The straight billed birds are a diverse group of birds including many families and best discussed and easiest understood when divided into three size groups.

The larger straight billed birds are closely related and belong to the bird family corvidae, (also called corvids or the crow family) which family include: choughs, crows, jackdaws, jays, magpies, nutcrackers, ravens, rooks, and treepies. (Birds listed here in italic do not inhabit the north American continent.)

These bird are omnivorous and eat whatever food is available. Most jays favor acorns, seed and other mast which they bury for winter feeding. The corvids are long lived and very intelligent resulting in a high social development.

The medium sized birds share a diet heavy on bugs and small creatures, with some also foraging on fruit and berries. Those of this size which overwinter also consume much seed. Most of the medium si

The mockingbirds and grackles head the list of medium size birds. The starling are an invasive species. Included in the medium size bird list are blackbirds, cowbirds, meadowlarks, oriels, tanagers, robins, thrush, verry, bluebirds, pipit, horned lark, chat and catbirds.

There are several families in this size group: Mimidae, Icteridea, Sturnidae, Thraupidae, Turdidae,

The small sized birds consist of a large number of song birds, most of which have its own foraging preferences. Almost all of the vireos and warblers migrate to the tropics, but the titmice and chickadees do not.

Most of these small sized birds are the visitors that frequent backyard feeders, often showing little fear of humans.

Many vireos are easily confused with warblers. Look at the bill for the difference: a warbler′s bill in narrow and pointed whereas vireo′s bills are thicker, even looking swollen and has a hooked tip.

The vireos divide in to two groups with similar distinguishing features. The first group have pale eyebrows and plain wings. The second group has spectacles and wing bars.

122re Red-whiskered Bulbul, Pycnonotus jocosus, L 7 1/2 inches (Asian, FL)

142bu American Bushtit, Psaltriparus minimus, L 4 1/2 inches

110fl Florida Scrub Jay, Aphelocoma coerulescens, L 11 in. (Santa Cruse Is.)

110is Island Scrub Jay, Aphelocoma insularis, L 11 inches

110we Western Scrub Jay, Aphelocoma califonica, L 11 inches

110me Mexican Jay, Aphelocoma ultramarine, L 11 inches (MX-AZ)

109am American Crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos, L 17 inches

109fi Fish Crow, Corvus ossifragus, L 15 inches

109no Northwest Crow, Corvus caurinus, L 16 inches

109co Common Raven, Corvus corax, L 24 inches

109ch Chihuahuan Raven, Corvus cryptoleucus, L 19 inches

110ta Tamaulipas Crow, Corvus imparatus, L 14 inches (MX-S.TX)

110ja Jackdaw (Wiskeyjack), Corvus monedula, L 13 inches (Eurasian, NE)

110bl Blue Jay, Cyanocitta cristate, L 11 inches

110st Steller′s Jay, Cyanocitta stelleri, L 11 inches

111br Brown Jay, Cyanocorax morio, L 16 inches (Tropical, RG)

111in Inca Jay, Cyanocorax yncas, L 10 inches (Tropical, SA)

111ge Green Jay, Cyanocorax luxuosus, L 10 inches (Tropical, RG)

110pi Pinyon Jay, Gymnorthinus cyanocephalus, L 10 inches

111cl Clark′s Nutcracker, Nucifraga colmbiana, L 12 inches

111ga Gray Jay, Perisoreus canadensis, L 11 inches

108bl Black-billed Magpie, Pica pica, L 19 inches

108ye Yellow-billed Magpie, Pica nuttalli, L 17 inches

143bc Black-capped Gnatcatcher, Polioptila nigriceps, L 4 1/4 inches (MX, AZ)

143bt Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Polioptila melanura, L 4 1/2 inches

143bu Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea, L 4 1/2 inches

143ca California Gnatcatcher, Polioptila californica, L 4 1/2 inches

The family of birds with the name Iceteridae, (Latin for jaundiced ones) are birds with black as the predominant plumage color but often have orange, red or yellow highlights. Their name jaundiced ones comes from the prominent yellow feathers of many of the species.

Included in the Iceteridae family are new world blackbirds, new world orioles, bobolink, meadowlarks, grackles, and cowbirds. There are also two additional genera from Central and South America, the oropendolas and caciques.

