Winter Backyard Birds in South Jersey
Over the past two weeks, many people have asked me what to expect in the winter in regard to backyard birding in our area. Among people new to backyard birding, there is often a false assumption that all the birds leave during fall migration and head south for winter. This couldn’t be further from the truth (thankfully!). I think backyard birding is the most fun (as well as very beneficial for birds) during fall and winter. Birds visit feeders more often, feeders are much easier to keep clean with fresh seed, and the absence of most deciduous tree leaves means that birds are easier to spot.
You can read more about fall migration in this post. And to help us better understand what to expect for winter backyard birding, I have compiled lists of the most common backyard birds in the South Jersey area and how their presence changes during fall migration and winter. Keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive, and your specific backyard habitat and surrounding habitats greatly determine the kinds of birds you might see in your yard. A greater variety of birds will be seen in nearby parks, woodland and water habitats, and conservation areas. But our big focus at House Finch is backyard birding - so here we go!
Common backyard bird species in South Jersey that migrate south for winter (it will be very rare to see one of these birds during winter):
Playful and daring Grey Catbirds head south for winter. I’ve heard of the occasional catbird that stays around during winter, but it’s very rare.
Common backyard birds that do not migrate away as a species for winter. Individuals and groups of birds will typically migrate to and from this area, and the species can be seen here year-round (though numbers will fluctuate throughout the year):
White-breasted Nuthatches are year-round residents here, but they are seen much more often in backyards during winter.
Northern Cardinals are here all year and are star attractions during winter, when their red plumage and orange beaks stand out against a snowy backdrop.
The Tufted Titmouse is a beloved year-round resident of South Jersey
Birds that can be seen in South Jersey backyards located near large water habitats, year-round:
Birds that arrive in South New Jersey for winter (and leave for their breeding grounds in the spring):
Dark-eyed Juncos are a favorite winter visitor!
Bird species that often visit backyards as they migrate south for winter:
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are a sought-after backyard visitor during migration.
