This list of birds of Massachusetts includes species documented in the U.S. state of Massachusetts and accepted by the Massachusetts Avian Records Committee (MARC). As of July 2023, there are 516 species included in the official list. Of them, 194 are on the review list (see below), six have been introduced to North America, three are extinct, and one has been extirpated. An additional seven species are on a supplemental list of birds whose origin is uncertain. An additional accidental species has been added from another source.
This list is presented in the taxonomic sequence of the Check-list of North and Middle American Birds, 7th edition through the 62nd Supplement, published by the American Ornithological Society (AOS). Common and scientific names are also those of the Check-list, except that the common names of families are from the Clements taxonomy because the AOS list does not include them.
Unless otherwise noted, all species listed below are considered to occur regularly in Massachusetts as permanent residents, summer or winter visitors, or migrants. The following codes are used to denote categories of species:
(n) Nesting - confirmed nesting records within Massachusetts (xn) Extralimital nester - record of nesting, but recorded only once or twice (I) Introduced - a species introduced to North America by the actions of humans, either directly or indirectly (E) Extinct - a recent species that no longer exists (Ex) Extirpated - a species no longer found in Massachusetts but existing elsewhere (R) Review list - birds that if seen require more comprehensive documentation than regularly seen species. These birds are considered irregular or rare in Massachusetts.
Note: Birds marked with (*) are not identified to species, but are distinct enough to be considered as a separate entry.
Ducks, geese, and waterfowl Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae
The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, bills which are flattened to a greater or lesser extent, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to special oils. Forty-eight species have been recorded in Massachusetts.
Black-bellied whistling-duck, Dendrocygna autumnalis (R) Fulvous whistling-duck, Dendrocygna bicolor (R) Common shelduck, Tadorna tadorna (R) Snow goose, Anser caerulescens Ross's goose, Anser rossii (R) Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons Pink-footed goose, Anser brachyrhynchus (R) Brant, Branta bernicla Barnacle goose, Branta leucopsis (R) Cackling goose, Branta hutchinsii Canada goose, Branta canadensis (n) Mute swan, Cygnus olor (I) (n) Trumpeter swan, Cygnus buccinator (R) Tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus (R) Wood duck, Aix sponsa (n) Garganey, Spatula querquedula (R) Blue-winged teal, Spatula discors (n) Cinnamon teal, Spatula cyanoptera (R) Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata (n) Gadwall, Mareca strepera (n) Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope American wigeon, Mareca americana (n) Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos (n) American black duck, Anas rubripes (n) Northern pintail, Anas acuta (n) Green-winged teal, Anas crecca (n) Canvasback, Aythya valisineria Redhead, Aythya americana Ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris (n) Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula (R) Greater scaup, Aythya marila Lesser scaup, Aythya affinis Steller's eider, Polysticta stelleri (R) King eider, Somateria spectabilis Common eider, Somateria mollissima (n) Harlequin duck, Histrionicus histrionicus Labrador duck, Camptorhynchus labradorius (E) (R) Surf scoter, Melanitta perspicillata White-winged scoter, Melanitta deglandi Black scoter, Melanitta americana Long-tailed duck, Clangula hyemalis Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola Common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula Barrow's goldeneye, Bucephala islandica Hooded merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus (n) Common merganser, Mergus merganser (n) Red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator (n) Masked duck, Nomonyx dominicus (R) Ruddy duck, Oxyura jamaicensis (n)
New World quail Order: GalliformesFamily: Odontophoridae
The New World quails are small, plump terrestrial birds only distantly related to the quails of the Old World, but named for their similar appearance and habits. One species has been recorded in Massachusetts.
