18 Gray Colored Birds That You Might See

Northern Mockingbird

“Northern mockingbirds seem to enjoy sitting on this euonymus shrub. I always look for them in fall. When I took this photo, the striking backdrop was a crimson and orange maple tree. All the season’s colors made the gray mockingbird seem so majestic,” says Birds & Blooms reader Sujata Roy.

In addition to gray birds, you should learn to identify these small red birds.

Canada Jay

“I didn’t know Canada jays existed until we came upon one trying to steal lunch from an abandoned picnic table as we walked through the campground at Big Lagoon County Park in California. Seeing this gray bird was the highlight of our day!” says reader Della Alcorn.

Tufted Titmouse

“I love the North Carolina spring season, and one of our favorite pastimes is sitting on our deck and watching the birds come to our feeders. There is a redbud tree next to or deck the seems to attract feeding birds. The blooms really add color to my photographs. This tufted titmouse was patiently waiting its turn. I took the photograph with a Nikon D5500,” says John Reich.

Gray Catbird

“I took this photo in taken in summer while walking down a forested trail along a river in Chama, New Mexico, with my canon 7D. I heard the cry of the gray catbird and I rarely get a chance for a good look or photo opportunity of the species, so I was very excited. Then even moreso when I rounded the corner and it was perched up in the open,” says reader Andrew Theus.

Courtesy Kristine Webb

Dark-eyed Junco

“Imagine my delight when I opened my door and saw this dark-eyed junco perched in a nearby tree. It didn’t seem to mind my presence and even posed for me! The junco stayed there for quite a while, allowing me to get some terrific photos of this slate gray bird,” says Kristine Webb.

American Dipper

“The American dipper is a gray colored bird species that I always have fun observing. They feed on aquatic insects and their larvae. They also eat dragonflies, worms, small fish, fish eggs, or flying insects. American dippers rapidly duck their heads in and out of water when looking for their prey. There is a small population that winter along Oak Creek in Oak Creek Canyon, Arizona, in the Coconino National Forest. I like the overall scene that is captured in this photo. It gives some insight into the habitat of this species,” says reader Gary Botello.

Clark’s Nutcracker

“My wife and I were hiking along the ridge line at Mount Rainier when a couple of playful Clark’s nutcrackers flew up to take in the view as well. This picture reminds me to take a moment and appreciate the natural world,” says William RouLaine.

Eastern Wood Pewee

“I went to a horse farm in Bolton, Connecticut, and saw this little eastern wood pewee land on the fence. He is so tiny and was very curious,” says reader Melissa Lee.

Western Kingbird

“I used my Nikon D850 to take this photo on one early evening in mid-July in my backyard in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The light and colors of the western kingbird and trees drew me in to capture this image,” says reader Debbie McCulliss.

Great Gray Owl

“The great gray owl is a rare sight in Yellowstone National Park. It was such an honor to be able to capture an amazing image of one of my favorite creatures. Just to be in its presence was awe-inspiring. It seemed to have posed just for me. I love this image of the owl getting ready to take off,” says reader Danielle Kennedy.

Loggerhead Shrike

I was photographing the loggerhead shrike feeding her young. I happened to capture the youngster holding on to mom’s foot as she was flying away,” says reader Linda ONeill.

Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher

Reader Grace Simms shared a photo of a mother scissor-tailed flycatcher flying in to feed her fledgling. After you see these photos of gray birds, check out pictures of small yellow birds.

Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher

“I saw a blue-gray gnatcatcher in the empty lot behind our house in October. Unfortunately I haven’t seen any of these little guys in a while due to the trees being knocked down for a construction project. We used to hear their buzzy calls frequently!” says reader Allyson Maiolo.

White-breasted Nuthatch

I was thrilled to see a white-breasted nuthatch for the first time at my backyard feeder recently. I took this photo with my Canon EOS 80D,” says reader Mauri Truesdell of Washington, Missouri.

Sandhill Crane

“I was visiting my sister in Florida and came across this sandhill crane family walking through her neighborhood. I couldn’t resist taking a photo of the adorable babies strolling along with their parents,” says reader Robert Brown.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

“I was birding at a local park in Harford County, Maryland, when I was lucky enough to stumble upon two ruby-crowned kinglets. This male was chasing the other bird away (a territory dispute I assume) and showing off his gorgeous crown, which is usually hidden),” says reader Nikki Debracccio.

Courtesy Carol Sue Wooten

Mississippi Kite

“Every year a pair of Mississippi kites return and nest in our neighborhood in Fayetteville, Arkansas. This photo is special because you can see the red eyes, the breast feathers blowing in the wind and moss on the branch of the tree. These birds are so elegant in flight,” says reader Carol Sue Wooten.

Northern Harrier

“This is an adult male northern harrier (nicknamed Grey Ghost). He is a familiar sight on my fence posts hunting mice and birds. You can tell males from females very easily since females are brown. They are unusual hawks with their owl like faces. They are my favorite raptor,” says reader Marina Schultz.