Locations
Birding Locations
We guide throughout the state and can meet you anywhere. Below are Georgia’s main birding regions along with a selection of their characteristic birds. Explore these regions and birds for inspiration on where to go and what to expect!
Atlanta - Macon - Athens - Augusta
Central Georgia
In Central Georgia, the state’s largest cities are within jumping distance of tremendous birding opportunities. Small streams and rivers crisscross a landscape adorned with pinewoods and deciduous forests. The pines ring with the squeaks of excited Brown-headed Nuthatches. Bottomland corridors echo with the explosive songs of Swainson’s and Kentucky Warblers. At night, the haunting calls of Chuck-will’s-widows and Barred Owls fill the soundscape. And all of this is adjacent to the cultural hub and bustling metropolis of Atlanta, complete with good eats and Southern hospitality.
Notable species in this region include Red Junglefowl, American Woodcock, Northern Bobwhite, Broad-winged Hawk, Mississippi Kite, Chuck-will’s-widow, Eastern Whip-poor-will, Red-headed Woodpecker, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Acadian Flycatcher, Wood Thrush, Carolina Chickadee, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Louisiana Waterthrush, Blue-winged Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Swainson’s Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Ovenbird, Blackburnian Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Bachman’s Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Yellow-breasted Chat, Scarlet Tanager, Summer Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Painted Bunting, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, and Rusty Blackbird.
Blue Grosbeak © Brad Imhoff, Prairie Warbler © Brad Imhoff, Scarlet Tanager © Brad Imhoff, Black-throated Blue Warbler © Patrick Maurice, Mississippi Kite © Patrick Maurice, Acadian Flycatcher © Brad Imhoff, Indigo Bunting © Brad Imhoff, Chuck-will’s-widow © Ezekiel Dobson, Baltimore Oriole © Brad Imhoff, Wood Thrush © Brad Imhoff, Rose-breasted Grosbeak © Brad Imhoff, Eastern Whip-poor-will © Patrick Maurice, Blackburnian Warbler © Patrick Maurice, Brown-headed Nuthatch © Jim Merritt.
Columbus - Albany - Valdosta
Southern Georgia
Southern Georgia is quiet and laid-back—a great place to connect with nature. The area is home to the famous Okefenokee Swamp, one of America’s largest protected wetlands. Wetlands and woodlands bursting with songbirds intermingle with agricultural fields, where Northern Bobwhite whistle from the edges and Brewer’s Blackbirds can be found in winter. Spectacularly colorful Purple Gallinules trot through marshes, and Swallow-tailed Kites hunt dragonflies high overhead. From the blackwater swamps of the Okefenokee to the rich longleaf pine forests, the Coastal Plain offers an array of unique habitats.
Notable species observed in the region include Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Limpkin, Roseate Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Upland Sandpiper, Anhinga, Sandhill Crane, Common Ground Dove, White-winged Dove, Mississippi Kite, Chuck-will’s-widow, Red-headed Woodpecker, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Acadian Flycatcher, Vermilion Flycatcher, Wood Thrush, Carolina Chickadee, Bank Swallow, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Louisiana Waterthrush, Prothonotary Warbler, Swainson’s Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Grasshopper Sparrow, Bachman’s Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Summer Tanager, Yellow-breasted Chat, Painted Bunting, Dickcissel, Orchard Oriole, and Rusty Blackbird.
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck © Liam Wolff, Limpkin © Brad Imhoff, Roseate Spoonbill © Brad Imhoff, Glossy Ibis © Jim Merritt, Anhinga © Brad Imhoff, Sandhill Crane © Brad Imhoff, Purple Gallinule © Brad Imhoff, Common Ground Dove © Brad Imhoff, Bank Swallow © Brad Imhoff, Dickcissel © Brad Imhoff, Brewer’s Blackbird © Brad Imhoff, White-crowned Sparrow © Brad Imhoff.
