• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Heart of Louisiana Logo

The Heart of Louisiana

  • Staycations
  • Regions
    • New Orleans Region
    • Capital Region
    • Acadiana
    • Southwest Louisiana
    • Central Louisiana
    • Northshore
    • North Louisiana
    • Bayou Region
  • 60 Second Road Trips
  • TV Stories
  • Buy Photos
  • Recent Posts
  • Show Search
Hide Search
Home/New Orleans/Winter Birds
yellow bellied sap sucker bird in tree in winter under blue sky

Winter Birds

Winter birds create a top attraction for birdwatchers in Louisiana’s colder months, when migratory species settle into the region’s forests, parks, and waterways. A great place for spotting these seasonal visitors is along the forested canals of Joe Brown Park in eastern New Orleans, where early mornings are filled with bird sounds.

brown and white bird lifts tail up in air on tree branch
Bare tree branches make bird spotting a little easier in the winter.

For some nature lovers, braving near-freezing temperatures is well worth the chance to see rare and colorful species. “Hearing the sounds is one of the most important things,” says Jerhemy Lonzo, a longtime birding enthusiast. Pointing to the treetops, he explains, “If you listen to the bird, you can pinpoint it and try to find out where it is, and when you see it, it’s like you hit the lottery.”

people in jackets look for birds in treetops in forest
A winter bird workshop in Joe Brown Park with the Orleans Audubon Society

winter birds are different in louisiana

Lonzo is part of a group of birders joining the Orleans Audubon Society for a guided walk in Joe Brown Park and the nearby Audubon Nature Center. Among them is Joelle Finley, vice president of the local Audubon Society, who quickly spots movement in the trees. “There are three goldfinch right there,” she exclaims, raising her binoculars to track them.

small brown and white bird stands of tree branch

following the winter birds south

Many species, like the American goldfinch, only appear in Louisiana during the winter months, attracting birding enthusiasts from around the country. “In Chicago at this time of year, you get some waterfowl and some swans. But most of the things that are fun have come down here for the winter, so I followed them,” says Kris Hansen, a visitor from Chicago.

black bird with red wing stands on tree branch
It requires a long telephoto lens to capture photos of birds in treetops

the challenge of birding

Spotting birds is no easy task. The trees may be filled with chirping sounds, but identifying and photographing the birds takes skill. “You have to kind of home in on where you’re hearing the bird,” explains Finley. “That gives you a key as to where the bird’s located.” But even when a bird is found, it often doesn’t stay put. Just about the time I spot a bird and get the camera pointed in the right direction, the bird flies away.

winter birds featured on tv

Watch this Heart of Louisiana story on birdwatching in Joe Brown Park

Joe Brown Park, best known for its athletic fields and recreational facilities, also features a lagoon, wooded trails, and a perimeter lined with drainage canals—all of which attract a variety of birds. The park connects to the Audubon Nature Center, creating a wildlife-rich area in urban New Orleans.

turkey buzzard in a treetop
A turkey vulture surveys its surroundings in Joe Brown Park

a changing landscape for birds

“Joe Brown Park is probably one of the wilder spots in an urban environment,” says John Wise, a birder from nearby Metairie who has participated in seasonal bird counts for years. He has noticed a decline in the diversity of species but emphasizes that Louisiana remains, “one of the richest areas in the United States,” for birds.

brown and white bird perched in tree

Throughout the morning, the birdwatchers listen, scan the treetops, and record their sightings, adding to a growing list of species observed over several hours. Some snap photos through telephoto lenses, while others simply enjoy the crisp air and the sounds of nature.

brown waterfowl stands on tree branch above water
A waterfowl standing above one of the canals in Joe Brown Park
large entrance sign to Joe Brown Park under blue sky with green trees and grass
Entrance to Joe Brown Memorial Park in New Orleans

getting there

Joe Brown Park is located at 5601 Read Blvd in New Orleans, a few blocks from Interstate Hwy 10 in eastern New Orleans. The Audubon Louisiana Nature Center is located behind the park at 11000 Lake Forest Blvd, New Orleans.

11000 Lake Forest Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70127

5601 Read Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70127

experience louisiana nature

flood gate and boat wake under clear blue skies

River Delta

    a large group of white ibis being fed in Lafreniere Park

    Park for the Birds

      Louisiana’s Whooping Cranes

        Written by:
        Dave McNamara
        Published on:
        February 11, 2025
        Thoughts:
        No comments yet

        Categories: Featured, New Orleans

        Reader Interactions

        Leave a Reply Cancel reply

        Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

        Heart of Louisiana logo

        Footer

        Copyright © 2025 Heart of Louisiana · Web Design

        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • About Dave McNamara
        • Contact
        • Advertising Opportunities
        • Archives
        • Privacy Policy
        • Site Map
        We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Privacy policyOk