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State of North Dakota

Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta ©Cephas Website

North Dakota is a landlocked US state in the Upper Midwest, named after the indigenous Dakota Sioux. It is bordered by the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba to the north and by the US states of Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south, and Montana to the west. North Dakota is part of the Great Plains region, characterised by broad prairies, steppe, temperate savanna, badlands, and farmland. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state covering over 183,000 km2 (nearly 71,000 square miles), but with a population of less than 800,000, it is the fourth-least populous and fourth-most sparsely populated. The state capital is Bismarck while the most populous city is Fargo, which accounts for nearly a fifth of the state’s population having about 136,000 people; both cities are among the fastest-growing in the US, although half of all residents live in rural areas.

The state shares the Red River of the North with Minnesota to the east. The state is near the middle of North America with a stone marker in Rugby, North Dakota marking the “Geographic Centre of the North American Continent”.

The western half of the state consists of the hilly Great Plains as well as the northern part of the Badlands, which are to the west of the Missouri River. The state’s high point, White Butte at 3,506 feet (1,069 m), and Theodore Roosevelt National Park are in the Badlands. The region is abundant in fossil fuels including natural gas, crude oil and lignite coal. The Missouri River forms Lake Sakakawea, the third largest artificial lake in the United States, behind the Garrison Dam.

Dakota National Grasslands – ©National Forest Service Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The central region of the state is divided into the Drift Prairie and the Missouri Plateau. The eastern part of the state consists of the flat Red River Valley, the bottom of glacial Lake Agassiz. Its fertile soil, drained by the meandering Red River flowing northward into Lake Winnipeg, supports a large agriculture industry. Devils Lake, the largest natural lake in the state, is also found in the east.

Most of the state is covered in grassland; crops cover most of eastern North Dakota but become increasingly sparse in the centre and farther west. Natural trees in North Dakota are found usually where there is good drainage, such as the ravines and valley near the Pembina Gorge and Killdeer Mountains, the Turtle Mountains, the hills around Devils Lake, in the dunes area of McHenry County in central North Dakota, and along the Sheyenne Valley slopes and the Sheyenne delta. This diverse terrain supports nearly 2,000 species of plants.

Turtle Mountains Recreational Forest – ©Takayaɣ kanɛ kalɩna Wikimedia Commons

It has a continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. The temperature differences are significant because of its far inland position and being roughly equal distance from the North Pole and the Equator.

It has 5 national parks, 5 state forests, 63 national wildlife refuges, 3 national grassland, and 13 state parks plus there are state trust land, bureau of land management, waterfowl production areas, bureau of reclamation, bureau of land management, US Army Corps of Engineers, state wildlife management areas

87 species of mammal are known to live in the state, including those that are currently extirpated or locally extinct in North Dakota such as the grey wolf, swift fox, caribou and grizzly bear.

The states combined bird lists contain 420 species.

Birding North Dakota

Experience North Dakota Birding – Neotropical migratory birds (lots of sparrows including Baird’s, Sharp-tailed and LeConte’s); waterfowl, hawks, Burrowing Owls, Sprague’s Pipits, Grey Partridge, and more are found here. Knowing bird songs and habitat enables you spend quality time birding. The beautiful prairie pothole region of ND, with the badlands on the extreme western edge and the mixed grass prairie on the eastern edge with wooded draws and river valleys offers varied habitat to an abundance of birds. Visitors birders traveling to the state of ND find it a worthwhile destination. A rare habitat, the tall grass prairie, is also in the SE region of the state.

Long summer daylight hours – Long days and short nights in the summer (5 AM to 9:45 PM) make it possible to get the most out of a day. Prairie sparrows often sing into the early afternoon and are at their best when exhibiting breeding behaviour.

Ecotourism – Birding and ecotourism opportunities await you in North Dakota. Photo opportunities and wildlife viewing are both rewarding pursuits. Whether you have four hours or four days, it’s worth a look!

