The best birdwatching hotspots in North America revealed

There’s a growing trend within wildlife travel: avitourism. 

The official name for travel motivated by birdwatching, the avitourism industry is predicted to almost double in value over 10 years, reaching an estimated £89.7bn ($107.7bn) by 2033, as more people plan trips around migration patterns, seasonal activity, and the chance to encounter rare species first-hand in the wild¹. Supporting this is data from Google, showing that the number of people searching for “avitourism” has increased by nearly 25% since April 2023, and interest in “birdwatching trips” is up by 43% over the same period.

Across North America, birdwatching hotspots offer a mix of biodiversity, protected landscapes and precisely timed natural events. Journeyscape has analysed some of the most renowned locations across the USA and Canada to reveal where travellers can experience the richest birdlife, and when to visit for the most rewarding sightings.

Key takeaways from our research

• November and December dominate as peak birdwatching months across North America
• The top-ranking destination, in New Mexico, scores 9.2/10, driven by over 400 recorded species
• Point Reyes National Seashore in Marin County, California, has 30+ rare species and stands out for once-in-a-lifetime sightings
• Canada’s top destinations offer highly seasonal, migration-led experiences

The 5 standout US birdwatching destinations for peak wildlife encounters

This ranking considers four key factors:

• The total number of bird species recorded,
• The presence of rare and threatened species,
• Peak seasonal activity, and
• Conservation coverage (the proportion of the site that overlaps with protected areas)

Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico – Birdwatching Score: 9.2/10

With 411 recorded species and 18 rare or threatened birds, Bosque del Apache takes the top position as North America’s most rewarding birdwatching destination. Its peak months, November and December, coincide with major migration events, when vast flocks gather across wetlands and open landscapes. Visitors can hope to see endangered species like the southwestern willow flycatcher and the threatened yellow-billed cuckoo.

This location is unique for its concentration of activity. An average of 337 species during peak months creates a sense of constant movement, with large-scale sightings that are dramatic and immersive. Combined with full conservation coverage, the conditions here allow birdlife to thrive with little disruption.

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Texas – Birdwatching Score: 8.4/10

The Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas has an intense peak season. While it records slightly fewer total species at 392, activity reaches an average of 410 species during November and December, the highest concentration in the ranking.

This sharp seasonal surge reflects its importance as a migration and wintering ground. Birdwatchers visiting at the right time can expect a dense and varied mix of species, with the added advantage of fully protected habitats supporting consistent wildlife presence. The area is also world-renowned as the primary wintering ground for the endangered Whooping Crane, and visitors can hope to see Masked Duck and White-tailed Hawk.

Point Reyes National Seashore, California – Birdwatching Score: 8.3/10

Point Reyes in California combines the highest species count in the ranking, at 481, with 31 rare and threatened species. This diversity makes it one of the most unique destinations for those seeking more unusual sightings. The area is home to vulnerable species such as the long-tailed duck and the Slavonian grebe.

Although its average number of species during peak months is lower than some inland refuges, the breadth of species available across coastal, grassland and marine environments creates a more varied experience. For travellers, this means the possibility of seeing multiple ecosystems within just one trip.

Canada’s top birdwatching locations for migration-led experiences

While US destinations stand out for their high-density bird populations and intense peak activity, Canada’s birdwatching experiences are more migration-driven, shaped by expansive landscapes, seasonal shifts and more remote, specialist locations.

Point Pelee National Park, Ontario – Birdwatching Score: 6.8/10

Point Pelee in Ontario ranks as Canada’s leading birdwatching destination, with 387 recorded species and 16 rare species. Famous for its warblers, orioles, and raptors, during the peak in November and December, an average of 257 species can be observed, placing it firmly within the North American top 10.

Its location along a major migration corridor allows large numbers of birds to pass through in a concentrated period, making timing especially important for visitors looking to maximise sightings.

Presqu’ile Provincial Park, Ontario – Birdwatching Score: 5.6/10

Presqu’ile records 339 species and matches Point Pelee for rare species at 16. Peak activity reaches an average of 212 species during late autumn, reflecting a steady increase during migration periods.

