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.
Three Greater Yellowlegs.
The Important Role of “Swamplands” in the Fight Against Climate Change
December 01, 2021 — A look to the Hudson Bay Lowlands
Paruline à couronne rousse.
La forêt boréale est source d'espoir dans la lutte contre les changements climatiques et la perte de biodiversité
November 12, 2021 — Au moment où les dirigeants du monde entier se réunissent à l’occasion de la COP26, nous examinons le rôle que peuvent jouer des lieux comme la forêt boréale du Canada.
Palm Warbler.
Boreal Forest Offers Hope in the Face of Climate & Biodiversity Crises
October 28, 2021 — As the world’s leaders meet at COP26, we consider the role of places like the Boreal Forest of Canada.
Canada Pledges $340 Million to Support Indigenous Stewardship Programs
August 26, 2021 — This funding is crucial in the efforts to protect biodiversity and in the fight to slow climate change.
Fox Sparrow
How Listening to Birds Can Protect the Seal River Watershed
August 09, 2021 — Audubon and the Seal River Watershed Alliance, an Indigenous non-profit coalition, have worked together to record the sounds of a critical bird breeding area.
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