Welcome to the world of green birds in New Jersey! This state has various green birds, including cardinals, jays, and bluebirds.
These birds are essential to New Jersey’s natural environment, providing an excellent source of beauty and enjoyment for birdwatchers and nature lovers alike.
In this introduction, we’ll discuss the types of green birds living in New Jersey, their habits, and tips for attracting them to your yard. So, if you’re a fan of green birds or just curious to learn more about them, read on!
10 Green Birds In New Jersey
If you are a bird lover, you might be interested in learning about some of the green birds found in New Jersey. Green birds are not very common in this state, but a few species have some green feathers or plumage.
Here are 10 of them you can look for in your backyard or the wild.
1. Green Heron
The green heron is a small species of heron that is native to the regions of North and Central America. It belongs to the family of birds known as Ardeidae, and its scientific name is Butorides virescens.
The name Butorides is derived from two words, “butor” from Middle English and “-rides” from Ancient Greek, which together mean “resembling a bittern.” The word “virescens” is Latin and means “greenish” in English, which is a fitting description for this species of heron.
Green herons usually have a dark green or brownish-green head and neck, and their wings and back are a darker grey. They also have a white or yellowish-brown patch on their chest.
These birds are usually found around shallow, freshwater wetlands and mainly feed on fish, insects, amphibians, and other small animals.
They are also known for their unique hunting technique, which involves standing perfectly still at the edge of a body of water and waiting for prey to come by. In addition to their unique behaviors, green herons are known for their beautiful songs.
Their melodic calls can be heard in the early morning or late evening, and they are often mistaken for frogs due to their low-pitched tones. The green heron is an exciting and unique bird species native to North and Central America.
They have a distinctively greenish coloration, they prefer to live in wetlands, and they have a beautiful song that is often mistaken for a frog.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Clade | Dinosauria |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Butorides |
| Species | B. virescens |
2. Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
The ruby-throated hummingbird is an incredibly unique species of bird. It is one of the smallest birds in the world and is known for its vibrant red colors on the throat of the male hummingbird.
During winter, the ruby-throated hummingbird can be found in Central America, Mexico, and Florida. However, the ruby-throated hummingbird migrates to Canada and other parts of Eastern North America during the summer months to breed.
This annual migration is an incredible feat of endurance, as the ruby-throated hummingbird can fly up to 500 miles daily.
Once they arrive at their summer homes, the ruby-throated hummingbirds build their nests and lay eggs, often raising their young until they migrate south again.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Clade | Strisores |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae |
| Genus | Archilochus |
| Species | A. colubris |
3. New World Warblers
The New World warblers are a family of birds that inhabit the New World. They are small passerines which are lightweight and capable of sustained flight. The New World warblers are often known for their vibrant colors and are part of the Parulidae family.
This group is distinct from Old World and Australian singers; they are not closely related to other warbler species. Despite their name, Old World warblers are found in Africa, Asia, and Europe, while Australian warblers are endemic to Australia.
The New World warblers are found across the Americas, from Canada to the southernmost parts of South America. They inhabit various habitats; some species are migratory, traveling long distances yearly.
In addition to providing a bright splash of color to the landscape, these birds also play an essential role in their ecosystems by consuming insects and other invertebrates.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Clade | Dinosauria |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Parulidae |
4. Mallard
The mallard or wild duck is a species of dabbling duck found in a wide range of habitats worldwide. It is native to temperate and subtropical regions in the Americas, Eurasia, and North Africa.
However, it has also been intentionally introduced to other parts of the world, including New Zealand, Australia, Peru, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, the Falkland Islands, and South Africa.
The mallard is a large duck, with males typically being about 58 cm long and females usually slightly smaller.
They are easily recognized by their bright green head, yellow bill, brown chest, and white collar. The back and wings of the mallard are grayish-brown, and the underside is white. Mallards are usually found in wetlands, such as marshes, ponds, lakes, and rivers.
They feed on various plant and animal materials, such as seeds, aquatic plants, insects, and small fish.
They can also use their feet to dig up food from shallow ponds and lakes. Mallards are a highly successful species found in many parts of the world. They are also well adapted to human-altered landscapes like parks and golf courses.
This adaptability has led to their intentional introduction to many areas where they are not native.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Clade | Dinosauria |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Anas |
| Species | A. platyrhynchos |
5. Green-Winged Teal
The American teal, also known as the green-winged teal, is a species of duck found across much of North America. It is a widespread species, with a range spanning from northern Canada down south to some parts of the United States.
It is not found on the Aleutian Islands, however. For a long time, the American teal was thought to be the same species as the Eurasian teal, classifying it as conspecific.
