Wonderful Birds of West Virginia

West Virginia has majestic mountains situated in the Appalachian region from Southern New York to Northern Mississippi.

• According to West Virginia Division of Forestry statistics from 2005 and Forest Inventory and Analysis report from 2016, the state has 12 million acres of forest land encompassing 78% of West Virginia, making it the fifth most forested state/territory in the USA after Maine, New Hampshire, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
• The West Virginia forests include mountains, forests (silver maple, sycamore, oak trees, ash trees & more), wetlands (Swamps, shrub swamps, wet meadows, seeps, bogs, and fens), and many underground caves.
• Due to abundant natural resources in West Virginia, it provides valuable wildlife habitat for several animal species, including mammals, birds, and plants.

The northern cardinal is a tiny red bird that has been honored as West Virginia’s state bird.

• The males and females of this species have distinct plumage compared to the males. For example, the male members tend to have bright red plumage with a black shade.
• The females and juvenile gang members tend to have fewer bright plumage with brown and red wings. The buffy brown hue of the female northern cardinal provides them with camouflage.
• It blends well with their nests, which comes in handy to help the females protect their young ones during the long periods they spend on the nests. Northern Cardinals also tend to breed up to three times per season.
• The northern cardinals get their names from their red plumage, resembling the red robes that Catholic cardinals wear.
• Both the male and female northern Cardinals are great singers who sing all year round. The males are very aggressive and can do whatever it takes to defend their territory.
• Northern cardinals can also be seen in other states, such as Florida, Ohio, and other parts of the USA. Interestingly the Northern cardinal is a state bird for Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia!

Where in West Virginia can you find the Northern cardinal?

The northern cardinal can be found in a myriad of locations in West Virginia. One area where it is likely to be spotted is the Chesapeake Bay Area. These birds will likely be found next to marshy thickets, overgrown fields, and mesquites. These birds are also a common site in backyards within the state.

Sources

Source: “Northern Cardinal | Chesapeake Bay Program”. Accessed June 17, 2021. Link.

The American crow is considered a common bird in most parts of North America. This is the largest crow in the region, notable for its silky black plumage.

• The American crow is a highly social bird that tends to live in groups and uses its numbers to ward off possible predators.
• Most male American crows tend to be larger than females, while juvenile members are almost the size of adults.
• Often confused with the common ravens, the American crows can be distinguished from them by their voice, bill, size, and the shape of their tails and wings.
• The American crows are some of the most intelligent animals that some scientists refer to as feathered apes.
• These birds are believed to have a good memory, apt problem-solving skills, and communicative abilities.

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Species Name: Corvus brachyrhynchos

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Where in West Virginia can you see the American crow?

One is likely to spot the American Crow at Martinsburg, Berkeley County. This bird’s range extends to Inwood and Gerrardstown, within the county, and beyond.

Sources

Source: “Observation Logs, West Virginia, U.S.A. The American Crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos.”. Accessed June 17, 2021. Link.

The blue jay is considered a passerine bird native to the eastern parts of North America.

• These birds are notable for their bright blue plumage and pale gray feathers below. These birds also have smooth chests.
• The blue jays are well known for their intelligence. This is no surprise, given that they are classified under the Corvidae Family, which contains some of the most intelligent birds.
• The blue jays also have a complex social system and tight family bonds.

Where in West Virginia can you spot Blue Jays?

The blue jay is a common sight at forest edges in the state. This bird can be seen at the Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area. This species breeds in the coniferous and deciduous forests in the region.

Sources

Source: “Bird Sanctuary & Animal Habitat in Sleepy Creek, “West by God” West Virginia – The Carolinian’s Archives”. Accessed June 17, 2021. Link.

Eastern bluebirds are notable for their royal blue plumage on the back and head and reddish-brown feathers on the breast.

• These WV birds are the most widespread of all the existing bluebird species. A rather interesting fact about the eastern bluebirds is that they stay close to their family members.
• A more significant portion of their diet comprises insects and other invertebrates. The other portion is supplemented by wild fruits.
• Eastern bluebird eggs tend to be pale blue most time. In fewer scenarios, the eggs tend to be white. The oldest eastern bluebird documented was 10.5 years old; it was born in 1989 and was found dead in 1999.
• Eastern bluebirds have about two to three successful broods yearly.
• Interestingly Eastern bluebird is the state bird of Missouri.

Where in West Virginia can you identify the eastern bluebirds?

The eastern bluebird is likely to be found within forests such as the Kanawha State Forest. In this area, the bird will mostly be found in grasslands and next to scattered hardwoods. This bird is also likely to inhabit roadsides, yards, and pastures.

Sources

Source: “”. Accessed June 17, 2021. Link.

American robins are relatively large songbirds, notable for their long legs and tails.

• These birds tend to have a black head and gray plumage on the upper parts with orange-colored underparts.
• American robins have unique reasoning abilities but are not necessarily quick at learning things.
• These birds can fly up to 36 miles per hour and fly the fastest when migrating and not flying within the backyard.
• American robins communicate with each other through singing and unique vocalizations.
• Certain factors make American robins well-adapted to thrive in their lifestyles within their habitats.
• For example, these birds have strong legs and muscles to support their running. This helps them powerfully evade predators and comes in handy for them during looking for prey in open habitats.
• American robins can also be found more in Michigan.

