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Bird Families

Birds belong to families, groups of related species that share body shape, bill type and habits. Knowing the family is one of the fastest ways to get closer to a name. A bird that climbs a trunk with a chisel bill is probably a woodpecker. A small round bird with a short seed-cracking bill at a feeder could be a finch, a sparrow or a chickadee relative. Once you recognize a family, you only need to choose among a handful of species instead of hundreds. This hub introduces the main families found in the United States, each with a short profile that explains what unites its members and how to recognize them. The families are linked to species pages in the bird library, where you can see real examples. Family knowledge also supports bird identification basics and helps you read behavior, because related birds tend to feed, move and nest in similar ways. Current names and groupings follow the American Ornithological Society checklist, which is updated from time to time, so you may see small changes in newer field guides.

Thrushes Turdidae

Thrushes are medium-sized songbirds with slender, pointed bills, fairly long legs and an upright stance. Many forage on the ground, hopping, stopping and tilting the head to find insects, worms and fruit. Their songs are often rich and flute-like, and several are among the most admired in North American woods. In the US the family includes the familiar American Robin, the bluebirds and a group of brown, spotted forest thrushes that are more often heard than seen. Many northern breeders migrate, while some robins stay through winter where food remains. Plumage varies from bright orange and blue to subtle browns, so posture, spotting and habitat are often more helpful than color. Look for ground-foraging birds on lawns, forest floors and open fields, and listen at dawn and dusk.

  • Upright posture with a short hop, pause and look
  • Slender, pointed bill and rounded head
  • Spotted or plain breast in brown species; bright blue or orange in bluebirds and robins

In our library: American Robin, Eastern Bluebird

Cardinals, Grosbeaks & Allies Cardinalidae

This family brings together the cardinals, grosbeaks, buntings and tanagers that breed in the US. Most have thick, cone-shaped bills made for cracking seeds, and the males of many species are strikingly colored in red, blue, yellow or orange, while females are often browner or more muted. Several species are strong singers, and many nest in shrubs and thickets. Some, like the Northern Cardinal, stay in the same area all year and visit feeders, while others, including many grosbeaks and buntings, are summer breeders that migrate to the tropics. When identifying, start with the bill, which is heavy and conical, then check color pattern, crest and habitat. Scrubby edges, woodland openings and feeders stocked with sunflower seed are good places to look.

  • Thick, conical seed-cracking bill
  • Males often brightly colored; females more subdued
  • Found in shrubby edges, woodlands and feeders

In our library: Northern Cardinal

Crows & Jays Corvidae

Corvids include crows, ravens, jays, magpies and nutcrackers, and they are widely regarded as among the most intelligent birds. They are medium to large, with strong bills, bold manners and loud voices. Many are highly social, living in family groups or flocks, and they eat nearly anything: seeds, nuts, insects, eggs and carrion. Jays often store food for later, which helps spread trees. In the US, corvids occur in nearly every habitat, from cities to remote forests. Crows and ravens are all black, while many jays are blue, gray or crested. Size, tail shape and voice help with identification, and corvids are known for varied calls and some mimicry. Because they are intelligent and curious, they are rewarding to watch from a respectful distance.

  • Strong, straight bill with bristles at the base
  • Bold, noisy behavior with varied calls
  • All black in crows and ravens; blue, gray or crested in many jays

In our library: Blue Jay, Steller’s Jay

Chickadees & Titmice Paridae

Chickadees and titmice are small, active, acrobatic birds with short bills, rounded heads and plenty of curiosity. They hang upside down from twigs, flit between branches and often join mixed winter flocks with nuthatches, woodpeckers and kinglets. Most are year-round residents, and they come readily to feeders, where they grab a seed and carry it off to eat or hide. They nest in cavities, using old woodpecker holes, natural hollows or nest boxes. Chickadees have dark caps and bibs, while titmice are gray with crests. Their calls are easy to learn and give away their presence, including the classic chick-a-dee call of many species. Watch for them in woods, parks and yards, especially in cold months.

  • Small and round with a short, dark bill
  • Chickadees have a dark cap and bib; titmice are gray and crested
  • Acrobatic, often hanging upside down at feeders and branches

In our library: Black-capped Chickadee

Finches Fringillidae

True finches are small to medium songbirds with cone-shaped bills suited to eating seeds. Many have bouncy, undulating flight and call as they fly. In the US the family includes goldfinches, House and Purple Finches, crossbills, siskins, grosbeaks such as the Evening Grosbeak, and rosy-finches of high mountains. Several wander widely in winter depending on food, so numbers can change a great deal from year to year. They often gather in flocks and visit feeders for sunflower and nyjer seed. Males can be brightly colored in yellow, red or pink, while females are streaked and duller. Listen for flight calls overhead, and watch seed-bearing plants, conifers and feeders. Beak shape and flock behavior help separate them from sparrows.

