Birds

 

Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) is a permanent resident at Black Canyon.

NPS/Jeremy Stringfield

Birds are warm-blooded (endothermic) vertebrates that lay eggs, have beaks and feathers, and a lightweight skeleton. Canyons are no barriers to birds. In search of food and water, birds can readily fly to depths and heights forbidding for other animals, including humans.

Black Canyon has 174 confirmed bird species. They live within the various habitats of the canyon, from the rim to the Gunnison River level. Most species found here are permanent (year-round) or summer residents. Almost no bird species only stay for winter.

For a complete list of bird species found at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, use the tool below. Select 'Birds' under species category. A bird checklist is available upon request at the South Rim Visitor Center.

 

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Species Attribute Definitions

Definitions

Occurrence

Occurrence values are defined below. One or more Occurrence Tags may be associated with each Occurrence value.

Present: Species occurs in park; current, reliable evidence available.

Probably Present: High confidence species occurs in park but current, verified evidence needed.

Unconfirmed: Species is attributed to park but evidence is weak or absent.

Not In Park: Species is not known to occur in park.

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Occurrence Tags

Adjacent: Species is known to occur in areas near to or contiguous with park boundaries.

False Report: Species was reported to occur within the park, but current evidence indicates the report was based on misidentification, a taxonomic concept no longer accepted, or other similar problem of error or interpretation.

Historical: Species' historical occurrence in park is documented. Assigned based on judgment as opposed to determination based on age of the most recent evidence.

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Abundance

Abundant:

• Animals: May be seen daily, in suitable habitat and season, and counted in relatively large numbers.
• Plants: Large number of individuals; wide ecological amplitude or occurring in habitats covering a large portion of the park.

Common:

• Animals: May be seen daily, in suitable habitat and season, but not in large numbers.
• Plants: Large numbers of individuals predictably occurring in commonly encountered habitats but not those covering a large portion of the park.

Uncommon:

• Animals: Likely to be seen monthly in appropriate habitat and season. May be locally common.
• Plants: Few to moderate numbers of individuals; occurring either sporadically in commonly encountered habitats or in uncommon habitats.

Rare:

• Animals: Present, but usually seen only a few times each year.
• Plants: Few individuals, usually restricted to small areas of rare habitat.

Occasional:

• Animals: Occurs in the park at least once every few years, varying in numbers, but not necessarily every year.
• Plants: Abundance variable from year to year (e.g., desert plants).

Unknown: Abundance unknown

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Nativeness

Native: Species naturally occurs in park or region.

Non-native: Species occurs on park lands as a result of deliberate or accidental human activities.

Unknown: Nativeness status is unknown or ambiguous.

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List Differences

The Checklist contains only those species that are designated as "present" or "probably present" in the park.

The Full List includes all the checklist species in addition to species that are unconfirmed, historically detected, or incorrectly reported as being found in the park. The full list also contains species that are "in review" because their status in the park hasn't been fully determined. Additional details about the status of each species is included in the full list.

The checklist will almost always contain fewer species than the full list.

Select a Park:

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park

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Species attribute definitions

Search results will be displayed here.

Visit NPSpecies for more comprehensive information and advanced search capability. Have a suggestion or comment on this list? Let us know.

 

Year-round Residents

 

American Dipper

NPS/D. Goodman

American Dipper

The American Dipper (Cinclus mexicanus), also known as a water ouzel, live and nest along the river. They can walk under fast-moving water to feed, using their wings to stay submerged. They probe for aquatic insects and larvae, fish eggs, and small fish.

Their name comes from the "bobbing" up and down at up to 60 dips per minute. Their plump body type and plentiful down adapt them to cold-water living. They may build their nests off moss behind waterfalls or cascades.

 

Canyon Wren

NPS/D. Goodman

Canyon Wren

Canyon Wrens (Catherpes mexicanus) have a sweet, almost haunting song that may be the only evidence of their presence. These wrens are far more often heard than seen. They have small bodies with a large belly and a long, slightly curved beak. Their coloration is rusty brown with a white throat. Their wings and tail have black barring throughout.

