Common Birds in Pennsylvania: Pictures & Facts (2024)

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Exploring the birdlife of Pennsylvania is an opportunity to experience one of nature’s most diverse realms.

From the American Robin that can be seen in nearly every backyard, to migratory birds like Orioles and Grosbeaks passing through on their way south – there are common birds in Pennsylvania for everyone!

In this article we’ll take a look at some of these well-known species. You’ll get pictures and facts about them so you can better understand what they look like, where they live, how to attract them as part of your own backyard flock or even just appreciate their presence from afar.

Let’s start by taking a closer look at the iconic American Robin! With its familiar reddish-orange breast and cheery song, this large thrush is commonly seen across lawns or perched on branches. Robins build their nests in the crotches of trees, on ledges, or other outdoor nooks.

Their diet consists mainly of worms and insects that they catch by cocking their head to one side and listening for underground movement. American Robins are a sign of spring as they return early to take advantage of earthworms emerging in the warming soil.

Seeing a flock of blackbirds overhead is a common site, likely Red-winged Blackbirds or Grackles on the move. These species travel in noisy groups and nest in marshes or fields. The male Red-winged Blackbird is unmistakable with his scarlet-and-yellow shoulder patches called epaulets.

Songbirds like the Northern Cardinal add cheer with their whistles and chirps. The male’s bright red plumage makes it a standout. Watch for these birds visiting feeders for seeds and fruit. They often come in pairs and may even nest in dense bushes near your home.

There are many other familiar backyard birds in Pennsylvania like nuthatches, chickadees, sparrows, Blue Jays, and more.

American Robin

As one of the most recognizable and common backyard birds in Pennsylvania, the American Robin can be spotted all across the state with its rusty red breast and cheery song. From Minnesota to the Atlantic Coast and down to Florida, a range map of the American Robin shows breeding territory in the northern states and wintering grounds in the southern regions.

Recognizable and Common in Pennsylvania

You’ll often spot the American Robin’s rusty red breast in Pennsylvania backyards, as it’s one of the state’s most recognizable and widespread breeding birds. As a sign of spring’s onset, watch for migrating flocks arriving from southern wintering grounds to find nesting spots in yards or woodland edges.

Supply suet and mealworms in backyard feeders to attract breeding pairs, and listen for the male’s cheerful caroling song. With proper habitat, you can enjoy this familiar and gregarious thrush nearly year-round.

Range Map of American Robin

The American robin’s range extends across most of North America, so you’ve likely spotted this familiar bird’s rusty red breast in your own backyard. Robins take advantage of trees, buildings, and landscaping in both rural and urban areas.

Their adaptive behavior and habitat flexibility allow them to thrive throughout their breeding range. Though partially migratory, many robins remain in Pennsylvania year-round, providing a constant presence.

Woodpeckers

Hello friend, let’s take a look at two common Pennsylvania woodpeckers: the Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers. These birds can be tricky to tell apart, but focusing on differences in size, bill length, and range map patterns will help distinguish between these backyard birds.

While similar, the larger Hairy has a longer bill than the tiny Downy and prefers more forested habitats in the northern and western parts of the state.

Downy Woodpecker

See those tiny peckers hammering at trees? Those are Downy Woodpeckers, frequent backyard birds attracted to suet and sunflower seeds.

• Sporting black and white stripes with a red patch, these active little birds drum on trees searching for insects and larvae.
• You’ll often catch sight of them clinging sideways to tree trunks or branches, hammering away with their sharp beaks.
• Downies eat insects, berries, and seeds, visiting feeders for suet, peanuts, and sunflower seeds.
• Found in parks, woodlands, and backyards, Downy Woodpeckers thrive near oak and maple trees where beetles and ants dwell under the bark.

Hairy Woodpecker

Spot a larger lookalike pecking on tree trunks around your backyard.

Downy Woodpecker	Hairy Woodpecker
6-7 inches	9-10 inches
Black and white with white stripes down back	Black and white with white stripes down back
Short thin beak	Long chisel-like beak

Seek a robust woodpecker, the Hairy. Its stronger beak chisels wood deeper for beetle larvae. Its range spans forests across your Eastern state. Though widespread, conserve old trees and dead snags for nesting cavities.

Range Maps and Distinguishing Features

Compare range maps to identify overlap and habitat preferences.

