35 Backyard Birds in Colorado
What birds will you see in your backyards in Colorado? This article will help you identify the most common backyard birds in Colorado.
Which backyard birds of Colorado can you spot on your birdfeeders and what kind of birds should you look for on the ground? What type of birdseed should you be using? All these questions will be answered.
This article will help you to identify common backyard birds in Colorado for all seasons. We will explain what to look for by color, shape, and size. We will also include a picture so you can refer to this guide when you can’t identify a bird in your backyard.
Depending on the time of year it is, there are over 500 bird species in Colorado. The most-seen backyard birds in Colorado are American Robins, Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, White-breasted Nuthatches, Spotted Towhees, Brown-Headed Cowbirds. Song Sparrows, Red-breasted Nuthatches, American Crows, White-Crowned Sparrows, Common Grackles, Blue Jays, and Barn Swallows.
The official state bird of Colorado is the Lark Bunting. It was adopted as the state bird in 1931 by a legislative vote. It was among 3 birds (western meadowlark and mountain bluebird were the others) fighting for the title of the state bird. Although you will only see the Lark Bunting in the eastern plains of Colorado the people loved it because of its singing and dance it performs in the air when courting for a mate.
1. Lark Bunting
Scientific Name: Calamospiza melanocorys Size: 6.5-7 inches
Description and field Marks
Lark Bunting males have striking plumage with the head, throat, and upper breast black, which contrasts with the white lower breast and belly. The wings are black with prominent white patches that form a wing bar when the wings are folded.
Their back is mainly black with some white streaks or patches and their tail is black with white outer feathers that are most visible during flight. The female has similar colors however much paler plumage.
Both sexes have short bills and their legs are short and pale gray.
Nesting
Lark Buntings are known for their distinctive flight display during the breeding season, where males ascend high in the air and then spiral downward while singing.
While Lark Buntings typically nest on the ground, they may occasionally choose elevated nesting sites such as abandoned bird nests or even nest boxes.
The female lays a clutch of 3 to 6 pale bluish-white with brownish speckles eggs that incubate for 12 to 14 days. Both the male and female Lark Buntings are involved in caring for the young which leaves the nest in 10 to 14 days.
Diet
Lark Buntings are ground foragers, often searching for food on the open ground in grasslands and meadows. They may also feed in agricultural fields and pastures where suitable food resources are present.
Lark Bunting’s diet consists of seeds but they will feed on insects, especially during the breeding season when they require a high-protein diet for themselves and their young.
Habitat
Lark Buntings inhabit open grasslands, prairies, sagebrush areas, meadows, and agricultural fields. They can be found at various elevations, from lowland areas to higher mountain valleys. They are a migratory species, spending the breeding season in the central United States.
Lark Buntings breed throughout Colorado, especially in the eastern and central parts of the state.
Call and Song
2. black-capped chickadees
Scientific Name: Poecile atricapillus Size: 4.7-5.9 inches
Description And Field Marks
The Black-capped Chickadee belongs to the Chickadee family. They are small birds with black caps, clear breasts, and rusty to rufous sides. They are mostly black and white in color with gray on their wings. The male is slightly different from the female and has less weight and a smaller size than the female with a larger bib.
Nesting
They nest in holes that are either natural or made by woodpeckers. They will make the hole bigger and then fill it with moss and grass and other soft materials forming them into a cap-like structure.
The female lays 6-8 eggs which are white or light cream in color with brownish or reddish speckles. The female warms the eggs while the male protects the nest and brings food to the female.
Diet
The Black-capped Chickadee likes eating small insects, nuts, seeds of small bushes, and berries. Chickadees are naturally curious, so they will get close while you refill those feeders and may eventually take seed from your hand. They love black-oil sunflower seeds, suet, and peanut butter.
Habitat
You can see the black-capped chickadee in many areas throughout the United States as they are found in the northern states including Alaska as well as southern Canadian.
Bird Note
They are the town criers of the bird world, announcing everything from a crow or hawk coming to dinner.
Song And Call
3. American Robin
Scientific Name: Turdus migratorius Size: 7.9-11.0 inches
Description And Field Marks
The American Robins has a gray-brown back and wings, with white underparts. It also has a short tail and a pointed bill for catching insects in flight or on the ground. Males have a red patch on their breasts and a black head, throat, and upper chest. Females are duller looking than males with less contrast in colors.
They prefer an open country with scattered trees and shrubs. It is found in a variety of habitats, including farmland, grasslands, parks, yards, and gardens.
Nesting
The American Robin makes its nest in a tree or shrub, usually near water. The female Robin lays four to six eggs and both parents take turns sitting on them. The eggs are solid bright blue in color. The eggs hatch in about two weeks and the chicks leave the nest after another week or so.
Diet
They eat worms and insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, and crickets. It also eats fruit and berries in the summer. They don’t do feeders but love to find bugs and worms in the grass all around your yard.
Habitat
The American Robin is found in eastern North America, from the Maritime Provinces of Canada to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. It is also found throughout the United States and southern parts of Canada, including most of Alaska.
The American Robin can be seen in summer in Colorado.
Song And Call
They are very early-morning singers. Listen for their call
4. black-billed magpie
Scientific Name: Pica [pica] hudsonia Size: 18-24 inches
Description And Field Marks
The black-billed magpie is a mid-sized bird the size of a crow with an extremely long tail. It is black and white with black areas on the wings and tail showing iridescent hints of blue or blue-green. It is one of only four North American songbirds whose tail makes up half or more of the total body length. The tail is made up of long, layered feathers, the middle pair of which protrudes farthest of all. Males and females look alike.
Nesting
Black-billed Magpies build their nests over 40-50 days, using sticks gathered by the male for the exterior and grass and other materials gathered by the female for the interior. The finished nest is a large, domed structure, usually around 30 inches high and 20 inches wide. The dome is constructed of sticks, with entrances on both sides. Inside the dome is a cup-shaped nest with a mud or manure base and a lining made from grass, rootlets, hair, and weeds.
Once the nest is finished, the female will lay up to nine eggs, with the typical clutch ranging from 6-7 eggs. The male will bring food while the female incubates the eggs, and both will feed the young once they have hatched. After 3-4 weeks the young will leave the nest, joining with other broods and being fed by their parents for an additional 3-4 weeks.
Diet
Black-billed Magpies eat a variety of food types. Their primary diet consists of insects and their larva, as well as the eggs and hatchlings of songbirds. They also eat fruit and grain crops, small mammals such as mice and meadow voles, carrion, seeds, grains, and nuts. Black-billed Magpies may also eat garbage and food that is left out for pets.
Habitat
It inhabits the western half of North America including western Canada and southern Alaska. You will see them year-round in Colorado.
Song And Call
The black-billed magpie alarm call is known as a chatter, which is a ka-ka-ka-ka sound, sometimes preceded by a skah-skah. They also have a mag-mag-mag call, which they use to communicate with other birds.
