Top 25 brilliant Backyard Birds of Maine to Watch in Your Yard

Maine has a diverse climate that is great for backyard birds. The state has a humid continental climate with warm summers and long, cold winters. Maine also has a long coastline covered by mixed oak forests typical of Northeastern coastal regions, whereas the interior is home to New-England Acadian forests.

Maine not only has beautiful has forests for birds to live and thrive, but also fields, marshes, ponds, swamps, mountains, rivers, parks, and backyards.

This variety of habitats provides the birds of Maine with plenty of food and shelter options, making the state an excellent place for birdwatching.

In this blog post, we’ll look at 25 of the most common backyard birds of Maine that we found by surveying residents and utilizing data from ebird and other citizen science databases. By reading this article, we hope you will identify some new species and find out which ones live near you!

Backyard Birds Of Maine

According to the latest data from ebird, there are 452 observed species of Birds in Maine. This data comes from over 695,000 checklists from just over 21,000 avid birdwatchers. Identifying and seeing all 452 may be quite a daunting challenge, so we have chosen to focus on the birds you are more likely to see in your home, backyard, or bird feeders.

Here are some things to know about Backyard Birds of Maine:

• 452 observed species
• The American Crow is the most common backyard bird in Maine
• The Black-capped Chickadee is the most common feeder bird in Maine
• The Red-breasted Nuthatch is the smallest most common feeder bird in Maine
• The Wild Turkey is the largest backyard bird on this list
• The Black-capped Chickadee is Maine’s state bird

Top 5 Hotspots For Birdwatching In Maine

If you prefer to venture away from home to do some birding, then visit one of Maine’s best hotspots for birdwatching. These hotspots are determined by the total number of species observed by fellow birdwatchers in Maine.

1. Monhegan Island
2. Biddeford Pool
3. Stratton Island
4. Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
5. Fort Foster Park

Top 25 Backyard Birds Of Maine

The list below is determined by the number of bird watchers in Maine who have seen a species at least once, divided by the number of bird feeder sites.

1. Black-capped Chickadee

The Black-Capped Chickadee is a widespread species of bird found throughout the Northern half of North America and is the most common backyard feeder bird in Maine. These tiny birds can be seen in Maine all year round.

They have a black cap and black throat with white cheeks, and mostly gray-olive feathers on their back with a white chest and belly.

Black-capped Chickadees are tiny in size – with males and females only about 12-15cm (4.7-5.9 inches) long and weighing between 9-14g (0.3-0.5oz). They have a large head and short neck, and long narrow tails with short thick dark bills.

They can survive the harshest winter weather by eating high-calorie foods, fluffing their feathers for insulation, and roosting in tree cavities at night, often in small groups.

The Black-Capped Chickadee is an energetic species that prefers deciduous woods often found in forests or residential areas and parks where plenty of large trees are used for roosting and nesting.

Their diet consists of insects, spiders, small fruits, and seeds, but they are also familiar visitors to backyard bird feeders where they will readily eat sunflower seeds or suet. They will often make multiple trips to feeders to store extra food in tree crevices throughout the day.

The Black-capped Chickadee has been seen at 99% of all feeder sites in Maine.

2. White-breasted Nuthatch

The White-breasted Nuthatch is an exciting species to observe and can be found from southern Canada down into Central America.  These beautiful birds are year-round residents of Maine.

White-breasted Nuthatches are small in size – only about 13-14cm (5.1-5.5 inches) in length and weighing between 18-30g (0.6-1.1oz). They have short tails with a thick dark bill. They have a distinctive appearance with blue-gray feathers on their back and a white face with a darker “hood” that runs from the top of their beak to the back, making them easily identifiable from other birds.

White-breasted Nuthatches prefer mature mixed forests and wooded areas in towns, suburbs and parks.

White-breasted Nuthatches are very energetic birds that spend most of their time climbing trees and searching for food in the bark. They mainly eat insects they can glean from bark and foliage but will also eat seeds in winter.

They are known to visit backyard bird feeders and prefer suet feeders, shelled peanuts, and sunflower seeds.

The White-breasted Nuthatch has been seen at 96% of all feeder sites in Maine.

3. Blue Jay

The Blue Jay is a common species of bird found throughout North America and is a year-round resident of Maine.

