Birds - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resourcesdnr.wi.gov/files/PDF/pubs/wm/WM0220_b.pdf · · 2012-02-15porous bones which allow all Wisconsin birds—even the heaviest wild

Birds, like mammals, are warm-blooded andcome in all shapes and sizes. However, theyare covered with feathers and have hollow,porous bones which allow all Wisconsinbirds—even the heaviest wild turkey—to fly.They also lay eggs, which they must incubatefor a period of several weeks to a month. Theytend to be more active during the daylightand therefore are fairly easy to observe.

About 400 different kinds of birds have beenobserved and recorded in Wisconsin. Sincebirds are very active and have high bodytemperatures they must keep their internalfires stoked by consuming a lot of food daily.Some consume nearly their body weight infood each day. Many birds eat seeds, some eatfruit. Some insect-eating birds devour about3,000 insects every 24 hours. Birds of preyconsume large quantities of mice, voles andother rodents, large insects, and other birds.Each type of bird has a certain habitatpreference. Some tolerate a wide variation inhabitat while others are very specific in theirhabitat needs. For this publication, Wisconsin

birds are grouped into several categories withonly representative examples listed:

Birds of PreyMarsh and Shore BirdsWaterfowlUpland Game BirdsMigratory SongbirdsResident Birds

You can enhance your land for different typesof birds. Putting out bird feeders well-stocked with sunflower seeds, thistle seedand suet is one easy way of attracting birdsto your property. But don’t forget that theyneed water and shelter, too. So plan oninstalling a year-round birdbath and eitherbuild or purchase a variety of nest boxes. Ifyou have an old field, pasture, or wetmeadow you can enhance it for grasslandsparrows, ring-necked pheasant, bobwhitequail, eastern bluebird, and such warblers asyellow warbler or yellowthroat. If you live inthe southern part of the state and have awoodland, consider planting oaks toencourage wild turkeys. In maturewoodlands, leave snags for hawks, owls,woodpeckers, chickadees and many othercavity nesting songbirds. If you own orborder a wetland, consider planting aminimum of 5 acres of dense, permanentgrass cover to encourage mallard nesting.Also, be sure to leave snags, old oaks andwillows as sources of nesting cavities forwoodducks.

14 Wildlife and Your Land

Birds

Tundra Swan

Trumpeter Swan

Wildlife and Your Land 15

Bald Eagle

Northern Goshawk

Northern Harrier(formerly Marsh Hawk)

Broad-winged Hawk

Cooper’s Hawk

Red-shouldered Hawk

Suckers, northern pike,muskellunge, bullheads,carp; occasionally geeseand ducks; carrion suchas deer, small livestock,waterfowl, fish duringwinter

Ruffed grouse, quail,ducks, chipmunks, redsquirrels, snowshoehare, poultry, mice,weasels, small hawks,owls, crows, doves, bluejays, thrushes, shrews,grasshoppers andcaterpillars

Rodents and other smallmammals, amphibians,snakes, birds, insects,fish

Small mammals such asyoung rabbits, redsquirrels, chipmunks,mice, moles, shrews;also snakes, frogs,lizards, small fish,larvae of large mothsand butterflies, beetles,grasshoppers andcrickets, crayfish; huntsfrom perch in woodlandsor while flying overtreetops or openmeadows

Northern flicker, quail,ring-necked pheasant,ruffed grouse, mourningdove, blue jay, ducks,least bittern, Americancrow, blackbirds,poultry, rabbits,squirrels, chipmunks,snakes, mice,grasshoppers, cricketsand bats

Primarily amphibians,reptiles, fish andcrayfish, but alsoinsects, small birds andsmall mammals

Large rivers, lakes,reservoirs; found inconcentration neardams along theMississippi and LowerWisconsin rivers

Mixed hardwood andconiferous forests

Wetlands, marshes,open fields, meadows

Deciduous woodlandsand mixed coniferoushardwoods aroundlakes, streams andswamps

Mixed, deciduous andsometimes coniferousforests, or along riveredges in deciduouswoods. Also, pineplantations in southeastWisconsin

Mature river bottomforests and woodedmargins of marshes,often close to cultivatedfields

Roost and nests in largetrees, often white pine.Nest is 4 feet indiameter and 3 feetdeep

Builds stick nest.Prefers large hardwoodtrees 30–40 feet aboveground; frequentlyselects birch, aspen,maple, and beech fornesting trees;occasionally selectsjuniper, pine, spruceand fir. May build ontop of old hawk nest

Nests on the ground intall grasses in ameadow or swamp nearwater

Builds stick nests inbirch, elm, maple,basswood or otherdeciduous trees, pine,hemlock; from 25–90feet above ground;occasionally 3–10 feetabove ground

