Main Page | See live article | Alphabetical index The North American birds most closely resemble those of Eurasia, which was connected to this continent until geologically recent times. Many groups occur throughout these northern hemisphere continents, although distinctive groups have also arisen, such as the wrens. Several common birds in North America, such as the House Sparrow, the Rock Dove, the European Starling, and the Mute Swan are introduced species, meaning that they are not native to this continent but were brought here by man from Europe or elsewhere. Introduced species are marked on this list as (Introduced). There may be species that have individual escapees or small feral populations in North America that are not on this list. This is especially true of birds that are commonly held as pets such as Parrots and Finches. The definition of the area covered by a list of "North American birds" is somewhat subjective. The original list published by the American Ornithologists' Union (AOU) in 1886 covered birds found in North America north of Mexico, Baja California, Bermuda and Greenland. In 1983 the area was expanded to included all of Mexico, Central America south through Panama, the West Indies and the Hawaiian Islands, while Greenland was dropped. This expansion more than doubled the number of birds on the AOU list. Other organizations, such as the American Birding Association (ABA) use a smaller area. The current ABA area includes the 49 continental states, Canada and the French islands St. Pierre and Miquelon, plus surrounding waters. It does not include Greenland, Bermuda, the Bahamas or the Hawaiian Islands. As most field guides for "North American" birds use the ABA area, rather than the more expansive AOU area, this list is based on the ABA checklist. The taxonomic system used for this article is Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy, which is the standard for North America. See the discussion page for further taxonomic comment. The birds marked (Accidental) on this list are birds from other parts of the world that are occasionally found in North America, but have not established populations, and are not regular visitors. Not all accidental birds on this list are necessarily marked. A few of the birds on this list were once native to North America, but have, unfortunately, become extinct. They are marked as (Extinct). This list includes the Passerines of North America. See also the List of North American birds: non-passerines for the North American non-passerines. For local birding, see also List of birds of Santa Cruz County, California Table of contents 1 Tyrant flycatchers 2 Passerines Placement Uncertain 3 Shrikes 4 Vireos 5 Jays, Crows, Magpies, and Ravens 6 Larks 7 Swallows and Martins 8 Chickadees and Titmice 9 Verdin 10 Bushtits 11 Nuthatches 12 Treecreepers 13 Wrens 14 Dippers 15 Bulbuls 16 Kinglets 17 Old World warblers and Gnatcatchers 18 Old World flycatchers 19 Thrushes 20 Babblers 21 Mockingbirds and Thrashers 22 Starlings 23 Accentors 24 Wagtails and Pipits 25 Waxwings 26 Silky-flycatchers 27 Olive Warbler 28 Wood-Warblerss 29 Bananaquits 30 Tanagers 31 Sparrowss, Towhees, Juncos, and Longspurs 32 Cardinalss, Saltators, and Grosbeaks 33 Blackbirdss, Meadowlarks, Cowbirds, Grackles, and Orioless 34 Fringilline Finches, Cardueline Finches and Allies 35 Old World sparrowss Tyrant flycatchers Order: Passeriformes Family: Tyrannidae Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, Camptostoma imberbe Greenish Elaenia, Myiopagis viridicata Caribbean Elaenia, Elaenia martinica Tufted Flycatcher, Mitrephanes phaeocercus Olive-sided Flycatcher, Contopus cooperi Greater