These Are the Birds You’re Most Likely to See in Your State This Summer

Birds are essential to the environment in many ways. Some species play a vital role in pollinating flowers, they help disperse seeds that lead to new plant populations, and even act as a natural method of pest control in your yard. Not only are they crucial for biodiversity, they’re also enjoyable to watch. If you’re wondering what birds you might see in your backyard or around the neighborhood this summer, it all depends on your location.

“During Summer across North America it’s easy to see both resident and migratory species of birds—but what species you see is influenced by your geographic location and habitat, such as forest, yard, city street, farm, beach, lake, and wetlands,” says Noah Perlut, PhD, ornithologist and professor in the School of Marine and Environment Programs at University of New England.

Follow the expert guide below to find out which birds you can look forward to seeing this summer based on your region.

Birds You Can See in the Northeast Region

The Northeast region of the United States includes states such as Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. If you reside in one of these states, these are the common charming birds you are likely to see this summer:

Black-Capped Chickadees

Perlut says that tiny black-capped chickadees are common in the Northeast region. These cute little birds are about 4.75” to 5.75” inches long and have a distinct black “cap” on their heads that extends below their eyes. Their back and wings are a soft grayish color, and their wings are aligned with white edges.

Black-capped chickadees feed on insects, seeds, berries, and nuts. They tend to nest in natural tree cavities, but you can entice them to take residence in your yard by providing a birdhouse for them.

Chipping Sparrows

The chipping sparrow is one of the smallest types of sparrows, measuring between 4.75” and 5 ½” inches long and weighing less than 0.6 ounces. These chipper little birds feature a rust-colored cap and a black line through the eye. Perlut says it’s common to see them feed, nest, and socialize around yards, parks, and forests.

Chipping sparrows eat an array of seeds, insects, and small fruits. Since they’re social birds, you can see them foraging in groups on the ground.

Eastern Bluebirds

Male Eastern Bluebirds feature bright blue feathers with a rusty-colored throat and chest. The females are actually less vivid with the brighter blue coloring on their wings and tail.

“If you have a nest box and live in the right habitat, you have a great chance of hosting bluebirds,” says Maren Gimpel, associate director at Foreman’s Branch Bird Observatory at Washington College. “This species likes the countryside, habitats with a mix of open space and trees—think golf courses. They aren’t particularly shy, so they make a great species to observe.”

Chimney Swifts

These unique-looking birds are dark gray-brown and have what is described as a “cigar” shaped body. They are known for their impressive acrobatics due to their ability to catch and eat insects while flying. Gimpel says that Chimney Swifts are often found in more urban areas. They nest in chimneys and can be seen soaring high above cities. She states that they have a unique chittering call.

“Sometimes at dusk, you can see a whole flock of them swirling around before descending into their chimneys for the night,” she says.

Great Blue Heron

These slender beauties feature a slate blue-gray color and long necks that fold down into an “S” pattern. They are tall birds, reaching heights up to 4 feet tall and a wingspan of 6 to 7 feet across. They feast on a wide variety of prey, such as fish, insects, and reptiles.

Gimpel says the great blue heron is easy to spot, so it makes a great subject for beginners. They’re big, so it’s easier to keep an eye on them, and they don’t disappear out of sight before you’ve even gotten a good look.

Northern Cardinals

The great thing about northern cardinals is that you can actually see them during all seasons. The male is notorious for his bright red plumage and pointed crest that looks like a “mohawk” on its head. The females have brownish-gray feathers with splashes of orange-red coloring on their wings, tail, and crest.

They have an adorable courtship, and you can see the male feeding the female, which makes it look like they’re kissing. Cardinals also feed on seeds, insects, and fruit. They don’t like nesting boxes or birdhouses and tend to build their nests in dense areas such as trees and shrubs.

Birds You Can See in the Southeast Region

The Southeastern United States typically includes states like Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia. Whether you live or are visiting the Southeastern part of the United States, you should watch out for these beautiful birds during the summer season:

Carolina Wrens

During the warmer months, you can witness Carolina Wrens guarding your backyard while singing a distinctive tune. The males’ song is a series of rapid whistles repeated several times in a row (and is known by some to sound like they’re saying “tea kettle” over and over). These cute compact birds have a round shape and look like an egg covered in rusty-brown feathers. They primarily eat insects and snack on seeds, fruits, and berries.

Carolina Wrens are pretty adaptable in terms of where they live and can nest in areas such as brush piles, trees, shrubs, etc.

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

The ruby-throated hummingbird is a majestic little bird with gorgeous metallic emerald green plumage and a bright ruby-colored throat. Perlut states that it’s common to see Ruby-throated Hummingbirds zip around neighborhoods and parks during the summer season, looking for their next sweet treat.

They eat various insects and feed on pollen from flowers. You can attract them to your yard by putting hummingbird feeders out. Just make sure you use the proper food and regularly clean your feeders to prevent harming the birds.

Black Vultures

It’s a shame that these birds get a bad stigma because they are quite incredible creatures. In fact, they’re monogamous, mating for life, and they’re very devoted to their offspring. They’re large birds with black plumage and reach up to 2.5 feet tall, with wingspans that stretch up to 5 feet across. They also have the potential for a long lifespan, ranging from 5 years in the wild to up to 30 years in captivity.

Perlut says that black vultures can be seen kettling in the sky together, roosting on large structures, or feeding on roadkill. 

