List of birds of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park facts for kids

This page lists all the different kinds of birds found in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado. The park is a special place in the United States. This list comes from the National Park Service (NPS). It includes 174 different bird species!

Birds on this list are grouped by their scientific families. This helps scientists keep track of them. The names come from the American Ornithological Society (AOS). Family names are from the Clements taxonomy.

Some birds have special notes next to their names. Here's what they mean:

• (PP) = Probably present: These birds are very likely in the park. But scientists need more proof. (31 species)
• (R) = Rare: You might only see these birds a few times each year. (38 species)
• (O) = Occasional: These birds show up every few years. Their numbers can change. (11 species)
• (Unk) = Unknown: Scientists don't know how many of these birds are in the park. (2 species)
• (I) = Introduced: Humans brought these birds to North America. They are not native. (5 species)

Other birds on the list are either always in the park (residents), visit during certain seasons, or pass through during migration. You can expect to see them at the right time of year.

Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl

Order: Anseriformes   Family: Anatidae

This group includes ducks, geese, and swans. These birds are great in water. They have webbed feet and special feathers. These feathers shed water easily because of natural oils.

• Canada goose, Branta canadensis
• Blue-winged teal, Spatula discors (PP)
• Cinnamon teal, Spatula cyanoptera (PP)
• Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata (PP)
• Gadwall, Mareca strepera (PP)
• American wigeon, Mareca americana
• Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
• Northern pintail, Anas acuta (PP)
• Green-winged teal, Anas crecca (PP)
• Redhead, Aythya americana (PP)
• Lesser scaup, Aythya affinis (PP)
• Common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula
• Barrow's goldeneye, Bucephala islandica (O)
• Hooded merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus (O)
• Common merganser, Mergus merganser
• Ruddy duck, Oxyura jamaicensis (PP)

New World Quail

Order: Galliformes   Family: Odontophoridae

New World quails are small, round birds that live on the ground. They look like quails from other parts of the world. But they are not closely related.

• Gambel's quail, Callipepla gambelii (PP)

Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies

Order: Galliformes   Family: Phasianidae

This family includes pheasants and their relatives. They are ground birds. They can be different sizes. But they are usually plump with wide, short wings. Many are hunted for sport or raised for food.

• Wild turkey, Meleagallopavo (O)
• Gunnison sage-grouse, Centrocercus minimus (R)
• Dusky grouse, Dendragapus obscurus
• Sharp-tailed grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus (H)
• Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (I) (O)
• Chukar, Alectoris chukar (I) (R)

Grebes

Order: Podicipediformes   Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are diving birds that live in fresh water. They have lobed toes. This makes them excellent swimmers and divers. Their feet are set far back on their bodies. So they are clumsy on land.

• Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps (PP)

Pigeons and Doves

Order: Columbiformes   Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are birds with sturdy bodies. They have short necks and thin bills. Their bills have a soft, fleshy part called a cere.

• Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I)
• Band-tailed pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata (R)
• Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura

Nightjars and Allies

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized birds that are active at night. They usually build their nests on the ground. They have long wings and short legs. Their soft feathers help them blend in with bark or leaves.

• Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor
• Common poorwill, Phalaenoptilus nuttallii

Hummingbirds

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Trochilidae

Hummingbirds are tiny birds. They can hover in the air by flapping their wings very fast. They are the only birds that can fly backward!

• Black-chinned hummingbird, Archilochus alexandri (R)
• Calliope hummingbird, Selasphorus calliope (PP)
• Rufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus
• Broad-tailed hummingbird, Selasphorus platycercus

Rails, Gallinules, and Coots

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Rallidae

This is a big family of small to medium-sized birds. It includes rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. They live in thick plants near lakes, swamps, or rivers. They are often shy and hard to spot.

• American coot, Fulica americana (PP)

Cranes

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Gruidae

Cranes are large birds with long legs and long necks. They fly with their necks stretched out. This is different from herons, which pull their necks back. Many cranes have special "dances" to find a mate.

• Sandhill crane, Antigone canadensis

Plovers and Lapwings

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Charadriidae

This family includes plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds. They have compact bodies, short necks, and long, pointed wings. You can find them in open areas, often near water.

• Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus

Sandpipers and Allies

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Scolopacidae

This is a large group of shorebirds. It includes sandpipers, curlews, and snipes. Most of these birds eat small bugs. They pick them out of mud or soil. Different bill and leg lengths let them share the same habitat.

