Bird Species

There are thousands of bird species around the world, each with its own appearance, behavior, habitat, diet, range, and way of life.

Our Bird Species guides take a closer look at individual birds and bird families, with an emphasis on species people commonly encounter throughout the United States.

Learn what different birds look like, where they live, what they eat, how they behave, where they nest, when they migrate, how males and females differ, and what makes each species unique.

From familiar backyard visitors such as Northern Cardinals, American Robins, Blue Jays, chickadees, and Mourning Doves to woodpeckers, hummingbirds, hawks, owls, waterfowl, and less familiar species, this section is where you can get to know the birds around you one species at a time.