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Birds of Virginia

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

627,018
recent observations
50
species listed
50
birds

Naturalists have logged 627,018 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Virginia. The most frequently seen is the Northern Cardinal, with 32,352 recorded sightings.

Most-observed birds in Virginia

Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
32,352 observations
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
28,896 observations
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
28,135 observations
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
27,206 observations
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
27,056 observations
Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis
19,603 observations
Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos
18,219 observations
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
17,658 observations
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
17,005 observations
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
16,492 observations
White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
15,196 observations
Carolina Wren
Thryothorus ludovicianus
14,718 observations
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
14,666 observations
Red-shouldered Hawk
Buteo lineatus
14,553 observations
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
14,499 observations
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
13,940 observations
Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates pubescens
13,828 observations
American Goldfinch
Spinus tristis
13,689 observations
Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
13,422 observations
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
13,054 observations
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
12,697 observations
House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus
12,466 observations
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus
12,229 observations
Gray Catbird
Dumetella carolinensis
11,120 observations
Double-crested Cormorant
Nannopterum auritum
10,919 observations
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
10,678 observations
Tufted Titmouse
Baeolophus bicolor
10,571 observations
Carolina Chickadee
Poecile carolinensis
9,689 observations
Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensis
8,905 observations
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
8,655 observations
Green Heron
Butorides virescens
8,532 observations
Chipping Sparrow
Spizella passerina
8,336 observations
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
8,258 observations
Great Egret
Ardea alba
8,110 observations
Pileated Woodpecker
Dryocopus pileatus
8,096 observations
Eastern Phoebe
Sayornis phoebe
8,044 observations
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
8,040 observations
White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
7,955 observations
Black Vulture
Coragyps atratus
7,716 observations
Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
7,685 observations
Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo
7,560 observations
Wood Duck
Aix sponsa
7,136 observations
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
6,868 observations
Cooper's Hawk
Astur cooperii
6,801 observations · iNaturalist
Brown-headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater
6,456 observations
Rock Pigeon
Columba livia
6,185 observations
Hooded Merganser
Lophodytes cucullatus
6,002 observations
Eastern Towhee
Pipilo erythrophthalmus
5,900 observations
Tree Swallow
Tachycineta bicolor
5,623 observations
Barred Owl
Strix varia
5,599 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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