North Dakota’s prairies, wetlands, and badlands sit on the Central Flyway, making the state a major migration corridor. Like Kansas and Nebraska, North Dakota is where Baltimore and Bullock’s Oriole ranges overlap, producing hybrids in the western part of the state.
Orange Birds Found in North Dakota
| Species | Orange feature | When to see | Habitat |
|---|
| Baltimore Oriole | Bright orange breast, belly, and shoulders | Spring and summer (eastern ND) | Forest edges, parks, suburbs |
| Bullock’s Oriole | Orange face, breast, and underparts (male) | Spring and summer (western ND) | Cottonwoods, riparian areas |
| Orchard Oriole | Deep rusty-orange underparts (male) | Spring and summer | Open woodlands, orchards |
| Say’s Phoebe | Rusty-orange belly | Spring and summer | Open country, ranch buildings |
| American Robin | Orange-red breast | Year-round | Lawns, parks, woodlands |
| Spotted Towhee | Rufous-orange flanks | Spring and summer (western ND) | Dense brush, foothills |
| Barn Swallow | Orange-buff underparts | Spring and summer | Open fields, near structures |
| Northern Flicker | Orange under wings (both subspecies) | Year-round | Open woodlands, suburbs |
| American Kestrel | Rusty-orange back and tail (male) | Year-round | Open country, grasslands |
Best Birding Spots
| Location | Best species |
|---|
| Theodore Roosevelt National Park | Badlands species, raptors, Say’s Phoebe |
| Chase Lake NWR | Pelican colony, wetland birds |
| Lostwood NWR | Grassland birds, prairie species |
| Devils Lake | Waterfowl, shorebirds |
| Missouri River corridor | Riparian species, orioles |
Seasonal Guide
| Season | What to expect |
|---|
| Spring | Orioles arrive May, prairie songbirds return |
| Summer | Breeding season, both oriole species present |
| Autumn | Southbound migration, waterfowl staging |
| Winter | Northern Flicker, kestrels, hardy residents |
Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s badlands are home to Say’s Phoebe - a flycatcher with a distinctive rusty-orange belly that’s one of the most recognisable orange birds in the western prairies. The park’s rugged terrain also attracts raptors and prairie songbirds.
