25 Best Birds to Watch for in Maine

Top Birds to See in the Pine Tree State

Written by
Melissa Mayntz
Melissa Mayntz has been a birder and wild bird enthusiast for 30+ years. She has over 16 years experience writing about wild birds for magazines and websites.
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Melissa Mayntz
Updated 01/22/20
Atlantic Puffin

Joanne Goldby / Flickr / CC by-SA 2.0

Maine is an adventurous state well-known for outdoor pursuits, including rock climbing, hiking, cycling, camping, kayaking, sailing, and more. Whether you explore the 542,000-plus acres of state and national parks in Maine, stroll along the 3,400-plus miles of the state’s coastline, or visit one of the 4,600-plus islands off Maine’s rocky coast, you will also see something else: birds. A total of 460 bird species have been recorded in Maine, with 290 of them known to be regular guests or year-round residents.

Here's a list of the top 25 birds that are must-see species to watch for when you visit the Pine Tree State.

  • 01 of 25

    Northern Gannet

    Northern Gannet

    Melissa McMasters / Flickr / CC by 2.0

    The largest seabird in the north Atlantic, the northern gannet (Morus bassanus) is a bold and powerful bird with a distinctive triangular bill and soft colors. These gannets are found year-round off the coast of Maine and will often visit the state’s rocky cliffs to roost.

  • 02 of 25

    Common Eider

    Common Eider

    Fyn Kynd / Flickr / CC by 2.0

    A suave-looking sea duck with smooth-sloping features, the common eider (Somateria mollissima) breeds along the eastern coast of Maine and is found further offshore during winter, often in large flocks. Despite their heavy appearance, these birds are fast and elegant in flight.

  • 03 of 25

    Surf Scoter

    Surf Scoter

    _quintin_ / Flickr / CC0 1.0

    Easily recognized by its swollen-looking, colorful bill, the surf scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) is a dark sea duck with bright white patches on its forehead and nape. These ducks are often found in small flocks off Maine’s coast in the winter, along with the black scoter and white-winged scoter.

  • 04 of 25

    King Eider

    King Eider

    Tim Sackton / Flickr / CC by-SA 2.0

    The male king eider (Somateria spectabilis) is one of the most colorful sea ducks with its bright bill and basal knob, and a few of these birds are typically seen off Maine’s coast in the winter. While these sightings are rare, they are eagerly pursued by both resident and visiting birders.

    Continue to 5 of 25 below.
  • 05 of 25

    Atlantic Puffin

    Atlantic Puffin

    Joanne Goldby / Flickr / CC by-SA 2.0

    A signature bird to see in Maine, the Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) breeds in burrows on the state’s coastal islands and is seen year-round offshore. These birds are cute and colorful, and birders who want to see puffins won’t want to miss their opportunities in Maine.

  • 06 of 25

    Razorbill

    Razorbill

    gbsngrhm / Flickr / CC by-SA 2.0

    With pied plumage that looks similar to a penguin, the razorbill (Alca torda) nests on offshore islands in Maine and is found along the state’s coast year-round, though they venture further out to sea during the winter. This bird’s massive bill is its key feature that birders ought to look for.

  • 07 of 25

    Great Cormorant

    Great Cormorant

    Becky Matsubara / Flickr / CC by 2.0

    The great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) is a large, elegant bird easily distinguished by the broad white patch across its chin and throat. More widespread in Europe, these birds are also seen in northeastern North America, including at nesting sites in Maine and offshore year-round.

  • 08 of 25

    Manx Shearwater

    Manx Shearwaters

    Jo Garbutt / Flickr / CC by 2.0

    Many of Maine’s amazing birds are found offshore, and birders who take a pelagic trip to see these birds may also find the manx shearwater (Puffinus puffinus). These seabirds are summer guests off Maine’s coast, and will often visit fishing boats in search of easy treats.

    Continue to 9 of 25 below.
  • 09 of 25

    Iceland Gull

    Iceland Gull

    Scott Heron / Flickr / CC by-SA 2.0

    A beautiful gull with pale gray plumage, pink legs, and yellow eyes, the Iceland gull (Larus glaucoides) is a winter coastal visitor in Maine. These birds typically stay in mixed flocks with other gull species and will occasionally be seen further inland as well.

  • 10 of 25

    Barnacle Goose

    Barnacle Goose

    ianpreston / Flickr / CC by 2.0

    A very rare but distinctive vagrant from its native range in Greenland and Europe, the barnacle goose (Branta leucopsis) is occasionally found in mixed flocks with other geese, including Canada geese. The white face and forehead is distinctive, as is the dark barring on the bird’s back.

  • 11 of 25

    Snowy Owl

    Snowy Owl

    Silver Leapers / Flickr / CC by 2.0

    Visitors to Maine’s winter shores will see more than sea ducks, and lucky birders may spot a snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus). These large owls can be seen throughout the state all winter long, and often look like snow-covered rocks perched in open areas, including beaches and rocky outcroppings.

  • 12 of 25

    Gyrfalcon

    Gyrfalcon

    Andrea Pokrzywinski / Flickr / CC by 2.0

    The gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) is the largest falcon in the world, and these birds are powerful and efficient hunters. These large accipiters are occasionally seen in Maine during the winter, typically in open areas or along the coast.

