Massachusetts Breeding Bird Atlas 1

The Massachusetts Breeding Bird Atlas 1 project was designed to determine the composition and distribution of breeding bird species in Massachusetts during the years 1974 to 1979. Inevitably, there were species that suspected to be breeding but that were simply not confirmable. In addition there were species that historically nested in Massachusetts, or else have bred in the Commonwealth subsequently. The accounts that follow provide a brief summary of the status of birds in those categories, with the exception of the now-extinct Heath Hen and Passenger Pigeon. These summaries are intended to provide only the essential details of the breeding history of each species in the Massachusetts.

Search by Family
(listed in taxonomic order)

• Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Swans)
• Procellariidae (Shearwaters and Petrels)
• Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants)
• Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
• Accipitridae (Hawks, Kites, Eagles, and Allies)
• Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
• Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
• Caprimulgidae (Nighthawks and Allies)
• Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
• Laniidae (Shrikes)
• Corvidae (Crows and Jays)
• Turdidae (Thrushes)
• Parulidae (Wood-warblers)
• Emberizidae (Emberizids)
• Cardinalidae (Cardinals, Saltators, and Allies)
• Fringillidae (Fringilline and Cardueline Finches)

Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Swans)

American Wigeon Anas americana

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Procellariidae (Shearwaters and Petrels)

Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus

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Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants)

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

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Cathartidae (New World Vultures)

Black Vulture Coragyps atratus

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Accipitridae (Hawks, Kites, Eagles, and Allies)

Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus

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Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

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Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus	Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis	Forster‘s Tern Sterna forsteri

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Caprimulgidae (Nighthawks and Allies)

Chuck-will's-widow Caprimulgus carolinensis

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Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Empidonax flaviventris

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Laniidae (Shrikes)

Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus

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Corvidae (Crows and Jays)

Common Raven Corvus corax

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Turdidae (Thrushes)

Bicknell‘s Thrush Catharus bicknelli

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Parulidae (Wood-warblers)

Tennessee Warbler Vermivora peregrina	Cerulean Warbler Dendroica cerulea	Prothonotary Warbler Protonotaria citrea

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Emberizidae (Emberizids)

Lincoln's Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii

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Cardinalidae (Cardinals, Saltators, and Allies)

Dickcissel Spiza americana

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Fringillidae (Fringilline and Cardueline Finches)

White-winged Crossbill Loxia leucoptera

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