In this post we will be looking at some birds of Colorado that might be common but are still interesting. At the end, we also have a couple of rarities to the state. Hopefully you will find some tips about what to see and where.
The State of Colorado
Colorado is famed for being the home of the Rocky Mountains which dominate the western side of the state. In the middle are the more urban areas and to the east are the Great Plains that are used for rearing stock and growing crops. With such a variety of environments and a central location, it is no wonder that the Centennial State attracts many interesting bird species.
Colorado Birds
On the eBird reported sightings leaderboard, Colorado comes in at an impressive 9th out all the United States. It has 515 bird species and is just behind birding behemoths like Washington and Florida. However, it is 8th overall in terms of size so with a vast land mass, you might expect such a high number of birds. Let’s have a look at some.
Common Birds of Backyards
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)
Identification
The American Robin is a large thrush which has a dark back and rusty orange front. The black headed is punctuated by a broken white eye ring.
Size
- Length: 7.9-11.0 in (20-28 cm)
- Weight: 2.7-3.0 oz (77-85 g)
- Wingspan: 12.2-15.8 in (31-40 cm)
Range
The American Robin is resident in Colorado and can be seen all year round in a variety of environments. As an adaptable bird, it can find food in woodlands, parks, gardens and even on your front lawn. The Range Map below shows concentrations of population in purple. The darker the purple, the greater the reported sightings.
What you might not know
American Robin pairs can raise up to 3 broods each year. The rates of survival decrease with each clutch but they still produce a good number of birds to support the population.
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)
Identification
The Mourning Dive is a dull brown with black spots and bars on its back and wings. It is named for its mournful call which is always lovely to listen to.
Size
- Length: 9.1-13.4 in (23-34 cm)
- Weight: 3.4-6.0 oz (96-170 g)
- Wingspan: 17.7 in (45 cm)
Range
The Mourning Dove can be found more frequently in the western part of Colorado in the summer months. It habits all kinds of environments from forests to open parks and it is very comfortable in urban areas.
What you might not know
You can attract Mourning Doves to backyard feeders, but they don’t actually eat. They are collecting seed into a special pouch called a crop. They store the food here and then eat it later in a safe place.
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)
Identification
This attractive finch is covered in brown and cream streaks with a variable amount of red, yellow or orange on their heads and breast.
Size
- Length: 5.1-5.5 in (13-14 cm)
- Weight: 0.6-0.9 oz (16-27 g)
- Wingspan: 7.9-9.8 in (20-25 cm)
Range
The House Finch is a common resident of Colorado and can be seen all year round. The purple shading reflects its preference for urban areas over mountains.
What you might not know
The House Finch was exported from the west of the U.S. to the east where they were captive birds. Once they escaped they quickly established populations all throughout the east that are now classed as feral. It is now widespread across North America.
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)
Identification
The Black-capped Chickadee is an attractive little bush bird with pale gray underparts flanked by a cinnamon shade and then a mixed colored wing and back. Strong black and white patches on the throat and cap make it distinctive.
Size
- Length: 4.7-5.9 in (12-15 cm)
- Weight: 0.3-0.5 oz (9-14 g)
- Wingspan: 6.3-8.3 in (16-21 cm)
Range
The Black-capped Chickadee is found all year round in western parts of Colorado, preferring woodland areas. It can also be found in urban areas where you can attract it with sunflower seeds to backyard feeders.
What you might not know
A bit like a squirrel, the Black-capped Chickadee stores food that it collects in lots of different places. It can then remember them all for use later on.
Common Open Country Bird Species
Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)
Identification
The Swainson’s Hawk is similar to the Red-tailed Hawk but the rusty colored bib is distinctive. The pale belly is marked with black spots.
Size
- Length: 17-22 in (43-56 cm)
- Weight: 17-59 oz (500-1700 g)
- Wingspan: 46-54 in (117-137 cm)
Range
The Swainson’s Hawk is a summer visitor and is found flying above prairies and pasture lands as it searches for food.
