35 Backyard Birds in New Mexico

What birds will you see in your backyards in New Mexico? This article will help you identify the most common backyard birds in New Mexico.

Which backyard birds of New Mexico can you spot on your birdfeeders and what kind of birds should you look for on the ground? What kind of birdseed should you be using? All these questions will be answered.

This article will help you to identify common backyard birds in New Mexico 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 550 bird species in New Mexico. The most-seen backyard birds in New Mexico are Western Tanager, Western Kingbirds, Red-winged Blackbirds, Great-tailed Grackle, Dark-eyed Juncos, Mountain Chickadees, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Chipping Sparrows, White-winged Doves, White-crowned Sparrows, and Barn Swallow.

The official state bird of New Mexico is the Great Roadrunner. It became the state bird in 1949 and New Mexico is the only state that has the roadrunner as its bird. Although New Mexico has a variety of habitats including deserts, woodlands, high mountains, and grasslands the roadrunner lives in the desert year-round. Native Americans of the state believe the x-shaped footprint of this bird wards off evil spirits.

1. 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 months. 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 New Mexico during the winter months.

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

2. American Robins

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 year-round in New Mexico.

Song And Call

They are very early-morning singers. Listen for their call

3. house sparrow

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 a variety of 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

4. 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 New Mexico, you will see the yellow-rumped warbler in the northern part of the state for summer and the breeding season well in the southern part you can see them year-round. They like open areas, such as parks, woodland pine forests, dunes, and residential areas.

Song And Call

5. downy woodpeckers

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 spot 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 New Mexico in places where there are trees. You will see them in residential areas, cities, farmland, and wooded areas.

Call And Drumming

6. red-winged blackbird

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 New Mexico 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. American crow

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. Eastern crows are the ones you will see in Oklahoma throughout the year and are larger than what you will see on the west coast. 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

8. Mountain chickadees 

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 New Mexico, particularly in the northern part 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.

9. Western bluebirds

Scientific Name: Sialia Mexicana Size: 6-7 inches

Description and field marks

The Western Bluebird is a small, brightly colored bird that is found in the western United States, Mexico, and parts of Canada. They have a bright blue head, back, and wings, with a rusty-red breast and a gray-blue belly. The blue coloration may appear more subdued in females and juveniles. They also have a white eye ring and a small, thin bill.

Nesting

Western Bluebirds typically choose nest sites that are sheltered and hidden from view, such as tree cavities, nest boxes, or birdhouses. They prefer sites that are at least 5-6 feet above the ground and have a clear flight path to the entrance hole.

The female does most of the nest building, with the male occasionally bringing in nesting materials as well. She lays 4 to 6 light blue or white eggs and incubates them for 14 days. The male will bring her food during this time.

The young will leave the nest in 17 to 21 days however the parents will continue to care for them for several weeks by providing food and protection.

Western Bluebirds are known to use artificial nest boxes or birdhouses, so providing suitable nesting sites can be a great way to attract them to your yard or property.

Diet

The Western Bluebird feeds primarily on insects, including beetles, grasshoppers, and caterpillars, as well as spiders and other arthropods. They also eat some fruits and berries, especially during the winter months when insect prey is less abundant.

They may consume small amounts of seeds or nectar, especially during the winter months. Even visit hummingbird feeders for nectar, and may also eat fruits such as elderberries and grapes.

Habitat

The Western Bluebird is found in a variety of habitats across its range, including open woodlands, oak savannas, pine forests, and sagebrush steppe. They prefer areas with scattered trees and shrubs, as well as open grassy or meadow areas.

They can be found in New Mexico year-round and are most common in the state’s western and central regions, where there are suitable habitats.

Call and song

The Western Bluebird is quiet and unobtrusive compared to some other bird species, but may occasionally give a soft “chur” or “chirp”.

10. white-winged doves

Scientific Name: Zenaida asiatica Size: 11 inches

Description and Field Marks

White-winged doves are larger than mourning doves, with a blue-gray head, neck, and upper breast, and a brownish-gray back and wings. They have distinctive white patches on their wings, which are visible both when perched and in flight.

White-winged doves have a short, thick bill that is pale blue-gray in color. The tail is long and squared at the tip.

Nesting

White-winged doves typically nest in trees and shrubs, especially in areas with dense vegetation. They build their nests in the fork of a branch between 6 and 30 feet above the ground. The nest itself is a platform made of twigs, grasses, and leaves, and is often quite flimsy and loosely constructed.

