Coastal Bird Identification

There are a number of magnificent birds that visit Martha’s Vineyard throughout the year. Many avian species stop here during their annual migration. This is a prime location for them to rest as they make their way north for breeding season, or as they make their way south to return to their wintering grounds. Some of these birds also prefer to stay on the Island during their breeding season to rear their chicks here. The birds on this sign may look different throughout the year. This resource aims to share the various plumages of these migratory birds!

Martha’s Vineyard is home to a variety of different shorebird and seabird species. Our sandy beaches, great ponds, marshes, and mudflats provide habitat for birds to nest and forage. Several species nest here, while others only visit for a short time to rest and refuel during spring and fall migrations.

Least Sandpiper Breeding

Length: 6 in (15 cm)
Migratory visitor

Least Sandpiper Juvenile

Length: 6 in (15 cm)
Migratory visitor

Least Sandpiper Non-Breeding

Length: 6 in (15 cm)
Migratory visitor

Piping Plover Chick and Adult

Length: 7 in (18 cm)
Nesting summer resident
USFWS Federally Threatened

Piping Plover Breeding

Length: 7 in (18 cm)
Nesting summer resident
USFWS Federally Threatened

Piping Plover Non-Breeding

Length: 7 in (18 cm)
Nesting summer resident
USFWS Federally Threatened

Piping Plover Juvenile

Length: 7 in (18 cm)
Nesting summer resident
USFWS Federally Threatened

Piping Plover Older Chick

Length: 7 in (18 cm)
Nesting summer resident
USFWS Federally Threatened

Piping Plover Chick

Length: 7 in (18 cm)
Nesting summer resident
USFWS Federally Threatened

Semipalmated Plover

Length: 7 in (18 cm)
Migratory visitor

Sanderling Breeding

Length: 8 in (20 cm)
Migratory visitor

Sanderling Non-Breeding

Length: 8 in (20 cm)
Migratory visitor

Sanderling Juvenile

Length: 8 in (20 cm)
Migratory visitor

Dunlin Breeding

Length: 8.5 in (21.5 cm)
Migratory visitor

Dunlin Non-Breeding

Length: 8.5 in (21.5 cm)
Migratory visitor

Dunlin Juvenile

Length: 8.5 in (21.5 cm)
Migratory visitor

Short-billed Dowitcher Breeding

Length: 11 in (28 cm)
Migratory visitor

Short-billed Dowitcher Non-Breeding

Length: 11 in (28 cm)
Migratory visitor

Short-billed Dowitcher Juvenile

Length: 11 in (28 cm)
Migratory visitor

Black-bellied Plover Breeding Female

Length: 11.5 in (29 cm)
Migratory visitor

Black-bellied Plover Breeding Male

Length: 11.5 in (29 cm)
Migratory visitor

Black-bellied Plover Non-Breeding

Length: 11.5 in (29 cm)
Migratory visitor

Black-bellied Plover Juvenile

Length: 11.5 in (29 cm)
Migratory visitor

Greater Yellowlegs

Length: 11.5 in (29 cm)
Migratory visitor

Willet Breeding

Length 15 in (33 cm)
Nesting summer resident

Willet Non-Breeding

Length 15 in (33 cm)
Nesting summer resident

Willet Juvenile

Length 15 in (33 cm)
Nesting summer resident

Willet Older Chick

Length 15 in (33 cm)
Nesting summer resident

Willet Chick

Length 15 in (33 cm)
Nesting summer resident

American Oystercatcher Adult

Length: 17 in (43 cm)
Nesting summer resident

American Oystercatcher Juvenile

Length: 17 in (43 cm)
Nesting summer resident

American Oystercatcher Fledgeling

Length: 17 in (43 cm)
Nesting summer resident

American Oystercatcher Older Chicks

Length: 17 in (43 cm)
Nesting summer resident

American Oystercatcher Young Chicks

Length: 17 in (43 cm)
Nesting summer resident

American Oystercatcher New Chicks

Length: 17 in (43 cm)
Nesting summer resident

Herring Gull Adult

Length: 26 in (66 cm)
Year-round resident

Herring Gull Adult

Length: 26 in (66 cm)
Year-round resident

Herring Gull Juvenile

Length: 26 in (66 cm)
Year-round resident

Great Black-backed Gull

Length: 31 in (79 cm)
Year-round resident

Common Tern Adults

Length: 15 in (38 cm)
Nesting summer resident
Massachusetts species of special concern

Common Tern 1st Year

Length: 15 in (38 cm)
Nesting summer resident
Massachusetts species of special concern

Common Tern Juvenile

Length: 15 in (38 cm)
Nesting summer resident
Massachusetts species of special concern

Common Tern Older Chicks

Length: 15 in (38 cm)
Nesting summer resident
Massachusetts species of special concern

Common Tern Older Chicks

Length: 15 in (38 cm)
Nesting summer resident
Massachusetts species of special concern

Common Tern Chick

Length: 15 in (38 cm)
Nesting summer resident
Massachusetts species of special concern

Common Tern Chick and Adult

Length: 15 in (38 cm)
Nesting summer resident
Massachusetts species of special concern

Roseate Tern Adult Breeding

Length: 16 in (41 cm)
Nesting summer resident
USFWS Federally Endangered

Roseate Tern Adult Non-Breeding

Length: 16 in (41 cm)
Nesting summer resident
USFWS Federally Endangered

Roseate Tern Juvenile

Length: 16 in (41 cm)
Nesting summer resident
USFWS Federally Endangered

Least Tern Adult

Length: 9 in (23 cm)
Nesting summer resident
Massachusetts species of special concern

Least Tern Juvenile

Length: 9 in (23 cm)
Nesting summer resident
Massachusetts species of special concern

Least Tern Older Chick

Length: 9 in (23 cm)
Nesting summer resident
Massachusetts species of special concern

Least Tern Chicks and Adult

Length: 9 in (23 cm)
Nesting summer resident
Massachusetts species of special concern