Birding
With more than 200 species of birds common to the Black Hills and Badlands, birders can glimpse birds native to western plains and mountains. The Black Hills is also home to more than 20 rare or endangered species, and it is a meeting ground for many eastern and western species.
Some of the best places to enjoy birding are in the national and state parks, such as Bear Butte State Park near Sturgis, Wind Cave National Park near Hot Springs, Custer State Park, the Big Badlands, or Spearfish Canyon.
Western South Dakota is a good place to spot some of the great raptors: bald eagles, golden eagles, turkey vultures, prairie falcons, and many types of hawks and owls.
Visiting birders seem to take special delight in finding our local mountain bluebirds, blackbilled magpies, fearless little nuthatches, busy water ouzels, flamboyant Western tanagers, or impudent jays.
Because this country is semi-arid, we don’t have a lot of waterfowl. An exception is Rapid City’s Canyon Lake, where more than 30 species of waterfowl have been observed. From wild turkeys to tiny wrens, the changing seasons bring new species of visiting and resident birds.
Links to Consider:
South Dakota Park Bird Booklet
Bird Checklist
South Dakota Ornithologists' Union
South Dakota Rare Birds
Custer State Park
Badlands National Park
A Bird's Guide to Mickelson Trail