Note bill size – Hairy has longer bill about same length as head.

Hairy is larger with 9-11 inch length vs. Downy at 6-7 inches.

Check for white spots on outer tail feathers to ID Downy.

Focus on how the stiff tail supports them while crawling up tree trunks.

The subtle features distinguish these lookalike woodpeckers, but their acrobatics captivate as they tap old wood in search of insects.

American Goldfinch

Greetings fellow birdwatchers! The colorful American Goldfinch brings joy to backyards across Pennsylvania and much of North America with its bright yellow summer plumage and lively chirps. You can attract flocks of these tiny seed-eaters by stocking Nyjer feeders, as Goldfinches thrive on these oil-rich seeds and will linger all season long as they migrate across the state.

Yellow Summer Plumage

Enjoy the American goldfinches’ bright yellow summer plumage before they molt to duller colors in fall. Their vibrant yellow signals the peak of breeding season. Watch males perform acrobatic flight displays to attract mates.

Offer thistle seed to draw these sociable finches to your backyard sanctuary. Before fall migration they change to olive-yellow plumage to camouflage among autumn leaves. Appreciate their brief golden glow while it lasts, a sign of summer’s fleeting days.

Common birds in Pennsylvania include the yellow summer plumage of American goldfinches. These breeding birds are a delight for bird watchers hoping to attract wildlife to their backyard sanctuaries.

Preferred Food and Attracting to Feeders

You’ll attract them to your feeder with nyjer seed, though their numbers are dropping by 2% per year in Pennsylvania. American goldfinches flock to feeders filled with thistle or nyjer, their favorite seed.

Planting coneflowers, zinnias, and other flowers with tiny seeds will also entice the yellow birds. They prefer thistle during nesting season for its high fat and protein content. Install feeders specifically designed for nyjer to minimize waste.

Use black oil sunflower seeds for more year-round feeding. With the right offerings, you’ll welcome this colorful finch to your yard.

Range Map

Check out the American Goldfinch’s range across North America to see where you can spot these bright yellow summer birds. In summer, find goldfinches breeding across Canada and the northern United States.

They migrate south for winter, so look for flocks in the southern half of North America. Use range maps to discover prime bird watching locations and track migratory patterns. Knowing when and where to search helps you get to experience the splendor of goldfinch gatherings.

Sparrows

The various sparrow species can be found throughout much of Pennsylvania, despite some populations facing declines. While the House Sparrow‘s range covers the entire state, the Song Sparrow and White-throated Sparrow are absent from some mountainous areas, although all three share an affinity for seeds and insects along with streaky plumage.

House Sparrow

While invasive house sparrows can certainly be a nuisance, persecuting them goes against biodiversity ethics. With some clever modifications and gentle deterrents, even non-native species like the adaptable and aggressive house sparrow can coexist in shared habitats.

Using exclusions and deterrents compassionately maintains ethical treatment, and a variety of approaches prevents the sparrows from overwhelming backyard feeders. Managing house sparrows requires maintaining biodiversity while also controlling an abundant invasive species.

A thoughtful, multifaceted approach allows native cavity nesters and urban house sparrow colonies to inhabit backyards, both contributing to local ecosystems.

Song Sparrow

Spot the Song Sparrow’s brown streaks and open cup nests as this adaptable bird flits through brushy suburbs and wetlands. Flitting through tangled thickets, listen for its variable trills and buzzes. Though facing modest declines, enjoy its presence in your backyard by providing shrub cover.

As spring arrives, celebrate its migratory return and melodious songs brightening backyards across Pennsylvania. Savor simple moments observing this widespread songbird, a familiar companion tweeting among neighborhood trees and bushes.

White-throated Sparrow

The White-throated Sparrow can be recognized by its distinctive head stripes when it visits your yard in Pennsylvania. Look for tan and gray feathers with bold black and white head stripes. Listen for its sweet whistled song that starts fast then slows down.

This sparrow breeds across Canada then migrates through Pennsylvania in spring and fall. Conserving shrubs, woods and overgrown fields it prefers will help. Offering seeds and berries at your feeders will attract this melodious sparrow as it migrates through the state.

Range Maps and Characteristics

You can visualize the range maps and characteristics of Pennsylvania’s sparrows as you watch their distinctive head stripes and coloring while they forage and sing in your backyard.

