Bird Watching at Bryce Canyon National Park

The arid land home to a range of trees, shrubs, and plants supporting a wide variety of birds and other wildlife, the Bryce Canyon National Park is situated in southwestern Utah. Despite being named “Canyon”, the park’s central feature is, in fact, not a canyon. Instead, Bryce Canyon is a naturally formed collection of giant amphitheaters along the eastern side of the Paunsaugunt Plateau.

The park’s distinct geological structures, called hoodoos, are multi-colored rock pinnacles that provide incredible views for the park visitors. The canyons and plateaus at Bryce Canyon National Park are home to many animals and birds.

Major Attractions at Bryce Canyon National Park

The uniquely formed rock structures that glow under the soft light of the rising or setting sun are the most significant attraction Bryce Canyon National Park has to offer. The park is open year-round and is enjoyable for visitors any season. In winters, there are many activities like skiing, snowshoeing, or even trekking through the park trails while taking in the snowy views of the white cover hoodoos and canyon walls.

Opt for horseback riding to travel the canyon and experience the beautiful scenic areas that Bryce Canyon National Park offers. During the night, the sky is lit by over 7,500 shining stars that can be seen in an overnight stay while camping or in the midnight tours. Some of the popular trails in Bryce Canyon include the Rim Trail, the Mossy Cave Trail, the Peekaboo Loop Trail, and the Queen’s Garden Loop.

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Bird Watching at Bryce Canyon National Park

Home to over 175 different documented species of birds, the concentration of the aerial visitors is made of migratory birds. Some use the park as a rest stop, while others stay for a whole season. Fewer still are resident birds. However, birds like migratory Hummingbirds, nesting Peregrine Falcon, Rocky Mountain Elk, and Pronghorn are often seen crossing through the forested plateau and barren amphitheater every day. In the search for food and shelter, many
birds share the habitats found inside the park.

Although spring arrives later in the park’s higher elevations, by late February and early March, birdwatchers can observe Western Bluebirds and American Robins returning from lower elevations. They are followed by Warblers in late April or May when Yellow-rumped Warblers, Grace’s Warblers, Black-throated Gray Warblers, and others start flying in.

The main breeding season sets in from May to July for Bryce Canyon National Park. The songs of various Hummingbirds like the Black-chinned, Broad-tailed, and Rufous. There are also Hermit Thrushes, Western Tanagers, Green-tailed Towhees, Wood-Pewees, and Flycatchers that can be heard till mid-August. The resident bird population, including Townsend’s Solitaires, Nuthatches, Chickadees, Juncos, Woodpeckers, Corvids, and Raptors, are commonly seen in the colder months.

Some species are common in all areas of the park. These include Common Ravens, Steller’s Jays, White-breasted Nuthatches, Townsend’s Solitaires, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, and Dark-eyed Juncos.

10 Birds to See at Bryce Canyon National Park

Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcons are blue-gray with spots on their underbelly. They live all throughout North America. They make their homes in open country and along coastal mountains. Their population is currently stable and increasing after a sharp decline. Peregrine Falcons eat other birds such as ducks, songbirds, and Pigeons. Peregrine Falcons are one of the largest Falcons and also one of the fastest birds. They can reach speeds up to 200 mph as they dive down to capture their prey. People often train Peregrine Falcons for hunting. These Falcons like to build their nests on cliff ledges and lay 3 to 5 eggs. They migrate along the coastline and often go out to sea.

American Robin

American Robins have a round orange chest and gray-brown feathers. They live across North America. Their population is widespread and abundant. Their habitat is in cities, lawns, and forests. They lay about 4 eggs and sometimes up to 7. The eggs they lay are a pale blue color and are often referred to as “robin’s-egg blue”. They enjoy eating earthworms right out of the ground in the morning and fruit in the afternoon. American Robins migrate in flocks during the day.

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Black-chinned Hummingbirds are small green-backed Hummingbirds with a thin strip of purple on their black chin. These birds live in the western U.S. Their population is stable. They make their homes in river groves and near the suburbs. Black-chinned Hummingbirds make a low-pitched sound with their wings and enjoy feeding on nectar and small insects. These birds lay 2 eggs in small cup-shaped nests 4 to 8 feet off the ground. They are migratory birds; they spend winters in Mexico.

