Backyard Birds of New York State: ID and Feeder Guide

What bird did you see?

Tell us what you noticed; "not sure" is fine. We compare it with 235 birds reported in NYC and show up to 8 that fit.

Month

Where was it?

Shape

Best matches first.

European Starling Sturnus vulgaris
common
Short-tailed, pointed-winged blackbird with iridescent plumage, heavily pale-spotted in winter.
Matches: seen at: feeder
Look-alike: Common Grackle
common all year
Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis
common
Pointed crest and thick orange-red bill in both sexes.
Matches: seen at: feeder
Look-alike: Scarlet Tanager
common all year
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura
common
Long, pointed tail with white outer edges.
Matches: seen at: feeder
Look-alike: Rock Pigeon
common all year
Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata
common
Blue crest and bold black necklace.
Matches: seen at: feeder
Look-alike: Eastern Bluebird
common all year
White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis
common
White throat patch and yellow spots between bill and eyes.
Matches: seen at: feeder
Look-alike: White-crowned Sparrow
common Jan–May, uncommon Jun, rare Jul, uncommon Aug, fairly common Sep, common Oct–Dec
Downy Woodpecker Dryobates pubescens
common
Tiny woodpecker with a bill much shorter than its head.
Matches: seen at: feeder
Look-alike: Hairy Woodpecker
common Jan–May, fairly common Jun, common Jul–Dec
Red-bellied Woodpecker Melanerpes carolinus
common
Black-and-white barred back with red nape.
Matches: seen at: feeder
Look-alike: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
common Jan–May, fairly common Jun–Jul, common Aug–Dec
Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscula
common
Pale yellow eye contrasts with an iridescent head and long, keeled tail.
Matches: seen at: feeder
Look-alike: Boat-tailed Grackle
fairly common Jan, common Feb–Oct, fairly common Nov, uncommon Dec

Light, distance, sex, age and molt change how a bird looks. Compare the field mark and the look-alike before you decide.

Size, colors, places and field marks: short descriptions of the typical adult, compiled by our editors with AI assistance (two models, only values both agreed on, reviewed by an editor). Check the field mark before you count a bird. Ranking: shape ±3 points, size +2 (one step off +1, further −2), each color +2 or −1, place +1 or −1; points, not probabilities. Seasonal data: eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology) via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0, 2021–2025. Status is our own index: how often a bird is reported, relative to the most-reported bird that month (reports, not a promise of a sighting).

Feeder and seed matcher

Pick the birds you hope to see, or the feeder you already have. 50 NYC feeder visitors.

Start from

Birds I want to seeA feeder I have

Month

Foods, by how many of your birds take them

black-oil sunflower Northern Cardinal, American Goldfinch
cracked corn Northern Cardinal
nyjer American Goldfinch
safflower Northern Cardinal
white millet Northern Cardinal

Feeders that hold them

Hopper feeder safflower, black-oil sunflower, cracked cornAudubon: On a pole about 5 ft off the ground or hung from a branch.
Ground or platform tray white millet, cracked corn, black-oil sunflowerAudubon: At least 10 ft from trees or shrubs.
Tube feeder black-oil sunflower, safflowerAudubon: At least 5 ft off the ground; within 3 ft of a window or more than 30 ft away.
Nyjer (thistle) feeder nyjerAudubon: From a tree or a 5-ft pole near other feeders.

When they are around in NYC

Northern Cardinalblack-oil sunflower, safflower, white millet, cracked corncommoncommon all year
American Goldfinchnyjer, black-oil sunflowerfairly commonfairly common Jan–Mar, common Apr–May, fairly common Jun, common Jul–Sep, fairly common Oct, common Nov–Dec

Black-oil sunflower seed appeals to the greatest number of birds (Audubon)
Reduce the risk of bird collisions by placing feeders less than three feet from a window or more than 30 feet away (Audubon)

Feeder types, foods they hold, placement and quotes: National Audubon Society, “The Audubon Guide to Winter Bird Feeding” and “Audubon Guide to Bird Feeding (PDF)”. Which foods each bird takes: our own short descriptions. Seasonal data: eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology) via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0, 2021–2025. Status is our own index: how often a bird is reported, relative to the most-reported bird that month (reports, not a promise of a sighting).

