The list of Georgia birds lists every wild bird species ever seen, identified and reliably documented in the American state of Georgia, as accepted by the Georgia Ornithological Society Checklist and Records Committee (GOSRC) as of 2010.[2]
Unless otherwise noted, all species listed below are considered to occur regularly in Georgia as permanent residents, summer or winter visitors, or migrants. The following codes are used to denote certain categories of species:
Only those birds that are considered by the GOSRC to have arrived in Georgia without human assistance, or introduced species with established, self-sustaining populations in Georgia, are included on this list. Probable escapees are not included. There are 414 species on the Georgia state checklist.[4]
This list is presented in taxonomic order and follows The Check-list of North American Birds (7th ed., 51st supplement, 2010), published by the American Ornithologists' Union.[5] The table of contents is grouped into passerines (the largest order of birds) and non-passerines. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflect this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Introduced, casual, accidental, extirpated and extinct species are included in the total species counts for North America and Georgia.[2][5]
Order: Anseriformes. Family: Anatidae
The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These are birds that are adapted for an aquatic existence with webbed feet, bills that are flattened to a greater or lesser extent, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to special oils. 40 species of Anatidae have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Galliformes. Family: Cracidae
The chachalacas are tropical fowl native to Mexico, only entering into southern Texas in their native range. They were introduced to Sapelo Island, Georgia in 1923.[6]
Order: Galliformes. Family: Odontophoridae
The New World quails are small, plump terrestrial birds only distantly related to the quails of the Old World, but named for their similar appearance and habits. Only one species of New World quail has been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Galliformes. Family: Phasianidae
The Phasianidae is the family containing the pheasants and related species. These are terrestrial birds, variable in size but generally plump, with broad, relatively short wings. Many are gamebirds, or have been domesticated as a food source for humans. Two species of Phasianidae have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Gaviiformes. Family: Gaviidae
Loons are aquatic birds the size of a large duck, to which they are unrelated. With mostly black plumage and spear-shaped bills, loons swim well and fly adequately but, because their legs are placed towards the rear of the body, are clumsy on land. Four species of loons have occurred in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Podicipediformes. Family: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large sized freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. Five species of grebe have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Procellariiformes. Family: Procellariidae
The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized 'true petrels', characterised by united tubular nostrils with a median septum. Six species of procellarids have ben recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Procellariiformes. Family: Hydrobatidae
The storm-petrels are the smallest of seabirds, relatives of the petrels, feeding on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the ocean's surface, typically while hovering in bat-like flight. Three species of storm-petrels have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Phaethontiformes. Family: Phaethontidae
Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their long wings have black markings, as does the head. Two species of tropicbirds have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Ciconiiformes. Family: Ciconiidae
Storks are large, heavy, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long stout bills and wide wingspans. They lack the powder down that other wading birds such as herons, spoonbills and ibises use to clean off fish slime. Storks lack a pharynx and are mute. A single species of stork has been recored in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Suliformes. Family: Fregatidae
Frigatebirds are large sea-birds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black or black and white, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have inflatable coloured throat pouches. One species of frigatebird has been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Suliformes. Family: Sulidae
The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium-large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish. Three species of sulid have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Suliformes. Family: Phalacrocoracidae
Cormorants are medium-to-large aquatic birds, usually with mainly dark plumage and areas of coloured skin on the face. The bill is long, thin, and sharply hooked. Two species of cormorant have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Suliformes. Family: Anhingidae
Darters are cormorant-like water birds with very long necks and long, straight beaks. They often swim with only the neck above water, and are fish-eaters. Only a single species of anhingidae has been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Pelecaniformes. Family: Pelecanidae
Pelicans are very large water birds with a distinctive pouch under the beak. Like other birds in the order Pelecaniformes, they have four webbed toes. Both species of pelican that occur in North America have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Ciconiiformes. Family: Ardeidae
The family Ardeidae contains the herons, egrets, and bitterns. Herons and Egrets are medium to large sized wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more secretive. Twelve species of bitterns, herons and egrets have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Ciconiiformes. Family: Threskiornithidae
The family Threskiornithidae includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings; the bill is also long, decurved in the case of the ibises, straight and distinctively flattened in the spoonbills. Three species of ibis and a single species of spoonbill have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Ciconiiformes. Family: Cathartidae
New World vultures are not closely related to Old World vultures, but superficially resemble them because of convergent evolution. Like the Old World vultures, they are scavengers; however, unlike Old World vultures, which find carcasses by sight, New World vultures have a good sense of smell with which they locate carcasses. Two species of New World vulture have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Falconiformes. Family: Pandionidae
