Backyard Birds of New Mexico: a Colorful Guide to Feathered Friends (2024)

This site is supported by our readers. We may earn a commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase through links.

As a New Mexico resident, you’re in for a treat regarding backyard birds!

From the greater roadrunner’s comical antics to the vivid vermilion flycatcher’s fiery plumage, your yard offers a front-row seat to a spectacular avian menagerie.

Keep an eye out for Woodhouse’s scrub-jays’ boisterous calls and striking blue hues.

With diverse habitats like deserts and mountains nearby, your backyard provides a haven for a kaleidoscope of feathered friends.

Learn how to make your yard an irresistible oasis, and you’ll be rewarded with a dazzling display of New Mexico’s winged wonders.

Common Backyard Birds

You’ve likely seen them hopping around your backyard or perched on a nearby branch – the familiar feathered friends that make New Mexico their home.

The cheerful house finch with its rosy red breast and melodic song.

The acrobatic American robin foraging for worms on your lawn.

The striking red-winged blackbird calling from the treetops.

Keep an eye out for the northern flicker, a dapper woodpecker sporting a black bib and flashing its white rump as it takes flight.

And who could miss the mournful cooing of the mourning dove?

Get to know these delightful backyard birds, and you’ll be rewarded with a front-row seat to nature’s theater.

Identifying Birds by Color

You can identify many backyard birds by their predominant colors. Paying attention to the arrangement of light and dark areas, like in color patterns in birds, helps to reveal a bird’s identity. You can identify many backyard birds by their predominant colors. Yellow birds like the Lesser Goldfinch and Western Tanager are easily recognizable, while the Common Raven, Brewer’s Blackbird, and Red-winged Blackbird stand out with their dark plumage; blue birds such as the Woodhouse’s Scrub Jay, Western Bluebird, and Steller’s Jay also frequent backyard feeders and trees.

Yellow Birds

You’ll spot vibrant yellow birds like American Goldfinches, Lesser Goldfinches, and Western Tanagers in New Mexico yards. Keep an eye out for the striking yellow-rumped warblers with their distinctive yellow rump patches. The charismatic Yellow-breasted Chat sports a bright yellow throat and breast. These cheerful splashes of color enliven gardens and feeders.

Black Birds

You’ll easily spot black birds with their distinct plumage. Check for these common species:

• Red-winged Blackbird: Stocky, black body with epaulet-like red shoulder patches
• Grackles: Iridescent bodies, long tails, and keel-shaped bills
• Cowbirds: Smaller, stubby tails, and thick finch-like bills
• European Starlings: Speckled feathers, short tails, and yellow beaks

Keep an eye out for their unique behaviors, like the Red-winged Blackbird’s territorial displays.

Blue Birds

Ah, the blue-feathered beauties! You’ve likely spotted the striking blue jays, mischievous scavengers with a raucous call. Or perhaps the azure bluebird, a herald of spring, with its soft warbles attracting mates. From mountain bluebirds nesting in tree cavities to western bluebirds performing courtship dances, these vibrant blues enliven New Mexico’s avian scene.

Unique New Mexico Birds

You’re in for a treat when you spot New Mexico’s unique birds! Keep an eye out for:

• The Northern Pygmy Owl, North America’s smallest owl clocking in at just 6 inches tall
• The Mexican Duck, a vibrant bird with chestnut plumage and a distinctive white crescent marking
• Say’s Phoebe, a drab gray flycatcher with a cheerful "phoe-bee" call
• Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay, a boisterous blue jay with a distinctive gray breast
• The Greater Roadrunner, an iconic desert bird that runs across the ground on long legs

These rare feathered gems showcase New Mexico’s incredible biodiversity. With patience and a keen eye, you might just catch a glimpse of these avian treasures.

Bird Habitats in New Mexico

New Mexico’s diverse habitats provide a wide range of environments for birds to thrive. From urban areas with backyard feeders and ornamental plants, to the arid deserts with their unique cacti and scrublands, to the towering mountain ranges with their coniferous forests and alpine meadows, each ecosystem supports its own distinctive array of avian species.

Urban Areas

Even in urban areas, you’ll find a variety of bird species. The Eurasian Collared-Dove, House Sparrow, and Common Raven thrive in cities. As human development expands, species like the Rock Pigeon and White-winged Dove adapt to these changing environments. Consider these birds when planning for their wintering grounds and promoting urban habitat protection.

Species	Description	Habitat
Eurasian Collared-Dove	Pale tan, black collar on nape	City parks, neighborhoods
House Sparrow	Streaked brown, black bib	Urban areas, buildings
Common Raven	Entirely black, robust bill	Cities, suburbs, landfills

Deserts

You’ll spot plenty of desert-adapted birds like the vociferous Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay, the ebullient Vermilion Flycatcher, and the industrious Ladder-backed Woodpecker. Listen for the plaintive "pee-ur" call of the Say’s Phoebe as it bobs on an exposed perch, hunting insects. Embrace the rugged beauty of desert avifauna!

Mountains

You’ll find a unique array of mountain bird species at higher elevations. These high-altitude habitats are home to various species that inhabit bird habitats in the rocky mountains, including Aspen groves, Ponderosa pines, and Fir forests. These high-altitude habitats are home to endemic mountain birds like the Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, adapted to survive in alpine conditions. Spot the Northern Goshawk soaring over dense conifer forests or listen for the haunting calls of Great Horned and Western Screech Owls on a mountain birdwatching adventure.

Attracting Birds to Your Yard

To attract a diverse array of birds to your New Mexico backyard, you’ll want to provide ample food, water, and shelter sources.

Setting up bird feeders with an assortment of high-quality seed mixes.

Supplying a clean and reliable water source through bird baths or small ponds.

Planting native vegetation that offers nesting sites and natural food will create an inviting habitat.

Bird Feeders

Nothing attracts feathered friends like a well-stocked bird feeder! Observe their natural behaviors up close as you experiment with different seed types and feeder designs. Place feeders strategically near shrubs or trees for cover, and enjoy identifying visitors like the inquisitive Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay or the charming Say’s Phoebe. Why not try a DIY feeder project?

Bird Baths

You’ll attract more birds by providing a clean water source. A bird bath with sloping sides and textured bottom mimics nature. Place it near cover but with open flight paths. Freshen the water often, as birds avoid stagnant pools. With proper depth and drainage, your bird bath becomes an oasis for feathered friends.

Native Plants

In addition to feeders and baths, planting native species like sunflowers, coneflowers, and milkweed will attract birds by providing natural food sources and shelter.

Choose plants suited to your region’s habitat diversity to support plant-bird relationships.

Avoid invasive species, which can disrupt local ecosystems.

Native plants like pinyon pine and juniper berries sustain species like Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Say’s Phoebe, and Western Kingbird—supporting conservation efforts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)