The Chickadee is Maine’s most well known bird found in almost every ecosystem throughout the state. It has a cheery song and if you are patient enough often times landing on your mitten for some seed. Observing birds in Maine is enjoyable no matter what the season or the geographical area of the state. Their joyful song brightens the landscape and heightens our awareness of the mysteries that lie beyond our visual observations.
The diversity of ecosystems in Maine provide natural habitat for both migrants and year-round birds making observation a popular pastime year-round. Whether you enjoy traveling to different areas specifically to observe nature or are a backyard naturalist, having some basic knowledge about birds, their adaptations and habitat needs gives a picture of the larger ecosystem and the wildlife it supports.
In summer migratory Warblers nest in Conifer trees and feed on Insects leading us to appreciate the role of the blackfly as a major contributor to the success of these and many other songbirds in the Northern Forests. In winters with heavy snow cover, Owls and Birds of Prey that depend on small Mammals to survive often expand their territory to areas that provide greater access to their diet needs.
Classified as Aves, Birds are Warm Blooded Vertebrates like Mammals but they are also very similar to Reptiles in that they have scales on their legs and lay eggs. A person who studies birds is called an Ornithologist.
Taxonomic List of Birds found in Maine
Domain: Eukarya
Kingdom: Animilia
Phylum: Vertebrates
Class: Aves
Order:Gaviiformes
Family: Loons
Order: Podicipediforms
Family: Grebe
Order: Pelecaniforms Commorant
Order: Ciconniiformes
Family: Herons, Egrets, Bitterns, Ibis, vultures
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Ducks, Geese & Swans
Order: Falconiforms
Family: Osprey, Hawk, Eagle
Order: Galliformes
Family: Turkey, Grouse, Quail
Order: Gruiformes
Family: Cranes & Rails
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Killdeer, Plover, Woodcock, Sandpipers & Seagulls
Order: Columbiformes
Family: Doves & Pigeons
Order: Cuculiformes
Family: Cuckoos
Order: Strigiforms
Family: Owls
Order: Caprimulgiformes
Family: Nighthawk
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Hummingbirds & Swifts
Order: Copaciiforms
Family: Kingfishers
Order: Piciformes
Family: Woodpeckers & Flickers
Order: Passeriformes Perching Birds
Family:
Vireos
Jays & Crows
Shrike
Kingbird & Flycatchers
Horned Lark
Swallows
Chickadee & Titmouse
Nuthatches
Brown Creepers
Wrens
Kinglets & Gnatcatchers
Robins & Thrushes
Thrasher, Catbird & Mockingbird (mimics)
Starlings
Pipits
Waxwings
Warblers, Waterthrush & Ovenbirds
Tanagers
Junco & Sparrow (New World)
Crossbills, Goldfinch, Pine Siskens, Juncos Longspurs & Buntings
Blackbirds, Grackles, Cowbirds, Meadowlarks & Orioles
Cardinals , Grosbeaks, Towhees & Buntings
House Sparrow (Old World)