White-winged doves typically lay two eggs per clutch. The eggs are white and oval-shape. Both the male and female take turns incubating the eggs for approximately 14 days until they hatch.

Diet

White-winged doves are primarily granivorous, meaning they eat mainly seeds. They have a preference for seeds from various species of trees, including mesquite, acacia, and other legumes. They also eat seeds from grasses and other herbaceous plants. In addition to seeds, they may also consume fruits, berries, and small insects.

White-winged doves are known to be opportunistic feeders and may visit bird feeders that offer seeds, cracked corn, or millet. They are also attracted to areas with abundant food sources, such as agricultural fields, orchards, and urban parks.

Habitat

The white-winged dove can be found in the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America. They are found in New Mexico, but their distribution in the state is more limited compared to other southwestern states like Texas and Arizona.

In New Mexico, they are found in the southern and southeastern parts of the state, where there is suitable habitat such as riparian areas, arid scrublands, and urban environments.

Call and song

The call of a white-winged dove is a series of low-pitched, mournful coos that gradually increase in tempo and volume.

11. Western kingbirds

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 New Mexico during the spring and summer breeding months as they migrate south for the winter.

Call And Song

12. 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 a pale gray bird 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, in New Mexico.

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.

13. northern flickers

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 New Mexico.

Call And Drumming

14. pine siskins

Scientific Name: Carduelis pinus  Size:  4.3-5.5 inches

Description And Field Marks

Pine siskins are small finches with a thin, sharply pointed bill, a notched tail, two dusky wing bars that fade to white over time, flight feathers with yellow bases, brown upperparts, pale underparts with heavy streaks over their body, short, forked tails, conical beaks that are longer and more slender than other finches, and yellow patches on their tails and wings, with white streaks appearing on the wings as well. The male also has more vivid plumage than the female.

Nesting

The pine siskin typically builds its nest in a conifer, usually low in the tree, and lays 3 or 4 pale green eggs, lightly speckled with dark brown and black. The nest is a shallow saucer of bark, twigs, and moss lined with plant down and feathers.

The female will incubate the eggs for about 13 days and the young will leave the nest after 14-15 days.

Diet

Pine siskins are mostly granivorous, feeding mainly on small seeds such as those of thistle, red alder, birch, spruce, hemlock, pine, cedar, dandelions, chickweed, ragweed, and sunflower. They may also feed on insects, spiders, and larvae.

Pine Siskins feed readily at backyard feeders, preferring smaller seeds without tough shells like thistle and black-oil sunflower, but they will scavenge fragments of larger seeds left by heavier-billed birds, and will occasionally eat suet.

Habitat

Pine Siskins typically breed in coniferous forests in most of Canada, the northern and western parts of the United States, and Alaska. In parts of New Mexico (on the eastern side of the state), you will find the during the non-breeding season but in most of the state, you can find them year-round.

Pine Siskins can be found in many types of semi-open areas, including forest edges and weedy fields.

Call And Song

The Pine Siskin has a range of song and calls notes, including a high-pitched, quick chitter, a distinctive, harsh “watch-winding” call, and a tuneful “sweeet” sound. When communicating with other siskins, the males make a sharper, high-pitched, elongated “zweeeee” sound. Females have a low-pitched, husky call that can be heard over long distances.

15. broad-tailed hummingbirds

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, and incubates the eggs, which usually take 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 commonly found in New Mexico during the breeding season, which typically runs from late April to early September.

call and Wingbeat

16. black-chinned hummingbirds

Scientific Name: Archilochus alexandri Size: 3.5 to 4 inches

Description and Field Marks

The male black-chinned hummingbird has a glossy dark green or blackish throat, which gives it its name. When the light hits the throat at the right angle, it may appear iridescent with shades of purple or violet. The upperparts are green, while the underparts are pale gray or white. The tail feathers are dark with white tips, creating a noticeable pattern during flight.

Female black-chinned hummingbirds have a more subtle appearance. They typically lack the dark throat of the males and have a plain pale gray or white throat and underparts. The upperparts are green, similar to the males.

Nesting

Black-chinned hummingbirds nests in shrubs, trees, or other vegetation. The nest is built by the female and is small and compact, resembling a cup or cone shape.

The female lays two tiny eggs, which are about the size of jelly beans. She incubates the eggs, taking turns to keep them warm and leaving the nest periodically to feed. The incubation period lasts 14 to 19 days. Once the eggs hatch, both the male and female are involved in feeding and caring for the young hummingbirds. The young birds remain in the nest for about 18 to 23 days until they fledge.

