Bird Watching Catalog

The Natchez Trace Parkway is a fantastic place to relax and spot some magnificent bird species.

Located within the Mississippi Flyway, the Natchez Trace Parkway has two great spots for bird

watching and is part of the Alabama Bird Watching trail. Colbert Ferry is home to many species

of water fowl as well as some other beautiful birds listed below. Rock Spring is home of several

species of beautiful hummingbirds. These hummingbirds migrate to Rock Spring because of the

beautiful abundance of jewelweed. The beaver dam located at Rock Spring draws many water

thrush and warblers to this spot.

Listed below are some common birds found at the Natchez Trace Parkway. Information is listed

below about several species. This information was gathered by Cornell labs and below are listed

two links that offer more detailed information. Flyway image by steward

Cornell labs- http://www.birds.cornell.edu/Page.aspx?pid=1478

Birdsong DJ-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=br7iQ-NCVic

Colbert Ferry

Red Headed Woodpeckers

The Red-headed Woodpeckers can be identified by their relatively large, and rounded red

heads, short tails, and spike-like bills. Most Red-headed Woodpeckers are between 7.5- 9

inches of length. Adult Red-headed Woodpeckers can be identified by having bright-red heads,

a white stomach, and black backs. Most Red-headed Woodpeckers have large white patches on

their wings. Younger birds of this species often have the same white wing patches but have

gray-brown heads.

Double Crested Cormorants

The Double-crested Cormorant is a matte-black fishing bird that has a noticeable yellow-orange

face. These birds are often found around fresh water sites which make Colbert Ferry on the

Natchez Trace Parkway an ideal living spot for the Double-crested Cormorant. These birds are

experts at diving to catch small fish. To best find the Double-crested Cormorant look near fresh

water sources. This Cormorant has a distinct S-shaped crook in their neck. These birds can

often be found sitting low on the water with their wings spread to dry themselves. Flocks of

cormorants are seen flying in irregular lines. Cormorants are often seen standing in the sun

with their wings spread out to dry themselves off. Unlike other birds, Cormorants have less

preen oil and their feathers get soaked rather than shedding water like ducks. Wet feathers

make it easier for Cormorants to hunt underwater which is very beneficial for a bird that lives in

water.

Common Loons

During the summer, loons stick out as large birds with a tuxedo appearance in lakes and other

water sources. Loons are easy to locate because of their distinct voices that sound very similar

to yodeling. In the winter, loons adopt a quieter appearance wearing gray colors. These loons

usually stay close to shore and can be seen quite easily with binoculars. Loons are very skilled

divers that make them skilled at catching fish in underwater chases. Loons typically only come

onto shore to nest. While Loons are known as agile swimmers, they move quickly in the air too.

Loons have been seen flying at speed more than 70 miles per hour.

Bald Eagle

The Bald Eagle has been the National emblem of the United States since 1782. The Bald Eagle is

also a spiritual symbol for American Indians for hundreds of years. While these eagles are

referred to as Bald Eagles, they aren’t actually bald. Eagles have white heads and brown bodies

and wings. The Bald Eagles are known for their majestic flight. The Bald Eagle was once

endangered by hunters and pesticides; however, under new protection laws the number of

Bald Eagles has risen significantly. The Bald Eagle is most often found near a fresh water

source. Colbert Ferry is a prime place to search for a Bald Eagle. The Bald Eagle tends to stay

near fresh water to gather food. While eagles are known for hunting fish from fresh water

sources, they often fish by going after other creature’s catches. The Bald Eagle often attacks

other creatures who have caught fish until that creature drops what they have caught, and the

Bald Eagle collects it.

Barred Owls

Barred Owls can often be found at night when you are visiting Colbert Ferry. While they are

best found at night, they are difficult to see. The best way to locate a Barred Owl is to listen for

their siting sound. The Barred Owl barks out a noise that is described as similar to the phrase

“who cooks for you”. The Barred Owl has brown eyes and a brown and white body.

Great Horned Owl

The Great Horned Owls are known as being fierce predators that hunt large pray such as

raptors, Falcons, and other owls. The Great Horned Owls are covered with extremely soft

feathers that offer shelter against cold weather and help them fly quietly while hunting prey.