• Wilson's snipe, Gallinago delicata (PP)
• Spotted sandpiper, Actitis macularia

Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Laridae

This family includes gulls, terns, and kittiwakes. They are medium to large seabirds. They are usually gray or white. They often have black marks on their heads or wings. They have strong bills and webbed feet.

• Franklin's gull, Leucophaeus pipixcan (PP)
• Ring-billed gull, Larus delawarensis (PP)
• California gull, Larus californicus (PP)

Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Ardeidae

This family has herons, egrets, and bitterns. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds. They have long necks and legs. Bitterns are usually shorter-necked and more secretive. These birds fly with their necks pulled back.

• Great blue heron, Ardea herodias
• Black-crowned night-heron, Nycticorax nycticorax (PP)

New World Vultures

Order: Cathartiformes   Family: Cathartidae

New World vultures look like Old World vultures. But they are not closely related. They both eat dead animals. New World vultures can smell dead animals. Old World vultures find them by sight.

• Turkey vulture, Cathartes aura

Osprey

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Pandionidae

The Osprey family has only one type of bird. It is a fish-eating bird of prey. It has a very large, strong, hooked beak. It also has strong legs, powerful claws, and excellent eyesight.

• Osprey, Pandion haliaetus (R)

Hawks, Eagles, and Kites

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Accipitridae

This family includes hawks, eagles, kites, and harriers. These birds of prey have very strong, hooked beaks. They use them to tear meat from their prey. They also have strong legs, powerful claws, and sharp eyesight.

• Golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos
• Northern harrier, Circus hudsonius
• Sharp-shinned hawk, Accipiter striatus
• Cooper's hawk, Accipiter cooperii
• Northern goshawk, Accipiter gentilis (R)
• Bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus
• Swainson's hawk, Buteo swainsoni (R)
• Red-tailed hawk, Buteo jamaicensis
• Rough-legged hawk, Buteo lagopus (PP)
• Ferruginous hawk, Buteo regalis (PP)

Barn-Owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Tytonidae

Barn-owls are medium to large owls. They have big heads and special heart-shaped faces. They also have long, strong legs with powerful claws.

• Barn owl, Tyto alba (O)

Owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Strigidae

Typical owls are birds of prey. They are usually alone and active at night. They have large eyes that face forward. They also have good hearing. A circle of feathers around each eye helps them hear better.

• Flammulated owl, Psiloscops flammeolus (O)
• Great horned owl, Bubo virginianus
• Northern pygmy-owl, Glaucidium gnoma (R)
• Long-eared owl, Asio otus (R)
• Northern saw-whet owl, Aegolius acadicus (R)

Kingfishers

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds. They have large heads and long, pointed bills. They also have short legs and short tails.

• Belted kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon (R)

Woodpeckers

Order: Piciformes   Family: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds. They have chisel-like beaks. They use them to tap on tree trunks. They also have long tongues to catch insects. Their stiff tails help them climb trees.

• Lewis's woodpecker, Melanerpes lewis (R)
• Williamson's sapsucker, Sphyrapicus thyroideus (R)
• Red-naped sapsucker, Sphyrapicus nuchalis (R)
• American three-toed woodpecker, Picoides dorsalis
• Downy woodpecker, Dryobates pubescens (R)
• Hairy woodpecker, Dryobates villosus (R)
• Northern flicker, Colaptes auratus

Falcons and Caracaras

Order: Falconiformes   Family: Falconidae

This family includes falcons and caracaras. They are birds of prey that hunt during the day. They kill their prey with their beaks. This is different from hawks and eagles, which use their claws.

• American kestrel, Falco sparverius
• Merlin, Falco columbarius (O)
• Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus
• Prairie falcon, Falco mexicanus

Tyrant Flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Tyrannidae

Tyrant flycatchers are found across North and South America. They look a bit like Old World flycatchers. But they are stronger and have tougher bills. Most of them eat insects.

• Ash-throated flycatcher, Myiarchus cinerascens
• Western kingbird, Tyrannus verticalis (R)
• Olive-sided flycatcher, Contopus cooperi (R)
• Western wood-pewee, Contopus sordidulus
• Willow flycatcher, Empidonax traillii (PP)
• Hammond's flycatcher, Empidonax hammondii (R)
• Gray flycatcher, Empidonax wrightii
• Dusky flycatcher, Empidonax oberholseri
• Cordilleran flycatcher, Empidonax occidentalis
• Say's phoebe, Sayornis saya

Vireos and Allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Vireonidae

Vireos are small to medium-sized birds. They live in the Americas. They are usually greenish. They look like wood warblers but have stronger bills.

