Nearly 450 species of birds have been documented in Alabama and, of these, 158 regularly breed here. Early summer—when males and females are on territory—is an excellent time to learn which habitats they prefer and in which they are most likely to be found. Males are energetic in their singing, and once the eggs hatch, parents are often quite visible as they search for food to feed their young. In short, it’s a great time to find birds beyond your backyard!

Birding beyond your backyard offers the opportunity to expand your knowledge of birds and gain a better appreciation for the bird diversity in this state. And because Alabama has a wealth of habitats within her borders, it’s no surprise that an array of species has adapted to and exploits this diversity. Deciduous and pine forests, bottomland swamps, grasslands and pastures, weedy fields, wetlands, beaches and shores—even gravel rooftops!—provide habitat for nesting birds, and as you will learn in this course, each one has a suite of breeding birds more likely to be found there.

Come along with our instructor, Greg Harber, as we explore Alabama’s birds and learn where to find them.