Bird Watching at Badlands National Park

The National Park Service manages this 242,756 acres park. The park covers mixed-grass prairie and pinnacles and buttles that have eroded. One of the reasons why the Badlands National Park is famous is that it reintroduced the Black-Footed Ferret, an extremely endangered species. This park is also an excellent place for birdwatching.

Major Attractions at Badlands National Park

Badlands National Park has several particular places that visitors love. First, there is the Loop Road overlooking most of the park and, as the name suggests, is a looping road. And also, the place is rich in fossils.

South Dakota’s biggest beauty and pride, the eroding buttes, known as the Badlands Walls, is at least once visited by the citizens. On the Notch Trail, you can attempt a short but challenging hike. At the end of the walk, you will be greeted with a fantastic view once you manage to climb the long ladder. If you are looking to buy gifts, there is the
Ben Reifel Visitor Center. You can also get your National park passport stamped there. If you want a dose of cuteness, the Roberts Prairie Dog Town is always there for you.

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Bird Watching at Badlands National Park

A total of 411 species have been observed in South Dakota as of now. About 206 species have been known to roam about Badlands National Park, while 67 of them are residents in the area. It is a crossroads of sorts for the avians, as birds from the east and west show up here. This leads to a beautiful, rich experience for birdwatchers.

The Badland formations, with their steep slope, have always been revered by their visitors. However, a closer look will reveal overhangs, nooks, and hollows on the wall. The summer season sees Cliff Swallows creating their mud nests by using the formations.

On the high steep cliffs, one can note the nests of Prairie Falcons and Golden Eagles. The entire year, these species fly over the Badlands, foraging rigorously. Sometimes, migratory Rock Pigeons visit this place to nest on the ridges and pinnacles. The foot of the formation has Rock Wrens demurely doing knee-bends.

You will find Townsend’s Solitaires feeding on juniper berries on the round Cliff Shelf Nature Trail of half a mile. Year-round, Cedar Waxwings and Black-capped Chickadees are also found here.

Half of the park might belong to the Badland formations, but the other half is greenery in the form of prairies. When we think about Prairie birds, Western Meadowlarks also come to the picture, and this place is no different. Killdeer are also present, happily nesting on the grounds. The dirt is often kicked up, leading to dust formations as Horned Larks frantically search for seeds. Ferruginous Hawks and Short-eared Owls often descend on Prairie dogs as their prey.

10 Birds to See at Badlands National Park

Rock Pigeon

Rock Pigeons are blue-gray in color. They live throughout North America. Their population is steady and not at risk of being endangered. They make their homes in cities, farms, and around bridges. Rock Pigeons feed on food thrown away by humans. Rock Pigeons were used in World War I to carry very important messages. They can find their homes from far distances even without using sight. Rock Pigeons lay 2 eggs, 5 times a year. They build their nests in the same spot each time and sometimes build them in rain gutters and window ledges. Rock Pigeons are not migratory birds.

Cedar Waxwing

Cedar Waxwings have a silky, shiny body that is brown and gray. They have a black mask on their face, a small crest, and red tips on their wings. Cedar Waxwings live throughout North America. Their population is steady and has even increased in recent years. They make their homes in orchards of fruiting trees and in open woodlands. This Waxwing has a high-thin whistle. Many times you will hear a Cedar Waxwing before you will see them. They love to eat fruit and berries. These birds lay 3 to 5 eggs and build nests near other Cedar Waxwings. They do not have a set migratory pattern but are considered nomadic, moving around irregularly.

Black-capped Chickadee

Black-capped Chickadees are gray and white with a black cap. You can find them throughout North America. They are a common bird with an increasing population. These birds live in shade trees and groves. They are easy to attract backyard feeders because they like seeds. They also like insects and berries. Black-capped Chickadees lay 6 to 8 eggs in holes they make in trees. They are not migratory birds; however, some groups have been seen going south in the fall.

