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Birds of Minnesota

The birds most often spotted in Minnesota, ranked by recent research-grade observations.

220,960
recent observations
50
species listed
50
birds

Naturalists have logged 220,960 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Minnesota. The most frequently seen is the Mallard, with 12,666 recorded sightings.

Most-observed birds in Minnesota

Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
12,666 observations
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
10,525 observations
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
9,682 observations
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
9,512 observations
Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo
7,849 observations
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
7,824 observations
Black-capped Chickadee
Poecile atricapillus
6,925 observations
Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates pubescens
6,533 observations
American Goldfinch
Spinus tristis
6,386 observations
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
6,262 observations
Trumpeter Swan
Cygnus buccinator
6,021 observations
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
5,569 observations
Wood Duck
Aix sponsa
5,452 observations
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
5,312 observations
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
4,545 observations
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
4,530 observations
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
4,462 observations
Sandhill Crane
Antigone canadensis
4,381 observations
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
4,379 observations
White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
4,102 observations
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus
3,690 observations
Common Loon
Gavia immer
3,649 observations
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
3,439 observations
Pileated Woodpecker
Dryocopus pileatus
3,429 observations
Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
3,425 observations
House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus
3,417 observations
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
3,416 observations
Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensis
3,404 observations
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
3,172 observations
White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
3,165 observations
Baltimore Oriole
Icterus galbula
3,163 observations
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
3,118 observations
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
2,990 observations
Chipping Sparrow
Spizella passerina
2,963 observations
Green Heron
Butorides virescens
2,921 observations
Hairy Woodpecker
Leuconotopicus villosus
2,919 observations
Gray Catbird
Dumetella carolinensis
2,757 observations
Hooded Merganser
Lophodytes cucullatus
2,753 observations
Cedar Waxwing
Bombycilla cedrorum
2,733 observations
Great Egret
Ardea alba
2,717 observations
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Pheucticus ludovicianus
2,712 observations
American White Pelican
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
2,681 observations
Double-crested Cormorant
Nannopterum auritum
2,577 observations
Ruffed Grouse
Bonasa umbellus
2,555 observations
Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis
2,537 observations
Eastern Phoebe
Sayornis phoebe
2,450 observations
Eastern Kingbird
Tyrannus tyrannus
2,393 observations
Brown-headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater
2,345 observations
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
2,301 observations
Blue-winged Teal
Spatula discors
2,252 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.

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