List of birds of New Jersey facts for kids

This page lists all the different kinds of birds that have been officially seen and recorded in New Jersey, a state in the United States. As of March 2024, there are 490 different bird species on this list, plus one pair of species that are very similar. There are also seven other species whose origins are not fully known.

The birds are listed in a special scientific order, just like how scientists organize living things. This order comes from the Check-list of North and Middle American Birds, which is like a big bird dictionary created by the American Ornithological Society (AOS). The common names (like "Robin") and scientific names (like Turdus migratorius) are also from this list.

Most birds on this list live in New Jersey all the time, or they visit during summer, winter, or as they migrate (travel). Some birds have special notes next to their names:

• (R) Rare or accidental: These birds are not usually seen in New Jersey. If someone spots one, they need to provide lots of proof! (151 species and one species pair)
• (R*) Rare, in part: This means a specific type or group of that bird is rare. (18 species)
• (E) Extinct: These birds no longer exist anywhere in the world. (four species)
• (Ex) Extirpated: These birds no longer live in New Jersey, but they can still be found in other places. (one species)
• (I) Introduced: These birds were brought to North America by people, either on purpose or by accident. They are not native to the area. (eight species)
• (PU) Provenance uncertain: It's not clear if these birds came to New Jersey on their own or if they escaped from captivity. (seven species)

Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl

Order: Anseriformes   Family: Anatidae

This family includes ducks, geese, and swans. These birds are great at living in water. They have webbed feet, flat bills, and special oily feathers that shed water easily. New Jersey has seen 46 different species from this group.

New World Quail

Order: Galliformes   Family: Odontophoridae

New World quails are small, round birds that live on the ground. They look a bit like Old World quails but are not closely related. Only one species has been seen in New Jersey.

• Northern bobwhite, Colinus virginianus

Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies

Order: Galliformes   Family: Phasianidae

This family includes pheasants and their relatives. They are ground-dwelling birds that vary in size but are usually plump with wide, short wings. Many are hunted for sport or raised for food. Four species have been recorded in New Jersey.

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

Grebes

Order: Podicipediformes   Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-sized diving birds that live near fresh water. They have special lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, their feet are set far back on their bodies, making them clumsy on land. Five species have been recorded in New Jersey.

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

Pigeons and Doves

Order: Columbiformes   Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are birds with sturdy bodies, short necks, and thin bills. Seven species have been recorded in New Jersey.

• Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I)
• Eurasian collared-dove, Streptopelia decaocto (I) (R)
• Passenger pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius (E)
• Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura

Cuckoos

Order: Cuculiformes   Family: Cuculidae

This family includes cuckoos, roadrunners, and anis. These birds have different sizes but generally have slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs. Three species have been recorded in New Jersey.

• Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus
• Black-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus

Nightjars and Allies

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Caprimulgidae

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 blend in with tree bark or leaves. Four species have been recorded in New Jersey.

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

Swifts

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Apodidae

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 New Jersey.

• Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica

Hummingbirds

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Trochilidae

Hummingbirds are tiny birds that can hover in the air by flapping their wings very fast. They are the only birds that can fly backward. Seven species have been recorded in New Jersey.

• Ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris
• Black-chinned hummingbird, Archilochus alexandri (R)
• Rufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus (R)

Rails, Gallinules, and Coots

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Rallidae

This is a large family of small to medium-sized birds, including rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. They often live in thick plants near lakes, swamps, or rivers. They are usually shy and hard to spot. Most have strong legs and long toes, which help them walk on soft, uneven ground. Ten species have been recorded in New Jersey.

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

Limpkin

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Aramidae

The limpkin is a unique bird that looks like a large rail but is more closely related to cranes. It lives in marshes with some trees or bushes. One species has been recorded in New Jersey.

• Limpkin, Aramus guarauna (R)

Cranes

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Gruidae

Cranes are large birds with long legs and necks. Unlike herons, which look similar, cranes fly with their necks stretched out, not pulled back. They often have fancy and loud dances to attract mates. One species has been recorded in New Jersey.

