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Birds of Minnesota

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

220,170
recent observations
50
species listed
50
birds

Naturalists have logged 220,170 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Minnesota. The most frequently seen is the Mallard, with 12,600 recorded sightings.

Most-observed birds in Minnesota

Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
12,600 observations
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
10,485 observations
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
9,656 observations
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
9,468 observations
Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo
7,817 observations
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
7,813 observations
Black-capped Chickadee
Poecile atricapillus
6,902 observations
Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates pubescens
6,480 observations
American Goldfinch
Spinus tristis
6,370 observations
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
6,241 observations
Trumpeter Swan
Cygnus buccinator
5,994 observations
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
5,558 observations
Wood Duck
Aix sponsa
5,443 observations
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
5,280 observations
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
4,525 observations
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
4,498 observations
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
4,448 observations
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
4,373 observations
Sandhill Crane
Antigone canadensis
4,372 observations
White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
4,080 observations
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus
3,670 observations
Common Loon
Gavia immer
3,631 observations
Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
3,423 observations
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
3,412 observations
Pileated Woodpecker
Dryocopus pileatus
3,411 observations
House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus
3,408 observations
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
3,386 observations
Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensis
3,375 observations
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
3,168 observations
Baltimore Oriole
Icterus galbula
3,161 observations
White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
3,154 observations
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
3,106 observations
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
2,987 observations
Chipping Sparrow
Spizella passerina
2,961 observations
Green Heron
Butorides virescens
2,918 observations
Hairy Woodpecker
Leuconotopicus villosus
2,903 observations
Gray Catbird
Dumetella carolinensis
2,754 observations
Hooded Merganser
Lophodytes cucullatus
2,739 observations
Cedar Waxwing
Bombycilla cedrorum
2,724 observations
Great Egret
Ardea alba
2,714 observations
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Pheucticus ludovicianus
2,708 observations
American White Pelican
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
2,675 observations
Double-crested Cormorant
Nannopterum auritum
2,571 observations
Ruffed Grouse
Bonasa umbellus
2,544 observations
Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis
2,531 observations
Eastern Phoebe
Sayornis phoebe
2,446 observations
Eastern Kingbird
Tyrannus tyrannus
2,393 observations
Brown-headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater
2,343 observations
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
2,300 observations
Blue-winged Teal
Spatula discors
2,251 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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