5 Fall Birds to Watch for in Your Backyard (Wherever You Live!)

Fall brings more than colorful leaves and cooler weather. It brings some fascinating changes to the birds around us, including visitors you might not see at other times of the year.

Some birds are heading south. Others are arriving to spend the winter. And a few familiar backyard residents are simply becoming easier to spot as the leaves disappear.

So which birds should you be looking for?

It depends on where you live!

Depending on where you live, fall backyard visitors may include Dark-eyed Juncos, White-throated Sparrows, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and Red-breasted Nuthatches. Find your region below to discover five birds to watch for in your area.

Our checklists include fall migrants, winter arrivals, and year-round residents worth watching this season. Bird populations and migration timing vary by location, elevation, habitat, and weather, so not every species will appear in every backyard.

Northeast & Great Lakes

New England, the Mid-Atlantic, and Great Lakes states

☐ 1. Dark-eyed Junco: Often called a snowbird, this little sparrow is a classic sign that colder weather is coming. Look for a gray or brown bird with a pale belly and white outer tail feathers hopping beneath feeders. Some northern populations breed locally, while others arrive for winter.

☐ 2. White-throated Sparrow: Look for bold stripes on its head, a white throat, and tiny yellow spots between its eyes and bill. These sparrows often scratch through fallen leaves looking for seeds. Many move south during fall, though some remain in the Northeast through winter.

☐ 3. Yellow-rumped Warbler: Here's a bird worth searching for! These small, active warblers pass through in fall, and their bright yellow rump is often easiest to see when they fly away. Watch trees and shrubs for movement.

☐ 4. Red-breasted Nuthatch: This tiny bird has a black-and-white striped face, rusty breast, and nasal-sounding call. Watch for it climbing headfirst down tree trunks or visiting feeders for sunflower seeds and peanuts. They're present year-round in some northern forests, but in certain fall and winter seasons, greater numbers move into neighborhoods farther south.

☐ 5. Northern Flicker: Unlike most woodpeckers, flickers spend considerable time on the ground hunting ants. Look for their spotted bellies, black breastbands, and the flash of yellow beneath their wings in the East. Northern populations often migrate south in fall.

Help your fall feeder visitors: Red-breasted Nuthatches enjoy nuts and sunflower seeds, making our Woodpecker Favorite Blend a suitable choice. White-throated Sparrows also appreciate millet and sunflower seed.

Southeast & Gulf Coast

From the Carolinas and Tennessee south toward the Gulf Coast and Florida

☐ 1. White-throated Sparrow: These winter visitors begin appearing in many Southern backyards during fall. Look for their striped heads and listen for scratching in the leaves beneath shrubs and feeders. They're particularly fond of searching the ground for seeds.

☐ 2. Yellow-rumped Warbler: Many settle into the Southeast for winter. Look for yellow patches on their sides and rump as they dart among trees and shrubs, searching for insects and berries. Their plumage is generally more subdued in fall than during breeding season.

☐ 3. Ruby-crowned Kinglet: One of fall's most delightful little visitors! This tiny olive-colored bird constantly flicks its wings while searching for insects. The male's ruby-red crown is usually hidden, so don't be disappointed if you can't see it.

☐ 4. Eastern Bluebird: Bluebirds remain in many parts of the South throughout winter, sometimes gathering in small groups. Watch open lawns, fence posts, and birdbaths for flashes of brilliant blue. You may notice more of them visiting yards as cooler weather arrives.

☐ 5. Pine Warbler: Live near pine trees? Watch for this yellowish bird moving among the branches. Unlike most warblers, Pine Warblers regularly eat seeds and sometimes visit feeders for sunflower seeds, peanuts, or suet, especially during cooler weather. They're most likely in neighborhoods with suitable pine habitat.

Help your fall feeder visitors: Offer our Peanut Crunch Suet Cakes for Pine Warblers and other suet-loving birds. Bluebirds may appreciate a dish of Dried Mealworms.

Great Plains & Rocky Mountains

The central Plains, Rocky Mountain states, and surrounding regions

☐ 1. White-crowned Sparrow: The bold black-and-white stripes on an adult's head make this one of the easier fall sparrows to identify. Look for it along brushy edges and beneath feeders. In some areas these sparrows arrive for winter, while in others they pass through on migration.

☐ 2. Dark-eyed Junco: Western juncos come in several beautiful color patterns, including birds with dark heads and rusty-brown sides. Watch them searching the ground for fallen seeds. Some live in mountain forests year-round, while others move to lower elevations or farther south as temperatures fall.

