According to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, there are more than 400 species of large birds in Virginia. From the seashore to the mountains, Virginia is home to every naturally occurring species on the East Coast. That’s pretty impressive. And thanks to incredible efforts of conservation groups, previously scarce or threatened species like eagles and osprey have made a significant comeback in Virginia.

The following pictures have been provided through the artistry of brilliant photographers throughout the state. Thanks to them, even if you are not a “birdwatcher” by definition, you can take a few moments to experience the magnificence of Virginia’s birds. Enjoy the view!

  1. A Tree Swallow At Belle Haven Marina In Alexandria

Mr.TinDC / flickr The tree swallow was first described in 1807 by a French ornithologist, and even then it stood out for its coloring.

  1. Winter Cardinal

Reid Kasprowicz / flickr It’s hard to beat the beauty of a brilliant red cardinal against the crisp white snow.

  1. Red-Tailed Hawk

Fred Dunn / flickr From the face alone we can tell we don’t want to cross this guy.

4.. Papa Osprey Bringing Home Dinner On The Potomac River

Finiky / flickr Often called “sea hawks,” Osprey feed on fish rather than mammals.

  1. A White-Breasted Nuthatch Gets Creative At The Bird Feeder At Huntley Meadows Park in Fairfax

Mr.TinDC / flickr We know how it is. When you’ve got to eat, you’ve got to eat!

  1. Female Hooded Merganser In Hybla Valley

Mr.TinDC / flickr Is this a bird or a high fashion model? Hard to say.

  1. A Great Blue Heron Looks Out From His Perch

Tony Alter / flickr These majestic creatures can also be found in Central America, the Caribbean, and occasionally on the Western shores of Europe.

  1. American Goldfinch

Mr.TinDC / flickr These migratory birds sometimes travel from Canada all the way to Mexico in search of warmer weather.

  1. A Sweet Little Barn Swallow At Huntley Meadows Park

Katja Schulz / flickr These birds are distinctive for their forked tail.

  1. Black-Throated Green Warbler At Natural Chimneys Regional Park, Mt Solon

Matt Tillett / flickr You can practically hear its sweet crooning from this picture.

  1. An Eagle On His Perch At Deep River Basin, Richmond

jjmusgrove / flickr There is something very stately about the bird that represents the United States.

  1. Spring Cardinal…truly the bird for all seasons

C.P. Ewing / flickr Just as it shone against the winter snow, the cardinal looks beautiful amongst spring blooms as well.

  1. A Cooper’s Hawk With His Lunch

Tony Alter / flickr There’s no escaping these guys.

  1. A Male Downy Woodpecker Trying For A Snack

Mr.TinDC/ flickr

  1. A Great Egret Landing On The Water At Assateague Island

greyloch / flickr

  1. Great Horned Owl Looking None Too Pleased

Tom White / Flickr

  1. Greylag Goose At Byrd Park In Richmond

Kevin Kelley / flickr This bird native to Virginia is known for its orange beak and pink legs.

  1. A Family Of Hooded Mergansers - I guess they will grow into their “hair”

Mr.TinDC / flickr

  1. Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds In Flight At Caldeon State Park

Carly Lesser & Art Drauglis / flickr It’s amazing how graceful birds appear during flight.

  1. Mama Osprey And Her Chicks At Belle Haven

Mr.TinDC / flickr Even in the bird world, a mother will always, always provide for her young.

  1. Mighty Eagle At The Virginia Living Museum In Hampton

Ryan Somma / flickr

  1. Prothonotary Warbler At The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services / flickr Quite a beautiful bird to be hanging out in a wildlife refuge dubbed “dismal.”

  1. Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks On A Dinner Date

Waldo Jaquith / flickr

  1. Red-Bellied Woodpecker At The Feeder In Arlington

Alan Kotok / flickr

  1. Male Red-Winged Blackbird Giving A Shout Out

Katja Schulz / flickr

26 This Scarlet Tanager Looks Like He Was Painted Into The Scene

Carly Lesser & Art Drauglis / flickr

  1. Seagull At Virginia Beach… sometimes the light works magic

Rain0975 / flickr

  1. And Sometimes It’s The Water…

lina smith / flickr These beautiful shots can almost (almost) make us forget the aggressive cawing of seagulls while you’re enjoying a beach day.

