List of birds of Virginia facts for kids

This list of birds of Virginia includes species credibly documented In the U.S. state of Virginia. It contains 471 species as of July, 2016. An additional three species no longer exist in the state; their records are historical. The Virginia Avian Records Committee maintains the records for bird sightings in Virginia and produces the list.

This list is presented in taxonomic order and follows The Check-list of North American Birds (7th edition, 57th supplement, 2016), published by the American Ornithologists' Union.

Unless otherwise noted, all species listed below are considered to occur regularly in Virginia as permanent residents, summer or winter visitors, or migrants. The following codes are used to designate some species:

• (I) - Introduced - a species introduced to North America by humans, either directly or indirectly
• (E) - Extinct - a recent species that no longer exists
• (A) - Accidental - a species that has been seen in Virginia fewer than six times since 1965
• (R) - Rare - "A species that is so scarce that it cannot be expected with any certainty, or one that occurs in a very specific and extremely limited habitat" according to the Avian Records Committee

Ducks, geese, and waterfowl

Order: Anseriformes   Family: Anatidae

The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, bills which are flattened to a greater or lesser extent, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to special oils. Forty-six species have been recorded in Virginia.

• Black-bellied whistling-duck, Dendrocygna autumnalis (R)
• West Indian whistling-duck, Dendrocygna arborea (A)
• Fulvous whistling-duck, Dendrocygna bicolor (R)
• Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons
• Snow goose, Chen caerulescens
• Ross's goose, Chen rossii (R)
• Brant, Branta bernicla
• Barnacle goose, Branta leucopsis (R)
• Cackling goose, Branta hutchinsii
• Canada goose, Branta canadensis
• Mute swan, Cygnus olor (I)
• Trumpeter swan, Cygnus buccinator (A)
• Tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus
• Wood duck, Aix sponsa
• Gadwall, Anas strepera
• Eurasian wigeon, Anas penelope (R)
• 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
• White-cheeked pintail, Anas bahamensis (A)
• Garganey, Anas querquedula (A)
• Green-winged teal, Anas crecca
• Canvasback, Aythya valisineria
• Redhead, Aythya americana
• Ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris
• Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula (A)
• Greater scaup, Aythya marila
• Lesser scaup, Aythya affinis
• King eider, Somateria spectabilis (R)
• Common eider, Somateria mollissima (R)
• Harlequin duck, Histrionicus histrionicus (R)
• 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
• Ruddy duck, Oxyura jamaicensis

New World quail

Order: Galliformes   Family: Odontophoridae

The New World quails are small, plump terrestrial birds only distantly related to the quails of the Old World, but named for their similar appearance and habits.

• Northern bobwhite, Colinus virginianus

Pheasants, grouse, and allies

Order: Galliformes   Family: Phasianidae

Phasianidae consists of the pheasants and their allies. These are terrestrial species, variable in size but generally plump with broad relatively short wings. Many species are gamebirds or have been domesticated as a food source for humans. Turkeys have a distinctive fleshy wattle that hangs from the underside of the beak and a fleshy protuberance that hangs from the top of its beak called a snood. As with many galliform species, the female (the hen) is smaller and much less colorful than the male (the tom). With wingspans of 1.5–1.8 meters (almost 6 feet), the turkeys are the largest birds in the open forests in which they live and are rarely mistaken for any other species. One species has been recorded in Virginia. Grouse inhabit temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. They are game and are sometimes hunted for food. In all Virginia species, males are polygamous and have elaborate courtship displays. These heavily built birds have legs feathered to the toes. Most species are year-round residents and do not migrate. Three species have been recorded in Virginia.

• Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (I)
• Wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavo
• Ruffed grouse, Bonasa umbellus

Flamingoes

Order: Phoenicopteriformes   Family: Phoenicopteridae

Flamingoes are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 m) tall, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly shaped beaks are adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume and, uniquely, are used upside-down.