5. dark-eyed juncos
Scientific Name: Junco hyemalis Size: 5.5-6.3 inches
Description And Field Marks
The dark-eyed juncos are little birds that are slated gray in color. They are known as medium size sparrows with long tails, round faces, and white on their belly. They also have bright white markings on its tail.
Dark-eyed junco has a population of over 600 million making it one of the most common birds in the United States and Canada.
Nesting
The Dark-eyed Juncos lay three to six eggs. They are cream-colored with brown spots. The eggs are usually laid in a tree hole or on the ground.
Diet
The Dark-eyed Junco eats seeds, berries, and insects. They can be found in bushes and trees. Juncos LOVE feeders! They will eat whatever you put out black-oil sunflower seeds, suet, peanut butter, or generic wild bird food. They are not picky.
Habitat
When Juncos appear, Winter is near. You can see them in Canada and the western mountains during the spring and summer. These birds flew south to North America for the winter months.
Look for them on deciduous forest floors and on the grass in your backyard. They can be found in bushes and trees all over Colorado during winter.
This is another bird that can travel in mixed flocks, so you never know who else will turn up at your feeder alongside the Juncos.
Song And Call
6. red-winged blackbirds
Scientific Name: Agelaius phoeniceus Size: 6.7-9.1 inches
Description And Field Marks
The male red-winged blackbird is a large blackbird with white underparts and red wings. It has an orange-red patch on its shoulder and long pointed wings. But not all Red-winged Blackbirds have red wings. Some may have yellow or orange epaulets on their wings.
The female red-winged blackbird is striped and brown-streaked in color.
Red-winged blackbirds are usually active during the day, but they may be seen at night near lights.
Nesting
A red-winged blackbird’s nest is usually in a marsh or near water, but they have also been found on flat roofs and even in chimneys.
Their nest is made of twigs, grasses, and hair. They are lined with finer grasses, rootlets, or horsehair. The female lays 4 to 6 eggs that are a pale blue-green color. They also have black, brown, and purple speckles all over them. They are incubated by both parents for about 12 days. The young leave the nest after 14 days.
Diet
They are known to eat insects and seeds, including corn, wheat, and other grains. They also eat berries from shrubs and trees like elderberry, mulberry, wild grape, or honeysuckle.
Habitat
The red-winged blackbird is seen in Colorado all year round and is very common in many of our backyards.
Bird Note
You’ve heard the expression “Birds of a feather flock together”? Always check flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds for Common Grackles, European Starlings, and Brown-headed Cowbirds. These birds are often found together in large flocks.
Song And Call
Red-winged blackbirds can often be heard singing from a perch high in a tree or on power lines.
They have a loud, clear whistle that sounds like “fee-bee” and they also make a variety of cackling and chattering noises.
7. downy woodpecker
Scientific Name: Dryobates pubescens Size: 5.5-6.7 inches
Description And Field Marks
The Downy Woodpecker is bigger than a junco or House Finch but smaller than a Red-winged Blackbird. It has a black-and-white striped head and black wings with white spots and a solid white back and white underparts. The Downy Woodpecker has a black tail with white outer tail feathers with black bars or spots. The male has a small red area on the back of his head.
Nesting
Look for their nest in dead trees or live trees with dead areas. They carve out an area large enough for the eggs and the bird. They line the nest only with wood chips. The nest can take weeks to make and is done by both the male and female.
A Downy woodpecker only has one brood each year with 3 to 8 eggs which are white in color. The incubation period is around 12 days with both the male and female taking turns. The young will stay in the nest for around 30 days.
Diet
Mostly Downy Woodpeckers eat insects. The male tends to eat from the ground while the female likes to find insects from branches and in trees. They will also eat seeds, weeds, and fruit.
The Downy Woodpecker will visit your backyard feeders for suet and nuts.
Habitat
The Downy Woodpecker is a common bird found throughout Colorado in places where there are trees. You will see them in residential areas, cities, farmland, and wooded areas.
Call And Drumming
8. Northern flicker
Scientific Name: Colaptes auratus Size: 11.0-12.2 inches
Description And Field
The Northern Flicker male and female are similar in color. They both have a rounded head, the bill is curved down and the tail tapers to a long point.
Although the same bird their colors differ from the eastern United States (bright yellow wing and tail feathers) and the western US (red wing and tail feathers).
The Northern Flicker is also known as “the woodpecker that doesn’t peck wood.” Instead, it gleans insects from the bark of trees.
Nesting
It nests in holes excavated by other animals, such as squirrels and woodpeckers. It lays 5 to 8 eggs which are all white. They only have one brood per nesting season.
The incubation period is around 2 weeks and the young stay in the nest for about a month.
Diet
Northern Flickers mostly will eat insects that they get from the ground. They will “drum” at the ground as other woodpeckers drum in trees and wood. During the winter months, they will also eat fruits and seeds.
These are beautiful woodpeckers. They may also stop in at your suet and peanut feeders, but most likely you’ll see them nesting in old trees.
Habitat
You will see Northern Flickers in city parks and backyards in the suburbs. You will also find them in woodlands with open trees, burned forests, swamps, and marshes.
The Northern Flicker has a wide range of calls. It has a typical woodpecker-like “drum” and a more musical, gurgling call that is often mistaken for the song of the Red-winged Blackbird.
The Northern Flicker is a common bird in Colorado.
Song And Call
9. blue jays
Scientific Name: Cyanocitta cristata Size: 9.8-11.8 inches
Description And Field Marks
Blue jays are easily identified by their blue feathers, white cheeks, and a large crest on top of their head. They are large birds with a wingspan of about 20 inches.
They are loud and noisy, but other birds trust them to notify them of danger. Jays are one of the species that will mob hawks and owls and pin them down in trees, alerting all the birds in the area that a predator is nearby.
Blue jays are brilliant birds and have a wide range of vocalizations. They are known to mimic other birds, animals, and even humans. Blue jays will also use their intelligence to solve problems.
Nesting
Blue Jays build their nest 10 to 25 feet above the ground, mostly in trees by any V branches. However, once I had a blue jay build their nest near the light next to my front door. That was crazy as we couldn’t use our front door during that time because they would dive down at us if we went near the door.
The nest is a cup-like structure made of grass, twigs, and mud. Although both the male and female gather material for the nest, the female does most of the building while the male does most of the gathering.
There are usually 2 to 7 eggs that are light brown in color with darker brown spots on them. The incubation period is 17-18 days and the young remain in the nest from 17 to 21 days.
The nesting season is from March to July. Although the Blue Jay can have 2 broods each season, they usually only have one.
Diet
Blue Jay’s diet consists of nuts, fruits, and insects. They will also eat bird seed from backyard feeders and they have been known to steal food from other birds
Jays love whole peanuts. Toss a handful on your lawn or patio and watch what happens. They fly away with their peanuts and leave the feeders alone for a while.