Blue Jays are about 25-30cm (9.8-11.8 inches) long and generally weigh between 70 – 100g (2.5-3.5oz). They have a very short neck and bill with a thick blue crest on their head. They have very distinctive bright blue feathers on the top with white spots and gray-white color below, making them easy to identify from other birds.

Blue Jays are loud, boisterous birds that will eat almost anything they can find – making them one of the most common backyard visitors.

They are widespread at backyard bird feeders and will typically dominate smaller birds that visit simultaneously. They love sunflower seeds, cracked corn, and whole peanuts.

The Blue Jay has been seen at 93% of all feeder sites in Maine.

4. Downy Woodpecker

The Downy Woodpecker is a small woodpecker found throughout North America and can be seen in Maine all year round. They are also the most common woodpecker species that you can observe in Maine.

They are smaller than most woodpeckers at about 14-17cm (5.5-6.7 inches) long and weigh between 21-28g (0.7-1oz).

Downy Woodpeckers have a black back and white stripe down the middle. They are white below, and their wings have a checkered black and white detailing them. The males have a red patch at the back of the head, and females have a black head. They have a petite-looking bill compared to their other woodpecker relatives.

Their beaks are short, solid, and pointed at the end, which they use to chisel wood for excavation or peck at the bark to find food underneath.

Their preferred habitat is wooded areas with plenty of trees near rivers, ponds, or wetlands – even urban areas with a mix of grasslands, shrubs, and woodlands.

They are acrobatic foragers whose main diet consists of insects it can glean and probe from trees. They will also eat seeds, berries, or fruit when needed and are more common at bird feeders than their larger relatives. They prefer suet feeders and enjoy black oil sunflower seeds, peanut butter, seeds, and millet.

The Downy Woodpecker has been seen at 92% of all feeder sites in Maine.

5. Mourning Dove

The Mourning Dove is a common species of bird found throughout North America and is a year-round resident of Maine.

They are about the size of an American Robin, with adults between 23-34cm (9.1-13.4 inches) long and weighing between 86-170g (3-6oz). Mourning Doves have grayish-brown feathers, and their heads are pale gray; however, they lack crests or head adornments.

Mourning Doves prefer open habitats in rural and urban areas and weedy fields.

Mourning Doves are ground foragers meaning that they eat seeds, grains, and other vegetation found on the ground. They have a varied diet but prefer to eat weed seeds such as dandelions or grasses in open fields rather than forest floors. Mourning doves also drink water from puddles created by rain which they find near trees and shrubs.

They are frequent visitors to backyard bird feeders and typically eat seeds that have fallen on the ground or platform feeders.

The Mourning Dove has been seen at 91% of all feeder sites in Maine.

6. Tufted Titmouse

The Tufted Titmouse is a small species of bird that can be found throughout much of the Eastern half of North America. These fantastic little birds can be seen in southern Maine all year round.

They are gray above and white below with a crested head and small black forehead. Tufted Titmice are only about 14 – 16cm (5.5-6.3 inches) long and weigh around 18-26g (0.6-0.9oz).

Tufted Titmice are sociable birds found in pairs or groups living in deciduous woods, towns, wooded suburbs, and parks. They are omnivorous with a diet that consists mainly of insects and some seeds and berries.

Although they prefer to glean foliage for their preferred food, Tufted Titmice will readily visit bird feeders searching for sunflower seeds, peanuts or suet.

The Tufted Titmouse has been seen at 89% of all feeder sites in Maine.

7. American Goldfinch

The American Goldfinch is a common species of bird found throughout North America. They can be seen in Maine all year round.

They are small songbirds 11-13cm (4.3-5.1 inches) long and weigh between 11-20g (0.4-0.70 oz), with males being slightly larger than females. 

Breeding adult males have a bright yellow color on their heads and rump with a black cap and black-tipped wings, making them easy to identify from other birds. Winter adult males are tan above and pale gray below with a yellow face and throat. 

Breeding adult females are olive-brown above and yellow below, and winter adult females are generally gray overall.

Their preferred habitat is overgrown, weedy fields, pastures, and well planted suburban areas and backyards.

They mainly eat seeds from wild sunflowers, composite flowers or thistles, and very few insects. 

