Stretching from the Gulf Coast to the Appalachian foothills, Alabama offers a rich mosaic of habitats that support an incredible diversity of wildlife. Among its most captivating residents are the birds of Alabama — from elegant herons and powerful hawks to bright songbirds that fill the southern air with music. Over 400 species have been recorded here, making the state a true haven for birdwatchers and nature lovers alike.
Whether you’re exploring the wetlands of Mobile Bay, hiking through pine forests, or simply watching your backyard feeder, the variety of Alabama birds never fails to impress. Each species reveals unique adaptations in color, behavior, and habitat preference, reflecting the balance of Alabama’s natural ecosystems. In this guide, we’ll highlight 15 remarkable bird species that embody the wild beauty and charm of the Heart of Dixie.
15 Remarkable Birds of Alabama
1. Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
The Northern Cardinal is one of the most familiar birds of Alabama, known for its radiant plumage and clear, whistling calls. Males boast brilliant red feathers, a black facial mask, and an orange-red beak, while females wear soft tan with rosy highlights. Measuring 21–23 cm and weighing around 45 grams, these Alabama birds thrive in forest edges, suburban gardens, and dense thickets across the state.
They are non-migratory and remain active throughout the year, even during the mild Alabama winters. Cardinals feed mainly on seeds, grains, and fruits but also consume insects during breeding season to nourish their chicks. They construct cup-shaped nests hidden in shrubs, lined with twigs and grass.
Their territorial songs echo through woodlands each spring as males defend nesting grounds. As a year-round resident, the Northern Cardinal symbolizes resilience and is often considered a defining image of bird species in Alabama’s vibrant ecosystems.
2. Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)
Among the most endearing birds found in Alabama, the Eastern Bluebird brings a splash of color to open fields and meadows. Males display bright azure backs, rusty-orange breasts, and clean white underbellies, while females appear in softer hues. Measuring 16–21 cm long and weighing about 30 grams, they prefer habitats with scattered trees and open grasslands.
These Alabama birds feed mainly on insects such as beetles, caterpillars, and crickets during summer, switching to berries and fruits in colder months. They nest in cavities or artificial nest boxes, often reusing sites annually. Bluebirds are partial migrants—southern populations remain through winter, while northern birds move south into Alabama from late October through March.
Their gentle, warbling songs brighten quiet mornings, symbolizing hope and renewal. Eastern Bluebirds are a cherished sight among bird species in Alabama, representing successful conservation and a thriving natural landscape.
3. Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
Towering and elegant, the Great Blue Heron is one of the largest birds of Alabama. Standing up to 137 cm tall with a wingspan of 2 meters and weighing around 2.5 kg, it features slate-gray plumage, a long S-shaped neck, and a dagger-like yellow bill. These Alabama birds inhabit marshes, lakes, ponds, and rivers statewide, especially in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta.
They feed on fish, amphibians, crustaceans, and insects, hunting by standing motionless before striking swiftly. Great Blue Herons are year-round residents, nesting in tall trees near wetlands, forming loose colonies called heronries. Their slow, graceful flight and deep croaking call are trademarks of Alabama’s waterways. In winter, they can be seen wading through shallow rivers shrouded in morning mist. As one of the most iconic bird species in Alabama, they embody patience, precision, and the quiet majesty of the state’s wetlands.
4. Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
The Red-tailed Hawk is a powerful raptor and a common sight among birds in Alabama. With a wingspan up to 125 cm and a weight of 1–1.3 kg, it’s recognized by its rich brown plumage and distinctive rusty-red tail. These hawks favor open areas such as farmlands, pine forests, and highway corridors where they can hunt effectively.
Their keen eyesight allows them to detect small mammals like mice, squirrels, and snakes from great distances. They are year-round residents across Alabama and nest high in tall trees, often reusing the same site each breeding season. Mated pairs perform aerial courtship displays in early spring, spiraling together through the air.
Red-tailed Hawks play an essential role in controlling rodent populations. Their piercing cry and majestic flight make them a defining predator among birds of Alabama, symbolizing freedom and balance within the state’s diverse ecosystems.
5. American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)
The American Goldfinch is one of the most cheerful and colorful Alabama birds, easily identified by its bright yellow plumage and black cap during summer months. Measuring 11–13 cm and weighing around 14 grams, this small finch prefers open habitats—meadows, gardens, and weedy fields filled with sunflowers and thistles.
Its conical bill is perfectly adapted for extracting seeds, its primary diet, though it also consumes small insects during nesting season. Goldfinches are late breeders, often nesting in mid to late summer when seeds are most abundant. In winter, their plumage shifts to a dull olive-brown, blending with bare landscapes.