Builds stick nest with“cup” lined with barkflakes, occasionallyrimmed with green treesprings in main crotchor on a horizontal limb.Nests 20–60 feet aboveground in deciduous orconiferous trees;occasionally uses oldcrow nests or same nestfrom previous year, buttypically builds a newnest in same area

Builds nests of mossytwigs and branches,lined with bark strips,bits of oak leaves andlichens in deciduoustrees averaging 80–95feet tall

Northern one-third inspring and summer;rare in southeast, southcentral and easternWisconsin. Number ofoccupied territories hasincreased from 108 in1973 to 645 in 1997

Northern one-fourth,and south into centralWisconsin

Statewide; uncommonwinter resident south

Statewide, butuncommon summerresident west andcentral. Often seen inlarge numbers duringfall migration

Statewide butuncommon. Watch for itnear birdfeeders inwinter in southern thirdof state

Statewide butuncommon summerresident; uncommonwinter resident south

Birds of Prey Food Habitat Nest Site Distribution


Red-tailed Hawk

Rough-legged Hawk

Sharp-shinned Hawk

American Kestrel

Osprey

Barred Owl

Great Horned Owl

Eastern Screech Owl

Primarily smallmammals such asrabbits; also birds,reptiles, and someinsects

Primarily smallmammals

Small birds up to pigeonsize; also small mam-mals, reptiles andinsects

Insects such asgrasshoppers, cricketsand beetles; also miceand other smallmammals, birds,lizards, toads, frogs andsmall snakes; huntsfrom a perch or whilehovering over areaswith short grassy cover

Primarily fresh panfish;also frogs, snakes,ducks, crows and smallmammals

Variety of birds, miceand other smallmammals, fish, frogs,salamanders, snakes,crayfish and largeinsects

Rabbit, squirrels,skunk, woodchuck,opossum, gopher, geese,turkey, pheasant, quail,mice, rats, weasels,mink, crow, crayfish,reptiles, amphibians,fish and large insects

Mice and other smallmammals, grass-hoppers, locusts, moths,beetles and otherinsects, spiders, fish,crayfish, salamanders,reptiles, songbirds

Woodland edge invariety of open habitatsincluding pasture, field,meadow and swampyareas

Grasslands, openmarshes and fields

Coniferous anddeciduous forests,conifer plantations andconifer swamps

Forest openings,marshes, grasslands,farmland, woodlandedges. Commonly seenon utility wires

Lakes, rivers, marshesand reservoirs

Oak and mixeddeciduous andconiferous forestsbordering lakes, steams,swamps, marshes or wetmeadows

Farm woodlots, openconiferous, deciduous ormixed woods,riverbottom forests,marshes, swamps, largecity parks and orchards

Variety of woodedhabitats, especially openwoods adjacent tomeadows, marshes orfields. Also, orchardsand shade trees intowns and cities

Builds nests of sticks intops of large deciduoustrees, usually 35–90 feetabove ground

Doesn’t nest inWisconsin but nestsprimarily on cliffs alongriver bluffs

Nests primarily inconifers, usually 30–35feet above ground. Nestis a compact platform oftwigs, sometimes linedwith smaller twigs orbark strips

Nests in nest boxes andtree cavities; nest sitesare usually alongstreams, ponds or forestedges, normally 10–35feet above ground

Nest site is near or inwater atop dead orliving trees, powerpoles, old eagle, gull orgreat blue heron nests,artificial nestingstructure; nest site maybe used by same pairyear after year

Nests 18–50 feet aboveground in tree cavities,hollows in top of brokentree stub or nests ofcrows and squirrels

Nests up to 70 feet highin large trees, usually inthe nests of red-tailedhawks, osprey, baldeagles, heron or crow.Sometimes nests in treecavities

Nests 5–35 feet high intree cavities, abandonedwoodpecker holes; alsonests in wood duck nestboxes

Statewide

Statewide in winteronly

Northern half

Statewide

Northern two-thirds insummer

Statewide

Statewide

Statewide, except rarein north



Bald Eagle

Goshawk

Harrier

Broad-wingedHawk

Barred Owl

Great Horned Owl

Screech Owl

Osprey

Cooper’s Hawk

Red-shoulderedHawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Rough-leggedHawk

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Kestrel


Turkey Vulture

Great Blue HeronSandhill Crane

GreatEgret

BeltedKingfisher

GreaterYellowlegs

PectoralSandpiper

Killdeer

Woodcock


Turkey Vulture Fresh or decayedcarrion, includingalmost all wild anddomestic animals; frogs,snakes, birds and fish

Hilly, forested regionswith exposed perches.Shaded nest sites oncliffs and in maturetrees

