o
o
o

flycatcher, willow#          Tu   So


u
o
o

flycatcher, yellow-bellied          Tu   Su


u
u



G G G G G G G G G G

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

gadwall
     – see duck, gadwall










gnatcatcher, blue-gray#          Tu   Su


u
u
u
  Breeding Records
goldeneye      – see duck, goldeneye









        !  - definite
goldfinch, American!   photo2 Rc   +Tc
R
R
R
R
        #  - probable
goose, cackling








o
        ±  - possible
goose, Canada!  photo2   photo3 Rf    +Tc
R
R
R
R
   
goose, greater white-fronted Wo
o







goose, Ross's   photo  photo2  photo3          To
o




o

goose, snow [ including blue phase] photo   photo4 Wo   Tu    So
o
o
o
u

grackle, common!  photo2   photo3  Wo   Tc   Sc
o
c
c
c

grebe, horned          Tu


u


o

grebe, pied-billed!   photo2          Tf    Su
o
f
u
f

grebe, red-necked                 So  (1 record) 



o





grosbeak, black-headed Wo
(2 records)
o







grosbeak, evening   photo
Wu   Tu
o
u


u

grosbeak, pine Wo   To
o
o
o
o

grosbeak, rose-breasted!  photo   photo2  photo3  photo4          Tf     Sf


c
f
u

grouse, ruffed!  photo   photo2    photo3

 Rf
R
R
R
R

gull, Bonaparte's  photo          Tu


u





gull, herring  photo Wo   Tu   So
o
u
o
o

gull, ring-billed!   photo2 Rc    Tc
R
R
R
R

H H H H H H H H H H H

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 
 Legend - for details, see
        text at end of tables.
harrier, northern! Wu   Tu   Su
u
f
u
u

hawk, broad-winged!  photo           Tu   Su


u
u
u
  KEY
hawk, Cooper's!   photo Rf    +Tu
R
R
R
R
     T - Sp &/or Fall transient
hawk, northern goshawk!  photo Wu   Tu   So
u
u
o
o
     R - resident 
hawk, red-shouldered!  photo   photo2 Wu   Tu   Su
u
u
u
o

hawk, red-tailed!   photo  photo2  photo3  Rf    +Tf
R
R
R
R
        c - common
hawk, rough-legged  photo  photo2 Wu   Tf    So
u
f
o
f
       f - frequent
hawk, sharp-shinned!    photo Ru   +Tu
R
R
R
R
        u - uncommon
heron, great blue!    photo1  photo2  photo3
Wo   Tf     Sf
o
f
f
f
       o - occasional 
heron, green!   photo   photo2   photo3    photo4           Tf     Sf


f
f
f

heron, little blue  photo          To  



o





heron, black-crowned night
     – see night heron, black-crowned










hummingbird, ruby-throated!  photo2  photo3   photo4   photo5           Tc   Sc


f
c
u

hummingbird, rufous   photo







o

I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I




Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

ibis, glossy        To
(1 record)


o





J J J J J J J J J J J J J

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

jay, blue!    photo  photo2
Rc
R
R
R
R

junco, dark-eyed   photo2  Wf     Tf   So
f
f
o
f

K K K K K K K K K K K

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 
 Legend - for details, see
        text at end of tables.
kestrel      – see falcon, kestrel










killdeer!  photo1  photo2 Wo   Tc   Sc
o
c
c
c
  KEY
kingbird, eastern!  photo2   photo3
         Tc   Sc


c
c
o
     T - Sp &/or Fall transient
kingbird, gray                 So




o



kingbird, western!
                So




o


     R - resident 
kingfisher, belted!   photo2   photo3 Wu    Tf    Sf
u
f
f
f

kinglet, golden-crowned   photo   photo2  Wu    Tf
u
f


f
        c - common
kinglet, ruby-crowned±   photo2  
Wo   Tu
o
u


u
       f - frequent
kite, Mississippi          To
(1 record)


o




        u - uncommon
       o - occasional 
knot, red          To
(1 record)