Pewee, Contopus pertinax Western Wood-Pewee, Contopus sordidulus Eastern Wood-Pewee, Contopus virens Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Empidonax flaviventris Acadian Flycatcher, Empidonax virescens Alder Flycatcher, Empidonax alnorum Willow Flycatcher, Empidonax traillii Least Flycatcher, Empidonax minimus Hammond's Flycatcher, Empidonax hammondii Gray Flycatcher, Empidonax wrightii Dusky Flycatcher, Empidonax oberholseri Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Empidonax difficilis Cordilleran Flycatcher, Empidonax occidentalis Buff-breasted Flycatcher, Empidonax fulvifrons Black Phoebe, Sayornis nigricans Eastern Phoebe, Sayornis phoebe Say's Phoebe, Sayornis saya Vermilion Flycatcher, Pyrocephalus rubinus Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Myiarchus tuberculifer Ash-throated Flycatcher, Myiarchus cinerascens Nutting's Flycatcher, Myiarchus nuttingi Great Crested Flycatcher, Myiarchus crinitus Brown-crested Flycatcher, Myiarchus tyrannulus La Sagra's Flycatcher, Myiarchus sagrae Great Kiskadee, Pitangus sulphuratus Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Myiodynastes luteiventris Piratic Flycatcher, Legatus leucophaius Variegated Flycatcher, Empidonomus varius (Accidental) Tropical Kingbird, Tyrannus melancholicus Couch's Kingbird, Tyrannus couchii Cassin's Kingbird, Tyrannus vociferans Thick-billed Kingbird, Tyrannus crassirostris Western Kingbird, Tyrannus verticalis Eastern Kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus Gray Kingbird, Tyrannus dominicensis Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Tyrannus forficatus Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Tyrannus savana Passerines Placement Uncertain Order: Passeriformes Family: Incertae sedis Rose-throated Becard, Pachyramphus aglaiae Masked Tityra, Tityra semifasciata Shrikes Order: Passeriformes Family: Laniidae Brown Shrike, Lanius cristatus (Accidental) Loggerhead Shrike, Lanius ludovicianus Northern Shrike, Lanius excubitor Vireos Order: Passeriformes Family: Vireonidae White-eyed Vireo, Vireo griseus Thick-billed Vireo, Vireo crassirostris Bell's Vireo, Vireo bellii Black-capped Vireo, Vireo atricapilla Gray Vireo, Vireo vicinior Yellow-throated Vireo, Vireo flavifrons Plumbeous Vireo, Vireo plumbeus Cassin's Vireo, Vireo cassinii Blue-headed Vireo, Vireo solitarius Hutton's Vireo, Vireo huttoni Warbling Vireo, Vireo gilvus Philadelphia Vireo, Vireo philadelphicus Red-eyed Vireo, Vireo olivaceus Yellow-green Vireo, Vireo flavoviridis Black-whiskered Vireo, Vireo altiloquus Yucatan Vireo, Vireo magister Jays, Crows, Magpies, and Ravens Order: Passeriformes Family: Corvidae Gray Jay, Perisoreus canadensis Steller's Jay, Cyanocitta stelleri Blue Jay, Cyanocitta cristata Green Jay, Cyanocorax yncas Brown Jay, Cyanocorax morio Florida Scrub-Jay, Aphelocoma coerulescens Island Scrub-Jay, Aphelocoma insularis Western Scrub-Jay, Aphelocoma californica Mexican Jay, Aphelocoma ultramarina Pinyon Jay, Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus Clark's Nutcracker, Nucifraga columbiana Black-billed Magpie, Pica hudsonia Yellow-billed Magpie, Pica nuttalli Eurasian Jackdaw, Corvus monedula (Accidental) American Crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos Northwestern Crow, Corvus caurinus Tamaulipas Crow, Corvus imparatus Fish Crow, Corvus ossifragus Chihuahuan Raven, Corvus cryptoleucus Common Raven, Corvus corax Larks Order: Passeriformes Family: Alaudidae Sky Lark, Alauda arvensis (Introduced) Horned Lark, Eremophila alpestris Swallows and Martins Order: Passeriformes Family: Hirundinidae Purple Martin, Progne subis Cuban Martin, Progne