List of birds of Pennsylvania facts for kids

This is a list of birds of Pennsylvania. A comprehensive listing of all the bird species seen naturally in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania is published by the Pennsylvania Ornithological Records Committee (PORC), part of the Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology.

There are currently 418 species on the list, which includes four species classified as extirpated —species that are native to Pennsylvania but no longer have established populations there (they still do in other places). Species which have been recorded in three or fewer of the past ten years are classified as accidental (A), and species which have been recorded in four to seven of the last ten years are classified as casual (C). In addition, there are two species which are now extinct. There are also eight species on a provisional list, which have been sighted but have no physical evidence to back up these claims. When extirpated and extinct species are included, there are a total of 426 species.

The birds on the list are determined by the PORC, which was established in 1988 under the auspices of the Pennsylvania Biological Survey, a nonprofit organization designed to "increase the knowledge of and foster the perpetuation of the natural biological diversity of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania." The survey consists of scientists, representatives of state and federal agencies, major natural history museums and scientific institutions, and interested individuals.

Subcommittees of the survey were appointed for various classes of flora and fauna. The panel for birds is the Ornithological Technical Committee, which in turn organized the Records Committee in November 1988 as a subcommittee of its own. In an article in Pennsylvania Birds soon after PORC was established, the journal’s co-editor at the time Franklin C. Haas wrote with satisfaction, "Pennsylvania will finally have a clearing house for ornithological records."

The Records Committee held its first meeting in April 1989, attended by inaugural members Ed Kwater, chairman; Barbara M. Haas, secretary; Franklin C. Haas; Robert C. Leberman; Gerald D. McWilliams; Steven J. Santner; and Paul Schwalbe. Members have included professional ornithologists and experienced amateur observers during the committee’s history. The members are volunteers who spend many hours evaluating a hundred or more reports each year.

The official list is revised every five years for publication in the journal Pennsylvania Birds. The first edition in 1990 (PB 4:51-53) consisted of 353 species. In the third edition published in 2000 (PB 14:105-109) the list grew to 389 species plus 7 species on a provisional list. The most recent edition brings the current list to 426, 8 of which are on the provisional list. (Provisional species are accepted on the basis of sight records, but are not placed on the official list because they have not yet been documented by physical evidence such as a specimen, photograph, video or audio recording.)

This list is presented in taxonomic order and follows The Check-list of North American Birds (7th edition, 1998) published by the American Ornithologists' Union, and generally recognized as the scientific authority on the taxonomy and nomenclature of North American birds. The table of contents is grouped into passerines (the largest order of birds) and non-passerines. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflect this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account.

Ducks, geese and swans

Order: Anseriformes   Family: Anatidae

• Black-bellied whistling duck, Dendrocygna autumnalis (A)
• Pink-footed goose, Dendrocygna autumnalis (C)
• Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons
• Snow goose, Chen caerulescens
• Ross's goose, Chen rossii
• Cackling goose, Branta hutchinsii
• Canada goose, Branta canadensis
• Brant, Branta bernicla
• Barnacle goose, Branta leucopsis (C)
• Mute swan, Cygnus olor
• Trumpeter swan, Cygnus buccinator
• Tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus
• Wood duck, Aix sponsa
• Gadwall, Anas strepera
• Eurasian wigeon, Anas penelope
• American wigeon, Anas americana
• American black duck, Anas rubripes
• Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
• Blue-winged teal, Anas discors
• Cinnamon teal, Anas cyanoptera (A)
• Northern shoveler, Anas clypeata
• Northern pintail, Anas acuta
• Green-winged teal, Anas crecca
• Canvasback, Aythya valisineria
• Redhead, Aythya americana
• Common pochard, Aythya ferina
• Ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris
• Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula (A)
• Greater scaup, Aythya marila
• Lesser scaup, Aythya affinis
• King eider, Somateria spectabilis (A)
• Harlequin duck, Histrionicus histrionicus (A)
• Surf scoter, Melanitta perspicillata
• White-winged scoter, Melanitta fusca
• Black scoter, Melanitta americana
• Long-tailed duck, Clangula hyemalis
• Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola
• Common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula
• Barrow's goldeneye, Bucephala islandica (A)
• Hooded merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus
• Common merganser, Mergus merganser
• Red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator
• Masked duck, Nomonyx dominicus (A)
• Ruddy duck, Oxyura jamaicensis

New World quail

Order: Galliformes   Family: Odontophoridae

• Northern bobwhite, Colinus virginianus

Pheasants, turkeys and grouse

Order: Galliformes   Family: Phasianidae

• Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (introduced species)
• Wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavo
• Ruffed grouse, Bonsa umbellus

