Fascinating Bird Facts for the Birder in All of Us

The American Flamingo Can Live Up to 60 Years

There are six species of flamingos on the planet, but the American Flamingo is the largest of them all. They can grow to 5-feet tall and weigh up to 8 pounds. They also have a life span of between 40 to 60 years

American Robins Migrate in Huge Flocks

The American Robin is a common bird species throughout North America. They like to live where humans reside (cities, farms, and suburbs) and forage in open lawns. If you live in the United States

There Are 50 Sparrow Species in North America

If you thought Robins were common, there are about 50 species of sparrows across North America! Some North American species include the Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, and Lake Sparrow.

North America Boasts More Than 50 Species of Warblers

While we re at it, there are about 50 species of warblers in North America. They re known for being a common songbird throughout the United States. Warblers are tiny, colorful, and hard to spot but very loud when they sing.

Mourning Doves Can Raise Up to 6 Broods a Year

So, how did they get their name? You may recognize their cry being a bit mournful. It sounds like oowoo-woo-woo-woo & you ve probably heard it before. They like to hang out in open areas, rather than forests, across the United States.

A Chickadee Has a Very Specific Alarm Call

The chickadee is named for its call, which makes a chick-a-dee-dee-dee sound. Apparently, the number of dees depends on the predator that they re alarming their fellow birds about. They like to splash in water, so they ll fly over to a birdbath

The Northern Cardinal Is the State Bird of Seven States

Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia are lucky to call the Northern Cardinal their state bird. These birds are also popular mascots of professional, collegiate, and high school sports teams

Bluebirds Don t Migrate South for the Winter

A bluebird s diet depends on the season. They like to eat a variety of snails, grubs, caterpillars, grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, ants, spiders, and other insects definitely not picky eaters. Bluebirds stay in their range year-round