This article presents a comprehensive list of common backyard birds in West Virginia, derived from the reliable data collected by the eBird citizen science program. Readers can find images and insightful information on how to attract these birds to their own backyard. The Northern Cardinal reigns as the most prevalent bird species in West Virginia. Additionally, avid birdwatchers can explore resources like eBird and local bird watching clubs to enhance their feathered adventures. The article goes the extra mile by incorporating species accounts with captivating images and detailed information on size, shape, bill type, and color for each bird. It also sheds light on habitat, range, behavior, and food preferences unique to each species. Get ready to welcome a diverse array of common backyard birds in West Virginia, including the always-curious American Crow, the vibrant Blue Jay, the melodious American Robin, the charming Song Sparrow, the energetic Tufted Titmouse, the soothing Mourning Dove, the radiant American Goldfinch, and many others to uplift your outdoor experience.
Introduction
Bird watching is a popular pastime for many nature enthusiasts, and West Virginia is a great place to indulge in this hobby. With its diverse habitats and abundance of bird species, there is always something exciting to see. In this article, we will explore some of the common backyard birds in West Virginia, providing detailed information on their description, habitat and range, behavior, and food preferences. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced bird watcher, this article will give you valuable insights into the fascinating world of West Virginia’s avian residents.
Northern Cardinal
Description
The Northern Cardinal is perhaps the most iconic bird in West Virginia. The male is a vibrant red color with a distinct crest on its head, while the female is more muted in color, with a combination of gray, brown, and red. Both sexes have a black mask around their eyes. These medium-sized birds have a stout beak that is well-suited for cracking seeds.
Habitat and Range
Northern Cardinals can be found throughout West Virginia, as well as in other parts of North America. They are commonly seen in woodlands, gardens, and suburban areas. These birds are not migratory and can be found year-round in the state.
Behavior
Cardinals are known for their distinctive song, which can be heard throughout the day. They are typically monogamous and form strong pair bonds. Male cardinals are known for their territorial behavior, defending their territory against intruders. They are also highly vocal and communicate with a variety of calls and songs.
Food Preferences
Northern Cardinals primarily feed on seeds, fruits, and insects. They have a strong preference for sunflower seeds and can often be spotted at bird feeders, especially during the winter months when natural food sources are scarce.
American Crow
Description
The American Crow is a large, black bird with a stout bill. Its size and all-black plumage make it easily distinguishable from other species. Despite its ominous appearance, crows are highly intelligent birds with a reputation for problem-solving and resourcefulness.
Habitat and Range
American Crows are found throughout North America, including West Virginia. These birds are highly adaptable and can be found in a wide range of habitats, including forests, farmland, suburban areas, and even cities.
Behavior
Crows are known for their communal roosting behavior and their ability to form complex social structures. They are highly vocal birds and communicate through a variety of calls, including their distinctive “caw.” Crows are also highly intelligent and have been observed using tools and solving puzzles in experimental settings.
Food Preferences
American Crows have a diverse diet that includes fruits, seeds, insects, small mammals, and carrion. They are opportunistic feeders and are known to scavenge for food in a wide range of environments.
Blue Jay
Description
The Blue Jay is a striking bird with vibrant blue feathers on its back and wings and a white chest and belly. It has a distinctive crest on its head and a black collar around its neck. Blue Jays are medium-sized birds with a sturdy bill.
Habitat and Range
Blue Jays are commonly found in forests and woodlands throughout West Virginia and other parts of North America. They are also often seen in suburban areas with abundant trees and shrubs.
Behavior
Blue Jays are known for their raucous calls and aggressive behavior towards other birds. They are highly intelligent and have been observed mimicking the calls of other species. Blue Jays are also known to cache food for later retrieval, often burying acorns and nuts in the ground.
Food Preferences
Blue Jays have a varied diet that includes fruits, acorns, nuts, seeds, insects, and small vertebrates. They are particularly fond of acorns and can often be seen foraging on the forest floor in search of this food source.
American Robin
Description
The American Robin is a medium-sized bird with a plump body and a thin bill. It has a dark gray or black back, a reddish-orange breast, and a white belly. Robins are known for their distinctive orange-red breast, which is a common sight in many West Virginia yards.
Habitat and Range
American Robins are found throughout North America, including West Virginia. They are common in a wide range of habitats, including woodlands, gardens, and suburban areas. These birds are migratory and can often be seen in large flocks during the spring and fall migrations.
