Minnesota Ornithology Heidi Heldberg & Nichole Christensen

Introduction to Ornithology Birds (class Aves) are winged, endothermic, vertebrate animals that lay eggs. There are over 9,000 species of birds known to us today. Modern birds are characterized by feathers, a beak with no teeth, the laying of hard-shelled eggs, a high metabolic rate, a four-chambered heart, and a lightweight but strong skeleton.

Common Loon (Gavia immer) Summer Male Loon Food sources: Minnows, Crayfish, Frogs, Leeches and Aquatic Insects Winter Female Loon Map of summer/winter territories

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) Food Sources: small fish, shrimps, crabs, aquatic insects, rodents, other small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and small birds. Map of summer/winter territories

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) Canada Geese are herbivores although they sometimes eat small insects and fish. Map of summer/ Winter territories

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) Female MallardMale Mallard Aquatic plants, insects, mollusks, crustaceans, and seeds. Map of summer/winter territories

Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) Male Wood Duck Female Wood Duck Wood Ducks are herbivores eating vegetation grown in the shallow parts of lakes. Map of summer/ winter territories

Red-Tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) Its diet is mainly small mammals, but also includes birds and reptiles. Map of summer/winter territories

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) Map of summer/winter territories Eats mainly fish.

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Bald eagles which live along the coast and on major lakes and rivers feed mainly on fish, but will also take ducks, birds, or any other prey available. Map of summer/winter territories

American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) American crows are omnivores and will eat almost anything. Map of summer/winter territories.

Red-Headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus)

Ring-Necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)

Works Cited Google Images (10/26/09) - (10/30/09)