Top 15 Birds in Vermont

1. Common Loon (Gavia immer)

• Description: Large, striking water bird with black head, white underparts, and distinctive checkerboard back.
• Habitat: Prefers clear freshwater lakes and large ponds.
• Ecosystem Services: Indicator of clean aquatic ecosystems; helps control fish populations.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern, but sensitive to water pollution and habitat disturbance.

2. Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)

• Description: Small, friendly bird with black cap and bib, white cheeks, and soft gray body.
• Habitat: Mixed and deciduous forests, residential areas with trees.
• Ecosystem Services: Controls insect pests, disperses seeds.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern, common and widespread.

3. Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

• Description: Iconic raptor with white head and tail, dark brown body, and massive yellow bill.
• Habitat: Near large bodies of water, including rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
• Ecosystem Services: Scavenger and predator that helps maintain ecological balance.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern, successfully recovered from previous endangerment.

4. Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)

• Description: Small thrush with bright blue upperparts and reddish-brown chest.
• Habitat: Open woodlands, farmlands, and meadows.
• Ecosystem Services: Insect control and seed dispersal.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern, with ongoing conservation support through nest boxes.

5. Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

• Description: Brilliant red plumage in males, with a crest and black mask; females are brown with red tinges.
• Habitat: Shrubby areas, gardens, and forest edges.
• Ecosystem Services: Seed dispersal and insect pest control.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern, common in suitable habitats.

6. Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)

• Description: Large woodpecker with black body, red crest, and white stripes on the face and neck.
• Habitat: Mature forests with large trees.
• Ecosystem Services: Excavates cavities used by other species; controls wood-boring insects.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern, stable populations.

7. Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla)

• Description: Small warbler with olive-brown upperparts, white underparts streaked with black, and an orange crown patch.
• Habitat: Deciduous and mixed forests with leaf litter.
• Ecosystem Services: Insect control within forest ecosystems.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern, common in suitable habitat.

8. Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus)

• Description: Medium-sized songbird; males have black and white plumage with a bright red chest patch.
• Habitat: Forest edges, deciduous woodlands, and gardens.
• Ecosystem Services: Controls insect pests and disperses seeds.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern, widespread but may decline due to habitat loss.

9. American Woodcock (Scolopax minor)

• Description: Plump, short-legged bird with mottled brown plumage and long bill for probing soil.
• Habitat: Moist woodlands and young forests with rich soils.
• Ecosystem Services: Aerates soil and controls insect larvae.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern, but sensitive to habitat changes.

10. Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)

• Description: Tiny bird with iridescent green plumage; males have a bright red throat patch.
• Habitat: Open woodlands, gardens, and meadows.
• Ecosystem Services: Important pollinator for native plants.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern, common during breeding season.

11. Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

• Description: Tall, elegant wader with gray-blue plumage, long legs, and dagger-like bill.
• Habitat: Wetlands, rivers, and lakeshores.
• Ecosystem Services: Helps control fish and amphibian populations.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern, adaptable to various wetlands.

12. Barred Owl (Strix varia)

• Description: Medium-large owl with round head, dark eyes, and barred brown and white plumage.
• Habitat: Mature forests near water.
• Ecosystem Services: Predator that helps control small mammal populations.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern, stable in Vermont.

13. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)

• Description: Medium-sized woodpecker with black and white plumage, red forehead, and pale yellow belly.
• Habitat: Deciduous and mixed forests.
• Ecosystem Services: Creates sap wells that provide food for other species.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern, common breeder in Vermont.

14. Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea)

• Description: Small warbler with vibrant blue upperparts and white underparts with streaks.
• Habitat: Mature deciduous forests, especially along river valleys.
• Ecosystem Services: Insect control in forest canopies.
• Conservation Status: Near Threatened due to habitat loss.

15. Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina)

• Description: Medium-sized thrush with warm brown upperparts and white underparts with bold black spots.
• Habitat: Deciduous and mixed forests with dense understory.
• Ecosystem Services: Controls insect populations and disperses seeds.
• Conservation Status: Near Threatened, declining due to forest fragmentation.