List of birds of Delaware

This list of birds of Delaware includes species credibly documented in the U.S. state of Delaware and accepted by the Delaware Bird Records Committee (DBRC). As of August 2021 there were 427 species on the official list. Of them, 100 are classed as accidental and six were introduced to North America. One species whose record is under review by the DBRC is not included.

Only birds that have occurred as wild individuals in Delaware are listed; this includes introduced species which have established self-sustaining populations in the wild. Birds thought to have occurred only as escapes from captivity are not included.

This list is presented in the taxonomic sequence of the ''Check-list of North and Middle American Birds'', 7th edition through the 62nd Supplement, published by the American Ornithological Society (AOS). Common and scientific names are also those of the ''Check-list'', except that the common names of families are from the Clements taxonomy because the AOS list does not include them.

The following tags have been used to annotate some species:

*(A) Accidental - occur seldom and unpredictably and require documentation for reports to be accepted by the DBRC to enter the official record
*(I) Introduced - a species established by direct or indirect human intervention

Ducks, geese, and waterfowl

Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae

The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, bills which are flattened to a greater or lesser extent, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to special oils.

* Black-bellied whistling-duck, ''Dendrocygna autumnalis'' (A)
* Fulvous whistling-duck, ''Dendrocygna bicolor'' (A)
* Snow goose, ''Anser caerulescens''
* Ross's goose, ''Anser rossii''
* Greater white-fronted goose, ''Anser albifrons''
* Pink-footed goose, ''Anser brachyrhynchus'' (A)
* Brant, ''Branta bernicla''
* Barnacle goose, ''Branta leucopsis'' (A)
*Cackling goose, ''Branta hutchinsii''
*Canada goose, ''Branta canadensis''
*Mute swan, ''Cygnus olor'' (I)
* Trumpeter swan, ''Cygnus buccinator'' (A)
* Tundra swan, ''Cygnus columbianus''
* Wood duck, ''Aix sponsa''
* Garganey, ''Spatula querquedula'' (A)
* Blue-winged teal, ''Spatula discors''
* Cinnamon teal, ''Spatula cyanoptera'' (A)
* Northern shoveler, ''Spatula clypeata''
*Gadwall, ''Mareca strepera''
* Eurasian wigeon, ''Mareca penelope''
* American wigeon, ''Mareca americana''
*Mallard, ''Anas platyrhynchos''
* American black duck, ''Anas rubripes''
* Northern pintail, ''Anas acuta''
* Green-winged teal, ''Anas crecca''
* Canvasback, ''Aythya valisineria''
* Redhead, ''Aythya americana''
* Ring-necked duck, ''Aythya collaris''
* Tufted duck, ''Aythya fuligula'' (A)
* Greater scaup, ''Aythya marila''
* Lesser scaup, ''Aythya affinis''
* King eider, ''Somateria spectabilis''
* Common eider, ''Somateria mollissima''
* Harlequin duck, ''Histrionicus histrionicus''
* Surf scoter, ''Melanitta perspicillata''
* White-winged scoter, ''Melanitta deglandi''
* Black scoter, ''Melanitta americana''
* Long-tailed duck, ''Clangula hyemalis''
*Bufflehead, ''Bucephala albeola''
* Common goldeneye, ''Bucephala clangula''
* Hooded merganser, ''Lophodytes cucullatus''
* Common merganser, ''Mergus merganser''
* Red-breasted merganser, ''Mergus serrator''
* Ruddy duck, ''Oxyura jamaicensis''

New World quail

Order: GalliformesFamily: 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.

* Northern bobwhite, ''Colinus virginianus''

Pheasants, grouse, and allies

Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae

Phasianidae consists of the pheasants and their allies. These are terrestrial species, variable in size but generally plump with broad relatively short wings. Many species are gamebirds or have been domesticated as a food source for humans.

* Wild turkey, ''Meleagris gallopavo''
* Ring-necked pheasant, ''Phasianus colchicus'' (I)

Grebes

Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large diving birds that breed on fresh water. 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.

* Pied-billed grebe, ''Podilymbus podiceps''
* Horned grebe, ''Podiceps auritus''
*Red-necked grebe, ''Podiceps grisegena''
*Eared grebe, ''Podiceps nigricollis'' (A)
* Western grebe, ''Aechmophorus occidentalis'' (A)

Pigeons and doves

Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.