Diet

The diet of the black-chinned hummingbird primarily consists of nectar from flowers, but they also consume small insects and spiders for additional nutrients.

Habitat

The black-chinned hummingbird breeds in western parts of North America, including the western United States and parts of Mexico. During the winter, they migrate to southern Mexico and Central America.

In New Mexico, you can see them during their breeding season, which typically occurs from April to September.

Call and Wingbeat

17. 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 is a common bird species found in New Mexico and can be seen year-round.

call and song

18. song sparrows

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 New Mexico. They can be found all over the state.

Sog And Call

19. house finches

Scientific Name: Haemorhous mexicanus Size: 5.1-5.5 inches

Description And Field Marks

The House Finch is a small bird with a length of 7.5 inches and a weight of 5 ounces. 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.

20. 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 New Mexico during winter for the non-breeding season.

Bird Note

In winter, check your finch feeder for Pine Siskins, which look like sparrows with yellowish accents.

Song And Call

 21. canyon towhee 

Scientific Name: Melozone fusca Size: 8-9 inches

Description and Field Marks

The Canyon Towhee is a bird species found in the southwestern United States and parts of Mexico. This bird has a reddish-brown overall color with a gray face, a long, curved black beak, and a long tail. The female is slightly duller in color than the male. Juvenile birds have a streaky breasts and a dark eye line.

Nesting

Towhees typically build their nests in dense shrubs, low trees, or cacti, often within a few feet of the ground. They prefer locations that provide some protection from the elements and predators, such as thorny or spiky plants.

The female Canyon Towhee builds the nest which is usually a compact, open cup-shaped structure, lined with finer materials such as feathers, hair, or rootlets. She lays 3 to 4 pale blue or greenish-blue eggs, which are speckled with brown or purple spots.

The female incubates the eggs for about 12 to 14 days while the male will bring her food. After hatching, the young birds stay in the nest for about 9 to 12 days, during which time both parents feed them. They will have 1 to 2 broods per year.

Diet

Canyon Towhees feed on a variety of seeds from plants such as grasses, forbs, and shrubs. They may also eat seeds from agricultural crops such as alfalfa, corn, and sunflowers. They will also eat insects and other small invertebrates such as spiders, beetles, and grasshoppers when they are available.

Canyon Towhees will occasionally eat fruits and berries, especially during the winter months when other food sources may be scarce. They are also known to visit bird feeders for seeds during winter too.

Habitat

The Canyon Towhee is a common bird in the southwestern United States, including New Mexico. They can be found throughout the state in a variety of habitats, including canyons, desert scrublands, chaparral, and riparian areas. Some specific locations in New Mexico where you might be able to see Canyon Towhees include:

Call and song

The Canyon Towhee has a distinctive, musical song that is a series of trills and warbles, often repeated several times in a row. It also has a sharp, metallic call note.

22. 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

23. Woodhouse’s Scrub Jay

Scientific Name: Aphelocoma woodhouseii Size: 11 inches

Description And Field Marks

The Woodhouse’s Jay is a medium-sized bird with a stocky build with a relatively short tail. The plumage of this species is predominantly grayish-brown, with a blue hue on the wings, back, and tail. The underparts are paler gray. The head is crowned with a crest that can be raised or lowered depending on the bird’s mood.

Nesting

Woodhouse’s Jays build cup-shaped nests using twigs, leaves, and grasses in trees, shrubs, or cacti. The female jay typically lays 3-6 eggs, which are pale blue or greenish-blue in color with darker speckles. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs, which usually lasts around 16-18 days.

Both parents help take care of the young until they leave the nest in 17 to 21 days.

diet

Woodhouse’s Jay eats seeds, nuts, and insects. They have a specialized throat pouch that allows them to store and carry multiple seeds at once. They also consume a range of fruits and berries.

Habitat

The Woodhouse’s Jay is typically found in the woodlands, forests, and scrublands. In New Mexico, you will see them all year.

Call and Song

24. 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 and can be found in New Mexico during the spring and summer for the breeding season. 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.

25. western tanager

Scientific Name: Piranga ludoviciana Size: 7 inches

Description and field marks

The male Western Tanager is a colorful bird with a bright red head, a yellow body, and black wings with two white bars. Females are yellow-green with darker wings and back. Both have stocky bodies and thick, pale bills, and dark eyes.