• Gray vireo, Vireo vicinior (R)
• Plumbeous vireo, Vireo plumbeus
• Warbling vireo, Vireo gilvus

Shrikes

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Laniidae

Shrikes are known for catching small animals and birds. They sometimes stick their uneaten prey on thorns. A shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey.

• Loggerhead shrike, Lanius ludovicianus (R)
• Northern shrike, Lanius borealis (PP)

Crows, Jays, and Magpies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Corvidae

This family includes crows, ravens, jays, and magpies. They are larger than most songbirds. Some of the bigger species are very smart.

• Canada jay, Perisoreus canadensis (PP)
• Pinyon jay, Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus
• Steller's jay, Cyanocitta stelleri
• Woodhouse's scrub-jay, Aphelocoma woodhouseii
• Clark's nutcracker, Nucifraga columbiana
• Black-billed magpie, Pica hudsonia
• American crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos (R)
• Common raven, Corvus corax

Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Paridae

These are mostly small, stocky woodland birds. They have short, strong bills. Some have crests on their heads. They eat both seeds and insects.

• Black-capped chickadee, Poecile atricapilla
• Mountain chickadee, Poecile gambeli
• Juniper titmouse, Baeolophus ridgwayi

Larks

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Alaudidae

Larks are small ground birds. They often have amazing songs and display flights. Most larks look quite plain. They eat insects and seeds.

• Horned lark, Eremophila alpestris (R)

Swallows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Hirundinidae

Swallows are built for catching food in the air. They have slender bodies and long, pointed wings. Their feet are good for perching, not walking.

• Tree swallow, Tachycineta bicolor
• Violet-green swallow, Tachycineta thalassina
• Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
• Cliff swallow, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

Long-tailed Tits

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Aegithalidae

Long-tailed tits are small birds with medium to long tails. They build woven, bag-like nests in trees. Most of them eat a mix of insects.

• Bushtit, Psaltriparus minimus

Kinglets

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Regulidae

Kinglets are a small family of birds. They look like titmice. They are very tiny birds that eat insects. Adult kinglets have colorful crowns on their heads.

• Ruby-crowned kinglet, Corthylio calendula
• Golden-crowned kinglet, Regulus satrapa (PP)

Waxwings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Bombycillidae

Waxwings have soft, silky feathers. Some of their wing feathers have unique red tips. These tips look like sealing wax. That's how they got their name. They live in northern forests. They eat insects in summer and berries in winter.

• Bohemian waxwing, Bombycilla garrulus (PP)
• Cedar waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum (PP)

Nuthatches

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sittidae

Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They can climb down trees headfirst. Most other birds can only climb up. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails, and strong bills and feet.

• Red-breasted nuthatch, Sitta canadensis (R)
• White-breasted nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis
• Pygmy nuthatch, Sitta pygmaea (O)

Treecreepers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Certhiidae

Treecreepers are small woodland birds. They are brown on top and white underneath. They have thin, curved bills. They use them to pull insects from tree bark. Their stiff tail feathers help them hold onto trees.

• Brown creeper, Certhia americana (R)

Gnatcatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Polioptilidae

These delicate birds look like Old World warblers. They move quickly through leaves, looking for insects. Gnatcatchers are usually soft bluish-gray. They have long, sharp bills for catching bugs.

• Blue-gray gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea

Wrens

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Troglodytidae

Wrens are small birds. They are hard to see, but their songs are loud. They have short wings and thin, curved bills. Many wrens hold their tails straight up. All of them eat insects.

• Rock wren, Salpinctes obsoletus
• Canyon wren, Catherpes mexicanus
• Bewick's wren, Thryomanes bewickii
• House wren, Troglodytes aedon

Mockingbirds and Thrashers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Mimidae

This family includes thrashers, mockingbirds, and catbirds. These birds are famous for their songs. They can copy many other bird calls and outdoor sounds. They usually have dull gray and brown feathers.

• Gray catbird, Dumetella carolinensis (O)
• Brown thrasher, Toxostoma rufum (O)
• Sage thrasher, Oreoscoptes montanus (R)
• Northern mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos (Unk)

Starlings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized birds. They have strong feet. They fly strongly and directly. They often gather in large groups. They like open areas and eat insects and fruit. Their feathers are usually dark and shiny.

