ND Bird Gallery

Photo by Jack Lefor

Baird's Sparrow
Fairly common across ND in grasslands and weedy fields. Nesting range in the US covers only ND, northern SD and northeastern Montana. Forages on the ground for grass and weed seeds and insects such as grasshoppers, caterpillars and moths.

 

Clay-Colored Sparrow
Breeds in brushy grasslands throughout ND. Nests in shrubby pastures and edges of fields and farm shelterbelts. Feeds on the ground in low, brushy cover for grass and weed seeds.

 

Photo by Keith Corliss

Eastern Bluebird
Prefers open country associated with scattered trees. Has increased in number due to artificial nesting boxes placed by conservation-minded people. Eats mostly insects but will also feed on berries.

Horned Lark
Found across all of ND along county gravel roads and prairie trails and prairie dog towns. Often seen in freshly manured fields during the winter. Eat mostly weed seeds, waste grain, and insects.

Marshall Iliff
Lark Sparrow
Lives on the ground on prairies, abandoned fields and along country roadways. More common in western ND. Feeds on weed and grass seeds, grasshoppers and other insects.
LeConte's Sparrow
Prefers wet meadows and marshes with dense sedges and grasses of northern and eastern ND. Is secretive and difficult to flush because of its habit of running along the ground. Feeds along the ground on seeds of weeds and grasses and insects during the summer. Populations are variable and much more common in wet years.
Photo by Tom Veso
Photo by Keith Corliss
Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow
Prefers the edges of marshes and wetlands and short-grass alkaline flats of northeastern ND. Is secretive and runs through vegetation like a mouse. Feeds by walking or running rather than hopping. Eats insects such as ants, beetles, flies and sand fleas as well as snails and seeds of grasses and weeds.
Western Meadowlark
ND state bird. Commonly seen in open prairie and agricultural areas. Searches for its food on the ground. Insects make up the majority of its diet, but it will also eat oats, wheat, and barley.
 

Gray Partridge

A Eurasian species that has been introduced widely in North America. Usually seen in small groups on flat agricultural land. It's larger than quail but smaller than grouse.