* Rock pigeon, ''Columba livia'' (I)
* Eurasian collared-dove, ''Streptopelia decaocto'' (A except in Selbyville)
* Common ground dove, ''Columbina passerina'' (A)
* White-winged dove, ''Zenaida asiatica'' (A)
* Mourning dove, ''Zenaida macroura''

Cuckoos

Order: CuculiformesFamily: Cuculidae

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners, and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs.

* Yellow-billed cuckoo, ''Coccyzus americanus''
*Black-billed cuckoo, ''Coccyzus erythropthalmus''

Nightjars and allies

Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is cryptically colored to resemble bark or leaves.

* Common nighthawk, ''Chordeiles minor''
*Chuck-will's-widow, ''Antrostomus carolinensis''
*Eastern whip-poor-will, ''Antrostomus vociferus''

Swifts

Order: ApodiformesFamily: Apodidae

The swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang.

* Chimney swift, ''Chaetura pelagica''

Hummingbirds

Order: ApodiformesFamily: 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.

* Ruby-throated hummingbird, ''Archilochus colubris''
* Black-chinned hummingbird, ''Archilochus alexandri'' (A)
*Calliope hummingbird, ''Selasphorus calliope'' (A)
*Rufous hummingbird, ''Selasphorus rufus''
* Allen's hummingbird, ''Selasphorus sasin'' (A)
* Broad-tailed hummingbird, ''Selasphorus platycercus'' (A)

Rails, gallinules, and coots

Order: GruiformesFamily: Rallidae

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 birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers.

* Clapper rail, ''Rallus crepitans''
*King rail, ''Rallus elegans''
*Virginia rail, ''Rallus limicola''
* Sora, ''Porzana carolina''
* Common gallinule, ''Gallinula galeata''
* American coot, ''Fulica americana''
*Purple gallinule, ''Porphyrio martinicus'' (A)
* Yellow rail, ''Coturnicops noveboracensis'' (A)
* Black rail, ''Laterallus jamaicensis''

Cranes

Order: GruiformesFamily: Gruidae

Cranes are large, long-legged, and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances".

* Sandhill crane, ''Antigone canadensis''

Stilts and avocets

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills.

*Black-necked stilt, ''Himantopus mexicanus''
* American avocet, ''Recurvirostra americana''

Oystercatchers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large, obvious, noisy plover-like birds with strong bills used for smashing or prying open molluscs.

* American oystercatcher, ''Haematopus palliatus''

Lapwings and plovers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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 found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water.

*Northern lapwing, ''Vanellus vanellus'' (A)
* Black-bellied plover, ''Pluvialis squatarola''
* European golden-plover, ''Pluvialis apricaria'' (A)
*American golden-plover, ''Pluvialis dominica''
* Pacific golden-plover, ''Pluvialis fulva'' (A)
* Killdeer, ''Charadrius vociferus''
* Semipalmated plover, ''Charadrius semipalmatus''
*Piping plover, ''Charadrius melodus''
* Wilson's plover, ''Charadrius wilsonia'' (A)

Sandpipers and allies

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Scolopacidae

Scolopacidae is a large, diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds, including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers, and phalaropes. Most species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Different lengths of legs and bills enable multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.

* Upland sandpiper, ''Bartramia longicauda''
* Whimbrel, ''Numenius phaeopus''
*Black-tailed godwit, ''Limosa limosa'' (A)
*Hudsonian godwit, ''Limosa haemastica''
*Marbled godwit, ''Limosa fedoa''
* Ruddy turnstone, ''Arenaria interpres''
* Red knot, ''Calidris canutus''
*Ruff, ''Calidriss pugnax''
* Sharp-tailed sandpiper, ''Calidris acuminata'' (A)
* Stilt sandpiper, ''Calidris himantopus''
* Curlew sandpiper, ''Calidris ferruginea''
* Red-necked stint, ''Calidris ruficollis'' (A)
* Sanderling, ''Calidris alba''
*Dunlin, ''Calidris alpina''
* Purple sandpiper, ''Calidris maritima''
* Baird's sandpiper, ''Calidris bairdii''
* Little stint, ''Calidris minuta'' (A)
* Least sandpiper, ''Calidris minutilla''
*White-rumped sandpiper, ''Calidris fuscicollis''
*Buff-breasted sandpiper, ''Tryngites subruficollis''
* Pectoral sandpiper, ''Calidris melanotos''
* Semipalmated sandpiper, ''Calidris pusilla''
* Western sandpiper, ''Calidris mauri''
* Short-billed dowitcher, ''Limnodromus griseus''
* Long-billed dowitcher, ''Limnodromus scolopaceus''
* American woodcock, ''Scolopax minor''
* Wilson's snipe, ''Gallinago delicata''
*Spotted sandpiper, ''Actitis macularius''
*Solitary sandpiper, ''Tringa solitaria''
* Lesser yellowlegs, ''Tringa flavipes''
* Willet, ''Tringa semipalmata''
* Greater yellowlegs, ''Tringa melanoleuca''
*Wood sandpiper, ''Tringa glareola'' (A)
* Wilson's phalarope, ''Phalaropus tricolor''
* Red-necked phalarope, ''Phalaropus lobatus''
* Red phalarope, ''Phalaropus fulicarius''

