Bird Finder

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. Start off by selecting one of the search options below. Your results will be better if you only enter what you know about the bird and do not guess. Need examples for the search categories? Click the "Examples" tab. Want to compare two or more birds more closely? Visit the Bird Comparison page from the gold box.

Select any filter and click on Apply to see results

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 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."

Bird Genus

Bird Species

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

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

Costa's Hummingbird, Coragyps costae

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

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

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

Buzzing

Chirping

Croaking

Electronic

Grating

Honking

Hooting

Quacking

Rattling

Screeching

Trilling

Twittering

Warbling

Whistling

View Citation

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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 21, 2019
Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/birds

APA Style

Ask A Biologist. (2017, December 20). Bird Finder. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved October 21, 2019 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

For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/717/04/

MLA 2017 Style

Ask A Biologist. "Bird Finder". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 20 Dec 2017. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. 21 Oct 2019. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/birds

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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