South · Mississippi Flyway

Birds in Louisiana

Birds in Louisiana: Louisiana's coastal marshes and bottomland hardwoods are a Mississippi Flyway powerhouse. This guide lists the common backyard birds, a month-by-month calendar, and the best places to go bird watching in Louisiana.

470+Bird species
4Habitat types
1Birding hotspots

Popular cities in Louisiana:

Common Birds in Louisiana

The most frequently reported bird species across Louisiana. Click any bird for full profiles, photos, calls, and attraction tips.

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Backyard Birds in Louisiana

Louisiana backyard birds that regularly visit feeders and gardens. These are the species you’re most likely to attract with the right food, plants, and habitat setup.

Find the right feeder →Bird-friendly plants →

Where to Go Bird Watching in Louisiana

The best places to see birds in Louisiana, from national wildlife refuges to local sanctuaries.

1

Sabine NWR

Chenier plain—spectacular Gulf Coast fallouts and wintering waterfowl.

Birds in Louisiana by Month

What to expect each month: migration arrivals, departures, and seasonal highlights.

Birds by Habitat in Louisiana

Louisiana spans 4 major habitat types. Explore birds adapted to each environment.

🏖️Coastal BirdsShorebirds, gulls, terns, and seabirds along the coastline.
🌲Forest BirdsWoodland and canopy birds including woodpeckers, warblers, and owls.
🌊Wetland BirdsMarsh, lake, and river species—waterfowl, herons, and shorebirds.
🏙️Urban BirdsCity-adapted birds thriving in parks, gardens, and neighborhoods.

Birds in neighboring states

About birding in Louisiana

Louisiana is located in the South region of the United States and falls along the Mississippi Flyway, one of four major North American migration routes. The state is home to more than 470 bird species across 4 habitat types: coastal, forest, wetland, urban.

Whether you’re a backyard birder in New Orleans or planning a trip to Sabine NWR, this guide covers the most commonly seen species, seasonal patterns, and practical tips for attracting and identifying birds in Louisiana.