Lays egg directly on theground beneath fallentrees or tumbledboulders, in piles ofdiscarded brush, logsand/or rocks or inabandoned buildings, insmall caves, on rockledges, in hollow logsand in large hollowtrees. Nearly every siteis isolated fromdisturbance by people

Statewide


Sandhill Crane

Great Egret

Great Blue Heron

Belted Kingfisher

Sandpipers, Plovers andother shorebirds(Pectoral and SpottedSandpipers, Greaterand Lesser Yellowlegs,Piping and Semi-palmated Plovers,Killdeer, Sanderling)

American Woodcock

Mice, frogs, insects,roots, shoots of grains,grasses, seeds

Fish, insects, frogs,crayfish, salamanders,snakes, snails and smallmammals

Fish, crayfish, frogs,salamanders, snakes,insects, leeches andsmall mammals

Small fish, frogs,insects, crayfish,mollusks and mice

Small crustacea,aquatic worms andother aquaticinvertebrates found inmud, wet sand orfloating in water

Insects, earthworms

Grasslands, sedgemeadows, marshes,farmlands, bogs,sloughs, lakes, ponds,river deltas

Marshes, riverbottomlands, shallowlakes, bays and streams

Common in marshes,rivers and streams,bottomlands

Edges of lakes, ponds,rivers and streams

Muddy and sandyshorelines. Some occurin open fields andmeadows

Damp woods

Nests on mound ofemergent vegetation,grass, moss, or mudamong rushes, sedgesand other tall, densevegetation

Builds large stick nestsin trees 1–40 feet aboveground

Builds large stick nestin trees often above 50feet

Burrows 3–6 feet into astream bank nearwater, 1–3 feet from topof bank; builds a nestcavity often lined withdisgorged food pellets

Nest on ground. Most donot build nests. Needisolated areas free fromdisturbance of humansor pets

Nest on ground,spectacular courtshipflights on early springevenings

Statewide with heaviestnesting concentrationsin central Wisconsin

Statewide

Statewide

Statewide

Some statewide, othersrestricted, others onlymigrate through thestate

Statewide, can be seenin large numbers duringfall migration

Marsh and Shore Birds Food Habitat Nest Sites Distribution


Canada Goose

Dabbling Ducks (13kinds includingPintail, Shoveler,Gadwall)

Blue-winged Teal

Mallard

Wood Duck

Diving Ducks (20 kinds,including Scaup,Goldeneye, Bufflehead,and Ruddy Duck)

Redhead

Ring-necked Duck

Scaup (Greater orLesser)

Mergansers(3 kinds: Common,Hooded and Red-breasted)

Corn, small grains,alfalfa, seeds, grasses,sedges, berries,crustaceans, smallmollusks, large insects

Seeds, aquaticvegetation, insects,grain, grasses, sedges

Duckweed, grasses,smartweed, sedges, wildrice, corn, invertebrates

Pondweeds,smartweeds, bulrushes,millet, wild rice, insects,mollusks

Acorns, nuts, water lilyseeds, beetles, bugs,spiders

Aquatic plants, insects,crayfish, small fish,mollusks, grasses andsedges

Submerged leaves,seeds and stems ofaquatic plants such assago pondweed, wildcelery, algae, and wildrice

Submerged leaves, seedsand stems of aquaticplants such as sagopondweed, wild celery,algae, and wild rice

Aquatic plants, insects,crayfish, small fish andmollusks

Fish

Farmlands, lakes,rivers, marshes;frequent urban areas,especially parks and golfcourses

Wetlands, shallow,weed-filled waters

Wetlands in farmland

Marshes, ponds, riversand farmlands

Forested wetlands

Most prefer larger lakesand rivers; a few prefersmall lakes, ponds andsloughs; rarely come toland

Open waters of lakesand rivers

Open water of lakesnear woodlands

Large, open water lakesand rivers

Wooded lakes andstreams, large riverssuch as Mississippi

Builds nest of grassesand feathers on groundin marshy areas. Note:Can be a nuisance inagricultural and urbanareas

Do not commonly nestin Wisconsin, but needprotection of marshvegetation and shallow,open water

Nests in short grassaround edges ofwetlands, especially inungrazed fields,semipermanent shallowpotholes surrounded byhayfields or grasslands

Nests primarily inupland grasses, yet canbe found nesting incattails

Nests in old woodpeckerholes in old trees or inwood duck nest boxesset 15 feet aboveground, over water

Many diving ducks donot nest in Wisconsin

Nests primarily inprairies and parklandsof the U.S. and Canada;migrates throughWisconsin in spring andfall; winters in lakes,coastal bays and inlandmarshes along theAtlantic and Gulf ofMexico

