Colorado Bird Identification: Common and Uncommon Species

Colorado is a haven for bird enthusiasts, with its diverse landscapes and varied habitats supporting a wide range of species. The state's unique geography, from the Rocky Mountains to the Great Plains, creates a rich tapestry of ecosystems that attract a variety of birds.

The Lark Bunting, a common sight in Colorado, is a striking bird with a black body and white wing patches. Its distinctive song is a giveaway to its presence, often heard in open fields and meadows.

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In Colorado, the most common backyard birds are sparrows, finches, and their allies, making up the largest group of feeder birds. These birds have heavy, conical bills that are perfect for crushing seeds and grains.

The top 5 most frequently reported backyard feeder birds in Colorado are the Cassin's Finch, House Finch, White-crowned Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, and Dark-eyed Junco. These birds can be found visiting bird feeders at different rates and times of the year due to their migratory patterns and reproductive stages.

Here are the top 5 most frequently reported backyard feeder birds in Colorado:

The American Robin is the most common bird in Colorado, found on more eBird lists in the state than any other species.

The House Finch is a common visitor to backyard feeders in Colorado, and for good reason. They love the seeds and grains offered at platform, large hopper, and tube feeders.

One of the most distinctive features of the male House Finch is its bright red head and breast, which contrasts with the gray-brown of the rest of its body. Females are a duller gray-brown with black streaks.

House Finches are relatively small, measuring just 6 inches in length and weighing a mere 0.88 ounces. They have a wingspan of 10 inches and a distinctive song that sounds like "chip,chip,chiprididip,ZREEYachip".

These birds are surprisingly submissive to other birds at feeders, and are often seen interacting with smaller birds. They're also quite adaptable, and can be found in a variety of habitats, from deserts to urban areas.

House Finches are social birds and often live in small groups. They make a soft cup nest in trees or on building ledges, and the female lays 2-6 bluish-white eggs with brownish dots. The incubation period is 13 days, and the nestling period is 16 days.

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Here are some of the key things to know about attracting House Finches to your yard:

The Dark-Eyed Junco is a common visitor to backyard bird feeders in Colorado, particularly during the fall and winter months. Its slate gray and white plumage makes it a striking sight.

This bird is a ground-forager, eating seeds spilled by elevated feeders, and readily uses platform and hopper feeders. It's not an aggressive bird, but can be easily displaced by more aggressive species.

The Dark-Eyed Junco's diet consists of black oil sunflower seeds, hulled sunflower seeds, safflower, cracked corn, peanut hearts, millet, and milo. It's a great bird to attract to your yard, especially if you have a platform or hopper feeder.

Here are some fun facts about the Dark-Eyed Junco:

In flight, Dark-Eyed Juncos show extensive white in their longish tails. They build cup-shaped nests on the ground in tree roots, under logs, and other hidden spots.

The pine siskin is a small finch that's all brown and streaked with black, with a pointed bill and a notched tail. Males show a variable amount of yellow on the wing.

They can be attracted to your backyard with small seeds like thistle or nyjer, millet, and hulled sunflower seeds, and they also like peanut hearts and suet.

Pine siskins tend to cling to vertical stems and bird feeders, favoring large tube, large hopper, and platform feeders. Thistle feeders are especially good for them, as they exclude most other birds.

You can expect to see pine siskins at your backyard bird feeders year-round in most of Colorado. They're a nomadic bird, so they might visit one year and disappear the next.

Pine siskins are non-aggressive, but they can be displaced by larger birds. They're also attracted to yards with shrubs and plenty of weeds with small seeds.

They build a cup-shaped nest concealed in dense foliage on overhanging branches, and several pairs may nest in close proximity. They breed between March and August, laying 3-5 greenish eggs with light brown specks.

It takes about 28 days from egg-laying until the young pine siskins fledge, with an incubation period of 13 days and a nestling period of 15 days.

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The downy woodpecker is a tiny black and white bird, with males sporting a distinctive red spot on the nape.

These birds are generally non-aggressive, but they can be dominant over smaller birds and submissive to larger ones.

Downy woodpeckers are attracted to suet, black oil sunflower seeds, and peanuts, making them a delight to have at backyard bird feeders.

You can expect to see downy woodpeckers at your feeders any time of the year, as they are year-round residents in Colorado.

They prefer semi-open woodlands and wooded urban areas, so if you have a yard that fits this description, you're more likely to attract these birds.

