BIRDS
Identifying birds is a fun and easy way to learn about Wellesley's wildlife! Once you learn a few bird calls, you'll begin to hear them everywhere. Here are some of the most common birds we've seen around Wellesley.
Northern Cardinal
Cardinals (especially bright red males), are easy to spot and to hear. They can be found all over Wellesley, in trees and shrubs. Look for their mate — these birds stay with their mates year-round.
Common Grackle
Their bodies are iridescent-blue, with hints of purple and green in the light. Find these guys foraging along the brook path and near the high school. They are large, noisy, and like socializing (even with other species of bird).
Tufted Titmouse
If you have a birdfeeder, this one will likely be a regular. They like New England forests, and befriend the chickadees and woodpeckers. They make their nests in tree-holes left by woodpeckers. They need the dead wood for nests — so don't cut them down.
Eastern Bluebird
These cuties are actually predators: you'll see them perched on low branches scanning the ground for prey. They eat insects in spring and summer, and berries in the fall and winter. They're also found in meadows and sitting on telephone wires.
Blue Jay
Spot them near Oak trees, where they love to collect acorns. Their calls aren't very pretty: they're more like screeches (they often mimic hawk calls). They're also quite smart and have complex social structures.
Black-capped Chickadee
We call this one the bee-doo bird because of its distinctive and ubiquitous call. They're all over the forest, although they prefer to nest in birches and adlers. Fun fact: they live in flocks with dominance heirarchies.
American Robin
You've definitely seen these guys on your lawn. They get up early to dig around for worms. They can get pesticide poisoning from spending time in lawns, another reason not to use pesticides. Their cheery calls make early-mornings more fun!
Mourning Dove
Their name indicates their call: a sad coo-coo, like they're mourning. They like fields and suburbs where they can forage for seeds on the ground and perch on telephone wires.
Red-Tailed Hawk
You'll often see this guy soaring above fields and open areas. Their underbellies are pale, while the tops of their wings are brown and their tails red. Their shrill calls are so impressive that they are used in movies whenever are hawk or eagle enters the scene.
Baltimore Oriole
These Orioles tend to feed high in the trees, so listen for their call as they can be hard to spot. But they do have sweet tooths, so you might see them at your hummingbird feeder or fruit-bearing vines.
There are many helpful resources for beginner birdwatchers!
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We like the Audubon Birds App: you can search birds through many filters (location, sound, shape, etc). The app is great for identifying a bird while out on the trails.
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The Mass Audubon website and Cornell Ornithology have great information about everything birds.
Have fun birding! We certainly do: finding birds out in nature is a great way to connect with the place and become more aware of your surroundings.
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(Images thanks to the internet)