Nesting

The Western Tanager is a bird species that nests in trees during the breeding season, typically from May to August. Here are some details about the nesting habits of Western Tanagers:

Western Tanagers build their nests in the outer branches of trees, usually between 10 and 50 feet off the ground. They prefer coniferous or mixed forests, but can also be found in deciduous forests and woodlands. The nest is a cup-shaped structure made of small twigs, grasses, and other plant materials. The inside of the nest is lined with fine grasses, rootlets, and sometimes animal hair.

The female Western Tanager builds the nest, while the male defends the territory. The female lays 3 to 5 pale green or blue eggs, which she incubates for about 12 to 14 days. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after about 12 to 14 days.

The Western Tanager is occasionally targeted by the Brown-headed Cowbird, which lays its eggs in the Tanager’s nest. Cowbird chicks typically outcompete tanager chicks for food, often resulting in the death of the tanager chicks.

Diet

The Western Tanager feeds on a variety of insects, including beetles, caterpillars, ants, bees, and wasps. They often catch insects while in flight or by gleaning them from the foliage.

They will also eat fruit, especially during the breeding season, and are known to feed on berries, cherries, and other small fruits.

Habitat

It’s worth noting that Western Tanagers are only found in western North America during the breeding season. They typically breed in coniferous or mixed forests in the western United States and Canada, and they migrate to Mexico and Central America for the winter.

The Western Tanager can be found in New Mexico during the breeding season, which typically occurs from May through August.

call and song

26. lesser goldfinch

Scientific Name: Spinus psaltria Size: 4-4.3 inches

Description And Field Marks

Lesser Goldfinches are small birds with white wing bars that are noticeable during flight and bill that is black and short. The male has a glossy black cap extending from the forehead to the nape of the neck. The upper parts are bright yellow, extending from the throat to the belly.

The female has a dark olive-green or grayish-green crown and nape. The underparts are yellow, but paler than those of the male.

Nesting

The female Lesser Goldfinch is responsible for constructing the nest. She builds a small, cup-shaped nest using a variety of plant materials, including grasses, plant fibers, moss, and sometimes incorporating bits of leaves or twigs.

She lays a clutch of 3 to 6 pale bluish-white eggs with darker speckles and incubates the eggs alone for about 12 to 14 days. During this period, the male may assist in feeding the female while she incubates.

Both parents participate in feeding and caring for the nestlings once they hatch. They bring small insects and seeds to the nest to provide nourishment to the growing chicks. The nestlings typically fledge and leave the nest around 12 to 17 days after hatching.

Diet

Seeds make up a significant portion of the Lesser Goldfinch’s diet. They feed on a variety of seeds from different plant species, including grasses, flowers, and weeds. Also sunflower and thistle seeds.

Lesser Goldfinches also consume insects, especially during the breeding season when protein-rich food is essential for their young.

Habitat

Lesser Goldfinches are commonly found in a range of habitats, including open woodlands, scrublands, riparian areas, shrubby habitats, and even urban and suburban environments. They are often associated with areas where there is a mix of shrubs, trees, and open spaces.

In New Mexico, you will see the Lesser Goldfinch year-round.

Call and Song

27. 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 New Mexico and is a common backyard bird.

Song And Call

Their call sounds like a squeaky wheel.

28. 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 south would for the winter.

You will see them in New Mexico 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

29. Bushtit

Scientific Name: Psaltriparus minimus Size: about 4 inches

Description and field Marks

The American Bushtit, also known as the Bushtit, is a small bird (smaller than a chickadee) found in North America and parts of Mexico and Guatemala. It lives in open woodlands, parks, and gardens. It is gray-brown in color with a large head, short neck, long tail, and a short, stubby bill. Additionally, the male has dark eyes while the adult female has yellow eyes.

Nesting

The American Bushtit builds an impressive, woven, hanging basket nest that is up to a foot long. Both the male and female contribute to building the nest, which is firmly attached to twigs and branches. The nest is made of spider webs, moss, lichen, and other plant material, and is lined with plant down, fur, and feathers.

The American Bushtit raises two broods a year and both parents incubate the 4-10 eggs for 12-13 days. The young leave the nest at about 18 days.

Diet

The American Bushtit feeds on small insects and spiders found in its habitat, as well as small seeds from fruits. They forage in mixed-species feeding flocks, which can contain species such as chickadees and warblers.

