WNY Camera Trapping Project ID Guide (Canisius College Applied Conservation Team)

The American Red Squirrel, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus, is one of the smaller squirrels found in Western New York. When identifying, note the small size, bold white eye ring, and white belly. These squirrels are smaller than Eastern Gray Squirrels or Fox Squirrels. Tail is usually less bushy than that of a gray squirrel, and rusty red in color. *As with other squirrel species, please use the details or comment box to mark the individual as melanic if you identify one that is black in color. less ↑

The Eastern Chipmunk, Tamias striatus, is a small member of the squirrel family (Sciuridae). They can be identified by their small size and coloration. Chipmunks have reddish-brown fur on their back and sides, and white fur on the stomach. They have a white stripe bordered by black on each side of the body, and one black stripe on the center of the back. Chipmunks will often run with their tail held straight up, which can be useful for identifying them in night photos with no color. less ↑

Sciurus carolinensis, the Eastern Gray Squirrel, is the most common squirrel seen on our WNY cameras. Like the American Red Squirrel, it has a white eye ring and belly, but is larger, usually more gray or brown in color, and often has a bushier tail. It is notably larger than the red squirrel. *As with other squirrel species, please use the details or comment box to mark the individual as melanic if you identify one that is black in color. less ↑

The Fox Squirrel, Sciurus niger, (also known as the Eastern Fox Squirrel), is the largest species of tree squirrel native to North America. Despite the differences in size and coloration, they are often mistaken for American Red Squirrels or Eastern Gray Squirrels in areas where the species co-exist. Fox squirrels are less common on our cameras than the other species listed in this guide, but they can be found in the area. Fox squirrels usually have a rust-colored belly and a black outline to the tail. Gray Squirrels typically have a white belly and the tail looks frosted in white. As adults, Fox Squirrels are larger than Gray Squirrel. *As with other squirrel species, please use the details or comment box to mark the individual as melanic if you identify one that is black in color. less ↑

In NYS, we have two species of flying squirrels, Northern and Southern. As images of these animals are almost exclusively captured at night, it is very hard to distinguish between them, although Southern is more common. Therefore, all flying squirrels should be tagged in our database only as "Flying Squirrel (Cannot ID)." They are most often captured while on a tree, but sometimes are also seen mid-glide. They can be identified by their large eyes, flattened appearance against the tree, and the flaps of skin along their sides that aid them in gliding (although this is not always visible in images). less ↑

The woodchuck, Marmota monax, also known as a groundhog, is a large rodent. It is sometimes confused with the beaver or the muskrat. The tail is a good identifying feature. The woodchuck will have a tail about 6 inches long, which is furry, but not as bushy as that of a squirrel. In contrast, beavers will have a large, flat tail and muskrats will have a long, thin, relatively hairless tail that is slightly flattened on the sides. Woodchucks are typically a grizzled brown or gray color and are usually active during the daylight hours (mostly in the morning and later afternoon/evening). less ↑

The North American Beaver, Castor canadensis, is regularly seen on cameras near ponds, lakes, or streams. The beaver is most often confused with the muskrat or the woodchuck. It is larger than either of these species, and can easily be distinguished if the tail is visible. Beavers have a flat, wide hairless tail that looks like a paddle. Muskrats have a long rat-like tail which is relatively hairless. Woodchucks have furry tails about 6 inches long. If the back feet are visible, this can also aid in identification. Beavers have fully webbed hind feet. Muskrat hind feet are only partially webbed, and woodchuck feet are not webbed at all. less ↑

The Brown Rat, Rattus norvegicus, is also referred to as the Common Rat, Street Rat, Sewer Rat, or Norway Rat. This species is commonly found in urban and suburban areas. Rats can often be distinguished from other small mammals in camera trap images by their size and long, hairless tail. They will be smaller than muskrats, larger than mice and voles. Remember that if you are not certain of the identification of a small mammal, you may use the tag "small mammal (cannot ID)" to indicate that. less ↑

The muskrat, Ondatra zibethicus, is a medium-sized semiaquatic rodent found in wetlands. Muskrats are are most commonly confused with beavers and woodchucks. They are considerably smaller than beavers, and can be easily distinguished by their tail if it is visible. Muskrats have a long, relatively hairless tail, while beavers have a wide flattened tail like a paddle. Beavers also have more strongly webbed hind feet than muskrats. These characteristics can also help to distinguish it from the woodchuck, which is not semiaquatic and lacks any toe webbing. The woodchuck has a furred tail about 6 inches in length. less ↑

The North American Porcupine, Erethizon dorsatum, is a large species of rodent. The beaver is the only rodent in North America that is larger than the North American porcupine. Porcupines are easily identified by their quills. A porcupine may have as many as 30,000 quills. The quills are hairs with barbed tips on the ends. The porcupine has quills on all parts of its body except the stomach. The longest quills are on the rump. Porcupines are black to brownish-yellow in color and have strong, short legs. They have a round body, small ears and a small head. Porcupines are excellent climbers and are often seen in trees. Porcupines are common in the southern portion of WNY, but are rare in Northern Erie and Niagara Counties. However, porcupines have occasionally been seen in the area and could occur on our cameras. less ↑

The Eastern Cottontail, Sylvilagus floridanus, is our only local species of wild rabbit. There are few species that the cottontail may be easily confused with other than the domestic rabbit. The eastern cottontail has speckled brown-gray fur above, reddish-brown fur around its neck and shoulders and lighter fur around its nose and on its undersides. It has big eyes and a tail that is puffy white on the underside. In the winter its fur may be more gray than brown. Wild rabbits can be distinguished from domesticated rabbits by their fur color and other features. Wild rabbits never have floppy ears, and will usually have light brown fur. They have long, narrow faces, while pet rabbits have plumper cheeks and wide, round eyes. less ↑

