Birds in Connecticut

Although Connecticut is a small state, it attracts a diverse range of birds due to its outlying islands and grasslands. The state of Connecticut is home to a variety of bird species. It is home to 448 distinct bird species.

133 of the 448 species mentioned are rare or accidental. Eight species were introduced to North America, three of which are now extinct, and four of which have been extirpated. Twelve species are included despite the fact that they are solely known by sight. ARCC is currently reviewing the record of one additional species listed here.

Birds in Connecticut range from the more commonly observed Blue Jay to the less usually seen American Pipit. Connecticut’s official bird is the American robin, which was designated as the state bird in 1943. The American robin is one of America’s favorite songbirds. The American robins spend the entire winter in the wetlands of New England, where they feast on winter berries.

Connecticut birds of prey

New England is a perfect habitat for birds of prey, with its extensive woodlands, temperate temperatures, and distinct seasons. All birds of prey are carnivores with similarly hooked beaks and strong feet with sharp claws. In Connecticut, there are several birds of prey that fall into four distinct categories: hawks, falcons, eagles, and owls.

Eagles in Connecticut

When you see an American Bald Eagle up close, it’s easy to see why this magnificent creature is such a symbol of our national pride. And viewing one is simpler than you might imagine, as Connecticut is a wintering ground for eagles that migrate south from Maine and Canada when their habitats freeze over.

They come here to graze and nest around our major rivers and reservoirs. And because eagles marry in January, you’re more likely to observe a pair or nest by a body of water, where they can easily obtain fish.

Buteo Platypterus – Broad-Winged Hawk

Buteo Lineatus – Red-Shouldered Hawk

Haliaeetus Leucocephalus – Bald Eagle

Accipiter Cooperii – Cooper’s Hawk

Accipiter Striatus – Sharp-Shinned Hawk

Circus Hudsonius – Northern Harrier

Aquila Chrysaetos – Golden Eagle

Buteo Jamaicensis – Red-Tailed Hawk

Owls in Connecticut

Connecticut has a moderate climate, with pleasant winters and hot summers. In comparison to the inland sections, the coastal areas of the state experience warmer winters and colder summers.

The diversity of habitat in this state makes it an ideal habitat for a diverse array of wildlife species. Connecticut is home to 139 state parks and forests, several of which are excellent locations for observing various kinds of owls.

Discover the various species of Owls found in this state.

Tyto Alba – Barn Owl

Bubo Virginianus – Great Horned Owl

Megascops Asio – Eastern Screech – Owl

Strix Varia – Barred Owl

Finches of Connecticut

Finches are frequently seen in Connecticut. These birds are frequently seen in close proximity to humans in Connecticut. Examine the surrounding surroundings, including buildings, backyards, parks, and other urban and suburban regions.

Fortunately, nearly all of them will visit bird feeders, increasing your chances of attracting a variety of finches to your yard.

Spinus Tristis – American Goldfinch

Spinus Pinus – Pine Siskin

Haemorhous Purpureus – Purple Finch

Haemorhous Mexicanus – House Finch

Pinicola Enucleator – Pine Grosbeak

Coccothraustes Vespertinus – Evening Grosbeak

Hummingbirds of Connecticut

This summer, everyone hopes to see the elusive Hummingbird soaring around their patios, porches, and backyards.

There are five or six distinct species of hummingbirds that visit Connecticut, but only one is actually indigenous the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Today, you’ll learn about the two hummingbird species that call Connecticut home (and how to identify them).

The majority of ruby-throated hummingbirds winter in southern Mexico and northern Panama. By February, these hummingbirds have instinctively begun their northward migration. By mid-April, we’ll begin to see these vibrant birds in Connecticut, where they’re scheduled to remain until the beginning of June.

This section contains information about hummingbirds.

Archilochus Colubris – Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Backyard birds of Connecticut

Today, we’ll examine some of the most popular backyard birds in Connecticut, including where they hide, what they eat, and some wonderful spots to watch them in the wild.

Connecticut is home to something in the neighborhood of 280 distinct bird species on a part- or full-time basis. This is fantastic news for Connecticut birders, and to kick off our mini-bird tour, we’re going to introduce you to a few feathered residents.

Let’s have a conversation about Connecticut’s magnificent birds!

