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Birds of Washington, D.C.

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

73,984
recent observations
50
species listed
50
birds

Naturalists have logged 73,984 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Washington, D.C.. The most frequently seen is the Mallard, with 5,504 recorded sightings.

Most-observed birds in Washington, D.C.

Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
5,504 observations
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
5,175 observations
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
4,971 observations
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
4,160 observations
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
3,694 observations
Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos
3,516 observations
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
2,539 observations
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
2,318 observations
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
2,254 observations
Rock Pigeon
Columba livia
2,233 observations
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
2,025 observations
Gray Catbird
Dumetella carolinensis
1,749 observations
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
1,560 observations
Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
1,459 observations
Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates pubescens
1,428 observations
Carolina Wren
Thryothorus ludovicianus
1,418 observations
Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensis
1,387 observations
Double-crested Cormorant
Nannopterum auritum
1,367 observations
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
1,356 observations
White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
1,342 observations
American Goldfinch
Spinus tristis
1,318 observations
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
1,214 observations
Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
1,197 observations
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus
1,169 observations
Red-shouldered Hawk
Buteo lineatus
1,136 observations
Wood Duck
Aix sponsa
1,124 observations
Cooper's Hawk
Astur cooperii
1,113 observations · iNaturalist
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
1,002 observations
House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus
997 observations
Great Egret
Ardea alba
936 observations
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
833 observations
Tufted Titmouse
Baeolophus bicolor
788 observations
Brown-headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater
728 observations
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
720 observations
White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
709 observations
Pileated Woodpecker
Dryocopus pileatus
677 observations
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
617 observations
Green Heron
Butorides virescens
560 observations
Ring-necked Duck
Aythya collaris
513 observations
Carolina Chickadee
Poecile carolinensis
510 observations
Eastern Phoebe
Sayornis phoebe
484 observations
Eastern Kingbird
Tyrannus tyrannus
481 observations
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus varius
478 observations
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Nyctanassa violacea
472 observations
Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis
469 observations
Black Vulture
Coragyps atratus
465 observations
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
460 observations
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
460 observations
Hooded Merganser
Lophodytes cucullatus
458 observations
Barred Owl
Strix varia
441 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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