• Sandhill crane, Antigone canadensis

Stilts and Avocets

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Recurvirostridae

This family includes avocets and stilts, which 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 New Jersey.

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

Oystercatchers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Haematopodidae

Oystercatchers are large, noticeable, and noisy birds that look like plovers. They have strong bills that they use to break open or pry apart shellfish. One species has been recorded in New Jersey.

• American oystercatcher, Haematopus palliatus

Plovers and Lapwings

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Charadriidae

This family includes plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short thick necks, and long, pointed wings. They live in open areas worldwide, often near water. Eleven species have been recorded in New Jersey.

• Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola
• American golden-plover, Pluvialis dominica
• Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus
• Semipalmated plover, Charadrius semipalmatus
• Piping plover, Charadrius melodus
• Wilson's plover, Charadrius wilsonia (R)

Sandpipers and Allies

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Scolopacidae

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

Skuas and Jaegers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Stercorariidae

Skuas and jaegers are medium to large birds, usually gray or brown. They often have white marks on their wings. They have longish bills with hooked tips and webbed feet with sharp claws. They look like big, dark gulls but have a fleshy area above their upper bill. They are strong, agile fliers. Five species have been recorded in New Jersey.

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

Auks, Murres, and Puffins

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Alcidae

Alcids look a bit like penguins with their black and white colors and upright posture. However, they are not closely related to penguins and can fly. Auks live on the open sea and only come to land to nest. Seven species have been recorded in New Jersey.

• Dovekie, Alle alle (R*)
• Common murre, Uria aalge (R*)
• Thick-billed murre, Uria lomvia (R)
• Razorbill, Alca torda (R)
• Atlantic puffin, Fratercula arctica (R*)

Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Laridae

This family includes gulls, terns, and skimmers. They are medium to large seabirds, usually gray or white, often with black marks on their heads or wings. They have strong, longish bills and webbed feet. Thirty-six species have been recorded in New Jersey.

Tropicbirds

Order: Phaethontiformes   Family: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans. They have very long central tail feathers. Their long wings and heads have black markings. Two species have been recorded in New Jersey.

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

Loons

Order: Gaviiformes   Family: Gaviidae

Loons are aquatic birds, about the size of a large duck, but they are not related to ducks. They are mostly gray or black and have spear-shaped bills. Loons swim well and fly adequately, but they are very clumsy on land because their legs are placed far back on their bodies. Four species have been recorded in New Jersey.

• Red-throated loon, Gavia stellata
• Common loon, Gavia immer

Albatrosses

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Diomedeidae

Albatrosses are among the largest flying birds. The great albatrosses have the biggest wingspans of any living birds. Two species have been recorded in New Jersey.

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

Southern Storm-Petrels

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Oceanitidae

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. Their flight is fluttery, sometimes like a bat. Two species have been recorded in New Jersey.

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

Northern Storm-Petrels

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Hydrobatidae

These storm-petrels look and act much like the southern storm-petrels. However, they have enough genetic differences to be placed in their own family. Two species have been recorded in New Jersey.

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

Shearwaters and Petrels

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Procellariidae

Procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels." They have nostrils that are joined together and a long outer primary feather used for flight. Eight species have been recorded in New Jersey.

• Northern fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis (R*)
• Black-capped petrel, Pterodroma hasitata (R)
• Cory's shearwater, Calonectris diomedea
• Sooty shearwater, Ardenna griseus
• Great shearwater, Ardenna gravis
• Manx shearwater, Puffinus puffinus (R*)
• Audubon's shearwater, Puffinus lherminieri (R*)

Storks

Order: Ciconiiformes   Family: Threskiornithidae

Storks are large, heavy wading birds with long legs, long necks, and strong bills. They have wide wings. Unlike other wading birds, storks do not have special "powder down" feathers to clean off fish slime. Storks also cannot make sounds because they lack a voice box. One species has been recorded in New Jersey.