The Great Horned Owls have large pupils that can be seen when their eyes are open widely at

dark. The Great Horned Owls are able to move their heads more than 180 degrees to look in

any direction. They also have extremely sensitive hearing that is widely used at night. The

Great Horned Owl is common in wetlands, forests, grasslands, and other habitats that are near

fresh water sources, making Colbert Ferry a natural place for the Great Horned Owl to live.

Green Heron

The Green Heron is an extremely common and widespread bird breed in the United States

especially in the South and Midwest. Although they are extremely common and widespread,

they are hard to spot at first sight. While most herons stand in open parts of wetlands, Green

Herons tend to stay in shallow waters normally at the edges of lakes and ponds. To spot the

Green Heron it is recommended that you scan the banks of the wetland for a small bird with a

long, straight bill staring at the water. Green Herons have a very distinct sound which offers a

good clue that you are in the right spot. Green Herons have a very unusual flight pattern with

slow beats on their wings; they also briefly unfold their necks during flight which helps you

recognize them as well. The Green Heron is one of the few bird species in the world that create

and use tools to help in their hunting. The Green Heron lures in fish with many insects, twigs,

and feathers that entice small fish to appear.

White Egret

The White Egret can be found near ponds and other wetlands. The White Egrets can be easily

identified by their all white bodies, black legs, and a yellow bill. White egrets are often found

wading slowly or standing still in the water searching for fish. Great Egrets are often found at

Colbert Ferry on the Natchez Trace Parkway during the migration season which is summer.

During breeding season, a patch of skin on the White Egret’s face turns neon green. The White

Egrets were hunted nearly into extinction in the late 1800’s which sparked conservation

movements that were some of the first laws to protect birds.

White-breasted Nuthatches

White-breasted Nuthatches along the main branches of trees. White Nuthatches can be found

year-round in places with fresh water sources. These birds have black, gray, and white

markings. Nuthatches are active, agile, little birds. White-breasted Nuthatches get their names

by jamming large nuts and acorns into tree bar, then whacking them with their sharp bills to

“hatch” out seeds from the inside.

Orchard Orioles

Orchard Orioles are very common birds but are very difficult to see. When trying to find an

Orchard Oriole look for them in the tops of trees in open words around fresh water sources

such as Colbert Ferry. When trying to spot an Orchard Oriole, listen for their songs, which are

whistles that sound like robins. These birds are most common during the summer and leave in

late summer. The Orchard Oriole usually has a black and flame-orange body.

Rock Spring

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Ruby-throated hummingbirds can be found by flowering gardens or woodland edges during

summertime. Rock Spring is the ideal place to find these Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in

Alabama. These hummingbirds are strongly attracted by the abundance of jewelweed at Rock

Spring and draw hundreds of hummingbirds to this great attraction. These hummingbirds can

easily be recognized by their bright green patches and bright red throats. The Ruby-throated

Hummingbird has the ability to beat its wings about 53 times every second. Ruby-throated

hummingbirds are eastern North America’s only breeding hummingbird.

Eastern Kingbirds

The Eastern Kingbird can be found in fields near water sources. Rock Spring is the ideal place to

find the Eastern Kingbird. These Eastern Kingbirds have an all-white belly and white-tipped tail.

These birds are often spotted on wire fences and have a very distinctive call. Eastern Kingbirds

can be found in the summertime between March and late August. Eastern Kingbirds spend

winters in South American forests and mainly eat fruits and insects.

Vireos

The Vireo can often be found migrating in the woodlands near a water source such as Rock

Spring. These birds tend to stay high in the trees, so it is best to listen for their loud “caroling”

song. These songs that Vireos sing are fast songs that contain distinctive features. Vireos are

plain birds with gray-olive and white underparts and have faint yellow. These birds have white

stripes over their eyes.

Blue Jay

The Blue Jay is a large songbird that is familiar to most people. The Blue Jay is blue, white and

has black plumage. The Blue Jay is known for its intelligence and close family bonds with other

birds in their species. The Blue Jay are most often found by their loud calls. You can find these

birds near fresh water sources. These birds have rounded wings, long tails, and white

stomachs. These birds fly across open areas one bird at a time and are often silent in flight.

Cardinal

The Cardinal is known and loved by most individuals. Cardinals are easily identified by their

bright red color and their flight. Cardinals can be found in yards, forests, and near water

sources. The Cardinal has a distinct sound that can be heard by listening for piercing chirp

notes to find where they are hiding. The female Cardinal often has a brown crest and warm red

accents. Cardinals can be found all year round and are often found in the morning during the

summer.