Scenic North Dakota; Birding Hot Spot! – Lewis & Clark were impressed with North Dakota, it’s culture and beauty. Now, little traffic, expansive landscapes, farming and ranching, scattered towns and friendly people make North Dakota a prime destination for good old-fashioned relaxation. With maps helping you get around the back roads of the state, birdwatchers can manoeuvre the state easily. Birds, Butterflies, Scenery, Wildflowers, clean air and wide open spaces. Buffalo, antelope, meadowlarks and prairie dogs make this their home. Sunrises and sunsets that will take your breath away. Time and places so beautiful, so special, words cannot describe.

Variety of Birds – 347 species of birds travel through North Dakota, depending on the season. It is possible to see 100 species in a day.

Eastern and mid North Dakota: The Sheyenne River Valley includes national grasslands with native prairie remnants of mixed and tall grass prairie and oak savanna river riparian areas. This area is part of the state’s Scenic Byway and Backway and North Country Trail. Prairie pothole country. Pembina Gorge area, along the Red River in the extreme northeastern corner of the state is plumb bursting with birding, warbling and outdoor opportunities.

Pembina River Gorge – ©Words in the Wind, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Target species for prairie pothole and tall grass prairie region: Baird’s, Sharp-tailed, LeConte’s, Grasshopper, Wavannah, Vesper, Clay-coloured & Henslow’s Sparrows, Say’s Phoebe, abundant ducks, waterfowl, Horned Larks, Sedge and Marsh Wrens, gray catbird, Brown Thrasher, Chipping, grasshopper and clay coloured sparrows, occasional Sharp-tailed Grouse, Prairie Chickens and Grey Partridge, Marbled Godwit and more. Duck paradise.

Western and SW North Dakota: Cowboy country, pickup trucks and cowboy hats – badlands regions that are dry, arid; Theodore Roosevelt National Park, national grasslands (1.3 million acres of public land). Due to the distances involved, plan for plenty of time to explore this unique area. It’s worth the trip. Very scenic, bring your camera for the bison, prairie dogs and rattlesnakes.

Rock Wrens, Turkey Vultures, Sprague’s Pipit, Spotted Towhee, Townsend’s Solitaire, Mountain Bluebird, Lazuli Bunting, assorted sparrows, Loggerhead Shrikes, Wild Turkey, cCommon Poorwill (at night); Burrowing Owls, Long-billed Curlew, Lark Bunting, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Grey Partridge, Black-billed Magpie and more.

In short; there are many local attractions available to tourists in any part of the state visited. Come and check it out for yourself!

Contributors

  • Jean Legge

    Valley City, ND | jlegge@live.com

Number of Species

  • Number of bird species: 425

    (As at October 2024)

    State Bird: Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta

Checklist

  • Avibase

    PDF Checklist
    This checklist includes all bird species found in North Dakota , based on the best information available at this time. It is based on a wide variety of sources that I collated over many years. I am pleased to offer these checklists as a service to birdwatchers. If you find any error, please do not hesitate to report them.

  • North Dakota Birding Society

    nnotated Checklist
    North Dakota Official Checklist

  • North Dakota Game and Fish Department

    PDF Checklist
    Checklist of North Dakota Birds

  • Wikipedia

    Annotated List
    This list of birds of North Dakota includes species documented in the U.S. state of North Dakota. The list is derived from Checklist of North Dakota Birds produced in April 2021 by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGFD)

  • eBird

    PDF Checklist
    This checklist is generated with data from eBird (ebird.org), a global database of bird sightings from birders like you. If you enjoy this checklist, please consider contributing your sightings to eBird. It is 100% free to take part, and your observations will help support birders, researchers, and conservationists worldwide.
Useful Reading

  • Birds of the Dakotas Field Guide

    | By Stan Tekiela | Adventure Publications | 2021 | Edition 2 | Paperback | 344 pages, colour photos, colour distribution maps | ISBN: 9781647551926 Buy this book from NHBS.com

  • North Dakota Birds: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Species

    | By James R Kavanagh & Raymond Leung | Waterford Press | 2003 | Unbound | 12 pages, colour illustrations | ISBN: 9781583552230 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Festivals & Bird Fairs

  • Dakota Birding Festivals

    Information
    Check all the fantastic birding festivals offered throughout the Dakotas!
Organisations

  • Audubon Great Plains

    Website
    Audubon Great Plains is the regional office of the National Audubon Society for Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Using science, habitat restoration, outreach, and education, we holistically address the core threats facing birds in our region. We are a nonpartisan bird conservation organization that collaborates with diverse stakeholders to find solutions to improve and restore bird habitats while engaging our communities.

