Bird Watching at Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park covers both Riverside County and San Bernardino County. The park is about 790,636 acres to the southeast of California. It is located to the east of Los Angeles and startlingly close to Palm Springs. The name of the park is dedicated to Joshua trees, which are Mojave Desert’s indigenous trees. Two desserts included in the park are the lower Colorado Desert and the Mojave desert.

Major Attractions at Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Trees National Park is often described as a place that feels like it belongs in children’s storybooks. It is an excellent park to visit with your family. We can start with the Hidden Valley Nature Trail, which is a one-mile looping trail. This scenic trail begins with large rock walls surrounding the place and ends in an area with trees. A lot of people enjoy driving to Keys View. At 5000 feet elevation, one can look at the Salton Sea, Palm Springs, and the San Andreas fault line from there. On a clear day, you can even see Mexico.

Lots of people come to Joshua Tree National Park to camp. Since rocks surround you on all four sides, one can only describe the camping experience as unique. Therefore, it is recommended to camp here once in spring and fall. For those in love with nature, one can never forget the Cholla Cactus Garden, where for miles, all you can look at is the Cholla cactus.

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Bird Watching at Joshua Tree National Park

If 800 species are recorded in the United States, California has at least visits from 710 of them. So a considerable chunk of them can be seen in this national park which mainly consists of desert areas.

Throughout the year, you have the chance of coming across Phainopepla, Cactus Wren, Gambel’s Quail, LeConte’s Thrasher, and Mourning Dove. The bird of prey residents includes American Kestrel and Prairie Falcon.

In the winter season, you might be greeted by Dark-eyed Junco, American Robin, and White-crowned Sparrow. Until March, these wintering birds refuse to leave the park. Then, during spring and summer, the area would be frequented by Bendire’s Thrasher, Western Bluebird, and Western Kingbird, among many others.

During the migration season, the colorful Warbler species pass over Joshua Tree National Park. Some notable species are the Nashville Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Lazuli Bunting, and Western Tanager. A wild but occasional sight is when over 200 Turkey Vultures are spotted on the Oasis of Mara in time of spring migration. Shorebirds also make their way into the park, though it is an extremely rare occurrence. Still, spotting an Eared Grebe should not surprise you much.

10 Birds to See at Joshua Tree National Park

Mourning Dove

Mourning Doves are a graceful brownish pink bird with a small head and tail. They live throughout North America. Their population is steady with some slight increases recently. They live in open woods, farms, and towns. They perch on telephone wires or other high locations. Their flight is fast and straight. They eat mainly seeds and other plants. These birds lay 2 eggs at a time but will do this 5 or 6 times a year. They do this more than any other bird. Mourning Doves migrate south in the winter, usually in flocks.

American Kestrel

American Kestrels are very colorful. They have a blue-gray head, with rusty-red wings, back, and tail. They live throughout North America. Their population in the north has declined by a small amount, but everywhere else their population is steady. They make their homes in open country, farmlands, and wood edges. American Kestrels are the smallest falcon in North America. They can be found on wires or poles hunting for food. These birds mostly eat large insects and some small mammals. They lay 4 to 6 eggs and build their nests in dead trees, cliffs, or dirt banks. American Kestrels found in the north migrate to the south; all others are permanent residents.

Dark-eyed Junco

Dark-eyed Juncos have a gray-brown body with bright white tail feathers. You can find them 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. These birds 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.

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 is 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.

White-crowned Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrows are a gray bird with black and white stripes on their head and a yellow bill. They live throughout North America. Their population is widespread and common. They make their homes in forest edges, thickets, gardens, and parks. White-crowned Sparrows are a winter bird found in fields and along roadsides. They can be found on the ground looking for insects to eat. White-crowned Sparrows along the Pacific Coast are permanent residents. The ones from the north and mountain regions migrate south.

Western Kingbird

Western Kingbirds are gray with yellow plumage. You can find them across western North America. Their population is stable with some recent increases. Their habitat is on farms, near roadsides, and in other semi-open areas. They enjoy catching flying insects while perched on a tree or utility line. They also eat fruits. Western Kingbirds can be aggressive, chasing away other birds that come near. They lay 3 to 5 eggs in cup shaped nests sometimes in empty sheds, on utility poles, and under building ledges. Western Kingbirds migrate in small flocks.

Lazuli Bunting

Lazuli Buntings are light blue with a white underbelly with a splash of orange. They also have black tipped wings. Lazuli Buntings live throughout western North America. Their population is widespread, common, and stable. Many males have their own specific songs. Lazuli Buntings make their homes in open brush and stream side shrubs. They eat mostly seeds and insects. They migrate early in the fall.

Turkey Vulture

Turkey Vultures are all black and brown birds with bright red heads. You can find them 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.

American Coot

American Coots are black with a vibrant white bill. They are water birds that live throughout North America. Their population is still abundant, but has recorded a small decline. American Coots make their homes in ponds, lakes, and marshes. American Coots feed on leaves, seeds, fish, and insects. They lay 6 to 11 eggs on a floating platform nest! They are mostly a permanent resident, but may migrate north.

Barn Owl

Barn Owls have a white face, chest, and belly. These birds live along the coasts and in the southern region of North America. Their population experienced a decline, but their numbers are increasing and becoming stable. They make their homes in barns, farms, and woodlands. Barn Owls are nocturnal and have good night vision. They feed mostly on small rodents and mammals. Barn Owls have an eerie call, unlike most Owls. They lay 3 to 8 eggs and build their nests in hollow trees, caves, church steeples, and barn lofts. They migrate south in the fall.

Final Thoughts

The best place to search for birds in the Joshua Tree National Park is where water bodies are present. Even if the lake is dry, the vegetation in the area attracts bird species. Oasis of Mara is sure to present some of them. Cottonwood Spring also acts as a shelter for these birds.

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 Joshua Tree 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.