The Striped Skunk, Mephitis mephitis, is easily identified by its coloration. Two thick white stripes along the back and tail contrast its black coat. The specific pattern of the stripes on the head, body and tail can vary among individuals, with some animals appearing almost entirely white on the back, and otherwise having much thinner white stripes and more visible black between them. The striped skunk also has a thin, white stripe running from the snout to forehead. less ↑

The American Mink, Neogale vison, is a long, slender mammal with a brown body and white chin. White patches may also be seen on the throat. Monk are most commonly confused with other members of the weasel family (Mustelidae), which in WNY include fishers, river otters, long-tailed weasels, and stoat (also called ermine or shot-tailed weasels). Size is the most obvious way to differentiate mink from fisher, as fisher will be much larger. River otters are even larder and have webbed toes and a tail that is thick at the base and tapers toward the tip. The long-tailed weasel and stoat are smaller than mink, and have white or yellowish fur on the belly. less ↑

The Short-tailed Weasel, Mustela richardsonii, is also known as the ermine or stoat. It is most commonly confused with the Long-tailed Weasel. Both species are ferret-like in shape, with a small head, long thin body, and short legs. Both have brown coloration above and white or yellowish fur on the belly, and both have a black tip at the end of the tail. Both turn white in winter in New York, except for the tail tip which remains black. The short-tailed weasel can be differentiated by its slightly smaller size and the shorter tail. The tail of the Long-tailed Weasel is 3 - 6.5 inches long, while the tail of the Short-tailed Weasel is only 1.5 - 3.5 inches long. The Short-tailed Weasel body is 7.5 - 13.5 inches long, while the Long-tailed weasel is 11 - 22 inches long. When in the brown color phase, the color of the feet also differs, with Long-tailed weasels having brown feet and the Short-tailed Weasels having white feet. less ↑

The Fisher, Pekania pennanti, is a one of the larger members of the Mustelid (weasel) family found in New York. Fishers are most commonly confused with mink, although they can be easily distinguished by their large size. Adults can be up to 30 inches long, including their long bushy tail. They are brown in color, and often appear blackish on the rump and tail, with a white or cream-colored bib on their chest. They are excellent climbers and may often be seen climbing trees. They are similar in weight to a Red Fox, but have much shorter legs than a fox. Their legs are longer than those of a mink, and they carry themselves with a more upright posture than mink. less ↑

The Long-tailed Weasel, Neogale frenata, is also known as the "bridled weasel" or "big stoat". It is most commonly confused with the Short-tailed Weasel (also called ermine or stoat). Both species are ferret-like in shape, with a small head, long thin body, and short legs. Both have brown coloration above and white or yellowish fur on the belly, and both have a black tip at the end of the tail. Both turn white in winter in New York, except for the tail tip which remains black. The long-tailed weasel can be differentiated by its slightly larger size and the length of the tail. The tail of the Long-tailed Weasel is 3 - 6.5 inches long, while the tail of the Short-tailed Weasel is only 1.5 - 3.5 inches long. The Short-tailed Weasel body is 7.5 - 13.5 inches long, while the Long-tailed weasel is 11 - 22 inches long. When in the brown color phase, the color of the feet also differs, with Long-tailed weasels having brown feet and the Short-tailed Weasels having white feet. less ↑

The North American river otter, Lontra canadensis, is the largest member of the family Mustelidae (weasels) in New York. Otters are not commonly seen on our trail cameras, but do appear occasionally in locations with aquatic features (lakes, ponds, streams, etc). River otters can be distinguished from other semiaquatic mammals (muskrats, beavers) by their body shape. They share they characteristic long, sleek shape and short legs of other mustelids. They are considerably larger than other local members of the weasel family. River otters have webbed feet and a tail that is thick at the base and tapers to a point at the tip. less ↑

The coyote, Canis latrans, is our largest wild canid in New York. Coyote coloration can range from gray to red to blonde. Their legs, ears and cheeks are often reddish, and many have a white chin and a dark spot just below the base of the tail when observed from behind. The tip of the tail is usually black. Coyotes are easily distinguished from foxes by their larger size and longer legs. Coyotes are most commonly confused with domestic dogs, particularly German Shepherd mixes. Coyotes generally look sleeker than dogs, with a more pointed muzzle and flatter forehead. A dog’s chest is deeper than a coyote’s, giving the appearance that a coyote has longer legs than a dog. less ↑

The Gray Fox, Urocyon cinereoargenteus, is one of two fox species found in New York State. Gray foxes are sometimes confused with red foxes because of a reddish or rusty coloration on the sides of their necks and on their legs. Their overall coloration is best described as a salt and pepper gray with a dark streak extending down the center of the back, along the top of the tail and ending in a black tail tip. The grey fox also has a more "cat-like" face than either the red fox or the coyote. Because many of our fox images are obtained at night, when photos are not in color, another helpful tip is to look for the some of the characteristics of the red fox that are present in night images - black on the lower legs (black "boots" and black ears (seen only on the back side of the ear). Red foxes have a white tail tip, while gray foxes have a black tail tip. Coyotes also possess a black-tipped tail, but can easily be distinguished from foxes by their larger size and longer legs. less ↑

The Red Fox, Vulpes vulpes, is the most common fox species in our region. The name Red Fox can be deceiving because they can actually be red, grey, black, and even white (if albino or leucistic), although red is the most common. The black legs of the red fox is a good identification clue - especially in night photos. The back side of the the ears are also tipped in black, and the tail is tipped in white. The red fox has a more "dog-like" face when compared to the gray fox. less ↑

The bobcat, Lynx rufus, is the only species of wild felid found in NYS. Bobcats can be identified by their large size (compared with domestic cats), and their characteristic short tail. The tail is dark on top, with black at the tip, and white underneath. They have tufted ears and long fur on the cheeks. They range in color from yellowish to reddish brown, and are typically dappled with dark spots and streaks. These markings can be highly variable. Bobcats always have a distinctive white spot on the back of their black ears. Bobcats are present in the southern portion of WNY, particularly near the PA border. They are not known to occur in our current UWIN study area. However, bobcats have been expanding their range within NY over the past few decades, and a transient animal in the outer edge of our study area is always a possibility. less ↑

