Birds

Golden eagles are regularly seen soaring over the canyons of Colorado National Monument

NPS Photo / VIP C DeKalb

 

Common nighthawks eat insects and are well-camouflaged when resting on the ground

NPS Photo / VIP C DeKalb

When visiting Colorado National Monument, take the opportunity to enjoy the abundant bird life that surrounds you. Listen, you might hear the laughing call of a raven, the mellow whistle of a Say's phoebe, or the trill buzzing of a hummingbird's wings. You might see a Gambel's quail scurry across a trail or witness a turkey vulture wobble on an air current high above. View an interactive bird checklist of Colorado National Monument with links to species profiles.

The pinyon-juniper woodland that dominates most of this area provides an essential habitat for a wide diversity of birds. At least 54 breeding songbird species and nine breeding species of raptors have been identified in the monument. Several other species are known to pass through during migration and winter months. Recognizing the significance of this area, Colorado National Monument was designated as an important bird area (IBA) by the National Audubon Society and the American Bird Conservancy on May 10, 2000.

Birds can be challenging to identify and generate much curiosity. To aid the beginning birdwatcher, the Colorado National Monument Association bookstore offers a broad selection of books and a checklist of common park birds.

For more information on landbirds at Colorado National Monument, visit the Northern Colorado Plateau Network website.

Below are a few sample species that can be found in habitats across the monument at various times of the year. Note that habitats blend into each other, and birds can be found in many places other than their typical habitat. Please be respectful of wildlife and do not approach any bird in the monument. Instead, consider participating in community science initiatives, many of which use free mobile apps.

 

Woodhouse's scrub jays are often seen around the visitor center

NPS Photo / VIP T Ahern

Pinyon-Juniper Woodlands

• Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens)
  • Often calling from the tops of low trees or shrubs while tipping their heads side to side, these birds quiet down as the day warms up.
• Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii)
  • These little wrens are known for their loud, melodious song and can be identified by their white eyebrows and flicking tail.
• Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)
  • Breeding in open woodlands and forest edges, their bright rufous caps help identify these common sparrows.
• Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)
  • Year-round residents, these small sparrows gather in groups and are often identified when they flash their bright white outer tail feathers in flight.
• Gray Flycatcher (Empidonax wrightii)
  • These pale gray flycatchers can be distinguished from others as they dip their tails downwards, rather than upwards like many other flycatchers.
• Juniper Titmouse (Baeolophus ridgwayi)
  • Common on the Colorado Plateau, these year-round residents are easily identified by their plain gray color, crested head, and prominent black eye.
• Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus)
  • Highly social and closely linked to pinyon pine seed production, they are seen in noisy, large flocks traveling among pinyons and junipers.
• Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma woodhouseii)
  • These year-round residents are typically solitary and often seen caching seeds for later use.

 

Ravens can often be seen soaring along the canyon edges

Photo courtesy of Cary Atwood

Canyon Cliffs and Rock Faces

• Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus)
  • Famous for its descending, echoing song that carries across canyon walls
• Common Raven (Corvus corax)
  • Intelligent and adaptable, using cliffs for nesting and updrafts for effortless flight
• Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
  • A powerful raptor soaring high above canyon rims
• Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
  • Occasionally seen during migration or breeding season, associated with tall cliffs
• Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus)
  • Fast and agile, often hunting along cliff edges
• Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
  • Nature’s cleanup crew, riding warm air currents
• Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassina)
  • Performing aerial acrobatics catching insects
• White-throated Swift (Aeronautes saxatalis)
  • Nearly always airborne, nesting deep in rock crevices

 

Gambel's quail are often seen in the lowlands of the monument

Photo courtesy of Cary Atwood

Shrublands

• Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata)
  • A striking bird of the open desert
• Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)
  • Tiny and active, flitting through shrubs
• Gambel’s Quail (Callipepla gambelii)
  • Often seen scurrying across trails in family groups
• Gray Vireo (Vireo vicinior)
  • A specialty of the Colorado Plateau, favoring dry scrubland
• Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena)
  • A colorful summer visitor favoring shrubby edges
• Say’s Phoebe (Sayornis saya)
  • Often perched low, making short flights to catch insects
• Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus)
  • Scratches in leaf litter for seeds and insects

 

Hummingbirds are extremely territorial

NPS Photo / VIP C DeKalb

Riparian Areas

• Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri)
  • A jewel of the desert, sipping nectar from wildflowers
• Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus)
  • A migrant and occasional breeder near water
• Bullock’s Oriole (Icterus bullockii)
  • A splash of orange among cottonwoods
• Northern Yellow Warbler (Setophaga aestiva)
  • A bright summer breeder in dense riparian vegetation
• Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)
  • Closely tied to brushy, moist areas
• Wilson’s Warbler (Cardellina pusilla)
  • Bright yellow with a black cap, one of the smallest warblers in the U.S.
• Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens)
  • A bold singer in dense thickets