  • Conical seed-eating bill
  • Bouncy flight, often calling as they go
  • Flocks at feeders; males often yellow, red or pink

In our library: American Goldfinch, House Finch

Pigeons & Doves Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are plump birds with small heads, short legs and rounded bodies. They eat mainly seeds and fruit, drink by sucking up water rather than tipping their heads back, and feed their young a protein-rich liquid called crop milk. Doves often feed on the ground in open areas and perch on wires. Their soft cooing songs are a familiar part of many neighborhoods. In the US the family includes the Mourning Dove, the Rock Pigeon, the Eurasian Collared-Dove and several western and southern species. Rock Pigeons and Eurasian Collared-Doves were introduced from other parts of the world. To tell species apart, check tail shape, size, wing patches and the neck. Look for them in fields, yards and city squares.

  • Plump body with a small head
  • Soft cooing songs and wing whistles on takeoff
  • Walk on the ground and perch on wires and rooftops

In our library: Mourning Dove

Woodpeckers Picidae

Woodpeckers are built for life on trees. They have strong, chisel-like bills, stiff tail feathers that prop them against the trunk, and two toes forward and two back for gripping bark. They peck to find insects, to excavate nest cavities and, in drumming, to communicate. Many eat insects, sap, nuts and fruit, and some visit suet feeders. Their undulating flight and sharp calls are easy clues. The family in the US includes sapsuckers, flickers and many species with black, white and red patterns. Their cavities are later used by other birds and mammals, which makes them important in forests. Look for woodpeckers on trunks and dead branches, and listen for tapping and drumming, especially in spring.

  • Clings upright to trunks with stiff tail support
  • Chisel-shaped bill and drumming sounds
  • Undulating flight and bold black, white and red patterns

In our library: Downy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker

Hummingbirds Trochilidae

Hummingbirds are tiny birds that can hover, fly backward and dart from flower to flower. Their long, slender bills and tongues reach nectar, and they also eat small insects, which supply protein. Wings beat so fast that they hum. Most of the US species are found in the West and Southwest, while one species, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, breeds across much of the East. Many migrate long distances, and timing varies with location and weather. Males often have bright throat patches that flash in the light, while females are plainer. Identification can be difficult, so note bill length, tail shape and throat color. Flowers rich in nectar, and clean feeders with plain sugar water, can attract them. Never use red dye or honey.

  • Tiny size with a long, needle-like bill
  • Hovers and darts, with a humming wing sound
  • Males show iridescent throat patches in good light

In our library: Anna’s Hummingbird, Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Hawks, Eagles & Kites Accipitridae

This family includes many of the daytime raptors, from small forest hawks to eagles and kites. They have sharp hooked bills for tearing flesh and strong feet with talons for catching prey. Many soar on broad wings and use thermals or ridge winds to travel, which makes them easy to watch during migration. Some, such as accipiters, chase birds through woods with short wings and long tails, while buteos soar over open country with broad wings and fan tails. Eagles are large with long, wide wings. Identification depends on shape, size, flight style and plumage, which can differ with age and color morph. Look for them on poles, soaring over fields and along ridges, and give them space, especially near nests.

  • Hooked bill and strong talons
  • Broad wings for soaring, or short wings for woodland chases
  • Often seen perched on poles or circling overhead

In our library: Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk

Herons & Egrets Ardeidae

Herons, egrets and bitterns are long-legged wading birds with S-curved necks and dagger-like bills. They stalk fish, frogs and other small animals in shallow water or stand motionless, then strike quickly. In flight, herons fold their necks back, unlike cranes and ibises that fly with outstretched necks. The family ranges from large birds such as the Great Blue Heron to small, secretive night-herons and bitterns. Many nest in colonies in trees or marsh vegetation, and some are mostly white. They use marshes, shorelines, ponds and even backyard pools, and are common in the Southeast and along coasts, though ranges vary. Look for them at dawn and dusk, give nesting colonies wide space, and use binoculars to watch from a distance.

  • Long legs and S-shaped neck
  • Dagger-like bill
  • Neck folded back in flight

In our library: Great Blue Heron

Ducks, Geese & Swans Anatidae

Waterfowl are the ducks, geese and swans, and they are among the easiest birds to find near water. They have broad, flat bills, webbed feet and dense waterproof feathers. Swans are largest, geese are in between and have longer necks and legs, and ducks vary from small teal to large sea ducks. Dabbling ducks tip forward to feed in shallows, while diving ducks go under the surface. Males of many ducks are colorful in breeding season, while females are brown and camouflaged. Many species migrate in flocks, often in V-formations, and use lakes, rivers, marshes and coasts. Winter is a great time to see large mixed groups. Identify by head shape, bill, body size and feeding behavior, and avoid feeding bread.