Killdeer

Killdeer are brown with white underbellies. They are common birds that are widespread throughout North America. They are not close to being endangered. Killdeer are one of the few shorebirds seen without going to the beach. They make their homes near golf courses, athletic fields, parking lots, and backyards. They eat insects as they run across the ground. These birds usually lay 4 eggs and make their nests on the ground. They are easy to see. Southern Killdeer live permanently in the south; however, the birds found in the north do migrate south.

Horned Lark

Horned Larks are brown with a yellow and black face and small black “horns” made of feathers. You can find them throughout North America. There has been a decline in their population, but they are stable and not at risk of being endangered. Horned Larks live in large, empty fields, and deserts. They are ground birds, where they feed on seeds and insects. They lay 3 or 4 eggs in an open nest on the ground. While some Horned Larks are permanent residents in their area, the Horned Larks found in the north migrate south.

Ferruginous Hawk

Ferruginous Hawks have gray heads, white underbellies, and rust-red colors on their shoulders and legs. They are the largest North American Hawk and they live throughout the western U.S. Ferruginous Hawks are considered threatened since their population has decreased drastically. Their habitat is in prairies and deserts. They eat small mammals such as squirrels or prairie dogs. Ferruginous Hawks fly with their wings in a V shape. They lay 2 to 4 eggs. Their nests are usually built in trees but can be built on cliffs or the ground. They only migrate short distances, if at all.

American Goldfinch

American Goldfinches are a bright yellow color with some shiny black and white on their wings. They live all over North America. Their population is steady but has seen a small decline recently. They build their homes along roadsides and in open woods. They are the state bird of New Jersey, Iowa, and Washington. These birds eat a strict vegetarian diet and love sunflower and nyjer seeds. They love to visit backyard feeders if you have these seeds. They make nests out of plant fibers and spider webs. American Goldfinches lay 4 to 6 eggs. They make their nests so well they can hold water. They migrate during mid-fall and early spring.

American Wigeon

American Wigeons are brownish-gray with a green stripe behind the eye and a white cap. You can find them throughout North America. Their population is stable with their range expanding into the northeast and Canada. American Wigeons have short bills that help them eat vegetation from fields easily. They make their homes in marshes, lakes, and fields. American Wigeons eat mostly plants such as algae, eelgrass, and wild celery. They migrate in flocks, moving during the day.

Burrowing Owl

Burrowing Owls are small and brown with yellow eyes. They live throughout the western United States, generally where there is a population of squirrels or prairie dogs. They are considered endangered. These Owls make their homes in prairies and farmlands. They hunt for food on the ground during the day. Burrowing Owls eat mice, squirrels, voles, and insects. They lay anywhere from 3 to 12 eggs. Their nests are burrows in the ground 6 to 10 feet long. Burrowing Owls found in the north, migrate to the south.

Dark-eyed Junco

Dark-eyed Juncos have a gray-brown body with bright white tail feathers. You can find them throughout North America. They are abundant and widespread with no risk to their population. Dark-eyed Juncos make their homes in open or partially wooded areas. They have a twittering call and a trilling song. These birds eat insects and seeds. They lay 3 to 5 eggs and build their nests on the ground, hidden under branches or rocks. Dark-eyed Juncos are migratory birds; however, those already residing in the south are permanent residents.

Final Thoughts

Most people visit Badlands National Parks for the Badlands formations and see some of the endangered species protected here. However, this does not mean there is a lack of bird species in the area. There are many places you might like observing, especially around the rock formations.

Ornithology

Bird Watching Academy & Camp Subscription Boxes

At the Bird Watching Academy & Camp we help kids, youth, and adults get excited and involved in bird watching. We have several monthly subscription boxes that you can subscribe to. Our monthly subscription boxes help kids, youth, and adults learn about birds, bird watching, and bird conservation.

Bird Watching Binoculars

The most common types of bird watching binoculars for viewing birds at Badlands National Park is the 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. Bird Watching Academy & Camp sells really nice 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. You can view and purchase them here.