Broad-tailed Hummingbird

Broad-tailed Hummingbirds have a big head and long, straight bills. They are green in color with a patch of magenta on their throats. They live in the high mountain meadows of the western United States. There has been a decline in population, but they are not considered endangered. Broad-tailed Hummingbirds make their homes in forests and mountain meadows. They are attracted to meadow flowers because they drink nectar. They lay 2 eggs and build their small nests 4 to 20 feet high in trees. Their nest is neatly made up of spider webs and plants. Broad-tailed Hummingbirds migrate both in spring and fall.

Rufous Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbirds are an orange color almost like a penny. They also have red throats and long straight bills. Their population has declined, but they are still common and widespread. They make their homes in mountain meadows and forests in the western part of North America. Rufous Hummingbirds like to feed on nectar and insects. They will visit hummingbird feeders in backyards. They are very protective and will chase off other birds or animals. Rufous Hummingbirds lay about 2 eggs and make their nests very camouflaged up in trees. They migrate along the western part of North America sometimes reaching parts of Alaska and down to South America.

Steller’s Jay

Steller’s Jays are blue with a black head and a triangular crest. These birds live near evergreen forests in the mountains of the western United States. They make their homes in pine and oak forests. Their population is widespread and common. Steller’s Jays make their nests out of the mud. They stay in the high canopy and fly down in long, lazy swoops. They eat nuts, seeds, or handouts from humans! Steller’s Jays are permanent residents but may move to lower elevations in the winter.

White-breasted Nuthatch

White-breasted Nuthatches are white, but also have black and gray markings. They live all throughout North America. Their population is steady with a slight increase. They make their homes near forests, groves, and shade trees. These nuthatches are active and enjoy eating insects and large seeds. White-breasted Nuthatches are small birds with loud voices. They lay 5 to 9 eggs. White-breasted Nuthatches protect their nests to keep predators away. They are not migratory birds; however, they have been seen moving south from the north.

Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpeckers are black and white with a small red patch on their head. They are the smallest Woodpecker and live throughout North America. These birds are common and their population is steady with no risk of being endangered. They make their homes in backyards, parks, and woodlots. Downy Woodpeckers do not sing songs; they drum. In the winter, they like to hang out with other birds such as the Nuthatch and Chickadee. They eat mostly insects, but also eat seeds and berries. Downy Woodpeckers build their nests in holes of dead trees and keep them camouflaged. They lay 4 to 5 eggs. Downy Woodpeckers are permanent residents; however, some in the north migrate south in the winter.

Hairy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpeckers are black and white with two white stripes on their head. They live all throughout North America. They have declined in their population, but are still fairly common. These Woodpeckers make their habitat in forests, shade trees, and river groves. Hairy Woodpeckers eat insects but can be found eating sunflower seeds in backyard feeders. Hairy Woodpeckers are permanent residents, but those that live in the north move south for the winter.

Dark-eyed Junco

Dark-eyed Juncos have a gray-brown body with bright white tail feathers. They live throughout North America. They are abundant and widespread with no risk to their population. Dark-eyed Juncos make their homes in open or partially wooded areas. They have a twittering call and a trilling song. Dark-eyed Juncos eat insects and seeds. They lay 3 to 5 eggs and build their nests on the ground, hidden under branches or rocks. Dark-eyed Juncos are migratory birds; however, those already residing in the south are permanent residents.

Final Thoughts

The birding population of Bryce Canyon National Park offers endless opportunities for birdwatchers. Some species can be spotted easily anywhere in the park-like the Common Ravens, Steller’s Jays, White-breasted Nuthatches, Townsend’s Solitaires, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, and Dark-eyed Juncos. Other varieties take some effort to find.

In the upper elevation of the park’s ponderosa forests, birds like Dusky Grouse, Peregrine Falcon, Clark’s Nutcracker, Green-tailed Towhee, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Pine Siskins, and Cassin’s Finches are found. Mossy Cave providing a constant water source, attracts Gambel oak and Nootka rose for Flycatchers and Warblers. Other spots to look for include the Tropic Trail, the Bryce Amphitheater, and Southern Scenic Drive.

Ornithology

Bird Watching Academy & Camp Subscription Boxes

At the Bird Watching Academy & Camp we help kids, youth, and adults get excited and involved in bird watching. We have several monthly subscription boxes that you can subscribe to. Our monthly subscription boxes help kids, youth, and adults learn about birds, bird watching, and bird conservation.

Bird Watching Binoculars

The most common types of bird watching binoculars for viewing birds at Bryce Canyon National Park is the 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. Bird Watching Academy & Camp sells really nice 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. You can view and purchase them here.