In short

Nine birds that take feeder foods are common in NYC reports in every month, among them Northern Cardinal, Blue Jay and Mourning Dove.
Northern Cardinal, Blue Jay and Mourning Dove belong among the familiar starting points for identifying backyard visitors.
Compare Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers by bill length and outer tail markings, not apparent size alone.
White-throated Sparrows are common in NYC reports from October through May; upstate seasonal patterns can differ.

Feeder visitors reported in New York City

Sorted by how often they are reported; at least uncommon. Bars: January to December, taller = reported more often.

Feeder visitors reported in New York City
Bird	Year in NYC	October	Length	Field mark
American RobinTurdus migratorius	common all year	common	10 in	Orange breast below gray back, with broken white eye-ring.
European StarlingSturnus vulgaris	common all year	common	8.5 in	Short-tailed, pointed-winged blackbird with iridescent plumage, heavily pale-spotted in winter.
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalis	common all year	common	9 in	Pointed crest and thick orange-red bill in both sexes.
Mourning DoveZenaida macroura	common all year	common	12 in	Long, pointed tail with white outer edges.
Rock PigeonColumba livia	common all year	common	13 in	Stocky city pigeon, typically gray with two black wing bars.
Blue JayCyanocitta cristata	common all year	common	11 in	Blue crest and bold black necklace.
MallardAnas platyrhynchos	common all year	common	23 in	Blue wing patch bordered in white; breeding males have glossy green heads.
White-throated SparrowZonotrichia albicollis	common Jan–May, uncommon Jun, rare Jul, uncommon Aug, fairly common Sep, common Oct–Dec	common	7 in	White throat patch and yellow spots between bill and eyes.
Song SparrowMelospiza melodia	common all year	common	6.5 in	Bold breast streaks usually converge into a dark central spot.
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottos	common all year	common	10 in	Large white wing patches flash conspicuously in flight.
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensis	uncommon Jan–Mar, fairly common Apr, common May–Oct, fairly common Nov, uncommon Dec	common	9 in	Plain gray body with a black cap and rusty brown undertail.
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescens	common Jan–May, fairly common Jun, common Jul–Dec	common	6.5 in	Tiny woodpecker with a bill much shorter than its head.
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinus	common Jan–May, fairly common Jun–Jul, common Aug–Dec	common	9.5 in	Black-and-white barred back with red nape.
Common GrackleQuiscalus quiscula	fairly common Jan, common Feb–Oct, fairly common Nov, uncommon Dec	common	12.5 in	Pale yellow eye contrasts with an iridescent head and long, keeled tail.
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceus	fairly common Jan, common Feb–Aug, fairly common Sep–Dec	fairly common	9 in	Males flash red shoulder patches; females are brown with heavy streaking.
Northern FlickerColaptes auratus	fairly common Jan, uncommon Feb, fairly common Mar, common Apr–May, fairly common Jun–Jul, common Aug–Nov, fairly common Dec	common	12.5 in	Large spotted woodpecker flashing a white rump and yellow wing linings in flight.
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchos	common Jan–Mar, fairly common Apr–Sep, common Oct–Dec	common	17.5 in	Familiar loud caw; voice best separates it from Fish Crow.
Carolina WrenThryothorus ludovicianus	common Jan–Apr, fairly common May–Jun, common Jul–Dec	common	5.5 in	Bold white eyebrow contrasts with rich brown back and warm buff underparts.
American GoldfinchSpinus tristis	fairly common Jan–Mar, common Apr–May, fairly common Jun, common Jul–Sep, fairly common Oct, common Nov–Dec	fairly common	5 in	Bold white wingbars on blackish wings; body yellow in summer, buff in winter.
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanus	common Jan–Mar, fairly common Apr–Oct, common Nov–Dec	fairly common	6 in	Blurry brown streaks along flanks; males usually have red forehead, chest, and rump.
Dark-eyed JuncoJunco hyemalis	fairly common Jan–Feb, common Mar–Apr, not expected May–Aug, uncommon Sep, common Oct–Dec	common	6 in	White outer tail feathers flash conspicuously in flight.
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronata	fairly common Jan, uncommon Feb, fairly common Mar, common Apr–May, not expected Jun–Jul, rare Aug, uncommon Sep, common Oct, fairly common Nov–Dec	common	5.5 in	Bright yellow rump patch visible in every plumage.
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorum	rare Jan–Apr, fairly common May, common Jun–Aug, fairly common Sep–Nov, uncommon Dec	fairly common	7.5 in	Sleek crest, black eye mask, and bright yellow tail tip.
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus varius	fairly common Jan–Apr, rare May, not expected Jun–Aug, uncommon Sep, common Oct, fairly common Nov–Dec	common	8.5 in	Long white stripe on the folded wing, unlike other local woodpeckers.
Eastern TowheePipilo erythrophthalmus	uncommon Jan–Feb, rare Mar, common Apr, fairly common May–Aug, uncommon Sep, common Oct, uncommon Nov–Dec	common	8.5 in	Rich orange sides frame a white belly beneath a dark hood.
Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbula	not expected Jan–Mar, uncommon Apr, common May, fairly common Jun, uncommon Jul, fairly common Aug–Sep, rare Oct–Dec	rare	8 in	Orange or yellow outer tail contrasts with a darker tail center.
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerina	rare Jan–Feb, uncommon Mar, common Apr, fairly common May, uncommon Jun–Sep, common Oct, fairly common Nov, uncommon Dec	common	5.5 in	Dark eye-line extends through eye to bill; unstreaked breast.
Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubris	not expected Jan–Mar, rare Apr, uncommon May–Jul, fairly common Aug, common Sep, rare Oct, not expected Nov–Dec	rare	3.5 in	Tiny hovering bird; male has a red throat, female a white throat.
Fish CrowCorvus ossifragus	uncommon Jan, fairly common Feb–Aug, uncommon Sep–Dec	uncommon	15.5 in	Nasal, often doubled uh-uh call distinguishes it from American Crow.
Brown-headed CowbirdMolothrus ater	rare Jan–Feb, fairly common Mar–Jul, uncommon Aug–Dec	uncommon	7.5 in	Short, thick, conical bill on a compact blackbird.