Bushtits are known to visit suet feeders, especially when they are positioned near a tree.

Habitat

American Bushtits are especially common in areas with dense shrubs, such as coastal sage scrub and chaparral habitats. They can also be found in desert scrub, oak woodlands, and coniferous forests. They are generally absent from open grasslands and agricultural areas.

The American Bushtit is not a migrant bird. It is a year-round resident of the western United States including New Mexico.

call and song

30. Say’s Phoebe

Scientific Name: Sayornis saya Size: 6.5-7 inches

Description And Field Marks

The plumage of the Say’s Phoebe is a brownish-gray upper body, including the head, back, and wings. The underparts are pale yellowish to off-white, with a slight buff or peachy tinge on the breast and belly. The undertail coverts are pale buff. The bird has a distinctive pale gray to whitish throat and chin, which contrasts with the darker brownish-gray head.

The wings of the Say’s Phoebe are dark brown with two prominent white wing bars, one near the base of the primaries and another closer to the wing’s middle. The tail is brownish-gray, and the outer tail feathers may have faint pale edges.

Nesting

Say’s Phoebes cup-shaped nests are often placed against vertical surfaces, such as a wall or cliff face, utilizing the shelter and support they provide. The female takes the primary responsibility for nest building while the male assists by providing materials.

Say’s Phoebes lay a clutch of 3 to 6 creamy-white eggs with light brown or purple spots. The female incubates the eggs for 14 to 17 days while the male provides food to the female. Both parents participate in feeding and caring for the nestlings for 16 to 20 days or until the young leave the nest.

Diet

The diet of Say’s Phoebes primarily consists of insects. They are insectivorous birds and feed on a variety of flying and terrestrial insects.

The Say’s Phoebe is known for its characteristic flycatcher behavior. It perches on exposed branches, fences, or other prominent perches and sallies out to catch flying insects. After catching its prey, it often returns to the same perch. The pumping or wagging tail is a notable behavior.

Habitat

Say’s Phoebes are frequently found in grasslands, including both shortgrass and mixed-grass prairies. They are also found in desert habitats, including arid scrublands and desert grasslands.

Say’s Phoebes readily adapt to human-altered landscapes, and they can be seen in agricultural areas such as farmlands, pastures, and orchards. They may utilize structures like barns, sheds, and fences for nesting.

In New Mexico, you will see them during the breeding season from late March to early April and depart in late August to September

Call and Song

The vocalizations of the Say’s Phoebe are typically a soft and nasal “phee-bee” or “fee-bee” call, which is often repeated in quick succession.

31. 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. They prefer warmer climates and you can see them in New Mexico year-round.

Song And Call

32. Great-tailed Grackles

Scientific Name: Quiscalus mexicanus Size: 16 to 18 inches

Description And Field Marks

The Great-tailed Grackle is one of the largest members of the blackbird family and has a stocky build with a long, slender beak and a strong, slightly curved bill. Adult males have glossy black plumage overall, including their head, body, and wings. Females have a more muted plumage with dark brown feathers that have a lighter streaked appearance. They both have yellow eyes

One of the distinctive field marks of the Great-tailed Grackle is its exceptionally long, keel-shaped tail. The tail feathers are broad and deeply forked, with the central feathers being longer than the outer ones. The male’s tail is particularly long and can be up to half the length of its body.

Nesting

Great-tailed Grackles tend to place their nests in colonies, where multiple nests are found in close proximity to one another. They build their nests primarily in trees, bushes, or other elevated structures. They are known for constructing large, bulky nests made of twigs, grasses, leaves, and other plant materials.

The female Great-tailed Grackle takes the primary responsibility for constructing the nest, while the male may assist by providing materials. Once the nest is built, the female lays between 3 to 6 pale bluish or greenish eggs with darker speckles.

Both the male and female share the incubation duties, taking turns to keep the eggs warm. Incubation typically lasts around 12 to 14 days. After hatching, both parents participate in feeding and caring for the chicks until they fledge, which occurs after about 2 to 3 weeks.

Diet

Great-tailed Grackles’ diet consists of a variety of food items including insects, seeds, grains, ripe fruits, and berries.

They have been observed feeding on agricultural crops such as corn, rice, wheat, and sunflower seeds. In urban areas, they may scavenge from bird feeders or gather seeds from lawns and gardens.

Habitat

Great-tailed Grackles are often found in agricultural landscapes, particularly during the breeding season when they forage in open fields. They have adapted well to urban environments and are often seen in cities and towns. You can find them in parks, parking lots, shopping centers, and residential areas.

