What Birds Are in Your State Right Now? Summer Backyard Birdwatching Guide
Summer is the perfect time to slow down and watch the birds. No matter where you live in the United States, there’s a bird living its best life in your backyard right now. This isn't meant to be a scientific deep dive, but more of a reminder that you can see some cool birds without leaving the comfort of your own backyard. So, read on to find out what birds you should keep an eye out for in your state this summer.
Northeast (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut)
Summers in New England are full of music, especially from birds like the American Redstart and Wood Thrush. If you live in the woods, you will probably also hear the flute-like song of a Hermit Thrush. Backyards will see plenty of Black-capped Chickadees year-round, but summer brings Cedar Waxwings (who love to eat fruit) and hummingbirds zipping through native flowers. Loons are an iconic staple of Maine’s lakes, and warblers are everywhere if you take a walk through the trees. The Northeast is a region rich in birdsong this time of year.
Mid-Atlantic (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C.)
In the Mid-Atlantic, summer means an explosion of bird activity. You’ve got Gray Catbirds making their mewing sounds from the shrubs, Baltimore Orioles weaving nests that hang like socks from the branches, and Northern Mockingbirds showing off with their endless catalogue of songs. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds will be easy to find near feeders and flowers. And don't forget about the Chimney Swifts gliding through the sky just before dusk. Whether you’re living in a rural or urban area, you’ve got something to see and hear in the Mid-Atlantic.
Southeast Coast (Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida)
This region buzzes with life in the summer, and not just from cicadas. Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Northern Cardinals, and Carolina Wrens bring color and sound to backyard feeders. In Florida, you’ll also get to see Painted Buntings, which look like tiny flying rainbows. Swallow-tailed Kites circle the skies in the deeper South, and Great Crested Flycatchers might surprise you with their bold song. Summer in the Southeast means long days full of many birds, especially if you look around dawn and dusk.
Deep South (Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana)
If you’ve ever spent a summer in the Deep South, you probably remember the sound of the birds. Northern Parulas, Prothonotary Warblers, and Yellow-throated Warblers like to hide in mossy trees. Mississippi Kites glide overhead, and Brown Thrashers (Georgia’s state bird) sing dozens of different phrases throughout the warm months. Carolina Chickadees and Tufted Titmice hang around all year but are especially active in the early summer while raising their young. If you have standing water nearby, you might also see Green Herons lurking like statues as they try to catch fish. Although these states are known for super hot summers, bird activity heats up a lot too.
Great Lakes (Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota)
Summer here brings a mix of prairie and woodland birds. American Goldfinches are late nesters and stay bright yellow into August. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks sing from high in the trees. Common Yellowthroats and Song Sparrows fill the fields with sound. You can hear the iconic call of loons on northern lakes, and Sandhill Cranes can be spotted strolling through wetlands. If you’re near farmland, keep an eye out for Bobolinks and Eastern Meadowlarks flashing through the tall grass. The sky, the water, and even the ground gets a fresh wave of bird activity when summer hits.
Central Plains (Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota)
Prairie life is bird-rich in the summer. Western Meadowlarks, Dickcissels, and Red-winged Blackbirds can be heard singing all day long. Killdeer cry out from driveways and fields. Barn Swallows and Cliff Swallows patrol the skies for bugs. And Eastern Kingbirds sit on wires and fence posts like little sentries. You might even catch a glimpse of an Upland Sandpiper if you’re near open grasslands. And all across the region, American Robins and House Wrens are busy raising their chicks in every backyard.
Appalachians & Tennessee Valley (Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia)
The Appalachian region is full of summer bird activity if you know where to look. Hooded Warblers flash their golden masks in the underbrush. Scarlet Tanagers sing from deep in the leafy canopy. Wood Thrushes serenade the forest with their layered, echoing calls. Even in suburban neighborhoods, you’ll find Eastern Towhees hanging out in the leaves and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers building tiny nests. Summer is when these birds are busy raising their families, making it your best chance to spot a few that you wouldn’t normally see.
The Southwest (Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Oklahoma)
The bird scene here is colorful and full of surprises. In Arizona and New Mexico, you might see Vermilion Flycatchers and even Painted Redstarts if you're lucky. Cactus Wrens chatter from thorny shrubs, and Greater Roadrunners can be seen dashing across driveways. In Texas, Scissor-tailed Flycatchers flash their long tails from fence lines, and hummingbirds, every kind you can think of, dart through flowers. And Oklahoma fields are also full of Western Kingbirds and Dickcissels. The birds here are as tough and beautiful as the land.
The Mountain West (Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho)
Up here, the air is thinner, but the Mountain West is thick with birdlife. Mountain Bluebirds and Western Tanagers brighten the landscape with their colorful feathers. Pine Siskins and Cassin’s Finches visit feeders in forested areas. If you're hiking, you might hear the high-pitched calls of Clark’s Nutcrackers or spot a Williamson’s Sapsucker in the backwoods. Magpies are chatty and clever, and Black-headed Grosbeaks add a splash of orange. Summer’s the season for watching the skies as Golden Eagles, Ospreys, and Swainson’s Hawks are often seen gliding overhead.
Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Northern California, Alaska)
In these lush green spaces, you’ve got your pick of songbirds, seabirds, and forest dwellers. Oregon Juncos, Varied Thrushes, and Swainson’s Thrushes are common sightings in wooded backyards. Steller’s Jays show up loud and proud, never shy to sing their distinct songs. In Alaska, you might see Arctic Terns or hear the classic call of the Common Loon. Anna’s and Rufous Hummingbirds can be found poking around your flowers if you take the time to look for them. And if you’re near the coast, keep an eye out for Bald Eagles and Great Blue Herons.
California & the Great Basin (Central & Southern California, Nevada)
California summers bring diversity. You’ve got California Scrub-Jays acting like they own the place, and Allen’s and Anna’s Hummingbirds are long-staying guests if you’ve got the native plants that they love. Western Bluebirds, Black Phoebes, and Lesser Goldfinches are also pretty common to find in gardens and parks. In desert areas, look for Gambel’s Quail hustling their chicks along the ground and hummingbirds defending their space at feeders like gladiators. Even in cities, the birds in California and the Great Basin thrive.
Pacific Islands and Tropics (Hawaii, U.S. Territories)
In Hawaii, backyard birdwatching is totally unique. Native birds like the ‘Apapane and ‘Amakihi visit ohia blossoms, while the more common Java Sparrow or Zebra Dove might hang around more populated areas. Birds here are different, not just in species, but in their song too. Many are unique to this region and not found anywhere else. The same goes for parts of Puerto Rico, Guam, and American Samoa. Summer brings out nesting behavior for birds, even in tropical climates, but watch with care as many native species are endangered and rare.
What Birds Will You See?
Wherever you live, a bird is flapping, singing, or soaring overhead right now. Birds don’t need much from us, just a little space, a bit of clean water, and maybe a safe place to nest. You don’t have to know every name or song to enjoy watching them either. This summer, just try noticing. Step outside for a few minutes. Listen. Look up. And let the birds remind you that there’s so much out there to explore, even in your own backyard.