List of birds of Massachusetts facts for kids

This list tells you about all the different kinds of birds that have been seen and officially recorded in the state of Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Avian Records Committee (MARC) keeps track of these birds. As of July 2023, there are 516 bird species on the official list!

Some of these birds are on a special "review list" (194 of them). This means if someone sees them, they need to provide extra proof because these birds are usually rare or don't visit Massachusetts often. Six species were brought to North America by people, three are completely extinct (meaning they no longer exist anywhere), and one is extirpated (meaning it's gone from Massachusetts but still lives in other places). There are also seven more species on a special list because we're not sure if they came to Massachusetts naturally or if they escaped from captivity.

This list follows the order used by the American Ornithological Society (AOS), which is like the official rulebook for bird names.

Here are some special codes you'll see next to the bird names:

• (n) Nesting - This bird has been seen building nests and raising young in Massachusetts.
• (xn) Extralimital nester - This bird has nested in Massachusetts, but only once or twice.
• (I) Introduced - This bird was brought to North America by humans, not by nature.
• (E) Extinct - This bird no longer exists anywhere in the world.
• (Ex) Extirpated - This bird no longer lives in Massachusetts, but it still exists in other places.
• (R) Review list - These birds are rare or unusual in Massachusetts, so if you see one, you need to provide extra details.

Note: Birds marked with (*) are not identified to a specific species, but they are unique enough to be listed separately.

Ducks, geese, and waterfowl

This family includes ducks, geese, and swans. These birds are great at living in water! They have webbed feet for swimming and special oily feathers that shed water easily. Forty-eight different kinds of these birds have been seen in Massachusetts.

New World quail

These are small, plump birds that live on the ground. They are not closely related to the quails found in other parts of the world. Only one species has been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Northern bobwhite, Colinus virginianus (n)

Pheasants, grouse, and allies

This group includes pheasants and turkeys. They are ground-dwelling birds, usually plump with broad, short wings. Many are hunted for food. Turkeys are very large birds, almost 6 feet wide with their wings spread! Grouse live in cooler areas and are also game birds. Males often have fancy displays to attract females. Five species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavo (n)
• Ruffed grouse, Bonasa umbellus (n)
• Willow ptarmigan, Lagopus lagopus (R)
• Greater prairie-chicken, Tympanuchus cupido (R) (Ex)
  • Heath hen, T. c. cupido (E)
• Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (I) (n)

Grebes

Grebes are small to medium-sized diving birds that live in freshwater. They have special lobed toes that help them swim and dive really well. However, their feet are set far back on their bodies, which makes them clumsy on land. Five species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps (n)
• Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus
• Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena
• Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis (R)
• Western grebe, Aechmorphorus occidentalis (R)

Pigeons and doves

Pigeons and doves are birds with sturdy bodies, short necks, and thin bills. Eight species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I) (n)
• Band-tailed pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata (R)
• European turtle-dove, Streptopelia turtur (R)
• Eurasian collared-dove, Streptopelia decaocto (R) (I)
• Passenger pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius (R) (E)
• Common ground dove, Columbina passerina (R)
• White-winged dove, Zenaida asiatica (R)
• Mourning dove, Zenaida macrousa (n)

Cuckoos

This family includes cuckoos and roadrunners. These birds have different sizes, but they all have slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs. Three species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus (R)
• Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus (n)
• Black-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus (n)

Nightjars and allies

Nightjars are medium-sized birds that are active at night. They usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very short bills. Their soft feathers are colored to help them blend in with bark or leaves. Three species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor (n)
• Chuck-will's-widow, Antrostomus carolinensis
• Eastern whip-poor-will, Antrostomus vociferus (n)

Swifts

Swifts are small birds that spend most of their lives flying. They have very short legs and almost never land on the ground. Many swifts have long, swept-back wings that look like a crescent moon. Two species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica (n)
• Apus species, Apus sp. (*) (R)

Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are tiny birds famous for hovering in the air by flapping their wings super fast. They are the only birds that can fly backward! Six species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris (n)
• Black-chinned hummingbird, Archilochus alexandri (R)
• Calliope hummingbird, Selasphorus calliope (R)
• Rufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus (R)
• Allen's hummingbird, Selasphorus sasin (R)
• Broad-billed hummingbird, Cynanthus latirostris (R)

Rails, gallinules, and coots

This is a large family of small to medium-sized birds like rails and coots. They usually live in thick plants near lakes, swamps, or rivers. They are often shy and hard to spot. Most have strong legs and long toes, which are great for walking on soft ground. Nine species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Yellow rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis (R)
• Black rail, Laterallus jamaicensis (R)
• Clapper rail, Rallus crepitans (n)
• King rail, Rallus elegans (n)
• Virginia rail, Rallus limicola (n)
• Sora, Porzana carolina (n)
• Purple gallinule, Porphyrio martinicus (R)
• Common gallinule, Gallinula galeata (n)
• American coot, Fulica americana (n)

Cranes

Cranes are large birds with long legs and long necks. Unlike herons, which look similar, cranes fly with their necks stretched out. Most cranes have fancy and loud dances they do to find a mate. One species has been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Sandhill crane, Antigone canadensis (xn)

Stilts and avocets

This family includes avocets and stilts. They are large wading birds. Avocets have long legs and bills that curve upwards. Stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. Two species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Black-necked stilt, Himantopus mexicanus (R)
• American avocet, Recurvirostra americana

Oystercatchers

Oystercatchers are large, noticeable, and noisy birds. They have strong bills that they use to smash or pry open shellfish. One species has been recorded in Massachusetts.

• American oystercatcher, Haematopus palliatus (n)

Plovers and lapwings

This family includes plovers. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short thick necks, and long, pointed wings. They live in open areas all over the world, often near water. Eleven species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Northern lapwing, Vanellus vanellus (R)
• Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola
• American golden-plover, Pluvialis dominica
• European golden-plover, Pluvialis apricaria (R)
• Pacific golden-plover, Pluvialis fulva (R)
• Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus (n)
• Common ringed plover, Charadrius hiaticula (R)
• Semipalmated plover, Charadrius semipalmatus
• Piping plover, Charadrius melodus (n)
• Lesser sand-plover, Charadrius mongolus (R)
• Wilson's plover, Charadrius wilsonia (R)
• Snowy plover, Charadrius nivosus (R)
• Mountain plover, Charadrius montanus (R)

Sandpipers and allies

This is a large and varied family of small to medium-sized shorebirds. It includes sandpipers, curlews, and snipes. Most of these birds eat small bugs they find in mud or soil. Different lengths of legs and bills allow many species to feed in the same places without competing for food. Forty-five species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

Skuas and jaegers

These are medium to large birds, usually gray or brown, with white spots on their wings. They have long bills with hooked tips and webbed feet. They look like large, dark gulls but are strong, acrobatic fliers. Five species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Great skua, Stercorarius skua (R)
• South polar skua, Stercorarius maccormicki (R)
• Pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus
• Parasitic jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus
• Long-tailed jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus

Auks, murres, and puffins

Auks look a bit like penguins because they are black and white and stand upright. However, unlike penguins, auks can fly! They live on the open sea and only come to land to nest. Nine species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Dovekie, Alle alle
• Common murre, Uria aalge
• Thick-billed murre, Uria lomvia
• Razorbill, Alca torda
• Great auk, Pinguinus impennis (R) (E)
• Black guillemot, Cepphus grylle
• Long-billed murrelet, Brachyramphus perdix (R)
• Ancient murrelet, Synthliboramphus antiquus (R)
• Atlantic puffin, Fratercula arctica

Gulls, terns, and skimmers

This family includes gulls and terns. They are medium to large seabirds, usually gray or white, often with black markings on their heads or wings. They have strong, long bills and webbed feet. Thirty-five species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

