Birding

One of the most exciting times for birdwatching is spring migration. The season begins with the arrival of waterfowl in early March, builds through April as shorebirds and wading birds appear, and culminates in mid to late May when warblers and other songbirds fill the landscape with color and song.

• Waterfowl & Wetland Birds – Snow Geese, Canada Geese, White-fronted Geese, Mallard, Gadwall, Blue-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Lesser Scaup, Redheads, Canvasbacks, Bufflehead, Goldeneye, Mergansers, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret
• Shorebirds – Yellowlegs, Baird's Sandpiper, American Avocet, White-rumped Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone
• Songbirds – Yellow-rumped Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Red-headed Woodpecker
• Notable Large Birds - Sandhill Crane

Summer is an excellent time to explore the birdlife of eastern South Dakota. The region's prairies, rivers, wetlands, and pothole lakes provide habitat for a diverse mix of nesting songbirds, grassland specialists, waterfowl, and other seasonal visitors. From dawn choruses in the prairie to waterfowl on wetland ponds, there is always something to discover.

• Prairie & Grassland Birds - Western Meadowlark, Bobolink, Dickcissel, Upland Sandpiper, Grasshopper Sparrow
• Waterfowl & Wetland Birds – Mallard, Blue-winged Teal, Gadwall, American White Pelican, Yellowlegs, Pie-billed Grebe, Ring-billed Gull, Green Heron
• Riparian & Woodland Songbirds – Great Horned Owl, Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Yellow Warbler, Wood Pewees
• Backyard & Common Species - American Robin, Red-winged Blackbird, Mourning Dove, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Northern Cardinal 

Eastern South Dakota sits along two major migration routes, the Central and Mississippi Flyways, making fall an exciting time for birdwatching. The region provides important stopover habitat for waterfowl, grassland birds, songbirds, and raptors. Rivers, wetlands, floodplains, and open fields are especially good places to watch migrating birds.

• Prairie & Grassland Birds - Ring-necked Pheasant, Wild Turkey, Sharp-tailed Grouse
• Waterfowl & Wetland Birds - Canvasback, Canada Geese, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Mallard, Gadwall, Northern Pintail, Lesser Scaup, Redhead, Snow Goose, Ross’s Goose, Franklin’s Gull, Tundra Swan
• Raptors - Broad-winged Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier, and occasional Bald Eagle

Even in winter, eastern South Dakota supports an impressive variety of birds. Resident species share the landscape with winter migrants, creating opportunities to observe everything from feeder birds and songbirds to waterfowl and large birds of prey.

• Common Year‑Round and Resident Species – Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Cardinal, Bluejay, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Finch, House Sparrow, American Goldfinch, American Crow
• Migratory & Seasonal Visitors – Dark-eyed Junco, Lapland Longspur, Snow Bunting, Horned Lark, Snowy Owl

When trying to identify a bird, begin with its overall size. Compare it to a bird you already know, such as a duck. Then focus on distinctive features like the bill, legs, neck, and tail. Paying attention to these details can make identifying birds much easier and more rewarding.

Look for distinctive colors and markings, and pay attention to where they appear on the bird. Notice any patterns you see. Does the bird have an eye ring or bold stripes above the eye? Are there bars on the wings or patches of color on the shoulders? Is the chest plain, spotted, or streaked? These field marks can provide valuable clues and help you identify the species more quickly.

Observe how the bird moves and behaves. Is it hopping along the ground, swimming in the water, soaring overhead, or climbing through trees? Notice whether it is alone or part of a flock. A bird's behavior can be just as helpful as its appearance when identifying it.