Nests on the ground bywater in clumps of tallplants in shallow water

Doesn’t nest inWisconsin, mostabundant in spring andfall migration

Common and Hoodedmergansers nest in treecavities; Red-breastednests on the ground

Statewide, especiallyHoricon Marsh, GrandRiver Marsh, PineIsland, Crex Meadows,Theresa Marsh

Statewide

Southeast and east-central

Statewide

Statewide

Statewide, especiallyLake Michigan,Mississippi River, LakeWinnebago

Statewide

Northern third

Statewide

Statewide, commonalong Mississippi Riverin March and earlyApril

Waterfowl Food Habitat Nest Sites Distribution


Canada Geese

Pintail

Mallard

Blue-winged Teal

Wood Ducks

male, leftfemale, right

Goldeneye

Hooded Merganser

Redhead

Ring-necked Duck

Greater Scaup


Wild Turkey

Ring-necked Pheasant

Bobwhite Quail

Greater Prairie Chicken

Sharp-tailed GrouseRuffed Grouse


Greater Prairie Chicken

Ruffed Grouse

Sharp-tailed Grouse

Ring-necked Pheasant(Non-native)

Bobwhite Quail

Wild Turkey

Seeds, berries, insects,grain, buds, leaves,tender vegetation

Aspen buds and catkins,hazelnuts, acorns,catkins, berries, wildgrape, clover, insects

Seeds, berries, insects,buds, leaves and tendervegetation

Corn, grains, weedseeds and insects

Wild grape, bittersweet,sumac, corn, soybeans,grasshoppers, crickets,beetles

Acorns, insects, berries,seeds, alfalfa, corn.leaves, catkins, nuts

Large expanses of opengrasslands with someshrubs and wet marshareas

Forests with varyingages of aspen and alderthickets

Scrub oak, barrens,earliest stages of forestsuccession withopenings and scatteredthickets

Farmland withhayfields, grasslandsand wetlandsintermixed

Farmlands interspersedwith brushy areas,grassy marshes,hedgerows or thickets ofhazel, raspberry,grapevines, willow andelderberry

Farmland interspersedwith oak-hickorywoodlands

Nests on ground

Nests on the ground inthick young aspenstands

Nests on ground

Builds nest on groundin tall, dense grasses

Nests on ground. Live ingroups called “coveys”

Nests on ground indense cover

Only in isolated spots incentral Wisconsin

Statewide, restrictedareas in south

Northwest

Southern half

Southwest

Southwest, southerncounties, somenortheast counties, andsome northwestcounties

Upland Game Birds Food Habitat Shelter Distribution


Northern Oriole(Formerly Baltimore

Oriole)

Red-winged Blackbird

Eastern Bluebird

Bobolink

Indigo Bunting

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Blackberries,blueberries,elderberries, grapes,pears, peas,caterpillars, ants,beetles, spiders,grasshoppers, bugs,wasps; at feeders:orange halves, smalltrays of grape jelly,mealworms, brokenwalnuts, apple slices,suet and bread

Ants, beetles, canker-worms, caterpillars,grasshoppers, grubs,weevils, snails andspiders; barley,bristlegrass, canary-grass, corn, millet, oats,peanuts, ragweeds,wheat, crabgrass andsunflowers

Spiders, wasps,caterpillars, worms,beetles, grubs, crickets,grasshoppers, weevils,ants, centipedes,cutworms, snails,sowbugs, blackberries,blueberries, cherries,cotoneaster, Virginiacreeper, dogwoods,elderberries,chokeberries,eunoymus, poison ivy,raspberries, serviceberries; at feeders: driedcurrants, raisins,peanuts, peanut butter,pecans, bread, cake,pitted dates, dried figs

Insects and seeds ofweeds and grasses

Insects, seeds of herbsand grasses, elder-berries, blueberries,blackberries, straw-berries

Seeds, grains, insectsand small invertebrates

Open deciduous woods,forest edges, parks,residential areas,farmlands, orchards,river bottoms, uplandhardwoods

Cattail marshes, wetmeadows, swamps,pastures, hedgerows,grasslands, field edges,roadside ditches

Woodland edges,orchards, gardens,meadows, cemeteries,golf courses, pastures

Hayfields, opengrasslands, old fields,pastures, sedge andgrass meadows

Forest edges, openbrushy fields, roadsidethickets

Deciduous or mixedsecond-growth woods,swamp and streamborders, old orchards,suburban trees, edges ofwoods and pastures

Weaves an intricatepouch-like nest, whichhangs pendulously25–30 feet at the tip ofbranches of elm,cottonwood, birch,boxelder, aspen, oak,maples, willows or appletrees; Nest is built withmilkweed down, doghairs, weed fibers, wooland yarn or any otherfibrous material

