Birds of Berrien County, Michigan

Of the approximately 435 species of birds (Class Aves) known from the State of Michigan, a nominal 333 species (representing 17 orders, 52 families, and 182 genera) have been recorded in Berrien County; 237 are of regular occurrence (as year-round or summer residents, with breeding confirmed for 119 species and suspected for an additional 30; winter residents; or migrants), 35 are casual, 59 are accidental, 1 is extirpated, 1 is extinct, and 8 are introduced (i.e., their presence is the result of direct or indirect human intervention).



In the list below, species followed by an asterisk (*) are known with certainty to have nested in the county at least once, while species followed by a plus sign (+) are suspected of having nested in the county. Species of regular occurrence have either been recorded in 9 of the last 10 years or have been recorded 30 or more times in the last 10 years. Casual species are not regular, but have been recorded 4 or more times in the last 10 years, while Accidental species are represented by 3 or fewer records in the last 10 years. The list is based primarily on “The birds of Berrien Co., MI,” by Jon Wuepper (Michigan Birds and Natural History 8:165-183, 2001), supplemented by the Berrien County Parks Commission’s “Daily field checklist” (January 2006). Taxonomy and nomenclature follow the ABA Checklist Update (Version 6.8, November 2007).



ORDER ANSERIFORMES

Family Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Swans):

Anser albifrons, Greater White-fronted Goose [Casual]

Chen caerulescens, Snow Goose

Chen rossii, Ross’s Goose [Accidental]

Branta bernicla, Brant [Accidental]

Branta hutchinsii, Cackling Goose [Casual]

Branta canadensis, Canada Goose*

Cygnus olor, Mute Swan* [Introduced]

Cygnus buccinator, Trumpeter Swan [Accidental]

Cygnus columbiana, Tundra Swan

Aix sponsa, Wood Duck*

Anas strepera, Gadwall

Anas penelope, Eurasian Wigeon [Accidental]

Anas americana, American Wigeon

Anas rubripes, American Black Duck*

Anas platyrhynchos, Mallard*

Anas discors, Blue-winged Teal*

Anas clypeata, Northern Shoveler

Anas acuta, Northern Pintail

Anas crecca, Green-winged Teal

Aythya valisineria, Canvasback

Aythya americana, Redhead

Aythya collaris, Ring-necked Duck

Aythya marila, Greater Scaup

Aythya affinis, Lesser Scaup

Somateria spectabilis, King Eider [Accidental]

Histrionicus histrionicus, Harlequin Duck

Melanitta perspicillata, Surf Scoter

Melanitta fusca, White-winged Scoter

Melanitta nigra, Black Scoter

Clangula hyemalis, Long-tailed Duck [Casual]

Bucephala albeola, Bufflehead

Bucephala clangula, Common Goldeneye

Bucephala islandica, Barrow’s Goldeneye [Accidental]

Lophodytes cucullatus, Hooded Merganser+

Mergus merganser, Common Merganser

Mergus serrator, Red-breasted Merganser

Oxyura jamaicensis, Ruddy Duck

ORDER GALLIFORMES

Family Phasianidae (Grouse, Turkeys):

Phasianus colchicus, Ring-necked Pheasant* [Introduced]

Bonasa umbellas, Ruffed Grouse*

Tympanuchus cupido, Greater Prairie-Chicken [Extirpated}

Meleagris gallopavo, Wild Turkey*



Family Odontophoridae (New World Quail):

Colinus virginianus, Northern Bobwhite* [Introduced?]

ORDER GAVIIFORMES

Family Gaviidae (Loons):

Gavia stellata, Red-throated Loon

Gavia pacifica, Pacific Loon [Accidental]

Gavia immer, Common Loon+

ORDER PODICIPEDIFORMES

Family Podicipedidae (Grebes):

Podilymbus podiceps, Pied-billed Grebe*

Podiceps auritus, Horned Grebe

Podiceps grisegena, Red-necked Grebe [Casual]

Podiceps nigricollis, Eared Grebe [Casual]

Aechmophorus occidentalis, Western Grebe [Casual]

ORDER PELECANIFORMES

Family Pelecanidae (Pelicans):

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos, American White Pelican [Casual]

Pelecanus occidentalis, Brown Pelican [Accidental]



Family Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants):

Phalacrocorax auritus, Double-crested Cormorant



Family Fregatidae (Frigatebirds):

