North Dakota’s diverse water habitats, which encompass serene lakes, winding rivers, and expansive wetlands, serve as a haven for water birds. These avian marvels, varying in size, plumage, and behavior, play a pivotal role in the ecological balance of the state’s aquatic ecosystems.
North Dakota water birds
North Dakota, with its numerous wetlands, prairies, and lakes, provides an ideal habitat for a variety of water bird species. Here are some of the most common water birds you may find in North Dakota:
| Species | Frequency | Where to Find in North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| American White Pelican | Common | Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge |
| Double-Crested Cormorant | Common | Devils Lake, Lake Sakakawea |
| Great Blue Heron | Common | Along the Missouri River, Red River Valley |
| Great Egret | Common | Red River Valley, Sheyenne River |
| Snowy Egret | Uncommon | Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge |
| Green Heron | Uncommon | Wooded areas near water bodies throughout the state |
| Black-Crowned Night-Heron | Uncommon | Jamestown Reservoir, Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge |
| Mallard | Very Common | Wetlands and water bodies throughout the state |
| Canada Goose | Very Common | Wetlands and water bodies throughout the state |
| Wood Duck | Common | Turtle Mountain, Pembina River Valley |
| Blue-Winged Teal | Very Common | Wetlands throughout the state |
| Northern Pintail | Common | Prairie Pothole Region |
| Canvasback | Common | Prairie Pothole Region |
| Redhead | Common | Prairie Pothole Region |
| Ring-Necked Duck | Common | Prairie Pothole Region |
| Lesser Scaup | Common | Prairie Pothole Region |
| Bufflehead | Common | Prairie Pothole Region |
| Hooded Merganser | Uncommon | Pembina River Valley, Souris River Valley |
| Common Merganser | Common | Missouri River, Red River |
| Ruddy Duck | Common | Prairie Pothole Region |
| American Coot | Very Common | Wetlands throughout the state |
| Sandhill Crane | Common | Sheyenne National Grassland, Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge |
| American Wigeon | Common | Prairie Pothole Region |
| Common Loon | Uncommon | Larger lakes in the northeastern part of the state |
| Pied-Billed Grebe | Common | Wetlands throughout the state |
| American Bittern | Common | Wetlands throughout the state |
Water Bird Species Found in North Dakota
Where to Spot North Dakota’s Water Birds
North Dakota boasts a range of habitats that attract numerous water bird species. If you’re looking to spot these birds, here are some key locations:
Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge: One of the oldest refuges in the United States, this area is a nesting site for large colonies of white pelicans and is also home to various other species of water birds.
Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge, Kenmare: This refuge consists of mixed-grass prairie and wetlands, making it an ideal habitat for species like the Mallard, American Avocet, and the Black-necked Stilt.
Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge, Pingree: Spread over 16,000 acres, this refuge features a blend of wetlands, prairie, and woodland where large birds like the Snowy Egret, Great Egret, and Northern Pintail can be seen. You can also spot Snow Geese here (spot them by their pink legs).
Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Moffit: Known for hosting one of the largest colonies of nesting Western Grebes in North America, it is also home to many other water birds including the Bufflehead and the Greater Scaup.
J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge, Upham: As the largest wildlife refuge in North Dakota, it offers diverse habitats for numerous bird species like the American Coot, Sandhill Crane, and Red-breasted Merganser and a stop over for many migrating waterfowl on their way to central and south america.
Audubon National Wildlife Refuge: This refuge is situated along the Missouri River and is renowned for its high concentration of waterfowl, particularly during migration seasons.
Lake Sakakawea: This large, man-made reservoir on the Missouri River is a good spot for sighting pelicans, terns, gulls, and a variety of ducks.
Devils Lake: As the largest natural body of water in North Dakota, it serves as an important habitat for a multitude of water bird species.
The Prairie Pothole Region is a unique area of North America, characterized by thousands of shallow wetlands known as potholes. These were formed by the glacial activity during the last Ice Age over 10,000 years ago.
Spanning across parts of five U.S. states (North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, and Montana) and three Southern Canada provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba), the region covers approximately 300,000 square miles.
These “potholes” fill with water in the spring and early summer and provide important breeding habitats for a wide variety of wildlife, particularly waterfowl. Around half of North America’s migratory waterfowl use the region for breeding, and you will always find breeding adults in the season. It’s a critical area for North American bird species including ducks, geese, and other bird species, as well as being vital for many grassland birds.
| Neighboring State | Best Spots for Birdwatching |
|---|---|
| South Dakota Water Birds | Waubay National Wildlife Refuge, Bear Butte State Park, Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge |
| Montana Water Birds | Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge, Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge |
| Minnesota Water Birds | Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge, Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge, Sax-Zim Bog |