Field Guide · Regional

Wildlife in Virginia

The birds, plants, and insects most often recorded in Virginia. 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 Virginia

Most-recorded birds reported across the state.

  1. Northern Cardinal Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis 14,973 records
  2. American Robin American Robin Turdus migratorius 11,853 records
  3. Great Blue Heron Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias 11,760 records
  4. Canada Goose Branta canadensis 11,393 records
  5. Mallard Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 11,072 records
  6. Eastern Bluebird Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis 9,118 records
  7. Northern Mockingbird Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos 8,088 records
  8. Mourning Dove Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura 7,456 records
  9. Carolina Wren Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus 7,409 records
  10. House Sparrow House Sparrow Passer domesticus 6,669 records
  11. Red-Shouldered Hawk Red-Shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus 6,571 records
  12. Song Sparrow Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia 6,521 records
Plants

Plants Commonly Recorded In Virginia

Plants observers log most often statewide.

  1. Christmas Fern Christmas Fern Polystichum acrostichoides 9,334 records
  2. Mayapple Mayapple Podophyllum peltatum 9,295 records
  3. American Pokeweed American Pokeweed Phytolacca americana 8,553 records
  4. American Tuliptree American Tuliptree Liriodendron tulipifera 8,222 records
  5. Eastern Poison Ivy Eastern Poison Ivy Toxicodendron radicans 7,505 records
  6. Virginia Creeper Virginia Creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia 7,267 records
  7. Virginia Springbeauty Claytonia virginica 7,120 records
  8. Striped Wintergreen Striped Wintergreen Chimaphila maculata 7,088 records
  9. American Sweetgum American Sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua 6,932 records
  10. Common Pawpaw Common Pawpaw Asimina triloba 6,835 records
  11. Garlic Mustard Alliaria petiolata 6,739 records
  12. Mountain Laurel Mountain Laurel Kalmia latifolia 6,579 records
Insects

Insects Commonly Recorded In Virginia

The insects that turn up most in records.

  1. Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Papilio glaucus 14,629 records
  2. Asian Lady Beetle Harmonia axyridis 12,244 records
  3. Monarch Monarch Danaus plexippus 10,958 records
  4. Spotted Lanternfly Spotted Lanternfly Lycorma delicatula 10,813 records
  5. Common Eastern Bumble Bee Common Eastern Bumble Bee Bombus impatiens 10,659 records
  6. Huron Skipper Atalopedes huron 8,151 records
  7. Eastern Carpenter Bee Eastern Carpenter Bee Xylocopa virginica 7,813 records
  8. Western Honey Bee Apis mellifera 6,602 records
  9. Silver-Spotted Skipper Epargyreus clarus 5,918 records
  10. Common Whitetail Common Whitetail Plathemis lydia 5,889 records
  11. Pearl Crescent Pearl Crescent Phyciodes tharos 5,818 records
  12. Red-Spotted Admiral Red-Spotted Admiral Limenitis arthemis 5,809 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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