Skuas and jaegers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Stercorariidae

Skuas and jaegers are in general medium to large birds, typically with gray or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They have longish bills with hooked tips 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.

*Great skua, ''Stercorarius skua'' (A)
* South polar skua, ''Stercorarius maccormicki'' (A)
*Pomarine jaeger, ''Stercorarius pomarinus''
*Parasitic jaeger, ''Stercorarius parasiticus''
* Long-tailed jaeger, ''Stercorarius longicaudus'' (A when seen from shore)

Auks, murres, and puffins

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Alcidae

Alcids are superficially similar to penguins in their black-and-white colors, their upright posture, and some of their habits. However they are only distantly related to the penguins and are able to fly. Auks live on the open sea, deliberately coming ashore only to nest.

*Dovekie, ''Alle alle''
* Common murre, ''Uria aalge'' (A when seen from shore)
*Thick-billed murre, ''Uria lomvia'' (A)
* Razorbill, ''Alca torda''
*Black guillemot, ''Cepphus grylle'' (A)
* Ancient murrelet, ''Synthliboramphus antiquus'' (A)
*Atlantic puffin, ''Fratercula arctica'' (A when seen from shore)

Gulls, terns, and skimmers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds and includes gulls, terns, and skimmers. Gulls are typically gray or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. Terns are a group of generally medium to large seabirds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species known to live in excess of 30 years. Skimmers are a small family of tropical tern-like birds. They have an elongated lower mandible which they use to feed by flying low over the water surface and skimming the water for small fish.

*Black-legged kittiwake, ''Rissa tridactyla''
* Sabine's gull, ''Xema sabini'' (A)
* Bonaparte's gull, ''Chroicocephalus philadelphia''
* Black-headed gull, ''Chroicocephalus ridibundus''
* Little gull, ''Hydrocoloeus minutus''
* Ross's gull, ''Rhodostethia rosea'' (A)
* Laughing gull, ''Leucophaeus atricilla''
*Franklin's gull, ''Leucophaeus pipixcan'' (A)
* Common gull/Short-billed gull, ''Larus canus''/''Larus brachyrhynchus'' (A)
* Ring-billed gull, ''Larus delawarensis''
* California gull, ''Larus californicus'' (A)
* Herring gull, ''Larus argentatus''
*Iceland gull, ''Larus glaucoides''
* Lesser black-backed gull, ''Larus fuscus''
*Glaucous gull, ''Larus hyperboreus''
* Great black-backed gull, ''Larus marinus''
* Kelp gull, ''Larus dominicanus'' (A)
*Sooty tern, ''Onychoprion fuscatus'' (A)
*Bridled tern, ''Onychoprion anaethetus''
* Least tern, ''Sternula antillarum''
* Gull-billed tern, ''Gelochelidon nilotica''
* Caspian tern, ''Hydroprogne caspia''
* Black tern, ''Chlidonias niger''
* White-winged tern, ''Chlidonias leucopterus'' (A)
*Whiskered tern, ''Chlidonias hybrida'' (A)
*Roseate tern, ''Sterna dougallii''
* Common tern, ''Sterna hirundo''
*Arctic tern, ''Sterna paradisaea''
* Forster's tern, ''Sterna forsteri''
*Royal tern, ''Thalasseus maximus''
* Sandwich tern, ''Thalasseus sandvicensis''
* Elegant tern, ''Thalasseus elegans'' (A)
*Black skimmer, ''Rynchops niger''

Tropicbirds

Order: PhaethontiformesFamily: 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.

* White-tailed tropicbird, ''Phaethon lepturus'' (A)

Loons

Order: GaviiformesFamily: Gaviidae

Loons are aquatic birds the size of a large duck, to which they are unrelated. Their plumage is largely gray or black, and they have spear-shaped bills. Loons swim well and fly adequately, but are almost hopeless on land, because their legs are placed towards the rear of the body.

