Birds to See in Virginia in April
151 bird species on our list for Virginia are recorded regularly in April
Of these, the most often recorded are Northern Cardinal, American Robin, Tufted Titmouse, Blue Jay and Mourning Dove. New this month: Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Great Crested Flycatcher, Barn Swallow and Common Yellowthroat and 32 more.
On the move in April
GBIF · AprArriving
At their peak
From Virginia’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 151 birds in April
151 birds
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 3.92% in Apr
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 2.85% in Apr
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolorResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 2.71% in Apr
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 2.67% in Apr
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 2.59% in Apr
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 2.58% in Apr
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 2.46% in Apr
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.95% in Apr
Turkey VultureCathartes auraResidentCommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 1.92% in Apr
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisResidentCommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 1.92% in Apr
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 1.84% in Apr
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusResidentCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.82% in Apr
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaResidentCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.78% in Apr
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.77% in Apr
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.76% in Apr
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaSummer visitorCommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 1.60% in Apr
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.57% in Apr
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosResidentCommon21–26 cmRecorded all year · 1.57% in Apr
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Oct–May · 1.46% in Apr
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 1.39% in Apr
Fish CrowCorvus ossifragusResidentCommon36–41 cmRecorded all year · 1.33% in Apr
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 1.11% in Apr
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.09% in Apr
Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaWinter visitorCommon9–11 cmRegularly Sep–May · 1.06% in Apr
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 1.02% in Apr
OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorCommon54–58 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 1.00% in Apr
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 0.98% in Apr
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.96% in Apr
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.72% in Apr
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusResidentCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.69% in Apr
Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.66% in Apr
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.65% in Apr
OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.52% in Apr
Wood DuckAix sponsaResidentCommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.50% in Apr
Great Crested FlycatcherMyiarchus crinitusSummer visitorCommon17–22 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.47% in Apr
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentCommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.46% in Apr
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.43% in Apr
Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.40% in Apr
Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusWinter visitorCommon14–18 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.38% in Apr
Blue-headed VireoVireo solitariusSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.36% in Apr
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in Apr
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in Apr
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisWinter visitorCommon43–54 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.32% in Apr
Great White EgretArdea albaSummer visitorCommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in Apr
Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubrisSummer visitorCommon7–9 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.30% in Apr
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumResidentCommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in Apr
Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumPassage migrantCommon12–14 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.28% in Apr
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentUncommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in Apr
Prothonotary WarblerProtonotaria citreaSummer visitorUncommon13–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.24% in Apr
Purple MartinProgne subisSummer visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.24% in Apr
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in Apr
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusResidentUncommon19–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in Apr
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusResidentCommon53–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Apr
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaResidentUncommon29–40 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Apr
Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivaceaSummer visitorCommon16–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.18% in Apr
American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaSummer visitorCommon11–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.17% in Apr
Northern Yellow WarblerSetophaga aestivaSummer visitorUncommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.17% in Apr
Forster's TernSterna forsteriResidentUncommon33–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Apr
Common LoonGavia immerWinter visitorUncommon66–91 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.15% in Apr
Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Apr
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.14% in Apr
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorUncommon52–58 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.14% in Apr
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus variusWinter visitorCommon19–22 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.14% in Apr
Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensSummer visitorUncommon11–12 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.14% in Apr
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsWinter visitorCommon31–38 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.12% in Apr
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusSummer visitorUncommon34–44 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.12% in Apr
Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatusWinter visitorCommon40–49 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.12% in Apr
Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusSummer visitorUncommon18–22 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.12% in Apr
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesPassage migrantUncommon23–27 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.11% in Apr
Black-throated Blue WarblerSetophaga caerulescensSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.10% in Apr
WilletTringa semipalmataResidentUncommon33–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Apr
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysWinter visitorUncommon15–16 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.10% in Apr
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentUncommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Apr
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusWinter visitorUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.09% in Apr
