Birds in the United States: State-by-State Bird Guides
Birdlife changes across the United States because every region has a different mix of forests, wetlands, grasslands, deserts, mountains, coastlines, and migration routes.
Select one of our published state guides to learn about common backyard birds, waterfowl, raptors, hummingbirds, seasonal visitors, and good birdwatching locations.
Explore Birds by State
Choose a state below to open its main bird hub. More state pages will be added as complete guides become available.
Northeastern States
Midwestern States
Southern States
Browse Birds by Type
If you know the general type or color of the bird, use these collections to narrow your search. Results include guides from different states.
Backyard Birds
Find cardinals, finches, chickadees, doves, wrens, robins, and other familiar birds seen near homes and feeders.
Browse backyard birdsDucks and Geese
Identify dabbling ducks, diving ducks, sea ducks, geese, and other waterfowl found on lakes, ponds, rivers, and coastlines.
Browse ducks and waterfowlHawks and Falcons
Compare birds of prey using their size, wing shape, markings, habitat, and hunting behavior.
Browse hawks and falconsOwls
Learn how to recognize local owls by their facial pattern, size, call, range, and preferred habitat.
Browse owl guidesHummingbirds
Find resident and migratory hummingbirds, along with identification clues and regional ranges.
Browse hummingbird guidesWoodpeckers
Compare woodpeckers by head markings, back patterns, calls, body size, and feeding habits.
Browse woodpecker guidesHerons and Egrets
Identify long-legged wading birds seen around marshes, ponds, rivers, bays, and coastal wetlands.
Browse herons and egretsShorebirds
Find plovers, sandpipers, oystercatchers, avocets, stilts, and other birds that feed near shallow water.
Browse shorebird guidesSparrows and Finches
Compare small seed-eating birds by face pattern, bill shape, streaking, song, and seasonal range.
Browse sparrows and finchesRed Birds
Identify red and reddish birds such as cardinals, tanagers, flycatchers, finches, and woodpeckers.
Browse red bird guidesYellow Birds
Find warblers, orioles, kingbirds, meadowlarks, chats, and other birds with yellow feathers.
Browse yellow bird guidesBlue Birds
Compare bluebirds, jays, buntings, swallows, and other species with blue plumage.
Browse blue bird guidesLatest State Bird Guides
Read our newest and recently updated guides to birds found across the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bird species are found in the United States?
More than 1,000 species have been recorded when resident birds, migrants, introduced species, and rare visitors are counted. Individual states have much smaller regular species lists.
Which states have the greatest bird diversity?
California and Texas usually record especially high species totals. Their large size, varied habitats, coastlines, and migration routes support many different kinds of birds.
Are the same birds found in every state?
No. A bird’s range depends on habitat, climate, elevation, food, and migration. Some familiar species live across much of the country, while others remain limited to one region.
What details help identify an unknown bird?
Note its size, main colors, bill shape, wing markings, habitat, movement, and call. Your state and the time of year can also help separate similar species.