Birds of North America, 2nd Edition

754 Pages·2016·63.54 MB·English

by  François Vuilleumier

BI R DS
O F N O R T H A M E R I C A
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BIRDS
O F N O R T H A M E R I C A
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Designers First American Edition, 2009
Pallavi Narain, Mahua Mandal,
This revised edition published
Govind Mittal
in 2016 in the United States by
Editors
DK Publishing
Aakriti Singhal, Alicia Ingty,
Pankhoori Sinha, Kingshuk Ghoshal 345 Hudson Street
AMERICAN MUSEUM
OF NATURAL HISTORY DTP Co-ordinator New York, New York 10014
Balwant Singh
Editor-in-chief Copyright © 2009, 2016 Dorling Kindersley Limited
François Vuilleumier DTP Designers
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Paul Sweet
Art Director 001 —288637—September 2016
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We dedicate this book to the
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CONTENTS
HOW THIS BOOK WORKS 6 SWIFTS AND HUMMINGBIRDS 348
EVOLUTION 8 TROGONS AND KINGFISHERS 368
ANATOMY AND FLIGHT 10 WOODPECKERS 373
MIGRATION 12 FALCONS AND CARACARAS 396
COURTSHIP AND MATING 14 PARAKEETS AND PARROTS 403
NESTS AND EGGS 16 NEW WORLD FLYCATCHERS 407
IDENTIFICATION 18 VIREOS, JAYS AND CROWS 442

SPECIES GUIDE 20 SWALLOWS, CHICKADEES AND TITMICE 474
NUTHATCHES AND WRENS 497
DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 21
THRUSHES, THRASHERS, WAGTAILS
QUAILS, GROUSE, TURKEYS, AND RELATIVES 66
AND PIPITS 521
LOONS 90
LONGSPURS AND SNOW BUNTINGS 555
GREBES 96
WOOD WARBLERS 561
TUBENOSES 104
AMERICAN SPARROWS, CARDINALS
STORKS, FRIGATEBIRDS, GANNETS, AND RELATIVES 611
CORMORANTS, AND ANHINGAS 124
ORIOLES AND BLACKBIRDS 668
PELICANS, HERONS, IBISES, AND RELATIVES 135
FINCHES 690
HAWKS, EAGLES, VULTURES, AND RELATIVES 154
OLD WORLD SPARROWS 707
RAILS, CRANES, AND RELATIVES 181
RARE SPECIES 710
SHOREBIRDS, GULLS, AUKS, AND RELATIVES 195
VAGRANTS 728
PIGEONS AND DOVES 305
CUCKOOS 315 Glossary 736
OWLS 321 Index 739
NIGHTJARS 340 Acknowledgments 751
AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
The American Museum of Natural History, founded in 1869, is Lifelong studies of birds make François Vuilleumier uniquely qualified
one of the world’s preeminent scientific, educational, and cultural to be Editor-in-Chief of Birds of North America. After obtaining a Ph.D.
institutions. The Museum encompasses 45 permanent exhibition at Harvard University, he started a long association with the American
halls, including the Rose Center for Earth and Space and the Museum of Natural History in New York City. Past Chairman of the
Hayden Planetarium, as well as galleries for temporary exhibitions. Department of Ornithology, he is now Curator Emeritus. His research
The Museum’s five active research divisions and three cross- has taken him all over the world, especially South America. Author of
disciplinary centers support approximately 200 scientists, whose about 250 papers and one book, Dr. Vuilleumier taught ornithology at
work draws on a world-class permanent collection of more than the College of the Atlantic, Bar Harbor, Maine. He has watched birds
33 million specimens and artifacts, as well as specialized collections from the Canadian High Arctic and south to Mexico. His life list is
for frozen tissue and genomic and astrophysical data, and one of the about 4,000 species, and he is familiar in the field with all but a handful
largest natural history libraries in the world. Annual attendance has of the species treated in this book.
grown to approximately 5 million, and the Museum’s exhibitions
and Space Shows can be seen in venues on five continents. The CONSULTANT
Museum’s website and collection of apps for mobile devices extend Paul Sweet was born in Bristol, England, and has been interested in
its collections, exhibitions, and educational programs to millions natural history for as long as he can remember. After completing a
more beyond its walls. Visit amnh.org for more information. degree in zoology at the University of Liverpool, he worked at the
Raffles Museum in Singapore. In 1991 he moved to the American
Museum of Natural History, where he is now the Collection
Manager of the Ornithology Department, the largest bird
collection in the world.
