Written by: Ask A Biologist
Illustrated by: Chris Richter
Audio editor: Pierre Deviche
Illustrated by: Chris Richter
Audio editor: Pierre Deviche
Tell us what you know about the bird and we'll help you find it. Here are a few steps to follow:
- Review the examples of shape and habitat to make sure you know how best to filter these options.
- Select one option to begin. Shape or habitat may be most helpful.
- If there are too many results, continue adding options. Keep in mind that color is a challenging option to filter. Males can be different than females and juveniles can be different than adults. Color can also look different depending on time of day.
About the recordist: Pierre Deviche is the the man behind all the recordings in this collection. He is a professor in the School of Life Sciences who studies bird brains. You can listen to him talk about about bird songs and his recordings on the Ask A Biologist podcast program.
About the artist: Chris Richter(link is external) is a graphic designer from Charleston, S.C. His photographic typeface "Words of a Feather" consists of a variety of birds in different compositions based off the classic typeface, "Garamond."
Chicken Like Marsh Bird
Duck Like
Gull Like
Hawk Like
Hummingbird
Long Legged Waders
Owls
Parrots
Perching
Pigeon Like
Sandpiper Like
Swallow Like
Tree Clinging
Upland Ground
Upright Perching Water Birds
Aerial
Agricultural
Chaparral
Cliffs / boulders
Desert
Fir forest
Grasslands
Marsh / swamp
Mesquite bosque
Mudflat
Oak-pine woodland
Open water
Ponderosa Pine Forest
Riparian / River forest
Savanna
Shrubs
Urban city
Tiny = 1 – 4 in. | 2.5 – 10 cm
Small = 5 – 7 in. | 13 – 18 cm
Medium = 8 – 12 in. | 20 – 30.5 cm
Large = 12 in. | 30.5 cm and larger
Buzzing
Chirping
Croaking
Electronic
Grating
Honking
Hooting
Quacking
Rattling
Screeching
Trilling
Twittering
Warbling
Whistling
American Avocet, Recurvirostra americana
Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, Camptostoma imberbe
Rose-throated Becard, Pachyramphus aglaiae
Least Bittern, Ixobrychus aglaiae
Brewer's Blackbird, Euphagus cyanocephalus
Red-winged Blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus
Yellow-headed Blackbird, Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus
Eastern Bluebird, Sialia sialis
Mountain Bluebird, Sialia currucoides
Western Bluebird, Sialia mexicana
Indigo Bunting, Passerina cyanea
Lark Bunting, Calamospiza melanocorys
Lazuli Bunting, Passerina amoena
Painted Bunting, Passerina ciris
Varied Bunting, Passerina versicolor
Bushtit, Psaltriparus minimus
Crested Caracara, Caracara cheriway
Northern Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis
Gray Catbird, Dumetella carolinensis
Yellow-breasted Chat, Icteria virens
Mexican Chickadee, Poecile sclateri
Mountain Chickadee, Poecile gambelii
California Condor, Gymnogyps californianus
American Coot, Fulica americana
Double-crested Cormorant, Phalacrocorax auritus
Neotropic Cormorant, Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Bronzed Cowbird, Molothrus aeneus
Brown-headed Cowbird, Molothrus ater
Sandhill Crane, Grus canadensis
Brown Creeper, Certhia americana
Red Crossbill, Loxia curvirostra
American Crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos
Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus
Long-billed Curlew, Numenius americanus
American Dipper, Cinclus mexicanus
Common Ground-Dove, Columbina passerina
Eurasian Collared-Dove, Streptopelia decaocto
Inca Dove, Columbina inca
Mourning Dove, Zenaida macroura
Ruddy Ground-Dove, Columbina talpacoti
White-winged Dove, Zenaida asiatica
Long-billed Dowitcher, Limnodromus scolopaceus
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Dendrocygna autumnalis
