Birds of N.J.'s coast

WORK IN PROGRESS

Still to do:

  • add in species links to outside references, e.g. Wikipedia
  • add in other general references at bottom of page

This is a first cut on a list of birds that could be affected by sea-level rise or SLR's effects on New Jersey's coast. By reaching to similar habitats within the same general climate zone, this list is probably good for most of the shoreline from the Outer Banks to Cape Cod.

Birds of N.J.'s coast

Procedure

The species listed below came from a four step process

  1. Including all of the species from NJDEP's Checklist of NJ Birds was the first step. This has the effect of establishing that these are birds found in N.J. So I, for example, did not try to determine whether pelagic birds should have been considered. If a bird is on the state's list, then by default it was eligible for this one too. New Jersey is a small, highly coastal, state and not surprisingly a high percentage of its birdlife is found in coastal habitats. I made modest adjustments to NJ's list to match the order of birds to the Peterson guide
  2. The NJDEP list was cross-referenced to the Peterson Field Guide (2002) for Birds of Eastern and Central North America, 5 ed. [P.Birds]. Species were assigned to four habitat types based on Peterson's guide. Key words for the habitat classification included:
    • Salt marsh — marshes, mudflats, salt marsh, tidal creeks, tideflats
    • Estuarine — bays, coastal waters, coasts, estuaries, salt bays, shorelines, tidewater
    • Oceanic — beaches, dunes, ocean edge, offshore, open ocean, open sea, pelagic, sandy shoreline
    • Not coastal — not satisfying the criteria for salt marsh, estuarine, or oceanic
    If "marsh" was listed as part of a bird's habitat, I evaluated other information to interpret whether that referred to fresh- or saltwater marshes. Birds that qualified as salt marsh were classed there regardless of their fit for other categories, similarly estuarine ranked above oceanic.
  3. All birds that did not sort into one of the three coastal categories were then checked against the Audubon Society Nature Guides (1985) Atlantic & Gulf Coasts [Audu.] , and if they were listed there as having a coastal type of habitat they were classified in. A few birds were upgraded to salt marsh from estuarine based on the Audubon guide book.
  4. Any other birds that I thought should be on the list were confirmed against the National Geographic Society (1987) Field Guide to the Birds of North America, 2 ed. [NGS]. Birds were not systematically checked against this guide. If Step 2 or 3 didn't lead to "coastal", then a bird would have had no further considertation unless I had good reason to pursue it to this step (or further).

Habitat color key

Birds that specifically have marshes, mudflats, etc. as a habitat, and are not just estuarine.

Birds that are estuarine, but not strongly associated with salt marsh.

Birds that are oceanic, or use ocean beach habitat.

References column

The listed book and page is the citation for the habitat text.

