Bird watching, or birding, is more than a hobby; it’s an immersive experience in nature’s theater. The United States, with its diverse ecosystems and climates, offers some of the best bird-watching opportunities in the world.
Whether you’re an avid birder or a curious novice, these 12 states provide a feather-filled paradise waiting to be explored.
1. Florida: Tropical Birding Wonderland
With its subtropical climate and extensive coastline, Florida is a haven for bird watchers. The state’s diverse habitats, including wetlands, forests, and coastal areas, attract a wide variety of bird species.
Florida boasts over 500 bird species, making it a prime location for spotting rare and migratory birds.
The Everglades National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a must-visit. Here, you can see iconic species like the Roseate Spoonbill, Wood Stork, and the elusive Snail Kite. During migration seasons, hotspots like the Dry Tortugas and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge offer spectacular birding opportunities. (ref)
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2. Texas: Big State, Bigger Birding Adventures
Texas’s vast and varied landscapes, from the Gulf Coast to the deserts, provide habitats for over 640 bird species. The state is renowned for its birding festivals and extensive birding trails, including the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail.
In the Rio Grande Valley, birders can encounter tropical species like the Green Jay and Altamira Oriole, which are rare in other parts of the U.S. The High Island on the Gulf Coast is another hotspot, especially during spring migration when thousands of birds stop over to rest.
3. California: West Coast Birding Bliss
California’s diverse ecosystems, ranging from coastal beaches to mountainous forests, make it a birding paradise. The state’s list of over 600 bird species includes many endemics and migratory birds that pass through the Pacific Flyway.
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Yosemite National Park and Point Reyes National Seashore are top destinations for birders. In these areas, you can spot a variety of birds, from the majestic California Condor to the colorful Western Tanager.
The Salton Sea is another key site, attracting hundreds of thousands of birds each year.
4. Arizona: Desert Birding Delights
Arizona’s unique desert landscape is home to a wide variety of bird species, including many that are not found elsewhere in the U.S. With over 550 bird species recorded, the state offers some exceptional birding spots.
The southeastern region, particularly the area around Tucson, is famous for its diverse bird population. Here, you can see rare species like the Elegant Trogon and the Vermilion Flycatcher.
The Grand Canyon and surrounding national forests also provide excellent bird-watching opportunities.
5. New Jersey: Small State, Big Birding
Despite its small size, New Jersey is a birding powerhouse, thanks to its strategic location along the Atlantic Flyway. The state hosts over 450 bird species and offers a variety of birding habitats, from coastal marshes to inland forests.
Cape May is arguably the top birding destination in the state. It is known for its impressive fall migration, during which thousands of birds pass through. The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge and the Delaware Water Gap are other notable birding spots offering rich avian diversity.
6. Washington: Pacific Northwest Bird Haven
Washington State’s varied landscapes, including coastal regions, mountains, and forests, support a wide array of bird species. The state’s bird list boasts over 500 species, making it a fantastic destination for bird enthusiasts.
The Puget Sound area, with its mix of saltwater and freshwater habitats, is a prime location for spotting seabirds and waterfowl. Olympic National Park and the Columbia River Gorge are also top birding sites, where you can see everything from Bald Eagles to Northern Pygmy-Owls.
7. Colorado: Rocky Mountain Birding
Colorado’s high altitude and diverse environments, from grasslands to alpine forests, create a unique bird-watching experience. The state is home to over 500 bird species.
The Rocky Mountain National Park is a standout location, offering sightings of birds like the White-tailed Ptarmigan and the Brown-capped Rosy-Finch. The eastern plains and wetlands also attract numerous migratory birds, making Colorado a must-visit for birders.
8. Alaska: Wild Birding Frontier
Alaska’s pristine wilderness is a birding paradise, especially for those seeking to see rare and migratory species in their natural habitats. Over 500 bird species are found in Alaska, many of which breed in the Arctic during the summer months.
Denali National Park and the coastal areas of the Kenai Peninsula are top birding spots. Here, you can witness the spectacle of seabird colonies, including puffins and murres, as well as rare species like the Spectacled Eider.
9. Maine: Coastal & Forest Birding
Maine’s rugged coastline and extensive forests provide excellent bird-watching opportunities. With over 450 bird species recorded, the state is particularly noted for its seabirds and migratory species.
Acadia National Park is a premier birding destination, offering sightings of birds such as the Peregrine Falcon and Atlantic Puffin. The state’s numerous wildlife refuges and coastal islands also attract a variety of shorebirds and waterfowl.
10. Ohio: Great Lakes Birding Gem
Ohio might surprise some as a top birding state, but its location along the Great Lakes makes it a critical stopover for migratory birds. The state boasts over 430 bird species and offers diverse habitats, from wetlands to woodlands.
Magee Marsh Wildlife Area is a standout spot, especially during the spring migration when warblers and other songbirds are abundant. The Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the shores of Lake Erie are also prime birding locations.
11. Wisconsin: Midwestern Birding Marvel
Wisconsin’s mix of forests, wetlands, and the Great Lakes shoreline provides a rich birding environment. The state is home to over 400 bird species, with many excellent birding sites spread across its diverse landscapes.
The Horicon Marsh, one of the largest freshwater marshes in the U.S., is a top destination, attracting thousands of waterfowl and shorebirds. The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest are also key birding areas.
12. North Carolina: From Mountains to Coast Birding
North Carolina’s varied habitats, from coastal regions to mountain ranges, make it an excellent state for bird watching. The state supports over 450 bird species, offering birders a chance to see a wide variety of avian life.
The Outer Banks are particularly famous for their bird diversity, attracting many shorebirds and seabirds. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Piedmont region also provide rich birding experiences, with opportunities to see species like the Red-cockaded Woodpecker and the Cerulean Warbler.
Bird watching in these states offers an incredible journey through some of the most beautiful and ecologically diverse areas of the United States.
Grab your binoculars and field guide, and set off to discover the avian wonders that await you!
Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.