North Dakota Bird Watching and Feeding Information

North Dakota is a great place to watch and feed birds. Birdbaths, misters and drippers are especially effective in attracting birds, including non seed-eating species. Species that might be expected at feeders include: American Goldfinch, Black-capped Chickadee, Common Redpoll, Hairy Woodpecker, Red-winged Blackbird and Mourning Dove. Each of these species is shown in the Nifty Fifty mini-guide.

The Nifty Fifty

The Nifty Fifty is a mini-guide to the birds of North Dakota. It includes descriptions, images, video and songs of 50 of the most often observed birds of North Dakota. View the guide by clicking here or on the Nifty Fifty link on the left.

If the guide does not load, try downloading the free Flash player.

Western Meadowlark - North Dakota State Bird

Bird feeding

Developing bird-friendly habitat in your yard is the best way to attract a greater variety of species and to support local and migrating species. Native plants provide food and cover, are more insect and disease resistant than non-native species, and may require less water. A list of bird-friendly native plants for North Dakota is available by following the link on the left.

Bluebirds

All three species of bluebirds can be found in North Dakota, although the Mountain Bluebird is the only one of the three to be widespread within the state.

Bluebirds are usually found in fields, open woodlands, parks or along golf courses or other open areas, including suburban locations with open spaces and scattered tress. In the mountains, they are found in clearings and meadows.

The Mountain Bluebird is well known for its hovering flight as it hawks for insects.

The Eastern Bluebird has a musical flight call that often reveals its presence.

Western Bluebird

Visit the bluebird section for detailed information on feeding bluebirds or building your own bluebird house.

Bluebirds can be attracted to peanut butter mixes, suet and fruit. Raisins soaked in hot water to soften them are well received. The bluebird's special favorite is mealworms.

Nesting
All three species of bluebirds nest in North Dakota, but the Western Bluebird's range is limited to the far western part of the state. Its range does not overlap that of the Eastern Bluebird, which is limited to the very eastern part of the state. One or two broods may be produced.

If you have a bluebird box, watch for House Sparrows trying to use the next box and immediately remove any House Sparrow nesting material.

Hummingbirds

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only hummingbird species found in North Dakota. Its range is limited to the eastern half of the state.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Visit the hummingbird section for details on attracting hummingbirds as well as images of all regularly occurring North American hummingbirds.

Purple Martins

Purple Martins nest in the eastern half of North Dakota and can be seen throughout the state during migration. The nesting preference in North Dakota is natural cavities, compared to Purple Martins in the eastern United States, which rely almost exclusively on made made housing.

Visit the Purple Martin section of the this site for detailed information.

Birding

North Dakota provides birders with a variety of exciting birding locations.

The birding section of this site has tips on birding locations and bird identification. The state-based birding information section provides additional birding related information.

North Dakota Resource Information

Dakota Prairie Audubon Society
1514 Skyline Lane
Jamestown, ND 58401

Grand Forks Audubon Society
2111 4th Ave N
Grand Forks, ND 58203

Additional resources

If you have suggestions for additional resources for watching or feeding birds in Alabama, please submit them using this form. The resource does not need to be a particular location.

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