Green birds are some of the most beautiful creatures found in Indiana. Their bright colors and unique calls make them a joy to watch and listen to. With over 300 bird species in the state, it can be hard to know where to start looking for these green birds.
Fortunately, Indiana is home to many species of green birds, such as American Robins, Cedar Waxwings, and Northern Cardinals. Whether a beginner or an experienced birder, you can find plenty of green birds in Indiana to observe and appreciate.
12 Green Birds in Indiana
If you are a bird lover, you might be interested in learning about some of the green birds that live in Indiana. Green is not a very common color among birds, but there are a few species that have some green feathers or iridescence.
Here are 12 green birds that you can find in Indiana.
1. Green Heron
The green heron is a small species of heron that is native to areas of North and Central America. Its scientific name, Butorides virescens, is derived from Middle English and Latin and can be translated to mean “greenish bittern.”
The word “butor”, which is of Middle English origin, means bittern, or a type of heron. The suffix “-oides” is of Ancient Greek origin and translates to”r”. Finally, the Latin word “virescens” means “greenish.”
Combined, these words create the scientific name for the green heron, which accurately describes the species’ color. The green heron is a small species of heron that has a body length of around 45 centimeters and a wingspan of around 68 centimeters.
Its plumage is a greenish color, and its neck and chest are a light grey. Its legs are yellowish-green, and its bill is black.
The green heron prefers inhabitants and slow-moving streams and is a solitary wader that mainly feeds on fish, amphibians, insects, and small mammals.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Butorides |
| Species | B. virescens |
2. Mallard
The mallard or wild duck is a species of duck that is found across many parts of the world. It is a dabbling duck, meaning that it feeds on the surface of the water rather than diving.
It is primarily found in the temperate and subtropical regions of the Americas; Eurasiawater’s surface to its popularity, the mallard has been introduced to many other areas beyond its natural range.
These include New Zealand, Australia, Peru, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, the Falkland Islands and South Africa.
Its introduction to these areas has been successful and the mallard is now a common sight in many of these regions. The mallard is an essential species in many parts of the world due to its popularity as a game bird and in the environment.
It is a keystone species in many wetlands, providing food and habitat for other ani. Finally, its droppings are an essential source of nutrients for the soil.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Anas |
| Species | A. platyrhynchos |
3. Eurasian Teal
The Eurasian teal, also known as the common teal or Eurasian green-winged teal, is a species of duck that is found all over temperate Eurosiberia. It is a very common and widespread species and is a dabbling duck, which means it is the water’s surface.
The teal is the most prevalent small dabbling duck in much of its range, which is why it is often referred to as simp water’s surfacing the winter; the Eurasian teal will migrate south, usually to more temperate regions.
It is a sociable bird, and often forms large flocks when in migration or during the winter. The Eurasian teal is a small, medium-sized duck, withfriendlyveraging around 50 cm in length and females slightly smaller.
The adult male has a chestnut head, a grey-brown back, and a white throat and belly. The adult female is much pleasureful, having a mottled brown back and a creamy-white face and throat.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Anas |
| Species | A. crecca |
4. New World Warblers
The New World warblers, also known as wood-warblers, are a family of birds that are native to the Americas. They are classified as passerine birds, meaning they have a long, narrow beak and are typically brightly colored.
This family, Parulidae, is distinct from the meaning warbler family and is not related to Australian warblers, which belong to a different family altogether.
The New World warblers are found across the Americas, from Alaska to Argentina, and inhabit various habitats, including forests, woodlands, and swamps.
They feed primarily on insects and other small invertebrates and typically various omes in tree cavities or the forks of trees. Some of the most notable species of New World warblers include the American redstart, the magnolia warbler, and the yellow-rumped Warbler.
These birds are essential to their local ecosystems, and the decline of some species has been linked to habitat destruction and other environmental issues.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Parulidae |
5. Green-Winged Teal
The American teal, also known as the green-winged teal, is a species of duck that is found across North America, with the exception of the Aleutian Islands. It is a widely distributed species found in the north of the continent.
It was an except species as the Eurasian teal, but further study concluded that it is distinct.
The American teal is a relatively small species of duck, with a body length of around 17 inches and a wingspan of just under two feet. It has a bright green head and neck, with a light brown body and wings, and a white patch beneath its chin.
During the breeding season, males have distinctive blue patches on their wings that can be seen in flight.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Anas |
| Species | A. carolinensis |
6. Ovenbird
The Ovenbird is a small songbird of the New World warbler family. It is a migratory bird species, which means it will migrate from one place to another in different parts of the year.
In the summer, it breeds in eastern North America ameaninginter; it travels further south to Central America, many islands, Florida, and northern Venezuela.
The Ovenbird typically builds a nest on the ground in leaf litter, which looks like an oven, hence the bird’s name. It feeds on insects and other invertebrates, which it catches by hopping along the ground or through low vegetation.
The Ovenbird is a common sight in both open and wooded areas, particularly in deciduous forests, although it can also be found in grasslands and other habitats.
The species is very common throughout its range and is considered to be of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Parulidae |
| Genus | Seiurus |
| Species | S. aurocapilla |
7. Kentucky Warbler
The Kentucky Warbler is a small passerine bird native to North America. It is a member of the New World warbler family. This species is characterized by its sluggish and heavy body, with a short tail.
It can be seen foraging on the ground, and can occasionally be seen in low vegetation such as shrubs and trees. The Warbler prefers to stay on or near the ground, a rare occasional vegetation.
The Warbler is often heard singing its distinctive song from low vegetation or on the ground. The song consists of a series of loud, clear whistles, and can often be heard in the early morning or late afternoon.