The American Black Bear, Ursus americanus, is the only bear species present in New York. Bears are common in the southern portions of WNY, particularly close to the Pennsylvania border. Bears are rare in Erie and Niagara Counties, but individuals are seen occasionally in Buffalo suburbs and transient bears are a possibility in any area of the state. Black bears are easily identified by their large size. Despite their name, black bears can range in color from black to a rusty brown color (called a cinnamon phase) or even blonde. less ↑

The White-tailed Deer, Odocoileus virginianus, is our only native ungulate in Western New York. Deer are easily identified on camera. During much of the year, males can be identified by their antlers. However, they shed the antlers in the winter and begin to regrow them in spring. In our database, you will only need to tag whether deer are antlered, anterless, or young. Young deer (fawns) can be identified by their white spots, which they gradually lose after a few months. less ↑

The Eastern Screech Owl, Megascops asio, is a small owl that is relatively common in Western NY. It can be distinguished from other common local owls by its small size. Another small owl, the Northern Saw-whet Owl, does migrate through our area but is very unlikely to be seen on our cameras. These species can be distinguished by the large ear tufts of the screech owl. The saw-whet owl lacks this feature. Screech owls range in color grey to reddish-brown. However as their image is most often captured at night, size and ear tufts are typically the key identifying features. less ↑

The Long-eared Owl, Asio otus, is less common in Western NY than the Great Horned or Barred Owl. it is most commonly confused with the Great Horned Owl, due to the presence of large ear tufts and yellow eyes. The Long-eared Owl's ear tufts are longer than those of a Great Horned Owl, and the owl's body is slender compared with the bulkier form of the Great Horned Owl. In addition, the orange facial discs span farther up and down the face on the Long-eared Owl than the Great Horned Owl. This species is rarely observed on our cameras. less ↑

The Short-eared Owl, Asio flammeus, is a smaller species of owl than the Barred or Great Horned Owl. They are larger than the Eastern Screech Owl. Short-eared Owls and named for their small ear tufts, which may or may not be visible. The short-eared Owl will display its tufts when in a defensive pose, but these very short tufts are usually not visible. The short-eared owl is found in open country and grasslands, and typically is only found in Western NY during the winter. This species is a rare capture on our trail cameras. less ↑

The Northern Harrier, Circus hudsonius, is a medium-sized raptor with long, broad wings and a long tail. The face of the harrier is slightly dished (similar to that of an owl). Adult males are brown or grayish brown above, and have a dark (almost black) trailing edge on the wings. From below, males appear pale on the belly and the dark wingtips are evident. Females are darker brown on the top, and paler in color on the underside with brown streaking. Adult birds also have a distinct white patch on the rump. Immature birds have an unstreaked, cinnamon-color belly. Harriers often fly with their wings in a slight V shape and are often seen flying low over the ground in grassland, marshes, and other open areas. less ↑

The Osprey, Pandion haliaetus is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey that is common in Western NY. They are large in size, reaching more than 60 cm (24 in) in length and 180 cm (71 in) across the wings. Although sometimes confused with eagles due to their size, Osprey are distinctive in appearance. Despite their size, their bodies are slender, with long, narrow wings and long legs. Ospreys fly with a marked kink in their wings, making an M-shape when seen from below. They are brown above and white below. The amount and distribution of white on their bodies distinguishes them from most other raptors. From below, their wings are mostly white with a prominent dark patch at the wrists. The head is white with a broad brown stripe through the eye. The stripe runs horizontally, making it quite distinct from the malar stripes of the Peregrine Falcon. Juveniles have white spots on the back and buffy shading on the breast. less ↑

The Bald Eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, is one of our largest local birds of prey. Adults are easily distinguished by their characteristic white head and tail, contrasting with a dark brown body. However, young eagles lack this distinct coloration until they reach maturity, gradually transforming in color throughout their first five years of life. First-year eagles are predominantly brown, and may have some lighter flecking. As they age, the amount of white increases with each molt. During the second and third year the tail becomes white with a dark terminal band and the head appears lighter, with a dark stripe through the eye. By the fourth year, the head and tail will be mostly white. The bill also gradually changes from a dark color to a bright yellow throughout this time period. Bald eagles of any age are characterized by their large size, broad wings, heavy body, and large hooked bill. They fly with their wings flat, distinguishing them from Turkey Vultures, which fly with wings held in a V-shape. Bald eagles are considerably larger than red-tailed Hawks and are even notably larger than Turkey Vultures. less ↑

The Cooper's hawk, Accipiter cooperii, is a medium-sized hawk in the Accipiter genus. Accipiters are evolved for forest hunting, and tend to be characterized by long tails and short, rounded wings. They are smaller in size than other local hawks, such as the Red-tailed Hawk. The Cooper's Hawk is quite common in Western New York, and is often confused with our other common local Accipiter, the Sharp-shinned Hawk. Cooper's hawks are slightly larger than Sharp-shinned Hawks, but there is considerable overlap between small male Cooper's and large female Sharp-shins. Distinguishing between these hawks can be very challenging, even for experienced birders. I have listed a number of tips below that can help you if you are interested in working to improve your identification skills for these species. However, for our camera images, you cay also tag a bird as "hawk" if you cannot tell the difference.

Identification Tips (copied from Cornell's Project FeederWatch, https://feederwatch.org/learn/tricky-bird-ids/coopers-hawk-and-sharp-shinned-hawk/):

There are lots of field marks to distinguish these hawks, although some are judgment calls (such as size) and some require a certain perspective (front or back of bird). The best way to distinguish Sharp-shinned from Cooper’s hawks is to try to gather as many field marks as possible. Here are some key field marks to look for first:

1) With all plumages, Cooper’s Hawks are barrel shaped, with the width of the chest fairly close in size to the width of the hips and the largest portion of the chest about halfway down the body. Sharp-shinned Hawks, on the other hand, are widest at the shoulder and get distinctly narrower down to the hips.

