Virginia Opossum

Virginia Opossum
[Didelphis virginiana]

The Virginia Opossum is not just the only Opossum that is native to North America, it's the only Marsupial that is native to North America! A group of them is called a Posse of 'Possum! I usually see them late at night, as they are nocturnal animals.
Opossum are known for playing dead when being provoked, but with enough threatening, an Opossum can go into an almost coma-like state, with it's mouth open, tongue hanging out and all. This "playing possum" coma can last up to four hours!
Virginia Opossum can be as small as 21 inches or as large as 56 inches from their nose to their fur-less, prehensile tail! They have white faces, hairless ears, long snouts and grayish-brown coats. They have five "toes" on each very hand-like paw. Jacks and Jills (males and females) look alike.

Eastern Gray Squirrel

Eastern Gray Squirrel
[Sciurus carolinensis]


Native to the eastern and midwestern United States, these sturdy and adaptable squirrels have also been introduced to South Africa, Ireland, and England. In England and Ireland, they have overrun and displaced the Red Squirrel, a native species of both islands.
A group of Squirrels is called a Drey, and this is also the name given to the type of nests they build. I see Gray Squirrels at my bird feeders every morning... most likely trying to hoard as much as they can in their secret food caches!
They are about 16 to 22 inches from nose to fluffy tail. They are mostly gray, with some reddish fur, and a white underbelly. There are some variants, black tailed, white-furred, and black-furred (it's own melanistic subgroup, called the Black Squirrel). These variants are more usually seen in urban areas where they have less of a chance of predators spotting them.

Canada Goose

Canada Goose
[Branta canadensis]


Common throughout North America, the Canada Goose has migrated as far as northern Europe across the Atlantic Ocean, and Siberia, China, and Japan across the Pacific! Normally, though, they migrate south to the United States for winter, and spend their summers in Canada.
A group of them is called a Gaggle of Geese, from an Old Norse word for goslings, possibly mimicking the noise that geese make. Usually a Gaggle of Geese is seen flying overhead in standard V-formation, which allows Geese and other migratory birds to fly long distances by lowering wind drag.
The Canada Goose has a black beak, head, and neck, with a white "chinstrap", white chest, and gray to brown plumage over the rest of their bodies. They are 30 to 43 inches long with a 50 to 70 inch wingspan. Males and Females look alike.

Rock Dove

Rock Dove

[Columba livia]

What can I say about Pigeons? The most identifiable and one of the most common birds known to metropolitan and suburban areas, Pigeons are common in Europe, Africa, and Asia, and were introduced to North America in 1606.
Believe it or not, Pigeons descended from Rock Doves are raised as livestock, and have been for hundreds of years. Pigeon meat is called 'squab' and is still a part of the cuisine of many cultures, often it is considered a delicacy.
Rock Doves are about 13 inches long with a wingspan of about 26 inches. They are pale gray, with a dark gray head, green to purple iridescent neck, and two dark bands across their wings. Their feet and eyes are red. Pigeons also come in many colored variants, including white, brown, and pied (black and white dalmatian coloration).

House Sparrow

House Sparrow
[Passer domesticus]


The most widely distributed wild bird, House Sparrows are common throughout Europe and Asia, and, through accidental or intentional introduction, it is also found in Australia, Africa, and the Americas.
Not related to other North American sparrows, it is still one of the most common birds in North America... which is why these guys are sometimes easy to overlook. A group of them is called a Blight of House Sparrows... sadly, because they are so common, they're seen as a pest.
Slightly stocky, with a black mask and "bib" on the throat, white cheeks, reddish-brown necks, gray heads and underbellies, and brown wings with black and white streaks. Females and Juveniles are duller in plumage, and the girls lack the black mask and bib. They are about 6 inches with a wingspan of about 9 inches. 

Mourning Dove

Mourning Dove
[Zenaida macroura]

The Mourning Dove, or the Turtledove, is common throughout North America. A group of them is called a Pitying of Turtledoves. Their call is described as plaintive, and it does sound slightly sad.
Mourning Doves are considered to be the closest related dove to Passenger Pigeons, a bird that as of 1914 is an extinct species.
Mourning Doves are about 13 inches long with a wingspan of about 18 inches. They have the distinct round head and small beak that all doves share, and a long, thin tail. They are gray with a slight purplish-pink hue on the head and breast. They have black spots on their wings, with a tell-tale black mark on their cheek below their eyes. Males and Females look alike.