These birds found in Alabama migrate only short distances, with many remaining in the state through mild winters. Their bouncy flight and sweet “per-chick-o-ree” call are a delight to hear, marking them as a joyful emblem among bird species in Alabama.
6. Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)
The Carolina Wren is a small but spirited bird species in Alabama, recognized by its rich cinnamon-brown body, buff underparts, and bold white eyebrow stripe. Measuring 12–14 cm and weighing about 12 grams, it thrives in dense shrubs, forests, and suburban gardens. These Alabama birds feed primarily on insects, spiders, and caterpillars, using their slender curved bill to probe bark and leaf litter. Active year-round, wrens are territorial and sing loudly to defend their nesting areas, even in winter.
Their dome-shaped nests, made from moss, leaves, and feathers, are often tucked into tree cavities or porch corners. Carolina Wrens prefer humid environments, and their population flourishes during warm, mild seasons typical of Alabama. Their boldness, vocal nature, and adaptability make them beloved among birds of Alabama, symbolizing persistence and energy in the Southern landscape.
7. Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
The Bald Eagle stands as one of the most magnificent birds of Alabama, representing strength and recovery. Adults display dark brown bodies with gleaming white heads and tails, massive yellow beaks, and bright talons. They can measure up to 1 meter long, with wingspans exceeding 2.3 meters, and weigh between 3–6.5 kg. These Alabama birds thrive near large lakes, reservoirs, and coastal bays, where fish make up the bulk of their diet.
They also scavenge carrion or steal prey from other birds. Breeding occurs from December to March; pairs build enormous stick nests in tall trees, reused and expanded each year. Once endangered, Bald Eagles have rebounded strongly thanks to habitat protection.
8. Great Egret (Ardea alba)
The Great Egret is among the most graceful birds of Alabama, known for its pure white plumage and elegant silhouette. Standing up to 1 meter tall and weighing about 1 kg, it features a long, S-shaped neck and a sharp yellow bill used to spear fish. These Alabama birds inhabit wetlands, marshes, lakeshores, and riverbanks across the state, especially in the Mobile Bay region.
They feed primarily on fish, frogs, and small reptiles, stalking silently through shallow waters before striking with lightning precision. Great Egrets nest in colonies, building large stick nests high in trees during spring. Breeding adults display delicate lacy plumes on their backs, once prized by plume hunters. Today, they symbolize conservation success after recovering from near-extinction.
Their slow, deliberate flight and bright white form gliding over Alabama’s waterways make them one of the most iconic bird species in Alabama, embodying purity and balance within southern wetlands.
9. Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)
The Blue Jay is a striking and intelligent bird found in Alabama, easily recognized by its bright blue plumage, black collar, and bold crest. Measuring 25–30 cm and weighing about 90 grams, these Alabama birds inhabit mixed forests, suburban parks, and residential neighborhoods.
Their diet is highly varied, including acorns, seeds, nuts, insects, and even small vertebrates. Blue Jays are known for their loud calls, mimicking hawks and other species. They are year-round residents and play an important ecological role by dispersing acorns, helping regenerate oak forests.
During breeding season (April–July), they build cup-shaped nests high in trees using twigs and grass. Blue Jays are social and form family groups, often visiting backyard feeders. Their intelligence and adaptability make them one of the most fascinating bird species in Alabama, representing the lively, vocal spirit of the region’s avian wildlife.
10. Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)
The Mourning Dove is one of the most widespread birds in Alabama, known for its soft cooing calls and graceful flight. Measuring 28–33 cm and weighing about 120 grams, it has light brown plumage with black wing spots and a long, pointed tail edged in white. These Alabama birds thrive in open fields, farms, and suburban gardens throughout the state.
Their diet consists mainly of seeds from grasses and weeds, which they gather from the ground. Mourning Doves are year-round residents but may shift locally with food availability. Breeding begins early in spring and continues through summer, producing multiple broods per year. Nests are flimsy platforms of twigs, placed in trees or shrubs. They’re strong fliers, capable of speeds over 80 km/h. Their gentle nature and mournful song make them beloved among birds of Alabama, symbolizing peace and enduring presence in southern skies.
11. Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)
The Pileated Woodpecker, one of the largest bird species in Alabama, is easily identified by its bold red crest and striking black-and-white plumage. Measuring 40–49 cm long and weighing about 300 grams, it inhabits mature forests with large trees, particularly near rivers and swamps.
