Summer and Migratory Birds Continued

Photo by Sally King

RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelaius phoeniceus)
Wingspan 18"
Common along the Rio Grande in the summer, less common in spring and fall. Best place to see is marshy areas along the Rio but watch for rattlesnakes.

 

Fledgling Swallow

VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW (Tachycineta thalassina)
Wingspan 13.5"
Common in the riparian and mesatop areas. Frequently seen nesting in Cottonwood Picnic Area and along the Nature Trail.

 

Adult Female Violet-Green Swallow at nest

Photos by Sally King

 

Photo by Sally King

ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus cinerascens)
Wingspan 12"
Common in the summer, and less so in the spring, especially in the riparian areas.

 

NPS Photo by Sally King

BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER (Polioptila caerulea)
Wingspan 6"
Somewhat uncommon but can be seen in the park especially on the brushy mesas. Best trails to see them include Frijolito Loop Trail and Frey Trail.

 

SAY'S PHOEBE (Sayornis saya)
Wingspan 13"
Common in the riparian areas of the park. Has been seen along the Main Loop and Nature Trails.

 

Photo by Sally King

ROCK WREN (Salpinctes obsoletus)
Wingspan 9"
Relatively common in the canyons especially Frijoles Canyon. Often seen in Tyuonyi or at Long House especially in spring and fall.

 

Photo by Sally King

VIRGINIA'S WARBLER (Vermivora virginiae)
Wingspan 7.5"
Common especially in the riparian areas.

 

NPS Photo by Sally King

OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER (Contopus cooperi)
Wingspan 13"
Uncommon but has been seen on the Main Loop Trail.

 

Photo by Sally King

PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus)
Wingspan 41"
Not common but has been seen and heard in the monument.

 

A peregrine falcon soars over Frijoles Canyon.

photo by sally king

 

Photo by Sally King

YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT (Icteria virens)
Wingspan 9.75"
Relatively common along the Rio Grande.

 

photo by sally king

WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (Zonotrichia leucophrys)
Wingspan 9.5"
Common some years during migration.

 

photo by sally king

BULLOCK'S ORIOLE (Icterus bullockii)
Wingspan 12"
Uncommon but have been seen along the Rio Grande or in Frijoles Canyon.

 

photo by sally king

WILSON'S WARBLER (Wilsonia pusilla)
Wingspan 7"
Common in the riparian zones. Easiest to see in spring.

 

photo by sally king

ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER (Vermivora celata)
Wingspan 7.25"
Common in the riparian areas. Easiest to see in the spring.

 

photo by sally king

KILLDEER (Charadrius vociferus)
24" wingspan
Uncommon but has been seen along the Rio Grande and at the park sewer lagoons. More common on the adjacent Valles Caldera.

 

photo by sally king

LEAST SANDPIPER (Calidris minutilla)
13" wingspan
Uncommon but has been seen at the park sewer lagoons and at mountain ponds, mostly during migration.

 

photo by sally king

WILSON'S PHALAROPE (Phalaropus tricolor)
Rare but has been seen at the park's sewer lagoons during migration.

 

photo by sally king

COMMON NIGHTHAWK (Chordeiles minor)
Wingspan 24"
Uncommon but can be found on the dry mesatops such as Frijolito Loop Trail or the Burro Trail. Active mostly at night and well camouflaged for roosting on the ground.

 

photo by sally king

SCALED QUAIL (Callipepla squamata)
Wingspan 14"
Rare in Bandelier but has been seen near Tsankawi and the nearby town of White Rock.

 

More summer/migratory birds