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City of Rocks National ReserveCity of Rocks reveal granite pinnacles and monoliths
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City of Rocks National Reserve
Birds

The high desert ecosystem and rocky cliffs of the Reserve provide excellent habitat for many birds of prey, including golden eagle, prairie falcon, red-tailed hawk, Swainson's hawk, northern harrier, sharp-shinned hawk, Cooper's hawk, American kestrel, and great-horned owl. Bald eagle and ferruginous hawk are also observed in winter, but with less frequency. Other bird species of interest include turkey vulture, sage grouse, piñon jay, Clark's nutcracker, common nighthawk, cliff swallow, mountain bluebird, mountain chickadee, rock and canyon wrens, green-tailed towhee, Virginia's warbler, western tanager and lazuli bunting.

Within City of Rocks and Almo Valley, 138 species have been documented, and are included on the Reserve's bird checklist.

 
Black-capped Chickadee sitting on rose stem
Lynnette Hansen
Black-capped Chickadee

 

Treasure Rock against a blue summer sky.  

Did You Know?
Tales of a stage robbery complete with lost loot buried beneath one of the City’s rocky crags, soon to be known as Treasure Rock, have formed part of local lore for almost 120 years. Most agree that the Kelton stage was robbed circa 1878 of $90,000 - $200,000 in gold bullion.

Last Updated: April 08, 2008 at 11:01 EST