Waterfowl:
Ducks and geese are common on lakes and wetlands throughout Raleigh. Please do not feed the birds or any wildlife as human food is unhealthy for wild animals and can cause aggressive behavior. Mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) are very common along the greenway.
Canada geese (Branta canadensis) are also very common throughout the city.
Buffleheads (Bucephala albeola) are small ducks that can be found on lakes in the city.
Ruddy ducks (Oxyura jamaicensis) are a species of diving duck seen in Raleigh.
Herons:
Herons are common wading birds found along the greenway trails. The great blue heron (Ardea herodias) is a common species of heron. This one was hunting fish in Mine Creek.
Cormorants:
Double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) are common around bodies of water. They do not have waterproof feathers, so have to dry their wings in the sun.
Plovers:
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) are a large species of plover. The names comes from their call that sounds like "kill-deer".
Birds of Prey:
Occasionally, birds of prey can be found along the greenway, such as the red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus).
Songbirds:
Song birds are common in the along the greenway. The best time to spot them is in the winter when the leaves are down and views are less obstructed. This male Northern Cardinal's (Cardinalis cardinalis) red color really pops against the winter background.
Red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) are one of the most common birds in North America. The orange and yellow band on the shoulders of the males are very conspicuous.
Woodpeckers:
Woodpeckers can occasionally be seen around Raleigh. Downy woodpeckers (Dryobates pubescens) are the smallest species of woodpecker in North America.
External Links:
Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources website: https://raleighnc.gov/find-a-trail
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