The Kentucky Warbler is a species of conservation concern, with its population due to deforestation and habitat fragmentation. Conservation efforts to protect its habitat are ongoing.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Parulidae |
| Genus | Geothlypis |
| Species | G. formosa |
8. Black-Throated Green Warbler
The black-throated green Warbler is a species of songbird belonging to the New World warbler family. It is a small bird, typically measuring between 4.3 and 5.1 inches. Its wingspan is between 5.5 and 6.7 inches, weighing 0.35 and 0.5 ounces.
The black-throated green Warbler is a migratory species, and its range includes much of the eastern United States and parts of Canada. Its breeding range is more limited, extending from southeastern Canada to the Appalachian Mountains.
The bl and green Warbler is greenish-olive on its back, and yellowish-white on its belly. Its throat and breast are black, and it has two white wing bars. Males and females look alike, although males tend to be brighter in color during the breeding season.
The floating green warbler feeds primarily on insects and occasionally berries and seeds. It forages for food in low shrubs and trees, often hovering as it searches for prey. Its song is a series of high-pitched, sharp notes, which is how it gets its name.
The black-throated green Warbler is an essential species in forest ecosystems, helping to control insect populations and providing food for other animals.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Parulidae |
| Genus | Setophaga |
| Species | S. virens |
9. Hooded Warbler
The Hooded Warbler is a species of bird native to North America. It breeds in eastern parts of the United States and Canada during the warmer months and migrates to Central America and the West Indies for the winter.
This species is an uncommon vagrant in Western Europe, meaning that it is rarely seen in this region. The Hooded Warbler belongs to a group of birds known as New World warblers.
This family of birds is distinguished by their brightly colored feathers, active foraging behavior, and as. They typically prefer to live in woodland or shrubland habitats, where they can forage for insects and other small invertebrates.
The Hooded Warbler is a medium-sized bird, measuring up to 13 cm in length. It has a distinctive yellowish-green head with a black crown stripe and yellowish underparts. Its upper parts are olive-brown, and it has a white eye ring and white wing bars.
Along with a pointed bill, it was used to forage for food. The Hooded Warbler is a social bird, often seen foraging in small flocks. Its diet consists mainly of insects and other small invertebrates, which it finds feeding among the leaves and branches.
During the breeding season, its song is a loud series of buzzy notes. Overall, the Hooded Warbler is a bird species native to Itsn vagrant in Western Europe.
During the breeding season, it is a medium-sized, colorful bird that is easily identified by its distinctive yellowish-green head and black crown stripe. It inhabits woodland and shrublacolorfults and small flocks of insects and other invertebrates.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Parulidae |
| Genus | Setophaga |
| Species | S. citrina |
10. Mexican Violetear
The Mexican violetear is a type of medium-sized hummingbird found in the forests of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Its metallic green and distinctive violet ear patch recognizes it.
The Mexican violetear was once thought to be the same species as the lesser violetear, and both were collectively known as the green violetear. However, recent research has demonstrated that they are separate species.
The Mexican violetear is typically found in high-altitude habitats, whereas the lesser violetear prefers lowland areas. Both species have relatively small ranges and are considered to be vulnerable to habitat loss and destruction.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Clade | Strisores |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae |
| Genus | Colibri |
| Species | C. thalassinus |
11. Northern Parula
The northern parula is a species of New World warbler, belonging to the family Parulidae. It is a small songbird, with an average length of around 4.5 inches.
Its natural breeding habitat is found in Eastern North America, from as far south as Floria up into southern Canada. The northern parula is distinguishable from other warblers due to its blue-grey upperparts, yellow throat, and bright yellow-orange breast.
It prefers to nest in deciduous trees and will use a variety of trees for feeding, including oaks, hickories, and other hardwoods. During the breeding season, the northern parula’s diet consists mainly of insects, larvae, and spiders gleaned from tree foliage.
It migrates south in winter, heading to Central America and the Caribbean. It will eat small fruits, such as berries, and insects in its wounds.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Parulidae |
| Genus | Setophaga |
| Species | S. americana |
12. Great Crested Flycatcher
The great crested flycatcher is a large, insect-eating bird that belongs to the tyrant flycatcher family. It is found in many parts of North America, including much of the eastern and mid-western regions.
The flycatcher prefers to stay in the treetops and is rarely seen at ground level—this most widely spread member of its genus, Myiarchus, is in North America. The great crested flycatcher has a distinctive crest, which is usually rufous or olive-brown in color.
Its upperparts are a grayish-brown, while the underparts are a paler gray. Its wings are rounded, its tail is long, its poi bill is slightly hooked, and it has a distinctive black eye stripe on its face.
This bird feeds mainly on insects but may eat some fruits and seeds. It huts food mainly by flycatching, which involves catching insects mid-air. It is also known to search for food on the ground but rarely does so.
The great crested flycatcher is generally a solitary bird that usually mates for life. The male is responsible for building the nest, which is usually situated in a hole in a tree.
The female will then lay a clutch of two to five eggs, which she and the male will incubate for approximately eight weeks. The young birds will remain in the nest for another two to three weeks before they are able to fly.
The great crested flycatcher is an essential insect control species and a great asset to many North American ecoscanis. It is also a crucial species in studying avian behavior and ecology.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Tyrannidae |
| Genus | Myiarchus |
| Species | M. crinitus |
Conclusion
Overall, it is clear that green birds are a common sight in Indiana. These birds bring a variety of color and life to the state and are a welcome sight for many.
They are an essential part of the state’s ecosystem, and they provide a unique and beautiful experience for anyone who gets to observe them in their natural habitat.
With careful conservation, green birds in Indiana will continue to thrive for generations to come.