Downy woodpeckers are cavity-nesting birds, excavating their nests in dead branches at varying heights from the ground.

Their breeding season typically lasts from early March to early July, during which they lay 3-8 white round eggs.

It takes around 31 days from egg-laying for the young downy woodpeckers to fledge, with an incubation period of 12 days and a nestling period of 19 days.

Downy woodpeckers can live for at least 11 years and 11 months, making them a long-term addition to your backyard bird community.

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The Mountain Chickadee is a year-round resident in the mountains of Colorado, and it's a common sight at backyard bird feeders. It's very similar to the black-capped chickadee, but it has a distinctive white stripe above its eye.

Attracting Mountain Chickadees to your feeder is relatively easy, as they love hulled sunflower seeds, black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer, suet, peanuts, peanut hearts, and mealworms. They're particularly fond of large and small tube feeders, suet cages, large hoppers, and platform feeders.

Mountain Chickadees are non-aggressive at feeders and tend to take one seed at a time before leaving to eat or store it. They're also submissive to most birds visiting backyard feeders.

These birds are cavity-nesting specialists, excavating their own nests in rotten or soft wood or using existing cavities like those created by woodpeckers. They breed from mid-April through mid-August, laying 5-9 white eggs that take about 33 days to hatch and fledge.

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If you're lucky enough to have a Mountain Chickadee visit your feeder, be sure to provide the right food and habitat for it. Here are some key characteristics to look for:

The Black-Capped Chickadee is a small, grayish bird with a distinctive black cap and white face. They're quite common visitors to backyard feeders.

They're also quite vocal, often saying their name, "chick-a-deedeedeedeedee", and making other chattering calls.

These little birds are quite agile, often hanging upside down from twigs while foraging for food. They eat a variety of things, including insects, spiders, seeds, and fruit.

They're also known to visit feeders regularly, and will often hide dozens of seeds and other bits of food for the winter, recalling where each of these food items are hidden.

Here are some key characteristics of the Black-Capped Chickadee:

The Lark Bunting is a small bird, measuring only six inches in length. They're relatively tiny, but they pack a big punch when it comes to their unique appearance.

Their thick, short bill has a blue tone to it, which is a distinctive feature. I've seen pictures of them and it's really striking.

Adult male Lark Buntings are black with a large white patch on their wings. It's a beautiful sight to see them flying around with their distinctive markings.

Females, on the other hand, are mostly brown with white undersides and heavy streaking. They have a similar light patch on their wings as the males.

If you're lucky, you might spot a Lark Bunting's open cup nest in a grassy area. They like to build their nests in low-lying areas, which is a good place to start your search.

Their main diet consists of insects and seeds, which they feed on in low areas. It's no surprise they're not considered a conservation concern, given their strong numbers.

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American Kestrels are a year-round resident in Colorado, and they're a treat to spot in your backyard. They're the most colorful of all North American raptors, with adult males sporting a slate blue cap and wings, rusty back feathers, and black spots covering most of their bodies.

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Females tend to be mostly rusty-colored with similar black spots, and both genders have two vertical black stripes on each side of the face. I've seen them perched on fence poles or power lines, scanning for insects and small prey in open spaces.

These little falcons are somewhat unpredictable, shifting from one perch to another in a matter of minutes. But one trait they're known for is pumping their tail feathers after landing and while perched.

If you're lucky, you might spot an American Kestrel nesting in a cavity of a tree or a nest box. They don't carve out their own nesting sites, instead using an old woodpecker nest or a crevice in a rocky area.

The Black-Billed Magpie is a medium to large black and white bird with a black beak and a long, glossy green and purple tail.

These birds are quite bold and often occur in groups, foraging on carrion, small animals, and other food scraps. They're a common sight in open, semi-open, and wooded habitats in Alaska, western and central Canada, and much of the western USA south to New Mexico.

Black-Billed Magpies make a distinctive sound, a repeated raspy vocalization of "reh reh reh reh reh!".

Here are some key characteristics of the Black-Billed Magpie:

The Mourning Dove is a common visitor to many backyards, and for good reason - it's easy to attract and a joy to watch.

This dove is a medium-sized bird, measuring 12 inches in length and weighing just 4.2 ounces.

Its wingspan is quite impressive, reaching 18 inches, and its long, pointed tail is a distinctive feature.

