Common Birds in Colorado: Your Guide to 30+ Feathered Friends (70 Chars 2024)

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You’ll encounter a variety of common birds in Colorado, from urban dwellers to mountain specialists.

In cities, look for cheerful House Finches, red-breasted American Robins, and acrobatic Black-capped Chickadees. Colorado’s skies are patrolled by majestic Golden Eagles and Red-tailed Hawks. Woodpeckers like the Northern Flicker and Downy Woodpecker are frequent visitors to trees and feeders.

Don’t miss the state bird, the Lark Bunting, with its striking black-and-white plumage. Water bodies attract Canada Geese, Mallards, and Great Blue Herons.

Year-round residents include the bold Black-billed Magpie and adaptable Mountain Chickadee.

As you explore Colorado’s diverse habitats, you’ll discover a wealth of feathered friends.

Common Birds in Colorado’s Urban Areas

You’ll frequently encounter House Finches, American Robins, and Black-capped Chickadees in Colorado’s urban areas. These adaptable species thrive in city environments, often visiting backyard feeders and nesting in nearby trees or buildings.

House Finch

You’ll often spot the House Finch in urban Colorado, with its cheerful song and red-streaked plumage. Preferring habitats like backyard feeders and city parks, it feeds primarily on seeds and berries. House Finches are non-migratory, staying year-round. Conservation efforts have helped them adapt well to suburban areas, making them a common bird species for local bird watchers.

American Robin

You’ll often spot the American Robin hopping across your lawn, its distinctive red breast a welcome sight. These adaptable birds thrive in urban areas, parks, and forests alike.

Their cheerful song heralds spring, but many stick around for winter, switching from earthworms to berries.

Watch for their mud-cup nests in trees or on ledges, where they’ll raise multiple broods each year.

Black-capped Chickadee

The Black-capped Chickadee, a familiar and endearing urban bird, is easily recognized by its black cap, white cheeks, and acrobatic foraging techniques.

1. Identification: Small, with distinctive black and white markings.
2. Behavior: Stores food in hidden spots, uses memory to retrieve it.
3. Breeding: Builds nests in tree cavities, often using soft materials.

Spot these social birds during winter foraging or spring nesting!

Colorado’s Raptors and Birds of Prey

You’ll find several impressive raptors soaring through Colorado’s skies, including the Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, and Golden Eagle. These birds of prey play important roles in the state’s ecosystems, with their keen eyesight and powerful talons making them efficient hunters of small mammals, birds, and reptiles.

Red-tailed Hawk

You’ll often spot Red-tailed Hawks soaring over Colorado’s open spaces. These majestic raptors, with wingspans up to 4.5 feet, are well-adapted for hunting small mammals and birds. Their keen eyesight and powerful talons make them formidable predators.

Watch for their distinctive brick-red tails as they glide effortlessly above Rocky Mountain National Park or Chatfield State Park.

Their nesting habits and migration patterns fascinate birdwatchers year-round.

American Kestrel

While Red-tailed Hawks soar high, you’ll find American Kestrels perched on power lines or hovering over fields. These colorful raptors, about the size of a dove, are Colorado’s smallest falcons.

They’re masters of the "kiting" technique, using their tail as a rudder to stay motionless in the air.

Kestrels hunt insects, small mammals, and birds, making them efficient pest controllers in both urban and rural areas.

Golden Eagle

While the American Kestrel is a small raptor, the Golden Eagle is a true giant of Colorado’s skies. You’ll spot these majestic birds soaring over open prairies and mountainous terrain.

Their impressive wingspan, up to 7 feet, allows them to effortlessly ride thermal currents. Golden Eagles are skilled hunters, often targeting small mammals.

Keep an eye out for their distinctive golden-brown plumage and powerful talons.

Woodpeckers of Colorado

Colorado’s woodpeckers play a significant role in the state’s ecosystem, with species like the Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, and White-breasted Nuthatch being common sights. You’ll often find these birds pecking at trees in search of insects or creating nesting cavities, their distinctive drumming echoing through forests and urban areas alike.

Northern Flicker

You’ll spot Northern Flickers easily in Colorado’s forests and suburbs. These unique woodpeckers often forage on the ground, probing for ants with their curved bills.

Their striking plumage features a spotted breast and red cheek patches. Listen for their loud, resonant call echoing through the trees.

They’re cavity nesters, excavating holes in dead trees or wooden structures.

Attract them to your backyard with suet feeders and open areas for ground foraging.

Downy Woodpecker

You’ll often spot the Downy Woodpecker in Colorado’s forests and urban areas. This small woodpecker’s distinctive drumming echoes through the trees as it searches for insects. With its chisel-like beak, it excavates nests in dead wood.

Unlike the Lark Bunting or American Dipper, Downies are year-round residents. Their diet includes insects, seeds, and berries.

Check birdwatching websites for videos of these charming birds in action.

White-breasted Nuthatch

You’ve met the Downy Woodpecker, now let’s introduce you to its tree-climbing cousin, the White-breasted Nuthatch. These agile acrobats are a common sight in Colorado’s woodlands. Unlike woodpeckers, nuthatches work their way down trees headfirst, a unique adaptation that sets them apart.

