of northern forests. Bohemian waxwing, Bombycilla garrulus Cedar waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum Nuthatches Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sittidae Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They have the unusual ability to climb down trees head first, unlike other birds which can only go upwards. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails, and powerful bills and feet. Red-breasted nuthatch, Sitta canadensis White-breasted nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis Pygmy nuthatch, Sitta pygmaea (H) Treecreepers Order: PasseriformesFamily: Certhiidae Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin pointed down-curved bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves on vertical trees. Brown creeper, Certhia americana Gnatcatchers Order: PasseriformesFamily: Polioptilidae Gnatcatchers are a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs. Blue-grey gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea (S) Wrens Order: PasseriformesFamily: Troglodytidae Wrens are small and inconspicuous birds, except for their loud songs. They have short wings and thin down-turned bills. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous. Rock wren, Salpinctes obsoletus Canyon wren, Catherpes mexicanus (H) House wren, Troglodytes aedon Pacific wren, Troglodytes pacificus (S) Winter wren, Troglodytes hiemalis Sedge wren, Cistothorus platensis Marsh wren, Cistothorus palustris Carolina wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus (H) Cactus wren, Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus (H) Mockingbirds and thrashers Order: PasseriformesFamily: Mimidae The mimids are a family of passerine birds that includes thrashers, mockingbirds, tremblers, and the New World catbirds. These birds are notable for their vocalization, especially their remarkable ability to mimic a wide variety of birds and other sounds heard outdoors. The species tend towards dull greys and browns in their appearance. Grey catbird, Dumetella carolinensis Curve-billed thrasher, Toxostoma curvirostre (S) Brown thrasher, Toxostoma rufum Bendire's thrasher, Toxostoma bendirei (H) Sage thrasher, Oreoscoptes montanus (S) Northern mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos Starlings Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sturnidae Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen. European starling, Sturnus vulgaris (I) Dippers Order: PasseriformesFamily: Cinclidae Dippers are a group of perching birds whose habitat includes aquatic environments in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. They are named for their bobbing or dipping movements. These birds have adaptations which allows them to submerge and walk on the bottom to feed on insect larvae. American dipper, Cinclus mexicanus (S)