Maine is a state with an abundance of natural beauty, and one of its most fascinating features is the 292 species of birds that can be found throughout the region. Birds of many different species find a welcoming home in Maine’s many different ecosystems, which range from coastal marshes and rocky coastlines to boreal forests and deciduous woodlands. 

This essay will explore the 19 most common birds of Maine and the habitats that make them widespread. We will learn about their behaviors, adaptations, and identifying characteristics of these birds. 

So bird lovers, keep reading!

19 Common Birds In Maine

With 292 recorded species, common birds in Maine are a unique and diverse group of birds that include both seasonal visitors and birds that live there all year.

19 most common birds in Maine are:

1. Downy Woodpecker

Scientific Name: Picoides pubescens

Specification:

• Length is around 14-18 cm.
• Despite their size, these woodpeckers have short bills.
• The head of male birds has a bright red patch, whereas females’ heads are blank.
• Their underbellies are white, and their backs are black with white streaks and patches.

In Maine, downy woodpeckers are one of the most common woodpeckers. 

It’s not hard to entice this particular woodpecker species to your yard. Sausage meat, peanuts, and sunflower seeds are the top choices for feeding these birds. It’s easy to locate them because of their high-pitched tone.

2. American Goldfinch

Scientific Name: Spinus tristis

Specification:

• Length is 11-13 cm
• Males are bright yellow with black crowns and black wings. 
• The females are a less vibrant yellow and don’t have black crowns.

The American goldfinch is very common in Maine and, in fact, has profited from human involvement in most cases. Its chances of survival are improved in suburban areas thanks to the presence of bird feeders. 

The American Goldfinch adheres strictly to a vegetarian diet. Their diet consists solely of seeds, making them unusual among birds. 

3. American Crow

Scientific Name: Corvus brachyrhynchos

Specification:

• Length is 40-53 cm
• They’re a uniformly glossy black color.
• Large head and neck, with a squared-off, short tail.

Feeding on the ground, their diet consists of insects, worms, seeds, and fruit. It is not uncommon for them to consume the eggs and hatchlings of several bird species.

Common places to spot American crows are the sky, the forest, the field, the beach, or even the city.

4. Red-winged Blackbird

Scientific Name: Agelaius phoeniceus

Specification:

• Length is 24-30 cm
• They have larger stomachs, longer bills, and rounded skulls. 
• Numbers in the tail are about average.
• The males of this species are dark brown with a bright yellow and red shoulder patch.
• The females have rusty and dark brownish spotting. 

Red-winged Blackbird is one of the common birds in Maine. Throughout the spring and summer breeding seasons, they can be seen solely in wetlands. The females construct their nests amid tall grasses and other dense plants.

Red-winged blackbirds not in forests can be found foraging for weed seeds in grasslands, farm fields, and pastures.

5. Hairy Woodpecker

Scientific Name: Dryobates villosus

Specification:

• Length is 17-20 cm
• Quick, sharp end to the tail, short legs and big feet, and truncated, rounded wings.
• They have a tall, chiseled bill and a black-and-white coloring scheme overall.
• They have a sturdy build.
• The males of the species are easily distinguished from the females’ thanks to the presence of a distinctive red patch on the crown of their heads.

These birds are usually perched on the thick, sturdy branches of huge trees, particularly conifers. 

Their main source of nutrition is insects. Yet in the colder months, they’ll visit bird feeders to feast on suet, nuts, and sunflower seeds.

6. House Sparrow

Scientific Name: Passer domesticus

Specification:

• Length is 14-16 cm
• The males have a chestnut shade across the face and neck, white cheeks, a black bib, and a gray crown. 
• There are black streaks across the backs of the females’ brown bodies. Their bellies are a pale brown color. 

Being one of Maine’s most widespread birds, house sparrows are a non-native invasive species.

The House Sparrow is a common sight throughout urban and suburban regions. Thanks to their flexibility and willingness to settle near people, they have been rather successful. They enjoy grains and can often be spotted at fairs, stadiums, and other public gatherings snacking on bread and popcorn.