Cartersville - Blue Ridge - Helen
Northern Georgia
In northern Georgia, America’s oldest mountains reach their southernmost extent. The rugged Appalachians boast a wealth of species unique to the region—many of which are not found farther south. Resident birds include the Ruffed Grouse and Common Raven. Nearly 20 species of warblers, including Worm-eating, Black-throated Blue, and Canada Warblers, fill the forests with color and song in spring and summer. Scattered agricultural fields offer refuge to open-country species. With scenic hiking and rustic charm, northern Georgia is sure to delight nature lovers.
In northern Georgia, you can find species such as Common Merganser, Wood Duck, American Woodcock, Northern Bobwhite, Ruffed Grouse, Chuck-will’s-widow, Eastern Whip-poor-will, Red-headed Woodpecker, Broad-winged Hawk, Common Raven, Willow Flycatcher, Least Flycatcher, Veery, Wood Thrush, Carolina Chickadee, Blue-headed Vireo, Yellow-throated Vireo, Louisiana Waterthrush, Kentucky Warbler, Hooded Warbler, American Redstart, Yellow Warbler, Canada Warbler, Ovenbird, Worm-eating Warbler, Blue-winged Warbler, Swainson’s Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Northern Parula, Red Crossbill, Summer Tanager, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, and Orchard Oriole.
Common Merganser © Matt Misewicz, Wood Duck © Brad Imhoff, Willow Flycatcher © Brad Imhoff, Least Flycatcher © Jonathan Irons, Veery © Brad Imhoff, Blue-headed Vireo © Brad Imhoff, Yellow-throated Vireo © Brad Imhoff, American Redstart © Brad Imhoff, Yellow Warbler © Brad Imhoff, Canada Warbler © Brad Imhoff, Worm-eating Warbler © Brad Imhoff, Northern Parula © Brad Imhoff.
Savannah - Brunswick - Kingsland
Coastal Georgia
Coastal Georgia, the state’s most species-rich region, is a must-visit destination. The Golden Isles, stunning barrier islands, are a haven for birds year-round. On the mainland, cordgrass-filled saltmarshes feature slowly paddling Mottled Ducks and the throaty calls of Clapper Rails. American Oystercatchers and Wilson’s Plovers probe the sandy beaches nearby. Beachside powerlines host the world’s northernmost Gray Kingbirds. Winter brings flocks of waterbirds on the sea and northern migrants to the woods. With terrific scenery and fantastic food to boot, the Georgia coast is a sure bet for a great time.
Notable birds of Coastal Georgia include Plain Chachalaca, Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Mottled Duck, Black Scoter, Surf Scoter, Red-throated Loon, Anhinga, Northern Gannet, Brown Pelican, Laughing Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black Skimmer, Least Tern, Gull-billed Tern, Sandwich Tern, Royal Tern, Caspian Tern, American Avocet, American Oystercatcher, Piping Plover, Wilson’s Plover, Black-bellied Plover, Whimbrel, Marbled Godwit, Ruddy Turnstone, Red Knot, Purple Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher, King Rail, Clapper Rail, Sora, Purple Gallinule, Wood Stork, American Bittern, Least Bittern, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Reddish Egret, White Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Roseate Spoonbill, Swallow-tailed Kite, American Barn Owl, Chuck-will’s-widow, Common Ground Dove, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Gray Kingbird, Fish Crow, Marsh Wren, Sedge Wren, Yellow-throated Warbler, Northern Parula, Seaside Sparrow, Nelson’s Sparrow, Saltmarsh Sparrow, Henslow’s Sparrow, Summer Tanager, Painted Bunting, and Boat-tailed Grackle.
Mottled Duck © Liam Wolff, Black Scoter © Liam Wolff, Red-throated Loon © Patrick Maurice, Northern Gannet © Jonathan Irons, Brown Pelican © Brad Imhoff, Laughing Gull © Patrick Maurice, Great Black-backed Gull © Brad Imhoff, Black Skimmer © Brad Imhoff, Gull-billed Tern © Caleb Strand, Sandwich Tern © Brad Imhoff, American Avocet © Matt Misewicz, Ruddy Turnstone © Brad Imhoff, Boat-tailed Grackle © Caleb Strand.