1. Observe the coloring on the head and wings to distinguish between species.
2. Note the habitat each sparrow prefers based on the range map shading.
3. Listen for the unique songs and calls of each species while watching them forage.
4. Select bird feeders that attract the sparrows found in your area.

Keeping a pair of binoculars handy allows closer inspection of field marks for identification. Focus on head patterns, beak shape, streaking, and plumage colors to tell sparrows apart. Compare range maps to determine which species occur in your location. With patience, you’ll come to recognize their songs and habits.

Blackbirds

Red-winged blackbirds and common grackles are two of the most conspicuous blackbirds you’ll encounter. Though their numbers are modestly declining, redwings remain common in wetlands and fields, flashing crimson shoulder patches.

Meanwhile, grackles strut across lawns with glossy black plumage and iridescent heads.

Red-winged Blackbird

You’ll often spot red-winged blackbirds in marshes and wetlands, where the males perch and flash their red shoulder patches. These birds thrive near water, building cup-shaped nests in cattails and bulrushes.

Their mellow whistling songs echo across wetlands as they forage for insects, grains, and seeds. Though populations are stable, these adaptable birds face threats from wetland drainage and pesticides.

Providing habitat around ponds and marshes aids red-winged blackbirds and other wetland species.

Behavior	Breeding Habits
Gregarious in large flocks	Nest in marshes and wetlands
Males show off red shoulder patches	Build cup-shaped nests in vegetation
Sing melodic whistling songs	Raise multiple broods per season
Eat omnivorous diet	Polygamous mating system

Common Grackle

Hey, grackles with their iridescent heads are squawking all over the place lately. I saw a huge flock of them in the Walmart parking lot just this morning, strutting around like they owned the place! These large blackbirds adapt well to human environments.

Grackles are efficient omnivores, favoring protein-rich foods like insects, small vertebrates, seeds and grains. Their sharp kee-reek vocalizations can erupt into a cacophony when flocking. Though grackles thrive, their aggressive habits make them a nuisance.

Range Maps and Behaviors

Fellas, look where blackbirds frequent to see them pecking seeds. Blackbirds are known for their range, vocalizations, and breeding season habits. Males vigorously defend breeding territories with noisy calls. Females build nests in bushes or trees using plant fibers and hair.

Both sexes incubate eggs and feed nestlings. In autumn, massive flocks form to migrate south. Blackbirds forage on the ground or in trees and bushes for seeds, berries, and insects. Carefully scanning fields and woodland edges can reveal these social, vocal birds going about their daily routines.

Cardinals and Jays

Greetings! You’ll be delighted to learn that two of Pennsylvania’s most vibrantly colored and vocal backyard birds are the Northern Cardinal and Blue Jay. Spot their range across the state with helpful maps, and lure them into your yard with enticing feeders.

Although their plumage differs, both species add lively splashes of red, blue, and even orange when viewed up close.

Northern Cardinal

Attract that classic vibrant red male cardinal to your backyard by offering sunflower seeds in your window feeder. The northern cardinal lives in open woodlands, thickets, suburban gardens, and parks. Listen for the loud metallic what-cheer! songs from males as they establish nesting territories.

Female cardinals build cup nests in thick bushes where they lay 3-4 eggs. Cardinals increased in population in urban areas due to ample food and nest sites. With beautiful red coloring and a cheerful song, the northern cardinal brightens winter days.

Blue Jay

You’ll delight in startling blue flashes as blue jays visit your yard, their mischievous antics providing comic relief like a class clown. Watch for eggs, babies, and nests in the spring as blue jays build low, loose nests and incubate eggs among branches.

These intelligent birds eat seeds from bird feeders, insects, berries, and small vertebrates. Their raucous jay jay calls warn of predators or announce territory. With their inquisitive natures and vibrant plumage, blue jays always brighten the day.

Range Maps and Attracting to Feeders

You can find Blue Jays throughout Pennsylvania, but they’re especially drawn to peanuts, suet, and sunflower seeds at feeders.

1. Place feeders near trees or shrubs to provide quick escape cover.
2. Offer black oil sunflower seeds to attract jays.
3. Sit quietly and use binoculars for the best viewing.
4. Blue Jays prefer platform feeders or hopper feeders with large perches.
5. Monitor food levels and keep feeders clean to encourage daily visits.