cryptoleuca Gray-breasted Martin, Progne chalybea Southern Martin, Progne elegans Brown-chested Martin, Progne tapera Tree Swallow, Tachycineta bicolor Violet-green Swallow, Tachycineta thalassina Bahama Swallow, Tachycineta cyaneoviridis Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Stelgidopteryx serripennis Bank Swallow, Riparia riparia Cliff Swallow, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota Cave Swallow, Petrochelidon fulva Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica Common House-Martin, Delichon urbica (Accidental) Chickadees and Titmice Order: Passeriformes' Family: Paridae Carolina Chickadee, Poecile carolinensis Black-capped Chickadee, Poecile atricapillus Mountain Chickadee, Poecile gambeli Mexican Chickadee, Poecile sclateri Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Poecile rufescens Boreal Chickadee, Poecile hudsonica Gray-headed Chickadee, Poecile cincta Bridled Titmouse, Baeolophus wollweberi Oak Titmouse, Baeolophus inornatus Juniper Titmouse, Baeolophus ridgwayi Tufted Titmouse, Baeolophus bicolor Black-crested Titmouse, Baeolophus atricristatus Verdin Order: Passeriformes Family: Remizidae Verdin, Auriparus flaviceps Bushtits Order: Passeriformes Family: Aegithalidae Bushtit, Psaltriparus minimus Nuthatches Order: Passeriformes Family: Sittidae Red-breasted Nuthatch, Sitta canadensis White-breasted Nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis Pygmy Nuthatch, Sitta pygmaea Brown-headed Nuthatch, Sitta pusilla Treecreepers Order: Passeriformes Family: Certhiidae Brown Creeper, Certhia americana Wrens Order: Passeriformes Family: Troglodytidae Cactus Wren, Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus Rock Wren, Salpinctes obsoletus Canyon Wren, Catherpes mexicanus Carolina Wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus Bewick's Wren, Thryomanes bewickii House Wren, Troglodytes aedon Winter Wren, Troglodytes troglodytes Sedge Wren, Cistothorus platensis Marsh Wren, Cistothorus palustris Dippers Order: Passeriformes Family: Cinclidae American Dipper, Cinclus mexicanus Bulbuls Order: Passeriformes Family: Pycnonotidae Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus (Introduced) Kinglets Order: Passeriformes Family: Regulidae Golden-crowned Kinglet, Regulus satrapa Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Regulus calendula Old World warblers and Gnatcatchers Order: Passeriformes Family: Sylviidae Middendorff's Grasshopper-Warbler, Locustella ochotensis (Accidental) Lanceolated Warbler, Locustella lanceolata (Accidental) Wood Warbler, Phylloscopus sibilatrix (Accidental) Dusky Warbler, Phylloscopus fuscatus (Accidental) Yellow-browed Warbler, Phylloscopus inornatus (Accidental) Arctic Warbler, Phylloscopus borealis Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea California Gnatcatcher, Polioptila californica Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Polioptila melanura Black-capped Gnatcatcher, Polioptila nigriceps Old World flycatchers Order: Passeriformes Family: Muscicapidae Narcissus Flycatcher, Ficedula narcissina (Accidental) Mugimaki Flycatcher, Ficedula mugimaki (Accidental) Red-breasted Flycatcher, Ficedula parva (Accidental) Siberian Flycatcher, Muscicapa sibirica (Accidental) Gray-spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa griseisticta (Accidental) Asian Brown Flycatcher, Muscicapa dauurica (Accidental) Thrushes Order: Passeriformes Family: Turdidae Siberian Rubythroat, Luscinia calliope (Accidental) Bluethroat, Luscinia svecica Siberian Blue Robin, Luscinia cyane (Accidental) Red-flanked Bluetail, Tarsiger cyanurus (Accidental) Northern Wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe Stonechat, Saxicola torquata (Accidental) Eastern Bluebird, Sialia sialis Western Bluebird, Sialia mexicana Mountain Bluebird, Sialia currucoides Townsend's Solitaire, Myadestes townsendi Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush, Catharus aurantiirostris Veery, Catharus fuscescens Gray-cheeked Thrush, Catharus minimus Bicknell's Thrush, Catharus bicknelli Swainson's Thrush, Catharus ustulatus Hermit Thrush, Catharus guttatus Wood Thrush, Hylocichla mustelina Eurasian Blackbird, Turdus merula (Accidental) Eyebrowed Thrush, Turdus obscurus Dusky Thrush, Turdus naumanni (Accidental) Fieldfare, Turdus pilaris (Accidental) Redwing, Turdus iliacus (Accidental) Clay-colored Robin, Turdus grayi White-throated Robin, Turdus assimilis Rufous-backed Robin, Turdus rufopalliatus American Robin, Turdus migratorius Varied Thrush, Ixoreus naevius Aztec Thrush, Ridgwayia pinicola Babblers Order: Passeriformes Family: Timaliidae Wrentit, Chamaea fasciata Mockingbirds and Thrashers Order: Passeriformes Family: Mimidae Gray Catbird, Dumetella carolinensis Northern Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos Bahama Mockingbird, Mimus gundlachii Sage Thrasher, Oreoscoptes montanus Brown Thrasher, Toxostoma rufum Long-billed Thrasher, Toxostoma longirostre Bendire's Thrasher, Toxostoma bendirei Curve-billed Thrasher, Toxostoma curvirostre California Thrasher, Toxostoma redivivum Crissal Thrasher, Toxostoma crissale Le Conte's Thrasher, Toxostoma lecontei Blue Mockingbird, Melanotis caerulescens Starlings Order: Passeriformes Family: Sturnidae European Starling, Sturnus vulgaris (Introduced) Crested Myna, Acridotheres cristatellus (Introduced) Accentors Order: Passeriformes Family: Prunellidae Siberian Accentor, Prunella montanella (Accidental) Wagtails and Pipits Order: Passeriformes Family: Motacillidae Yellow Wagtail, Motacilla flava Citrine Wagtail, Motacilla citreola (Accidental) Gray Wagtail, Motacilla cinerea (Accidental) White Wagtail, Motacilla alba Black-backed Wagtail, Motacilla lugens Tree Pipit, Anthus trivialis (Accidental) Olive-backed Pipit, Anthus hodgsoni (Accidental) Pechora Pipit, Anthus gustavi (Accidental) Red-throated Pipit, Anthus cervinus American Pipit, Anthus rubescens Sprague's Pipit, Anthus spragueii Waxwings Order: Passeriformes Family: Bombycillidae Bohemian Waxwing, Bombycilla garrulus Cedar Waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum Silky-flycatchers Order: Passeriformes Family: Ptilogonatidae Gray Silky-flycatcher, Ptilogonys cinereus Phainopepla, Phainopepla nitens Olive Warbler Order: Passeriformes Family: Peucedramidae Olive Warbler, Peucedramus taeniatus Wood-Warblerss Order: Passeriformes Family: Parulidae Bachman's Warbler, Vermivora bachmanii (Extinct) Blue-winged Warbler, Vermivora pinus Golden-winged Warbler, Vermivora chrysoptera Tennessee Warbler, Vermivora peregrina Orange-crowned Warbler, Vermivora celata Nashville Warbler, Vermivora ruficapilla Virginia's Warbler, Vermivora virginiae Colima Warbler, Vermivora crissalis Lucy's Warbler, Vermivora luciae Crescent-chested Warbler, Parula superciliosa Northern Parula, Parula americana Tropical Parula, Parula pitiayumi Yellow Warbler, Dendroica petechia Chestnut-sided Warbler, Dendroica pensylvanica Magnolia Warbler, Dendroica magnolia Cape May Warbler, Dendroica tigrina Black-throated Blue Warbler, Dendroica caerulescens Yellow-rumped Warbler, Dendroica coronata Black-throated Gray Warbler, Dendroica nigrescens Golden-cheeked Warbler, Dendroica chrysoparia Black-throated Green Warbler, Dendroica virens Townsend's Warbler, Dendroica townsendi Hermit Warbler, Dendroica occidentalis Blackburnian