Large numbers of birds live in the Juniata watershed, including songbirds, waterfowl, and raptors. One hundred seventy-two species of birds live and breed in the watershed, out of 211 breeding species in Pennsylvania. Perhaps the most notable breeding pair is the family of Bald Eagles who nested at the northern end of Raystown Lake recently. Juniata College has also recently begun a program to introduce Osprey to the lake as well.

Non-game birds include 29 species of warblers, 18 species of sparrows, finches, and grosbeaks, nine species of hawks and eagles, eight species of flycatchers, seven species of woodpeckers, six species of swallows, five species of owls, and assorted wrens, vireos, thrushes, nuthatches, chickadees and more (Brauning and Gill, 1983-1989).

Game birds include waterfowl such as the Wood Duck, American Black Duck, Mallard, Redhead, Hooded Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, American Coot, Sora, Virginia Rail, Common Moorhen, and Canada Goose, and forest/meadow birds such as Wild Turkey, Ruffed Grouse, Ring-necked Pheasant, Northern Bobwhite, American Woodcock, Common Snipe, American Crow, Mourning Dove, and Rock Dove (PA Game Commission, 1999b).

There are countless opportunities to observe numerous species of birds in the Juniata Watershed. A number of state parks, forests, and other natural areas in the watershed offer a chance to appreciate the birds in their native habitat. The diversity of species in a relatively small area makes the Juniata Watershed a prime locale for birding enthusiasts.