• Wood stork, Mycteria americana (R)

Frigatebirds

Order: Suliformes   Family: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are black, or black and white, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have colorful throat pouches that they can inflate. They cannot swim or walk well and cannot take off from a flat surface. They have the largest wingspan compared to their weight of any bird, allowing them to stay in the air for over a week. One species has been recorded in New Jersey.

• Magnificent frigatebird, Fregata magnificens (R)

Boobies and Gannets

Order: Suliformes   Family: Sulidae

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 New Jersey.

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

Anhingas

Order: Suliformes   Family: Anhingidae

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

• Anhinga, Anhinga anhinga (R)

Cormorants and Shags

Order: Suliformes   Family: Phalacrocoracidae

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

• Great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo
• Double-crested cormorant, Nannopterum auritum
• Neotropic cormorant, Nannopterum brasilianum (R)

Pelicans

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Pelecanidae

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 New Jersey.

• American white pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
• Brown pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis

Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Ardeidae

This family includes herons, egrets, and bitterns. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns usually have shorter necks and are more secretive. Birds in this family fly with their necks pulled back, unlike storks or ibises. Fourteen species have been recorded in New Jersey.

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

Ibises and Spoonbills

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Threskiornithidae

This family includes ibises and spoonbills. They have long, wide wings and long bodies, necks, and legs. Ibises have bills that curve downwards, while spoonbills have straight, flat bills. Four species have been recorded in New Jersey.

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

New World Vultures

Order: Cathartiformes   Family: Cathartidae

New World vultures are not closely related to Old World vultures, but they look similar because they evolved to do the same job. Like Old World vultures, they eat dead animals. However, some New World vultures can smell dead animals, while Old World vultures find them by sight. Two species have been recorded in New Jersey.

• Black vulture, Coragyps atratus
• Turkey vulture, Cathartes aura

Osprey

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Pandionidae

The Osprey family has only one type of bird: the Osprey! This bird of prey eats fish and has a very large, strong, hooked beak, powerful legs, sharp talons, and excellent eyesight.

• Osprey, Pandion haliaetus

Hawks, Eagles, and Kites

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Accipitridae

This family includes hawks, eagles, kites, and harriers. These birds of prey have very large, strong, hooked beaks for tearing meat from their prey. They also have strong legs, powerful talons, and sharp eyesight. Sixteen confirmed species and two "Provenance Uncertain" species have been recorded in New Jersey.

• Swallow-tailed kite, Elanoides forficatus
• Golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos
• Northern harrier, Circus hudsonius
• Sharp-shinned hawk, Accipiter striatus
• Cooper's hawk, Accipiter cooperii
• American goshawk, Accipiter atricapillus
• Bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus
• Mississippi kite, Ictinia mississippiensis
• Red-shouldered hawk, Buteo lineatus
• Broad-winged hawk, Buteo platypterus
• Red-tailed hawk, Buteo jamaicensis
• Rough-legged hawk, Buteo lagopus

Barn-Owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Tytonidae

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 New Jersey.

• Barn owl, Tyto alba

Owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Strigidae

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

• Eastern screech-owl, Megascops asio
• Great horned owl, Bubo virginianus
• Snowy owl, Bubo scandiacus
• Barred owl, Strix varia
• Long-eared owl, Asio otus
• Short-eared owl, Asio flammeus
• Northern saw-whet owl, Aegolius acadicus

Kingfishers

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Alcedinidae

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

• Belted kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon

Woodpeckers

Order: Piciformes   Family: Picidae

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 New Jersey.

• Red-headed woodpecker, Melanerpes erythrocephalus
• Red-bellied woodpecker, Melanerpes carolinus
• Yellow-bellied sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius
• Downy woodpecker, Dryobates pubescens
• Hairy woodpecker, Dryobates villosus
• Northern flicker, Colaptes auratus
• Pileated woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus

Falcons and Caracaras

Order: Falconiformes   Family: Falconidae

This family includes falcons and caracaras. They are different from hawks and eagles because they kill their prey with their beaks instead of their talons. Seven species have been recorded in New Jersey.

