Hermit Thrush – Vermont State Bird
Vermont 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.
On this page
The Nifty Fifty Birds of Vermont
The Nifty Fifty is a mini-guide to the birds of Vermont. It includes descriptions, images, video and songs of 50 of the most often observed birds of Vermont.
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 Vermont is available by following the link on the left.
Bluebirds of Vermont
The Eastern Bluebird is the only one of the 3 bluebird species regularly found in Vermont.
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
The Eastern Bluebird begins nesting in Vermont in early spring. One or two broods may be produced.
Visit the bluebird section for detailed information on feeding bluebirds or building your own bluebird house.
Hummingbirds of Vermont
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only species that regularly visits Vermont. It nests in the state each year, before migrating south. In a remarkable journey for such a tiny bird, it migrates across the Gulf of Mexico twice each year.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Visit the hummingbird section for details on attracting hummingbirds as well as images of all regularly occurring North American hummingbirds.
Purple Martins of Vermont
Purple Martins arrive in Vermont early each year, returning from their wintering grounds in South America. Detailed Purple Martin information is available in the Purple Martin section.
Purple Martin – male
Birding
Vermont 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.
Vermont Resource Information
Ascutney Mountain Audubon Society
P.O. Box 191
Springfield, VT 05156
Green Mountain Audubon Society
P.O. Box 4333
South Burlington, VT 05406
Northeast Kingdom Audubon Society
399 Wild Leek Lane
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
Otter Creek Audubon Society
P.O. Box 938
Middlebury, VT 05766
Rutland County Audubon Society
P.O. Box 31
Pittsford, VT 05763
Southeastern Vermont Audubon Society
P.O. Box 2150
Brattleboro, VT 05303
Taconic Tri-State Audubon Society
P.O. Box 926
Bennington, VT 05201
802-447-1907
Vermont Birding Festivals
Herricks Cove Wildlife Festival
Annually first Sunday in May (unless May 1 is a Sunday)
Rockingham, Vermont
Phone: 802-885-9420 or 802-885-3267
Herricks Cove has a wide diversity of habitat types… making this site an ideal stopover for migratory birds. More than 221 species have been documented here representing all bird groups. The dense honeysuckle understory provides idea cover for migrating landbirds and the agricultural fields and wetlands attract hundreds of waterfowl in the spring and fall. Several priority marshbird species including Pied-billed Grebe, American Bittern, Sora and Virginia Rail inhabit the Herrick’s Cove marshes.
Presented by Ascutney Mountain Audubon Society & Central Vermont Public Service. Herrick’s Cove is at the juncture of the Williams and Connecticut Rivers in Bellows Falls (Rockingham, VT). Take Exit 6 from Interstate 91, follow signs for Route 5 north. Herrick’s Cove Road is on the east side of the road, about one mile from the intersection of Route 5 and Route 103. There is a large brown house at the corner.