However, further research determined that the two species were distinct from one another, and the American teal was given its classification.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Clade | Dinosauria |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Anas |
| Species | A. carolinensis |
6. Ovenbird
The Ovenbird is a small bird from the warbler family, native to the New World. It is a migratory species, breeding primarily in the eastern United States and wintering in Central America, the Caribbean, Florida, and northern Venezuela.
The Ovenbird is an active species often observed foraging for food on the ground. It has a distinctive call that is described as a “teacher-teacher” sound during the breeding season.
Its name comes from its habit of building an oven-shaped nest covered with leaves and moss. The nest is often built on the ground or in low shrubs and trees. The Ovenbird feeds on insects, spiders, and other invertebrate prey.
It also eats fruit and berries; in some cases, it has been known to scavenge food from animal carcasses. Despite its small size, the Ovenbird is a resilient species known to have adapted to changes in its habitat.
It is an essential species for sustaining the diversity and health of its ecosystem.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Clade | Dinosauria |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Parulidae |
| Genus | Seiurus |
| Species | S. aurocapilla |
7. Eurasian Teal
The Eurasian teal is a small dabbling duck throughout Europe and Asia. It is also known as the common teal or Eurasian green-winged teal. This species of duck breeds in temperate Eurosiberia during the summer and migrates south in the winter.
This bird is easily recognizable due to its dark green head, light brown body, and white wing and tail markings. The Eurasian teal is a prevalent species often referred to as the teal due to its presence throughout much of its range.
This duck species is a dabbling duck, meaning it prefers to feed on the water’s surface instead of diving deep to find food. This makes the Eurasian teal well-suited to shallow, marshy areas. Its diet consists of aquatic plants, insects, and small fish.
The Eurasian teal is an essential species for hunters and conservationists, providing food and indicating wetland health.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Clade | Dinosauria |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Anas |
| Species | A. crecca |
8. Pine Warbler
The pine warbler is a small songbird that belongs to the New World warbler family. It is known for its olive-green upper body, yellowish underparts, and white eye stripes.
The male and female pine warblers look similar in size and shape, but the male has a brighter yellow coloration.
Pine warblers inhabit coniferous and deciduous forests and swamps and can be found across much of the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. These birds feed on insects, as well as fruits and berries.
They are often seen hopping around the tops of trees, catching insects mid-air.
They also forage on the ground and may even be seen picking through the bark of trees, looking for food. Pine warblers nest in coniferous and deciduous trees, building a cup-shaped nest out of grasses, weeds, mosses, and other plant materials.
The female typically lays four to five eggs, which are incubated for 11 to 13 days. After hatching, the young remain in the nest for 10 to 12 days before fledging. The pine warbler is a famous bird for birdwatchers and backyard birders alike.
Their pleasant song is often heard singing through the trees in summer. They are relatively small and plain-looking birds, but they can be identified by their bright yellow coloration and white eye stripes.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Clade | Dinosauria |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Parulidae |
| Genus | Setophaga |
| Species | S. pinus |
9. Kentucky Warbler
The Kentucky warbler is a small bird of the New World warbler family. Its body is quite sluggish and heavier than other warbler species, with a short tail. It is usually found on or near the ground and rarely takes to the sky except when singing its melodic song.
Its coloring is primarily olive-green with yellow patches on the sides of its neck, a white throat, and a black streak through its eyes.
Its bright orange legs and feet can also distinguish it. The Kentucky warbler prefers to inhabit the open woods and thickets, where it forages for food and builds its nest. It feeds mainly on insects and spiders, although it occasionally eats fruits and seeds.
Its song is an uplifting trill, often described as “tea-kettle-tea-kettle-tea.”The Kentucky warbler is a shy bird usually only seen in the early morning or evening.
During the day, it will retreat to the understory of the woods and thickets, staying until nightfall. It is a relatively common species found in the eastern and central United States during the spring and summer.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Clade | Dinosauria |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Parulidae |
| Genus | Geothlypis |
| Species | G. formosa |
10. Mexican Violetear
The Mexican violetear is a medium-sized hummingbird found in forested regions between Mexico and Nicaragua. It is easily recognizable due to its metallic green coloring.
The Mexican violetear was once considered the same species as the lesser violetear, and the two were referred to as the ‘green violetear.’ However, further research has determined that the two species are distinct and have now been classified as separate.
The Mexican violetear is generally found in higher-elevation forests, while the lesser violetear prefers lower-elevation forests. Both species are known for their distinctive violet ear patches despite their differences.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Clade | Strisores |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae |
| Genus | Colibri |
| Species | C. thalassinus |
Conclusion
Green birds in New Jersey are a diverse and vibrant part of the local ecosystem. From migratory species to year-round residents, these birds are essential in maintaining the ecological balance.
Bird watchers and nature enthusiasts alike can enjoy the beauty of green birds in New Jersey and appreciate their presence in the environment.