Birds in Colorado: Identification Guide for Birdwatchers
Colorado is a great state for birdwatching because the landscape changes so much from east to west. You can find open prairie, foothills, high mountains, alpine tundra, rivers, reservoirs, canyons, forests, grasslands, and dry shrublands across the state.
That habitat variety gives birders many different birds to look for. A morning walk on the plains may bring meadowlarks and raptors, while a mountain trail may bring jays, nuthatches, chickadees, woodpeckers, and high-elevation species. Even city parks and backyard feeders can be active, especially during migration and winter.
This page is your Colorado bird hub. Use it to learn common birds, explore habitats, find birdwatching places, and open our Colorado bird guides as more pages are added.
Explore more state from here: 50 State Bird Guides
Colorado Birding Overview
Colorado birding is shaped by elevation. The eastern plains are open and grassy. The Front Range has foothills, suburbs, parks, lakes, and cottonwood corridors. Higher elevations bring conifer forests, mountain meadows, rocky slopes, and alpine areas.
Because of this, Colorado birds can change quickly by location. A bird seen near Denver may be very different from one found in the San Luis Valley, Rocky Mountain National Park, or the shortgrass prairie of eastern Colorado.
| Colorado Birding Fact | Details |
| Recorded bird species | 514 species on the official Colorado state list as of February 2022 |
| State bird | Lark Bunting |
| State bird year | 1931 |
| Best spring birding months | April to June |
| Best fall birding months | August to October |
| Strong birding habitats | Prairie, foothills, rivers, reservoirs, forests, alpine tundra, grasslands, shrublands |
| Good for beginners? | Yes, especially around parks, feeders, lakes, trails, and open-space areas |
Common Birds Found in Colorado
Colorado has many bird species, but these are good starting birds for beginners. Most are fairly noticeable, tied to common habitats, or useful for learning Colorado bird ID.
Lark Bunting
The Lark Bunting is Colorado’s state bird. Breeding males are mostly black with bold white wing patches, while females and nonbreeding birds are brown and streaked.
This bird is most tied to grassland and prairie habitat. It is more likely in open country than in mountain towns or dense forests.
Mountain Bluebird
The Mountain Bluebird is one of Colorado’s most beautiful open-country birds. Males are bright sky blue, while females are softer gray-blue.
Look for them in meadows, open foothills, ranchland, fence lines, parks, and mountain clearings. They often perch low, then drop to the ground to catch insects.
Black-billed Magpie
The Black-billed Magpie is bold, long-tailed, and easy to notice. It has black-and-white plumage with blue-green shine in the wings and tail.
You may see it in towns, open country, ranchland, parks, foothills, and along roadsides. Magpies are smart, social, and often noisy.
American Robin
The American Robin is common in Colorado yards, parks, lawns, and mountain towns. It has an orange breast, gray-brown back, and upright posture.
Robins often run across grass, pause, then pull worms or insects from the ground. They are also common around fruiting trees and shrubs.
House Finch
The House Finch is a regular feeder bird in many Colorado neighborhoods. Males often show red on the head and chest, while females are brown and streaky.
They are common around homes, parks, shops, feeders, and urban trees.
Downy Woodpecker
The Downy Woodpecker is a small black-and-white woodpecker found in wooded areas, parks, creekside trees, and backyard feeder spots.
It often visits suet feeders and taps on small branches. Males have a small red patch on the back of the head.
Red-tailed Hawk
The Red-tailed Hawk is one of Colorado’s most familiar raptors. It is often seen soaring over open areas or sitting on poles, fence posts, trees, and roadside perches.
Adults usually show a reddish tail in good light. Look for them over grasslands, farms, foothills, highway edges, and open valleys.
Canada Goose
Canada Geese are common around Colorado lakes, reservoirs, rivers, golf courses, parks, and ponds.
They are large birds with black necks, white cheek patches, and loud calls. In cities and suburbs, they are often easy to see throughout the year.