The Mourning Dove's song is a sad and owl-like "hooOOA, hoo, hoo, hoo" that's often mistaken for an owl's call.

You can attract Mourning Doves to your yard by offering seeds and grains at a feeder, and they'll also forage on the ground in open areas.

One of the most interesting things about Mourning Doves is their nesting habits - they build small, messy nests of sticks in trees or bushes.

Here are some key characteristics of the Mourning Dove:

The Barn Swallow is a common sight in many backyards, particularly in open habitats like fields and meadows. They're known for their beautiful dark blue and orange plumage, with a long, forked tail that's hard to miss.

These birds are small to medium-sized, measuring only 6.75 inches in length. They're also quite light, weighing in at just 0.67 ounces. Their wingspan is a bit more impressive, stretching up to 15 inches.

One of the most distinctive features of the Barn Swallow is its song, which sounds like a complex series of chirps and whistles: "chipchipfitfibitchipfibitfwip". They also make brief "fwip" calls in flight.

If you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a Barn Swallow building its nest, which is typically made of mud and constructed in a barn or other structure. They're skilled flyers, able to swoop low over the ground in search of insects to eat.

Here are some key facts about the Barn Swallow:

The Western Meadowlark is a Robin-sized, pale brown and yellow rotund bird with a black “V” mark on its breast. They're quite common in Colorado, and you might catch a glimpse of them foraging for insects and seeds on the ground in open habitats.

These birds are quite skilled at hiding their nests, making a hidden, dome-like nest out of grass and soft vegetation, on the ground. It's impressive to think about how well they blend in with their surroundings.

If you're lucky, you might hear their distinctive rattle call, often in flight, or their pleasant, melodious whistled song, which sounds like "trip tree tur ripuhdip".

The most common birds to visit backyard feeders in Colorado are sparrows, finches, and their allies, making up the largest group of feeder birds. They generally prefer platform feeders or hopper feeders, particularly if you're starting to feed backyard birds.

These birds have heavy, conical, seed-crushing bills and feed on seeds and grains. Some birds in this group also take insects and other invertebrates during the breeding season.

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If you're new to feeding backyard birds, a platform feeder or hopper feeder is a great place to start. According to data from the FeederWatch Project of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, 92.5% of birds in Colorado use platform feeders, followed by large hopper feeders (64.8%).

Here are the top 5 most frequently reported backyard feeder birds in Colorado, based on data from the FeederWatch Project:

These birds are year-round residents or migratory species that visit feeders for food. Some birds, like the Mountain Chickadee, visit feeders at any time of the year and forage for seeds of pinyons and other conifers in the winter.

Colorado is a birdwatcher's paradise, with an impressive 519 bird species native to the state. This is according to the Colorado bird list, which includes all the species you can spot in the wild. Many of these species can be found in your very own backyard, making it a great place to start your birding journey. The sheer variety of species is staggering, with something new to discover every time you step outside.

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If you're new to birdwatching in Colorado, you might not be familiar with some of the less common birds that call our state home.

The Broad-tailed Hummingbird, for instance, is a rare sight in Colorado's mountains, especially during the winter months.

These birds are known to migrate from their summer habitats in the high country to lower elevations, making them a bit more challenging to spot.

The Mountain Bluebird, on the other hand, is a year-round resident in Colorado's mountains, but its population can be quite scattered.

You might be able to catch a glimpse of one in a open area with short grass, like a meadow or a golf course.

The Western Tanager is another bird that can be tricky to identify, but it's worth the effort, as it's a beautiful sight to see.

Its distinctive red head and yellow body make it a standout among other birds.

The Pinyon Jay is a common bird in the southwestern part of the state, but it's not as well-known as some of the other birds on this list.

You might be able to hear its distinctive call, which sounds like a loud, nasal "kraa", before you see it.

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Colorado's waterfowl and shorebirds are a diverse group of birds that can be found in various wetland habitats throughout the state. One of the most recognizable waterfowl species in Colorado is the Mallard, known for its distinctive green head and yellow bill.

The Mallard is a common sight in Colorado's wetlands, where it can often be seen swimming alongside other waterfowl species like the American Coot. The American Coot is a medium-sized bird with a distinctive black and white striped head and a red bill.

The shorebirds of Colorado are another fascinating group, with species like the Killdeer and the Spotted Sandpiper frequenting the state's beaches and shorelines.

