New Jersey is home to a broad array of bird species. According to the New Jersey Bird Records Committee, the state frequently sees approximately 475 species that have established self-sustaining populations in the wild. This figure also includes imported species. The variety of birds found in New Jersey is roughly equal to the number of birds that have established successful populations in the state.
The American Goldfinch is New Jersey’s state bird. During the winter, the goldfinch is a real snowbird, migrating from the north to the south.
Spring delivers some of the most vibrant birds in the continent, as New Jersey is located in the path of several migratory birds. As such, New Jersey is ideal for bird watching, particularly in the spring. Birds often have considerably brighter colored feathers and are much more visible in the spring, as they attempt to obtain a partner for the next year.
New Jersey birds of prey
As autumn approaches, locals and visitors to the Northwest New Jersey Skylands congregate to observe raptor migrations via the thermals formed by the world’s oldest mountain range, the Appalachian Mountains.
Raptors are predatory birds. They are large birds that attract attention. Bald eagles, golden eagles, red tail hawks, red shoulder hawks, broad wing hawks, rough-legged hawks, northern goshawks, cooper’s hawks, sharp-shinned hawks, northern harrier or marsh hawks, ospreys, American kestrels, merlin, peregrine falcons, turkey vultures, and black vultures are some of
Discover more about these raptors in the section below.
Eagles in New Jersey
In New Jersey, the bald eagle is a remarkable example of recovery. When the Endangered and Nongame Species Conservation Act was created in 1973, there was just one nesting pair in Cumberland County’s remote woodland.
Today, the state is home to around 220 nesting pairs of eagles. Although the majority of eagles are found in the Delaware Bay counties of Cumberland and Salem, they are now present in all 21 counties. Additionally, the wintering eagle population near the Delaware River has expanded significantly.
They are, however, nonetheless listed as a state endangered species because of their susceptibility to environmental toxins, habitat degradation, and human disturbance. The task for biologists and citizens today is to conserve the eagles’ habitats and rivers in order to sustain and enhance the species’ comeback.
Additional eagles found in the state are detailed in the section below.
Owls in New Jersey
Winter is the best time of year to detect and listen for owls, those enigmatic and beautiful birds that are rarely seen up close in broad daylight. Owls are remarkable because of their enormous spherical eyes with outstanding night vision, their 270-degree swivel necks, and their feathers designed for silent flying.
The Great Horned, Barn, Northern Saw-whet, Barred, and Eastern Screech Owls all winter in northern New Jersey. Three species migrate from their nesting sites in colder climates: the Snowy Owl, the Long-eared and Short-eared Owls. All hunt at night or between twilight and dawn, use their superior hearing and a satellite-style faceplate to locate their prey, which is frequently subterranean. The great horned owl, sometimes known as the hoot owl, is the state’s largest and most well-known owl.
In the section below, learn more about these owls.
Common backyard birds of New Jersey
It’s a lot of fun to put up bird feeders and watch what comes to visit, but it’s even more fun when you know who they are. Now you can learn about the most common birds that visit feeders or hop across your lawn in New Jersey.
This section discusses and lists the most common birds found in your backyard. Therefore, if you’re ready to go backyard birding in New Jersey, continue reading to learn how to recognize birds and attract additional birds to your yard.
Woodpeckers in New Jersey
While birdwatching in the woods and woodland is the greatest way to see Woodpeckers in New Jersey, some species, like as Red-bellied and Downy, are more frequently seen at backyard feeders.
Pileated Woodpeckers are the largest woodpeckers in New Jersey, while Downy Woodpeckers are the smallest.
Red-headed woodpeckers might be regarded as the New Jersey woodpeckers’ rock stars. They are classified as threatened in New Jersey and have even received a special Wildlife Conservation license plate.
Learn more about these birds by reading on.
Best Birdwatching Spots in New Jersey
During the migratory months, the majority of New Jersey is home to a diverse array of extremely colorful birds that pass through the state on their way to warmer climates to rest and nest. Birds are much more concerned with obtaining a mate than with avoiding predators during their migration, which makes it much easier to locate otherwise difficult-to-see birds. Simply bring your binoculars!
- Garret Mountain, Woodland Park
- Sandy Hook
- Brigantine
- The Meadowlands
- The Raptor Trust
Other New Jersey birds
With 470 different bird species found in New Jersey alone, we’re confident you’ll see something to make the trip worthwhile. You may even encounter some of the birds mentioned on a tour or while simply walking around. All we ask is that you bring a notebook and binoculars!
