Field Guide · Regional

Wildlife in Alabama

The birds, plants, and insects most often recorded in Alabama. A starting field list, drawn from iNaturalist research-grade observations, for what is likely living near you.

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Birds

Birds Commonly Recorded In Alabama

Most-recorded birds reported across the state.

  1. Northern Cardinal Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis 5,562 records
  2. Great Blue Heron Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias 4,684 records
  3. Northern Mockingbird Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos 4,254 records
  4. Eastern Bluebird Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis 3,068 records
  5. Mourning Dove Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura 2,735 records
  6. American Robin American Robin Turdus migratorius 2,717 records
  7. Canada Goose Branta canadensis 2,487 records
  8. Mallard Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 2,427 records
  9. House Finch Haemorhous mexicanus 2,349 records
  10. Laughing Gull Laughing Gull Leucophaeus atricilla 2,250 records
  11. Red-Bellied Woodpecker Melanerpes carolinus 2,214 records
  12. Carolina Wren Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus 2,166 records
Plants

Plants Commonly Recorded In Alabama

Plants observers log most often statewide.

  1. American Sweetgum American Sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua 4,071 records
  2. American Beautyberry American Beautyberry Callicarpa americana 3,648 records
  3. Lyreleaf Sage Lyreleaf Sage Salvia lyrata 2,726 records
  4. Chinese Privet Chinese Privet Ligustrum sinense 2,695 records
  5. Virginia Creeper Virginia Creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia 2,656 records
  6. Christmas Fern Christmas Fern Polystichum acrostichoides 2,619 records
  7. White Clover White Clover Trifolium repens 2,589 records
  8. American Tuliptree American Tuliptree Liriodendron tulipifera 2,454 records
  9. American Pokeweed American Pokeweed Phytolacca americana 2,441 records
  10. Blue Mistflower Blue Mistflower Conoclinium coelestinum 2,412 records
  11. Resurrection Fern Resurrection Fern Pleopeltis michauxiana 2,394 records
  12. Eastern Poison Ivy Eastern Poison Ivy Toxicodendron radicans 2,359 records
Insects

Insects Commonly Recorded In Alabama

The insects that turn up most in records.

  1. Gulf Fritillary Gulf Fritillary Dione vanillae 7,404 records
  2. Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Papilio glaucus 4,674 records
  3. Asian Lady Beetle Harmonia axyridis 4,612 records
  4. Eastern Carpenter Bee Eastern Carpenter Bee Xylocopa virginica 2,905 records
  5. Common Eastern Bumble Bee Common Eastern Bumble Bee Bombus impatiens 2,857 records
  6. Common Buckeye Common Buckeye Junonia coenia 2,830 records
  7. Cloudless Sulphur Cloudless Sulphur Phoebis sennae 2,808 records
  8. Red-Spotted Admiral Red-Spotted Admiral Limenitis arthemis 2,530 records
  9. North American Luna Moth North American Luna Moth Actias luna 2,455 records
  10. Western Honey Bee Apis mellifera 2,293 records
  11. Eastern Pondhawk Eastern Pondhawk Erythemis simplicicollis 2,232 records
  12. Fiery Skipper Fiery Skipper Hylephila phyleus 2,122 records

Go Deeper

Use the live finder to narrow this to your town and season. Then read Who Lives Here, how to attract wildlife to your yard, and planting for local wildlife. For tools and field guides, see the recommended gear.

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