Mississippi National River and Recreation Area - Birds (U.S. National Park Service)

Within North America, the Mississippi River serves as a major migration corridor for millions of birds every year. What is a migration corridor? It is a pathway that helps birds travel during the fall and spring migrations. Just like people, birds sometimes need to use the river for transportation. When waters in northern areas freeze, some birds can no longer get to their food sources. These birds must travel south to warmer weather. The Mississippi River is among other wetland flyways that make migrating easier for these birds. The river provides places for birds to stop and seek shelter along their journey. You can see photos and learn about some of these birds in our Bird Gallery.

Bird watching is a fun hobby that many people enjoy. There is more than one level of birding. You can look for birds in your own backyard or while you're out walking. You can also decide to get some Birding Gear and try to recognize a variety of faraway birds. Looking for birds can be easily combined with other outdoor activities such as hiking,camping, fishing, or canoeing. The next time you're outside, take a look around and see how many different birds you notice.