  1. Swainson’s Warbler At The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services / flickr

  1. A Virginia Rail Camouflaged In The Marsh At Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

Steve Arena via U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services / flickr

  1. Wild Turkeys On The Run In Charlottesville

ancapron / flickr You definitely don’t want to get on the wrong side of these guys.

  1. Wilson’s Snipe In Groveton

Becky Matsubara / Flickr

GlynLowe

  1. A Yellow-Crowned Night Heron

Ryan Somma / flickr

While these are only a few of the hundreds of birds that call Virginia home, they are truly breathtaking, each in their own way. I would love to know about the types of birds you see most often. Perhaps you have feeders in your yard or back porch — or maybe you’re an active birdwatcher and know the best spots for seeing the widest varieties of Virginia birds. Tell me about your favorites in the comments below!

Mr.TinDC / flickr

The tree swallow was first described in 1807 by a French ornithologist, and even then it stood out for its coloring.

Reid Kasprowicz / flickr

It’s hard to beat the beauty of a brilliant red cardinal against the crisp white snow.

Fred Dunn / flickr

From the face alone we can tell we don’t want to cross this guy.

Finiky / flickr

Often called “sea hawks,” Osprey feed on fish rather than mammals.

Mr.TinDC / flickr

We know how it is. When you’ve got to eat, you’ve got to eat!

Is this a bird or a high fashion model? Hard to say.

Tony Alter / flickr

These majestic creatures can also be found in Central America, the Caribbean, and occasionally on the Western shores of Europe.

These migratory birds sometimes travel from Canada all the way to Mexico in search of warmer weather.

Katja Schulz / flickr

These birds are distinctive for their forked tail.

Matt Tillett / flickr

You can practically hear its sweet crooning from this picture.

jjmusgrove / flickr

There is something very stately about the bird that represents the United States.

C.P. Ewing / flickr

Just as it shone against the winter snow, the cardinal looks beautiful amongst spring blooms as well.

There’s no escaping these guys.

Mr.TinDC/ flickr

greyloch / flickr

Tom White / Flickr

Kevin Kelley / flickr

This bird native to Virginia is known for its orange beak and pink legs.

Carly Lesser & Art Drauglis / flickr

It’s amazing how graceful birds appear during flight.

Even in the bird world, a mother will always, always provide for her young.

Ryan Somma / flickr

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services / flickr

Quite a beautiful bird to be hanging out in a wildlife refuge dubbed “dismal.”

Waldo Jaquith / flickr

Alan Kotok / flickr

Rain0975 / flickr

lina smith / flickr

These beautiful shots can almost (almost) make us forget the aggressive cawing of seagulls while you’re enjoying a beach day.

Steve Arena via U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services / flickr

ancapron / flickr

You definitely don’t want to get on the wrong side of these guys.

Becky Matsubara / Flickr

GlynLowe

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: Virginia, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Birds of Virginia January 09, 2023 CC What are the most common birds in Virginia?

Northern Mockingbird Carolina Chickadee Northern Cardinal American Crow Tufted Titmouse American Robin Downy Woodpecker American Goldfinch Carolina Wren Mourning Dove Common Grackle European Starling Carolina Chickadee Blue Jay American Robin Red-Bellied Woodpecker Eastern Bluebird White Throated Sparrow

The OIYS Visitor Center

Birds of Virginia

January 09, 2023

CC

What are the most common birds in Virginia?

Northern Mockingbird Carolina Chickadee Northern Cardinal American Crow Tufted Titmouse American Robin Downy Woodpecker American Goldfinch Carolina Wren Mourning Dove Common Grackle European Starling Carolina Chickadee Blue Jay American Robin Red-Bellied Woodpecker Eastern Bluebird White Throated Sparrow

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

  • Northern Mockingbird
  • Carolina Chickadee
  • Northern Cardinal
  • American Crow
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • American Robin
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • American Goldfinch
  • Carolina Wren
  • Mourning Dove
  • Common Grackle
  • European Starling
  • Carolina Chickadee
  • Blue Jay
  • American Robin
  • Red-Bellied Woodpecker
  • Eastern Bluebird
  • White Throated Sparrow