American Goldfinches are frequent visitors of backyard bird feeders – making them easy to spot around the yard. They prefer hulled sunflower and nyjer seeds.

The American Goldfinch has been seen at 87% of all feeder sites in Maine.

8. Dark-eyed Junco

The Dark-Eyed Junco is a medium-sized sparrow found in the Northern Hemisphere from Alaska to Newfoundland and is a year-round resident of Maine.

Males and Females are about 14-16cm (5.5-6.3 inches) long and weigh between 18-30g (0.6-1.1oz). They have a round head, short conical bill, and long tail.

The Dark-Eyed Junco varies in color depending on what region you are in but are mainly dark gray or brown with a light/pale pink bill and white outer tail feathers that are noticeable in flight.

The three most common sub-types and colors are:

• Slate-colored Junco – Alaska, and East of the Rocky Mountains
• Oregon Junco – Northern Rockies and Farther West
• Gray-headed Junco – Southern Rockies

They live in coniferous forests, woodlands, scrubland, and tundra across the United States and Canada. You are more likely to find them in open areas like backyards, fields, and parks in winter.

They are ground foragers and eat insects, seeds, and berries. They eat mostly insects in the spring and summer and seeds and berries in the fall and winter.

They are also expected at backyard bird feeders in the winter, especially ones that offer sunflower seeds, millet, or cracked corn.

The Dark-eyed Junco has been seen at 87% of all feeder sites in Maine.

9. Hairy Woodpecker

The Hairy Woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker found throughout North America and Southern Canada. These little woodpeckers can be seen in Maine all year round.

The hairy woodpecker has a long chisel-like bill and long stiff tail feathers. Males and Females are about 18-26cm (7.1-10.2 inches) long and weigh around 40-95g (1.4-3.4oz).

They have black-and-white feathers: black back checkered with a white, white stripe down the middle back, and white below. The male has a red patch on the back of its head, while the female does not. They get their name from the “hairy” quality of the white on their backs.

They live in various habitats, including woodlands, bottomland forests, wooded suburbs, and parks. They will actively probe and drill into wood to look for insects under the bark. They will also feed on fallen or rotting logs to chisel through dead wood to find insect larvae. They will also eat fruits and seeds when given a chance.

They are common at backyard bird feeders that offer suet, sunflower seeds, or peanut butter mixed with birdseed.

The Hairy Woodpecker has been seen at 87% of all feeder sites in Maine.

10. Red-breasted Nuthatch

The red-breasted nuthatch is a small songbird found across most of North America and much of Canada and are year-round residents of Maine.

Both males and females are about 11-12cm (4.3 inches) long and weigh between 8-13g (0.3-0.5oz). They have a long, pointy bill, short, broad wings, and very short tails.

Both sexes are blueish-gray above and reddish-cinnamon below. Their heads are striped with a black cap, white eyebrows, a black line through the eye, and finally, white cheeks. Very similar looking to the white-breasted nuthatch.

Red-breasted nuthatches can be found in coniferous forests such as spruce and fir, where they like to forage on the trunks and branches. They are very energetic and acrobatic birds and can often be seen hanging upside down while searching for food.

Their diet is primarily insects and spiders they glean from trees and bark in the summer and eat seeds in the winter.

They are also familiar visitors to backyard bird feeders where they eat seeds and suet.

The Red-breasted Nuthatch has been seen at 82% of all feeder sites in Maine.

11. Northern Cardinal

The Northern Cardinal is a common species of bird found in the United States and is a year-round resident of southern Maine.

Northern Cardinals are small songbirds, with males and females generally weighing less between 42 – 48g (1.5 – 1.7 oz), and are 21-23cm (8.3-9.1 inches) long.

Northern cardinals have a distinctive crest on their head that can be raised when they feel threatened or aggressive; however, this behavior is not often observed in wild populations and has been lost to captive ones.

The Northern Cardinal’s feathers range from bright red in males to brownish orange in females, and their bills are short but wide at the base – giving them an upturned appearance, making them easy to identify.

Northern Cardinals have a varied diet that consists of fruits, seeds, berries, and insects and are very common at most bird feeders but prefer to eat seeds such as sunflower, safflower, and cracked corn from the ground.

The Northern Cardinal has been seen at 80% of all feeder sites in Maine.

