Minnesota is a bird watcher’s paradise, with its abundant lakes, rivers, forests, and prairies providing diverse habitats for hundreds of bird species. From rare migrants to common backyard visitors, there are many fantastic birds to discover across the state. Here are 20 of the best birds you may encounter on your next birding adventure in Minnesota.
Bald Eagle
With a wingspan over 6 feet, the iconic bald eagle is one of the most well-known birds in America. Though once endangered, bald eagle populations have rebounded thanks to conservation efforts. These majestic raptors can often be spotted soaring above open water or perched in large trees along riverbanks. The best places to see bald eagles in Minnesota include the St. Croix River Valley, Voyageurs National Park, and anywhere near the 10,000 lakes in the northern part of the state.
Common Loon
Perhaps no bird is more symbolic of Minnesota than the common loon. Known for its eerie, wavering calls, the common loon breeds on the state’s northern lakes. These diving birds spend their summers fishing and defending their territories. Come fall, they migrate south for the winter. Some of the top spots to observe breeding loons in Minnesota are Clearwater Lake, Lake Vermilion State Park, and Superior National Forest.
Scarlet Tanager
With males sporting brilliant red bodies contrasted against jet black wings and tail, the scarlet tanager is one of Minnesota’s most dazzling songbirds. They breed in mature hardwood forests across the state before migrating to Central and South America for winter. Listen for their raspy, almost hoarse calls as you walk woodland trails. Excellent places to find scarlet tanagers in Minnesota include Lake Maria State Park and Whitewater State Park.
Red-Headed Woodpecker
The red-headed woodpecker is unusual among North American woodpeckers for having an entirely red head. They inhabit open woodlands, parks, and oak savannas. With their metallic blue-black bodies, red heads, and zebra-striped wings and tail, these birds are a sight to behold. They’re most active in summer across southern and western Minnesota. Top spots include Blue Mounds State Park and Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park.
Northern Cardinal
A backyard favorite, the northern cardinal brightens yards and gardens year-round with its crimson plumage and whistling songs. The male cardinal’s red coloration stands out against February snow or August greenery alike. Listen for their “what-cheer cheer cheer” calls. Native shrubs like dogwood and viburnum produce seeds and berries to help cardinals survive the winter. Platform bird feeders stocked with sunflower seed will also attract these familiar birds.
Black-Capped Chickadee
Another common backyard bird, the black-capped chickadee stays in Minnesota throughout the year. These tiny acrobats frequent bird feeders, hanging upside down to snatch seeds. Chickadees got their name from their simple but sweet “chick-a-dee-dee-dee” call. In winter, chickadees go into regulated hypothermia to conserve energy on extra cold nights. Come spring, you may spot them investigating nest holes or excavating their own in trees and bird houses.
Great Gray Owl
One of the largest owl species in the world, the elusive great gray owl breeds in Minnesota’s boreal forests. At up to 33 inches tall with a 5-foot wingspan, this imposing bird specializes in hunting small rodents, even plunging through deep snow to catch prey. Your best bet to find a great gray owl is along Highway 53 between Eveleth and International Falls or in Superior National Forest, where they nest in old hawk or crow nests.
Red-Winged Blackbird
You’ll be hard-pressed to visit any marsh or open field in Minnesota without hearing the unmistakable call of the red-winged blackbird. Males defend breeding territories with their conk-la-ree songs. Watch for these blackbirds perched on cattails or strutting along the ground. The patch of red and yellow shoulder feathers gives them their name. Large numbers of red-winged blackbirds spend the entire year in Minnesota.
Blue Jay
With its bold blue, white, and black markings, the blue jay is one of the most reliably colorful backyard birds. They’re inquisitive and intelligent, sometimes mimicking the calls of hawks or making a rattling “pumphandle” sound if disturbed. Blue jays snack on insects, seeds, fruits, and nuts, and occasionally prey on eggs or nestlings. Except for northern Minnesota, they can be found statewide year-round, even in winter.
Barred Owl
With its signature “who-cooks-for-you” hooting call, the barred owl is a common nighttime visitor, even in wooded urban areas. These stocky, grayish-brown owls use old tree cavities as nest sites. Preferring to hunt at dawn and dusk, they watch for prey from a perch before swooping down with their large talons. Listen and look for barred owls in Minnesota’s older hardwood forests, especially near water.
Eastern Bluebird
Seeing a bluebird seems to lift spirits no matter the season. The males’ vivid azure upperparts and rusty orange breast seem to bring a bit of the sky and the warmth of summer sun wherever they go. After near extinction in the 20th century, eastern bluebirds have rebounded thanks to nest boxes. They’re now regular backyard birds during warmer months, feasting on insects.
Sandhill Crane
With wingspans up to 7 feet, sandhill cranes are giant, prehistoric-looking birds that migrate through Minnesota in impressive numbers in April and October. Locating cranes by their loud, rolling bugle calls is easier than spotting them overhead. These large waterbirds nest in marshy areas and fields across northern Minnesota during the summer. Target National Wildlife Refuges and other wetlands along their migration routes to see them.
Indigo Bunting
Few songbirds can rival the stunning, shimmering blue hues of the male indigo bunting. Females and juveniles have earthy brown plumage but the males glow like living sapphires. Listen for their high-pitched songs and look for them in brushy habitat, forest edges, and overgrown fields across southern Minnesota in summer. Indigo buntings nest low in shrubs or small trees before migrating back to southern states for winter.
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
Weighing less than a nickel, the ruby-throated hummingbird migrates astonishing distances each year between Central America and the Eastern United States. In Minnesota, watch for them arriving in May to breed and nest before heading south in September. To attract them, get nectar feeders ready before the females arrive to build tiny nests. Mimic natural nectar sources by planting tubular flowers like bee balm and trumpet vine.