Turdus Migratorius – American Robin

Hylocichla Mustelina – Wood Thrush

Catharus Guttatus – Hermit Thrush

Catharus Ustulatus – Swainson’s Thrush

Sialia Sialis – Eastern Bluebird

Catharus Minimus – Gray-Cheeked Thrush

Myadestes Townsendi – Townsend’s Solitaire

Melanerpes Carolinus – Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Colaptes Auratus – Northern Flicker

Dryocopus Pileatus – Pileated Woodpecker

Melanerpes Erythrocephalus – Red-Headed Woodpecker

Dryobates Villosus – Hairy Woodpecker

Dryobates Pubescens – Downy Woodpecker

Passerina Ciris – Painted Bunting

Passerina Cyanea – Indigo Bunting

Passerina Versicolor – Varied Bunting

Passerina Amoena – Lazuli Bunting

Pheucticus Ludovicianus – Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

Cardinalis Cardinalis – Northern Cardinal

Piranga Olivacea – Scarlet Tanager

Piranga Rubra – Summer Tanager

Best Birdwatching Spots in Connecticut

There are several birding opportunities in Connecticut, and the state’s diverse environments support shoreline birds, aquatic birds, forest birds, and marsh birds.

Connecticut is an absolute jewel when it comes to birding, especially for such a tiny state. The area is only 110 miles long and is made up of a variety of habitats, from offshore islands to grasslands to tracts of woodland.

With this diversity of habitat, all species of birds can use the Connecticut landscape for breeding, migration, or wintering, depending on their life history.

The Coastal Center at Milford Point
Greenwich Audubon Society
White Memorial Conservation Center
East Rock Park
Mansfield Hollow State Park

Other Connecticut birds

Numerous birds inhabit residential neighborhoods. What you see is determined by the ecosystem surrounding your home. Different species may prefer open fields or densely forested areas. Birds live in urban places. Several visit backyard feeders on a regular basis.

This section discusses the types of birds that you might expect to see in your backyard and when they are most active.

