perching birds library

Perching birds, or songbirds, are the most common birds on Earth. From Cardindals to Wrens, explore the different types of perching birds.

Featured Article: Dove

Dove, a bird of the pigeon family. There is no scientific difference between a dove and a pigeon, but the term dove usually refers to one of the smaller kinds of pigeon. See more »

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Dickcissel

Dickcissel, or Blackthroated Bunting, a migratory bird found in the central United States, particularly in Illinois and Iowa.

Dove

Dove, a bird of the pigeon family. There is no scientific difference between a dove and a pigeon, but the term dove usually refers to one of the smaller kinds of pigeon.

Drongo

Drongo, a tree-dwelling bird native to the Eastern Hemisphere. Drongos are 7 to 25 inches (18 to 64 cm) long.

Finch

Finch, the common name of a family of more than 120 species of perching birds. These birds are found on every continent except Australia; there are about 15 species in North America.

Flycatcher

Flycatcher, the common name of many species of birds that capture flies and other insects in flight.

Gnatcatcher

Gnatcatcher, a small woodland bird that snaps up tiny insects while in flight. The blue-gray gnatcatcher ranges over North America east of the Rockies and south of Ontario.

Goldfinch

Goldfinch, a small songbird. The American goldfinch, about five inches (13 cm) long, is often called “wild canary” because of its color and song.

Grosbeak

Grosbeak, a bird with a large, conical bill. There are about 25 species. Grosbeaks range from 6 to 10 inches (15 to 25 cm) in length.

Guan

Guan, a forest game bird of Central and South America. It resembles a small turkey, lives in treetops, and feeds mainly on fruit.

Indigo Bunting

Indigo Bunting, a sparrowlike bird of North America, also called indigo bird and indigo finch.

Jackdaw

Jackdaw, or Daw, a European bird. Mature jackdaws are about 14 inches (35 cm) long.

Jay

Jay, a bird belonging to the crow family. There are about 45 species of jays in the world, half of which are found in North America.

Kingbird

Kingbird, or Bee Martin, a pugnacious bird noted for its attacks on hawks, crows.

Lark

Lark, a group of more than 100 species of birds, all but one of which are native to the Old World, chiefly to Africa.

Linnet

Linnet, a songbird of Europe and Asia. The linnet grows about six inches (15 cm) long.

Lyrebird

Lyrebird, a shy bird of open woodlands in Australia. The lyrebird grows about as large as a chicken, and is reddish brown in color.

Magpie

Magpie, a bird of the crow family. It is about 20 inches (50 cm) in length, including its long, wedge-shaped tail.

Martin

Martin, a North American and European bird of the swallow family. There are six species.

Mockingbird, a bird related to the catbird and thrasher. Its natural song is a series of clear, varied notes, usually repeated several times, but it is named for its ability to imitate the songs of other birds, and even the mewing of cats.