• European starling, Sturnus vulgaris (I)

Dippers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cinclidae

Dippers are birds that live near water. They are named for their bobbing movements. These birds can go underwater and walk on the bottom. They do this to find insect larvae to eat.

• American dipper, Cinclus mexicanus

Thrushes and Allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Turdidae

Thrushes are a group of birds that are often plump. They have soft feathers. They are small to medium-sized. They eat insects or a mix of foods. They often feed on the ground. Many have beautiful songs.

• Western bluebird, Sialia mexicana
• Mountain bluebird, Sialia currucoides
• Townsend's solitaire, Myadestes townsendi
• Swainson's thrush, Catharus ustulatus
• Hermit thrush, Catharus guttatus
• American robin, Turdus migratorius

Old World Sparrows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passeridae

Old World sparrows are small birds. They are usually plump and brownish or grayish. They have short tails and strong, short beaks. Sparrows eat seeds, but they also eat small insects.

• House sparrow, Passer domesticus (I) (R)

Wagtails and Pipits

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Motacillidae

This family includes wagtails and pipits. They are small birds with medium to long tails. They are slender and eat insects from the ground in open areas.

• American pipit, Anthus rubescens (PP)

Finches, Euphonias, and Allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Fringillidae

Finches are seed-eating birds. They are small to medium-sized. They have strong, cone-shaped beaks. Many finches sing well. They have a bouncy flight pattern.

• Evening grosbeak, Coccothraustes vespertinus (R)
• Pine grosbeak, Pinicola enucleator (PP)
• Gray-crowned rosy-finch, Leucosticte tephrocotis (R)
• Black rosy-finch, Leucosticte atrata (R)
• Brown-capped rosy-finch, Leucosticte australis (PP)
• House finch, Haemorhous mexicanus (R)
• Cassin's finch, Haemorhous cassinii (R)
• Red crossbill, Loxia curvirostra (R)
• Pine siskin, Spinus pinus
• Lesser goldfinch, Spinus psaltria
• American goldfinch, Spinus tristis

New World Sparrows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passerellidae

These birds are often called sparrows. But they are not closely related to the Old World sparrows. Many of them have unique patterns on their heads.

• Black-throated sparrow, Amphispiza bilineata (R)
• Lark sparrow, Chondestes grammacus (R)
• Chipping sparrow, Spizella passerina
• Brewer's sparrow, Spizella breweri
• American tree sparrow, Spizelloides arborea (PP)
• Dark-eyed junco, Junco hyemalis
• White-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys
• Vesper sparrow, Pooecetes gramineus
• Song sparrow, Melospiza melodia
• Lincoln's sparrow, Melospiza lincolnii (PP)
• Green-tailed towhee, Pipilo chlorurus
• Spotted towhee, Pipilo maculatus

Yellow-breasted Chat

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Icteriidae

This bird used to be grouped with wood-warblers. But now it has its own family.

• Yellow-breasted chat, Icteria virens (R)

Troupials and Allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Icteridae

This group includes grackles, New World blackbirds, and orioles. They are small to medium-sized birds. They are often colorful. Most have black feathers, sometimes with yellow, orange, or red.

• Western meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta
• Bullock's oriole, Icterus bullockii (R)
• Red-winged blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus
• Brown-headed cowbird, Molothrus ater
• Brewer's blackbird, Euphagus cyanocephalus

New World Warblers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Parulidae

Wood warblers are small, often colorful birds. They live in the Americas. Most live in trees. But some, like the ovenbird, live more on the ground. Most birds in this family eat insects.

• Orange-crowned warbler, Leiothlypis celata
• Virginia's warbler, Leiothlypis virginiae
• MacGillivray's warbler, Geothlypis tolmiei
• Yellow warbler, Setophaga petechia
• Yellow-rumped warbler, Setophaga coronata
• Black-throated gray warbler, Setophaga nigrescens
• Townsend's warbler, Setophaga townsendi (R)
• Wilson's warbler, Cardellina pusilla

Cardinals and Allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cardinalidae

Cardinals are strong birds that eat seeds. They have powerful bills. They usually live in open woodlands. Male and female cardinals often have different colored feathers.

• Western tanager, Piranga ludoviciana
• Black-headed grosbeak, Pheucticus melanocephalus
• Blue grosbeak, Passerina caerulea (Unk)
• Lazuli bunting, Passerina amoena
• Indigo bunting, Passerina cyanea (O)

More About Birds

• List of birds
• Lists of birds by region
• List of North American birds
• List of birds of Colorado
• List of birds of Rocky Mountain National Park