Habitat
Blue Jays are quite common birds in Colorado. They can be found in suburban areas, parks, and forests. They can be found year-round in the northeast but they tend to migrate south for the winter months.
Bird Note
Jays have been known to mimic a Red-tailed Hawk call to keep small birds away from a food source, screeching to clear the birds off the bush with the tasty berries and then swooping down into the bush to feed after the competition’s been chased off.
Song And Call
10. European starling
Scientific Name: Sturnus vulgaris Size: 7.9-9.1 inches
Description And Field Marks
The European Starling is the size of a Robin and from a distance looks all black. However, they have a purplish-green iridescent color to them when you see them up close. Their yellow bill stands out and they have short tails.
You often see them in large flocks with blackbirds and grackles.
Nesting
Starlings will take other birds’ nests and use them as long as they are high off the ground, usually in trees, on streetlights, buildings, or nest boxes. The male will find these nests and will add twigs, pine needles, grasses, and feathers. Females will add greens to the nest before laying 3 to 6 eggs.
Both the male and female will incubate the eggs for a period of around 12 days. The egg color is bluish to greenish white. The young will stay in the nest for about 3 weeks.
Diet
European Starlings eat primarily insects but will also eat fruits. In addition, they will eat seeds, nectar, garbage, and livestock feed.
Habitat
They live where humans are, in towns and cities, and roost in trees and on buildings, also you will see them on wires. They like open fields and lawns and are not far from a water source.
Bird Notes
A fun fact about the European Starling is that all North American birds descended from 100 birds that in 1890 were intentionally released into Central Park in New York City. Today they have a population in North America of over 2 million.
Song And Call
The European starling is a highly sociable bird. It lives in flocks of up to 100 birds, and its calls include whistling and chattering noises.
11. house sparrows
Scientific Name: Passer domesticus Size: 5.9-6.7 inches
Description And Field Marks
The House Sparrow differs from another American Sparrow as they are not related. They have a rounder head and are chunkier, with a bigger chest, short tails, and thicker bills.
Like most other female birds, she is duller than the male, brown with dirty gray and brown underparts with striped backs in brown, black, and buff.
Male House Sparrows are chunky with a round head, stout bill, and full breasts. Colors include gray crowns, dark brown necks, white cheeks, black bibs, and gray crowns.
Nesting
House sparrows nest in cavities and use various materials to build their nests. They are not known for being picky about where they nest, so if you have a birdhouse or an old nest box in your yard, it might attract house sparrows. House sparrows nest in cavities in trees or buildings.
The female lays 3-8 eggs. The incubation period is 10-14 days and the young stay in the nest for 10 to 14 days.
Diet
They eat seeds, grains, and insects. Sparrows will definitely be at your feeder eating birdseed, sunflower seeds, millet, and milo.
Habitat
The House Sparrow lives where people live. You will find them in cities and towns, in backyards and parks.
Song And Call
12. Broad-tailed hummingbird
Scientific Name: Selasphorus platycercus Size: 3.5 inches
Description and Field Marks
Broad-tailed Hummingbirds are small, colorful birds that are found in western North America. Males have iridescent green feathers on their backs and crowns, with a bright red patch on their throat (known as a gorget) that flashes in the sunlight. Females are duller in color, with a green back and white underparts. Both sexes have a relatively short, straight bill and a forked tail.
They are agile fliers, able to hover in place and fly forwards, backward, and upside-down.
Nesting
Broad-tailed Hummingbirds typically nest in the branches of deciduous trees, shrubs, or occasionally coniferous trees. The female Broad-tailed Hummingbird builds the nest by herself using plant fibers, spider webs, and other fine materials and shapes it into a small cup.
The female typically lays 2 small white eggs, which are about the size of a pea all she alone incubates the eggs, which usually takes about 16 to 18 days. After hatching, the young hummingbirds stay in the nest for about 18 to 21 days, during which time the female feeds them with nectar and insects.
Diet
Broad-tailed Hummingbirds primarily feed on nectar from flowers. They are particularly attracted to flowers that are red, pink, and orange in color. In addition to nectar, they also feed on small insects and spiders, which provide them with protein and other nutrients.
Habitat
Broad-tailed Hummingbirds prefer montane and subalpine forests, as well as open meadows and scrubland. They are commonly found in the Rocky Mountains and other mountainous areas of the western United States.
Broad-tailed Hummingbirds are a common and widespread species in Colorado during the breeding season, which typically occurs from May through August.
call and Wingbeat
13. American crows
Scientific Name: Corvus brachyrhynchos Size: 15.8-20.9 inches
Description And Field Marks
The American Crow is not a crow at all. It is actually a raven, but it has been called the “American Crow” for many years. This all-black bird has shiny feathers. The bill is also black with a hook on the end. The male is slightly more glossy than the female.
The American crow is smaller than the fish crow.
Nesting
The American Crow doesn’t breed until it’s between 2 and 4 years old. The “family” stays together for years, so some of the “kids” will help raise the next year’s brood.
Their nests are in large trees mostly evergreens. Both the male and female will make the nest out of large twigs lined with pine needles. The nest is big around 15 inches across and 7 to 10 inches deep.
They usually lay 3 to 9 eggs which are bluish-green in color with gray and brown blotches at either end.
The incubation period is 16 to 18 days, and the young remain in the nest anywhere from 20 to 40 days.
Diet
The American Crow will eat just about anything including seeds, nuts, worms, and small animals such as mice. They will also steal and eat eggs from other birds like robins, sparrows, loons, jays, and eiders. They will even eat garbage from the dumps.
Habitat
The American Crow can be seen throughout the United States but differ in size by region. In Florida, the American Crow is smaller but has large feet. And the Northwestern Crow once thought to be a different species is smaller with a deeper voice.
It is common to see them on lawns, open fields, woodlands, parking lots, and in towns as well as in cities.
Bird Notes
The American Crow is an aggressive bird that will chase many large birds like eagles and hawks. Many times you will see them in flocks of up to 1000 birds.
Song And Call
14. common grackle
Scientific Name: Quiscalus quiscula Size: 11.0-15.4 inches
Description And Field Marks
The Common Grackle is part of the blackbird family and all blackbirds have iridescent feathers (usually dark blue or purple).
Grackles are often mistaken for crows, but they are much smaller in size and can be distinguished by their long tails and shiny black feathers. They have yellow eyes and their size is larger than a robin.
They are often found in large flocks during the summer months.
Nesting
They nest in colonies and build their nests in trees and bushes that are at least 3 feet off the ground. The female picks the spot of the nest and mostly builds them too but the male will help her.
They usually lay 1 to 7 eggs that can be pearl gray, light blue, or dark brown in color however they usually have brown spots. The incubation period is 11 to 15 days and the young will stay in the nest for 10 to 17 days. The common grown has 1 to 2 broods each year.
