In Colorado, what sorts of birds could you see? Because of the large number of birds present in Colorado, this issue is difficult to answer.
Several bird species call Colorado home, and there are plenty of beautiful places for them to nest and roost. The state of Colorado is an excellent destination to visit for individuals who consider themselves “Birders” and wish to add to their list of sightings.
Today, you’ll learn about the 20 most common colorado birds species!
1. Lark Bunting
The Lark Bunting should be included on any list of Colorado birds. After all, it’s really the Colorado State Bird. This one-of-a-kind Calamospiza is the only member of its genus, and it lives in North America’s grasslands in healthy numbers, avoiding conservation issues.
Despite their large numbers, the destruction of their natural grasslands has led to a population decline. These songbirds are little, only measuring six inches in length. Their bill is thick and short, with a blue tint to it. Males Lark Buntings have a huge white patch on their wings as adults.
It’s extremely likely that an uncovered cup nest in a grassy location belongs to a Lark Bunting. They also prefer low-lying regions to graze, and their primary food sources are insects and seeds.
2. American Robin
Characteristics to Look For:
- A stunning thrush with a fiery redbreast as well as a black back and head.
- Look for white splotches from around eyes and a white neck.
- The only difference between the sexes is that females appear paler.
American Robins are among Colorado’s most well-known birds. They live in a wide range of habitats and can be found naturally anywhere from forests to tundra. However, these thrushes feel at ease among people and are frequently seen in backyards.
Expert Tip: Because they don’t eat seeds, American Robins rarely frequent bird feeders, despite their abundance. Invertebrates (worms, insects, and snails) and fruit make up their food.
3. American Goldfinch
Characteristics to Look For:
- Males are a bright yellow in the summer, with a black crown and black wings. Females have a paler yellow color and no black crown.
- Both genders look the same in winter, turning a pale brown/olive tint. Their black wings as well as white wing bar help to identify them.
These beautiful, tiny birds are prevalent in Colorado and should be quite easy to lure to your yard. Nyjer seed, which few other birds consume, and sunflower kernels are favorites of American Goldfinches.
It’s a good idea to have included bird feeders made specifically for goldfinches. Larger “bullies” can easily scare these small birds away, so they’ll appreciate having places to themselves! They can eat in any posture, including upside down, which I like.
Goldfinches in the United States are staunch vegetarians. They eat only seeds and do not eat insects, which is unusual in the bird world.
4. Hairy Woodpecker
Characteristics to Look For:
- Hairy Woodpeckers have multicolored heads as well as an erect, straight-backed stance while perched in trees.
- They have a long, toothed bill and a black and white body.
- Male birds have a red spot on the back of their heads, whereas females do not have.
Hairy Woodpeckers can be found in mature forests, suburban back gardens, city parks, wetlands, orchards, and even cemeteries in Colorado. They may be found pretty much anyplace there are a lot of huge trees.
The most common sound is a quick, sharp “peek,” which is similar to that of a Downy Woodpecker but substantially smaller in pitch. They create a harsh rattling or whinny sound as well.
Hairy Woodpeckers can indeed be difficult to distinguish from Downy Woodpeckers due to their similar appearance. Many people are perplexed by these two birds, and it might be difficult to tell which one you’re looking at.
5. Downy Woodpecker
Characteristics to Look For:
- Such woodpeckers have such a small bill and a short beak.
- Their bellies are white, and their backs are predominantly black with streaks and flecks of white.
- Females lack the conspicuous red patch on the back of their heads that males have.
Downy Woodpeckers are among Colorado’s most common birds. They’re undoubtedly familiar to you because they’re common in most backyards.
Fortunately, attracting this woodpecker species to your yard is simple. Suet, sunflowers seeds, and peanuts are the greatest foods to use (including peanut butter). You might even get a glimpse of them sipping sugar from your hummingbird feeder! If you’re going to use suet, make sure you get a dedicated suet bird feeder.
6. House Sparrow
Characteristics to Look For:
- Gray crowns, black bibs, white cheek, and chestnut on the edges of the face and neck distinguish males. The majority of their backs are brown with black stripes.
- Females have a dull brown coloration with black streaks down their backs. Their underbelly is a bright brown color. The tan stripe that runs beyond their eye distinguishes them.
