Acadian Flycatcher Empidonax virescens

Acadian Flycatcher Empidonax virescens The Acadian Flycatcher is 5 to 6 inches. The Acadian Flycatcher is pinkish with an olive green under belly and wing. Acadian Flycatchers live deep within swampy woodlands in mature lush hemlock groves. The Acadian Flycatcher eats flies and other small insects. The Acadian Flycatcher is low on the food chain.a lot of things eat it. The most common predators are: Hawks, Cats, Dogs and Bears. Flight is a hovering buzz. They lay 4 to 6 eggs. Acadian Flycatchers are all throughout America. It migrates to South America. Adaptations: When their babies poop, it comes out in a sack so that the parents can keep the nest clean. By Lila Ryman 1

American Kestrel Falco sparverius The Kestrel is the smallest falcon. It has blue and black wings. Their foreheads are a little blue. They have a curved pointy beak and really sharp, pointy claws. They live in roads side ditches, grassy highways, medians, grass lands, and crop lands. The Kestrel eats bugs, small animals, small birds, reptiles, and rodents. The American Kestrel is the smallest and most numerous falcon. The American Kestrel will often hunt in families. The American Kestrel lives in North and South America. They do not migrate for the winter. By Shenandoah Bolding-Smith 2

Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus The Bald Eagle has a white head and tail, mostly a dark brownish black body and yellow feet and bill. Immature Bald Eagles are dark, brownish black and white. The immature Bald Eagles don t have a white head until the age four or five years old. The average length is 30-43 inches and the average width is 51/2-8 feet. The voice is a weak squeal or twittering. The Bald Eagle lives near bodies of water like lakes, rivers, ponds, and ocean. They nest mostly in trees or large rocks. Nothing eats the Bald Eagle, unless it is dead. The Bald Eagle eats mostly fish, small rodents, small birds, and it also scavenges for food. The Bald Eagle doesn t sexually mature until it is four or five years old, and doesn t get a white head or build a nest until it is mature. The only place where you can find groups of Bald Eagles is at salmon runs in the north. The Bald Eagle is found in most of the USA, lower Canada, and very upper part of Mexico. These birds migrate south in the winter, and live up north in the summer. By Rudi Boekschoten 3

Barred Owl Strix varia The Barred Owl has a pale bill. They incubate 3 to 2 eggs for 28 to 33 days!!! They have Brown, white and gray feathers. They usually live in forest areas, swamps and some open country. The Barred Owl eats small mammals, rabbits, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates. The Great Horned Owl and wild cats often eat the Barred Owl. The Barred Owl has a pale bill and unique dark eyes. It has no ear tuffs and it has vertical brown streaks on its belly. The Barred Owl lives throughout the eastern United States and Canada. The Barred Owl does not migrate. By Jaya Littlewing 4

Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon The female has a long colored belt around its waist (colored feathers). The male has a blue Mohawk on its head. He is mostly blue. It is 11-14 inches long, and its wingspan is 19-23 inches long. The Kingfisher lives mostly in wet places like rivers and lakes. It can be found near the coast and inland water areas. The Kingfisher mostly eats fish. It also eats frogs and some bugs. The Belted Kingfisher has a long, pointed beak that is great for fishing. The female is more brightly colored than the male. The nest is a long tunnel, often pointing uphill to avoid flooding. It lives across the US and Canada, in wetland areas. During winter, the Kingfisher migrates south into Central America and Mexico. By Jacob Hemphill 5

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica The barn swallow color is blue & black upperparts, a black necklace, reddish/brownish throat & forehead, and rust to buff colored under parts. It has pointed wings and a small slender body. It is14.6 to 19.9 cm long and 17 to 20 grams heavy. It has a deeply forked tail. The barn swallow makes a nest out of mud, grass, & straw. It builds its nest in man made structures like barns, bath houses, under bridges & house eaves. Open rural & urban areas where bridges are found & near water. The barn swallow s prey is insects that are often harmful to crop & live stock. Its predators are hawks, owls, squirrels, raccoons, weasels &cats. Deeply forked tail Everywhere in the world except Antarctica and Australia. Adaptations: It can nest anywhere as long as there is an open area and a water source. By Samantha Davis 6