• American flamingo, Phoencopterus ruber

Grebes

Order: Podicipediformes   Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. Six species have been recorded in Virginia.

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

Pigeons and doves

Order: Columbiformes   Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. Six species have been positively recorded in Virginia.

• Rock dove, Columba livia (I)
• White-crowned pigeon, Patagioenas leucocephala (A)
• Eurasian collared-dove, Streptopelia decaocto (I)
• Passenger pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius (extinct; believed to have occurred historically)
• Common ground-dove, Columbina passerina (R)
• White-winged dove, Zenaida asiatica (R)
• Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura

Cuckoos

Order: Cuculiformes   Family: Cuculidae The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. The Old World cuckoos are brood parasites. Three species have been recorded in Virginia.

• Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus
• Black-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus
• Groove-billed ani, Crotophaga sulcirostris (A)

Nightjars and allies

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs and very short bills. Most have small feet which are of little use for walking and long, pointed wings. Their soft plumage is cryptically colored to resemble bark or leaves. Three species have been recorded in Virginia.

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

Swifts

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Apodidae

The swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang.

• Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica

Hummingbirds

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Trochilidae

Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backwards. Seven species have been recorded in Virginia.

• Magnificent hummingbird, Eugenes fulgens (A)
• Ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris
• Black-chinned hummingbird, Archilochus alexandri (A)
• Rufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus
• Allen's hummingbird, Selasphorus sasin (A)
• Calliope hummingbird, Selasphorus calliope (A)
• Violet-crowned hummingbird, Amazilia violiceps (A)

Rails, gallinules, and coots

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Rallidae

Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots and gallinules. The most typical family members occupy dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers. Ten species have been recorded in Virginia.

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

Limpkin

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Aramidae

The limpkin is a large bird in a monotypic family. It is similar in appearance to the rails, but skeletally it is closer to the cranes. It is found in marshes and gets its common name from its appearance of limping as it walks.

• Limpkin, Aramus guarauna (A)

Cranes

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Gruidae

Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances".

• Sandhill crane, Grus canadensis

Stilts and avocets

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. Two species have been recorded in Virginia.

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

Oystercatchers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large, obvious and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prying open molluscs.

• American oystercatcher, Haematopus palliatus

Plovers and lapwings

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Charadriidae

The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water. Ten species have been recorded in Virginia, though the exact species of one could not be identified.

• Northern lapwing, Vanellus vanellus (A)
• Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola
• American golden-plover, Pluvialis dominica
• Lesser sand-plover/Greater sand-plover, Charadrius mongolus/Charadrius leschenaultii (A)
• Snowy plover, Charadrius nivosus (A)
• Wilson's plover, Charadrius wilsonia
• Semipalmated plover, Charadrius semipalmatus
• Piping plover, Charadrius melodus
• Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus
• Mountain plover, Charadrius montanus (A)

Sandpipers and allies

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Scolopacidae

Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Different lengths of legs and bills enable multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. Thirty-eight species have been positively recorded in Virginia.

• Upland sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda (R)
• Eskimo curlew, Numenius borealis (believed extinct; believed to have occurred historically)
• Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus
• Long-billed curlew, Numenius americanus (R)
• Black-tailed godwit, Limosa limosa (A)
• Hudsonian godwit, Limosa haemastica
• Bar-tailed godwit, Limosa lapponica (A)
• Marbled godwit, Limosa fedoa
• Ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres
• Red knot, Calidris canutus
• Ruff, Calidriss pugnax (R)
• Sharp-tailed sandpiper, Calidris acuminata (A)
• Stilt sandpiper, Calidris himantopus
• Curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea (R)
• Red-necked stint, Calidris ruficollis (A)
• Sanderling, Calidris alba
• Dunlin, Calidris alpina
• Purple sandpiper, Calidris maritima
• Baird's sandpiper, Calidris bairdii (R)
• Least sandpiper, Calidris minutilla
• White-rumped sandpiper, Calidris fuscicollis
• Buff-breasted sandpiper, Tryngites subruficollis (R)
• Pectoral sandpiper, Calidris melanotos
• Semipalmated sandpiper, Calidris pusilla
• Western sandpiper, Calidris mauri
• Short-billed dowitcher, Limnodromus griseus
• Long-billed dowitcher, Limnodromus scolopaceus (R)
• Wilson's snipe, Gallinago delicata
• Eurasian woodcock, Scolopax rusticola (A)
• American woodcock, Scolopax minor
• Terek sandpiper, Xenus cinereus (A)
• Spotted sandpiper, Actitis macularius
• Solitary sandpiper, Tringa solitaria
• Greater yellowlegs, Tringa melanoleuca
• Willet, Tringa semipalmata
• Lesser yellowlegs, Tringa flavipes
• Wilson's phalarope, Phalaropus tricolor
• Red-necked phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus
• Red phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius

