TOOLS FOR EDUCATORS

American Goldfinch

This yellow-and-black beauty is a frequent visitor to the thistle feeder.  You’ll find him in his drab cold-weather coat during winter.

American Robin

One of the most common and accessible birds in the continental U.S., the American Robin exhibits fascinating behaviors worthy of our attention.

Black-capped Chickadee

One of our most beloved year-round residents, Chickadees are always busy, usually vocal, and definitely smartly attired.

Blue Jay

A big presence in any woodland, Blue Jays are handsome, gregarious, and usually noisy.  They can imitate any number of bird calls and will mob intruding owls or other large predatory birds.

Canada Goose

A flock of Canada Geese honking overhead in the fall and winter or a group of goslings following their parents in spring and summer is a common site in DuPage County.

Common Grackle

This sleek purple and bronze beauty with the yellow eye is also one of our most expressive vocalists, with a number of whistles, squeaks, and pops at its disposal.

Dark-eyed Junco

Winter brings us the lovely Dark-Eyed Junco to grace the cold days.  Juncos are often found scratching in the leaf litter for food, flashing their white tail feathers as they dart from place to place.

Downy Woodpecker

Small but mighty, the Downy Woodpecker is the DBC club logo and a favorite year-round resident and feeder bird.

European Starling

This nonnative import from Europe is often found in large flocks and is usually quite vocal, with an impressive repertoire of whistles, trills, and squeaks, and he can even imitate the sounds of other birds.

Gray Catbird

Another impressive singer, the Gray Catbird is so-named because one of his many musical notes is a mew that sounds just like a cat, “meowww.”  You may hear this skulker in the bushes before you see him.

House Finch

The House Finch sports a rosy red face and streaking on its breast to let you know he’s not just your ordinary House Sparrow.  He uses his big conical bill to crack open seeds, his favorite food.

House Sparrow

As the name implies, the House Sparrow is found where there are people and buildings. They are the birds you see in McDonald’s parking lots, tussling in your neighbors’ hedges, and, occasionally in the rafters of your favorite home supply store.

House Wren

The House Wren charms us with its bubbly and energetic song and might just nest near your house if you provide a suitable next box.

Indigo Bunting

One of the most stunning of birds to call DuPage County home, the brilliant blue Indigo Bunting’s sweet, clear two-noted song echoes in our woodlands in summer.

Mallard

Our most commonly occurring duck, the Mallard can be found on and near waterways everywhere in the county.  The male’s iridescent green head is unmistakable.

Mourning Dove

The plaintive song of this slender beauty can often be heard in the early morning or evening. He is often found at our feeders or perched on a wire.

Northern Cardinal

The state bird of Illinois, the bright red Northern Cardinal perks up our days year-round, especially stunning against the winter snow.

Red-tailed Hawk

This large bird of prey with its broad, red tail can be seen perching atop telephone poles and tall snags or soaring lazily overhead.  “Keeerrrr,” he screams, to let us know he’s around.

Red-winged Blackbird

One of our earliest returning migrants, the Red-winged Blackbird’s “con-quer-ee” song announces that spring has arrived in the marshes and fields of the county.

Tree Swallow

This sleek blue and white songbird is a fast flyer as it forages over grasses or water in search of insects.

White-breasted Nuthatch

Its familiar nasal “aunk, aunk” can be heard as the tiny and active White-breasted Nuthatch works its way up and down tree trunks as it seeks out insects and larvae in the bark.