Black skimmer Rynchops niger The Black Skimmer has a long, thick, red bill with a black tip. They have long wings with a black and white plumage pattern. The skimmer lives in places like lagoons, coasted marines, and on sea sheltered bays and inlets. The Black Skimmer eats fish by lowering its lower mandible and catching the fish with its bill. The Black Skimmer is the only bird in North America with a mandible that can scoop up its prey. Geographic range & migration: All year they live at the coast of North Carolina. The Black Skimmer migrates to Mexico and Central America and in other places. Adaptations: The Black Skimmers bill is designed to catch small fish by dragging the lower mandible in the water while flying. By Tobijas Morrison 7

Blue Jay Cyanocitta Cristata They are 11-12 inches tall and 9 inches wide. The Blue Jays have bright blue wings and tail and white patches. They have a blue crest and a dark necklace. They live in forests, fields, town side, and back yards. Blue Jays eat Sunflower Seeds, Peanuts, Mocking Bird and Other birds. Their predators are the Owls. The Blue Jays like acorns so much that they spread oak trees. The Blue Jays live everywhere in North Carolina and they migrate to Canada. Adaptations: The Male and Female are the same. Their call is jaayyjaayy. They have that call for the Husband or Wife to call for help from predators. By Tristan Torbett 8

Brown Pelican Pelicans occidentalis General Description The Brown Pelican has a black neck and a blackish brown body. The beak is orange and white. They live by the ocean, because they are birds that eat fish. The predators of the Brown Pelicans are skunks and stray cats. The Brown Pelican eats fish and anchovies. The Brown Pelican is different from other pelicans because it is the smallest of the 8 species of pelicans. They live by the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. They migrate to warmer places in the winter. By Tobias Fairhurst 9

Carolina Chickadee Poecile carolinensis Carolina Chickadees are much like the Black-Capped Chickadee. They have a black cap and bib, a white cheek and belly, and a soft grey tail and wings. Carolina Chickadees are found in inhabited areas such as woods, groves, shady trees, parks, abandoned woodpecker holes, birdhouses, rotting trees, and yards. Like most songbirds, Carolina Chickadees are prey to most predators. Fox, cats, and most birds of prey are on the list. Carolina Chickadees love to eat sunflower seeds and peanut butter. Carolina Chickadees are very energetic and intelligent little birds. They will hoard food in later seasons when food may be scarce. They have 6-8 eggs per nest. Eggs are white with reddish-brown accents. The nest is lined with a soft-downy material. Carolina Chickadees are non-migratory birds. They live across western NC and tend to stick to lower elevations. Adaptations: Carolina Chickadees have thick, strong beaks for cracking open seeds. By Charlotte Abell 10

Chimney Swift Chetura pelagica The size of this bird s length is 5 to 5 1/2 inches, and their wingspan is 12 to13 inches. In flight, this bird looks like a flying cigar with long slender wings. The plumage is a sooty grey-brown. The throat, breast, under wings, and rump are paler. Long, thin, pointed crescent shape wings are more than 2 times longer than their body! The Chimney Swift forages above cities and towns, especially during breeding season. They roost and nest in chimneys and may nest in tree cavities in more remote areas. The Chimney Swift eats small, flying insects. The known predators are hawks and falcons. A Chimney Swift can eat a third of its weight in insects every day! The Chimney Swift s call is a high pitched, musical chip notes strung together in a rapid twitter. They create half saucer nests attached to vertical walls. Their eggs are white and 3/4 to a 1/2 inch. They live all over the eastern U.S.A. in the summer. Chimney Swifts barely live in western U.S.A or upper U.S.A in the summer. Chimney Swifts have a long migration, flying all the way to Peru (winter home)! By Noah Lane 11

Dark-Eyed Junco Junco hyemalis The dark-eyed junco s size is 6.25 inches. The male is slate gray where the female is gray brown. When they are flying, you see their white tail feathers. They nest close to the ground. They live in shrubby woodland borders. The Dark-eyed-junco eats sunflower seeds and seeds from bird feeders and cracked corn. Sharp shinned hawks, shrikes and owls and cats eat adult Darkeyed-juncos. Red squirrels, weasels and chipmunks eat their eggs. Their folk name is snow bird because they appear at first snow fall. Their angry sound is like skates on ice. They live in backyards, the Blue Ridge Park Way and Grandfather Mountain. It lives in the mountains of North Carolina year round and the rest of North Carolina in the winter. Adaptations: The male is a brighter color because he wants to mate; the female is gray brown because she needs camouflage. By Alexander Heiselman 12

Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens The Downy Woodpeckers are 6 to 7 inches with a wing span of 3.27 to 4.13 inches. They have a black eye line and a white belly. The male has a small red patch on the back of its head, but the female has none. Downy Woodpeckers are tolerant of humans. Downy Woodpeckers live in wooded areas with tall shrubs and woodlots. Downy Woodpeckers are eaten bye snakes, rats, cats, sharp-shinned hawks, other birds of pray and other woodpeckers. They eat bugs, grubs, wood, seeds, fruit and sap. Downy Woodpeckers nest in dying tree trucks; they line the trunk with wood chips or sawdust shavings to keep there babies safe. The Downy Woodpeckers lives in North Carolina. Downy Woodpeckers do not migrate from North Carolina. Adaptations: They have a strong bill, strong neck muscles to probe out tiny bugs. They have feathered nostrils that filter out sawdust produced bye hammering. By Hannah McDonald 13

Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis The eastern bluebirds are 5 to 7 inches in length. They have dark beaks & legs. It has a chestnut red chest, white under parts, bright blue back, head & tail. The eastern bluebird lives in farm lands, meadows, abandoned fields, golf courses, and lawns. The bluebird eats seeds, insects and ground vegetations Dogs, cats and snakes eat Easter Bluebirds. Bluebird males are known for their bright blue color. Females usually have thin white eye lines, a brown back trimmed with a soft red. This bird lives in the mountains and piedmont it usually does not migrate. Adaptations: Sometimes eastern bluebirds take over abandoned woodpecker houses. The males have a warning call when predators are near. If the males are not present then the females try to attract protective males. They both flick and warble if predators are near. By Jasmine Mattson 14

Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna The Eastern Meadowlark weighs about 90 to 150 grams. It is 19 to 26 centimeters. Its color is grayish and also it is bright yellow on its tummy and neck. The Eastern Meadowlark lives in grassy meadow, weedy field, grassy roadside, old orchard, cropland, pastures, farms and grassland. It eats seeds, insects, cutworms, grubs, caterpillar, grasshopper, and beetles. Cats, dogs, foxes, skunks, hawks, falcons, owls and coyotes eat the Eastern Meadowlark. It sings when it is in trouble then the song bird will save he or she. It migrates to Canada and the center of North Carolina. It lives in the North Carolina Mountains. Adaptations: It camouflages itself so it can get food safe. By Paco Villatoro 15

Eastern Screech Owl Outs asio The Eastern Screech Owls have brown beaks with black and white chests. Eastern Screech Owls have 3 kinds of morphs: the brown morph, the red morph, and the gray morph. The brown morph is very rare. The Eastern Screech Owl lives in mixed woodlands, deciduous forests, parklands, wooded suburban areas, woods along streams and wetlands (especially in drier areas), mature orchards, and woodlands near marshes, meadows, and fields. Eastern Screech Owls eat small mammals, reptiles, worms, insects, spiders, tree worms, and maggots. Hawks and other Screech Owls will eat Eastern Screech Owls. All three morphs are the same, but their colors are different by their wings, tuffs of hair on their head, chest color, face, and tail. Eastern Screech Owls like perching on branches and on loose roots. They usually perch up to 1500 meters in minimum. Eastern Screech Owls live in southern parts of Canada and Northern parts of the United States. Eastern Screech Owls do not migrate very much. They just travel to Canada and back to the United States. By Gretchen Laity 16

Great Blue Heron Ardea herodies The Great Blue Heron is blue and gray all over It has long dark legs and the bill is thick and yellow It has black on its upper wing tips. Its habitat is wet meadows, tall trees, shallow waters, fields, and marshes. Alligators and bears eat Great Blue Herons. Great Blue Herons eat little fish and little mammals. The Great Blue Heron s unique characteristics are that its legs trail behind it. It also has long legs and a long beak. It lives all over North Carolina and by rivers, lakes and marshes. Some Great Blue Herons migrate. By Skylin Alcorn 17