o





L L L L L L L L L L L L




Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

lark, horned!    photo  photo2  Rf
R
R
R
R

longspur, Lapland  photo2 Wu    Tf
o
f


o

loon, common!          Tu   So


u
o
o

M M M M M M M M M

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

mallard      – see duck, mallard









  Breeding Records
martin, purple!      photo2           Tu  Su


u
u


        !  - definite
meadowlark, eastern!   photo2 Wo    Tf    Sf
o
f
f
f
        #  - probable
meadowlark, western#           Tu  Su


u
u


        ±  - possible  
mergansers – see duck, merganser ...










merlin – see falcon, merlin










mockingbird, northern!  photo Wo   To   So
o
o
o
o

moorhen, common!  photo2
         To   So


o
u
o

N N N N N N N N N N N

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

nighthawk, common!          Tu    Sf


u
f
u

night-heron, black-crowned±          To   Su


o
u
o

night-Heron, yellow-crowned          To 







o 


nuthatch, red-breasted!  photo2  Wf    Tu   So
f
u
u
u

nuthatch, white-breasted!  photo2  Rf
R
R
R
R

O O O O O O O O O O

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 
 Legend - for details, see
        text at end of tables.
oriole, Baltimore!   photo2   photo3           Tf     Sf


f
f



oriole, Bullock’s          To
(1 record)


o




  KEY
oriole, orchard#    photo2
         To   So


u
o


     T - Sp &/or Fall transient
osprey!          Tu   Su


u
u
u
       R - resident  
ovenbird      – see warbler, ovenbird










owl, barn! (extirpated)









        c - common
owl, barred!   photo   photo2 Rf
R
R
R
R
       f - frequent 
owl, great horned!   photo Ru
R
R
R
R
       u - uncommon 
owl, long-eared! Wu   Tu
u
u


u
       o - occasional 
owl, saw-whet (northern)! To


o


o

owl, screech- (eastern)! Ru
R
R
R
R

owl, short-eared! Wo   To
o
o


u

owl, snowy  photo   photo2  Wo   To
o
o


o

P P P P P P P P P P P

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

parakeet, monk (released/escaped!!?!)                So   
(2 records)









partridge, gray! (introduced/now absent)









  Breeding Records
parula      – see warbler, parula









        !  - definite
peregrine      – see falcon, peregrine









        #  - probable
pewee, eastern wood-!   photo  photo2          Tf     Sf


f
f
f
        ±  - possible
phalarope, red-necked!          To


o





phalarope, Wilson's  photo
         Tu   So


u
o



pheasant, ring-necked!   photo2 Rf
R
R
R
R

phoebe, eastern!  photo2          Tf     Sf


c
f
f

pigeon, passenger! (extinct)










pigeon, rock! Rc
R
R
R
R

pintail      – see duck, pintail










pipit, American  photo2            Tf


f


u

plover, black-bellied          Tu


u


o

plover, American golden          To


o





plover, semipalmated  photo   photo2
         Tf    So


f
o
f

prairie-chicken, greater! (extirpated)










Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q

R R R R R R R R R R R

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 
 Legend - for details, see
        text at end of tables.
(rail), sora – see sora










rail, Virginia#  photo          Tf    Su


f
u
u
  KEY
rail, yellow          To
(1 record)


o




     T - Sp &/or Fall transient
     R - resident 
raven, common Ro
R
R
R
R
     
redhead      – see duck, redhead









        c - common
redpoll, common    photo   photo2 Wu   To
u
o


o
       f - frequent
redpoll, hoary  photo Wo
o




o
        u - uncommon
redstart      – see warbler, redstart









       o - occasional 
robin, American!  photo2  photo3

Wf    Tc   Sc
f
c
c
c

ruff          To
(1 record)