Northern bobwhite, Colinus virginianus (n)
Pheasants, grouse, and allies Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae
Phasianidae consists of the pheasants and their allies. These are terrestrial species, variable in size but generally plump with broad relatively short wings. Many species are gamebirds or have been domesticated as a food source for humans. Turkeys have a distinctive fleshy wattle that hangs from the underside of the beak and a fleshy protuberance that hangs from the top of its beak called a snood. As with many galliform species, the female (the hen) is smaller than the male (the tom) and much less colorful. With wingspans of 1.5–1.8 meters (almost 6 feet), the turkeys are the largest birds in the open forests in which they live and are rarely mistaken for any other species. Grouse inhabit temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. They are game and are sometimes hunted for food. In all Massachusetts species, males are polygamous and have elaborate courtship displays. These heavily built birds have legs feathered to the toes. Most species are year-round residents and do not migrate. Five species have been recorded in Massachusetts.
Wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavo (n) Ruffed grouse, Bonasa umbellus (n) Willow ptarmigan, Lagopus lagopus (R) Greater prairie-chicken, Tympanuchus cupido (R) (Ex) Heath hen, T. c. cupido (E) Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (I) (n)
Grebes Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. Five species have been recorded in Massachusetts.
Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps (n) Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis (R) Western grebe, Aechmorphorus occidentalis (R)
Pigeons and doves
Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. Eight species have been recorded in Massachusetts.
Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I) (n) Band-tailed pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata (R) European turtle-dove, Streptopelia turtur (R) Eurasian collared-dove, Streptopelia decaocto (R) (I) Passenger pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius (R) (E) Common ground dove, Columbina passerina (R) White-winged dove, Zenaida asiatica (R) Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura (n)
Cuckoos
Order: CuculiformesFamily: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners, and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs. The Old World cuckoos are brood parasites. Three species have been recorded in Massachusetts.
Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus (R) Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus (n) Black-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus (n)
Nightjars and allies Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is cryptically colored to resemble bark or leaves. Three species have been recorded in Massachusetts.
Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor (n) Chuck-will's-widow, Antrostomus carolinensis Eastern whip-poor-will, Antrostomus vociferus (n)
Swifts Order: ApodiformesFamily: Apodidae
The swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang. Two species have been recorded in Massachusetts.
Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica (n) Apus species, Apus sp. (*) (R)
Hummingbirds
Order: ApodiformesFamily: Trochilidae
Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backwards. Six species have been recorded in Massachusetts.
Ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris (n) Black-chinned hummingbird, Archilochus alexandri (R) Calliope hummingbird, Selasphorus calliope (R) Rufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus (R) Allen's hummingbird, Selasphorus sasin (R) Broad-billed hummingbird, Cynanthus latirostris (R)
Rails, gallinules, and coots
Order: GruiformesFamily: Rallidae
Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. The most typical family members occupy dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers. Nine species have been recorded in Massachusetts.
Yellow rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis (R) Black rail, Laterallus jamaicensis (R) Clapper rail, Rallus crepitans (n) King rail, Rallus elegans (n) Virginia rail, Rallus limicola (n) Sora, Porzana carolina (n) Purple gallinule, Porphyrio martinicus (R) Common gallinule, Gallinula galeata (n) American coot, Fulica americana (n)
Cranes Order: GruiformesFamily: Gruidae
Cranes are large, long-legged, and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances". One species has been recorded in Massachusetts.
Sandhill crane, Antigone canadensis (xn)
Stilts and avocets Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. Two species have been recorded in Massachusetts.
Black-necked stilt, Himantopus mexicanus (R) American avocet, Recurvirostra americana
Oystercatchers
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Haematopodidae
The oystercatchers are large, obvious, and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prying open molluscs. One species has been recorded in Massachusetts.
American oystercatcher, Haematopus palliatus (n)
Plovers and lapwings Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Charadriidae
The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short thick necks, and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water. Eleven species have been recorded in Massachusetts.
Northern lapwing, Vanellus vanellus (R) Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola American golden-plover, Pluvialis dominica European golden-plover, Pluvialis apricaria (R) Pacific golden-plover, Pluvialis fulva (R) Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus (n) Common ringed plover, Charadrius hiaticula (R) Semipalmated plover, Charadrius semipalmatus Piping plover, Charadrius melodus (n) Lesser sand-plover, Charadrius mongolus (R) Wilson's plover, Charadrius wilsonia (R) Snowy plover, Charadrius nivosus (R) Mountain plover, Charadrius montanus (R)
Sandpipers and allies
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Scolopacidae