List of birds of Michigan

This list of birds of Michigan includes species documented in the U.S. state of Michigan and accepted by the Michigan Bird Records Committee (MBRC). As of January 2020, there are 450 species included in the official list.^[1] Of them, 86 are classed as accidental, 47 are classed as casual, seven have been introduced to North America, one is known to be extinct and another is believed to be, and one has been extirpated.

This is a comprehensive list of all bird species known to have occurred naturally in Michigan as permanent residents, summer residents, winter residents, transients, or vagrants. Non-native species that have not established self-sustaining populations, such as escapees from captivity, are excluded.

This list is presented in the taxonomic sequence of the Check-list of North and Middle American Birds, 7th edition through the 62nd Supplement, published by the American Ornithological Society (AOS).^[2] Common and scientific names are also those of the Check-list, except that the common names of families are from the Clements taxonomy because the AOS list does not include them.

The following codes are used to designate the status of certain species:

• (A) Accidental - recorded fewer than four times in the last 10 years per the MBRC
• (C) Casual - recorded at least four, but 30 or fewer, times in the last 10 years and in fewer than nine of the last 10 years per the MBRC
• (I) Introduced - population established in North America as result of direct or indirect human action
• (E) Extinct - a recent species that no longer exists
• (Ex) Extirpated - no longer found in Michigan but continues to exist elsewhere

Ducks, geese, and waterfowl[]

Order: Anseriformes   Family: Anatidae

The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, bills that are flattened to a greater or lesser extent, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to special oils. Forty-three species have been recorded in Michigan.

New World quail[]

Order: Galliformes   Family: Odontophoridae

The New World quails are small, plump terrestrial birds only distantly related to the quails of the Old World, but named for their similar appearance and habits. One species has been recorded in Michigan.

• Northern bobwhite, Colinus virginianus

Pheasants, grouse, and allies[]

Order: Galliformes   Family: Phasianidae

Phasianidae consists of the pheasants and their allies. These are terrestrial species, variable in size but generally plump with broad relatively short wings. Many species are gamebirds or have been domesticated as a food source for humans. Six species have been recorded in Michigan.

• Wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavo
• Ruffed grouse, Bonasa umbellus
• Spruce grouse, Canachites canadensis
• Sharp-tailed grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus
• Greater prairie-chicken, Tympanuchus cupido (Ex) (last recorded 1981)
• Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (I)

Grebes[]

Order: Podicipediformes   Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. Five species have been recorded in Michigan.

• Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps
• Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus
• Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena
• Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis
• Western grebe, Aechmorphorus occidentalis (C)

Pigeons and doves[]

Order: Columbiformes   Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. Eight species have been recorded in Michigan.

• Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I)
• Band-tailed pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata (A)
• Eurasian collared-dove, Streptopelia decaocto (I)
• Passenger pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius (E) (last record 1898)
• Inca dove, Columbina inca (A)
• Common ground dove, Columbina passerina (C)
• White-winged dove, Zenaida asiatica
• Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura

Cuckoos[]

Order: Cuculiformes   Family: Cuculidae

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners, and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs. Three species have been recorded in Michigan.

• Groove-billed ani, Crotophaga sulcirostris (A)
• Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus
• Black-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus

Nightjars and allies[]

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is cryptically colored to resemble bark or leaves. Three species have been recorded in Michigan.

• Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor
• Chuck-will's-widow, Antrostomus carolinensis
• Eastern whip-poor-will, Antrostomus vociferus

Swifts[]

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Apodidae

The swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have very long, swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang. Three species have been recorded in Michigan.

• White-collared swift, Streptoprocne zonaris (A) (sight record only)
• Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica
• White-throated swift, Aeronautes saxatalis (A)

Hummingbirds[]

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Trochilidae

Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backwards. Eight species have been recorded in Michigan.