o





S S S S S S S S S S S

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

sanderling          Tu


u


o
  Breeding Records
sandpiper, Baird’s          To


o




        !  - definite
sandpiper, buff-breasted          To






o

sandpiper, least   photo2   photo3          Tu   So


u
u
o
        #  - probable
sandpiper, pectoral          Tu   Su


u
u
u
        ±  - possible
sandpiper, semipalmated          Tu   So


u
u
o

sandpiper, solitary  photo   photo2          Tf    Su


f
u
f

sandpiper, spotted!   photo2
         Tf     Sf


f
f
f

sandpiper, stilt           To   So


o
o



sandpiper, upland!  photo          Tu   Su


u
u
o

sandpiper, western          To   So


o
o



sandpiper, white-rumped          To
(2 records)


o





sapsucker, yellow-bellied# photo  photo2 Wo   Tu   So
o
u
o
u

scaup      – see duck, scaup ...










scoter      – see duck, scoter ...










shoveler      – see duck, shoveler










shrike, loggerhead! Wo   Tu   Su
o
u
u
o

shrike, northern   photo
Wu   To
u
o


o

siskin, pine  photo  photo2 Wu   Tu   So
u
u
o
o

snipe, Wilson’s#   photo2 Wo   Tf    Su
o
f
u
f

solitaire, Townsend's      – see thrush, Townsends’s solitare










sora!  photo          Tf     Sf


f
f
f

sparrow, chipping! photo   photo2 Wo   Tc   Sc
o
c
f
c

sparrow, clay-colored!          Tu   Su


u
u



sparrow, field!   photo Wu   Tf     Sf
u
f
f
f

sparrow, fox  photo Wo   Tf    So

o
f
o
f

sparrow, grasshopper!  photo   photo2  


f
u
o

sparrow, Harris's          To
(1 record)


o




 Legend - for details, see
        text at end of tables.
sparrow, Henslow's#  photo   photo2          Tu   Su


u
u
o

sparrow, house! Rc
R
R
R
R
  KEY
sparrow, LeConte's          To
(1 record)


o




     T - Sp &/or Fall transient    
     R - resident 
sparrow, Lincoln's          Tu


u


o

sparrow, Savannah!  photo          Tf     Sf


c
f
f
        c - common
sparrow, song!    photo Wu   Tc   Sc
u
c
c
c
       f - frequent
sparrow, swamp#  photo Wo   Tu   Su
o
f
u
u
        u - uncommon
sparrow, tree (American)  photo Wf    Tf
f
f


f
       o - occasional 
sparrow, vesper! Wo   Tf     Sf
o
f
f
f

sparrow, white-crowned  photo          Tf    So


f
o
f
  Breeding Records
sparrow, white-throated±  photo Wu   Tc
u
c
o
c
        !  - definite
starling, European!    photo2    photo3
 Rc
R
R
R
R
        #  - probable
swallow, bank!   photo
         Tf     Sf


f
f


        ±  - possible
swallow, barn!   photo2          Tc   Sc


c
c



swallow, cliff!   photo  photo2
         Tf     Sf


f
f



swallow, rough-winged (northern)!  photo2
         Tf     Sf


f
f



swallow, tree!   photo2          Tc   Sc


c
c
u

swan, mute!  photo2 Ru
R
R
R
R

swan, trumpeter          To






o

swan, tundra   photo Wu   Tu
u
u


u

swift, chimney!          Tu   Su


f
f
u

T T T T T T T T T T T

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

tanager, scarlet!  photo          Tu   Su


u
u
o

teal      – see duck, teal ... 










tern, black          Tu   Su


u
u
o

tern, common          To   So


o
o
o

tern, Forster’s          To
(1 record)


o





thrasher, brown!  photo   photo2
Wo   Tf     Sf
o
f
f
f

thrush, gray-cheeked          To


o


o

thrush, hermit#  photo   photo2 Wo   Tf    So
o
f
o
f

thrush, Swainson's          Tu


u


u

thrush, Townsends’s solitaire Wo   To
(2 records)
o
o


o
 Legend - for details, see
        text at end of tables.
thrush, varied Wo   To
(2 records)
o
o




                  
thrush, veery!    photo
         Tu   Su


f
u
o
  KEY
thrush, wood!    photo
         Tf    Su


f
u
o
     T - Sp &/or Fall transient
titmouse, tufted!  photo2   photo3  Rf
R
R
R
R
     R - resident 
towhee, eastern!    photo   photo2 Wo   Tf    Su
o
f
u
f