Fregatta spp., frigatebird [Accidental]

ORDER CICONIIFORMES

Family Ardeidae (Bitterns, Herons, and allies):

Botaurus lentiginosus, American Bittern*

Ixobrychus exilis, Least Bittern+ [Casual]

Ardea herodias, Great Blue Heron*

Egretta thula, Snowy Egret [Casual]

Egretta caerulea, Little Blue Heron [Accidental]

Bubulcus ibis, Cattle Egret [Casual]

Butorides virescens, Green Heron*

Nycticorax nycticorax, Black-crowned Night-Heron

Nyctanassa violacea, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron [Accidental]



Family Threskiornithidae (Ibises):

Plegadis falcinellus, Glossy Ibis [Accidental]

Plegadis chihi, White-faced Ibis [Accidental]



Family Cathartidae (New World Vultures):

Coragyps atratus, Black Vulture [Accidental]

Cathartes aura, Turkey Vulture*

ORDER FALCONIIFORMES

Family Accipitridae (Hawks, Kites, Eagles, and allies):

Pandion haliaetus, Osprey+

Elanoides forficatus, Swallow-tailed Kite [Accidental]

Ictinia mississippiensis, Mississippi Kite [Accidental]

Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Bald Eagle*

Circus cyaneus, Northern Harrier+

Accipiter striatus, Sharp-shinned Hawk*

Accipiter cooperii, Cooper’s Hawk*

Accipiter gentiles, Northern Goshawk [Casual]

Buteo lineatus, Red-shouldered Hawk*

Buteo platypterus, Broad-winged Hawk*

Buteo swainsoni, Swainson’s Hawk [Accidental]

Buteo jamaicensis, Red-tailed Hawk*

Buteo lagopus, Rough-legged Hawk

Aquila chrysaetos, Golden Eagle [Casual]



Family Falconidae (Falcons):

Falco sparverius, American Kestrel*

Falco columbarius, Merlin

Falco rusticolus, Gyrfalcon [Accidental]

Falco peregrinus, Peregrine Falcon+

ORDER GRUIFORMES

Family Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots):

Coturnicops noveboracensis, Yellow Rail [Accidental]

Rallus elegans, King Rail [Accidental]

Rallus limicola, Virginia Rail+

Porzana carolina, Sora*

Gallinula chloropus, Common Moorhen* [Casual]

Fulica americana, American Coot*



Family Gruidae (Cranes):

Grus canadensis, Sandhill Crane*

ORDER CHARADRIIFORMES

Family Charadriidae (Plovers):

Pluvialis squatarola, Black-bellied Plover

Pluvialis dominica, American Golden-Plover

Charadrius semipalmatus, Semipalmated Plover

Charadrius melodus, Piping Plover* [Casual]

Charadrius vociferus, Killdeer*



Family Recurvirostidae (Stilts and Avocets):

Recurvirostra americana, American Avocet



Family Scolopacidae (Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and allies):

Tringa melanoleuca, Greater Yellowlegs

Trings flavipes, Lesser Yellowlegs

Tringa solitaria, Solitary Sandpiper

Catoptrophorus semipalmatus, Willet

Actitis macularia, Spotted Sandpiper*

Bartramia longicauda, Upland Sandpiper+ [Casual]

Numenius phaeopus, Whimbrel [Casual]

Limosa haemastica, Hudsonian Godwit [Accidental]

Limosa fedoa, Marbled Godwit [Casual]

Arenaria interpres, Ruddy Turnstone

Calidris canutus, Red Knot [Casual]

Calidris alba, Sanderling

Calidris pusilla, Semipalmated Sandpiper

Calidris mauri, Western Sandpiper [Accidental]

Calidris minutilla, Least Sandpiper

Calidris fusciocollis, White-rumped Sandpiper

Calidris bairdii, Baird’s Sandpiper

Calidris melanotos, Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris maritima, Purple Sandpiper [Casual]

Calidris alpina, Dunlin

Calidris himantopus, Stilt Sandpiper [Casual]

Tryngites subruficollis, Buff-breasted Sandpiper

Limnodromus griseus, Short-billed Dowitcher

Limnodromus scolopaceus, Long-billed Dowitcher [Casual]

Gallinago gallinago, Common Snipe+

Scolopax minor, American Woodcock*

Phalaropus tricolor, Wilson’s Phalarope [Casual]

