Birds & Birding

Attention new birders: I have news for you. Winter is not the off-season.

Sure, it’s absolutely frigid outside, a meager 20 species is a good day, and by the time January rolls around you never want to see another raft of ducks for as long as you live. (Okay, at least not until next winter.)

But despite the obvious challenges, winter birding is incredibly rewarding. Birds are easy to find in the leafless trees, trails and parks are quiet, and your checklists abound with many species that can only be found in the United States in winter. Plus, thanks to shortened daylight hours you don’t have to wake up at 4:00 a.m. to be out before the sunrise.

Check out our picks for 10 great birds you’ll only find in winter, and share your favorite winter birds in the comments below. (And if you can’t get outside, watch the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Ontario feeder cam to see some winter birds up close!)