Skuas

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Stercorariidae

They are in general medium to large birds, typically with gray or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They have longish bills with hooked tips and webbed feet with sharp claws. They look like large dark gulls, but have a fleshy cere above the upper mandible. They are strong, acrobatic fliers. Five species have been recorded in Virginia.

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

Auks, murres, and puffins

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Alcidae

Alcids are superficially similar to penguins due to their black-and-white colors, their upright posture and some of their habits; however, they are only distantly related to the penguins and are able to fly. Auks live on the open sea, only deliberately coming ashore to nest. Six species have been recorded in Virginia.

• Dovekie, Alle alle
• Common murre, Uria aalge (A)
• Thick-billed murre, Uria lomvia (R)
• Razorbill, Alca torda (R)
• Black guillemot, Cepphus grylle (A)
• Atlantic puffin, Fratercula arctica

Gulls, terns, and skimmers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Laridae

Gulls are typically medium to large birds, usually gray or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, stout, longish bills and webbed feet. The large species take up to four years to attain full adult plumage, but two years is typical for small gulls. Terns are in general medium to large birds, typically with gray or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. They have longish bills and webbed feet. They are lighter bodied and more streamlined than gulls and look elegant in flight with long tails and long narrow wings. Skimmers are tropical and subtropical species. They have an elongated lower mandible. They feed by flying low over the water surface with the lower mandible skimming the water for small fish. Thirty-five species have been recorded in Virginia.

• Black-legged kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla
• Sabine's gull, Xema sabini (R)
• Bonaparte's gull, Chroicocephalus philadelphia
• Black-headed gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus (R)
• Little gull, Hydrocoloeus minutus
• Laughing gull, Leucophaeus atricilla
• Franklin's gull, Leucophaeus pipixcan (R)
• Black-tailed gull, Larus crassirostris (A)
• Heermann's gull, Larus heermanni (A)
• Mew gull, Larus canus (A)
• Ring-billed gull, Larus delawarensis
• California gull, Larus californicus (R)
• Herring gull, Larus argentatus
• Yellow-legged gull, Larus michahellis (A)
• Thayer's gull, Larus thayeri
• Iceland gull, Larus glaucoides (R)
• Lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus
• Glaucous gull, Larus hyperboreus (R)
• Great black-backed gull, Larus marinus
• Brown noddy, Anous stolidus (A)
• Sooty tern, Onychoprion fuscatus (R)
• Bridled tern, Onychoprion anaethetus (R)
• Least tern, Sternula antillarum
• Gull-billed tern, Gelochelidon nilotica
• Caspian tern, Hydroprogne caspia
• Black tern, Chlidonias niger
• White-winged tern, Chlidonias leucopterus (R)
• Roseate tern, Sterna dougallii (R)
• Common tern, Sterna hirundo
• Arctic tern, Sterna paradisaea (R)
• Forster's tern, Sterna forsteri
• Royal tern, Thalasseus maximus
• Sandwich tern, Thalasseus sandvicensis
• Elegant tern, Thalasseus elegans (A)
• Black skimmer, Rynchops niger

Tropicbirds

Order: Phaethontiformes   Family: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their long wings have black markings, as does the head. Two species have been recorded in Virginia.

