"America, the continent of birds"
John James Audubon
(1785-1851)

John James Audubon (Jean-Jacques Audubon at birth) was born in Santo Domingo (Haiti), the illegitimate child of a French seacaptain Jean Audubon, adventurer and plantation owner and his mistress, Jeanne Rabine, a chambermaid, who died shortly thereafter. He is raised by his father's wife, Mme Audubon, near Nantes, in Western France. In 1803, at age 18 , in order to avoid military conscription, he sets sail for America and settles at Mill Grove, near Philadelphia, a large property his father had bought sight unseen. From early childhood, Audubon was interested in nature, birds and drawing. He first settles in business, but fails at his ventures and declares bankrupcy. Later, he explores America from Kentucky to Louisianna and draws its birds. He becomes known as the "American woodsman." His masterpiece "Birds of America" is published in 4 different printings between 1827 and 1838.

If John James Audubon is the master of the 19th century, Roger Tory Peterson with his field guides and his new system of bird identification rules the 20th century. They are the true greats.

The National Audubon Society has long dedicated itself to the preservation, protection and study of birds in particular and nature in general. Cornell Lab of Ornithology at Cornell University, is a superb center of research and study.

(John James Audubon's selfportrait from Audubon's Elephant by Duff Hart-Davis)

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The Birds of the Garden

1. Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo): L 46", male, 37", female
Year-round.
Abundant in Connecticut during Colonial times, wild turkeys had disappeared from the state as early as the beginning ot the 19th century. The destruction of forests, unregulated hunting and a series of very severe winters led to the extinction of the species. In the 1950s and 1960s several efforts at artificial propagation failed. It is only in 1975 that 22 turkeys, captured in New York State were released in the northwest corner of the state. A new technique of propulsed net allowed for easier capture. This population grew and allowed the release of a total of 356 wild turkeys between 1975 and 1992 in 78 different locations. Today, turkeys are found in all 169 towns of Connecticut and estimated at between 18,000 and 25,000.
A success story.

2. Ring-Necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus): L 33", male, 21", female
Year-round.
Introduced from China in 1881.

3. Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura): L 12"
Year-round.

4. Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris): L 3 3/4"
Summer. Winters South of US.
The only species in the East. Attracted by brightly-colored flowers, particularly red. Pugnacious and tough this very small bird is a marvel of speed: its wings beat about 75 times per second, its speed can reach 60 miles per hour and it can fly backwards. The male has a red iridescent throat, the female's is white as are the tips of her outer tail feathers.

5. Red-Bellied Woodpecker (Melarnepes carolinus): L 9 1/4"
Year-round.
Red head and nape for the male. Only the nape is red for the female. Juvenile has a gray head and nape. This bird always announces its arrival very loudly.

6. Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius): L 8 1/2"
Year-round.
The female has white (not red) chin and throat.

7. Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens): L 6 3/4"
Year-round.
The smallest of all woodpeckers. It nests in (and uses as shelter in winter) tree cavities it has excavated. It does not perch, but rather, like all woodpeckers, clings to tree trunks.

8. Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus):
L 9 1/4"
Year-round.
Larger version of a Downy Woodpecker, the Hairy's red nape spot is in two parts, its beak is long and strong. More shy than the downy.

9. Black-Capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus): L 5 1/4"
Year-round.
Tiny acrobat, this bird is cute, curious and decidedly not shy.

10. Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor): L 6 1/2"
Year-round.
Cousin of the chickadee, this bird is vivacious and not shy.

11. Red-Breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis):
L 4 1/2"
Winter. Nests NE of the US and Canada.
Climbs down tree trunks, head first.

12. House Wren (Troglodytes aedon): L 4 3/4"
Summer. Winters starting S of US.
Marvelous singer, this small bird's tail is always cocked and bobbing. The male fills several cavities and nesting boxes within its territory, with small sticks in order to keep competition away . The female then chooses one nest site and builds up on this base.

13. Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus): L 5"
Year round.
This small bird likes to fly very low to the ground from bush to bush in the garden.

14. Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis): L 7"
Year-round.
Magical bluebird! In danger of extinction, because of the loss of their nesting sites and the indiscriminate use of pesticides, bluebirds have greatly benefited from a systematic, concerted effort started in the Midwest in the 1950s to establish "bluebird trails" of nestboxes installed along roads and on farms. Their numbers are still below those previously recorded.

15. American Robin (Turdus migratorus): L 10"
Year-round.
"Harbinger of Spring" this bird is a year-round resident over almost all the U.S. territory.

16. Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis): L 8 1/2"
Summer. Winters from the S of US to Panama and the Caribbean islands.
Black cap and maroon underpants. This mimic sounds like a cat when alarmed and likes to bathe ebulliently at dusk.

17. Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata): L 11"
Year-round.
Noisy and loud, it is one of the most common birds.

18. Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum): L 7 1/4'
Year-round.
Feeds on fruits and berries, particularly cedar berries. Gregarious, he travels in tight groups. Shown with a bluebird.

19.Canada Warbler (Wilsonia canadensis): L 5 1/4"
Summer. Winters in South America.
Rare visitor.

20. Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis): L 7 3/4"
Year-round.
"In richness of plumage, elegance of motion and strength of song, this species surpasses all its kindred in the United States" (John James Audubon.) It is the official bird of 8 states. Unlike most other song birds, the female also sings.

21. Rose-Breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus): L 6"
Summer. Winters in the Caribbean islands, Mexico and NW South America.
The conspicuous male sits on the eggs and sings at the same time. The large sparrow-like female also sings. This marvelous bird, is not shy, sweet, even placid.

22. Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus): L 7 1/2"
Summer. Winters from NE of US to Florida and Guatemala.
The female is reddish brown where the male is black.

23. Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea):
L 5 1/2"
Summer. Winters in the Caribbean islands, Mexico and Central America.
Rare visitor.

24. House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus): L 6"
Year-round.
This bird, originally found only in the West, was introduced in the East in the 1940s when wild-bird dealers, about to be arrested, released their illegal merchandise. This highly adapatable bird has thrived, spread South and West, where it is expected to meet up with the original population in a not too-distant future. It has adapted to many different habitats, including large cities. Marvelous singer.

25. American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis): L 5"
Year-round.
This American "canary" with a sweet song is fond of catnip. Winter and Summer coats for the male.

26. White-Throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis): L 6 3/4"
Winter. Nests in Canada.
Two yellow dots between the eyes and the beak.

27. Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina): L 5 1/2"
Summer. Winters from S of US to Nicaragua.
This small bird is very sweet and builds a very small nest of dried grasses.

28. Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia): L 5 3/4" - 7 1/4"
Year-round.
Marvelous singer as its drab appearance does not suggest.

29. Dark-Eyed Junco (Junco hyenalis): L 6 1/4"
Winter. Nests in NE of US and Canada.
The "snow sparrow". The male is charcoal gray, the female a dark brown taupe. The beak is pink.

30. Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula): L 12 1/2"
Summer. Winters in S of US.
Black with an iridescent purple head.

31. Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius): L 6 3/4"
Summer. Winters from Mexico to the N of South America. The female is greenish on top, yellowish below with 2 white wing bars. The male is brick-red below and on the rump, the rest of the body is black.
Rare visitor.

32. Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula): L 8 1/4"
Summer. Winters in Central America and the N of South America.
A beauty.

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Other Birds Observed

1.Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis): L 18", W 48"
Year-round.
The most common bird of prey in the East. Very visible in winter, when perched on trees along roads and highways. In 1991, a male, the first ever red-tailed hawk, elected residence in Manhattan and nested on a building ledge high above Fifth Avenue. Nicknamed Pale Male, for the color of his coat, this extraordinary bird still occupies his territory and has become a true New York story (the subject of a PBS documentary.)
In July 2004, another nest was discovered in Central Park.

2. American Kestrel (Falco sparverius): L 8 1/2", W 21"
Year-round.
The smallest bird of prey, attracted by chipmunks around birdfeeders.

3. Northern flicker (Colaptes auratus): L 10 1/2"
Year-round.
Unlike other woodpeckers, the flicker feeds on the ground, on ants.

4. Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus): L 15"
Year-round.
Very large, spectacular bird. Rare visitor of the forest.

5. Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe): L 5 3/4"
Summer.
Winters in S. of U.S. and Mexico.
This insect eater flips its tail constantly. Builds a mud nest.

6.Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina): L 7"
Summer.
Winters from Mexico to Panama.
Likes to sing at nightfall at the edge of the forest.

7.Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus): L 6"
Summer.
Winters from central U.S. to Guatemala.
Rare visitor.

8. Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula): L 3 1/4"
During migration.
Rare visitor.

9.Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa): L 3 1/2"
Year-round.
Rare visitor.

10.Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia):
L 4 1/2"
Summer.
Winters from the S. of U.S.to the N. of South America.
Rare visitor.

11.Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dendroica coronata):
L 4 1/2"
Summer.
Winters from central U.S. to Panama.
Rare visitor.

12.Black-throated Blue Warbler (Dendroica caerulescens): L 4 1/2"
During migration.
Winters mostly in the Caribbean islands.
Rare visitor.

13.Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapillus): L 5"
Summer.
Winters from central U.S. to the N. of South America.
Rare visitor.

14.Common Yellow Throat (Geothlypis trichas): L 4 1/4"
Summer.
Winters in the Caribbean islands and from the S. of U.S. to Panama.
Rare visitor.

15.Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus):
L 7 1/4"
Year-round.
This common bird prefers a marshy environment.

16. Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater): L 6 1/2"
Year-round.
This parasitic bird deposits its eggs in another, usually smaller, species' nest leaving the chicks to be raised by these new parents.

17. Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea): L 6 1/4"
Summer.
Winters from Mexico to Brazil.
Beautiful bird. The female is greenish yellow, the juvenile can be bright orange.

18.Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus): L 7 1/4"
Winter.
Winters down to the S.E. of U.S. and Mexico. Nests in Canada.
Rare visitor.

19.Purple Finch (Carpodacus purpureus): L 5 1/2"
Year-round.
Deep wine-red throat.

20.Common Redpoll (Carduelis flammea): L 5 1/2"
Winter.
Nests in the Arctic Circle, N. Canada.
Rare even in winter. Travels in large groups.

21.Pine Siskin (Carduelis pinus): L 4 1/4"
Winter.
Nests in the N. of U.S. and Canada.
Travels in large groups.

22.White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys): L 5 3/4"
During migration.
Nests in the N. of Canada. Winters in the W. and S. of U.S., Mexico, Cuba.

23.Fox sparrow (Passerella iliaca): L 6 1/4"
During migration.
Nests in the N. of Canada. Winters in the S. of U.S.

(All illustrations are from Roger Tory Peterson's Birds of Quebec and the Northeast)

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Birdhouses

All attached to trees or hidden from view, except for bluebirds who like to nest in an open area.

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