These crowd-pleasing North American destinations are as perfect for bird-watching as they are for a good old-fashioned vacation.

COURTESY OF THE ATCHAFALAYA NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA

Perhaps youve heard about the bird-watching boom?

Newcomers are flocking to the hobby, which studies have shown has the power to boost happiness.

A boat floats on swamp water

Atchafalaya National Heritage Area, in Louisiana.Credit:COURTESY OF THE ATCHAFALAYA NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA

Bragging Rights

The northern pygmy-owl is an adorable but ruthless carnivore that snacks on songbirds.

Rainbow-colored painted buntings are big on the island, as are wood storks.

They were a protected species, but now theyve bounced back dramatically, Ramey says of the long-legged wader.

A villa bedroom with large windows facing the forest

A Round Haus villa at the Green O, in Montana.STUART THURLKILL/COURTESY OF THE GREEN O

Its a testament to conservation.

Bristols waterfront Blithewold estate has 33 acres of manicured gardens surrounding a historic mansion.

This is the land of crawfish and zydeco, where every meal is an occasion.

A northern pygmy-owl perched on branch

The northern pygmy-owl.blickwinkel / Alamy Stock Photo

A yellow hued lodge surrounding by plantlife

The Lodge on Little St. Simons, a Georgia island known for its conservation efforts.Cassie Wright/Courtesy of The Lodge on Little St. Simons Island

Rainbow-colored painted buntings perches on a branch

Rainbow-colored painted buntings.HOWARD CHEEK/GETTY IMAGES

A nature center stands behind a field of flowers

The Audubon Nature Center & Aquarium, in Bristol, Rhode Island.BUTCH LOMBARDI/COURTESY OF AUDUBON SOCIETY OF RHODE ISLAND

A saltmarsh sparrow perches on a branch

The saltmarsh sparrow.Cal Vornberger/Alamy Stock Photo

A aeriel view of Wickaninnish Inn on Vancouver Island

Wickaninnish Inn, in Tofino, British Columbia.SIMONE MONDINO/COURTESY OF WICKANINNISH INN

A western sandpiper standing in water

Western sandpiper.Don White / Alamy Stock Photo

Two roseate spoonbills in water

The roseate spoonbill.ARTHUR MORRIS/GETTY IMAGES