Phalaropus lobatus, Red-necked Phalarope [Accidental]

Phalaropus fulicaria, Red Phalarope [Accidental]



Family Laridae (Gulls and Terns):

Larus atricilla, Laughing Gull [Casual]

Larus pipixcan, Franklin’s Gull [Casual]

Larus minutus, Little Gull

Larus ridibundus, Black-headed Gull [Accidental]

Larus philadelphia, Bonaparte’s Gull

Larus canus, Mew Gull [Accidental]

Larus delawarensis, Ring-billed Gull

Larus californicus, California Gull [Accidental]

Larus argentatus, Herring Gull

Larus thayeri, Thayer’s Gull

Larus glaucoides, Iceland Gull [Casual]

Larus fuscus, Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus hyperboreus, Glaucous Gull

Larus marinus, Great Black-backed Gull

Xema sabini, Sabine’s Gull [Casual]

Rissa tridactyla, Black-legged Kittiwake [Casual]

Sternula antillarum, Least Tern [Accidental]

Hydroprogne caspia, Caspian Tern

Chlidonias niger, Black Tern+

Sterna dougallii, Roseate Tern [Accidental]

Sterna hirundo, Common Tern

Sterna paradisaea, Arctic Tern [Accidental]

Sterna forsteri, Forster’s Tern

Thalasseus sandvicensis, Sandwich Tern [Accidental]



Family Stercorariidae (Jaegers):

Stercorarius pomarinus, Pomarine Jaeger [Accidental]

Stercorarius parasiticus, Parasitic Jaeger [Casual]

Stercorarius longicaudus, Long-tailed Jaeger [Accidental]

ORDER COLUMBIFORMES

Family Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves):

Columba livia, Rock Pigeon* [Introduced]

Columba fasciata, Band-tailed Pigeon [Accidental]

Streptopelia decaocto, Eurasian Collared-Dove [Accidental & Introduced]

Zenaida macroura, Mourning Dove*

Ectopistes migratorius, Passenger Pigeon* [Extinct]

ORDER CUCULIFORMES

Family Cuculidae (Cuckoos and Anis):

Coccyzus americanus, Yellow-billed Cuckoo*

Coccyzus erythropthalmus, Black-billed Cuckoo*

Crotophaga sp., ani [Accidental]

ORDER STRIGIFORMES

Family Tytonidae (Barn Owls):

Tyto alba, Barn Owl* [Accidental]



Family Strigidae (Typical Owls):

Otus asio, Eastern Screech-Owl*

Bubo virginianus, Great Horned Owl*

Bubo scandiaca, Snowy Owl

Athene cunicularia, Burrowing Owl [Accidental]

Strix varia, Barred Owl*

Asio otus, Long-eared Owl [Casual]

Asio flammeus, Short-eared Owl

Aegolius acadicus, Northern Saw-whet Owl [Casual]

ORDER CAPRIMULGIFORMES

Family Caprimulgidae (Goadsuckers):

Chordeiles minor, Common Nighthawk*

Caprimulgus carolinensis, Chuck-will’s-widow [Accidental]

Caprimulgus vociferous, Whip-poor-will*

ORDER APODIFORMES

Family Apodidae (Swifts):

Chaeturus pelagica, Chimney Swift*



Family Trochilidae (Hummingbirds):

Archilochus colubris, Ruby-throated Hummingbird*

Selasphorus rufus, Rufous Hummingbird [Casual]

ORDER CORACIIFORMES

Family Alcedinidae (Kingfishers):

Ceryle alcyon, Belted Kingfisher*

ORDER PICIFORMES

Family Picidae (Woodpeckers and allies):

Melanerpes erythrocephalus, Red-headed Woodpecker*

Melanerpes carolinus, Red-bellied Woodpecker*

Sphyrapicus varius, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker+

Picoides pubescens, Downy Woodpecker*

Picoides villosus, Hairy Woodpecker*

Colaptes auratus, Northern Flicker*

Dryocopus pileatus, Pileated Woodpecker*

ORDER PASSERIFORMES

Family Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers):

