Name: | Location: | First Observation Date for 2008: | Expected arrival time: | |
Charadrius vociferus | Dixon, El Bosque
Most often seen in wet fields or orchards. Calls loudly in flight. | March 6, 2008
Summer Resident | Early March | N. of Taos 2007.07.24 |
Black Phoebe
Sayornis nigricans | Dixon, El Bosque
Usually sits on low branches overhanging the river. Sound: Repeated two-note whistle. | March 20, 2008
Summer Resident | Early March | Cachanillas (near Lyden) 2007.11.19 |
Say's Phoebe
Sayornis saya
|
Apodaca
Usually seen in agricultural fields perched on fence posts or tops of single stalk weeds or flowers. Sound: A plaintive, down-slurred "pee-er" | March 21, 2008
Early March |
Early March |
Rinconada 2008.03.24
With nesting material. Rigsby's April 19, 2008 |
Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos
|
Rinconada
Present in many habitats, often heard before seen. Sound: Mimics other birds and other common sounds (Even car alarms.) Noisy repitions of many sounds. | March 22, 2008
Summer Resident |
Mid-April |
Rinconada 2008.03.24 |
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
|
Dixon: El Bosque
1-3 hours after sunrise, look for group gliding upward on rising warm air. In evening, seen in small groups on long glides toward their roost. | March 24, 2008
Summer Resident
Weighing only 4 pounds, with a wing-span of more than 5 feet, these birds rarely flap their wings. |
End of March |
Dixon: El Bosque Spring, 2007
La Bolsa April 5, 2008 |
Red-naped Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus nuchalis
|
Dixon: El Bosque
If you hear a woodpecker drumming that gives a few rapid taps and then slows down, often ending with an isolated double tap, it is a sapsucker. | March 27, 2008
Summer Resident If you find horizontal rows of holes in local piñon or apple wood, it is the work of sapsuckers.
|
Early to Mid-March |
No Local Photo Available.
Click on English or Latin Name
for Photos, Sounds and More. |
Violet-green Swallow
Tachycineta thalassina
|
Dixon: El Bosque
Occasionally perching high in Cottonwoods, usually seen in groups "hawking" insects above rivers. | March 31, 2008
Summer Resident
Underside and sides of rump bright white. |
Mid-April (Large numbers around May 12) |
Rio Ojo Sarco June 9, 2008
Swallow Silhoutte |
Chipping Sparrow
Spizella passerina
|
Cachanillas
Often on ground or low branches. Sometimes sings at top of trees. Listen for insect-like trill on one pitch.
| April 1, 2008
Summer Resident
Clear breast, red cap, black line through eyes.
|
Mid-April |
Rio Ojo Sarco April 25, 2008
Dixon: El Bosque May 6, 2008 |
White-throated Swift
Aeronautes saxatalis
|
Canoñcito
Swallow wings have rounded leading edges and straight trailing edges , Swift wings are rounded on both edges. | April 2, 2008
Summer Resident
Usually fly very high, often over mesas. Swift wings are long and thin. |
Mid-March |
Swift Silhoutte
|
N. Rough-winged Swallow
Stelgidopteryx serripennis
|
Dixon
Usually hawking insects just a few feet over the river surface. Listen for a squirty-sounding "jrrt"
| April 6, 2008
Summer Resident
Underside duller than Violet-green. Throat dusky.
|
Mid-April |
Swallow Flight Silhoutte
Dixon: El Bosque May 13, 2008 |
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Archilochus alexandri
|
La Junta
At flowers and feeders. Males: Upper throat black, lower purple. (When light is at certain angles.)
| April 12, 2008
Summer Resident |
Mid-April |
Male, Dixon: El Bosque May 2, 2008 |
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Selasphorus platycercus
|
La Junta
At flowers and feeders. Wings of males in flight make loud insect-like buzz.
| April 12, 2008
Summer Resident
Males: Throat fiery red. (When light is at certain angles.)
|
Mid-April |
Male, Dixon: El Bosque April 24, 2008 |
Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
|
Apodaca
Look high in Cottonwoods near agricultural land. Body dark brown. Head blue-black.
| April 14, 2008
Summer Resident
|
Late March |
Cañoncito April 25, 2008 |
Spotted Sandpiper
Actitis macularius
|
Rinconada
Always at water's edge. Usually on sand bars. In flight, wing shows white stripe running from body to wing-tip.
| April 15, 2008
Summer ResidentWell camouflaged, easily overlooked.
|
Late April |
Rio Grande (Rinconada) April 15, 2008
Dixon: Rio Embudo May 4, 2008 |
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Dendroica coronata
|
Dixon: El Bosque
Mid to High levels in Cottonwood Trees
| April 15, 2008
Summer Resident at high altitudes only. Migrant in lower altitudes. |
A few present in lowlands in winter. Large numbers by Mid-April |
Rinconada April 19, 2008 |
Lark Bunting
Calamospiza melanocorys
|
Dixon: El Bosque
Male all Black with large white mark on side of wing. State bird of Colorado.
| April 16, 2008
Transient
Migrating from Texas and Northern Mexico to the grasslands east of the Rockies and the Sange de Cristos.
|
Possible in April & May |
No Local Photo Available.