Townsends’s solitaire       – see thrush, Townsends’s solitaire









        c - common
       f - frequent
turkey, wild!   photo2   photo3 Rc
R
R
R
R
        u - uncommon
turnstone, ruddy          Tu


u




       o - occasional 

U U U U U U U U U U U

V V V V V V V V V V V

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

veery      – see thrush, veery









  Breeding Records
vireo, blue-headed  photo2          Tu


u


o
        !  - definite
vireo, Philadelphia          Tu


o




        #  - probable
vireo, red-eyed!   photo2          Tf     Sf


f
f
f
        ±  - possible
vireo, warbling!   photo2          Tf     Sf


f
f



vireo, white-eyed          To
(1 record)


o





vireo, yellow-throated!   photo2          Tu   Su


u
u



vulture, black



o





vulture, turkey!   photo   photo2  photo3
Wo   Tc   Sc
o
c
c
c

W W W W W W W W W

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 

warbler, bay-breasted    photo          Tu   So


u
o
u

warbler, black and white±          Tf    Su


f
u
f
 
warbler, blackburnian±          Tu


u


u
  
warbler, blackpoll   photo          Tu   So


u
o
u
  
warbler, black-throated blue          Tu   So


u
o
u
 Legend - for details, see
warbler, black-throated green±          Tf    Su


f
u
f
        text at end of tables.
warbler, blue-winged#  photo
         Tf


f





warbler, Canada!  photo          Tu   So


u
o
o
  KEY
warbler, Cape May  photo          Tu   So


u
o
o
     T - Sp &/or Fall transient 
warbler, cerulean          To


o




     R - resident
warbler, chestnut-sided±   photo          Tu   Su


u
u
u

warbler, Connecticut          To


o


o
        c - common
warbler, golden-winged!   photo          Tf    Su


u
u


       f - frequent
warbler, hooded          To   So


o
o


        u - uncommon
warbler, magnolia±   photo          Tu


u


u
       o - occasional 
warbler, mourning±          Tu   Su


u
u
o

warbler, Nashville±  photo            Tu   So


f
o
u

warbler, orange-crowned          To
(2 records)


o


o
 
warbler, ovenbird!   photo   photo2          Tc    Sf


c
f
f

warbler, palm   photo          Tu


u


u

warbler, parula (northern)          To  So (3 records)


o
o




warbler, pine  photo          Tu


u





warbler, prairie                So   (2 records)




o




warbler, prothonotary         To
(3 records)


o






warbler, redstart (American)!   photo   photo2          Tf    Su


f
u
f
  Breeding Records
warbler, Tennessee±   photo          Tu   So


u
o


         !  - definite
warbler, Wilson's   photo          Tu   So


u
o


         #  - probable
warbler, yellow!   photo          Tc    Sf


c
f


         ±  - possible
warbler, yellow-rumped± Wo   Tf    So
o
f
o
f

warbler, yellow-throated  photo            To


o


o

warbler, yellowthroat (common)!  photo          Tf     Sf


c
f
f

waterthrush, Louisiana!  photo    photo          To


o




 
waterthrush, northern#          Tf    So


u
o
o

waxwing, Bohemian   photo   photo2

Wo
o






  KEY
waxwing, cedar!  photo2
Rf
R
R
R
R
     T - Sp &/or Fall transient
whip-poor-will#          Tu   Su


u
u
o
     R - resident 
wigeon      – see duck, wigeon









  
willet          To


o





woodcock, American!   photo  Wo   Tf   Su
o
f
u
u
        c - common
woodpecker, downy!  photo2 Rf
R
R
R
R
       f - frequent
woodpecker, hairy!    photo2 Rf
R
R
R
R
        u - uncommon
woodpecker, pileated!  photo Ru
R
R
R
R
       o - occasional 
woodpecker, red-bellied!  photo2   photo3  Rf
R
R
R
R