• Mexican violetear, Colibri thalassinus (C)
• Ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris
• Anna's hummingbird, Colapte anna (A)
• Costa's hummingbird, Colapte costae (A)
• Rufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus
• Broad-billed hummingbird, Cynanthus latirostris (A)
• Berylline hummingbird, Amazilia beryllina (A)
• White-eared hummingbird, Hylocharis leucotis (A)

Rails, gallinules, and coots[]

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Rallidae

Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. The most typical family members occupy dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and tend to be weak fliers. Eight species have been recorded in Michigan.

• King rail, Rallus elegans (C)
• Virginia rail, Rallus limicola
• Sora, Porzana carolina
• Common gallinule, Gallinula galeata
• American coot, Fulica americana
• Purple gallinule, Porphyrio martinicus (C)
• Yellow rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis
• Black rail, Laterallus jamaicensis (A)

Cranes[]

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Gruidae

Cranes are large, long-legged, and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances". One species has been recorded in Michigan.

• Sandhill crane, Antigone canadensis

Stilts and avocets[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. Two species have been recorded in Michigan.

• Black-necked stilt, Himantopus mexicanus (C)
• American avocet, Recurvirostra americana

Plovers and lapwings[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Charadriidae

The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short thick necks, and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water. Seven species have been recorded in Michigan.

• Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola
• American golden-plover, Pluvialis dominica
• Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus
• Semipalmated plover, Charadrius semipalmatus
• Piping plover, Charadrius melodus
• Wilson's plover, Charadrius wilsonia (A)
• Snowy plover, Charadrius nivosus (A)

Sandpipers and allies[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Scolopacidae

Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers, and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Different lengths of legs and bills enable multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. Thirty-six species have been recorded in Michigan.

Skuas and jaegers[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Stercorariidae

Skuas and jaegers are in general medium to large birds, typically with gray or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They have longish bills with hooked tips and webbed feet with sharp claws. They look like large dark gulls, but have a fleshy cere above the upper mandible. They are strong, acrobatic fliers. Three species have been recorded in Michigan.

• Pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus (C)
• Parasitic jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus
• Long-tailed jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus (C)

Auks, murres, and puffins[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Alcidae

The family Alcidae includes auks, murres, and puffins. These are short winged birds that live on the open sea and normally only come ashore for breeding. Three species have been recorded in Michigan.

• Dovekie, Alle alle (A)
• Thick-billed murre, Uria lomvia (A)
• Ancient murrelet, Synthliboarmphus antiquus (C)

Gulls, terns, and skimmers[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds and includes gulls, terns, kittiwakes, and skimmers. They are typically gray or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. Thirty species have been recorded in Michigan.

Loons[]

Order: Gaviiformes   Family: Gaviidae

Loons are aquatic birds the size of a large duck, to which they are unrelated. Their plumage is largely gray or black, and they have spear-shaped bills. Loons swim well and fly adequately, but are almost hopeless on land, because their legs are placed towards the rear of the body. Four species have been recorded in Michigan.

• Red-throated loon, Gavia stellata
• Pacific loon, Gavia pacifica
• Common loon, Gavia immer
• Yellow-billed loon, Gavia adamsii (A)

Shearwaters and petrels[]

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Procellariidae

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterized by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary. Two species have been recorded in Michigan.

• Great shearwater, Ardenna gravis (A)
• Manx shearwater, Puffinus puffinus (A)

Storks[]

Order: Ciconiiformes   Family: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, heavy, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long stout bills and wide wingspans. They lack the powder down that other wading birds such as herons, spoonbills, and ibises use to clean off fish slime. Storks lack a pharynx and are mute. One species has been recorded in Michigan.

• Wood stork, Mycteria americana (A)

Frigatebirds[]

Order: Suliformes   Family: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black, or black-and-white, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have colored inflatable throat pouches. They do not swim or walk and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan-to-body-weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week. Two species have been recorded in Michigan.

• Lesser frigatebird, Fregata ariel (A)
• Magnificent frigatebird, Fregata magnificens (A)

Boobies and gannets[]

Order: Suliformes   Family: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium-large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish. One species has been recorded in Michigan.

