Welcome to Idaho, home to a variety of beautiful green birds. Idaho is known for its diverse bird species, including the American green-winged teal, the green heron, and the beautiful Lazuli Bunting.
Many of these birds are year-round residents, while some migrate through the state in the spring and summer. In addition, Idaho is home to various other green-colored birds, including hawks, woodpeckers, and finches.
These birds can be seen in Idaho’s diverse habitats, including wetlands, grasslands, and forests. With its abundant wildlife, Idaho is an ideal place to observe and appreciate these stunning green birds.
9 Green Birds In Idaho
If you are a bird lover, you might be interested in learning about some of the green birds found in Idaho. Green is not a very common color among birds, but a few species have some green feathers or plumage.
Here are 9 of them:
1. Mallard
The mallard, or wild duck, is a prevalent species of duck found in many regions across the globe. It is a dabbling duck, meaning that rather than diving underwater, it prefers to forage for food from the water’s surface.
It is native to temperate and subtropical regions in the Americas, Eurasia, and North Africa and has been introduced to many other parts of the world, including New Zealand, Australia, Peru, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, the Falkland Islands, and South Africa.
Despite its wide range of habitats, it is a species of most minor concern, according to the IUCN, meaning it is not currently facing any significant threats. As a result, it is estimated that there are between 7.8 and 11 million mallard ducks in the world.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Clade | Dinosauria |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Anas |
| Species | A. platyrhynchos |
2. Violet-Green Swallow
The violet-green swallow is a small bird species belonging to the passerine bird family, commonly known as the swallow family.
This bird species is native to North America, distributed along the west coast, from Alaska to Mexico, and extends eastwards as far as Montana and Texas. These birds are aerial insectivores, meaning they feed on insects while in flight.
They are adept at catching insects midair and can often be seen swooping and diving over open fields and lakes for food. Males of this species are typically a brightly colored green and violet, while females tend to have a duller brown hue.
They are amongst the most agile avian species, and their speed and maneuverability in the air are truly remarkable.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Clade | Dinosauria |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Hirundinidae |
| Genus | Tachycineta |
| Species | T. thalassina |
3. Calliope Hummingbird
The Calliope Hummingbird is a tiny bird native to North America, ranging from California to British Columbia in the west.
This species is known for its long migrations, traveling south to the Southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America for the winter months. The calliope hummingbird is the smallest bird in North America, with a wingspan of only three to four inches when fully grown.
Their coloring is typically green and white with a buff-colored throat, and they have a distinctive call that sounds like a high-pitched “there.”
During the summer breeding season, Calliope Hummingbirds are usually found in open coniferous forests and alpine meadows, and they will often forage in gardens, flowerbeds, and shrubs.
They feed on flower nectar, small insects, and spiders.
They are incredibly agile, can hover midair, and quickly dart from one flower to another. When winter comes, Calliope Hummingbirds migrate to warmer climates in Mexico and Central America and then return to their breeding grounds in the early spring.
During their migration, these birds can fly up to 500 miles in one day and travel up to 2,000 miles during the entire migration process.
The Calliope Hummingbird is a fantastic species, and their small size and remarkable migratory capabilities have earned them a place of wonder and admiration among birdwatchers.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Clade | Strisores |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae |
| Genus | Selasphorus |
| Species | S. calliope |
4. Broad-Tailed Hummingbird
The Broad-tailed Hummingbird is a species of hummingbird found in highland regions from the western United States to western Canada, Mexico, and Guatemala. It is a medium-sized hummingbird species, usually measuring around 4 inches long.
Its wingspan ranges from 4.5 to 5 inches. It has a greenish-brown back and wings and a white belly. The male has a bright red throat with a forked tail that fans out when displaying. The female is similar to the male but has a greenish-gray throat without the forked tail.
The Broad-tailed Hummingbird is a migratory species that travels south for the winter season and returns north in the spring. During migration, they can be found in various habitats, including woodlands, scrublands, meadows, and gardens.
They feed mainly on nectar from flowers but will also eat small insects for protein. They are also known to hover in midair while feeding on nectar. The Broad-tailed Hummingbird is an essential pollinator in its habitat, helping to spread pollen between different plants.
