Birds in Georgia - USA Birds

Georgia is home to a variety of native bird species due to its diversified topography, which includes coastal beaches, farms, and mountains. It is home to 431 distinct bird species that are active at various periods of the year.

Georgia’s governor first designated the brown thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) as the state bird in 1935, and the bird was officially designated as the state bird by the Georgia legislature in 1970.

If you tour the state of Georgia, you are likely to encounter a diverse range of birds, from close-lipped forest dwellers to those that are difficult to miss due to their adaption to human-altered yards.

Georgia birds of prey

Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, identifies 23 birds of prey that call the state home. Raptors account for fewer than 10% of the bird population in Georgia, but because the state is home to both nocturnal and diurnal species, you can observe Mississippi kites circling during the day and hear the call of the great horned owl at night. The majority of raptors do not migrate and can be seen all year.

Hawks, eagles, kites, harriers, and Old-World vultures are all members of the Accipitridae family of birds of prey. In Georgia, thirteen species of this family have been confirmed, while another is classified as tentative.

Eagles in Georgia

Perhaps Georgia’s most famous eagles reside in Rome at Berry College, which is home to a bald eagle family. Bald eagles frequently nested near Georgia’s coast and in the Okefenokee Swamp in the early twentieth century.

They nested in other parts of the state on occasion, most likely in large river swamps and depressional pond and wetland systems on the Coastal Plain.

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 Georgia

Georgia is a lovely tourist destination, owing to its stunning scenery. The true eye delight in this southern paradise is the owls.

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. In Georgia, eight owl species have been identified.

Learn more about these birds in the section below.

Tyto Alba – Barn Owl

Bubo Virginianus – Great Horned Owl

Megascops Asio – Eastern Screech – Owl

Strix Varia – Barred Owl

Woodpeckers in Georgia

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

While the majority of woodpeckers remain year-round in Georgia, some “snowbirds” migrate north in the spring to take advantage of the state’s relatively mild winters. Woodpeckers are found in a wide variety of environments. If you do not see these birds, their steady rhythmic pecking of wood will alert you to their presence.

In the section below, learn more about these birds.

Colaptes Auratus – Northern Flicker

Dryocopus Pileatus – Pileated Woodpecker

Melanerpes Erythrocephalus – Red-Headed Woodpecker

Dryobates Villosus – Hairy Woodpecker

Dryobates Pubescens – Downy Woodpecker

Backyard birds of Georgia

Putting up bird feeders and watching what comes to visit is a lot of fun, but it’s much better if you know who they are and can identify birds in your backyard. Now you may learn about the most popular birds that visit feeders and jump across your yard in Georgia.

Therefore, if you’re interested in doing some backyard birding, continue reading to learn how to recognize birds in Georgia and how to attract more birds to your yard.

Hummingbirds in Georgia

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 Georgia, thirteen hummingbird species have been identified.

Throughout the year, Georgia is home to 11 hummingbird species: ruby-throated, black-chinned, rufous, calliope, magnificent, Allen’s, Anna’s, broad-billed, green violet-ear, Green-breasted mango, and broad-tailed.

Are you interested in learning about additional hummingbirds found in Georgia? Let us begin!

Archilochus Colubris – Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Selasphorus Rufus – Rufous Hummingbird

Mockingbirds in Georgia

Mimidae, or mimic thrushes, is a passerine bird family comprised of thrashers, mockingbirds, tremblers, and the New World catbird. They are well-known for their vocalization, particularly for their exceptional ability to imitate a broad variety of birds and other outside sounds. In Georgia, four species of mimic thrush have been identified.

A northern mockingbird is a species of mockingbird that is widespread throughout North America. Although this bird is primarily a permanent resident, northern birds may migrate south during periods of severe weather. Northern mockingbirds are noted for their intelligence.

Would you like to learn more about other mockingbirds found in Georgia? Let us begin!