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

Loons

Order: Gaviiformes   Family: Gaviidae

Loons are aquatic birds, the size of a large duck, to which they are unrelated. Their plumage is largely gray or black, and they have spear-shaped bills. Loons swim well and fly adequately, but are almost hopeless on land, because their legs are placed towards the rear of the body. Three species have been recorded in Virginia.

• Red-throated loon, Gavia stellata
• Pacific loon, Gavia pacifica (R)
• Common loon, Gavia immer

Albatrosses

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Diomedeidae

The albatrosses are amongst the largest of flying birds, and the great albatrosses from the genus Diomedea have the largest wingspans of any extant birds. Two species have been recorded in Virginia.

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

Shearwaters and petrels

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Procellariidae

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterized by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary. Eleven species have been recorded in Virginia.

• Northern fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis
• Trindade petrel, Pterodroma arminjoniana (A)
• Bermuda petrel, Pterodroma cahow (A)
• Black-capped petrel, Pterodroma hasitata (R)
• Fea's petrel, Pterodroma feae (A)
• Bulwer's petrel, Bulweria bulwerii (A)
• Cory's shearwater, Calonectris diomedea
• Sooty shearwater, Ardenna griseus
• Great shearwater, Ardenna gravis
• Manx shearwater, Puffinus puffinus
• Audubon's shearwater, Puffinus lherminieri

Storm-petrels

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Hydrobatidae

The storm-petrels are the smallest seabirds, relatives of the petrels, feeding on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. Four species have been recorded in Virginia.

• Wilson's storm petrel, Oceanites oceanicus
• White-faced storm petrel, Pelagodroma marina (R)
• Leach's storm petrel, Oceanodroma leucorhoa (R)
• Band-rumped storm petrel, Oceanodroma castro (R)

Storks

Order: Ciconiiformes   Family: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, heavy, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long stout bills and wide wingspans. They lack the powder down that other wading birds such as herons, spoonbills and ibises use to clean off fish slime. Storks lack a pharynx and are mute.

• Wood stork, Mycteria americana (R)

Frigatebirds

Order: Suliformes   Family: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black or black-and-white, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have colored inflatable throat pouches. They do not swim or walk and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan-to-body-weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week.

• Magnificent frigatebird, Fregata magnificens (R)

Boobies and gannets

Order: Suliformes   Family: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium-large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish. Two species have been recorded in Virginia.

• Brown booby, Sula leucogaster (A)
• Northern gannet, Morus bassanus

Cormorants and shags

Order: Suliformes   Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Cormorants are medium-to-large aquatic birds, usually with mainly dark plumage and areas of colored skin on the face. The bill is long, thin and sharply hooked. Their feet are four-toed and webbed, a distinguishing feature among the Pelecaniformes order. Three species have been recorded in Virginia.

• Neotropic cormorant, Phalacrocorax brasilianus (A)
• Double-crested cormorant, Phalacrocorax auritus
• Great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo

Darters

Order: Suliformes   Family: Anhingidae

Darters are cormorant-like water birds with very long necks and long, straight beaks. They are fish eaters which often swim with only their neck above the water.

• Anhinga, Anhinga anhinga

Pelicans

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are very large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. Like other birds in the order Pelecaniformes, they have four webbed toes. Two species have been recorded in Virginia.

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

Herons, egrets, and bitterns

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the herons, egrets and bitterns. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more secretive. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills. Thirteen species have been recorded in Virginia.

• American bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus
• Least bittern, Ixobrychus exilis
• Great blue heron, Ardea herodias
• Great egret, Ardea alba
• Little egret, Egretta garzetta (A)
• Snowy egret, Egretta thula
• Little blue heron, Egretta caerulea
• Tricolored heron, Egretta tricolor
• Reddish egret, Egretta rufescens (A)
• 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

The family Threskiornithidae includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings. Their bodies tend to be elongated, the neck more so, with rather long legs. The bill is also long, decurved in the case of the ibises, straight and distinctively flattened in the spoonbills. Four species have been recorded in Virginia.