woodpecker, red-headed!  photo  photo2  photo3   Ru    Tu
R
R
R
R
  
wren, Carolina ±   photo4 Wo   To   So
o
u
o
o

wren, house!    photo1          Tf     Sf


f
f
f

wren, marsh!   photo3
         Tu   Su


u
u



wren, sedge#  photo2
         Tu   Su


u
u
u

wren, winter!  photo Wu   Tu   So
o
u
o
u

X X X X X X X X X X X

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

Wi 
Sp 
Su 
Fa 
  Breeding Records
yellowlegs, greater  photo2          Tu   Su


f
u
u
        !  - definite
yellowlegs, lesser   photo2           Tf    Su


f
u
f
        #  - probable
yellowthroat      – see warbler, yellowthroat ...









        ±  - possible

Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z

| Home |


Legend:  Meaning of symbols and letters

Breeding Records:

             !  - definite
            #  - probable
            ±  - possible

Seasonal populations (for single column frame of reference directly right of birds' names):

        Seasons (for actual periods, see the following section)
                 S    -  Summer resident or visitor
                W    -  Winter resident or visitor
                 T    -  Spring and/or Fall transient
       also, R    -  Year-round resident -- i.e., some of the given species, but not necessarily the
                           same individuals, are present throughout the year

      Population (abundance)
                c  -   common
                f    -  fairly common in suitable habitat
                u   -  uncommon, only irregularly present even in suitable habitat
                o   -  occasional, rarely present  -- to date only one or a few records of species
                        (an individual, pair, ... , flock) recorded during the indicated season       
     
  Seasonal populations (for the four-column setup):

       Seasons (for dates applicable to the seasonal designation given in this compilation, see the dates given in red and the applicable discussion in the text under the following subheading -- i.e., Information and thoughts ...  )                  
                Wi   -   Winter
                Sp   -  Spring
                Su   -  Summer
                Fa   -  Fall
      
      Population (abundance)
                c  -  common
                f  -   fairly common in suitable habitat
                u -   uncommon, only irregularly present even in suitable habitat
                o -   occasional, rarely present  -- to date only one or a few records of species
                        (an individual, a pair, ... , flock) recorded during the indicated season 


Information and thoughts relating to symbols used in the tables

        Breeding records are, of course, historical.  The symbols used -- see Legend -- are correlated with the nomenclature used in Brewer, McPeek, & Adams (1991).  Each one indicates the highest level of breeding indications recorded for the county -- e.g., the presence of a #  before or after a species' name means that recorded observations in one or more places within the county indicate the probability that breeding has occurred;  for some of the species, similar observations may or may not have been recorded for more places within the county, and for some species additional observations may have been recorded that breeding possibly occurred;  but, for those species so marked, no observations have been recorded where breeding definitely to have occurred;  etc., etc.  Supporting data include information published in the just mentioned reference,  in Cuthbert (1963), and previously unpublished observations, several  that post-date those publications.

        Population designations are historical and subjective.

The historical aspects gave rise to several conundrums as well as to difficulties so far as presentation of the data.  Examples follow:

    1. Some previously recorded seasonal designations for periods when birds were seen in Isabella County were apparently based on climatic conditions rather than on the widely accepted astronomically based  designations -- e.g., birds reported in Christmas counts are noted as winter residents or visitors in some reports, even though many of those counts were made several days before the winter solstice.  The designations for the four seasons used in the tabulations given on the web page -- see Legend -- are the astronomically based  terminology whereby each season is considered to begin with an equinox or solstice, as follows:

                             Spring with the vernal equinox (March 20 or 21);
                             Summer with the summer solstice (June 20 or 21);
                             Fall with the Autumnal equinox (September 22 or 23);
                             Winter with the winter solstice (December 21-22).