• Northern gannet, Morus bassanus (A)

Anhingas[]

Order: Suliformes   Family: Anhingidae

Anhingas are cormorant-like water birds with very long necks and long, straight beaks. They are fish eaters which often swim with only their neck above the water. One species has been recorded in Michigan.

• Anhinga, Anhinga anhinga (C)

Cormorants and shags[]

Order: Suliformes   Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Cormorants are medium-to-large aquatic birds, usually with mainly dark plumage and areas of colored skin on the face. The bill is long, thin, and sharply hooked. Their feet are four-toed and webbed, a distinguishing feature among the order Suliformes. Two species have been recorded in Michigan.

• Double-crested cormorant, Nannopterum auritum
• Neotropic cormorant, Nannopterum brasilianum (A)

Pelicans[]

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are very large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. Like other birds in the order Pelecaniformes, they have four webbed toes. Two species have been recorded in Michigan.

• American white pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
• Brown pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis (A)

Herons, egrets, and bitterns[]

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the herons, egrets, and bitterns. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more secretive. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises, and spoonbills. Twelve species have been recorded in Michigan.

• American bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus
• Least bittern, Ixobrychus exilis
• Great blue heron, Ardea herodias
• Great egret, Ardea alba
• Snowy egret, Egretta thula
• Little blue heron, Egretta caerulea (C)
• Tricolored heron, Egretta tricolor (C)
• Reddish egret, Egretta rufescens (A) (sight record only)
• Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis
• Green heron, Butorides virescens
• Black-crowned night-heron, Nycticorax nycticorax
• Yellow-crowned night-heron, Nyctanassa violacea (C)

Ibises and spoonbills[]

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Threskiornithidae

The family Threskiornithidae includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings. Their bodies tend to be elongated, the neck more so, with rather long legs. The bill is also long, decurved in the case of the ibises, straight and distinctively flattened in the spoonbills. Three species have been recorded in Michigan.

• White ibis, Eudocimus albus (C)
• Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus (C)
• White-faced ibis, Plegadis chihi

New World vultures[]

Order: Cathartiformes   Family: Cathartidae

The New World vultures are not closely related to Old World vultures, but superficially resemble them because of convergent evolution. Like the Old World vultures, they are scavengers, however, unlike Old World vultures, which find carcasses by sight, New World vultures have a good sense of smell with which they locate carcasses. Two species have been recorded in Michigan.

• Black vulture, Coragyps atratus
• Turkey vulture, Cathartes aura

Osprey[]

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Pandionidae

Pandionidae is a monotypic family of fish-eating birds of prey, possessing a very large, powerful hooked beak for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight.

• Osprey, Pandion haliaetus

Hawks, eagles, and kites[]

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey, which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers, and Old World vultures. These birds have very large powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight. Fifteen species have been recorded in Michigan.

• Swallow-tailed kite, Elanoides forficatus (C)
• Golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos
• Northern harrier, Circus hudsonius
• Sharp-shinned hawk, Accipiter striatus
• Cooper's hawk, Accipiter cooperii
• Northern goshawk, Accipiter gentilis
• Bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus
• Mississippi kite, Ictinia mississippiensis (C)
• Red-shouldered hawk, Buteo lineatus
• Broad-winged hawk, Buteo platypterus
• Short-tailed hawk, Buteo brachyurus (A)
• Swainson's hawk, Buteo swainsoni
• Red-tailed hawk, Buteo jamaicensis
• Rough-legged hawk, Buteo lagopus
• Ferruginous hawk, Buteo regalis (A)

Barn-owls[]

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Tytonidae

Barn-owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. One species has been recorded in Michigan.

• Barn owl, Tyto alba (C)

Owls[]

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Strigidae

Typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk. Eleven species have been recorded in Michigan.

