Virginia stretches from the Atlantic coast to the Blue Ridge Mountains, with coastal plains, piedmont, and Appalachian highlands packed into one state. Its position on the Atlantic Flyway and range of habitats support Baltimore Orioles, both tanager species, and a strong variety of other orange-plumaged birds.
Orange Birds Found in Virginia
| 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 | Open woodlands, orchards |
| Summer Tanager | Males red-orange all over | Spring and summer | Pine-oak woodlands |
| 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 | Year-round | Dense undergrowth, thickets |
| American Redstart | Orange patches on wings and tail (male) | Spring and summer | Moist deciduous woods |
| Barn Swallow | Orange-buff underparts | Spring and summer | Open fields, near structures |
| Northern Flicker | Orange under wings (yellow-shafted) | Year-round | Open woodlands, suburbs |
| Red-bellied Woodpecker | Faint orange wash on belly | Year-round | Deciduous forests, suburbs |
| American Kestrel | Rusty-orange back and tail (male) | Year-round | Open country, grasslands |
Best Birding Spots
| Location | Best species |
|---|
| Shenandoah National Park | 200+ species, mountain warblers, tanagers |
| Chincoteague NWR | Shorebirds, coastal migrants, wild ponies |
| Great Dismal Swamp NWR | 200+ species, swamp forest birds |
| Back Bay NWR | Migratory birds, coastal species |
| Highland County | Hawk watches, Appalachian raptors |
Seasonal Guide
| Season | What to expect |
|---|
| Spring | Orioles and tanagers arrive April-May, coastal migration |
| Summer | Breeding season, all orange species present |
| Autumn | Hawk watches at Highland County, southbound migrants |
| Winter | Robins, woodpeckers, kestrels, wintering waterfowl |
Virginia gets both Summer and Scarlet Tanagers - Summer Tanagers in the piedmont pine-oak forests and Scarlet Tanagers in the mountain hardwoods. Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive is one of the best birding routes on the East Coast.