Contopus cooperi, Olive-sided Flycatcher

Contopus virens, Eastern Wood-Pewee*

Empidonax flaviventris, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

Empidonax virescens, Acadian Flycatcher*

Empidonax alnorum, Alder Flycatcher+

Empidonax traillii, Willow Flycatcher*

Empidonax minimus, Least Flycatcher*

Sayornis phoebe, Eastern Phoebe*

Myiarchus crinitus, Great Crested Flycatcher

Tyrannus verticalis, Western Kingbird [Casual]

Tyrannus tyrannus, Eastern Kingbird*

Tyrannus forficatus, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher [Accidental]



Family Laniidae (Shrikes):

Lanius ludovicianus, Loggerhead Shrike+ [Accidental]

Lanius excubitor, Northern Shrike



Family Vireonidae (Vireos):

Vireo griseus, White-eyed Vireo*

Vireo bellii, Bell’s Vireo [Accidental]

Vireo flavifrons, Yellow-throated Vireo+

Vireo gilvus, Warbling Vireo*

Vireo philadelphicus, Philadelphia Vireo

Vireo olivaceus, Red-eyed Vireo*



Family Corvidae (Jays and Crows):

Cyanocitta cristata, Blue Jay*

Corvus brachyrhynchos, American Crow*

Corvus corax, Common Raven+ [Accidental]



Family Alaudidae (Larks):

Eremophila alpestris, Horned Lark*



Family Hirundinidae (Swallows):

Progne subis, Purple Martin*

Tachycineta bicolor, Tree Swallow*

Stelgidopteryx serripennis, Northern Rough-winged Swallow*

Riparia riparia, Bank Swallow*

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota, Cliff Swallow*

Hirundo rustica, Barn Swallow*



Family Paridae (Chickadees and Titmice):

Poecile atricapillus, Black-capped Chickadee*

Poecile hudsonicus, Boreal Chickadee [Accidental]

Baeolophus bicolor, Tufted Titmouse*



Family Sittidae (Nuthatches):

Sitta canadensis, Red-breasted Nuthatch+

Sitta carolinensis, White-breasted Nuthatch*



Family Certhiidae (Creepers):

Certhia americana, Brown Creeper+



Family Troglodytidae (Wrens):

Thryothorus ludovicianus, Carolina Wren*

Thryomanes bewickii, Bewick’s Wren+ [Accidental]

Troglodytes aedon, House Wren*

Troglodytes troglodytes, Winter Wren

Cistothorus platensis, Sedge Wren+

Cistothorus palustris, Marsh Wren*



Family Regulidae (Kinglets):

Regulus satrapa, Golden-crowned Kinglet

Regulus calendula, Ruby-crowned Kinglet



Family Sylviidae (Gnatcatchers):

Polioptila caerulea, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher*



Family Turdidae (Thrushes):

Sialia sialis, Eastern Bluebird*

Sialia currucoides, Mountain Bluebird [Accidental]

Catharus fuscescens, Veery*

Catharus minimus, Gray-cheeked Thrush

Catharus ustulatus, Swainson’s Thrush

Catharus guttatus, Hermit Thrush+

Hylocichla mustelina, Wood Thrush*

Turdus migratorius, American Robin*

Ixoreus naevius, Varied Thrush [Accidental]



Family Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers):

Dumetella carolinensis, Gray Catbird*

Mimus polyglottos, Northern Mockinbird*

Toxostoma rufum, Brown Thrasher*



Family Sturnidae (Starlings):

Sturnus vulgaris, European Starling* [Introduced]



Family Motacillidae (Pipits):

Anthus rubescens, American Pipit



Family Bombycillidae (Waxwings):

Bombycilla garrulus, Bohemian Waxwing [Accidental]

Bombycilla cedrorum, Cedar Waxwing*



Family Parulidae (Wood-Warblers):

Vermivora pinus, Blue-winged Warbler*

Vermivora chrysoptera, Golden-winged Warbler+

Vermivora peregrina, Tennessee Warbler

Vermivora celata, Orange-crowned Warbler

Vermivora ruficapilla, Nashville Warbler

Parula americana, Northern Parula+

Dendroica petechia, Yellow Warbler*

Dendroica pensylvanica, Chestnut-sided Warbler+

Dendroica magnolia, Magnolia Warbler

Dendooica tigrina, Cape May Warbler

Dendroica caerulescens, Black-throated Blue Warbler

Dendroica coronata, Yellow-rumped Warbler

Dendroica virens, Black-throated Green Warbler*

Dendroica fusca, Blackburnian Warbler*

Dendroica dominica, Yellow-throated Warbler*

Dendroica pinus, Pine Warbler

Dendroica kirtlandii, Kirtland’s Warbler [Accidental]

