North Louisiana Wildlife

At A Glance

Nearly 500 species of birds live in, vacation in, or pass through North Louisiana. Birds are the most seasonal North Louisianans, and while many live here year round, you’ll have the opportunity to meet the most different species in the winter when Canadian and Great Lakes birds join us.

The locations in the badges are the biomes where we’ve met them (and where we think you’ll be most likely to come across them). That doesn’t mean they don’t hang out in other places. 

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Species of Raptors

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Species of Warblers

By The Numbers

Learn more about birds in North Louisiana.

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Species of Hummingbirds

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Species of Birds

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Species of Waterfowl

Blackbirds

Male Brewer's blackbird perched on a bare limb

Brewer's Blackbirds

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Female rusty blackbird perched on a bare limb
Foresty Swamps

Rusty Blackbirds

These birds hang out in forested areas around swamps and lakes. The females are brown, while young and wintering males are rusty- colored. During mating season, the males are shiny black.

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Flock of brown-headed cowbirds foraging on a lawn
Lakes

Brown-Headed Cowbirds

You'll find these noisy blackbirds birds, often in flocks, foraging on the ground near lakes. They tend to snack on well-kept lawns near picnic areas.

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Male red-winged blackbird on a dried water reed
Swamps

Red-Winged Blackbirds

You'll see red-winged blackbirds hanging out on weeds, logs, tree tops, and wooden platforms in the wetlands throughout North Louisiana. You'll probably notice the males quicker than the females because of their bright black color and bright red and yellow wings.

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Bobolink calling from a perch on a bare bush
Grasslands, Swamps

Bobolinks

You'll find bobolinks between late April and early June. You can find these red-headed blackbirds in swampy grasslands or dry weedy areas near water.

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Common grackle foraging on a tree in shallow water
Lakes & Swamps

Common Grackles

These blue-headed blackbirds will be flying above or foraging for bugs in trees and on logs in swamps. You'll probably recognized their whistle as they call out from their perches in bushes and low- to mid-level tree branches.

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European starling foraging on a well-manicured lawn
Near Water

European Starlings

Starlings are invasive birds who migrated south from NYC. You'll find these Shakespearean invaders in trees over lakes, foraging on lawns. Like other blackbirds, starlings are usually somewhere near water.

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Doves

Mourning dove looking from a branch
Meadows, Lakes, Towns, Yards

Mourning Doves

You'll find mourning doves throughout North Louisiana year round. These common birds hang around forests -- especially in areas of the forest near meadows, wooded areas near lakes, towns, and yards. You're likely to see these doves on power lines.

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Eurasian collared-dove on a power line
Towns

Eurasian Collared-Doves

Eurasian collared-doves live in North Louisiana year round. You're most likely to spot these doves hanging out on power lines in towns throughout the area. You'll also find them in state parks and lake landings throughout the area

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Ducks, Geese, & Other "Waterfowl"

Pair of bufflehead ducks flying in the sky
Wetlands

Buffleheads

These birds hang out in the same areas as mallards, gadwall, and wigeons. You'll find these ducks in wetland areas and large lakes during the winter.

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American wigeon, gadwall, and mallard ducks flying in the sky flying in the sky

Gadwalls

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Female mallard and mallard swimming
Forests

Rouen Ducks

Rouen ducks, like Pekin ducks, are domesticated mallards bred for meat. These ducks look like bulkier mallards, but they're more people-friendly than their wild doppelganger. You're most likely to meet these ducks in parks.

Coming Soon.
Northern pintail ducks swimming in a lake

Northern Pintails

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Flock of male green-winged teal ducks and a male blue-winged duck swimming
Sloughs, Swamps

Blue-Winged Teals

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Gadwall ducks flying in the sky
Lakes, Swamps

American Wigeons

You'll find American wigeons hanging out in large flocks with gadwall and mallards. They'll generally be swimming in swamps or large open bodies of water.

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Canada goose swimming
Lakes

Canada Geese

You'll find these geese in North Louisiana's lakes during the fall, winter, and spring. They may be alone, in pairs, or in flocks.

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Canvasback duck swimming
Large Lakes

Canvasback Ducks

Canvasback ducks hang out in large North Louisiana lakes during the winter. You'll find them swimming in open water alone, in pairs, or even with large flocks.