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

New World vultures

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Cathartidae

The New World vultures are not closely related to Old World vultures, but superficially resemble them because of convergent evolution. Like the Old World vultures, they are scavengers. However, unlike Old World vultures, which find carcasses by sight, New World vultures have a good sense of smell with which they locate carcasses. Two species have been recorded in Virginia.

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

Osprey

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Pandionidae

The osprey is a medium-large fish-eating bird of prey or raptor. It is widely distributed because it tolerates a wide variety of habitats, nesting in any location which is near a body of water and provides an adequate food supply. It is the only member of its family.

• Osprey, Pandion haliaetus

Hawks, kites and eagles

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey, which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. These birds have very large powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons and keen eyesight. Seventeen species have been recorded in Virginia.

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

Barn-owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Tytonidae

Barn-owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons.

• Barn owl, Tyto alba

Owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Strigidae

Typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk. Eight species have been recorded in Virginia.

• Eastern screech-owl, Megascops asio
• Great horned owl, Bubo virginianus
• Snowy owl, Bubo scandiacus (R)
• Burrowing owl, Athene cunicularia (A)
• Barred owl, Strix varia
• Long-eared owl, Asio otus (R)
• 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 stubby tails.

• Belted kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon

Woodpeckers, sapsuckers and flickers

Order: Piciformes   Family: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks. Nine species have been recorded in Virginia.

• Lewis's woodpecker, Melanerpes lewis (A)
• Red-headed woodpecker, Melanerpes erythrocephalus
• Red-bellied woodpecker, Melanerpes carolinus
• Yellow-bellied sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius
• Downy woodpecker, Picoides pubescens
• Hairy woodpecker, Picoides villosus
• Red-cockaded woodpecker, Picoides borealis (R)
• Northern flicker, Colaptes auratus
• Pileated woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus

Caracaras and falcons

Order: Falconiformes   Family: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey, notably the falcons and caracaras. They differ from hawks, eagles and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons. Five species have been recorded in Virginia.

• Crested caracara, Caracara cheriway (A)
• American kestrel, Falco sparverius
• Merlin, Falco columbarius
• Gyrfalcon, Falco rusticolus (A)
• Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus

New World and African parrots

Order: Psittaciformes   Family: Psittacidae

Parrots are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and they have a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two to the back. One species has been positively recorded in Virginia.

• Monk parakeet, Myiositta monachus (I)
• Carolina parakeet, Conuropsis carolinensis (extinct; believed to have occurred historically)

Tyrant flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Tyrannidae

Tyrant flycatchers are passerine birds which occur throughout North and South America. They superficially resemble the Old World flycatchers, but are more robust and have stronger bills. They do not have the sophisticated vocal capabilities of the songbirds. Most, but not all, are rather plain. As the name implies, most are insectivorous. Twenty species have been recorded in Virginia, though the exact species of one could not be determined.

• Olive-sided flycatcher, Contopus cooperi (R)
• Western wood-pewee, Contopus sordidulus (A)
• Eastern wood-pewee, Contopus virens
• Yellow-bellied flycatcher, Empidonax flaviventris (R)
• Acadian flycatcher, Empidonax virescens
• Alder flycatcher, Empidonax alnorum
• Willow flycatcher, Empidonax traillii
• Least flycatcher, Empidonax minimus
• Dusky flycatcher, Empidonax oberholseri (A)
• Pacific-slope flycatcher/cordilleran flycatcher, Empidonax difficilis/Empidonax occidentalis (A)
• Eastern phoebe, Sayornis phoebe
• Say's phoebe, Sayornis saya (R)
• Vermilion flycatcher, Pyrocephalus rubinus (A)
• Ash-throated flycatcher, Myiarchus cinerascens (R)
• Great crested flycatcher, Myiarchus crinitus
• Western kingbird, Tyrannus verticalis (R)
• Eastern kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus
• Gray kingbird, Tyrannus dominicensis (R)
• Scissor-tailed flycatcher, Tyrannus forficatus (R)
• Fork-tailed flycatcher, Tyrannus savana (R)

Shrikes

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Laniidae

Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey. Two species have been recorded in Virginia.