2) The size of the head relative to the body can be a reliable field mark. It isn’t always easy to see, and hawks hold their heads in different positions that can affect how big the head looks, but usually a Sharp-shinned Hawk’s head looks small, and a Cooper’s Hawk’s head looks large. Sharp-shinned Hawks appear short-necked; Cooper’s Hawks appear tall.

3) Cooper’s Hawks are larger than Sharp-shinned Hawks, but size can be difficult to judge if you see the bird in isolation, and there is wide variability in size from one individual to the next and between larger females and smaller males in both species. Furthermore, large female Sharp-shinned Hawks can be nearly as large as small male Cooper’s Hawks. Generally, however, size can be a reliable field mark, especially if the bird is very large or very small.

4) Differences in leg size can be helpful for distinguishing between the hawks. Very thin legs are diagnostic for Sharp-shinned, and very thick legs are diagnostic for Cooper’s Hawk. This field mark requires some judgment, though, and sometimes it is hard to tell if the legs are thick or thin.

5) The rounded versus square tail is reliable if you can see all the tail feathers and they are held straight. The tail feathers of Sharp-shinned Hawks are the same length, whereas the outer tail feathers are shorter than the inner feathers on Cooper’s Hawks. However, when seen from the back, if a Cooper’s Hawk holds its tail tightly closed, the longer feathers can completely block the shorter feathers from view, making the tail look square. Furthermore, a Sharp-shinned Hawk’s tail can look rounded if the feathers are spread. New feathers growing in can further complicate the issue.

6) Determine if the hawk is an adult or a juvenile. Adult Sharp-shinned Hawks and Cooper’s Hawks have dark gray backs, rusty-barring on the breast, and red eyes. Juvenile Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s hawks have yellow eyes, dark vertical stripes on their breasts, and variable brown backs and heads with some white spots.

7) If you can see the front of the hawk and it is a juvenile hawk, the thickness and color of vertical streaks is fairly reliable. There is some overlap between the species, but this is pretty unusual. Very thick, rufous stripes that extend down the lower belly are a good indication of Sharp-shinned Hawk, and very thin, dark streaks that fade away on the lower belly are a good indication of Cooper’s Hawk.
If you can see the back of the hawk, and it is an adult, then the color of the nape is a reliable field mark. Cooper’s Hawks have a pale nape with a clear contrast to a dark cap. Juveniles of both species can show a pale nape, however.

8) In flight, the birds can be especially challenging, but there are a couple of tips that could help. When soaring, the Sharp-shinned Hawk has short rounded wings are pushed forward at the wrists so that the small head barely extends past the wings. The large, angular head of the Cooper’s Hawk, on the other hand, projects far beyond the wings when soaring, giving the bird a cross-like appearance. The Sharp-shinned Hawk typically flies with several quick wingbeats followed by a short glide. The wing beats can be erratic and more difficult to count than for a Cooper’s, which often flies with slower wing beats followed by a short glide. The slower, regular wing beats are easily counted when a Cooper’s Hawk flies overhead. less ↑

The Sharp-shinned Hawk, Accipiter striatus, is a small hawk - males are among the smallest hawks in North America. Like the Cooper's hawk, the Sharp-shinned Hawk is a member of the Accipiter genus. Accipiters are evolved for forest hunting, and tend to be characterized by long tails and short, rounded wings. They are smaller in size than other local hawks, such as the Red-tailed Hawk. The harp-shinned Hawk is quite common in Western New York, and is often confused with our other common local Accipiter, the Cooper's Hawk. Cooper's hawks are slightly larger than Sharp-shinned Hawks, but there is considerable overlap between small male Cooper's and large female Sharp-shins. Distinguishing between these hawks can be very challenging, even for experienced birders. I have listed a number of tips below that can help you if you are interested in working to improve your identification skills for these species. However, for our camera images, you cay also tag a bird as "hawk" if you cannot tell the difference.

Identification Tips (copied from Cornell's Project FeederWatch, https://feederwatch.org/learn/tricky-bird-ids/coopers-hawk-and-sharp-shinned-hawk/):

There are lots of field marks to distinguish these hawks, although some are judgment calls (such as size) and some require a certain perspective (front or back of bird). The best way to distinguish Sharp-shinned from Cooper’s hawks is to try to gather as many field marks as possible. Here are some key field marks to look for first:

1) With all plumages, Cooper’s Hawks are barrel shaped, with the width of the chest fairly close in size to the width of the hips and the largest portion of the chest about halfway down the body. Sharp-shinned Hawks, on the other hand, are widest at the shoulder and get distinctly narrower down to the hips.

2) The size of the head relative to the body can be a reliable field mark. It isn’t always easy to see, and hawks hold their heads in different positions that can affect how big the head looks, but usually a Sharp-shinned Hawk’s head looks small, and a Cooper’s Hawk’s head looks large. Sharp-shinned Hawks appear short-necked; Cooper’s Hawks appear tall.

3) Cooper’s Hawks are larger than Sharp-shinned Hawks, but size can be difficult to judge if you see the bird in isolation, and there is wide variability in size from one individual to the next and between larger females and smaller males in both species. Furthermore, large female Sharp-shinned Hawks can be nearly as large as small male Cooper’s Hawks. Generally, however, size can be a reliable field mark, especially if the bird is very large or very small.

4) Differences in leg size can be helpful for distinguishing between the hawks. Very thin legs are diagnostic for Sharp-shinned, and very thick legs are diagnostic for Cooper’s Hawk. This field mark requires some judgment, though, and sometimes it is hard to tell if the legs are thick or thin.