The family Pandionidae is a family of fish-eating birds of prey, possessing a very large, powerful hooked beak for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight. The family is monotypic; its sole member, the Osprey, has been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Falconiformes. Family: Accipitridae
The family Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey that includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. They have very large, hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight. Twelve species of this family have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Falconiformes. Family: Falconidae
The Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey containing the falcons and caracaras. They differ from hawks, eagles, and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their feet. Three species of falcon have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Gruiformes. Family: Rallidae
The Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. The most typical family members occupy dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive, making them difficult to observe. Nine species of rails have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Gruiformes. Family: Aramidae
The Limpkin is an odd bird that looks like a large rail, but is skeletally closer to the cranes. It is found in marshes with some trees or scrub in the Caribbean, South America and southern Florida. The family is monotypic, and its sole member has been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Gruiformes. Family: Gruidae
Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks extended. Most have elaborate and noisy courtship displays or "dances". Two species of crane have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Charadriidae
The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks, and long, usually pointed, wings. They are generally found in open country, mostly in habitats near water, although there are some exceptions. Seven species of plover have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Haematopodidae
The oystercatchers are large, conspicuous and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. A single species of oystercatcher has been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Recurvirostridae
The Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds which includes the avocets and the stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. Two species of this family have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Scolopacidae
The Scolopacidae are a large and diverse family of small to medium sized shorebirds. Most eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or sand. Different lengths of legs and bills enable different species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. 32 species of scolopacidae have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Laridae
The Laridae are a family of medium to large seabirds and containing the gulls, terns, kittiwakes and skimmers. They are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. 28 species of larids have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Stercorariidae
Skuas are medium to large seabirds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They have longish bills with a hooked tip, and webbed feet with sharp claws. They look like large dark gulls, but have a fleshy cere above the upper mandible. They are strong, acrobatic fliers. Four species of skua have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Alcidae
Alcids are superficially similar to penguins due to their black-and-white colours, their upright posture and some of their habits; however they are not closely related to penguins, and are (with one extinct exception) able to fly. Auks live on the open sea, only deliberately coming ashore to breed. Two species of auk have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks, and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. Six species of columbidae have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae
Parrots are small to large birds with characteristic curved beaks. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and they have a generally erect stance. Although some parts of the United States have a varitety of exotic psitticids established, the state of Georgia has only a single native, and extinct, species recorded.[4]
Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. Unlike the cuckoo species of the Old World, North American cuckoos are not brood parasites. Three species of cuckoo have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Strigiformes Family: Tytonidae
Barn owls are medium to large sized owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. A single species of barn owl has been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae
Typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk. Eight species of owl have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills that usually nest on the ground. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is crypically coloured to resemble bark or leaves. Three species of nightjar have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Apodiformes Family: Apodidae
The swifts are small aerial birds, spending most of their lives flying. They have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have very long swept-back wings that resemble a crescent or a boomerang. One species of swift has been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Apodiformes Family: Trochilidae
Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backwards. Eleven species of hummingbird have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Alcedinidae
Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. One species of kingfisher has been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Piciformes Family: Picidae
Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward, and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks. Nine species of woodpecker have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Tyrannidae
Tyrant flycatchers are passerines which occur throughout North and South America. They superficially resemble the Old World flycatchers, but are more robust with stronger bills. They do not have the sophisticated vocal capabilities of the songbirds. Most, but not all, are rather plain. As the name implies, most are insectivorous. 16 species of tyrant flycatcher have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Laniidae
Shrikes are passerines known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey. One species of shrike has been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Vireonidae
