South Dakota spans eastern prairie wetlands to the Black Hills in the west - an isolated mountain range rising from the plains that holds species found nowhere else in the state. Northern Cardinals reach their western range limit in the east, Red Crossbills live in the Black Hills ponderosa pine, and House Finches are common in towns.
Red Birds Found in South Dakota
| Species | Red feature | When to see | Habitat |
|---|
| Northern Cardinal | Males bright red all over | Year-round (eastern SD) | Gardens, woodlands, suburbs |
| House Finch | Red head, breast, rump (male) | Year-round | Suburbs, urban areas |
| Red Crossbill | Males brick-red all over | Year-round (Black Hills) | Ponderosa pine forests |
| Red-headed Woodpecker | Entirely red head | Spring and summer | Open woodlands, dead trees |
| Red-bellied Woodpecker | Red cap and nape | Year-round (eastern SD) | Deciduous forests |
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | Red throat patch (male) | Spring and summer | Gardens, forest edges |
| Rose-breasted Grosbeak | Red breast triangle (male) | Spring and summer | Deciduous woodlands |
| Purple Finch | Raspberry-red wash (male) | Migration and winter | Woodlands, feeders |
| Northern Flicker | Red shaft under wings (red-shafted in west) | Year-round | Open woodlands, suburbs |
| Common Redpoll | Red forehead cap | Winter | Weedy fields, feeders |
| Pine Grosbeak | Males rose-pink head and breast | Winter (Black Hills) | Spruce-fir forests |
Best Birding Spots
| Location | Best species |
|---|
| Custer State Park | Black Hills species, forests, grasslands |
| Badlands National Park | Prairie species, raptors, dramatic landscape |
| LaCreek NWR | Prairie pothole wetlands, waterfowl |
| Bear Butte State Park | Migration stopover, grassland and lake birds |
| Big Sioux Recreation Area | Riparian species, migration corridor |
Seasonal Guide
| Season | What to expect |
|---|
| Spring | Grosbeaks arrive, prairie birds active |
| Summer | Breeding season, Black Hills species at elevation |
| Autumn | Southbound migration, hawk watches |
| Winter | Common Redpolls, Pine Grosbeaks in Black Hills |
The Black Hills are an isolated mountain range rising from the Great Plains, holding Red Crossbills, Pine Grosbeaks, and other forest species far from the nearest mountains. This geographic isolation makes the Black Hills one of the most interesting birding areas on the northern Great Plains.