Coming Soon.
Mallard drake flying through blue sky
Lakes, Swamps

Wild Mallards

Wild mallards are smaller than Rouens and Pekins, and tend to be standoffish when it comes to people. You'll most likely meet this bird soaring through or leaping into the air. You'll also see this duck swimming in wetlands and large lakes with brakey foliage.

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Muscovy duck resting watchfully at the edge of a lake
Lakes & Swamps

Muscovy Ducks

Muscovy ducks are domesticated birds that you'll find in park lakes throughout North Louisiana year round. You'll find them swimming or resting by lakes.

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Flock of male green-winged teal ducks with a female duck and a blue-winged teal duck swimming
Sloughs, Swamps

Teal Ducks

Teal ducks, particularly blue-winged teals, tend to arrive before other ducks, and you'll find these visitors in sloughs near swamps and rivers.

Coming Soon.
Male wood duck flying past a tree limb
Lakes, Sloughs, Swamps

Wood Ducks

Wood ducks are common throughout North Louisiana all year, and you'll find them in lakes, sloughs, and wetlands, often alone or in pairs.

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Blue and white morph snow geese migrating through a deep blue sky
Swamps

Snow Geese

Snow geese visit North Louisiana in the winter. You'll find them in flocks in lakes and swamps. You'll often find them flying overhead.

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Pied-billed grebe swimming
Lakes

Pied-Billed Grebes

These "not ducks" hang out in lakes throughout North Louisiana year round, and you'll find them a few yards from shore in many places. Grebes are divers who tend to go underwater like turtles rather than fly away like ducks. You're most likely to find them swimming alone or in pairs.

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Flycatchers

Great-crested flycatcher looking to the side
Forests, Yards

Great-Crested Flycatchers

You'll find great-crested flycatchers in North Louisiana during the spring, summer, and early fall. They like to hang out on branches and chase bugs through the skies.

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Eastern kingbird facing a tree trunk

Eastern Kingbirds

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Eastern wood-peewee
Yards

Eastern Wood-Pewees

Eastern wood-pewees hang out in wooded areas near water and in yards for most of the year. You'll see more of these flycatchers from mid-spring through mid-fall, probably as it hangs out on a branch.

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Vermillion flycatcher perched on top of a bare tree
Swamps

Vermilion Flycatchers

You'll find a few of these little birds wandering around North Louisiana during the winter and early spring, perched on branches or chasing bugs through the sky.

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Eastern phoebe looking around from its perch on a tree limb
Swamps

Eastern Phoebes

Eastern phoebes are some of the most common birds in North Louisiana. You'll find these little flycatchers in wooded areas near wetlands year round, but you'll find the most eastern phoebes during the winter.

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Gallinules, Rails, and Allies

American coot swimming
Lakes & Swamps

American Coots

You'll find American coots, aka not ducks in lakes throughout North Louisiana. Like grebes -- also not ducks, coots hang out near the shore. Unlike their unduck friends, coots often hang out groups, sometimes in large flocks. You're most likely to find these birds in North Louisiana in the winter.

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Gulls and Terns

American white pelican in flight with two gulls

Herring Gulls

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Forster's tern flying away through a blue sky

Forster's Terns

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Ring-billed gull in flight through a blue sky

Ring-Billed Gulls

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Herons

Great egret standing on shore
Lakes, Swamps

Great Egrets

You can find great egrets throughout North Louisiana wetlands and lakes throughout the year. You'll find them in larger numbers between mid-spring and late-fall. They roost with other herons like snowy egrets and little blue herons during breeding season.

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Great blue heron standing in tall grass
Lakes, Swamps

Great Blue Herons

Great blue herons are some of the largest birds in the North Louisiana swamps. These birds are common throughout the year.

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Green Herons

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Snowy egret perched on a tree branch behind bramble
Lakes, Swamps

Snowy Egrets

You'll find these little egrets near lakes and wetlands in North Louisiana year round. They're more common during the warmer months, when they'll roost with great egrets and little blue herons and raise their chicks in the large colony.