Bonaparte's GullChroicocephalus philadelphiaWinter visitorUncommon28–38 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.09% in Apr
Common MerganserMergus merganserWinter visitorUncommon58–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Apr
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.07% in Apr
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisWinter visitorUncommon35–43 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.07% in Apr
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorUncommon34–38 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.07% in Apr
Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.07% in Apr
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.06% in Apr
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusResidentUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Apr
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusWinter visitorUncommon31–38 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.05% in Apr
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusSummer visitorUncommon48–66 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in Apr
GadwallMareca streperaWinter visitorCommon46–56 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.05% in Apr
American Black DuckAnas rubripesWinter visitorUncommon54–59 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.05% in Apr
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaResidentUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Apr
SanderlingCalidris albaResidentUncommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Apr
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorUncommon44–51 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.04% in Apr
Cape May WarblerSetophaga tigrinaPassage migrantCommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in Apr
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisWinter visitorUncommon10–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Apr
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusSummer visitorUncommon23–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Apr
VeeryCatharus fuscescensSummer visitorUncommon16–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in Apr
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in Apr
Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineusSummer visitorRare13–17 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.03% in Apr
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.03% in Apr
Chestnut-sided WarblerSetophaga pensylvanicaSummer visitorUncommon10–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in Apr
Northern GannetMorus bassanusWinter visitorUncommon87–100 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.03% in Apr
Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioResidentUncommon16–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorUncommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
Virginia RailRallus limicolaResidentRare20–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusWinter visitorRare58–85 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.02% in Apr
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisWinter visitorUncommon16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaWinter visitorRare40–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentUncommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
Cattle EgretArdea ibisSummer visitorRare46–56 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.02% in Apr
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusWinter visitorUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusSummer visitorRare40–46 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.02% in Apr
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxResidentUncommon58–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Apr
Piping PloverCharadrius melodusSummer visitorRare17–18 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.02% in Apr
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorUncommon31–35 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Apr
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorUncommon53–69 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresResidentUncommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataResidentRare66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
Evening GrosbeakHesperiphona vespertinaWinter visitorRare16–22 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.01% in Apr
BobolinkDolichonyx oryzivorusSummer visitorUncommon16–20 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Apr
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in Apr
Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Apr
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentRare30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
Orange-crowned WarblerLeiothlypis celataWinter visitorUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Trumpeter SwanCygnus buccinatorWinter visitorRare139–157 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorUncommon39–56 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Ruffed GrouseBonasa umbellusSummer visitorRare41–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraSummer visitorRare15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensisSummer visitorUncommon36–41 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Apr
Brent GooseBranta berniclaWinter visitorUncommon55–66 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Least FlycatcherEmpidonax minimusSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.00% in Apr
Black-billed CuckooCoccyzus erythropthalmusSummer visitorRare28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.00% in Apr
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusWinter visitorRare27–30 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.00% in Apr
Red-cockaded WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus borealisResidentRare20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Apr
Western SandpiperCalidris mauriWinter visitorRare14–17 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Gull-billed TernGelochelidon niloticaSummer visitorRare33–42 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.00% in Apr
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisPassage migrantRare28–34 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaSummer visitorRare43–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Apr
Red JunglefowlGallus gallusResidentRare42–75 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Apr
Stilt SandpiperCalidris himantopusPassage migrantRare18–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.00% in Apr
Iceland GullLarus glaucoidesWinter visitorRare52–60 cmRegularly Dec–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Lark SparrowChondestes grammacusPassage migrantRare15–17 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensisWinter visitorRare80–122 cmRegularly Nov–Jun · 0.00% in Apr
Painted BuntingPasserina cirisWinter visitorRare12–14 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Indian PeafowlPavo cristatusSummer visitorRare86–230 cmRegularly Jan–Nov · 0.00% in Apr
Black SwanCygnus atratusPassage migrantRare110–142 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Red KnotCalidris canutusSummer visitorRare23–26 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.00% in Apr
Clay-colored SparrowSpizella pallidaWinter visitorRare13–15 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.00% in Apr
Helmeted GuineafowlNumida meleagrisResidentRare53–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Apr
Upland SandpiperBartramia longicaudaPassage migrantRare28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.00% in Apr
Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegenaWinter visitorRare40–50 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Swan GooseAnser cygnoidesPassage migrantRare81–94 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Arctic JaegerStercorarius parasiticusPassage migrantRare41–46 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentRare50–90 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 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