5) The rounded versus square tail is reliable if you can see all the tail feathers and they are held straight. The tail feathers of Sharp-shinned Hawks are the same length, whereas the outer tail feathers are shorter than the inner feathers on Cooper’s Hawks. However, when seen from the back, if a Cooper’s Hawk holds its tail tightly closed, the longer feathers can completely block the shorter feathers from view, making the tail look square. Furthermore, a Sharp-shinned Hawk’s tail can look rounded if the feathers are spread. New feathers growing in can further complicate the issue.

6) Determine if the hawk is an adult or a juvenile. Adult Sharp-shinned Hawks and Cooper’s Hawks have dark gray backs, rusty-barring on the breast, and red eyes. Juvenile Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s hawks have yellow eyes, dark vertical stripes on their breasts, and variable brown backs and heads with some white spots.

7) If you can see the front of the hawk and it is a juvenile hawk, the thickness and color of vertical streaks is fairly reliable. There is some overlap between the species, but this is pretty unusual. Very thick, rufous stripes that extend down the lower belly are a good indication of Sharp-shinned Hawk, and very thin, dark streaks that fade away on the lower belly are a good indication of Cooper’s Hawk.
If you can see the back of the hawk, and it is an adult, then the color of the nape is a reliable field mark. Cooper’s Hawks have a pale nape with a clear contrast to a dark cap. Juveniles of both species can show a pale nape, however.

8) In flight, the birds can be especially challenging, but there are a couple of tips that could help. When soaring, the Sharp-shinned Hawk has short rounded wings are pushed forward at the wrists so that the small head barely extends past the wings. The large, angular head of the Cooper’s Hawk, on the other hand, projects far beyond the wings when soaring, giving the bird a cross-like appearance. The Sharp-shinned Hawk typically flies with several quick wingbeats followed by a short glide. The wing beats can be erratic and more difficult to count than for a Cooper’s, which often flies with slower wing beats followed by a short glide. The slower, regular wing beats are easily counted when a Cooper’s Hawk flies overhead. less ↑

The Red-tailed hawk, Buteo jamaicensis, is the most common bird of prey in Western New York. Red-tails are large, heavy-bodied hawks with broad wings. Characteristic features include the bird's rusty red tail, dark patagial markings (the strip of skin on the leading edge of the wing from the head to the wrist), and the "belly band" - a band of streaky brown markings extending across the belly area. Red-tails are generally brown in color above, and pale on the underside. Their tail is shorter than the tail of a Cooper's or Sharp-shinned Hawk. less ↑

The Broad-winged hawk, Buteo platypterus, is a small hawk of the genus Buteo (a group of heavy-bodies hawks that also includes the Red-tailed Hawk). Broad-winged Hawks are most commonly seen during migration, when they travel in large numbers. Broad-winged hawks are characterized by broad wings that taper to a point at the tip during flight. They have a brown back, and may be dark below, or have a pale underside with brown barring. They have a distinct tail pattern with bold black and white bands. The Broad-winged Hawk is smaller than the Red-tailed Hawk. less ↑

The American Kestrel, Falco sparverius, is the smallest and most common falcon in North America, and one of three falcon species found in Western New York. Kestrels are most commonly confused with other falcons due to their similar wing shapes and facial markings. The small size of the kestrel is a clear clue to identification. It is roughly the size of a Blue Jay. In flight, the kestrel has sharp-looking, pointed wings and a slender, long tail. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with males and females exhibiting different color patterns. Adult males are brightly colored, with blue-gray wings and a blue-gray crown, rusty-colored tail, and a rusty back embellished with black barring. Black spots speckle the underparts. Both sexes have two vertical stripes on the face and a black spot on the back of the neck. Adult females are rusty-colored above with black barring, and pale buff below with dark rufous streaks.. Their tail is rust with multiple black bands. less ↑

The Merlin, Falco columbarius, is a small falcon that can be found in Western NY. It is slightly larger than a Kestrel, and considerably smaller than a Peregrine Falcon. Due to its size, it is most often confused with small hawks, such as the Sharp-shinned Hawk. Adult male Merlins are slaty gray to dark gray. Females and immatures are more brown. The chest is usually heavily streaked and the underwings are dark. The dark tail has narrow white bands, and the face often lacks the prominent malar or “mustache” stripe seen in the Kestrel or Peregrine Falcon. less ↑

The Black Vulture, Coragyps atratus, is relatively rare in Western NY. I is one of two species of vultures present. In flight, they hold their broad, rounded wings flat and angled slightly forward. Their tail is very short and rounded. They have small, bare heads that are dark in color, and narrow but strongly hooked bills. There skin on the head lacks feathers. Black Vultures are entirely black except for white patches or “stars” on the underside of their wingtips (but this can be hard to see in certain lighting). less ↑

The Turkey Vulture, Cathartes, is a common species in Western NY. It is commonly confused with the Black Vulture> It may also be confused with eagles or osprey due to its large size. In flight, the Turkey Vulture holds its wings in a V-shape, and often appears to wobble from side to side. The feathers at the ends of the wings have the appearance of "fingers." Turkey Vultures appear black from a distance but up close are dark brown with a featherless red head and pale bill. While most of their body and forewing are dark, with the undersides of the flight feathers along the trailing edge and wingtips paler, giving a two-toned appearance. From below, the dark body and leading wing edges give the appearance of a "T" against the lighter flight feathers. Juvenile Turkey Vultures have a dark head, which gradually becomes red. less ↑

The Black-crowned Night Heron, Nycticorax nycticorax, is one of several species of large wading birds present in Western New York.
Although less common than the others listed in this guide, they are seen regularly. Black-crowned Night-Herons are relatively small herons with a squat, chunky appearance. They have thick necks, large, flat heads, and heavy, pointed bills. The legs are short and, in flight, barely reach the end of the tail. Their wings are broad and rounded. Adults are light gray in color with a black back and black crown. Immature birds are brown with white spots on the wings and streaks on the underparts. Adults have all-black bills. The bills of immature birds are black and yellow. less ↑

The Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias, is a large wading bird that is quite common in Western New York. This species is quite distinct from other local herons, with a slender body, very long legs, a long slender neck, and long pointed bill. They are similar in size and shape to the Great Egret, but are easily distinguished from that species by color (Great Egrets are white). Great Blue Herons appear bluish gray in color, with a wide black stripe above the eye. In flight, the upper side of the wing is two-toned: pale on the forewing and darker on the flight feathers. Their neck is often tucked into an "S" shape while flying. less ↑

The Green Heron, Butorides virescens, is a small heron common to the Western new York area. Compared with the Great Blue Heron or Great Egret, Green Herons are short and stocky, with relatively short legs and thick necks that are often drawn up against their bodies. They have broad, rounded wings and a long, daggerlike bill. They sometimes raise their crown feathers into a short crest. Green Herons have a deep green color on the back with a chestnut brown breast and neck, and their wings are dark gray. In poor lighting they may appear as if they are uniformly dark. Juveniles are browner, with pale streaking on the neck and spots on the wings. less ↑

The Belted Kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon, is a piscivorous (fish-eating) bird about the size of a Blue Jay. These birds are common near ponds, wetlands, and streams throughout Western New York. They have stocky bodies, large heads with a shaggy crest on the top and back of the head, and a straight, thick, pointed bill. Their legs are short and their tails are medium length and square-tipped. Belted Kingfishers are bluish gray on top with fine, white spotting on the wings and tail. The underparts are white with a broad, blue breast band. Females also have an addition band - a thick rust colored band across the belly. Juveniles show irregular rusty spotting in the breast band. less ↑

The Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos, is a very common duck in Western New York. Mallards are "dabbling ducks," which feed at the surface of the water and can often been seen with their heads below water and their rear ends upward. Mallards are large ducks with hefty bodies, rounded heads, and wide, flat bills. They are considerably smaller than the Canada Goose. In flight their wings are broad and set back toward the rear. Males have a dark, iridescent-green head and bright yellow bill. They have a gray, brown breast, and black rear. Females and juveniles are mottled brown with orange-and-brown bills. Both sexes have a white-bordered, blue “speculum” on the wing - a bright iridescent patch on the secondary flight feathers (on the part of the wing near the body). The speculum is not always visible. Rather, it can typically be seen when the wing is spread during flight or when the bird is stretching, preening, or landing. less ↑

The Wood Duck, Aix sponsa, is one of the most colorful species of North American waterfowl. Wood ducks are shy birds, but are sometimes seen on cameras places near relatively undisturbed ponds and wetlands. Wood Ducks are very distinctive, with a boxy, crested head (for males), a thin neck, and a long, broad tail. In flight, they hold their head up high, sometimes bobbing it. Overall, their silhouette shows a skinny neck, long body, thick tail, and short wings. Males have a glossy green head with white stripes (although the green may simply appear dark in poor light), a chestnut breast and buffy sides. In low light, they may appear dark overall with paler sides. Females are grayish brown with a white speckled breast and a prominent white ring around the eye. the eye-ring extends in a tear-drop shape behind the eye. The appearance of juveniles is similar to females. less ↑

The Wild Turkey, Meleagris gallopavo, is an upland ground bird common in Western New York. Turkeys are large, heavy-bodied birds with long legs, wide, rounded tails, and a small head on a long, thin neck. Turkeys are dark in color overall, with a bronze or greenish iridescence to most of their plumage. Their wings are dark and barred with white. Their rump and tail feathers are tipped with rusty brown or white. The head and neck lack feathers, and the skin color on these areas varies from red to blue to gray. Contrary to what people often believe, turkeys are able to fly. less ↑

The Ring-necked Pheasant, Phasianus colchicus, is a game bird that is not Native to New York. It was introduced in the late 1800s. Pheasants are uncommon, but occasionally seen, in Western New York. Pheasants are large, chicken-like birds. They have fairly long legs, a small head, long neck, plump body, and long, pointed tail. Male Ring-necked Pheasants are brightly-colored birds with a red face, and an iridescent green neck with a bold white ring. The male’s very long tail is coppery brown with thin, black bars. Females are brown, with paler scaling on the upperparts, which are buffy or cinnamon color with black spotting on the sides. Females have thin, black bars on their tails. less ↑

The Ruffed Grouse, Bonasa umbellus, is a ground bird living in forested habitats. It is uncommon in the Buffalo region, but can found in greater numbers in the Western New York southtowns area. Grouse are considerably smaller than turkey (closer in size to a crow). They have a short, triangular crest and a long, fan-shaped tail. They have short legs and a relatively slim body. Ruffed Grouse are patterned with dark bars and spots on a reddish-brown or grayish background. Dark bars run down the side of the neck and widen on the belly. The tail is finely barred, with one wide black band near the tip. less ↑

The American crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos, is a very common bird in Western new York. They are black in color, with a relatively heavy body, thick neck, relatively long legs, and a heavy bill. They are most often confused with Common Grackles, which are smaller, finer in build, and more iridescent in color. They may also be confused with the Common Raven. Ravens are relatively rare in our area, and are larger than crows but with a very similar appearance. In addition to their larger size (ravens are nearly as big as Red-tailed Hawks), ravens have a shaggy appearance to the feathers around throat, longer bristles at the base of the bill, and a thicker bill with more of a curve to it when compared with a crow. less ↑

The Blue Jay, Cyanocitta cristata is a common and distinctive bird in Western New York. Blue Jays are brightly colored, with various shades of blue above, patterned with black and white markings. They are white or light gray below. They have a distinctive blue crest and a long, rounded tail. They are most often confused with the Belted Kingfisher, because they share a bluish shade and a crest. However, the Kingfisher is more of a bluish gray, and its crest is much larger than that of a blue jay. less ↑