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s HOW THIS BOOK WORKS
k
r
o
w
k
o This guide covers just under 900 North American
o
b
s bird species. The species are organized into three COMMON SPECIES
hi The main section of the book features the
t sections—the first profiles common North American
w 659 most commonly seen bird species in
o species, with each given full-page treatment; the
H the North American region. Each entry
second covers rarer birds in quarter-page entries;
is clear and detailed, following the same
the third section consists of a list of rare visitors. easy-to-access structure.
GROUP NAME
INTRODUCTION
The common name of the group
The species are organized
each species belongs to is at the ds Order Passeriformes Family Icteridae Species Icterus galbula
conventionally by order, family, top of each page. bir Baltimore Oriole
and genus. This means that related Black
ba igrdros uapp pienatrro tdougcettihoenr., Tprheec ebdoeodk by CINO FMLMIGOHNT NAME Orioles and baotanlraiadlcn kg e wblhacitke -wedinggesd oyerallnogwe -head black head
follows the most up-to-date avian Illustrations show the bird in black back
classification system, based on the flight, from above and/or below— orange-yellow MALE
shoulder patch (1ST FALL)
latest scientific research. differences of season, age, or sex MALE sbtlruaeig-ht
are not always visible. gray bill
IN FLIGHT
orange black
DESCRIPTION rump upper
Orioles and Blackbirds FaTmoesaso OGamOmponnvcfeoiRde eledlcnicyr mcrtue oeoIIayis dHrOcrretormbRa atoriEsyhlenvceLliw p yrnariIgeroEiCa eaasbedrgrrl rSvTr seia da piaitIebc Efeor taltroyaRuyeeiotlegOlvm eh I lmncitDeelsanhoaoi lxSvzgt wy am ecotNiee tord o,d x oeLme taroarebrmhl—xa strymochetibt e hsnhE otft pthsverbuo s lseAoaa ogilt iasanfnmchrfmtymSc u od cc skn teo atoot owbhesshrnm nhltsiietoe iArctarge idi dadra nw nv,sseesb. tp ign.Tssoinibe,np reNncOehrcgdrsiadao eeetsrbnri.aes li lnl ootdaIryt,gctelf n, eDsu kn,s i dl e a sr e BBAlpaabstmotfdMaohhodporunrsLroeemidpg Eir lms tnstAl eiebheLhetiAnttala o rC eeyegnaranoeD ida n rutretctKcmne hl hAmdOoobyin cemBeaiiv niaengeiWlcmrerml.tIp r rgos irIRoNa nrose lcCeaettsouLedntri neoDsoersesn sAgadt euiirantsb vSnd igm oatR.tdeia h sgarnKd afs ldeiKset,i,sal ien ss sagr t rSeknhs d, d tfBt ehaitsh SAddgaiUelIstrrphrkBolos,aR ,Tuut yhagspLe nhaE Cdo i btosB fe mt DapRhbulmuieItrmLoiifdnruLa s lgI Gl iAoSeriris adnNi sce gkCs lc,e Ee n ce. CeiVAcwnaso OhcsdlnlleesueIvrn sdCaeetci nyinrEpasidgpol t:tcsshihsooeiannb mrg laeosac.f, tigtnehir vfe eoe asnf pt tupehrhceeio essn spae’e nt cidcie asll y yruebofmellrlaaoapcttnwhwkg- eoeotra lsoi ivl uewt eitrh t aioul lpivpee rparts puanldee orpraanrtgse MALE ournadnegrep abrrtesast
ctoo mNmorotnh Atrompeirciacla t. oT hsuebirt rionptricicaal tsee ahsaonngailn mg ingersatns ts TEahseterer na raen jdu Wst etwsteor nsp Mecieeasd ionw tlhairsk g, brouut pt,h tehye are wing bars
