Northeast · Atlantic Flyway

Birds in New Jersey

Birds in New Jersey: Cape May, New Jersey is one of the most famous birding destinations in North America. This guide lists the common backyard birds, a month-by-month calendar, and the best places to go bird watching in New Jersey.

470+Bird species
4Habitat types
1Birding hotspots

Popular cities in New Jersey:

Common Birds in New Jersey

The most frequently reported bird species across New Jersey. Click any bird for full profiles, photos, calls, and attraction tips.

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Backyard Birds in New Jersey

New Jersey backyard birds that regularly visit feeders and gardens. These are the species you’re most likely to attract with the right food, plants, and habitat setup.

Find the right feeder →Bird-friendly plants →

Where to Go Bird Watching in New Jersey

The best places to see birds in New Jersey, from national wildlife refuges to local sanctuaries.

1

Cape May

The greatest bird migration spectacle on the East Coast—raptors, warblers, and seabirds.

Birds in New Jersey by Month

What to expect each month: migration arrivals, departures, and seasonal highlights.

Birds by Habitat in New Jersey

New Jersey spans 4 major habitat types. Explore birds adapted to each environment.

🏖️Coastal BirdsShorebirds, gulls, terns, and seabirds along the coastline.
🌲Forest BirdsWoodland and canopy birds including woodpeckers, warblers, and owls.
🌊Wetland BirdsMarsh, lake, and river species—waterfowl, herons, and shorebirds.
🏙️Urban BirdsCity-adapted birds thriving in parks, gardens, and neighborhoods.

Birds in neighboring states

About birding in New Jersey

New Jersey is located in the Northeast region of the United States and falls along the Atlantic Flyway, one of four major North American migration routes. The state is home to more than 470 bird species across 4 habitat types: coastal, forest, wetland, urban.

Whether you’re a backyard birder in Newark or planning a trip to Cape May, this guide covers the most commonly seen species, seasonal patterns, and practical tips for attracting and identifying birds in New Jersey.