Birds in Virginia - USA Birds

While Virginia is a small state, it is home to numerous well-known birding areas, including The Great Dismal Swamp, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, and the Chickahominy River Marsh.

The Great Dismal Swamp is home to 58 species of birds, including the federally endangered Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel. The Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge protects breeding Harlequin Ducks and approximately 300 bird species. The Chickahominy River Marsh is home to 19 different bird species, including the threatened Ridgway’s Rail.

The list contains 475 species and four species pairs as of June 2021. 95 are classified as accidental, while 88 are classified as unusual. Seven species were imported to North America, one of which is now extinct and another which has been extirpated. Four additional species, all of which are now extinct, are likely to have existed in Virginia, but the evidence is insufficient to place them on the main list.

Virginia birding aficionados will have several fantastic spots to enjoy bird watching in Virginia.

Virginia birds of prey

The true raptors, which include eagles, hawks, kites, harriers, falcons, osprey, owls, and, depending on the source, vultures, are just as fascinating and deserving of our attention.

Raptors’ majestic and frequently terrifying appearances make seeing them a pleasurable sport for birding aficionados and novices alike.

Fortunately, Virginia boasts some of the best spots in North America for spotting birds of prey, particularly during migration.

Eagles in Virginia

The breeding population of Bald Eagles in Virginia is a subset of the larger breeding population in the Chesapeake Bay region (VA, MD, DE, and portions of WV, PA, and NJ). Geographically, this regional population is isolated from other breeding populations found along the Atlantic Coast and throughout North America.

Virginia has 2,000 nesting pairs out of thousands. Bryan Watts directs the Center for Conservation Biology at William & Mary and the three-person A-team that has been counting raptures for 30 years.

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 Virginia

This state’s landscape is dominated by forest cover, primarily composed of deciduous and broad-leafed trees. Coniferous forest (such as pine) covers a limited area and is concentrated in central and eastern Virginia. Additionally, it has 21 Important Bird Areas, nine of which are of global significance.

There have been eight species identified, ranging in size from the little Northern Saw-whet Owl to the imposing Great Horned Owl.

Typical owls range in size from little to huge nocturnal birds of prey. They feature huge forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, and a prominent feathered circle called a face disk around each eye.

Tyto Alba – Barn Owl

Bubo Virginianus – Great Horned Owl

Megascops Asio – Eastern Screech – Owl

Strix Varia – Barred Owl

Woodpeckers in Virginia

Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails, and long tongues that are employed for insect capture. Certain species have feet with two forward-facing toes and two backward-facing toes, whereas others have only three toes.

Virginia is home to the two most frequent Melanerpes species in the eastern United States, the Red-bellied and Red-headed woodpeckers. They both have red feathers on their heads, and as a result, newcomers to woodpeckers may initially confuse the two species.

Numerous woodpeckers have a propensity of tapping their beaks noisily on tree trunks. In Virginia, nine species have been identified.

Tyto Alba – Barn Owl

Bubo Virginianus – Great Horned Owl

Megascops Asio – Eastern Screech – Owl

Strix Varia – Barred Owl

Backyard birds of Virginia

Virginia is a haven for a diverse range of wild birds. We’ll look at some of the most identifiable and well-known Virginia birds in this post, focusing on those that can be found in your own backyard. While some of these species spend the entire year in Virginia, others are migratory and only visit on a seasonal basis.

If you reside in Virginia, becoming acquainted with the birds that visit your backyard can be a simple and enjoyable way to connect with nature. Keep a lookout for these lovely backyard birds that are frequent in Virginia during the spring and summer months.

Hummingbirds in Virginia

Hummingbirds are little birds that can hover in mid-air due to their wings rapidly flapping. They are the only birds capable of flying in reverse. In Virginia, eight species have been identified. In each state, hummingbird species are classified as resident, seasonal, or unusual.

Hummingbird migration season peaked in Virginia months ago, as Ruby-throated and Rufous Hummingbirds flew to Mexico or Central America. One Rufous Hummingbird has resisted the seasonal migration patterns and is wintering in Green Spring Gardens.

Archilochus Colubris – Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Mockingbirds in Virginia

Mimids are a passerine bird family that contains thrashers, mockingbirds, tremblers, and the New World catbird. These birds are noted for their vocalizations, particularly their exceptional ability to imitate a broad variety of birds and other outside sounds. The species’ appearance is dominated by dismal grays and browns. In Virginia, four species have been identified.

Of course, the dance of mockingbirds is not nearly as well-known as their singing. Northern Mockingbirds are renowned for their ability to mimic bird cries and other environmental noises in order to compose lengthy and sophisticated songs of their own.

Mimus Polyglottos – Northern Mockingbird

Toxostoma crissale - Crissal thrasher photo capture in surprise

Toxostoma Rufum – Brown Thrasher

Dumetella Carolinensis – Gray Catbird

Best Birdwatching Spots in Virginia

Birding in Virginia includes all of this: urban preserves, Atlantic coast refuges, and peaks exceeding a mile in elevation. Among the highlights are the windswept beach and marshes of Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, which is located on an Atlantic Ocean barrier island and is home to over 300 species of birds.