Ring-necked Duck, Aythya collaris
Ruddy Duck, Oxyura jamaicensis
Bald Eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Golden Eagle, Aquila chrysaetos
Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis
Great Egret, Ardea alba
Snowy Egret, Egretta thula
Peregrine Falcon, Falco peregrinus
Prairie Falcon, Falco mexicanus
Cassin's Finch, Carpodacus cassinii
House Finch, Carpodacus mexicanus
Gilded Flicker, Colaptes chrysoides
Northern Flicker, Colaptes auratus
Ash-throated Flycatcher, Myiarchus cinerascens
Brown-crested Flycatcher, Myiarchus tyrannulus
Buff-breasted Flycatcher, Empidonax fulvifrons
Cordilleran Flycatcher, Empidonax occidentalis
Dusky Flycatcher, Empidonax oberholseri
Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Myiarchus tuberculifer
Gray Flycatcher, Empidonax wrightii
Olive-sided Flycatcher, Contopus cooperi
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Tyrannus forficatus
Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Myiodynastes luteiventris
Vermilion Flycatcher, Pyrocephalus rubinus
Willow Flycatcher, Empidonax traillii
Gadwall, Anas strepera
Black-capped Gnatcatcher, Polioptila nigriceps
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Polioptila melanura
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea
Common Goldeneye, Bucephala clangula
American Goldfinch, Spinus tristis
Lawrence's Goldfinch, Spinus lawrencei
Lesser Goldfinch, Spinus psaltria
Canada Goose, Branta canadensis
Great-tailed Grackle, Quiscalus mexicanus
Eared Grebe, Podiceps nigricollis
Pied-billed Grebe, Podilymbus podiceps
Western Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis
Black-headed Grosbeak, Pheucticus melanocephalus
Blue Grosbeak, Passerina caerulea
Evening Grosbeak, Coccothraustes vespertinus
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Pheucticus ludovicianus
Dusky Grouse, Dendragapus obscurus
Ring-billed Gull, Larus delawarensis
Northern Harrier, Circus cyaneus
Common Black Hawk, Buteogallus anthracinus
Cooper's Hawk, Accipiter cooperi
Ferruginous Hawk, Buteo regalis
Gray Hawk, Asturina nitida
Harris's Hawk, Parabuteo unicinctus
Red-shouldered Hawk, Buteo lineatus
Red-tailed Hawk, Buteo jamaicensis
Swainson's Hawk, Buteo swainsoni
Zone-tailed Hawk, Buteo albonotatus
Black-crowned Night-Heron, Nycticorax nycticorax
Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias
Green Heron, Butorides virescens
Anna's Hummingbird, Calypte anna
Black-chinned Hummingbird, Archilochus alexandri
Blue-throated Hummingbird, Lampornis clemenciae
Broad-billed Hummingbird, Cynanthus latirostris
Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Selasphorus platycercus
Costa's Hummingbird, Coragyps costae
Magnificent Hummingbird, Eugenes fulgens
Rufous Hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus
White-faced Ibis, Plegadis chihi
Gray Jay, Perisoreus canadensis
Mexican Jay, Aphelocoma ultramarina
Pinyon Jay, Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus
Steller's Jay, Aphelocoma stelleri
Western Scrub-Jay, Aphelocoma californica
Dark-eyed Junco, Junco hyemalis
Yellow-eyed Junco, Junco phaeonotus
American Kestrel, Falco sparverius
Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus
Cassin's Kingbird, Tyrannus vociferans
Thick-billed Kingbird, Tyrannus crassirostris
Tropical Kingbird, Tyrannus melancholicus
Western Kingbird, Tyrannus verticalis
Belted Kingfisher, Ceryle alcyon
Green Kingfisher, Chloroceryle americana
Golden-crowned Kinglet, Regulus satrapa
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Regulus calendula
Mississippi Kite, Ictinia mississippiensis
White-tailed Kite, Elanus leucurus
Horned Lark, Eremophila alpestris