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The Belted Kingfisher is a striking bird with a slate blue head and matching "breastplate". Both sexes have a slate blue head with a matching "breastplate".

They're known for their impressive diving skills, swooping into the water to catch their prey. This bird will dive swiftly to pluck its food from the water.

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Their diet consists of small fish, crustaceans, insects, and amphibians, which they catch while diving. They'll also eat berries, small mammals, and even other birds.

You can spot a Kingfisher perched on a telephone wire or a bare branch, watching the water for its next meal. Once it spots its target, the Kingfisher will dive swiftly to catch its food.

Belted Kingfishers are one of the few species of birds where females generally show more color than males. Females have an additional band of rust-colored feathers across their upper belly which extends down to their legs.

Their large black bill seems disproportionate to their compact frame, but it's perfectly suited for catching fish and other prey.

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The Gadwall is a grayish or buff and brown duck with a white belly and a small white wing patch. This species is known for its distinctive call, which sounds like "reh reh reh reh reh".

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The Gadwall's wingspan is quite impressive, measuring 33 inches. They can be found in a variety of wetland habitats, often in loose flocks of 100 or so.

One of the Gadwall's unique characteristics is its diet, which consists mainly of seeds and aquatic plants. They forage for these foods by dipping below the surface and using their beaks to pick up items.

Gadwalls are also known to steal food from other birds, such as coots and other ducks. They're quite resourceful when it comes to finding a meal.

Here are some key characteristics of the Gadwall:

Start by observing the bird's size, shape, and plumage.

The Rocky Mountain Sparrow is a great example of how size can be a key identifier, with adults typically reaching 5-6 inches in length.

Pay attention to the shape of the bird's beak, as this can be a distinctive feature. The Broad-tailed Hummingbird has a long, extendable beak that helps it reach nectar deep within flowers.

Color is another important factor in bird identification, but be aware that colors can vary depending on the time of year and the bird's age.

The Red-Tailed Hawk is a big, bulky raptor with a broad, reddish tail. It's a common sight in many parts of its range, including Alaska, Canada, and the USA south to the Caribbean and Central America.

Adult Red-Tailed Hawks have dark brown upperparts and can have dark brown, buff, or pale underparts with a dark "belly band". Both sexes look the same, but females are larger.

In flight, the Red-Tailed Hawk often soars high overhead on long, broad wings. A square, pale patch is often visible on the base of the primaries.

To help with identification, here are some key characteristics of the Red-Tailed Hawk:

The Red-Tailed Hawk's amazing eyesight is eight times better than a person's eyesight, making it a formidable hunter.

The state bird of Colorado is the Lark Bunting, a bird that was chosen to represent the state in 1931 thanks to Roy Langdon's efforts.

It's interesting to note that the Lark Bunting was chosen for its unique characteristics, but no specific details about those characteristics are mentioned in the article section.

If you're trying to identify a bird, knowing the state bird of a particular region can be a great starting point, as it might give you a clue about the types of birds you're likely to see in that area.

The Lark Bunting was chosen by Roy Langdon, who wrote a persuasive article called "Seventeen Reasons Why the Lark Bunting Should be Colorado's State Bird".

In Colorado, you'll find a variety of bird species, but some stand out for their remarkable size and speed.

The smallest bird in Colorado is the Calliope Hummingbird, measuring just 3.25 inches long.

These tiny birds are a delight to spot, especially when you consider their impressive speed, but we'll get to that in a moment.

The fastest bird in Colorado is the Peregrine Falcon, which can reach speeds of over 200 miles per hour when diving after prey.

The largest bird in Colorado is the American White Pelican, which is an impressive 62 inches long and has a nine-foot wingspan. This huge bird is a sight to behold.

The Trumpeter Swan is another large bird in Colorado, measuring 60 inches long and weighing a significant 23 pounds. Its wingspan is a remarkable 80 inches.

The size difference between these birds and the smallest bird in Colorado, the Calliope Hummingbird, is staggering - the hummingbird is just 3.25 inches long.

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The fastest bird in Colorado is the Peregrine Falcon, which can reach speeds of over 200 miles per hour while diving after prey. This raptor is also the fastest bird on the planet, making it a thrilling sight to see.

The Peregrine Falcon's incredible speed is a testament to its impressive agility and hunting prowess. Its ability to dive at such high velocities makes it a formidable predator in the skies of Colorado.