Seasonal Status Definitions

Permanent Resident
Species who breed in the state and do not migrate (or migrate very little) and remain year-round. Ie. Tufted Titmouse, Downy Woodpecker, Wild Turkey.

Year-round Resident and Migrant
Species who breed in the state, some of whom migrate, but whose northern and southern populations overlap, therefore creating an appearance of permanent status, but individuals in the summer are often different than the winter birds. Ie. Red-tailed Hawk, Purple Finch.

Migrant and Breeder
Species who breed in the state, but leave the state for winter. Ie. Most warblers

Migrant and Winter Resident
Species who do not breed in the state, but arrive in the fall and spend the winter. Ie. Common Redpoll, Rough-legged Hawk.

Migrant
Species who neither breed nor winter here, but just pass through during spring and fall migration. Ie. Connecticut Warbler, Least Sandpiper.

Out of Range
Species whose normal range do not include Pennsylvania, but somehow show up here. Ie. Western Kingbird, any hummingbird other than Ruby-throated, Ancient Murrelet.

Occurrence Definitions

Regular: Recorded every year
Irregular: Not recorded every year, but at least once every 2 or 3 years
Casual: 3 or more years between records, but recorded in the state at least ten times ever
Accidental: Recorded fewer than 10 times or not recorded in the last ten years

Abundance Definitions

Abundant: 100 + per day
Fairly Common: 26 to 99 per day
Common: 6 to 25 per day
Uncommon: Up to 5 per day, up to 25 per season
Rare: 1 to 5 per day, up to 5 per season

Alternating abundance bars indicates large variations in abundance from year-to-year.

Abundance

Abundant: 100 + per day
Common: 26 to 99 per day
Fairly Common: 6 to 25 per day
Uncommon: Up to 5 per day, up to 25 per season
Rare: 1 to 5 per day, up to 5 per season

Official List Status Definitions

Accepted: Accepted on the list with either an identifiable Photograph, Recording, or Specimen
Provisional: Not on the Official List, but credible sight records exist. Waiting for an identifiable Photograph, Recording, or Specimen
Pending: Recent credible reports pending a PORC review and vote.