They are also important to people, as they often visit gardens and feeders, providing entertainment and joy to people who observe them.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Clade | Strisores |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae |
| Genus | Selasphorus |
| Species | S. platycercus |
5. Green-Winged Teal
The American teal, or green-winged teal, is a species of duck native to North America. It is standard and widely distributed, inhabiting areas north of the Aleutian Islands.
It was thought to be the same species as the Eurasian teal for some time but has since been classified as its distinct species. The American teal is an essential species in wetland and aquatic ecosystems and is hunted for sport and food in many areas.
It is a relatively small duck with a distinctive green patch on its wings, which is how it got its name. The American teal is an integral part of the North American avifauna and plays a vital role in the environment.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Clade | Dinosauria |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Anas |
| Species | A. carolinensis |
6. MacGillivray’s Warbler
MacGillivray’s Warbler is an exciting species of New World warbler. Its physical characteristics make it unique from other singers. This Warbler is known to be sluggish and heavy, meaning it moves slowly and is quite large.
It typically spends most of its time on or near the ground, which is uncommon behavior for warblers. The only time it is seen perching in the trees is when it sings its beautiful song.
This species of Warbler is a fascinating bird; its habits are exciting and unique.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Clade | Dinosauria |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Parulidae |
| Genus | Geothlypis |
| Species | G. tolmiei |
7. Anna’s Hummingbird
Anna’s hummingbird is a species native to North America, named in honor of Anna Masséna, Duchess of Rivoli. It is found primarily in western coastal regions, inhabiting southern California and the northern tip of the Baja California peninsula.
The species was first discovered in the early 20th century when it began brewing in the areas above. This species is considered a migratory bird, with some individuals traveling up to 10,000 miles yearly for food and shelter.
Anna’s hummingbirds are known for their vibrant plumage, with males having a bright red head and gorget (throat patch). They are also distinguished by their long, straight bills and habit of hovering in the air as they feed on nectar from flowers.
Anna’s hummingbirds are essential pollinators and vital to the survival of many plant species.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Clade | Strisores |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae |
| Genus | Calypte |
| Species | C. anna |
8. Green Heron
The green heron is a small species of heron that is native to North and Central America. Its scientific name, Butorides virescens, is derived from Middle English and Ancient Greek. The word “butor” comes from Middle English and is a bird called a bittern.
The suffix “-oides” is a Greek word meaning “resembling”. The Latin word “virescens” means “greenish”. Therefore, the scientific name of the green heron is a combination of words that refer to its color and similarity to the bittern.
The green heron is a migratory species whose breeding range extends from Central and South America, the Caribbean, and the southeastern United States. It has a long, slender neck, long legs, and a short tail. Its wings are broad, and its plumage is typically greenish-brown.
Its bill is long and pointed. The green heron is most active during the day and is an opportunistic feeder, eating various small fish, amphibians, insects, and crustaceans.
The green heron is a solitary species that prefers to stay near water and is usually found in wetlands, lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams. It is an integral part of the local ecosystem and a food source for many species of birds and mammals.
Despite its abundance in some areas, the green heron population is declining due to habitat destruction and other human-related threats.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Clade | Dinosauria |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Butorides |
| Species | B. virescens |
9. Wilson’s Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler is a small songbird belonging to the warbler family. It is olive-green on its upperparts, while its underparts are yellow. Its wings are rounded, while its tail is long and thin.
The male of the species has a black patch on its crown, but depending on the subspecies, the female may lack or have a much-reduced patch. The Wilson’s Warbler is found in North and Central America, typically inhabiting moist, open woodland and shrub habitats.
They are small insectivores, spending most of their time foraging for food on the ground and among low vegetation. They breed during the late spring and early summer months, and their nests are usually built in the low branches of trees and shrubs.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Clade | Dinosauria |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Parulidae |
| Genus | Cardellina |
| Species | C. pusilla |
Conclusion
Overall, it is clear that green birds are an essential part of Idaho’s wildlife. They provide various ecological services, including insect control, seed dispersal, and pollination.
Green birds also play an essential role in the local culture and are often seen as a symbol of good luck. As we continue to protect and conserve Idaho’s natural habitats, we must also preserve green birds and their habitats.
With exemplary conservation efforts, Idaho’s green birds can continue to thrive for generations.