7. Blue Jay

Scientific Name: Cyanocitta cristata

Specification:

• Length is 25-28 cm
• They sport a big blue crest above their heads, a predominantly blue back, and white feathers on their belly and chests.   
• Black stripes can be seen on both its wings and tail.
• A black ring, perhaps a choker, adorns their necks.

Maine is home to all four species of Blue Jay. The Northern Blue Jay is one of the most common birds in Maine.

They are known for imitating human vocals identically! Their favorite food is sunflower seeds and peanuts. They are often seen on the ground looking for seeds and nuts.

8. Song Sparrow

Scientific Name: Melospiza melodia

Specification:

• Length is 12-17 cm
• The top of its head is brown, and there is a gray stripe running down the center. You should also be on the lookout for a gray brow and face.
• Their rusty brown backs and bodies are spotted with gray.

Song sparrows can be easily spotted in many parts of Maine, including marshes, open fields, and regions with sparse shrubbery.

Song sparrows are notable for their habit of building their nests in open branches than tree cavities. They commonly build their nests on the ground. They often come to the feeder for a snack of sunflower and other mixed seeds.

9. European Starling

Scientific Name: Sturnus vulgaris

Specification:

• Length is 17-20 cm
• They have a long, thin beak, but the tail is quite short.
• Dark overall, with white spots on the back and wings, and sporting bright yellow beaks and toes.
• Starlings, under the correct lighting conditions, can also exhibit beautiful purple and green iridescence.

European Starling has a reputation for taking over feeders, preventing other birds from eating the food you’ve provided, destroying nests, and killing the young of different species.

The European starling eats just about anything. Even if you don’t actively try to attract this invasive species, it’s likely to show up. So be careful when you have your feeders out!

10. Mourning Dove

Scientific Name: Zenaida macroura

Specification:

• Length is 23-34 cm
• Dove with a long, narrow tail and huge black markings on a grayish body.
• The legs are pinkish, the bill is black, and there is a blue ring around the eye.
• Both sexes share the same appearance.

It’s hard to imagine a Mainer who hasn’t seen this dove before.

Try spotting them from a great height in the woods or on a nearby telephone pole. 

Mourning Doves are common sights in grasslands, parks, and backyards, where they can be found perching on telephone lines or searching for grains on the ground.

11. Northern Cardinal

Scientific Name: Cardinalis cardinalis

Specification:

• Length is 21-23 cm
• Male Northern Cardinals, in their brilliant red plumage with black masks, make for a stunning sight against the white of a winter landscape. Both their crests and beaks are colored crimsons.
• Females are a whitish orangey brown overall, with red accents on the crown, wings, and tail.

The Northern Cardinal is, without a doubt, one of the state’s most beloved birds. In addition to their striking appearance, these birds are frequently spotted at feeders.

Seeds from both the sunflower and safflower families, as well as corn and peanuts, are high on their list of preferred foods.

12. Tufted Titmouse

Scientific Name: Baeolophus bicolor

Specification:

• Length is 14-16 cm
• The crest on a Tufted Titmouse’s head is gray, while the body of the bird is white, and its eyes are a big gray. 
• Both sexes share the same physical characteristics.

Maine’s deciduous woodlands, suburban backyards, and urban parks all provide ideal habitats for the tufted titmouse. They hop from tree to tree, sometimes hanging upside down or on their sides, as they forage for food.

They are more reserved than other birds, so you’ll often see them swoop in fast to grab a seed and then go off again to eat in peace. Besides sunflower seeds, other common foods they enjoy include safflower seeds, peanuts, and suet. 

13. Chipping Sparrow

Scientific Name: Spizella passerina

Specification:

• Length is 12-15 cm
• Some of them have rusty crowns, yellowish bellies, and dark eyeliner, which makes them quite eye-catching.
• Some others are paler overall, with a brownish head, grayish belly, and no streaking on the neck or stomach.
• Lean and long-tailed, with a moderately big bill, both sexes are similarly shaped.