Chestnut-collared Longspur, Phainopepla ornatus
Rosy-faced Lovebird, Agapornis roseicollis
Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
Eastern Meadowlark, Sturnella magna
Western Meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta
Common Merganser, Mergus merganser
Northern Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos
Common Moorhen, Gallinula chloropus
Common Nighthawk, Chordeiles minor
Lesser Nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis
Buff-collared Nightjar, Caprimulgus ridgwayi
Clark's Nutcracker, Nucifraga columbiana
Pygmy Nuthatch, Sitta pygmaea
Red-breasted Nuthatch, Sitta canadensis
White-breasted Nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis
Bullock's Oriole, Icterus bullockii
Hooded Oriole, Icterus cucullatus
Scott's Oriole, Icterus parisorum
Osprey, Pandion haliaetus
Barn Owl, Tyto alba
Burrowing Owl, Athene cunicularia
Elf Owl, Micrathene whitneyi
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Glaucidium brasilianus
Flammulated Owl, Otus flammeolus
Great Horned Owl, Bubo virginianus
Northern Pygmy-Owl, Glaucidium gnoma
Northern Saw-whet Owl, Aegolius acadicus
Spotted Owl, Strix occidentalis
Western Screech-Owl, Megascops kennicottii
Whiskered Screech-Owl, Megascops trichopsis
Greater Pewee, Contopus pertinax
Western Wood-Pewee, Contopus sordidulus
Phainopepla, Phainopepla nitens
Wilson's Phalarope, Phalaropus tricolor
Black Phoebe, Sayornis nigricans
Say's Phoebe, Sayornis saya
Band-tailed Pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata
Rock (Feral) Pigeon, Columba livia
Northern Pintail, Anas acuta
American Pipit, Anthus rubescens
Common Poorwill, Phalaenoptilus nuttallii
Pyrrhuloxia, Cardinalis sinuatus
Gambel's Quail, Callipepla gambelii
Montezuma Quail, Cyrtonyx montezumae
Scaled Quail, Callipepla squamata
Black Rail, Laterallus jamaicensis
Clapper Rail, Rallus longirostris
Virginia Rail, Rallus limicola
Chihuahuan Raven, Corvus cryptoleucus
Common Raven, Corvus corax
Redhead, Aythya americana
Painted Redstart, Myioborus pictus
Greater Roadrunner, Geococcyx californianus
American Robin, Turdus migratorius
Least Sandpiper, Calidris minutilla
Spotted Sandpiper, Actitis macularia
Western Sandpiper, Calidris mauri
Red-naped Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus nuchalis
Williamson's Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus thyroideus
Northern Shoveler, Anas clypeata
Loggerhead Shrike, Lanius ludovicianus
Pine Siskin, Spinus pinus
Wilson's Snipe, Gallinago delicata
Townsend's Solitaire, Myadestes townsendi
Sora, Porzana carolina
Black-chinned Sparrow, Spizella atrogularis
Black-throated Sparrow, Amphispiza bilineata
Botteri's Sparrow, Aimophila botterii
Brewer's Sparrow, Spizella breweri
Cassin's Sparrow, Aimophila cassinii
Chipping Sparrow, Spizella passerina
Five-striped Sparrow, Aimophila quinquestriata
Grasshopper Sparrow, Ammodramus savannarum
House Sparrow, Passer domesticus
Lark Sparrow, Chondestes grammacus
Lincoln's Sparrow, Melospiza lincolnii
Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Aimophila ruficeps
Rufous-winged Sparrow, Aimophila carpalis
Savannah Sparrow, Passerculus sandwichensis
Song Sparrow, Melospiza melodia
Vesper Sparrow, Pooecetes gramineus
White-crowned Sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys
White-throated Sparrow, Zonotrichia albicollis
European Starling, Sturnus vulgaris
Black-necked Stilt, Himantopus mexicanus
Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica
Cliff Swallow, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Stelgidopteryx serripennis
Violet-green Swallow, Tachycineta thalassina
White-throated Swift, Aeronautes saxatalis
Flame-colored Tanager, Piranga bidentata
