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Birding is often the most reliable, accessible, and enchanting way to view wildlife. The variety of habitats found across Sleeping Bear Dunes are all home to their own special birds. Some species are only found in healthy wetlands, while others are found in dry fields. Still others, like Great Lakes piping plovers, live on very specific pebble beaches. Many of the trails within Sleeping Bear Dunes cross through several different habitats. This makes them great places to observe a diverse array of birdlife. Below are a few of the species that can be found at Sleeping Bear Dunes. There are countless other species waiting to be discovered by you on your next visit! |
Birds of Prey
NPS Photo / L. Clark Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)These majestic birds are often seen patrolling the skies over Lake Michigan and other bodies of water. Bald eagles prey on fish, mammals, reptiles, and other birds. They have also been known to scavenge carrion and steal food caught by other predators. A yellow, hooked bill helps them rip flesh from the bones of their prey. Bald eagles inhabit Sleeping Bear Dunes year-round, and they are a common sight.
NPS Photo / J. Gamble American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)The American Kestrel is one of the smallest and most common falcons found at Sleeping Bear Dunes. They are pigeon-sized with black face stripes that resemble a mustache and sideburns. Kestrels perch on fences and powerlines, where they pump their tails up and down for balance. A sneaky ambush is their preferred hunting method. They wait patiently for prey to approach and then pounce. They feed on a wide variety of small prey, which has allowed them to thrive in many different ecosystems. 
NPS Photo Barred Owl (Strix varia)The secretive barred owl is one of the top predators at Sleeping Bear Dunes. They come out at night to catch prey, which includes mammals, reptiles, and smaller birds. Like other owls, these birds have excellent eyesight and fly silently to sneak up on prey. Their “who-cooks-for-you” call is a common sound in many habitats across the Lakeshore. Hikers may rarely spot a barred owl perched high in the forest canopy.Shorebirds
NPS Photo Great Lakes Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)Many of the beaches at Sleeping Bear Dunes are home to Great Lakes piping plovers. These small shorebirds are an endangered species. Thanks to conservation efforts, their populations have grown from 17 pairs in 1987 to over 80 pairs in 2025. They eat insects and other small animals they find on the beach. Plovers are very picky about where they nest, preferring cobble beaches to pure sand. Be sure to give piping plovers plenty of space and never bring dogs near them. Be on the lookout for signs, fences, and exclosures that signify protected areas.
NPS Photo / T. Withers Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)The killdeer is a common plover species that lives in open areas like fields and beaches. They feed on insects, worms, and other small animals. These birds are very protective of their nests. They draw predators away from their eggs by running away, chirping, and pretending to be injured. They have a similar appearance to piping plovers but live in different habitats. Killdeer are larger than piping plovers and usually have two neck bands instead of one.
NPS Photo / T. Withers Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)Ring-billed gulls are the most common gull species found at Sleeping Bear Dunes. They can often be found in large colonies resting on beaches or in the water. Gulls are not picky eaters, feeding on a variety of aquatic animals. These skilled scavengers may steal food from other birds and even humans. If you see a gull spying on your picnic site, secure your food so they can’t access it. Gulls remain underappreciated due to the bad reputation they have earned as thieves.
NPS Photo / T. Withers Double-Crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum)These large birds like to perch near bodies of water, especially Lake Michigan. Cormorants are great swimmers, diving deep into the water to catch fish. After diving, they perch on branches and spread their wings to dry out. The bones and other indigestible parts of their prey get coughed up as a large, slimy pellet. These birds get their name from the two tufts of head feathers they grow during the breeding season.Waterfowl
NPS Photo / C. Olsen Common Loon (Gavia immer)Common loons can be found on many of the lakes at Sleeping Bear Dunes, including Lake Michigan. They spend most of their time on the water. Their solid bones and streamlined shape allow them to dive quickly to catch small fish. Loons only go onto land to build nests, and their flipper-like feet make them very bad at walking. Keep an ear out for their beautiful call, which you may recognize from horror movies.
NPS Photo / M. Stewart Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator)These graceful, white giants inhabit shallow ponds and rivers, often in pairs. They have straighter necks and darker bills than mute swans, which are invasive. Trumpeter swans aggressively defend their young, called cygnets. They are known to fight off coyotes and bald eagles. Trumpeter swans are the heaviest bird native to North America. Adults are so large and strong that they are rarely killed by predators.
NPS Photo Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)The striking colors of mergansers are a common sight on Lake Michigan and other bodies of water. Females take turns leading all the chicks from their flock. This is why you might see one merganser followed by several dozen fluffy chicks. Adults hunt by diving deep underwater. They scare fish into shallow areas where they can be easily snatched up. Gulls and bald eagles often follow merganser flocks and steal the fish they catch.
