33 Common Backyard Birds in Pennsylvania
Are you looking for backyard birds in Pennsylvania? This guide will help you identify the different species and what to expect when observing them. You’ll also learn about the best ways to attract them to your yard, and which Pennsylvania state birds are the most common.
There will also be tips on how to identify different species, what they like best, as well as a list of things that are good for them and their environment. This guide also includes pictures and sounds of the birds so that it can be more helpful to identify the beautiful birds in your backyard.
Although not a common backyard bird in Pennsylvania, the state bird is the Ruffled Grouse since 1931.
For other birds in Pennsylvania see our article on Owls in Pennsylvania, Hawks in Pennsylvania, Woodpeckers in Pennsylvania, and Ducks in Pennsylvania.
1. Northern Cardinal
Scientific Name: Cardinalis cardinalis Size: 8.3-9.1 inches
The Northern Cardinal is one of the most common and popular backyard birds in the eastern half of the United States and is found in Pennsylvania year-round.
A male cardinal is a bright red in color and the female is a brownish color with red on its wings. The male’s crest is also longer than the female’s. They both have a thick finch bill with black around their faces.
The Northern Cardinal is a songbird and males sing from high perches to attract mates. They are very territorial and will defend their territory from other Cardinals
The Northern Cardinal is a seed eater, eating seeds from the ground or off plants. They also eat insects, fruits, and berries when available.
Cardinals are frequent users of feeders and are attracted by wild bird seed mix, black-oil sunflower seeds, and safflower seeds.
It is often said that when a “cardinal appears a loved one is near”, so the cardinal brings peace of mind to many.
Song and call
2. Blue Jay
Scientific Name: Cyanocitta cristata Size: 9.8-11.8 inches
Blue jays are easily identified by their blue feathers, white cheeks, and a large crest on top of their head. They are large birds with a wingspan of about 20 inches.
They are loud and noisy, but other birds trust them to notify them when there’s danger around. Jays are one of the species that will mob hawks and owls and pin them down in trees, alerting all the birds in the area that a predator is nearby.
Blue jays are very intelligent birds and have a wide range of vocalizations. They are known to mimic other birds, animals, and even humans. Blue jays will also use their intelligence to solve problems.
Blue jay’s diet consists of nuts, fruits, and insects. They will also eat bird seed from backyard feeders and they have been known to steal food from other birds
Jays love whole peanuts. Toss a handful on your lawn or patio and watch what happens. They fly away with their peanuts and leave the feeders alone for a while.
Blue Jays are common backyard birds in Pennsylvania. They can be found in suburban areas, parks, and forests.
All of these traits make these common backyard birds popular in Pennsylvania year-round.
Song And Call
3. American Robin
Scientific Name: Turdus migratorius Size: 7.9-11.0 inches
The American Robin is a migratory bird that can be found throughout North America. Its body shape and plumage resemble that of the Blue Jay. They are brown and orange.
The American Robin is found in many different habitats including woodlands, forests, fields, parks, and lawns. In winter, when food sources are limited by cold weather conditions, the American Robin will migrate south. It returns north each spring when conditions are more conducive for finding food.
The American Robin primarily eats fruits, berries, snails, earthworms, and insects. They nest in wooded areas or backyards.
To attract American Robins to your backyard feeders with sunflower seeds, suet and peanut hearts, fruit, and mealworms.
Song And Call
Additionally, the American Robin is well-known for its singing abilities which adds to its popularity as a backyard resident of Pennsylvania.
4. Mourning Dove
Scientific Name: Zenaida mactoura Size: 9.1-13.4 inches
The Mourning Dove is included as a common backyard bird in Pennsylvania because it is a medium-sized bird that can be easily spotted at bird feeders.
They have a high reproductive rate and are not picky about where they live. The coloration of mourning doves is subdued and generally brown with darker brown spotting on the back and wings.
They can be found in open lands, such as agricultural fields and grasslands, as well as areas of open woodland.
Mourning Doves are one of the vacuums of the bird world, so they don’t eat from feeders but from what falls on the ground when other birds use your feeder. They also eat insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, and beetles.
Song And Call
Their calls sound quite sad, making them easy to identify.
5. Eastern Bluebird
Scientific Name: Sialia sialis Size: 6.3-8.3 inches
The Eastern Bluebird is a beautiful bird that is seen in many parts of the United States. It is a common backyard bird in Pennsylvania.