Weaves nest in cattails,rushes, sedges, reeds orbushes, near or overwater, usually no morethan 3 feet aboveground

Builds nest in bluebirdnest boxes, rottenfenceposts, natural treecavities, old woodpeckerholes; most attempt tore-nest and produce asecond brood

Builds nests in a slightnatural hollow or scrapein the ground in densestands of alfalfa, clover,timothy, or weeds

Builds a cup of driedgrasses and plant fibers1–12 feet above groundin crotch of a bush,shrub or low tree, or ina tangle of berry vines

Builds a flimsy nest ofsmall twigs, weed stemsand plant rootlets in thefork of a deciduous treeor shrub at 4–15 feetabove ground

Statewide

Statewide

Statewide, butuncommon south andeast

Statewide

Statewide

Statewide

Migratory Songbirds Food Habitat Nest Sites Distribution


Eastern Bluebird

Red-winged Blackbird

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Indigo Bunting

BaltimoreOriole

Bobolink


Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Eastern Meadowlark

Dark-eyed Junco

Purple Martin


Ruby-throatedHummingbird

Dark-eyed Junco

Purple Martin

Eastern MeadowlarkWestern Meadowlark

Flower nectar and pollenfrom: cardinal flower,columbine, coralberry,buckeye, scarlet runnerbeans, bee balm(monarda), eveningprimrose, gladiolus,hibiscus, honeysuckle,lilies, butterfly weeds,morning glory,nasturtium, petunia,phlox, snapdragon,thistle, trumpet creeper,weigela, zinnia, hosta,coral bells; hummingbirdfeeders filled with red-colored sugar water;very small insectsattracted to nectar andsometimes flying insectsattracted to uneatenprey at hawk nests

At feeder: black oilsunflower seeds, whiteproso millet, crackedcorn, corn, grainsorghum, peanuts,peanut butter, oldbakery goods such aswheat or corn bread andpie crusts, brokenwalnuts, wheat,oatmeal, pumpkinseeds; In the wild:amaranth, crabgrass,barnyard grass, bristlegrass, canary grass,dropseed, goosefoot,wild hemp, oats,petunia, ragweed,switchgrass, wheat,lamb’s quarters,chickweed, purslane,wild sunflower, pineseeds; weevils, beetles,flies, moths,grasshoppers, ants,spiders

Flying insects, someground insects andspiders

Mainly insects insummer; seeds of wastegrain, weeds andgrasses in winter

Hardwood and mixedhardwood forests,meadows, woodlandedges and clearings,orchards, backyardgardens

Coniferous or mixedforests, and forestedges. In winter atsuburban and rural birdfeeders

Farmlands, parks,suburban yards,preferably near water;also marsh edges, lakeshores, meadows nearpools and open, cut-overwoodlands near water

Open grasslandsincluding hayfields,meadows, pastures,prairies; Eastern preferspastures

Builds tiny nest inbranches the size ofwalnut halves, typically10–20 feet above theground; often near orsometimes directly overwater or near woodlandtrails on a horizontalbranch; Nest is made ofspider silk and plantdown and covered onoutside with lichens

Commonly buildscompact nest of grasses,rootlets, and moss onthe ground, concealedbeneath weeds andgrasses; occasionallymay place nest up to 8feet above ground inshrubs or treesBreeds in boreal forestand conifer plantationsin northern counties

Nests in colonies inpurple martin houses orsets of hanging gourdsset 15–20 ft. aboveground; sometimes inhollow tree cavities

Builds nest in a naturalhollow or scrape on theground. Weaves a loosedome-shaped roof overnest

Statewide

Statewide in winter

Statewide, but morenumerous in easternand southeasternWisconsin

Statewide



NighthawkWhip-poor-will

American RobinThrushes

Grassland Sparrows

Barn Swallow

Tree Swallow

Chimney Swift

Scarlet Tanager

Brown ThrasherGray Catbird

Flying insects

Earthworms, wildberries and fruit such ascrabapples, apples,cherries, elderberries,blackberries, blueberries,cranberries and a varietyof insects and spiders

Insects, weed seeds,spiders

Flying insects

Flying insects; wildberries and seeds in coldweather when insectsare scarce

Flying insects includingbeetles, flies, ants, bugs;sometimes caterpillarshanging from treebranches

Variety of insects andother small inverte-brates; also some wildfruits

Insects, spiders, worms,small invertebrates,berries and fruits

Nighthawks found incities on gravel rooftops,railroad right-of-ways,sand dunes; sandy ruralareas, plowed fields,plains, remote blacktopareas; whip-poor-willsfound in open hard-woods or mixed oak andpine forests

