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TextCommon Birds in Fairfax County
American Crow
This common crow is a large, chunky, completely black bird, which may
appear to have a purplish sheen in strong sunlight. The bill and feet are
strong and black. Size: 17 - 21".
Blue Jay
A showy, noisy, blue bird with a crest, bold white spots on the wings
and tail, and a black necklace. Underparts are whitish or dull gray.
Size: 11 - 12 ½ inches.
Robin
This familiar bird is recognized by its dark gray back and brick-red
breast. The head and tail of the male are blackish, but that of the
female is grayer. Size: 9 - 11 inches.
Cardinal
The male cardinal is an all red bird with a pointed crest and a
black patch at the base of its heavy triangular red bill. The female
cardinal is buff-brown in color with some red on the wings and tail, and
is distinguished by the crest, dark face and heavy red bill. Size: 7 ½ -
9 inches. The Male is on the left and the female is on the right.
House Sparrow
A familiar bird with a black throat, white cheeks and chestnut nape. The
females and young lack the black throat, having a plain dingy breast and
a dull eye stripe. Size: 6 inches. The Male is on the left and the female
is on the right.
House Finch
These birds are characterized by dark stripes on the sides and belly.
The males have a reddish coloration on their chest, face, and above the
tail. The striped brown female has a bland face pattern with no heavy
mustache or dark cheek patch. Size: 5.0 to 5.75 inches. Male on the left
and female on the right.
Starling
A short-tailed "blackbird" that may appear iridescent in the
spring, with a yellow bill and heavily speckled in the winter, with a
dark bill. Starlings appear triangular in flight. Size: 7 ½ - 8 ½ ".
Grackle
A large iridescent blackbird that is larger than a Robin (11 - 13 ½
"), with a wedghaped tail. The male has an iridescent purple head and
a deep bronze or dull purple back.
Raptors
Many species of hawks may be found in Northern Virginia. These are large
predatory birds that are equipped with large, sharp talons and should be
handled very carefully.
Coopers Hawk
Size: 14 - 20"
Short-winged, long-tailed hawk
Red-Tailed Hawk
Size: 19 - 25"
Broad wings and rounded tail
Upperside of the tail is red, underparts are whitish with broad band
streaks
Red-Shouldered Hawk
Size: 17 - 24"
Broad wings and rounded tail
Heavy dark bands across both sides of tail, red shoulders and pale red
underparts
Owls may also be found in Fairfax County, however these are primarily nocturnal birds of prey.
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