Jun 5, 2026
Bartholdi Parki
Photo attribution
(c) Frederick Nunley, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Birding Guide
Birding Guide for District of Columbia
Parks, rivers, monuments, and urban wildlife
Birding highlights, common sightings, and the best places to look for birds in District of Columbia. Use the highlight list to start quickly, then work through the full guide for a broader local view.
Sightings
364
Species
32
Active Months
12
Category Overview
Birds across District of Columbia
This guide focuses on birdlife within District of Columbia's wider region guide, helping families explore common sightings, shoreline birds, forest species, and the places where birding is easier to begin.
Latest Sightings
Recent bird sightings in District of Columbia
A recent look at bird sightings across District of Columbia.
Oct 6, 2025
Canal Parki
Photo attribution
(c) Frederick Nunley, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Apr 9, 2023
Capitol Hilli
Photo attribution
(c) Frederick Nunley, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Sightings Map
See where bird sightings cluster
Start wide, then zoom in to see where bird sightings cluster across District of Columbia.
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Top Highlights
Top 5 birds to see in District of Columbia
These birds are snapped the most across this region.
Duck
58 snaps
European Starling
42 snaps
House Sparrow
36 snaps
Great Blue Heron
27 snaps
American Robin
25 snaps
Places to Start
Best places for birding in District of Columbia
These place guides connect well with the birds covered in this region.
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Park156 sightings14 species
District of Columbia, US
Canal Park
You might spot Duck, Eastern Gray Squirrel, and European Starling.
View place guide →
Park142 sightings13 species
District of Columbia, US
West Potomac Park
You might spot Duck, Eastern Gray Squirrel, and Canada Goose.
View place guide →
Park74 sightings12 species
District of Columbia, US
Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens
You might spot Blue Dasher, Fragile Forktail, and Slaty Skimmer.
View place guide →
Park106 sightings14 species
District of Columbia, US
East Potomac Park
You might spot Duck, Ring-Billed Gull, and Canada Goose.
View place guide →
Park86 sightings12 species
District of Columbia, US
Shepherd Parkway
You might spot American Sweetgum, Amur Honeysuckle, and Virginia Creeper.
View place guide →
Park30 sightings12 species
District of Columbia, US
United States Botanic Garden
You might spot Gray Catbird, Monarch, and Huron Skipper.
View place guide →
Full Guide
Full District of Columbia birds list
The complete ranked list for this guide, ordered by sightings count.
158 snaps242 snaps336 snaps427 snaps525 snaps625 snaps723 snaps822 snaps921 snaps1017 snaps1114 snaps1212 snaps139 snaps146 snaps154 snaps164 snaps173 snaps182 snaps191 snaps201 snaps211 snaps221 snaps231 snaps241 snaps251 snaps261 snaps271 snaps281 snaps291 snaps301 snaps311 snaps321 snaps
Duck
European Starling
House Sparrow
Great Blue Heron
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
Blue Jay
Ring-billed Gull
Mourning Dove
Double-crested Cormorant
Gray Catbird
Canada Goose
Red-winged Blackbird
Northern Cardinal
American Goldfinch
Wood Duck
Bald Eagle
Common Grackle
Black-and-white Warbler
Black-crowned Night Heron
Blackpoll Warbler
Brown-headed Cowbird
Indigo Bunting
Osprey
Pileated Woodpecker
Red-tailed Hawk
Song Sparrow
Tufted Titmouse
Vulture
Wood Thrush
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Other Guides
Keep exploring District of Columbia
Switch from birding to flowers and bugs for a broader view of District of Columbia's wildlife and nature.
Flowers
Flowers in District of Columbia
Follow native blooms, seasonal colour, and wildflower-rich places across District of Columbia.
26 Sightings23 Species
View guide →
Bugs
Bugs in District of Columbia
Focus on butterflies, bees, beetles, and other small species across District of Columbia.
145 Sightings41 Species
View guide →