Tropicbirds

Tropicbirds are thin white birds that live in tropical oceans. They have very long central tail feathers. Their long wings and heads have black markings. Two species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• White-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon lepturus (R)
• Red-billed tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus (R)

Loons

Loons are water birds, about the size of a large duck. They are mostly gray or black and have spear-shaped bills. Loons swim and fly well, but they are very clumsy on land because their legs are at the back of their bodies. Four species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Red-throated loon, Gavia stellata
• Pacific loon, Gavia pacifica (R)
• Common loon, Gavia immer (n)
• Yellow-billed loon, Gavia adamsii (R)

Albatrosses

Albatrosses are among the largest flying birds. Some types, like the great albatrosses, have the biggest wingspans of any living bird! Two species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Yellow-nosed albatross, Thalassarche chlororhynchos (R)
• Black-browed albatross, Thalassarche melanophris (R)

Southern storm-petrels

Storm-petrels are the smallest seabirds. They are related to petrels and eat tiny sea creatures and small fish from the water's surface, often while hovering. Two species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Wilson's storm-petrel, Oceanites oceanicus
• White-faced storm-petrel, Pelagodroma marina

Northern storm-petrels

These storm-petrels look and act a lot like the southern storm-petrels. However, scientists have found enough genetic differences to put them in their own separate family. Two species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Leach's storm-petrel, Hydrobates leucorhous (n)
• Band-rumped storm-petrel, Hydrobates castro

Shearwaters and petrels

This group includes medium-sized "true petrels." They have nostrils that are joined together and a long outer primary feather (a main flight feather). Eleven species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Northern fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis
• Trindade petrel, Pterodroma arminjoniana (R)
• Bermuda petrel, Pterodroma cahow (R)
• Black-capped petrel, Pterodroma hasitata (R)
• Fea's petrel, Pterodroma feae (R)
• Cory's shearwater, Calonectris diomedea
• Cape Verde shearwater, Calonectris edwardsii (R)
• Sooty shearwater, Ardenna griseus
• Great shearwater, Ardenna gravis
• Manx shearwater, Puffinus puffinus (xn)
• Audubon's shearwater, Puffinus lherminieri
• Barolo shearwater, Puffinus baroli (R)

Storks

Storks are large, heavy wading birds with long legs, long necks, and strong bills. They don't have a voice box, so they are silent. One species has been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Wood stork, Mycteria americana (R)

Frigatebirds

Frigatebirds are large seabirds found in tropical oceans. They are mostly black, with long wings and deeply forked tails. Male frigatebirds have colorful throat pouches that they can inflate. They are amazing fliers and can stay in the air for more than a week! One species has been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Magnificent frigatebird, Fregata magnificens (R)

Boobies and gannets

This family includes gannets and boobies. Both are medium-large coastal seabirds that dive headfirst into the water to catch fish. Four species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Masked booby, Sula dactylatra (R)
• Brown booby, Sula leucogaster (R)
• Red-footed booby, Sula sula (R)
• Northern gannet, Morus bassanus

Anhingas

Anhingas are water birds that look like cormorants, but they have very long necks and straight beaks. They eat fish and often swim with only their neck above the water. One species has been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Anhinga, Anhinga anhinga (R)

Cormorants and shags

Cormorants are medium to large water birds, usually with dark feathers and colored skin on their faces. They have long, thin, hooked bills. Their feet have four webbed toes. Two species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo (n)
• Double-crested cormorant, Nannopterum auritum (n)

Pelicans

Pelicans are very large water birds with a special pouch under their beak. Like other birds in their group, they have four webbed toes. Two species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• American white pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos (R)
• Brown pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis (R)