awtoreelea arvnainn icgme. Mpforeors sshti vusepm ecaconimes,s babi nocoaatsmito ban im noaeft lieoondngi oitnhueaste srmoinnaggk eaasnn dd nacpoeavurentr)tt.r hyBe, ilbredossst hod ifss potiepncecientis v e (although difficult to tell NESTING FEMALE
tChOemW poBpIuRlaDr tShroughout their range. hbwraiivtgheh aat- cbyhelaalclrokawc bt eicbrhi seatnsitcd a The type of nest and its usual location; The Baltimore Oriole’s brilliant colors are familiar to many
Tliftanohyh ueN einersgd oetg rh isstni thcir n kNiac ntbtohldiyrle tl S hpnao anAeurdsamtt hssdi e toAairrfcim kc cb,a leoi irrarsdiiredces ae tr.hos eAca ae3vldlne0 itt 0lh byp r edlieeudiefnmef e snkpratengeinfceoite.iw edsspn be tyco ie s sBAvmwo IaMiGcneeeye Va irtsduO oarsaIiw dnlC lelagaEfrinikn nd’isnsg cgma vfepeloeoastdi.uc ioreeu. sin tnhuem nbuemr boef rb orof oedgsg isn i na aye calur;t cthhe; the hnuesmtinainng s,e . baTsuthte irDsn su pNteccohire tEsh l omArm igdeiinsreiacalaslye b fdeaecvcaouirmseeda tt ehthdise t bAhiermdse ei rst irsceoae nst.o TElelhrmean ofto rorio f le dFoLwIGnsHtroTk:e ss tdrounrign gw fitlihg hrat ppirdo wvidineg g breeaatt sp; ofuwlle r.
NTBinhatEelot C immthTaoegAr benR aiOfsi cerLie ooOnlfet Vl ayin EcfsloRoelwro trsee rid,t st a bkiilnl g breeding season. htaalsl tsrienecse aasd naepstteidn gt os iutessi.n Igt ss yabcailmityo rteos , ucsoet tsounbuwroboadns ,g aanrdde nost haenrd
tinh ep onlelicntaatr,i obnu.t playing no part parks has helped expand its range to incorporate areas densely
FEEDING occupied by humans.
How, where, and what the VOICE Loud, clear, melodious song comprising several short
notes in series, often of varying lengths.
species feeds on. NESTING Round-bottomed basket usually woven of grass, hung
toward the end of branches; 4–5 eggs; 1 brood; May–July.
PERFECT FOR FORAGING
SIMILAR SPECIES FEEDING Hops or flits among leaves and branches picking insects The Baltimore Oriole forages alone in dense
Similar-looking species are identified and spiders; fond of caterpillars; also eats fruit and sips nectar. foliage of trees and bushes or on the ground.
668 OCCURRENCE
and key differences pointed out. SIMILAR SPECIES Forest edges and tall, open
ORCHARD ORIOLE BULLOCK’S ORIOLE black mixed hardwoods, especially
LENGHT, WINGSPAN, see p.683 see p.685 eyeline close to rivers; regularly uses
MAPS AND WEIGHT doaverkraelrl ibnlcaockm hpoleotde orange faonrde suterbda pna arkresa, ss uwbiuthrb an
Length is tip of tail to tip of bill; chestnut cheeks abundant tall trees. Small
colored huge numbers winter in southeastern
In this book, North America is the region measurements are averages or ranges. belly wpahticthe US and Florida, but most birds
move to Mexico, Colombia,
from the southern tip of Florida and the US– and Venezuela.