The critters

Common name Latin name Habitat Ref. Links
Red-throated Loon Gavia stellata coastal waters, bays, estuaries; in summer, nests at margins of tundra lakes, coastal lagoons. P.Birds 26 Wikipedia
Common Loon Gavia immer Lakes, bays, ocean edge; in summer, woodland lakes and ponds. In winter, chiefly coastal or large unfrozen lakes. P.Birds 26 LL
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps Ponds, lakes, marshes; in winter also salt bays. P.Birds 28 LL
Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus Lakes, ponds, coastal waters. P.Birds 28 LL
Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena Lakes, ponds; in winter, salt water. P.Birds 28 LL
Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea Open ocean P.Birds 30 LL
Greater Shearwater Puffinus gravis Open ocean, usually well offshore P.Birds 30 LL
Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus Open sea P.Birds 30 LL
Wilson's Storm-petrel Oceanites oceanicus Open ocean. Occasionally seen from shore. P.Birds 34 LL
Leach's Storm-petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa Open ocean P.Birds 34 LL
Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis Salt bays, beaches, ocean. P.Birds 38 LL
Northern Gannet Morus bassanus Oceanic; seen offshore regularly from land. P.Birds 40 LL
Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus Coast, islands, bays, lakes, rivers; nests on ground or in trees. P.Birds 42 LL
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Primarily coastal; nests on sea cliffs. P.Birds 42 LL
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias Marshes, swamps, shores, tideflats. P.Birds 46 LL
Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea Marshes, swamps, rice fields, ponds, shores P.Birds 46 LL
Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor Marshes, swamps, streams, shores P.Birds LL
Great Egret Casmerodius albus Marshes, ponds, shores, mudflats. P.Birds 48 LL
Snowy Egret Egretta thula Marshes, swamps, ponds, shores, tideflats. P.Birds 48 LL
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Not coastal P.Birds 48 LL
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Marshes, shores; roosts in trees. P.Birds 50 LL
Yellow-crowned Night Heron Nyctanassa violaceus Cypress swamps, mangroves, bayous, marshes, streams. P.Birds 50 LL
Green Heron Butorides striatus Lakes, ponds, marshes, swamps, stream sides. P.Birds 50 LL
Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis Not coastal P.Birds 50 LL
American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosos Marshes, reedy lakes. P.Birds 50 LL
Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus Marshes, swamps, flooded fields, coastal byas, and estuaries Audu. 597 LL
Mute Swan Cygnus olor Ponds, fresh and salt; coastal lagoons, salt bays. P.Birds 60 LL
Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus Lakes, large rivers, bays, estuaries, flooded fields, and cultivated fields. Breeds on tundra lakes. P.Birds 60 LL
Snow Goose Chen caerulescens Marshes, grainfields, ponds, bays; tundra in summer. P.Birds 62 LL
Canada Goose Branta canadensis Lakes, ponds, bays, marshes, fields. P.Birds 62 LL
Brant Branta bernicla Tundra and coastal islands in the Arctic; salt marshes and estuaries in winter Audu. 592 LL
Fulvous Whistling Duck Dendrocygna bicolor Coastal marshes. P.Birds 66 LL
American Black Duck Anas rubripes Marshes, bays, estuaries, ponds, rivers, lakes. P.Birds 66 LL
Gadwall Anas Strepera Freshwater marshes, ponds, and rivers; locally in salt marshes Audu. 582 LL
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Marshes, grainfields, ponds, rivers. P.Birds 66 LL
Northern Pintail Anas acuta Marshes, prairies, fresh ponds, lakes, salt bays. P.Birds 68 LL
American Wigeon Anas americana Marshes, lakes, bays, fields, grassy lawns, golf courses, parks, etc. P.Birds 68 LL
Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope Rare visitor, chiefly near coast. P.Birds 68 LL
Wood Duck Aix sponsa Not coastal P.Birds 68 LL
Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata Fresh marshes, ponds, sloughs; in winter, also salt bays. P.Birds 70 LL
Blue-winged Teal Anas discors Not coastal P.Birds 70 LL
Green-winged Teal Anas crecca Marshes, rivers, bays. P.Birds 70 LL
White-winged Scoter Melanitta fusca Salt bays, ocean; in summer, lakes. P.Birds 72 LL
Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata Ocean surf, salt bays; in summer, fresh, arctic lakes, tundra. P.Birds 72 LL
Black Scoter Melanitta nigra Ponds in northern or high-elevation coniferous forests; winters on the ocean and in large salt bays Audu. 590; P.Birds 72 LL
Long-Tailed Duck (aka Oldsquaw) Clangula hyemalis Tundra; in winter on open bays and inshore waters. Audu. 590 LL
Harlequin Duck Histrionicus histrionicus Turbulent mountain streams in summer; rocky coastal waters in winter P.Birds 74 LL
King Eider Somateria spectabilis Coasts, ocean. Summer, nests on tundra. P.Birds 74 LL
Common Eider Somateria mollissima Rocky coasts, shoals; in summer, also islands, tundra P.Birds 74 LL
Canvasback Aythya valisineria Fresh marshes (summer), lakes, salt bays, estuaries. P.Birds 76 LL
Redhead Aythya americana Fresh marshes (in summer), lakes, saltwater bays, estuaries. P.Birds 76 LL
Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris Not coastal P.Birds 76 LL
Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis Marsh ponds (summer), lakes, bays, estuaries. P.Birds 76 LL
Greater Scaup Aythya marila Lakes, rivers, salt bays, estuaries, tundra ponds (summer). P.Birds 76 LL
Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula Forested lakes, rivers; in winter, also salt bays, ocean coasts. P.Birds 78 LL
Bufflehead Bucephala albeola Lakes, ponds, rivers; in winter, also salt bays. P.Birds 78 LL
Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis Fresh marshes, ponds, lakes; in winter, also salt bays. P.Birds 78 LL
Common Merganser Mergus merganser Wooded lakes, ponds, rivers; in winter, open lakes, rivers, rarely coastal bays. P.Birds 80 LL
Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator Lakes; in winter, coastal bays, ocean edge. P.Birds 80 LL
Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus Wooded lakes, ponds, rivers, in winter; tidal creeks and estuaries. P.Birds 80 LL
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Not coastal P.Birds 92 LL
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus Not coastal P.Birds 92 LL
Amer. Swallowtail Kite Elanoides forficodus Not coastal P.Birds 96 LL
Mississippi Kite Ictinia mississippiensis Not coastal P.Birds 96 LL
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus Not coastal P.Birds 98 LL
Cooper's Hawk Accipiter Cooperii Not coastal P.Birds 98 LL
Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis Not coastal P.Birds 98 LL
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis Not coastal P.Birds 100 LL
Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus Not coastal P.Birds 102 LL
Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus Not coastal P.Birds 102 LL
Broad-winged hawk Buteo platypterus Not coastal P.Birds 102 LL
Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus Marshes, fields, prairies, salt marshes, dumps, etc. P.Birds 108 LL
Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus Coasts, rivers, large lakes P.Birds 112 LL
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos Open mountains, foothills, plains, open country, coastal marshes P.Birds 112 LL
Osprey Pandion haliaetus Rivers, lakes, coasts P.Birds 112 LL
American Kestrel Falco sparverius Not coastal P.Birds 116 LL
Merlin Falco columbarius Open conifer woodlands; in migration, also foothills, marshes, open country, coastal shoreline P.Birds 116 LL
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Mainly open country (mountains to coast); locally in cities, where reestablishment efforts work well P.Birds 116 LL
Eastern Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo Not coastal P.Birds 120 LL
Ruffed Grouse Bonasa umbellus Not coastal P.Birds 120 LL
Ring-necked Pheasant Phasianus colchicus Not coastal P.Birds 120 LL
Northern Bobwhite Colinus virginianus Not coastal P.Birds 124 LL
American Coot Fulica americana Ponds, lakes, marshes; in winter, also fields, park ponds, salt bays P.Birds 126 LL
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Not coastal P.Birds 126 LL
Purple Gallinule Porphyrula martinica Not coastal P.Birds 126 LL
Virginia Rail Rallus limocola Mainly fresh and brackish marshes; in winter, also salt marshes P.Birds 128 LL
King Rail Rallus elegans Fresh and brackish marshes, rice fields, swamps. In winter, also salt marshes. P.Birds 128 LL