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

Vireos

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Vireonidae

The vireos are a group of small to medium-sized passerine birds restricted to the New World. They are typically greenish in color and resemble the wood warblers except for their heavier bills. Eight species have been recorded in Virginia.

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

Jays, crows, magpies and ravens

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Corvidae

The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence. Four species have been recorded in Virginia.

• Blue jay, Cyanocitta cristata
• Black-billed magpie, Pica hudsonia (A)
• American crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos
• Fish crow, Corvus ossifragus
• Common raven, Corvus corax

Larks

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Alaudidae

Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds.

• Horned lark, Eremophila alpestris

Swallows and martins

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Hirundinidae

The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking and the front toes are partially joined at the base. Eight species have been recorded in Virginia..

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

Chickadees and titmice

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Paridae

The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects. Four species have been recorded in Virginia.

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

Nuthatches

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sittidae

Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They have the unusual ability to climb down trees head first, unlike other birds which can only go upwards. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails and powerful bills and feet. Three species have been recorded in Virginia.

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

Treecreepers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Certhiidae

Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin pointed down-curved bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves on vertical trees.

• Brown creeper, Certhia americana

Wrens

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Troglodytidae

Wrens are small and inconspicuous birds, except for their loud songs. They have short wings and thin down-turned bills. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous. Seven species have been recorded in Virginia.

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

Gnatcatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Polioptilidae

These dainty birds resemble Old World warblers in their structure and habits, moving restlessly through foliage while seeking insects. The gnatcatchers are mainly a soft bluish gray in color and have the long sharp bill typical of an insectivore. Many species have distinctive black head patterns (especially males) and long, regularly cocked black-and-white tails.

• Blue-gray gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea

Kinglets

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Regulidae

The kinglets are a family of birds which are very small insectivorous birds in the genus Regulus. The adults have colored crowns, giving rise to their name. Two species have been recorded in Virginia.

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

Old World flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Muscicapidae

• Northern wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe (A)

Thrushes

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Turdidae

The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly but not exclusively in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs. Ten species have been recorded in Virginia.

• 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 (R)
• Swainson's thrush, Catharus ustulatus
• Hermit thrush, Catharus guttatus
• Wood thrush, Hylocichla mustelina
• American robin, Turdus migratorius
• Varied thrush, Ixoreus naevius (R)

Mockingbirds and thrashers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Mimidae

The mimids are a family of passerine birds which includes thrashers, mockingbirds, tremblers and the New World catbirds. These birds are notable for their vocalization, especially their remarkable ability to mimic a wide variety of birds and other sounds heard outdoors. The species tend towards dull grays and browns in their appearance. Four species have been recorded in Virginia.

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

Starlings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized Old World passerine birds with strong feet. Their flight is strong and direct and most are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country, and they eat insects and fruit. The plumage of several species is dark with a metallic sheen.

• European starling, Sturnus vulgaris (I)

Waxwings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Bombycillidae

The waxwings are a group of birds with soft silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. In the Bohemian and cedar waxwings, these tips look like sealing wax and give the group its name. These are arboreal birds of northern forests. They live on insects in summer and berries in winter.

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

Old World sparrows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passeridae

Old World sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small plump brownish or grayish birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects.

• House sparrow, Passer domesticus (I)

Wagtails and pipits

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Motacillidae

Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country. Two species have been recorded in Virginia.

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

Finches

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Fringillidae

Finches are seed-eating passerine birds that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. Eleven species have been recorded in Virginia.

