As the name indicates, this migration path follows the Mississippi River, spanning the Gulf of Mexico all the way to Canada. It also branches off into the Great Lakes and the Ohio River Valley.
With no mountains blocking the way, the Mississippi Flyway provides a clear path that provides plenty of cover and wetland for the migrating birds to grab a bite and nap. Twice a year, 325 bird species travel the Mississippi Flyway, including 40% of shorebirds. So if you’d like to learn new species, two must-visit places in the spring and fall are the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (which spans Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois) and Wisconsin’s Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge.
Which states are in the Mississippi Flyway?
The Mississippi Flyway includes 21 states in the central U.S., following the path of the mighty Mississippi.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- Indiana
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- Nebraska
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Wisconsin
Kentucky Warbler | Banu R / iStock / via Getty Images
Which songbirds can be found along the Mississippi Flyway?
Half of the North American bird species spend at least part of their lives on the Mississippi Flyway. Even if you’re not planning a birding trip, the change of seasons is a great time to be more attentive to the kinds of birds visiting your backyard.
Warblers are highly sought after along the Mississippi Flyway during migration season. Colorful and elusive, few species visit feeders, but a road trip to a nature preserve for a hike and casual birding at the right time can be fruitful. Kirtland’s Warbler is high on the list of rare birds to look for, along with the Magnolia Warbler, Swainson’s Warbler, and the Cerulean Warbler.
Otherwise, here are some traveling birds to watch for along the Mississippi Flyway by spring and fall:
- Bullock’s Oriole
- Cedar Waxwing
- Eastern Bluebird
- Eastern Meadowlark
- Evening Grosbeak
- Grasshopper Sparrow
- Henslow’s Sparrow
- Indigo Bunting
- Northern Flicker
- Orchard Oriole
- Painted Bunting
- Pileated Woodpecker
- Pine Grosbeak
- Pine Siskin
- Red-winged Blackbird
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak
- Scarlet Tanager
- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
What to feed birds traveling the Mississippi Flyway?
As the seasons change, clean, stocked feeders and fresh water will provide an inviting oasis for traveling birds.
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