Birds to See in New Jersey in April
143 bird species on our list for New Jersey are recorded regularly in April
Of these, the most often recorded are American Robin, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Mourning Dove and Blue Jay. New this month: Gray Catbird, Barn Swallow, Common Yellowthroat and Ruby-throated Hummingbird and 33 more.
On the move in April
GBIF · AprArriving
At their peak
From New Jersey’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 143 birds in April
143 birds
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 3.36% in Apr
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 3.21% in Apr
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusResidentCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 2.78% in Apr
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 2.71% in Apr
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 2.48% in Apr
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 2.36% in Apr
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaResidentCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 2.30% in Apr
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 2.20% in Apr
Turkey VultureCathartes auraResidentCommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 2.04% in Apr
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolorResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 2.00% in Apr
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 1.87% in Apr
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaResidentCommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 1.84% in Apr
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.82% in Apr
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.82% in Apr
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.64% in Apr
Fish CrowCorvus ossifragusSummer visitorCommon36–41 cmRecorded all year · 1.59% in Apr
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.56% in Apr
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.54% in Apr
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 1.50% in Apr
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.39% in Apr
OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorCommon54–58 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 1.34% in Apr
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Sep–May · 1.26% in Apr
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosResidentCommon21–26 cmRecorded all year · 1.19% in Apr
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 1.16% in Apr
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 0.99% in Apr
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusResidentCommon53–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.95% in Apr
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.92% in Apr
Great White EgretArdea albaSummer visitorCommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 0.83% in Apr
Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaWinter visitorCommon9–11 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.76% in Apr
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisResidentCommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 0.71% in Apr
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusResidentCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.68% in Apr
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.68% in Apr
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentCommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.60% in Apr
Wood DuckAix sponsaSummer visitorCommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.60% in Apr
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisWinter visitorCommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.60% in Apr
Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumPassage migrantCommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.60% in Apr
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentCommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.60% in Apr
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentCommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 0.57% in Apr
Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.56% in Apr
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.52% in Apr
Forster's TernSterna forsteriSummer visitorCommon33–36 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.50% in Apr
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaResidentCommon29–40 cmRecorded all year · 0.49% in Apr
Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.46% in Apr
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.41% in Apr
American Black DuckAnas rubripesWinter visitorCommon54–59 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in Apr
Purple MartinProgne subisSummer visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.40% in Apr
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.39% in Apr
Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusWinter visitorCommon14–18 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.38% in Apr
Brent GooseBranta berniclaWinter visitorCommon55–66 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.35% in Apr
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentUncommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.35% in Apr
Common LoonGavia immerWinter visitorCommon66–91 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.31% in Apr
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentUncommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in Apr
OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.30% in Apr
GadwallMareca streperaWinter visitorCommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in Apr
Northern Yellow WarblerSetophaga aestivaSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.27% in Apr
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorCommon52–58 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.26% in Apr
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusSummer visitorCommon48–66 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.24% in Apr
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentUncommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in Apr
Common MerganserMergus merganserWinter visitorCommon58–68 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.21% in Apr
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorCommon44–51 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.20% in Apr
WilletTringa semipalmataSummer visitorUncommon33–41 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.20% in Apr
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesSummer visitorCommon23–27 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.19% in Apr
Northern GannetMorus bassanusWinter visitorCommon87–100 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.19% in Apr
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.18% in Apr
Blue-headed VireoVireo solitariusPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.17% in Apr
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisWinter visitorCommon35–43 cmRegularly Oct–Aug · 0.16% in Apr
Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubrisSummer visitorCommon7–9 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.16% in Apr
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorCommon53–69 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.15% in Apr
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus variusWinter visitorCommon19–22 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.15% in Apr
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorCommon24–34 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.14% in Apr
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusSummer visitorUncommon34–44 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.13% in Apr
Great Crested FlycatcherMyiarchus crinitusSummer visitorCommon17–22 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.13% in Apr
Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.13% in Apr
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorCommon24–33 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.12% in Apr