Great Egret Ardea alba The Great Egret has black legs and feet. It has an S-curve neck and a yellow bill. It has a white body with long plumes. The Great Egret has a green spot around the eye. The Great Egret is 3 to 3 1/2 feet tall. Its habitat is on open river banks, rivers, and marshes. Jays, crows, vultures and raccoons eat the Great Egret. The Great Egret eats snakes, fish, frogs, and other critters. It nests in pairs in tall trees or shrubs. The Great Egret lays 3-5 eggs every 23-26 days. Great Egrets migrate depending on the temperature and where they live. By Neil Rogers 18

Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus The Great Horned Owl has big feathers on its head to scare away predators. The Great Horned Owl s colors are black, gray, and brown. The size is 18-25 inches, and the wing length is 3-5 feet. They like to live in wooded areas, parks, and landfills. A Great Horned Owl is at the top of the food chain. It eats rabbits, rats, and small birds. The Great Horned Owl has a poor sense of smell. This might explain why it is the only consistent predator of skunks. The Great Horned Owl has no regular migration. They generally travel southward. By Ben Ross. 19

House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus The House Finch is a small song bird. It has a long tail and a short, stubby, curved bill. The male House Finch is bright red in the head and chest area. The females are brown and gray. The House Finch lives in dessert grass, patchy and wooded areas and suburbs. It eats seeds, fruit, and some insects. Reptiles eat House Finch. You should look for it at the next bird feeder that you see. It has a very long, twittering song. The male larger females are smaller. It lives in most of the United States year round. Adaptations: It has a cracker beak so it can crush seeds and get the nutrients. By Gabe Habif 20

Indigo Bunting Passerine cyanea The male is bright blue with a darker almost purple crown, with baby black eyes and black legs. Females are soft brown with a little blue on their tail. Indigo Buntings are small birds from 11.5 cm to13 cm long. They weigh 12 to 18 g. The Indigo Bunting lives around the Blue Ridge Parkway, coastal plains, in fields, and open shrubs. The Indigo Bunting eats blackberries and any type of berry. It also eats seeds and insects. It is eaten by raccoons, red fox, and blue jays. Females choose the males that have the best voice. The Indigo Bunting migrates from the Blue Ridge Parkway to the coastal plains and back every year. Adaptations: The female is brown because they have to stay camouflaged from the predator. If the predator sees them the male will defend. By Riley Schenk 21

Killdeer Charadrius vociferus The Killdeer has long pinkish legs, 2 black breast bands, a black forehead band, white eyebrow shape and patch above bill. The Killdeer habitat is in open areas such as sand bars, mud flats and cow grazed fields. They are probably most familiar around towns. You can probably find a Killdeer around water. The Killdeer eats termites and ants. Ants eat crumbs. Crumbs don t have mouths. Crumbs eat nothing, thus the end of the food chain. The Killdeer has unique long pinkish legs, 2 distinct breast bands, a black forehead band and a white square patch above its bill. The Killdeer lives near the coast of North Carolina, in places like mudflats and sand bars. By Jonathan Reese 22

Laughing Gull Leucophaeus Articalla The Laughing Gull is a very intelligent bird. Its wings are black and white. It s about 17 inches tall. It lives around the beach, parking lots, coastlines, and ferries. The Laughing Gull will eat your leftovers and fish. The Osprey will eat the Laughing Gull. The Laughing Gull is interesting because it eats garbage. It is also scared of crabs, takes sea shells, and pecks kids, cats, and dogs. It laughs like crazy, runs very fast, and its eggs are tiny. The Laughing Gull lives along the coastlines of North Carolina, Texas, Florida, and South Carolina. The Laughing Gull is a non migrating bird. Adaptations: The female runs faster then the male. By Ethan Blakey 23

Mallard Duck Anas platyrhynchos The male, Mallard Duck have a green face. Half of their neck is also green. They have a white collar. The female Mallards are camouflaged with shades of brown. They both have flippers for swimming. The Mallards live in wetland areas. You will find them by parks, lakes, wetlands, costal plains, sewers, rivers, and most fresh water areas. They eat bugs, larva, seeds, and oats. The following are there predators American crows, minks, foxes, coyotes, raccoons, skunks, and snapping turtles. They are the most abundant duck in North America. The males have blue feathers on the inside of their wings and the females have blue feathers on the outside of their wings. The Mallards live everywhere in North America; they also live in parts of Asia. By Henry David Thoreau Kilborne 24