Loons

Order: Gaviiformes   Family: Gaviidae

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

Grebes

Order: Podicipediformes   Family: Podicipedidae

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

Fulmars, petrels and shearwaters

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Procellariidae

• Black-capped petrel, Pterodroma hasitata (A)
• Cory’s shearwater, Calonectris diomedea (A)
• Great shearwater, Ardenna gravis (A)

Storm petrels

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Hydrobatidae

• Leach's storm petrel, Oceanodroma leucorhoa (A)
• Band-rumped storm petrel, Oceanodroma castro (A)

Tropicbirds

Order: Phaethontiformes   Family: Phaethontidae

• White-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon lepturus (A)

Gannets

Order: Suliformes   Family: Sulidae

• Northern gannet, Morus bassanus (A)

Cormorants

Order: Suliformes   Family: Phalacrocoracidae

• Double-crested cormorant, Phalacrocorax auritus
• Great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo

Darters

Order: Suliformes   Family: Anhingidae

• Anhinga, Anhinga anhinga

Frigatebirds

Order: Suliformes   Family: Fregatidae

• Magnificent frigatebird, Fregata magnificens (A)

Pelicans

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Pelecanidae

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

Bitterns, herons and egrets

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Ardeidae

• American bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus
• Least bittern, Ixobrychus exilis
• Great blue heron, Ardea herodias
• 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

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

Storks

Order: Ciconiiformes   Family: Ciconiidae

• Wood stork, Mycteria americana (C)

New World vultures

Order: Cathartiformes   Family: Cathartidae

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

Osprey

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Pandionidae

• Osprey, Pandion haliaetus

Hawks, kites and eagles

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Accipitridae

• Swallow-tailed kite, Elanoides forficatus (C)
• Mississippi kite, Ictinia mississippiensis (C)
• Bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus
• Northern harrier, Circus cyaneus
• Sharp-shinned hawk, Accipiter striatus
• Cooper's hawk, Accipiter cooperii
• Northern goshawk, Accipiter gentilis
• Red-shouldered hawk, Buteo lineatus
• Broad-winged hawk, Buteo platypterus
• Swainson's hawk, Buteo swainsoni (A)
• Red-tailed hawk, Buteo jamaicensis
• Rough-legged hawk, Buteo lagopus
• Golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos

Caracaras and falcons

Order: Falconiformes   Family: Falconidae

• American kestrel, Falco sparverius
• Merlin, Falco columbarius
• Gyrfalcon, Falco rusticolus (A)
• Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus
• Prairie falcon, Falco mexicanus

Rails, gallinules and coots

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Rallidae

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

Cranes

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Gruidae

• Sandhill crane, Grus canadensis

Lapwings and plovers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Charadriidae

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

Oystercatchers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Haematopodidae

• American oystercatcher, Haematopus palliatus (A)

Stilts and avocets

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Recurvirostridae

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

Sandpipers, curlews, stints, godwits, snipes and phalaropes

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Scolopacidae

• Greater yellowlegs, Tringa melanoleuca
• Lesser yellowlegs, Tringa flavipes
• Solitary sandpiper, Tringa solitaria
• Willet, Tringa semipalmata
• Spotted sandpiper, Actitis macularia
• Upland sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda (C)
• Long-billed curlew, Numenius americanus (A)
• Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus
• Hudsonian godwit, Limosa haemastica (C)
• Marbled godwit, Limosa fedoa (C)
• Ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres
• Red knot, Calidris canutus
• Sanderling, Calidris alba
• Semipalmated sandpiper, Calidris pusilla
• Western sandpiper, Calidris mauri
• Least sandpiper, Calidris minutilla
• White-rumped sandpiper, Calidris fuscicollis
• Baird's sandpiper, Calidris bairdii
• Pectoral sandpiper, Calidris melanotos
• Purple sandpiper, Calidris maritima (C)
• Dunlin, Calidris alpina
• Curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea (A)
• Stilt sandpiper, Calidris himantopus
• Buff-breasted sandpiper, Tryngites subruficollis
• Ruff, Philomachus pugnax (A)
• Short-billed dowitcher, Limnodromus griseus
• Long-billed dowitcher, Limnodromus scolopaceus
• Wilson's snipe, Gallinago delicata
• American woodcock, Scolopax minor
• Wilson's phalarope, Phalaropus tricolor
• Red-necked phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus
• Red phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius (C)

Skuas

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Stercorariidae

• Pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus (C)
• Parasitic jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus (C)
• Long-tailed jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus (A)

Gulls, terns and skimmers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Laridae