• Eastern screech-owl, Megascops asio
• Great horned owl, Bubo virginianus
• Snowy owl, Bubo scandiacus
• Northern hawk owl, Surnia ulula
• Burrowing owl, Athene cunicularia (A)
• Barred owl, Strix varia
• Great gray owl, Strix nebulosa
• Long-eared owl, Asio otus
• Short-eared owl, Asio flammeus
• Boreal owl, Aegolius funereus
• Northern saw-whet owl, Aegolius acadicus

Kingfishers[]

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. One species has been recorded in Michigan.

• Belted kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon

Woodpeckers[]

Order: Piciformes   Family: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails, and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks. Eleven species have been recorded in Michigan.

• Lewis's woodpecker, Melanerpes lewis (A)
• Red-headed woodpecker, Melanerpes erythrocephalus
• Golden-fronted woodpecker, Melanerpes aurifrons (A)
• Red-bellied woodpecker, Melanerpes carolinus
• Yellow-bellied sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius
• American three-toed woodpecker, Picoides dorsalis (C)
• Black-backed woodpecker, Picoides arcticus
• Downy woodpecker, Dryobates pubescens
• Hairy woodpecker, Dryobates villosus
• Northern flicker, Colaptes auratus
• Pileated woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus

Falcons and caracaras[]

Order: Falconiformes   Family: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey, notably the falcons and caracaras. They differ from hawks, eagles, and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons. Six species have been recorded in Michigan.

• Crested caracara, Caracara plancus (A)
• American kestrel, Falco sparverius
• Merlin, Falco columbarius
• Gyrfalcon, Falco rusticolus
• Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus
• Prairie falcon, Falco mexicanus (A)

Tyrant flycatchers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Tyrannidae

Tyrant flycatchers are Passerine birds which occur throughout North and South America. They superficially resemble the Old World flycatchers, but are more robust and have stronger bills. They do not have the sophisticated vocal capabilities of the songbirds. Most, but not all, are rather plain. As the name implies, most are insectivorous. Twenty species have been recorded in Michigan.

Vireos, shrike-babblers, and erpornis[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Vireonidae

The vireos are a group of small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are typically greenish in color and resemble wood warblers apart from their heavier bills. Nine species have been recorded in Michigan.

• Black-capped vireo, Vireo atricapilla (A) (sight record only)
• White-eyed vireo, Vireo griseus
• Bell's vireo, Vireo bellii (C)
• Yellow-throated vireo, Vireo flavifrons
• Blue-headed vireo, Vireo solitarius
• Plumbeous vireo, Vireo plumbeus (A)
• Philadelphia vireo, Vireo philadelphicus
• Warbling vireo, Vireo gilvus
• Red-eyed vireo, Vireo olivaceus

Shrikes[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Laniidae

Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A shrike's beak is hooked, like that of a typical bird of prey. Two species have been recorded in Michigan.

• Loggerhead shrike, Lanius ludovicianus
• Northern shrike, Lanius borealis

Crows, jays, and magpies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Corvidae

The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers, and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence. Seven species have been recorded in Michigan.

• Canada jay, Perisoreus canadensis
• Blue jay, Cyanocitta cristata
• Clark's nutcracker, Nucifraga columbiana (A)
• Black-billed magpie, Pica hudsonia (C)
• American crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos
• Fish crow, Corvus ossifragus
• Common raven, Corvus corax

Tits, chickadees, and titmice[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Paridae

The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects. Four species have been recorded in Michigan.

• Carolina chickadee, Poecile carolinensis (A)
• Black-capped chickadee, Poecile atricapilla
• Boreal chickadee, Poecile hudsonica
• Tufted titmouse, Baeolophus bicolor

Larks[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Alaudidae

Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds. One species has been recorded in Michigan.

• Horned lark, Eremophila alpestris

Swallows[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Hirundinidae

The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. Eight species have been recorded in Michigan.

• Bank swallow, Riparia riparia
• Tree swallow, Tachycineta bicolor
• Violet-green swallow, Tachycineta thalassina (A)
• Northern rough-winged swallow, Stelgidopteryx serripennis
• Purple martin, Progne subis
• Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
• Cliff swallow, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
• Cave swallow, Petrochelidon fulva (C)

Kinglets[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Regulidae

The kinglets are a small family of birds which resemble the titmice. They are very small insectivorous birds. The adults have colored crowns, giving rise to their names. Two species have been recorded in Michigan.