The Common Raven, Corvus corax, is uncommon in Western New York (although they do appear occasionally). Large crows are often mistaken for ravens, which can primarily be distinguished by their large size. Ravens are nearly as large as Red-tailed Hawks. Ravens are relatively rare in our area, and are larger than crows but with a very similar appearance. In addition to their larger size, ravens have a shaggy appearance to the feathers around throat, longer bristles at the base of the bill, and a thicker bill with more of a curve to it when compared with a crow. less ↑

The Downy Woodpecker, Dryobates pubescens, is a small species of woodpecker that is very common in Western New York. They have a straight, chisel-like bill, blocky head, wide shoulders, and straight-backed posture. Their appearance gives a checkered black-and-white impression. The black upperparts are checkered with white on the wings, the head is boldly striped, and the back has a broad white stripe down the center. Males have a small red patch on the back of the head. The outer tail feathers are typically white with a few black spots. They are most often confused with hairy Woodpeckers, which are larger in size and have a longer, heavier bill. A good identification trick is to compare the length of the bill to the head. If the bill is less than half the length of the head, the bird is likely a Downy. If it is longer than that, it is likely a Hairy. less ↑

The Hairy Woodpecker, Leuconotopicus villosus, looks quite similar to the Downy Woodpecker, but is larger in size and has a heavier bill. A good identification trick is to compare the length of the bill to the head. If the bill is less than half the length of the head, the bird is likely a Downy. If it is longer than that, it is likely a Hairy, as the bill is nearly the same length as the head. The Hairy Woodpecker has a fairly square head, a long, straight, chisel-like bill, and stiff, long tail feathers to lean against on tree trunks. They have black wings checkered with white The head has two white stripes and a large white patch that runs down the center of the black back. Males have a patch of red toward the back of the head. less ↑

The Northern Flicker, Colaptes auratus, is also sometimes called the "Yellow-shafted Flicker" for the bright yellow coloring of the undersides of the wing and tail feathers. The Flicker is a medium-sized woodpecker with an elaborate color pattern. They appear brownish overall with a white rump patch that’s conspicuous in flight and often visible when perched, and their body is patterned with black spots, bars, and crescents. less ↑

The Red-bellied Woodpecker, Melanerpes carolinus, is similar in size to the Hairy Woodpecker. It has a boldly black-and-white striped back and is pale on the underside. Males have a red cap and nape. Females have a red nape, but lack the red cap. There is a wash of red on the belly, but this is often obscured by white feathers and may not be visible. It is often misidentified as a Red-headed Woodpecker because of the red cap. However, the Red-headed Woodpecker is a different species with an entirely red head. less ↑

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius,is a small woodpecker that is relatively common in Western New York. Their bodies are mostly black and white, and their faces are boldly colored. Both sexes have a red forehead, and males also have a bright red throat. They have a long white stripe along the wing, and bold black-and-white stripes that curve from the face toward a black chest and white or yellowish underparts. Juveniles lack the bold coloration of adults. They have a brown wash all over and fine spotting on the crown. Sapsuckers are known for drilling rows of shallow holes in trees to access the sap within. less ↑

The Mourning Dove, Zenaida macroura, is an extremely common species of dove in Western New York. They have fairly plump bodies and long pointed tails, with short reddish-colored legs legs, a small bill, and a head that looks quite small in comparison to the body. They are a brown or tan overall, with a peach color on the underside, and black spots on the wings. The eyes are lightly ringed with blue skin. less ↑

The Rock Pigeon, Columba livia, is not native to New York. The species was introduced from Europe, possibly as early as the 1600s. They are larger than a morning dove, with a plumper body. They can be variable in color, but most are bluish gray (but some are more brown in color), with two black bands on the wing and a black tail tip. Many pigeons have iridescent feathers on the throat, which can appear greenish or purplish depending on the lighting. Wing patterns are variable, and can include dark spotting instead of the common black bars. In some birds, the wings are plain (no barring or spotting) less ↑

The American Robin, Turdus migratorius, is a common songbird in Western New York. American Robins are relatively large songbirds with a plump body, long legs, and fairly long tail. They are grayish in color birds with orange-red underparts and dark heads. White spots around the eye give the appearance of a broken eye-ring. A white patch on the lower belly and under the tail can be visible during flight. less ↑

The American goldfinch, Spinus tristis, is a small finch that is common in Western New York. They have a short, conical bill, small head, long wings, and short, notched tail. Their appearance changes throughout the year, with males in particular exhibiting bright yellow coloration during the breeding season. Adult males in spring and early summer are bright yellow with a black forehead, black wings with white markings, and white patches above and beneath the tail. Adult females are duller yellow below, and an olive color above. In winter, birds of both sexes are a drab, unstreaked brown, with blackish wings and two pale wingbars. less ↑

The Baltimore Oriole, Icterus galbula, is a brightly-colored member of the blackbird family. Orioles are fairly common in Western New York. They are slightly smaller than an American Robin and have a relatively long, pointed bill with a thick base. Males and females differ considerably in color. Adult males are bright orange and black, with a black head and a single white bar on their black wings. Females and immature males are yellowish-orange on the breast and grayish on the head and back, with two bold white wing bars. Immature females have a grayish back with faint streaking and white wingbars, a pale yellow wash on the head, breast, and tail. less ↑

The Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica, is a common species of swallow in Western New York. They are similar in size to a sparrow, with long pointed wings. Barn Swallows have a grayish-blue back, wings, and tail, and light rusty-colored underparts. They have a bluish crown and face and a cinnamon-colored forehead and throat. White spots under the tail are visible in flight. Females are paler in color than males. less ↑

The Black-capped Chickadee, Poecile atricapillus, is a small songbird that is extremely common throughout Western New York. It's small body is round in shape, with a long, narrow tail. They have a black cap and bib, white cheeks, and gray back. Their wing feathers are gray with white edges edges. The underparts are a buffy color on the sides and white beneath. The black cap extends down just below the eyes. less ↑

