Boreal Forest of Canada

The largest intact forest in North America.
5B
birds migrate south from the Boreal each year
12%
of world’s land-based carbon reserves are here
100M
acres of proposed Indigenous-led protected lands

The Boreal Forest—North America’s bird nursery—is one of the largest intact forests left on Earth. Stretching from Alaska to Labrador, it provides nesting grounds and migratory stopovers for nearly half of the common bird species found in North America. Caribou, bears, wolves, lynxes, wolverines, and countless other species thrive here in numbers rarely seen elsewhere.

North America’s Boreal Forest also captures and stores enormous amounts of carbon, especially within its soils, peatlands, and permafrost. It is home to a quarter of the world’s wetlands, with millions of lakes—including some of the largest and most pristine on Earth—and the longest free-flowing rivers remaining on the continent.

Indigenous Nations are responsible for the most ambitious plans to preserve these Boreal lands. Audubon is working to elevate and provide support for important initiatives such as Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas and Indigenous Guardians across Canada. 

Boreal Forest News

Remember that Audubon depends on your support to do the conservation work that we do.
Common Tern flying over water.
The Common Tern
April 04, 2023 — Connecting the Gulf of Mexico to the Boreal Forest
Fox Sparrow sitting on a tree branch.
The Fox Sparrow
March 20, 2023 — Celebrating this beloved sparrow on World Sparrow Day!
Rainbow over Pimachiowin Aki.
A Rainbow Over Pimachiowin Aki
March 07, 2023 — "The Land that Gives Life"
A group of community scientists participating in the Christmas Bird Count.
Audubon’s Geoff LeBaron Speaks Before the Parliament of Canada’s Committee on Science and Research
February 13, 2023
The Ni Hat’Ni Dene Guardians pose in front of a sign they just set up welcoming newcomers to the Thaidene Nëné National Park Reserve.
Behind the Lens
February 09, 2023 — Filmmaker Christine Lin details her trip to Thaidene Nene to film her upcoming documentary “Watchers of the Land”.
Resources and Downloads
Birding in the Boreal?
Download our checklist before you go and see how many species you can find.
Data, Facts, and Figures
Download our reports and factsheets to learn more about the birds and people of the Boreal
See it, hear it, protect it
Watch one of our videos to learn more about fascinating boreal birds and how to help protect them
Where exactly is the Boreal?
Explore our maps to better understand the vast landscapes we are working in across Canada
Stay Informed
To stay informed on Audubon's Boreal Conservation work, sign up for updates today!
Iconic Birds of the Boreal Forest
! Priority Bird
Canada Warbler
Wood Warblers
Blackburnian Warbler
Wood Warblers
Blackpoll Warbler
Wood Warblers
Blue-headed Vireo
Vireos
Black Scoter
Ducks and Geese
Surf Scoter
Ducks and Geese
Canada Jay
Crows, Magpies, Jays
White-winged Crossbill
Finches
Cape May Warbler
Wood Warblers
Connecticut Warbler
Wood Warblers
Boreal Chickadee
Chickadees and Titmice
Wilson's Warbler
Wood Warblers
Evening Grosbeak
Finches
Rusty Blackbird
Blackbirds and Orioles
Swainson's Thrush
Thrushes
Golden-crowned Sparrow
New World Sparrows
White-throated Sparrow
New World Sparrows
American Tree Sparrow
New World Sparrows
Harris's Sparrow
New World Sparrows
Long-tailed Duck
Ducks and Geese
! Priority Bird
Brant
Ducks and Geese
Common Loon
Loons
Merlin
Falcons
Great Gray Owl
Owls
Boreal Owl
Owls
Black-backed Woodpecker
Woodpeckers
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Woodpeckers
! Priority Bird
Spruce Grouse
Pheasants and Grouse
Lesser Yellowlegs
Sandpipers
! Priority Bird
Hudsonian Godwit
Sandpipers