More than 800 species of wild birds exist in the United States and Canada, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Some birds live in groups while others live solitary lives except when they mate. A few birds, such as owls, hunt at night, while the rest hunt during hours of daylight. Each species relies on unique abilities to survive and thrive in the wild.
Birds sport wings, feathers, beaks and no teeth as warm-blooded vertebrate animals. They rely on lightweight bones to help them fly. A few birds rarely fly. Instead, these birds primarily swim or run. Flightless birds include the ostrich and penguins.
Birds live in a variety of habitats depending on their food requirements and nesting strategies. Waterfowl live close to water sources such as lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands while some birds, such as horned larks, live in areas where little rainfall occurs. Woodpeckers live near dead or decaying trees where they can raise their young in hollowed-out cavities and look for insects in the wood.
Every bird uses distinct songs and calls to communicate with each other and to protect their territory from intruders. Males usually sing to attract females during the mating season. Often times, the songs are performed with incredible aerial displays, all meant to grab a female's attention. Woodpeckers rapidly tap their beaks on hollow wooden objects to attract mates or to communicate. Male grouse use their wings and chests to create a sound that sounds like a loud thump to find suitable mates.
Each bird species builds or finds an area for a nest in trees, along stream banks, on the ground or in crevices and cliffs. Once the nest is secured, the female lays hard-shelled eggs in the nest, then incubates them until the eggs hatch. At least one parent helps feed and take care of the young offspring. Some juveniles, especially among waterfowl, start hunting for their own food within hours of hatching. Some birds, including cowbirds, lay their eggs in another bird's nest and let that bird take care of their hatchlings.
Many species of birds migrate between climates so they can avoid cold winters and reproduce during warm summers. Some birds, such as hummingbirds, start migrating south in the summer while other birds wait until late fall to head south. Hummingbirds also arrive fairly early at their summer grounds so they can find suitable nesting territories. Some birds, such as snow geese, spend six months up north in the summer and six months in the south during the winter.
One way to attract birds involves providing the necessities, including sources of natural food, shelter, water and a place for the birds to raise their young. In addition, some birds find food provided by humans a valuable resource as well. In the winter, bird and suet feeders attract a range of birds that do not migrate south, including woodpeckers, chickadees and other species. In the summer, sugar water or nectar feeders may attract hummingbirds.