12. American Crow

The American Crow is a large bird found throughout most of North America, except in some areas in the southern United States along the border with Mexico. These brilliant birds can be seen in Maine all year round.

American Crows are large at about 40-53cm (115.8-21 inches) long and weigh between 316-620g (11.2-22oz). They are black all over, including their legs, feet, bill, and eyes.

They have a very distinct, short tail with broad wings that allow for a quick flight. They are known to be brilliant birds – able to use tools to obtain the food they otherwise couldn’t reach.

Their preferred habitat is open areas such as pastures with some trees – either deciduous or coniferous to roost at night when they sleep. They will often be found in urban areas where food is plentiful – for example, at dumpsters behind supermarkets or garbage bins.

They are omnivores and very opportunistic and will eat small mammals, insects, and amphibians but may also be found eating fruits or grain in the wintertime when other food sources are scarce. We have even personally seen crows stealing chicks from other nests and flying away to eat them.

Not your typical visitor to backyard bird feeders but may hang around yards that offer a compost heap, easy access to garbage, or pet food lying around.

The American Crow has been seen at 65% of all feeder sites in Maine.

13. Song Sparrow

The Song Sparrow is a medium-sized sparrow found throughout North America and can be seen in Maine during the summer/spring months.

Males and Females are about 12-17cm (4.7-6.7 inches) long and weigh between 12-53g (0.4-1.9oz). They have relatively long, rounded tails and broad wings.

Song Sparrows are generally brown above with brown streaking on white below. They have a reddish-brown crown, a pale gray eyebrow, and a brown streak through the eye.

They live in most open areas such as forests edges, scrublands, wetlands, marshes, farmlands, and grasslands year-round in North America.

They mainly eat insects in the spring and summer and seeds and berries the rest of the year.

Song Sparrows are common backyard birds that visit bird feeders if the feeder offers cracked corn or millet and over some good cover. They prefer seeds scattered on the ground or a platform feeder.

The Song Sparrow has been seen at 55% of all feeder sites in Maine.

14. Red-bellied Woodpecker

The Red-Bellied Woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker with a long, chisel-like bill. They are found in the eastern half of the United States and are a year-round resident of southern Maine.

Males and Females are about 24cm (9.4 inches) long and weigh around 56-91g (2-3.2oz). Red-bellied Woodpeckers have black-and-white stripes above and a paler below. The male has red from its bill to its nape, while the female only has a red nape. Red bellies can be seen during flight but are more challenging to see when perched.

They live in various habitats, including woodlands, bottomland forests, swamps, riversides, and parks. They are most commonly found near water to find insects to eat. 

They will seldom peck at the wood of trees to find food but instead will forage for insects whenever the opportunity presents itself. They also feed on nuts, fruits, and seeds and store their food in bark crevices.

Red-bellied woodpeckers also visit backyard bird feeders that offer suet, sunflowers seeds, or peanut butter mixed with birdseed. While at backyard feeders, they are bullish birds and will often dominate other smaller birds and their cousins (Downy & Hairy Woodpeckers).

The Red-bellied Woodpecker has been seen at 55% of all feeder sites in Maine.

15. American Robin

The American Robin is a common species of bird found throughout North America. They breed in the northern half of Maine and can be seen in the southern half all year round. 

American Robins are 20-28cm (7.9-11 inches) long and weigh 77-85g (2.7-3oz).

American Robins have a distinctive orange chest with black spots; however, their back feathers are brownish gray. Their beaks are tiny but comprehensive at the base, giving them a very distinct appearance.

They are common in most environments across North America, especially in gardens, parks, and wooded areas around towns and suburbs.

The American Robin is known to poke around in leaf litter, looking for insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, and earthworms to eat in the summer months. They prefer berries or fruit during the autumn and winter months.

They are also known for being very friendly birds found at most bird feeders and prefer feeders that offer live mealworms.

The American Robin has been seen at 49% of all feeder sites in Maine.

16. House Finch

The House Finch is a small bird found in most of North America, including parts of the United States and Southern Canada. These tiny birds can be seen in southern Maine all year round.

House Finches are 12-15cm (5.1-5.5 inches) long and weigh between 16-27g (0.6-0.9oz).