Hepatic Tanager, Piranga flava
Summer Tanager, Piranga rubra
Western Tanager, Piranga ludoviciana
Cinnamon Teal, Anas cryptoleucus
Green-winged Teal, Anas crecca carolinensis
Caspian Tern, Sterna caspia
Bendire's Thrasher, Toxostoma bendirei
Brown Thrasher, Toxostoma rufum
Crissal Thrasher, Toxostoma crissale
Curve-billed Thrasher, Toxostoma curvirostre
Le Conte's Thrasher, Toxostoma lecontei
Sage Thrasher, Oreoscoptes montanus
Hermit Thrush, Catharus guttatus
Bridled Titmouse, Baeolophus wollweberi
Juniper Titmouse, Baeolophus ridgwayi
Abert's Towhee, Pipilo aberti
Canyon Towhee, Pipilo fuscus
Green-tailed Towhee, Pipilo chlorurus
Spotted Towhee, Pipilo maculatus
Elegant Trogon, Trogon elegans
Wild Turkey, Meleagris gallopavo
Verdin, Auriparus flaviceps
Bell's Vireo, Vireo bellii
Black-capped Vireo, Vireo atricapillus
Cassin's Vireo, Vireo cassinii
Gray Vireo, Vireo vicinior
Hutton's Vireo, Vireo huttoni
Plumbeous Vireo, Vireo plumbeus
Red-eyed Vireo, Vireo olivaceus
Warbling Vireo, Vireo gilvus
White-eyed Vireo, Vireo griseus
Yellow-green Vireo, Vireo flavoviridis
Yellow-throated Vireo, Vireo flavifrons
Black Vulture, Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura
Black-throated Blue Warbler, Dendroica caerulescens
Black-throated Gray Warbler, Dendroica nigrescens
Grace's Warbler, Dendroica graciae
Lucy's Warbler, Vermivora luciae
MacGillivray's Warbler, Oporornis tolmiei
Olive Warbler, Peucedramus taeniatus
Orange-crowned Warbler, Vermivora celata
Red-faced Warbler, Cardellina rubrifrons
Virginia's Warbler, Vermivora virginiae
Wilson's Warbler, Wilsonia pusilla
Yellow Warbler, Dendroica petechia
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Dendroica coronata
Cedar Waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum
Whip-poor-will, Caprimulgus vociferus
American Wigeon, Anas americana
Acorn Woodpecker, Melanerpes formicivorus
Arizona Woodpecker, Picoides arizonae
Gila Woodpecker, Melanerpes uropygialis
Hairy Woodpecker, Picoides villosus
Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Picoides scalaris
Bewick's Wren, Thryomanes bewickii
Cactus Wren, Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus
Canyon Wren, Catherpes mexicanus
House Wren, Troglodytes aedon
Marsh Wren, Cistothorus palustris
Rock Wren, Salpinctes obsoletus
Greater Yellowlegs, Tringa melanoleuca
Common Yellowthroat, Geothlypis trichas
You may need to edit author's name to meet the style formats, which are in most cases "Last name, First name."
https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/birds
Bibliographic details:
- Article: Bird Finder
- Author(s): Ask A Biologist
- Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
- Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
- Date published:
- Date accessed:
- Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/birds
APA Style
Ask A Biologist. (). Bird Finder. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/birds
American Psychological Association. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/
Chicago Manual of Style
Ask A Biologist. "Bird Finder". ASU - Ask A Biologist. . https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/birds
Ask A Biologist. "Bird Finder". ASU - Ask A Biologist. . ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/birds
For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/717/04/
MLA 2017 Style
Modern Language Association, 7th Ed. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/
Bird Finder Range
Our current collection of birds covers most of the southwest. The map above shows the range and depth of species coverage you can expect from our virtual aviary.
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