  • Broad, flat bill and webbed feet
  • Swimmers that dabble in shallows or dive
  • Males of many ducks colorful; females mostly brown

In our library: Canada Goose, Mallard

Blackbirds, Orioles & Allies Icteridae

The icterids include blackbirds, orioles, meadowlarks, grackles, cowbirds and bobolinks. They are medium-sized songbirds with fairly long, pointed bills and often strong voices. Many males are black, or boldly patterned in orange, yellow or red, and many form large flocks outside the breeding season. Meadowlarks sing from fence posts in open fields, red-winged blackbirds perch on marsh plants, and orioles weave hanging nests in trees. Cowbirds are brood parasites, laying eggs in other birds’ nests. Icterids use many habitats, including marshes, grasslands, woodlands and towns. Bill shape and color pattern help separate them from other songbirds, and flocks can be seen in fields and at feeders. Winter roosts can number in the thousands in some regions.

  • Fairly long, sharply pointed bill
  • Males often black or boldly orange, yellow or red
  • Often in flocks, with loud or musical songs

In our library: Red-winged Blackbird, Western Meadowlark

Swallows Hirundinidae

Swallows are slim, fast, graceful birds that catch insects in flight. They have short bills with wide mouths, long pointed wings and often forked tails. Their legs are small and weak, so they perch on wires and ledges instead of walking much. Many species nest in colonies and some use mud to build cup nests under bridges, eaves and cliffs, while others use cavities. In the US, swallows are mostly summer visitors, and migration timing varies with location and weather. Large flocks may gather in fall before heading south. To identify them, check tail shape, belly color, back color and flight style, since they move quickly. Look over water, fields and open areas, especially on warm days with many insects.

  • Slim body, pointed wings and often a forked tail
  • Catch insects in flight over open areas and water
  • Perch on wires; nest in mud cups or cavities

In our library: Barn Swallow

Typical Owls Strigidae

Typical owls are nocturnal or crepuscular hunters with large forward-facing eyes, facial discs that help focus sound, and soft feathers that make flight nearly silent. They have hooked bills and strong talons, and many species swallow prey whole, later coughing up pellets of fur and bones. In the US the family ranges from the tiny screech-owls and pygmy-owls to the large Great Horned Owl. Most are well camouflaged, resting in trees or cavities by day. Voices are often the best clue, from hoots to trills to whinnies. Some species have ear tufts, which are feather tufts and not ears. Owls are sensitive to disturbance, so avoid flashing lights, playing recordings and approaching roosts or nests, and listen from a respectful distance at dusk.

  • Large head and forward-facing eyes
  • Facial disc and hooked bill
  • Camouflaged plumage; identified by hoots and trills

In our library: Great Horned Owl

Pelicans Pelecanidae

Pelicans are large water birds with long bills and an expandable throat pouch used to scoop fish. Two species occur regularly in the US: the Brown Pelican, a coastal bird that dives from the air to catch fish, and the American White Pelican, which feeds cooperatively on lakes and marshes, dipping its bill from the surface. Both have broad wings and glide low over water or soar high on warm air. They roost and nest in colonies, often on islands or protected sites, and are very sensitive to disturbance. Pelicans are widely seen in the South and along the Pacific coast, with the white pelican breeding in the interior and migrating through many regions. Watch from a distance and never feed them or approach nesting colonies.

  • Very large bill with a throat pouch
  • Broad wings and a heavy body
  • Brown Pelican plunge-dives; American White Pelican scoops while swimming

In our library: Brown Pelican

Osprey Pandionidae

The Osprey is the only member of its family, and it is a fish-eating raptor found on every continent except Antarctica. It has long, narrow wings with a bend at the wrist, a white underside, a dark eye stripe and a brown back. Ospreys hover briefly over water, then plunge feet-first to snatch fish with specialized talons. They nest on tall structures, including dead trees, channel markers and purpose-built platforms near water, and are often seen carrying fish headfirst. In the US they breed across much of the country and migrate south in fall, though some stay on southern coasts. Timing varies with region and weather. Look near lakes, rivers and coasts, and keep well back from nests.

