The following list of birds of New York included the 503 species and a species pair of wild birds documented in New York as of August 2022. Unless noted otherwise, the source is the Checklist of New York State Birds published by the New York State Avian Records Committee (NYSARC) of the New York State Ornithological Association. These species represent 23 orders and 67 families of birds. An additional, "hypothetical", species is also noted by NYSARC. Additional accidental species have also been added from other sources.
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 New York as permanent residents, summer or winter visitors, or migrants. These tags are used to annotate some species:
(B) Breeding - a species that currently breeds or has bred in New York (249 species) (†) Extinct - a species that used to live in what is now New York but is now extinct (2 or 3 species) (E) Extirpated - a species that no longer occurs in New York, but populations exist elsewhere (2 species) (I) Introduced - a population established solely as result of direct or indirect human intervention; synonymous with non-native and non-indigenous (8 species) (IE) - an introduced population existed but is now extirpated (2 species) (H) Hypothetical - a species with sight records but no description, specimen, or photograph (1 species)
Other markings denote birds that NYSARC requests documentation of in certain conditions:
(N) - documentation of this species should be submitted if seen anywhere in New York (160 species) (U) - documentation of this species should be submitted if seen in upstate New York (30 species) (D) - documentation of this species should be submitted if seen in downstate New York (4 species) (A) - documentation of this species should be submitted if seen outside the Adirondacks (3 species) (P) - documentation of this species should be submitted if seen outside of the pelagic zone (between 3 and 200 miles from shore) but within New York State. (4 species) (S) - documentation of this species should be submitted if seen in New York in spring (3 species)
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. Fifty species have been recorded in New York.
Black-bellied whistling-duck, Dendrocygna autumnalis (N) Fulvous whistling-duck, Dendrocygna bicolor (N) Snow goose, Anser caerulescens Ross's goose, Anser rossii Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons Taiga bean-goose, Anser fabalis (accidental) Tundra bean-goose, Anser serrirostris (N) Pink-footed goose, Anser brachyrhynchus (N) Brant, Branta bernicla Barnacle goose, Branta leucopsis (U) Cackling goose, Branta hutchinsii Canada goose, Branta canadensis (B) Mute swan, Cygnus olor (I)(B) Trumpeter swan, Cygnus buccinator (B)(D) Tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus Wood duck, Aix sponsa (B) Garganey, Spatula querquedula (N) Blue-winged teal, Spatula discors (B) Cinnamon teal, Spatula cyanoptera (N) Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata (B) Gadwall, Mareca strepera (B) Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope American wigeon, Mareca americana (B) Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos (B) American black duck, Anas rubripes (B) Northern pintail, Anas acuta (B) Green-winged teal, Anas crecca (B) Canvasback, Aythya valisineria (B) Redhead, Aythya americana (B) Common pochard, Aythya ferina (accidental) Ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris (B) Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula (U) Greater scaup, Aythya marila Lesser scaup, Aythya affinis (B) Labrador duck, Camptorhynchus labradorius (†) King eider, Somateria spectabilis Common eider, Somateria mollissima (U)(B) Harlequin duck, Histrionicus histrionicus 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 (B) Barrow's goldeneye, Bucephala islandica Smew, Mergellus albellus (N) Hooded merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus (B) Common merganser, Mergus merganser (B) Red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator (B) Ruddy duck, Oxyura jamaicensis (B)
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 New York.
Northern bobwhite, Colinus virginianus (B)
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. Seven species have been recorded in New York.
Wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavo (B) Ruffed grouse, Bonasa umbellus (B) Spruce grouse, Canachites canadensis (A)(B) Willow ptarmigan, Lagopus lagopus (N) Greater prairie chicken, Tympanuchus cupido (E) Heath hen, T. c. cupido (†) Gray partridge, Perdix perdix (I)(N)(B) Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (I)(B)
Flamingos Order: PhoenicopteriformesFamily: Phoenicopteridae
Flamingos (genus Phoenicopterus monotypic in family Phoenicopteridae) are gregarious wading birds, usually tall, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly-shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume and, uniquely, are used upside-down. One species has been recorded in New York.
American flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber (accidental)
Grebes
Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large diving birds that breed on fresh water. 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. Six species have been recorded in New York.
Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps (B) Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis Western grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis (N) Clark's grebe, Aechmorphorus clarkii (N)
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 New York.
Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I)(B) Band-tailed pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata (N) Eurasian collared-dove, Streptopelia decaocto (N) Passenger pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius (†)(B) Inca dove, Columbina inca (N) Common ground dove, Columbina passerina (N) White-winged dove, Zenaida asiatica (N) Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura (B)
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. Three species have been recorded in New York.
Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus (accidental) Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus (B) Black-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus (B)
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 New York.
Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor (B) Chuck-will's-widow, Antrostomus carolinensis (U)(B) Eastern whip-poor-will, Antrostomus vociferus (B)
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. One species has been recorded in New York.
Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica (B)
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. Five species have been recorded in New York.
Ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris (B) Anna's hummingbird, Calypte anna (N) Calliope hummingbird, Selasphorus calliope (N) Rufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus (N) Broad-billed hummingbird, Colibri thalassinus (N)
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. Eleven species have been recorded in New York.
Clapper rail, Rallus crepitans (U)(B) King rail, Rallus elegans (N)(B) Virginia rail, Rallus limicola (B) Corn crake, Crex crex (N) Sora, Porzana carolina (B) Common gallinule, Gallinula galeata (B) American coot, Fulica americana (B) Purple gallinule, Porphyrio martinicus (N) Azure gallinule, Porphyrio flavirostris (N) Yellow rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis (N) Black rail, Laterallus jamaicensis (N)(B)
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 New York.
Sandhill crane, Antigone canadensis (B)
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 New York.
Black-necked stilt, Himantopus mexicanus (N) American avocet, Recurvirostra americana
Oystercatchers
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Haematopodidae
The oystercatchers are large, obvious, noisy plover-like birds with strong bills used for smashing or prying open molluscs. One species has been recorded in New York.
American oystercatcher, Haematopus palliatus (U)(B)
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. Ten species have been recorded in New York.
Northern lapwing, Vanellus vanellus (N) Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola American golden-plover, Pluvialis dominica Pacific golden-plover, Pluvialis fulva (N) Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus (B) Semipalmated plover, Charadrius semipalmatus Piping plover, Charadrius melodus (U)(B) Common ringed plover, Charadrius hiaticula (N) Wilson's plover, Charadrius wilsonia (N) Snowy plover, Charadrius nivosus (N)
Sandpipers and allies
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Scolopacidae