Deciduous or mixedconiferous-deciduousforests, also riverbottomforests; robins verycommon in suburbanyards, parks

Habitat types varyamong species, butgenerally includepastures, hayfields,open grasslands,marshes, grassy dunes,wet meadows, prairies

Farmsteads with barnsand outbuildings, opengrasslands, open forests,lakeshores

Open woodlands andfarmlands near ponds,streams and lakes; alsoriver bottomlands,beaver ponds, woodedswamps and marsheswhere dead trees standin or near water

Cities, towns and farms

Mature oak forests,bottomland hardwoodforests, groves, parks,orchards

Brushy woods, woodlandedges and thickets, nearsuburban or ruralhomesteads, dry marshedges, roadside shrubs,abandoned fields andfencerows

Neither bird buildsnests; nighthawks layeggs on gravel rooftopsor on bare ground;whip-poor-wills lay eggson ground on deadleaves

Robins build nest ofmud and grass indeciduous or coniferoustrees or shrubs, on nestplatforms in opengarages, church ledgesor abandoned buildings

Build nests of grasseslow to or on the ground

Builds mud nests onrafters of old barns orbuildings; sometimesunder bridges or inculverts

Builds nest of grasses inbluebird nest boxes, treecavities and abandonedwoodpecker holes about3–15 feet above ground

Builds nest on walls ofchimneys, silos, oldwells or in little-usedgarages, barns andshacks; sometimes intree hollows or stumps

Builds a small, flimsycup on horizontal oak,maple or elm limb about8–15 feet above ground

Thrashers build bulkynest from 1–3 feet abovethe ground butsometimes on the groundunder tangled thickets.Catbirds build nests2–10 feet above groundin dense willow andalder thickets, lilac andberry bushes or in smalltrees bordering streams

Statewide

Some statewide, a fewrestricted to northernforests

Statewide

Statewide, but leavesstate in August

Statewide

Statewide

Statewide

Statewide



Chimney Swift

Tree Swallow

Scarlet Tanager

Savanna Sparrow

Brown Thrasher Nighthawk

Catbird

Robin

Wood Thrush

Barn Swallow


Vireos (7 kinds, red-eyed vireo typical; afew are rare)

Warblers (37 kinds,yellow warbler typical,several are rare)

House Wren

Small insects andcaterpillars

Small insects, smallinvertebrates;occasionally may eatseeds and berriesparticularly duringcolder seasons wheninsects are not common

Insects, smallinvertebrates

Woodlands, deciduousthickets, brambles,undergrowth, openmixed northernhardwood-coniferousforests, mature wetforest, second-growthwoods and residentialareas

Variety of forest typesand river bottomlandhabitats. Each kind ofwarbler has its ownspecific habitatrequirements

Woody vegetation insuburban and ruralareas; frequentswoodland edges, openforests and clearings

Weaves nests of barkstrips, cobwebs, finegrass high in tree tops

Weaves small, round,cupped nests of grassesand other plant fibers,placed from groundlevel to tops of trees,depending on the type ofbird

Wrens build nests intree cavities, fenceposts,stumps, abandonedwoodpecker holes ornestboxes with openingspreferably 1 inch indiameter

Red-eyed Vireo andWarbling Vireo foundstatewide, othersrestricted or not ascommon

Few statewide, mostrestricted duringnesting season tonorthern andnortheastern counties;some restricted tofloodplain forests

Statewide


Yellow Warbler Red-eyed Vireo

House Wren


Northern Cardinal

Black-capped Chickadee

Mourning Dove

Northern Flicker

At feeders: gray-stripeand black oil sunflowerseeds, safflower seeds,and peanut hearts,bread, cantaloupe seeds,peanut butter, pumpkinseeds, squash seeds,watermelon seeds, driedapples and raisins; Inthe wild: cedar berries,cherries, blackberries,elderberries, grapes,mulberries, raspberries,plums, strawberries,viburnum, blueberries,barley, bristlegrass,buckwheat, corn,hazelnut, hackberries,millet, oats, ragweed

At feeders: black oilsunflower seeds,peanuts, peanut butter,pumpkin seeds, suet,old bread anddoughnuts; In the wild:insects such as motheggs, katydids, spiders,caterpillars, beetles,flies, wasps; alsoblueberries, black-berries, wild cherriesand seeds fromgoldenrod, ragweed,hemlock; fat from deadanimals such as white-tailed deer during falland winter

Insects, grain, birdseed,snails, fruits, nuts;feeds primarily on weedseeds and winter grains,sunflowers, sorghum,ragweed, millet,barnyard grass,California poppy,canary grass, foxtail,bristlegrass, wild hemp,Japanese millet