Expert Tip: House Sparrows are indeed an exotic species (originating out from the Middle East) that has become one of Colorado’s (and the world’s) most abundant and spreading birds.
Many natural species, including bluebirds and Purple Martins, compete for nest cavities with House Sparrows. Sad to say, these invasive species win the majority of the time.
7. American Crow
Characteristics to Look For:
- A big black bird with a gleaming iridescent gloss.
- The bill is long and black, while the legs and feet are black.
- American crows are versatile birds that can be found in practically any habitat in Colorado.
Forests, meadows, streams, wetlands, farmland, playgrounds, dumps, golf resorts, cemeteries, and neighborhoods are among the sites where they can be found.
While they may not visit feeders as frequently as those other birds, there are some meals that they consistently seek out. My backyard crows adore peanuts, whether they’re in the shell or not. Suet and whole kernel corn appear to be popular as well.
8. House Finch
Characteristics to Look For:
- The tops of adult guys’ heads and upper breasts are rosy crimson. Brown streaks can be seen on their back, tail, and belly.
- Females have streaks on their backs, tails, and bellies, and their backs, tails, and bellies are brown.
- Both sexes have notched tails and conical beaks for eating seeds.
These birds are frequently seen near people in Colorado. Structures, back gardens, playgrounds, and some other cities and suburbs environments are good places to look for House Finches.
House Finches are frequently the first birds to find new bird feeders. Because these birds are extremely curious and rarely venture alone, their appearance often aids in the discovery of your feeders by other birds. In my backyard, I notice them consuming sunflower grain, Nyjer kernel, and safflower the most.
9. Song Sparrow
Characteristics to Look For:
- Brown streaks converge on a central breast area on the chest.
- Its brown crown with such a grey stripe runs along the middle of the head. Watch for a grey brow and cheek as well.
- The back as well as body are predominantly rust-brown in color, with gray lines running through them.
Because there are so many different varieties of sparrows and they all appear so similar, it can be difficult to tell them apart. Song Sparrows, on the other hand, are one of the simpler sparrow species to identify. In Colorado, these birds can be found in a variety of habitats, including moist, shrubby, and open places.
10. White-breasted Nuthatch
Characteristics to Look For:
- Both sexes have a similar appearance.
- On the top of the head, males wear a black cap.
- Females have a lighter, grayer crown.
White-breasted Nuthatches have a short tail, no neck, and a long pointy bill. They feature white cheeks and a blue-gray back, as well as white cheeks and chest.
Expert Tip: These birds can be found in Colorado’s deciduous woodlands. They do, however, adapt well to human presence and are frequently observed visiting bird feeders in playgrounds, cemeteries, and wooded backyards.
11. European Starling
Characteristics to Look For:
- They seem to be about the size of such an American Robin and are a frequent bird in Colorado. The plumage of these birds is black and gleaming.
- With a long, thin beak and a short tail.
Breeding adults are a darker shade of black with a greenish-purple tinge. Starlings lose their glossiness in the winter, their beaks darken, and white patches appear on their bodies.
Did you know that these birds have become an invasive species in Colorado and aren’t supposed to be there?
One hundred starlings have been brought over after Europe then released in Central Park in New York City in 1890. The rest is history, as starlings swept across the continent, displacing many of our magnificent native birds in the process.
12. Red-winged Blackbird
Characteristics to Look For:
- Except for a brilliant yellow and red patch on their shoulders, males are completely black.
- Females are brown with a lot of streaking. Their bill has a tinge of yellow to it.
- Either sexes have such a conical bill and are frequently observed perched high in a tree observing their area or sitting on cattails.
These birds are virtually found exclusively in marshland and other damp regions during the mating season. Females construct nests amid dense grassy plants like cattails, sedges, and bulrushes. Males protect the nest strongly against intruders, and I’ve been harassed by Red-winged Blackbirds while wandering near the marsh in my backyard.
13. Brown-headed Cowbird
Characteristics to Look For:
- A portly, hefty blackbird with a large, conical bill is the bird to look for.
- Males have a brown head and a fully black body (hence the name). It can be difficult to detect if the head is brown in low light.
- Females have a brown coloration. There is a black eye and some streaking on the belly.
These blackbirds can be found in grassland, brushy brambles, prairies, and woodland borders in Colorado. However, as a result of human growth, they have substantially increased their range and have adjusted well to residential neighborhoods, meadows, orchards, and cemeteries.
