Birding in Minnesota
Minnesota's boreal bogs, tallgrass prairies, and 10,000 lakes support an impressive range of northern and grassland species.
Overview
Minnesota straddles three major biomes -- boreal forest, eastern deciduous forest, and tallgrass prairie -- giving birders access to a remarkable diversity of species. The Sax-Zim Bog is world-famous for winter boreal birding, while the western prairies host breeding Yellow Rails and Greater Prairie-Chickens. Duluth's Hawk Ridge is one of the premier fall hawk migration sites in North America. TrailBird is expanding to cover Minnesota's birding hotspots with live eBird data, trail maps, and seasonal guides.
Seasonal Birding Guide
Migrant warblers and sparrows fill the river valleys. Sharp-tailed Grouse and Greater Prairie-Chickens display on leks.
Common Loons call from northern lakes. Connecticut and Mourning Warblers breed in the bog country.
Hawk Ridge in Duluth tallies tens of thousands of raptors. Waterfowl migration fills the lakes and rivers.
Sax-Zim Bog draws birders for Great Gray Owl, Northern Hawk Owl, and Boreal Chickadee. Snowy Owls visit open farmland.
Quick Facts
🚨 Recent Rare Bird Alerts in Minnesota
Notable sightings in the last 14 days
No rare alerts in the last 14 days.
🔥 Top Birding Hotspots in Minnesota
Ranked by total species recorded
🪶 What's Being Seen in Minnesota
Species spotted in the last 14 days
No recent species data available yet.
📍 Most Active Hotspots This Week
Where birders are reporting right now
🥾 Trails Near the Action
Hiking trails near recent rare sightings
No featured trail data available yet.