SOCIAL
Mexico border to the Canadian High Arctic.
The social unit the species is Length 8–10in (20–26cm) Wingspan 10–12in (26–30cm) Weight 11⁄16–11⁄4oz (30–35g)
Each profile includes a map showing the
usually found in. 688 Social Solitary/Pairs Lifespan Up to 11 years Status Secure
range of the species, with colors reflecting
seasonal movements. LIFESPAN
The average or maximum life
KEY
expectancy.
Resident
all year STATUS MAPS
SYMBOLS
S ummer The conservation status of the species; See panel, left. The
distribution the symbol (p) means the data available occurrence caption
2 Male 9 Spring
Winter can only suggest a provisional status. describes the bird’s
distribution The term “Localized” suggests that the 1 Female 8 Summer preferred habitats and
S een on species may be widespread but 5 Juvenile 6 Autumn range within the North
migration restricted to smaller areas of suitable 4 Immature 7 Winter American region.
habitat and climatic conditions.
6
006-007_US_Birds_of_NA.indd 6 19/04/16 2:14 pm
H
RARE SPECIES o
w
Over 60 less common
CTpfahrLmoevA itlioydS,pe Sas bnI tFadhnI esCd ps AeocicfTe ieenIsatO icfnhiNca meonredtsre y(r ,s e e aSWsRfwpfOVFsoouaonaAOmCebuliutrdilclDiCdIutonltrl yaCs-hwUerw Ud ,eIk bEowcsLht RptinaToh faneea nrRoenerCsrgek itow ddElg-a byautaw adN-nlhot erlt rhhC d hefslabawaiedtrn enEerre obleeneraatrdy uae.r l nnsb yeDkc.pgccd les aCheooirekdcnty lmrkaiiCo, e tn eltbirimrhvegfer doenei udossohur ts enc USnrrenhvShaapaO adeiytsrenfSladreeror cgA e. seoriy eaanTceptas mrnnm- ra.k ohcIudrdcih-c tei tbs sborsecrso,o r aaoiuupouccslus-naiatke corpth mhekhbmattunehrodnlsseioaaarr,tsd rooculnsCOta lnkk-alayn ac tkM ort hdAusaisr eostrebeaeeilxlez tneio c iainsonn a d rsMAli2OVFavPonoaani0rOm Ctsotndic,tiebi0tklCIgll reyoCocSi0i b Ul;nCar sotE0rt eK. aRg yetf r Ml oi wafeeecrRnISeFwnaep dshaadSnEarllldfsbes iatiairtttiat,oN gihyat onvttr.deun iMheciwhesL tiaCdpvkraddr’tieteupevsysas kE c uw .B wc mee ss Kg o aha r u ropBtwrlflBIoaaasle nn sy, yti rarlnal th aa ’etursi c nnenb embeB dddlgunw euu Is,z .bi sswinniztlidrnact e;iSien it atepnhnrshldeodp gec scrwi a ge enBknosahu ydePndi mlr c e atitachrhnwbtner egeoaido t rps S s hsoio eisefcmoanenc.lwa aiaHOxltsea eihrracody- lcnptl haieaIssraslliblalnoyaon nnr deadusl s. Orioles and Blackbirds/Longspurs/American Sparrows bpioscneoiprcr d.ntdt7ehiss1oire s a0n turs –,eaos 7tem fhpd2 oeer 7eisn .neg sAee r etnorchnrtuleaeetpr ndami rg e oesa nidn this book works
F(NEOMNABLREE EDING)
glossary, pp.736–38 for full Length 8 –9in (20 –23cm) Wingspan 10 –12in (25–30cm) Length 6¾ in (17cm) Wingspan 14in (36cm) photograph of the
definitions of these terms). Family Emberizidae Species Amphispiza quinquestriata Family Emberizidae Species Sporophila torqueola species accompanied
Five-striped Sparrow White-collared Seedeater
Tbrheee dFiinvge -ssptarriproewd sS ipna rNroowrt his Aonmee roifc ath, ew ritahre pste rohf aaplls Abrse emda niny tarso p4i0c aslp Aecmieesr oicfa S, bpourto pohnillya steheed Weahteitre m-ay by a description of
as few as 100 pairs in total, all of which are found collared Seedeater is found as far north as the US.
