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Birds of Spring

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Photos are included for birds common or abundant all year (others are being added).

Sighting Information:
Abundant - a species which is very numerous
Common - certain to be seen or heard in suitable habitat
Uncommon - present, but not certain to be seen
Occasional - seen only a few times during a season
Rare - seen at intervals of two to five years

Listing Order
Birds are listed alphabetically by the base word of the common name (such as Sandpiper) and then by the full common name (such as Baird's Sandpiper, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, etc.).

Please allow a moment or two for the data to download.
The data will appear below on this page.

Database Courtesy: Assateague.com

American Avocet
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? no


American Bittern
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Least Bittern
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Red-winged Blackbird
Spring Sighting Information: abundant
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Yellow-headed Blackbird
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Eastern Bluebird
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Bobolink
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Northern Bobwhite
Spring Sighting Information: abundant
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Brant
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Bufflehead
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Indigo Bunting
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Snow Bunting
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Canvasback
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Northern Cardinal
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Gray Catbird
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Yellow-breasted Chat
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Carolina Chickadee
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Chuck-will's-widow
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


American Coot
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Double-crested Cormorant
Spring Sighting Information: abundant
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Great Cormorant
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Brown-headed Cowbird
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Red Crossbill
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


American Crow
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Fish Crow
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Black-billed Cuckoo
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Mourning Dove
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Rock Dove
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Long-billed Dowitcher
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Short-billed Dowitcher
Spring Sighting Information: abundant
Nest on or near Refuge? no


American Black Duck
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Ring-necked Duck
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Ruddy Duck
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Wood Duck
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Dunlin
Spring Sighting Information: abundant
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Bald Eagle
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Cattle Egret
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Great Egret
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Snowy Egret
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Peregrine Falcon
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


House Finch
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Purple Finch
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Northern Flicker
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Acadian Flycatcher
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Great Crested Flycatcher
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Least Flycatcher
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Olive-sided Flycatcher
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Willow Flycatcher
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Gadwall
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Northern Gannet
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Marbled Godwit
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Common Goldeneye
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


American Goldfinch
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Canada Goose
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Greater Snow Goose
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Boat-tailed Grackle
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Common Grackle
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Horned Grebe
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Pied-billed Grebe
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Red-necked Grebe
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Blue Grosbeak
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Evening Grosbeak
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Bonaparte's Gull
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Common Black-headed Gull
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Greater Black-backed Gull
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Herring Gull
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Laughing Gull
Spring Sighting Information: abundant
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Ring-billed Gull
Spring Sighting Information: abundant
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Northern Harrier
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Cooper's Hawk
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Red-shouldered Hawk
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Red-tailed Hawk
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Sharp-shinned Hawk
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Black-crowned Night Heron
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Great Blue Heron
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Green Heron
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Little Blue Heron
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Tricolored Heron
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Glossy Ibis
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? no


White Ibis
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Blue Jay
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Dark-eyed Junco
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


American Kestrel
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Killdeer
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Eastern Kingbird
Spring Sighting Information: abundant
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Belted Kingfisher
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Golden-crowned Kinglet
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Red Knot
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Horned Lark
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Common Loon
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Red-throated Loon
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Mallard
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Pulple Martin
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Eastern Meadowlark
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Hooded Merganser
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Red-breasted Merganser
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Merlin
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Northern Mockingbird
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Common Moorhen
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Common Nighthawk
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Brown-headed Nuthatch
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Red-breasted Nuthatch
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Oldsquaw
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Baltimore Oriole
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Orchard Oriole
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Osprey
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Ovenbird
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Barn Owl
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Eastern Screech Owl
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Great Horned Owl
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


American Oystercatcher
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Northern Parula
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


American White Pelican
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Brown Pelican
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Wilson's Storm Petrel
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Eastern Wood-Pewee
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Red-necked Phalarope
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Wilson's Phalarope
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Eastern Phoebe
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Northern Pintail
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? no


American Pipit
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? no


American Golden Plover
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Black-bellied Plover
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Piping Plover
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Semipalmated Plover
Spring Sighting Information: abundant
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Wilson's Plover
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Black Rail
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Clapper Rail
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


