Common Birds of Scotts Bluff National Monument

Over 107 different species of birds can be observed at Scotts Bluff National Monument. Some are year-round residents, while others spend part of their year here or migrate through in the spring and fall. Here are eight of the most commonly seen birds at the Monument.

Rock wrens are commonly seen on the Saddle Rock Trail in the summer months.

NPS/Bandelier National Monument

Rock Wren

Rock Wrens (Salpinctes obsoletus) are summer residents of Scotts Bluff National Monument. They are smaller birds in size, ranging from 5-6.5 inches long. They are primarily greyish brown in color to match the coloration of the canyons and stone ridges where they build their nests. Their nests are made up of sticks and other natural resources, like feathers and plant fibers. They place their nests in crevices among rocks or in the hollow of a tree stump. Their nest specifically has a pebble pavement leading up to it so it blocks the way for predators to see into and reach into the nest. Scotts Bluff is the perfect nesting grounds for them, as we have their ideal rock-strewn slopes and hollow tree trunks. Their main and favorite source of food is insects.

White-throated swifts can be seen flying at high speeds at the summit of Scotts Bluff during the summertime.

NPS/Jacob W. Frank

White-throated Swift

White-throated Swifts (Aeronautes saxatalis) are summer residents of Scotts Bluff National Monument where they nest in canyons and cliff ledges, but spend much of their time cruising in the open air surrounding their nests. Their nests are made up of mud and spit mixed with feathers, grasses, mosses, and plant strips. These nests are built in canyon and cliff ledges near wind tunnels for easier capture of bugs. When swifts reach their cruising speeds their wings make a crisp noise sounding much like blowing through a straw. They are a smaller bird around 6-7 inches in height with a wingspan as wide as 13 inches. Their main sources of food are flying insects and spiders.

American kestrels are small birds of prey.

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American Kestrel

American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) are year-round residents of Scotts Bluff National Monument. They are small birds of prey, and their diet includes small rodents, small birds, and insects like moths and grasshoppers. To hunt these animals, they must be quick, so they can reach speeds up to 40 mph. Their favored habitats are meadows, grasslands, deserts, farm fields, cities, and suburbs. They like areas that are specifically affected by humans because it displaces their favored food of mice and small lizards. They are unable to make their own nests, so they rely on old nests left by other birds. They use naturally made areas like rock crevices, old woodpecker holes and naturally hollowed out trees.

The distinctive "bald" head of the turkey vulture.

NPS/Robert Wagner

Turkey Vulture

Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) are scavengers and summertime visitors to Scotts Bluff National Monument. The best way to identify them is by their red head, the “V” shape of their wings, and when in flight when their wings are spread it looks like they have fingers that stretch from their wing tips. They are large bird, weighing in at around 5 pounds with a wingspan ranging from 66 – 70 inches in length. Being a scavenger means that they eat carrion, and they find their food by sense of smell. It is very rare for them to attack living things. Their nesting areas are rock crevices, caves, ledges, hollow logs and fallen trees, as well as abandoned hawk and heron nests.

Black-billed magpies are vocal birds that are heard as often as seen at Scotts Bluff National Monument.

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Black-billed Magpie

Black-billed Magpies (Pica hudsonia) are very vocal birds always having something to say with a stream of sharp or petulant calls. They are best known for how they communicate. They are a more flashy and communal bird where they tend to sit on fence posts and road signs just to show their colors and chat. Black-Billed Magpies are omnivores, meaning they can and will eat anything from plants to insects to carrion. They prefer to nest in trees or shrubs, but they will also nest in suburban areas as well. They build their cuplike nests out of mud or manure with a nice lining of weeds or grass.

Hearing the song of a western meadowlark is a quintessential prairie experience.

NPS/Eric Grunwald

Western Meadowlark

Western Meadowlarks (Sturnella neglecta) are very striking birds, about the size of a Robin, with bright yellow chests. They are also vocal birds and it is very common to hear them singing to each other across the plains. Western Meadowlarks are ground nesters, meaning they build a regular bird nest on the ground in a field, grassland, or prairie and cover it with a half roof of grass for slight protection. With their nesting habits they prefer open areas which also makes it easy for them to catch a meal as they primarily eat insects and grains.

Western Kingbird

NPS/Robert Wagner

Western Kingbird

Western Kingbirds (Tyrannus verticalis) are summer visitors to Scotts Bluff National Monument. They are small puffy birds who prefer to live in low grasslands below 7,000 feet in elevation. Western Kingbirds are flycatchers, meaning they eat a wide variety of insects, ranging from bees and wasps, to crickets, caterpillars, and spiders. They build their nests in crotches of trees and in the branches of shrubs like yucca, big sagebrush, and western juniper.

Collared-doves, though not native to the monument, are commonly seen and heard.

Macaulay Library, CLO, Ryan Schain

Eurasian Collared-Dove

Eurasian Collared-Doves (Streptopelia decaocto) are not native, but they are abundantly common within Scotts Bluff National Monument. Originally introduced into the Bahamas, they made their way into Florida and, eventually, most of the rest of the United States. They behave very similarly to the Mourning Dove, a native bird for which they can be mistaken. The Eurasian Collared-Dove is a ground forager, so they tend to spend most of their time on the ground looking for seeds, berries, and insects.They are a social bird so there will most likely be multiple doves roosting in one location. The best places to find their nests would be about 10 feet off the ground on trees, buildings, and telephone poles.

Looking to give bridwatching a try? Check out some great tips for beginning birders.