10 Colorado Birds That Will Single-Handedly Justify the Trip
3 Birds You've Always Wanted to See in the Wild (and Can in Colorado)
7 Birding Hot Spots
The call of a great-horned owl in the blackness surrounding your campsite. The flash of gold as an evening grosbeak alights on a nearby branch. The playful buzz of a broad-tailed hummingbird speeding by. Birds have an uncanny ability to seemingly appear out of nowhere and infuse a brilliant surprise into our travel experience. In Colorado, it's a common occurrence. But it never ceases to be an extraordinary one.
The Centennial State is home to nearly 400 bird species. And no worries if you don’t know your vireo from a flycatcher. Just grab some binoculars and a field guide, stake out a quiet spot and enjoy the activity. For beginners, check out our list of 10 personal favorites below.
10 Colorado Birds That Will Single-Handedly Justify the Trip
Northern Goshawk—Rare and regal, this short-winged hawk inhabits lowland pine forests. To see one, try the Arkansas River Valley or the canyons of the South Platte River.
Cinnamon Teal—This magnificent duck is coated from bill to tail in a maroon-colored sheen. You'll see it migrating through Colorado in spring and fall in numerous areas statewide.
Gunnison Sage Grouse—One of the rarest birds in North America, this bird species consists of a breeding population in the Gunnison River drainage that has distinctly evolved from the sage grouse. Two other members of the grouse family that are also worth seeing are the lesser and greater prairie chickens. Read more>>
White-tailed Ptarmigan—Few animals sum up the majesty of the tundra like the camouflaged white-tailed ptarmigan. Test your spotting acumen with these birds on Guanella Pass—they’ll see you, but you might not see them.
Mountain Bluebird—Blend the deep azure of the Rocky Mountain sky with the slate cobalt color of a snow-fed stream, and you’ll be pretty close to the glorious blue of the mountain bluebird. Look for these meadow dwellers in spring, summer and fall.
Western Tanager—Arguably the show-stealer in Colorado's birdwatching scene, Western tanagers usually appear as a fleeting flash of gold, black and deep crimson in summer. Their habitat includes the lower mountains, willow-lined streams and wooded urban parks.
Sandhill Crane—Tall, slender and steely-eyed, sandhill cranes are one of the state’s most majestic birds. Follow their throaty calls to the San Luis Valley in spring and fall, or Steamboat Lake in summer.
Burrowing Owl—Taking up residence in prairie dog colonies across Colorado, these yellow-eyed and fluffy owls can be seen most commonly on the eastern plains.
Hooded Merganser—With their fan-shaped head, elegant white-on-black stripes and striking yellow eye, this species of diving duck possesses a rare splendor. Catch sight of these bashful beauties on the South Platte River in the middle of Denver in winter.
Calliope Hummingbird—While their more aggressive relatives duke it out for a spot at the feeder, these tiny and passive hummingbirds can be seen sneaking a sip of nectar in late summer and early fall. But keep your eyes peeled. These 0.1-ounce gems are very rare.
3 Birds You've Always Wanted to See in the Wild (and Can in Colorado)
Bald Eagle—Our national bird is a rare resident of Colorado, but a common visitor in winter when it migrates through the state. Barr Lake near Denver, the South Platte River Valley, and Shadow Mountain Reservoir near Granby are all reliable places to see this majestic bird, but the stretch of the Dolores River from Cortez up to Rico in Southwest Colorado may hold your best odds.
Wild Turkey—This beloved gobbler—that almost became the national bird—also calls the Centennial State home. Look for them in gambel oak forests near the Spanish Peaks, Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the foothills outside Pagosa Springs. They can also be found on the plains near Julesburg and Fort Morgan.
Peregrine Falcon—Sleek, nimble and unspeakably fast, this icon of the Arctic can be found in Colorado during its migration. While sightings are rare, they have been known to breed in the foothills and lower mountains.
7 Birding Hot Spots
Waterton Canyon, Kessler (Denver Metro)—Head to this glorious canyon just 45-minutes southwest of Denver in June and July, and keep your eyes trained on the trees overhanging the water. Sightings may include yellow warblers, cedar waxwings, western tanagers, lazuli buntings and the magnificent Bullock’s oriole.
Dakota Hogback (Denver Metro)—Colorado’s best place to watch hawks, eagles and falcons is just minutes from Denver on the Dakota Hogback. In springtime, the narrow rise of rock serves as a guide for migrating birds of prey. Upwards of 5,500 hawks a day have been recorded on this amazing flyway.
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge (Denver Metro)—This 27-square-mile area near Denver International Airport used to be a critical weapons-making facility for the U.S. Army. Today, it's a peaceful enclave where you may spot bald eagles, ferruginous hawks, lark buntings, burrowing owls, horned larks and Virginia rails—to name a few.
Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge (South Central)—Best known for the mid-March spectacle of the sandhill crane migration, this stretch of high-elevation grass and marshland also hosts a variety of waterfowl—and even the occasional desert species from Arizona, such as Bendire’s thrasher.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (Southwest)—Once the initial impact of this area’s jaw-dropping scenery has rubbed off, you’ll start to notice that the plateau is alive with feathered friends. Scan the gambel oak and serviceberry for Virginia’s warbler, spotted and green-tailed towhees, and pine siskin. You may even see blue grouse in the open meadows.
Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge (Northwest)—Along the Green River in extreme Northwestern Colorado you’ll find this scenic and wild area where ruffed grouse reside in aspen groves, tundra swan rest in the eddies and golden eagles soar on thermals.
Wray and Granada (Northeast and Southeast)—These two towns are known for being prime locales for viewing lesser and greater prairie chickens perform mating rituals on their leks.
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updated: 05/11/06