• Laughing gull, Leucophaeus atricilla
• Franklin's gull, Leucophaeus pipixcan
• Little gull, Hydrocoloeus minutus
• Black-headed gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus
• Bonaparte's gull, Chroicocephalus philadelphia
• Mew gull, Larus canus (A)
• Ring-billed gull, Larus delawarensis
• California gull, Larus californicus (A)
• Herring gull, Larus argentatus
• Thayer's gull, Larus thayeri
• Iceland gull, Larus glaucoides
• Lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus
• Slaty-backed gull, Larus schistisagus
• Glaucous gull, Larus hyperboreus
• Great black-backed gull, Larus marinus
• Sabine's gull, Xema sabini (C)
• Black-legged kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla (C)
• Ross's gull, Rhodostethia rosea (A)
• Gull-billed tern, Gelochelidon nilotica (C)
• Caspian tern, Hydroprogne caspia
• Royal tern, Thalasseus maxima (A)
• Roseate tern, Sterna dougallii (A)
• Common tern, Sterna hirundo
• Arctic tern, Sterna paradisaea (C)
• Forster's tern, Sterna forsteri
• Least tern, Sternula antillarum (C)
• Sooty tern, Onychoprion fuscata (A)
• Black tern, Chlidonias niger
• Black skimmer, Rynchops niger (C)

Auks, murres and puffins

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Alcidae

• Dovekie, Alle alle (A)
• Thick-billed murre, Uria lomvia (A)
• Black guillemot, Cepphus grylle (A)
• Long-billed murrelet, Brachyramphus perdi (A)
• Ancient murrelet, Synthliboramphus antiquus (A)

Pigeons and doves

Order: Columbiformes   Family: Columbidae

• Rock dove, Columba livia
• Eurasian collared-dove, Streptopelia decaocto (C)
• Spotted dove, Spilopelia chinensis (A)
• White-winged dove, Zenaida asiatica
• Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura
• Common ground-dove, Columbina passerina (A)

Cuckoos, roadrunners and anis

Order: Cuculiformes   Family: Cuculidae

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

Barn owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Tytonidae

• Barn owl, Tyto alba

Typical owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Strigidae

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

Nightjars

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Caprimulgidae

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

Swifts

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Apodidae

• Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica

Hummingbirds

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Trochilidae

• Ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris
• Calliope hummingbird, Selasphorus calliope (A)
• Anna's hummingbird, Calypte anna
• Rufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus
• Allen's hummingbird, Selasphorus sasin

Kingfishers

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Alcedinidae

• Belted kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon

Woodpeckers, sapsuckers and flickers

Order: Piciformes   Family: Picidae

• Red-headed woodpecker, Melanerpes erythrocephalus
• Red-bellied woodpecker, Melanerpes carolinus
• Yellow-bellied sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius
• Downy woodpecker, Picoides pubescens
• Hairy woodpecker, Picoides villosus
• Black-backed woodpecker, Picoides arcticus (A)
• Northern flicker, Colaptes auratus
• Pileated woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus

Tyrant flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Tyrannidae

• 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
• Hammond's flycatcher, Empidonax hammondii (A)
• Pacific-slope flycatcher, Empidonax difficilis (A)
• Eastern phoebe, Sayornis phoebe
• Say's phoebe, Sayornis saya (A)
• Vermilion flycatcher, Pyrocephalus rubinus (A)
• Ash-throated flycatcher, Myiarchus cinerascens (A)
• Great crested flycatcher, Myiarchus crinitus
• Western kingbird, Tyrannus verticalis (C)
• Eastern kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus
• Gray kingbird, Tyrannus dominicensis (A)
• Scissor-tailed flycatcher, Tyrannus forficatus (A)
• Fork-tailed flycatcher, Tyrannus savana (A)

Shrikes

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Laniidae

• Loggerhead shrike, Lanius ludovicianus
• Northern shrike, Lanius excubitor (C)

Vireos

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Vireonidae

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

Jays, crows, magpies and ravens

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Corvidae

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

Larks

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Alaudidae

• Horned lark, Eremophila alpestris

Swallows and martins

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Hirundinidae

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

Chickadees and titmice

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Paridae

• Carolina chickadee, Poecile carolinensis
• Black-capped chickadee, Poecile atricapillus
• Boreal chickadee, Poecile hudsonica (A)
• Tufted titmouse, Baeolophus bicolor

Nuthatches

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sittidae

• Red-breasted nuthatch, Sitta canadensis
• White-breasted nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis

Treecreepers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Certhiidae

• Brown creeper, Certhia americana

Wrens

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Troglodytidae

• Carolina wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus
• Bewick's wren, Thryomanes bewickii (A)
• House wren, Troglodytes aedon
• Winter wren, Troglodytes hiemalis
• Sedge wren, Cistothorus platensis (C)
• Marsh wren, Cistothorus palustris

