As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases with no additional costs for you.
The annual migration of birds in North America is something every bird watcher looks forward to. In the United States, March is a good month for seeing many of the spring migrants. Lots of bird species that had gone south start returning in earnest in March.
March is a great time to see Tree Swallows, and other swallow species, like the Cliff Swallow, that are arriving during spring migration. Flocks of migrating swallows can number in the thousands, and they can be seen flying during the daytime and roosting together in trees or reedbeds at night.
Read on below to find out more about the species of birds that you will see migrating in March, including discussions on where the birds overwinter and some information on their life-histories.
TIP: If you want to check out the best pair of binoculars for bird watching, we recommend a pair of waterproof and fog-proof 8 x 42 binoculars like the Celestron – Outland X 8×42 Binoculars (Amazon link).
What birds migrate in March?
March does see the arrival of some of the birds returning back to the United States from their wintering grounds further south, where they overwintered. March and April are both considered excellent times to catch sight of migrating birds.
March is an excellent month to see both hummingbirds and swallows migrating. These birds begin to migrate south in late summer or early fall each year, and return in early spring. Another migrating species to look out for is the Painted Bunting, which moves north to their breeding grounds in March. There are also numerous waterfowl species and a few of the shorebird species that begin to arrive in larger numbers in the more northern states in early spring.
TIP: Knowing how to spot the birds in your yard is key to enjoying visits from your winged friends as much as possible! The best sources are trusted books, I recommend using the following (Amazon links):
– National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America
– National Audubon Society Birds of North America
Tree Swallow
Tree Swallows start to arrive back in the United States in March, having left their wintering grounds further south. These birds are in the family Hirundinidae, which besides swallows, also includes martins. On migration, the birds can form huge flocks numbering thousands of birds. These birds do nest in holes in trees or in artificial nest boxes. They do sometimes also nest in hollow tree stumps or under the eaves of buildings. The Tree Swallows, like other swallows catch insects on the wing.
When conditions turn cold in Canada and the U.S., the birds migrate to warmer regions where food is more readily available and temperatures are higher. Some of the swallows may stop off and remain on the southern coast, where winter is not very cold. Other swallows continue to fly and move down into Mexico and the countries of Central America. This is how Tree Swallows are able to survive when conditions turn extreme in North America.
Cliff Swallow
Cliff Swallows also migrate in March, returning to the United States to spend the summer. These particular swallows move between eastern South America, Central America, Mexico, and the United States and Canada. They have a wide distribution and migrate every year in spring and fall. They nest in canyons but have adapted well to human-built structures like bridges and buildings.
TIP: Bird feeders and baths are great for attracting birds to your backyard. But what about bird houses? They will help you not only track but also keep them in your yard! Check out my picks on different bird houses below (Amazon links):
– Cedar Viewing House
– Wood Bird House with Pole
– Hanging Bird House
They survive in various habitats; this adaptability of the swallows, partly explains their wide distribution pattern in the continental U.S. However, these swallows don’t like thick forests and deserts, so you are not likely to encounter them in those regions. These birds, like other swallows, tend to occur near water where they can find mud to use to construct their nests. Water also provides a good source of insects such as midges and mosquitoes.
Hummingbirds
The hummingbirds are in the family Trochilidae, and are tiny birds. Hummingbirds are one of the earliest of the Spring migrants, often turning up in the southern states in March. In the western states, Black-chinned and Calliope Hummingbirds start arriving in the first week of March, having crossed over from Mexico.
Hummingbirds are one of the species that shows a differential migration pattern with the males migrating before the females. This means you are likely in March to first see male individuals, and then a week or two later, females will be arriving. The males of the hummingbirds have the brightly-colored throats, while the females will have white throats with specks of grey in their feathering.
