Field Guide · Regional

Wildlife in Maine

The birds, plants, and insects most often recorded in Maine. A starting field list, drawn from iNaturalist research-grade observations, for what is likely living near you.

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Birds

Birds Commonly Recorded In Maine

Most-recorded birds reported across the state.

  1. American Herring Gull American Herring Gull Larus smithsonianus 4,161 records
  2. Common Eider Common Eider Somateria mollissima 3,113 records
  3. Common Loon Common Loon Gavia immer 2,506 records
  4. Bald Eagle Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus 2,407 records
  5. Mallard Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 2,396 records
  6. Double-Crested Cormorant Double-Crested Cormorant Nannopterum auritum 2,346 records
  7. Song Sparrow Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia 2,153 records
  8. Wild Turkey Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo 2,073 records
  9. Black-Capped Chickadee Black-Capped Chickadee Poecile atricapillus 1,889 records
  10. Black Guillemot Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle 1,788 records
  11. American Robin American Robin Turdus migratorius 1,645 records
  12. Great Blue Heron Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias 1,617 records
Plants

Plants Commonly Recorded In Maine

Plants observers log most often statewide.

  1. Canadian Bunchberry Canadian Bunchberry Cornus canadensis 5,185 records
  2. Rugosa Rose Rosa rugosa 4,190 records
  3. Eastern White Pine Eastern White Pine Pinus strobus 3,793 records
  4. Ghost Pipe Ghost Pipe Monotropa uniflora 3,790 records
  5. Canada Mayflower Canada Mayflower Maianthemum canadense 3,596 records
  6. White Meadowsweet White Meadowsweet Spiraea alba 3,510 records
  7. Sheep Laurel Sheep Laurel Kalmia angustifolia 3,459 records
  8. Pink Lady's Slipper Pink Lady's Slipper Cypripedium acaule 3,421 records
  9. Wild Sarsaparilla Wild Sarsaparilla Aralia nudicaulis 3,177 records
  10. Northern Starflower Northern Starflower Lysimachia borealis 3,123 records
  11. Balsam Fir Balsam Fir Abies balsamea 2,841 records
  12. Bluebead Lily Bluebead Lily Clintonia borealis 2,601 records
Insects

Insects Commonly Recorded In Maine

The insects that turn up most in records.

  1. Monarch Monarch Danaus plexippus 4,078 records
  2. Common Eastern Bumble Bee Common Eastern Bumble Bee Bombus impatiens 3,676 records
  3. Hickory Tussock Moth Hickory Tussock Moth Lophocampa caryae 3,083 records
  4. Tricolored Bumble Bee Bombus ternarius 2,589 records
  5. Asian Lady Beetle Harmonia axyridis 2,318 records
  6. Red-Spotted Admiral Red-Spotted Admiral Limenitis arthemis 2,006 records
  7. Banded Tussock Moth Banded Tussock Moth Halysidota tessellaris 1,827 records
  8. Western Honey Bee Apis mellifera 1,493 records
  9. Isabella Tiger Moth Isabella Tiger Moth Pyrrharctia isabella 1,470 records
  10. American Lady American Lady Vanessa virginiensis 1,427 records
  11. Japanese Beetle Japanese Beetle Popillia japonica 1,367 records
  12. Brown-Tail Moth Brown-Tail Moth Euproctis chrysorrhoea 1,346 records

Go Deeper

Use the live finder to narrow this to your town and season. Then read Who Lives Here, how to attract wildlife to your yard, and planting for local wildlife. For tools and field guides, see the recommended gear.

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