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Birds of Virginia

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

629,659
recent observations
50
species listed
50
birds

Naturalists have logged 629,659 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Virginia. The most frequently seen is the Northern Cardinal, with 32,457 recorded sightings.

Most-observed birds in Virginia

Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
32,457 observations
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
29,056 observations
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
28,246 observations
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
27,252 observations
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
27,137 observations
Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis
19,703 observations
Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos
18,318 observations
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
17,708 observations
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
17,078 observations
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
16,611 observations
White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
15,316 observations
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
14,759 observations
Carolina Wren
Thryothorus ludovicianus
14,756 observations
Red-shouldered Hawk
Buteo lineatus
14,602 observations
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
14,524 observations
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
14,012 observations
Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates pubescens
13,910 observations
American Goldfinch
Spinus tristis
13,734 observations
Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
13,449 observations
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
13,100 observations
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
12,769 observations
House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus
12,506 observations
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus
12,293 observations
Gray Catbird
Dumetella carolinensis
11,126 observations
Double-crested Cormorant
Nannopterum auritum
11,011 observations
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
10,751 observations
Tufted Titmouse
Baeolophus bicolor
10,636 observations
Carolina Chickadee
Poecile carolinensis
9,742 observations
Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensis
8,971 observations
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
8,718 observations
Green Heron
Butorides virescens
8,539 observations
Chipping Sparrow
Spizella passerina
8,367 observations
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
8,327 observations
Pileated Woodpecker
Dryocopus pileatus
8,136 observations
Great Egret
Ardea alba
8,135 observations
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
8,078 observations
Eastern Phoebe
Sayornis phoebe
8,064 observations
White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
8,004 observations
Black Vulture
Coragyps atratus
7,743 observations
Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
7,699 observations
Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo
7,600 observations
Wood Duck
Aix sponsa
7,163 observations
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
6,874 observations
Cooper's Hawk
Astur cooperii
6,836 observations · iNaturalist
Brown-headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater
6,464 observations
Rock Pigeon
Columba livia
6,199 observations
Hooded Merganser
Lophodytes cucullatus
6,017 observations
Eastern Towhee
Pipilo erythrophthalmus
5,909 observations
Tree Swallow
Tachycineta bicolor
5,631 observations
Barred Owl
Strix varia
5,623 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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