Perching Birds

Family Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers) Eastern Kingbird Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Phoebe Eastern Wood Pewee	Flycatchers are known for their tendency to return to the same perch after flying out to catch insects in mid-air. This behavior is called 'hawking'. This is a large group, and there are several other species that occur in South Carolina; however, they use habitats that are not present on Furman's campus. An exception is the Acadian Flycatcher, which may eventually be seen at Furman.
Family Paridae (Titmice) Carolina Chickadee Tufted Titmouse	These gregarious little birds are perhaps the most common woodland inhabitants on campus. Their many different vocalizations fill the woods each day from sunrise to sundown throughout the year. Carolina Chickadees, like the one pictured at right, are closely related to Black-Capped Chickadees, their Northern counterparts. The two are nearly identical, with the black-capped variety being only slightly bigger and showing a little more white coloration on the primary wing feathers.
Family Troglodytidae (Wrens) Carolina Wren House Wren Winter Wren	While usually preferring to remain close to the ground during their normal activities, wrens have been known to build nests almost anywhere. At Furman, Carolina Wrens have been spotted building nests on anything from tractors to buildings. Pictured at right is a Winter Wren. The ranges of other South Carolina Wren species do not extend far enough west to make them expected species at Furman.
Family Mimidae (Mimic Thrushes) Brown Thrasher Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird	Mimic Thrushes are among the most familiar birds on campus, due to their suburban tastes. All three are common fixtures in even the busiest areas of campus. No other mimic thrushes regularly occur in South Carolina. Pictured at right is a Northern Mockingbird.
Family Turdidae (Thrushes) American Robin Eastern Bluebird Hermit Thrush Wood Thrush Swainson's thrush	All three "brown thrushes" that occur on campus, including the Hermit Thrush, Wood Thrush, and Swainson's Thrush, are season-specific visitors. Two other brown thrushes, the Veery and the Gray-Cheeked Thrush, are potential visitors to campus but have never been observed. Pictured at right is an Eastern Bluebird.
Family Sylviidae (Kinglets) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Golden-crowned Kinglet Ruby-crowned Kinglet	Kinglets and Gnatcatchers are among the smallest birds on campus, with energy levels rivaled only by the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. These birds are often seen restlessly flitting around the tree tops. No other kinglet species reside in the Eastern United States. Pictured at right is a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.
Family Bombycillidae (Waxwings) Cedar Waxwing	Often deemed one of the most beautiful North American birds, waxwings literally flock to campus each fall in search of nutrient-rich berries. They stay until early summer. The other North American species of waxwing, the Bohemian Waxwing, generally stays north of the Mason-Dixon Line.
Family Sturnidae (Starlings) European Starling	As the name implies, European Starlings are not native to the United States. They were first introduced in New York towards the end of the nineteenth century, and have since spread to occupy the greater portion of the contiguous states. These birds are often berated by birders because of the fierce competition they create for many native species.
Family Vieronidae (Vireos) Blue-headed Vireo Red-eyed Vireo White-eyed Vireo	Vireos, along with warblers, are some of the more elusive species on campus. They primarily stay in the tree tops, and are heard far more often than they are seen. Yellow-throated Vireos are potential visitors to campus. Pictured at right is a Red-eyed Vireo.
Family Parulidae (Wood Warblers) Black-and-white Warbler Northern Parula Warbler Yellow Warbler Magnolia Warbler Cape May Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Pine Warbler Palm Warbler Common Yellowthroat Hooded Warbler Canada Warbler Nashville Warbler American Redstart Orange-crowned Warbler Worm-eating Warbler Louisiana Waterthrush Northern Waterthrush	These colorful creatures fill the Furman woods twice a year, a phenomenon that always seems to happen overnight. These birds prefer the safety of the deep woods during their brief stay en route to either the far north or the far south (depending on the season). So far, 21 species have been recorded on campus, but its probably safe to say that at least a few more have made quick appearances. There are 41 species of Warbler that live in the Eastern United States. In the spring, most males don bright plumages, which they molt in the fall. Pictured at right, from top to bottom, are: male American Redstart in breeding plumage, Pine Warbler, and Chestnut Warbler in breeding plumage.


Family Icteridae (Blackbirds and Orioles) Baltimore Oriole Orchard Oriole Brown-headed Cowbird Common Grackle	Most Icterids prefer open areas, such as meadows and fields. Those found at Furman are generally the more adaptable of this group, and are thus somewhat of an exception to this rule. Red-winged blackbirds, Brewer's Blackbirds, and Eastern Meadowlarks have all been seen within an hour's drive of campus, but are not expected to occur at Furman. Rusty Blackbirds have been seen within a half-mile of campus on the Swamp Rabbit Trail (heading towards Greenville), but prefer swampy habitat, which isn't found within the boundaries of campus. Pictured at right is a male Brown-headed Cowbird.
Family Thraupidae (Tanagers) Scarlet Tanager	Scarlet Tanagers are one of the brightest birds to visit campus. These birds only stay for a few weeks in spring and fall, preferring more temperate climates in summer and winter. Summer Tanagers are known to stay farther southeast for the summer, but have yet to be recorded on campus.
Family Fringillidae (Finches) Northern Cardinal Blue Grosbeak Indigo Bunting House Finch American Goldfinch Pine Sisken Eastern Towhee Dark-eyed Junco Chipping Sparrow Field Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Fox Sparrow Song Sparrow	Finches and Sparrows make up a large portion of the total bird population on campus. Many of these birds prefer open areas, but can also be found at the forest's edge. Furman is within range of several other Finch/Sparrow species, and offers the right kind of habitat for many of them. Therefore, there is a good possibility that several other species have made appearances on campus. Pictured at right is a male House Finch.
Furman University � 3300 Poinsett Hwy � Greenville, SC 29613 