The Eastern Bluebird has blue wings, a head and upper parts, and an orange-brown collar around its neck. Eastern Bluebirds are small, round birds with a deep blue back and a reddish underside.
Their diet mainly consists of small fruits, berries, seeds, and worms. Eastern Bluebirds can be attracted to your backyard by offering mealworms and nest boxes.
Song And Call
6. White-breasted Nuthatch
Scientific Name: Sitta carolinensis Size: 5.1-5.5 inches
The White-breasted Nuthatch is a common backyard bird in Pennsylvania with a frequency of 32%.
It has a large head, short tail, and stout bill, and is grayish-brown above with a white breast with black streaks. The nape and sides of its head are chestnut-brown. This species can be found year-round in woodlands, parks, and residential areas across the state.
The White-breasted Nuthatch will visit most seed feeders and like mixed seed blends, black sunflower seeds, peanut butter, peanuts, or suet. They usually like to grab and run, taking a seed and immediately flying off to eat it or cache it in a nearby tree.
Song And Call
They are known for their call.
7. American Goldfinch
Scientific Name: Spinus tristis Size: 4.3-5.1 inches
The American Goldfinch is a small, sparrow-sized bird with a short, notched tail.
In Spring and Summer, the male has a bright yellow body, black wings with wing bars, and a heavy, finch-like bill, while the female is less boldly colored. In winter both males and females become dull green-gray and look like female House Finches.
Goldfinches are very social birds and often travel in flocks. They fly in a rolling up-and-down pattern, and their song is high-pitched and mellifluous.
They love Nyjer and sunflower seeds year-round, but will also eat a finch seed blend. Finch feeders have very small openings and can be either rigid feeders or disposable nylon socks.
American Goldfinches are spotted in Pennsylvania yearly, but their numbers increase during the breeding season. Breeding usually starts in late April or early May.
Song And Call
8. European Starling
Scientific Name: Sturnus vulgaris Size: 7.9-9.1 inches
The European Starling is the size of a Robin and from a distance looks all black. However, they have a purplish-green iridescent color to them when you see them up close. Their yellow bill stands out and they have short tails.
The European Starling likes to eat small insects, worms, small seeds, and berries and frequents bird feeders.
They are seen year-round in Pennsylvania living where humans are, in towns and cities, and roost in trees and on buildings, also you will see them on wires. They like open fields and lawns and are not far from a water source. You often see them in large flocks with blackbirds and grackles.
Song And Call
9. Red-bellied Woodpecker
Scientific Name: Melanerpes carolinus Size: 9.4 inches
Red-bellied woodpeckers are a common backyard bird in Pennsylvania. They are gray with faint red on their bellies and have a black and white striped pattern on their back and wings. You can see them in hardwood forests but can also be found in pine trees, residential areas, orchards, and even urban parks.
It’s big, it’s loud, and it will peck on your siding.
Red-bellied Woodpeckers devour spiders, insects, and seeds from grasses, fruits, and nuts. They are especially fond of acorns and beech nuts. In fact, they play an important role in dispersing these seeds since they often cache (or store) more food than they can eat in one sitting.
Red-bellied Woodpeckers are found in all Eastern US states, and they don’t migrate. This means that you can see them in your backyard all year round! They tend to stay close to the ground and can often be found in birdfeeders, specifically in wooded areas.
Call
This bird is usually vocal, making various calls and songs throughout the day.
Drumming
10. House Finch
Scientific Name: Haemorhous mexicanus Size: 5.1-5.5 inches
The House Finch is a small, colorful bird that is easy to spot in residential areas. The color differs between males and females; males have a reddish face and upper breast, with brown streaks on their back, belly, and tail. Females have a gray and brown pattern on their feathers.
House Finches are found across North America. They prefer to eat small worms, small seeds, and insects but their diet consists of seeds, fruits, berries, and insects. They migrate during the winter months to find food sources.
Song And Call
11. House Sparrow
Scientific Name: Passer domesticus Size: 5.9-6.7 inches
The House Sparrow is a small bird that can be found all over the world. In Pennsylvania, it is seen year-round and has a thick fat belly. The females and young House Sparrows are pale brown and grey, while the males have more black and brown markings. The House Sparrow is a small, human-friendly bird that frequents bird feeders.