113re Red-winged Blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus, L 8 3/4 inches

113tr Tricolored Blackbird, Agelaius tricolor, L 8 1/2 inches

114ca Mexican Cacique, Cassiculus Melaniceterus, L 8 in. (MX West Coast)

114be Brewe′s Blackbird, Euphagus cyanephalusoc, L 9 inches

114ru Rusty Blackbird, Euphagus carolinus, L 9 inches

122ye Yellow-breasted Chat, Icteria virens, L 7 1/2 inches

115au Audubon′s Oriole, Icterus graduacuada, L 9 1/2 inches (Tropical, RG)

115bl Black-vented Oriole, Icterus wagleri (Mexican), L 9 1/2 inches (MX, SW)

115or Orchard Oriole, Icterus spurius, L 7 1/4 inches

115sc Scott′s Oriole, Icterus parisorum, L 9 inches

116al Altamira Oriole, Icterus gularis, L 9 1/2 inches (Tropical, RG)

116ba Baltimore Oriole, Icterus galbula, L 9 inches

116bu Bullock's Oriole, Icterus bullockii, L 9 inches

116ho Hooded Oriole, Icterus cucullatus, L 8 inches

116sp Spot-breasted Oriole, Icterus pectoralis, L 9 1/2 inches (Tropical, FL)

116st Streak-backed Oriole, Icterus pustulatus, L 8 inches (MX, AZ & CA)

114bz Bronzed Cowbird, Molothrus aeneus, L 8 3/4 inches

114bw Brown-headed Cowbird, Molothrus ater, L 7 1/2 inches

114sh Shiny Cowbird, Molothrus bonariensis, L 8 1/2 inches (S. A. Invasive)

112bo Boat-tailed Grackle, Quiscalus major, ♂ L 16 inches, ♀ 14 inches

112co Common Grackle, Quiscalus quisula, ♂ L 12 inches, ♀ 10 inches

112gr Great-tailed Grackle, Quiscalus mexicanus, ♂ L 18 inches, ♀ 15 inches

115we Western Meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta, L 9 1/2 inches

115ea Eastern Meadowlark, Sturnella magna, L 9 1/2 inches

115li Lillian′s Meadowlark, Sturnella magna lilanae, L 9 1/2 inches

113ye Yellow-headed Blackbird, Xanthocephalus xanthrcephalus, L 9 1/2 in.

143go Golden-crowned Kinglet, Regulus satrapa, L 4 inches

143ru Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Regulus calendula, L 4 1/4 inches

121sk Sky Lark, Alauda arvensi, L 7 1/4 inches (Eurasian, NW)

121ho Horned Lark, Eremophila alpestris, L 7 1/2 inches

122ca Catbird, Dumetella carolinensis, L 8 1/2 inches

111mo Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos, L 10 inches

111ba Bahama Mockingbird, Mimus gundlachii, L 11 inches (Caribbean, FL)

111bt Brown Trembler, Cinclocerthia ruficauda

111gt Grey Trembler, Cinclocerthia gutturalis

121am American Pipit, Anthus rubescens, L 6 1/2 inches

121sp Sprague′s Pipit, Anthus spragueii, L 6 1/2 inches

113st Starling, Sturnus vugaris, L 8 inches (European Invasive)

141br Bridled Titmouse, Baeolophus wollwebiri, L 5 1/4 inches

142bl Black-crested Titmouse, Baeolophus atreicistatus, L 5 1/2 inches (MX, RG)

142oa Oak Titmouse, Baeolophus inornatus, L 5 3/4 inches

142ju Juniper Titmouse, Baeolophus ridgwayi, L 5 3/4 inches

142tu Tuffed Titmouse, Baeolophus bicolor, L 6 1/2 inches

141bl Black-capped Chickadee, Peocile atricapillus, L 5 1/4 inches

141bo Boreal Chickadee, Poecile hudsonicus, L 5 1/2 inches

141ca Carolina Chickadee, Poecile carolinensis, L 4 1/2 inches

141ch Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Poecile rufescens, L 4 3/4 inches

141gr Grey-headed Chickadee, Poecile cinctus, L 4 1/2 inches (Siberian Tit)

141mo Mountain Chickadee, Poecile gambeli, L 5 1/4 inches

141me Mexican Chickadee, Poecile sclateri, L 5 inches (MX, AZ)

140ol Olive Warbler, Peucedramus taeniatus, L 5 1/4 inches (AZ)

The olive warbler is the only member of his family, he is an only child. This species has been, through DNA studies, far removed from new world warblers.