Birds in Colorado by Habitat
Habitat is one of the best ways to narrow down a Colorado bird ID. Elevation, water, trees, and openness all matter here.
| Habitat | Birds You May See |
| Backyards and neighborhoods | House Finch, American Robin, Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker |
| City parks and open spaces | Canada Goose, Mallard, American Robin, Red-tailed Hawk, Black-billed Magpie |
| Eastern plains | Lark Bunting, Western Meadowlark, Burrowing Owl, Horned Lark, Swainson’s Hawk |
| Foothills | Spotted Towhee, Western Scrub-Jay, American Kestrel, Northern Flicker, Mountain Chickadee |
| Mountain forests | Steller’s Jay, Clark’s Nutcracker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, woodpeckers, crossbills |
| Alpine areas | White-tailed Ptarmigan, American Pipit, Brown-capped Rosy-Finch, ravens |
| Lakes and reservoirs | Canada Goose, Mallard, grebes, gulls, pelicans, cormorants |
| Rivers and wetlands | Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, ducks, swallows, Yellow Warbler |
Explore Colorado Bird Species Guides
Use these Colorado guides when you want to learn more about a specific bird group. Add or update these internal links as your Colorado sub-guides are published.
Best Time to Watch Birds in Colorado
Colorado birding changes a lot by season and elevation. Spring and fall are great for migration, summer is strong in the mountains and grasslands, and winter can be good for feeder birds, waterfowl, and raptors.
| Season | What to Look For |
| Spring | Migrating songbirds, nesting activity, grassland birds, shorebirds, waterfowl |
| Summer | Mountain birds, prairie birds, breeding songbirds, hummingbirds, raptors |
| Fall | Migrating hawks, shorebirds, ducks, sparrows, songbirds |
| Winter | Feeder birds, geese, ducks, eagles, owls, rosy-finches, juncos |
Spring
Spring is one of the best times to bird in Colorado. Birds return to grasslands, parks, wetlands, and mountain areas as weather warms.
Migration can bring warblers, sparrows, shorebirds, ducks, and other species through open spaces and water areas.
Summer
Summer is excellent for mountain and prairie birding. Many birds are nesting, singing, or feeding young.
High-elevation trails can be rewarding once conditions allow access, while grasslands can be good early in the morning before heat and wind build.
Fall
Fall migration can bring raptors, shorebirds, sparrows, ducks, and songbirds moving through the state.
Reservoirs, wetlands, grasslands, and foothill edges are useful places to check during this season.
Winter
Winter birding in Colorado can be quieter but still very good. Feeders may attract chickadees, finches, juncos, nuthatches, and woodpeckers.
Open water can hold ducks, geese, gulls, and sometimes eagles. Mountain and foothill areas may bring special winter birds depending on weather and food.
Best Bird Watching Spots in Colorado
Colorado has many excellent birding areas, from easy city parks to mountain trails and open prairie sites.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of Colorado’s best-known places for mountain birding. It offers forests, meadows, lakes, tundra, and high-elevation habitat.
Look for jays, nutcrackers, chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers, ravens, raptors, and alpine birds depending on season and elevation.
Barr Lake State Park
Barr Lake State Park near Denver is a strong birding site for water birds, raptors, shorebirds, songbirds, and migration.
It is a good choice for beginners because trails and viewing areas give you access to several habitats in one place.
Pawnee National Grassland
Pawnee National Grassland is one of the best places in Colorado to look for prairie birds.
Watch for Lark Buntings, longspurs, meadowlarks, Burrowing Owls, hawks, falcons, sparrows, and other open-country birds.
San Luis Valley
The San Luis Valley has wetlands, open fields, lakes, and mountain edges. It can be excellent for cranes, waterfowl, raptors, shorebirds, and seasonal migrants.
This region is especially good for birders who enjoy wide-open landscapes.
Chico Basin Ranch
Chico Basin Ranch is known among Colorado birders for migration, grassland birds, water areas, and banding history.