• American kestrel, Falco sparverius
• Merlin, Falco columbarius
• Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus

New World and African Parrots

Order: Psittaciformes   Family: Psittacidae

Parrots are birds of various sizes with a special curved beak. They can move their upper beak slightly and usually stand upright. All parrots have two toes pointing forward and two pointing backward on each foot. Two species have been recorded in New Jersey.

• Monk parakeet, Myiopsitta monachus (I)
• Carolina parakeet, Conuropsis carolinensis (E)

Tyrant Flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Tyrannidae

Tyrant flycatchers are songbirds found across North and South America. They look a bit like Old World flycatchers but are stronger and have tougher bills. Most of them eat insects. Twenty species and one species pair have been recorded in New Jersey.

• Great crested flycatcher, Myiarchus crinitus
• Western kingbird, Tyrannus verticalis
• Eastern kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus
• Olive-sided flycatcher, Contopus cooperi
• Eastern wood-pewee, Contopus virens
• Yellow-bellied flycatcher, Empidonax flaviventris
• Acadian flycatcher, Empidonax virescens
• Alder flycatcher, Empidonax alnorum
• Willow flycatcher, Empidonax traillii
• Least flycatcher, Empidonax minimus
• Eastern phoebe, Sayornis phoebe

Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Vireonidae

Vireos are small to medium-sized songbirds. They are usually greenish and look like wood warblers, but they have stronger bills. Nine species have been recorded in New Jersey.

• White-eyed vireo, Vireo griseus
• Yellow-throated vireo, Vireo flavifrons
• Blue-headed vireo, Vireo solitarius
• Philadelphia vireo, Vireo philadelphicus
• Warbling vireo, Vireo gilvus
• Red-eyed vireo, Vireo olivaceus

Shrikes

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Laniidae

Shrikes are songbirds known for catching other birds and small animals. They often impale parts of their prey on thorns. A shrike's beak is hooked, similar to a bird of prey. Two species have been recorded in New Jersey.

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

Crows, Jays, and Magpies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Corvidae

This family includes crows, ravens, and jays. Corvids are larger than average songbirds, and some of the bigger species are very smart. Four confirmed species and two "Provenance Uncertain" species have been recorded in New Jersey.

• Blue jay, Cyanocitta cristata
• American crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos
• Fish crow, Corvus ossifragus
• Common raven, Corvus corax

Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Paridae

The Paridae are mostly small, sturdy woodland birds with short, strong bills. Some have crests on their heads. They are adaptable birds that eat both seeds and insects. Four species have been recorded in New Jersey.

• Carolina chickadee, Poecile carolinensis
• Black-capped chickadee, Poecile atricapillus
• Tufted titmouse, Baeolophus bicolor

Larks

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Alaudidae

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

• Horned lark, Eremophila alpestris

Swallows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Hirundinidae

The swallow family is built for catching food in the air. They have slender, streamlined bodies, long, pointed wings, and short bills with wide mouths. Their feet are better for perching than walking. Nine species have been recorded in New Jersey.

• Bank swallow, Riparia riparia
• Tree swallow, Tachycineta bicolor
• Northern rough-winged swallow, Stelgidopteryx serripennis
• Purple martin, Progne subis
• Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
• Cliff swallow, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
• Cave swallow, Petrochelidon fulva

Kinglets

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Regulidae

Kinglets are a small family of birds that look like titmice. They are very tiny birds that eat insects. Adult kinglets have colorful crowns on their heads, which gives them their name. Two species have been recorded in New Jersey.

• Ruby-crowned kinglet, Corthylio calendula
• Golden-crowned kinglet, Regulus satrapa

Waxwings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Bombycillidae

Waxwings are songbirds with soft, silky feathers and unique red tips on some of their wing feathers. These tips look like sealing wax, which is how they got their name. These birds live in northern forests and eat insects in summer and berries in winter. Two species have been recorded in New Jersey.

• Cedar waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum

Nuthatches

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sittidae

Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They have a special ability to climb down trees headfirst, which most other birds cannot do. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails, and strong bills and feet. Three species have been recorded in New Jersey.