only in southern Arizona. While females have an unremarkable appearance,
CBAONLODR OslsolooCcupaCtelVhlUsywO, RuciaInhRCpr di EEsrt ooN tp ou sCCa t, ChbEtaieol hnlr u iBnkaht l ruAi6lenoa,er5wghdiz0sus ,o0 taoaunf ntanra pnd(, 2s;dt t h,te s0rSoeei0onpln0ln, sg mm ao iranro)i a dtsra eee ibmrn rosci poevoMeesum r enossmxetefaai dcomi n lonewu .vl ysieit lch; a l ssmOVfroeoOCranmilCIgeeCs sUs aE hooR sau fRwvC twehEea eNehallat iCsd,ss ttEgaiels eo rtn insWlna d Tcsfeatieeinlxv dcweayhs i b n-fslioklaei!uckl dketahs- n, awdann adwrd-dh wm eteohar ir!Pt;se ha nyp algumrmaas.asglaen.ds, the bird.
oles and Blackbirds OBbaordnlraaedcnr k gP aea ssletrifiormmeswb lhaocitke -werdingegesd OFarmilyi Iocterlideae oyerallnogwe -head Specibelsa cIckt heeruads galbula Tbtoaohrafe pene dcaainoscnf hldoao trreb- mntcohotatredttyo ie omdn Lengtwbhe h l6liytien (1s5eccmo)n d-lonouglpiv ppee-arbpuraosrWewtssinn.g spAanD 8UiwsohnLtneT rh(ia gu2pitd0rneeacds ym e )rparts aLennF(dgBEt RhMt Er 4AiEl½buDLlsuniEI.n fdN f(eyG1r bu1p)rpcaomprwte)s rnp arts Wingspan 6¼ in (16cm) 727
Ori tail for each family.
black back
VAGRANTS
oshraonugldee-yr epllaotwch (M1SATL EF A LL) straight Vagrants TtHhEa Lt ISoTc TcHuAr To FnOlyLL vOeWryS CrOarNeSlyIS TinS ONF osprtehc ies breya cah s earlmieso ostf ailsll atnhdes w, tahye aAclreoustsi athnes, Bthearti ng
MALE blue- PHOTOGRAPHS Acomnetirniecan t(adl eUfinSe).d V aags rCanantsa tdoa Nanodr tthh eA merica SeaT htoe Soicbceurriare. nce of these species is
gray bill These illustrate the species in different views and aHrreimvei sfprhoemre bs—othp atrhteic uNlaorrltyh Seribne arniad, aSnodu oththerenr cAlasssosicfiieadti obny atsh era Arem, cearsiucaaln, oBri radcicnidge ntal
IN FLIGHT parts of Russia, and Mexico, as well as depending on how often they have been
oruramnpge bulpapcekr plumage variations. Significant differences relating Eapnluadrc oeOpde ct,e oCa nreeinac.te rTiavhle ea b nUidr dSSs oa tnuhdtah tC Aaarmen aebdrloaic waar,n eA owfrffei clla , scbeoiermdns,m aanreend t s tesheeincs t tieeovrnemr oyinn yo eelaaorcg, hyb usipst euicnsi eeldos. w iRn atrhee
breast to age, sex, and season (breeding/nonbreeding) are course from eastern Asia, mainly crossing the numbers. Casual visitors have been seen in
black tail with Bering Sea in the Pacific, and from Europe North America at least half a dozen times,
oferaatnhgeer souter tail orange shown and the images labeled accordingly; if there is aAonfl davs aAkgafr rahincaatss , acb rpeoacsrastuiincsgeu lttahhreely Aw hteilgsatnhet ricnco. nWticpee sinstte rfroantri mone d iACncaccnluiadddeiann ogta rlt htshpreeee cU iseiSsg hhntaoivn emg sbo iernee n tth hreea nclao fsritdv 3ee0 dt iyminee ars.s.
