25 Awesome Backyard Birds of Vermont you can see

If you’re a bird enthusiast, Vermont is a great place to be. The state has an abundance of backyard birds, and there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you prefer songbirds or raptors, there are plenty of opportunities to see beautiful species in your backyard.

The habitats of Vermont are as diverse as the birds that live there. The state has everything from rugged mountains to fertile farmlands. This variety of habitats makes Vermont such a great place for birds. Each habitat supports different types of birds, and there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

This blog post will look at 25 of Vermont’s most common backyard birds 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 at any time of the year.

Backyard Birds Of Vermont

According to the latest data from ebird, there are 391 observed species of Birds in Vermont. This data comes from over 589,000 checklists from over 13,000 avid birdwatchers. Identifying and seeing all 391 species is 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 Vermont:

• 391 observed species
• The Black-capped chickadee is the most common backyard bird species in Vermont.
• The Black-capped Chickadee is the most common feeder bird of Vermont.
• The Red-breasted Nuthatch is the smallest most common feeder bird in Vermont.
• The Wild Turkey is the largest backyard bird in the top 25 list.
• The Hermit Thrush is the state bird of Vermont.

Top 5 Hotspots For Birdwatching In Vermont

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

1. Delta Park
2. Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area
3. Shelburne Bay
4. Herrick’s Cove
5. Charlotte Town Beach

Top 25 Backyard Birds Of Vermont

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

1. Black-capped Chickadee

The Black-Capped Chickadee is a widespread species of bird found throughout the Northern half of North America and is a year-round resident of Vermont’s backyards.

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 100% of all feeder sites in Vermont.

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 and is a year-round resident of Vermont.

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 95% of all feeder sites in Vermont.

3. Downy Woodpecker

The Downy Woodpecker is the most common woodpecker in Vermont and can be seen in the state all year round.

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 94% of all feeder sites in Vermont.

4. Blue Jay

The Blue Jay is a common species of bird found throughout North America and can be seen in the backyards of Vermont all year round.

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 Vermont.

5. Dark-eyed Junco

The Dark-Eyed Junco is a medium-sized sparrow found in the Northern Hemisphere from Alaska to Newfoundland and can be seen in Vermont all year round.

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 89% of all feeder sites in Vermont.

6. Hairy Woodpecker

The Hairy Woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker found throughout North America and Southern Canada, and can be seen in Vermont 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 Vermont.

7. Tufted Titmouse

The Tufted Titmouse is a small species of bird that can be found throughout much of the Eastern half of North America and can be seen in Vermont backyards 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 85% of all feeder sites in Vermont.

8. Northern Cardinal

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

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 81% of all feeder sites in Vermont.

9. Mourning Dove

The Mourning Dove is a common species of bird found throughout North America and can be seen in Vermont all year round.

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 80% of all feeder sites in Vermont.

10. Red-breasted Nuthatch

The Red-breasted Nuthatch is a small songbird found across most of North America and much of Canada. These beautiful birds can be seen in Vermont all year round.

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 73% of all feeder sites in Vermont.

11. American Goldfinch

The American Goldfinch is a common species of bird found throughout North America and is a year-round resident of Vermont’s backyards.

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 72% of all feeder sites in Vermont.

12. 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 Vermont during the colder non-breeding months.

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 60% of all feeder sites in Vermont.

13. 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 in southern Vermont all year round.

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 53% of all feeder sites in Vermont.

14. 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, and can be seen in Vermont 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 53% of all feeder sites in Vermont.

15. American Robin

The American Robin is a common species of bird found throughout North America and is a year-round resident of Vermont. 

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 Vermont.

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, and are year-round residents of Vermont.

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 Vermont.

17. 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 Vermont during the summer and spring breeding months.

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 40% of all feeder sites in Vermont.

18. Song Sparrow

The Song Sparrow is a medium-sized sparrow found throughout North America and can be seen in the backyards of Vermont all year round.

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 39% of all feeder sites in (STATE).

19. 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. 

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 38% of all feeder sites in Vermont.

20. American Tree Sparrow

The American Tree Sparrow is a small sparrow found throughout North America and can be seen in Vermont during the colder non-breeding months.

Males and females are about 13-14cm (5.5 inches) long and weigh around 13-28g (0.5-1.0oz). They have a long, thin tail, a small bill, and a small head.