The site offers a more gradual seasonal build, where activity is consistent across peak months rather than concentrated into a single surge. The park is also famous for sightings of Whimbrel, Red Knot, American Avocet, and rare visitors like the American Oystercatcher.

Eastern Cape Sable Island, Nova Scotia – Birdwatching Score: 4.9/10

Eastern Cape Sable Island records 345 species and 19 rare species, one of the highest rare species counts in Canada. Peak activity averages 73 species during November and December, significantly lower than mainland sites.

This reflects its remote location and more specialised birdwatching conditions. Sightings here are often shaped by specific migration patterns and weather conditions, creating a more unpredictable but distinctive experience. The area is known for its gulls and terns, including the common tern, arctic tern, ring-billed gull, and great black-backed gull.

8 of the top 10 hotspots peak in just 2 months, showing how timing shapes the experience

November and December dominate birdwatching across North America, with 80% of top locations peaking in this short window. It’s a reminder that some of the most rewarding travel moments sit just outside the height of summer, in those quieter, autumn / winter months.

As migration season unfolds, these winter travel periods bring landscapes to life with movement and sound, offering not only the best chances to spot birds but a slower, more immersive way to experience each destination.

At Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, species activity reaches an average of 410 during these peak months. Similarly, at Bosque del Apache, peak averages reach 337 species. For travellers, this concentration of activity means a shorter but more productive window. Planning family holidays, walking and active holidays, and solo trips around these months increases both the volume and variety of species that can be seen, particularly at sites positioned along major migration routes.

The destinations with up to 31 rare species highlight a shift towards experience-led travel

Rare and threatened species play a different role in the highest-ranking locations. Point Reyes National Seashore leads with 31 rare species, followed by Assateague Island National Seashore with 23 and San Clemente Island with 21.

These figures highlight how certain destinations offer opportunities that go beyond general birdwatching. Locations with higher numbers of rare species tend to attract travellers looking for more specific or unusual sightings.

This aligns with a wider shift towards experience-led travel, where the focus is on seeing something distinctive rather than simply increasing the number of sightings.

Why 100% conservation coverage is a common feature of the top-ranking sites

Conservation coverage is a clear common factor in the highest-ranking destinations. Bosque del Apache and Aransas National Wildlife Refuge both have 100% protected status, while Point Reyes reaches 99.8%.

These high levels of protection support stable habitats, particularly during migration periods when large numbers of species depend on safe feeding and resting areas. This contributes directly to higher species counts and more reliable sightings.

Across the dataset, locations with stronger conservation coverage consistently perform better overall, reinforcing the link between protected landscapes and biodiversity.

Plan your perfect wildlife holiday with Journeyscape

Journeyscape specialises in tailor-made holidays across North America, helping travellers plan trips around the moments that matter most. From migration-led journeys in Canada to wildlife holidays in the United States, each itinerary is designed to align with seasonal activity and individual interests.

By building flexibility into each journey, travellers can experience birdwatching at its most rewarding, whether that means visiting during peak migration periods or exploring quieter regions known for rare sightings.

Methodology

We created a seed list of well-known birdwatching sites in the United States and Canada, drawing on sources such as Bird Watching Daily and FYI Magazine. Sites were only included where consistent data was available across Avibase and BirdLife International. We then ranked each site using the following factors:

• Bird Species Recorded

We recorded the total number of bird species documented at each site using Avibase.

• Endangered Species

We recorded the number of globally threatened bird species present at each site, also sourced from Avibase.

• Seasonality

Using eBird bar chart data for each location, we counted the number of species recorded in each month of the year. We then identified the two consecutive months with the highest number of recorded species and calculated the average number of species during this peak period.

• Conservation Coverage

We calculated the proportion of each site that overlaps with protected areas and/or Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), using data from DataZone.

Each factor was normalised and scored out of 10. These scores were then averaged to produce an overall Birdwatching Score out of 10.

Additional sources

¹Birdwatching Tourism Market Analysis, Growth, Trend, Share

Google Keyword Planner for search interest data on “avitourism” and “birdwatching trips”