Birds of UNO

Birds of UNO! Sharing the beauty of birds on The University of 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.

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

04/17/2026

4-16-2026
So apparently the Pileated Woodpecker that was spotted over campus on Friday (see 4-10-2026 post) did more than fly by! Marcie Gras spotted a fresh cavity in the woodlot that was created by the woodpecker. Note the oblong shape of the hole compared to a more rounded shape. These birds like dead trees as they are usually full of grubs and other insects. Tasty treats.

If you look at the zoomed in photo you can see the sawdust at the bottom of the hole. The sizable wood chips were found at the base of the stump.

Pretty neat!!

Photo credits Liz Sigler

04/13/2026

4-13-2026
Hooded Warbler
Thank you for rescuing this weary migrating Hooded Warbler that wound up trapped in your building's stairwell.

managed to guide the bird out of the stairwell with her trusty extension pole (this pole has come in handy several times to extract birds). The Hooded Warbler flew to a nearby tree and was resting when we left it.

Another Hooded Warbler was also heard in the woodlot. So be on the lookout for these bright yellow birds.

Photo credit: Liz Sigler

04/12/2026

4-10-2026
Pileated Woodpecker
Jerhemy Lonzo was able to capture photos of a Pileated Woodpecker flying over campus on Friday! This is the largest woodpecker in North America, about the size of a crow. While seen in Louisiana, this species is very unusual in the city of New Orleans.

This is the first recorded sighting at UNO!

Thank you for sharing the photos Jerhemy Lonzo Photography

Address

New Orleans, LA
70148

Telephone

+15042807153

Website

https://www.uno.edu/birding

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