Brooks is a beautiful area filled with various species of birds that inhabit its trees, skies and waterways. From brilliant hawks to tiny hummingbirds, Brooks has an abundance of bird life, making it a mecca for birdwatchers and nature lovers from all over the world.
Its unique blend of forests, rivers, and open spaces provides a habitat for many unique bird species. Brooks is not only a birding destination but also a prime location for ornithologists to study these colorful feathered creatures.
In this article, we will explore some of the amazing birds that can be found in Brooks and learn about their fascinating characteristics.
1. Black-Capped Chickadee
The black-capped chickadee is a small and cheerful songbird found in deciduous and mixed forests across North America. It has an iconic black cap, white cheeks, gray back and wings with whitish bars on them.
The underparts are usually light colored or greyish brown. This species is well adapted to cold winters as it can reduce its body temperature by up to 8°C while roosting at night; this helps save energy during the colder months of the year.
It feeds mainly on insects but also eats seeds, fruits and suet from bird feeders when available.
Black-capped chickadees are popular birds among backyard visitors due to their sociable nature – they often establish lifelong partnerships with one another for breeding purposes.
Furthermore, they have been designated as state birds of Massachusetts and Maine in USA plus New Brunswick in Canada – a testament to how beloved these little avian friends truly are.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Paridae |
| Genus | Poecile |
| Species | P. atricapillus |
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2. Common Loon
The Common Loon is a beautiful bird found in North America. It has a large black head and neck, with a greenish to purple sheen that stands out against its dark grey upperparts.
The underparts are pure white except for some black on the undertail coverts and vent.
During non-breeding season adults have brown plumage instead of the bright shades they show during breeding season.
They also exhibit unique behaviors such as diving underwater to catch fish or swimming along lakeshores while calling loudly, which is how they got their name “great northern diver”.
With their stunning colors and interesting behavior, it’s no wonder why these birds make up an iconic part of many landscapes across North America.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Gaviiformes |
| Family | Gaviidae |
| Genus | Gavia |
| Species | G. immer |
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3. Peregrine Falcon
The Peregrine Falcon is a majestic bird of prey belonging to the family Falconidae. It has a blue-grey back, barred white underparts and black head making it easily recognizable.
This intelligent raptor is known for its incredible speed reaching over 320 km/h (200 mph) during hunting dives – one of the fastest animals in existence.
The peregrine falcon can be found around the world from Arctic tundra to tropical rainforests thriving with humans or in high alpine mountains far away from civilization.
With their beauty, power and adaptability they are an impressive species that have earned respect among many cultures throughout history as symbols of strength and endurance.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Falconiformes |
| Family | Falconidae |
| Genus | Falco |
| Species | F. peregrinus |
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4. Downy Woodpecker
The downy woodpecker is a small species of woodpecker found in North America. Growing up to 7 inches long, it can be identified by its white belly and spotted wings.
It inhabits forests throughout the United States and Canada, with the exception of deserts in the southwest and northern tundra.
This bird nests in tree cavities and feeds mostly on insects but will supplement its diet with fruit or nuts when available.
The Downy Woodpecker has an unmistakable call that sounds like a loud ‘pik-er’, similar to other members of its family such as the Hairy Woodpecker.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Piciformes |
| Family | Picidae |
| Genus | Dryobates |
| Species | D. pubescens |
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5. Dark-Eyed Junco
The Dark-eyed Junco is a species of small, grayish sparrows that are found across much of temperate North America and in the Arctic during summer.
It was formally described by Carl Linnaeus in 1766, who named it after its distinctive dark eyes.
This bird has a very variable appearance due to the many different subspecies it contains, making its systematics difficult to unravel.
The plumage varies from white or light gray on their underparts with slate grey backs and wings; black heads with white outer tail feathers; brown head stripes; yellow bills; pink legs and feet; as well as various shades between all these colours.
They also have considerable sexual dimorphism where males tend to be more colourful than females but share similar characteristics such as short tails and rounded bodies – both sexes being around 16 cm long when fully grown.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Passerellidae |
| Genus | Junco |
| Species | J. hyemalis |
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6. Belted Kingfisher
The belted kingfisher is a large, eye-catching bird native to North America. It belongs to the family Alcedinidae and has been divided into three subfamilies by recent research.