Clapper Rail Rallus longirostris Salt marshes, rarely brackish; locally in mangroves P.Birds 128 LL
Sora Porzana carolina Fresh marshes, wet meadows; in winter, also salt marshes P.Birds 130 LL
Black Rail Laterallus jamaicensis Tidal marshes, Salicornia and Spartina (coast); grass marshes on coast and inland; fresh marshes (inland) P.Birds 130 LL
Yellow Rail Coturnicops noveboracensis Grassy fresh marshes, meadows; wild-rice marshes in fall movement; in winter, also open grainfields, upland edges of salt marshes P.Birds 130 LL
Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola Mudflats, open marshes, beaches; in summer, tundra P.Birds 132 LL
American Golden-plover Pluvialis dominica Prairies, mudflats, shores, turf farms; in summer, nests on tundra P.Birds 132 LL
Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus Shores, tideflats; nests on tundra P.Birds 134 LL
Piping Plover Charadrius melodus Sand beaches, cobble and shell areas, tidal flats P.Birds 134 LL
Killdeer Charadrius vociferus Fields, airports, lawns, river banks, shores; will nest on flat roofs. P.Birds 134 LL
American Woodcock Philohela minor Not coastal P.Birds 140 LL
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago Not coastal P.Birds 140 LL
Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus Mudflats, tidal marshes, infrequently pond edges P.Birds 140 LL
Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus Mudflats, shallow pools, freshwater ponds, and lake margins. More partial to fresh water than is Short-bill. P.Birds 140 LL
Hudsonian Godwit Limosa haemastica Tidal mudflats, prairie pools; tundra in summer P.Birds 142 LL
Marbled Godwit Limosa fedoa Prairies, pools, shores; tideflats P.Birds 142 LL
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Beaches, mudflats, marshes; in summer, tundra P.Birds 142 LL
American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus Coastal beaches, tidal flats P.Birds 146 LL
Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus Grassy marshes, mudflats, pools, shallow lakes (fresh or alkaline) P.Birds 146 LL
American Avocet Recurvirostra americana Marshes, flats, shallow lakes, prairie ponds P.Birds 146 LL
Willet Catoptrophorus semipalmatus Marshes, wet meadows, mudflats, beaches P.Birds 148 LL
Greater Yellowlegs tringa melanoleuca Open marshes, mudflats, streams, ponds; in summer, wooded muskeg, spruce bogs P.Birds 148 LL
Lesser Yellowlegs tringa flavipes Marshes, mudflats, shores, pond edges; in summer, wet areas of open boreal woods P.Birds 148 LL
Solitary Sandpiper tringa solitaria Not coastal P.Birds 148 LL
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres Beaches, mudflats, jetties, rocky shores; in summer, tundra P.Birds 150 LL
Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima Wave-washed rocks, jetties, rare on sandy shoreline. coastal tundra on breeding grounds P.Birds 150 LL
Red Knot Calidris canutus Sandy beaches, mudflats, tidal flats and shores; breeds on tundra P.Birds 150 LL
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia Lakeshores, ponds, streamsides, marshes; also rock jetties P.Birds 152 LL
Dunlin Calidris alpina Tidal flats, beaches, muddy pools, breakwaters; in summer, wet tundra P.Birds 152 LL
Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Tidal flats, muddy pools, mudflats P.Birds 152 LL
Sanderling Calidris alba Outer beaches, tidal flats; uncommon on lakeshores. Nests on stone-covered tundra P.Birds 152 LL
Stilt Sandpiper Calidris himantopus Shallow pools, mudflats, marshes; tundra in summer P.Birds 154 LL
Buff-breasted Sandpiper tryngites subruficollis Not coastal P.Birds 154 LL
Upland Sandpiper Bartramia longicauda Not coastal P.Birds 154 LL
Ruff Philomachus pugnax Not coastal P.Birds 154 LL
White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis Prairies, shores, mudflats; tundra in summer P.Birds 156 LL
Baird's Sandpiper Calidris bairdii Rainpools, pond margins, mudflats, shorelines P.Birds 156 LL
Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos In migration, grassy pools, muddy shores, fresh and tidal marrshes. In summer, tundra P.Birds 156 LL
Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla Mudflats, grassy marshes, rainpools, shoreline P.Birds 158 LL
Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla Marshes, mudflats; tundra in summer P.Birds 158 LL
Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri Shores, beaches, mudflats P.Birds 158 LL
Wilson's Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor Seen spinning in water to bring up food on shallow prairie lakes, fresh marshes, and pools. Also running about on shores and mudflats, snapping up flies. In migration, also salt marshes. P.Birds 164 LL
Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus Ocean, bays, lakes, ponds; tundra in summer P.Birds 164 LL
Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarias Pelagic; in summer, tundra P.Birds 164 LL
Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus Open ocean, coastal bays, large lakes (rarely); tundra in summer P.Birds 168 LL
Pomarine Jaeger Stercorarius pomarinus Open sea, coasts (offshore); tundra in summer P.Birds 168 LL
Long-tailed Jaeger Stercorarius longicaudus Open ocean; tundra in summer P.Birds 168 LL
Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus Mainly coastal; some inland P.Birds 176 LL
Iceland Gull Larus glaucoides Coastal, less frequent inland P.Birds 176 LL
Herring Gull Larus argentatus Coasts, bays, beaches lakes, rivers, piers, farms, dumps, sewage outlets P.Birds 178 LL
Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis Lakes, bays, coasts, piers, dumps, plowed fields, sewage outlets, shopping malls, fast-food restaurants P.Birds 178 LL
Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla Oceans of northern hemisphere P.Birds 178 LL
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus Mainly coastal waters, estuaries; a few on large lakes and rivers P.Birds 178 LL
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus Similar to Great Black-backed P.Birds 178 LL
Laughing Gull Larus atricilla Salt marshes, coastal bays, piers, beaches, ocean, plowed fields P.Birds 180 LL
Common Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus Associates with Bonaparte's Gull P.Birds 180 LL
Bonaparte's Gull Larus philadelphia Ocean bays, coastal waters, sewage treatment ponds, lakes; muskeg in summer P.Birds 180 LL
Little Gull Larus minutus Lakes, rivers, bays, coastal waters, sewage treatement plants P.Birds 180 LL
Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica Salt marshes, fields, coastal bays P.Birds 186 LL
Royal Tern Sterna maxima Coasts, sandy beaches, salt bays P.Birds 186 LL
Caspian Tern Sterna caspia Large lakes, coastal waters, beaches, bays P.Birds 186 LL
Least Tern Sterna antillarum Sea beaches, bays; large rivers P.Birds 188 LL
Common Tern Sterna hirundo Lakes, ocean, bays, beaches; nests colonially on sandy beaches and small islands P.Birds 188 LL
Forster's Tern Sterna forsteri Marshes (fresh, salt), lakes, bays, beaches, ocean. Nests in marshes. P.Birds 188 LL
Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii Coastal; salt bays, estuaries, ocean P.Birds 188 LL
Black Tern Childonias niger Fresh marshes, lakes; in migration, coastal waters P.Birds 190 LL
Black Skimmer Rynchops niger Ocean beaches, salt bays, tidewater; in Fla., also inland lakes. P.Birds 190 LL
Razorbill Alca torda Open ocean; sea cliffs when nesting P.Birds 192 LL
Thick-billed Murre Uria lomvia Open ocean; sea cliffs when nesting P.Birds 192 LL
Dovekie Alle alle Offshore, open ocean. Nests on seacliffs. P.Birds 194 LL
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura Not coastal P.Birds 196 LL
Rock Dove Columba livia Not coastal P.Birds 196 LL
Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus Not coastal P.Birds 200 LL
Black-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus erythropthalmus Not coastal P.Birds 200 LL
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus Prairies, marshes (fresh and salt), dunes, tundra. P.Birds 202 LL
Eastern Screech Owl Otus asio Not coastal P.Birds 202 LL
Long-eared Owl Asio otus Not coastal P.Birds 202 LL
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus Not coastal P.Birds 202 LL
Barred Owl Strix varia Not coastal P. Birds 204 LL
Common Barn Owl Tyto alba Not coastal P.Birds 204 LL
Snowy Owl Nyctea scandiaca Prairies, fields, marshes, beaches, dunes; in summer, arctic tundra P. Birds 204 LL
Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus Not coastal P. Birds 206 LL
