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Birds of Washington, D.C.

The birds most often spotted in Washington, D.C., ranked by recent research-grade observations.

74,292
recent observations
50
species listed
50
birds

Naturalists have logged 74,292 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Washington, D.C.. The most frequently seen is the Mallard, with 5,521 recorded sightings.

Most-observed birds in Washington, D.C.

Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
5,521 observations
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
5,194 observations
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
4,980 observations
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
4,176 observations
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
3,709 observations
Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos
3,530 observations
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
2,547 observations
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
2,328 observations
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
2,269 observations
Rock Pigeon
Columba livia
2,236 observations
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
2,029 observations
Gray Catbird
Dumetella carolinensis
1,749 observations
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
1,572 observations
Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
1,461 observations
Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates pubescens
1,434 observations
Carolina Wren
Thryothorus ludovicianus
1,423 observations
Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensis
1,395 observations
Double-crested Cormorant
Nannopterum auritum
1,376 observations
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
1,365 observations
White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
1,352 observations
American Goldfinch
Spinus tristis
1,323 observations
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
1,218 observations
Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
1,198 observations
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus
1,174 observations
Red-shouldered Hawk
Buteo lineatus
1,141 observations
Wood Duck
Aix sponsa
1,130 observations
Cooper's Hawk
Astur cooperii
1,125 observations · iNaturalist
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
1,004 observations
House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus
997 observations
Great Egret
Ardea alba
937 observations
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
843 observations
Tufted Titmouse
Baeolophus bicolor
797 observations
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
730 observations
Brown-headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater
729 observations
White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
719 observations
Pileated Woodpecker
Dryocopus pileatus
677 observations
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
631 observations
Green Heron
Butorides virescens
561 observations
Ring-necked Duck
Aythya collaris
513 observations
Carolina Chickadee
Poecile carolinensis
513 observations
Eastern Phoebe
Sayornis phoebe
488 observations
Eastern Kingbird
Tyrannus tyrannus
484 observations
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus varius
482 observations
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Nyctanassa violacea
473 observations
Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis
470 observations
Black Vulture
Coragyps atratus
467 observations
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
461 observations
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
461 observations
Hooded Merganser
Lophodytes cucullatus
458 observations
Barred Owl
Strix varia
442 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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