Cardellina Pusilla – Wilson’s Warbler

Cardellina Canadensis – Canada Warbler

Setophaga Virens – Black-Throated Green Warbler

Setophaga Discolor – Prairie Warbler

Setophaga Dominica – Yellow-Throated Warblers

Setophaga Coronata – Yellow-Rumped Warbler

Setophaga Pinus – Pine Warbler

Setophaga Palmarum – Palm Warbler

Setophaga Caerulescens – Black-Throated Blue Warbler

Setophaga Striata – Blackpoll Warbler

Setophaga Pensylvanica – Chestnut-Sided Warbler

Setophaga Petechia – Yellow Warbler

Setophaga Fusca – Blackburnian Warbler

Setophaga Magnolia – Magnolia Warbler

Setophaga Americana – Northern Parula

Setophaga Cerulea – Cerulean Warbler

Setophaga Tigrina – Cape May Warbler

American Redstart – Setophaga Ruticilla

Setophaga Citrina – Hooded Warbler

Geothlypis Formosa – Kentucky Warblers

Geothlypis Philadelphia – Mourning Warbler

Oporornis Agilis – Connecticut Warbler

Leiothlypis Ruficapilla – Nashville Warbler

Leiothlypis Celata – Orange-Crowned Warbler

Leiothlypis Peregrina – Tennessee Warblers

Protonotaria Citrea – Prothonotary Warbler

Vermivora Cyanoptera – Blue-Winged Warblers

Mniotilta Varia – Black-And-White Warbler

Parkesia Noveboracensis – Northern Waterthrush

Oxyura Jamaicensis – Ruddy Duck

Parkesia Motacilla – Louisiana Waterthrush

Helmitheros Vermivorum – Worm-Eating Warbler

Mergus Serrator – Red-Breasted Merganser

Mergus Merganser – Common Merganser

Lophodytes Cucullatus – Hooded Merganser

Bucephala Clangula – Common Goldeneye

Aythya Marila – Greater Scaup

Aythya Americana – Redhead

Anas Crecca – Green-Winged Teal

Anas Acuta – Northern Pintail

Anas Rubripes – American Black Duck

Anas Platyrhynchos – Mallard

Mareca Americana – American Wigeon

Mareca Penelope – Eurasian Wigeon

Mareca Strepera – Gadwall

Spatula Clypeata – Northern Shoveler

Spatula Discors – Blue-Winged Teal

Aix Sponsa – Wood Duck

Cygnus Columbianus – Tundra Swan

Branta Canadensis – Canada Geese

Branta Hutchinsii – Cackling Goose

Anser Rossii – Ross’s Geese

Anser Caerulescens – Snow Geese

Phalaropus Lobatus – Red-Necked Phalarope

Phalaropus Tricolor – Wilson’s Phalarope

Tringa Melanoleuca – Greater Yellowlegs

Tringa Semipalmata – Willet

Tringa Flavipes – Lesser Yellowlegs

Tringa Solitaria – Solitary Sandpiper

Actitis Macularius – Spotted Sandpiper

Gallinago Delicata – Wilson’s Snipe

Limnodromus Scolopaceus- Long-Billed Dowitcher

Scolopax Minor – American Woodcock

Calidris Mauri – Western Sandpiper

Calidris Pusilla – Semipalmated Sandpiper

Calidris Melanotos – Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris Subruficollis – Buff-Breasted Sandpiper

Calidris Fuscicollis – White-Rumped Sandpiper

Calidris Minutilla – Least Sandpiper

Calidris Bairdii – Baird’s Sandpiper

Calidris Maritima – Purple Sandpiper

Calidris Alpina – Dunlin

Calidris Alba – Sanderling

Arenaria Interpres – Ruddy Turnstone

Limosa Limosa – Black- Tailed Godwit

Bartramia Longicauda – Upland Sandpipers

Sterna Forsteri – Forster’s Tern

Sterna Hirundo – Common Tern

Chlidonias Niger – Black Tern

Hydroprogne Caspia – Caspian Tern

Gelochelidon Nilotica – Gull-Billed Tern

Sternula Antillarum – Least Tern

Larus Hyperboreus – Glaucous Gull

Larus Fuscus – Lesser Black-Backed Gull

Larus Glaucoides – Iceland Gull

Larus Argentatus – Herring Gull

Larus Delawarensis – Ring-Billed Gulls

Leucophaeus Pipixcan – Franklin’s Gull

Leucophaeus Atricilla – Laughing Gull

Chroicocephalus Philadelphia – Bonaparte’s Gull

Sayornis Phoebe – Eastern Phoebe

Empidonax Minimus – Least Flycatcher

Empidonax Traillii – Willow Flycatcher

Empidonax Virescens – Acadian Flycatcher

Empidonax Flavive – Yellow-Bellied Flycatcher

Contopus Virens – Eastern Wood-Pewee

Contopus Cooperi – Olive-Sided Flycatcher

Tyrannus Savana – Fork-Tailed Flycatcher

Tyrannus Forficatus – Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher

Tyrannus Verticalis – Western Kingbird

Tyrannus Tyrannus – Eastern Kingbird

Myiarchus Crinitus – Great Crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus Cinerascens – Ash-Throated Flycatcher