Bonaparte's GullChroicocephalus philadelphiaWinter visitorUncommon28–38 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.12% in Apr
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaResidentUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Apr
Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatusWinter visitorCommon40–49 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.11% in Apr
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsWinter visitorUncommon31–38 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.10% in Apr
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxSummer visitorUncommon58–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Apr
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorUncommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Apr
SanderlingCalidris albaResidentUncommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Apr
Surf ScoterMelanitta perspicillataWinter visitorUncommon48–60 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.09% in Apr
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisSummer visitorCommon10–14 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.08% in Apr
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumSummer visitorCommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Apr
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusWinter visitorCommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Apr
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusWinter visitorUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Apr
Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusSummer visitorCommon18–22 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.08% in Apr
Prothonotary WarblerProtonotaria citreaSummer visitorUncommon13–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.07% in Apr
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusSummer visitorUncommon23–32 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.07% in Apr
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusSummer visitorUncommon40–46 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.07% in Apr
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusWinter visitorUncommon31–38 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.07% in Apr
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorCommon59–76 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.07% in Apr
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.07% in Apr
Virginia RailRallus limicolaResidentUncommon20–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Apr
Snow GooseAnser caerulescensWinter visitorUncommon69–84 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.05% in Apr
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusWinter visitorUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.05% in Apr
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusResidentUncommon19–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Apr
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysWinter visitorUncommon15–16 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.05% in Apr
Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in Apr
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in Apr
Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensPassage migrantUncommon11–12 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in Apr
Piping PloverCharadrius melodusSummer visitorUncommon17–18 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.04% in Apr
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalisWinter visitorCommon37–60 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.04% in Apr
Fox SparrowPasserella iliacaWinter visitorUncommon15–19 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.04% in Apr
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentRare43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Apr
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorUncommon39–56 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.04% in Apr
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusWinter visitorUncommon58–85 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.04% in Apr
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.03% in Apr
Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioResidentUncommon16–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Apr
Black-throated Blue WarblerSetophaga caerulescensPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in Apr
Cattle EgretArdea ibisSummer visitorRare46–56 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.03% in Apr
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.03% in Apr
Purple SandpiperCalidris maritimaWinter visitorUncommon20–22 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.02% in Apr
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresResidentUncommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboWinter visitorUncommon80–100 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.02% in Apr
Gull-billed TernGelochelidon niloticaSummer visitorUncommon33–42 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.02% in Apr
Stilt SandpiperCalidris himantopusPassage migrantUncommon18–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Apr
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentRare50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.02% in Apr
Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensisWinter visitorUncommon80–122 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
Iceland GullLarus glaucoidesWinter visitorUncommon52–60 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.01% in Apr
Monk ParakeetMyiopsitta monachusResidentRare29–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
Arctic JaegerStercorarius parasiticusPassage migrantUncommon41–46 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.01% in Apr
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisWinter visitorUncommon16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineusWinter visitorUncommon13–17 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusWinter visitorUncommon34–43 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Orange-crowned WarblerLeiothlypis celataWinter visitorUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Little GullHydrocoloeus minutusPassage migrantRare25–30 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.01% in Apr
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraWinter visitorRare15–17 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.00% in Apr
Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegenaWinter visitorRare40–50 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Glaucous GullLarus hyperboreusWinter visitorRare62–68 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.00% in Apr
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusWinter visitorRare38–44 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.00% in Apr
Painted BuntingPasserina cirisWinter visitorRare12–14 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Upland SandpiperBartramia longicaudaPassage migrantRare28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.00% in Apr
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataWinter visitorRare66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Apr
Snowy OwlBubo scandiacusWinter visitorRare52–71 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Clay-colored SparrowSpizella pallidaWinter visitorRare13–15 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.00% in Apr
Lark SparrowChondestes grammacusPassage migrantRare15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.00% in Apr
Pacific LoonGavia pacificaPassage migrantRare58–74 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Indian PeafowlPavo cristatusSummer visitorRare86–230 cmRegularly Jan–Sep · 0.00% in Apr
Ruffed GrouseBonasa umbellusSummer visitorRare41–50 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.00% in Apr
Greylag GooseAnser anserSummer visitorRare75–90 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.00% in Apr
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