They have short wings that allow for a quick flight, and their beaks are stubby and slightly curved on top with a long flat head. The males are known for their bright red heads and breast with brown wings, tails, and back.

Their preferred habitat is open, grassy areas with some trees – often near farmlands. They will also be found around towns and suburbs to find food quickly on the ground, such as birdseed spilled from backyard bird feeders (or even at pet food bowls left out for our furry friends).

They are ground forages whose preferred diet consists mainly of seeds, buds, and fruit. They are common at backyard bird feeders and will often feed in large numbers, especially when black oil sunflowers seeds are present in your feeders.

The House Finch has been seen at 42% of all feeder sites in Maine.

17. European Starling

The European Starling, also known as the Common Starling or just simply Starling, is a loud, boisterous bird that can be found throughout most of North America, Europe, and parts of Asia to North Africa in wintertime.  They can be seen in Maine all year round.

European Starling is roughly the size of a Robin at about 20-23cm (7.9-9.1 inches) long and weighing around 60-96g (2.1-3.4oz). Their breeding plumage is a glossy purplish-green with yellow beaks, and winter plumage is brown with white spots and a black bill. They have short wings which allow for a quick flight and a short tail. They have a long, slender bill and legs that are pinkish.

European Starlings winter in large flocks – often roosting with other bird species such as Blackbirds or Fieldfares to keep warm at night.

Their preferred habitat is open, grassy areas with some trees, but they can also be found in towns, suburbs, or human settlements out in the countryside.

They are opportunistic feeders that mainly eat insects and feed on berries, seeds, and grains. They are known to visit bird feeders in backyards to eat almost any type of food available – including suet mixes or peanuts.

The European Starling has been seen at 40% of all feeder sites in Maine.

18. Wild Turkey

The Wild Turkey is a large bird found throughout North America and is a year-round resident of southern Maine.

Males and females are about 110-115cm (43-45 inches) long and weigh around 5.5-24 lbs. Wild Turkeys are big, plump-looking birds with round, fan-like tails, long legs, and small heads on a long slim neck.

Males Wild Turkeys have a dark iridescent body with white bars on their flight feathers. The head is bare-skinned with a blue-ish red color and red wattles. They also have a blackish breast tuft and spurred legs. 

Female Wild Turkeys are slightly smaller, duller, and lack the blackish breast tuft that the males have.

Wild Turkeys travel in flocks and can be found in mature woods, edges, fields, and woodsy backyards.

They mainly forage on the ground for insects, snails, nuts, and berries by using their muscular feet and legs to sift through plant and leave litter.

Wild Turkeys have been known to visit bird feeders closer to the ground that offers corn, sunflower seeds, or grain.

The Wild Turkey has been seen at 38% of all feeder sites in Maine.

19. Eastern Bluebird

The Eastern Bluebird is a small thrush that is common throughout the Eastern half of North America. These beautiful birds can be seen in Maine during the summer/spring breeding season.

They are about 16-21cm (6.3-8.3 inches) long and weigh only 28-32g (1-1.1oz). The males are known for their beautiful blue feathers above and a rusty reddish-brown throat and breast. 

Females are gray above with blue wings and blue tail and a more orange-brown breast. You can find them in other colors depending on the region they live in – such as black or white bodies instead of blue, grayish underparts, or orange neck patches.

Their preferred habitat is an open area such as pasture or farmland with short grasses and some trees.

Their preferred diet consists mainly of insects and other small invertebrates that they find by probing the ground. They may also eat some small fruits in winter, but insects make up many of their diets.

They are very social birds, often found in pairs or flocks – especially during migration to warmer climates for wintertime.

Eastern Bluebirds will visit bird feeders when mealworms are offered.

The Eastern Bluebird has been seen at 35% of all feeder sites in Maine.

20. White-throated Sparrow

The White-Throated Sparrow is a medium-large sparrow that lives primarily in the eastern half of the United States and are residents of Maine during the summer/spring breeding season.

Males and Females are about 16-18cm (6.3-7.1 inches) long and weigh between 22-32g (0.8-1.1oz). They have a round head, long legs, and long tail.

Both sexes are brown above and gray below with a black and white striped head and a yellow spot above the eye and bill. Another morph is tan striped instead of black and white striped. Both morphs have a strongly outlined white throat.

