List of birds of the Sierra Madre Occidental facts for kids
The Sierra Madre Occidental is a huge mountain range. It stretches across western Mexico and even reaches into the southwestern United States. This special place is home to many different kinds of birds. These mountains offer unique habitats, from tall forests to dry areas, making them a perfect home for a wide variety of bird species.
Birds of the Sierra Madre Occidental
The Sierra Madre Occidental is like a giant natural park for birds. Its diverse landscapes, including pine-oak forests, canyons, and high plateaus, provide everything birds need. They find food, safe places to nest, and shelter from predators. Many birds live here all year, while others visit during their long migrations.
What makes the Sierra Madre Occidental special?
This mountain range is one of the most important natural areas in North America. It's known for its incredible biodiversity. This means there are many different types of plants and animals living here. The mountains act like a "sky island" for some species. This means they live in cooler, wetter areas high up, surrounded by drier, hotter lowlands.
The Sierra Madre Occidental is also a vital corridor. It connects different ecosystems. This allows animals, including birds, to move between various regions. It's a key spot for both resident birds and those that migrate long distances.
Amazing Birds You Can Find Here
Many unique and beautiful birds call the Sierra Madre Occidental home. From tiny hummingbirds to large parrots, the variety is truly amazing. Some birds are found only in this region, making them very special. Others travel here from far away during certain seasons.
Here is a list of some of the incredible birds that live in or visit the Sierra Madre Occidental:
- Bright-rumped attila, Attila spadiceus
- Lazuli bunting, Passerina amoena
- Bushtit, Psaltriparus minimus
- Mexican chickadee, Poecile sclateri
- American dipper, Cinclus mexicanus
- Blue-hooded euphonia, Euphonia elegantissima
- Cordilleran flycatcher, Empidonax occidentalis
- Hammond's flycatcher, Empidonax hammondii
- Pine flycatcher, Empidonax affinis
- Evening grosbeak, Coccothraustes vespertinus
- Yellow grosbeak, Pheucticus chrysopeplus
- Rusty-crowned ground-sparrow, Melozone kieneri
- Blue-throated hummingbird, Lampornis clemenciae
- Broad-tailed hummingbird, Selasphorus platycercus
- Magnificent hummingbird, Eugenes fulgens
- White-eared hummingbird, Hylocharis leucotis
- Mexican jay, Aphelocoma ultramarina
- White-tailed kite, Elanus leucurus
- Black-throated magpie-jay, Calocitta colliei
- Purple martin, Progne subis
- Buff-collared nightjar, Antrostomus ridgwayi
- Pygmy nuthatch, Sitta pygmaea
- Elf owl, Micrathene whitneyi
- Flammulated owl, Otus flammeolus
- Spotted owl, Strix occidentalis
- Whiskered screech-owl, Megascops trichopsis
- Thick-billed parrot, Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha
- Western wood pewee, Contopus sordidulus
- Band-tailed pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata
- Elegant quail, Callipepla douglasii
- Montezuma quail, Cyrtonyx montezumae
- Eared quetzal, Euptilotis neoxenus
- Painted redstart, Myioborus pictus
- Townsend's solitaire, Myadestes townsendi
- Five-striped sparrow, Amphispizopsis quinquestriata
- Rufous-crowned sparrow, Aimophila ruficeps
- Plain-capped starthroat, Heliomaster constantii
- Vaux's swift, Chaetura vauxi
- White-throated swift, Aeronautes saxatalis
- Flame-colored tanager, Piranga bidentata
- Hepatic tanager, Piranga flava
- Red-headed tanager, Piranga erythrocephala
- Bridled titmouse, Baeolophus wollweberi
- Spotted towhee, Pipilo maculatus
- Hutton's vireo, Vireo huttoni
- Plumbeous vireo, Vireo plumbeus
- Yellow-green vireo, Vireo flavoviridis
- Golden-browed warbler, Basileuterus belli
- Grace's warbler, Setophaga graciae
- Hermit warbler, Setophaga occidentalis
- Red warbler, Cardellina ruber
- Red-faced warbler, Cardellina rubrifrons
- Yellow warbler, Setophaga petechia
- Acorn woodpecker, Melanerpes formicivorus
- Arizona woodpecker, Picoides arizonae