It can be a strong place to see a mix of prairie birds, migrants, raptors, and birds around trees and water.
Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods near Colorado Springs offers rocky habitat, foothills, shrubs, and open spaces.
Look for towhees, magpies, swifts, raptors, jays, wrens, and other foothill species while walking the trails.
Backyard Birding Tips for Colorado
Backyard birding in Colorado depends on elevation, nearby trees, water, and season. A yard near foothills may attract different birds than one on the plains or in a mountain town.
| What to Add | Birds It May Attract |
| Black oil sunflower seeds | House Finches, chickadees, nuthatches, jays, grosbeaks |
| Suet | Woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, jays |
| Clean birdbath | Robins, finches, sparrows, jays, warblers |
| Native shrubs | Towhees, sparrows, robins, waxwings, finches |
| Conifer cover | Chickadees, nuthatches, jays, crossbills |
| Nest boxes | Mountain Bluebirds, wrens, chickadees, swallows |
Water can be very helpful in dry parts of Colorado. Keep birdbaths clean, and place feeders where birds have nearby cover.
Simple Colorado Bird Identification Tips
Colorado birds can change quickly with elevation, so don’t identify by color alone. Use habitat and location first.
| Clue | What to Notice |
| Elevation | Plains, foothills, mountain forest, alpine tundra |
| Habitat | Grassland, park, reservoir, river, conifer forest, rocky slope |
| Size | Sparrow-sized, robin-sized, magpie-sized, goose-sized, hawk-sized |
| Shape | Thick bill, long tail, crest, long wings, short legs, pointed bill |
| Behavior | Soaring, walking, diving, climbing, hovering, flocking |
| Sound | Song, call, drumming, chatter, whistle, harsh note |
| Season | Year-round, summer breeder, winter visitor, migrant |
In Colorado, a bird’s elevation can be just as helpful as its color. A sparrow-like bird on the plains and a similar-sized bird near treeline may be very different species.
Colorado Birding Ethics and Local Resources
Colorado has fragile alpine areas, prairie nesting zones, wetlands, and busy public trails. Birding should protect birds and respect other people using the outdoors.
Good birding habits:
- Keep distance from nests and young birds.
- Do not chase birds for photos.
- Stay on trails in alpine and sensitive habitats.
- Use bird calls or playback carefully.
- Respect private ranchland and posted areas.
- Keep dogs away from nesting or resting birds.
- Leave feathers, eggs, plants, and habitat where you find them.
- Carry water and plan for fast weather changes in mountain areas.
For local learning, Colorado Field Ornithologists maintains birding information and the official state bird list through the Colorado Bird Records Committee.
FAQs
What is the state bird of Colorado?
The state bird of Colorado is the Lark Bunting. It was adopted as the official state bird on April 29, 1931.
How many bird species are found in Colorado?
Colorado Field Ornithologists listed 514 species on the official Colorado state list as of February 2022.
What birds are common in Colorado backyards?
Common Colorado backyard birds include House Finches, American Robins, Black-capped Chickadees, Northern Flickers, Downy Woodpeckers, Black-billed Magpies, Mourning Doves, and Dark-eyed Juncos.
When is the best time to go birdwatching in Colorado?
Spring and fall are excellent for migration. Summer is strong for mountain and prairie birds, while winter is good for feeder birds, waterfowl, raptors, and some high-country specialties.
Are Bald Eagles found in Colorado?
Yes, Bald Eagles are found in Colorado, especially near reservoirs, rivers, lakes, and open water areas. Winter can be a good time to look for them.
What birds come to feeders in Colorado?
Colorado feeder birds may include House Finches, chickadees, nuthatches, Downy Woodpeckers, Northern Flickers, jays, Dark-eyed Juncos, and American Goldfinches.
Where should beginners watch birds in Colorado?
Beginners can start at local parks, open spaces, reservoirs, backyard feeders, and easy nature trails. Barr Lake State Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Garden of the Gods, and local greenways are good places to begin.