European Starling

European Starling
[Sturnus vulgaris vulgaris]


The European Starling, or the Common Starling, is a very interesting bird indeed! Common throughout Europe and Asia, seeing these guys at my feeder is an honor, that allegedly never would've been possible if it weren't for William Shakespeare.
In 1877 the American Acclimatization Society introduced several species of native European birds to New York City, with varying degrees of success. It is said that they hoped to introduce all of the birds in Shakespeare's writings to America, including House Sparrows, Pheasants, and Blackbirds. One of their most successful achievements, though, are these very adaptable Starlings.
A group of Starlings is called a murmuration... You can spot a murmuration by it's spots! Speckled all over in white with a dark beak, Starlings are about 7 - 9 inches long with a wingspan of about 14 - 16 inches. Juveniles are browner, but develop their dark glossy feathers quickly.

Common Grackle

Common Grackle
[Quiscalus quiscula]


The Common Grackle is very, well, common. :D They are found throughout North America, congregating in large groups. A group of Grackles is called a Plague, which should give you an idea of what most people think of this slim, dark bird.
At first glance, Grackles look like Ravens or Crows, because they are a sinister-looking, all black bird. Upon closer inspection, you can see the iridescence of a Grackle's feathers, which looks blue or purple in certain lights.
At about 13 inches with a wingspan of about 17 inches, Common Grackles have a dark beak and legs, a long, squared tail, and bright, intelligent yellow eyes. Females are slightly smaller, and black-brown with no purple or blue iridescence. Variants include a more bronze iridescence, single white feathers, or even pied (black and white 'dalmatian'-esque coloring). Can be distinguished from Crows, Ravens, and other Grackles by it's size, and the shape of it's tail.

Northern Cardinal

Northern Cardinal
[Cardinalis cardinalis]


Northern Cardinals are one of my favorite sights to see, and one of the first birds I could identify on my own.  Usually in a pair, I'll spot the males before the females... I like to think the boys make little tours of my yard first to make sure it's safe for their girls! A group of them is called a Conclave, or a Vatican of Cardinals!
Northern Cardinals mate for life, stay by their mate's side year-round, and can be seen singing together before nesting. During courtship, the males will collect seeds to feed to their girls beak-to-beak.. breakfast in bed, anyone?
At about 9 inches with a wingspan of about 12 inches, Northern Cardinals are super easy to spot! The brilliant crimson of their feathers and thick beak is broken only by their black masks, and all Northern Cardinals have a large crest. Females are a dull, brownish-red, but still sport a crest and have a thick red beak.

American Robin

American Robin
[Turdus migratorius]

The American Robin is common throughout North America, but I've seen them in the highest concentration in New Jersey. American Robins in the suburbs tend to be well fed and robustly chubby, like our friend in the photo, but I've seen some leaner, streetwise little Robins, as well. A group is called a Worm of Robins!
Robins are a member of the Thrush family, unlike European Robins which are much smaller and are related to Flycatchers. Their nests are as easy to identify as they are, due to the bright blue eggs they hold, and the fact that Robins are one of the first birds to build nests and lay eggs. Seeing Robins is a sure sign that spring is here!
At about 11 inches long, with a wingspan of about 14, American Robins have a dark head with a white ring around their eyes, a gray body and wings, a small yellow beak, and a ruddy-orange-red chest that is always a dead giveaway.

Blue Jay

Blue Jay
[Cyanocitta cristata]


Another Corvid, Blue Jays are common throughout North America, and, most especially, at my birdfeeder. Although their beaks are made for cracking seeds and acorns, they like the suet feeder as much as the seed feeder... or maybe they just like being bullies to my sparrows and starlings!
Blue Jays are very intelligent, one of the few birds that has been observed using tools to get food and even to try and escape captivity! They are also known for being territorial and aggressive, and are protective of nests and quick to chase other birds, animals, and even humans away.
At 9 - 12 inches, with a wingspan of 13 - 17 inches, Blue Jays are one of the most easily identifiable birds in my backyard. Brilliantly blue, with a black collar that goes up to the crest, a white belly, dark legs and beak, and scaled wings will leave you no doubt that you've seen a Blue Jay.

American Crow

American Crow
[Corvus brachyrhynchos]

Common throughout North America, this very distinguished Corvid begins my foray into my next set of posts: birds and animals I see locally. I usually see these guys on early morning strolls, looking a little bit ominous in the pre-dawn fog. A group of them is called a Murder of Crows, one of the most well-known collective nouns of the animal world.
Corvids are considered the most intelligent of bird families, and, more intelligent than most other animals. They use tools! Many species of Corvid, including the American Crow, have been observed angling twigs into hooks to pull insects out of holes in trees!
At about 16 - 20 inches long, with a wingspan of about 22 - 28 inches, American Crows are an iridescent black, with squared tails and slightly curved beaks. These two features, and their smaller size, will help to differentiate them from Ravens.