Waquar Habib
These iconic raptors, with their striking white heads and powerful beaks, symbolise freedom and strength. You’ll find them soaring majestically over water bodies, scanning for fish. Look for them at Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge in California and Oregon, or Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge in Tennessee.
Coastal dwellers, brown pelicans are skilled divers. Their long bills and expandable throat pouches allow them to scoop up fish from the water. Breton National Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana and Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina are excellent spots to observe them.
These pint-sized owls come in two colour morphs: gray and reddish-brown. They blend seamlessly into tree bark during the day, relying on their cryptic plumage. At night, they emerge as stealthy hunters. Patuxent Research Refuge in Maryland is a good place to encounter them.
With their distinctive trumpeting calls, sandhill cranes are a sight to behold. They frequent wetlands and grasslands, often foraging for insects and small vertebrates. Visit Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico or Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon for a chance to see them.
These familiar birds are early risers, often singing melodious tunes at dawn. They thrive in a variety of habitats, from forests to suburban gardens. Keep an eye out for their orange-red breasts and grayish-brown backs.
Look up! Red-tailed hawks are common across North America. Their broad wings and reddish tails make them easy to spot. They prefer open country, perching on fence posts or soaring high above. Rocky Mountain Arsenal in Colorado and Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Pennsylvania are great places to observe them.
Elegant and statuesque, great blue herons wade through wetlands and marshes. Their long necks and dagger-like bills help them catch fish and other aquatic prey. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida and Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware are ideal locations.
These vibrant birds add a splash of colour to woodlands and gardens. The males boast brilliant red plumage, while females are more subdued. You’ll find them throughout the eastern United States.
Listen for their rhythmic drumming on tree trunks. These large woodpeckers excavate nest cavities in mature forests. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia and Congaree National Park in South Carolina are places where you might spot them.
During migration, vast flocks of snow geese create mesmerising patterns in the sky. Their white plumage stands out against the landscape. Witness this spectacle at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico or Horicon National Wildlife Refuge in Wisconsin.