What is an Important Bird Area?

Important Bird Areas (IBAs) provide essential habitat for one or more breeding, wintering, and/or migrating bird species. The IBA Program is designed to be proactive, voluntary, participatory, science-based and works to identify, monitor and conserve the most essential habitats for birds.

Why an Important Bird Area Program?

Increasing land use pressures from urban sprawl, agricultural and forestry practices, and outdoor recreation threatens to diminish both the quantity and quality of critical bird habitat throughout the state. IBAs serve as a catalyst for involving Audubon members and for educating the public about those areas most important for the long-term survival of birds. These areas are an important tool for prioritizing land use options for national, state, and local land managers. Improved decision making regarding land use options will help ensure the long-term health of both common and uncommon bird species.

IBAs and You

IBAs are a natural focus of volunteer monitoring projects, which can lead to positive local stewardship and advocacy. Support the IBA Program through citizen science and stewardship. This may include conducting bird monitoring, volunteering to help land managers, and/or being a conservation advocate.

Mississippi's IBAs

Click on the links below for more information on Mississippi's Important Bird Areas. Use your web browser's "back" button in the toolbar to return to this page. Click here for an interactive map of Mississippi's IBAs.

Bienville National Forest

Coldwater River National Wildlife Refuge

DeSoto National Forest

Deaton Preserve

Deer Island

Delta National Forest

Eagle Lake

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve/National Wildlife Refuge

Gulf Islands National Seashore

Gulfport

Hancock County Marsh Coastal Preserve

Hillside National Wildlife Refuge

Holly Springs National Forest

Homochitto National Forest

LeFleur's Bluff State Park

Mahannah Wildlife Management Area

Mathews Brake National Wildlife Refuge

Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge

Morgan Brake National Wildlife Refuge

Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge

Old Fort Bayou Mitigation Bank

Panther Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

Pascagoula River Marsh Coastal Preserve

Pascagoula River and Ward Bayou Wildlife Management Areas

Pearl River Wildlife Refuge and Management Area

Sand Island

Sardis Lake

Shipland Wildlife Management Area

St. Catherine Creek National Wildlife Refuge

Strawberry Plains Audubon Center

Tara Wildlife, Inc.

Vicksburg National Military Park

White's Lane

Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge