Range.—Eastern United States, breeding from the Gulf to New Brunswick and Manitoba; winters chiefly in the southern parts of the United States. 766a. Azure Bluebird (azurea) is found in the mountains of eastern Mexico and north casually to southern Arizona. It is paler both above and below than our eastern bird.
FIELD KEY FOR IDENTIFICATION OF EASTERN LAND BIRDS BY CONSPICUOUS MARKINGS
We have added this key at the request of many of our readers for a color scheme for identification. It includes all the birds that have markings of sufficient prominence to be readily noticed in the field.
[[Red/Orange]] [[Blue]] [[Yellow]] [[Brown]] [[Black&White]]
1. BIRDS WITH RED OR ORANGE MARKINGS
Scarlet body; black wings and tail; 7½ in.—[SCARLET TANAGER]. Red; darker above; crested; black face; 9 in.—[CARDINAL]. Rosy-red; wings and tail slightly darker; 7½ in.—[SUMMER TANAGER]. Rosy-red; white wing bars; crossed bill; 6 in.—[WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL]. Rosy-red; gray back, wings and tail; stout bill; 8½ in.—[PINE GROSBEAK]. Brick-red; wings and tail darker; crossed bill; 6 in.—[CROSSBILL]. Purplish-red, streaked with darker; dark wings and tail.—[PURPLE FINCH]. Red below; blue head; yellow back; 5½ in.—[PAINTED BUNTING]. Red patch on crown (concealed); greenish back; 4½ in.—[KINGLET]. Red cap; black chin; rosy breast; streaked; 5¼ in.—[REDPOLL]. Pink breast and under wings; black head and back; 8 in.—[ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK]. Ruby throat; metallic green back; tiny birds—[HUMMINGBIRD]. Orange-red under wings and patch on crown; long forked rail.—[SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER]. Orange; black head, wings and tail (marked with yellow)—[BALTIMORE ORIOLE]. Orange breast, crown patch and above eye; black and white back, wings and tail—[BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER]. Orange crown patch, edged with black; green back; 4 in.—[KINGLET]. Orange on sides, wings and tail; black above; 5½ in.—[REDSTART]. Orange-brown crown edged with black; green back; spotted breast—[OVEN-BIRD].
2. BIRDS PROMINENTLY MARKED WITH BLUE
Blue, shading to purplish on head; 5½ in.—[INDIGO BUNTING]. Blue; chestnut shoulders; black face; 7 in.—[BLUE GROSBEAK]. Blue above; brownish breast; 7 in.—[BLUEBIRD]. Blue above; black collar, bars on wings and tail (also white)—[BLUE JAY]. Pale blue above and streaks below; white on wings and tail—[CERULEAN WARBLER]. Dark blue above; black throat and sides; white on wing—[BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER]. Light blue head and back; brown breast; 5½ in.—[LAZULI BUNTING].
3. BIRDS WITH YELLOW AS PROMINENT COLOR
Yellow below; green back; black mask—[MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT]. Yellow below; gray head and breast; 5½ in.—[MOURNING WARBLER]. Yellow below; gray head and breast; white eye ring—[CONNECTICUT WARBLER]. Yellow below; black crown and ears; yellow over eye—[KENTUCKY WARBLER]. Yellow below; green back; brown spots on back; black stripes on side—[PRAIRIE WARBLER]. Yellow below; green back; brown crown and streaks on side; white on tail—[PALM WARBLER]. Yellow below; green back; yellow crown; brown stripes on sides—[YELLOW WARBLER]. Yellow below; green back; brown ear patch and streaks on sides—[CAPE MAY WARBLER]. Yellow below; green back; brown patch on crown; head gray above—[NASHVILLE WARBLER]. Yellow below; green back; orange-yellow head; white on tail—[PROTHONOTARY WARBLER]. Yellow forehead, ears and below; green back; cap and throat black—[HOODED WARBLER]. Yellow breast; gray black spotted necklace—[CANADIAN WARBLER]. Yellow breast; green back; gray head; white over eye—[YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT]. Yellow breast; gray back; black through eye and down sides—[YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER]. Yellow breast; yellowish patch on back; brown on throat—[PARULA WARBLER]. Yellow breast; green above; black throat and down sides—[BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER]. Yellow breast with black crescent; streaked above; 11 in.—[MEADOWLARK]. Yellow above and below; black cap, wings and tail—[GOLDFINCH]. Yellow head; black body; white patch on wing—[YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD]. Yellow head; gray body; brown on shoulders; 4½ in.—[VERDIN]. Yellow crown; chestnut on sides; streaked above—[CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER]. Yellow below and on rump; black back and spots on breast—[MAGNOLIA WARBLER]. Yellow patch on crown, rump and side; streaked with gray above—[MYRTLE WARBLER].