Seasonal data: eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology) via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0, 2021–2025. Status is our own index: how often a bird is reported, relative to the most-reported bird that month (reports, not a promise of a sighting).

Common backyard birds of New York State include Northern Cardinals, Blue Jays, woodpeckers, finches, and chickadees. Compare shape, face pattern, and feeding behavior before relying on color alone. Winter brings sparrows and juncos to many gardens, while warmer months introduce nectar and fruit visitors.

A field mark is a visible identification clue, such as a cheek patch or bill shape. The comparisons here draw on the Audubon field guide. Seasonal statements describe NYC report patterns rather than statewide abundance or a guaranteed sighting.

The NYC index uses Cornell Lab's eBird Observation Dataset through GBIF, covering 2021 to 2025, verified October 23, 2026. Upstate gardens can differ substantially, especially near dense forests and open farmland.

Northern Cardinal

Look for a crest, a thick red-orange bill, and a long tail. Males are red, while Audubon describes females as duller but with the same crest, heavy bill and long tail. A red House Finch lacks the cardinal's pointed crest and shows brown streaks across the belly.

Cardinals are common in NYC reports throughout the year. Black-oil sunflower and safflower seeds suit their heavy seed-cracking bills. Choose a feeding position that lets you view the entire bird to confirm its shape and crest.

Blue Jay

Blue Jays show a prominent blue crest, a black necklace, white wingbars and white tail corners. A Tufted Titmouse also carries a crest, but its gray back and rusty sides create a completely different look.

Blue Jays are common in NYC reports all year. Peanuts, black-oil sunflower and suet are suitable offerings for them. Note each visitor individually so you do not overlook smaller birds sharing the feeding station.

