YOUR GUIDE TO NORTH AMERICAN SONGBIRDS

By Lauritzen Gardens

We often hear and see birds flying around our neighborhoods, but have you ever taken the time to look closely at the birds in your area?

Birdwatching can be a rewarding experience, offering opportunities to see and hear both common and rare songbirds. By listening for bird songs you can learn to ID birds by their distinctive calls. Check out these birdwatching tips from the National Wildlife Federation.

Learn more about North American songbirds with the experts at Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha, Nebraska.

American robin

5 common North American songbirds

With more than 300 North American songbird species, it’s likely you’ve encountered one of these birds. Find out how to tell common species apart.

1. American robin
   • Appearance: Gray-brown upper parts, bright orange-red breast, white lower belly and undertail, and a dark head
   • Identification: Known for its cheerful song and distinctive red breast
   • Habitat: Gardens, parks and woodlands, and often seen on lawns
2. Northern cardinal
   • Appearance: Bright red (males) or brown with warm red accents (females), black face mask
   • Identification: Vibrant color, crest on head and a distinctive song
   • Habitat: Woodlands, gardens and shrublands
3. Blue jay
   • Appearance: Blue upperparts, white underparts, black markings on face and neck, plus a blue crest.
   • Identification: Loud, jay! jay! calls and its blue color
   • Habitat: Forest edges, parks and gardens.
4. Eastern bluebird
   • Appearance: Bright blue upperparts, rusty or brick-red throat and breast, and a white belly
   • Identification: Soft warbling song and striking blue color
   • Habitat: Open woodlands, farmlands and orchards
5. Song sparrow
   • Appearance: Brown-streaked upperparts, white underparts with heavy brown streaks and central breast spot
   • Identification: Melodic, varied song and distinctive streaks
   • Habitat: Marshes, grasslands, gardens and forest edges

Song sparrow

5 rarest songbirds in the Midwest

Do you know Henslow’s sparrows? What about Baird’s sparrows? Get to know the five rarest songbirds in the Midwest.

1. Henslow’s sparrow
   • Appearance: Olive-colored head, light brown back with black streaks and short tail
   • Identification: High-pitched, insect-like song; elusive and secretive
   • Habitat: Tallgrass prairies and overgrown fields
2. Bell’s vireo
   • Appearance: Grayish-olive upperparts, white underparts, faint wing bars and white eye ring
   • Identification: Quick, repetitive song; small size
   • Habitat: Dense shrublands and thickets near water
3. Piping plover
   • Appearance: Sandy-colored upperparts, white underparts, black neckband and orange legs.
   • Identification: Clear whistled peep calls and distinctive black markings
   • Habitat: Sandy beaches and river sandbars.
4. Baird’s sparrow
   • Appearance: Buff-colored face, dark streaks on back, white belly.
   • Identification: Short, high-pitched song
   • Habitat: Native prairie grasslands
5. Sprague’s pipit
   • Appearance: Streaked brown upperparts, pale underparts and slender bill
   • Identification: High, thin song delivered in flight; shy and secretive
   • Habitat: Prairie grasslands

Many of these birds are part of the North American songbird Saving Animals From Extinction program, which focuses on 318 species of songbirds. Though songbirds aren’t listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, the program is focused on preserving, enhancing and building native habitats to ensure future generations can enjoy the beautiful sounds of songbirds. Learn more.

Blue jay

Where to find songbirds in Nebraska

The next time you’re in the Cornhusker state, be sure to look for these birds.

• American robin: Common across Nebraska in urban areas, forests and gardens
• Northern cardinal: Throughout eastern Nebraska, in wooded areas and suburban gardens
• Blue jay: Forests and urban areas across Nebraska, especially in the eastern regions
• Eastern bluebird: Open areas with scattered trees, such as parks and orchards
• Song sparrow: Found statewide in a variety of habitats, including marshes and woodlands
• Henslow’s sparrow: Rare, found in tallgrass prairies and overgrown fields, especially in southeastern Nebraska
• Bell’s vireo: Scarce, found in dense thickets and shrublands, particularly in eastern Nebraska.
• Piping plover: Rare, along sandy riverbanks and beaches, primarily in central and western Nebraska
• Baird’s sparrow: Very rare, in native prairie grasslands, mostly in western Nebraska
• Sprague’s pipit: Rare, in undisturbed prairie grasslands, particularly in western Nebraska

Keep an eye out for these species in their preferred habitats and enjoy the diverse avian life your state has to offer! Look for birding programs at local botanical gardens and nature centers or visit the National Audubon Society website to learn more about birding and bird conservation in your area.