Birds in North America

Introduction

North America has varied geographical diversity ranging from deserts to woodlands to mountainous regions. This diversity is also reflected in the bird population of the continent. Birds in North America range from the mighty bald eagle to the modest pigeon. Below are some of the most iconic birds in North America:

History

The bald eagle: The bald eagle is the most well recognized of all the birds in North America. It is especially significant in the USA as it is the national bird of the country. The bald eagle is not actually bald; it has white plumage on its head. Earlier, bald meant ‘with a white head’ and thus the name bald eagle. Few birds in America are as majestic as the bald eagle. It has brown colored feathers all over its body except for the head and the tail, which are white. Sexual dimorphism is observed in this species. It means that females are almost always larger than the males with the average female being 25% bigger than the average male. These birds mostly feed on fish but will also feed on other prey if given the opportunity. They are spectacular hunters and swoop down over the water and pluck the fish from it. The number of birds in the USA had declined significantly in the late 80s and early 90s; but populations were stabilized in 95. The wingspan of mature adults can be as wide as 7 and a half feet while weight may reach up to 7 kg. The average eagle may live up to a period of twenty years in the wild and may live even longer in captivity.

The American goldfinch: This little bird belongs to the finch family. It is migratory and migrates to and fro across the length of the United States. In winter, it flies down south to the border between USA and Mexico and flies back north during the breeding season. This is one of the most beautiful birds in North America. The males are especially beautiful in the summer. This is a biological trait – the bright yellow plumage is meant to attract a mate. In winter, the color of the finch is dull yellow ochre. The female is yellowish brown in color and only brightens up a bit during the mating season. The American gold finch mostly feeds on insects and seeds. Birds in residential areas are often fed thistle seeds by bird lovers.

Features

The trumpeter swan: This is the heaviest of all the water birds in North America. It is said to be related to the whooper swan which is found in Europe. The birds may sometimes be as heavy as 17 kilograms. The young ones are grey in color and mature into a snow white after a year. These birds are migratory. They can be seen flying in v shaped flocks. These birds flourish in Alaska. In the early 1800s, they had become almost extinct in the USA, but populations have surged thanks to many conservation programs which were designed to protect the species. The trumpeter swan is mostly vegetarian. The cygnets are usually fed worms, insects and small amphibians so that they may derive enough protein to grow fast.

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