King Rail
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Virginia Rail
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Redhead
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Common Redpoll
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


American Redstart
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


American Robin
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Ruff
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Sanderling
Spring Sighting Information: abundant
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Baird's Sandpiper
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Curlew Sandpiper
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Least Sandpiper
Spring Sighting Information: abundant
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Pectoral Sandpiper
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Semipalmated Sandpiper
Spring Sighting Information: abundant
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Solitary Sandpiper
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Spotted Sandpiper
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Stilt Sandpiper
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Western Sandpiper
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


White-rumped Sandpiper
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Greater Scaup
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Lesser Scaup
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Black Scoter
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Surf Scoter
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


White-winged Scoter
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Cory's Shearwater
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Greater Shearwater
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Sooty Shearwater
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Northern Shoveler
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Pine Siskin
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Black Skimmer
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Common Snipe
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Sora
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Chipping Sparrow
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Field Sparrow
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Fox Sparrow
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Henslow's Sparrow
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Lincoln's Sparrow
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Savannah Sparrow
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Seaside Sparrow
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Song Sparrow
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Swamp Sparrow
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? no


White-crowned Sparrow
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


White-throated Sparrow
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? no


European Starling
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Black-necked Stilt
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Bank Swallow
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Barn Swallow
Spring Sighting Information: abundant
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Tree Swallow
Spring Sighting Information: abundant
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Mute Swan
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Tundra Swan
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Chimney Swift
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Scarlet Tanager
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Summer Tanager
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Blue-winged Teal
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Green-winged Teal
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Arctic Tern
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Black Tern
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Caspian Tern
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Common Tern
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Foster's Tern
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Gull-billed Tern
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Least Tern
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Royal Tern
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Sandwich Tern
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Brown Thrasher
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Bicknell's Thrush
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Hermit Thrush
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Wood Thrush
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Eastern Towhee
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Ruddy Turnstone
Spring Sighting Information: abundant
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Veery
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Philadelphia Vireo
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Red-eyed Vireo
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Solitary Vireo
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Warbling Vireo
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


White-eyed Vireo
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Yellow-throated Vireo
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Black Vulture
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Turkey Vulture
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Bay-breasted Warbler
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Black-and-white Warbler
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Blackburnian Warbler
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Blackpoll Warbler
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Black-throated Blue Warbler
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Black-throated Green Warbler
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Blue-winged Warbler
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Canada Warbler
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Cerulean Warbler
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Chestnut-sided Warbler
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Connecticut Warbler
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Golden-winged Warbler
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Hooded Warbler
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Kentucky Warbler
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Magnolia Warbler
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Palm Warbler
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Pine Warbler
Spring Sighting Information: abundant
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Prairie Warbler
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Prothonotary Warbler
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Swainson's Warbler
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Worm-eating Warbler
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Yellow Warbler
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Yellow-rumped Warbler
Spring Sighting Information: abundant
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Louisiana Waterthrush
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Northern Waterthrush
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Cedar Waxwing
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Whimbrel
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? no


American Wigeon
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Willet
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


American Woodcock
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Downy Woodpecker
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Hairy Woodpecker
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Pileated Woodpecker
Spring Sighting Information: rare
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Red-bellied Woodpecker
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Red-headed Woodpecker
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Carolina Wren
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


House Wren
Spring Sighting Information: common
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


Marsh Wren
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Sedge Wren
Spring Sighting Information: occasional
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Winter Wren
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Greater Yellowlegs
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Lesser Yellowlegs
Spring Sighting Information: uncommon
Nest on or near Refuge? no


Common Yellowthroat
Spring Sighting Information: abundant
Nest on or near Refuge? yes


 

Table data from:
Birds - Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
(Brochure, December 1997, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Photos in this section are from the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. Sauer, J. R., J. E. Hines, G. Gough, I. Thomas, and B. G. Peterjohn. 1997. The North American Breeding Bird Survey Results and Analysis. Version 96.4. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD