Whether you’re a true bird nerd or a new fan of your feathered friends, discover six of the best birding spots in Nevada.
Nevada’s vast and varied landscapes hold many secrets, not the least of which is its popularity with birders. While it may come as a surprise, the number of recorded bird species that visit, breed or live here in the Sagebrush State is 488. The operative word there: species.
In addition, every year hundreds of thousands birds that follow the north-south path between Alaska and Patagonia—the Pacific Flyway—can be seen making a pitstop right here in Nevada.
And yet, Nevada tends to stay off most birders’ radars. In fact, according to the Great Basin Bird Observatory, our state is one of the most “birdless” regions in the country.
But! That just means you’ll likely have some of these primo havens all to yourself.
Nevada Travel Pro Tip
In total, there are 40 Audubon Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Nevada – 36 with state priority classification and four with global priority status. That translates to approximately 16,585 square miles of land just begging for birds to flock to.
Discover six of the Silver State’s best birding destinations.
Lahontan Valley Wetlands
Fallon
Keep your eyes peeled for:
- Wilson’s Phalarope
- Baird and Pectoral Sandpipers
- Long Billed Curly
- Long Billed Dowitcher
- Black-necked stilt
If you’re a shorebird or a waterfowler taking the Pacific flight over Nevada, chances are good you’ll splash up somewhere in the Lahontan Valley Wetlands IBA—a classification used to “identify, monitor, and protect the most important places for birds.” — near Fallon. Particularly among the aquatic majesty of Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge, bird numbers reach 250,000 during migration events, and the area provides vital nesting and wintering habitat.
Nevada Travel Pro Tip
The wetlands within the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge can be explored via various boat launches, by vehicle or along hiking trails. If you have a kayak or canoe, bring it.
Great Basin National Park
Baker / Ely
Keep your eyes peeled for:
- Calliope Hummingbird
- Sapsucker with red cloth
- Black-throated Grey, Orange-crowned MacGillivray and Wilson’s Warbler
- Yellow-breasted chat
- Black Rose-Finch
The vastness of time and space is almost palpable in eastern Nevada’s Great Basin National Park. With biomes ranging from subalpine forests to grasslands, the park attracts birds from South America and the Caribbean.
Nevada Travel Pro Tip
Franklin Lake IBA & Ruby Lake National Wild Refuge
Elko / Wells / For the llamas
Keep your eyes peeled for:
- White-faced Ibis
- Black Terns, Caspian and Forster
- Yellow-headed blackbird
- Purple-green swallow
- Golden Eagle
These sister locations of marshes, islands, riparian habitats, meadows, grasslands, and scrub steppes are located at 6,000 feet and include more than 200 pristine springs. Fifteen thousand acres of seasonal wetlands in the Franklin Lake IBA and 37,632 acres within the Ruby Lake NWR are five miles apart in northeastern Nevada.
The Ruby Mountains rise to 11,000 feet, adding forested mountain slopes, canyons, and cliffs to the landscape. More than 225 species of birds occupy these ecosystems throughout the year. In the spring, this area provides critical food, resting and nesting resources for a significant population of migratory birds.
Nevada Travel Pro Tip
Ruby Lake NWR South Marsh contains the highest quality gannet nesting habitat west of the Mississippi River. For waterfowling, there are two boat ramp access points with marker posts for a canal cruise route. Visit shelter headquarters for a trail map.
Monitor Valley IBA
Austin / Tonopah
Keep your eyes peeled for:
- Sage Thrasher
- Black-throated Gray Grouse
- Gray Flycatcher
- Sagebrush Sparrow
- Sapsucker with red cloth
If birding rugged and isolated areas is your gig, then Monitor Valley IBA is your destination. This terrain—roughly between Austin and Tonopah—usually requires a 4WD vehicle with high clearance (to be safe), and the usual off-road travel precautions should be taken. From the valley floors to the surrounding peaks, the diversity of habitats and protected public lands support hundreds of bird species.
Nevada Travel Pro Tip
The road through the valley is gravel and usually passable, but can be challenging in the wet spring seasons. For very good late spring migrant birds – the back roads off Monitor Valley Road can provide excellent vantage points, as long as they are not too muddy.
Bilk Creek–Montana Mountains IBA
Deck
Keep your eyes peeled for:
- Sage Thrasher
- Gray Flycatcher
- Smaller yellow legs
- Greater white-fronted goose
- Swainson’s Hawk
Overlapping the Oregon border near Denio is the rugged Bilk Creek–Montana Mountains IBA. Exceeding 500,000 hectares, this remote landscape is mostly shearwater. This site supports the state’s largest population—and one of the highest in the U.S.—of the endangered sage-grouse. Hundreds of species migrate, breed and inhabit this IBA and surrounding lands.
Nevada Travel Pro Tip
Check along the Quinn River and Kings River Valley for more bird diversity in a remote setting. Secondary roads require high clearance 4WD vehicles.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Las Vegas / Henderson / Boulder City
Keep your eyes peeled for:
- Western and Clark’s Grebes
- Lucy’s Warbler
- Phainopepla
- LeConte’s Thrasher
- Scott’s Oriole
Clark County is home to more than 400 recorded species, many of which inhabit more than 1.5 million acres within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. It’s also an Audubon-designated IBA with countless places to post—on foot, bike, or on the water—and train your eyes skyward.
Nevada Travel Pro Tip