Blue Jays

A common backyard bird you will see this summer are blue jays. Although they are known for their aggressive bullying behavior at the neighborhood bird feeders, they’re a wonderful sight to see. They feature bright blue plumage with black markings and a white chest and belly. They’re relatively larger birds that are between 11” and 12” long.

Their vast diet consists of insects, grains, seeds, berries, fruits, and other scraps they can find. They will usually build their nests in the outer branches or crotch of a tree that’s generally between 8 and 30 feet off the ground.

American Robins

The sight of American robins in your yard is a tell-tale sign spring has sprung, but you will also see them all summer long. You’ll typically see them scouring the ground for earthworms and other bugs they can feed on. They eat wild berries and smaller types of seeds, too.

Robins are known for their reddish-orange chest and bright yellow beaks. They can nest in various locations, such as trees and shrubs, and in sheltered areas of buildings, such as windowsills and porches.

Birds You Can See in the Midwest Region

The Midwest region of the United States includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. For those who live in this region, these are the eye-catching birds you can enjoy watching this summer:

Eastern Meadowlarks

“In the Midwest, farming communities with expanses of prairie, pasture, and hay fields are filled with the sounds of the brilliantly yellow eastern meadowlarks,” Perlut informs. These chunky birds have a distinct black V across their chest and have long, pointed bills. They eat various seeds, berries, and insects such as grasshoppers, spiders, crickets, etc.

As far as where they live, they build their nests on the ground in grassy areas such as pastures and fields. So, if you have a property with these conditions, you are likely to see Eastern Meadowlarks eating and nesting during the summer season.

Bobolinks

Perlut says you can enjoy the bubbly chaos of medium-sized bobolinks in the Midwest region, and they also frequent meadows and hay fields. The male bobolinks feature black and white plumage with a striking yellow patch on the back of its head. These small songbirds also nest on the ground at the base of nonwoody plants.

They feast on a range of food sources such as grains, seeds, and insects. You may be able to see them perched on the top of plants while they snack.

Mourning Doves

These birds can be a bit skittish, but Perlut says they still frequent suburban yards and are busy building nests and feeding chicks during summer. They tend to favor open areas like yards, crop fields, and farmland. Mourning doves are light brown and light gray in color and have black spots on their wings. They have a soothing “coo” sound that many find to be calming.

Since their diet primarily consists of seeds, you can easily lure them to your yard to watch them up close by putting out birdseed.

Downy Woodpeckers

If you hear a rapid tapping nearby, Perlut says it could be a downy woodpecker searching for insects living in the bark of a tree. These are actually the smallest woodpeckers in America, measuring between 5.5” and 7.1” long. The male can be recognized by its white and black feathers and bold red patch on the back of its head.

These little birds bore holes in dead or decaying trees to nest in. Although they prefer open deciduous forests, they also frequent woodlands, parks, and yards that have an array of trees to choose from.

Birds You Can See in the Western and Southwestern Regions

The Southwestern and Western regions include states such as Oregon, California, Washington, Wyoming, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. These regions have a wide variety of unique birds you can expect to see this summer, such as:

Yellow-Rumped Warblers

The name says it all with this beloved little bird. Yellow-rumped warblers are also lovingly called “butter butts” because of their bright yellow rump. Their plumage features a variety of colors, including black, white, gray, and yellow. Perlut says that these tiny, brilliantly colored birds fill the forests and forest edges.

These small birds eat many different things, including berries and various insects, such as gnats, grasshoppers, and wasps. You can set out sunflower seeds and fruit to entice them to visit your backyard.

Golden Eagles

With an average wingspan of 6 to 7 feet across, you will have no trouble seeing a majestic golden eagle as it flies across the sky. “Golden eagles soar across both forested and open western landscapes looking for mammals to eat,” Perlut informs. This large bird of prey has beautiful dark brown plumage, and the feathers on their head and nape of their necks have a golden hue.

These glorious birds nest on cliffs, in tall, strong trees, and occasionally on structures such as observation towers. Golden eagle nests are huge and can average 5 to 6 feet wide and 2 feet deep.

Steller’s Jays

The Steller’s jay is related to the notorious blue jay, but lives in the western part of the United States. Rather than being white and blue, these birds have a black crest and blue bottom. “Along the Pacific Coast, large blue and black Steller’s jays prowl everywhere from backyards to the deepest, oldest forests,” Perlut says.

They chow on various seeds, insects, berries, and nuts such as acorns. These birds are also monogamous and use mud to bind their nests, which are typically made from leaves, twigs, and moss.

Acorn Woodpeckers

Acorn woodpeckers hoard acorns throughout western woodlands, stashing them in the bark of old trees, Perlut says. According to Birdnote.org, some trees they use for storage may hold as many as 50,000 acorns. Although these busy birds’ favorite food is acorns, they also eat insects, seeds, and some fruit.

Their black-and-white feathers and bright red crown make them relatively easy to spot if you’re in the right place. If you have an oak tree in your yard, you’re more likely to see them since you have their favorite snack on hand.

How to Attract Birds to Your Yard

There are a few things you can do to help attract various types of birds to your yard so you can enjoy watching them from your window or porch. Gimpel says one of the best things you can do is to add native plants with fruits and seeds to your yard to supply them with food.

You can also add vibrant red flowers to attract hummingbirds. Another tip she suggests is to put nest boxes around to provide a safe nesting spot for species like bluebirds, wrens, swallows, and chickadees.

“Leaving your yard a little messy helps,” she informs. “Keep cats inside, birds won’t want to hang around when a predator is on the loose.”