Common Backyard Birds in Virginia (Pictures & Identification 2024)

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The backyard birds of Virginia are a delight to observe!

You’ll likely spot vibrant red Northern Cardinals flashing through the trees, chattering Carolina Wrens hopping among the shrubs, and bold Blue Jays squawking at your feeders.

Attract these feathered friends by offering a variety of seeds, suet, and fresh water. Plant native berry bushes to provide natural forage.

With a little effort, you can turn your yard into a bustling avian hub – the whole family will enjoy watching the comings and goings of these charismatic creatures.

Virginia’s backyard birds are a true gift of nature to appreciate all year round, especially when listening to the sounds of nocturnal Virginia owl sounds

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Common Backyard Birds in Virginia

Virginia is a birder’s paradise, home to a wide variety of feathered friends that can liven up any backyard.

From the striking red Northern Cardinal to the cheerful Carolina Chickadee, these common backyard birds are sure to delight nature enthusiasts across the state, with their presence being a common sight in any backyard, especially if you have a good understanding of their preferred habitats, which are detailed in this comparison of the red robin vs cardinal

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Northern Cardinal

If you’re lucky enough to spot a vibrant red male Northern Cardinal flitting through your Virginia backyard, consider yourself enchanted.

These charismatic birds are known for their cheerful songs and bright, distinctive plumage.

They readily visit backyard feeders, favoring sunflower seeds.

With their crest-like head feathers and warm brown females, cardinals are a beloved sight year-round, being a beloved sight.

Tufted Titmouse

With their perky crest and dark eyes, Tufted Titmice are a delightful sight at backyard feeders. These energetic birds will readily snatch sunflower seeds, suet, or peanuts, often stashing them away for later . Listen for their clear, whistled "peter-peter-peter" calls echoing through the trees.

Chickadees

Chickadees are a common sight in Virginia backyards, their cheerful chatter adding a delightful soundtrack to your outdoor adventures.

These little birds are easily recognizable by their distinct black caps, white cheeks, and gray backs. Attract them to your yard with bird feeders stocked with sunflower seeds or suet, especially those favored by Ohio small birds – they’ll happily flock to your backyard oasis

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Chickadee	Black-capped	Carolina
Head Pattern	Solid black cap and bib	Smaller black bib with distinct borders
Underparts	White with buff sides	Grayer overall with less buff
Tail	White edges on outer feathers	Less white on tail edges
Call	"Chickadee-dee-dee"	"Fee-bee"

Blue Jay

The bold and beautiful Blue Jay is a common backyard visitor in Virginia.

These intelligent corvids are known for their loud, raucous calls and aggressive behavior at feeders.

Blue Jays are adept at finding and storing food, often caching nuts, seeds, and even small invertebrates for later use.

Look out for their distinctive blue and white plumage, prominent crest, and black necklace as they dart around your yard, showcasing their loud, raucous calls and distinctive blue and white plumage.

American Crow

Perched prominently in treetops or soaring gracefully overhead, the American Crow is a familiar sight across Virginia.

With their sleek black plumage and distinctive "caw" call, these highly intelligent birds thrive in a variety of habitats, from open fields to bustling cities.

Known for their adaptability and problem-solving skills, crows are a true backyard success story.

Carolina Wren

Sporting a distinctive cinnamon hue, the Carolina Wren’s animated movements and boisterous teakettle-teakettle song are unmistakable in Virginia’s backyards (Source).

These secretive wrens frequent shrubby areas, often visiting suet feeders in winter.

Learn their call, and you may catch glimpses of their striking white eyebrow stripe and long, cocked tail as they dart through the underbrush.

Mourning Dove

One of the most ubiquitous backyard birds in Virginia, the soothing coo of the Mourning Dove graces many suburban neighborhoods.

These gentle birds thrive in a variety of habitats, from open fields to urban areas, thanks to their adaptable nature and prolific breeding.

Attract them to your yard by offering a bird bath and mixed seed feeders.

Carolina Chickadee

Do you happen to catch sight of the curious, black-capped Carolina Chickadee in your Virginia backyard?

This year-round resident is known for its fearless demeanor, darting between feeders and tree branches with rapid movements.

You can attract these charming songbirds by providing nest boxes , a birdbath, and native plants that support their insect-rich diet.

Attracting Birds to Your Backyard

Attracting a wide variety of birds to your backyard is easier than you might think.

By putting out feeders, adding a water source, offering birdhouses, providing shelter, and planting native plants, you can create a welcoming oasis.

This welcoming oasis will have feathered friends flocking to your yard in no time, making it a perfect welcoming oasis.

Put Out Bird Feeders

To attract your feathered neighbors, put out a variety of feeders filled with a mix of seeds, nuts, and suet.

Choose robust feeders that are easy to clean and squirrel-proof.

Hang them in spots with ample cover nearby, and keep them consistently stocked and regularly maintained to welcome a diverse array of backyard birds.

Add a Water Source

Offering a consistent water source is key to attracting an array of feathered friends.

Consider placing multiple birdbaths of varying sizes and depths – from ground-level bowls to elevated pedestal baths.

Position them near cover like shrubs and trees, and keep them clean and filled with fresh water.

The birds will flock to your wildlife-friendly oasis!