Great-tailed Grackles are highly social birds and often form large flocks, particularly during the non-breeding season.

Great-tailed Grackles are commonly found throughout New Mexico year-round.

Call and Song

They are known for their vocalizations, which include a variety of calls, squawks, and whistles.

33. Black-headed Grosbeak

Scientific Name: Pheucticus melanocephalus Size: 7.5-8.5 inches

Description And Field Marks

The male has a striking black head and throat. The upper parts, including the back, wings, and tail, are warm cinnamon-brown. The underparts are a rich, deep orange to reddish-brown, with a prominent black bib extending down from the throat. The wings display prominent white patches that are visible in flight.

The female Black-headed Grosbeak has different coloration. The head, neck, and upper parts are warm brownish-gray. The underparts are pale with fine streaking on the breast and sides. The wings also have white patches visible in flight, though they may be less extensive than in males.

Both male and female Black-headed Grosbeaks have a stout, conical bill, which is pale pinkish or grayish. The eyes are dark brown, and the legs and feet are grayish.

Nesting

Black-headed Grosbeaks place their cup-shaped nests at varying heights within the canopy of trees.

The female lays 3 to 5 light blue or greenish-blue with dark blotches eggs. Then she incubates the eggs for 12 to 14 days. Both parents are involved in feeding the nestlings insects and small fruits. The nestling period lasts 11 to 15 days.

Diet

Black-headed Grosbeaks are primarily seed-eaters but also feed on insects and fruits. They forage in trees and shrubs, gleaning insects from foliage or hopping on the ground to pick up fallen seeds. They can also be seen visiting bird feeders that offer seeds and fruits.

Habitat

The Black-headed Grosbeak is found in a range of habitats, including deciduous woodlands, riparian areas, open forests, and even gardens and parks with suitable vegetation.

In New Mexico, Black-headed Grosbeaks can be found during the breeding season, typically from late April through August.

Call and song

The Black-headed Grosbeak has a varied and melodious song. The male’s song consists of rich, musical phrases with whistling and trilling notes. The song is often described as a sweet, warbling series of musical phrases. The call is a sharp “chip” or “check.”

34. Bullock’s Orioles

are the most common oriole in New Mexico

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 throughout New Mexico during the breeding season from May to August. 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. Golden-crowned Kinglet

Scientific Name: Regulus satrapa Size: 3.5-4.5 inches

Description And Field Marks

The most prominent field mark of the Golden-crowned Kinglet is the bright yellow or orange crown patch bordered by black stripes on the head. The crown patch may appear golden or fiery orange, depending on the lighting conditions and the bird’s mood. This crown patch is more vibrant in males than in females.

The upperparts are olive-green, while the underparts are pale grayish-white or yellowish. The wings have two prominent white wing bars, and the outer edges of the wings have white edges, visible in flight.

The Golden-crowned Kinglet has a relatively large head compared to its body, and it features a short, thin bill. The eyes are dark, and the legs and feet are grayish. The face is characterized by a pale, whitish eyering that encircles the eye, giving it a bright-eyed appearance.

Nesting

Golden-crowned Kinglets typically choose coniferous forests for nesting. The nest is a compact, cup-shaped structure constructed using a variety of materials. The female lays 7 to 12 creamy-white or pale pink eggs with reddish-brown or purple spots. She incubates the eggs for 13 to 15 days.

Both parents are involved in caring for the nestlings. The parents provide a diet consisting primarily of insects for a period that lasts around 14 to 17 days.

Diet

The diet of the Golden-crowned Kinglet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. During winter, they may include other food sources in their diet such as small berries, seeds, and occasionally sap from tree bark.

Habitat

Golden-crowned Kinglets inhabit coniferous forests, including spruce, fir, and pine forests. They are often found in dense, mixed-species flocks, especially during the breeding season.

Although you can see them throughout the year in New Mexico it is easier to see them during winter. They move to lower elevations and even visit urban areas in search of food. Look for them in woodlands and parks with coniferous trees, especially near water sources.

Call and song

The Golden-crowned Kinglet has a high-pitched, thin song that consists of rapid, warbling notes. It also produces soft, high-pitched calls during its foraging and flocking activities.

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 New Mexico. If you want more information on any of these birds or numerous other birds that you can see in New Mexico, check out the Central New Mexico Audubon Society.

Happy birdwatching!