Identifying Bird Groups by Silhouette
Screech-Owl
- Small nocturnal bird of prey
- Chunky body, large head
- Feathered tufts on head resemble ears
- Upright stance
Shrike
- Medium-sized predatory songbird
- Relatively large head
- Perches horizontally
- Bill with strong hook at tip
Starling
- Chunky body, short tail
- Strong legs and feet
- Straight bill
Swallow
- Small size
- Very slender body, short legs, and long, pointed wings
- Small bill with wide gape
Vireo
- Small, tree-dwelling bird
- Small, cylindrical bill (slight hook at tip, visible only at close range)
- Perches horizontally, often leans forward while foraging
Warbler
- Very small, tree-dwelling bird
- Perches horizontally
- Slender insect-eating bill
Woodpecker
- Clings to tree trunks, head upwards
- Uses tail as prop as it hitches its way up tree trunks
- Strong but short legs and strong feet
- Straight, strong bill for excavating wood
Wren
- Very small size
- Compact body, with relatively long legs
- Thin, slightly curved bill
- Holds tail upright
- Skulking habit
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