Whip-poor-will Caprimulgus vociferus Not coastal P. Birds 208 LL
Chuck-will's-widow Caprimulgus carolinensis Not coastal P. Birds 208 LL
Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor Not coastal P. Birds 210 LL
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris Not coastal P. Birds 212 LL
Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon Streams, lakes, bays, coasts; nests in sand or clay banks P. Birds 214 LL
Red-headed Woodpecker Melanerpes erythrocephalus Not coastal P. Birds 216 LL
Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus Not coastal P. Birds 216 LL
Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus Not coastal P. Birds 218 LL
Red-bellied Woodpecker Melanerpes carolinus Not coastal P. Birds 218 LL
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius Not coastal P. Birds 218 LL
Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens Not coastal P. Birds 220 LL
Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus Not coastal P. Birds 220 LL
Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus Tyrannus Not coastal P. Birds 222 LL
Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis Not coastal P. Birds 222 LL
Great Crested Flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus Not coastal P. Birds 222 LL
Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe Not coastal P. Birds 224 LL
Eastern Wood Pewee Contopus virens Not coastal P. Birds 224 LL
Olive-sided Flycatcher Contopus borealis Not coastal P. Birds 224 LL
Acadian Flycatcher Empidonax virescens Not coastal P. Birds 226 LL
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Empidonax flaviventris Not coastal P. Birds 226 LL
Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus Not coastal P. Birds 226 LL
Willow Flycatcher Empidonax traillii Not coastal P. Birds 226 LL
Alder Flycatcher Empidonax alnorum Not coastal P. Birds 226 LL
Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris Not coastal P. Birds 230 LL
[American] Water Pipit Anthus rubescens Not coastal P. Birds 230 LL
Purple martin Progne subis Towns, farms, open or semi-open country, often near water. Attracted to martin houses, especially with water and large open areas nearby P. Birds 232 LL
Cliff Swallow Hirundo pyrrhonota Not coastal P. Birds 232 LL
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Not coastal P. Birds 232 LL
Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor Not coastal P. Birds 234 LL
Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis Not coastal P. Birds 234 LL
Bank Swallow Riparia riparia Not coastal P. Birds 234 LL
Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica Not coastal P. Birds 234 LL
Black-capped Chickadee Paurs atricapillus Not coastal P. Birds 236 LL
Carolina Chickadee Parus carolinensis Not coastal P. Birds 236 LL
Boreal Chickadee Parus hudsonicus Not coastal P. Birds 236 LL
Tufted Titmouse Parus bicolor Not coastal P. Birds 236 LL
White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis Not coastal P. Birds 238 LL
Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta canadensis Not coastal P. Birds 238 LL
Brown Creeper Certhia americana Not coastal P. Birds 238 LL
House Wren troglogytes aedon Not coastal P. Birds 240 LL
Winter Wren troglodytes troglodytes Not coastal P. Birds 240 LL
Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus Not coastal P. Birds 240 LL
Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris Marshes (cattail, bulrush, brackish) P. Birds 240 LL
Sedge Wren Cistothorus platensis Grassy marshes, sedgy meadows P. Birds 240 LL
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula Not coastal P. Birds 242 LL
Golden-crowned Kinglet Regulus satrapa Not coastal P. Birds 242 LL
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea Not coastal P. Birds 242 LL
Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis Not coastal P. Birds 244 LL
American Robin Turdus migratorius Not coastal P. Birds 244 LL
Gray-cheeked Thrush Catharus minimus Not coastal P. Birds 246 LL
Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus Not coastal P. Birds 246 LL
Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus Not coastal P. Birds 246 LL
Veery Catharus fuscescens Not coastal P. Birds 246 LL
Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina Not coastal P. Birds 246 LL
Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum Not coastal P. Birds 248 LL
Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis Not coastal P. Birds 248 LL
Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos Not coastal P. Birds 248 LL
Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata Not coastal P. Birds 250 LL
Fish Crow Corvus ossifragus Favors tidewater marshes and low valleys along eastern river systems; less frequent inland, except along rivers NGS 306; Audu. 612; P. Birds 252 LL
American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos Woodlands, farmlands, agricultural fields, river groves, shores. P. Birds 252 LL
Common Raven Corvus corax Not coastal P. Birds 252 LL
Northern Shrike Lanius exubitor Not coastal P. Birds 254 LL
Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus Not coastal P. Birds 254 LL
Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum Not coastal P. Birds 254 LL
Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus Not coastal P. Birds 256 LL
Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus Not coastal P. Birds 256 LL
Philadelphia Vireo Vireo philadelphicus Not coastal P. Birds 256 LL
Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons Not coastal P. Birds 258 LL
White-eyed Vireo Vireo griseus Not coastal P. Birds 258 LL
Blue-headed Vireo Vireo solitarius Not coastal P. Birds 258 LL
Northern Parula Parula americana Not coastal P. Birds 260 LL
Yellow-throated Warbler Dendroica dominica Not coastal P. Birds 260 LL
Black-throated Green Warbler Dendroica virens Not coastal P. Birds 260 LL
Prothonotary Warbler Protonotaria citrea Not coastal P. Birds 260 LL
Black-and-white Warbler Miniotilta varia Not coastal P. Birds 262 LL
Blackpoll Warbler Dendroica striata Not coastal P. Birds 262 LL
Black-throated Blue Warbler Dendroica caerulescens Not coastal P. Birds 262 LL
Cerulean Warbler Dendroica cerulea Not coastal P. Birds 262 LL
Magnolia Warbler Dendroica magnolia Not coastal P. Birds 264 LL
Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata Not coastal P. Birds 264 LL
Canada Warbler Wilsonia canadensis Not coastal P. Birds 264 LL
Cape May Warbler Dendroica tigrina Not coastal P. Birds 266 LL
Chestnut-sided Warbler Dendroica pensylvanica Not coastal P. Birds 266 LL
Blackburnian Warbler Dendroica fusca Not coastal P. Birds 266 LL
Bay-breasted Warbler Dendroica castanea Not coastal P. Birds 266 LL
American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla Not coastal P. Birds 266 LL
Pine Warbler Dendroica pinus Not coastal P. Birds 268 LL
Prairie Warbler Dendroica discolor Not coastal P. Birds 268 LL
Palm Warbler Dendroica palmarum Not coastal P. Birds 268 LL
Blue-winged Warbler Vermivora pinus Not coastal P. Birds 268 LL
Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia Not coastal P. Birds 268 LL
Worm-eating Warbler Helmitheros vermivorus Not coastal P. Birds 270 LL
Tennessee Warbler Vermivora peregrina Not coastal P. Birds 270 LL
Orange-crowned Warbler Vermivora celata Not coastal P. Birds 270 LL
Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla Not coastal P. Birds 272 LL
Hooded Warbler Wilsonia citrina Not coastal P. Birds 272 LL
Golden-winged Warbler Vermivora chrysoptera Not coastal P. Birds 272 LL
Nashville Warbler Vermivora reficapilla Not coastal P. Birds 274 LL
Connecticut Warbler Oporornis agilis Not coastal P. Birds 274 LL
Mourning Warbler Oporornis philadelphia Not coastal P. Birds 274 LL
Kentucky Warbler Oporornis formosus Not coastal P. Birds 274 LL
Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas Not coastal P. Birds 276 LL
Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens Not coastal P. Birds 276 LL
Northern Waterthrush Seiurus noveboracensis Not coastal P. Birds 276 LL
Louisiana Waterthrush Seiurus motacilla Not coastal P. Birds 276 LL
Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapillus Not coastal P. Birds 276 LL
Summer Tanager Piranga rubra Not coastal P. Birds 282 LL
Scarlet Tanager Piranga olivacea Not coastal P. Birds 282 LL
Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis Not coastal P. Birds 284 LL
Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra Not coastal P. Birds 284 LL
White-winged Crossbill Loxia leucoptera Not coastal P. Birds 284 LL
Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus Not coastal P. Birds 286 LL
