Geographic Distribution and Habitat

Try as you might, you will never see a black duck on the West Coast. Black ducks are restricted to the East Coast. Learning the species' geographic distributions makes it easier to find and identify them. Remember, some birds are migratory, meaning they spend the spring and summer in northern areas and travel south in the fall and winter. Good identification guides show both the winter and summer ranges for migratory species.

Also learn the habitat type where each species lives. Don't look for a moose in the desert! Moose like willow and conifer habitats found in Northern forests. Habitat preferences may change seasonally. Some animals spend winters at lower elevations, moving to higher elevations in the summer.