Grackles are also known as “possum hawks” because they sometimes prey on the eggs of ground-nesting birds like quail, grouse, and pheasants.
Diet
Grackles are omnivores and eat insects, fruits, seeds, and grains. They can often be seen at backyard bird feeders where they dine on sunflower seeds and cracked corn.
Grackles are very intelligent birds that sometimes use their beaks to turn over rocks in search of insects. You will also find them find at farm fields where they will eat the seeds from corn and rice.
Habitat
Grackles can be found throughout the United States in parks, yards, open fields, and woodlands. They are very adaptable birds that have learned to thrive in cities where they often find food and water.
Song And Call
Grackles can also be heard making a wide range of calls that include whistles and rattling sounds.
15. mourning doves
Scientific Name: Zenaida mactoura Size: 9.1-13.4 inches
Description And Field Marks
The Mourning Dove is a medium-sized bird from the dove family. It has a rusty brown color and a few black spots above the wings. They can reach up to 12 inches in body length while their wingspan can be up to 18 inches.
Nesting
The pair of Mourning Doves is monogamous and they usually mate for life. They use old nests of other birds or build their own nest on top of a post, tree branch, or even on the ground.
Mourning Doves lay two white eggs and incubate them for 13 days. The male also feeds her during this time. The young will leave the nest after 15-16 days.
Diet
Mourning Doves eat seeds and grains that are found in the backyard. They also eat insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, and beetles.
Mourning Doves are one of the vacuums of the bird world, so they don’t eat from feeders but from what falls on the ground when other birds use your feeder.
Habitat
The Mourning Dove is frequent in most parts of the United States.
Song And Call
16. house finches
Scientific Name: Haemorhous mexicanus Size: 5.1-5.5 inches
Description And Field Marks
The male House Finch has a brown back, wings, tail, and head with white underparts and varying shades of red around the head while the female is grayish-brown all over.
Nesting
House Finches build their nest anyway as long as it’s 12 to 15 feet above the ground usually in buildings and trees. Nests are made of grass, weeds, twigs, and leaves. The female builds the nest while the male will feed her during this time and incubation.
The eggs are pale blue with lavender and black dots and consist of 2 to 6 eggs. The incubation period is 13 to 14 days. Both the male and female feed their young for the 12 to 15 days they remain in the nest.
House Finches usually have 3 broods each year.
Diet
House Finches like to eat small worms, insects, seeds of small plants, and berries of some plants as well. They will visit the bird feeders often and really love sunflower seeds. They will also visit your Hummingbird feeders for the sugar water.
Habitat
Seen throughout North America, the House Finch is a very social bird and is usually seen in flocks except during mating season. You will find them in cities, suburban towns, and farmland. They love lawns, weedy areas, and trees but not dense forests.
Bird Notes
If the bird you’re looking for has a raspberry or light pink body check to see if it’s a purple finch.
Song And Call
The House Finch has a high-pitched sound that the male House Finch mostly uses to attract the female for breeding.
17. Eurasian collared-dove
Scientific Name: Streptopelia decaocto Size: 11.4-11.8 inches
Description And Field Marks
Bigger and heavier than the mourning dove, the Eurasian collared dove has plump bodies and long tails that are squared off at the tip. Their size is between a robin and a crow.
The Eurasian collared dove is brownish to gray in color with white on its tail. They have a black narrow patch around the nape of the neck. When you see them flying their wingtips are darker than the rest of the wings.
Nesting
Males pick the nest sites and gather the materials while females build the nest about 10 feet off the ground. It’s a simple platform-style nest and will use this nest for many broods (from 3 to 6) during the breeding season. In warm areas such as Florida, the doves will nest year-round.
Each brood has 1 to 2 white eggs with an incubation period of 14 to 19 days and a nesting period of 17 days.
Diet
The Eurasian Collared Dove mostly eats seeds and grains such as millet, wheat, corn, and sunflowers. They will eat seeds from your birdfeeders.
Habitat
They live in urban and suburban areas where they can access birdfeeders. Although they prefer warmer climates and you can see them in Colorado year-round.
Song And Call
18. white-crowned sparrows
Scientific Name: Zonotrichia leucophrys Size: 5.9-6.3 inches
Description And Field Marks
On the larger size for a sparrow, the White-Crowned Sparrow was a long tail and a small bill and its head appears peaked. Its colors are pale gray, but the crown has a bold black and white stripe. You can also identify them from their bills which are pale pink east of the Rockies and yellow to orange bill west of the Rockies and along the Pacific Coast.
Nesting
The white-crowned sparrow mostly nests below 10 feet from the ground in shrubs. The female builds the nest out of twigs, grasses, hair, and leaves. It takes between 5 to 9 days to do this.
The female lays 3 to 7 greenish to blue-greenish eggs. The incubation period is 10 to 14 days with a nesting period of 8 to 10 days. The birds will have between 1 and 3 broods each breeding season.
The pair stays together for the breeding season but will winter separately. About 2/3 will find each other again the following season to breed.
Diet
The birds’ diet mainly consists of weeds and grasses but they will eat insects and caterpillars during the summer. They will also eat grains such as corn, and bailey and fruits such as blackberries and elderberries.
Habitat
The white-crowned sparrow loves scrubs up to 10 feet tall and you will see them hopping from the ground to the shrubs. During winter you will mainly see them in weedy fields, thickets, farms, and in backyards.
You will see White-Crowned Sparrows during the winter, the non-breeding season, on the eastern side of Colorado and all year on the western side of the state.
Call And Song
Most of the time when you hear the White-Crowned Sparrow singing it’s the male. They learn to sing within the first few months of their lives, usually where they were born and will have different dialects. Some will be able to sing in more than one dialect.
19. white-breasted nuthatches
Scientific Name: Sitta carolinensis Size: 5.1-5.5 inches
Description And Field Marks
The White-breasted Nuthatch gets its name from the fact that it stuffs nuts and seeds under tree bark, then uses its sharp beaks to hatch the seed from the shell. The White-breasted Nuthatch has a black cap on top of their heads, with white on either side and on their bellies.
Plump little birds, larger and heavier-bodied than Red-breasted Nuthatch. Nuthatches always start at the top of the tree and work their way down to the ground.
Nesting
They make their nets in tree cavities or holes made by woodpeckers at least 15 feet above the ground. Females build their nests out of grasses, twigs, mosses, and bark fibers.
They only have one brood per year consisting of 5 to 9 eggs. The eggs are white with reddish-brown spots. The eggs are incubated by the females. The males feed them during that time.
Both the male and female feed their young which leave the nest at any point from 14 to 26 days.
Diet
The White-breasted Nuthatch will visit most seed feeders and like mixed seed blends, black sunflower seeds, peanut butter, peanuts, or suet. They usually like to grab and run, taking a seed and immediately flying off to eat it or cache it in a nearby tree.