Their bill is bicolored, which is dark above and yellow below. They have a rusty-colored cap, a rusty eye line, and a rusty-colored striped back. Their wings have two white wing bars, and their underparts are primarily gray with some pale brown coloration on their sides and breast.

American Tree Sparrows can be found in open areas near woods, gardens, or parks during the warmer months and move to more dense areas such as weedy fields, shrubs, and forest edges during the colder months. They breed in the far north of Canada and spend their winter migration below the Canadian border.

They eat mostly seeds in winter and insects during the summer months. They forage mainly on the ground but can also be seen in bushes or trees.

American Tree Sparrows frequently visit bird feeders in the winter that offer black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer thistle, or millet.

The American Tree Sparrow has been seen at 35% of all feeder sites in Vermont.

21. 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 Vermont backyards during the summer and spring breeding months.

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 32% of all feeder sites in Vermont.

22. Carolina Wren

The Carolina Wren is a common bird species in the eastern part of North America and can be seen in southern Vermont year-round.

Carolina Wrens are small backyard birds typically between 12 – 14cm (4.7-5.5 inches) long and weigh between 18-22g (0.6-0.8oz), with males slightly larger than females. They have rusty-brown feathers with white spots on their tails and wings, with lighter brown-orange chest and belly, and a bold white line above the eye, making them very easy to identify from other birds.

Carolina Wrens spend most of their time in thick vegetation such as brushy woods, underbrush or shrubs, looking for insects and spiders to eat – making it easy to see when they fly out from their hiding place.

They are the only wren that will visit backyard bird feeders regularly and typically prefer suet feeders.

The Carolina Wren has been seen at 32% of all feeder sites in Vermont.

23. 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 Vermont.

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 26% of all feeder sites in Vermont.

24. Eastern Bluebird

The Eastern Bluebird is a small thrush that is common throughout the Eastern half of North America and can be seen in Vermont during the summer and spring breeding months.

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 25% of all feeder sites in Vermont.

25. Wild Turkey

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

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 24% of all feeder sites in Vermont.

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

• Black-capped Chickadee (55% frequency)
• American Crow (44% frequency)
• Blue Jay (44% frequency)
• American Robin (38% frequency)
• American Goldfinch (36% frequency)
• Song Sparrow (33% frequency)
• Northern Cardinal (29% frequency)
• Mourning Dove (29% frequency)
• White-breasted Nuthatch (28% frequency)
• Red-winged Blackbird (26% frequency)

What Are The Most Common Winter Backyard Birds Of Vermont?

• Black-capped Chickadee (58% frequency)
• American Crow (43% frequency)
• Blue Jay (42% frequency)
• White-breasted Nuthatch (33% frequency)
• Dark-eyed Junco (32% frequency)
• Downy Woodpecker (30% frequency)
• Northern Cardinal (29% frequency)
• Tufted Titmouse (26% frequency)
• American Goldfinch (26% frequency)
• Mourning Dove (26% frequency)

Birds To Spot Beyond The Backyard In Vermont

If you decide to birdwatch away from your home, these are some of the other birds to look out for:

1. Hermit Thrush
2. Chimney Swift
3. Gray Catbird
4. Wood Thrush
5. Cedar Waxwing
6. Bobolink
7. Ruby-throated Hummingbird
8. Killdeer
9. Red-tailed Hawk
10. Eastern Kingbird
11. House Wren
12. Barn Swallow
13. American Redstart
14. Belted Kingfisher
15. Purple Martin
16. Black-billed Cuckoo
17. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
18. Broad-winged Hawk
19. Winter Wren
20. Ovenbird
21. American Kestrel
22. Scarlet Tanager
23. Indigo Bunting
24. Pileated Woodpecker
25. Least Flycatcher
26. Chestnut-sided Warbler
27. Great Crested Flycatcher
28. Baltimore Oriole
29. Blackburnian Warbler
30. Ruffed Grouse

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Keep an eye out for the backyard birds of vermont

Vermont is an excellent state for birdwatching, whether you do it in your backyard or beyond. There are many different species of birds to spot, and you’re sure to see some beautiful feathered friends no matter where you go in the state. So get out there and start exploring Vermont’s avian population today!

If you’re looking to venture out and do some birding, then visit one of Vermont’s best hotspots for birdwatching. We would also love to hear about your favorite birdwatching spots or experiences in Vermont.

If you have 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.

So if you’re looking for a great birding experience, head to Vermont! You won’t be disappointed.