Spinus Tristis – American Goldfinch

Spinus Pinus – Pine Siskin

Haemorhous Purpureus – Purple Finch

Haemorhous Mexicanus – House Finch

Pinicola Enucleator – Pine Grosbeak

Coccothraustes Vespertinus – Evening Grosbeak

Nyctanassa Violacea – Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

Butorides Virescens – Green Heron

Bubulcus Ibis – Cattle Egret

Egretta Tricolor – Tricolored Heron

Egretta Caerulea – Little Blue Heron

Egretta Thula – Snowy Egrets

Ardea Herodias – Great Blue Heron

Ixobrychus Exilis – Least Bittern

Botaurus Lentiginosus – American Bittern

Porphyrio Martinicus – Purple Gallinule

Gallinula Galeata – Common Gallinule

Porzana Carolina – Sora

Rallus Elegans – King Rail

Charadrius Melodus – Piping Plover

Charadrius Vociferus – Killdeer

Pluvialis Dominica – American Golden-Plover

Pluvialis Squatarola – Black-Bellied Plover

Corvus Corax- Common Raven

Corvus Brachyrhynchos- American Crow

Cyanocitta Cristata – Blue Jay

Petrochelidon Fulva – Cave Swallow

Petrochelidon Pyrrhonota – Cliff Swallow

Hirundo Rustica – Barn Swallow

Progne Subis – Purple Martin

Stelgidopteryx Serripennis – Northern rough-winged Swallow

Tachycineta Bicolor – Tree Swallow

Riparia Riparia – Bank Swallow

Turdus Migratorius – American Robin

Hylocichla Mustelina – Wood Thrush

Catharus Guttatus – Hermit Thrush

Catharus Ustulatus – Swainson’s Thrush

Sialia Sialis – Eastern Bluebird

Catharus Minimus – Gray-Cheeked Thrush

Myadestes Townsendi – Townsend’s Solitaire

Quiscalus Guiscula – Common Grackle

Euphagus Cyanocephalus – Brewer’s Blackbird

Euphagus Carolinus – Rusty Blackbird

Molothrus Ater – Brown-headed Cowbird

Icterus Galbula – Baltimore Oriole

Icterus Spurius – Orchard Oriole

Sturnella Magna – Eastern Meadowlark

Dolichonyx Oryzivorus – Bobolink

Phasianus Colchicus – Ring-necked Pheasant

Bonasa Umbellus – Ruffed Grouse

Meleagris Gallopavo – Wild Turkey

Zenaida Macroura – Mourning Dove

Streptopelia Decaocto – Eurasian Collared-Dove

Columba Livia – Rock Pigeon

Coccyzus Erythropthalmus – Black-Billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus Americanus – Yellow-Billed Cuckoo

Colinus Virginianus – Northern Bobwhite

Podiceps Auratus – Horned Grebe

Podilymbus Podiceps – Pied-Billed Grebe

Antrostomus Vociferus – Eastern Whip-Poor-Will

Chordeiles Minor – Common Nighthawk

Chaetura Pelagica – Chimney Swift

Antigone Canadensis – Sandhill Crane

Himantopus Mexicanus – Black-Necked Stilt

Gavia Immer – Common Loon

Nannopterum Auritum – Double-crested Cormorant

Pelecanus Occidentalis – Brown Pelican

Pelecanus Erythrorhynchos – American White Pelican

Cathartes Aura – Turkey Vulture

Coragyps Atratus – Black Vulture

Pandion Haliaetus – Osprey

Tyto Alba – Barn Owl

Falco Peregrinus – Peregrine Falcon

Falco columbarius – Merlin

Lanius Borealis – Northern Shrike

Baeolophus Bicolor – Tufted Titmouse

Poecile Atricapillus – Black-Capped Chickadee

Regulus Satrapa – Golden-Crowned Kinglet

Corthylio Calendula – Ruby-Crowned Kinglet

Bombycilla Cedrorum – Cedar Waxwing

Sitta Canadensis – Red-Breasted Nuthatch

Thryothorus Ludovicianus – Carolina Wren

Buteo Platypterus – Broad-Winged Hawk

Buteo Lineatus – Red-Shouldered Hawk

Haliaeetus Leucocephalus – Bald Eagle

Accipiter Cooperii – Cooper’s Hawk

Accipiter Striatus – Sharp-Shinned Hawk

Circus Hudsonius – Northern Harrier

Aquila Chrysaetos – Golden Eagle

Archilochus Colubris – Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Buteo Jamaicensis – Red-Tailed Hawk

Bubo Virginianus – Great Horned Owl

Megascops Asio – Eastern Screech – Owl

Strix Varia – Barred Owl

Melanerpes Carolinus – Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Colaptes Auratus – Northern Flicker

Dryocopus Pileatus – Pileated Woodpecker

Melanerpes Erythrocephalus – Red-Headed Woodpecker

Dryobates Villosus – Hairy Woodpecker

Dryobates Pubescens – Downy Woodpecker

Spizelloides Arborea – American Tree Sparrow

Passerella Iliaca – Fox Sparrow

Passerculus Sandwichensis – Savannah Sparrow

Zonotrichia Leucophrys – White-Crowned Sparrow

Spizella Passerine – Chipping Sparrow

Zonotrichia Albicollis – White-Throated Sparrow

Junco Hyemalis – Dark-Eyed Junco

Pooecetes Gramineus – Vesper Sparrow

Melospiza Melodia – Song Sparrow

Cistothorus Palustris – Marsh Wren

Cistothorus Platensis – Sedge Wren

Troglodytes Hiemalis – Winter Wren

Mimus Polyglottos – Northern Mockingbird

Toxostoma crissale - Crissal thrasher photo capture in surprise

Toxostoma Rufum – Brown Thrasher

Sturnus Vulgaris – European Starling

Passer Domesticus – House Sparrow

Icteria Virens – Yellow-Breasted Chat