They live in brushy woodlands, forest edges, wooded urban areas, parks, and gardens across the Eastern United States. Most often seen in backyards during the winter months.

They are ground foragers that often flock together to eat insects in summer and seeds and berries the rest of the year. They are common backyard birds that will visit feeders in the winter, especially ones that offer seeds scattered on the ground or a platform feeder.

The White-throated Sparrow has been seen at 35% of all feeder sites in Maine.

21. Brown Creeper

The Brown Creeper is a small brown bird with a spiked-tipped tail and a thin, curved bill. They are found throughout North America and parts of Central America and is a year-round resident of Maine.

Males and Females are about 12-14cm (4.7-5.5 inches) long and weigh between 5-10g 0.2-0.3oz). They are a streaked brown above and white below (difficult to see when it is hidden against a tree). It uses its spiked-tipped tail to prop itself up against tree trunks as they climb.

They live year-round across most of Canada from British Columbia to Newfoundland, and in the United States from Alaska to California, east to Maine, and south through Mexico.

Brown Creepers can be found in various forest habitats, including coniferous forests, mixed hardwood-coniferous forests, deciduous forests, riparian corridors, and even suburban parks.

They are primarily insectivores and eat spiders, seeds, and berries. They forage by climbing up tree trunks looking out for food, or gleaning food from branches and leaves.

Brown creepers are common backyard birds that can often be seen at feeders that offer suet or peanut butter and prefer to feed on the ground.

The Brown Creeper has been seen at 32% of all feeder sites in Maine.

22. Red-winged Blackbird

The Red-Winged Blackbird is a stocky blackbird with a red shoulder and short tail. They are found in abundance in North America and Central America, and can be seen in Maine during the summer/spring breeding season.

Males and Females are about 17-23cm (6.7-9.1 inches) long and weigh between 32-77g (1.1-2.7oz). Males are all black with red shoulder patches tipped with a golden yellow color. Females have mostly dark brown plumage above, are heavily streaked below, and have some orange coloration on their face and throat.

They live in open habitats such as wetlands, marshes, prairies, meadows, pastures, agricultural fields, and suburban parks. They nest in marshes, wet prairies, and hayfields across the Northern half of North America from Alaska to Newfoundland.

They eat insects, seeds, and berries primarily during nesting or feeding their young and grain in the winter. Red-winged blackbirds gather in large flocks during the winter. They will often visit bird feeders that offer mixed seeds and grains and prefer to feed on the ground.

The Red-winged Blackbird has been seen at 31% of all feeder sites in Maine.

23. Common Redpoll

The Common Redpoll is a small, active finch found throughout the Northern half of America and Canada. These tiny birds can be seen in Maine during the non-breeding winter season.

Common Redpolls are about 12-14cm (4.7-5.5 inches) long and weigh between 11-20g (0.4-0.7oz). They have a compact body, short yellowish pointy bill, and short notched tails. Both males and females have red foreheads and black chins, with a brown and white body that is heavily streaked. Winter males have pale red breast and sides, and winter females have more streaking than the male.

In winter, they breed in the Northern hemisphere from Alaska and Northern Canada, and Greenland. They often move about in large flocks foraging for seeds as they move about.

The Common Redpolls’ preferred habitat is open areas such as pastures with some trees or coniferous forests to find shelter from the Northern winter. They are also found in towns, suburbs, or human settlements where they can find food to survive during the harsh Northern winters.

They feed primarily on seeds they can glean from trees, foliage, or fields in the North and will often visit bird feeders that offer tiny seeds such as nyjer or hulled sunflower seeds.

The Common Redpoll has been seen at 30% of all feeder sites in Maine.

24. Common Grackle

The Common Grackle is a large blackbird found in abundance throughout the Eastern and Mid-Eastern parts of North America. These large birds can be seen in Maine during the summer/spring breeding season.

They are about the size of a Mourning Dove and are around 28-34cm (11-13.4 Inches) long and weigh between 74-142g (2.6-5oz). Males are slightly larger than females. They have a flat head with yellow eyes and a stout beak to eat insects, seeds, fruits, small invertebrates, and snails. 

They have a long tail and shiny black plumage. The male has a greenish iridescence to their feathers, while the female is less glossy with brown feathers on her head.