  • Audubon Society in North Dakota

    Website
    Offices & Chapters

  • Audubon Dakota

    Webpage
    For more than 100 years, Audubon has been connecting people with nature through the annual Christmas Bird Count, The Great Backyard Bird Count and Important Bird Area surveys, all of which provide scientists with critical bird population trend data and diversity records.

  • Birding Drives Dakota

    Website
    As a state with 62 National Wildlife Refuges (more than any other state!) North Dakota has a lot to offer - it's one of those very special places left in the world. Our group, Birding Drives Dakota, is a unique coalition of communities working in concert with four of those refuges, and a host of other federal, state and local agencies, to promote birding and conservation

  • Bismarck-Mandan Bird Club

    Facebook Page
    The Bismarck-Mandan Bird Club was created in 1953 by a group of individuals passionate about bird-watching in North Dakota.

  • Fargo Moorhead Audubon Chapter

    Information
    The chapter meets at the Moorhead Public Library one Thursday evening each month from October through April. The agenda often includes a featured speaker, photo sharing, and announcements of various sorts; it is free and open to the public. During the summer months the chapter sponsors a field trip to local and regional birding destinations in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota.

  • Grand Cities Bird Club

    Website
    The purpose of this egroup is to share information about birds and birding within the Grand Cities area. This area is not rigorously defined but is meant to include much of northeast North Dakota and northwest Minnesota.

  • Grand Forks Audubon Society

    Facebook Page
    GrandForksAudubon@gmail.com The Grand Forks Audubon Society is a chapter of the National Audubon Society, Inc.

  • Nature Conservancy in the Dakotas

    Website
    A new and not yet very developed site. Welcome to the home page of the Nature Conservancy of The Dakotas! Here you'll find information on the many ways we're working with the people of the state and the nation to help preserve the diversity of living things by protecting the habitats in which they live…

  • North Dakota Bird Records Committee

    Webpage
    The following is a list of the species and recognizable subspecies that the North Dakota Bird Records Committee would like documented, when found in North Dakota. Any species that is new to the state, or greatly out-of season (such as a Yellow Warbler in the winter); should also be documented.

  • North Dakota Birding

    Facebook Page
    Welcome to the North Dakota Birding Facebook Group. This group was created for bird enthusiasts of ALL skill levels and interest, for the sharing of bird sightings, photos, sketches, videos, sound recordings, stories, historical data, news stories and bird-related information from North Dakota.

  • North Dakota Birding Society

    Website
    To promote the study of birds in North Dakota, stimulate public interest in birds and foster the preservation of birdlife and its natural habitat

  • Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

    Webpage
    Located on six hundred acres along the James River Valley near Jamestown, North Dakota, the Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center is one of seventeen USGS Science Centers that develop and disseminate the scientific information needed to understand, conserve, and manage the Nation’s rich biological resources.
Reserves

Abbreviations Key

  • *Protected areas of North Dakota

    InformationSatellite View
    Forests, parks, preserves, nature reservers etc

  • BS Edward M. Brigham III Sanctuary

    WebpageSatellite View
    Audubon Dakota manages the 2300-acre Edward M. Brigham III Alkali Lake Sanctuary for birds, other wildlife and people to thrive. This mosaic of interspersed grasslands and wetlands provides habitat for some of North Dakota’s most iconic species of birds, including Western Meadowlarks, Bobolinks, Northern Pintails, Red Heads, and many more. The Sanctuary grasslands encircle 700-acre Alkali Lake which provides feeding grounds for White Pelicans and a diversity of water & shorebirds.

  • BS Frederick L Wicks Prairie Wildlife Sanctuary

    WebpageSatellite View
    The Frederick L. Wicks Prairie Wildlife Sanctuary consists of 400 acres (most of Section 33, T156N, R89W) of hummocky virgin short-grass prairie – including over twenty wetland basins (glacial potholes, the largest covering 25 acres, another covering 3 acres) – on the Missouri Plateau (the high-plains end of the Great Plains), midway between the Missouri River (to the southwest) and the Souris River (to the northeast), the latter flowing north into Lake

  • NP Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    InformationSatellite View
    The park covers 70,446 acres (110.072 sq mi; 28,508 ha; 285.08 km2) of land in three sections: the North Unit, the South Unit, and the Elkhorn Ranch Unit. The Little Missouri River flows through all three units of the park. The Maah Daah Hey Trail connects all three units. The park's larger South Unit lies alongside Interstate 94 near Medora, North Dakota.

