Big birds? Small birds? Here’s what to know about them

Spring is in full swing, which to many people means the return of flowers and fair weather, but it also means the return of something else—birds!

It’s hard to miss their songs when you step outside in the morning, so we’ve compiled a guide of all the major birds native to North Alabama so you can put a face to the tune.

After reading this guide, you’ll be well on your way to being an experienced ornithologist🐦

Read more below, and make sure to subscribe to our newsletter to get news like this delivered to your inbox.

1) Northern Cardinal

It’s hard to miss the bright red feathers of the northern cardinal. An Alabama staple, it can be found here during all four seasons.

🪶Fun fact: while the red feathers are iconic, it’s actually only the males that don them. The females are a lighter brown color with red only on their wings.

Here’s what to listen for:

2) American Robin

The American robin is North America’s largest thrush (ground-living bird) and can be found throughout North Alabama during all seasons.

🪶Fun fact: 40% of the American Robin’s diet consists of small invertebrates, with the remaining 60% consisting of fruits and berries.

Here’s what to listen for:

3) Carolina Wren

Despite its name, the Carolina wren can be found in Alabama during all seasons. These birds are relatively small and prefer to nest near humans in order to avoid predators.

🪶Fun fact: once these birds find a partner, they mate for life!

Here’s what to listen for:

4) Mourning Dove

Perhaps no bird represents Spring better than the mourning dove, whose call is most prevalent during that season. These birds can be found all over North Alabama, and are famous for their “coo-coo” song.

🪶Fun fact: unlike most other birds, the mourning dove uses its beak as a straw when drinking water (opposed to using it as a scoop which most birds do).

Here’s what to listen for:

5) Blue Jay

The blue jay is famous for its distinctive coloration and can be found throughout North Alabama during all seasons. They are highly intelligent birds and often mimic hawk calls to scare away competitors.

🪶Fun fact: despite their name, Blue Jays’ feathers are not blue—rather, they are brown but appear blue due to an illusion called light scattering.

Here’s what to listen for:

6) Tufted Titmouse

The Tufted Titmouse can be found in North Alabama during all four seasons and is known for its distinctive head crest. It has a very recognizable “peter-peter-peter” song.

🪶Fun fact: these birds are infamous for stealing hair from live animals (including humans) to use in their nest.

Here’s what to listen for:

7) American Crow

The American crow’s “caw-caw-caw” call is arguably the most instantly recognizable song of all the birds. It is often mistaken for a Raven, but can be told apart due to the its smaller size and slight hook at the end of its bill.

🪶Fun fact: out of the three subspecies of crow, the American crow is the largest (averaging between 17 to 21 inches).

Here’s what to listen for:

8) Red-tailed Hawk

The Red-tailed Hawk is the largest hawk in Alabama and can be easily identified by its rusty colored feathers. Adults can boast a wingspan upwards of four and one-half feet.

🪶Fun fact: these hawks have eyesight that is 8x stronger than that of a humans, allowing them to spot a mouse on the ground from 100 feet in the air.

Here’s what to listen for:

Now that you know what to listen for, you may want to head out on a birding excursion! Be sure to check with Alabama Audubon and sign up for one of their birding hikes, and find out more about protecting our birds here in Alabama!

Want more content like this? Follow Hville Blast on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and Instagram, and be sure to subscribe to our newsletter.