Colorado’s State Bird: the Lark Bunting

You’ll be thrilled to spot Colorado’s state bird, the Lark Bunting, in its natural habitat. This striking black-and-white songbird has a fascinating history, having been chosen as the state emblem in 1931. During mating season, males put on quite a show, soaring up to 100 feet before diving back down, all while belting out their melodious tunes. Talk about a high-flying Romeo!

Habitat selection is vital for these prairie-dwellers, and they’re picky about where they set up shop. Unfortunately, population trends have been declining due to habitat loss. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these feathered friends, but they need our help.

Keep your eyes peeled at birdwatching festivals, where enthusiasts compete to spot the most Lark Buntings. Who knows? You might even set a new record!

Waterfowl and Shorebirds in Colorado

You’ll find diverse waterfowl and shorebirds in Colorado’s wetlands and waterways. Common species include the Canada Goose, Mallard, and Great Blue Heron, each adapted to thrive in aquatic environments.

Canada Goose

Canada geese are a common sight in Colorado’s parks, lakes, and golf courses year-round. These adaptable birds thrive on grass, aquatic plants, and crops.

They’re famous for their V-shaped migrations, but many have become permanent residents. With a booming population, they’ve stirred up controversy.

Watch for their distinctive honking and impressive size – they’re hard to miss! Unlike the elusive gray jay or brown-capped rosy-finch, these waterfowl are a common sight for birdwatchers.

Mallard

You’ll spot mallards in Colorado’s wetlands, lakes, and ponds year-round. These iconic ducks are adaptable and thrive in both urban and rural areas. When birdwatching, look for:

1. Iridescent green heads on males
2. Distinctive orange feet
3. Blue-speculum wing patches
4. Curled tail feathers on drakes

Mallards play a critical role in wetland ecosystems and are popular among hunters. Their conservation efforts focus on habitat preservation, ensuring a bright future for birdwatchers at spots like Boulder’s Chautauqua Park.

Great Blue Heron

You’ll spot the Great Blue Heron near Colorado’s wetlands, lakes, and rivers. This majestic bird stands up to 4.5 feet tall, with long legs and a distinctive S-shaped neck.

They’re patient hunters, feeding on fish, frogs, and small mammals.

Nesting in colonies called rookeries, they build large stick nests high in trees.

Watch for their graceful flight as they migrate seasonally within the state.

Colorful Songbirds of Colorado

You’ll find several colorful songbirds in Colorado that’ll catch your eye and ear. Among these vibrant avian species are the Western Meadowlark with its bright yellow breast, the American Goldfinch sporting its golden plumage, and the Mountain Bluebird known for its stunning azure feathers.

Western Meadowlark

You’ll often spot Western Meadowlarks perched on fence posts in Colorado’s grasslands. These vibrant songbirds boast bright yellow breasts adorned with a distinctive black V-shape. Their melodious flute-like song echoes across meadowlark habitat, announcing their presence.

They feast on a diet of insects and seeds, nesting on the ground in grassy areas.

While some meadowlarks migrate, many stick around year-round, brightening Colorado’s prairies with their cheerful tunes.

American Goldfinch

While the Western Meadowlark’s song graces our prairies, you’ll find another vibrant songbird in Colorado: the American Goldfinch. These cheerful birds captivate with their bright yellow plumage and lively chirps. As you observe them, note their:

1. Diet: primarily seeds, especially thistle and sunflower
2. Habitat: open fields, gardens, and woodland edges
3. Migration: short-distance travelers within North America
4. Nesting: cup-shaped nests in shrubs or small trees

You’ll often spot these acrobatic feeders clinging to seed heads, their sweet songs filling the air.

Mountain Bluebird

You’ll spot Mountain Bluebirds in Colorado’s open country and alpine meadows. These vibrant blue songbirds migrate to lower elevations in winter.

They nest in tree cavities or nest boxes, laying 4-6 pale blue eggs. Listen for their soft warbles and chirps.

Their diet consists of insects caught mid-air or picked from the ground.

Keep an eye out for these azure beauties fluttering across Colorado’s landscapes!

Year-round Resident Birds in Colorado

You’ll find several bird species that brave Colorado’s varied climate year-round, including the Black-billed Magpie, Dark-eyed Junco, and Mountain Chickadee. These adaptable birds have developed strategies to survive the state’s harsh winters and hot summers, making them familiar sights in both urban and rural areas throughout the seasons.

Black-billed Magpie

You’ll often spot the striking black-billed magpie in Colorado’s urban areas. These clever birds are hard to miss with their:

• Long, iridescent tail
• Black and white plumage
• Loud, chattering calls
• Bold, curious behavior

As suburban birds, magpies thrive alongside humans. They’re expert nest builders, constructing large, domed structures in trees. You’ll see them foraging for various food sources, from insects to small mammals, showcasing their adaptability in Colorado’s diverse landscapes.

