Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates pubescens
The polite guest. Often the smallest and least aggressive visitor at the suet cage.
♥ Loves: Suet, sunflower seeds
Birds of Port Washington
A curated guide to our local avian visitors
Woodpeckers
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus
Known for their distinct rolling churr call and bright red "mohawk" (despite the name).
♥ Loves: Suet, peanuts, oranges
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
The ground woodpecker. Often seen hopping on lawns eating ants. Note the yellow underwings in flight.
♥ Loves: Ants, beetles, suet
Winter Guild
Black-capped Chickadee
Poecile atricapillus
The brave scout. Famously curious and often the first to investigate new feeders.
♥ Loves: Black oil sunflower, suet
Tufted Titmouse
Baeolophus bicolor
The cheeky cousin to the Chickadee, distinguished by a gray crest and large black eyes.
♥ Loves: Sunflower seeds, peanuts
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta canadensis
The acrobat. One of the few birds that can walk head-first down a tree trunk.
♥ Loves: Suet, peanuts, sunflower hearts
Bold & Colorful
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
Iconic. The male’s brilliant red against white snow is a classic winter sight.
♥ Loves: Sunflower seeds, safflower
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
The neighborhood watch. Smart and loud, often mimicking hawks to clear the feeder.
♥ Loves: Whole peanuts, suet
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
The sign of spring. Famous for their cocked-head listening posture while hunting worms.
♥ Loves: Mealworms, fruit, berries
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
A wetland sentinel. The male's black body and red/yellow shoulder patches (epaulets) are unmistakable.
♥ Loves: Insects, seeds, grains
American Goldfinch
Spinus tristis
The wild canary. Males are brilliant lemon-yellow in summer. They love thistle feeders.
♥ Loves: Nyjer (thistle), sunflower chips
Ground Crew
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
The "Snowbird." They prefer hopping around the base of the feeder to clean up dropped seeds.
♥ Loves: White millet, sunflower chips
Carolina Wren
Thryothorus ludovicianus
The loudmouth. A tiny, round bird with an incredibly loud "teakettle-teakettle" song.
♥ Loves: Mealworms, suet, peanuts
Mimics
Gray Catbird
Dumetella carolinensis
The mewing shrub-dweller. Their slate-gray body and rusty undertail are distinctive.
♥ Loves: Fruit, jelly, insects
Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos
The remix artist. They repeat other birds' songs 3-4 times in a row. Very territorial.
♥ Loves: Insects, berries, guarding tomato plants
Sparrows
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
The ubiquitous city dweller. Often found in large, noisy flocks taking over bushes.
♥ Loves: Grains, seeds, scraps
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
The solitary singer. Often skulking in low brush, identified by heavy breast streaks and a central spot.
♥ Loves: Seeds, insects, fruit
White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
The whistler. Known for their "Old Sam Peabody Peabody" song and distinct white throat.
♥ Loves: Millet, sunflower seeds, fruit
Boring Birds
House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus
A common garden visitor. Their cheery warbling song is a staple of suburban neighborhoods.
♥ Loves: Sunflower seeds, thistle
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
The peaceful coo-er. Known for their whistling wings as they take flight and bobbing heads.
♥ Loves: Millet, cracked corn
Rock Pigeon
Columba livia
The city dweller. Often seen in flocks, recognizable by their iridescent neck feathers and bobbing walk.
♥ Loves: Seeds, grains, scraps
Waterfowl
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
The standard duck. Males have an iconic emerald green head and yellow bill.
♥ Loves: Aquatic plants, seeds, insects
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
The honker. Famous for their V-formation flights and protecting their goslings.
♥ Loves: Grass, grains, aquatic plants
Mute Swan
Cygnus olor
The elegant giant. Recognized by their curved S-neck and orange bill.
♥ Loves: Aquatic vegetation, grazing
Estuary
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
The wetland giant. Often freezes statue-like before striking fish with its dagger bill.
♥ Loves: Fish, frogs, patience
Great Egret
Ardea alba
The fisher. A tall, all-white heron with a yellow bill and black legs.
♥ Loves: Fish, frogs, insects
Herring Gull
Larus argentatus
The coastal staple. A large gull with pink legs and a distinctive red spot on the lower bill.
♥ Loves: Fish, crustaceans, scraps
Apex
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
The tiny jewel. Only bird capable of hovering and flying backward.
♥ Loves: Nectar, small insects
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
The master soarer. Known for their raspy scream that is used in movies for all eagles.
♥ Loves: Small mammals, birds
Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
The fish hawk. Unique among raptors for diving feet-first into water.
♥ Loves: Live fish (exclusively)
Pests
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
Backyard bully. These iridescent birds arrive in noisy flocks, clearing out feeders and driving away smaller visitors.
♥ Loves: Suet, everything
Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
Large and iridescent with piercing yellow eyes. They arrive in noisy flocks and will dominate the yard.
♥ Loves: Corn, sunflower, anything edible