Pennsylvania No. 7 Best State for Birdwatching

Birdwatchers and nature lovers, Pennsylvania offers plenty of scenic views of feathered friends. The state was ranked seventh best for birdwatching by Lawn Love. 

With an overall score of 37.71, Pennsylvania ranked: 

• No. 5 in conservation (number of birding organizations, Audubon offices/chapters; presence of Urban Bird Treaty Program and Audubon Lights Out Program) 
• No. 10 in climate (number of extremely cold/extremely hot days, drought risk, annual precipitation) 
• No. 10 in access (number of Audubon centers, wildlife refuges, national/state parks, hiking trails, forest areas) 
• No. 19 in bird variety (number of bird species, nests found in 2024, endemic species, wildlife and forces of nature fatalities) 
• No. 28 in popularity (number of birdwatching groups, birdwatchers, checklists, bird festivals) 

Did you know? 

• Pennsylvania’s official state bird is the ruffed grouse, established in 1931. 
• Pennsylvania is widely considered the birthplace of ornithology, the study of birds, in North America. 
• The commonwealth is home to 436 species of wild birds and 86 Important Bird Areas. 

The top six states for birdwatching are: 

1. California (57.08) 
2. Florida (47.98) 
3. Texas (46.77) 
4. New York (46.04) 
5. Washington (40.18) 
6. Oregon (38.82)