Northern Cardinal, State Bird of Virginia
Northern Cardinal
Virginia
Bird Atlas

The Atlas was made possible by the efforts and financial support of many individuals and organizations who collected and analyzed data, prepared the results, provided photographs, and donated time and money.

Virginia

Bird Atlas

One of the largest avian survey projects in Virginia, both in terms of geographic coverage (the entire Commonwealth) and the number of species surveyed.

Interpreting Species Accounts

Are you a first time visitor? This guide provides useful information on the structure of an individual Species Account.

View The Guide
Scarlet Tanager Species Account

Species Accounts

Virginia has one of the highest bird diversities among states in the eastern U.S., thanks to its geographic position, topography, and climate. Species Accounts provide a summary of the status of each breeding species in Virginia based on what we have learned through the Second Atlas and supplementary sources of information.

Some Notable Findings

Eight species were confirmed as breeders in Virginia that were not detected during Virginia’s First Breeding Bird Atlas: Anhinga, Trumpeter Swan, Mississippi Kite, Merlin, Black-necked Stilt, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Painted Bunting.

View Results
Yellow-rumped Warbler
A person searches for bird activity in Virginia

Conservation Starts with Better Data

From species prioritization and habitat management to population planning and landscape analysis, Atlas data provides the insights needed to make smarter conservation decisions.

Explore Conservation Applications

Species of Greatest Conservation Need

Several species of birds are in need of targeted, on-the-ground conservation efforts and actions to reverse population declines.

View These Species
Peregrine Falcon Banding Eastern Towhee
American Oystercatcher Emma Belling Dwr

A Round of Applause for Our Volunteers!

Virginia’s Second Breeding Bird Atlas is primarily a citizen science project driven by volunteer data collection. Over 6 million field observations of individual breeding birds were collected over five years of hard work by nearly 1,500 trained volunteers as well as professional staff.

Canada Warbler
Birding in Virginia
Virginia Bird Atlas Volunteers

Notes From The Field

From the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources – get a closer look at Virginia’s wildlife and the ongoing efforts to understand, protect, and appreciate the state’s rich natural heritage.

Made Possible By


Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
Virginia Society of Ornithology
Virginia Tech Conservation Management Institute