Apart from tasty wine and beautiful landscape, Georgia is also home to many lovely creatures, and one of such is a bird. At least 100 bird species have been recorded in northern and southern Georgia (some are more common than others).
If you live in Georgia and you enjoy bird watching, you’ll probably want to know the common birds to watch out for. Don’t worry. We’ve made the job easier for you. Although, you’ll need a few tools like drones for bird watching or perhaps binoculars. Here are the 12 most common birds in Georgia.
1. Eastern Phoebe
The Eastern phoebe is a plump songbird with a grayish-brown back and whitish underside. They are an actively migratory bird, which means they can be found in various US states at different times of the year. While they’re more likely to return to Georgia and other southern states for winter, some birds remain all year long in the south.
They’re solitary birds, mostly occupying quiet woodlands instead of pairing up or flocking. They may sometimes make nests in barns or in people’s homes. Their diet consists mainly of flying insects. However, they may eat spiders and ants sometimes. The Eastern Phoebe can also eat seeds and small fruits occasionally.
2. American Robin
American Robins are among the most common birds in Georgia. They’re characterized by a beautiful thrush featuring a rust redbreast. Their head and back are dark in color. Both male and female species of the bird have a similar appearance, although females tend to appear paler. They make open-cup-shaped nests and lay 3-5 blue-colored eggs at a time.
American Robins can be found in various natural habitats, from tundra to forests. They have a diverse diet that consists mainly of insects, worms, snails, and fruits, but they don’t feed on seeds.
3. American Crow
The American Crow is a blackbird with an iridescent sheen. The feet, legs, and bill are black as well. In Georgia, they’re found in many habitats, including woodlands, marshes, farms, riverbanks, landfills, and even close to human habitations. They have a varied diet consisting of insects, worms, fruits, and seeds. They have also been found eating fish, turtles, clams, and even the eggs of other birds.
American crows have a reputation for being very smart birds. They are known to use tools to solve problems, and they can recognize human faces. They also have an extensive vocabulary of caws, cackles, rattles, and clicks.
4. American Goldfinch
The American goldfinch is a small, colorful bird that is quite common in Georgia. The appearance of the bird tends to change with the seasons. For instance, while the male has a vivid yellow and black color in the summer, they turn pale brown or olive color in winter. American Goldfinches have a strict vegetarian diet consisting mainly of seeds and grains. Their regular breeding season is between June and July, much later than other birds.
5. House Sparrow
The House Sparrow is not native to Georgia. It is an invasive species introduced from the Middle East. However, it is now well established and very abundant in Georgia. The males are predominantly brown with black streaks. They also have gray crowns and a black bib. On the other hand, females have a dull brown color with a black streak on their backs. The females have a tan line extending from behind the eye, which is absent in the males.
House sparrows are very successful in Georgia because they outcompete many native birds. This is mainly due to their varied diet and ability to live close to humans. You will find them in parks, sporting centers, and people’s backyards eating grains, bread, or even popcorn.
6. Downy Woodpeckers
Downy Woodpeckers are among the most common birds in Georgia. They’re relatively small-sized with a short bill. Downy Woodpeckers are typically black with white bellies. The male birds are easily identified with a red spot on the back of their head.
They can be spotted in different habitats, from woodlots to city parks and in people’s backyards. Their diet consists of insects, berries, grains, acorns, and so on. They do not migrate, and besides Georgia, you can find them in almost all the US states.
7. Song Sparrow
Song sparrows are very difficult to identify because their species are so many in Georgia. However, the most common ones are characterized by brown, streaked chests with streaks converging to a central spot on the chest. Their head has a brown crown with a gray-colored stripe down the center. The cheek and eyebrow are gray, while the rest of the body has a rusty brown appearance with gray streaks.
In Georgia, this bird species is more likely to be found around wet and shrubby open areas. They do not nest in trees like most other birds. Instead, they prefer to make their nest in grasses and weeds or even directly on the ground. Just as their name suggests, song sparrows are known for the beautiful songs they sing. Their calls consist of varied short notes that are pretty thrilling to hear. The song may also vary depending on the location of the bird and the individual bird.
8. Red-winged Blackbird
The males of this bird species are black with red and yellow patches on their shoulders. The females are brown with a small patch of yellow around the bill. They tend to have different habits during different times of the year.
You’ll most likely find them around marshes and other wet areas where they build their nest in the dense vegetation during the breeding season. When they’re not breeding, you’ll most likely find them around grasslands and pastures where they feed on seeds. They’re territorial during the breeding season, but in the non-breeding season, they fly in large flocks with other species of blackbirds.
9. European Starling
As the name suggests, the European starling is not native to Georgia. It is an invasive species from Europe. The first group of Starlings was brought to the US and released in Central Park, New York City, in 1890. They have since become quite successful in various states all over the country, including Georgia. They are quite adaptable and can live successfully close to human habitation which is why they have been able to outshine other native bird species.
They have black, shiny plumage with a short tail and long beaks. The adult birds tend to have a darker appearance with a greenish-purple tint. The bird tends to lose its glossy plumage during winter and will develop white spots all over its body.
10. Mourning Dove
The Mourning Dove is arguably the most common dove species in Georgia. It has the signature grayish color of most doves but with black spots on its wing. The bird has a long tail, pinkish legs, and a black bill.
Another distinct feature of the mourning dove is the blue eye-ring. Although the males and females have a similar appearance, the males tend to be bigger and heavier than the females. You’re likely to spot them perched high on telephone wires or trees close to human habitation. They also come to the ground when they want to feed.
11. Blue Jay
Blue Jays are large birds characterized by a distinct blue chest, white undersides, and blue and black back. They are very common in Eastern states and southern states like Georgia. They also migrate west once in a while, but this is not very frequent.
Since Blue Jays are songbirds, they’re known to be very noisy. Their favorite food is acorns, so you’ll most likely spot them in the forest near oak trees. They also feed on insects, nuts, and seeds from various plants. They can be aggressive and may steal eggs and young from the nest of other birds.
12. Tufted Titmouse
The Tufted titmouse is a gray-colored bird with a white underside. It has large eyes and a distinctive gray crest. Tufted Titmouses can be found in various habitats, including parks, woodlands, and backyards. They often flock with other birds like woodpeckers and nuthatches. Even though they flock with other birds, they’re assertive and will push smaller birds away to get their food.
Tufted Titmouses are non-migrating birds. They eat mostly insects such as beetles, ants, caterpillars, and wasps, especially in the summer when they’re more abundant. When their favorite treat isn’t readily available, they may feed on seeds, berries, and nuts. Titmouses are known to hoard seeds for later use.
Conclusion
If you’re interested in bird watching for beginners in Georgia, it’s important to familiarize yourself with some common birds. Keep in mind, however, that this list of birds in Georgia is not exhaustive, and there are numerous other common species not mentioned here. Although many of the birds on this list are year-round residents in Georgia, it’s worth noting that their habits and habitats may vary depending on your specific location and surrounding factors.