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Written by: Ask A Biologist
Illustrated by: Chris Richter
Audio editor: Pierre Deviche

show/hide words to know

Genus: a biology ranking between the family and the species that taxonomists use to classify living organisms... more

Habitat: the place where an animal or plant lives.

Species: typically a group of organisms that are so similar that they can interbreed (have offspring)... more

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.

Want to compare two or more birds? Try the Bird Comparison tool.

Select any filter and click on Apply to see results
Select any filter and click on Apply to see results.

Avocet

American Avocet, Recurvirostra americana

Beardless-Tyrannulet

Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, Camptostoma imberbe

Becard

Rose-throated Becard, Pachyramphus aglaiae

Bittern

Least Bittern, Ixobrychus aglaiae

Blackbird

Brewer's Blackbird, Euphagus cyanocephalus
Red-winged Blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus
Yellow-headed Blackbird, Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus

Chat

Yellow-breasted Chat, Icteria virens

Bluebird

Eastern Bluebird, Sialia sialis
Mountain Bluebird, Sialia currucoides
Western Bluebird, Sialia mexicana

Bunting

Indigo Bunting, Passerina cyanea
Lark Bunting, Calamospiza melanocorys
Lazuli Bunting, Passerina amoena
Painted Bunting, Passerina ciris
Varied Bunting, Passerina versicolor

Bushtit

Bushtit, Psaltriparus minimus

Caracara

Crested Caracara, Caracara cheriway

Cardinal

Northern Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis

Catbird

Gray Catbird, Dumetella carolinensis

Chickadee

Mexican Chickadee, Poecile sclateri
Mountain Chickadee, Poecile gambelii

Condor

California Condor, Gymnogyps californianus

Coot

American Coot, Fulica americana

Cormorant

Double-crested Cormorant, Phalacrocorax auritus
Neotropic Cormorant, Phalacrocorax brasilianus

Cowbird

Bronzed Cowbird, Molothrus aeneus
Brown-headed Cowbird, Molothrus ater

Crane

Sandhill Crane, Grus canadensis

Creeper

Brown Creeper, Certhia americana

Crossbill

Red Crossbill, Loxia curvirostra

Crow

American Crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos

Cuckoo

Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus

Curlew

Long-billed Curlew, Numenius americanus

Dipper

American Dipper, Cinclus mexicanus

Dove

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

Dowitcher

Long-billed Dowitcher, Limnodromus scolopaceus

Duck

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Dendrocygna autumnalis
Ring-necked Duck, Aythya collaris
Ruddy Duck, Oxyura jamaicensis

Eagle

Bald Eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Golden Eagle, Aquila chrysaetos

Egret

Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis
Great Egret, Ardea alba
Snowy Egret, Egretta thula

Falcon

Peregrine Falcon, Falco peregrinus
Prairie Falcon, Falco mexicanus

Finch

Cassin's Finch, Carpodacus cassinii
House Finch, Carpodacus mexicanus

Flicker

Gilded Flicker, Colaptes chrysoides
Northern Flicker, Colaptes auratus

Flycatcher

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

Gadwall, Anas strepera

Gnatcatcher

Black-capped Gnatcatcher, Polioptila nigriceps
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Polioptila melanura
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea

Goldeneye

Common Goldeneye, Bucephala clangula

Goldfinch

American Goldfinch, Spinus tristis
Lawrence's Goldfinch, Spinus lawrencei
Lesser Goldfinch, Spinus psaltria

Goose

Canada Goose, Branta canadensis

Grackle

Great-tailed Grackle, Quiscalus mexicanus

Grebes

Eared Grebe, Podiceps nigricollis
Pied-billed Grebe, Podilymbus podiceps
Western Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis

Grosbeak

Black-headed Grosbeak, Pheucticus melanocephalus
Blue Grosbeak, Passerina caerulea
Evening Grosbeak, Coccothraustes vespertinus
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Pheucticus ludovicianus

Grouse

Dusky Grouse, Dendragapus obscurus

Gull

Ring-billed Gull, Larus delawarensis

Harrier

Northern Harrier, Circus cyaneus

Hawk

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

Heron

Black-crowned Night-Heron, Nycticorax nycticorax
Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias
Green Heron, Butorides virescens

Hummingbird

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

Ibis

White-faced Ibis, Plegadis chihi

Jay

Gray Jay, Perisoreus canadensis
Mexican Jay, Aphelocoma ultramarina
Pinyon Jay, Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus
Steller's Jay, Aphelocoma stelleri
Western Scrub-Jay, Aphelocoma californica

Junco

Dark-eyed Junco, Junco hyemalis
Yellow-eyed Junco, Junco phaeonotus

Kestrel

American Kestrel, Falco sparverius

Killdeer

Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus

Kingbird

Cassin's Kingbird, Tyrannus vociferans
Thick-billed Kingbird, Tyrannus crassirostris
Tropical Kingbird, Tyrannus melancholicus
Western Kingbird, Tyrannus verticalis

Kingfisher

Belted Kingfisher, Ceryle alcyon
Green Kingfisher, Chloroceryle americana

Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglet, Regulus satrapa
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Regulus calendula