The House Sparrow is a small, human-friendly bird that frequents bird feeders. It is attracted to urban and suburban areas with plenty of food sources. It is often seen eating seeds, grains, insects, and small vertebrates. The House Sparrow is not a migratory bird species but remains in its territory year-round.
Song And Call
12. Carolina Wren
Scientific Name: Troglodytes aedon Size: 4.35.1 inches
A lot of birds packed into a tiny body. Carolina Wrens are aggressive and loud and have no issue chasing off larger birds from their neighborhood. Small, brown bird with creamy-colored breasts, distinctive white eye stripe, white wing bars, and a cocked-up tail.
The Carolina wren mostly eats insects and spiders. On occasion, they will eat some plant material and seeds. It is mostly seen between April and October.
The Carolina Wren is a common backyard bird in Pennsylvania because it prefers habitats with dense understory cover.
Song And Call
Carolina Wrens have a lot to say. If you hear something that sounds like a finger running down a comb, that’s a Carolina Wren. The easiest call to learn is the “Tea Kettle, Tea Kettle, Tea Kettle” call.
13. Brown-headed Cowbird
Scientific Name: Molothrus ater Size: 7.5 inches
Chunky, dark-eyed blackbird with short tails and thick bills. Adult males are glossy black with iridescent brown heads. Females are brown with light streaks on the belly.
Seeds, grasses, and insects make up most of the Brown-headed Cowbird’s diet. Females add snails and eggs from nests they parasitize; they need the extra calcium because they lay so many of their own eggs in other birds’ nests.
Brown-headed Cowbirds will come to feeders, usually with Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, and European Starlings that sometimes overwhelm household feeders.
Brown- Cowbirds can be found pretty much everywhere but in heavy forests. They got their name by foraging among herds of grazing buffalo and cattle.
In Winter, Brown-headed Cowbirds can be found among the large flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, and European Starlings.
The Brown-headed Cowbird is a significant backyard bird in Pennsylvania as it is a migratory bird that comes to North America for food. It also has a unique nesting behavior where it replaces eggs in other birds’ nests with its own eggs. This behavior helps the Cowbird spread its influence over the region and have more offspring.
Song And Call
14. Song Sparrow
Scientific Name: Melospiza melodia Size: 4.7-6.7 inches
The Song Sparrow is a medium size bulky sparrow. Their mostly brown body has streaks of white/light gray throughout. It has a long rounded tail and broad wings.
It’s larger than a chipping sparrow but smaller than a dark-eyed junco.
It eats insects, seeds, and berries. They will come to your feeders for any kind of seeds or suet.
Song Sparrows are very common in Pennsylvania. They can be found all over the state year-round.
Song And Call
The Song Sparrow has a song that sounds like “chink, chink.”
15. Gray Catbird
Scientific Name: Dumetella carolinensis Size: 8.3-9.4 inches
In the songbird family, the Gray Catbird is mostly gray but has some cinnamon brown under its tail and some black on its cap and tail.
They mostly eat insects, caterpillars, and moths but will also eat fruit and berries. They can become backyard pests if you grow fruit in your yard.
Gray catbirds don’t like to fly in open areas so you will most likely see them in small vines, bushes, and trees. You will see them in your backyards so look in the branches of your bushes both in summer and winter.
To attract Gray Catbirds to your backyard in Pennsylvania, consider planting fruit trees or shrubs such as dogwood, winterberry, and serviceberry.
Song And Call
The Gray Catbird songs all day long and will mimic other birds.
16. Dark-eyed Junco
Scientific Name: Junco hyemalis Size: 5.5-6.3 inches
The dark-eyed juncos are little birds that are slated gray in color. They are known as medium size sparrows with long tails, round faces, and white on its belly. They also have bright white markings on its tail.
Dark-eyed junco has a population of over 600 million making it one of the most common birds in the United States and Canada.
The Dark-eyed Junco eats seeds, berries, and insects. They can be found in bushes and trees. Juncos LOVE feeders! They will eat whatever you put out black-oil sunflower seeds, suet, peanut butter, or generic wild bird food. They are not picky.
When Juncos appear, Winter is near. You can see them in Canada and the western mountains during the spring and summer. These birds flew south to North America for the winter months.