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Little blue heron foraging in a tree
Lakes, Swamps

Little Blue Herons

You'll find little blue herons in North Louisiana from April to October. You can find the birds hunting at the water's edge or raising its chicks in large roosts.

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Kingfishers and Pelicans

Belted kingfisher looking down

Belted Kingfishers

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Flock of American white pelicans on shore
Lakes

American Pelicans

Pelicans hang out in North Louisiana during the winter, and you'll find them in North Louisiana from October through March most years.​

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Raptors

Pair of bald eagles in a tree
Lakes

Bald Eagles

You'll meet bald eagles at lakes throughout North Louisiana. They're most likely to be soaring above the water or diving to grab a fish. You'll find more bald eagles in the winter, but you can find them year round.

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Young red-tailed hawk soaring through the air
Everywhere

Red-Tailed Hawks

Red-tailed hawks are the largest and most common hawks in North Louisiana. You'll meet these hawks near lakes, swamps, meadows, and even in yards year round. You're most likely to see them soaring through the sky.

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Sharp-shinned hawk flying through blue sky
Forests

Sharp-Shinned Hawks

These tiny hawks roam forested areas throughout North Louisiana in the winter, searching for unsuspecting songbirds to lunch on.

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Mississippi kite guarding a partially completed nest
Forests, Yards

Mississippi Kites

Mississippi kites are forest birds, but they are becoming more common in towns in North Central Louisiana. You're just as likely to meet these birds soaring above your yard, or looking down from a limb over a business parking lot as in the forest. You're most likely to meet them in the late spring and summer in North Louisiana.

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Osprey soaring through blue sky

Ospreys

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Northern harrier flying through blue sky
Forests

Northern Harriers

You're most likely to meet a northern harrier as it soars over an open field. These hawks are winter visitors who hunt in dry and open fields near water. You'll find them in many of the same places that you find red-tailed hawks.

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Red-shouldered hawk looking around as it soars through the sky
Forests

Red-Shouldered Hawks

These hawks are the most likely to be confused with their red-tailed cousins due to their similar body shape and size. You'll meet these slightly smaller hawks soaring over meadows or perched on a tree limbs.

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American kestrel perched on a bare tree
Grasslands, Meadows

American Kestrels

Kestrels hang out in grasslands and meadows near water. You can find these falcons in North Louisiana year round.

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White-tailed kite soaring in the sky at dusk
Grasslands, Meadows

White-Tailed Kites

White-tailed kites migrate through North Louisiana in the fall and spring months. You're most likely to find them soaring above an open meadow or perched on a branch at the edge of a forest. These birds put on a really cool show as they do acrobatics as they hunt. You're most likely to meet these birds in the eastern part of the state.

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Barred owl on a tree trunk
Forests

Barred Owls

Barred owls hang out in North Louisiana all year long. You're most likely to meet them in heavily forested areas near creeks, bayous, and rivers.

Coming Soon.

Sparrows

Dark-eyed junco on the ground
Forests, Lakes

Dark-Eyed Juncos

Like many sparrows, dark-eyed juncos are winter visitors to North Louisiana. You're most likely to meet them as they forage along the ground in wooded areas near lakes.

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Field sparrow in brush
Lakes, Swamps

Field Sparrows

You'll find field sparrows in scrubby meadows and foliage near swamps year round. Look in bare branches near the ground.

Coming Soon.
Male house sparrow on a wire fence
Towns

House Sparrows

This invasive species is loosely related to the other North Louisiana sparrows. You're most likely to meet them in towns. They particularly enjoy stoplights in North Central Louisiana university towns.

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Savannah sparrow looking to the right
Grasslands, Meadows

Savannah Sparrows

Savannah sparrows are winter visitors to North Louisiana. You'll meet them at the edge of meadows.

Coming Soon.
Adult swamp sparrow perched on a vine
Swamps

Swamp Sparrows

You're most likely to meet swamp sparrows in swamps throughout North Louisiana in the winter.

Coming Soon.
White-throated sparrow looking out from its perch on a tree limb
Forests, Yards

White-Throated Sparrows

White-throated sparrows are winter visitors who hang out in forests throughout North Louisiana. These are the sparrows you're most likely to meet in your yard.