This delineation admittedly leads to entries that may be considered misleading.  Two examples are the "early-Spring migrants and incoming  birds," such as grackles, that arrive before March 20th or 21st, and and the  "late-Summer migrants," such as the, that leave after September 22nd or 23rd.  Under the system just noted as used for this tabulation, birds with the early-Spring arrival dates are  recorded as f (= frequent) under the Winter heading and birds that we generally consider to be late-Summer migrants out of the area are noted as f in the Fall column. In the future, I shall try to come up with a way to present such records in a more useful format. 

    2.  In Isabella County, Michigan, most migrant birds ("Transients") are widely considered to pass northward through or to come into the area in the Spring and to pass southward through or to leave the region during the Fall.  Several exceptions are, however, recorded:  Two examples are the swallows, most of which leave the area in late Summer rather than in the Fall;  and the snow buntings (Plectrophenax nivalis), most of which come into the county as members of large flocks during "Winter irruptions."  Nonetheless, to facilitate presentation, on this web page, T -- for Transient -- is used in the first column to the right of the birds' names to refer to Spring and/or Fall migrants.

      One aspect of the use of the T(ransient) indication, however, warrants further consideration:  Several records suggest that many, if not all, individuals of most of the transient species migrate northward through the area in the Spring whereas only a few, if any, individuals of those species migrate southward through the area in the Fall.  Although this generalization may be correct for at least a few birds -- e.g., Connecticut warblers (Oporornis agilis) are known to migrate northward through the midwest during the Spring and southward along the Atlantic Coast in the Fall -- I suspect that backtracking is more prevalent:  My observations, granted limited in number and scope, lead me to believe that examples like the Connecticut warblers are likely exceptions rather than the "rule."  I wonder if  the "many north in Spring, few south in Fall" generalization may be founded largely on judgements based on such things as the distinctive color patterns and consequent ease of identifying Spring warblers versus the often frustrating confusions involved in identifying Fall warblers.  In addition, and perhaps as a consequence of their (and other birds') Spring versus Fall appearances, Spring counts during the time when many species are migrating, are made annually by numerous observers here and there throughout much of North America (and thus provide many records), whereas Fall counts during the major migration period(s) are rare (and thus provide virtually no records).  Consequently, it may be that nearly the same number of birds of many of the transient species migrate through this county in both directions;  in fact, considering summer breeding activities, southward Fall migrations may involve more birds than the northward Spring migrations.   IF the just outlined scenario is correct, the "many ... Spring, few ... Fall" generalization is an unfortunate self-perpetuating fallacy!    Whatever, it is those considerations that led to my use of the single designation T -- in lieu of the two designations that would have been required to differentiate Spring and Fall migrants -- in the first column directly right of the birds' names.  And, this frame of reference, which was the only one used in the first edition of this web page, is my choice:  Among other things, I think it may promote more Fall observations and resulting records for Isabella County.  The four column setup , so-to-speak highlighted with the colored vertical "lines" has been added because of requests from users who consider such a setup to reflect historical records better and to be more "user-friendly."

    3. Several year-round resident species have their numbers increased during migrations. Those species whose populations are increased by noteworthy percentages during migration or "irruptions," have dual designations in the one-column population entry, directly right of the bird's name -- e.g., RfTc for Canada geese  (Branta canadensis) RcTc for American goldfinches (Carduelis tristis), and RfWc for common redpolls (Carduelis flammea) and horned larks (Eremophila alpestris) (see Legend).  They contrast with the indicators, which consist only of the upper case letter R plus a lower case letter (c, f, or u) that indicates a resident-only  bird's general abundance -- e.g., Rc for blue jays (Cyanocitta cristata) (see Legend). Also warranting metion here is the fact that the letters in the one-column setup provide additional abundance information for the species designated as residents -- i.e., with the letter R  -- in the four column setup, 

    4. Several historical data have been updated to take into consideration relatively recent general as well as specific observations.  Three examples of differences in populations between the time Cuthbert published his book -- i.e., 1963 -- and the last several years that have required such updates follow:
            A. house finches (Carpodacus mexicanus) did not expand their
         range to Isabella County until the late 1960s;
            B. Canada geese (Branta canadensis) were only "Rare summer
        straggler[s]" when Cuthbert's book was published whereas several
        are now rather common year-round residents;
            C. greater Prairie chickens (Tympanuchus cupido), which were
        "local permanent resident[s]"  -- albeit "uncommon" -- have not been
        recorded as occurring within the county since the early 1980s.

