Bird Watching at Capitol Reef National Park

The 241,904 acre Capitol Reef National Park was established in 1971. Part of it is in multiple counties, including Emery, Garfield, Sevier, and Wayne. In Wayne County, parts of the Capitol Reef park were used to be called the Wayne Wonderland. The park has documented countless bird species, even if birdwatching is not the first thing people associate with this park.

Major Attractions at Capitol Reef National Park

One of the best parts of visiting the Capitol Reef National Park is having the unique opportunity to pick fruits. The Fruits used to be a place for the Mormon community, but most have left since the park was established. However, for visitors, the orchards and fields are still present. It is also where you are likely to come across some bird species. Close to the Fremont River and the orchard trees, 71 campsites are made close to each other. Camping is definitely one of the highest, revered activities in the park. Not only are the sites proper for holding up tents, but people can also park their RVs here. Reservation starts around November and March. If you plan to camp there, it is recommended you reserve a spot in advance. Otherwise, the sites get filled up startlingly fast.

The park is less crowded than plenty of other National Parks in Utah but has everything that makes a hiking trip worth it. There is the desert rock, endless sky and land, and the needed bit of greenery in the river and the orchard. Going on the Capitol Reef scenic drive that follows the Utah Highway 24 is another must. It is possible to see almost all of the park through this driveway.

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Bird Watching at Capitol Reef National Park

Utah is known for having one of the highest bird counts, 468 to be total. And Capitol Reef National Park appears to be acquitted with 230 of them. Some happen to be migrants, merely passing through while others are present the entire year.

Some areas are particularly popular for birdwatching. There is the Fremont River Trail. The trail covers the campground, orchards, picnic area, Sulphur Creek’s riparian vegetation, and Ripple Rock Nature Center’s trees. If one visits the park’s southern or northern side, different kinds of bird species can be seen there as the landscape is quite different. There, woodlands of pinyon and juniper, grasslands of the desert, and shrublands are present.

The Common Raven is present in all of North America in general. The Capitol Reef National Park is no different. The park also has Peregrine Falcon, Golden Eagle, Mexican Spotted Owl, Pinyon Jay, and Bullock’s Oriole. The Canyon Wren and Rock Wren are also present in the area.

10 Birds to See at Capitol Reef National Park

Black Phoebe

Black Phoebes are found in the western United States. They have a stable population and are not at risk of being endangered. Black Phoebes have a black body and white underbelly. They make their habitat near shady streams and towns near water. These birds eat mainly insects, but sometimes will grab a minnow from the surface of a nearby pond. They lay about 4 eggs and build their nests out of mud. Black Phoebes are mostly permanent residents, but do leave the high elevations in the fall.

Black-billed Magpie

Black-billed Magpies have a black and white body with long tail feathers. They live in the northwestern region of North America. Their population is steady and they are not at risk of being endangered. They live on farms, in forest edges, and along streams. Black-billed Magpies are a noisy bird that sits on fence posts and road signs. They enjoy eating fruits, insects, and small animals. Black-billed Magpies lay 6 to 7 eggs in big 3-foot wide circular nests. These birds are permanent residents, with only a few moving south.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Blue-gray Gnatcatchers are blue-gray with a white edged tail. You can find them throughout North America. Their population is stable and increasing some. They make their homes in oaks, pines, and thickets. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers are known by their soft call and has the nickname “Little Mockingbird”. They mostly feed on insects and sometimes spiders. They lay 4 to 5 eggs in nests made from plants, bark, grass, feathers, and animal hair. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers migrate south by day.

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 it camouflaged. They lay 4 to 5 eggs. Downy Woodpeckers are a permanent resident; however, some in the north migrate south in the winter.

European Starling

European Starlings are an all-black bird with short tails, a pointed bill, and triangular wings. In the winter, they are covered with white spots. They are the most numerous songbird throughout North America. European Starlings are not considered endangered. They live in parks, farms, and in open groves. These Starlings are sometimes viewed as aggressive as they run along the ground. They eat seeds, berries, and insects. On occasion, they will visit a bird feeder or flowers for nectar. They lay 4 to 6 eggs and will make their nests in odd places. European Starlings that reside in the north migrate south in the fall.

Horned Lark

Horned Larks are brown with a yellow and black face and small black “horns” made of feathers. You can find them throughout North America. There has been a decline in their population, but they are stable and not at risk of being endangered. Horned Larks live in large, empty fields, and deserts. They are ground birds, where they feed on seeds and insects. They lay 3 or 4 eggs in an open nest on the ground. While some Horned Larks are permanent residents in their area, the Horned Larks found in the north migrate south.

Indigo Bunting

Indigo Buntings cannot be missed with their all blue body. They live in the eastern United States. Their population is steady and in some areas they are the most abundant songbirds. They make their homes in brushy pastures or wood edges. Indigo Buntings are sometimes called the blue canary, because of their cheerful songs. They will sing all day while looking for food. They lay 3 to 4 eggs and build their nests low to the ground. Indigo Buntings migrate south at night.

Loggerhead Shrike

Loggerhead Shrikes have a white underbelly with a gray and black head and wings. They have a hooked bill with tiny like teeth on it. Their population in the northeast is almost gone, but they are still common throughout other regions. They make their homes in trees, scrub, and semi-open country. Loggerhead Shrikes like to search for prey from utility poles and fence posts. They eat large insects, lizards, and small birds. They will save food for later by piercing it on a
barbed wire or thorn. These shrikes build nests in thorny shrubs or trees and lay 5 to 6 eggs. Loggerhead Shrikes migrate early in the spring with those in the south being permanent residents.

Mallard

Mallards have a green head, gray feathers, and a black tail. They are common ducks that live throughout North America. Their population is steady and abundant. They make their homes near ponds and parks as well as other wetlands. Chances are if you have fed a duck at a park, you have fed a Mallard. They are good fliers, flying as fast as 55 miles per hour! They eat mostly plants like seeds, stems, and roots. Mallards make their nests on the ground and sometimes far away from water. They lay 7 to 10 eggs. Once they hatch, the young will leave the nest after one day and go straight into the water. Mallards migrate in early spring and again in the fall.

Pine Siskin

Pine Siskins are brown with yellow on their wings and tail. They are a small songbird with a pointed bill and a short tail. You can find them throughout North America. There is an abundant number of these birds, but there has been a small decline recently. Pine Siskins make their homes in mixed woods and weedy areas. These birds like to eat seeds and can store a large amount in their throat. They can also be found in pine trees hanging upside down! Pine Siskins
lay 3 to 4 eggs in a cup shaped nest well-hidden up high in a tree. They migrate erratically and in the daytime in flocks.

Final Thoughts

It is not easy to find all the birds present in the Capitol Reef National Park. They are experts at hiding among the vegetation and the desert lands, so you have to be careful and keep yourself alert if you want to spot one.

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 Capitol Reef 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.