Mimus Polyglottos – Northern Mockingbird

Toxostoma crissale - Crissal thrasher photo capture in surprise

Toxostoma Rufum – Brown Thrasher

Dumetella Carolinensis – Gray Catbird

Best Birdwatching Spots in Georgia

Georgia is endowed with numerous fantastic locations to observe a variety of birds. It has a number of great and diverse birdwatching locations. Each year, Georgia Audubon organizes birding field trips to a variety of these locales, with an emphasis on spring and fall migrations. Each location symbolizes a distinct habitat that is home to a range of resident and migratory animals.

The following are the top five birding locations in Georgia.

Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge. …
Jekyll Island. …
Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge. …
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. …
E. L. Huie Land Application Facility and Newman Wetlands Center

Other Georgia birds

Georgia is a fantastic state with numerous attractive outdoor spots that are popular with the inhabitants. Along with fantastic sightseeing opportunities, Georgia’s natural side is home to a variety of flora and creatures, such as birds, that dwell there both seasonally and year-round.

Cardellina Pusilla – Wilson’s 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 Fusca – Blackburnian 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 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

Vermivora Chrysoptera – Golden-Winged Warbler

Parkesia Noveboracensis – Northern Waterthrush

Oxyura Jamaicensis – Ruddy Duck

Helmitheros Vermivorum – Worm-Eating Warbler

Mergus Serrator – Red-Breasted Merganser

Mergus Merganser – Common Merganser

Lophodytes Cucullatus – Hooded Merganser

Bucephala Clangula – Common Goldeneye

Melanitta Americana – Black Scoter

Melanitta Deglandi – White-Winged Scoter

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 Cyanoptera – Cinnamon Teal

Spatula Discors – Blue-Winged Teal

Aix Sponsa – Wood Duck

Branta Canadensis – Canada Geese

Branta Hutchinsii – Cackling Goose

Anser Rossii – Ross’s Geese

Anser Caerulescens – Snow Geese

Dendrocygna Bicolor – Fulvous Whistling-Duck

Dendrocygna Autumnalis – Black-Bellied Whistling Duck

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 Alpina – Dunlin

Calidris Alba – Sanderling

Arenaria Interpres – Ruddy Turnstone

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

Larus Marinus – Great Black-Backed Gull

Larus Fuscus – Lesser Black-Backed Gull

Larus Glaucoides – Iceland Gull

Larus Argentatus – Herring Gull

Larus Delawarensis – Ring-Billed Gulls

Leucophaeus Atricilla – Laughing Gull

Hydrocoloeus Minutus – Little Gull

Chroicocephalus Philadelphia – Bonaparte’s Gull

Pyrocephalus Obscurus – Vermilion Flycatcher

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 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

Coturnicops Noveboracensis – Yellow Rail

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 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

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 Grisegena – Red-Necked Grebe

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

Recurvirostra Americana – American Avocet

Himantopus Mexicanus – Black-Necked Stilt

Anhinga Anhinga – Anhinga

Nannopterum Auritum – Double-crested Cormorant

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

Lanius Ludovicianus – Loggerhead Shrike

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

Selasphorus Rufus – Rufous Hummingbird

Buteo Jamaicensis – Red-Tailed Hawk

Bubo Virginianus – Great Horned Owl

Megascops Asio – Eastern Screech – Owl

Strix Varia – Barred Owl

Colaptes Auratus – Northern Flicker

Dryocopus Pileatus – Pileated Woodpecker

Melanerpes Erythrocephalus – Red-Headed Woodpecker

Dryobates Villosus – Hairy Woodpecker

Dryobates Pubescens – Downy Woodpecker

Passerculus Sandwichensis – Savannah Sparrow

Zonotrichia Leucophrys – White-Crowned Sparrow

Spizella Passerine – Chipping 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 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

Cardinalis Cardinalis – Northern Cardinal

Piranga Bidentata – Flame-Colored Tanager

Piranga Olivacea – Scarlet Tanager

Piranga Rubra – Summer Tanager

If you have encountered a bird in Georgia 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.