NPS Photo Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)This species would certainly win a Sleeping Bear Dunes fashion show. The iridescent crests of the males are remarkable, and the females are equally graceful. They can be found on various water bodies, and nest mainly in tree trunks above swamps. Unlike many other ducks, the feet and claws of wood ducks allow them to perch on branches and grip bark. They feed on seeds, aquatic plants, and insects.Songbirds
NPS Photo / J. Schmidt Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna)One of the easiest birds to spot from the roadside are eastern meadowlarks. Males often sing from exposed fences and powerlines. These perches allow their black and yellow bellies to be seen from far away. They forage for insects and seeds in fields, where their camouflaged backs keep them hidden. Meadowlarks probe their bill into the soil to dig up grubs and other nutritious insects.
NPS Photo / M. Adams Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)This bird’s dark eye mask and red wingtips make them a favorite sight in the canopy. Cedar waxwings eat small fruits, including the berry-like cones of cedar trees. They often feed in large flocks and are a common garden guest. The large number of orchard trees across Sleeping Bear Dunes provide a lot of food for them. Cedar waxwing flocks are known to pass around food so that every member gets enough to eat.
NPS Photo WarblersSeveral dozen warbler species live at Sleeping Bear Dunes, and they can be hard to identify. Yellow-rumped warblers are seen darting around the understory of mature forests. Pine warblers might be spotted hopping around the tops of pine trees. The state-threatened prairie warbler likes to live on grassy coastal dunes. Other warblers stay hidden and only reveal themselves when they sing.Other Birds
NPS Photo / M. Stewart Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)Kingfishers are unique compared to other birds that live in the region. They have large heads and long, thick bills. Their distinct rattling call is a familiar sound near streams and lakes. Kingfishers scan for fish from perches or while gliding over the water. When they spot prey, they plunge deep into the water with their long bills and snap up fish. Like owls and cormorants, kingfishers cough up pellets of undigested bones and scales.
NPS Photo / M. Adams Sandhill Cranes (Antigone canadensis)It is always exciting to see sandhill cranes because they are so large and full of personality. These are the tallest birds found at Sleeping Bear Dunes, reaching heights of over 4 feet. Their bodies can range from gray to brown. Adults have bright red foreheads with orange eyes. They have elaborate mating rituals, where each crane dances, bows, and jumps around. Sandhill cranes roam in mated pairs with their chicks, which are called colts. They can be found in open spaces all over the Lakeshore, including the fields of Port Oneida.
NPS Photo / L. Clark Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura)One of the most misunderstood birds at Sleeping Bear Dunes is the turkey vulture. These birds play a vital role by recycling nutrients in the ecosystem. They soar high in the sky and use their keen sense of smell to find carrion, or dead animals, to eat. Many people believe these bald birds are creepy or ugly. However, their baldness allows them to stay clean while eating. Their stomach acid is very strong and can kill most germs. This ability allows them to clean up the ecosystem and reduce the spread of diseases.
NPS Photo / D. Hypes American Woodcock (Scolopax minor)A favorite spring find for birdwatchers is the American Woodcock. These birds have excellent camouflage to blend into open fields and forest floors. They use their long bills to dig up worms, which they find by bobbing back and forth on the ground. Their buzzy calls can be heard at dawn and dusk during the breeding season. The males conduct elaborate mating dances in the sky to impress the females.
NSP Photo / M. Stewart Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)Wild turkeys live at Sleeping Bear Dunes all year long. They forage for nuts, berries, and insects in forests and fields. Turkeys often roam in large flocks on the forest floor or by the roadside. Males impress females by spreading their tail feathers and expanding skin flaps on their heads. These different face parts are called snoods, wattles, and caruncles. They are the second heaviest bird found here, beat only by the trumpeter swan.
NPS Photo / K. Miller Common Raven (Corvus corax)The large, all-black appearance of the common raven is very impressive. They can be visually told apart from crows by their large size and longer, sturdier beaks. Their call sounds like a deep croak compared to the higher pitched call of a crow. Ravens are extremely intelligent and social birds that usually mate for life. They feed on a wide variety of plants and animals, and often steal food from larger predators.Birding ChecklistThe birds described above are only a small selection of what can be found at Sleeping Bear Dunes. Use the tool below to generate a list of all bird species found in the Lakeshore. Select "birds" as the species category. A checklist will include all bird species that are confirmed to live in the park. A full list will include all confirmed bird species as well as false reports and locally extinct species.Select a Park:Select a Species Category (optional):
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Last updated: July 7, 2025