Herons, egrets, and bitterns

This family includes herons, egrets, and bitterns. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns are usually shorter-necked and more secretive. These birds fly with their necks pulled back. Fifteen species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• American bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus (n)
• Least bittern, Ixobrychus exilis (n)
• Great blue heron, Ardea herodias (n)
• Gray heron, Ardea cinerea (R)
• Great egret, Ardea alba (n)
• Little egret, Egretta garzetta (R)
• Western reef-heron, Egretta gularis (R)
• Snowy egret, Egretta thula (n)
• Little blue heron, Egretta caerulea (n)
• Tricolored heron, Egretta tricolor (n)
• Reddish egret, Egretta rufescens (R)
• Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis (n)
• Green heron, Butorides virescens (n)
• Black-crowned night-heron, Nycticorax nycticorax (n)
• Yellow-crowned night-heron, Nyctanassa violacea (n)

Ibises and spoonbills

This family includes ibises and spoonbills. They have long, wide wings and long legs. Ibises have bills that curve downwards, while spoonbills have straight, flat bills that look like spoons. Four species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• White ibis, Eudocimus albus (R)
• Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus (n)
• White-faced ibis, Plegadis chihi (R)
• Roseate spoonbill, Platalea ajaja (R)

New World vultures

New World vultures are scavengers, meaning they eat dead animals. Unlike vultures in other parts of the world, these vultures have a good sense of smell to find food. Two species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Black vulture, Coragyps atratus (n)
• Turkey vulture, Cathartes aura (n)

Osprey

Ospreys are fish-eating birds of prey. They have large, strong, hooked beaks for tearing meat, powerful legs, sharp talons, and excellent eyesight. There is only one species in this family.

• Osprey, Pandion haliaetus (n)

Hawks, eagles, and kites

This family includes hawks, eagles, and kites. These birds of prey have very large, strong, hooked beaks for tearing meat, powerful legs, sharp talons, and keen eyesight. Fifteen species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• White-tailed kite, Elanus leucurus (R)
• Swallow-tailed kite, Elanoides forficatus (R)
• Golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos
• Northern harrier, Circus hudsonius (n)
• Sharp-shinned hawk, Accipiter striatus (n)
• Cooper's hawk, Accipiter cooperii (n)
• American goshawk, Accipiter atricapillus (n)
• Bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus (n)
• Steller's sea-eagle, Haliaeetus pelagicus (R)
• Mississippi kite, Ictinia mississippiensis (R)
• Red-shouldered hawk, Buteo lineatus (n)
• Broad-winged hawk, Buteo platypterus (n)
• Swainson's hawk, Buteo swainsoni (R)
• Zone-tailed hawk, Buteo albonotatus (R)
• Red-tailed hawk, Buteo jamaicensis (n)
• Rough-legged hawk, Buteo lagopus

Barn-owls

Barn-owls are medium to large owls with big heads and unique heart-shaped faces. They have long, strong legs with powerful talons. One species has been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Barn owl, Tyto alba (n)

Owls

Typical owls are solitary birds of prey that are active at night. They have large eyes that face forward, good hearing, a hawk-like beak, and a circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk. Eleven species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Eastern screech-owl, Megascops asio (n)
• Great horned owl, Bubo virginianus (n)
• Snowy owl, Bubo scandiacus
• Northern hawk owl, Surnia ulula (R)
• Burrowing owl, Athene cunicularia (R)
• Barred owl, Strix varia (n)
• Great gray owl, Strix nebulosa (R)
• Long-eared owl, Asio otus (n)
• Short-eared owl, Asio flammeus (n)
• Boreal owl, Aegolius funereus (R)
• Northern saw-whet owl, Aegolius acadicus (n)

Kingfishers

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. One species has been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Belted kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon (n)

Woodpeckers

Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails, and long tongues for catching insects. Many woodpeckers tap loudly on tree trunks with their beaks. Ten species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Lewis's woodpecker, Melanerpes lewis (R)
• Red-headed woodpecker, Melanerpes erythrocephalus (n)
• Red-bellied woodpecker, Melanerpes carolinus (n)
• Yellow-bellied sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius (n)
• American three-toed woodpecker, Picoides dorsalis (R)
• Black-backed woodpecker, Picoides arcticus (R)
• Downy woodpecker, Dryobates pubescens (n)
• Hairy woodpecker, Dryobates villosus (n)
• Northern flicker, Colaptes auratus (n)
• Pileated woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus (n)

