Birds in New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, over 190 bird species breed. Birds of New Hampshire comprise species documented in the U.S. state of New Hampshire and accepted by the New Hampshire Rare Birds Committee (NHRBC) and New Hampshire Audubon (NHA) (NHA).

As of February 2019, there were 420 species on the list. 131 are currently under study, and six have been introduced into North America. Three species are extinct, while three others have been extirpated.

New Hampshire is known as the ‘Granite State’ for its White Mountain region, Eastern New England Uplands, and Appalachian Highlands. These three principal zones comprise a mosaic of picturesque habitats that attract a variety of birds, some of which dwell!

Additionally, the purple finch is selected as the official state bird of New Hampshire.

New Hampshire birds of prey

In New Hampshire, 15 species of birds of prey can be observed. Some are year-round residents, while others are seasonal guests or travelers who pass through during the spring and fall migration seasons. Some are uncommon visitors who appear every 3-5 years. They range in length from 9 to 33 inches and have wingspans of 20 to 72 inches. They are distributed across the state.

Hawks, falcons, raptors, and birds of prey are all colloquial phrases. They are all classified as Falconiformes and have a small, highly hooked beaks and sharp, curved talons (claws).

Continue reading to learn more about these raptors.

Eagles in New Hampshire

Initially, the eagles behaved as if they were pregnant, and biologists presumed the nest contained one or more babies. The eagles’ behavior then abruptly changed, and it became evident that the chick(s) had perished. Biologists worked fast to locate a captive-raised chick to place in the nest. It is not uncommon to place a foster chick in a nest that already has a chick.

Bald eagles are very uncommon in New Hampshire. In 2006, the state had a total of 12 active nesting locations (New Hampshire Audubon). The bald eagle was first listed as an endangered species on the New Hampshire vulnerable and endangered species list in 1979. At the time, the state of New Hampshire had been without eagle nesting 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 New Hampshire

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 New Hampshire, eleven different species of owls can be sighted. Some breed here, while others visit throughout the winter or for a brief period.

They may adopt a variety of various techniques for hunting, diet, habitat utilization, and nesting, depending on the species. Despite their diversity, owls share some distinctive characteristics that aid in their survival.

As is the case with many predators, owls play a critical predator role in forest and field environments, and there is a range of things humans can do to ensure their safety and integration into local animal communities.

Tyto Alba – Barn Owl

Bubo Virginianus – Great Horned Owl

Megascops Asio – Eastern Screech – Owl

Strix Varia – Barred Owl

Common backyard birds of New Hampshire

New Hampshire’s granite state is home to numerous wild bird species. In this section, we’ll look at some of the most common birds found in New Hampshire, with an emphasis on those found close to home. While some of these species spend the entire year in New Hampshire, others are migratory and only visit on a seasonal basis.

Spinus Tristis – American Goldfinch

The American goldfinch (Spinus tristis) is a small finch found in North America. It is migratory, spending the breeding season ...

Spinus Pinus – Pine Siskin

The pine siskin, Spinus pinus is a finch-family bird found in North America. It is a migratory bird with a ...

Acanthis Flammea – Common Redpoll

The common redpoll, also known as the mealy redpoll, Acanthis flammea, is a finch species. It breeds slightly further south ...

Haemorhous Purpureus – Purple Finch

The purple finch, Haemorhous purpureus is a Fringillidae finch. The three North American rosefinches are not closely related to the ...

Haemorhous Mexicanus – House Finch

The house finch, Haemorhous mexicanus is a finch species belonging to the Fringillidae family. It is indigenous to western North ...

Pinicola Enucleator – Pine Grosbeak

The pine grosbeak, Pinicola enucleator is a large member of the true finch family, Fringillidae. Its scientific name translates roughly ...

Coccothraustes Vespertinus – Evening Grosbeak

The evening grosbeak, Hesperiphona vespertina is a North American passerine bird of the finch family Fringillidae. Evening Grosbeaks are stocky, ...

Zenaida Macroura – Mourning Dove

The mourning dove, Zenaida macroura is a Columbidae bird. The bird is also known as the American mourning dove, the ...

Streptopelia Decaocto – Eurasian Collared-Dove

The Eurasian collared dove, Streptopelia decaocto is a dove species indigenous to Europe and Asia that has been imported to ...

Columba Livia – Rock Pigeon

The rock dove, sometimes known as the common pigeon, is a Columbidae bird (doves and pigeons). It is commonly known ...

Baeolophus Bicolor – Tufted Titmouse

Known as the tufted titmouse, Baeolophus bicolor, it is a tiny songbird native to North America and a member of ...

Poecile Atricapillus – Black-Capped Chickadee

Poecile atricapillus, known to be a black-capped chickadee, is a nonmigratory songbird of North America. It is a tit Paridae ...

Woodpeckers in New Hampshire

New Hampshire is the second most forested state in the United States, with about 4.8 million acres of forest area. We definitely love seeing its mesmerizing vistas of fall foliage, especially around the Great North Woods.

While admiring these trees, you’re certain to observe one or two woodpeckers tapping at the bark in search of insects. While it is possible to simply see such magnificent activity, it will be much more enjoyable if you can identify the species in front of you. The popularity of woodpeckers is partly due to their preference for dwelling in and around residential areas. As a result, they make excellent photographic subjects.

Additional images of these species are included in the section below.

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

Best Birdwatching Spots in New Hampshire

New Hampshire’s vast forest provides ideal circumstances for woodland bird observation. Additionally, New Hampshire is home to hundreds of distinct bird species. Bird watchers from all over the country make their way to New Hampshire to experience some of the best birding in North America.

Odiorne Point State Park
Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Hampton Beach State Park
Mount Washington
Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge

Other New Hampshire birds

You’ll come across deep emerald forest blankets, hills, mountain peaks, and valleys. As a result, New Hampshire has a diversified and rich ecology that is teeming with flora and animals and abundant in birds.

Additional birds found in New Hampshire are listed below.

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

Mniotilta Varia – Black-And-White Warbler

Vermivora Chrysoptera – Golden-Winged 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

Cygnus Buccinator – Trumpeter 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

Bartramia Longicauda – Upland Sandpipers

Sterna Forsteri – Forster’s Tern

Sterna Hirundo – Common Tern

Chlidonias Niger – Black Tern

Hydroprogne Caspia – Caspian 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

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 Tyrannus – Eastern Kingbird

Myiarchus Crinitus – Great Crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus Cinerascens – Ash-Throated Flycatcher

Spinus Tristis – American Goldfinch

Spinus Pinus – Pine Siskin

Acanthis Flammea – Common Redpoll

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 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

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

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

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

If you have encountered a bird in New Hampshire 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.