    Continue to 13 of 25 below.
  • 13 of 25

    Piping Plover

    Piping Plover

    Jim Hudgins / USFWS / Flickr / CC by 2.0

    Winter isn’t the only time for great birding in Maine, and birders visiting the state’s beaches in the summer should watch for the piping plover (Charadrius melodus). These small, active shorebirds breed along Maine’s southern beaches, giving birders a great opportunity to see their bold markings.

  • 14 of 25

    Ruffed Grouse

    Ruffed Grouse

    David Mitchell / Flickr / CC by 2.0

    Not all of Maine’s best birds are found along the coast. The ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) is a year-round resident of the state’s deciduous and mixed woods. These birds are especially sought after in spring when they fluff up their dark neck ruffs and strut in courtship displays to attract mates.

  • 15 of 25

    Black-Backed Woodpecker

    Black-Backed Woodpecker

    Kurt Bauschardt / Flickr / CC by-SA 2.0

    Woodpeckers are hardy birds, and the black-backed woodpecker (Picoides arcticus) is one of the hardiest to endure Maine’s brutal winters. These woodpeckers prefer the state’s northern coniferous forests, particularly forest edges and open, burned out areas.

  • 16 of 25

    Canada Jay

    Grey Jay - Canada Jay

    Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren / Flickr / CC by 2.0

    A year-round resident of mountain forests, the Canada jay (Perisoreus canadensis), formerly called the gray jay, is a clever corvid with a pale head. These birds stay in small family groups and often visit campgrounds and picnic areas to beg for handouts. They may even boldly approach birders to take treats from open hands.

    Continue to 17 of 25 below.
  • 17 of 25

    Blue-Headed Vireo

    Blue-Headed Vireo

    Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren / Flickr / CC by 2.0

    The blue-headed vireo (Vireo solitarius) is a colorful songbird that prefers leafy forested habitats throughout Maine in the summer, where it tends to stay mid-level or higher up in the canopy. This can make seeing these vireos challenging, but their distinctive plumage pattern is a good clue to their identity.

  • 18 of 25

    Cape May Warbler

    Cape May Warbler

    Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren / Flickr / CC by 2.0

    One of the most boldly patterned warblers, the Cape May warbler (Dendroica tigrina) breeds in northern Maine’s spruce forests, which line the southern edge of its eastern breeding range. These are small but active birds, and are always worth seeing.

  • 19 of 25

    Bicknell's Thrush

    Bicknell's Thrush

    ALAN SCHMIERER / Flickr / CC0 1.0

    A rare and confusing bird, the Bicknell’s thrush (Catharus bicknelli) is most easily identified by its range, which includes mountaintops with shorter trees in northwestern Maine. Look for this bird skulking in underbrush, feeding on insects, and singing its thin, rising song.

  • 20 of 25

    Black-Throated Blue Warbler

    Black-Throated Blue Warbler

    Dan Pancamo / Flickr / Used With Permission

    Another colorful warbler, the black-throated blue warbler (Dendroica caerulescens) prefers to stay in leafy understory areas where its darker plumage blends with shadows. This bird is a summer visitor throughout Maine, and its comparatively sluggish behavior is another key trait for identification.

    Continue to 21 of 25 below.
  • 21 of 25

    Tennessee Warbler

    Tennessee Warbler

    Dan Pancamo / Flickr / Used With Permission

    Despite its name, the Tennessee warbler (Vermivora peregrina) does not breed in Tennessee, but it does breed in northern and central Maine, the southernmost extent of its breeding range. Bogs, marshes, and clearing edges are this bird’s preferred habitats.

  • 22 of 25

    White-Winged Crossbill

    White-Winged Crossbill

    Scott Heron / Flickr / CC by-SA 2.0

    Maine’s spruce forests are the favorite habitat of the white-winged crossbill (Loxia leucoptera), where it uses its uniquely criss-crossed bill to pry seeds out of cones. This bird is found in Maine year-round but it will wander widely based on available food sources, particularly in winter.

  • 23 of 25

    Snow Bunting

    Snow Bunting

    Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren / Flickr / CC by 2.0

    Most songbirds are less colorful in their non-breeding plumage, but the snow bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) is more colorful when the snow flies. These small birds forage in large, active flocks, and are found in barren fields and along open shorelines in Maine throughout the winter.

  • 24 of 25

    Fieldfare

    Fieldfare

    Tony / Flickr / CC by 2.0

    A European thrush, the fieldfare (Turdus pilaris) is a rare but regular winter vagrant to northeastern North America, including Maine. These birds are often found in mixed flocks with other thrushes, especially American robins, typically in woods and swamps.

    Continue to 25 of 25 below.
  • 25 of 25

    Black-Capped Chickadee

    Black-Capped Chickadee

    dfaulder / Flickr / CC by 2.0

    While the black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) is widespread throughout much of North America, it’s special to see these active birds in Maine, where they are honored as the state bird. They are year-round Maine residents and are hardy birds that enjoy the state’s thick forests.

With so many great birds to see in Maine, it can be a fine destination for any birder. If a visit to the Pine Tree State isn't in your birding travel plans, however, try these other state-oriented bird photo galleries for inspiration in other places!