Birds

Birds of the St. Louis River

The lower St. Louis River and its surroundings are home to a diverse array of native animal species. Nearly 300 bird species are commonly found in Minnesota, and over 230 have been documented in the lower St. Louis River. This area serves as both a critical migratory stopover and an important breeding ground.

In addition to songbirds, high numbers of raptors, shorebirds, waterbirds, gulls, and terns pass through the area each spring and fall. Several factors make the lower St. Louis River an important stopover site. Many migrating birds avoid flying over large bodies of water, channeling them along the western edge of Lake Superior and through the estuary. Large wetlands provide an essential source of food for both migrants and resident birds, while sandy beach habitats—rare in the Upper Midwest—offer key resting areas for shorebirds. The estuary is particularly important during spring migration, as it is often the only area with open water. At peak times, observers have recorded thousands of waterbirds concentrated in this relatively small area. The diversity and extent of wetlands and shoreline habitats also make the lower St. Louis River ideal for breeding.

Birds of conservation concern in the estuary include piping plover, black tern, common tern, American bittern, least bittern, Virginia rail, yellow-headed blackbird, sedge wren, marsh wren, northern waterthrush, and green heron. Populations of these species have declined regionally or nationally, and they are now rarely seen in the St. Louis River estuary. Two notable raptors—the bald eagle and peregrine falcon—also breed in the estuary, with populations that have either increased or remained stable in recent years.

Given the widespread loss of wetland and shoreline habitats across the Great Lakes region, protecting the lower St. Louis River is vital to support these declining bird species and maintain the ecological richness of the estuary.

Check out this Duluth/Superior Birding Map created by Northeaster Minnesota Bird Alliance, formerly Duluth Audubon Society.