Mourning Dove

Mourning Doves have a slender profile, mostly plain brownish plumage, and a long, pointed tail that shows white spots along the edge in flight. Compare that profile with a Rock Pigeon to separate doves from stockier city pigeons.

Mourning Doves are common in NYC reports from January to December. Audubon lists doves among birds taking white millet, cracked corn, and sunflower seeds from platform trays. Sweep up spilled food regularly so seed does not accumulate into a permanent scattering area.

Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers

Start with the bill from a direct side view. Audubon describes the Downy's bill as very short and stubby, much shorter than its head. A Hairy Woodpecker has a bill nearly as long as its head.

Check the outer tail feathers as well. Downy Woodpeckers show black bars on the white outer feathers, while Hairy Woodpeckers show clean white outer feathers. Shadows and overlapping feathers can conceal this difference in the field.

Downies are common in NYC reports except in June, when they are fairly common. Hairies are uncommon from January to November and fairly common in December. Both species take suet. Apparent size alone is unreliable without a nearby reference bird.

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Look for a black-and-white, zebra-striped back and bright red on the crown or nape. The name can mislead you: the conspicuous red sits on the head, while the belly wash is faint.

Compare that striped back with the different black-and-white pattern found on Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers. Red-bellied Woodpeckers are common in NYC reports during most months and fairly common in June and July. Suitable offerings include suet cakes, whole or shelled peanuts, and sunflower seeds.

House Finch and Purple Finch

Compare where the red appears, then examine the flanks. Male House Finches concentrate red on the brow and chest, with bold brown streaks along the flanks. Male Purple Finches show a broader raspberry wash that covers the head, breast, and back.

Females require a close look at the face pattern. Audubon describes female House Finches as having plain brown faces and blurry stripes on pale underparts. Female Purple Finches show a much stronger face pattern, with a whitish eyebrow and a dark whisker stripe.

House Finches are common in NYC reports from December to March and fairly common otherwise. Purple Finches are reported far less often locally. Rely on visible field marks to confirm the species rather than assuming based on feeder location.

American Goldfinch

Allow for seasonal changes in plumage, meaning the bird's feather colors and markings. Summer males show bright yellow bodies with black wings and a black forehead. Winter birds range from yellowish-brown to gray, so compare the wing bars and conical bill shape.

Compare any streaked brown finch with a House Finch or Pine Siskin. American Goldfinches are common or fairly common in NYC reports throughout the year. Audubon lists goldfinches at nyjer feeders and at tube feeders with black-oil sunflower.

White-throated Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco

Check a White-throated Sparrow for a clean white throat bib, a striped crown, and yellow lores. Compare it with a Song Sparrow, whose heavily streaked breast provides a useful contrast.

For a typical slate-colored junco, look for a gray hood, white belly, and flashing white outer tail feathers. Confirm the full pattern across the whole bird instead of relying on a single white feather.

White-throated Sparrows are common in NYC reports from October to May. Juncos are common or fairly common from October to April, and not expected from May to August locally. These seasonal patterns reflect New York City reports, while upstate areas follow different migration schedules.

Which birds visit feeders in each season?

Use these seasonal groups as general expectations rather than guaranteed visits. The timing follows the NYC report index verified October 23, 2026; foods follow Audubon's feeding guidance.

Seasonal group	Feeder or garden visitors	Suitable food
All-year starting points	Cardinals, jays, doves, woodpeckers and finches	Sunflower; millet for doves; suet for woodpeckers
Fall through spring	White-throated Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos	White millet and sunflower
Warm-season additions	Baltimore Orioles and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds	Fruit for orioles; plain sugar-water nectar
Warm-season garden watching	Gray Catbirds	Watch garden vegetation alongside seed feeders

Gray Catbirds are common in NYC reports from May to October. Baltimore Orioles are most strongly represented in May; hummingbirds are reported more often in August and September than early summer.

Use the Feeder and seed matcher to connect birds, foods and feeder types. For broader timing, explore the NYC birding year by month.

Which foods attract which backyard birds?