Look for them on deciduous forest floors and on the grass in your backyard. They can be found in bushes and trees all over Pennsylvania during the winter months.
This is another bird that can travel in mixed flocks, so you never know who else will turn up at your feeder alongside the Juncos.
Song And Call
17. White-throated Sparrow
Scientific Name: Zonotrichia albicollis Size: 6.3-7.1 inches
The White-throated Sparrow is a small songbird that is native to the northern parts of America. The bird has an observation frequency of 21% in Pennsylvania and is seen year-round.
The White-throated Sparrow has a black-and-white striped head, bright white throat, and yellow between the eye and bill. The back of it is brown, and underneath is gray.
The White-throated Sparrow is often found in large flocks on the ground or in trees near the edges of wooded areas. The bird breeds in Canada and migrates to other parts of the world.
Their diet consists of insects, seeds, and berries. will feed from seed on the ground. During the winter they will eat from your bird feeders and like black oil sunflower seeds and millet.
White-throated sparrows are very social birds and can be seen in large flocks during migration. They are migrating birds that breed in Canada, and head south in the fall.
They are migrating birds that breed in Canada and head south in the fall. often found in small groups in brushy areas of parks and fields. When they leave, Spring is on its way.
Song And Call
The song is “Oh Canada, Canada, Canada”.
18. Northern Flicker
Scientific Name: Colaptes auratus Size: 11.0-12.2 inches
The Northern Flicker male and female are similar in color. They both have a rounded head, the bill is curved down and the tail tapers to a long point.
Although the same bird their colors differ from the eastern United States (bright yellow wing and tail feathers) and the western US (red wing and tail feathers).
The Northern Flicker is also known as “the woodpecker that doesn’t peck wood.” Instead, it gleans insects from the bark of trees.
Northern Flickers mostly will eat insects that they get from the ground. They will “drum” at the ground as other woodpeckers drum in trees and wood. During the winter months, they will also eat fruits and seeds.
These are beautiful woodpeckers. They may also stop in at your suet and peanut feeders, but most likely you’ll see them nesting in old trees.
You will see Northern Flickers in city parks and backyards in the suburbs. You will also find them in woodlands with open trees, burned forests, swamps, and marshes.
Call
The Northern Flicker has a wide range of calls. It has a typical woodpecker-like “drum” and a more musical, gurgling call that is often mistaken for the song of the Red-winged Blackbird.
Drumming
19. Common Grackle
Scientific Name: Quiscalus quiscula Size: 11.0-15.4 inches
The Common Grackle is part of the blackbird family and all blackbirds have iridescent feathers (usually dark blue or purple). They are often found in large flocks during the summer months.
Grackles are often mistaken for crows, but they are much smaller in size and can be distinguished by their long tails and shiny black feathers. They have yellow eyes and their size is larger than a robin.
The Common Grackle’s habitat includes open woodlands, marshes, parks, and fields. To attract more Common Grackles to your backyard, feed them with mixed grains and seeds sprinkled on the ground or platform feeders.
Grackles are very intelligent birds that sometimes use their beaks to turn over rocks in search of insects. You will also find them find at farm fields where they will eat the seeds from corn and rice.
Grackles can be found throughout the United States in parks, yards, open fields, and woodlands. They are very adaptable birds that have learned to thrive in cities where they often find food and water.
As an aggressive bird species, the Common Grackle is often included as one of the common backyard birds in Pennsylvania due to its abundance within the area.
Song And Call
Grackles can also be heard making a wide range of calls that include whistles and rattling sounds.
20. Black-capped Chickadee
Scientific Name: Poecile atricapillus Size: 4.7-5.9 inches
The Black-capped Chickadee belongs to the Chickadee family. They are small birds with black caps, clear breasts, and rusty to rufous sides. They are mostly black and white in color with gray on their wings. The male is slightly different from the female and has less weight and a smaller size than the female with a larger bib.
The Black-capped Chickadee likes eating small insects, nuts, seeds of small bushes, and berries. Chickadees are naturally curious, so they will get close while you refill those feeders and may eventually take seed from your hand. They love black-oil sunflower seeds, suet, and peanut butter.
The Black-capped Chickadee is another very common backyard bird in Pennsylvania.
They are the town criers of the bird world, announcing everything from a crow or hawk coming to dinner.
