Flora and Fauna in the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area
See alligators, bears, eagles and more throughout this beautiful outdoor haven.
Visitors come to Louisiana to experience the state’s unique way of life and vibrant culture. They are also fascinated by the unusual flora and fauna that thrive here. The Atchafalaya National Heritage Area (pronounced uh-CHA-fuh-LIE-uh) is close to several cities, including New Iberia, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Franklin and Morgan City, and is particularly rich in both is particularly rich in both wildlife and mystical swampy landscapes.
When to View Wildlife in the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area
Spring is prime nature-viewing time in this outdoor haven. Alligators emerge from winter dormancy, colonial birds such as great blue herons, and great egrets and roseate spoonbills (know as Cajun flamingos) fight for spots to lay their eggs. Even the elusive Louisiana black bear becomes, well, a little less elusive. So bring your camera along to photograph some of these majestic animals in their picturesque natural habitats.
Where to See Flora and Fauna in the Area
Cypress Island Preserve
Only a few miles from Lafayette, Cypress Island Preserve boasts both a bottomland hardwood forest and a classic cypress-tupelo swamp. The preserve’s Lake Martin supports a nationally significant waterbird rookery for nesting herons, ibis and more. Take a swamp tour through the Spanish moss with Cajun Country Swamp Tours, go paddling or follow one of the preserve walking trails to look for roseate spoonbills, alligators and nutria that thrive here.
Gardens in Iberia Parish
Iberia Parish is known as a nature photographer’s paradise thanks to the beautiful Jungle Gardens and Rip Van Winkle Gardens, both of which boast rookeries over water. For even more wildlife, look along the banks where gators like to nest.
Where to Find Louisiana Black Bears
The best places to spot Louisiana’s mysterious black bears are the Richard K. Yancey Wildlife Management Area in Concordia Parish and the Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge in St. Mary Parish. Black bears are most active during the spring and summer through the late fall, and they enter a dormancy period during the winter. But because of Louisiana’s warmer climate, some males remain active in the colder months. Black bears are beloved in Louisiana — they’re the state's official mammal. Franklin even hosts the Bayou Teche Black Bear Festival each spring to educate locals and visitors about the species, but a festival in Louisiana wouldn’t be complete without food, music and themed exhibits and activities.
Bald Eagle Nesting Spots
St. Mary and Terrebonne parishes are home to a large concentration of the more than 356 active bald eagle nests in Louisiana. The state provides ideal habitats for the bird, as marshes are full of fish, and the tall, sturdy cypress trees are perfect for their large nests.
Every year, fans of this feathered national icon flock to this region’s Eagle Expo for live presentations and tours. If you take a swamp or wetland tour and keep your eyes peeled, you are likely to see one of these majestic creatures soaring through the skies.
More Birdwatching in Louisiana
For the best birdwatching trails, detailed maps and other resources, visit Louisiana Birding.
For more information about how to explore the swamp or to download a copy of the Louisiana Birding Guide, visit the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area’s official site.