Mourning Dove Zenaida Macroura The Morning Dove has buffy, gray brown plumage. The have a small head, dark bill, sleek body, dull red legs, dark shiny patches under the eyes, and pale blue eye rings. They have a long white trimmed tail, black spots on upper wings, and pale rosy upper parts. The Mourning Dove lives in fields, lightly wooded areas, prairies, and other similar areas. They do not live in swamps or thick forests. Mourning Doves eat seeds, waste grain, and grit (for grinding up food). Their predators are the Peregrine Falcon and the Prairie Falcon. The Mourning Dove s white eggs are 7/8 inches to 1 1/8 inches. The Mourning Dove makes a whistling sound while flying. The Mourning Doves geographic range is Southern Canada and the United States. The Mourning Dove migrates in March through May and September through November. By Zack Hudspeth 25

Osprey Pandion haliaetus The Osprey has a dark back and wings. The head is black and white. It has a black ring around the eyes and round wings. The breast is pure white. The females are slightly larger than the males. The Osprey lives near bodies of water like lakes and seashores. They are rare near rivers. The water must contain medium sized fish in order for them to eat. An Osprey s main diet is fish. They are eaten by Great Horned Owls and Bald Eagles. The Osprey is the only raptor that will dive underwater for food. They also have opposable feet. Ospreys do not migrate. Large groups of Osprey live near Chesapeake Bay and Scandinavia. By Benjamin Kintner 26

Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapillus The Ovenbird has brown feathers, and an orange strip above the head. They also have a white tummy with black stripes and big black eyes. You can t tell the difference between the female and the male Ovenbird. They live inside of forest, shrubs, undergrowth. They often build their nests in undergrowth, fence posts, and eaves of houses. The Ovenbird eats insects, spiders, snails, and worms. Bigger birds like raptors eat the Ovenbird. The female Ovenbird builds a nest in the under growth in a forest. The Ovenbirds live in pairs and sometimes stay with mates for life. The Ovenbird migration is still being researched. In the winter they do migrate to Mexico or warmer climates. By Abby Wolff 27

Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus The male is a lot more colorful than the female. The male has a mustache stripe above and below the beak. It makes its nest in the mountains, burned areas, dead forests, and forests. It eats ants and invertebrates, and gets eaten by raptors. The male has a mustache stripe above and under the beak. It crushes ants and rubs them on their body, it kills parasites. Geographic Range & Migration It lives in the mountains of NC and migrates to Mexico. Adaptations The Northern Flicker has an extremely sharp beak so it can drill in the ground for ants. By Michael Childers 28

Pileated Woodpecker Dryoiopus piteatus The Pileated Woodpecker has a flaming red crest and a Mohawk! It also grows from nine to seventeen inches long!!! The Pileated Woodpecker lives in deep forests, woodlands, lakes, and streams. It pecks holes in trees and barns. It dose not live at lakes but hunts around them. The Pileated Woodpecker needs 1000 to 4000 acres to live! Food chain: The Pileated Woodpecker eats reptiles, fish and plants, but nothing eats it because it is the largest woodpecker in North America! The Pileated woodpecker is a playful hunter. It is known for its large beak. Its wing span is 21 inches at adult age. In North Carolina, it lives on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Smoky Mountains, and your backyard. It migrates with altitude, up and down the mountains. By Noah Mowatt-Larson 29

Purple Martin Progne subis The females have a slightly forked tail, the females and males both have long pointed bills specially made for getting flying insects. The wings span is 18 in. Purple Martins are common in piedmont and coastal areas. They can also be found in semi open areas often near water. Purple Martins eat flying insects including dragon flies, bees, June bugs, flying ants, butter flies etc. Eagles, hawks and other big birds eat Purple Martins. The females have a slightly forked tail they have pointed wings and both have long pointed bills made for getting flying insects. There voice is a robin like pew-pew. In the winter they travel up to 5,000 miles to South America and in the summer it comes back to the U.S. Adaptations: the females and males both have long bills specially made for getting insets. The males have a long slightly forked tail. They are both adapted to going on the same flight pattern to go to there winter and summer home. By Ayden Miller 30

Red-Bellied Woodpecker Melanerpes carolinus Red-Bellied Woodpeckers are 10 inches to16 inches tall. The males have red crowns on their head. They have zebra patterns on their back. Red Bellied Woodpeckers weigh 75.20 grams. The Red-Bellied Woodpecker lives in hollow trees in the forest. They eat seeds, fruits, and insets. Sharp Shinned hawks and Cooper hawks eat the Red-Bellied Woodpecker. Males and females hunt differently. Males find food in the tree trunks and females hunt on limbs. Red-Bellied Woodpeckers have a sticky tongue to help them find food and to live. The Red-Bellied Woodpecker does not migrate. They live in the eastern part of the United States. Adaptations: Red-Bellied Woodpeckers have a pointed sticky tongue with pointy tip to get food from bark. By Gabrielle Holloway 31

Red Eyed Vireo Viero olivaceus The Red Eyed Vireo s length is 6 inches, and its width is 10 inches. Its eyes are red, and its body is yellow-grey. It has a dark eye line. The Red Eyed Vireo lives in deciduous or mixed woodlands, with a shrubby under story, in a tree or shrub. Its nest is made of grass, roots, or spider silk. It eats insects, fruit, and caterpillars. The Red Eyed Vireo s call is a screeching song. It also has red eyes. It lives in wooded areas across the US and Canada. It migrates to South America in the winter. By: Eva Hart 32

Red Tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis The Red Tailed Hawk is named after its red tail. It also has pointed wings and a hooked beak. The Red Tailed Hawk lives just about anywhere in North America. While the Red Tailed Hawk is alive nothing eats it. It s on the top of the food chain. When it dies a lot of things eat it. The Red Tailed Hawk eats small mammals like rodents and small birds. The Red Tailed Hawk is known for its red tail. That makes it unique. Its yellow irises also make the red tailed hawk unique. Many of the Red Tailed Hawks that live in the U.S. do not migrate. Only the Hawks that live in the northern parts of the U.S. and Canada migrate. By Evan Rhatigan 33

Red-winged Black Bird Agelaius phoeniceus The red-winged blackbird has a black body and red shoulders. The female is all a brown color. The red-winged black bird lives in cattail marshes wet meadows and ditches. Food: It eats seeds, spiders and bugs. Snakes and raccoons eat the red-winged black bird. The red-winged black bird can defend its territory really well by swooping down on predators. The red-winged black bird stays in North Carolina and does not migrate. Adaptations: The red-winged black bird has a short beak to break seeds. By Noah McCarthy 34

Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus A male Rose-breasted Grosbeak has a black head with a rose triangle on its chest. The male s belly is white. A female is plane brown with two white wing bars. The size of a male/female is 7-8 inches, its wing span is 11-13 inches, and its weight is 1.4-1.7. Rose-breasted Grosbeak s habitat is in woodlands, especially on the edges. They also live in orchards, gardens and tropical forest. My bird eats berries, insects, nuts, and seeds. The predators that eat my bird are Blue Jays, Common Grackles, Grey Squirrels, Cooper Hawks, and Sharp Shined Hawks. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are often confused with Sparrows. In French, Grosbeak means large beak. They are also one of the prettiest spring birds. In N.C, my bird lives in orchards, mountains, gardens, and farms. My bird migrates from the mountains to the coast. By Amaris Stewart 35

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Archilochus columbis The Ruby-throated Hummingbird has an emerald green back and a ruby red throat that may appear as black under some lighting conditions. They have gray flanks and a forked tail with no white. The male is smaller than the female. The Ruby-throated humming bird lives in open mixed woodlands, wetlands, orchids, tree-lined meadows, flower gardens, back yards with trees and feeders, near patches of favored native foods, tree balms, jewelweeds, and trumpet vines. Food Chains: The Ruby-throated Hummingbirds predators are raptors, Sharp-shinned Hawks, and Blue Jays. They eat small insects, flower nectar, and tree sap. The Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have an iridescent greenish black back. The males have ruby red throat. The weight of a Ruby-throated Hummingbird weighs about as much as a nickel. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird migrates to Central and South America. By Hali Lukacs 36