Eastern Towhee Pipilo erythrophthalmus Not coastal P. Birds 286 LL
Blue Grosbeak Guiraca caerulea Not coastal P. Birds 288 LL
Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea Not coastal P. Birds 288 LL
Evening Grosbeak Hesperiphona vespertinus Not coastal P. Birds 290 LL
American Goldfinch Carduelis tristis Not coastal P. Birds 290 LL
Pine Siskin Carduelis pinus Not coastal P. Birds 290 LL
Common Redpoll Carduelis flammea Not coastal P. Birds 292 LL
House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus Not coastal P. Birds 292 LL
Purple Finch Carpodacus purpureus Not coastal P. Birds 292 LL
Pine Grosbeak Pinicola enucleator Not coastal P. Birds 292 LL
White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis Not coastal P. Birds 294 LL
White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys Not coastal P. Birds 294 LL
Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina Not coastal P. Birds 296 LL
Field Sparrow Spizella pusilla Not coastal P. Birds 296 LL
Swamp Sparrow Melospiza georgiana Not coastal P. Birds 296 LL
American tree Sparrow Spizella arborea Not coastal P. Birds 296 LL
Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus Not coastal P. Birds 298 LL
Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus savannarum Not coastal P. Birds 298 LL
Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca Not coastal P. Birds 300 LL
Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia Not coastal P. Birds 300 LL
Vesper Sparrow Pooecetes gramineus Not coastal P. Birds 300 LL
Lincoln's Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii Not coastal P. Birds 300 LL
Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis Open fields, meadows, salt marshes, prairies, dunes P. Birds 302 LL
Henslow's Sparrow Ammodramus henslowii Not coastal P. Birds 302 LL
Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow Ammodramus caudacutus coastal salt marshes to cen. Fla. P. Birds 304 LL
Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow Ammodramus nelsoni Inland marshes, coastal marshes south to n. Mexico P. Birds 304 LL
Seaside Sparrow Ammodramus maritima Salt marshes P. Birds 304 LL
Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis Not coastal P. Birds 306 LL
Snow Bunting Plectophenax nivalis Tundra in summer. In migration and winter, prairies, fields, dunes, shores. P. Birds 306 LL
Lapland Longspur Calcarius lapponicus Tundra; in winter, fields, prairies, shorelines P. Birds 308 LL
Rusty Blackbird Euphagus carolinus Not coastal P. Birds 310 LL
Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscula Not coastal P. Birds 310 LL
Boat-tailed Grackle Quiscalus major Resident near salt water alogn coasts; marshes P. Birds 310 LL
Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus Breeds in marshes, brushy swamps, hayfields; forages also in cultivated land, tidal areas, feeders, along edges of water, etc. P. Birds 312 LL
Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus Not coastal P. Birds 312 LL
European Starling Sturnus vulgaris Not coastal P. Birds 312 LL
Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna Not coastal P. Birds 314 LL
Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater Not coastal P. Birds 314 LL
Orchard Oriole Icterus spurius Not coastal P. Birds 316 LL
Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula Not coastal P. Birds 316 LL
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Not coastal P. Birds 318 LL
Dickcissel Spiza americana Not coastal P. Birds 318 LL

NOTES

  1. This web site has general information for the purposes of sea-level rise planning, data on specific species should be verified or confirmed before being used for other than general planning purposes.
  2. Some birds, hawks in particular, can be found in salt marshes but are not classed as salt marsh birds here. I have seen hawks soaring over marshes, but they really aren't dependent on the marshes for nesting, resting, feeding, or shelter in any particular way. Peterson's and Audubon have come to similar conclusions. Salt marshes are not really a notable place for the species as a whole, even if the marshes are important for some individual members of the species.

Further information

NJDEP

Fish Game & Wildlife is the part of DEP that regulates and manages wildlife.