The species was first described in 1758 by Carl Linnaeus in his Systema Naturae.
This water Kingfisher stands out for its size as well as its striking plumage; males are bright blue on top with white below and females have rusty brown backs and wings with a thick black breast band across their chest.
They also possess an impressive call which can be heard from quite far away.
Belted kingfishers feed mainly on small fish but will sometimes also eat crustaceans, insects or even amphibians if they come across them while hunting around rivers or streams.
All in all, this is truly one remarkable bird that deserves our admiration.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Alcedinidae |
| Subfamily | Cerylinae |
| Genus | Megaceryle |
| Species | M. alcyon |
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7. Mallard
The Mallard is a species of dabbling duck that can be found living in temperate and subtropical regions across the Americas, Eurasia and North Africa.
It has been introduced to other areas such as New Zealand, Australia, Peru, Brazil and South Africa by humans.
This beautiful bird belongs to the Anatinae subfamily of waterfowl family Anatidae. The adult mallards have a glossy green head with white neck ring surrounding.
It along with brownish grey body feathers making them look stunning when they fly away or just sitting in their natural habitat around lakes or ponds.
They are excellent swimmers too due to webbed feet which helps them swim fast underwater while looking for food like aquatic insects etc.. Their loud quacking sound makes them quite popular among nature lovers.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Anas |
| Species | A. platyrhynchos |
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8. Yellow-Rumped Warbler
The Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) is a migratory bird species that can be found throughout North America.
It has an extensive range, from the Pacific and Atlantic coats of the US to Canada and Central America, with a concentration in northern areas during breeding season.
These birds migrate southwards for wintering grounds where they find plentiful food sources such as insects and berries.
They are easily identified by their yellow patches on either side of their tails, along with white underparts, gray back feathers and two distinct crown stripes.
One black or greyish-brown above the eyes extending towards its neck banded in yellow or light brown colouration.
Furthermore, these warblers have strong legs which allow them to cling onto branches while hunting for prey making them adept at maneuvering through tree cover quickly.
All together this makes the Yellow-rumped Warbler an attractive backyard visitor year round.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Parulidae |
| Genus | Setophaga |
| Species | S. coronata |
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9. Osprey
The Osprey is a majestic bird of prey with an incredibly wide habitat range. It has distinctive brown upperparts and greyish head and underparts, making it easily identifiable in the skies above many regions across the world.
With a wingspan of up to 180cm (71in) and body length reaching 60cm (24in), this large raptor specializes in hunting for fish, soaring high over rivers as well as coasts searching for its next meal.
Despite living near water sources, they can also be found inhabiting mountainsides or even woodlands, proving their incredible adaptability. An impressive species that truly deserves admiration.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Pandionidae |
| Genus | Pandion |
| Species | P. haliaetus |
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10. Gadwall
The Gadwall is a species of duck belonging to the Anatidae family. It was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758 and DNA studies show that it is closely related to the Falcated Duck, as well as three other Wigeons.
They are quite common and can be found across many parts of North America and Europe.
In terms of appearance, they have light grey bodies with white underbellies, brown wings tipped with black spots, yellowish-orange bills, dark eyes and distinctive chestnut heads which make them easy to identify among other ducks.
They prefer shallow wetlands but also inhabit ponds or lakes during winter migration season where they feed on aquatic plants such as pondweed or water lilies alongside small insects like beetles or dragonflies when available.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Mareca |
| Species | M. strepera |
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11. Woodpeckers
Woodpeckers are an incredibly diverse bird species, found all over the world except for Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand, Madagascar and the extreme polar regions.
They live in a variety of habitats including forests and woodlands but also rocky hillsides and deserts with no trees.
Their beaks are adapted to pecking at tree bark to find food such as insects or larvae hidden beneath it while they use their long tongues to catch them from deep inside crevices.
Woodpeckers have tough skulls that protect their brains from impact when they bang into things during drumming – a behaviour used by males for territorial signalling and reproduction purposes which is done using strong rapid beats against hollow objects like dead branches or metal poles.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Piciformes |
| Infraorder | Picides |
| Family | Picidae Leach, 1820 |
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12. Red-Breasted Nuthatch
The Red-breasted Nuthatch is a beautiful and vocal songbird that can be found in coniferous forests across Canada, Alaska, the northeastern United States and western US.
