the most common birds are the brown thrasher (the ga state bird), american crow, european (or common) starling, american robin, mourning dove, house sparrow, northern cardinal, purple finch, carolina chickadee, tufted titmouse, bluejay, white-breasted nuthatch, eastern bluebird, mockingbird, brown-headed nuthatch, and the carolina wren. birds of prey thrive in the area, with three varieties of hawks common near open fields in even the most populated areas. falcons roost on skyscrapers in downtown atlanta and can be regularly seen feasting on pigeons. the american kestrel is sometimes seen. late in the year, three species of owls can be heard nightly in wooded areas. various woodpeckers can be seen in forested lots, including the red-bellied woodpecker, northern flicker (also known as the "red-shafted flicker"), and the downy woodpecker. the red-headed woodpecker is common in open fields and on golf courses. the american goldfinch is present mostly in winter, and the ruby-throated hummingbird only in summer.