This bird′s generic name of the olive warbler, Peucedramus, is derived from the Greek words: peuke meaning fir tree and dromos which means runner, a reference to its feeding habitat and behavior. Of course, idae is the family suffix.

The bird′s species name taeniatus is from the Greek word trekho, meaning run.

Located in southeast Arizona and found during summer in the canopy of open conifers above 7000 feet, often in same areas as western bluebirds. Male has a burnt orance head and breast with a black ear patch. Found all year in extreeme southeast corner of Arizona.

143ba Banaanquit, Coereba flaveola, L 4 1/2 inches (Tropical, FL)

117sc Scarlet Tanager, Piranga olivacea, L 7 inches

117su Summer Tanager, Piranga rubra, L 7 1/2 inches

117he Hepatic Tanager, Piranga flava, L 8 inches

117we Western Tanager, Piranga ludoviciana, L 7 inches

117fl Flame-colored Tanager, Piranga bidentata, L 7 inches (MX, AZ)

117st Strip-headed Tanager, Spindalis zena, L 7 inches (W.Indian, FL)

119bi Bicknell′s Thrush, Catharus bicknelli, L 7 1/4 inches

119gr Gray-cheeked Thrush, Catharus minimus, L 7 1/4 inches

119he Hermit Thrush, Catharus guttatus, L 7 inches

119sw Swainson′s Thrush, Catharus ustulatus, L 7 inches

119ve Veery, Catharus fuscescens, L 7 1/4 inches

118wo Wood Thrush, Hylocichla mustelina, L 7 inches

118va Varied Thrush, Ixoreus naemius, L 9 1/2 inches

118to Townsend′s Solitaire, Myadestes townsendi, L 8 3/4 inches

119az Aztec Thrush, Ridgwayia pinicola, L 9 inches (MX, AZ)

120ea Eastern Bluebird, Sialia sialis, L 7inches

120mo Mountain Bluebird, Sialia currucoides, L 7 1/4 inches

120we Western Bluebird, Sialia mexicana, L 7 inches

119cl Clay-colored Robin, Turdus grayi, L 9 inches (MX, RG)

119fi Fieldfare, Turdus pilaris, L 10 inches (Eurasian, NE)

118ro Robin, Turdus migratorius, L 10 inches

119ru Rufous-backed robin, Turdus rufopalliatus, L 9 1/4 inches (MX, Border)

142no Northern Beardless Tryannulet, Camptostoma imberbe

142ve Verdin, Auriparus flaviceps, L 4 1/2 inches

123bl Black-whiskered Vireo, Vireo altiloguus, L 6 1/4 inches

123ph Philadelphia Vireo, Vireo philadelphicus, L 5 1/4 inches

123re Red-eyed Vireo, Vireo olivaceus, L 6 inches

123wa Warbliing Vireo, Vireo gilvus, L 5 1/2 inches

123ye Yellow-green Vireo, Vireo flavoviridis, L 6 inches (Tropical, Border)

123yu Yucatan Vireo, Vireo magistar, L 6 inches (C. American, Border)

124bl Black-capped Vireo, Vireo atricapillus, L 4 1/2 inches

124bu Blue-headed Vireo, Vireo solitarius, L 5 3/4 inches

124ca Cassin′s Vireo, Vireo cassinii, L 5 1/2 inches

124th Thick-billed Vireo, Vireo crassirostris, L 5 1/2 inches (Carribean, FL)

124wi White-eyed Vireo, Vireo griseus, L 5 inches

124ye Yellow-throated Vireo, Vireo flavifrons, L 5 1/2 inches

125be Bellz′s Vireo, Vireo bellii, L 4 3/4 inches

125gr Gray Vireo, Vireo vicinior, L 5 1/2 inches

125hu Hutton's Vireo, Vireo huttoni, L 5 inches

125pu Plumbeous Vireo, Vireo plumberous, L 5 1/2 inches

138fa Fan-tailed Warbler, Basileuterus lachrymosus, L 5 1/2 inches (MX, AZ)

130go Golden-crowned Warbler, Basileuterus culicivorus, L 5 inches (MX, RG)

130wh White-bellied Warbler, Basileuterus culicivorus hypoleucus, L 5 in. (SA)

