Be on the lookout Birmingham for wintering birds in town (photos)
Reading time: 3 minutes
If you haven’t noticed, winter birds are slowly arriving in Birmingham these days.
To prepare for our feathered guests (most come from Canada), I asked Alabama Audubon’s Greg Harber to provide me with a list of winter birds you can see this time of the year. He also gave me a good list of places to watch them.
Read on.
First Things First
Before we start looking for birds, let’s recognize the work of Alabama Audubon. Founded in 1946, Alabama Audubon is one of the oldest and most beloved conservation organizations in the state.
Recently, Alabama Audubon ally Alabama Rivers Alliance held a Water if Life webinar which was about the present and future of birds in the Yellowhammer state. I highly recommend watching this video.
Aside from becoming a member of Alabama Audubon —another way you can promote and support birding is by making a commitment to purchase their new car tag. They need 1000 commitments. Let’s make that happen!
Places to Look for Winter Birds
Birmingham is blessed with a number of public parks birds call home during the winter. Greg’s favorite places to see birds?
- Railroad Park – especially in the evening at sundown
- Ruffner Mountain, Red Mountain Park, Oak Mountain State Park
- East Lake Park and Patton Park – for waterfowl
Birds Around Town
So let’s get started. Here are just a few of birds Greg said we should see right now.
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Bet you can’t name this bird’s nickname… butterbutt
Ruby-crowned Kinglets
See the ruby crown? These birds are visitors from Alaska.
Pine Siskins
The Pine Siskins’ are migrating in larger numbers to the South this year because they are experiencing a food supply shortage. These little ones are from Canada’s boreal forest.
Ring-necked Ducks
Want to see ducks traveling through Birmingham? East Lake Park and Patton Park both have visitors in the winter.
Peregrine Falcons
This guy lives on the AT&T building downtown. Peregrine Falcons terrorize pigeons, especially in the winter months.
Many thanks to Greg Harber for the tips and a few photos.
Don’t forget:
Want to learn how to become birder and a support, connect with Alabama Audubon today.