☐ 3. Northern Flicker: Look for a large, spotted woodpecker searching the ground for ants. In much of the West, flickers flash reddish feathers beneath their wings, while birds in the eastern Plains typically show yellow. The two forms overlap and hybridize in parts of the central continent.

☐ 4. American Goldfinch: Where did those bright yellow summer goldfinches go? They may still be in your yard! Goldfinches exchange their brilliant summer feathers for more subdued olive-brown plumage in fall. Depending on where you live, they may remain all winter or move to a different area.

☐ 5. Ruby-crowned Kinglet: This tiny, constantly moving bird passes through many areas during fall migration. Look for its pale eye-ring and frequent wing-flicking as it searches trees and shrubs for insects.

Help your fall feeder visitors: American Goldfinches enjoy Nyjer® seed and fine sunflower chips. Our Goldfinch Favorite Blend contains both.

Pacific Northwest & Northern California

Washington, Oregon, and northern California

☐ 1. Varied Thrush: One of the West's most beautiful birds! With its burnt-orange breast and dark breastband, this robin-sized bird becomes easier to find in some lower-elevation neighborhoods as colder weather approaches. Look near wooded yards, gardens, and berry-producing shrubs. Some coastal populations remain nearby year-round, while others move to lower elevations or farther south for winter.

☐ 2. Spotted Towhee: Listen for rustling leaves beneath shrubs. This striking bird, with dark upperparts, rusty sides, and white markings, uses an entertaining two-footed backward hop to uncover food. Many stay in the region throughout the year, but they can be easier to observe in fall.

☐ 3. Dark-eyed Junco: The common Oregon form has a dark hood, brown back, and pale belly. These sociable little birds often gather beneath feeders. Watch for their flashing white outer tail feathers when they fly.

☐ 4. White-crowned Sparrow: Watch for the distinctive head stripes of adults along garden edges, shrubs, and open ground. Young birds have brown-and-tan head stripes instead. Fall is a good time to notice these sparrows as migrating and wintering populations move through the region.

☐ 5. Red-breasted Nuthatch: Look for a tiny bird moving up and down conifer trunks, often calling with a sound resembling a little toy horn. This species lives year-round in many Northwestern forests, though some individuals move seasonally.

Help your fall feeder visitors: Nuthatches readily take peanuts and sunflower seeds. Try our Woodpecker Favorite Blend, which is packed with nuts, sunflower chips, and other energy-rich ingredients.

Southwest & Southern California

Arizona, New Mexico, southern California, and neighboring areas

☐ 1. White-crowned Sparrow: One of the classic fall arrivals in many Southwestern neighborhoods. Watch for its striped head and pale or pinkish bill as it searches beneath shrubs and feeders. These sparrows often spend winter in the region.

☐ 2. Yellow-rumped Warbler: Watch for small birds moving quickly through trees and shrubs, with flashes of yellow on their sides and rump. Many winter in the Southwest, making fall a great time to begin watching for them.

☐ 3. Ruby-crowned Kinglet: This energetic little bird may be tiny, but it's constantly moving. Look for its pale eye-ring and distinctive wing-flicking behavior. Many arrive in lower-elevation Southwestern habitats during fall and winter.

☐ 4. Lesser Goldfinch: These small finches have bright yellow underparts, with males showing black or greenish backs depending on the region. They gather around seed-bearing plants and feeders, sometimes in lively groups. They're year-round residents in many Southwestern neighborhoods.

☐ 5. Spotted Towhee: Watch the ground beneath brush and dense shrubs. Its rusty sides, dark upperparts, white spotting, and habit of scratching through leaves make it a memorable bird to find. These birds are found year-round in suitable habitat across much of the region.

Help your fall feeder visitors: Lesser Goldfinches enjoy small seeds. Our Goldfinch Favorite Blend, made with Nyjer® and fine sunflower chips, is a great match.

Alaska

Southcentral, Interior, and Southeast Alaska, with species varying by habitat and location

Fall arrives early in Alaska! By October, many migratory birds have already departed, while resident species prepare for the long winter ahead.

☐ 1. Black-capped Chickadee: Look for this familiar little bird with a black cap, black bib, and white cheeks. In wooded parts of Southcentral and Interior Alaska, chickadees visit feeders and store food for the colder months.

☐ 2. Boreal Chickadee: Unlike its black-capped cousin, the Boreal Chickadee has a brown cap and a smaller white cheek patch. Look for it in spruce forests and other northern wooded habitats. These birds remain in Alaska throughout winter and cache food during fall.