Scarlet Tanager Piranga olivacea The Scarlet Tanager s size is 7 to 11 inches. They weigh 32 to 38 grams. The males are vibrant red and the female is olive yellow. The Scarlet Tanager lives in forests, costal shrubbery and mountains. The scarlet Tanagers prey is larvae and insects. Their predators are eastern screech owl, long-eared owl, shorteared owl, snake, tree squirrels, grackles and crows. They chase all their predators except for crows they hide from crows. They go to the Blue Ridge Mountains and they migrate to forest and costal shrubbery. For the winter they go to South America. Adaptations: Males are colored more lightly and females are colored darker so they can hide in their nest with their eggs. Interesting Facts: It sounds like a Robin. Males are more colorful. By Sophia Braden 37

Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia General description: The song sparrow has spots on its belly and some brown on its face. Their size is between 12-17 cm. (5-7 in.) long. There sexes are alike in size. They have streaks that go to their chest to makes a chest spot. It didn t breed in North Carolina till the 1930 s. Song sparrows breed from the mountains to the piedmont including the upper outer banks. Food chain: They eat seeds like bird seed. They are eaten by raptors, raccoons, cats, and snacks. They live in willow shrubs in the open forest with water. In the winter you can see them in fields with tall plants and weeds They also live in marshes. Adaptations: They have short bills for cracking nuts. Their bill is strong so it can crush and open nuts. By Logan Parker 38

Tufted Titmouse Baeolophus bicolor The Tufted Titmouse has a gray crest, a black forehead, gray upperparts, and Buffy flanks. The Tufted Titmouse lives in woodlands, groves, and mature trees. They eat acorns, sunflower seeds, berries, caterpillars, moths, flies, insect eggs, snails, and spiders. The things that eat the Tufted Titmouse are cats, dogs, and snakes. It has a song like this: peter, peter, peter. All over North Carolina!! Adaptations: Tiny feet to hold the seed and uses its tough beak by hitting the nut rapidly until it gets the nutrients. By Skye Flynn 39

Wood Duck Aix sponsa The wood duck is a very colorful bird. It likes to fly in a strait pattern. The male s colors are green, white, and black. The female is brown and black. They both have red eyes. The wood duck likes to live in marshes, ponds, and lakes. The wood ducks are omnivores. They eat nuts, fruits, and under water insects. The predators that eat them are foxes and coyotes. When a baby wood duck hatches it jumps out of its tree into the water below. In migration season the wood ducks migrate south to warmer climates. By Birch Ball 40

Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina The Wood Thrush has a white stomach with raindrop looking feathers and a long brown tail. The Wood Thrush lives in moist, mature, and preferably undisturbed deciduous woodlands and mixed forests. The Wood Thrush eats beetles, ants, moths, caterpillars, and millipedes. The Wood Thrush can sing two notes at the same time because of its song box. The Wood Thrush is close to the oven bird. Geographic Range & Migration The Wood Thrush migrates to Central America. It migrates at night, so it can use stars to navigate. By Skyla Hogan 41

Yellow-Billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus The Yellow-billed cuckoo has a yellow eye ring and olive brown upper body and a white under body. Its size is around eleven to thirteen inches long. The Yellow-billed cuckoo likes to live in open places, by the side of streams, at old farms and orchards. The Yellow-billed cuckoo mainly eats large insects but it also eats frogs, snails, grass hoppers, and seeds. It mainly gets eaten by raptors like hawks. The Yellow-billed cuckoo sometimes lays its eggs in other birds nest. In winter they migrate to south America.They mostly migrate in late fall and spring. The west populations migrate later than the other population. Adaptations: The Yellow-billed cuckoo has up to 6 different sounds to attract mates. By Jeremy Bradt 42

Yellow-Rumped Warbler Dendraica Coronata In summer the Yellow-Rumped Warblers are gray and yellow. In winter they are light brown with a little yellow. Its voice is a little twitter. It nests in evergreen forests. In winter, the yellow-rumped Warbler is found in the bushes of the berries that it eats when insects grow scarce. It eats insects and spiders. It has a yellow rump. It s nickname is butter butt. In summers it can be found anywhere from Alaska to Central America. It usually migrates in April. Adaptation: This bird eats plants if insects grow scarce. They include wax myrtle, bayberry, and others. By Bethany Evans 43