* Red-throated loon, ''Gavia stellata''
*Pacific loon, ''Gavia pacifica'' (A)
* Common loon, ''Gavia immer''

Southern storm-petrels

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Oceanitidae

The storm-petrels are the smallest seabirds, relatives of the petrels, feeding on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. Until 2018, this family's three species were included with the other storm-petrels in family Hydrobatidae.

* Wilson's storm-petrel, ''Oceanites oceanicus''
* White-faced storm-petrel, ''Pelagodroma marina'' (A)

Northern storm-petrels

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Hydrobatidae

Though the members of this family are similar in many respects to the southern storm-petrels, including their general appearance and habits, there are enough genetic differences to warrant their placement in a separate family.

*Leach's storm-petrel, ''Hydrobates leucorhous''
*Band-rumped storm-petrel, ''Hydrobates castro''

Shearwaters and petrels

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Procellariidae

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterized by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary.

*Northern fulmar, ''Fulmarus glacialis''
* Black-capped petrel, ''Pterodroma hasitata'' (A)
* Cory's shearwater, ''Calonectris diomedea''
* Sooty shearwater, ''Ardenna griseus''
* Great shearwater, ''Ardenna gravis''
*Manx shearwater, ''Puffinus puffinus''
*Audubon's shearwater, ''Puffinus lherminieri''

Storks

Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Threskiornithidae

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.

* Wood stork, ''Mycteria americana'' (A)

Frigatebirds

Order: SuliformesFamily: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black, or black-and-white, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have colored inflatable throat pouches. They do not swim or walk and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan-to-weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week.

* Magnificent frigatebird, ''Fregata magnificens'' (A)

Boobies and gannets

Order: SuliformesFamily: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium-large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish.

*Brown booby, ''Sula leucogaster'' (A)
* Northern gannet, ''Morus bassanus''

Anhingas

Order: SuliformesFamily: Anhingidae

Anhingas are cormorant-like water birds with very long necks and long, straight beaks. They are fish eaters which often swim with only their neck above the water.

* Anhinga, ''Anhinga anhinga'' (A)

Cormorants and shags

Order: SuliformesFamily: Phalacrocoracidae

Cormorants are medium to large aquatic birds, usually with mainly dark plumage and areas of colored skin on the face. The bill is long, thin, and sharply hooked. Their feet are four-toed and webbed.

* Great cormorant, ''Phalacrocorax carbo''
* Double-crested cormorant, ''Nannopterum auritum''
* Neotropic cormorant, ''Nannopterum brasilianum'' (A)

Pelicans

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are very large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. Like other birds in the order Pelecaniformes, they have four webbed toes.

*American white pelican, ''Pelecanus erythrorhynchos''
* Brown pelican, ''Pelecanus occidentalis''

Herons, egrets, and bitterns

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the herons, egrets, and bitterns. Herons and egrets are medium-sized to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter-necked and more secretive. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises, and spoonbills.

* American bittern, ''Botaurus lentiginosus''
* Least bittern, ''Ixobrychus exilis''
*Great blue heron, ''Ardea herodias''
* Great egret, ''Ardea alba''
* Little egret, ''Egretta garzetta'' (A)
*Snowy egret, ''Egretta thula''
* Little blue heron, ''Egretta caerulea''
* Tricolored heron, ''Egretta tricolor''
*Reddish egret, ''Egretta rufescens'' (A)
*Cattle egret, ''Bubulcus ibis''
*Green heron, ''Butorides virescens''
*Black-crowned night-heron, ''Nycticorax nycticorax''
* Yellow-crowned night-heron, ''Nyctanassa violacea''

Ibises and spoonbills

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Threskiornithidae

The family Threskiornithidae includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings. Their bodies tend to be elongated, the neck more so, with rather long legs. The bill is also long, decurved in the case of the ibises, straight and distinctively flattened in the spoonbills.

* White ibis, ''Eudocimus albus''
* Glossy ibis, ''Plegadis falcinellus''
*White-faced ibis, ''Plegadis chihi''
* Roseate spoonbill, ''Platalea ajaja'' (A)

New World vultures

Order: CathartiformesFamily: Cathartidae

The 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, but unlike Old World vultures, which find carcasses by sight, some New World vultures have a good sense of smell with which they find carcasses.