Kinglets

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Regulidae

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

Gnatcatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Polioptilidae

• Blue-gray gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea

Old World flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Muscicapidae

• Northern wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe (A)

Thrushes

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Turdidae

• Northern wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe (A)
• Eastern bluebird, Sialia sialis
• Mountain bluebird, Sialia currucoides (A)
• Townsend's solitaire, Myadestes townsendi (A)
• Veery, Catharus fuscescens
• Gray-cheeked thrush, Catharus minimus
• Bicknell's thrush, Catharus bicknelli (A)
• Swainson's thrush, Catharus ustulatus
• Hermit thrush, Catharus guttatus
• Wood thrush, Hylocichla mustelina
• Redwing, Turdus rufopalliatus (A)
• American robin, Turdus migratorius
• Varied thrush, Ixoreus naevius (C)

Mockingbirds and thrashers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Mimidae

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

Starlings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sturnidae

• European starling, Sturnus vulgaris

Wagtails and pipits

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Motacillidae

• American pipit, Anthus rubescens

Waxwings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Bombycillidae

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

Longspurs and snow buntings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Calcariidae

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

Wood warblers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Parulidae

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

American sparrows, towhees and juncos

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Emberizidae

• Green-tailed towhee, Pipilo chlorurus (A)
• Spotted towhee, Pipilo maculatus (A)
• Eastern towhee, Pipilo erythrophthalmus
• American tree sparrow, Spizelloides arborea
• Chipping sparrow, Spizella passerina
• Clay-colored sparrow, Spizella pallida
• Field sparrow, Spizella pusilla
• Vesper sparrow, Pooecetes gramineus
• Lark sparrow, Chondestes grammacus (C)
• Lark bunting, Calamospiza melanocorys (A)
• Savannah sparrow, Passerculus sandwichensis
• Grasshopper sparrow, Ammodramus savannarum
• Henslow's sparrow, Ammodramus henslowii
• Le Conte's sparrow, Ammodramus leconteii (C)
• Nelson's sparrow, Ammodramus nelsoni
• Saltmarsh sparrow, Ammodramus caudacutus (A)
• Seaside sparrow, Passerella iliaca (A)
• Fox sparrow, Passerella iliaca
• Song sparrow, Melospiza melodia
• Lincoln's sparrow, Melospiza lincolnii
• Swamp sparrow, Melospiza georgiana
• White-throated sparrow, Zonotrichia albicollis
• Harris's sparrow, Zonotrichia querula (C)
• White-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys
• Golden-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia atricapilla (A)
• Dark-eyed junco, Junco hyemalis

Cardinals, grosbeaks and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cardinalidae

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

Blackbirds, meadowlarks, cowbirds, grackles and orioles

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Icteridae

• Bobolink, Dolichonyx oryzivorus
• Red-winged blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus
• Eastern meadowlark, Sturnella magna
• Western meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta (C)
• Yellow-headed blackbird, Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus
• Rusty blackbird, Euphagus carolinus
• Brewer's blackbird, Euphagus cyanocephalus
• Common grackle, Quiscalus quiscula
• Brown-headed cowbird, Molothrus ater
• Orchard oriole, Icterus spurius
• Baltimore oriole, Icterus galbula
• Bullock's oriole, Icterus bullockii (A)
• Scott's oriole, Icterus parisorum (A)

Finches

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Fringillidae

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

Old World sparrows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passeridae

• House sparrow, Passer domesticus

Extirpated and extinct birds

Four species are extirpated and no longer have populations in Pennsylvania:

• Greater prairie-chicken, Tympanuchus cupido
• Eskimo curlew, Numenius borealis
• Brown-headed nuthatch, Sitta pusilla
• Bachman's sparrow, Peucaea aestivalis

Two birds are now extinct:

• Passenger pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius (1914)
• Carolina parakeet, Conuropsis carolinensis (1904)

Provisional list

The Provisional list includes seven species (and one genus) which have been sighted but do not have documentation by a specimen, photograph or recording. If acceptable documentation in the form of specimen, photograph or video/audio recording finally becomes available, the species is then moved to the Class I list.

• Common eider Somateria mollissima (A)
• Northern fulmar Fulmarus glacialis (A)
• Black-tailed godwit Limosa limosa (A)
• Surfbird Aphriza virgata (A)
• Band-tailed pigeon Patagioenas fasciata (A)
• Apus (A)
• Lewis's woodpecker Melanerpes lewis (A)
• Violet-green swallow Tachycineta thalassina (A)

Images for kids

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  Cedar waxwing photographed in Newfoundland, Pennsylvania

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  Northern mockingbird