  • White underparts and dark eye stripe
  • Long wings with a kink at the wrist
  • Hovers then plunges feet-first for fish

In our library: Osprey

New World Sparrows Passerellidae

New World sparrows are small, mostly brown or gray birds with conical bills, and they are often streaked. They include familiar yard birds, such as the Song Sparrow, and species of grasslands, brush and desert. Most feed on seeds and insects on or near the ground, scratching in leaf litter with both feet. Though they look similar, careful attention to face pattern, breast streaking, tail, and habitat usually sorts them out. Songs are often musical and distinctive. Many northern breeders migrate south, and winter brings flocks of sparrows to fields, hedgerows and feeders. Towhees and juncos are also placed in this family on current checklists. Look for them low in vegetation, near feeders and along field edges, and be patient with identification.

  • Small, streaky or plain brown and gray birds
  • Conical seed-eating bill
  • Forage low or on the ground

In our library: Song Sparrow

Nuthatches Sittidae

Nuthatches are small, compact songbirds with large heads, very short tails and strong, pointed bills. They are famous for climbing down tree trunks headfirst, which lets them find insects that other bark foragers miss. Most are year-round residents, and they visit feeders for sunflower seeds and suet, often wedging a seed in bark to crack it open. Their calls are short, nasal and repetitive, and easy to learn. Species in the US include the White-breasted, Red-breasted, Brown-headed and Pygmy Nuthatches, each tied to different woods. Most are blue-gray on the back, with pale or rusty underparts. Nuthatches nest in cavities and often join mixed flocks with chickadees. Scan trunks and large branches in woods, parks and yards.

  • Climbs down trunks headfirst
  • Short tail and blue-gray back
  • Nasal, repeated calls

In our library: White-breasted Nuthatch

Mockingbirds & Thrashers Mimidae

Mockingbirds, thrashers and catbirds are slender, long-tailed songbirds known for complex songs that often include repeated phrases and imitations of other sounds. They forage on the ground and in shrubs for insects and fruit, flipping leaves with their bills. Many are gray or brown, with long tails and curved or straight bills. The Northern Mockingbird is common in cities and suburbs, while thrashers are often found in brushy habitats and deserts, where they dig with curved bills. Some, like catbirds, migrate, while many mockingbirds stay all year. Males sing from high perches and can be loud at night in spring. To identify, note tail length, bill curve, eye color and wing patches. Look for them in yards, hedges and scrub.

  • Long tail and slender body
  • Varied songs with repeated phrases and imitations
  • Forage in shrubs and on the ground

In our library: Northern Mockingbird

Cuckoos & Roadrunners Cuculidae

This family includes cuckoos, anis and roadrunners, which are slim, long-tailed birds with sturdy bills. In the US, the Yellow-billed and Black-billed Cuckoos are secretive woodland birds that eat caterpillars, and they are often heard more than seen. Roadrunners are ground-dwelling cuckoos of the Southwest and southern Plains, and they run fast to catch lizards, insects and small animals. Cuckoos have two toes forward and two back. Unlike many cuckoos in other parts of the world, most American species build their own nests. Cuckoos tend to migrate south for winter, while roadrunners stay in their dry habitats. Look for roadrunners crossing open ground and trails in desert scrub, and listen for the hollow calls of cuckoos in leafy woods in summer.

  • Slender body and long tail
  • Two toes forward, two back
  • Cuckoos hide in leaves; roadrunners run across open ground

In our library: Greater Roadrunner

Cranes Gruidae

Cranes are tall, long-legged, long-necked birds that fly with their necks stretched straight out, unlike herons. They have loud, rolling calls that can carry for long distances and perform dancing displays of bowing and leaping. In North America, the Sandhill Crane is the most numerous, and the Whooping Crane is a rare, endangered species that has been the focus of major conservation efforts. Cranes use wetlands, wet meadows and farm fields, eating grains, plants, insects and small animals. Many migrate in large flocks, often at great height, soaring on warm air. They gather at traditional stopover sites that can attract many visitors. Keep well back from roosts and feeding flocks, and follow site rules, especially at refuges.

  • Tall with long legs and neck
  • Flies with neck outstretched
  • Loud, rolling calls and dancing displays

In our library: Sandhill Crane

Kingfishers Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are stocky birds with large heads, long dagger-like bills and short legs. In the US, the Belted Kingfisher is widespread, and two additional species, the Ringed and Green Kingfishers, occur mainly in southern Texas and parts of Arizona. They usually hunt fish from a perch over water or by hovering briefly, then dive headfirst. They nest in burrows dug into earthen banks, which makes them sensitive to bank disturbance. Their rattling call is often the first sign of their presence. Belted Kingfishers have a shaggy crest, blue-gray plumage and a white collar, and females have a rusty band across the chest, which is unusual among birds. Look along rivers, streams, lakes and coasts, and watch from a distance.

  • Large head with a shaggy crest and heavy bill
  • Perches over water and dives for fish
  • Loud rattling call

In our library: Belted Kingfisher