Birds

National Park Service studies show that over 120 species of birds breed, nest, or migrate within Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. Another 60 species may be present but are currently unconfirmed.

To learn about the different species of birds at Harpers Ferry, click on the links below to see pages about the different groups of birds. Also check out the NPSpecies list at the bottom of the page.

Ask about our kids' bird checklist coloring booklet at the park's information center or visitor center. Don't forget to bring crayons or colored pencils!

 

Groups of Birds

 
A goose sitting on its nest
Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl

Waterfowl are birds that like living by water like rivers, lakes and other bodies of fresh water.

Fowl are birds belonging to the orders of gamefowl or landfowl.
Fowl

Fowl are birds belonging to the orders of gamefowl or landfowl.

Waterbirds are classified by the way that they obtain almost all or all of their food from the water
Waterbirds

Waterbirds are classified by the way that they obtain almost all or all of their food from the water.

Black and white illustration of a Mourning Dove.
Pigeons and Doves

Pigeons and Doves are stout-bodied birds that have short necks and short beaks.

Peregrine Falcon sitting on a rock with its head tilted to the side
Birds of Prey

Birds of prey are birds that pursue other animals for food.

A black and white illustration of a Yellow-billed Cuckoo bird.
Cuckoos

The Cuckoo birds have long tails and have zygodactyl feet.

Two Pileated Woodpeckers looking for food in a tree
Woodpeckers

Woodpeckers are part of the family Picidae, a group of near-passerine birds that also consist of piculets, wrynecks, and sapsuckers.

A black and white illustration of a Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
Swifts and Hummingbirds

Swifts and Hummingbirds have very small and have short legs and tiny feet.

A female House Sparrow looking through the dirt and rocks for something.
Perching Birds

Perching birds includes more than half of all bird species and the name means sparrow-shaped. These birds are also known as the songbirds.

A black and white illustration of an American Coot.
Coots

Coots are rather small water birds that are members of the rail family.

A black and white illustration of a Double-crested Cormorant
Cormorants

Cormorants are black, reptilian-like, fish eating birds that swim low on the water with their heads up tilted towards the sky.

A black and white illustration of a Belted Kingfisher.
Kingfishers

Kingfishers have large heads, long sharp beaks, and short legs. They generally have bright feathers.

 

NPSpecies Lists

NPSpecies is a consolidated database where you can find the latest information on any species from any National Park Service unit. This resource lets you search for species information on specific parks and allows you to create your own itemized species lists.

How Does it Work?
Use the dropdown menus below to select the species category that you'd like to view. You can choose to get a checklist or to get the full list, which includes more information about each species. Once you make your selections, click on the view PDF button. This will generate your customized report. From here, you can click on the large Print button at the top of the document to print the report, or save the report by clicking on the blue-and-white floppy disk symbol to save the report.

 

Select a Park:

Select a Species Category (optional):

List Differences

Search results will be displayed here.


Visit NPSpecies for more comprehensive information and advanced search capability. Have a suggestion or comment on this list? Let us know.

Last updated: March 21, 2022

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
National Park Service
PO Box 65

Harpers Ferry, WV 25425

Phone:

304 535-6029

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