18 Bird Types Found In The U.s

As an avid birder, you most likely know that birds belong to the class Aves of the animal kingdom. But do you know that there are roughly 10,000 species of birds in the world and that all 10,000 are classified into 30 major bird types? Or that out of that figure, only 900 species live in the United States? It's true. As a matter of fact, the migratory and year-round bird species found in the U.S are grouped into 18 major orders.

Here are the 18 major U.S bird types and some species that belong to each order.

1. Order Gaviiformes - loons
2. Order Podicipediformes - grebes
3. Order Procellariiformes - sharwaters, strom petrels, albatross
4. Order Pelecaniformes - pelicans, cormorants
5. Order Ciconiiformes - herons
6. Order Anseriformes - geese, ducks, swans
7. Order Falconiformes - falcons, eagles, vultures, and hawks
8. Order Galliformes - turkey, Chachalaca grouse, quail
9. Order Gruiformes - rails
10. Order Charadriiformes - sandpipers, terns and gulls, and shorebirds like Plovers
11. Order Cuculiformes - roadrunners, cuckoos
12. Order Caprimulgiformes - nighthawks
13. Order Columbiformes - pigeons, doves
14. Order Strigiformes - owls
15. Order Apodiformes - hummingbirds, swifts
16. Order Coraciiformes - kingflisher
17. Order Piciformes - woodpeckers
18. Order Passeriformes - all perching birds

Roughly half of all North American bird species are considered Passeriformes. Sparrows, cardinals, finches, crows, warblers, jays, and the like are collectively known as passerines. They are the species you most often see stopping by backyard feeders or flying about residential areas.

If you have only just started bird watching, odds are you have seen many of the species belonging to the Order Passeriformes visiting your garden or the neighbors' backyard. But don't stop at getting to know only the passerines. Set your sights on seeing other bird types! From wing shape to size to behavior, they will fascinate you!

By: Liz Canham

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Liz Canham is a writer and an expert on bird types. Click here to read more helpful information about birding at her site: Worldwide Bird Watching