Greater New Orleans

Louisiana

Greater New Orleans offers exceptional year-round birding in coastal wetlands, urban wildlife refuges, and bayou ecosystems along the Mississippi River Delta. Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge, one of the nation's largest urban refuges at nearly 30,000 acres, hosts over 340 bird species, while nearby marshlands showcase spectacular wading birds, waterbirds, and neotropical migrants during spring and fall migration.

Best Months to Visit

April, October, December to February

Birding Season

Year-round

Notable Species

Roseate Spoonbill Brown Pelican Purple Gallinule Painted Bunting Prothonotary Warbler Mottled Duck Anhinga

Top Birding Guides in Greater New Orleans

Browse our selection of expert birding guides serving the Greater New Orleans area.

Peter Yaukey - The Great Delta Tours

5.0

Science professor and geographer with over 25 years of birding experience in the Mississippi River Delta. Author of 'Birding Made Easy: New Orleans' and teaches birding courses through Orleans Audubon Society. Considered one of the top naturalists in Louisiana, Dr. Yaukey specializes in educational birding tours at Bayou Sauvage and throughout the Great Mississippi River Delta.

Mississippi River Delta Urban wildlife refuges Educational birding

25 years of experience

View Profile

Captain Peter Scafaru - Marsh On The Fly

4.9

Licensed charter captain offering boat-based bird watching tours in the bountiful marshlands of Southern Louisiana. Spends 250+ days per year exploring the Biloxi Wildlife Area and Chandeleur Sound islands, showcasing some of North America's most prolific coastal marshlands. Orvis-endorsed guide with extensive knowledge of Louisiana's waterbirds and shorebirds.

Coastal marsh birding Waterbirds Shorebirds

15 years of experience

View Profile

Josh Hermann - Wild Louisiana Tours

4.8

Owner of Wild Louisiana Tours, a small family-run company specializing in kayak-based birding and swamp tours. Certified Louisiana Master Naturalist offering intimate birding experiences paddling through cypress-lined bayous and wetlands near New Orleans. Expert in wetland ecology and bird photography, with tours designed for birders and photographers seeking unique perspectives from the water.

Kayak birding Wetland ecosystems Bird photography

10 years of experience

View Profile

Captain Richie Blink - Delta Discovery Tours

4.9

Licensed charter boat captain operating Delta Discovery Tours from Empire, Louisiana in Plaquemines Parish. Grew up in a family of Louisiana fishermen and has spent a lifetime on the bayous studying the region's wetlands, people, and ecology. Specializes in educational ecotourism focused on the Mississippi River Delta, offering birding safari tours that explore diverse coastal habitats from barrier islands to marshes and swamps. Recipient of 2019 Coastal Stewardship Award from Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana.

Mississippi River Delta Coastal habitat diversity Barrier islands

10 years of experience

View Profile