Where can you see the American Robin in West Virginia?

The American robin is most likely spotted at the state’s parks, such as Babcock State Park. The ideal locations within such a park, where American robins can be found, are the open woodlands. American robins also inhabit farmlands and urban areas such as golf courses and yards within the state.

Sources

Source: “ML482578 American Robin Macaulay Library”. Accessed June 17, 2021. Link.

The red-bellied woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker, notable for its black and white stripes on its back, mainly described as “zebra-backed“.

• As suggested by its name, the red-bellied woodpeckers tend to have a faint red color on their breast, often hidden by white feathers, making their identification a daunting task.
• This bird primarily feeds on insects, spiders, and a wide variety of arthropods. The red-bellied woodpecker eats plant material and occasionally consumes nesting birds and lizards.
• Interestingly, these birds must protect their eggs and nests from European starlings, who often attempt to take over their nests.
• Similar to their woodpecker relatives, red-bellied woodpeckers tend to display roller-coaster flight patterns.

Where in West Virginia can you find red-bellied woodpeckers?

Red-bellied woodpeckers would most likely be found all year round at the Bolivar Heights Battlefield, at Jefferson County within the state. The ideal habitat where this bird is likely to be found in the woods. The red-bellied woodpecker has over the years adjusted to living in the suburbs.

Sources

Source: “Harper’s Ferry National Park – Potomac Valley Audubon Society”. Accessed June 17, 2021. Link.

The American goldfinches are small birds endemic to North America, classified in the finch family.

• Male members of this species are known for their bright yellow plumage, mainly attributed to pigment produced by the plants and seeds they consume.
• Female members tend to be mostly brown with some yellow hue on their bibs. These birds mostly forage on the ground, looking for berries and seeds.
• The American Goldfinch rarely dines on insects. Rater unique, American goldfinches molt their feathers twice a year.
• Molting drains them because of the high nutrient and energy requirement. American Goldfinch can also be seen in the state of Oregon.

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Where can you spot the American Goldfinch in West Virginia?

The American Goldfinch is a regular sight in the Morgantown area (the American Goldfinch is considered the city’s bird). The bird will likely inhabit open areas with shrubs and scattered trees in this area.

Sources

Source: “Mountaineer Audubon”. Accessed June 17, 2021. Link.

The white-breasted nuthatch is a tiny, stocky songbird classified under the nuthatch family.

• This bird is found in North America, particularly the temperate areas. These birds get their name from how they crack open the seeds they consume.
• The white-breasted nuthatch is known for being monogamous, almost rare for many bird species.
• These birds have loud voices that set them apart. The white-breasted nuthatches cooperate with other birds to form mixed foraging flocks. This form of foraging gives them an added advantage from predation.

Where in West Virginia can you find the white-breasted nuthatch?

The white-breasted nuthatch will likely be found all year round at the Harpers Ferry National Park. The leafy oaks are the ideal locations where the white-breasted nuthatch will likely be found. These oaks produce acorns, which offer a great food source for the nuthatches.

Sources

Source: “Birds and Climate Change” – National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior. Accessed June 17, 2021. Link.

The red-winged blackbird is one of North America’s most common land birds, classified under the troupial family.

• They were classified in this family, given their habit of gathering in large troupes. The oldest banded member of this species lived for a little over 15 years.
• The red-winged blackbird is a very polygamous bird. A male has as many as fifteen females erecting nests in its territory.
• The males are highly aggressive and will do whatever it takes to protect their territory, especially during breeding.
• The red-winged blackbirds are sexually dimorphic, meaning the males and females have different appearances. These blackbirds can also be seen in the State of Missouri.

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Where can you see the red-winged blackbird in West Virginia?

In West Virginia, you are likely to find the red-winged blackbird in the upper Chesapeake Bay region. The ideal habitats for this bird in the area include the wetlands, open fields, and marshes.

Sources

Source: “Nesting ecology and Reproductive Rate of the Red-Winged Blackbird in Tidal Marshes of the Upper Chesapeake Bay Region on JSTOR”. Accessed June 17, 2021. Link.

The red-tailed hawk is the largest hawk species that can be seen in West Virginia.

• Adult members have dark brown plumage above and white feathers below, and brown streaks evident on the lower neck.
• The bird’s upper side of its tail is often red. Juvenile members have similar coloration as adults; the main differences are that their breasts are white, and their upper parts have white streaks.
• These birds have great vision, which helps them when stalking prey.
• Interestingly, the red-tailed hawks can eat prey larger than them. Further, their eye color changes with age. You can spot these birds of prey in the state of Texas.

Where in West Virginia can you see red-tailed hawks?

Previous studies have identified red-tailed hawks at Charleston, the state’s capital city. The bird s likely to be found perched on a tree or flying over a farm field.

Sources

Source: “WVRRC”. Accessed June 17, 2021. Link.