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Chipping sparrow perched on a branch
Forests, Lakes

Chipping Sparrows

Chipping sparrows spend their spring and summers in North Louisiana. You're most likely to find them flocking together in trees or foraging on the ground in openings between forests and water.

Coming Soon.
Fox sparrow foraging near a house foundation near snow
Forests

Fox Sparrows

These red sparrows are winter visitors who hang out in yards and near forests. You're most likely to find these little birds on the ground under foliage.

Coming Soon.
LIncoln's sparrow perched on a tree branch over murky water
Meadows, Swamps

Lincoln's Sparrows

You'll meet Lincoln's sparrows in North Louisiana's swamps and meadows during the winter. You're most likely to find them hanging out in shrubs and low-hanging branches near meadows and swamps.

Coming Soon.
Song sparrow on a tree branch
Forests, Swamps

Song Sparrows

You'll find swamp sparrows in low branches near the edge of a forest.

Coming Soon.
Vesper sparrow standing on stone
Grasslands, Meadows, Lakes

Vesper Sparrows

You'll meet vesper sparrows in meadows and on lawns near lakes. These birds are winter visitors.

Coming Soon.
Female eastern towhee perched on bramble
Forests

Eastern Towhees

You'll meet eastern towhees in North Louisiana year round. These sparrows hang out in forest edges with dense foliage.

Coming Soon.

Swallows

Adult barn swallow looking out majestically from a tree branch
Lakes

Barn Swallows

You'll meet barn swallows near lakes in North Louisiana from mid-spring through early fall. These birds will likely be perched at the water's edge or soaring above the water at the shore.

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Tree swallow soaring through the sky

Tree Swallows

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Cliff swallow flying
Lakes

Cliff Swallows

Cliff swallows pass through North Louisiana in the early fall, and many nest in lake-adjacent overpasses throughout the area. You'll likely meet them soaring above water or fluttering in or out of their mud nests.

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Vireos

Blue-headed vireo perched on a branch
Forests, Meadows, Yards

Blue-Headed Vireos

Blue-headed vireos come to North Louisiana in the winter, where they hang out in forests and yards. You're most likely to meet this vireo at forest edges and meadows near lakes.

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Red-eyed vireo looking out from its perch in a tree
Forests, Yards

Red-Eyed Vireos

Red-eyed vireos are common members of the North Louisiana bird community during the spring, summer, and early fall. You're most likely to meet them in a forest or your yard.

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White-eyed vireo looking out from its perch on a small branch
Meadows, Yards

White-Eyed Vireos

White-eyed vireos live in North Louisiana during the spring, summer, and fall months. You're most likely to meet them in bushes near water.

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Philadelphia vireo foraging in flight
Forests, Yards

Philadelphia Vireos

Philadelphia vireos pass through North Louisiana during spring and fall migration. During that time, you're most likely to meet them in your yard or in the forest. They'll likely be foraging in oak trees.

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Warbling vireo foraging in a tree
Meadows, Yards

Warbling Vireos

Warbling vireos hang out in North Louisiana in the warm spring, summer, and fall months. You're most likely to meet them where meadows meet the edge of the forest or in your yard.

Coming Soon.

Warblers

Northern parula perched on a cypress tree
Forests, Yards

Northern Parula

Northern parulas spend the spring and summer months with us. You'll find these warblers in cypress and pine trees in forested areas near swamps and rivers. These birds will occasionally hang out in towns. When you meet them, they'll likely be singing from a perch.

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Black and white warbler in a tree
Forests, Yards

Black & White Warblers

Black and white warblers live in North Louisiana in the spring, summer, and fall. These 1940s cartoon warblers hang out in forests and yards. You're most likely to meet them while they're chasing bugs on limbs.

Coming Soon.
Partially hidden chestnut-sided warbler on a branch
Meadows, Yards

Chestnut-Sided Warblers

Chestnut-sided warblers migrate through North Louisiana during the fall and spring. These warblers tend to make pitstops in meadows near forests and in yards. You're most likely to find these birds flitting around tree limbs.

Coming Soon.
Magnolia warbler preparing to take off from a tree
Forests, Yards

Magnolia Warblers

Magnolia warblers migrate through North Louisiana in the spring and fall. You'll likely meet them in forests or your yard. Get a quick look. These birds are fast.