Warbler, Dendroica fusca Yellow-throated Warbler, Dendroica dominica Grace's Warbler, Dendroica graciae Pine Warbler, Dendroica pinus Kirtland's Warbler, Dendroica kirtlandii Prairie Warbler, Dendroica discolor Palm Warbler, Dendroica palmarum Bay-breasted Warbler, Dendroica castanea Blackpoll Warbler, Dendroica striata Cerulean Warbler, Dendroica cerulea Black-and-white Warbler, Mniotilta varia American Redstart, Setophaga ruticilla Prothonotary Warbler, Protonotaria citrea Worm-eating Warbler, Helmitheros vermivorus Swainson's Warbler, Limnothlypis swainsonii Ovenbird, Seiurus aurocapilla Northern Waterthrush, Seiurus noveboracensis Louisiana Waterthrush, Seiurus motacilla Kentucky Warbler, Oporornis formosus Connecticut Warbler, Oporornis agilis Mourning Warbler, Oporornis philadelphia MacGillivray's Warbler, Oporornis tolmiei Common Yellowthroat, Geothlypis trichas Gray-crowned Yellowthroat, Geothlypis poliocephala Hooded Warbler, Wilsonia citrina Wilson's Warbler, Wilsonia pusilla Canada Warbler, Wilsonia canadensis Red-faced Warbler, Cardellina rubrifrons Painted Redstart, Myioborus pictus Slate-throated Redstart, Myioborus miniatus Fan-tailed Warbler, Euthlypis lachrymosa Golden-crowned Warbler, Basileuterus culicivorus Rufous-capped Warbler, Basileuterus rufifrons Yellow-breasted Chat, Icteria virens Bananaquits Order: Passeriformes Family: Coerebidae Bananaquit, Coereba flaveola Tanagers Order: Passeriformes Family: Thraupidae Hepatic Tanager, Piranga flava Summer Tanager, Piranga rubra Scarlet Tanager, Piranga olivacea Western Tanager, Piranga ludoviciana Flame-colored Tanager, Piranga bidentata Western Spindalis, Spindalis zena Sparrowss, Towhees, Juncos, and Longspurs Order: Passeriformes Family: Emberizidae White-collared Seedeater, Sporophila torqueola Yellow-faced Grassquit, Tiaris olivacea Black-faced Grassquit, Tiaris bicolor Olive Sparrow, Arremonops rufivirgatus Green-tailed Towhee, Pipilo chlorurus Spotted Towhee, Pipilo maculatus Eastern Towhee, Pipilo erythrophthalmus Canyon Towhee, Pipilo fuscus California Towhee, Pipilo crissalis Abert's Towhee, Pipilo aberti Rufous-winged Sparrow, Aimophila carpalis Cassin's Sparrow, Aimophila cassinii Bachman's Sparrow, Aimophila aestivalis Botteri's Sparrow, Aimophila botterii Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Aimophila ruficeps Five-striped Sparrow, Aimophila quinquestriata American Tree Sparrow, Spizella arborea Chipping Sparrow, Spizella passerina Clay-colored Sparrow, Spizella pallida Brewer's Sparrow, Spizella breweri Field Sparrow, Spizella pusilla Worthen's Sparrow, Spizella wortheni Black-chinned Sparrow, Spizella atrogularis Vesper Sparrow, Pooecetes gramineus Lark Sparrow, Chondestes grammacus Black-throated Sparrow, Amphispiza bilineata Sage Sparrow, Amphispiza belli Lark Bunting, Calamospiza melanocorys Savannah Sparrow, Passerculus sandwichensis Grasshopper Sparrow, Ammodramus savannarum Baird's Sparrow, Ammodramus bairdii Henslow's Sparrow, Ammodramus henslowii Le Conte's Sparrow, Ammodramus leconteii Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Ammodramus nelsoni Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Ammodramus caudacutus Seaside Sparrow, Ammodramus maritimus Fox Sparrow, Passerella iliaca Song Sparrow, Melospiza melodia Lincoln's Sparrow, Melospiza lincolnii Swamp Sparrow, Melospiza georgiana White-throated Sparrow, Zonotrichia albicollis Harris's Sparrow, Zonotrichia querula White-crowned Sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys Golden-crowned Sparrow, Zonotrichia atricapilla Dark-eyed Junco, Junco hyemalis Yellow-eyed Junco, Junco phaeonotus McCown's Longspur, Calcarius