Falcons and caracaras

This family includes falcons. They are different from hawks and eagles because they kill their prey with their beaks, not their talons. Eight species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Crested caracara, Caracara plancus (R)
• Eurasian kestrel, Falco tinnunculus (R)
• American kestrel, Falco sparverius (n)
• Red-footed falcon, Falco vespertinus (R)
• Merlin, Falco columbarius (n)
• Eurasian hobby, Falco subbuteo (R)
• Gyrfalcon, Falco rusticolus (R)
• Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus (n)

Tyrant flycatchers

Tyrant flycatchers are songbirds found throughout North and South America. They look a bit like flycatchers from other parts of the world, but they are stronger and have stronger bills. Most of them are insect-eaters. Twenty-four species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

Vireos, shrike-babblers, and erpornis

Vireos are small to medium-sized songbirds. They are usually greenish and look a bit like wood warblers, but they have heavier bills. Nine species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• White-eyed vireo, Vireo griseus (n)
• Bell's vireo, Vireo bellii (R)
• Yellow-throated vireo, Vireo flavifrons (n)
• Blue-headed vireo, Vireo solitarius (n)
• Philadelphia vireo, Vireo philadelphicus
• Warbling vireo, Vireo gilvus (n)
• Red-eyed vireo, Vireo olivaceus (n)
• Yellow-green vireo, Vireo flavoviridis (R)
• Black-whiskered vireo, Vireo altiloquus (R)

Shrikes

Shrikes are songbirds known for catching other birds and small animals. They sometimes impale their prey on thorns! A shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey. Two species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Loggerhead shrike, Lanius ludovicianus (Ex) (R)
• Northern shrike, Lanius borealis

Crows, jays, and magpies

This family includes crows, ravens, and jays. These birds are larger than average songbirds, and some of the bigger ones are very smart. Six species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Canada jay, Perisoreus canadensis (R)
• Blue jay, Cyanocitta cristata (n)
• Eurasian jackdaw, Corvus monedula (R)
• American crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos (n)
• Fish crow, Corvus ossifragus (n)
• Common raven, Corvus corax (n)

Tits, chickadees, and titmice

These are mostly small, sturdy woodland birds with short, strong bills. They can adapt to different environments and eat a mix of seeds and insects. Three species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Black-capped chickadee, Poecile atricapilla (n)
• Boreal chickadee, Poecile hudsonica (R)
• Tufted titmouse, Baeolophus bicolor (n)

Larks

Larks are small ground birds often known for their amazing songs and display flights. Most larks look quite plain. They eat insects and seeds. One species has been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Horned lark, Eremophila alpestris (n)

Swallows

Swallows are birds that are built for flying and catching food in the air. They have slender bodies, long pointed wings, and short bills with wide mouths. Their feet are better for perching than walking. Nine species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Bank swallow, Riparia riparia (n)
• Tree swallow, Tachycineta bicolor (n)
• Violet-green swallow, Tachycineta thalassina (R)
• Northern rough-winged swallow, Stelgidopteryx serripennis (n)
• Brown-chested martin, Progne tapera (R)
• Purple martin, Progne subis (n)
• Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica (n)
• Cliff swallow, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota (n)
• Cave swallow, Petrochelidon fulva (R)

Kinglets

Kinglets are a small family of birds that look a bit like titmice. They are very tiny birds that eat insects. Adult kinglets have colorful crowns, which is how they got their name. Two species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Ruby-crowned kinglet, Corthylio calendula (n)
• Golden-crowned kinglet, Regulus satrapa (n)

Waxwings

Waxwings are songbirds with soft, silky feathers and unique red tips on some of their wing feathers that look like sealing wax. They live in northern forests and eat insects in summer and berries in winter. Two species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Bohemian waxwing, Bombycilla garrulus
• Cedar waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum (n)