* Black vulture, ''Coragyps atratus''
* Turkey vulture, ''Cathartes aura''

Osprey

Order: AccipitriformesFamily: Pandionidae

Pandionidae is a monotypic family of fish-eating birds of prey. Its single species possesses a very large and powerful hooked beak, strong legs, strong talons, and keen eyesight.

* Osprey, ''Pandion haliaetus''

Hawks, eagles, and kites

Order: AccipitriformesFamily: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers, and Old World vultures. These birds have very large powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight.

* Swallow-tailed kite, ''Elanoides forficatus''
*Northern harrier, ''Circus hudsonius''
* Sharp-shinned hawk, ''Accipiter striatus''
* Cooper's hawk, ''Accipiter cooperii''
*Northern goshawk, ''Accipiter gentilis'' (A)
*Bald eagle, ''Haliaeetus leucocephalus''
* Mississippi kite, ''Ictinia mississippiensis''
* Red-shouldered hawk, ''Buteo lineatus''
* Broad-winged hawk, ''Buteo platypterus''
* Swainson's hawk, ''Buteo swainsoni'' (A)
*Zone-tailed hawk, ''Buteo albonotatus'' (A)
* Red-tailed hawk, ''Buteo jamaicensis''
*Rough-legged hawk, ''Buteo lagopus''
* Golden eagle, ''Aquila chrysaetos''

Barn-owls

Order: StrigiformesFamily: Tytonidae

Barn-owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons.

*Barn owl, ''Tyto alba''

Owls

Order: StrigiformesFamily: 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.

*Eastern screech-owl, ''Megascops asio''
* Great horned owl, ''Bubo virginianus''
* Snowy owl, ''Bubo scandiacus''
* Burrowing owl, ''Athene cunicularia'' (A)
* Barred owl, ''Strix varia''
* Long-eared owl, ''Asio otus''
*Short-eared owl, ''Asio flammeus''
* Northern saw-whet owl, ''Aegolius acadicus''

Kingfishers

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails.

*Belted kingfisher, ''Megaceryle alcyon''

Woodpeckers

Order: PiciformesFamily: 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.

* Red-headed woodpecker, ''Melanerpes erythrocephalus''
*Red-bellied woodpecker, ''Melanerpes carolinus''
*Yellow-bellied sapsucker, ''Sphyrapicus varius''
* Downy woodpecker, ''Dryobates pubescens''
*Hairy woodpecker, ''Dryobates villosus''
*Northern flicker, ''Colaptes auratus''
* Pileated woodpecker, ''Dryocopus pileatus''

Falcons and caracaras

Order: FalconiformesFamily: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey, notably the falcons and caracaras. They differ from hawks, eagles, and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons.

* Crested caracara, ''Caracara plancus'' (A)
* American kestrel, ''Falco sparverius''
*Merlin, ''Falco columbarius''
* Gyrfalcon, ''Falco rusticolus'' (A)
*Peregrine falcon, ''Falco peregrinus''

New World and African parrots

Order: PsittaciformesFamily: Psittacidae

Characteristic features of parrots include a strong curved bill, an upright stance, strong legs, and clawed zygodactyl feet. Many parrots are vividly colored, and some are multi-colored. In size they range from to in length. Most of the more than 150 species in this family are found in the New World.

* Monk parakeet, ''Myiopsitta monachus'' (I) (A)

Tyrant flycatchers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Tyrannidae

Tyrant flycatchers are Passerine birds which occur throughout North and South America. They superficially resemble the Old World flycatchers, but are more robust and have 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.

* Ash-throated flycatcher, ''Myiarchus cinerascens'' (A)
* Great crested flycatcher, ''Myiarchus crinitus''
* Tropical kingbird, ''Tyrannus melancholicus'' (A)
* Western kingbird, ''Tyrannus verticalis'' (A)
* Eastern kingbird, ''Tyrannus tyrannus''
* Gray kingbird, ''Tyrannus dominicensis'' (A)
* Scissor-tailed flycatcher, ''Tyrannus forficatus'' (A)
* Fork-tailed flycatcher, ''Tyrannus savana'' (A)
*Olive-sided flycatcher, ''Contopus cooperi''
* Eastern wood-pewee, ''Contopus virens''
*Yellow-bellied flycatcher, ''Empidonax flaviventris''
*Acadian flycatcher, ''Empidonax virescens''
*Alder flycatcher, ''Empidonax alnorum''
*Willow flycatcher, ''Empidonax traillii''
*Least flycatcher, ''Empidonax minimus''
*Hammond's flycatcher, ''Empidonax hammondii'' (A)
* Gray flycatcher, ''Empidonax wrightii'' (A)
* Dusky flycatcher, ''Empidonax oberholseri'' (A)
*Pacific-slope flycatcher/Cordilleran flycatcher, ''Empidonax difficilis/occidentalis'' (A)
*Eastern phoebe, ''Sayornis phoebe''
*Say's phoebe, ''Sayornis saya'' (A)
* Vermilion flycatcher, ''Pyrocephalus rubinus'' (A)