mccownii Lapland Longspur, Calcarius lapponicus Smith's Longspur, Calcarius pictus Chestnut-collared Longspur, Calcarius ornatus Pine Bunting, Emberiza leucocephalos (Accidental) Little Bunting, Emberiza pusilla (Accidental) Rustic Bunting, Emberiza rustica (Accidental) Yellow-throated Bunting, Emberiza elegans (Accidental) Yellow-breasted Bunting, Emberiza aureola (Accidental) Gray Bunting, Emberiza variabilis (Accidental) Pallas's Bunting, Emberiza pallasi (Accidental) Reed Bunting, Emberiza schoeniclus (Accidental) Snow Bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis McKay's Bunting, Plectrophenax hyperboreus Cardinalss, Saltators, and Grosbeaks Order: Passeriformes Family: Cardinalidae Crimson-collared Grosbeak, Rhodothraupis celaeno Northern Cardinal, cardinalis Pyrrhuloxia, Cardinalis sinuatus Yellow Grosbeak, Pheucticus chrysopeplus Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Pheucticus ludovicianus Black-headed Grosbeak, Pheucticus melanocephalus Blue Bunting, Cyanocompsa parellina Blue Grosbeak, Passerina caerulea Lazuli Bunting, Passerina amoena Indigo Bunting, Passerina cyanea Varied Bunting, Passerina versicolor Painted Bunting, Passerina ciris Dickcissel, Spiza americana Blackbirdss, Meadowlarks, Cowbirds, Grackles, and Orioless Order: Passeriformes Family: Icteridae Bobolink, Dolichonyx oryzivorus Red-winged Blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus Tricolored Blackbird, Agelaius tricolor Tawny-shouldered Blackbird, Agelaius humeralis Eastern Meadowlark, Sturnella magna Western Meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta Yellow-headed Blackbird, Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus Rusty Blackbird, Euphagus carolinus Brewer's Blackbird, Euphagus cyanocephalus Common Grackle, Quiscalus quiscula Boat-tailed Grackle, Quiscalus major Great-tailed Grackle, Quiscalus mexicanus Shiny Cowbird, Molothrus bonariensis Bronzed Cowbird, Molothrus aeneus Brown-headed Cowbird, Molothrus ater Black-vented Oriole, Icterus wagleri Orchard Oriole, Icterus spurius Hooded Oriole, Icterus cucullatus Streak-backed Oriole, Icterus pustulatus Bullock's Oriole, '\'Icterus bullockii'' Spot-breasted Oriole, Icterus pectoralis Altamira Oriole, Icterus gularis Audubon's Oriole, Icterus graduacauda Baltimore Oriole, Icterus galbula Scott's Oriole, Icterus parisorum Fringilline Finches, Cardueline Finches and Allies Order: Passeriformes Family: Fringillidae Common Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs (Accidental) Brambling, Fringilla montifringilla Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, Leucosticte tephrocotis Black Rosy-Finch, Leucosticte atrata Brown-capped Rosy-Finch, Leucosticte australis Pine Grosbeak, Pinicola enucleator Common Rosefinch, Carpodacus erythrinus Purple Finch, Carpodacus purpureus Cassin's Finch, Carpodacus cassinii House Finch, Carpodacus mexicanus Red Crossbill, Loxia curvirostra White-winged Crossbill, Loxia leucoptera Common Redpoll, Carduelis flammea Hoary Redpoll, Carduelis hornemanni Eurasian Siskin, Carduelis spinus (Accidental) Pine Siskin, Carduelis pinus Lesser Goldfinch, Carduelis psaltria Lawrence's Goldfinch, Carduelis lawrencei American Goldfinch, Carduelis tristis Oriental Greenfinch, Carduelis sinica (Accidental) Eurasian Bullfinch, Pyrrhula pyrrhula (Accidental) Evening Grosbeak, Coccothraustes vespertinus Hawfinch, Coccothraustes coccothraustes (Accidental) Old World sparrowss Order: Passeriformes Family: Passeridae House Sparrow, ''Passer domesticus (Introduced) Eurasian Tree Sparrow, ''Passer montanus (Introduced) This article is from Wikipedia. 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