Dark-eyed Junco

You’ll spot Dark-eyed Juncos year-round in Colorado, but they’re especially abundant during winter. These charming birds showcase distinct winter plumage, with darker upper parts and lighter bellies. Here’s a quick guide to their characteristics:

Feature	Winter	Summer
Plumage	Dark hood, white belly	Lighter overall
Foraging	Ground-feeding	More varied
Habitat	Lowlands, feeders	Higher elevations

Watch for their distinctive "tsip" call and hopping behavior while foraging. During breeding season, they’ll retreat to higher elevations.

Mountain Chickadee

You’ll spot Mountain Chickadees year-round in Colorado’s coniferous forests. These small, lively birds are easily recognized by their distinctive black cap and white eyebrow. They’re adaptable and curious, often visiting feeders. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Habitats: Prefer high-elevation pine and spruce forests
2. Diet: Seeds, insects, and suet from feeders
3. Calls: Whistled "cheeseburger" or "fee-bee-fee"

   They don’t migrate, toughing out winter with stored food and flocking behavior.

Migratory Birds in Colorado

You’ll encounter several migratory bird species in Colorado during specific seasons. The Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Barn Swallow, and White-crowned Sparrow are common migrants that visit the state, each with unique arrival and departure patterns tied to their breeding and feeding habits.

Broad-tailed Hummingbird

While year-round residents tough it out, the Broad-tailed Hummingbird initiates an incredible journey. These tiny powerhouses migrate to Colorado each spring, adapting to urban environments and facing climate change challenges. Here’s what you need to know about these fascinating migrants:

Characteristic	Description
Size	3.5-4 inches
Weight	2.8-4.5 grams
Wing beats	Up to 50 per second
Nectar consumption	Up to 2x body weight daily
Territorial behavior	Aggressive, especially males

Barn Swallow

You’ll easily spot barn swallows in Colorado during summer months. These acrobatic flyers are known for their:

• Forked tails
• Blue-black upperparts
• Rusty-colored throats
• Mud cup nests on buildings

Barn swallows feast on flying insects, often skimming low over fields and water. They’re master nest builders, constructing their homes from mud pellets mixed with grass. Come fall, you’ll wave goodbye as they migrate to warmer climates for winter.

White-crowned Sparrow

While barn swallows grace our skies in summer, you’ll spot white-crowned sparrows during their migration.

These dapper birds, with distinctive white and black striped crowns, visit Colorado on their journey between breeding grounds and wintering areas.

You’ll find them in shrubby habitats and open woodlands, often foraging in small flocks.

Their clear whistle song is a delightful addition to Colorado’s spring and fall soundscape.

Endangered and Threatened Birds in Colorado

Colorado’s diverse bird population includes several endangered and threatened species you should be aware of. Three notable examples are the Brown-capped Rosy Finch, Greater Sage-Grouse, and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, each facing unique challenges to their survival in the state’s varied ecosystems.

Brown-capped Rosy Finch

You’ll be amazed by the Brown-capped Rosy Finch, an endangered Colorado gem. With its distinctive rosy belly and brown cap, this bird’s unique appearance is a sight to behold. To truly appreciate these finches, remember:

1. They’re high-altitude specialists
2. Seeds and insects make up their diet
3. They nest in rock crevices
4. Winter flocks can number in the thousands

Spotting one is like finding a rare treasure in Colorado’s mountainous regions.

Greater Sage-Grouse

You’ll be captivated by the Greater Sage-Grouse, a bird that’s as unique as Colorado’s landscape. This prairie chicken-sized bird relies heavily on sagebrush for food and shelter.

Sadly, their population’s been dwindling due to habitat loss. Conservation efforts are in full swing to protect sage-grouse habitat.

During mating season, males put on a spectacular show, strutting and puffing their chests to impress females. It’s a sight you won’t forget!

Southwestern Willow Flycatcher

Unlike the Greater Sage-Grouse, you’ll find the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher in riparian areas. This endangered species faces habitat loss due to water diversion and invasive plants. Conservation efforts focus on protecting their breeding grounds and migration patterns. Here’s what you need to know:

• Small, olive-gray songbird with a pale wing bar
• Nests in dense willow thickets near water
• Eats insects caught mid-flight
• Winters in Central America, returning to Colorado in spring

Birdwatching Hotspots in Colorado

Colorado’s diverse landscapes offer prime birdwatching opportunities. You’ll find hotspots teeming with feathered friends across the state.

Rocky Mountain National Park is a must-visit, boasting over 280 species. Remember birdwatching etiquette: keep your distance and use binoculars.

For water-loving birds, head to Chatfield State Park or Pueblo Reservoir. These havens are perfect for practicing ethical bird photography.

Boulder’s Chautauqua Park is ideal for identifying bird calls, with its varied habitats attracting numerous species.

Don’t forget about backyard birdwatching! Set up bird feeders and attractants to bring the action home.

The Great Sand Dunes National Park offers a unique ecosystem where you might spot elusive species.

Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just starting out, Colorado’s hotspots will keep your binoculars busy and your bird list growing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)