Maine Bird Watching and Feeding Information

Maine is a great place to watch and feed birds. Birdbaths, misters and drippers are especially effective in attracting birds, including non seed-eating species.

Species that might be expected at feeders include: American Goldfinch, Carolina Wren, Black-capped Chickadee, Blue Jay, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Cardinal and Mourning Dove. Each of these species is shown in the Nifty Fifty mini-guide.

The Nifty Fifty

The Nifty Fifty is a mini-guide to the birds of Maine. It includes descriptions, images, video and songs of 50 of the most often observed birds of Maine. View the guide by clicking here or on the Nifty Fifty link on the left.

If the guide does not load, try downloading the free Flash player.

Black-capped Chickadee - Maine State Bird

Bird feeding

Developing bird-friendly habitat in your yard is the best way to attract a greater variety of species and to support local and migrating species. Native plants provide food and cover, are more insect and disease resistant than non-native species, and may require less water. A list of bird-friendly native plants for Maine are available by following the link on the left.

Bluebirds

Eastern Bluebirds summer and nest in Maine. One or two broods may be produced each year.

The Eastern Bluebird has a pleasant, musical song and a similar easy-to-identify flight call. They are most often found in open woodlands, parks, fields, along golf courses and cemeteries. The can be found in suburban areas with adequate open space.

Eastern Bluebirds

Bluebirds can be attracted to peanut butter mixes, suet and fruit. Raisins soaked in hot water to soften them are well received. The bluebird's special favorite is mealworms.

Nesting
In Maine, nesting commences as early as March and continues well into the summer. One and sometimes two or even three broods are produced.

Visit the bluebird section for detailed information on feeding bluebirds or building your own bluebird house.

Hummingbirds

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only species that regularly visits Maine. It nests in the state each year, before migrating south. It flies across the Gulf of Mexico twice each year.

Visit the hummingbird section for details on attracting hummingbirds as well as images of all regularly occurring North American hummingbirds.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird 

Purple Martins

Purple Martins arrive in Maine in late spring, returning from their wintering grounds in South America. Check the Purple Martin section for information on martins in Maine.

Detailed Purple Martin information is available in the Purple Martin section.

Purple Martin 

Birding

Maine provides birders with a variety of exciting birding locations.

The birding section of this site has tips on birding locations and bird identification. The state-based birding information section provides additional birding related information.

Maine Resource Information

Stanton Bird Club

Downeast Chapter of Maine
P.O. Box 5267
Ellsworth, ME 04605
207-326-8055

Fundy Chapter
482 Leighton Road
Pembroke, ME 04666
207-726-9664

Merrymeeting Audubon Society
P.O. Box 544
Bath, ME 04530-0544

Mid Coast Audubon Society
37 Youngsville Road
Lincolnville, ME 04049

Penobscot Valley Chapter
Fields Pond Nature Center
216 Fields Pond Road
Holden, ME 04429

Western Maine Society
P.O. Box 832
Farmington, ME 04938

York County Audubon Society
PO Box 387
Kennebunk, ME 04043

Additional resources

If you have suggestions for additional resources for watching or feeding birds in Alabama, please submit them using this form. The resource does not need to be a particular location.

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