Kite

Mississippi Kite, Ictinia mississippiensis
White-tailed Kite, Elanus leucurus

Lark

Horned Lark, Eremophila alpestris

Longspur

Chestnut-collared Longspur, Phainopepla ornatus

Lovebird

Rosy-faced Lovebird, Agapornis roseicollis

Mallard

Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos

Meadowlark

Eastern Meadowlark, Sturnella magna
Western Meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta

Merganser

Common Merganser, Mergus merganser

Mockingbird

Northern Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos

Moorhen

Common Moorhen, Gallinula chloropus

Nighthawk

Common Nighthawk, Chordeiles minor
Lesser Nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis

Nightjar

Buff-collared Nightjar, Caprimulgus ridgwayi

Nutcracker

Clark's Nutcracker, Nucifraga columbiana

Nuthatch

Pygmy Nuthatch, Sitta pygmaea
Red-breasted Nuthatch, Sitta canadensis
White-breasted Nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis

Oriole

Bullock's Oriole, Icterus bullockii
Hooded Oriole, Icterus cucullatus
Scott's Oriole, Icterus parisorum

Osprey

Osprey, Pandion haliaetus

Owl

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

Pewee

Greater Pewee, Contopus pertinax
Western Wood-Pewee, Contopus sordidulus

Phainopepla

Phainopepla, Phainopepla nitens

Phalarope

Wilson's Phalarope, Phalaropus tricolor

Phoebe

Black Phoebe, Sayornis nigricans
Say's Phoebe, Sayornis saya

Pigeon

Band-tailed Pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata
Rock (Feral) Pigeon, Columba livia

Pintail

Northern Pintail, Anas acuta

Pipit

American Pipit, Anthus rubescens

Poorwill

Common Poorwill, Phalaenoptilus nuttallii

Pyrrhuloxia

Pyrrhuloxia, Cardinalis sinuatus

Quail

Gambel's Quail, Callipepla gambelii
Montezuma Quail, Cyrtonyx montezumae
Scaled Quail, Callipepla squamata

Rail

Black Rail, Laterallus jamaicensis
Clapper Rail, Rallus longirostris
Virginia Rail, Rallus limicola

Raven

Chihuahuan Raven, Corvus cryptoleucus
Common Raven, Corvus corax

Redhead

Redhead, Aythya americana

Redstart

Painted Redstart, Myioborus pictus

Roadrunner

Greater Roadrunner, Geococcyx californianus

Robin

American Robin, Turdus migratorius

Sandpiper

Least Sandpiper, Calidris minutilla
Spotted Sandpiper, Actitis macularia
Western Sandpiper, Calidris mauri

Sapsucker

Red-naped Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus nuchalis
Williamson's Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus thyroideus

Shoveler

Northern Shoveler, Anas clypeata

Shrike

Loggerhead Shrike, Lanius ludovicianus

Siskin

Pine Siskin, Spinus pinus

Snipe

Wilson's Snipe, Gallinago delicata

Solitaire

Townsend's Solitaire, Myadestes townsendi

Sora

Sora, Porzana carolina

Sparrow

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

Starling

European Starling, Sturnus vulgaris

Stilt

Black-necked Stilt, Himantopus mexicanus

Swallow

Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica
Cliff Swallow, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Stelgidopteryx serripennis
Violet-green Swallow, Tachycineta thalassina

Swift

White-throated Swift, Aeronautes saxatalis

Tanager

Flame-colored Tanager, Piranga bidentata
Hepatic Tanager, Piranga flava
Summer Tanager, Piranga rubra
Western Tanager, Piranga ludoviciana

Teal

Cinnamon Teal, Anas cryptoleucus
Green-winged Teal, Anas crecca carolinensis

Tern

Caspian Tern, Sterna caspia

Thrasher

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

Thrush

Hermit Thrush, Catharus guttatus

Titmouse

Bridled Titmouse, Baeolophus wollweberi
Juniper Titmouse, Baeolophus ridgwayi

Towhee

Abert's Towhee, Pipilo aberti
Canyon Towhee, Pipilo fuscus
Green-tailed Towhee, Pipilo chlorurus
Spotted Towhee, Pipilo maculatus

Trogon

Elegant Trogon, Trogon elegans

Turkey

Wild Turkey, Meleagris gallopavo

Verdin

Verdin, Auriparus flaviceps

Vireo

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

Vulture

Black Vulture, Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura

Warbler

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

Waxwing

Cedar Waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum

Whip-poor-will

Whip-poor-will, Caprimulgus vociferus

Wigeon

American Wigeon, Anas americana

Woodpecker

Acorn Woodpecker, Melanerpes formicivorus
Arizona Woodpecker, Picoides arizonae
Gila Woodpecker, Melanerpes uropygialis
Hairy Woodpecker, Picoides villosus
Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Picoides scalaris

Wren

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

Yellowlegs

Greater Yellowlegs, Tringa melanoleuca

Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroat, Geothlypis trichas

View Citation

You may need to edit author's name to meet the style formats, which are in most cases "Last name, First name."

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: December 20, 2017
  • Date accessed: October 11, 2024
  • Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/birds

APA Style

Ask A Biologist. (2017, December 20). Bird Finder. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved October 11, 2024 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. 20 December, 2017. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/birds

MLA 2017 Style

Ask A Biologist. "Bird Finder". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 20 Dec 2017. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. 11 Oct 2024. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/birds

Modern Language Association, 7th Ed. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/
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