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Here is an index to the species profiles we put out as Species Survey Strategies. They are grouped by habitat, and should help you track down atlas priority species (rare to uncommon breeders that are of high conservation interest).
In addition to the resident boreal species we already profiled (Spruce Grouse, Gray Jay, Boreal Chickadee, and Black-backed Woodpecker), there are a handful of uncommon to rare breeding species that favor coniferous lowland habitats across the northern counties. Here we profile Olive-sided Flycatcher, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Palm Warbler, and Yellow-bellied Flycatcher.
Eight uncommon southern forest birds can be found across various forest interior habitats within the state’s southern counties and include the Acadian Flycatcher, Louisiana Waterthrush, Cerulean, Hooded, Kentucky, Prothonotary, Worm-eating, and Yellow-throated Warblers. All are at the northern limits of their continental range in Wisconsin and generally reside in low densities, making them rare in the state and highly sought after among birders.
The mystery is: Which types nest in Wisconsin? What we think of as Red Crossbill appears to actually be a complex of multiple types, each with their own distinctive call note, differing in morphology, and potentially actually different species.
Right now terns are moving into the state and will soon be nesting in colonies at waterbodies across Wisconsin. Read more to learn which species are in your area, and how to find them!
Certain waterbird species typically breed in colonies. Preferred spots to find colonial nesters are sites that are protected from predation like an island, a lakeshore, a beaverpond, or even in the cases of some gulls, the roof of a building.
Two secretive resident raptors can be found across the state’s more remote, contiguous, and mature forest blocks. Wisconsin lies at the southern edge of the continental range for the Northern Goshawk, and the northwestern continental range limit for Red-shouldered Hawk.
Along with other aerial insectivores that capture insects while in flight, Common Nighthawks are of high conservation interest in Wisconsin because they are a declining species, a similar situation to that of Chimney Swifts. Nighthawks are distinctive in their flight style, steep courtship dives, and habit of nesting on flat roofs, as well as in open-country habitats with some bare soil.
Three secretive resident birds can be found across northern sedge meadows in the state’s northern tier counties and include the Yellow Rail, Le Conte’s Sparrow, and Nelson’s Sparrow. All are at the southern or southeastern limits of their continental range in Wisconsin and generally reside in low densities, making them highly-sought after among birders.
Chimney Swifts, along with other aerial insectivores that eat insects while in flight, are of high interest in Wisconsin as they are a declining species. Swifts spend nearly their entire lives on the wing, only roosting at night or nesting inside chimneys, other structures such as silos, or rarely in trees, making it very difficult […]