These birds breed in the United States and Canada during the summer, and then migrate south to spend the winter in warmer climates. The southern states are home to some who stay there throughout the year.

Chipping Sparrows fly around in small groups on open land and frequent backyards in search of various types of bird seed.

14. Black-capped Chickadee

Scientific Name: Poecile atricapillus

Specification:

• Length is 12-15 cm
• Their whole shape is spherical, from their large heads to their long, rounded tails.
• The upper part of the form is gray, while the lower part is a buffy brown.

Black-capped Chickadee is the state bird of Marine and Massachusetts. Small in size but with an exaggeratedly large head, these birds are easily identifiable by their distinctive black bib and crown.

Seeds, insects, and berries make up the majority of their diet. Feeding stations include tube, hopper, and tray systems. Sunflower seeds and suet are a favorite of theirs.

15. White-breasted Nuthatch

Scientific Name: Sitta carolinensis

Specification:

• Length is 20-30 cm
• White-breasted nuthatches are named for the white patch that runs across their chests and bellies, as well as the strong black stripe that runs across the top of their heads. 
• Their wings are a mixture of gray and black.

The white-breasted nuthatch is a common garden bird in Maine and can be seen there all year round. They get their name from the way it hides seeds and nuts under the bark of trees before cracking open the shell with its beak. 

Almost any bird feeder, whether it be for suet, peanuts, black sunflower seeds, or a combination of these, can attract nuthatches. 

16. Rock Pigeon

Scientific Name: Columba livia

Specification:

• Length is 27-30 cm
• Squat and round, with a tiny beak and short legs and a fat body.
• In general, pigeons are gray on the back and wings, with blue-gray heads and black wings.
• The colors of the different types might range from completely white to deep red.

Rock pigeons are common across the state of Maine; however, they can only be found in man-made environments.

If there is any leftover food on the ground near a bird feeder, the pigeons will flock there. When these birds visit gardens in large numbers, they can become a minor annoyance. 

17. Common Grackle

Scientific Name: Quiscalus quiscula

Specification:

• Length is 28-34 cm
• Long-tailed, big blackbirds with a bill that slopes somewhat downward.
• Males appear black in most lighting conditions, but their heads and bodies shimmer with a bluish-golden coloration.
• Females are similar to males, just shinier in color.

The Common Grackle is a common species of bird in Maine.

As grains like corn and rice are their preferred diet, it is not uncommon to see them fly around in massive flocks on agricultural fields. They consume a vast range of foods, including seeds, fruits, insects, etc. 

18. Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Scientific Name: Archilochus colubris

Specification:

• Length is 16-21 cm
• Males of this species are medium-sized hummers that are distinguished by a deep red throat and black chin.
• The chin and throat of a female Ruby-throated Hummingbird are white, and they have faint green streaks. 

Ruby-throated Hummingbird is a migratory bird commonly seen in Maine. Between August and September, they begin their annual migration south.

Nectar feeders attract a large number of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds to backyards.

19. Eastern Bluebird

Scientific Name: Sialia sialis

Specification:

• Length is 16-21 cm
• Males have brilliant blue plumage and rusty chest and throat.
• Females have the same general appearance, but the colors are much more muted.

Eastern Bluebird is stunning in color and appearance. These birds are a treat for birdwatchers of all stripes.

The Eastern bluebird is a common sight in meadows, where it can be seen perched on wires, posts, and low trees in search of insects.

Conclusion

The 19 most common birds in Maine are widely distributed across the state, and many of them can be found year-round. Even if you are not a birder, it is worth taking the time to observe the birds of Maine. Not only will you be able to appreciate their beauty, but you will also gain a greater understanding of the amazing world of birds. 

We suggest you be careful while watching birds as the entire bird population has decreased by roughly 40%, and our presence should not disturb their activities.