Song And Call
21. Hairy Woodpecker
Scientific Name: Leuconotopicus villosus Size: 7.1-10.2 inches
Very similar to the Downy Woodpecker in color and looks except the Hairy Woodpecker is larger in size and has a longer bill.
The Hairy Woodpecker is a medium-sized bird with striped heads and an erect, straight-backed posture while on trees. Male Hairy Woodpeckers can be identified by a red dot above their heads.
They eat small worms, insects, seeds, and berries. The Hairy Woodpecker frequents bird feeders to eat suet.
Year-round residence to Pennsylvania’s backyards and also wood forests especially pine trees. If you don’t see them you will definitely hear them drumming on trees.
Call
Drumming
22. Chipping Sparrow
Scientific Name: Spizella passerina Size: 4.7-5.9 inches
Chipping sparrows are small brown sparrows with plain breasts and long tails. There is a difference between breeding and non-breeding birds. The breeding birds have a reddish cap and a white brow with dark eye lines. The non-breeding has a brown cap, duller dirty gray breast, a dark eye line, and a grayish rump.
The chipping sparrow diet consists of seeds, insects, and spiders. Occasional visitors to your suet and black-oil sunflower seed feeder.
The chipping sparrow is a common bird in the Eastern United States and Canada. It has been spotted as far west as Texas and California.
You will find them in the woods, especially where there are pine trees. Other common places to see them are on backyards lawns, in cities, towns, and farms. During the fall and winter, you will often see them in flocks.
Song And Call
The chipping sparrow has two calls: a sharp chip and a long, high-pitched trill. The song is more of a rattle.
23. Common Yellowthroat
Scientific Name: Geothlypis trichas Size: 4.3-5.1 inches
The Common Yellowthroat is another small songbird that has a long tail and round belly. The males have a dark mask with a yellow throat while the females are browner on their heads with a yellow throat and they do not have any black on them.
Common Yellowthroats eat insects from the ground and off leaves, bushes, and flowers.
You will usually see them in dense forests but during migration, you will see them in your backyards. They are in Pennsylvania during the summer (warmer) months then head south for the winter.
Song And Call
24. House Wren
Scientific Name: Troglodytes aedon Size: 4.35.1 inches
The House Wren is a small songbird weighing about the same as two quarters. Its coloring is all brown with a darker brown on the wings and tail. A small bird has a long curved beak.
The House Wren eats many different types of insects from flies to spiders. They also like snail shells.
House Wren has a very large range and can be seen over the entire Western Hemisphere. It can be seen in Pennsylvania during the summer as they breed in North America and fly south for the winter. You can see them in yards, by buildings, and by farms.
House Wren will come to your backyard especially if you have downed brush as they like to go under for cover and eat insects.
Song And Call
25. Indigo Bunting
Scientific Name: Passerina cyanea Size: 4.7-5.1 inches
The Indigo Bunting male is all blue with a silver bill and the female is brown with some white on her throat. Sometimes the females have some blue on their wings and immature males are a patchy blue with brown.
The indigo Bunting feels on small seeds, fruits, berries, and small insects. You can attract them to your backyard feeders when you use small seeds, especially thistle or nyjer.
You can see Indigo Bunting in Pennsylvania during the summer in bushy areas along woods, forests, and backyards and they are usually alone. When they are ready to migrate south for the winter they form flocks and will travel together at night using the stars as guidance.
Song And Call
You can hear them singing as they are known for their whistling songs.
26. Downy Woodpecker
Scientific Name: Dryobates pubescens Size: 5.5-6.7 inches
The Downy Woodpecker is the smallest woodpecker in North America. It has a black-and-white striped head and black wings with white spots and a solid white back and white underparts. The Downy Woodpecker has a black tail with white outer tail feathers with black bars or spots. The male has a small red spot on the back of his head.
Mostly Downy Woodpeckers eat insects. The male tends to eat from the ground while the female likes to find insects from branches and in trees. They will also eat seeds, weeds, and fruit.
The Downy Woodpecker will visit your backyard feeders for suet and nuts.
The Downy Woodpecker is a common bird found throughout Pennsylvania in places where there are trees. You will see them in residential areas, cities, farmland, and wooded areas.