What you might not know
When looking for the Swainson’s Hawk in summer, try open pastures where they gather together in large numbers. No other raptor can be seen in a group like this.
Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta)
Identification
This lark has the usual lark pose and build but the coloring is just fabulous. With streaks on the back flowing into spots on the sides, it has a burst of bright yellow color on the belly, beast and throat. A shot of yellow in front of the eye and a black bib complete this complicated plumage.
Size
- Length: 6.3-10.2 in (16-26 cm)
- Weight: 3.1-4.1 oz (89-115 g)
- Wingspan: 16.1 in (41 cm)
Range
The Western Meadowlark can be found in groups in open fields during the summer months. The Range Map shows that its Colorado population is less concentrated in the eastern mountains.
What you might not know
The Western Meadowlark can reach bugs in the ground that other birds cannot by using its very strong bill to force open holes in the ground, giving access to the food.
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Identification
The Barn Swallow is an attractive mix of iridescent blue on the back and rusty brown on the front. The belly pales towards the tail.
Size
- Length: 5.9-7.5 in (15-19 cm)
- Weight: 0.6-0.7 oz (17-20 g)
- Wingspan: 11.4-12.6 in (29-32 cm)
Range
The Barn Swallow is a summer visitor to Colorado and can be found in open areas and wetlands.
What you might not know
Juvenile Barn Swallows may stick around to help its parents with the next brood. They need that help as unmated males have been known to kill eggs and nestlings.
Rough-legged Buzzard (Buteo lagopus)
Identification
The Rough-legged Buzzard (or Hawk) has variable plumages included a light (pictured below) and dark morph. Look for the long wings and shaggy looking legs.
Size
- Length: 18.5-20.5 in (47-52 cm)
- Weight: 25.2-49.4 oz (715-1400 g)
- Wingspan: 52.0-54.3 in (132-138 cm)
Range
The Rough-legged Buzzard is a tick on your winter checklists in Colorado and can be seen irregularly in the east of the state.
What you might not know
The Rough-legged Buzzard breeds in the Arctic Circle where it is daylight most of the time. The birds cope with this and still manage to sleep during the normal hours of darkness.
Common Forest Birds
Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus)
Identification
The Hairy Woodpecker looks very similar to the Downy, although it is slightly larger. When identifying it in the field, look for the bill which is as long as the head.
Size
- Length: 7.1-10.2 in (18-26 cm)
- Weight: 1.4-3.4 oz (40-95 g)
- Wingspan: 13.0-16.1 in (33-41 cm)
Range
The Hairy Woodpecker is a resident of Colorado and so can be seen all year round in forests and open woodlands. It is one of the more attractive of backyard and can be seen frequently on birds bird feeders.
What you might not know
The Hairy Woodpecker is adaptable and can be found in forests and woods at sea level and high up into the mountains. That fact is reflected in the Range Map above.
White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys)
Identification
This looks a typical sparrow from the eyes down but the crown is magnificent with strong black and white stripes.
Size
- Length: 5.9-6.3 in (15-16 cm)
- Weight: 0.9-1.0 oz (25-28 g)
- Wingspan: 8.3-9.4 in (21-24 cm)
Range
The White-crowned Sparrow can be seen in Colorado in different times as it passes through on migration. While it does visit urban feeders, the Range Map below shows that it prefers rural and forested areas.
What you might not know
These little sparrows are another example of incredible migration endurance. They can fly several hundred miles in a day and migrate over 2.500 miles between breeding and non-breeding areas.
Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator)
Identification
This stunning finch is a rich reddy pink with darker wings and tail. The female is a duller brown but with accents of color.
Size
- Length: 7.9-10 in (20-25.5 cm)
- Weight: 1.8-2.8 oz (52-78 g)
- Wingspan: 13 in (33 cm)
Range
The Pine Grosbeak is an uncommon visitor to the mountains of Colorado.