underparts no variation, the images have no label. Unless stated
COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME FAMILY/SCIENTIFIC NAME DESCRIPTION
yruemllopw-olive oulpivpee rparts MALE otherwise, the bird shown is an adult. DT T uauingcdkars aB, eGBaeenae-nsGe-oG, ooasonesd e S wans A Annsseerr sfearbrairloiss tris A Annaattiiddaaee//GGeeeessee tRNc Rooaao arrSreestWth vvCe iiAssraiinlnttaoo aEsrrkdu ffaarrro ooapmmned RNt Uou A SsPssaiiaac i af incd
FLIGHT PATTERNS Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus Anatidae/Geese A CIcatelslauannatldi cf, racoonmads GtEurereonplea ntod ,
pale orange This feature illustrates and briefly describes the way the L esser White-fronted Goose A nser erythropus A natidae/Geese AAanctlcdai dnUetSinct caol afrsot mof ECuarnaasidaa t o
two underparts species flies. See panel below. Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis Anatidae/Geese NP Cra oEsuvuiranolc pfereso ,t mCoa Gtnhraeed eMan,a laarnnitddim UaenS d
wing bars Common Pochard Aythya ferina Anatidae/Ducks Rceanretr avils Aitsoira ftroo mW EAulraospkae and
FEMALE Falcated Duck Anas falcata Anatidae/Ducks Casual from Asia to W Alaska
The Baltimore Oriole’s brilliant colors are familiar to many VAGRANTS BEaasiktearl nT eSaplo t-billed Duck AAnnaass fzoornmoorhsay n cha AAnnaattiiddaaee//DDuucckkss SWp A CWras oisAa uvAnliaanl lasdc kfseurkascoa kaam;nn cddEa siAsnutsa aiwtale eitsnso t e rn
in eastern North America because this bird is so tolerant of FLIGHT: strong with rapid wing beats; full Very rare visitors and peripheral bird White-cheeked Pintail Anas bahamensis Anatidae/Ducks Ctoa sFuloarl ifdrao man tdh eth Cea Griublbf ecaona st
hnhueassm tsiinanngcs, e. bT auhdt iaDsp stupetedcc htioe Es ulomsrin igdgii nsseyaalcslayem fdaoevrcoeirmse, dact oetthdteo t nAhwemsoeeo rtdirces,ae nas.n TEdlh moet hofoerrrio le downstrokes during flight provide great power. species are listed at the back of the book TW Y ueabllnoedwneo-rnsineogsse Adl bAalbtraotsrso ss Dc Thhiolaomlraoesrsdhaeryacnh ceehx ou sla ns D Diioommeeddeeiiddaaee//AAllbbaattrroosssseess S ASaC onacAucdstuit dlGhaaeenlu nrftltnfrica o c Hlmoo fecar emIosnatmisdnsip sao htncoee a raAenntdsla on ft ic
tall trees as nesting sites. Its ability to use suburban gardens and with a brief description, including where 728 White-capped Albatross Thalassarche cauta Diomedeidae/Albatrosses CSoausutha lP taoc iPfaiccific coast from
parks has helped expand its range to incorporate areas densely the species is from.
occupied by humans.
VOICE Loud, clear, melodious song comprising several short
notes in series, often of varying lengths.
NESTING Round-bottomed basket usually woven of grass, hung FLIGHT PATTERNS
toward the end of branches; 4–5 eggs; 1 brood; May–July.
PERFECT FOR FORAGING
FEEDING Hops or flits among leaves and branches picking insects The Baltimore Oriole forages alone in dense
and spiders; fond of caterpillars; also eats fruit and sips nectar. foliage of trees and bushes or on the ground. Simple line diagrams are used to illustrate eight
OCCURRENCE basic flight patterns.
