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Wild About Illinois Birds
Pipits and Finches
Family and Species Gallery
Order: Passeriformes - These are birds with adaptations for holding on to thin twigs or stems. Three of the toes on each foot face forward and one backward to help it grasp and balance on small branches.
Family: Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits) - Pipits spend most of their time on the ground, where they travel by walking. The breast feathers are streaked, and they have white outer tail feathers. The backward-pointing toes have a long claw. The tail is wagged. They eat seeds and insects. Only two wagtail species are found in North America, breeding in Alaska.
American pipit (Anthus rubescens)
Family: Fringillidae (Fringilline and Cardueline Finches and Allies) - These birds are small and have a small, stout bill. The tail is notched in the center. In most species the male and female have different coloration. They spend much of their time in trees. They feed on seeds, insects and fruits.
evening grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus)
pine grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator)
house finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) [nonnative]
purple finch (Haemorhous purpureus)
common redpoll (Acanthis flammea)
hoary redpoll (Acanthis hornemanni)
red crossbill (Loxia curvirostra)
white-winged crossbill (Loxia leucoptera)
pine siskin (Spinus pinus)
American goldfinch (Spinus tristis)