Top 20 Birds of Massachusetts: Fave Species to See & ID

Massachusetts, with its iconic coastline, rolling hills, dense forests, and vibrant urban parks, is a birder's paradise. The Bay State's diverse ecosystems support an incredible array of avian life, from year-round residents to spectacular migratory visitors.

Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast with binoculars glued to your eyes or simply enjoy the feathered friends at your feeder, identifying Massachusetts's birds is a rewarding pursuit.

Here's a guide to 20 popular and fascinating species you can hope to see and identify across the Commonwealth.

Common Backyard & Woodland Favorites:

Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)

• • Description: Massachusetts's state bird! Small, active bird with a distinctive black cap and bib, and white cheeks.
  • Interesting Fact: Chickadees can lower their body temperature at night to conserve energy, entering a state of controlled hypothermia.

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

• • Description: Unmistakable bright red male with a crest; female is a beautiful reddish-brown.
  • Interesting Fact: The male cardinal is known to feed seeds to his mate during courtship, a sweet gesture of their bond.

American Robin (Turdus migratorius)

• • Description: Classic gray-backed bird with a brick-red breast, often seen hopping on lawns.
  • Interesting Fact: While they often forage on lawns, earthworms only make up about 30% of their diet; they also eat a lot of fruits and berries.

Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)

• • Description: Bold and striking, with vibrant blue, black, and white plumage and a prominent crest.
  • Interesting Fact: Blue Jays are known for mimicking the calls of hawks, particularly Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks, possibly to scare away other birds from food sources.

Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)

• • Description: The smallest North American woodpecker, black and white with a short bill; males have a tiny red spot on the nape.
  • Interesting Fact: Despite their small size, Downy Woodpeckers are quite aggressive at feeders and can hold their own against larger birds.

Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)

• • Description: A smart gray bird with a prominent crest and large dark eyes, often with peachy flanks.
  • Interesting Fact: Tufted Titmice are known to collect fur and hair from animals (including humans!) to line their soft nests.

White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)

• • Description: Blue-gray back, white face and underparts, and a black cap; unique for walking headfirst down tree trunks.
  • Interesting Fact: The nuthatch gets its name from its habit of "hatching" nuts by wedging them into bark crevices and hammering them open.

American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)

• • Description: Bright yellow males with black wings and a black cap in summer; duller in winter.
  • Interesting Fact: American Goldfinches are strict vegetarians, feeding almost exclusively on seeds, especially thistle.

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)

• • Description: Plump, grayish-brown bird with a small head and long, pointed tail, known for its soft, mournful cooing.
  • Interesting Fact: Mourning Doves can drink brackish (salty) water without becoming dehydrated, an ability few other birds possess.

Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)

• • Description: Gray and white with a long tail, famous for mimicking other birds' songs and even environmental sounds.
  • Interesting Fact: A male Northern Mockingbird can learn and sing up to 200 different songs throughout his lifetime to attract a mate.

Raptors & Waterfowl

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

• • Description: Common large hawk with a rusty-red tail (in adults) and a pale underside with a streaky "belly band."
  • Interesting Fact: Their piercing, raspy scream is often used as a generic "hawk sound" in movies, even when another raptor is shown.

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

• • Description: Large fish-eating raptor with a dark brown back, white underparts, and a distinct dark eye-stripe.
  • Interesting Fact: Ospreys have specialized barbed footpads and a reversible outer toe that help them grip slippery fish.

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

• • Description: Iconic raptor with a white head and tail, dark brown body, and massive yellow bill (adults).
  • Interesting Fact: Once nearly extirpated from Massachusetts due to DDT, Bald Eagles have made a remarkable comeback thanks to conservation efforts.

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

• • Description: The largest North American heron, standing over 4 feet tall with blue-gray plumage and a long, S-curved neck.
  • Interesting Fact: Great Blue Herons can strike prey faster than the human eye can follow, typically spearing fish with their sharp bill.

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

• • Description: The most common duck in Massachusetts; males have a glossy green head, white neck ring, and chestnut breast.
  • Interesting Fact: Mallards are "dabbling" ducks, feeding by tipping their bodies upside down to reach aquatic vegetation and invertebrates in shallow water.

Migrants & Specialized Species

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)

• • Description: Tiny, iridescent green back; males have a brilliant ruby-red throat.
  • Interesting Fact: During their long migration, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds can fly non-stop across the Gulf of Mexico, a journey of up to 500 miles.

Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)

• • Description: Often called "snowbirds," the "Slate-colored" form is dark gray with a white belly and white outer tail feathers that flash in flight.
  • Interesting Fact: Juncos are ground feeders, often seen hopping and scratching in leaf litter under feeders.

American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)

• • Description: North America's smallest falcon, with a rusty back, black "mustache" marks on its face, and pointed wings.
  • Interesting Fact: American Kestrels often "kettle" or hover in place over open fields while hunting, a behavior known as kiting.

Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)

• • Description: A plain, brownish-gray flycatcher often seen perching and constantly wagging its tail.
  • Interesting Fact: Eastern Phoebes are one of the earliest migratory birds to return in spring, often announcing their presence with their distinctive "fee-bee" call.

Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)

• • Description: Large, glossy blackbird with iridescent purple, green, or blue sheens, and striking yellow eyes.
  • Interesting Fact: Common Grackles are known to "ant," rubbing ants on their feathers, which may help them get rid of parasites or acquire formic acid for preening.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Birds Sing At Night In Massachusetts?

There are so many that entertain you at night, and we can highlight some of them, starting with:

The Northern Mockingbird 

This bird species has a resident population in this state, and you'll hear it singing from rooftops, trees, or fences. It imitates other birds, car alarms, creaking doors, dogs, plus mobile ringtones. That's why it's a mockingbird. It sings at night during the breeding season to attract mates.

Here is a video of Northen Mockingbird calling at night:

Barred Owls

You'll also hear Barred Owls use mournful hooting as a mating call. You may see these birds in pairs or lonesome as they sing for hours well into the night.

Another bird species that'll give you melodious nights are:

The Common Loon

It's the size of a goose, as it grows between 28 and 36 inches with a wingspan of about 5 feet. 

Loons can be found all over the state, and they love hanging around lakes and reservoirs. Common Loons sing during the day and night, but they are more active at night. 

Snowy Egret

It's a migratory bird with a white body, yellow feet, and a black bill and legs. Its aggressive calls during the breeding season resemble nasal squeals and croaking sounds. The snowy egret also makes clicking sounds with its beak to signal aggression.

Have you heard about...

Bobolinks

They'll sing so many songs for you. They are grassland birds, always foraging rice and other grains during migration and winter. Bobolinks' flight call is usually joyous and bubbly, and it signals the flock to migrate.

Wrapping Up

Massachusetts's rich birdlife offers endless opportunities for discovery. From the common companions at your feeder to the magnificent raptors soaring overhead, each species contributes to the vibrant natural tapestry of the Bay State.

What are you waiting for?

Read all about the wonderful owls of Massachusetts.

Owls In Massachusetts: Top 9 Hoots In The Commonwealth State