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Birds of Boston, Massachusetts

The birds most often spotted near Boston, ranked by recent research-grade observations.

181,735
recent observations
50
species listed
50
birds

Naturalists have logged 181,735 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species near Boston. The most frequently seen is the American Robin, with 12,812 recorded sightings.

Most-observed birds near Boston

American Robin
Turdus migratorius
12,812 observations
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
11,467 observations
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
10,326 observations
Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo
8,463 observations
Black-capped Chickadee
Poecile atricapillus
8,261 observations
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
7,694 observations
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
7,583 observations
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
6,239 observations
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
5,998 observations
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
5,964 observations
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
5,076 observations
Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates pubescens
4,742 observations
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
4,701 observations
Mute Swan
Cygnus olor
4,355 observations
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
4,266 observations
Tufted Titmouse
Baeolophus bicolor
4,153 observations
Rock Pigeon
Columba livia
3,620 observations
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
3,436 observations
White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
3,398 observations
American Goldfinch
Spinus tristis
3,354 observations
Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
3,328 observations
Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos
3,185 observations
Gray Catbird
Dumetella carolinensis
3,174 observations
Double-crested Cormorant
Nannopterum auritum
3,118 observations
American Herring Gull
Larus smithsonianus
3,102 observations
House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus
2,639 observations
White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
2,321 observations
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus
2,261 observations
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
2,177 observations
Barred Owl
Strix varia
2,085 observations
Cooper's Hawk
Astur cooperii
1,969 observations · iNaturalist
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
1,905 observations
Chipping Sparrow
Spizella passerina
1,784 observations
Common Eider
Somateria mollissima
1,709 observations
Baltimore Oriole
Icterus galbula
1,667 observations
Wood Duck
Aix sponsa
1,660 observations
Hooded Merganser
Lophodytes cucullatus
1,635 observations
Great Egret
Ardea alba
1,453 observations
Carolina Wren
Thryothorus ludovicianus
1,431 observations
Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensis
1,402 observations
Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis
1,371 observations
Tree Swallow
Tachycineta bicolor
1,355 observations
Bufflehead
Bucephala albeola
1,286 observations
Eastern Phoebe
Sayornis phoebe
1,233 observations
Killdeer
Charadrius vociferus
1,172 observations
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
1,157 observations
Pileated Woodpecker
Dryocopus pileatus
1,131 observations
Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
1,066 observations
Cedar Waxwing
Bombycilla cedrorum
1,059 observations
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serrator
992 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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