Additionally, Virginia established the first statewide birding and wildlife route in the United States. Visitors to the state’s 43,000 square miles of natural environment can use the coastal, mountain, and piedmont legs to locate and enjoy the best natural locations.

The following are Virginia’s top five birding destinations.

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge/Assateague
Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Kiptopeke State Park
Huntley Meadows Park

Other Virginia birds

Virginia is noted for its wealth and diversity, as well as for being home to the state bird, the cardinal. Nonetheless, Virginia is home to a variety of different birds. The following is a list of some of the most frequent birds in Virginia:

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 Castanea – Bay-Breasted Warbler

Setophaga Magnolia – Magnolia Warbler

Setophaga Americana – Northern Parula

Setophaga Cerulea – Cerulean Warbler

Setophaga Tigrina – Cape May Warbler

Setophaga Kirtlandii – Kirtland’s Warbler

American Redstart – Setophaga Ruticilla

Setophaga Citrina – Hooded Warbler

Geothlypis Formosa – Kentucky Warblers

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 Affinis – Lesser Scaup

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

Limnodromus Griseus – Short-Billed Dowitcher

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 Fedoa – Marbled Godwits

Bartramia Longicauda – Upland Sandpipers

Sterna Hirundo – Common Tern

Chlidonias Niger – Black Tern

Hydroprogne Caspia – Caspian Tern

Gelochelidon Nilotica – Gull-Billed Tern

Sternula Antillarum – Least Tern

Larus Marinus – Great Black-Backed Gull

Larus Hyperboreus – Glaucous Gull

Larus Fuscus – Lesser Black-Backed Gull

Larus Glaucoides – Iceland Gull

Larus Argentatus – Herring Gull

Larus Delawarensis – Ring-Billed Gulls

Leucophaeus Atricilla – Laughing 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

Nyctanassa Violacea – Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

Butorides Virescens – Green Heron

Bubulcus Ibis – Cattle Egret

Egretta Rufescens – Reddish 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 Montanus – Mountain Plover

Charadrius Nivosus – Snowy 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

Xanthocephalus Xanthocephalus – Yellow-headed Blackbird

Phasianus Colchicus – Ring-necked Pheasant

Bonasa Umbellus – Ruffed Grouse

Meleagris Gallopavo – Wild Turkey

Zenaida Macroura – Mourning Dove

Zenaida Asiatica – White-Winged Dove

Columbina Passerine - Common Ground Dove found in the US

Columbina Passerina – Common Ground Dove

Columbina Inca – Inca Dove

Streptopelia Decaocto – Eurasian Collared-Dove

Columba Livia – Rock Pigeon

Coccyzus Erythropthalmus – Black-Billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus Americanus – Yellow-Billed Cuckoo

Podiceps Auratus – Horned Grebe

Podilymbus Podiceps – Pied-Billed Grebe

Antrostomus Vociferus – Eastern Whip-Poor-Will

Antrostomus Carolinensis – Chuck-Will’s-Widow

Chordeiles Minor – Common Nighthawk

Antigone Canadensis – Sandhill Crane

Nannopterum Auritum – Double-crested Cormorant

Pelecanus Occidentalis – Brown Pelican

Pelecanus Erythrorhynchos – American White Pelican

Eudocimus Albus – White Ibis

Cathartes Aura – Turkey Vulture

Coragyps Atratus – Black Vulture

Pandion Haliaetus – Osprey

Tyto Alba – Barn Owl

Falco Peregrinus – Peregrine Falcon

Falco columbarius – Merlin

Baeolophus Bicolor – Tufted Titmouse

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

Passerculus Sandwichensis – Savannah Sparrow

Zonotrichia Leucophrys – White-Crowned Sparrow

Spizella Passerine – Chipping Sparrow

Zonotrichia Albicollis – White-Throated Sparrow

Junco Hyemalis – Dark-Eyed Junco

Ammodramus Savannarum – Grasshopper Sparrow

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 Rufum – Brown Thrasher

Dumetella Carolinensis – Gray Catbird

Sturnus Vulgaris – European Starling

Passer Domesticus – House Sparrow

Anthus Rubescens – American Pipit

Calcarius Ornatus – Chestnut-Collared Longspur

Icteria Virens – Yellow-Breasted Chat

Spiza americana – Dickcissel

Passerina Cyanea – Indigo Bunting

Passerina Versicolor – Varied Bunting

Passerina Amoena – Lazuli Bunting

Passerina Caerulea – Blue Grosbeak

Pheucticus Ludovicianus – Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

Cardinalis Cardinalis – Northern Cardinal

Piranga Bidentata – Flame-Colored Tanager

Piranga Olivacea – Scarlet Tanager

If you have encountered a bird in Virginia that is not yet on our list or that you cannot identify yourself, we’ll be happy to identify it for you. Simply take a picture of it and upload your picture, a quick description and the U.S. state where it was found here on our bird identification page.