☐ 3. Redpoll: These lively little finches have a small red patch on the forehead, and many males have rosy coloring on their breasts. Watch for them feeding on birch and alder seeds or gathering at feeders. Their movements and numbers vary from year to year.

☐ 4. Pine Siskin: This small, heavily streaked finch has a pointed bill and flashes of yellow in its wings and tail. Watch for energetic groups feeding in conifers or visiting small-seed feeders, especially in wooded regions where the species occurs. Numbers vary considerably between seasons.

☐ 5. Common Raven: It's hard to miss these large, intelligent black birds! Ravens are found throughout much of Alaska, where their deep calls and remarkable behavior make them fascinating to watch. Look for pairs or groups investigating their surroundings.

Help your fall feeder visitors: Redpolls and Pine Siskins sometimes visit feeders stocked with Nyjer® and other small seeds. Our Goldfinch Favorite Blend is one option for areas where these species visit feeders.

Hawaii

The Hawaiian Islands

Fall birdwatching in Hawaii is quite different from the mainland. Rather than watching for snowbirds arriving from Canada, you can look for remarkable long-distance migrants returning from northern breeding grounds, along with familiar island residents.

Some common neighborhood birds in Hawaii are introduced species rather than native Hawaiian birds.

☐ 1. Pacific Golden-Plover (Kōlea): This remarkable shorebird migrates thousands of miles between northern breeding grounds and Hawaii. Many return in late summer and spend fall and winter on lawns, fields, parks, and golf courses. Watch for a slender brown-and-gold bird running a few steps, stopping, and pecking at the ground for insects.

☐ 2. Warbling White-eye: Often called the Japanese White-eye, this tiny, energetic bird has olive-green feathers and a distinctive white ring around each eye. Watch for it moving quickly through flowering trees and shrubs, looking for insects, fruit, and nectar. It was introduced to Hawaii and is now widespread.

☐ 3. Zebra Dove: These slender, long-tailed doves are common in many Hawaiian neighborhoods. Look for fine dark barring along their necks and sides. They often forage on the ground in pairs or small groups, searching for tiny seeds.

☐ 4. Red-crested Cardinal: With its brilliant red crest and face, gray back, and white breast, this bird is unmistakable. Despite its name, it is not closely related to the Northern Cardinal found across the eastern mainland. Introduced from South America, it's especially common on Oahu, Kauai, and Maui.

☐ 5. Common Myna: This bold, noisy bird has a brown body, black head, yellow bill, and bright yellow patches around its eyes. Look for it walking confidently across lawns and open spaces. Common Mynas were introduced to Hawaii and are now widespread in developed areas.

A Hawaiian birdwatching tip: The Pacific Golden-Plover is one of fall's most exciting returning visitors, and you don't need a bird feeder to enjoy it! Watch grassy areas where these birds naturally hunt insects. For native Hawaiian forest birds, explore appropriate protected habitats and follow local conservation guidance.

Want to Know Exactly Which Birds Are Visiting Your Area?

These regional checklists are a starting point. Bird populations can vary tremendously within the same state.

For a more localized list, visit eBird's Explore Regions and search for your state or county. You can discover which birds other birdwatchers have recently spotted nearby.

You might be surprised by what's happening just outside your window!

Bring More Birds to Your Backyard This Fall

Some of the most exciting fall visitors eat insects or wild berries and may never visit a seed feeder. Others are happy to stop by for their favorite seeds, nuts, or suet.

Choosing food suited to the birds in your area can help make your backyard more inviting to the species that naturally occur there.

Explore our specialty birdseed blends:

Cardinal Classic — A sunflower and safflower blend for Northern Cardinals, grosbeaks, and other seed-loving songbirds.

Goldfinch Favorite — Nyjer® and fine sunflower chips for goldfinches and other small finches.

Woodpecker Favorite — A nut-rich blend for woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, and other nut-loving birds.

Finch & Bunting — A mixture of fine sunflower chips, Nyjer®, and white millet for finches and other small seed-eating birds.

Seeds, Nuts & Fruit — A mix of sunflower chips, peanuts, suet nuggets, and other ingredients for a variety of backyard visitors.

Corvid Supreme — A hearty blend of sunflower seeds, three varieties of peanuts, whole corn, and dried mealworms specially formulated for crows, ravens, jays, and magpies.

Bird identification and regional information informed by Cornell Lab of Ornithology's All About Birds and eBird.