Biological Reserve Bird Species List
Turkey Vulture
photo by Tom D. Schultz
This list includes those bird species that have been observed in migration or during censuses of breeding birds at the Biological Reserve. "Near fields" are those fields between Clay Run and the Polly Anderson Field Station. The "far fields" are those fields in the Alrutz Section that lie directly east of Clay Run and the ponds. "Corner Meadow" indicates the clay field at the southeast corner of the Alrutz Section. We welcome any additions or observations, which may be left in the map box or sent to Whitney Stocker or Tom Schultz in the Dept. of Biology and Denison University. Please indicate the species and location of your sighting.
KEY: C = common (should see or hear), U = uncommon (present, but not certain to be found), O = occasional (seen only a few times each year), R = rare (seen at intervals of 2-5 years); SM = spring migrant, FM =fall migrant, WR = winter resident, PR = probable summer resident, BR = confirmed as breeding in the Reserve.
SPECIES |
STATUS/HABITAT |
| CICONIIFORMES | |
| ARDEIDAE - Herons | |
| Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias | O, ponds Alrutz Sect. |
| Green-backed Heron, Butorides striatus | PR, ponds Alrutz Sect. |
| American Bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus | R, ponds Alrutz Sect. |
| ANSERIFORMES | |
| ANATIDAE - Ducks and Geese | |
| Canada Goose, Branta canadensis | U, WR, BR, ponds Alrutz Sect. |
| Wood Duck, Aix sponsa | U, BR, Wood Duck Pond |
| Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos | O, all ponds |
| FALCONIFORMES | |
| CANTHARTIDAE - Vultures | |
| Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura | C, WR, PR, over fields |
| Black Vulture, Coragyps atratus | C, WR, over fields |
| ACCIPITRIDAE - Kites, Hawks, Harriers | |
| Bald Eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus | R, overflight |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk, Accipiter striatus | R, Norpell Woods |
| Cooper's Hawk, Accipiter cooperii | U, BR, woods throughout |
| Red-shouldered Hawk, Buteo lineatus | U, BR, Norpell Woods |
| Red-tailed Hawk, Buteo jamaicensis | C, BR, far fields, woods |
| PANDIONIDAE - Ospreys | |
| Osprey - Pandion haliaetus | R, Alrutz Sect. overflight |
| FALCONIDAE - Falcons | |
| American Kestrel, Falco sparverius | R, Waxwing Loop |
| GALLIFORMES | |
| PHASIANIDAE - Grouse | |
| Ring-necked Pheasent, Phasianus colchicus | U, BR, Alrutz Sect. |
| Wild Turkey, Meleagris gallopavo | U, BR, woods throughout |
| GRUIFORMES | |
| RALLIDAE - Rails | |
| Sora, Porzana carolina | R, FM, ponds Alrutz Sect. |
| SCOLOPACIDAE - Sandpipers | |
| American Woodcock, Scolopax minor | U, BR, far fields |
| Solitary Sandpiper, Tringa solitaria | R, SM, Alrutz Sect. ponds |
| COLUMBIFORMES | |
| COLUMBIDAE - Pigeons and Doves | |
| Rock Dove, Columba livia | C, BR, barn |
| Mourning Dove, Zenaida macroura | C, WR, BR, throughout |
| CUCULIDAE - Cuckoos | |
| Black-billed Cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus | U, PR, deciduous woods |
| Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus | U, BR, deciduous woods |
| STRIGIFORMES | |
| STRIGIDAE - Owls | |
| Eastern Screech Owl, Ottus asio | U, WR, PR, wood edges, ponds |
| Great Horned Owl, Bubo virginianus | U, WR, near fields |
| Barred Owl, Strix varia | U, WR, PR, Norpell, T-O woods |
| CAPRIMULGIFORMES | |
| CAPRIMULGIDAE - Goatsuckers | |
| Common Nighthawk, Chordeiles major | R, over near fields |
| APODIFORMES | |
| APODIDAE - Swifts | |
| Chimney Swift, Chaetura pelagica | C, over near fields |
| TROCHILIDAE - Hummingbirds | |
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Archilocus colubris | U, PR, woods throughout |
| CORACIIFORMES | |
| ALCEDINIDAE - Kingfishers | |
| Belted Kingfisher, Ceryle alcyon | U, along Clay Run, Alrutz Sect. |
| PICIFORMES | |
| PICIDAE - Woodpeckers | |
| Red-bellied Woodpecker, Melanerpes carolinus | C, WR, BR, deciduous woods |