Dendroica discolor, Prairie Warbler*

Dendroica palmarum, Palm Warbler

Dendroica castanea, Bay-breasted Warbler

Dendroica striata, Blackpoll Warbler

Dendroica cerulea, Cerulean Warbler*

Mniotilta varia, Black-and-white Warbler*

Setophaga ruticilla, American Redstart*

Protonotaria citrea, Worm-eating Warbler*

Seiurus aurocapillus, Ovenbird*

Seiurus noveboracensis, Northern Waterthrush

Seiurus motacilla, Louisiana Waterthrush*

Oporornis formosus, Kentucky Warbler

Oporornis agilis, Connecticut Warbler

Oporornis philadelphia, Mourning Warbler+

Geothlypis trichas, Common Yellowhtroat*

Wilsonia citrina, Hooded Warbler*

Wilsonia pusilla, Wilson’s Warbler

Icteria virens, Yellow-breasted Chat+



Family Thraupidae (Tanagers):

Piranga rubra, Summer Tanager [Casual]

Piranga olivacea, Scarlet Tanager*

Piranga ludoviciana, Western Tanager [Accidental]



Family Emberizidae (Emberizids):

Pipilo maculatus, Spotted Towhee [Accidental (see here)]

Pipilo erythrophthalmus, Eastern Towhee*

Spizella arborea, American Tree Sparrow

Spizella passerina, Chipping sparrow*

Spizella pallida, Clay-colored Sparrow+

Spizella pusilla, Field Sparrow*

Pooecetes grammineus, Vesper Sparrow*

Chondestes grammacus, Lark Sparrow+ [Accidental]

Calamospiza melanocorys, Lark Bunting [Accidental]

Passerculus sandwichensis, Savannah Sparrow*

Ammodramus savannarum, Grasshopper Sparrow+

Ammodramus henslowii, Henslow’s Sparrow+

Ammodramus leconteii, LeConte’s Sparrow [Accidental]

Passerella iliaca, Fox Sparrow

Melospiza melodia, Song Sparrow*

Melospiza lincolnii, Lincoln’s Sparrow

Melospiza georgiana, Swamp Sparrow*

Zonotrichia albicollis, White-throated Sparrow

Zonotrichia querula, Harris’s Sparrow [Casual]

Zonotrichia leucophrys, White-crowned Sparrow

Junco hyemalis, Dark-eyed Junco

Calcarius lapponicus, Lapland Longspur

Plectrophenax nivalis, Snow Bunting



Family Cardinalidae (Cardinals and allies):

Pheucticus ludovicianus, Rose-breasted Grosbeak*

Guiraca caerulea, Blue Grosbeak [Accidental]

Passerina cyanea, Indigo Bunting*

Passerina ciris, Painted Bunting [Accidental]

Spiza americana, Dickcissel*



Family Icteridae (Blackbirds):

Dolichonyx oryzivorus Bobolink*

Agelaius phoeniceus, Red-winged Blackbird*

Sturnella magna, Eastern Meadowlark*

Sturnella neglecta, Western Meadowlark*

Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus, Yellow-headed Blackbird+ [Casual]

Euphagus carolinas, Rusty Blackbird

Euphagus cyanocephalus, Brewer’s Blackbird

Quiscalus quiscalus, Common Grackle*

Molothrus ater, Brown-headed Cowbird*

Icterus spurius, Orchard Oriole*

Icterus galbula, Baltimore Oriole*



Family Fringillidae (Finches and allies):

Fringilla montifringilla, Brambling [Accidental]

Pinicola enucleator, Pine Grosbeak [Accidental]

Carpodacus purpureus, Purple Finch

Carpodacus mexicanus, House Finch* [Introduced]

Loxia curvirostra, Red Crossbill [Accidental]

Loxia leucoptera, White-winged Crosbill [Casual]

Carduelis flammea, Common Redpoll

Carduelis hornemanni, Hoary Redpoll [Accidental]

Carduelis pinus, Pine Siskin

Carduelis tristis, American Goldfinch*

Coccothraustes vespertinus, Evening Grosbeak [Casual]



Family Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)

Passer domesticus, House Sparrow* [Introduced]