Canvasback
With a sloped, reddish head and elegant profile, the male canvasback is a handsome duck that breeds in the western half of Minnesota. These diving ducks congregate on open lakes and marshes, tipping tail-up to forage underwater for aquatic plants, roots, snails, and insects. Large rafts of canvasbacks can be observed on migration at National Wildlife Refuges such as Tamarac and Lac qui Parle.
Ruffed Grouse
Few sounds represent the north woods like the sudden, booming wing beats of a ruffed grouse taking flight. Sometimes called partridge, these plump, chicken-like birds thrive in Minnesota’s mix of brushy forests and woodland openings. In spring, males attract females through elaborate drumming displays. Ruffed grouse frequently wander back roads and trails but require dense cover to survive. Watch your step when bushwhacking through dense thickets—you never know when you might startle one of these explosive birds!
Purple Martin
The largest North American swallow, the purple martin is a sign of spring in Minnesota, returning in April after wintering in South America. These aerial acrobats nest in apartment-style birdhouses and feast on flying insects like dragonflies and butterflies. Colony sites bustle with activity as parents tend to chicks. Purple martins gather into large pre-migration flocks in August before their epic journey south. Providing suitable housing helps their populations thrive.
Ring-Necked Pheasant
Shimmering gold, copper, emerald, and crimson, the gaudy ring-necked pheasant doesn’t exactly blend into prairie landscapes. Minnesota’s state bird thrives on the wealth of cropland, grasslands, wetlands, and brushy ditches across the state. Males make a two-note cawp-cawk call. Although they sometimes visit feeding stations, these ground birds prefer native seeds and grains from standing crops, grasses, and weeds. Hunting preserves provide habitat beyond what’s available on public lands.
American White Pelican
Giant white pelicans soaring in formation or clustered on lakes represent a harbinger of springtime in Minnesota. After wintering along the Gulf Coast, flocks arrive in April to breed in massive colonies with synchronized nesting. Watch for the oversized bill pouches these fish-eaters use like dip nets. Pelican hotspots include Marsh Lake and Detroit Lakes. The population of American white pelicans has increased tremendously across the Midwest over the last 50 years.
Golden-Winged Warbler
One of many warbler species passing through Minnesota each spring and fall, the golden-winged warbler breeds in limited areas of brushy countryside and along forest edges in the northeastern part of the state. males sport a striking palette of blue-grey, black, and yellow-white. This rare neotropical migrant winters in Central and northern South America. Protecting breeding habitat from development and fragmentation gives the golden-winged warbler a better chance to maintain populations.
Snowy Owl
Seeing a snowy owl ranks as a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many birders. These arctic predators sometimes venture south in winter, especially when lemming populations crash. Their pure white plumage provides camouflage against snow. Snowy owls perch openly on fence posts or hay bales, scanning for voles and other rodents. Look for them in open farmland or prairie, especially bordering the northern counties. Late fall through early spring offers the best snowy owl sighting opportunities.
Wood Duck
Few ducks can rival the stunning plumage of drake wood ducks. From their elegant green crested heads to their rich chestnut breasts and iridescent purples and greens, wood ducks seem hand-painted. In spring, watch for these colorful ducks in wooded wetlands and floodplain forests where they nest in tree cavities. Wood ducks also readily visit backyard ponds. When taking flight, wood ducks have a whistling sound of air rushing over their wings. Enjoy them while you can before they migrate south.
Conclusion
For any bird enthusiast, Minnesota provides an outstanding diversity of birds to discover. From sweeping grassland songbirds to hardy woodland species that overwinter, there’s always another intriguing species to spot no matter the season. By exploring the state’s varied habitats and landscapes, you’re sure to cross paths with many remarkable feathered friends. Use this list of top birds as a starting point to plan your next birding adventure in this birdwatcher’s paradise known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Minnesota Birds
What time of year has the best birdwatching in Minnesota?
While enjoyable year-round, late spring is an exceptional time for birding in Minnesota. Neotropical songbirds pass through on migration, breeding birds are most active, and wetlands host migrating waterfowl and shorebirds. Diversity peaks in May-June with species arriving to nest plus those still heading to more northerly breeding grounds.
Where are the best birding hotspots in Minnesota?
Top birding locations include Sax-Zim Bog, Northwest Minnesota birding trail, Duluth and Hawk Ridge, Whitewater State Park, Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge, and the North Shore/Lake Superior region. State parks, nature sanctuaries, wildlife refuges, and sites along major rivers and Lake Superior also provide prime bird habitat.
What makes Minnesota such a bird-friendly state?
With habitats spanning boreal forest to tallgrass prairie, plus abundant lakes, rivers, and wetlands, Minnesota offers ideal breeding and migratory stopover spots for diverse species. Conservation efforts also help protect bird populations and educate about threats like habitat loss. Active bird clubs and festivals promote interest in birding statewide.
What are the easiest birds for beginners to spot in Minnesota?
Great options for beginner birders include northern cardinals, black-capped chickadees, Canada geese, mallard ducks, red-winged blackbirds, common grackles, mourning doves, downy woodpeckers, and American robins. Backyard feeders will attract chickadees, woodpeckers, cardinals, blue jays, and more.
What tips and gear do I need for birdwatching?
Bring binoculars, field guides, and wear muted colors. Move slowly, stop frequently, and watch and listen. Bird near sunrise/sunset when activity increases. Join park naturalist hikes or birding festivals to learn. Use phone apps like Merlin Bird ID. Pack snacks, water, hat, and dress for the weather. A spotting scope adds options for viewing distant birds.
Conclusion
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