A Canada jay pauses to rest in the fir trees of Mount Ranier State Park, Washington. Photo by Walter Siegmund / Wikimedia.

129 Shares

North America’s 10 Most Interesting Birds

If I asked you to produce a list of the top 10 most popular birds in North America, I am pretty sure you would be conjuring up images of large and/or glamorous species that are found everywhere, appear frequently in the popular literature and other media forms, and show up at feeders in backyards. BWD contributor Dr. David Bird decided to create his own top 10 list of North American birds based on those he deemed to have the most interesting behaviors. Find out what they are!

More In This Section

Poll question: How comfortable are you with spotting scopes? »

Taken from his new book, <em>Bird Homes and Habitats</em>, <em>BWD</em> editor Bill Thompson, III, profiles 11 common North American birds and their unique nests.

Poll question: Have you spied any nests in your backyard? »

Poll question: Have You Introduced Someone to Birding This Spring? »

American goldfinch at nyjer seed feeder. Photo by T. Smith.

Poll question: How often do you clean your feeders? »

Ruby-throated hummingbird (male). Photo by Bill Thompson, III

Poll question: How many hummingbirds have you seen in your yard this year? »

A bald eagle soars through the skies over Homer, Alaska. Photo by Arnie Berger

Poll Question: Vote for the National Bird! »

Common Nighthawk (Photo: Andy Reago and Chrissy McClarren / Wikimedia)

Don't Overlook These Summer Birds »

Hummingbirds don’t drink water, but their primary calorie intake is sugar in liquid form: nectar.

Poll question: Do you intentionally landscape your yard to attract birds? »

What is the thing that is the most magnetically attractive to your birds? Is it a special feeder or food? A water feature? We'd love to show some of our readers' best backyard attractants. Share yours via our website galleries. Photo by Julie Zickefoose.

Today's poll question: Do you have water features in your yard? »

Today's Poll Question: Have you attended or are you planning to attend a virtual birding festival? »

Young birder with binoculars. Photo by Bill Thompson, III.

Today's poll question: At what age did you become a birder? »

Poll question: How comfortable are you identifying fall warblers? »

Few bird watchers can resist stopping and watching when a white-breasted nuthatch appears in the backyard. Photo by G. McGarry.

Today's Poll Question: What apps do you like to use while birding? »

Poll question: Thanksgiving Tradition »

William Gorman, who lives in a wooded area near Albany, New York, rakes up acorns and saves them to feed wild turkeys. The birds are such regular visitors that he has experimented with their food preferences, also offering cracked corn, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, rice, and more.

Poll Question: What Are You Most Grateful For? »

A red-breasted nuthatch visits a backyard suet feeder. Photo by Shutterstock.

Poll Question: Unexpected Backyard Visitors? »

Bald eagle (adult). Photo by Wikimedia.

Poll Question: Have you seen a bald eagle in the wild? »

Poll Question: How many woodpecker species have you seen in your yard? »

Woodpeckers: The Vertical Birds »

From left to right: Nyjer seed, peanuts, millet, and cracked corn.

Poll question: What do you feed the birds in your yard? »

Snow buntings visit a backyard feeding station. Photo by Edward Bryenton.

Poll question: How Do You Help Birds in Bad Weather? »

American woodcock, photo by Wikimedia Commons

Poll question: Have you ever seen or heard an American woodcock? »

Poll question: When do you put up your hummingbird feeder? »

Wilson's warbler. Photo by Robin L. Edwards.

Poll question: Spring Migration Early This Year? »

BWD contributor Julie Zickefoose discovers a fast and easy recipe for feeding hummingbirds! Photo by Bill Thompson, III.

Poll question: Do you have hummingbird feeders? »

Optics expert Ben Lizdas considers the costs and benefits of Porro vs. roof-prism binoculars, various objective lens sizes and magnification, and more, to help readers decide which is the best binocular for their needs and comfort. Photo by Bill Thompson, III.

Poll Question: Have you ever participated in a Christmas Bird Count before? »

Birder with binoculars. Photo by Bill Thompson, III.

Poll Question: How Many Binoculars Do You Own? »

Poll Question: Do You Belong to a Local Bird Club? »

Finding Birds in Winter »

Poll Question: Do you listen to podcasts about birding and conservation? »

BWD field editor, naturalist, and author Julie Zickefoose hangs a new hummingbird feeder in her yard.

Poll Question: How Many Bird Feeders Do You Have in Your Yard? »

A Robin Needs Three Snows on Its Tail Before It’s Truly Spring »

Poll Question: Which of these bird call mnemonics is your favorite? »

Squirrels are a common pest at bird feeders. In our tips below, we suggest ways to deal with the furry menace. Photo by Sandra Myers.

Poll Question: Do You Intentionally Feed Squirrels? »

American goldfinch at nyjer seed feeder. Photo by T. Smith.

Poll Question: How would you describe your bird identification skills? »

Poll question: Do You Participate in eBird? »

The bald eagle's adult plumage, which everyone recognizes, is attained in the fourth year of the bird's life and replaced by identical feathers from then on.

How to Identify Bald Eagles, Young and Old »

Warbler watchers look up until we contract it: Warbler neck.
The neck becomes stiff and sore. It's a small price to pay for seeing such a beautiful bird. Photo by Dawn Hewitt.

Warbler Neck »

Blue Jay: Backyard Enigma »

Carbonated Warbler, a mystery bird painted and described by John James Audubon in the early 1800s.

Carbonated Warbler »

Chewink, now called Eastern Towhee. Illustration by John James Audubon.

Chewink »

Canada Jays, now called Gray Jays. Illustration by John Gerrard Keulemans.

Canada Jay »

Cherry-Birds, now called Cedar Waxwings. Illustration by Louis Agassiz Fuertes.

Cherry-Bird »

Louisiana Heron, now called the Tricolored Heron. Illustration by John James Audubon.

Louisiana Heron »

White-headed Eagle, now called the Bald Eagle. Illustration by John James Audubon.

White-headed Eagle »

Frog Hawk, now called the Northern Harrier. Illustration by John James Audubon.

Frog Hawk »

Black and White Creeper, now called the Black-and-white Warbler. Illustration by John James Audubon.

Black and White Creeper »

Poll Question: Will you travel outside the continental US in 2020 to experience birds and nature? »

Subscribe & Save!

ONE YEAR (6 ISSUES) of Bird Watcher's Digest magazine

GET FREE AND INSTANT ACCESS to our digital edition

SAVE 33% off newsstand prices

PAY ONE LOW PRICE of $19.99!