Michigan’s avian landscape is dominated by small brown birds that frequent bird feeders. Learn how to identify these common backyard species.

Field sparrows are common throughout Michigan and appear on 26% of summer checklists. They nest in open woodlands and garden areas, and can be attracted to overgrown borders or platform feeders filled with black oil sunflower seeds, hulled sunflower seeds, cracked corn or millet.

Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpeckers are an ever-present sight in Michigan forests and parks, featuring one of the smallest North American woodpeckers with dark upper parts contrasting against a white underside and red patch on their heads. You may see them everywhere from backyard bird feeders to parks all across Michigan! These birds feed on nuts, seeds and berries as well as insects such as beetle larvae and grasshoppers before preying upon wood-boring insects that threaten tree health – something their presence actually helps maintain ecologically!

Downy Woodpeckers are remarkable birds; they are unique in their ability to excavate and reuse old nest cavities if necessary. Indeed, this species of Woodpecker is so adept at excavating tree holes that it may be hard to detect them without knowing where to look for them; their rectangular holes left in dead snag bark are where their eggs are laid and incubated before hatching out into adulthood.

Woodpeckers are very active birds that can frequently be seen flitting through trees and darting up and down tree trunks, sometimes climbing to the very top. While most woodpeckers feed on insects in the wild, some will also consume fruits like berries and nuts; sometimes even taking advantage of your Hummingbird feeder to sip from!

These birds may not be as commonly seen as their counterpart, the Downy Woodpecker, but they do occur throughout the state. These species love finding recently burned forests to feast upon insects killed by fire – typically staying there until their population of insects decreases and then moving on to another forest.

Eastern Bluebird

Bluebirds are one of the most beloved species of birds found here in Michigan. Beginning their nesting process around April, female bluebirds will often deposit one to seven pale blue eggs before sitting them for 12-14 days before they hatch and feeding the young as they leave the nest. Bluebirds also feed off other sources during fall and winter seasons such as dogwood leaves and viburnum fruits/berries for food.

The Eastern Bluebird boasts an extensive distribution across North America. They can be found anywhere from open forests, woodland edges, agricultural fields and orchards to agricultural fields and orchards. Breeding season bluebirds prefer areas with scattered trees and short ground cover for breeding; during migration or winter this species is more likely to be found in woodlands with dogwood, maple and sassafras berries as a preferred environment.

Bluebirds stand out among other avian species through their striking colouration, advanced cognition and distinctive vocalizations that enable them to solve complex behavioral problems within their habitats.

Although their distribution spans multiple habitats, this species remains under threat in certain areas due to factors like competition with other species for resources that share similar niches and predatory behavior, along with human-caused degradation of habitats through various activities that result in degradation or loss. Luckily, conservation efforts are already underway in order to safeguard this magnificent bird.

Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanagers bring exquisite beauty to Michigan woodland habitats during summer, when breeding males don their striking red breeding plumage while nonbreeding males have more subdued olive hues. They are medium-sized songbirds similar in appearance but more vibrant than Northern Cardinal and Yellow Warbler species; male breeding plumages feature an eye-catching brilliant red hue while females and nonbreeding males display a more subdued olive hue.

Tanagers are birds from the cardinal family and fall under the “tanager” group, which includes some of the most stunning New World birds. Like its members, tanagers breed in North America while wintering in tropical areas. While breeding season in North America takes place near deciduous forests or woodland edges.

Scarlet Tanager males stand out with their vibrant red feathers that contrast against their dark green and tan underparts, while their wings and tail are black. These birds can often be found perching in tall trees but also find shelter in shrubby or semi-open environments such as gardens or parks.

Scarlet Tanagers are mostly insectivorous during the summer, though they also consume fruit during their wintering grounds. Male Scarlet Tanagers produce an alarming call that sounds similar to that of a Robin with sore throat – it is known as their distinctive “chip note.”

Scarlet Tanagers are highly sensitive to habitat fragmentation and tend to prefer undisturbed forest tracts for nesting purposes, though they have also been discovered living in mixed deciduous-evergreen and urban forest landscapes. Scarlet Tanagers may migrate together with other Neotropical migrants such as thrushes and vireos in loosely associated groups.

Scarlet Tanagers typically arrive in Michigan late April and nest from May through August in the northern two-thirds, where they lay three to five green-blue eggs with brown markings in an oak or hickory tree, usually eight to 75 feet off the ground.

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird is one of the most frequently seen species in Michigan, especially during spring and summer months. You’re likely to come across one in flower gardens, woodland edges or suburban yards with hummingbird feeders.

Hummingbirds are unique birds in that they have the ability to fly backwards and have fast wings that allow them to achieve great speeds. Their shimmering beauty will definitely draw your interest and imagination; but be warned: Hummingbirds require pollinator-friendly plants in order to thrive.

Males are easily distinguished from females by having duller-colored throats while males sport bright ruby-red throats. Males demonstrate for females by performing an extravagant mating dance involving looping dives in front of her while positioning themselves at just the right angle to show off their feathers at just the right angle; additionally they emit high-pitched tweets called ti-tik-ti-tik sounds which help communicate among themselves as well as with other males or other females.

Hummingbirds begin returning to Mexico and Central America for their wintering grounds during fall migration, although you might still spot one around if your feeders remain up into October or November.

Some hummingbirds begin migrating during their spring migration in late March or April; others won’t leave until mid October as part of their fall migration. It is essential that your feeders remain up throughout fall in order to encourage more migrating species; doing this helps the health and resilience of migratory hummingbird populations while they travel long distances.

Yellow Bellied Flycatcher

This small songbird can often be seen visiting Michigan during both fall and spring migrations. Breeding season in Michigan runs from April through September, nesting in various woodland habitats across the state. Feeding on insects and berries, this species also stands out by being one of the few flycatchers which specialize in perching at low heights. With its distinctive “tu-wee” call and chip note song, its presence can often be detected throughout Michigan.

Adult males feature a striking yellow plumage with black markings on their heads, while females have duller olive coloring that resembles Townsend’s and Black-throated Green Warblers. Mated pairs may be difficult to locate; even hearing singing males does not guarantee breeding pairs nearby – making this species one of North America’s more elusive songbird species.

Birders will frequently encounter this flycatcher in open woodland habitats like wetlands, fields and orchards. Additionally, backyards frequently become home for it as it seeks out sunflower seeds from bird feeders. Most active during summer months when foraging for food in wetlands and forests.

This species is listed as Endangered in the US due to population decline due to habitat loss in its winter range. Michigan hosts one population center where Yellow-bellied Flycatcher numbers are falling, but overall trends show it remains not threatened. Their distinctive call can be heard throughout breeding and migration season periods alike.