• hummingbirds are wild and exotic, but can likely be found in your own backyardhummingbird image by cherie from Fotolia.com
  
  Bird-watching in North America provides an opportunity to observe the vast and rich variety found all across the country. Whether you trek to a wilderness setting or simply observe from your backyard, with a little research, the birds of America can often be easily identified.
  
  

Birds of Prey

• Bird of prey soaring high above the groundEagle image by Tokarev Evgenij from Fotolia.com
  
  Birds of prey are usually larger birds that hunt for fish, small rodents, or reptiles. Hawks, eagles, and owls all fall within this category, as well as falcons, kites, ospreys and African secretary birds. Some common examples of eagles and hawks in the United States are the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), the red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), and the beautiful northern harrier (Circus cyaneus). These birds soar majestically through the air at high altitudes and usually have very identifiable features such as the bald eagle's characteristic white head. The red-tailed hawk actually has a red tail visible from underneath, and the northern harrier, or marsh hawk, has a white spot on its upper tail that can be seen as it skims the marshlands. Owls are another widely recognized group, with identifiable characteristics such as the eerie hoot of the Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus).
  
  

Backyard Birds

• A bright red cardinal contrasts against the green forest.cardinal image by Lyle Doberstein from Fotolia.com
  
  Many birds are attracted to living in our communities and backyards, and can become constant visitors throughout a season. Backyard birds like the American robin (Turdus migratorius) and various blue birds mark the seasonal change when they begin showing back up in the spring. Some birds, like jays and sparrows, stay around most of the year, continuing to come to your window bird feeder. Finches come in a wide array of colors and sizes. One of the most beautiful and bright backyard birds is the northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). Males are bright red in color and get even brighter when they have red-colored fruits and berries available to eat. Making feeders available in your own yard is a great way to observe birds native to your area. It can also be very beneficial for the birds that are having a more difficult time finding food due to human interference of natural areas.
  
  

Exotic-Looking Birds

• Green parrots have large wild populations in the USA.green parrot image by Peter Barrett from Fotolia.com
  
  There are quite a few birds that live among cities and towns that look more exotic than your everyday variety. Hummingbirds, in the family Trochilidae, are some of the smallest birds around. They come in bright, iridescent colors, some of which can only be seen from a specific angle. There are also populations of exotic parrots that live around the United States such as the black-hooded parakeet (Nandayus nenday) of Malibu, CA. Many of these populations have grown due to the release of non-native species long ago.