Primarily ants; alsobeetles, caterpillars,cockroaches,grasshoppers, crickets,wild berries, red cedar,plums, hawthorn,hackberry seeds, corn,acorns, oats ragweed,rye, wheat; at feeders:suet, peanut butter,raisins and apples

Thickets, forest edges,groves, suburbangardens, parks, smallrural and urbanwoodlots, farmsteads,urban backyards, openswamps

Deciduous andconiferous forests, ruralwoodlands, suburbanand rural areas withmature trees andorchards; favors edge

Open mixed woods,Christmas tree farms,orchards, suburbanareas, farmlands, woodedges, church andcemetery sites

Farm groves, urbanbackyards, orchards,open deciduous andconiferous forests, parksand savannas

Builds loose-knit, butbulky, nest of twigs,vines, bark strips,grasses and places it indense shrubbery ofconifer tree or smalldeciduous tree orvine/briar tangle;generally less than 10feet high

Excavates hole about4–10 feet above groundin very soft, rottingwood of dead tree suchas aspen, paper birch,yellow birch, willow,basswood, maple orwhite ash; or builds nestin fence post; will useexisting cavities or birdhouses; nest cavitiesfrequently lined withrabbit fur

Builds a platform ofloosely woven sticks onhorizontal branches inshrubs and trees,especially conifers about10–25 feet above ground

Excavates a nestingcavity in living tree,dead tree, utility pole,fencepost or side ofbuilding 2–60 feet aboveground

Statewide

Statewide

During summer:common in southernand central Wisconsin,uncommon in the north;in winter, common insouthern Wisconsinfarmlands

Statewide, butuncommon winterresident in southernWisconsin; rare winterresident in centralWisconsin

Resident Birds Food Habitat Nest Site Distribution


American Goldfinch

Blue Jay

White-breasted NuthatchRed-breasted Nuthatch

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Cedar Waxwing

Weed seeds fromragweed, dandelion,goldenrod, chickweed;some insects such asaphids, caterpillars,plant lice; at feeders:thistle (niger) seed,finch mix, black oilsunflower seed, crackednut meats, millet seeds

At feeders: gray-stripesunflower seeds,safflower seeds,peanuts, peanut butter,pumpkin seeds, squashseeds, suet, bread,crackers, raisins,apples; In the wild:blueberries, cherries,elderberries,strawberries, serviceberries, grapes,mulberries, plums,choke cherries, acorns,sumac seeds, corn, oats,wheat, buckwheat,sorghum, nuts,hazelnuts, pine seeds,insects, animal andplant matter

At winter feeders:black-oil sunflowerseeds, safflower seeds,suet; also eat acorns;red-breasted pries openconifer cone scales andremoves seeds for muchof its food; In spring andsummer: beetles, ants,spiders and otherinvertebrates;sometimes white-breasted uses nectarfeeders that have beenplaced for Baltimoreorioles

Cambium and tree sapand insects attracted tothe sap pits, which itdrills in a regular seriesof pit-like holes in trees;flying insects, acorns;will visit feeders for suet,peanut butter, crackedwalnuts, fruits; will alsodrink at nectar feeders

Wild fruits and berries,particularly red cedarberries, insects

Mixed woodlands,meadows, weedy fields,farmland, urbanbackyards, fencerows,orchards, pastures withscattered trees, edges offorest and swamp

Variety of woodedhabitats, farms, parks,cities and suburbs

White-breasted prefersdeciduous and mixedwoodlands, urban andrural yards; red-breasted prefers coniferforests

Deciduous, coniferousand mixed deciduous-coniferous forests,especially with aspen.Can be found duringmigration in orchards,parks, farmlands, orwoodlands

Open woods, orchards,farmland

Builds nest of thistleand cattail down late insummer; places nest inupright branches orhorizontal limbs of awide variety of treesand shrubs usuallyabout 5–15 feet aboveground

Builds bulky nest oftwigs, bark, leaves,mosses and plant fibersabout 10–25 feet aboveground and hidden incrotch of conifer ordeciduous tree; alsonests occasionally inshrubs

Nests in old woodpeckerholes about 5–50 feetabove the ground(white-breasted) orabout 15 feet aboveground (red-breasted),birdhouses (rarelybirdhouses for red-breasted)

Excavates cavity in liveor dead trees from 3–35feet above ground;especially favor aspeninfected with fungus

Builds nest of looselywoven grasses andfibers placed onhorizontal limb of a tree4–50 ft. above ground

Statewide

Statewide

White-breasted, state-wide;Red-breasted,north

Statewide, butuncommon duringsummer in central andsouthwest Wisconsin;uncommon in winter insouthern Wisconsin;rare in centralWisconsin

