Alabama is one of the best places in the southeastern United States to enjoy birdwatching, thanks to its forests, rivers, lakes, wetlands, open fields, cities, and Gulf Coast habitats. This variety gives birders a chance to see everything from Northern Cardinals and Blue Jays in backyards to herons, pelicans, hawks, owls, woodpeckers, ducks, shorebirds, and migrating songbirds.
Because Alabama sits along important migration routes, the birds you see can change by season. Some species live in the state all year, while others arrive during spring, fall, or winter. Coastal areas are especially good for gulls, terns, pelicans, and shorebirds, while forests and wooded neighborhoods attract warblers, wrens, woodpeckers, owls, and many familiar songbirds.
This guide covers common and interesting birds in Alabama, with simple identification tips based on color, size, habitat, season, and behavior. You can also explore our main Birds in the United States guide to find bird identification pages for all 50 states.
Quick Look at Birds in Alabama
| Bird | Main ID Clue | Common Habitat |
| Northern Cardinal | Bright red male, crest | Backyards, shrubs, woodland edges |
| Northern Mockingbird | Gray body, white wing patches | Yards, parks, open areas |
| Blue Jay | Blue body, crest, loud call | Forests, yards, parks |
| Red-bellied Woodpecker | Red cap, barred back | Woodlands, feeders, yards |
| Carolina Wren | Warm brown body, loud song | Shrubs, brush piles, yards |
| Great Blue Heron | Tall gray-blue wading bird | Lakes, rivers, wetlands |
| Brown Pelican | Large coastal bird, long bill | Gulf Coast, bays, beaches |
| Red-tailed Hawk | Broad wings, reddish tail | Roadsides, fields, forests |
| Barred Owl | Brown-and-white barred body | Wooded swamps, forests |
| Eastern Bluebird | Blue back, orange chest | Fields, farms, open woods |