Using its chisel-like bill, it excavates deep rectangular holes in dead wood to reach carpenter ants and beetle larvae—its primary diet. These Alabama birds also consume fruits and nuts seasonally. Their loud, drumming sounds echo through the forest as they establish territory or attract mates. Breeding pairs maintain large home ranges, nesting in tree cavities from March through June. Non-migratory, they remain year-round in Alabama’s woodlands.
The Pileated Woodpecker’s powerful presence, rhythmic tapping, and ecological role in forest health make it one of the most impressive birds found in Alabama, embodying strength and natural artistry.
12. Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)
The Tufted Titmouse is a small, active bird species in Alabama, recognized by its gray upperparts, white underbelly, and distinctive crest. Measuring about 14 cm and weighing 18–21 grams, this curious bird thrives in deciduous forests, parks, and backyard feeders across the state. These Alabama birds feed on insects, seeds, and nuts, often caching food for later use.
They are frequent feeder visitors, usually traveling in mixed flocks with chickadees and nuthatches during winter. Breeding occurs from March to July, with pairs nesting in tree cavities or nest boxes. Tufted Titmice are non-migratory, adapting easily to Alabama’s mild seasons. Their clear “peter-peter” call echoes through wooded neighborhoods, signaling their playful nature. As one of the most charming birds of Alabama, the Tufted Titmouse represents curiosity and adaptability within the state’s vibrant birdlife.
13. Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)
Among the most stunning birds of Alabama, the Wood Duck displays dazzling iridescent plumage. Males feature green, purple, and chestnut tones with crisp white markings, while females are gray-brown with a distinctive white eye-ring. Measuring 47–54 cm and weighing around 600 grams, they inhabit wooded swamps, ponds, and slow-moving rivers.
Their diet consists of aquatic plants, acorns, seeds, and insects. These Alabama birds are unique for their ability to perch in trees and nest in natural cavities or nest boxes near water. Breeding begins in early spring, and females may raise two broods per year. Ducklings leap from nest cavities soon after hatching, guided by the mother’s call.
Wood Ducks are partial migrants, with many remaining in Alabama year-round. Their striking beauty and fascinating nesting habits make them a favorite among bird species in Alabama, symbolizing elegance and ecological harmony.
14. Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)
The Northern Mockingbird, Alabama’s state bird, is celebrated for its musical talent and adaptability. Measuring 22–25 cm long and weighing 45–50 grams, it has gray plumage with white wing patches and a long tail. These birds of Alabama thrive in open habitats—yards, parks, and woodland edges. They are omnivorous, feeding on insects, berries, and small fruits.
Renowned for their mimicry, they can imitate dozens of other bird species and even mechanical sounds. Mockingbirds are territorial year-round, fiercely defending nesting areas from intruders. Breeding occurs from March to August, with multiple broods each season. Their melodic songs fill Alabama mornings, especially in spring and summer.
Non-migratory and highly adaptive, they represent the resilient spirit of Alabama birds. The Northern Mockingbird’s intelligence and artistry make it one of the most symbolic bird species in Alabama, embodying creativity and strength in the southern landscape.
15. Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)
The Belted Kingfisher is a striking bird found in Alabama’s waterways, known for its shaggy crest and loud rattling call. Measuring 28–35 cm in length and weighing about 140 grams, it features blue-gray plumage with a white collar and a distinctive blue breast band. Females display an extra rust-colored band across the belly.
These Alabama birds inhabit rivers, lakes, and coastal estuaries where they hunt fish and aquatic insects. Hovering over the water, they plunge headfirst to capture prey using their sturdy bills. Kingfishers nest in burrows excavated along sandy riverbanks from April through July. They are partial migrants—some remain year-round in southern Alabama, while others move south for winter.
Their presence signals clean, thriving waterways. As one of the most dynamic bird species in Alabama, the Belted Kingfisher embodies speed, precision, and the untamed beauty of Alabama’s aquatic environments.
Conclusion
From the forests of the Appalachian foothills to the swamps of the Mobile Delta, the birds of Alabama reflect the state’s incredible ecological diversity. These 15 remarkable species showcase brilliant colors, fascinating behaviors, and unique adaptations to Alabama’s mild climate. Observing Alabama birds connects people to nature, encouraging conservation and appreciation for local habitats. Whether soaring raptors, melodic songbirds, or vibrant waterfowl, each species contributes to the balance and beauty of southern ecosystems. Protecting their homes ensures that these birds found in Alabama continue to inspire generations of birdwatchers and nature lovers alike.