Call
Drumming
27. Red-winged Blackbird
Scientific Name: Agelaius phoeniceus Size: 6.7-9.1 inches
- This common and easily recognizable bird can be spotted all year in Pennsylvania but is especially common during the summer months.
- As with most birds, the males are brighter than the females who are usually brown in color with dark stripes on their undersides. The females also have white eyebrow-like markings above their eyes.
- The Red-winged blackbird occurs all across Pennsylvania, although they prefer habitats that are open and wet – preferring habitats like wet meadows, cattail marshes, and other open habitats. If you’re looking for one of these birds, the good news is that they can be spotted almost everywhere!
- In wintertime, they roost into the millions in large groups along roadsides and other open habitats.
- The bird’s loud and jarring “conk-a-ree-onk” call can be heard all across Ohio, and they’re easy to identify thanks to their red wings and shiny black feathers.
- If you’d like to attract Red-winged blackbirds to your backyard, try scattering some mixed grain and seeds on the ground or hanging a large tube feeder from a tree in your yard. They’ll also enjoy eating from platform feeders or large bird baths.
Song And Call
28. Tufted Titmouse
Scientific Name: Baeolophus bicolor Size: 5.5-6.3 inches
The Tufted Titmouse is a small bird that can be found in the United States and Canada. It has a black crest/crown over its head, and a gray upper body with a white front and tufted gray crest. The Tufted Titmouse bird lives in deciduous forests, river basins, backyards, swamps, and other habitats.
Tufted Titmouse diet consists of insects, seeds, and berries, and will feed on the ground or in trees. They will often be found with Chickadees and love feeders, suet, and shelled peanuts.
The Tufted Titmouse is seen in Pennsylvania year-round. It is found in the eastern and southeastern United States and is expanding its range northward.
Song And Call
29. Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Scientific Name: Archilochus colibris Size: 3.8 inches
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is a small bird that is common in the summer in gardens and woodland edges. The bird has a unique wingbeat that can be heard when it is flying. The bird can be found at nectar feeders and sometimes in towns. They are easy to attract to your backyard with homemade nectar.
Breeding in Ohio in the summer and may stay until December. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is bright green on the back and crown, with a gray-white underside, and males, have an iridescent red throat.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds migrate south over the Gulf of Mexico or through Texas to Central America for winter. Male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds can be aggressive in their defense of flowers and feeders, and they may migrate by early August.
Everyone loves to see hummingbirds in their backyards. The Ruby-throated hummingbird is the most common species in Pennsylvania.
Call
Wingbeat
30. American Crow
Scientific Name: Corvus brachyrhynchos Size: 15.8-20.9 inches
The American Crow is not a crow at all. It is a raven, but it has been called the “American Crow” for many years. This all-black bird has shiny feathers. The bill is also black with a hook on the end. The male is slightly glossier than the female.
The American Crow will eat just about anything including seeds, nuts, worms, and small animals such as mice as well as steal and eat eggs from other birds like robins, sparrows, loons, jays, and eiders. They will even eat garbage from the dumps.
These crows can be seen throughout the United States but differ in size by region. Eastern crows are the ones you will see in Pennsylvania throughout the year and are larger than what you will see on the west coast. In Florida, the American Crow is smaller but has large feet. And the Northwestern Crow, once thought to be a different species are smaller with a deeper voice.
You will find these crows on lawns, open fields, woodlands, parking lots, and in towns as well as in cities.
The American Crow is an aggressive bird that will chase many large birds like eagles and hawks. Many times you will see them in flocks of up to 1000 birds.
Song And Call
31. Northern Mockingbird
Scientific Name: Mimus polyglottos Size: 10 inches
Mockingbird bodies are grayish brown with white wing bars, (2 on each wing). Their breasts are slightly paler (may look whiteish) than their bodies. Mockingbirds have small heads, long legs, and long thin bills.
Northern Mockingbirds will eat insects during the summertime and will switch to fruit and berries during the fall and winter.
The Northern Mockingbird is a common backyard bird in Pennsylvania because it is not a migratory species and enjoys staying in the same area throughout its lifetime. They can be found all over the state. Common places to see them are along your fence, in trees, on scrubs, and on utility lines.
Song And Call
These birds are known for their beautiful songs.
