Spring Migration Along the Mississippi River Flyway

As winter fades, the river fills with ducks and large water birds, including:

• Mallards, teal, pintails, and shovelers

• Gadwall and American wigeon

• Canvasbacks, redheads, ring-necked ducks, and scaup

• Common goldeneye and bufflehead

• Common and hooded mergansers

• American white pelicans

• Tundra swans and Canada geese

• Great blue herons and great egrets

These birds can often be seen resting on the water or lifting off in dramatic flocks.

Spring also marks the return of raptors following warming air currents:

• Bald eagles, often visible fishing or soaring above the river

• Ospreys arriving to hunt fish

• Red-tailed hawks and kestrels using thermals along the bluffs

• Turkey vultures gliding overhead

As trees begin to leaf out, smaller birds arrive in waves:

• Baltimore orioles and rose-breasted grosbeaks

• Indigo buntings and summer tanagers

• Warblers moving quickly through trees and shrubs

• Ruby-throated hummingbirds returning to yards and gardens

Nauvoo Riverwalk
The Riverwalk offers front-row views of the Mississippi River and is ideal for watching waterfowl, pelicans, herons, and passing raptors. Each visit can feel different as new birds arrive daily.

Parley Street Eagle Area
At the end of Parley Street, visitors may spot bald eagles, including a nesting pair. Spring is an active time, with adults flying frequently as they tend their nest and hunt for fish.

Scenic River Turnout Overlooks
Elevated turnout spots along the river bluffs allow visitors to scan wide stretches of river and wetlands. These overlooks are excellent for spotting large flocks of ducks, swans, and soaring birds of prey.

Wetland Preserve at the South End of Town
The wetland preserve provides a quiet resting place for migrating waterfowl and wading birds. Early morning is especially rewarding as birds feed and move between wetlands and the river.

Spring migration along the Mississippi River Flyway is a reminder that Nauvoo is part of something much larger—a seasonal journey that spans continents. From flocks of waterfowl rising from the river to colorful songbirds passing through town, spring brings constant motion and discovery. A walk along the river or a quiet moment at an overlook is often all it takes to witness this remarkable natural event.