Birds to See in Mississippi in October
134 bird species on our list for Mississippi are recorded regularly in October
Of these, the most often recorded are Blue Jay, Northern Cardinal, Northern Mockingbird, Red-bellied Woodpecker and Mourning Dove. New this month: Yellow-rumped Warbler, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Swamp Sparrow and Song Sparrow and 16 more.
On the move in October
GBIF · OctArriving
At their peak
Northern FlickerBusiest month of the year · All year
Common YellowthroatBusiest month of the year · All year
Palm WarblerBusiest month of the year · Sep–May
Marsh WrenBusiest month of the year · Sep–May
Tennessee WarblerBusiest month of the year · Apr–May
Black-throated Green WarblerBusiest month of the year · Mar–May
From Mississippi’s bird records, 2019–2024: arriving birds are regular this month but not last; leaving birds are regular this month but not next.
Other months
All 134 birds in October
134 birds
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 4.07% in Oct
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 3.63% in Oct
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosResidentCommon21–26 cmRecorded all year · 3.49% in Oct
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 2.84% in Oct
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 2.10% in Oct
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolorResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 2.10% in Oct
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 2.00% in Oct
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.96% in Oct
Great White EgretArdea albaResidentCommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 1.85% in Oct
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisResidentCommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 1.78% in Oct
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusResidentCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.57% in Oct
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 1.55% in Oct
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisResidentCommon20–24 cmRecorded all year · 1.49% in Oct
Turkey VultureCathartes auraResidentCommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 1.35% in Oct- Northern FlickerColaptes auratusWinter visitorCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 1.29% in Oct
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.28% in Oct
OspreyPandion haliaetusResidentCommon54–58 cmRecorded all year · 1.12% in Oct
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.10% in Oct- Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRecorded all year · 1.09% in Oct
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.86% in Oct
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusWinter visitorCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.85% in Oct
Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.81% in Oct
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.81% in Oct
Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubrisSummer visitorCommon7–9 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.79% in Oct
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 0.76% in Oct
Fish CrowCorvus ossifragusResidentCommon36–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.73% in Oct
Forster's TernSterna forsteriResidentCommon33–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.68% in Oct
WilletTringa semipalmataResidentCommon33–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.66% in Oct
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.65% in Oct
Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaWinter visitorCommon9–11 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.62% in Oct
SanderlingCalidris albaResidentCommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.61% in Oct
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.56% in Oct
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 0.56% in Oct
American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaPassage migrantCommon11–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.54% in Oct
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.53% in Oct
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusResidentCommon19–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.51% in Oct
Magnolia WarblerSetophaga magnoliaPassage migrantCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.51% in Oct
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaWinter visitorCommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.49% in Oct- Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumWinter visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.48% in Oct
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.46% in Oct
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaResidentCommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.43% in Oct
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.43% in Oct
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsWinter visitorCommon31–38 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.42% in Oct- Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisWinter visitorUncommon10–14 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.41% in Oct
- Tennessee WarblerLeiothlypis peregrinaPassage migrantUncommon10–13 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.40% in Oct
Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in Oct
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresResidentUncommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.38% in Oct
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus variusWinter visitorCommon19–22 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.38% in Oct
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaWinter visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.37% in Oct
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentUncommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in Oct
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaWinter visitorUncommon29–40 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in Oct
Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusPassage migrantCommon18–22 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.32% in Oct
Wood DuckAix sponsaResidentUncommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in Oct
White-winged DoveZenaida asiaticaResidentCommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in Oct- Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensPassage migrantUncommon11–12 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.30% in Oct
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.27% in Oct
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisWinter visitorCommon43–54 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.25% in Oct
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.24% in Oct
Northern Yellow WarblerSetophaga aestivaPassage migrantCommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.23% in Oct
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaResidentCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Oct
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorUncommon44–51 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.21% in Oct
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesResidentUncommon23–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Oct
Cattle EgretArdea ibisSummer visitorCommon46–56 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.20% in Oct
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaWinter visitorCommon12–17 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.18% in Oct
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusResidentUncommon23–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Oct
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentUncommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Oct
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Oct
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.15% in Oct
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusWinter visitorCommon53–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Oct
