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Couturie Forest

New Orleans, Louisiana  >  United States

A beautiful forest in the city of New Orleans and a migratory stop for many birds. 230 bird species have been recorded.

Added* by ERidl
Most recent update 11 szeptember 2025

Description

Couturie Forest is a 50-acre wilderness area within New Orleans City Park. This former landfill is now a thriving native habitat with trails for hiking and birding. Couturie Forest is strategically located as it lies very near the southern shore of Lake Pontchartrain. This makes it a magnet for wandering migratory songbirds. Rising up in the center of Couturie is Laborde Mountain, the highest point in New Orleans, measuring 43 feet above sea level.

Waterfowl, songbirds, and everything in between. You'll see Wood Duck, Great Crested Flycatcher, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Painted Bunting, Orchard Oriole and Indigo Bunting, depending on the time of the year that you visit. This forest in the city has plenty of understory, towering trees, water, and fruit to attract all the birds.

Details

Access

Couturie Forest is nestled within New Orleans City Park. You can get to the Couturie Forest by foot, bike, car, and public bus. However, you must navigate the trail on foot. Enter from the parking lot at 1035 Harrison Ave, New Orleans, LA 70124 and walk over the pedestrian bridge to get started. Press P on the map for directions to the parking lot. Plan to spend at least a couple of hours exploring the 1 mile loop trail and the spurs in between.

Terrain and Habitat

Forest , City/village , Pond

Conditions

Flat

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Spring migration , Autumn migration

Route

Unpaved road , Wide path

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Links

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

Other birds you can see here

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