5. Wood Ducks

To me, these are some of the most amazing little ducks around. According to Wood Duck natural history, they lay eggs in the hollow cavities of tall trees, and when the chicks hatch, the tiny ducklings must boldly leap to the ground to reach the safety of the water below. The males of this species are incredibly colorful with intricate patterns that almost make them look like a hand-carved wooden decoy instead of a live duck.

4. Ring-necked Pheasant

I always enjoy spotting these long-tailed birds out in an open field or watching them take flight alongside my car on country roads. I used to think they got their name from their raspy call, since it sounds like they are getting their neck wrung as they give the loud call! However, their name actually comes from the distinct white ring visible around the male’s dark, iridescent neck.

Here are a few quick tips for spotting these species in the wild:

3. Common Loon

These majestic water birds can be seen and heard on many of the clear lakes around Minnesota. If you love observing waterfowl like the Wood Ducks, watching a Common Loon glide gracefully across the water is an unforgettable experience. They tend to ride low in the water, and both males and females share the same striking plumage. Loons are remarkably fast swimmers and excellent divers—there’s truly no telling where they will pop up in a lake once they dive beneath the surface.

2. Eastern Wood Pewee

For such a tiny bird, the Eastern Wood Pewee is able to belt out quite a surprisingly loud call that is high-pitched and piercing to the ears. These small, olive-colored flycatchers migrate all the way to Central and South America for the winter months, following the exact same migratory routes that their species has taken for over a century.

1. Red-breasted Nuthatch

These energetic little birds are always busy and can routinely be seen making their way up, down, and around the side of a tree trunk in search of tasty bugs hidden in the bark. Much like observing the distinct routines of the Red-breasted Nuthatch or the Common Loon, watching these forest foragers provides endless delight. Their call is long and drawn out—higher pitched than the White-breasted Nuthatch, but still very similar in tone.

I’ve been bird watching along many of Minnesota's scenic lakes and have even seen white pelicans taking a restful pause at a larger lake during migration season. I keep a running list of birds I’ve spotted in my notebook, so of course those large pelicans were proudly added to my ongoing list. Do you have some favorite birds you look for each fall during migration? Are there a few types of birds that you are looking forward to seeing someday soon?