Click on English or Latin Name
for Photos, Sounds and More.
|
Cliff Swallow
Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
|
Rinconada
Like other arealists, hawking insects over riparian areas.
| April 19, 2008
Summer Resident
Throat very dark.
|
3rd week of April |
Swallow Silhoutte
Dixon: El Bosque May 20, 2008
|
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
|
Rinconada
Usually in agricultural areas.
| April 19, 2008
Summer Resident
Long, forked tail distinctive.
|
3rd week of April |
Peñasco April 19, 2007
Peñasco April 19, 2007 |
Virginia's Warbler
Vermivora virginiae
|
Rio Ojo Sarco
High in Cottonwoods during migration. Sound: Four notes followed by a trill.
| April 25, 2008
Summer Resident
Usually breeds in Scrub Oak.
|
3rd week of April |
Rio Ojo Sarco April 25, 2008 |
Gray Flycatcher
Empidonax wrightii
|
Rio Ojo Sarco
Primarily in Piñon-Juniper Sound: Two note, "ki-LIP"
| April 25, 2008
Summer Resident
|
Late April |
Rio Ojo Sarco May 16, 2008 |
Cassins Kingbird
Tyrannus vociferans
|
Rio Ojo Sarco
Perches on wires and tops of trees. Very noisy. Call a conspicuous "Chi-bir!"
| April 25, 2008
Summer Resident
|
3rd week of April |
Dixon: La Pareia July 21, 2007
Dixon: El Bosque May 7, 2007 |
Plumbeous Vireo
Vireo plumbeus
|
LOCATION
Usually high in Cottonwoods Sound: Short, separated Robin-like phrases.
| April 25, 2008
Summer Resident
|
End of April |
Rio Ojo Sarco May 16, 2008
Dixon: El Bosque May 20, 2008 |
Green-tailed Towhee
Pipilo chlorurus
|
Rio Ojo Sarco
Like the Spotted Towhee, it is a leaf-tosser spending almost all the time on the ground. | April 25, 2008
Transient in lower altitudes. Summer resident at high altitudes.
Only sings when on its high mountain breeding grounds.
|
3rd week of April |
Rio Ojo Sarco April 25, 2008 |
Scott's Oriole
Icterus parisorum
|
Arroyo Mina
Male yellow-bodied in contrast to the orange Bullock's Oriole. Head with complete black hood in contrast to Bullock's Oriole's partial hood.
| May 1, 2008
Summer Resident?
The Rio Embudo is on the very edge of this bird's range. Only three recorded sightings in Dixon. Listen to song of the pictured bird recorded May 19, 2008
|
Possible in April & May |
Dixon: El Bosque May 18, 2008 |
Black-headed Grosbeak
Pheucticus melanocephalus
|
Apodaca
Generally mid to high levels in trees. Song is Robin-like, but more melodius.
| 1st week of May, 2008
Summer Resident |
1st week of May |
< El Bosque May 14, 2008 |
Western Tanager
Piranga ludoviciana
|
Dixon: El Bosque
Generally high in trees. Listen for a subtle "pitilit".
| May 4, 2008
Summer Resident in high altitudes. Migrant in lower altitudes.
|
1st week of May |
Male: Dixon May 8, 2007
Female: Dixon May 17, 2008 |
Yellow Warbler
Dendroica petechia
|
Dixon: El Bosque
Look high in Cottonwoods or along river in willows. Listen for a fast, high pitched "sweet, sweet, I'm so sweet".
| May 4, 2008
Summer Resident
|
1st week of May |
Dixon: El Bosque May 4, 2008
Dixon: El Bosque May 17, 2008 |
Wilson's Warbler
Wilsonia pusilla
|
Dixon: El Bosque
Usually in riparian area. Look for black cap on male.
From below can look like female Yellow Warbler.
| May 4, 2008
Transient
Migrating from South & Central America to Northern Rockies, Northern Canada & Alaska
|
Late April |
Dixon: El Bosque May 17, 2008
Dixon: El Bosque May 17, 2008 |
Bullocks Oriole
Icterus bullockii
|
Dixon: El Bosque
Often hidden by leaves high in trees. Look for yellow-orange body as it flies between trees. Listen for noisy chatter on one pitch.
| May 5, 2008
Summer Resident
Song is loud and brief, alternating between high and low notes.
|
Last week of April |
Dixon: El Bosque May 5, 2008 |
Brown-headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater
|
Dixon: El Bosque
Often on ground. Often feeding near livestock. Sound: A very distinctive descending "watery" whistle.