• Ruby-crowned kinglet, Corthylio calendula
• Golden-crowned kinglet, Regulus satrapa

Waxwings[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Bombycillidae

The waxwings are a group of birds with soft silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. In the Bohemian and cedar waxwings, these tips look like sealing wax and give the group its name. These are arboreal birds of northern forests. They live on insects in summer and berries in winter. Two species have been recorded in Michigan.

• Bohemian waxwing, Bombycilla garrulus
• Cedar waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum

Nuthatches[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sittidae

Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They have the unusual ability to climb down trees head first, unlike other birds which can only go upwards. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails, and powerful bills and feet. Two species have been recorded in Michigan.

• Red-breasted nuthatch, Sitta canadensis
• White-breasted nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis

Treecreepers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Certhiidae

Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin pointed down-curved bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves on vertical trees. One species has been recorded in Michigan.

• Brown creeper, Certhia americana

Gnatcatchers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Polioptilidae

These dainty birds resemble Old World warblers in their structure and habits, moving restlessly through the foliage seeking insects. The gnatcatchers are mainly soft bluish gray in color and have the typical insectivore's long sharp bill. Many species have distinctive black head patterns (especially males) and long, regularly cocked, black-and-white tails. One species has been recorded in Michigan.

• Blue-gray gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea

Wrens[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Troglodytidae

Wrens are small and inconspicuous birds, except for their loud songs. They have short wings and thin down-turned bills. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous. Seven species have been recorded in Michigan.

• Rock wren, Salpinctes obsoletus (A)
• House wren, Troglodytes aedon
• Winter wren, Troglodytes hiemalis
• Sedge wren, Cistothorus platensis
• Marsh wren, Cistothorus palustris
• Carolina wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus
• Bewick's wren, Thryomanes bewickii (A)

Mockingbirds and thrashers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Mimidae

The mimids are a family of passerine birds which includes thrashers, mockingbirds, tremblers and the New World catbirds. These birds are notable for their vocalization, especially their remarkable ability to mimic a wide variety of birds and other sounds heard outdoors. The species tend towards dull grays and browns in their appearance. Four species have been recorded in Michigan.

• Gray catbird, Dumetella carolinensis
• Brown thrasher, Toxostoma rufum
• Sage thrasher, Oreoscoptes montanus (A)
• Northern mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos

Starlings[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are medium-sized passerines with strong feet. Their flight is strong and direct and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country, and they eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen. One species has been recorded in Michigan.

• European starling, Sturnus vulgaris (I)

Thrushes and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Turdidae

The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly but not exclusively in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs. Ten species have been recorded in Michigan.

• Eastern bluebird, Sialia sialis
• Mountain bluebird, Sialia currucoides (C)
• Townsend's solitaire, Myadestes townsendi
• Veery, Catharus fuscescens
• Gray-cheeked thrush, Catharus minimus
• Swainson's thrush, Catharus ustulatus
• Hermit thrush, Catharus guttatus
• Wood thrush, Hylocichla mustelina
• American robin, Turdus migratorius
• Varied thrush, Ixoreus naevius

Old World flycatchers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Muscicapidae

The Old World flycatchers are a large family of small passerine birds. These are mainly small arboreal insectivores, many of which, as the name implies, take their prey on the wing. One species has been recorded in Michigan.

• Northern wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe (A)

Old World sparrows[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passeridae

Old World sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small plump brownish or grayish birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects. Two species have been recorded in Michigan.

• House sparrow, Passer domesticus (I)
• Eurasian tree sparrow, Passer montanus (C)(I)

Wagtails and pipits[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Motacillidae

Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws, and pipits. They are slender ground-feeding insectivores of open country. Three species have been recorded in Michigan.