32. Cedar Waxwing
Scientific Name: Bombycilla cedrorum Size: 5.5-6.7 inches
In the spring males sport bright red feathers on their wings that give them the name Cedar waxwing. They have a yellow ban on the tip of the tail. Cedar waxwings are small birds, averaging only 5.5 inches long.
During the winter months, Cedar waxwings feed on fruits and berries, but in the spring they switch to insects.
They eat berries, nectar, and insects.
Found year-round in Pennsylvania, but particularly from May to November. Cedar waxwing can be identified by its dark brown body, white belly, and yellow undertail coverts.
Cedar waxwings are common in the northern U.S. and can be found in Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan.
Song And Call
33. Baltimore Oriole
Scientific Name: Icterus galbula Size: 6.7-7.5 inches
The Baltimore oriole is a common backyard bird, but you may have to look carefully for it. It spends most of its time high in the treetops and is often hard to see.
The Baltimore oriole is a medium-sized bird. It has black plumage, orange body feathers, and bright yellow underparts. The male oriole has a large patch of orange on the back of its neck and two black spots on each side of its head.
The female oriole has a black patch on the back of her neck and one spot on each side of her head. The female is duller than the male and sometimes has a brownish tinge to the black feathers.
The Baltimore Oriole eats insects and worms. They are also common visitors to feeders, where they will eat fruit and suet, grape jelly, and nectar.
The Baltimore Oriole is a brightly colored bird from the blackbird family that is commonly seen in Pennsylvania backyards during the spring migration. They will stay north for the breeding season and some will return south as early as July, much sooner than most birds. However, by September most of the birds will head south where they will spend the winter months.
Song And Call
What Are The Best Ways To Attract Backyard Birds?
1. Put Out Bird Feeders
There are many different types of bird feeders available on the market, each designed to attract different types of birds. The most popular bird feeders include tube feeders, hopper feeders, platform feeders, and window feeders.
Tube feeders are long and cylindrical in shape, with small holes near the top where birds can insert their beaks to reach the bird seed inside. Hopper feeders are similar in shape to tube feeders but have a large opening at the top where birds can perch and eat. Platform feeders are flat surfaces with raised edges, upon which birds can land and eat the bird seed placed there. Window feeders are designed to be attached to windows so that birds can eat right up close to your home.
The type of bird food you put inside your birdfeeder will also depend on the type of birds you want to attract. Bird food includes sunflower seeds, peanuts, and suet. Some tips on how to put out your birdfeeder include using a squirrel-proof design and making sure that the feeder is level so that the seed does not spill out.
2. Add A Water Source
Adding a water source to your backyard is a great way to attract birds. Water is essential for birds, and they will be drawn to any backyard that has a water source. Birdhouses are also a great way to attract birds. Solar fountains are also a good option for attracting birds. These emit a gentle flow of water that will attract birds to your yard.
3. Offer Birdhouses
Building a birdhouse is a great way to attract birds to your yard. There are a few things to consider when building a birdhouse, such as the size and shape of the house, and what type of bird you want to attract.
The most important thing to remember when building a birdhouse is to make sure the entrance hole is the right size for the type of bird you want to attract. If the hole is too small, the bird will not be able to get inside, and if it is too large, predators will be able to get in.
Once you have decided on the size and shape of your birdhouse, you can start construction. It is important that the house is made out of sturdy materials that will withstand weathering and decay. Some good choices for materials include cedar or redwood for the exterior and plywood or pine for the interior.
After your birdhouse is built, you need to decide where to place it. The best location for a birdhouse is in an open area away from trees or other structures that could block access or provide perches for predators. Once you have found the perfect spot for your new house, simply mount it on a pole or post using screws or nails. Make sure that the house is secure so that it does not fall and hurt any birds.
4. Add Native Plants
Native plants are more effective in attracting backyard birds because they provide the birds with the type of food that these birds prefer. By adding native plants to your backyard, you can help promote a healthy ecosystem that supports both bird species and insects. Grow native plants that offer food, shelter, and fruit for the birds. Non-native plants can outcompete native plants and disrupt the ecosystem, so it’s important to select plants that will be beneficial to your backyard birds.
Conclusion
We just covered some of the many backyard birds in Pennsylvania. If you want more information on any of these birds or numerous other birds that you can see in Pennsylvania, check out the Pennsylvania Audubon Society.
Happy birdwatching!
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