Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge - Wildlife and Habitat

Wildlife and Habitat

The refuge is home to hundreds of bird species. The most abundant species are the neotropical migrants, including the Prothonotary and Swainson's Warblers, Tyrant flycatchers, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and White-eyed Vireo. In smaller numbers found on the refuge are migratory game birds such as American Woodcock and Wild Turkey, wading birds such as egrets and herons, waterfowl such as Wood Duck, and raptors such as hawks and owls. Endangered and threatened species found on the refuge are Bald Eagle, Ringed Map Turtle, Gopher Tortoise, Inflated heelsplitter, and Gulf sturgeon. White-tail deer, squirrel, turkey and Wild Boar hunting and fishing is offered to the public.

Bogue Chitto NWR is primarily composed of bottomland hardwood habitat interlaced by the Bogue Chitto and Pearl River Systems. Numerous sloughs, bayous and lakes are located on the refuge. Water levels fluctuate by several feet from their low point in the summer to winter/spring flood stage. Over 90% of the refuge can be flooded during seasonal high river periods. The mixed hardwood forest includes Water oak, Overcup Oak, American Elm, Sweetgum, and Red Maple on higher elevations and Bald Cypress, Water Tupelo, and Black Tupelo along the wettest areas. Mid-story in mixed hardwoods includes American Hophornbeam, Southern Arrowwood, Virginia Sweetspire and reproduction of the overstory. Typical mid-story plants along the sloughs and bayous are Buttonbush, Eastern Swampprivet, and Water Elm.