  • NR John E Williams Preserve

    WebpageSatellite View
    The shallow lakes of the Williams preserve are important migratory stopover areas for birds during both spring and fall migration. Large numbers of waterfowl and sandhill cranes are often present. During the summer breeding season, colonies of gulls and cormorants can be observed on some of the islands in Lake Peterson and Pelican Lake.

  • NWR Audubon

    InformationSatellite View
    Coleharbor, North Dakota. Welcome to Audubon National Wildlife Refuge in west central North Dakota. Thank you for visiting our pages on the world wide web.

  • NWR Chase Lake

    WebpageSatellite View
    Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge lies on the Missouri Coteau, a prairie region once covered with glaciers over 10,000 years ago. As the glacier carved its way across the state, shallow depressions or dents were created. Once the glacier melted, water collected in these depressions. Today, this area is known as the Prairie Pothole Region, one of the most productive ecosystems on Earth. It supports more than 200 species of migratory birds and is known as the duck factory of North America.

  • NWR Des Lacs NWR

    WebpageSatellite View
    Des Lacs NWR encompasses more than 19,500 acres along the Des Lacs River from the Canadian border to a point eight miles south of Kenmare, North Dakota. A mix of natural lakes and managed wetlands in the valley provide a haven for migrating and nesting waterfowl and marsh birds.

  • NWR J Clark Salyer

    WebpageSatellite View
    J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge lies astride the lower reaches of the Souris River in McHenry and Bottineau counties. The refuge was established in 1935 for the preservation and propagation of migratory waterfowl and other wildlife…

  • NWR Long Lake

    WebpageSatellite View
    Spring and fall brings the sounds of the Sandhill crane as they stop to rest during their biannual migration. Even an occasional endangered whooping crane will stop by for a visit.

  • NWR Lostwood

    WebpageSatellite View
    Lostwood NWR lies in the heart of the Missouri Coteau region, an ancient glacial moraine area. This is an area of rolling hills covered with mixed-grass prairie. The area is dotted with wetlands, commonly called "potholes". The refuge contains a 5,577 acre Wilderness Area established in 1975. The refuge provides breeding habitat for the Great Plains population of the threatened Piping Plover. The refuge is also a stronghold of declining grassland species, such as Baird's Sparrow, Sprague's Pipit, Le Conte's Sparrow, and Nelson's Sparrow. It is also an important breeding area for waterfowl and prairie shorebirds.

  • NWR Tewaukon

    InformationSatellite View
    ...tallgrass prairie, one of the most threatened ecosystems in North America. Migratory birds associated with both the Central Flyway and Mississippi Flyway come together at the refuge complex, which has the following key habitat and wildlife values: 1) Wetlands are important migration and breeding habitat for waterfowl and other waterbirds...

  • NWR Upper Souris

    WebpageSatellite View
    The 1930's brought drought to the Great Plains and disaster to waterfowl. Populations of ducks plummeted to all time lows and conservationists began to act. A flamboyant political cartoonist from Iowa, Jay N. Ding Darling, became director of the newly formed Bureau of Biological Survey and chose J. Clark Salyer as his top aide.

  • North Dakota - US Fish & Wildlife Service Refuges

    WebsiteSatellite View
    Hot links to parks

  • North Dakota's Prairie Potholes

    OverviewSatellite View
    Located in the heart of the Prairie Pothole Region, North Dakota contains wetland densities exceeding 150 wetlands per square mile in many areas…

  • SP Lake Metigoshe State Park

    InformationSatellite View
    Lake Metigoshe State Park is a public recreation area occupying some 1,500 acres (610 ha) on the shores of Lake Metigoshe in the Turtle Mountains, 14 miles northeast of Bottineau, North Dakota, on the Canada–US border.

