Birds Of Connecticut: Explore Amaze-wing Bird Facts For Kids

Connecticut is the third smallest state in the United States.

Connecticut is home to a diverse range of animals. There are about 40 mammal species. Approximately, there might be 50 reptile and amphibian species.

The bird species of this state are quite interesting. There are several common birds like the brown headed cowbird, American robin, wood thrush, tree swallow, house finch as well as rare birds like fulvous whistling duck, black bellied whistling duck, broad billed hummingbird, and pink footed goose. It has a range of habitats, inhabiting the most varied group of birds and wildlife. It has been one of the most underrated places. This state has grabbed a lot of attention in recent years and has become one of the top tourist spots due to its rich wildlife. Did you know the state bird of Connecticut is the American robin? We have curated a bunch of interesting facts for you. Continue reading to know more about the birds of Connecticut. Once you have finished this article do check out our other articles on blue jay facts and birds in Georgia.

What kinds of hummingbirds are in Connecticut?

There are only one native hummingbird species in Connecticut. However, the state is visited by four other species occasionally.

Ruby throated hummingbird: The ruby throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is seen in the early days of May. You can place the backyard feeders in late April to attract these birds. Consider yourself lucky if you ever spot this little hummingbird as it has at least 50 wingbeats per second making it a quick flyer. Males have ruby-red throat with emerald green upperparts and a white collar.

Broad billed hummingbird: The broad billed hummingbird (Cynanthus latirostris) migrates to Connecuit between July and December. They are extremely beautiful birds that also exhibit sexual dimorphism. Backyard feeders might be a great idea to lure them and get a closer look. The male has iridescent blue green upper wings and underparts with a red bill. The female bird is not very striking compared to the male bird. It has a blue gray green body.

White eared hummingbird: The white eared hummingbird (Basilinna leucotis) is a medium sized hummingbird. It has black wings and tail feathers with a red bill.

What is the largest bird in Connecticut?

Out of all the 448 bird species in Connecticut, the golden eagle and bald eagle are the largest birds of prey.

The golden eagle, belonging to the Accipitridae family is a very large bird that is popular in the northern hemisphere. These birds are being used in falconry for several years now. It is 25.6-40.1 in (66-102 cm) long and has a wingspan of 5.11-7.8 ft (1.8-2.34 m). Females are bigger than males. They are also quite heavy with the male weighing around 7.8 lb (3.6 kg) and the female weighing 5.5 lb (2.5 kg). Both the male and female birds look similar with a dark brown body and gray inner and tail wings. As the name suggests the bird has a golden nape and crown. The super large size make sit easy to differentiate this eagle from all other eagles. Other features that stand out the most during March and last till September include strong call notes, and exceptional hunting skills. This bird has six subspecies with varying sizes and colors.

The bald eagle is another large bird that is the same size as the golden eagle. Both these birds belong to the same family. It is said to be the largest true raptor in North America.It is 28-40 in (70-120 cm) long with a wingspan of 5.11 ft-7.7 ft (1.8-2.3 m). Females are way larger than males. These heavy birds weigh between 6.6-13.9 lbs (3-6 kg). The largest bald eagles are observed in Alaska. In Connecticut, they are often spotted throughout December. They are found in large numbers between January and February. The bald eagle has an evenly dark brown colored body with a white head and long tail feathers. It is a very attractive eagle. Their size can slightly vary depending on the location.

Did you know, the bald eagle population saw a great fall in the 20th century. This was due to the use of a pesticide called DDT which when consumed by the eagles caused them to lay eggs with brittle shells. This is a non lethal chemical with strong side effects like infertility not just in this species but also in many other eagle species. After restrictions on the use of DDT, the number has increased drastically.

How many species of birds are in Connecticut?

As per the record accepted by the Avian Records Committee of Connecticut (ARCC), there are 448 species of birds in Connecticut.

What is the largest hawk in Connecticut?

There are eight species of hawks In Connecticut. They are the sharp shined hawk, coopers hawk, red shoulder hawk, broad winged hawk, red tailed hawk, rough legged hawk, northern harrier, and northern goshawk.

The rough legged hawk and red-tailed hawk are the largest compared to all other species. The red tailed hawk is slightly larger than the rough tailed hawk measuring 19.7-25.6 in (50-65 cm) in length. However, the wingspan is smaller compared to the other eagle, falling between 44.9-52.4 in (114-133 cm). It is the largest number in the Buteo genus one. Females tend to be bigger and heavier than males. 14 percent of sightings have been noted so far in Connecticut. They are very easy to spot due to the large size and high perching sites like the telephone poles. The call noises of this bird are often used in place of other raptors in movies as they are more frightening and high pitched. This hawk looks terrifying and has a brown body with pale breast and belly regions. It gets its name from its striking short, stout red tail.

