Vermont’s Green Mountains, northern hardwood forests, and Lake Champlain shoreline support a solid range of orange-plumaged birds. The state’s mix of boreal and deciduous forest, plus its position on the Atlantic Flyway, makes it a rewarding birding destination despite its small size.
Orange Birds Found in Vermont
| Species | Orange feature | When to see | Habitat |
|---|
| Baltimore Oriole | Bright orange breast, belly, and shoulders | Spring and summer | Forest edges, parks, suburbs |
| Orchard Oriole | Deep rusty-orange underparts (male) | Spring and summer (southern VT) | Open woodlands, orchards |
| Scarlet Tanager | Males bright red (can appear orange) | Spring and summer | Mature deciduous forests |
| American Robin | Orange-red breast | Year-round | Lawns, parks, woodlands |
| Eastern Towhee | Rufous-orange flanks | Spring and summer | Dense undergrowth, thickets |
| American Redstart | Orange patches on wings and tail (male) | Spring and summer | Moist deciduous woods |
| Blackburnian Warbler | Fiery orange throat (male) | Spring and summer | Coniferous and mixed forests |
| Barn Swallow | Orange-buff underparts | Spring and summer | Open fields, near structures |
| Red-breasted Nuthatch | Rusty-orange underparts | Year-round | Coniferous and mixed forests |
| Northern Flicker | Orange under wings (yellow-shafted) | Year-round | Open woodlands, suburbs |
| American Kestrel | Rusty-orange back and tail (male) | Year-round | Open country, grasslands |
Best Birding Spots
| Location | Best species |
|---|
| Missisquoi NWR | Wetland birds, Lake Champlain species |
| Green Mountain National Forest | Mountain forest birds, warblers |
| Dead Creek WMA | Waterfowl, grassland species |
| Lake Champlain Islands | Migrants, waterbirds |
| Northeast Kingdom | Boreal species, Blackburnian Warbler |
Seasonal Guide
| Season | What to expect |
|---|
| Spring | Orioles arrive May, warbler migration peaks |
| Summer | Breeding season, Blackburnian Warblers in spruce forests |
| Autumn | Hawk migration, southbound songbirds |
| Winter | Nuthatches, flickers, kestrels, winter finches |
Vermont’s Green Mountains host Blackburnian Warblers in their spruce-fir forests - the fiery orange throat of the male is one of the most striking sights in northeastern birding. Dead Creek WMA is famous for autumn snow goose staging, with thousands of geese passing through.
