Songbirds of North Dakota
byChris Grondahl and Scott Gomes
State Game and Fish Department
100 North Bismarck Expressway
Bismarck, North Dakota 58501-5095
Songbird is a term often used to describe bird species belonging to the order Passeriformes. The passerines or "perching" birds make up the largest order of birds in the world and include 28 families in North America ranging in size from the 4-5 inch long warblers to the raven measuring over two feet long. Passerines are often noted for their singing capability and therefore have been commonly referred to as songbirds. They also have in common a perching foot with three toes directed forward and one backward enabling them to easily grip branches, twigs, reeds, and grass.
The songbirds pictured in the following pages are representatives of 15 families of passerines which nest in North Dakota. Some families described contain members which can be found in North Dakota, but are not pictured.
Identifying songbirds in the field is both educational and rewarding. Most species exhibit field marks that you must look for to distinguish them from other birds, such as a characteristic feather pattern, bill shape, and overall size. It can also be important to recognize a bird's song, behavior, preferred habitats, and range. The descriptions found within the following pages will help you identify many of the common songbirds found in North Dakota.
To further enhance your success, it is recommended you invest in a good pair of binoculars for closer viewing and a field guide. The inexpensive field guide will provide you with more specific range maps and illustrations of male, female, and juvenile birds of all species.
Note: Songbirds are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It is illegal to harm or posses any of these birds. Please contact the Game and Fish Department if you have any questions about these species.
This resource is based on the following source:
Grondahl, Chris and Scott Gomes. No Date. Songbirds of North Dakota. North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Bismarck, ND. 11pp.This resource should be cited as:
Grondahl, Chris and Scott Gomes. No Date. Songbirds of North Dakota. North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Bismarck, ND. Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online. http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/songbird/songbird.htm (Version 16JUL97).
Contents
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Tyrant Flycatchers -- Family Tyrannidae
- Eastern Kingbird
- Western Kingbird
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Swallows -- Family Hirundinidae
- Tree Swallow
- Barn Swallow
- Purple Martin
- Barn Swallow
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Larks -- Family Alaudidae
- Horned Larks
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Chickadees -- Family Paridae
- Black-Capped Chickadee
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Nuthatches -- Family Sittidae
- White-Breasted Nuthatch
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Wrens -- Family Troglodytidae
- House Wren
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Thrushes -- Family Muscicapidae
- American Robin
- Eastern Bluebird
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Shrikes -- Family Laniidae
- Loggerhead Shrike
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Mimic Thrushes -- Family Mimidae
- Brown Thrasher
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Waxwings -- Family Bombycillidae
- Cedar Waxwing
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Jays, Crows and Magpies -- Family Corvidae
- Blue Jay
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Vireos -- Family Vireonidae
- Warbling Vireo
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Finches -- Family Fringillidae
- American Goldfinch
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Warblers, Sparrows and Grosbeaks -- Family Emberizidae
- Yellow Warbler
- Black-Headed Grosbeak
- Chipping Sparrow
- Black-Headed Grosbeak
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Meadowlarks, Orioles and Blackbirds -- Family Icteridae
- Western Meadowlark
- Northern Oriole
- Common Grackle
- Red-Winged Blackbird
- Northern Oriole
Installation: Extract all files and open songbird.htm in a web browser.songbird.zip (603K) -- Songbirds of North Dakota