Bird Watching at Carlsbad Cavern National Park

Carlsbad Cavern National Park is in the southeast of New Mexico, basically taking over the Guadalupe Mountains. The main attraction in the park is Carlsbad Cavern, a show cave. Inside, there is a chamber made of limestone known as the Big Room. The 46,766 acres are in Eddy County.

Major Attractions at Carlsbad Cavern National Park

Any good exploration of a national park begins in the visitor center. It is also the area where birds seem to gather the most. Watch a film about the park, visit the bookstore and gift shop, and have a full, proper meal at the cafeteria before you set out on your journey to the park.

You have to walk through the Carlsbad Caverns. This is an activity you can do alone or with your family. The nature entrance trail and the Big Room are part and parcel of this cave. There is also a ranger program where you get to see bats leave the Carlsbad Cavern in thousands.

You can choose to either backpack or hike the Guadalupe Ridge Trail and maybe peep some birds in the process. A ranger can also take you to see the night sky on the southwest of the desert in complete safety.

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Bird Watching at Carlsbad Cavern National Park

Up to 558 bird species reside in New Mexico, some of which are native while others are migratory. The Carlsbad Cavern National Park alone has surprisingly managed to observe 357 species.

The ones who live in the park throughout the year, seasons not seeming to affect their decision, all appear to be on the bright and lively side. It is home to Ladder-backed Woodpecker, the second to the smallest Woodpecker in North America.

The species seems to enjoy sitting on tree trunks as much as stems of the cactus. If you are a bird species living in shrubland in a desert area, this kind of adaptability always helps. Funnily enough, this species was even termed Cactus Woodpecker because of how well it seemed to get along with the plants.

Then, there is the Cactus Wren, a species that can not feel comfortable around cacti. The species not only nests in Cactus, but they also roost there. Among the North American species, Cactus Wren is the largest. The park has visits from all nine species of Wren available in the continent. Among them, six have chosen the place as a breeding ground.
Black-throated Sparrows, Rock Wrens, Northern Mockingbirds are also common species in the park. Migratory birds such as Bell’s Vireos choose Rattlesnake Spring to nest, an area in the park with riparian wood. Gray Vireos appear to prefer dry canyons for nesting where there are oaks and junipers. Varied Buntings also like dry canyons, but the trees in the area should be on the large side.

10 Birds to See at Carlsbad Cavern National Park

Northern Mockingbird

Northern Mockingbirds are gray with white underbellies; they have black and white wings. You can find them throughout the United States. They have seen a recent rise in population and are not at risk of being endangered. Their habitat is in backyards, hopping along a fresh-cut lawn. Northern Mockingbirds sing all day and like to eat insects and berries. Their nests are built in trees or shrubs 3 to 10 feet up. They lay 3 to 4 eggs. Not much is known about the migration patterns of Northern Mockingbirds. Some are thought to move south for the winter.

Canada Goose

Canada Geese are brown with a black neck and white marks along their chin. They live all throughout North America. Their population continues to increase as many are managed in wildlife refuges. Canada Geese enjoy making their habitat in open water and also on lawns near a water source. They move through the sky in a V-formation. Their diet is mostly plants of all kinds and occasionally seeds, berries, and small fish. They lay 4 to 7 eggs on the ground near
water. At one time they followed a strict migratory pattern, but now many are permanent residents in refuges.

Wood Duck

Wood Ducks have a unique look with pretty brown and green coloring and patterned feathers. You can find them in eastern and western North America. For some time, the population of Wood Ducks had been threatened, but their nest boxes are now protected and their population has grown. These Ducks live around the edges of wooded swamps, ponds, and rivers. Unlike other waterfowl, Wood Ducks can be found flying from tree to tree. They have strong claws to grip branches. Wood Ducks lay 9 to 15 eggs. After the eggs hatch, the young ducks leave the nest after one day! Northern Wood Ducks migrate south, but the ones already residing in the south are permanent residents.

American White Pelican

American White Pelicans are beautiful white birds with a long orange-yellow bill. They are one of the largest birds found in North America. Their population declined, but has since recovered and has increased recently. Usually living around the coast, American White Pelicans can also be found making their homes near lakes and marshes. American White Pelicans use their large, pouched bill to scoop up fish. Sometimes they will work together with other Pelicans to catch fish. Most American White Pelicans migrate, but some are living on the Texas coast as permanent residents.

Cattle Egret

Cattle Egrets are small and white with a yellow bill and legs. They were originally from Africa and first came to North America in 1952. Now that they are in North America, Cattle Egrets can be found at the feet of cattle or riding on their backs. Since being introduced in North America, their population has increased and now appears to be stable. They make their homes near farmland and along highway edges. These birds enjoy eating grasshoppers and other small animals. They lay 3 to 4 eggs and make platform nests in colonies. Cattle Egrets are migratory birds and can be seen migrating south to Central and South America.

Turkey Vulture

Turkey Vultures are all black and brown birds with bright redheads. They live throughout North America. They have a stable population with no risk of endangerment. Their homes are in open country and woods. Turkey Vultures have a great sense of smell for fresh carcasses. Because of this, they can be found along highways or in the open countryside. When Turkey Vultures are in flight, their wings raise to form a V. They lay 2 eggs and do not build nests. Their nest area can be under rocks, in hollow logs, or on old buildings. Some Turkey Vultures migrate to South America.

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagles are dark brown, and their heads are covered in white feathers. You can find them all throughout North America. They were once endangered; however, now they are flourishing because they are protected. They make their homes near rivers, large lakes, and coasts. Bald Eagles are the national bird of the United States. They usually soar through the sky alone. They lay 1 to 3 eggs and both parents feed and care for the young. As winter comes, they gather in groups sometimes known as “soars” and migrate south.

Ferruginous Hawk

Ferruginous Hawks have gray heads, white underbellies, and rust-red colors on their shoulders and legs. They are the largest North American Hawk and live throughout the western U.S. Ferruginous Hawks are considered threatened since their population has decreased drastically. Their habitat is in prairies and deserts. They eat small mammals such as squirrels or prairie dogs. Ferruginous Hawks fly with their wings in a V shape. They lay 2 to 4 eggs. Their nests are usually built in trees but can be built on cliffs or the ground. They only migrate short distances, if at all.

Sandhill Crane

Sandhill Cranes are tall, large, and gray with long necks and long legs. They also have red crowns and long bills. They live throughout North America. Sandhill Cranes have made a recent comeback in population. They are not endangered but are definitely being watched. They live in the prairie region of North America. Sandhill Cranes are known for their dancing skills and trumpet sounds. They eat the roots of plants in water. They will also eat insects, frogs, snakes, rodents, seeds, and berries. Sandhill Cranes usually lay 2 eggs in a nest built on the ground. They will sometimes build a nest that floats on water that is anchored to plants. Sandhill Cranes that reside in the north migrate more than their southern counterparts.

Killdeer

Killdeer are brown with white underbellies. They are common, widespread birds that live throughout North America. They are not close to being endangered. Killdeer are one of the few shorebirds seen without going to the beach. They make their homes near golf courses, athletic fields, parking lots, and backyards. They eat insects as they run across the ground. Killdeer usually lay 4 eggs and make their nests on the ground. They are easy to see. Southern Killdeer live
permanently in the south; however, the birds found in the north do migrate south.

Final Thoughts

Carlsbad Cavern National Park is not particularly popular for birdwatching. It is a shame, considering it has both native and migratory birds in large numbers. There are many hiking trails in the park, the ones you can combine with your
birdwatching desire.

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 Carlsbad Cavern 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.