    5. Incorrect identifications have undoubtedly been recorded, which means some of the tabulated birds may never have been in Isabella County.  Also, however, it may be that species not on the list have been in the county.  Whatever, the less said about misidentifications, the better, methinks.  An illustrative anecdote (not relating to this county) should suffice to direct attention to such possible discrepancies:  During a visit to the Aransas Wildlife Refuge in Texas, near the base of an observation tower outfitted with telescopes etc., Frances and I were stopped by a couple who introduced themselves as officers of an Audubon Club (as I recall, somewhere in Illinois), who excitedly exclaimed how lucky they were to have just added a bird to their life lists -- they had "seen, with only our binoculars," a group of three whooping cranes (Grus americana) in the reeds just a few hundred feet left of the tower.  They then told us to hurry up to the platform because the birds would probably still be there.  We hurried up the stairs to the platform, and the group of three birds were indeed still there:  Three great egrets (Ardea alba)!  [Fortunately, we did get to see a whooping crane from the tower, but it was far in the distance and could be seen only by using one of the telescopes.]

     A positive aspect of such dilemmas as those just mentioned, so far as most records for Isabella County, Michigan, relates to Greater and Lesser scaups (Aythya marila and Aythya affinis) and Long-billed and Short-billed dowitchers (Limnodromus scolopaceus and Limnodromus griseus).  Most have been recorded only as Scaups and Dowitchers, respectively.

The alluded to subjectivity reflects a lack of sufficient observations, a condition that I fear will likely prevail for several years into the future -- certainly until the results of a well coordinated, relatively long-term, county-wide effort, involving well trained observers become available (and, currently there seems to be no prospect for such an undertaking).  I only hope the compilation given on this web page will -- just as Nick Cuthbert’s book has during the last several years -- lead to the accumlation of more and better data as well as direct attention to the fact that the population "data" given in present-day tabulations, such as this one, are subjective.  In any case,  additional observations, both recorded and merely communicated to me, will be evaluated and may lead to modifications in the population indicators and the addition of species on this web page.  >> REQUEST:  If anyone has additions for the lists or believes changes should be made in the presentation of data, please contact me.

As the preceding points indicate, the short explanations for the abundance designations given in the legend and used as bases for this compilation are, by their very nature (and intent!), less than well defined.   Also,  it seems only prudent to repeat that those designations are based largely on information given by Cuthbert (1963) along with data from the other noted references, modified in order to incorporate relatively recent general as well as specific observations.  Nonetheless, I take full responsibility for the indicated choices.

| Home |

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: Susan Robinson generously gave me permission to include her painting as the "frontispiece" on this web page.  Those responsible for making the chief sources of data readily available warrant special recognition:  The late Nicholas Cuthbert for his book, The Birds of Isabella County, Michigan;  William Theunissen and John Mitchell, who, respectively, prepared summary reports for the last several years' Chippewa Valley Audubon Club's Spring and Christmas counts for Isabella County;  Stan Lilley who continually prepares updated summary reports and gives me with suggestions for and comments about changes to improve the content of the site.  In addition:  Elaine and Robert Connell and Stan Lilley reviewed the first draft of the first edition of these tabulations and continue to provide information used to update occurrence data;  Emmett Mason reviewed the first draft of this edition of this web page, converted my typescript copy into this web page and subsequently has advised me as I have updated the list etc.; [and] Frances Smith Dietrich, my wife, also critiqued the text and format of the tables and provided much additional help -- especially by accompanying me and being an extraordinarily astute "spotter" on literally hundreds of bird-seeking trips within the county since we moved to Michigan in 1969.  I gratefully acknowledge all of these contributions. -- Indeed, without them, this web page could not have been prepared.  Each  of those who supplied photographs for the Photo Archive is noted in the appropriate caption(s).