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Pine warbler perched in a pine tree
Forests, Yard

Pine Warblers

Pine warblers live in North Louisiana year round, although they are more common in the winter. As their name indicates, you're most likely to meet these birds in the pine trees in forests or your yard.

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Immature Tennessee warbler foraging in leaves
Forests

Tennessee Warblers

These migrants flit through North Louisiana during the spring and fall. Tennessee warblers hang out in forests, and that's where you'll likely find them...in a forest or in your yard.

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Male American redstart on a tree branch
Forests, Yards

American Redstarts

Like northern parulas, American redstarts spend the spring and summer in North Louisiana. These warblers like hardwoods, and you'll find them hanging out in oak trees in forests and yards. You're most likely to catch them foraging on limbs.

Coming Soon.
Black-throated green warbler peeking over the edge of a tree limb
Forests, Yards

Black-Throated Green Warblers

Black-throated green warblers migrate through North Louisiana in the fall and spring. You're likely to find them in forests near wetlands or your yard. They're likely to be flitting between limbs when you meet them.

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Hooded warbler perched on a branch
Forests, Swamps

Hooded Warblers

Hooded warblers live in North Louisiana during the spring, summer, and fall. These warbs hang out in forests, especially those near lakes and swamps. They'll most likely be flitting from limb to limb or be perched on lookout when you meet them.

Coming Soon.
Immature orange-crowned warbler perched on a branch
Forests, Yards

Orange-Crowned Warblers

Orange-crowned warblers winter in North Louisiana's forests and yards. They'll likely be foraging in bushes or low-hanging tree branches when you meet them.

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Prothonotary warbler looking out from its perch on a tree branch
Forests, Swamps

Prothonotary Warblers

Prothonotary warblers hang out in forests, particularly those that surround swampland. You're most likely to meet these pretty, yellow birds after the weather turns warm in spring. They leave the area in the winter.

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Female yellow-rumped warbler standing in shallow snow
Forests, Yards

Yellow-Rumped Warblers

Yellow-rumped warblers are common visitors to North Louisiana during the winter. These birds hang out in forests and yards, and you're likely to find them in the branches of your own trees.

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Woodpeckers

Northern flicker looking out from a tree trunk
Forests, Swamps

Yellow-Shafted Northern Flickers

Yellow-shafted northern flickers live in North Louisiana year round. These large woodpeckers hang out in trees near meadows, especially those near swamps. You're most likely to meet a flicker in a wetlands area or in your yard.

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Downy woodpecker perched on a tree limb
Forests, Yards

Downy Woodpeckers

Downy woodpeckers hang out in North Louisiana forests year round. When you meet them, they'll likely be searching for bugs in a tree.

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Male pileated woodpecker foraging on a tree trunk
Forests

Pileated Woodpecker

Pileated woodpeckers live in North Louisiana year round. These woodpeckers live in forests, and you're likely to meet them first by hearing their machine like drilling.

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Mature red-headed woodpecker looking out from its perch on a dead tree trunk
Meadows, Swamps

Red-Headed Woodpeckers

Red-headed woodpeckers hang around North Louisiana year round. Your most likely to meet these pretty birds in forests near swamps.

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Male yellow-bellied sapsucker hanging from a large tree limb
Forests, Yards

Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers

Yellow-bellied sapsuckers arrive in North Louisiana in the early fall and hang out through the winter. You're likely to see these birds drilling a tree in search of snacks or hanging off a tree branch. They hang out in forests and yards.

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Hairy woodpecker drilling in a tree trunk
Forests

Hairy Woodpeckers

Like downy woodpeckers, hairy woodpeckers hang out in North Louisiana forests year round. You'll likely meet them in the forest as they forage for food.

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Male red-bellied woodpecker looking around warily as it clings to a tree trunk
Forests, Swamps, Yards

Red-Bellied Woodpeckers

Red-bellied woodpeckers live in North Louisiana year round. These birds live in forests, especially those near swamps, and yards.

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Visit Our Wildlife

Explore North Louisiana's Outdoors.

Learn about birds found throughout North Louisiana's national wildlife refuges, Kisatchie National Forest ranger districts, state wildlife management areas, and state parks.

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