Identifying Bird Groups by Silhouette
Birds in the same general group often have the same body shape and proportions, although they may vary in size. Silhouette alone gives many clues to a bird's identity, allowing birders to assign a bird to the correct group or even the exact species.
In the above illustration are 23 different birds. How many can you recognize just by their silhouettes? Look carefully - don't miss the ones hiding in the leafy tree!
Pay attention to the following:
* body shape
* proportions of the head, legs, wings
* tail shape
* length of the bill
Need some more help? See below for silhouette descriptions to help you.
Cardinal
* Medium-sized finch-like songbird with long tail
* Strongly conical, seed-eating bill
* Crested head
Crow
* Large size
* Stout body, medium-length tail
* Heavy, strong bill
Dabbling Duck
* Typical duck shape, with heavy body
* Short tail, held above water's surface
* Horizontally flattened bill
Dove
* Plump body, with short legs and neck
* Small head
* Pointed wings
* Slight swelling at base of upper bill
Finch
* Small to medium size
* Conical, seed-eating bill
* Notched tail
Grackle
* Slender body, long tail
* Strong, slightly curved bill
Jay
* Mid-sized crow-relative with long tail
* Some have crest on head
Kestrel
* Small bird of prey
* Typical streamlined falcon shape, with long pointed wings and long tail
* Short raptorial (sharply hooked) bill, feet with sharp talons
Kingbird
* Medium-sized perching bird with relatively large head
* Broadly-flattened, typical flycatcher bill
Kingfisher
* Large head, often with shaggy crest
* Very short legs and tail
* Long, strong, pointed bill
Meadowlark
* Chunky body, short tail
* Strong legs
* Straight, strong, pointed bill
Mockingbird
* Long, slender body, long legs and tail
* Small, slender bill
Nuthatch
* Small size, chunky body, short tail
* Straight, slightly upturned bill
* Strong legs and feet
* Clings to tree trunks, usually head downwards
Plover
* Small to medium-sized shorebird
* Relatively large head, short neck
* Short, rather thick bill, sometimes slightly swollen at tip
* Ground dwelling
Quail
* Chunky, rounded body, with short tail
* Small head, very short neck
* Ground dwelling
For more silhouettes click HERE