The prevalence of hummingbird feeders and warm conditions in some parts of the country, like southeast Arizona, means that sometimes some of the birds may overwinter. It is more likely the birds will overwinter in these warmer parts of the country where artificial feeders remain out. Southeastern Arizona is the place to visit if you like hummingbirds. You can find many species like the Black-chinned Hummingbird, Anna’s Hummingbird, Costa’s Hummingbird, and Broad-tailed Hummingbird.
TIP: Choosing the right bird feeder is crucial when you want to attract birds on your backyard. There are a lot of options on how and where to place a bird feeder. Check out my picks on different bird feeders below (Amazon links):
– Free-standing Bird Feeder
– Hanging Bird Feeder
– Bird Feeder with Camera
Painted Bunting
These beautiful little buntings are found in summer in the southern states like Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana. They do migrate, moving down into Central America and the coastline of Mexico, where they spend the winter. You can look for these birds in March in open areas of country, which have some trees and bushes scattered around. You will often hear a male singing from atop a bush or tree.
They can, oddly enough, be difficult to see even though the male has bright colors, which you would assume would make him stand out. These birds, including the males, are quite shy and seem to be quite good at sitting behind a leaf or two. They are actually quite secretive birds but the trick is to find their preferred habitat and scan the tops of trees and tall bushes.
Their diet consists mainly of seeds but they will take insects as well, especially if they have hungry chicks to feed. You can see the birds in birding hotspots like High Island, even in April when individuals will still be arriving on the U.S. coastline from their southern wintering grounds.
TOP TIP: Do you know which birds do not migrate in the cooler weather? This article explains which birds can survive in adverse conditions, while this interesting read discusses which birds are the most active in winter and how they adapt.
Waterfowl
Ducks, geese, and swan species begin showing up in the Great Lakes area around March. The waterfowl take advantage of the warmer temperatures and large areas of water to search for food. The Great Lakes region hosts at least 30 different species of waterfowl. Waterfowl migrate in huge flocks of birds.
Shorebirds
Many shorebirds, including species such as the Pectoral Sandpiper are also fairly early spring migrants, beginning to appear the first two weeks of March each year. In general, sandpipers are birds of the shoreline, so your best bet of seeing them is scanning the edges of rivers and lakes.
Pectoral Sandpipers overwinter in the countries of South America and pass through the United States during migration. They are long-distance migrants that actually travel a long way in order to reach their breeding grounds. They, in fact, nest in the northernmost areas of Canada on the tundra. They do preferentially breed in the wet, coastal tundra rather than dry areas. Like other sandpipers, they feed on a variety of invertebrates that they can get from mud and also from grassy areas.
My Favourite Equipment for Bird Watching
Bird watching is one of the least expensive hobbies out there, but you still need some equipment to get the most out of it.
The essential equipment to start bird watching is a pair of binoculars. My preference is 8 X 42 binoculars. The number 8 is how much the magnification is, while 42 is the field of view in millimeters of the lenses.
A pair of waterproof and fog-proof 8 x 42 binoculars like the Celestron – Outland X 8×42 Binoculars on Amazon is an excellent choice for both beginners and experts.
In time, you can choose more expensive models and also opt to buy a spotting scope like the Celestron Ultima 80 on Amazon.
These are a lot more expensive compared with binoculars though, so if you are only a beginner, start with binoculars first. A spotting scope is only helpful for birds far away, such as out on a pond or seashore.
There are a few rules or guidelines you should abide by as an ethical birder. These are listed below.
- Do not enter private lands without prior permission from landowners.
- Follow all the rules in refuges and reserves, including cleaning up any garbage from your campsite.
- Do not disturb birds on nests.
- Do not use apps and play songs to call up birds when they are hungry, tired, and breeding during spring and summer.
Conclusion
March brings an uptick in migration for birds returning to the U.S. in the spring. As conditions improve, birds will fly north. The birds will return from places in Mexico, Central and South America, depending on the specific species. The birds that you can see arriving in March include the Cliff Swallows and Tree Swallows. You can also see hummingbirds arriving at this time, although the males will arrive about a week or two before the females since these birds have a differential migration pattern.