Habitat
It is a small bird that is the largest nuthatch in North America. The White-breasted Nuthatch is found year-round throughout Colorado and is a common backyard bird.
Song And Call
Their call sounds like a squeaky wheel.
20. song sparrow
Scientific Name: Melospiza melodia Size: 4.7-6.7 inches
Description And Field Marks
The Song Sparrow is a medium size bulky sparrow. Their mostly brown body has streaks of white/light gray throughout. It has a long rounded tail and broad wings.
It’s larger than a chipping sparrow but smaller than a dark-eyed junco.
Nesting
The Song Sparrow nest is made of grass and twigs. They are also lined with hair, feathers, and wool. The nest is usually found in a bush or tree near water. They are not afraid of humans so can nest close to your home on lights or poles and in flower beds.
The Song Sparrows lays one to six eggs. The eggs are either, blue, blue-green, or gray-green with some brown spots on them. The incubation period is 12 to 15 days and the young spend another 9 to 12 days in the nest.
The Song Sparrow can have anywhere between 1 to 7 broods per year.
Diet
It eats insects, seeds, and berries. They will come to your feeders for any kind of seeds or suet.
Habitat
Song Sparrows are very common in Colorado. They can be found all over the state.
Call And Song
21. rufous hummingbird
Scientific Name: Selasphorus rufus Size: 3.5-4 inches
Description and Field Marks
The Rufous Hummingbird has a compact and streamlined body with short wings and a relatively long, slender bill. Adult males have striking and distinctive plumage with the head, back, and sides of the neck covered in iridescent orange-red or rufous feathers. The throat is also a vibrant reddish-orange color, often with a shimmering metallic appearance.
The rest of the underparts, including the belly and undertail coverts, are whitish with a rufous or orangey wash. The tail of the Rufous Hummingbird is relatively long and straight, consisting of slender, pointed feathers which appear forked in flight.
Nesting
Rufous Hummingbirds typically build their nests in forested areas, higher elevations, such as mountainous regions and coniferous forests. The nest is a tiny cup-shaped structure, typically constructed using soft plant materials.
The female Rufous Hummingbird typically lays a clutch of 2 tiny white or slightly off-white in color eggs about the size of a jelly bean. The female incubates the eggs for about 14 to 16 days and takes care of the young for 18 to 22 days until they fledge.
Rufous Hummingbirds are known for their fierce territorial behavior, and males play no role in nest-building or incubation.
Diet
Rufous Hummingbirds have a high metabolic rate and need to consume food frequently to meet their energy demands. Their diet primarily consists of nectar and small insects, making them important pollinators for various flowering plants.
Habitat
You can find them in western Colorado during migration. Rufous Hummingbirds are migratory, so their presence in Colorado is seasonal. They typically arrive in the state in late spring or early summer and leave by late summer or early fall as they continue their migration to Mexico. To increase your chances of spotting them, look for areas with suitable habitats and a diversity of flowering plants.
Call and Wingbeat
22. yellow-rumped warblers
Scientific Name: Setophaga coronata Size: 4.7-5.5 inches
Description And Field Marks
The males are dark gray with white on their wings, and yellow on their faces, sides, and rump. The east coast male could have a white throat instead of the yellow one. The females are duller and could be brown instead of gray with less yellow.
Nesting
Females built their nests in pine trees with materials brought to them by the male. She lays 1 to 6 white-speckled eggs. The incubation period is 12 to 13 days with a nesting period of 10 to 14 days.
Diet
The yellow-rumped warblers eat insects during the summer.
Habitat
In Colorado, you will see the yellow-rumped warbler in winter during the non-breeding season as the breed in the north mostly in Canada. They like open areas, such as parks, woodland pine forests, dunes, and residential areas.
Song And Call
23. mountain bluebird
Scientific Name: Sialia currucoides Size: 6.3-7.9 inches
Description and Field Marks
The Mountain Bluebird is a strikingly beautiful bird with vibrant blue plumage and distinctive rust-colored markings.
The male Mountain Bluebirds have bright blue upper parts, while their underparts are pale blue to white. They have a rust-colored throat and breast, and a white belly. Females are less vibrant, with duller blue upper parts and a greyish-blue breast.
They have short tails with a square or slightly rounded shape. Their bill is black, thin and straight.
Nesting
The male often chooses a nest cavity before attracting a mate, and will sometimes begin building a nest or bringing nesting material to the site to show their readiness to breed. They require open habitats with suitable nesting sites such as tree cavities or nest boxes.
After mating, the female Mountain Bluebird constructs a cup-shaped nest from grasses, pine needles, and other plant materials, lining it with softer materials such as feathers, hair, and fine grasses. She lays a clutch of 4 to 7 light blue or white eggs, which she incubates for about 14 days. Both parents participate in feeding the nestlings, which fledge after about 18 to 21 days. They usually raise 1 to 2 broods per nesting season.
Diet
Mountain Bluebirds’ diet consists of various insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, ants, and spiders. They also occasionally feed on small fruits and seeds, particularly during the winter months when insects are less abundant.
During the breeding season, Mountain Bluebirds need a high-protein diet to support the growth of their young, and they may consume up to 500 insects per day.
Habitat
The Mountain Bluebird prefers open grasslands, meadows, and sagebrush steppe, and is often found in areas with scattered trees, snags, or other perching sites typically at elevations of 4900 to 9800 feet. Mountain Bluebirds are also found in alpine meadows and subalpine coniferous forests during the breeding season.
Colorado is a great place to see Mountain Bluebirds, as they are relatively common throughout the state during the breeding season.
Call
The call of the Mountain Bluebird is a soft, low-pitched “chur” or “chirp” sound.
Song
24. American goldfinch
Scientific Name: Spinus tristis Size: 4.3-5.1 inches
Description And Field Marks
The American Goldfinch is a small, sparrow-sized bird with a short, notched tail.
In Spring and Summer, the male has a bright yellow body, black wings with wing bars, and a heavy, finch-like bill, while the female is less boldly colored. In winter both males and females become dull green-gray and look like female House Finches.
Goldfinches are very social birds and often travel in flocks. They fly in a rolling up-and-down pattern, and their song is high-pitched and mellifluous.
Nesting
Nesting later than most birds in this area (late June), the American Goldfinch hides its nests in thick brushes and shrubs making them very hard to see. The nests look like cup-like structures made of grasses, seeds, and soft materials on top of the twigs in the brushes.
The female lays 2 to 7 eggs which take 12 to 14 days to hatch. The young are fed by the male and stay in the nest for 11 to 17 days. Depending on how late the pair mates, they can mate again having two broods in a season.
Diet
They love Nyjer and sunflower seeds year-round, but will also eat a finch seed blend. Finch feeders have very small openings and can be either rigid feeders or disposable nylon socks.
Habitat
They are year-round residents and are found in most areas of North America. However, those that breed in Canada and the Midwest migrate to the southern US States for winter.
American Goldfinches are spotted in Colorado all year long.
Bird Note
In winter, check your finch feeder for Pine Siskins, which look like sparrows with yellowish accents.
Song And Call
25. Spotted Towhee
Scientific Name: Pipilo maculatus Size: 6.7-8.3 inches
Description and field marks
The Spotted Towhee is roughly the same size as a robin, with a long, dark, fan-shaped tail with white corners on the end, and a round body with bright red eyes and dull pink legs.
Males have jet-black heads, throats, backs, and tails, while females are dark brown or grayish-black. Juvenile birds are mostly brown with brown streaking and tarnish spots. They have red eyes, pinkish legs, and thick, dark, pointed beaks.
Nesting
Spotted towhees breed during the spring and summer, typically laying 3 to 5 eggs per brood. The female builds the nest on the ground or low in bushes, often concealed by adjacent plants but not typically inside thickets. The nest is made of leaves, strips of bark, twigs, forb stalks, and grasses, lined with pine needles, shredded bark, grass, and sometimes hair.
The eggs are grayish or creamy-white with reddish-brown spots and are incubated by the female alone for 12 to 14 days. Once hatched, both parents feed the chicks, which leave the nest at 10 to 12 days but remain with their parents until 30 days of age.
Diet
The Spotted Towhee is an omnivore that primarily feeds on seeds, plants, acorns, and berries during the winter. However, during the breeding season, they mainly eat insects such as beetles, weevils, crickets, grasshoppers, moths, spiders, millipedes, snails, and wasps.
They are ground foragers and use a two-footed scratching method to locate food under the litter. The Spotted Towhee frequents brushy areas and is common at bird feeders wherever seed is scattered on the ground.
Habitat
The Spotted Towhee is found in shrubby habitats in forested lowlands throughout Washington and in open forests, brushy fields, and chaparrals across western North America.
They often use shrubby thickets in residential areas, on clear-cuts, and around wetlands. Towhees prefer to forage in areas with a thick layer of leaf litter and a screen of foliage and twigs low to the ground.
The Spotted Towhee can be found in Colorado year-round, although they may be more difficult to spot during the winter months when they become more secretive and may be found in thicker vegetation. The best time to look for them is during the breeding season, which typically occurs from mid-April through July.
call and song
26. western kingbird
Scientific Name: Tyrannus verticalis Size: 8.5 inches
Description And Field Marks
The Western Kingbird is a migratory bird commonly found throughout western North America. It is a yellow-bellied species of the kingbird genus and is distinguished from other kingbirds by its distinctive white underside and forked tail.
The western kingbird is easily identifiable with its small black bill, dark eyes, black legs, and feet, and an orange-red central crown patch that is often hidden from view. It has an ashy gray head, neck, and breasts, dark lores and white malar, dark coverts, and an olive green back. The tail is black and square with white edges, and the belly and undertail feathers are bright yellow. Juveniles are paler overall.
Nesting
The Western Kingbird builds a cup-shaped nest made of grasses, roots, weed stems, and other vegetative material, lined with finer grasses, hair, feathers, and other softer material. It is usually built in the branches of a tree or shrub, but may also sometimes use man-made structures such as utility poles or building ledges.
The female lays between 3 and 7 eggs, with an average clutch size of 4 eggs. The Western Kingbird typically produces 1 to 2 broods per year on average.
The incubation period is roughly 18 to 19 days and the nesting period is about 16 to 17 days. Both parents fed the young after hatching and will continue to feed and protect the young for a few weeks after they have fledged from the nest.
Diet
Western Kingbirds are predominantly carnivores and insectivores, eating mostly flying insects such as bees, robber flies, winged ants, and grasshoppers. They also consume fruits, berries, and seeds from buckthorn, sumac, and poison ivy as well as grains, nuts, and other fruits.
Habitat
The Western Kingbird can be found in open areas with scattered trees, utility poles, or man-made structures, such as telephone poles and buildings.
They are found in western North America, from the Río Grande valley and northwest Mexico to southern Canada. They are also found east of the Mississippi River and have been known to cross over into parts of Wisconsin and Illinois. There are seen in Colorado during the spring and summer breeding months as they migrate south for the winter.
Call And Song
27. barn swallow
Scientific Name: Hirundo rustica Size: 5.9-7.5 inches
Description And Field Marks
The Barn Shallow is the size of a sparrow but what stands out about them are their long, pointed wings and long, forked tail. The color on their face and back is cobalt blue and tawny on their underparts. Its throat and chin are rusty to orange. Males are more brightly colored than females.
The barn swallow is the most common swallow in the world. They are known for flying very low over the ground and water.
Nesting
Both the male and the female build their nests by making cup shapes of mud on rafters, eaves, and cross beams of barns and sheds, or even bridges. They sometimes use nests from previous years too.
Barn Shallows have 1 to 2 broods per season with 3 to 7 cream-pinkish eggs with brown, lavender, and gray spots. The incubation period is 12 to 17 days with the nesting period being between 15 to 27 days.
Diet
Barn Shallow diet consists of all types of flying insects including flies, needs, and moths. They caption most of their food while flying. They will also eat eggshells and oyster shells from the ground when humans put them out.
Habitat
Barn Swallow likes to be in open areas such as fields, parks, and roadways. You will also see them in marsh areas, along coastal waters, ponds, and meadows. They breed in the United States and Southern Canada and fly would for the winter.
You will see them in Colorado during the spring and summer months.
Bird Notes
To attach them to your backyard leave eggshells and oyster shells on the ground or build platform feeders. Also by building platforms for nesting. If you have outbuildings on your property such as barns and sheds you can leave the doors and windows open so the barn swallows can build their nests inside. Having some mud around also helps them build their nests.
Song And Call
28. chipping sparrow
Scientific Name: Spizella passerina Size: 4.7-5.9 inches+
Description And Field Marks
Chipping sparrows are small brown sparrows with plain breasts and long tails. There is a difference between breeding and non-breeding birds. The breeding birds have a reddish cap and a white brow with dark eye lines. The non-breeding has a brown cap, duller dirty gray breast, a dark eye line, and a grayish rump.
Usually found in trees around your property. You will hear them before you see them.
Nesting
The chipping sparrow nests in dense shrubs or small trees near the ground. It is often found nesting under bird feeders.
The female builds the nest out of grass and other plant material and then lines it with hair or fine grasses. The nest is usually built on a horizontal branch in dense shrubs or small trees.
The female lays 3 to 5 eggs at a time and the young hatch after 11 days of incubation. Both parents feed the chicks until they are ready to leave the nest, usually after about 12 days.
Diet
The chipping sparrow diet consists of seeds, insects, and spiders. Occasional visitors to your suet and black-oil sunflower seed feeder.
Habitat
The chipping sparrow is a common bird in the United States and Canada. It has been spotted as far west as Texas and California.
You will find them in the woods, especially where there are pine trees. Other common places to see them are on backyards lawns, in cities, towns, and farms. During the fall and winter, you will often see them in flocks.
Song And Call
The song is more of a rattle.
The chipping sparrow has two calls: a sharp chip and a long, high-pitched trill.
29. Mountain Chickadee
Scientific Name: Poecile gambeli Size: 4 to 5 inches
Description And Field Marks
The Mountain Chickadee is a small passerine bird found in the mountainous regions of western North America. They are gray with a black cap and throat, white cheeks, and white eyebrows. They have a small, thin bill and a short tail.
Nesting
Mountain Chickadees typically breed in the late spring and early summer. They build cup-shaped nests in tree cavities or nest boxes, typically using moss, lichen, and bark strips.
The female chickadee lays 5 to 8 eggs, which are incubated for about 12 to 13 days by both parents. After hatching, the chicks are fed by both parents and fledge from the nest after about 18 to 21 days.
Diet
Mountain Chickadees primarily feed on insects, including spiders, caterpillars, and beetles. They also eat seeds and berries, particularly in the winter months.
Habitat
Mountain Chickadees prefer coniferous forests at higher elevations, typically between 5,000 to 12,500 feet. They are also found in subalpine and alpine habitats. These active birds typically forage in the lower to middle levels of the forest canopy. They often move in mixed-species flocks with other small birds, such as nuthatches and woodpeckers.
Mountain Chickadees can be found year-round in Colorado, particularly in the western half of the state.
Call and song
Mountain Chickadees are known for their distinctive vocalizations, including a high-pitched, whistled song and a “chick-a-dee-dee” call.
30. house wren
Scientific Name: Troglodytes aedon Size: 4.35.1 inches
Description And Field Marks
The House Wren is a small songbird weighing about the same as two quarters. Its coloring is all brown with a darker brown on the wings and tail. For a small bird, it has a long curved beak.
Nesting
The House Wren nests in nest boxes (which would need to be installed in your backyard way before the breeding season) and tree holes. It avoids nesting in heavily wooded areas and prefers areas where humans are. They line the nests with twigs.
The female lays 3 to 10 white-speckled eggs. The incubation period is 9 to 16 days and the nestling period is 15 to 17 days.
Diet
The House Wren eats many different types of insects from flies to spiders. They also like snail shells.
Habitat
House Wren has a very large range and can be seen over the entire Western Hemisphere. It can be seen in Colorado during the summer as they breed in North America and fly south for the winter. You can see them in yards, by buildings, and by farms.
Bird Note
House Wren will come to your backyard especially if you have downed brush as they like to go under for cover and eat insects.
Song And Call
31. western meadowlark
Scientific Name: Sturnella neglecta Size: 6.3-10.2 inches
Description And Field Marks
The Western Meadowlark is a robin-sized bird with a flat head, a long, slender bill, and a round-shouldered posture nearly concealing its neck. The wings are rounded and short for the bird’s size and the tail is short, stiff, and spiky. It has yellow underparts with intricately patterned brown, black, and buff upper parts. A black “V” crosses the bright yellow breast; it is gray in winter, and the head has contrasting stripes of dark brown and light buff. The outer tail feathers flash white in flight.
Nesting
The Western Meadowlark builds its nest in a small depression in the ground, nestled in a clump of grass or other plants. The nest is woven together from dry grass, forming a bowl shape and lined with hair.
The female builds the nest and then lays 1 egg in the morning on consecutive days, with an average clutch size of 5 eggs. Incubation then begins with the laying of the last egg and normally lasts for 13 to 14 days. The nesting period is between 20 to 21 days. For up to 2 weeks after fledging the young remain dependent on their parents for food.
Diet
The Western Meadowlark has a varied diet, consisting largely of insect and vegetable matter. They feed mostly on the ground, foraging for items such as beetles, cutworms, grasshoppers, crickets, grain, and weed seeds. They also eat a wide variety of seeds and grain in late summer and autumn.
Birders can increase the chances of attracting western meadowlarks to their backyard by providing ample perching areas, open areas, and grass seeds, as well as ground bird baths.
Habitat
Western Meadowlark prefers open grassland, meadow, prairie, and pasture habitat but can also be found in cultivated fields and other rural areas. Regions with shorter or medium-length grasses are more likely to host western meadowlarks than areas with taller grasses.
The range of the western meadowlark extends from southern Canada, through the central and western United States and as far south as Mexico. You will see them in Colorado year-round.
Bird Notes
The western meadowlark is very similar to the eastern meadowlark, but the western meadowlark has a flute-like warbled song that contrasts with the simple, whistled call of the eastern meadowlark.
Call And Song
32. brown-headed cowbird
Scientific Name: Molothrus ater Size: 7.5 inches
Description And Field Marks
Chunky, dark-eyed blackbird with short tails and thick bills. Adult males are glossy black with iridescent brown heads. Females are brown with light streaks on the belly.
Nesting
Brown-headed Cowbirds nest in trees, but there is no nest-building involved. Female Brown-headed Cowbirds are parasites – they lay their eggs in the nests of other birds. In many cases, larger Cowbird nestlings will push the other species’ eggs or chicks out of the nest. Parasite hosts raise the Cowbird chick as their own.
Diet
Seeds, grasses, and insects make up most of the Brown-headed Cowbird’s diet. Females add snails and eggs from nests they parasitize; they need the extra calcium because they lay so many of their own eggs in other birds’ nests.
Brown-headed Cowbirds will come to feeders, usually with Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, and European Starlings that sometimes overwhelm household feeders.
Habitat
Brown-headed Cowbirds can be found pretty much everywhere but in heavy forests. They got their name by foraging among herds of grazing buffalo and cattle.
In Winter, Brown-headed Cowbirds can be found among the large flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, and European Starlings.
Bird Notes
The much smaller Yellow Warbler’s nests are targets for Brown-headed Cowbirds, but the Yellow Warbler has figured out a way to deal with this. Since they are too small to just push the Cowbird egg out of the nest, they build another nest on top of the Cowbird egg, smothering it and allowing their own eggs to hatch without intruders.
Song And Call
33. red-breasted nuthatch
Scientific Name: Sitta canadensis Size: 4.3 inches
Description And Field Marks
The red-breasted nuthatch is a small bird, dark gray on top with rusty color breasts. It has a short tail and a sharp bill. The female is similar to the male except she has lighter gray on top and a paler rust color underneath.
Often found during fall and winter working their way down tree trunks. Smaller and slimmer than the White-breasted Nuthatch.
The red-breasted nuthatch is the only bird that can climb down a tree head first by using its tail as a brace. It does this to keep from falling off tree branches.