This small bird has blue-grey upperparts with cinnamon underparts, a white throat and face with black eye stripe, straight grey bill and black crown.
Its call sounds like a tin trumpet; it’s high-pitched yet nasal.
During mating season they form monogamous pairs to build their nest near tree trunks or branches at low heights off the ground where they lay 2 – 8 eggs at once.
They are very active little birds who love clinging to trees while searching for insect larvae or seeds within the bark of trees which helps control pest populations.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Sittidae |
| Genus | Sitta |
| Species | S. canadensis |
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13. Grey Plover
The Grey Plover is a large plover bird which breeds in the Arctic regions. It then migrates over long distances, and can be found on coastlines around the world when not breeding.
The species was first described by Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1758 under its binomial name “Tringa squatarola”.
In addition to being known as grey plovers or black-bellied plovers, they are also sometimes referred to as “black-breasted lapwings” due to their distinctive plumage that features white underneath with dark greys above.
These birds inhabit beaches, mudflats and saltmarshes where they feed mainly on small invertebrates such as worms and insects.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Charadriidae |
| Genus | Pluvialis |
| Species | P. squatarola |
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14. Sandhill Crane
Sandhill Cranes are a large species of crane native to North America and northeastern Siberia. They are known for their distinctive calls, long legs, and long necks.
These birds typically inhabit wetland areas like the Platte River in Nebraska’s Sandhills on the Great Plains.
In Central Florida, they often gather at the edges of bodies of water such as lakes or rivers.
During breeding season, sandhill cranes can be seen performing elaborate courtship dances that involve bowing and jumping in unison with their partner.
Their diet consists mainly of plant material including grains, roots, tubers and aquatic plants which they obtain by pecking or digging into mudflats using their bill or feet respectively.
With an average lifespan between 10-20 years these majestic creatures make great additions to any wetland habitat.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Gruiformes |
| Family | Gruidae |
| Genus | Antigone |
| Species | A. canadensis |
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15. Buff-Bellied Pipit
The Buff-bellied Pipit is a small songbird found across the northern Pacific, first described by Marmaduke Tunstall in his 1771 Ornithologia Britannica.
Formerly classified as a form of the Water pipit, it’s known as “American pipit” in North America and “buff-bellied pipit” in Eurasia.
This bird has brown upperparts and buff underparts with streaks on its breast.
Its tail feathers have white edges while its wings are blackish with pale fringes to each feather.
In flight this species displays a rapid twisting action which helps identify them from other similar birds flying nearby.
They feed mainly on insects but also eat seeds during winter months when there aren’t many insects around for them to catch and feast upon.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Motacillidae |
| Genus | Anthus |
| Species | A. rubescens |
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16. Common Gull
The Common Gull, also known as the Sea Mew, is a medium-sized bird native to northern Europe. It’s closely related to the Short-Billed Gull and both species are sometimes referred to collectively as “Mew Gull”.
During winter months many Common Gulls migrate further south in search of warmer climates.
The exact origin of its vernacular name remains uncertain but it may have something to do with its call which resembles that of a cat meowing.
Its plumage consists mostly of grey and white feathers along with black wingtips making it easily identifiable amongst other gull species.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae |
| Genus | Larus |
| Species | L. canus |
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17. Double-Crested Cormorant
The double-crested cormorant is a majestic bird with an impressive wingspan, found across North America from the Aleutian Islands all the way down to Mexico.
Its black plumage stands out against its bright orange-yellow facial skin and some extended patches of white feathers on each side of its throat.
It measures between 28 – 35 inches in length and has webbed feet that enable it to swim gracefully through rivers and lakes, as well as coastal areas.
These birds are known for their voracious appetite for fish, sometimes diving over 100 ft deep into water looking for food.
Despite this reputation they also feed on crustaceans, amphibians and insects when available.
Cormorants have been part of many cultures throughout history due to their remarkable ability to fly long distances making them valued messengers or companions during fishing expeditions at sea.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Nannopterum |
| Species | N. auritum |
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18. American Tree Sparrow
The American tree sparrow, also known as the winter sparrow, is a medium-sized New World bird. It has an attractive rusty cap and grey underparts with a small dark spot on its chest.
Its back is rust colored and striped with lighter shades of brown while its wings have various shades of browns.