137ru Rufous-capped Warbler, Basileuterus rufifrons, L 5 1/4 inches

131ca Canada Warbler, Cardellina canadensis, L 5 1/4 inches

140re Red-faced Warbler, Cardellina rubrifrons, L 5 1/2 inches

131wi Wilson′s Warbler, Cardellina pusilla, L 4 3/4 inches

130co Common Yellowthroat, Geothlypis trichas, L 5 inches

132mo Mourning Warbler, Geothlypis philadelphia, L 5 1/4 inches

131ke Kentucky Warbler, Geothlypis formosus, L 5 1/4 inches

137ma MacGillivray′s Warbler, Geothlypis tolmiei, L 5 1/4 inches

135wo Worm-eating Warbler, Helmitheros vermivorus, L 5 1/4 inches

135sw Swainson′s Warbler, Limnothlypis swainsonii, L 5 1/2 inches

133bw Black-and-white Warbler, Mniotilta varia, L 5 1/4 inches

140pa Painted Whitestart, Myioborus pictus, L 5 13/4 inches

140sl Slate-throated Redstart, Myioborus miniatus, L 6 in. (Tropical, AZ-NM)

132co Connecticut Warbler, Oporomis agilis, L 5 3/4 inches

137co Colima Warbler, Oreothlypis crissalis, L 5 3/4 inches (MX, Big Bend)

137cr Crescent-capped Warbler, Oreothlypis superciliosa, L 4 1/4 in. (MX, AZ)

140lu Lucy′s Warbler, Oreothlypis luciae, L 4 1/2 inches

132na Nashville Warbler, Oreothlypis ruficapilla, L 4 3/4 inches

132or Orange-crowned Warbler, Oreothlypis celata, L 5 inches

134te Tennessee Warbler, Oreothlypis peregrina, L 4 3/4 inches

137vi Virginia′s Warbler, Oreothlypis virginiae, L 4 3/4 inches

137ru Rufous-capped Warbler, Oreothlypis rufifrons, L 5 1/4 inches (MX, AZ)

135lo Louisianna Waterthrush, Parkesia motacilla, L 6 inches

135no Northern Waterthrush, Parkesia noveboracensis, L 5 3/4 inches

130pr Prothonotary Warbler, Prontonotarai citea, L 5 1/2 inches

135ov Ovenbird, Seiurus aurocapillus, L 6 inches

133ba Bay-breasted Warbler, Setophaga castanea, L 5 1/2 inches

134bb Blackburnian Warbler, Setophaga fusca, L 5 inches

133bp Blackpoll Warbler, Setophaga strata, L 5 1/2 inches

134bt Black-throated Blue Warbler, Setophaga caerulescens, L 5 1/4 inches

139bl Black-throated Gray Warbler, Setophaga nigescens, L 5 inches

127bl Black-throated Green Warbler, Setophaga botrmd, L 5 inches

128ca Cape May Warbler, Setophaga tigrina, L 5 inches

133ce Cerulean Warbler, Setophaga cerulea, L 4 3/4 inches

126ch Chestnut-sided Warbler, Setophaga pensylvanica, L 5 inches

127go Golden-cheeked Warbler, Setophaga chrysoparia, L 5 1/2 inches

137gr Grace′s Warbler, Setophaga graciae, L 5 inches

136he Hermit Warbler, Setophaga occidentalis, L 5 1/2 inches

131ho Hooded Warbler, Setophaga citrina, L 5 1/4 inches

129ki Kirtland′s Warbler, Setophaga kirtlandii, L 5 3/4 inches

128ma Magnolia Warbler, Setophaga magnolia, L 5 inches

129pa Palm Warbler, Setophaga palmarum, L 5 1/2 inches

127pi Pine Warbler, Setophaga pinus, L 5 1/2 inches

129pr Prairie Warbler, Setophaga discolor

136to Townsend′s Warbler, Setophaga townsendi, L 5 inches

136au Audobon′s Warbler, Setophaga coronata auduboni, L 5 1/2 in. ²

136my Myrtle Warbler, Setophaga cornonata cornonata, L 5 1/2 inches

127ye Yellow-throated Warbler, Setophaga dominica, L 5 inches

130ye Yellow Warbler, Setophaga petechia, L 5 inches

126no Northern Parula, Setophaga americana, L 4 1/2 inches

126tr Tropical Parula, Setophaga pitiayumi, L 4 1/2 inches (Tropical, RG)

134am American Redstart, Setophaga ruticilla, L 5 1/4 inches

126bl Blue-winged Warbler, Vermivora primus, L 4 3/4 inches

126go Golden-winged Warbler, Vermivora chrysoptera, L 4 3/4 inches

142wr Wrentit, Chamaea fasciata, L 6 1/2 inches