Nesting
The red-breasted nuthatch nest is a hole in a tree. The female lays eggs between April and June, with an average clutch size of 4 to 6 eggs. The young stay in the nest for about 11 days and then leave the nest.
Diet
The red-breasted nuthatch diet consists of insects and seeds. They love suet and peanut butter and peanuts, so they are big on winter feeders.
Habitat
It lives throughout the eastern United States and Canada. The red-breasted nuthatch is found in woodlands, mature forested areas, and large parks.
Seeing them in numbers depends on their main food source supply in Canada and Maine. Look up “Finch Forecast” in late summer to see whether they’re expected to be abundant or scarce in your area.
Song And Call
The song sounds like a rusty hinge.
34. Bullock’s Orioles
Scientific Name: Icterus bullockii Size: 7 to 8 inches
Description and field marks
Bullock’s Orioles are brightly colored birds that are found in western North America, from the Great Plains to the Pacific coast. They are medium-sized birds with a relatively large, heavy bill and a distinctive head shape with a slightly crested appearance.
Male Bullock’s Orioles have striking plumage with bright orange-yellow underparts and a black back, wings, and tail. They also have a black mask around the eyes and a white wing patch that is visible in flight. Females have a more muted coloration, with duller yellow-orange underparts and a grayish-brown back, wings, and tail. They also have a whitish eyebrow stripe and a yellow wing patch.
nesting
Bullock’s Orioles build hanging basket-like nests that are suspended from the tips of tree branches, typically in deciduous trees such as cottonwoods or willows. The female Bullock’s Oriole is primarily responsible for building the nest, although the male may assist with gathering materials.
The female will lay 3-5 eggs and incubate them for about 12-14 days. Both parents will feed and care for the chicks once they hatch, bringing them a diet of insects, fruit, and nectar. The young will fledge from the nest after about 12-14 days and will continue to be fed by the parents for several more weeks.
diet
Bullock’s Orioles have a varied diet that includes insects, fruit, and nectar. They are known to feed on the nectar of a variety of flowers, including trumpet-shaped flowers such as honeysuckle and fuchsia.
habitat
Bullock’s Orioles are found in a variety of open woodland habitats, including riparian areas, oak woodlands, and pine forests. They are often seen in trees and shrubs near water sources such as streams, rivers, and ponds.
Bullock’s Orioles can be found in Colorado during the breeding season from May to August. They are primarily found in areas with open woodlands in the eastern and western parts of the state. They are the most common oriole in the state.
call and song
They are also known for their distinctive liquid whistling song, which is often heard during the breeding season from May to July.
35. steller’s Jay
Scientific Name: Cyanocitta stelleri Size: 11.8-13.4 inches
The Steller’s Jay is a medium-sized bird songbird with a distinctive blue-black coloration on its head, neck, and upper body. They have a black crest on their head that can be raised or lowered depending on their mood. They also have a long, sturdy bill, and their eyes are dark with a faint white stripe above the eye. The wings and tail feathers are blue with black bars and white spots on the tips.
Nesting
The nest of a Steller’s Jay is typically a cup-shaped structure made of twigs, bark strips, moss, and grass. It’s placed in the crotch of a tree, on a horizontal branch, or in a coniferous tree. They may also build nests in shrubs, on utility poles, or in man-made structures.
The female is responsible for building the nest, while the male helps to gather materials. She lays 3 to 5 pale green or blue eggs with brown spots. The eggs are incubated for 16 to 18 days by the female, while the male brings her food. Both parents care for the young for 18 to 21 days when they leave the nest but will also continue to feed them for several more weeks.
Diet
The Steller’s Jays eat a wide variety of food including insects, nuts, seeds, fruits, and small vertebrates. They will also store food for later use.
Steller’s Jays are opportunistic and will eat almost anything including human food scraps, and pet food from campgrounds and picnic areas.
Habitat
The Steller’s Jay is native to the western part of North America, from Alaska to Mexico. They inhabit coniferous forests, oak woodlands, and other forested areas.
Steller’s Jays can be found in Western Colorado, particularly in the mountainous regions of the state year-round.
call and song
They are known for their loud and harsh calls, which can be heard throughout the forest.
What Are The Best Ways To Attract Backyard Birds?
1. Put Out Bird Feeders
There are many different types of bird feeders available on the market, each designed to attract different types of birds. The most popular bird feeders include tube feeders, hopper feeders, platform feeders, and window feeders.
Tube feeders are long and cylindrical in shape, with small holes near the top where birds can insert their beaks to reach the bird seed inside. Hopper feeders are similar in shape to tube feeders but have a large opening at the top where birds can perch and eat. Platform feeders are flat surfaces with raised edges, upon which birds can land and eat the bird seed placed there. Window feeders are designed to be attached to windows so that birds can eat right up close to your home.
The type of bird food you put inside your birdfeeder will also depend on the type of birds you want to attract. Bird food includes sunflower seeds, peanuts, and suet. Some tips on how to put out your birdfeeder include using a squirrel-proof design and making sure that the feeder is level so that the seed does not spill out.
2. Add A Water Source
Adding a water source to your backyard is a great way to attract birds. Water is essential for birds, and they will be drawn to any backyard that has a water source. Birdhouses are also a great way to attract birds. Solar fountains are also a good option for attracting birds. These emit a gentle flow of water that will attract birds to your yard.
3. Offer Birdhouses
Building a birdhouse is a great way to attract birds to your yard. There are a few things to consider when building a birdhouse, such as the size and shape of the house, and what type of bird you want to attract.
The most important thing to remember when building a birdhouse is to make sure the entrance hole is the right size for the type of bird you want to attract. If the hole is too small, the bird will not be able to get inside, and if it is too large, predators will be able to get in.
Once you have decided on the size and shape of your birdhouse, you can start construction. It is important that the house is made out of sturdy materials that will withstand weathering and decay. Some good choices for materials include cedar or redwood for the exterior and plywood or pine for the interior.
After your birdhouse is built, you need to decide where to place it. The best location for a birdhouse is in an open area away from trees or other structures that could block access or provide perches for predators. Once you have found the perfect spot for your new house, simply mount it on a pole or post using screws or nails. Make sure that the house is secure so that it does not fall and hurt any birds.
4. Add Native Plants
Native plants are more effective in attracting backyard birds because they provide the birds with the type of food that these birds prefer. By adding native plants to your backyard, you can help promote a healthy ecosystem that supports both bird species and insects. Grow native plants that offer food, shelter, and fruit for the birds. Non-native plants can outcompete native plants and disrupt the ecosystem, so it’s important to select plants that will be beneficial to your backyard birds.
Conclusion
We just covered some of the many backyard birds in Colorado. If you want more information on any of these birds or numerous other birds that you can see in Colorado, check out the Audubon Rockies.
Happy birdwatching!