• White wagtail, Motacilla alba (A)
• American pipit, Anthus rubescens
• Sprague's pipit, Anthus spragueii (A)

Finches, euphonias, and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Fringillidae

Finches are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. Twelve species have been recorded in Michigan.

• Brambling, Fringilla montifringilla (A)
• Evening grosbeak, Coccothraustes vespertinus
• Pine grosbeak, Pinicola enucleator
• Gray-crowned rosy-finch, Leucosticte tephrocotis (A)
• House finch, Haemorhous mexicanus (native to the southwestern U.S.; introduced in the east)
• Purple finch, Haemorhous purpureus
• Common redpoll, Acanthis flammea
• Hoary redpoll, Acanthis hornemanni
• Red crossbill, Loxia curvirostra
• White-winged crossbill, Loxia leucoptera
• Pine siskin, Spinus pinus
• American goldfinch, Spinus tristis

Longspurs and snow buntings[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Calcariidae

The Calcariidae are a group of passerine birds that were traditionally grouped with the New World sparrows, but differ in a number of respects and are usually found in open grassy areas. Five species have been recorded in Michigan.

• Lapland longspur, Calcarius lapponicus
• Chestnut-collared longspur, Calcarius ornatus (A)
• Smith's longspur, Calcarius pictus (C)
• Thick-billed longspur, Rhynchophanes mccownii (A)
• Snow bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis

New World sparrows[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passerellidae

Until 2017, these species were considered part of the family Emberizidae. Most of the species are known as sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many of these have distinctive head patterns. Twenty-nine species have been recorded in Michigan.

Yellow-breasted chat[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Icteriidae

This species was historically placed in the wood-warblers (Parulidae) but nonetheless most authorities were unsure if it belonged there. It was placed in its own family in 2017.

• Yellow-breasted chat, Icteria virens

Troupials and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Icteridae

The icterids are a group of small to medium-sized, often colorful passerine birds restricted to the New World and include the grackles, New World blackbirds, and New World orioles. Most species have black as a predominant plumage color, often enlivened by yellow, orange, or red. Fourteen species have been recorded in Michigan.

• Yellow-headed blackbird, Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus
• Bobolink, Dolichonyx oryzivorus
• Eastern meadowlark, Sturnella magna
• Western meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta
• Orchard oriole, Icterus spurius
• Hooded oriole, Icterus cucullatus (A)
• Bullock's oriole, Icterus bullockii (C)
• Baltimore oriole, Icterus galbula
• Red-winged blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus
• Brown-headed cowbird, Molothrus ater
• Rusty blackbird, Euphagus carolinus
• Brewer's blackbird, Euphagus cyanocephalus
• Common grackle, Quiscalus quiscula
• Boat-tailed grackle/great-tailed grackle, Quiscalus major/Quiscalus mexicanus (A) (sight records only)

New World warblers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Parulidae

The wood-warblers are a group of small often colorful passerine birds restricted to the New World. Most are arboreal, but some like the ovenbird and the two waterthrushes, are more terrestrial. Most members of this family are insectivores. Forty-two species have been recorded in Michigan.

Cardinals and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cardinalidae

The cardinals are a family of robust seed-eating birds with strong bills. They are typically associated with open woodland. The sexes usually have distinct plumages. Twelve species have been recorded in Michigan.

• Hepatic tanager, Piranga flava (A)
• Summer tanager, Piranga rubra
• Scarlet tanager, Piranga olivacea
• Western tanager, Piranga ludoviciana (C)
• Northern cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis
• Rose-breasted grosbeak, Pheucticus ludovicianus
• Black-headed grosbeak, Pheucticus melanocephalus (A)
• Blue grosbeak, Passerina caerulea
• Lazuli bunting, Passerina amoena (A)
• Indigo bunting, Passerina cyanea
• Painted bunting, Passerina ciris
• Dickcissel, Spiza americana

See also[]

• List of birds
• Lists of birds by region
• List of birds of North America
• List of birds of Isle Royale National Park

Notes[]

References[]

External links[]

• Michigan Bird Records Committee
• Beautiful Birds Found in Michigan