Summer/Migratory Birds

Bandelier Bird Checklist

 

Photo by Sally King

WESTERN TANAGER (Piranga ludoviciana)
Wingspan 11.5"
Common summer bird especially in the riparian areas and higher elevation. Male has red head with yellow and black body. Female has yellow head and yellow and black body. Noticeably thick beak.

Printable Western Tanager Fact Sheet (PDF)

 

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Photo by Sally King

HEPATIC TANAGER (Piranga flava)
Wingspan 12.5"
Although not as common as the Western Tanager, can be seen in the riparian area near the visitor center and on the Falls Trail. Male is overall red with olive-tinged wings. Female is mostly yellow with olive-tinged wings.

 

Photo by Sally King

BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus melanocephalus)
Wingspan 12.5"
Males are black, orange, yellow, and white. Females have similar coloration with the black tending more to brown. Common in Frijoles Canyon. Can be pesky at the Cottonwood Picnic Area, as they tend to beg for food. PLEASE DON'T FEED THEM.

 

Female Black-headed Grosbeak

photo by sally king

 

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Photo by Sally King

BLUE GROSBEAK (Passerina caerulea)
Wingspan 11"
Uncommon but has been seen both in the main Frijoles Canyon area as well as at the Rio Grande. Male is striking with bright blue plumage, orange wing bars, and a thick beak. Female is reddish brown with the same thick bill.

 

Photo by Sally King

EVENING GROSBEAK (Coccothraustes vespertinus)
Wingspan 14"
Sporadic in its occurrence in the park. Some years very common, some years not seen at all. Male is bright yellow with black and a thick bill. Female is similar but with paler yellow plumage.

 

Male Evening Grosbeak

photo by sally kine

 

NPS Photo by Sally King

TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
Wingspan 67"
When the Turkey Vultures return to Frijoles Canyon it is a sure sign of the coming of spring. These large dark birds with their distinctive pink heads roost in the tall cottonwood trees near the visitor center. Although some people are repelled by their unusual appearance, they are quite fun to watch.

Printable Turkey Vulture Fact Sheet (PDF)

 

Photo by Sally King

YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (Dendrocia coronata)
Wingspan 9.25"
The most easily seen warbler in the park, can be found in most of the riparian zones. Often arrives back quite early in the spring.

 

NPS Photo by Sally King

BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER (Dendroica nigrescens)
Wingspan 7.75"
Moderately common in the riparian zones and on the mesatops. Flits around in tree branches looking for food.

 

NPS Photo by Sally King

YELLOW WARBLER (Dendroica petechia)
Wingspan 8"
Both males and females have bright yellow plumage with the male having red-orange streaks on its breast. Somewhat common in the riparian zones.

 

Photo by Sally King

GRACE'S WARBLER (Dendroica graciae)
Wingspan 8"
Somewhat common in the riparian areas of the park.

 

Photo by Sally King

TOWNSEND'S WARBLER (Dendroica townsendi)
Wingspan 8"
Seen occasionally during migration, usually in the riparian areas of the park.

 

NPS Photo by Sally King

PLUMBEOUS VIREO (Vireo plumbeus)
Wingspan 10"
Common especially in the riparian areas of the park. Nests and raises young here.

 

Photo by Sally King

WARBLING VIREO (Vireo gilvus)
Wingspan 8.5"
Common in the riparian areas of the park from late spring through early fall.

 

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NPS Photo by Sally King

BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus platycercus)
Wingspan 5.25"
Very common all summer long until around Labor Day. Can arrive back very early in the spring, even before many flowers are blooming. Males have a bright red gorget while females have a speckled throat.

 

Male Broad-tailed Hummingbird

photo by sally king

 

NPS Photo by Sally King

BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD (Archilochus alexandri)
Wingspan 4.75"
Very common. Nests and raises young in the park. Males have a dark purple or red gorget. Females are very plain with some green highlights in their plumage.

 

Male Black-chinned Hummingbird

photo by sally king

 

NPS Photo by Sally King

RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus rufus)
Wingspan 4.5"
Common, especially in late summer during migration. Males are bright green and orange. Females have similar coloration but have a small medallion instead of a bright gorget.

 

Male Rufous Hummingbird

photo by sally king

 

NPS Photo by Sally King

SANDHILL CRANE (Grus canadensis)
Wingspan 77 - 73"
Rarely land in the park but make their presence known in both spring and fall when they migrate overhead. Their loud cries are very distinctive.

 

NPS Photo by Sally King

CHIPPING SPARROW (Spizella passerina)
Wingspan 8.5"
Commonly seen in Frijoles Canyon. Often scurries along ground looking for food. The most common sparrow of the riparian zones in the spring and summer.

 

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NPS Photo by Sally King

LAZULI BUNTING (Passerina amoena)
Wingspan 8.75"
Uncommon in the park overall but seen occasionally near the Rio Grande at the bottom of the Falls Trail.

 

Photo by Sally King

WESTERN MEADOWLARK (Sturnella neglecta)
Wingspan 14.5"
Uncommon but can be seen occasionally on the open, brushy mesas such as at Burnt Mesa Trail.

 

Photo by Sally King

LARK SPARROW (Chondestes grammacus)
Wingspan 11"
Somewhat common, have been seen along the Main Loop Trail. Distinctive face pattern makes them easily recognizable.

 

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