Silky-flycatchers

Silky-flycatchers are a small family of songbirds mostly found in Central America. They are related to waxwings and also have soft, silky feathers, usually gray or pale yellow. One species has been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Phainopepla, Phainopepla nitens (R)

Nuthatches

Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They have a special ability to climb down trees headfirst, which most other birds can't do. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails, and strong bills and feet. Two species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Red-breasted nuthatch, Sitta canadensis (n)
• White-breasted nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis (n)

Treecreepers

Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown on top and white underneath. They have thin, pointed, downward-curving bills that they use to pull insects out of tree bark. They also have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which help them hold onto tree trunks. One species has been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Brown creeper, Certhia americana (n)

Gnatcatchers

These delicate birds look and act like Old World warblers, constantly moving through leaves to find insects. Gnatcatchers are mostly soft bluish-gray and have the typical long, sharp bill of an insect-eater. One species has been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Blue-gray gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea (n)

Wrens

Wrens are small and often hard to see, but they have very loud songs! They have short wings and a thin, downturned bill. Many species hold their tails straight up. All wrens eat insects. Seven species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Rock wren, Salpinctes obsoletus (R)
• House wren, Troglodytes aedon (n)
• Winter wren, Troglodytes hiemalis (n)
• Sedge wren, Cistothorus platensis (n)
• Marsh wren, Cistothorus palustris (n)
• Carolina wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus (n)
• Bewick's wren, Thryomanes bewickii (R)

Mockingbirds and thrashers

This family includes thrashers and mockingbirds. These birds are famous for their amazing singing, especially their ability to copy the sounds of many other birds and outdoor noises. They usually have dull gray and brown feathers. Four species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Gray catbird, Dumetella carolinensis (n)
• Brown thrasher, Toxostoma rufum (n)
• Sage thrasher, Oreoscoptes montanus (R)
• Northern mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos (n)

Starlings

Starlings are small to medium-sized songbirds with strong feet. They fly strongly and directly, and most live in large groups. They prefer open areas and eat insects and fruit. Many species have dark, shiny feathers. One species has been recorded in Massachusetts.

• European starling, Sturnus vulgaris (I) (n)

Thrushes and allies

Thrushes are a group of songbirds that are plump with soft feathers. They are small to medium-sized birds that eat insects or sometimes everything (omnivores), often finding food on the ground. Many have beautiful songs. Twelve species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Eastern bluebird, Sialia sialis (n)
• Mountain bluebird, Sialia currucoides (R)
• Townsend's solitaire, Myadestes townsendi (R)
• Veery, Catharus fuscescens (n)
• Gray-cheeked thrush, Catharus minimus
• Bicknell's thrush, Catharus bicknelli (xn) (R) (Ex?)
• Swainson's thrush, Catharus ustulatus (n)
• Hermit thrush, Catharus guttatus (n)
• Wood thrush, Hylocichla mustelina (n)
• Fieldfare, Turdus pilaris (R)
• American robin, Turdus migratorius (n)
• Varied thrush, Ixoreus naevius (R)

Old World flycatchers

Old World flycatchers are a large family of small songbirds. These are mostly small birds that live in trees and eat insects, often catching them while flying. Two species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• European robin, Erithacus rubecula (accidental)
• Northern wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe (R)

Old World sparrows

Old World sparrows are small songbirds. They are generally small, plump, brownish or grayish birds with short tails and strong bills. Sparrows eat seeds, but they also eat small insects. One species has been recorded in Massachusetts.

