According to Audubon Louisiana, opens a new window, more than 470 species of birds have been recorded within the state borders. And during the spring nearly the entire eastern population and several species of the western population of neotropical migratory birds, opens a new window and waterfowl migrate through Louisiana’s coast.
On some days in April, more than a million birds will reach Louisiana's coast. Spring migrants arrive on Louisiana’s coast after a long gulf crossing and rely on the coastal wetlands to restore depleted energy reserves and to provide food and cover.
During the month of April, 194 species of birds have been documented in St. Tammany Parish, opens a new window. April 13-15, 2018, the Northlake Nature Center, opens a new window will host the 22nd Annual Great Louisiana BirdFest, opens a new window. Generally 125 to 150 species have been seen during BirdFest, though the numbers are largely dependent on the weather.
This plethora of birds was also a draw for John James Audubon, opens a new window, who spent much of his time between 1821 and 1837 in the state. While working as a tutor on Oakley Plantation near St. Francisville, Audubon worked on at least eight of the images that would appear in his Audubon's Birds of America.
Learn more about these state resident and visiting species with the birding guides below.
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