Start with black-oil sunflower seed for a broad range of seed-eating birds. Audubon's feeding guide identifies sunflower as appealing to the greatest variety of feeder visitors.

Match specialized foods to specific visitors: nyjer for goldfinches, suet for woodpeckers, and millet for sparrows and doves. Food can encourage visits, but it cannot bring species that do not occur in your local habitat.

Prepare hummingbird nectar with one part white sugar to four parts water, following Audubon's guide. Add no red dye. Wash nectar feeders every few days with hot water to keep them clean.

Place feeders less than 3 feet from windows or more than 30 feet away, following Audubon's collision guidance.

For balconies, favor contained feeding over loose seed that accumulates beneath the station.

What is the New York state bird?

New York State Law § 78 names the bluebird (Sialia sialis), the Eastern Bluebird, as the official state bird. Audubon describes the male as bright blue above, reddish brown on the throat and chest and white on the belly; females are paler and duller.

Do not expect this bird at every city feeder. It is rarely reported in the NYC index, with its strongest status reaching only uncommon in November. The Project FeederWatch handbook names live mealworms as a favorite of insect-eating birds such as bluebirds.

Rarer ones worth knowing

Purple Finch: Uncommon in November reports and rarely reported in April, May, October and December; compare the eyebrow and whisker stripe before naming a female.
American Tree Sparrow: Uncommon in NYC winter reports; compare its rusty cap, two-toned bill and dark chest spot together.
Red-breasted Nuthatch: Uncommon in NYC reports in March, April and September to December; do not assume every nuthatch visitor is White-breasted.

How to be sure

Record the date, bill shape, face pattern, breast markings, and feeding behavior before choosing a name. Use What bird did you see? to compare candidates, including clues that contradict your first impression.

Take a photograph only from a position that leaves the bird undisturbed. A side view can reveal bill proportions; another angle may clarify flank streaking. Avoid approaching nests or flushing birds for a clearer image.

Use the NYC common-bird comparisons for visitors away from feeders. If the visitor hunts other birds, consult the NYC hawk identification guide instead of judging it by size alone.

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Questions we get

Does a quiet feeder mean birds have left the neighborhood?

Not necessarily. A feeder shows only the birds using that feeding station. Watch nearby vegetation and gardens too. NYC report patterns describe citywide observations rather than attendance at your specific feeder.

Can an identification app settle a difficult finch identification?

Treat its suggestion as a candidate. Compare facial pattern, flank streaking and the distribution of red. A photograph that hides those features may not support a confident identification.

Should I attract a hawk to my feeding station?

Do not offer live prey or bait a hawk for photographs. Hawks may visit feeding areas naturally. Observe without interfering, and use several features before naming a Cooper's or Sharp-shinned Hawk.

Keep reading

How we know

New York State Law § 78: State bird - NY State Senate (nysenate.gov)
Audubon Guide to Bird Feeding (PDF) (media.audubon.org)
Audubon Guide to Winter Bird Feeding (audubon.org)
Project FeederWatch Handbook (PDF) (cdn.feederwatch.org)
Northern Cardinal | Audubon Field Guide (audubon.org)
Blue Jay | Audubon Field Guide (audubon.org)
Mourning Dove | Audubon Field Guide (audubon.org)
Downy Woodpecker | Audubon Field Guide (audubon.org)
Hairy Woodpecker | Audubon Field Guide (audubon.org)
Red-bellied Woodpecker | Audubon Field Guide (audubon.org)
House Finch | Audubon Field Guide (audubon.org)
Purple Finch | Audubon Field Guide (audubon.org)
American Goldfinch | Audubon Field Guide (audubon.org)
White-throated Sparrow | Audubon Field Guide (audubon.org)
Dark-eyed Junco | Audubon Field Guide (audubon.org)
Eastern Bluebird | Audubon Field Guide (audubon.org)
American Tree Sparrow | Audubon Field Guide (audubon.org)

Seasonal patterns are guides, not promises of a sighting. Check current access rules and conditions before heading out. Give birds space, stay on open paths and avoid disturbing nests or roosts.

Backyard birds of New York State