Vireos, shrike-babblers, and erpornis

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Vireonidae

The vireos are a group of small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are typically greenish in color and resemble wood warbler,s apart from their heavier bills.

* White-eyed vireo, ''Vireo griseus''
* Bell’s vireo, ''Vireo bellii'' (A)
* Yellow-throated vireo, ''Vireo flavifrons''
*Blue-headed vireo, ''Vireo solitarius''
*Philadelphia vireo, ''Vireo philadelphicus''
*Warbling vireo, ''Vireo gilvus''
*Red-eyed vireo, ''Vireo olivaceus''

Shrikes

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Laniidae

Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A shrike's beak is hooked, like that of a typical bird of prey.

* Loggerhead shrike, ''Lanius ludovicianus'' (A)
* Northern shrike, ''Lanius borealis'' (A)

Crows, jays, and magpies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Corvidae

The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers, and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence.

*Blue jay, ''Cyanocitta cristata''
* American crow, ''Corvus brachyrhynchos''
*Fish crow, ''Corvus ossifragus''
* Common raven, ''Corvus corax'' (A)

Tits, chickadees, and titmice

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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.

* Carolina chickadee, ''Poecile carolinensis''
* Black-capped chickadee, ''Poecile atricapillus''
* Boreal chickadee, ''Poecile hudsonica'' (A)
* Tufted titmouse, ''Baeolophus bicolor''

Larks

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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.

* Horned lark, ''Eremophila alpestris''

Swallows

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Hirundinidae

The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings, and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base.

* Bank swallow, ''Riparia riparia''
*Tree swallow, ''Tachycineta bicolor''
*Northern rough-winged swallow, ''Stelgidopteryx serripennis''
*Purple martin, ''Progne subis''
* Barn swallow, ''Hirundo rustica''
*Cliff swallow, ''Petrochelidon pyrrhonota''
* Cave swallow, ''Petrochelidon fulva''

Kinglets

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Regulidae

The kinglets are a small family of birds which resemble the titmice. They are very small insectivorous birds. The adults have colored crowns, giving rise to their name.

* Ruby-crowned kinglet, ''Corthylio calendula''
* Golden-crowned kinglet, ''Regulus satrapa''

Waxwings

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Bombycillidae

The waxwings are a group of passerine birds with 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.

* Cedar waxwing, ''Bombycilla cedrorum''

Nuthatches

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sittidae

Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They have the unusual ability to climb down trees head first, unlike other birds which can only go upwards. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails, and powerful bills and feet.

* Red-breasted nuthatch, ''Sitta canadensis''
*White-breasted nuthatch, ''Sitta carolinensis''
*Brown-headed nuthatch, ''Sitta pusilla''

Treecreepers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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.

* Brown creeper, ''Certhia americana''

Gnatcatchers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Polioptilidae

These dainty birds resemble Old World warblers in their structure and habits, moving restlessly through the foliage seeking insects. The gnatcatchers are mainly soft bluish gray in color and have the typical insectivore's long sharp bill. Many species have distinctive black head patterns (especially males) and long, regularly cocked, black-and-white tails.

*Blue-gray gnatcatcher, ''Polioptila caerulea''

Wrens

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Troglodytidae

Wrens are small and inconspicuous birds, except for their loud songs. They have short wings and thin down-turned bills. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous.

* House wren, ''Troglodytes aedon''
* Winter wren, ''Troglodytes hiemalis''
*Sedge wren, ''Cistothorus platensis''
* Marsh wren, ''Cistothorus palustris''
* Carolina wren, ''Thryothorus ludovicianus''
* Bewick's wren, ''Thryomanes bewickii'' (A)

Mockingbirds and thrashers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Mimidae

The mimids are a family of passerine birds which includes thrashers, mockingbirds, tremblers, and the New World catbirds. These birds are notable for their vocalization, especially their remarkable ability to mimic a wide variety of birds and other sounds heard outdoors. The species tend towards dull grays and browns in their appearance.