• Red-breasted nuthatch, Sitta canadensis
• White-breasted nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis
• Brown-headed nuthatch, Sitta pusilla (R)

Treecreepers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Certhiidae

Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown on top and white underneath. They have thin, pointed, curved bills that they use to pull insects out of tree bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which help them support themselves on vertical trees. One species has been recorded in New Jersey.

• Brown creeper, Certhia americana

Gnatcatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Polioptilidae

These delicate birds look like Old World warblers in how they are built and how they act. They move restlessly through leaves looking for insects. Gnatcatchers are mostly soft bluish-gray and have the long, sharp bill typical of insect-eating birds. One species has been recorded in New Jersey.

• Blue-gray gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea

Wrens

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Troglodytidae

Wrens are small and often hard to see birds, except for their loud songs. They have short wings and thin, downward-curved bills. Many species hold their tails straight up. All wrens eat insects. Seven species have been recorded in New Jersey.

• House wren, Troglodytes aedon
• Winter wren, Troglodytes hiemalis
• Sedge wren, Cistothorus platensis
• Marsh wren, Cistothorus palustris
• Carolina wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus

Mockingbirds and Thrashers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Mimidae

This family of songbirds includes thrashers, mockingbirds, and New World catbirds. These birds are famous for their amazing singing and their ability to copy many different bird calls and other sounds. They usually have dull gray and brown feathers. Four species have been recorded in New Jersey.

• Gray catbird, Dumetella carolinensis
• Brown thrasher, Toxostoma rufum
• Northern mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos

Starlings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized songbirds from the Old World 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 New Jersey.

• European starling, Sturnus vulgaris (I)

Thrushes and Allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Turdidae

Thrushes are a group of songbirds, mostly found in the Old World. They are plump, soft-feathered, small to medium-sized birds that eat insects or sometimes everything. They often feed on the ground. Many have beautiful songs. Eleven species have been recorded in New Jersey.

• Eastern bluebird, Sialia sialis
• Veery, Catharus fuscescens
• Gray-cheeked thrush, Catharus minimus
• Swainson's thrush, Catharus ustulatus
• Hermit thrush, Catharus guttatus
• Wood thrush, Hylocichla mustelina
• American robin, Turdus migratorius

Old World Flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Muscicapidae

Old World flycatchers are a large family of small songbirds. These are mainly small tree-dwelling birds that eat insects, often catching their prey while flying. Three species have been recorded in New Jersey.

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

Old World Sparrows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passeridae

Old World sparrows are small songbirds. Generally, sparrows are small, plump, brownish or grayish birds with short tails and strong, short beaks. Sparrows eat seeds but also consume small insects. Two species have been recorded in New Jersey.

• House sparrow, Passer domesticus (I)
• Eurasian tree sparrow, Passer montanus (I)

Wagtails and Pipits

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Motacillidae

This family includes wagtails and pipits. They are slender songbirds with medium to long tails. They feed on insects on the ground in open areas. One species has been recorded in New Jersey.

• American pipit, Anthus rubescens

Finches, Euphonias, and Allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Fringillidae

Finches are songbirds that eat seeds. They are small to medium-sized and have strong, often cone-shaped beaks. All finches have twelve tail feathers and nine primary flight feathers. These birds have a bouncy flight pattern, and most sing well. Eleven confirmed species and two "Provenance Uncertain" species have been recorded in New Jersey.

• Evening grosbeak, Coccothraustes vespertinus
• Pine grosbeak, Pinicola enucleator (R)
• House finch, Haemorhous mexicanus (native to the southwestern U.S.; introduced in the east)
• Purple finch, Haemorhous purpureus
• Common redpoll, Acanthis flammea
• Red crossbill, Loxia curvirostra
• White-winged crossbill, Loxia leucoptera
• Pine siskin, Spinus pinus
• American goldfinch, Spinus tristis

Longspurs and Snow Buntings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Calcariidae

This group of songbirds was once thought to be New World sparrows. However, they are different in several ways and are usually found in open grassy areas. Four species have been recorded in New Jersey.