Statewide



White-breasted Nuthatch

Sapsucker Cedar Waxwing

Blue Jay

Cardinal

Mourning DoveChickadee

Goldfinch

Flicker


Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Three-toed Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Red-headed Woodpecker

Insects including wood-boring beetle larvae andants; wild berries,sumac seeds, corn; Atfeeders: sunflower seed,suet, peanuts, peanutbutter, meat scraps,cracked pecans, cheese

Beetles, ants, aphids,millipedes, spiders,caterpillars, insectlarvae, cherries, apples,mulberries, black-berries, service berries,poison ivy berries,dogwood, chokecherries, acorns, corn,hazelnuts; At feeders:sunflower seed, suet,broken walnuts,peanuts

Insects and wood-boringlarvae of moths andbeetles, fruits, acorns,tree cambium

Carpenter ants, wood-boring beetles and otherinsect larvae, sumacseeds, wild fruit, acorns;At feeders: suet

Wood boring beetles,crickets, ants,grasshoppers, insectlarvae; several wildfruits, seeds, acorns,hazel and hickory nuts;At feeders: suet, orangehalves, apples, peanuts,peanut butter, sun-flower seed, shelled corn

Beetles, ants,caterpillars, bugs,honeybees, acorns,beechnuts, apples, corn,berries; At feeders: suet,sunflower seeds

Urban areas,farmsteads, smallwoodlots,boreal/hardwood forests,orchards, bottomlands

Farmlands withwoodlots, swamps,hardwood andconiferous forests,orchards, urban areas

Northern tamarack-spruce bogs and firforests, burned areasand swampy forestswith dead trees

Mature hardwoodforests, groves of largehardwood trees, matureforests near rivers andlakes

Deciduous forests,parks, orchards,gardens, backyards

Prefers mature oakwoodlots, farmlandwoodlots, orchards,mixed hardwood forests

Excavates hole 8–18inches deep in living ordead trees, stump,fencepost, or in rottingwood often 10–30 feetabove ground

Excavates nest cavitiesin dead or living treeswith decayed heartwoodfrom 5–30 feet aboveground

Excavates cavity from5–12 feet above groundin live or dead pine,spruce, aspen and cedar

Excavates large, deepcavities with oblongentrances in very largetrees at least 16 inchesin diameter, 25–50 feetabove ground

Excavates nest cavitiesabout 13–40 feet aboveground in dead oak,birch, maple, apple andbutternut trees; treestumps, utility polesand wooden buildings

Excavates cavitiesusually about 20–30 feetabove ground in trees;sometimes excavatescavities in fence posts

Statewide

Statewide

Northern boreal/coniferforests

Statewide, but morecommon in north-central and southwest

Fairly common inwestern and southernWisconsin; uncommonin northern and easternWisconsin

Statewide, butuncommon winterresident in southernand central Wisconsin



DownyWoodpecker

Red-headedWoodpecker

Red-belliedWoodpecker

HairyWoodpecker

Three-toed Woodpecker

PileatedWoodpeckersfemale, abovemale, below


House Finch

Pigeon (Rock Dove)

House Sparrow

Starling

Weed seeds such as wildmustard, mullein,pigweed, chickweed,aphids, caterpillars,sunflowers, thistle seedand finch mix

Seeds, waste grain,insects, fruit

Seeds in wild and atbird feeders, insects,bread, old bakery goods

Insects, grubs and otherlawn pests, mulberriesand other berries

Farms, cities, parks,open woods, adapts tohuman dwellings

Farmland, cities

Around humandwellings

Around humandwellings, especially infarm country; cities,suburbs, orchards,parks, gardens

Builds nest of twigs,grasses and debrisplaced in tree cavities,bird boxes and buildingledges

Roosts in old buildings,barns and under bridgesor cliffs; Droppings candeface buildings andsidewalks

Builds ball of grasses,weeds, trash placed inbluebird houses, porchrafters, holes in walls,awnings, behindshutters; competes withbluebirds and treeswallows in nestboxes

Fills cavities in trees orbirdhouses with a massof grasses, corn husks,cloth, feathers;competes with purplemartins in birdhouses

Southern half. Native toSouthwestern U.S., butwere shipped illegally toNew York as “Holly-wood Finches;” thespecies has sinceescaped and spread tonew territories

Statewide. Native to theOld World north of theequator

Statewide. Native toEurasia and NorthAfrica

Statewide. Native toEurasia

Non-native Birds Food Habitat Nest Sites Distribution

Pigeon

Starling

House Finch

House Sparrow

Documents

Birds - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resourcesdnr.wi.gov/files/PDF/pubs/wm/WM0220_b.pdf · · 2012-02-15porous bones which allow all Wisconsin birds—even the heaviest wild