* Gray catbird, ''Dumetella carolinensis''
* Brown thrasher, ''Toxostoma rufum''
*Sage thrasher, ''Oreoscoptes montanus'' (A)
* Northern mockingbird, ''Mimus polyglottos''

Starlings

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized Old World passerine birds with strong feet. Their flight is strong and direct and most are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country and they eat insects and fruit. The plumage of several species is dark with a metallic sheen.

* European starling, ''Sturnus vulgaris'' (I)

Thrushes and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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.

* Eastern bluebird, ''Sialia sialis''
*Veery, ''Catharus fuscescens''
*Gray-cheeked thrush, ''Catharus minimus''
*Bicknell's thrush, ''Catharus bicknelli'' (A)
*Swainson's thrush, ''Catharus ustulatus''
* Hermit thrush, ''Catharus guttatus''
* Wood thrush, ''Hylocichla mustelina''
* Fieldfare, ''Turdus pilaris'' (A)
*American robin, ''Turdus migratorius''
*Varied thrush, ''Ixoreus naevius'' (A)

Old World flycatchers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Muscicapidae

The Old World flycatchers form a large family of small passerine birds. These are mainly small arboreal insectivores, many of which, as the name implies, take their prey on the wing.

* Northern wheatear, ''Oenanthe oenanthe'' (A)

Old World sparrows

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Passeridae

Old World sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump brownish or grayish birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects.

*House sparrow, ''Passer domesticus'' (I)

Wagtails and pipits

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Motacillidae

Motacillidae is 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.

*American pipit, ''Anthus rubescens''

Finches, euphonias, and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Fringillidae

Finches are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well.

*Evening grosbeak, ''Coccothraustes vespertinus'' (A)
* Pine grosbeak, ''Pinicola enucleator'' (A)
*House finch, ''Haemorhous mexicanus''
*Purple finch, ''Haemorhous purpureus''
* Common redpoll, ''Acanthis flammea''
*Red crossbill, ''Loxia curvirostra''
*White-winged crossbill, ''Loxia leucoptera''
*Pine siskin, ''Spinus pinus''
* Lesser goldfinch, ''Spinus psaltria'' (A)
* American goldfinch, ''Spinus tristis''

Longspurs and snow buntings

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Calcariidae

The Calcariidae are a group of passerine birds that had been traditionally grouped with the New World sparrows, but differ in a number of respects and are usually found in open grassy areas.

* Lapland longspur, ''Calcarius lapponicus''
* Snow bunting, ''Plectrophenax nivalis''

New World sparrows

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Passerellidae

Until 2017, these species were considered part of the family Emberizidae. Most of the species are known as sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many of these have distinctive head patterns.

*Grasshopper sparrow, ''Ammodramus savannarum''
* Lark sparrow, ''Chondestes grammacus''
* Lark bunting, ''Calamospiza melanocorys'' (A)
*Chipping sparrow, ''Spizella passerina''
* Clay-colored sparrow, ''Spizella pallida''
* Field sparrow, ''Spizella pusilla''
*Fox sparrow, ''Passerella iliaca''
*American tree sparrow, ''Spizelloides arborea''
* Dark-eyed junco, ''Junco hyemalis''
* White-crowned sparrow, ''Zonotrichia leucophrys''
*Harris's sparrow, ''Zonotrichia querula'' (A)
* White-throated sparrow, ''Zonotrichia albicollis''
* Vesper sparrow, ''Pooecetes gramineus''
*LeConte's sparrow, ''Ammospiza leconteii'' (A)
* Seaside sparrow, ''Ammospiza maritima''
*Nelson's sparrow, ''Ammospiza nelsoni''
*Saltmarsh sparrow''Ammospiza caudacuta''
* Henslow's sparrow, ''Centronyx henslowii'' (A)
*Savannah sparrow, ''Passerculus sandwichensis''
* Song sparrow, ''Melospiza melodia''
*Lincoln's sparrow, ''Melospiza lincolnii''
*Swamp sparrow, ''Melospiza georgiana''
*Green-tailed towhee, ''Pipilo chlorurus'' (A)
* Eastern towhee, ''Pipilo erythrophthalmus''

Yellow-breasted chat

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Icteriidae

This species was historically placed in the wood-warblers (Parulidae) but nonetheless most authorities were unsure if it belonged there. It was placed in its own family in 2017.