The vireos are a group of small to medium-sized passerines restricted to the New World. They are typically greenish in colour and resemble wood warblers apart from their heavier bills. Seven species of vireo have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Corvidae
The Corvidae family includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers, and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size for the bird order Passeriformes. Some of the larger species show levels of learned behavior of a high degree. Five species of corvids have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Alaudidae
Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds. One species of lark has been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Hirundinidae
The Hirundinidae family is a group of passerines characterised by their adaptation to aerial feeding. Their adaptations include a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are designed for perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partly joined at the base. Seven species of swallows have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Paridae
The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects. Two species of parids have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Sittidae
Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They have the unusual ability to climb down trees head first, unlike most other birds which can only go upwards. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails and powerful bills and feet. Three species of nuthatches have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Certhiidae
Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin pointed down-curved bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves on vertical trees. A single species of treecreeper has been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Troglodytidae
Wrens are small and inconspicuous birds, except for their loud songs. They have short wings and a thin down-turned bill. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous. Six species of wren have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Polioptilidae
The family Polioptilidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds, containing the gnatcatchers and gnatwrens. One species of gnatcatcher has been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Regulidae
The kinglets are a small family of birds which resemble the titmice. They are very small insectivorous birds in the genus Regulus. The adults have colored crowns, giving rise to their name. Two species of kinglet have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Turdidae
The Thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly but not exclusively in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs. Ten species of thrushes have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Mimidae
The Mimids, or mimic thrushes, are a family of passerine birds that includes thrashers, mockingbirds, tremblers, and the New World catbirds. They are notable for their vocalization, especially their remarkable ability to mimic a wide variety of birds and other sounds heard outdoors. Four species of mimic thrush have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Sturnidae
Starlings are small to medium-sized passerines with strong feet. Their flight is strong and direct, and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is open country, and they eat insects and fruit. Their plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen. A single species of introduced starling is established in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Motacillidae
The Motacillidae are a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground-feeding insectivores of open country. Two species of pipit have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Bombycillidae
The waxwings are a group of passerine birds characterised by soft silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. In the Bohemian and Cedar Waxwings, these tips look like sealing wax, and give the group its name. These are arboreal birds of northern forests. They live on insects in summer and berries in winter. One species of waxwing has been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Calcariidae
The Calcariidae are a group of passerine birds that have been traditionally grouped with the Emberizeridae (New World Sparrows), but differe in a number of respects, and are usually found in open grassy areas. Three species of longspurs have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Parulidae
The Wood Warblers are a group of small, often colorful, passerines restricted to the New World. Most are arboreal, but some are terrestrial. Most members of this family are insectivores. 42 species of wood-warbler have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Emberizidae
The Emberizidae is a large passerine family. They are seed-eating birds with a distinctively shaped bill. In Europe, most species are called buntings. In North America, most of the species in this family are called sparrows, although they are not closely related to the Old World sparrows in the family Passeridae. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns. 26 species of emberizids have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Cardinalidae
The Cardinals are a family of passerine birds that are robust, seed-eating birds, with strong bills. They are typically associated with open woodland. The sexes usually have distinct plumages. Ten species of cardinalidae have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Icteridae
The Icterids are a group of small to medium, often colorful, passerines restricted to the New World, including the grackles, New World blackbirds, and New World orioles. Most have black as a predominant plumage color, often enlivened by yellow, orange or red. 15 species of icterids have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Fringillidae
Finches are seed-eating passerines. They are small to moderately large and have strong, usually conical and sometimes very large, beaks. All have 12 tail feathers and nine primaries. They have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. Seven species of finches have been recorded in the state of Georgia.[2]
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Passeridae
Old World sparrows, also known sometimes as weaver finches, are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small plump brownish or greyish birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed-eaters, and they also consume small insects. A single species of Old World sparrow is established in the state of Georgia.[2]
The following species have been reviewed by the GOSRC and, while confirmed in identification, have been reported four or fewer times as sight-only records, without specimen, photographic or video record.[3][7]
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