text: Indiana, the Hoosier state, is home to numerous bird species. While some of these species spend the entire year in Indiana, others are migratory and only visit during the summer or winter. Indiana’s diverse ecosystems have enabled the documentation of over 400 bird species, ranging from the shores of Lake Michigan to the banks of the Ohio River and everything in between.
  Whether you’re looking for up-close experiences with Ruby-throated Hummingbirds at Indiana Audubon’s Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary or Bald Eagles roosting on the Mississinewa, the Indiana Birding Trail has something for everyone.
  Birds of Indiana comprises species that have been documented in the United States state of Indiana and accepted by the Indiana Audubon Society’s Indiana Bird Records Committee (IBRC). As of December 2016, the official list contained 422 species. There are 125 classified as rare, ten introduced to North America, three extinct, and three extirpated.
  Indiana birds of prey
  Indiana has a predominantly continental climate, which means that it experiences cold winters and long, warm summers.
  Indiana is home to 25 separate state parks and three different national parks. These parks are extremely popular birding locations, and numerous raptor sightings have occurred in them and around the state.
  Consider the following raptors that have been sighted in the state.
  Eagles of Indiana
  More than 50 years ago, the American eagle population was on the verge of extinction. Until the 1890s, bald eagles nested in Indiana, and a few wintered in the state from November to March.
  Bald eagles are primarily located near large rivers and other bodies of water. Between 1979 and 2020, mid-winter bald eagle surveys revealed a substantial increase in the number of wintering eagles in the state.
  The Bald Eagle’s resurgence in North America and Indiana has been an extraordinary success story. The Indiana Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Wildlife Diversity Unit was essential in the recovery effort in the 1980s by acquiring and releasing Bald Eagles in south-central Indiana.
  In the section below, learn more about these birds.
  Owls of Indiana
  Indiana is located in the United States’ Great Lakes region and is home to a broad range of wildlife, including owls and other birds of prey. This page will discuss the several types of owls found in Indiana, as well as where and how to spot one.
  Indiana has 25 state parks and three national parks. Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, George Rogers Clark National Historic Park, and Indiana Dunes National Park are among these national parks.
  Now that we’ve examined the state of Indiana and its environment, let’s examine the several owl species that call it home in further detail.
  Common backyard birds of Indiana
  Today, Hoosier birdwatchers, we’ll examine local birds and where and when to view them. As you are probably aware, Indiana is an excellent birdwatching state, and we’ve attempted to include an array that may contain a bird or three that you haven’t yet marked off your list. Without further ado, let us discuss the most common backyard birds in Indiana!
  Woodpeckers in Indiana
  Woodpeckers are inquisitive tiny creatures, and observing them go about their daily lives can be quite enjoyable. Fortunately, the United States is home to 22 species of woodpeckers, seven of which may be found in Indiana alone.
  So, are you prepared to gain a better understanding of these fascinating birds?
  This section will provide you with some basic information about Indiana’s seven woodpecker species. We’ll cover their look, behavior, habitat, and the best time of year to see them.
  Let us begin!
  Best Birdwatching Spots in Indiana
  Bird watchers from Indiana and other states make annual fall visits to J-P in late October or early November to see and hear 30,000 of these large gray birds congregating in a field at twilight before flying out to sleep in the shallow water of the lakes.
  There are various birdwatching locations in Indiana. You might begin in your own backyard. If you want to go where the cool birds congregate, these five locations are guaranteed hotspots for bird viewing. Consider the following:
  - Eagle Creek Park
  - Willow Slough Fish and Wildlife Area
  - Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge
  - Hammond Lakefront Park & Bird Sanctuary
  - Falls of the Ohio State Park.
  Other Indiana birds
  Indiana, the Hoosier State, is home to numerous bird species. While some of these species spend the entire year in Indiana, others are migratory and only visit during the summer or winter. We’re going to look at some of the other birds that live in Indiana and learn a little about each species in this section.
  If you have encountered a bird in Indiana that is not yet on our list or that you cannot identify yourself, we’ll be happy to identify it for you. Simply take a picture of it and upload your picture, a quick description and the U.S. state where it was found here on our bird identification page.