  • WP Sullys Hill National Game Preserve

    WebpageSatellite View
    Sullys Hill National Game Preserve. Located near Devils Lake, North Dakota, Sullys Hill National Game Preserve is home to richly forested hills, wetlands, and prairie grasslands. Due to this varied habitat Sullys Hill is also home to over 250 species of migratory birds and waterfowl. The refuge consists of 1,674 acres of varied habitat and maintains a big game unit, which is home to American Plains Bison, Rocky Mountain Elk, Whitetail Deer, Wild Turkey, Prairie Dogs, and many other wildlife species. At Sullys Hill there is something for everyone who enjoys the outdoors.
Sightings, News & Forums

  • eBird - North Dakota Rare Bird Alert

    Sightings
    The report below shows observations of rare birds in North Dakota.
Guides & Tour Operators

  • North Dakota Birding Guides

    Local Guides
    The best choice for birders looking to experience North Dakota's incredibly diverse birdlife.

  • Partnership For International Birding

    Tour Operator
    This trip covers prairie pothole habitats in North Dakota, plus marshes and boreal forests in northern Minnesota, resulting in a very productive birding trip. For many North American birders these locales have not yet been visited during the breeding season, even though birding on this trip can result in numerous target species and an expansion of one's life list.

  • Sabrewing Nature Tours

    Local Tour Operator
    North Dakota is overlooked as a birding destination by many a birder. However, during the spring and summer, it can be one of the most exciting destinations for any bird enthusiast.

  • Soar Birding & Nature Tours

    Local Guide

  • WINGS

    Tour Operator
    Minnesota and North Dakota North Woods to Prairies
Trip Reports

  • 2018 [06 June] - Erik Bruhnke - Minnesota & North Dakota

    PDF Report
    VENT’s Minnesota & North Dakota tour combines a broad spectrum of vast scenery with incredible bird life and a great deal of locally-sourced cuisine. This birding adventure delves deep into the boreal forest, as well as the core of the prairie potholes, a unique region of the northern prairies.

  • 2019 [06 June] - Eric Ripma

    Report
    After our group arrived in the afternoon we headed west from Bismarck to Dickinson, North Dakota. We arrived in the late afternoon, so we had some time to get oriented to birding in North Dakota for a couple hours. We headed to Patterson Lake, on the outskirts of Dickinson. We enjoyed a great afternoon of birding with many common North Dakota species and a nice mix of migrants. Ruddy Ducks, Eared, and Western Grebes, American White Pelican, Marsh Wren, and Yellow-headed Blackbird were among the common North Dakota birds...

  • 2021 [07 July] - Nick Bray

    Report
    Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho & Utah

  • 2022 [06 June] - Ian Merrill

    PDF Report
    Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, South Dakota and Wyoming

  • 2024 [05 May] - Eric Ripma

    PDF Report
    After the arrival of our group and a stop for lunch in Bismarck, we started our drive west towards Dickinson and made a couple of birding stops along the way. Our first stop at Sweet Briar Lake found us watching our first American White Pelicans, Eared Grebes, and Cedar Waxwings...
Places to Stay

  • Missouri River Lodge B&B

    Accommodation
    Bring your horse or enjoy a horse drawn wagon ride on the trails to view eagles nesting, deer, pheasants, geese and ducks feeding in the fields, birds of all types, and flowers and plants native to ND.
Other Links

  • Bird Watching in North Dakota

    Information
    North Dakota has many habitats for a variety of bird life. From the badlands to the prairies, these habitats make North Dakota a great place to go bird watching. Bird watching (sometimes referred to as birding) is a great hobby – interesting and fun with much to be learned….

  • Birding Drives Dakota

    Website
    Sprague's Pipit. Baird

  • ND Backyard Birding

    Website
    My name is Sharon Watson. I grew up and still live in the Red River Valley of North Dakota and for as long as I can remember, I have enjoyed being outdoors and watching nature. My hobbies include gardening, birding and photography. Most of my birding occurs in my own backyard. I have been a Purple Martin Landlord since the early nineties and love feeding the various species of birds that live and visit my yard. In fact, I have created a backyard habitat for birds and other wildlife. It is not uncommon for me to see Chickadees, Nuthatches and Woodpeckers, or Squirrels visiting my yard…

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