These birds are usually found in open areas such as grasslands or marshland during spring migration and can form large flocks when seeking food sources like seeds, insects or berries.
They nest in shrubs or trees near water sources but rarely do so far away from human settlements due to their dependence on supplementary foods provided by humans.
The American Tree Sparrow is a delightful sight for any nature enthusiast.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Passerellidae |
| Genus | Spizelloides Slager & Klicka, 2014 |
| Species | S. arborea |
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19. White-Crowned Sparrow
The White-crowned Sparrow is a species of passerine bird native to North America. It has a grey face and black and white streaking on its upper head, making it easy to identify.
This sparrow usually breeds in brushy areas located in the taiga, tundra, Rocky Mountains or Pacific coast regions of North America.
During winter months these birds migrate southward as far as Mexico and California where they can be found living amongst chaparral shrubbery or low bushes near open fields with plenty of seeds nearby.
The diet of this bird consists mainly of insects during summer while they switch over to eating grains like wheat & oats during colder months when bugs are scarce.
They are known for their characteristic chirp which sounds like “Oh sweet Canada Canada” drawing admirers from around the world.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Passerellidae |
| Genus | Zonotrichia |
| Species | Z. leucophrys |
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20. Hermit Thrush
The Hermit Thrush is a medium-sized bird native to North America. It is easily identified by its spotted feathers and measures between 15-18 cm in length, with wingspan of 25-30 cm across.
This species has an unmistakable sweet song which can be heard during the spring and summer months throughout its range.
They feed on invertebrates such as insects, spiders, worms, snails and berries when available seasonally.
The habitat of this thrush includes deciduous woodlands or thickets near streams or wetlands where they are known to nest high up in trees making them difficult to observe directly but their beautiful songs can often be heard from afar.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Turdidae |
| Genus | Catharus |
| Species | C. guttatus |
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21. Swainson’s Thrush
Swainson’s thrush is a medium-sized bird that belongs to the Catharus genus. Its coloration is subdued and its voice has been described as being flute-like, making it an appealing addition to any backyard.
It was named after William Swainson, an English ornithologist from the 19th century. The name of this species comes from Ancient Greek katharos which means “pure” or “clean” – appropriate for such a beautiful creature.
This type of thrush can be found throughout North America in habitats ranging from coniferous forests to open fields with scattered trees and shrubs; they also migrate south during winter months.
Despite their beauty, these birds are declining due to habitat loss and fragmentation so we must work together if we want them around forever.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Turdidae |
| Genus | Catharus |
| Species | C. ustulatus |
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22. American Yellow Warbler
The American Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) is a species of New World warbler found across North America, the Caribbean and into northern South America.
Its genus name Setophaga comes from Ancient Greek words meaning “moth” and “eating”, while its specific name Petechia originates from Italian for small red spots.
This bird has striking yellow plumage with reddish-brown streaks on their chest that can be seen during mating season when they are most colourful.
They live in open woodlands near wetlands or bodies of water where they can find food such as insects like spiders, beetles and caterpillars which make up much of their diet.
The male will sing to attract a mate during breeding season before setting up home in twig nests built by both sexes together high in trees or shrubs.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Parulidae |
| Genus | Setophaga |
| Species | S. petechia |
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23. Wilson’s Warbler
Wilson’s warbler is a small, brightly coloured bird found across North America. It has greenish upperparts and yellow underparts, with rounded wings and a long tail.
The male has an easily identifiable black crown patch which may or may not be present in the female depending on the subspecies.
They breed from Canada down to central parts of Mexico and then winter south through much of Central America.
These birds are usually seen flitting around low vegetation as they search for insects to eat – their main food source.
Their cheerful song can often be heard during spring migration when they travel back up north to breed again after spending winter further south.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Parulidae |
| Genus | Cardellina |
| Species | C. pusilla |
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24. Common Merganser
The Common merganser, also known as the goosander in Eurasia, is a notable seaduck found in river and lake habitats of forested regions across Europe, Asia, and North America.
This large bird primarily feeds on fish and is known for nesting in tree holes. It was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758 in the 10th edition of his Systema Naturae.
With its distinctive appearance and adaptability, the Common merganser is a fascinating species that has captured the attention of bird watchers and ornithologists alike.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Mergus |
| Species | M. merganser |
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