Jays stay in Pennsylvania year-round, though some migrate short distances. With patience, you can attract striking Blue Jays to your backyard habitat.

Chickadees and Nuthatches

Greetings birding friend! Let us discuss two common backyard birds you are likely to spot in Pennsylvania: the Black-capped Chickadee and White-breasted Nuthatch. Keep an eye out for these active, acrobatic birds that flock readily to feeders filled with sunflower seeds and suet.

Black-capped Chickadee

Among Pennsylvania’s birds, the lively black-capped chickadee brings cheer with its acrobatics and comical calls. This tiny yet charismatic songster flits through trees, hangs upside-down, and chatters its familiar chick-a-dee-dee all year.

Though chickadees thrive near humans, they face population declines from West Nile Virus. Providing nest boxes and suet can help support these beloved backyard visitors. With patience, you may earn a chickadee’s trust and have one land on your outstretched hand for a magical moment.

Attracting these diminutive charmers to your yard creates an opportunity to connect with nature’s beauty.

White-breasted Nuthatch

The adorable little upside-down chickadees will have you doing double-takes as the white-breasted nuthatch scampers headfirst down tree trunks like an acrobat. Nuthatches nest in tree cavities, foraging on insects and seeds. Their nasal yank-yank calls echo through deciduous forests.

Though widespread, providing suet and nest boxes offers added protection. Always a delight to spy them as they dart and climb with purpose.

Woodpeckers (Continued)

Let’s explore two of Pennsylvania’s largest woodpecker species, the Pileated Woodpecker and Red-bellied Woodpecker. One can identify the crow-sized Pileated by its mostly black body with bold white stripes on the face and neck, while the smaller Red-bellied has black and white stripes on the back and red on the head.

Both woodpeckers thrive in mature forests across the state, utilizing their powerful chisel-like bills to excavate nest cavities in dead trees and search for insect prey in wood. Although habitat loss has impacted populations, these adaptable woodpeckers remain a common sight and sound in Pennsylvania’s wooded landscapes.

Pileated Woodpecker

Here ya go, mate: The majestic Pileated Woodpecker, with its distinctive red crest, will make regular visits to your backyard if you put up a suet feeder.

1. Look for large rectangular holes it excavates in dead trees.
2. Listen for its loud, ringing, laughing call.
3. Watch it toss wood chips everywhere while it chisels.
4. Enjoy seeing its nearly foot-long size, one of the largest woodpeckers.

This striking bird is a true forest giant, using its powerful bill to excavate nest cavities and find carpenter ants, its favorite food. Though populations remain stable, habitat loss threatens the Pileated Woodpecker.

You can aid conservation efforts by leaving standing dead trees and hanging suet feeders with fruit, nuts, and berries to attract these majestic birds.

Red-bellied Woodpecker

The striking black and white Red-bellied Woodpecker with its scarlet red head is a bird you’ll often spot frequenting backyards and woodlands across Pennsylvania. Adaptable and opportunistic, it prefers open deciduous forests with dead trees or limbs for nesting.

Its diet consists of insects, fruits, nuts and sap. Territorial and nonmigratory, its range covers eastern North America. Unique adaptations include modified tail feathers that brace against tree trunks and a long barbed tongue to snatch insects.

Though considered common, habitat loss can potentially impact populations negatively. With patience, you may be rewarded with a sighting of this beautiful woodpecker.

Range Maps and Habitat Preferences

You can explore the habitat ranges and preferences for Pennsylvania’s common woodpeckers through the interactive maps on the state wildlife agency’s website. These maps show how our woodpeckers are distributed across the state’s diverse regions and habitats.

Their migration patterns, feeding behaviors, and conservation statuses relate closely to the resources found in the various ecosystems they inhabit, ranging from forests to wetlands to suburban neighborhoods.

Studying these maps provides deeper insight into and appreciation for the lives of Pennsylvania’s spectacular woodpeckers. Examining how they are distributed and what habitats they prefer illustrates how the state’s diverse ecosystems sustain them.

Thrushes and Wrens

Attracting ornithological favorites to your yard takes some know-how. House Wrens, Eastern Bluebirds, and Gray Catbirds will readily nest in manmade boxes if properly installed in ideal habitat. Therefore, you should check range maps and follow nest box plans to better observe these delightful backyard birds.

