Bird Watching at Congaree National Park

Congaree National Park is spread across 26,276 acres of central South Carolina land, located 18 miles southeast of Columbia. The park forms the largest expanse of intact old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the United States and has incredible biodiversity.

The park’s river-floodplain ecosystem is lined by lakes, creeks, and swamps, providing wildlife with adequate food and shelter. Congaree National Park is a recognized Important Bird Area (IBA) with populations of Red-tailed Hawks, Red-shouldered Hawks, Barred Owls, Summer Tanagers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and Wrens, Nuthatches, and Warblers.

Major Attractions at Congaree National Park

Hiking is the best way to travel and explore the biodiversity of Congaree National Park. Travel along with Bluff Trail, Sims Trail, Weston Lake Loop Trail, or Boardwalk Loop Trail to spot animals that sanctuary in the park-like wild boars and box turtles. The park also offers guided ranger tours that give detailed explanations of the park’s wildlife and ecology.

Another way to experience Congaree National Park is by kayaking or canoeing through its swamps or fishing alongside its rivers. Follow the marked Cedar Creek Canoe Trail with your kayak to view the park’s landscape from a different angle. Another central feature of Congaree is its Synchronous Fireflies. This park is the only site besides Great Smoky Mountains National Park that displays the firefly show from late May to early June each year.

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Bird Watching at Congaree National Park

The park’s bird checklist marks just under 200 species. Although the number is not high, Congaree makes up for it in the sheer number of birds present at any given time of year. In addition, the national park is an ideal habitat for migrant birds, especially for populations looking for a suitable nesting site or wintering grounds.

Almost all of South Carolina’s Woodpeckers have been recorded at Congaree National Park, including the Ivory-billed Woodpecker and the Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. Most of the commonly found Woodpeckers occur in large flocks every year. Congaree is also a site for special concerns for the Rusty Blackbird Spring Migration Blitz. Walking around Cedar Creek will most likely present you with the view of a Pileated Woodpecker.

The Red-bellied Woodpeckers can be heard cackling in the woodlands, making much more noise than in a mixed forest of the north. In the winter months of Congaree, songbirds are the main attraction. A cacophony can be heard from dawn until 9 to 10 in the morning in the Harry Hampton Visitor Center parking lot. The Yellow-throated Warblers can be heard singing from high perches in an attempt to drown out the gangs of Tufted Titmice.

10 Birds to See at Congaree National Park

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed Hawks have wide, round wings, and a short red tail. They are the most common Hawk throughout North America. Their population is steady with some recent increases. Red-tailed Hawks live in open fields, prairie groves, and mountains. These birds perch up high to look for their prey. They eat small animals like rabbits and voles. They lay 2 to 3 eggs in nests 120 feet high in trees. Their nests are made with sticks and shaped like a big bowl. Red-tailed Hawks residing in the north migrate south; however, those already in the south are permanent residents.

Barred Owl

Barred Owls are brown and white striped with brown eyes. They live throughout the southeast U.S. Their population has recently increased after a decline. Their habitat is in wooded swamps and woodlands. Barred Owls make the traditional “hoot” sound and are most active at night. They eat small mammals, flying squirrels, rabbits, and opossums. Barred Owls lay 2 to 3 eggs in the hollow part of a tree. They do not migrate.

Summer Tanager

Summer Tanagers are the only completely red birds in North America. They live in the southern region of North America. These birds are quite common and widespread and not at risk of being endangered. They enjoy making their home at the top canopy of eastern forests. Summer Tanagers like to catch bees and wasps in flight to eat. They will also eat berries and spiders. Summer Tanagers are hard to find songbirds because they hide and move slowly. They lay 3 to 5 eggs in a loosely made cup shaped nest above ground. They migrate south into Mexico and Brazil.

Pileated Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpeckers are a beautiful black color with white stripes down their neck and a bright red crest. You can find them in the eastern region of North America. Their population is stable after a slight decrease prior to 1900. Pileated Woodpeckers like to drum on old logs or near the base of a tree. They like to dig rectangular holes in trees while trying to find ants to eat. They lay 3 to 5 eggs and make their nests in dead trees or utility poles. Pileated Woodpeckers are permanent residents.

Tufted Titmouse xx

The Tufted Titmouse is a small gray bird with big black eyes and a bushy crest that looks like a mohawk. They live in the southeastern United States. The population of the Tufted Titmouse is increasing. They make their homes in groves and near woodlands. The Tufted Titmouse has an echoing voice. They nest in natural holes and cavities usually left by Woodpeckers. Tufted Titmice use human hair, woodchucks, dogs, and other live animals to put in their nests. They lay 5 to 6 eggs. The Tufted Titmouse is not a migratory bird.

Blue Grosbeak

Blue Grosbeaks are blue with brown wings and silver bills. You can find these birds throughout North America. These birds are not endangered; their population is increasing. Their habitat is in brush and thickets near streams. You can hear the Blue Grosbeaks’ rich songs from trees and power lines. They eat insects, seeds, and grain. Blue Grosbeaks lay 3 to 5 eggs and build their nests 3 to 10 feet up in trees. They will often put string, snakeskin, paper, rags, or other odd things in their nests. They migrate south across the Gulf of Mexico.

Cattle Egret

Cattle Egrets are small and white with a yellow bill and legs. They were originally from Africa and first came to North America in 1952. Now that they are in North America, Cattle Egrets can be found at the feet of cattle or riding on their backs. Since being introduced in North America, their population has increased and now appears to be stable. They make their homes near farmland and along highway edges. These birds enjoy eating grasshoppers and other small animals. They lay 3 to 4 eggs and make platform nests in colonies. Cattle Egrets are migratory birds and can be seen migrating south to Central and South America.

Red-bellied Woodpecker xx

Red-bellied Woodpeckers have black and white barred feathers and a red cap. Their red belly is not typically visible. They live in the eastern United States. At one point their population was declining but has since started increasing. They make their homes in groves and orchards. They are loud and can be heard a lot during the spring and summer. Red-bellied Woodpeckers use their long tongue and sticky spit to catch insects in deep crevices in trees. They build their nests very high up in holes on dead trees. These birds lay 4 to 5 eggs. They are not true migratory birds, but some have been seen moving small distances.

Purple Martin

Purple Martins are dark blue-purple with black wings and tails. They live all throughout eastern North America. Their population has seen a decline but is not at risk of being endangered. Their habitat is in an open country near the water and also on farms. Purple Martins get all their food while flying. Native Americans used empty gourds to house Purple Martins. Now Purple Martins in the eastern U.S. almost always build nests in birdhouses. Bird houses for these birds look like bird hotels. They lay 4 to 5 eggs. At the end of the fall season, they migrate to South America.

Wood Stork

Wood Storks are overall white birds with some black feathers and a black tail. They can be found in some areas of the southeast, such as Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. Their population has decreased due to the destruction of their habitat. Wood Storks are not considered endangered but are being watched. They make their homes in marshes, ponds, and lagoons. They eat mostly fish, such as minnows and crayfish. Wood Storks will sometimes spit water on their hatched babies to keep them cool in the hot summer. They are not true migratory birds, but some have been seen moving north.

Final Thoughts

Congaree National Park is an abode to an expansive range of wildlife. Forming an impressive ornithological zone, the national park is a must-see for avid bird watchers who can’t wait for the delayed spring migration.

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 Congaree 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.