| Red-headed Woodpecker, M. erythrocephalus | R, Alrutz Sect. |
| Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius | O, Taylor-Ochs woods |
| Downy Woodpecker, Picoides pubescens | C, WR, BR, woods throughout |
| Hairy Woodpecker, Picoides villosus | U, WR, BR, woods throughout |
| Northern Flicker, Colaptes auratus | C, WR, BR, open woods, fields |
| Pileated Woodpecker, Drycopus pileatus | U, WR, BR, woods throughout |
| PASSERIFORMES | |
| TYRANNIDAE - Flycatchers | |
| Eastern Pewee, Contopus virens | C, BR, deciduous woods |
| Acadian Flycatcher, Empidonax virescens | C, BR, deciduous woods |
| Willow Flycatcher, Empidonax traillii | U, BR, thickets near ponds |
| Eastern Phoebe, Sayornis phoebe | U, BR, near field station |
| Great Crested Flycatcher, Myarchus critinus | U, BR, deciduous woods |
| Eastern Kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus | U, BR, near and far fields |
| ALAUDIDAE -Larks | |
| Horned Lark, Eremophila alpestris | R, FM, open fields |
| HIRUDINIDAE - Swallows | |
| Tree Swallow, Tachycineta bicolor | C, BR, near and far fields |
| Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica | U, BR, near barn and station |
| CORVIDAE - Crows and Jays | |
| Blue Jay, Cyanocitta cristata | C, WR, BR, woods throughout |
| American Crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos | C, WR, BR, throughout |
| PARIDAE - Titmice and Chickadees | |
| Carolina Chickadee, Parus carolinensis | C, WR, BR, woods throughout |
| Tufted Titmouse, Parus bicolor | C, WR, BR, woods throughout |
| SITTIDAE - Nuthatches | |
| White -breasted Nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis | U, WR, BR, woods throughout |
| CERTHIIDAE - Creepers | |
| Brown Creeper, Certhia americana | O, WR, PR, deciduous woods |
| TROGLODYTIDAE - Wrens, | |
| Carolina Wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus | U, WR, BR, thickets |
| House Wren, Troglodytes aedon | C, BR, open woods and thickets |
| Winter Wren, Troglodytes troglodytes | R, FM, forest edges |
| Marsh Wren, Cistothorus palustris | R, BR, old fields, ponds |
| MUSCICAPIDAE | |
| SYLVIINAE - Gnatcatchers and Kinglets | |
| Golden-crowned Kinglet, Regulus satrapa | U, WR, deciduous woods |
| Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Regulus calendula | U, WR, deciduous woods |
| Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea | U, BR, deciduous woods |
| TURDINAE - Thrushes | |
| Eastern Bluebird, Sialia sialis | C, BR, near and far fields |
| Veery, Catharusfucescens | U, SM, woods, Whitetail Loop |
| Swainson's Thrush, Catharus ustulatus | U, SM, woods, Whitetail Loop |
| Hermit Thrush, Catharus guttatus | O, PR, woods, Whitetail Loop |
| Wood Thrush, Hylocichla mustelina | C, BR, woods throughout |
| American Robin, Turdus migratorius | C, BR, wood margins, fields |
| MIMIDAE - Mimic Thrushes | |
| Gray Catbird, Dumetella carolinensis | C, BR, thickets near ponds |
| Northern Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottus | U, PR, Woodcock Trail |
| Brown Thrasher, Toxostoma rufum | U, BR, far fields |
| BOMBYCILLIDAE - Waxwings | |
| Cedar Waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum | U, BR, Waxwing Loop, ponds |
| STURNIDAE - Starlings | |
| European Starling, Sturnus vulgaris | C, BR, near barn |
| VIREONIDAE - Vireos | |
| White-eyed Vireo, Vireo griseus | C, BR, Catalpa Trail |
| Solitary Vireo, Vireo solitarius | U, BR, Ovenbird Loop |
| Yellow-throated Vireo, Vireo flavifrons | U, BR, Whitetail Loop |
| Warbling Vireo, Vireo gilvus | O, SM, Ovenbird Loop |
| Red-eyed Vireo, Vireo olivaceus | C, BR, woods throughout |
| EMBERIZIDAE | |
| PARULINAE - Wood Warblers | |
| Blue-winged Warbler, Vermivora pinus | C, BR, Woodcock Trail |
| Golden-winged Warbler, Vermivora chrysoptera | R, SM, far fields |
| Tennessee Warbler, Vermivora peregrina | U, SM, wooded edge far fields |
| Nashville Warbler, Vermivora ruficapilla | C, SM, wooded edge far fields |