Eastern Bluebird

Experience the vibrant blue plumage of male Eastern Bluebirds fluttering through your backyard when you install customized nest boxes. These thrushes readily accept human-made houses. During spring and summer, enjoy their soft warbling songs as they raise multiple broods.

Though widespread and relatively common, habitat loss threatens populations. Place boxes in open fields or meadows, facing east for warmth. Entrance holes sized for bluebirds deter competitors. Witness dazzling iridescent feathers and family devotion with proper nest box placement and maintenance.

House Wren

See tiny house wrens busily flitting about your yard, searching for nooks and crannies in which to build their nests.

1. Feed house wrens live insects like fat, juicy mealworms. They love them!
2. Offer nesting materials such as pet hair, dryer lint, and natural fibers.
3. Hang open-front birdhouses 5-10 feet high in partly shaded areas.

The charming song of the house wren brings joy. Watch their busy antics collecting insects and nesting material. Protect old trees and shrubs to provide habitat for these little cavity nesters.

Gray Catbird

As that pesky gray catbird meows outside your window at 3am, you’ll wish you’d picked a quieter state to live in. Those raspy cat-like sounds echo as the bold gray bird defends its territory. Catbird behavior is notoriously noisy, but that voice helps identify this backyard resident.

Highly adaptable, catbirds thrive from woodlands to suburbs using dense cover. Their lively songs and mocking calls entertain birders, though some find the nighttime noises irksome. While populations remain stable, habitat loss threatens these birds. Appreciate their antics, but maybe invest in earplugs for sleep.

Behavior	Habitat	Conservation	Song	Migration
Bold, curious	Overgrown areas	Stable population	Mewing calls	Short distances
Defensive	Thickets, edges	Sensitive to habitat loss	Mimic sounds	Winter in Gulf states
Noisy	Suburbs, woods	Climate change impact	Whistles, chatters	Returns in April

Range Maps and Attracting to Nest Boxes

Taken from a place of wisdom, allow your eyes to gently behold the wood thrush’s soothing melodies as they echo through Pennsylvania’s mature forests. Strategically placing nest boxes along the edges of open woodlands and maintaining the boxes by cleaning them out annually will attract eastern bluebirds and other cavity nesters to raise young.

Insights from range maps show that installing nest boxes in the southeastern and south-central counties gives the greatest chance for bluebird residence. With thoughtful placement and care, handmade nesting habitats transform into melodious venues for the next generation of songbirds.

Orioles and Grosbeaks

Colorful songbirds like the Baltimore Oriole and Rose-breasted Grosbeak bring joy to backyard birding. You can increase sightings by offering sliced oranges, grape jelly, and nectar feeders to attract these striking birds during spring and summer months when they pass through Pennsylvania for nesting.

Baltimore Oriole

You’ll want to keep an eye out for those vibrant orange Baltimore Orioles, the state bird of Maryland, visiting your backyard feeders and fruit trees. They whistle an easily recognizable song! The striking black and orange males sing loud, clear whistles to declare territory and attract a mate.

Orioles weave elaborate hanging nests high in leafy trees to raise their young. Offer oranges, jelly, nectar, and mealworms to entice these neotropical migrants as they pass through Pennsylvania each spring and fall during migration.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

The vibrant red male Rose-breasted Grosbeak can enliven your backyard with its song and color. Look for this chunky, seed-loving, robin-sized bird as it passes through Pennsylvania during spring and fall migration.

With bold dark and white patterns punctuated by rose-red on the underside of males, Grosbeaks prefer deciduous and mixed forests near openings. Offer sunflower seeds and fruit to attract breeding pairs that seek nest sites in shrubs and small trees.

Though populations remain stable, habitat loss may impact the future of this striking songster.

Range Maps and Attracting With Fruit and Nectar

Try a blackberry feeder to tempt roaming orioles and grosbeaks into your Pennsylvania yard. Their range maps indicate they migrate through the state each spring and fall. Offer nectar and fruit to entice these colorful birds.

Add native berry bushes, fruit trees, and nectar plants when designing a bird-friendly habitat. Hummingbird feeders with sugar water will attract hungry migrants too. Creating an inviting oasis helps these weary travelers continue their incredible journeys.