* Yellow-breasted chat, ''Icteria virens''

Troupials and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Icteridae

The icterids are a group of small to medium-sized, often colorful passerine birds restricted to the New World and include the grackles, New World blackbirds, and New World orioles. Most species have black as a predominant plumage color, often enlivened by yellow, orange, or red.

* Yellow-headed blackbird, ''Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus''
* Bobolink, ''Dolichonyx oryzivorus''
* Eastern meadowlark, ''Sturnella magna''
*Orchard oriole, ''Icterus spurius''
*Baltimore oriole, ''Icterus galbula''
* Red-winged blackbird, ''Agelaius phoeniceus''
* Brown-headed cowbird, ''Molothrus ater''
*Rusty blackbird, ''Euphagus carolinus''
*Brewer's blackbird, ''Euphagus cyanocephalus'' (A)
* Common grackle, ''Quiscalus quiscula''
* Boat-tailed grackle, ''Quiscalus major''

New World warblers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Parulidae

The wood-warblers are a group of small often colorful passerine birds restricted to the New World. Most are arboreal, but some are more terrestrial. Most members of this family are insectivores.

* Ovenbird, ''Seiurus aurocapilla''
*Worm-eating warbler, ''Helmitheros vermivorum''
*Louisiana waterthrush, ''Parkesia motacilla''
*Northern waterthrush, ''Parkesia noveboracensis''
* Golden-winged warbler, ''Vermivora chrysoptera''
*Blue-winged warbler, ''Vermivora cyanoptera''
* Black-and-white warbler, ''Mniotilta varia''
* Prothonotary warbler, ''Protonotaria citrea''
* Swainson's warbler, ''Limnothlypis swainsonii'' (A)
*Tennessee warbler, ''Leiothlypis peregrina''
*Orange-crowned warbler, ''Leiothlypis celata''
* Nashville warbler, ''Leiothlypis ruficapilla''
*Connecticut warbler, ''Oporornis agilis''
*Mourning warbler, ''Geothlypis philadelphia''
* Kentucky warbler, ''Geothlypis formosa''
*Common yellowthroat, ''Geothlypis trichas''
*Hooded warbler, ''Setophaga citrina''
* American redstart, ''Setophaga ruticilla''
*Cape May warbler, ''Setophaga tigrina''
* Cerulean warbler, ''Setophaga cerulea''
* Northern parula, ''Setophaga americana''
*Magnolia warbler, ''Setophaga magnolia''
* Bay-breasted warbler, ''Setophaga castanea''
* Blackburnian warbler, ''Setophaga fusca''
*Yellow warbler, ''Setophaga petechia''
* Chestnut-sided warbler, ''Setophaga pensylvanica''
* Blackpoll warbler, ''Setophaga striata''
*Black-throated blue warbler, ''Setophaga caerulescens''
*Palm warbler, ''Setophaga palmarum''
*Pine warbler, ''Setophaga pinus''
*Yellow-rumped warbler, ''Setophaga coronata''
* Yellow-throated warbler, ''Setophaga dominica''
*Prairie warbler, ''Setophaga discolor''
* Black-throated gray warbler, ''Setophaga nigrescens'' (A)
* Black-throated green warbler, ''Setophaga virens''
* Canada warbler, ''Cardellina canadensis''
*Wilson's warbler, ''Cardwllina pusilla''

Cardinals and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Cardinalidae

The cardinals are a family of robust, seed-eating birds with strong bills. They are typically associated with open woodland. The sexes usually have distinct plumages.

*Summer tanager, ''Piranga rubra''
* Scarlet tanager, ''Piranga olivacea''
*Western tanager, ''Piranga ludoviciana'' (A)
*Northern cardinal, ''Cardinalis cardinalis''
* Rose-breasted grosbeak, ''Pheucticus ludovicianus''
* Black-headed grosbeak, ''Pheucticus melanocephalus'' (A)
*Blue grosbeak, ''Passerina caerulea''
* Indigo bunting, ''Passerina cyanea''
*Painted bunting, ''Passerina ciris'' (A)
* Dickcissel, ''Spiza americana''

See also

*List of birds
* Lists of birds by region
*List of North American birds

Notes

References

External links

RedKnot.org
links to shorebird recovery sites, movies, events & other info on red knot rufa & horseshoe crabs.

{{DEFAULTSORT:List Of Birds Of Delaware
Delaware