What you might not know
The Pine Grosbeak is famed for its sluggish movements and tame affect. It is sometimes known as a mope because of this.
Common Water Birds
Cinnamon Teal (Spatula cyanoptera)
Identification
This is the breeding male bird with a very rich brown plumage and red eye. It has a long bill that looks like the Shoveler’s. The female is a Mallard like streaky brown.
Size
- Length: 15.1-16.9 in (38.4-42.8 cm)
- Weight: 11.8-14.1 oz (335-401 g)
- Wingspan: 21.3-22.4 in (54-57 cm)
Range
The Cinnamon Teal is an uncommon visitor to Colorado wetlands. Seen only mid-year, it is a tick on your summer checklists.
What you might not know
When nesting, the female builds a cover over the nest so it is completely concealed. She swims through a tunnel to reach it.
Bonaparte’s Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia)
Identification
The Bonaparte’s Gull below is in non-breeding plumage and shows the difficulty in identifying them out of season. Its only distinguishing feature is the black smudge behind the eye. In breeding colors, it has a full black cap.
Size
- Length: 11.0-11.8 in (28-30 cm)
- Weight: 7.4-8.3 oz (210-234 g)
- Wingspan: 35.4-39.4 in (90-100 cm)
Range
The Bonaparte’s Gull is seen in spring and fall during its migration. Sightings are uncommon and sporadic across the state.
What you might not know
Another tip for identifying this gull when passing through the state are the white wedges on the wing. Otherwise it is hard to separate it from other gulls when they are all grouped together.
Rare Birds of Colorado
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis)
Identification
The Black-bellied Whistling Duck is an interesting duck with blocks of color. A pink bill, gray head, brown chest and black belly. The most likely way to find them is to hear the whistling call. Follow the distinctive sound to find the bird.
Size
- Length: 19-22 in (47-56 cm)
- Weight: 23-36 oz (652-1020 g)
- Wingspan: 30-37 in (76-94 cm)
Range
There has been a single sighting of the Black-bellied Whistling Duck in Colorado so it is very rare. See if you can spot the sighting on the Range Map below.
What you might not know
Whistling Ducks used to be called Tree Ducks because that it where they spent most of their time. Then it was discovered that only some of them did this (like the Black-bellied) and the name was changed.
Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis)
Identification
The Spotted Owl is a brown owl with large white spots on its belly.
Size
- Length: 18.5-18.9 in (47-48 cm)
- Weight: 17.6-24.7 oz (500-700 g)
- Wingspan: 39.8 in (101 cm)
Range
The Spotted Owl is rarely seen in Colorado with only a handful of sightings as shown below. However, its range and sightings are restricted by eBird to protect the bird. There is only a handful of birds whose range is hidden like this. They are named as Sensitive.
What you might not know
The Spotted Owl eats mostly flying squirrels and woodrats.
Conclusion
The birds in Colorado are varied and interesting with different characteristics, habitats and plumage. It has a lot of offer for any wildlife enthusiast with birds being right up there. Bird watching is amongst the many activities you can find here and of course, the best. If you are visiting North America, Colorado should be on your list.
Related Questions
Where can I find more information about birds in Colorado?
There are lots of online guides about Colorado’s birds and the state itself. You can look at the eBird Explore page to find tips about local hotspots. Audubon also has a dedicated Rockies page which you can find here https://rockies.audubon.org/.
If you want to find more about the calls of Colorado birds, check the xeno-canto org site here:
Are there eagles in Colorado?
Yes, the Bald and Golden Eagles can be found in the state. Both are present year round across the state.
What is the best bird of the state?
The best bird in Colorado would have to be the Pine Grosbeak. There are not many birds with that shade of color and it is simply stunning.
What is the state bird of Colorado?
The State bird of Colorado is the Lark Bunting. It is a relatively uncommon bird of the eastern parts of Colorado.
