Birding in North Dakota
North Dakota's location on the Northern Plains makes it a gathering place for hundreds of bird species.
North Dakota is a special place in the birding world. Because of its location on the Central Flyway, and pristine habitats of prairie potholes and grasslands, it’s possible to see 376 species of birds in the state – 216 of which nest or have nested in the state. Our four distinct seasons and varying habitats attract a wide variety of wildlife, including migrating waterfowl and other smaller and sometimes rare species.
North Dakota also has a unique and surprisingly rich winter birding season. A destination defined by its exceptional conservation success and the excitement of rare sightings - while most unique songbirds are summer residents, the winter months feature an exciting mix of hardy residents and impressive migrants:
- Raptor Haven: The wide-open prairies are prime hunting grounds for winter raptors, including Rough-legged Hawks and the highly sought-after Snowy Owl migrating south from the Arctic.
- The Rare Find: The state's draw for unexpected visitors was recently confirmed by the sighting of a Pyrrhuloxia (Desert Cardinal) in Sterling, ND, proving the potential for once-in-a-lifetime discoveries.
- The Eagle Boom: The Bald Eagle nesting population has surged from fewer than 3 nests in the 1970s to over 348 today. These large raptors concentrate on open water along the Missouri River, Lake Sakakawea, and Devils Lake, offering stunning photography opportunities.
Birding drives and hiking trails present beautiful, unspoiled scenery and wildlife and the opportunity to see, hear and photograph a large variety of birds.
Discover resources, news, events and email discussion groups at the North Dakota Birding Society website; and North Dakota Parks and Recreation has checklists along with birding tips, and a list of the parks with the different types of species found at each park.
Throughout the state, visitors will also find a network of trails, like Birding Drives Dakota with six distinct drives providing beginner and avid birders plenty of opportunities to experience our beautiful and unique prairie landscape. You can find helpful resources at Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center site and there is also a North Dakota Birding Facebook group page dedicated to bird enthusiasts of all skill levels and interests.
CENTRAL FLYWAY
North Dakota is smack dab in the middle of the Central Flyway, making it a top destination for millions of birds. The action-packed spring migration season provides astounding opportunities to see birds in their natural habitat, boasting beautiful breeding plumage. North Dakota has 63 national wildlife refuges - more than any other state. Many refuges have infrastructure like visitor centers, auto routes and photography blinds. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department also manages more than 400,000 wildlife management acres open to the public.
