From the original list of 111 species, 19 birds were chosen because of their strong association with and abundace in 100-year old mature Shortleaf Pine forests with a hardwood understory.3* Much of the life history and conservation information was obtained from the websites of Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Natureserve. It should also be noted that while many short-term global trends may indicate numbers to be increasing, more recent studies have shown a significant decline in many songbird populatations.4
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The Northern Cardinal is the state bird of North Carolina (and six other states). It is a year-round resident in the eastern part of the country and exploits a variety of habitats from pine or hardwood forests to urbans parks. The conservation status of this bird is secure in North Carolina and the abundance of the Cardinal is increasing, perhaps due to its ability to exploit urban and suburban settings. Cardinals feed on seeds, insects, fruit, and buds. They are common visitors to feeders, especially around dusk. Both male and female Cardinals sing. The song is a series of slurred whistles. Song Link |
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The Eastern Towhee is the largest of the sparrows. It is a year-round resident of the Southeast and can be found foraging on the ground for insects and seeds. Like many other sparrows, the Towhee uses the "double-scratch" method when foraging, kicking back both feet at the same time to toss aside leaf litter and expose insects. Its conservation status in North Carolina is secure but its numbers worldwide are declining. This is due to loss of habitat because of succession. As young hardwoods mature, the deciduous understory is gradually lost. In areas with large populations of deer the Towhee population density decreases due to loss of habitat by herbivory. The characteric trilling call of the Towhee has been likened to the phrase "drink-your-teeeeee." Song Link |
Pine Warbler (Dendroica pinus)
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The Pine Warbler is almost always closely associated with pine forests. This little bird gleans insects from the trunk and branches of mature pine trees high in the canopy. Its primary food source is Lepidoptera larvae. Pesticide treatment for Gypsy moths may cause a decrease in the fat reserves of Pine Warblers. The optimal breeding habitat is pure, dense, mature stands of pine with little hardwood understory. It nests high in the canopy, 30-50 feet off the ground. Pine Warbler population density increases with the age of the pine forest. It is a year-round resident of the Southeast and a local migrator to the Northeast. The conservation status of this bird is secure in North Carolina and the short-term global trend indicates numbers are increasing. Pine Warblers will visit feeders for suet and sunflower seeds. Its song is a rapid musical trill. Song Link |
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The Summer Tanager is a long-distance neotropical migrant, spending its winters in Central and South America. It is the only entirely red bird in North America. The Summer Tanager is sometimes classified as an interior bird due to its association with the forest interior. This insectivore is a bee and wasp specialist, taking short flights from a perch high in the canopy to pluck insects from the air. Summer tanagers can also hover while gleaning insects from foliage. The conservation status of this bird is secure in North Carolina. Its song is a series of musical phrases with pauses between. Song Link |
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The Carolina Wren is one of the loudest singers in the Southeast. The distinct song of the male, "tea-kettle tea-kettle," can be heard in a wide variety of habitats from residential areas to mature pine stands. The Carolina Wren is easily identified by its strong white eyeline and tail which is typically held up. This active little bird is a year-round resident in the eastern part of the country. Carolina Wrens mate for life and pairs can often be found in their territory foraging together for insects on the ground, in shrubs, or in trees. The conservation status is secure in North Carolina. Carolina Wrens persist in human-dominated landscapes. They are frequent visitors to both seed and suet feeders. Song Link |
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The Carolina Chickadee is very common throughout the Southeastern U.S. It is a year-round resident and its conservation status is secure in North Carolina. Chickadees forage for insects on foliage and bark, typically hanging upside down to do so. These active birds are frequent visitors to feeders, many will take a seed to a nearby branch and grasp it with one foot to better pry it open. Chickadees are cavity nesters and roosters, utilizing snags throughout the year. This bird is named for its song, "chick-a-dee-dee-dee." Song Link |
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The Brown-Headed Nuthatch is one of the few birds whose range is restricted to pine forests of the Southeastern U.S. They forage for insects in the canopy, often times using a small piece of bark as a tool to pry up the bark on the pine trunk or branch. Nuthatches have the distinct habit of facing the ground while positioned vertically on the trunk. These birds depend on snags for nesting cavities. While the conservation status in North Carolina is secure, the short-term global trend indicates numbers to be declining. This is due to reduction in mature pine forest habitat and fire suppression. Fire suppression decreases snag development and allows a deciduous understory to invade. The song of this bird has been likened to a squeaky "rubber ducky" sound. Song Link |
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The large and vocal Blue Jay is unmistakable by both sight and sound. Blue Jays are very vocal, possessing quite a variety of songs and very loud voices. Jays are noisy and aggressive, they will often mob a hawk or owl, dive-bombing and screeching, to chase it out of the area. The most common calls of the Blue Jay are a harsh descending "Jaaay" and a whistled "tool-ool." Jays are opportunistic feeders, feeding on everything from eggs and nestlings of other birds to acorns and insects. They are frequent visitors at feeders. The Blue Jay can play a role in forest development as well. Many will harvest acorns and hide them in a cache on the ground, effectively planting seeds throughout the forest. The conservation status is North Carolina is secure. While Blue Jays migrate to their northern ranges, they are year-round residents throughout the Southeast. Song Link
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The Eastern Wood Pewee is a member of the Tyrant Flycatcher family. This family is named for its distinct foraging habit. Flycatchers pluck insects out of the air midflight, using short flights from a perch. They are quick and nimble flyers. The Eastern Wood Pewee is a neotropical migrant, wintering in South America and breeding throughout the eastern part of the U.S. While its conservation status in North Carolina is secure, the short-term global population indicates numbers are declining. Though the reason for this decline is not clear, there is speculation that white-tailed deer populatations reduce the intermediate canopy that Eastern Wood Pewee exploits. This reduction in habitat is thought to negatively affect Pewee population density. Its song is a plaintive "PEEEE-a-weee." Song Link |