• Lapland longspur, Calcarius lapponicus
• Snow bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis

New World Sparrows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passerellidae

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 New Jersey.

• Grasshopper sparrow, Ammodramus savannarum
• Lark sparrow, Chondestes grammacus
• Chipping sparrow, Spizella passerina
• Clay-colored sparrow, Spizella pallida
• Field sparrow, Spizella pusilla
• Fox sparrow, Passerella iliaca
• American tree sparrow, Spizelloides arborea
• Dark-eyed junco, Junco hyemalis (R*)
• White-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys (R*)
• White-throated sparrow, Zonotrichia albicollis
• Vesper sparrow, Pooecetes gramineus
• Seaside sparrow, Ammospiza maritima
• Nelson's sparrow, Ammospiza nelsoni
• Saltmarsh sparrow, Ammospiza caudacuta
• Savannah sparrow, Passerculus sandwichensis
• Song sparrow, Melospiza melodia
• Lincoln's sparrow, Melospiza lincolnii
• Swamp sparrow, Melospiza georgiana
• Eastern towhee, Pipilo erythrophthalmus

Yellow-breasted Chat

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Icteriidae

This bird was once thought to be a wood-warbler, but scientists decided it needed its own family in 2017.

• Yellow-breasted chat, Icteria virens

Troupials and Allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Icteridae

Icterids are a group of small to medium-sized, often colorful songbirds found only in the New World. They include grackles, New World blackbirds, and New World orioles. Most species are mainly black, often with bright yellow, orange, or red colors. Thirteen species have been recorded in New Jersey.

• Yellow-headed blackbird, Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus
• Bobolink, Dolichonyx oryzivorus
• Eastern meadowlark, Sturnella magna
• Orchard oriole, Icterus spurius
• Baltimore oriole, Icterus galbula
• Red-winged blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus
• Brown-headed cowbird, Molothrus ater
• Rusty blackbird, Euphagus carolinus
• Common grackle, Quiscalus quiscula
• Boat-tailed grackle, Quiscalus major

New World Warblers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Parulidae

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 species have been recorded in New Jersey.

• Ovenbird, Seiurus aurocapilla
• Worm-eating warbler, Helmitheros vermivorum
• Louisiana waterthrush, Parkesia motacilla
• Northern waterthrush, Parkesia noveboracensis
• Golden-winged warbler, Vermivora chrysoptera
• Blue-winged warbler, Vermivora cyanoptera
• Black-and-white warbler, Mniotilta varia
• Prothonotary warbler, Protonotaria citrea
• Tennessee warbler, Leiothlypis peregrina
• Orange-crowned warbler, Leiothlypis celata
• Nashville warbler, Leiothlypis ruficapilla
• Connecticut warbler, Oporornis agilis
• Mourning warbler, Geothlypis philadelphia
• Kentucky warbler, Geothlypis formosa
• Common yellowthroat, Geothlypis trichas
• Hooded warbler, Setophaga citrina
• American redstart, Setophaga ruticilla
• Cape May warbler, Setophaga tigrina
• Cerulean warbler, Setophaga cerulea
• Northern parula, Setophaga americana
• Magnolia warbler, Setophaga magnolia
• Bay-breasted warbler, Setophaga castanea
• Blackburnian warbler, Setophaga fusca
• Yellow warbler, Setophaga petechia
• Chestnut-sided warbler, Setophaga pensylvanica
• Blackpoll warbler, Setophaga striata
• Black-throated blue warbler, Setophaga caerulescens
• Palm warbler, Setophaga palmarum
• Pine warbler, Setophaga pinus
• Yellow-rumped warbler, Setophaga coronata (R*)
• Yellow-throated warbler, Setophaga dominica
• Prairie warbler, Setophaga discolor
• Black-throated green warbler, Setophaga virens
• Canada warbler, Cardellina canadensis
• Wilson's warbler, Cardellina pusilla

Cardinals and Allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cardinalidae

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

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

See also

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