• House sparrow, Passer domesticus (I)(n)

Wagtails and pipits

This family includes wagtails and pipits. They are small songbirds with medium to long tails. They are slender birds that find insects on the ground in open areas. Two species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• American pipit, Anthus rubescens
• Sprague's pipit, Anthus spragueii (R)

Finches, euphonias, and allies

Finches are seed-eating songbirds. They are small to medium-sized and have strong, cone-shaped beaks. All finches have twelve tail feathers and nine primary flight feathers. These birds have a bouncy flight and most sing well. Twelve species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Common chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs (R)
• Brambling, Fringilla montifringilla (R)
• Evening grosbeak, Coccothraustes vespertinus (n)
• Pine grosbeak, Pinicola enucleator
• House finch, Haemorhous mexicanus (n)
• Purple finch, Haemorhous purpureus (n)
• Common redpoll, Acanthis flammea
• Hoary redpoll, Acanthis hornemanni (R)
• Red crossbill, Loxia curvirostra (n)
• White-winged crossbill, Loxia leucoptera (xn)
• Pine siskin, Spinus pinus (n)
• American goldfinch, Spinus tristis (n)

Longspurs and snow buntings

This group of songbirds was once thought to be part of the New World sparrows, but they are different in many ways and usually live in open grassy areas. Five species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Lapland longspur, Calcarius lapponicus
• Chestnut-collared longspur, Calcarius ornatus (R)
• Smith's longspur, Calcarius pictus (R)
• Thick-billed longspur, Rhyncophanes mccownii (R)
• Snow bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis

New World sparrows

Most birds in this family are called sparrows, but they are not closely related to the Old World sparrows. Many of these birds have unique patterns on their heads. Twenty-nine species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

Yellow-breasted chat

This bird was once grouped with the wood-warblers, but now it has its own family!

• Yellow-breasted chat, Icteria virens

Troupials and allies

This group includes grackles and New World blackbirds. They are small to medium-sized songbirds, often very colorful. Most species have black as their main feather color, sometimes with bright yellow, orange, or red. Fourteen species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Yellow-headed blackbird, Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus
• Bobolink, Dolichonyx oryzivorus (n)
• Eastern meadowlark, Sturnella magna (n)
• Western meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta (R)
• Orchard oriole, Icterus spurius (n)
• Bullock's oriole, Icterus bullockii (R)
• Baltimore oriole, Icterus galbula (n)
• Red-winged blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus (n)
• Shiny cowbird, Molothrus bonariensis (R)
• Brown-headed cowbird, Molothrus ater (n)
• Rusty blackbird, Euphagus carolinus (xn)
• Brewer's blackbird, Euphagus cyanocephalus (R)
• Great-tailed grackle, Quiscalus mexicanus (R)
• Common grackle, Quiscalus quiscula (n)

New World warblers

Wood-warblers are a group of small, often colorful songbirds found only in the New World. Most live in trees, but some live more on the ground. Most birds in this family eat insects. Forty-four species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

Cardinals and allies

Cardinals are a family of strong, seed-eating birds with powerful bills. They usually live in open woodlands. Males and females often have different colored feathers. Eleven species have been recorded in Massachusetts.

• Summer tanager, Piranga rubra
• Scarlet tanager, Piranga olivacea (n)
• Western tanager, Piranga ludoviciana (R)
• Northern cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis (n)
• Rose-breasted grosbeak, Pheucticus ludovicianus (n)
• Black-headed grosbeak, Pheucticus melanocephalus (R)
• Blue grosbeak, Passerina caerulea (n)
• Lazuli bunting, Passerina amoena (R)
• Indigo bunting, Passerina cyanea (n)
• Painted bunting, Passerina ciris (R)
• Dickcissel, Spiza americana (n)

Supplemental list

The Massachusetts Avian Records Committee (MARC) thinks these birds might have visited Massachusetts on their own, but they can't be sure they didn't escape from someone's care.

• Common shelduck, Tadorna tadorna
• American flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber
• White-tailed hawk, Buteo albicaudatus
• Black-billed magpie, Pica hudsonia
• Eurasian siskin, Spinus spinus
• European goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis
• Eurasian tree sparrow, Passer montanus

Images for kids

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  Canada goose at Spy Pond in Arlington

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  American black duck

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  Common eider

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  Long-tailed duck

See also

• List of birds
• Lists of birds by region
• List of North American birds