You've probably heard of invasive plants, but what about invasive birds? These common nonnative species are now abundant in America.
6 Invasive Birds That Are Nonnative to America
Published on Mar. 13, 2025
House Sparrow
This sociable bird was introduced from Europe to New York in 1852. It’s common throughout most of North America, although its numbers have declined both here and abroad. The male house sparrow has a gray and rusty crown with pale cheeks and a black bib. It nests in man-made cavities, including streetlights and gas station roofs (and often competes with bluebirds for nest boxes). Birding experts recommend removing house sparrow nests, although it can take multiple attempts because they are notably persistent.
Despite the name, these invasive birds are not actually sparrows but weaver finches, related to other weavers in Africa and elsewhere.
European Starling
Starlings, which are from Europe and Asia, were released into New York City in 1890. They are among North America’s most numerous invasive birds. They’re glossy greenish-black in winter with white feather tips that wear away by summer. Starlings fly in large flocks and create amazing whirling balls in the sky.
In North America, nonnative European starlings and house sparrows are unwelcome squatters in bird houses. NestWatch and the North American Bluebird Society websites both note that humanely euthanizing them is a legitimate management method, since these two species, including their nests, are not protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Grackle vs starling: here’s how to tell the difference.
Mute Swan
You’re unlikely to see this invasive bird in the backyard, but you could encounter it at a nearby park. Europeans brought this swan to America in the 1800s to decorate ponds. It spread mostly in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes regions. Tell it apart from native tundra and trumpeter swans by its orange bill with a black knob.
Rock Pigeon
Introduced from Europe in the 1600s, rock pigeons saved lives carrying messages for the U.S. Army in both world wars. Many are gray with two black wing bars and shiny green or red on the neck. Pigeons nest in buildings, in barns and under bridges. They feed young with milk developed in their throat pouches.
Eurasian Collared Dove
Nonnative Eurasian collared doves are sometimes confused with mourning doves. If you spot a thick black band on the collar, it’s a collared dove. The invasive birds are also heftier than mourning doves with larger wingspans. Accidentally introduced to Florida in the 1980s, Great Backyard Bird Count data shows the collared dove has since expanded its range to more than 39 states and into Canada.
Western Cattle Egret
Cattle egrets are native to Africa but somehow made their way (seemingly on their own) to South America. First spotted in the U.S. in 1941, they now live across the country. While it is nonnative to our continent, the long-legged bird is not seen as a threat to native species. As of July 2024, it’s officially known as the western cattle egret, to distinguish it from a related bird in Asia and Australia.
Next, learn why the brown-headed cowbird is the most hated bird in America.