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

Longspurs and snow buntings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Calcariidae

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

Wood-warblers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Parulidae

The wood warblers are a group of small, often colorful passerine birds restricted to the New World. Most are arboreal, but some are more terrestrial, such as the Ovenbird. Most members of this family are insectivores. Forty-two species have been recorded in Virginia.

• Ovenbird, Seiurus aurocapilla
• Worm-eating warbler, Helmitheros vermivorum
• Louisiana waterthrush, Parkesia motacilla
• Northern waterthrush, Parkesia noveboracensis
• Bachman's warbler, Vermivora bachmanii (extinct)
• Golden-winged warbler, Vermivora chrysoptera
• Blue-winged warbler, Vermivora cyanoptera
• Black-and-white warbler, Mniotilta varia
• Prothonotary warbler, Protonotaria citrea
• Swainson's warbler, Limnothlypis swainsonii
• Tennessee warbler, Oreothlypis peregrina
• Orange-crowned warbler, Oreothlypis celata
• Nashville warbler, Oreothlypis ruficapilla
• Connecticut warbler, Oporornis agilis (R)
• MacGillivray's warbler, Geothlypis tolmiei (A)
• Mourning warbler, Geothlypis philadelphia
• Kentucky warbler, Geothlypis formosa
• Common yellowthroat, Geothlypis trichas
• Hooded warbler, Setophaga citrina
• American redstart, Setophaga ruticilla
• Kirtland's warbler, Setophaga kirtlandii (A)
• 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
• Yellow-throated warbler, Setophaga dominica
• Prairie warbler, Setophaga discolor
• Black-throated gray warbler, Setophaga nigrescens (A)
• Townsend's warbler, Setophaga townsendi (A)
• Black-throated green warbler, Setophaga virens
• Canada warbler, Cardellina canadensis
• Wilson's warbler, Cardellina pusilla
• Yellow-breasted chat, Icteria virens

American sparrows, towhees and juncos

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Emberizidae

Emberizidae is a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with distinctively shaped bills. In Europe, most species are called buntings. In North America, most of the species in this family are known as sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns. Twenty-eight species have been recorded in Virginia.

• Green-tailed towhee, Pipilo chlorurus (A)
• Spotted towhee, Pipilo maculatus (A)
• Eastern towhee, Pipilo erythrophthalmus
• Bachman's sparrow, Peucaea aestivalis
• American tree sparrow, Spizelloides arborea
• Chipping sparrow, Spizella passerina
• Clay-colored sparrow, Spizella pallida (R)
• Brewer's sparrow, Spizella breweri (A)
• Field sparrow, Spizella pusilla
• Vesper sparrow, Pooecetes gramineus
• Lark sparrow, Chondestes grammacus
• Black-throated sparrow, Amphispiza bilineata (A)
• Lark bunting, Calamospiza melanocorys (A)
• Savannah sparrow, Passerculus sandwichensis
• Grasshopper sparrow, Ammodramus savannarum
• Henslow's sparrow, Ammodramus henslowii (R)
• Le Conte's sparrow, Ammodramus leconteii (R)
• Nelson's sparrow, Ammodramus nelsoni
• Saltmarsh sparrow, Ammodramus caudacutus
• Seaside sparrow, Ammodramus maritimus
• 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 (R)
• White-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys
• Dark-eyed junco, Junco hyemalis

Cardinals and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cardinalidae

The cardinals are a family of robust, seed-eating birds with strong bills. They are typically associated with open woodland. The sexes usually have distinct plumages. Eleven species have been recorded in Virginia.

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

Blackbirds, meadowlarks, cowbirds, grackles, and orioles

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Icteridae

3The icterids are a group of small to medium-sized, often colorful passerine birds restricted to the New World and include the grackles, New World blackbirds and New World orioles. Most species have black as a predominant plumage color, often enlivened by yellow, orange or red. Fifteen species have been recorded in Virginia.

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

Images for kids

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  Green heron

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  Northern mockingbird

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  Yellow-rumped warbler