From the sugar-white beaches of the Gulf of Mexico north to the scenic Tennessee River Valley and east to the foothills of the Appalachians, Alabama is home to a wide variety of birds. More than 180 species regularly breed in Alabama, and more than 400 species have been recorded in the state, placing it among the best birding states in the Lower 48. Alabama’s abundant hardwood forests and many waterways and lakes make it attractive to millions of birds. The geography offers many specialized areas, providing suitable habitat for shorebirds, raptors, passerines, and sparrows. It is reasonable to see well over 250 species in a year, and by working hard, a few birders have seen more than 300 species in one year in Alabama.