The rough legged hawk is relatively smaller however has a larger wingspan than the red-tailed hawk. They visit Connecticut during the winter season. This bird is between 18.5-20.5 in (47-52 cm) in length and has a wingspan of 52-54.3 in (132-138 cm). They are not seen often in Connecticut. They get their name from the rough feathered legs which provide insulation in colder regions. They show two color variations, dark brown and light brown. They also have dark melts on the feathers. Open salt marshes and fields are where you can find this species.

Fun fact: Sharp shined hawk is the smallest hawk in Connecticut, which is only 9.4-13.4 in (24-34 cm) long and has a wingspan of 16.8-22.1 in (43-56 cm). It is two to three times smaller than the red tailed hawk.

What are the most common backyard birds in Connecticut?

These are some of the most common year round backyard birds in Connecticut.

Black capped chickadee: Black-capped chickadee is spotted 40 percent of the time. They can be seen with other birds like ringlets and woodpeckers during winter. They have a white and black mask.

Red winged blackbird: The red winged blackbird is mostly spotted in spring.

Red bellied woodpecker: The red bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) is a large backyard bird found in woodlands. It never goes unnoticed due to its eye catching thin black and white stripes on the back and bright red nape. They are peanut lovers.

Northern cardinal: The northern cardinal is a very common bird whose frequency of appearance is 47 percent.

Song sparrow: the song sparrow occurs at a frequency of 27 percent.

Ruby throated hummingbird: This is one of the dazzling backyard birds with a long black bill and ruby colored chin and throat.

House finch: House finches (Haemorhous mexicanus) are 22 percent common. They occupy places close to residential areas and can be friendly over time. If you hear a lively song in Connecticut, lookup, you might find these birds in small flocks.

Blue jay: Sightings of blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) have been noted to be 43 percent frequent throughout the year. This bird is one of the most famous blue colored birds in Connecticut. They are always found around feeders and have a great appetite. The next time your backyard feeders are empty you know who the culprit is.

Song sparrow: The frequency of occurrence of Melospiza melodia is 39 percent.

European starling: The frequency of appearance of the European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) in Connecticut is 25 percent. Since they are invasive species it is best to keep them away from your backyard feeders.

Dark eyes junco: Junco hyemalis has a prominent tail and visits Connecticut very rarely.

Downy woodpecker: It is 33 percent frequently spotted in Connecticut. The downy woodpecker is one of the smallest North American woodpecker species. It is known for its attractive black and white stripes on its head.

White breasted nuthatch: The white breasted nuthatch is well-known for its friendly nature. It is a blue gray bird often spotted in woodlands. People wish they visited more frequently as the frequency o visit is just 28 percent.

American robin: There is nobody that is unaware of this beautiful little bird. You can find American robins (Turdus migratorius) hopping and singing on your lawn early in the morning. It is smaller than the mourning dove. Its orange breast and belly regions make it easily identifiable.

Gray catbird: Dumetella carolinensis is not a frequent visitor. The frequency of appearance is less than 21 percent. They love jellies and placing colorful ones in your backyard feeders might be a great idea to attract them.

American goldfinch: The striking yellow color of the American goldfinch( Spinus tristis) has made it one of the most desired birds in Connecticut. It might change into other colors like pale brown depending on the season. It has a black cap with black and white wings.

House wren: This brown bird and cedar waxwing visit during summer.

Mourning dove: Mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) are one of the most common species and are found 40% of the time. They are attracted to black oil sunflower seeds. They have a strange name, right? It is named after its extremely sad coos.

Northern mockingbird: The frequency of appearance of this bird is 12 percent.

Chipping sparrow: In the summer season, it is frequently seen regions of North America.

Carolina wren: The frequency of appearance of Carolina wren is 19 percent.

Tufted titmouse: The tufted titmouse is closely related to the chickadees and looks somewhat similar to them. They are dependent on backyard feeders to a great extent. They love living in deciduous forests and areas with heavy canopies.

Common grackle: Common grackle might be a pest as it destroys crops and is kept away from the backyard feeders.

House sparrow: The house sparrow (Passer domesticus) is one of the most amiable backyard birds.

Do we have falcons in Connecticut?

Yes, there are a few types of falcons in Connecticut. Namely the Peregrine Falcon, American Kestrel Merlin, and Prairie Falcon.

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