The Common Grackle is usually found in large flocks in open habitats that include farmlands or grassland areas. Still, it will also be seen around residential areas where food scraps are available, like compost piles or bird feeders. They can sometimes be found near wetlands too.

Common Grackles are opportunistic omnivores that eat mainly insects and some grain but supplement with food items like seeds, fruits, small invertebrates, and snails. They usually feed or forage on the ground but will also scavenge in the garbage around residential areas if given the opportunity.

The common grackle will often visit backyard bird feeders and don’t seem to be too picky when it comes to the type of feed present.

The Common Grackle has been seen at 30% of all feeder sites in Maine.

25. Evening Grosbeak

The Evening Grosbeak is a large, stocky bird found throughout the northernmost part of North America and is a year-round resident of Maine.

Males and females are about 16-18cm (6.3-7.1 inches) long and weigh around 53-74g (1.9-2.6oz). They have a large head, a thick pale bill slightly curved downwards, and a short tail.

Males are primarily black and yellow with a white patch on their wings. Males also have dark heads and a bright yellow stripe above the eye. Females are mostly gray with white and black wings and a greenish-yellow highlight around the neck area. The males have pale bills, and females have greenish-yellow bills.

Evening Grosbeaks can be found in open coniferous and deciduous forests, parks, or gardens.

They forage primarily in the treetops and eat seeds and insects in the warmer months and berries and tree seeds during the colder months.

Evening Grosbeaks have been known to visit bird feeders that offer black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer thistle, or millet.

The Evening Grosbeak has been seen at 25% of all feeder sites in Maine.

What Are The Most Common Backyard Birds All-Year-Round In Maine?

• Black-capped Chickadee
• White-breasted Nuthatch
• Blue Jay
• Downy Woodpecker
• Mourning Dove
• Tufted Titmouse (Southern Maine)
• American Goldfinch (Southern Maine)
• Dark-eyed Junco
• Hairy Woodpecker
• Red-breasted Nuthatch
• Northern Cardinal (Southern Maine)
• American Crow (Southern Maine)
• Red-bellied Woodpecker (Southern Maine)
• American Robin (Southern Maine)
• House Finch (Southern Maine)
• European Starling
• Wild Turkey (Southern Maine)
• Brown Creeper
• Evening Grosbeak

What Are The Most Common Summer Backyard Birds Of Maine?

• American Goldfinch (Northern Maine)
• American Crow (Northern Maine)
• Song Sparrow
• Eastern Bluebird
• White-throated Sparrow
• Red-winged Blackbird
• Common Grackle

Birds To Spot Beyond The Backyard In Maine

When you decide to venture away from your home to do some birdwatching, these are some of the other birds to look out for:

1. Tree Swallow
2. Broad-winged Hawk
3. Bohemian Waxwing
4. Yellow-rumped Warbler
5. Snow Bunting
6. Pine Siskin
7. American Redstart
8. Barn Swallow
9. Cedar Waxwing
10. Common Nighthawk
11. Northern Flicker
12. Magnolia Warbler
13. Blackpoll Warbler
14. Golden-crowned Kinglet
15. Savannah Sparrow
16. Sharp-shinned Hawk
17. Black-throated Green Warbler
18. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
19. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
20. Purple Finch
21. American Kestrel
22. Pine Grosbeak
23. Hermit Thrush
24. Cape May Warbler
25. Osprey
26. Rusty Blackbird
27. Brown-headed Cowbird
28. Cliff Swallow
29. Common Raven
30. Merlin

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Keep an eye out for the backyard birds of Maine

Maine is an excellent place for birdwatching, whether you’re in your backyard or at one of the top hotspots for birding in the state. Many birds call Maine home, and with over 452 observed species, there is always something new to see. We hope this list of Maine’s top 25 backyard birds will help you identify some new feathered friends!

If you’re interested in seeing more birds, we suggest checking out one of Maine’s top hotspots for birdwatching. We would also love to hear from you about your favorite birdwatching spots or experiences in Maine.

If you have any questions about identifying more species or finding out which ones live near you, let us know! We would love to help identify new bird species for our readers.

Do you have a favorite backyard bird in Maine? Let us know in the comments below!

Happy birding!