SIMILAR SPECIES Forest edges and tall, open Sparrowhawk-like: straight, with several quick,
OseReC pH.6A8R3D ORIOLE BseUeL LpO.6C8K5’S ORIOLE beylaeclikn e mcloixseed t oh arrivdewrso;o rdesg,u elasprleyc uiaslelys deep beats between short, flat glides.
doaverkraelrl ibnlcaockm hpoleotde orange faonrde suterbda pna arkresa, ss uwbiuthrb an
chestnut cheeks abundant tall trees. Small
colored huge numbers winter in southeastern
belly white US and Florida, but most birds Gull-like: continually flapping, with slow, steady
patch
move to Mexico, Colombia,
and Venezuela. wing beats wing beats.
Length 8–10in (20–26cm) Wingspan 10–12in (26–30cm) Weight 11⁄16–11⁄4oz (30–35g)
688 Social Solitary/Pairs Lifespan Up to 11 years Status Secure Woodpecker-like: bursts of wing beats
between deeply undulating glides. Duck-like: continually flapping, with fast wing
beats.
MAPS HABITAT/BEHAVIOR
See panel, left. The Additional photographs reveal the Finch-like: light, bouncy action with flurries of Kite-like: deep, slow wing beats between
occurrence caption species in its typical habitat or wing beats between deep, undulating glides. soaring glides.
describes the bird’s show the bird exhibiting typical
preferred habitats and behavior.
range within the North Grouse-like: bursts of wing beats between Swallow-like: swooping, with bursts of wing
American region. short, straight glides. beats between glides.
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006-007_US_Birds_of_NA.indd 7 19/04/16 12:45 pm
n EVOLUTION
o
ti
c
u
d
o Ornithologists agree that birds evolved from
r
t
n
I dinosaurs about 150 million years ago, but there is
still debate about the dinosaur group from which they
descended. Around 10,000 species of birds exist today,
living in many different kinds of habitat across the world,
from desert to Arctic tundra.
SPECIATION
What are species and how do they evolve? Species
are biological entities. When two species of a genus
overlap they rarely interbreed and produce hybrids. The
Northern Flicker has an eastern (yellow-shafted) and a
western (red-shafted) form; because of the discovery that
they interbreed in the Great Plains, ornithologists now
consider these two forms to be a single species. In other cases,
MISSING LINK? a previously single species, such as the Sage-Grouse, has been
Archaeopteryx, shown here as
divided. Such examples illustrate how species evolve, first by
a 145-million-year-old fossil, had
geographic separation, followed in time by overlap. This process
dinosaur-like teeth and a long tail,
but birdlike feathers. can take millions of years.
BIRD GENEALOGY
The diagram below is called a phylogeny, and shows how evidence, which allows ornithologists to estimate when
selected groups of birds are related to each other. The timescale different lineages of birds diverged. The names of groups shown
at the top of the diagram is derived from both fossil and DNA in bold are those living in North America.
MILLIONS OF YEARS AGO
150 125 100 75 50 25 0
Ratites, Tinamous
Quails, Grouse, Turkeys, and Relatives
Neornithes Ducks, Geese, and Swans
Button quails
Woodpeckers, Barbets, Honeyguides, Toucans
Jacamars, Puffbirds, Hoopoes, Hornbills, Trogons, Rollers, Bee-eaters, Todies, Motmots, Kingfishers
Colies
Cuckoos, Hoatzin
Parrots, Caracaras and Falcons
Swifts, Hummingbirds
Turacos, Owls, Nightjars
Pigeons
Cranes, Rails
Sandgrouse, Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns, Auks
Hawks, Eagles, Vultures, and Relatives
Grebes
Tropicbirds
Gannets, Cormorants
Herons, Ibises, Flamingos, Pelicans, Storks, New World Vultures
Frigatebirds, Penguins, Loons, Petrels, Albatrosses
Passeriformes (songbirds)
150 125 100 75 50 25 0
8
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