| May 5, 2008
Summer Resident
Body black, head brown. Lays eggs in other species nest. "Parasatized" species raises the young.
|
Last week of April |
Orilla Verde June 9, 2007
Dixon: El Bosque May 20, 2008 |
Ash-throated Flycatcher
Myiarchus cinerascens
|
LOCATION
Most commonly seen mid-level in large cottonwoods. Listen for a very quiet, very gentle "sports whistle".
| May 6, 2008
Summer Resident
Pale yellow wash on belly and breast. Contrasting "top-knot" distinctive.
|
1st week of May |
Dixon: El Bosque May 6, 2008 |
Yellow-breasted Chat
Icteria virens
|
Dixon: El Bosque
Difficult to see. Easy to hear: At least 4 distinctive calls.
| May 7, 2008
Summer Resident
This is the one that sings all night long in the middle of the summer.
|
1st week of May |
El Bosque May 13, 2008 |
Lazuli Bunting
Passerina amoena
|
Apodaca
Often seen at tops of smaller trees in agricultural areas. Paired, slightly buzzy notes. Often described as a fast "fire fire, where where, here here".
| 1st week of May, 2008
Summer Resident
Brilliant Turquoise head and back is distinctive. Note rusty swath on breast.
|
1st week of May |
Dixon: El Bosque May 13, 2008
Dixon: El Bosque May 9, 2008 |
White-winged Dove
Zenaida asiatica
|
Dixon: El Bosque
Not common along Rio Embudo.
More common from Velarde south. Sound: A rhythmical "Who cooks for you?"
| May 8, 2008
Summer Resident
Note white wing edge when perched. In flight, white band appears on top of wing.
|
Can be seen in any season south of Velarde.
Numbers increase in summer. |
Albuquerque (East of Fairgrounds) April 29, 2008 |
Lincoln's Sparrow
Melospiza lincolnii
|
Dixon: El Bosque
Similar to Song Sparrow but look for thinner streaking backed by buff-colored breast and flanks.
| May 13, 2008
Transient
|
Possible April & May |
Dixon: El Bosque May 13, 2008 |
Northern Parula
GENUS SPECIES
|
Dixon: El Bosque
This vagrant was way out of range.
This is only the 3rd record of this bird in Rio Arriba County. Sound: A buzzy trill rising in pitch.
| May 13, 2008
Vagrant
|
While these photos are not usable as "bird photos", they are definitive in the identification of the Parula.
Note the horizontal black band on breast with red and yellow bands below.
Note the blue-gray head, split eye-ring and yellow on throat. |
Dixon: El Bosque May 13, 2008
Dixon: El Bosque May 13, 2008 |
Warbling Vireo
Vireo gilvus
|
Rio Ojo Sarco
Usually mid-level to high in Cottonwoods.
| May 16, 2008
Summer Resident
|
Early May |
Dixon: El Bosque May 17, 2008 |
Orange-crowned Warbler
Vermivora celata
|
Dixon: El Bosque
Sound: Dry trill falling off in pitch and intensity at end.
| May 17, 2008
Summer Resident at high elevations.
Transient in lowlands.
Note split eye-ring and faint eye-brow.
|
Possible in April & May |
Dixon: El Bosque May 17, 2008
Dixon: El Bosque May 17, 2008 |
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Contopus cooperi
|
Dixon: El Bosque
Hawks insects from bare branches at mid-levels. Sound: Have never heard this bird sing during migration.
| Dixon: May 17, 2008
Transient
Note dark "vest".
|
Possible in April & May |
Dixon: El Bosque May 17, 2008 |
Blue Grosbeak
Passerina caerulea
|
Dixon: El Bosque
Usually in agricultural areas. Sound: Listen for a very metallic sounding "chink".
Song similar to House Finch without upward slide at the end.
| May 19, 2008
Summer Resident
Deep blue body with contrasting brown wings. In poor light, may appear uniformly blue or black.
|
2nd week of May. |
Dixon: El Bosque Summer, 2007
Dixon: El Bosque May 20, 2008 |
Western Wood-Pewee
Contopus sordidulus
|
Dixon: El Bosque
Hawks insects from relatively low perches. Sound: Says its name: a buzzy "pee-wee".
| May 22, 2008
Summer Resident
|
Mid to late May |
Dixon: El Bosque May 22, 2008 |
American White Pelican
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
|
Rinconada
Extremely rare in this location. Migrates from Northern Mexico to Colorado and points further north.
| May 24, 2008
Vagrant
This bird is 5 feet long from tip of bill to end of tail. It has a wingspan of 8-9 1/2 feet.
|
Not expected!
This bird caught a number of people's eye.
It was reported to me independently by David Rigsby, Abby Mouer and Liz Reidel & Shel Neymark. |
Rinconada May 25, 2008
Rinconada May 25, 2008 |