Offer Birdhouses

Installing the right birdhouses can be a game-changer for attracting feathered friends to your Virginia backyard.

Consider the species-specific requirements for hole size, house dimensions, and placement. Wrens and chickadees thrive in 1-1/8 to 1-1/2 inch holes, while bluebirds need a 1-1/2 inch entrance (Source).

Situate houses 5-10 feet high in sheltered areas to give your new tenants the perfect home.

Birdhouse Type	Hole Size	House Dimensions
Wren	1-1/8 to 1-1/2 inches	4 x 4 or 4 x 6 inches, 8 inches high
Chickadee	1-1/8 to 1-1/2 inches	5 x 5 inches, 8 inches high
Bluebird	1-1/2 inches	5-1/2 x 5-1/2 x 10 inches high

Provide Shelter

While birdhouses offer cozy nooks, providing natural cover is just as important.

Evergreen shrubs and brush piles give birds shelter from predators and extreme weather (Source).

Snags – standing dead trees – provide cavities for cavity-nesters, such as owls and woodpeckers.

With a diversity of shelter options, you’ll attract more birds to your backyard.

Add Native Plants

Sprinkle native plants throughout your yard to entice a diverse array of Virginia’s beloved backyard birds, much like the American Robins and Blue Jays that thrive in various Michigan habitats

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Species like red chokeberry, serviceberry, and inkberry holly provide year-round sustenance, from nectar-rich blooms to nutrient-dense berries.

Consult local experts like the Virginia Native Plant Society to find the right natives for your soil and climate, especially to find the right natives.

Different Types of Bird Feeders

So, how exactly do you choose the right bird feeders to attract feathered friends to your Virginia backyard, considering the importance of native vegetation options

? Variety is the key – offer a mix of feeder types to cater to different bird species’ preferences. For instance, when it comes to attracting birds that prefer thistle seeds, like the American Goldfinch, thistle seed preferences can vary by region, so you need to research the specific needs of the birds in your area. By understanding these preferences, you can tailor your feeder selection to better meet their needs. – Tray feeders provide an open platform for ground-feeding birds like sparrows and juncos.

• Tube feeders with small perches work well for finches and smaller birds.
• Hopper feeders keep seed dry and accessible for cardinals, jays, and grosbeaks.
• Suet feeders are a hit with woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees looking for high-energy treats.

By diversifying your feeder selection, you’ll invite a colorful array of Virginia’s backyard birds to enjoy your yard. Just be sure to keep those feeders clean to maintain their health!

Virginia Birds and Birding in Virginia State

How exactly can you discover the wonders of Virginia’s abundant avian diversity? From the rugged Blue Ridge Mountains to the sun-kissed Atlantic coast, the Commonwealth serves as a birder’s paradise.

Spanning over 400 different species, Virginia’s birdlife is truly remarkable. Explore the wetlands of Huntley Meadows Park near Washington, D.C., where over 240 species have been documented, including the elusive Mississippi Kite.

Or venture to the shores of Mason Neck State Park, home to a thriving population of 50-60 bald eagles. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or a budding birder, Virginia offers endless opportunities to appreciate our feathered friends in their natural habitats, with many places to visit throughout the state, especially the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Virginia Bird Identification

Learning to identify the common backyard birds in Virginia, which includes familiar species like the Northern Cardinals and Blue Jays that can be attracted to your yard with the right bird-friendly environment and sunflower seeds for birds, is a rewarding skill that will allow you to better appreciate the fascinating feathered friends sharing your outdoor space.

Get ready to become a birding pro as we explore the distinctive features and behaviors of some of the most prevalent avian species found in Virginia backyards, which will help you to better appreciate the fascinating feathered friends.

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis Cardinalis)

With its vibrant red plumage, the Northern Cardinal is a true showstopper in Virginia backyards.

Known as the state bird, this feisty songster is a year-round resident, delighting residents with its cheerful whistles.

Adept at foraging on the ground and at feeders, the cardinal’s diverse diet includes seeds, berries, and insects , making it a year-round resident.

American Crow (Corvus Brachyrhynchos)

Commonly found across Virginia, the American Crow is a highly adaptable, resourceful bird.

With its distinctive black feathers, powerful bill, and raucous cawing, this intelligent species often forages in open areas and scavenges for a diverse diet of insects, seeds, garbage, and even eggs from other birds’ nests.

Observing crows’ clever problem-solving abilities can be a delightful backyard experience, showcasing the bird’s intelligent species.

Carolina Wren (Thryothorus Ludovicianus)

One of the most recognizable backyard birds in Virginia, the Carolina Wren is known for its distinctive "tea-kettle, tea-kettle" song.

With a rich cinnamon plumage, white eyebrow stripe, and long, upward-cocked tail, this lively wren often visits suet feeders.

This lively wren often nests in cozy spots like hanging ferns or nestboxes.

Mourning Dove (Zenaida

The Mourning Dove’s soft, mournful cooing beautifully serenades Virginia backyards.

Often nesting in flimsy twig platforms, these birds charm with their pointed tails and gentle demeanor.

Feeding almost exclusively on seeds, they bob along the ground like feathered vacuums.

Their impressive breeding habit means they can raise up to six broods a year, ensuring plenty of cooing company.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)