14. House Wren
In Colorado, the House Wren really is a common bird. Despite the fact that they rarely visit bird feeders, they are frequently observed zooming around backyards in search of insects. Brush piles, which provide cover and areas for insects to collect, are a terrific way to attract these wrens to your yard.
Expert Tip: House Wrens are little brown birds with a distinctive appearance. Their wings and tail feature dark barring, and they have a short tail and a small bill. Males and females have the same appearance.
15. Mourning Dove
Characteristics to Look For:
- A dove with huge black dots on its wings and a long narrow tail that is predominantly grayish in color.
- Pinkish legs, a black beak, and a striking blue eye-ring are all things to look for.
- Males and females have the same appearance.
In Colorado, it is the most abundant and well-known dove. Search for them sitting high in trees or on a nearby telephone wire. They are also frequently spotted on the ground, where they feed most of the time. Bird feeding stations are frequented by mourning doves.
16. Rock Pigeon
Characteristics to Look For:
- A chubby bird with a short bill, short legs, and a small head.
- The normal pigeon has two black wing bars, a gray back, and a blue-grey head. However, their plumage is extremely varied, with colors varying from all to rusty-brown.
In Colorado, rock pigeons are highly widespread, however they are virtually entirely found in metropolitan areas.
These birds are commonly referred to as “pigeons,” and you’ve certainly seen them congregating in large groups in metropolitan parks, hoping to be fed leftover food or birdseed.
17. Black-capped Chickadee
Black-capped Chickadees are among Colorado’s most popular birds, and it’s simple to see why. These birds are classified as “cute” since they are little and have an enormous head with a black crown and bib.
Broad hardwood forests, undergrowth, and cottonwood groves are all good places to seek them. They are very easily adapted to human presence and are abundant in back gardens and parks. Bird feeders are a great way to attract Black-capped Chickadees.
They will usually be the first birds to visit once you set up a new bird feeder, as they are intrigued about everything new in their territory. Sunflower, walnuts, and suet are the greatest foods to use.
18. Rufous Hummingbird
How to Recognize:
Males have a bright copper-orange back and edges of their belly (but some males have such a greenback). Beautiful iridescent reddish-orange throat. Behind the eye are a white breast and an ear patch. They are petite in comparison to other hummingbird species.
Females: Their head, neck, and back are all green. Sides are rufous (copper) with a whitish breast and belly. On the necks of certain females, there is a red or orange patch.
Expert Tip: The Rufous Hummingbird is one of Colorado’s most aggressive bird species. If one discovers your hummingbird feeder or garden, be cautious because they will attack and chase away other hummingbirds (along with much larger species). Even chipmunks have been seen pursuing them.
19. Bullock’s Oriole
The most frequent oriole in Colorado is the Bullock’s Oriole. Look for them in wide woodlands or parks with tall trees that are a little spaced apart. Males have a vivid orange coloration with a black line around their eyes and a dark throat. Females have a yellow head, chest, and tail, as well as a grayish body.
You might try to lure these birds into your yard by providing sugary meals that will help them refuel after a long journey from Mexico. Orange sliced, jelly, and nectar, like some other oriole species, are the finest things to use.
20. Common Grackle
Characteristics to Look For:
- Blackbirds with a long tail and a beak that curves down slightly are lanky, big birds with a long tail and a long mouth that bends slightly downward. Birds that congregate in large flocks up in the trees and make a lot of noise.
- Males are mostly black, but when shown incorrect light, they exhibit an intense blue head and a bronze body.
- Females have a similar appearance to males, with the exception that they are somewhat less shiny.
The common grackle is one of Colorado’s most resourceful birds. Grains, like rice and maize, are among their favorite diets, and they are renowned to congregate in large flocks in farmlands where these products are grown. They also consume a vast range of grains, nuts, berries, bugs, spiders, frogs, fish, as well as garbage.
Last Thoughts
In the state of Colorado, 507 bird species have been documented as of September 2019. That’s a list that will keep any bird watcher occupied for a long time.
Perhaps you’ve seen those listed here before, or perhaps you’ve enjoyed their company in your backyard but didn’t recognize them. In any case, we hope you’ve learned some fascinating things about a few of Colorado’s feathery friends and are eager to learn more about the others.
