Top 15 Birds in Maine

Maine is home to a remarkable diversity of bird species. From coastal shores to dense forests, the state offers habitats for both resident and migratory birds. Here’s a closer look at 15 of the most iconic birds of Maine.

1. Common Loon (Gavia immer)

• Description: The Common Loon is a large, striking waterbird with a black head, red eyes, and a distinctive checkered black-and-white back.
• Habitat: Freshwater lakes, ponds, and large rivers during summer; coastal waters in winter.
• Ecosystem Services: Indicator of clean, healthy aquatic ecosystems; helps regulate fish populations.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern, but sensitive to water pollution and habitat disturbance.

2. Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

• Description: This iconic raptor has a white head and tail, contrasting with its dark brown body and wings, and a large yellow beak.
• Habitat: Large lakes, rivers, and coastal areas with tall trees for nesting.
• Ecosystem Services: Scavenger and predator, helping maintain ecosystem balance.
• Conservation Status: Recovered from Endangered; now listed as Least Concern.

3. Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)

• Description: A small, cheerful bird with a black cap and bib, white cheeks, and soft gray body.
• Habitat: Mixed and deciduous forests, suburban areas, and backyards.
• Ecosystem Services: Controls insect populations; seed disperser.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern.

4. Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)

• Description: The largest woodpecker in Maine, with a striking red crest and black body with white stripes on the face and neck.
• Habitat: Mature forests with large, dead trees for nesting and feeding.
• Ecosystem Services: Creates nesting cavities used by other species; controls forest insects.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern.

5. Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus)

• Description: A large white owl with yellow eyes, sometimes showing black or brown markings.
• Habitat: Open fields, marshes, and coastal dunes, especially in winter.
• Ecosystem Services: Controls rodent populations.
• Conservation Status: Vulnerable.

6. American Black Duck (Anas rubripes)

• Description: A large dabbling duck with dark brown body plumage and a contrasting lighter head.
• Habitat: Freshwater and coastal wetlands.
• Ecosystem Services: Important for seed dispersal and aquatic vegetation management.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern, but declining in some areas.

7. Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica)

• Description: A small seabird with a colorful beak, black back, and white belly.
• Habitat: Offshore islands and coastal cliffs during breeding season.
• Ecosystem Services: Part of marine food web; indicator of ocean health.
• Conservation Status: Vulnerable.

8. Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

• Description: A medium-sized songbird with bright red plumage (males) or soft brown (females) and a distinctive crest.
• Habitat: Forest edges, shrublands, and suburban gardens.
• Ecosystem Services: Seed disperser; controls garden pests.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern.

9. Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

• Description: A large raptor with brown upperparts, white underparts, and a dark eye stripe.
• Habitat: Near lakes, rivers, and coastal areas.
• Ecosystem Services: Fish predator; indicator of water quality.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern, recovering after past declines.

10. Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus)

• Description: A small brown bird with a reddish tail and a lovely, flute-like song.
• Habitat: Forests, especially with dense understory.
• Ecosystem Services: Insect control and seed dispersal.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern.

11. Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus)

• Description: A stocky finch with males showing a rosy-red coloration and females brown with streaking.
• Habitat: Mixed forests and residential areas with feeders.
• Ecosystem Services: Seed disperser; part of woodland food web.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern, though numbers fluctuate.

12. Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

• Description: A large hawk with broad wings, a reddish tail, and a streaked belly band.
• Habitat: Open fields, forests edges, and roadsides.
• Ecosystem Services: Predator of rodents and small mammals; helps maintain balance in ecosystems.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern.

13. American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)

• Description: A small finch with bright yellow plumage in males during summer, and a black cap and wings.
• Habitat: Meadows, fields, and gardens.
• Ecosystem Services: Seed disperser; pollinator helper.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern.

14. Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

• Description: A tall, slender wader with blue-gray plumage, long legs, and a sharp yellow bill.
• Habitat: Wetlands, marshes, and shorelines.
• Ecosystem Services: Predator of fish and amphibians; part of wetland food chain.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern.

15. Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)

• Description: A small thrush with bright blue upperparts and rusty-red throat and chest.
• Habitat: Open woodlands, fields, and orchards.
• Ecosystem Services: Controls insect populations; disperses seeds.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern, with successful recovery efforts.