Western SandpiperCalidris mauriWinter visitorUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.15% in Oct
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.14% in Oct
Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensisResidentUncommon80–122 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Oct
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusResidentUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Oct
GadwallMareca streperaWinter visitorCommon46–56 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.13% in Oct
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaWinter visitorUncommon43–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Oct
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.12% in Oct
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataResidentUncommon66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Oct
Piping PloverCharadrius melodusWinter visitorUncommon17–18 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.12% in Oct
Scissor-tailed FlycatcherTyrannus forficatusSummer visitorUncommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Oct
Orange-crowned WarblerLeiothlypis celataWinter visitorCommon11–14 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.12% in Oct
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorUncommon34–38 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.11% in Oct
Stilt SandpiperCalidris himantopusPassage migrantUncommon18–23 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.10% in Oct
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaWinter visitorUncommon40–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Oct
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusWinter visitorUncommon34–58 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.09% in Oct
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisWinter visitorUncommon35–43 cmRegularly Jun–Mar · 0.09% in Oct
Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatusPassage migrantUncommon16–20 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.08% in Oct
Greater White-fronted GooseAnser albifronsWinter visitorUncommon64–81 cmRegularly Oct–Feb · 0.08% in Oct
Franklin's GullLeucophaeus pipixcanPassage migrantUncommon32–36 cmRegularly Oct–Jan · 0.08% in Oct
Philadelphia VireoVireo philadelphicusPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.08% in Oct
Blue-headed VireoVireo solitariusWinter visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.08% in Oct
Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.07% in Oct
Scaly-breasted MuniaLonchura punctulataResidentUncommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Oct
Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusWinter visitorUncommon14–18 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.07% in Oct
Chestnut-sided WarblerSetophaga pensylvanicaPassage migrantUncommon10–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.07% in Oct
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensisSummer visitorUncommon36–41 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.06% in Oct
Bay-breasted WarblerSetophaga castaneaPassage migrantUncommon14–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.06% in Oct
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentUncommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Oct
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.06% in Oct
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.05% in Oct
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxResidentUncommon58–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Oct
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusWinter visitorUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.05% in Oct
Virginia RailRallus limicolaWinter visitorUncommon20–27 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.05% in Oct
Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivaceaSummer visitorUncommon16–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in Oct
Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaPassage migrantRare11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in Oct
Lincoln's SparrowMelospiza lincolniiPassage migrantRare13–15 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.04% in Oct
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusSummer visitorUncommon34–44 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.04% in Oct
Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioWinter visitorUncommon16–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Oct
Red KnotCalidris canutusSummer visitorRare23–26 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.04% in Oct
OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in Oct
DickcisselSpiza americanaSummer visitorUncommon14–16 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in Oct
Painted BuntingPasserina cirisSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Oct
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysWinter visitorUncommon15–16 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.03% in Oct
Clay-colored SparrowSpizella pallidaPassage migrantRare13–15 cmRegularly Oct–Nov · 0.03% in Oct
Semipalmated SandpiperCalidris pusillaSummer visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in Oct
Snow GooseAnser caerulescensWinter visitorUncommon69–84 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.03% in Oct
Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaSummer visitorUncommon17–19 cmRegularly Feb–Oct · 0.02% in Oct
Western KingbirdTyrannus verticalisWinter visitorUncommon20–24 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.02% in Oct
American Golden-PloverPluvialis dominicaPassage migrantUncommon24–28 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.02% in Oct
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisWinter visitorUncommon16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Oct
Gray-cheeked ThrushCatharus minimusPassage migrantUncommon16–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Oct
Lark SparrowChondestes grammacusSummer visitorRare15–17 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.01% in Oct
Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolorPassage migrantUncommon22–24 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.01% in Oct
Red-cockaded WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus borealisResidentUncommon20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Oct
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusSummer visitorUncommon40–46 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.01% in Oct
Least FlycatcherEmpidonax minimusPassage migrantRare12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.01% in Oct
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisWinter visitorUncommon28–34 cmRegularly Sep–Feb · 0.01% in Oct
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorUncommon31–35 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Oct
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorUncommon52–64 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.01% in Oct
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusWinter visitorRare58–85 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.01% in Oct
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Oct
VeeryCatharus fuscescensPassage migrantUncommon16–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Oct
Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineusWinter visitorUncommon13–17 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.01% in Oct
Buff-breasted SandpiperCalidris subruficollisPassage migrantUncommon18–20 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.00% in Oct
Cape May WarblerSetophaga tigrinaPassage migrantRare12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.00% in Oct
Data: EOD – eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), accessed via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0. Records from 2019–2024, aggregated and filtered by Birdfact. How these lists are made