Birds of LSU New Orleans

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Birds of LSU New Orleans

Birds of LSU New Orleans! Sharing the beauty of birds on the LSU New Orleans campus. Funded by the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service's, Urban Bird Treaty Program, via the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation—Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program, our grant, “Urban Bird Habitat and Environmental Education at the University of New Orleans” was established to create an urban birding trail at the University of New Orleans (UNO); initiate regular campus bird counts; plant 120 native trees and shru

bs along the trail route; launch UNO participation in trash cleanup events; and provide hands-on, expert-led environmental educational experiences to UNO TRiO Upward Bound students. These efforts will enhance bird habitat along a key migration corridor running through one of the nation’s most deforested cities; expand community tree canopy; improve public open spaces; avert waste from local waterways and improve awareness of the impacts of litter; and engage the community (especially its underserved youths) in nature appreciation, environmental protection, habitat restoration, and citizen science.

08/31/2026

8-31-2026
Hummingbird migration is upon us. It's time to keep an eye out on red flowered plants in your neighborhood and hang up your hummingbird feeders.

This Ruby-throated Hummingbird was seen outside of my office in the Turk's Cap today. Sorry the pictures aren't the greatest. Hummingbirds move fast and the photos were taken through the window.

It pays to take a break from staring at a computer screen and take a few moments to look out the window!

Photo Credits: Liz Sigler

08/30/2026

8-27-2026
After the rains on Thursday, the White Ibis were out exploring campus. They like to forage by probing the soft mud for invertebrates, reptiles and amphibians with their long curved bill.

Note the immature birds are a mix of brown and white feathers, while the adult is white.

Photo credits: Liz Sigler

08/26/2026

8-25-2026
"Buddy" Our Great Horned Owl has been staying well hidden in the woodlot for the past few weeks, but on Tuesday the crows let us know exactly where he was!

Birds are starting their southern migration so be on the lookout for the small neotropical warblers and other birds making the journey.

Photo credits Liz Sigler

06/18/2026

6-18-2026 Our campus was hit by a tornado, spun off from Tropical Storm Arthur this morning. The result was mostly tree damage and some minor building damage. I did visit the woodlot at lunch to check on Buddy the Great Horned Owl and he/she was in its favorite tree unscathed! Yay!

(photo from January 2026)

06/01/2026

Purple Martin update 5-27-2026

Last week we lowered the gourds to check for nesting activity. After seeing birds entering one of the gourds with nesting materials we were hoping to eventual have chicks. Alas, the birds were last seen on May 20 but they did not leave without a surprise!

Our nest check revealed 2 eggs and added nesting material! These are the very first eggs laid in our units! The only starting nesting material we added to the gourds were some pine needles, so if you look at the photos you will see leaves and other materials added by the birds.

Unfortunately these very late arriving birds (to LA) did not stick around and perhaps continued to more northern breeding areas.

Our team is still super excited to have witnessed nest activity and the presence of eggs.

For our undergraduate students on the team, this is the first time seeing Purple Martin eggs. It was a joy to see how excited everyone was.

05/22/2026

5-19-2026
"Buddy" our Great Horned Owl is still hanging out in the woodlot.

We found several owl pellets under the tree in which we see him most often.

Owls cannot digest the bones and fur of their prey so while digesting their food they compact the undigestible parts into pellets and regurgitate about 6 - 10 hours later.

Scroll through and check out all the bones and fur in the pellets. This bird seems to be eating well!

05/15/2026

5-14-2026
Guess who showed up today?!?!
Purple Martins!!

This is the fourth breeding season where we had gourds on campus. While we have had Purple Martins visit the gourds before during migration, this is the first time we have recorded nesting behavior. We observed the birds picking up leaves and bringing them to the gourds (Sorry about the shaky video).

Fingers crossed that this pair will stick around and have have a successful brood.

Will keep you posted.

Photo credits Liz Sigler

05/13/2026

5-12-2026
Ovenbird
An Ovenbird was spotted on campus by two visiting birders.

This warbler is passing through to its northern breeding grounds.

Photo credits: Liz Sigler

04/23/2026

4-22-2026
Wow what pops of color on Wednesday!

Not one but two Rose-breasted Grosbeaks visited our feeder!

Also, both male and female Summer Tanagers stopped by to feed on mulberries and insects.

So glad the campus is a great host to migrating birds.

Photo credits Liz Sigler

04/20/2026

4-20-2026
Campus had their own version of a Blue Monday when an Indigo Bunting appeared at the campus feeder! Such a pretty blue.

We are entering peak migration so other birds seen today were a Summer Tanager and a Mississippi Kite. Be on the lookout for colorful warblers in your yards.

Photo credits Liz Sigler

Address

New Orleans, LA
70148

Telephone

+15042807153

Website

https://www.lsuneworleans.edu/sustainability/programs/grounds/birds

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