Chapter 16 

 Terrestrial Birds 



Authors: Norman Famous, Charles Todd, Craig Ferris 



The birds discussed in this chapter are those that breed, migrate, or winter 

 in terrestrial and vegetated palustrine habitats found along the Maine coast. 

 Approximately 70% of the terrestrial birds found in Maine belong to the order 

 Passeriformes , which includes warblers, vireos, flycatchers, thrushes, 

 finches, and blackbirds. The remaining 30% include hawks (Falconiformes) ; 

 grouse (Galliformes) ; woodcock, snipe, and killdeer (Charadriiformes) ; rails 

 (Gruiformes) ; doves (Columbiformes) ; owls (Strigiformes) ; nighthawks and 

 whipoorwills (Caprimulgiformes) ; swifts and hummingbirds (Apodiformes) ; and 

 woodpeckers (Piciformes) . This chapter does not discuss waterfowl (see 

 chapter 15, "Waterfowl") or seabirds, shorebirds, and wading birds (see 

 chapter 14, "Waterbirds") . 



Nearly 230 species of terrestrial birds have been observed in Maine. Fifty- 

 seven of these only occur accidentally and are so rare they do not warrant 

 further discussion (appendix table 5). Of the remaining 171 species, 95 are 

 present only during the breeding season (late spring and summer) , 51 are 

 permanent residents, 15 are winter residents, and 10 are found only during the 

 spring and fall migrations (tables 16-1 through 16-4). 



Terrestrial birds are found in all types of terrestrial and vegetated 

 palustrine habitats. They are generally abundant in Maine, as elsewhere, 

 except during winter when terrestrial birds are scarce in Maine. 



Terrestrial birds are important to people because of their recreational, 

 sporting, and ecological values. People affect birds through habitat 

 alteration, toxic chemicals, and accidental mortality. 



This chapter summarizes the seasonal occurrence of terrestrial birds in Maine, 

 their habitat preferences, relative abundance, important aspects of migration 

 and reproduction, factors affecting abundance, effects of people on birds, and 

 management recommendations and data gaps. Additional information on life 

 history characteristics for individual species is given in appendix tables 1 

 to 4. A special case study on the status of bald eagles in Maine is also 



16-1 



10-80 