Behavior
Robins are known for their melodious song, which is often a sign of the arrival of spring. They are typically monogamous and form pairs during the breeding season. Robins are also known for their distinctive “run-stop-pause” foraging technique, where they run across the ground, stop suddenly to listen for worms and insects, and then pause again before continuing.
Food Preferences
American Robins primarily feed on earthworms and insects, which they find by foraging on the ground. They also eat fruits and berries, especially during the winter months when their primary food sources are scarce.
Song Sparrow
Description
The Song Sparrow is a small bird with brown or grayish-brown feathers and dark streaks on its back and wings. It has a plump body and a long, rounded tail. Song Sparrows are known for their melodic song, which is often heard in West Virginia’s fields and woodlands.
Habitat and Range
Song Sparrows can be found throughout North America, including West Virginia. They are commonly seen in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, marshes, and woodland edges. These birds are non-migratory and can be found year-round in the state.
Behavior
Song Sparrows are known for their melodious singing, especially during the breeding season. Males often sing from high perches to attract mates and defend their territory. These birds are also known for their distinctive scratching behavior, where they use both feet to fling away leaf litter and debris in search of food.
Food Preferences
Song Sparrows have a varied diet that includes seeds, insects, and spiders. They also eat small fruits and berries when available.
Tufted Titmouse
Description
The Tufted Titmouse is a small bird with gray feathers on its back, wings, and head, and a white belly. It has a distinctive crest on the top of its head and a black patch above its eyes. Titmice are acrobatic birds with a stout bill.
Habitat and Range
Tufted Titmice are commonly found in woodlands, forests, and suburban areas throughout West Virginia and other parts of North America. They are highly adaptable and can often be seen visiting bird feeders in search of food.
Behavior
Tufted Titmice are highly social birds and often seen in small flocks. They are known for their bold and curious behavior, often exploring their surroundings with great enthusiasm. Titmice are also highly vocal and have a variety of calls, including a distinct “peter-peter-peter” song.
Food Preferences
Tufted Titmice primarily feed on insects, seeds, nuts, and berries. They are often seen foraging on tree branches and in leaf litter in search of their preferred food sources.
Mourning Dove
Description
The Mourning Dove is a medium-sized bird with a slender body and a long, pointed tail. It has a soft, gray-brown plumage with a white belly and a black spot on its neck. Mourning Doves have a small, delicate bill.
Habitat and Range
Mourning Doves are found throughout North America, including West Virginia. They are commonly seen in a wide range of habitats, including open fields, woodlands, and suburban areas. These birds are non-migratory and can be found year-round in the state.
Behavior
Mourning Doves are known for their mournful cooing, which is often heard in the early morning and evening. They are typically monogamous and form pairs that mate for life. These birds are also highly adapted for flight, with long, pointed wings and a swift, direct flying style.
Food Preferences
Mourning Doves primarily feed on seeds, especially from grasses and weeds. They are often seen feeding on the ground, using their delicate bill to pick up fallen seeds.
American Goldfinch
Description
The American Goldfinch is a small bird with bright, yellow feathers and a black cap on its head. The male is more vibrant in color during the breeding season, while the female has a more subdued plumage. Goldfinches have a petite size and a conical bill.
Habitat and Range
American Goldfinches are commonly found in open fields, meadows, and suburban areas throughout West Virginia and other parts of North America. They are often seen in flocks, especially during the breeding season.
Behavior
Goldfinches are known for their bouncy flight and their delightful twittering calls. They are typically monogamous and form pairs during the breeding season. Goldfinches are also highly acrobatic and can often be seen clinging to the stems of plants in search of food.
Food Preferences
American Goldfinches primarily feed on seeds, especially those from plants such as thistles and sunflowers. They are often seen visiting bird feeders that offer nyjer or sunflower seeds.
Conclusion
West Virginia is home to a diverse array of backyard birds, each with their own unique characteristics and behaviors. From the vibrant red of the Northern Cardinal to the acrobatic antics of the Tufted Titmouse, these birds bring joy and wonder to any backyard. By providing the right habitat and food sources, you can attract these beautiful creatures to your own yard and enjoy the beauty of nature up close. So grab a pair of binoculars, head outside, and start exploring the fascinating world of West Virginia’s backyard birds.
