(All photos by Myresa M.)
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
Gender: Male (females have gray heads)
Lifespan: 2 years
Range: year-round all of the U.S., northern Mexico during winter, and southwest Canada during the summer.
Food: insects, fruit, berries, and worms
Size: 9-11”; 12-16” wingspan
Where I found it: perching in the oak tree in front of the school.
Habitat: woodlands, backyards, parks, and grasslands
Fun Fact: Robins can eat up to 14’ of earthworms every day!
Common Green Grasshopper
Omocestus viridulus
Gender: Unknown 
Lifespan: one year
Range: eastern North America
Food: leaves, vegetables, and seeds
Size: 0.7-0.8”
Where I found it: resting on the steps leading to the Guadalupe statue.
Habitat: meadows and woodlands
Fun Fact: Juveniles are seen in brown morphs, but turn green when they reach adulthood.
Common Fruit Fly
Prosophila melanogaster
Gender: Unknown
Lifespan: 40-50 days
Range: Everywhere
Food: nectar, fungi, rotting fruit, and vegetables
Size: ⅛”
Where I found it: resting on the daisies
Habitat: places where fruit is, kitchens, and gardens
Fun Fact: Eggs can hatch into larvae in as little as 12 hours.
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
Gender: Unknown
Lifespan: 12 years 
Range: eastern half of the U.S.
Food: fruit, nuts, and corn
Size: 16-20”
Where I found it: sitting by the oak tree in front of the school.
Habitat: forests
Fun Fact: can hold their breath underwater for 2-4 minutes.
Eastern-Tailed Blue
Cupido comyntas
Gender: Male (females are brown, blue, and orange inside the wings 
Lifespan: 4-7 weeks
Range: southeastern Canada and the eastern half of the U.S.
Food: clovers, peas, alfalfa, and nectar
Size: ¾-1”
Where I found it: flowers in the Mary Garden
Habitat: meadows and cities
Fun Fact: basks with with wings partially open.
Eastern Yellowjacket
Vespula maculifrons
Gender: Female
Lifespan: 22 days, Queen: one year 
Range: eastern U.S year-round
Food: flies, caterpillars, nectar, and fruit
Size: ½”
Where I found it: flying around the bushes by the vegetable garden
Habitat: woodlands, pastures, parks, and lawns
Fun Fact: females are the only ones who sting and leave the nest.
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
Gender: Unknown 
Lifespan: 2-3 years
Range: all of the U.S. and southern Canada year-round, and summer in central Canada.
Food: insects, seeds, and fruit
Size: 7 ½”; 12-16” wingspan
Where I found it: foraging in the Newman parking lot grass.
Habitat: cities and towns
Fun Fact: Starlings will peck holes and build nests on eggs laid by other birds.
Halictid Bee (Sweat Bee)
Halictdae
Gender: Unknown
Lifespan: Unknown 
Range: everywhere
Food: nectar, pollen, and sometimes sweat
Size: ¼-¾”
Where I found it: collecting pollen from a daisy
Habitat: the ground and sometimes rotten wood
Fun Fact: are called “sweat bees” because they lick the salt in your sweat.
House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus
Gender: Male (red/pink chest and head) and female (brown streaked) 
Lifespan: 11 years
Range: Mexico and south west U.S.
Food: seeds, buds, and fruits
Size: 5-6”; 8-10” wingspan
Where I found it: perching on the gutters in front of the school
Habitat: buildings, lawns, and conifer forests
Fun Fact: depending on where they live, House Finches can have different “accents”.
House Fly
Musca domestica
Gender: Unknown 
Lifespan: 3-4 weeks
Range: Everywhere
Food: carrion
Size: ½”
Where I found it: resting on a flower in front of the school.
Habitat: garbage and decaying matter
Fun Fact: can detect carrion from 52, 493 feet away!
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
Gender: Male (females don’t have a black heads, are light brown, and have brown streaks) 
Lifespan: 2-3 years
Range: all of the U.S., southern Canada, and northern half of Mexico year-round
Food: seeds, insects, and fruit
Size: 6”; 8-10” wingspan
Where I found it: perching in a tree by the church roundabout.
Habitat: cities, suburbs, and farms
Fun Fact: can swim underwater when they feel threatened.
Pill Bug
Armadillidium vulgare
Gender: Unknown 
Lifespan: three years
Range: U.S., Mexico, Europe, southern Asia, and central South America.
Food: decaying leaves, rotting wood, and rotting fruit or vegetables.
Size: ¾”
Where I found it: crossing the sidewalk at the school entrance.
Habitat: mulch, fallen leaves, and rocks.
Fun Fact: When enriched with oxygen, their blood may appear blue.
Six-Spotted Green Tiger Beetle
Cicindela sexguttata
Gender: Unknown 
Lifespan: five years
Range: southeast Canada and the eastern half of the U.S.
Food: beetles, ants, grasshoppers, crickets, and spiders.
Size: ½”
Where I found it: church walls by the koi pond.
Habitat: underground in the grass
Fun Fact: can run up to 5.6 mph.
White-Throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
Gender: Unknown 
Lifespan: 14 years
Range: summer in the southern half of Canada, year-round near Maine, winter in the eastern half in the U.S., and migration in the central U.S.
Food: insects, seeds, and fruit
Size: 6-7”; 8-9” wingspan
Where I found it: eating pollen in the oak tree in front of the school
Habitat: forests, ponds, and shrubs
Fun Fact: genetics can change a white crown to a tan crown
