Pennsylvania boasts of diverse ecosystems- forests, rivers, lakes and wetlands. Located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the USA, the state has approximately 2500 lakes and more than 16 million acres of forest area. Among the numerous rivers flowing through the state, the Susquehanna, Allegheny, Delaware, and Ohio rivers are the most well known. Pennsylvania experiences a humid continental climate comprising of hot and humid summers and cold winters. South Pennsylvania experiences all four seasons of the year. All these factors put together, allow for almost 3000 varieties of plants, 480 species of wild mammals and 435 species of birds, to live, grow and flourish in the state. The following is a list of birds in Pennsylvania,
Types Of Birds In Pennsylvania
1. Northern Cardinal
With a body length ranging from 21 to 23 cm and a wingspan of 25 to 31 cm, the Northern Cardinal is one of the brightest coloured Missouri birds found in Pennsylvania. Male Northern Cardinals are one of the birds in red beak for their entirety except for a patch of black all around their beak, whereas their female counterparts have a duller plumage that resembles brown more than red. These birds reside in Pennsylvania throughout the year. It is also listed as one of the birds with orange beaks across the globe.
Also Read: Top 10 Most Amazing Birds with Long Tails
2. American Robin
American Robins are 20 to 29 cm long birds of Iowa, with a wingspan ranging from 31 to 40 cm. They are some of the most common bird species found in Pennsylvania. These birds have dark heads and black wings, but they are known because of the unique orange-rust feathers that cover the rest of their bodies. These birds stay in Pennsylvania throughout the year but are more commonly seen in spring. These birds chirp at night and are known for their beautiful cheery song. They lay unique blue colored eggs.
3. Downy Woodpecker
Weighing approximately 20-28 gm, with a wingspan of 10 cm, the Downy Woodpecker is the smallest breed of woodpecker found in the USA. Their plumage is black and white, with dark black feathers on their back. Males additionally have a red patch behind their heads. They mostly feed on insects, seeds, fruits, and nuts. They prefer to nest in dead trees and can be found in Pennsylvania all year round. It is also one of the common types of woodpeckers found in Pennsylvania.
Also Read: 8 Types Of Woodpeckers in Arkansas
4. American Goldfinch
These types of yellow birds weigh between 11 to 20 gm. They have a wingspan ranging between 19 to 20 cm. American Goldfinches are known to molt their feathers seasonally. In the summer months, they are covered in yellow feathers, with male American Goldfinches additionally having patches of black on their heads and wings. In the winters, the color of their plumage transitions to a more dull brown or olive green. One of the types of yellow and black birds is found in the state throughout the year.
5. Eastern Bluebird
Measuring between 16 to 21 cm in length and weighing between 28 to 31 gm, Eastern Bluebirds are birds that are blue in colour and have a wingspan ranging between 25 to 32 cm. One of the most colourful birds, the feathers on their back, head, and wings are blue-colored. Their chests are warm rust while their underbellies are white. Males sport a brighter plumage than their female counterparts. They prefer to feed on small amphibians and reptiles as well as insects. These birds can be found in Pennsylvania throughout the year, especially in open fields.
6. House Finch
House Finches are one of the finches in Colorado known to live upto a decade and usually weigh between 19 to 22 gm. They are approximately 14 cm in length and their wingspan ranges between 20cm to 25 cm. These birds are fairly common throughout the North American continent. These pink birds have brown bodies with streaky patterns down their tails, back, and underbellies.
Additionally, male House Finches have a rosy color on their head and chests. They are very social and are known to move in flocks of hundred. They can be found in Pennsylvania throughout the year, and they prefer to dwell around humans, in gardens, parks, backyards, parking lots, etc.
7. Black-Capped Chickadee
These are adorable tiny birds measuring from 12 to 15 cm, weighing between 8 to 15 gm, with a wingspan of between 16 to 21 cm. Black-Capped Chickadees have black feathers on their head and under their beak, white cheeks and underbellies, and grey-colored feathers on their wings and back.
One of the popular Missouri birds has a short neck, a relatively large head, and a long tail. Their small size and light mass allow them to be swift fliers. They are seen across Pennsylvania throughout the year and prefer to dwell in thickets, bushes, and open deciduous forests.
Image Source: Wikimedia
8. Blue Jay
Blue Jays are highly intelligent and popular birds with a chatty, loud disposition. Their size varies from 25 to 30 cm and, between 34 to 43 cm in wingspan. They weigh between 70 to 100 gm. They are amongst the most popular blue-colored birds in Pennsylvania. These birds have different tones of blue running throughout their body, except for the white feathers on their underbelly.
They have alternating black, blue, and white streaks on their wings and, have a black-colored ringlike pattern on their neck. They are among the few birds who can crack whole peanut shells with their beaks, in order to access the nuts inside. Their intelligence also shines through their perfect mimicry skills. These birds can be found in Pennsylvania, throughout the year.
9. Red-Bellied Woodpecker
Red-Bellied Woodpeckers measure about 24 cm in length and have a wingspan ranging from 34 to 40 cm. These woodpeckers of Florida have a red cap on their head and a slight orange-red tinge on their belly, they also have zebra-patterned wings. These birds store food in the form of insects, seeds, nuts, and fruit in tree cavities for the winter. They dwell in the woodlands of Pennsylvania, throughout the year.
10. Red-Winged Blackbird
The Red-Winged Blackbird is a medium-sized bird found in the state. One of the black birds with orange wings measures from 15 to 21 cm in length and weigh between 31 to 76 gm. Female Red-Winged Blackbirds are not black, but have brown streaks across their bodies, with hints of yellow detailing on their upper breast and near their beaks.
Male Red-winged Blackbirds have a jet black plumage except for the yellow and red patch where their wings start. These are territorial birds known to attack humans, especially in the breeding season. These orange and black birds prefer to nest around wetlands and can be found across Pennsylvania throughout the year.
These are the common birds in Pennsylvania. Kindly share and do post your comments.