The Brown-headed Cowbird, Molothrus ater, is a species of blackbird. They have a relatively large head and short tail compared with other blackbirds. Their bill is short and thick - more similar in shape to the bill of a finch. Males have a glossy black body and brown head, but often appear uniformly black in poor lighting. Females are a duller brown all over, with slightly lighter color on the head and underparts, and fine streaking on the belly. less ↑

The Cedar Waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum, is named for its colorful wax-like wing and tail tips. It is similar in size to an American Robin, but appears sleeker. Cedar Waxwings are pale brown on the head and chest fading into a gray color on the back and wings. Their belly is pale yellow. Their face has a black mask outlined in white. The waxy-looking tips on the tail are bright yellow. The additional waxy red tips on the wing feathers are often less visible. less ↑

The Common Grackle, Quiscalus quiscula, is a large, sleek-looking blackbird common in Western New York. They are similar in size to an American Robin, with a long tail and a long bill with a very slight downward curve. Although they may appear all black in poor lighting, they have an iridescent sheen that may appear various shades of purple of the head, and bronze on the body. Females are less iridescent than males. Juveniles are brownish overall, and lack the glossy sheen of adults. less ↑

The European Starling, Sturnus vulgaris, is not a native species. Introduced from Europe, this has become one of the most common birds in North America. They are similar in size to a Robin, with short tails and long, slender bills. In poor lighting, they may appear all black. In the summer, they have a yellow bill and are iridescent with a purplish or greenish hue. Due to this, they are most often confused with the Common Grackle, which is larger and has a much longer tail and dark bill. In winter, Starlings are covered with white speckles on their back and underparts, and their bill is darker in color. less ↑

The House Finch, Haemorhous mexicanus, is common in urban and suburban areas throughout Western New York. They are similar in size to a House Sparrow, but slightly more slender. They have heavy bills, and only a slight notch in the tail. Males are easily distinguished by their rosy-red coloration on the face and upper breast, and have a streaky brown belly, back, and tail. In flight, a red patch on the rump is conspicuous. Females and immatures birds are more drab, with a grayish-brown color overall and streaking on the belly. less ↑

The House Sparrow, Passer domesticus, was introduced from Europe and is common in urban and suburban areas. They appear chunkier than most of our native sparrows. They have a large, rounded head, short tail, and short, heavy bill. Males are distinctive, with a brown back streaked with black, grayish underparts, a gray crown, white cheeks, and a black bib on the throat extending down to the upper breast. Females are drab, with a plain buffy brown above, marked with darker streaks, and a grayish color below. less ↑

The Northern Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis, is a common bird throughout Western New York. They are slightly smaller than an American Robin, and have a long tail, short, thick bill, and prominent crest. Males are very distinctive, with a bright red color all over, and a black mask that surrounds the bill and extends slightly over the eyes. Females are more drab, having a pale brown color overall, with reddish or orangish tinge to the wings, tail, and crest. Like males, they have black around the bill, which is reddish-orange in color. less ↑

The Red-breasted Nuthatch, Sitta canadensis, is a small songbird, similar in size to a sparrow. They have short tails and appear to have little neck. They have blue-grey upperparts with cinnamon underparts, a white throat and face with a black stripe through the eyes, a straight grey bill and a black crown. Females are slightly paler in color than males. It is most commonly confused with the White-breasted Nuthatch. less ↑

The Red-winged Blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus, is similar in size to a Robin. They have a slender, conical bill and a medium-length tail. Male Red-winged Blackbirds are very distinctive, with a glossy black color overall, and bright yellow and red shoulder badges called epaulettes. Females are drab and sparrow-like. They are dark brownish overall with heavy black streaking, and often show a white eyebrow. less ↑

The Tree Swallow, Tachycineta bicolor, is a small bird with a streamlined, aerodynamic shape. They have long, pointed wings and a short, squared tail that may show a slight notch. Their bills are short and have a flattened appearance. Adult males are bluish-green above and white below, with dark flight feathers and a thin black eye mask. Females are duller in color with a more brownish appearance above. Juveniles are entirely brown on the upperparts. Both juveniles and females may show a blurry gray-brown breast band. less ↑

The Yellow-rumped Warbler, Setophaga coronata, is a common warbler species in Western New York. They are small birds with a pointed bill and long, narrow tail. In summer, both sexes are a gray with flashes of white in the wings and yellow on the face, sides, and rump. Females are duller and may show some brown. In winter birds are paler brown, with bright yellow rump and usually some yellow on the sides. less ↑

The Yellow Warbler, Setophaga petechia, is a common warbler species in Western New York. They are slightly larger than an American Goldfinch, and have medium-length tails, rounded heads, and a straight, thin bill. Yellow Warblers are uniformly yellow in color. Males are a bright yellow with reddish streaks on the underparts. Both sexes show yellow patches in the tail. Their face is unmarked, accentuating a large black eye. less ↑

The Common Snapping Turtle, Chelydra serpentina, is one of the most common freshwater turtles in Western New York. They range in size from 8 to 14 in (20-36 cm) with a record length of 19.3 in (49 cm). Their color varies from tan to dark brown to almost black. They have long tails and necks and rough shells with three rows of carapace keels. On camera, they may be seen basing on logs or on the bank near the edge of the water in locations with ponds, streams, and wetlands. less ↑

The Painted Turtle, Chrysemys picta, is the most widespread native turtle of North America and a common species in Western New York. It is a smaller than the Snapping Turtle, but there is overlap in size between Painted Turtles and younger Snapping Turtles. Painted Turtles range in size from about 4.5-8 inches (10-18 cm) in length. The upper shell (carapace) is olive to black in coloration and is bordered in red markings. The underside (plastron) is tan to yellow and may have dark blotches. Bright yellow striping is visible on the head and neck when basking. less ↑