EPILOGUE:  Photographs taken of birds in Isabella County are exhibited in an attached file  -- click the following link >> Archive page <<  -- which will be updated continually. --  >> REQUEST: Anyone who has photographs taken of birds in the county and would like to have their photographs considered for inclusion in this archive, please contact me.   The below photograph is given here to direct attention to the archive file as well as to record the visit of two young whooping cranes of the Wisconsin to Florida flock to Isabella County in 2004.


          Whooping crane (Grus americana) in Rolland Township, Isabella County (cropped photograph -- original has two females --  by Stan Lilley, 1 June 2004.)   The two yearling females that were in Isabella County from June 1 to July 12, 2004 are #303 & #312 of a flock of 16 whooping cranes involved in the Wisconsin-Florida migration project -- See, for example:  http://www.savingcranes.org./  [,]  http:// www.operationmigration.org/  and  http://whoopers.usgs.gov/ ).  One night, while on their way north to the Nacedah National Wildlife Refuge, Wisconsin this spring,  they were "spooked" at a "rest stop" in Tennessee, and the flock so-to-speak scattered.  Subsequently, at least in part because of wind conditions in Indiana, eight of the cranes lost their way, and flew into southwestern Michigan, on the "wrong side" of Lake Michigan, which apparently acted as a barrier for most of them so far as their proceeding to their Wisconsin grounds.  For a while, the two females that came to western Isabella County were with a male (#316) south of Grand Rapids.  They continued northward after the male left them, perhaps accompanying sandhill cranes, a few of which were frequently seen with the pair while they were here.  In early July, the two left the county, and have rejoined the male in Allegan County.  The history of their travels is known because one of the females has a satellite tracking device as well as the leg band that can be seen in Lilley's photograph. On 28 July 2004, at ~11:00 a.m. CDT, whooping cranes #303, #312 & #316 were detected approximately one half (1/2) mile north of the Necadah National Wildlife Refuge, Wisconsin.   In 2005, though we had hopes that these whooping cranes might revisit Isabella County, we were  happy to learn that both of them had returned from their winter in Florida back to their Wisconsin grounds. For additional information about "our" whooping cranes, see, for example,  http://www.savingcranes.org./  [,]   http:// www.operationmigration.org/  [and]  http://whoopers.usgs.gov/ . 

REFERENCES:

Cuthbert, N. L. 1963. The Birds of Isabella County, Michigan. Ann Arbor:Edwards Brothers.

Brewer, Richard, G.A. McPeek, and R.J. Adams, Jr. 1991. The Atlas of  Breeding Birds of Michigan.  East Lansing: Michigan State University Press.

Breeding Birds of Michigan. East Lansing: Michigan State University Press.

Michigan Bird Records Committee.  Previous Voting Rounds: Round 87.2.  February 2005.

Morden, J.A.  1893. Notes from Isabella Co., Mich. Oologist. 10:24-26.

Payne, R.B. 1986. A Distributional Checklist of the Birds of Michigan (revised from Univ. of Michigan Museum of Zoology Misc. Publ. no.164, 1983)   http://www.ummz.umich.edu/birds/michbirds/michigan.html

Powell, David J. 1982. Michigan Bird Survey, Winter 1981-82. Jack Pine Warbler.  60:90-94.

Theunissen, William. No date. Chippewa Valley Audubon Club Mt. Pleasant, Michigan 1951–1992. Mt. Pleasant: private "printing" (mimeo).

Wood, N.A. 1951. The Birds of Michigan. Univeristy of Michigan Museum Zoology.  Misc. Publ. 75.


| Top | Location Maps | Photo Archive | Home |

R.V. Dietrich © 2013
Updated 13 January 2013
Web page created by Emmett Mason