Bird Watching at Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde National Park was established in 1906 as the first cultural park. Later in 1978, it gained the title of a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is located in southwestern Colorado, between the towns of Cortez and Durango. The park is renowned for preserving the 700 years old historic cliff dwellings where the Ancestral Pueblo people built their communities. The area contains over 5,000 archaeological sites and protects the cultural heritage of 26 tribes.

The park landscape is described by the growth of pinyons and junipers, along with a considerable population of ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir. The four major plant communities include shrub-steppe, pinyon-juniper woodland, mountain shrub, and oak-fir woodland. The terrain is rough and adorned with several canyons across the park.

Major Attractions at Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde National Park offers endless opportunities to discover and experience the old American culture and a diverse physical landscape. The cultural park is home to over 5,000 archaeological sites that date back to 550 A.D. and preserves heritage sites of the Ancestral Pueblo people like the cliff dwellings and mesa top sites of pit houses, pueblos, masonry towers, and farming structures.

Some of the best cliffs that represent significant history are the Balcony House, Cliff Palace, and the Long House. The Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum describes the history of the Ancestral Puebloans tribes through dioramas, artifacts, and even movies. Common routes include Petroglyph Point Trail, Mesa Top Loop Road, Step House Trail, and Soda Canyon Overlook Trail.

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Bird Watching at Mesa Verde National Park

The natural landscape of deep canyons and wide vistas is home to thousands of species of birds including those that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Here, birds can find different habitats according to their choice and season.

Mesa Verde National Park functions as an important bird sanctuary, providing breeding habitats for many migratory species like the Mexican Spotted Owls and Peregrine Falcons. Birds that prefer nesting in pinyon-juniper forests are the Black-throated Gray Warbler and Ash-throated Flycatcher which are easily found within the park.

While most hiking trails do not venture too deep into the canyons, during late spring when migration and nesting are in progress, birdwatchers can catch sight of birds anywhere inside the park.

Some of the most popular trails among birdwatchers in the national park to look for Warblers, Flycatchers, Woodpeckers, Jays, Hawks, Chickadees, Titmice among others, are Petroglyph Point, Spruce Canyon Trail. Taking the Knife Edge Trail also improves the chances of seeing several varieties. Peregrine Falcons and Golden Eagles may be seen soaring from their nests across the Montezuma Valley. During summer, besides these trails, the Soda Canyon Overlook Trail and the short trail to the Park Point lookout are good for birding. Park Point area is a good place to see Hawks, Towhees, Grouse, and Eagles.

While in the winter months most trails are closed off, occasional viewings of Chickadees, Nuthatches, Brown Creepers, Canyon Wrens, Woodpeckers, Flickers, and Jays on the Spruce Tree House tour have been reported.

10 Birds to See at mesa Verde National Park

Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcons are blue-gray with spots on their underbelly. They can be found 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.

Golden Eagle

Golden Eagles have beautiful gold feathers, a strong beak, and large talons. They are mostly found in western North America. Historically, there has been a decline in their population, but their population is now steady. They make their habitat in open country and mountains. Golden Eagles are one of the fastest and largest raptors in North America. Golden Eagles enjoy soaring with their steady wings to hunt for small animals such as squirrels. They lay 1 to 3 eggs and usually build their nests on ledges of cliffs. Golden Eagles found in the north migrate, but most are permanent residents.

Canada Goose

Canada Geese are brown with a black neck and white marks along their chin. They can be found throughout North America. Their population continues to increase as many are managed in wildlife refuges. These Geese enjoy making their habitat in open water and also on lawns near a water source. Canada Geese 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.

Black-billed Magpie

Black-billed Magpies have a black and white body with long tail feathers. They are found 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. Black-billed Magpies are permanent residents, with only a few moving south.

Pine Siskin

Pine Siskins are brown with yellow on their wings and tail. They are small songbirds with a pointed bill and a short tail. They are found 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.

Mountain Bluebird

Mountain Bluebirds are a powder-blue color. They are found in the mountain region of western North America. Their population is stable and not at risk of being endangered. Mountain Bluebirds make their homes in the open country where there are few trees. These Bluebirds sit perched on fence posts, power lines, and treetops. This allows them the ability to make a quick dive for food. Mountain Bluebirds eat insects and some berries. They lay 5 to 6 eggs and nest in a tree, birdhouse, or dirt bank. They migrate late in the fall and early in the spring.

Hairy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpeckers are black and white with two white stripes on their head. They are found 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.

Red-winged Blackbird

Red-winged Blackbirds are black with a red and yellow patch on their shoulders. They can be found throughout North America. Their population is widespread and stable. They make their homes near marshes and other wetlands. Red-winged Blackbirds prefer to feed on seeds and grain off the ground. Their song is one of the first signs of spring. They lay 3 to 4 eggs in nests close to water or fields of grass. Red-winged Blackbirds migrate south in flocks.

House Finch

House Finches have a bright red head and chest. They can be found throughout North America. Their population is steady but declined some due to sickness. They make their homes near farms, canyons, and suburbs. They like to eat sunflower seeds, berries, and buds. House Finches sing a lot and like to be around other birds. They lay 4 to 5 eggs at a time and build their nests out of grass, twigs, leaves, and sometimes string and feathers. House Finches migrate in flocks by day.

American Kestrel

American Kestrels are very colorful. They have a blue-gray head, with rusty-red wings, back, and tail. They can be found 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. American Kestrels 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.

Final Thoughts

Some may feel that bird watching in Mesa Verde National Park is not as impressive as a specialized area or a sanctuary would be. However, the cultural park offers great value in terms of historical significance, habitat variation, and enough population of different species of birds to keep your journey interesting and worthwhile.

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 Mesa Verde 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.