| Northern Parula, Parula americana | O, PR, Taylor-Ochs woods |
| Yellow Warbler, Dendroica petechia | C, BR, near ponds |
| Chestnut-sided Warbler, Dendroica pensylvanica | U, SM, base Crinoid Hill Trail |
| Magnolia Warbler, Dendroica magnolia | C, SM, Whitetail/T-O Loops |
| Cape May Warbler, Dendroica tigrina | R, SM, Crinoid Hill Trail |
| Black-throated Blue Warbler, D. caerulescens | U, SM, Norpell/Ovenbird Loops |
| Yellow-rumped Warbler, Dendroica coronata | C, SM, woods throughout |
| Black-throated Green Warbler, Dendroica virens | C, SM, Norpell/Ovenbird Loops |
| Blackburnian Warbler, Dendroica fusca | U, SM, Norpell Loop, Crinoid Hill |
| Yellow-throated Warbler, Dendroica dominica | U, PR, lower Clay Run |
| Prairie Warbler, Dendroica discolor | U, BR, far fields |
| Palm Warbler, Dendroica palmarum | R, SM, far fields |
| Bay-breasted Warbler, Dendroica castanea | O, SM, Taylor-Ochs Loop |
| Cerulean Warbler, Dendroica cerulea | O, BR, Taylor-Ochs woods |
| Black-and-White Warbler, Mniotilta varia | U, SM, Hyacinth Trail |
| American Redstart, Setophaga ruticilla | C, SM, base Crinoid Hill Trail |
| Prothonotary Warbler, Protonotaria citrea | R, SM, ponds |
| Ovenbird, Seiurus aurocapillus | C, BR, Ovenbird Loop |
| Northern Waterthrush, Seiurus novaboracensis | O, SM, Hyacinth Trail |
| Louisiana Waterthrush, Seiurus motacilla | O, BR, Hyacinth Trail |
| Kentucky Warbler, Oporornis formosus | U, BR, low woods throughout |
| Connecticut Warbler, Oporornis agilis | R, SM, Ovenbird Loop |
| Common Yellowthroat, Geothlypis trichas | C, BR, near fields |
| Hooded Warbler, Wilsonia citrina | O, BR, Taylor-Ochs Loop |
| Wilson's Warbler, Wilsonia pusilla | R, SM, Taylor-Ochs Loop |
| Canada Warbler, Wilsonia canadensis | O, SM, wooded edge far fields |
| Yellow-breasted Chat, Icteria virens | U, BR, far fields |
| THRAUPINAE - Tanagers | |
| Scarlet Tanager, Piranga olivacea | U, BR, Hyacinth Trail, T-O woods |
| CARDINALINAE - Cardinals and Buntings | |
| Northern Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis | C, WR, BR, wood edges |
| Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Pheuticus ludoviciana | U, BR, Hyacinth Trail, T-O woods |
| Indigo Bunting, Passerina cyanea | C, BR, edges of fields |
| EMBERIZINAE - Sparrows | |
| Rufous-sided Towhee, Pipilo erythrophthalmus | C, WR, BR, Whitetail Loop |
| American Tree Sparrow, Spizella arborea | U, WR, near fields |
| Chipping Sparrow, Spizella passerina | U, BR, near and fields |
| Field Sparrow, Spizella pusilla | C, BR, near and far fields |
| Grasshopper Sparrow, Ammodramus savannarum | R, SM, far fields |
| Fox Sparrow, Passerella iliaca | R, WM, Alrutz Sect. woods |
| Song Sparrow, Melospiza melodia | C, WR,BR, fields throughout |
| Swamp Sparrow, Melospiza georgiana | O, WR, ponds |
| White-throated Sparrow, Zonotrichia albicolis | C, WR, thickets, ponds |
| White-crowned Sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys | U, WR, thickets |
| Dark-eyed Junco, Junco hyemalis | C, WR, wooded edges of fields |
| ICTERINAE - Blackbirds and Orioles | |
| Red-winged Blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus | C, BR, ponds and near fields |
| Eastern Meadowlark, Sturnella magna | R, near fields |
| Common Grackle, Quiscalus quiscala | C, BR, fields |
| Brown-head Cowbird, Molothrus ater | C, BR, wooded edges of fields |
| Orchard Oriole, Icterus spurius | O, PR, near ponds |
| Northern Oriole, Icterus galbula | U, BR, near ponds |
| FRINGILLINAE - Finches | |
| House Finch, Carpodacus mexicanus | C, WR, near fields |
| American Goldfinch, Carduelis tristis | C, WR, BR, all fields |
| PASSERIDAE - Weaver Finches | |
| House Sparrow, Passer domesticus | O, near barn |
NOTE: The classification above follows the 6th edition of the AOU Checklist and is still somewhat controversial. Subfamilies that are listed are recognized as families by other authors.
Updated January 2001