Attention all birders! Important Minnesota bird areas are the focus of this list! Summer in Minnesota can be hot and humid, and birdwatching is a popular pastime.

The Audubon tells us that the following 'Important Bird Areas' are essential habitats for one or more breeding, wintering, and/or migrating bird species in the state of Minnesota.

"The IBA program is designed to be proactive, voluntary, participatory, science-based and works to identify, monitor, and conserve the most essential habitats for birds."

5 Important bird areas (IBA) in Minnesota

• Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge IBA 
• Arden Hills Army Training Site - Rice Creek IBA
• Avon Hills IBA
• Blufflands Root River IBA 
• Chippewa Plains IBA

What Birds Are in My Backyard explains which bird species we should look for in Minnesota during various seasons. After you research the IBAs, you can determine the list of birds to check off during summer and winter months.

The top list on this page is the frequency of birds throughout the year. Many birds are migratory or otherwise vary in abundance between seasons.

Common summer birds in Minnesota

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Today's visitors🐦🦆🌿. American Goldfinch. Pretty birds, pretty birds. #americangoldfinch #birdwatchers #prettybird #naturephotography #nature #backyard #birdfeeder #birdhouse #ducks #ducksofinstagram #wildlife

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1. American Robin
2. Song Sparrow
3. American Goldfinch
4. American Crow
5. Black-capped Chickadee
6. Chipping Sparrow
7. Mourning Dove
8. Blue Jay
9. Common Grackle
10. Barn Swallow
11. House Wren
12. Gray Catbird
13. Northern Cardinal
14. Red-eyed Vireo

Birdwatchers Digest confirms that summer is when nesting birds can be watched!

"Summer is the time when resident birds that nest in Minnesota can be observed. These include, among others, ruffed grouse, gray jay, evening grosbeak, black-backed woodpecker, boreal chickadee, three-toed woodpecker, northern saw-whet owl, spruce grouse, great gray owl, and northern goshawk."

Common winter birds in Minnesota

1. Black-capped Chickadee
2. American Crow
3. Downy Woodpecker
4. White-breasted Nuthatch
5. Blue Jay
6. Hairy Woodpecker
7. Dark-eyed Junco
8. Northern Cardinal

Other birds of Minnesota?

Warblers, Common Loon, Bald Eagle, Bluebird, terns, House Sparrows, Hummingbirds, Red-bellied woodpecker, Flycatcher, Towhees, Orioles, Teal, Great Horned Owls, Thrush, Yellow Warblers, Sandpiper, Snowy Owl, Wood Duck, Mallard, and Gull.

Have you ever seen or heard of these wild birds? Please leave us a comment below!

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