Since the designation of Rocky Mountain National Park in 1915, there have been 280 species of birds reported for this area, including the park, Arapaho National Recreation Area, and the towns of Estes Park and Granby.

Many of the species of the park are unique to the mountainous habitats - aspen, ponderosa pine, high elevation willow, spruce/fir and alpine tundra - found in the Southern Rocky Mountains. Specialty species include White-tailed Ptarmigan, Blue Grouse, Gray Jay, Clark's Nutcracker, Williamson's Sapsucker, Three-toed Woodpecker, Mountain Chickadee, Pygmy Nuthatch, American Dipper, Western Tanager, Pine Grosbeak, Red Crossbill, Townsend's Solitare, Wilson's, MacGillivray's and Virginia's Warblers, Brown-capped Rosy Finch, Black Swift and Northern Pygmy Owl.

In 2000, Rocky Mountain National Park was designated as a Global Important Bird Area. This designation recognizes the vital role of the park in the perpetuation of bird species.

To see photos of birds, link to the Colorado Field Ornithologists