Places › National Historical Parks › C&O Canal › Birds

Birds of Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

The birds most often spotted in C&O Canal, ranked by recent research-grade observations.

113,560
recent observations
50
species listed
50
birds

Naturalists have logged 113,560 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in C&O Canal. The most frequently seen is the Northern Cardinal, with 7,019 recorded sightings.

Most-observed birds in C&O Canal

Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
7,019 observations
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
6,200 observations
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
5,184 observations
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
5,031 observations
Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis
4,468 observations
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
4,332 observations
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
3,873 observations
Red-shouldered Hawk
Buteo lineatus
3,637 observations
Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos
3,330 observations
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
3,287 observations
Carolina Wren
Thryothorus ludovicianus
3,097 observations
Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates pubescens
2,960 observations
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
2,950 observations
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
2,873 observations
White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
2,698 observations
Gray Catbird
Dumetella carolinensis
2,594 observations
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus
2,399 observations
House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus
2,346 observations
American Goldfinch
Spinus tristis
2,289 observations
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
2,230 observations
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
2,153 observations
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
2,128 observations
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
2,037 observations
Tufted Titmouse
Baeolophus bicolor
1,957 observations
Pileated Woodpecker
Dryocopus pileatus
1,910 observations
Black Vulture
Coragyps atratus
1,754 observations
White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
1,714 observations
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
1,695 observations
Double-crested Cormorant
Nannopterum auritum
1,694 observations
Carolina Chickadee
Poecile carolinensis
1,671 observations
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
1,560 observations
Green Heron
Butorides virescens
1,513 observations
Wood Duck
Aix sponsa
1,428 observations
Barred Owl
Strix varia
1,263 observations
Chipping Sparrow
Spizella passerina
1,262 observations
Cooper's Hawk
Astur cooperii
1,262 observations · iNaturalist
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
1,246 observations
Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
1,245 observations
Eastern Phoebe
Sayornis phoebe
1,206 observations
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
1,198 observations
Brown-headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater
1,164 observations
Tree Swallow
Tachycineta bicolor
1,075 observations
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus varius
929 observations
Rock Pigeon
Columba livia
920 observations
Cedar Waxwing
Bombycilla cedrorum
909 observations
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
864 observations
Eastern Kingbird
Tyrannus tyrannus
786 observations
Common Merganser
Mergus merganser
766 observations
Eastern Towhee
Pipilo erythrophthalmus
747 observations
Hermit Thrush
Catharus guttatus
707 observations

Built from recent research-grade iNaturalist observations. Identifications are community-sourced and may occasionally be wrong, and the ranking reflects where people record and photograph wildlife, so a species seen often here is not necessarily rare elsewhere. Some plants and animals are only out in certain seasons. Treat this as a lively snapshot of what people are finding, not a formal checklist.

Birds in nearby places

Out spotting birds in C&O Canal?

Take Huck with you. Identify any bird you find in seconds and build your collection.

Get Huck

Love birds? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.