Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is the main reason many travellers come through Burns. In the middle of sagebrush desert, its lakes, marshes, and wet meadows draw huge numbers of migratory birds, especially in spring.
You do not need to be an expert birder to enjoy it. Drive slowly, stop at overlooks and the visitor centre, and let the contrast do the work: water, reeds, ibis, cranes, and raptors in a landscape that otherwise feels dry for miles.