They nest on ledges like a Peregrine Falcon does, laying eggs in depressions. They hop and poke about ledges and alcoves looking for spiders and insects to eat. At Black Canyon, these wrens are seldom if ever seen down along the river itself.

 

Dusky Grouse

NPS/Jeremy Stringfield

Dusky Grouse

Dusky Grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) are large, forest grouse that are year-round residents of Black Canyon. These grouse are typically gray (males) and brown (females), but other colors are visible during courtship displays. Size ranges from 15.5 to 21 inches (39 to 53 cm). Number of tail feathers can vary.

Dusky Grouse prefer sagebrush flats in summer and conifer forests in winter. They forage on the ground during summer, and then in trees during winter if the ground is snow covered. Diet includes leaves, insects, flowers, berries, and conifer needles.

These grouse are easier to spot during springtime. Males put on a courtship display and give up low-pitched hoots.

 

Great Horned Owl

NPS/Neal Herbert

Great Horned Owl

The Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) is widespread across North America. Great horned owls are year-round residents at Black Canyon. These birds hunt rabbits and rodents on canyon rims at night. They can even take down larger prey such as falcons, ospreys, and other owls.

Great Horned Owl is colored to camouflage with its surroundings - with light brown, dark brown, and white coloring. Their talons, legs, and feet are strong and can apply crushing pressure to prey. Their soft feathers help with both insulation in cold weather and dampening noise while they fly and hunt.

 

Spotted Towhee

NPS/Jeremy Stringfield

Spotted Towhee

Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) is a small bird widespread throughout the American West. It used to be considered the same species at Eastern Towhee, but they differ in white spotting and call notes.

Males are black, while females are a grayish brown. Both have white and rusty orange coloration underneath. This makes them camouflaged amidst dry leaf litter and brush.

Spotted Towhee prefer open woods and drier habitats, such as pinyon-juniper woods or scrub oaks. They are ground foragers, but sometimes feed in low trees or shrubs. Its diet is mostly seeds, berries, and insects; it can vary throughout seasons.

 

Steller's Jay

Photo courtesy of Ken Kingley

Steller's Jay

Steller’s Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) lives from the side canyons to the canyon rim where Douglas fir trees grow. They prefer woodlands and coniferous forest habitats. These birds are omnivores and consume seeds, nuts, and some insects. They get moisture from insects, but also need access to puddles, ponds, or other water sources.

Steller's Jay is black and blue colored with a crest on its head. They have a loud call and can imitate sounds of other birds and mammals. Like other jays, they can be raucous, meddlesome, and opportunistic about food on picnic tables.

 

Summer Residents

 

Mountain Bluebird

NPS/Jeremy Stringfield

Mountain Bluebird

Mountain Bluebirds (Sialia currucoides) share canyon rim habitat with owls but are daytime eaters of insects. Males have bright blue bodies, while females have gray bodies with blue wings.

These birds nest in trees or artificial nest boxes. They are most often seen in spring and early summer when nesting and rearing their young. Their diet consists of insects caught either from perches or flycatching. Mountain Bluebirds can be defensive and competitive with other bird species over nest sites.

 

Peregrine Falcon (juvenile)

NPS

Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus) nest on ledges on canyon walls. These falcons have a blue-gray back and a grey or tan underside. Their wingspan can reach up to 3.5 feet (1.1 m) across.

Peregrine Falcons prey on flying birds, swooping down on them as fast as 200 mph. Their balled-up claws can shatter prey’s bones. Falcons mostly feed on aerial-feeding swifts and swallows but also on jays and an occasional dove.

Raptor closures are in effect from March 15 to July 15 to protect nesting peregrine falcons. Climbers should check climbing closures before recreating.

 

Plumbeous Vireo

NPS/Jeremy Stringfield

Plumbeous Vireo

Plumbeous Vireo (Vireo plumbeus) is a small songbird commonly seen during summer in the Rocky Mountains. These birds are less than 6 inches (15 cm) long and similar sized to a sparrow. They are gray above, white below, and have white areas around small, black eyes.

Plumbeous Vireo search for insects, their main food source, along tree branches. They are easier to spot during spring when males sing frequently. It prefers mixed conifer-deciduous woods for nesting sites.

 

Western Tanager

NPS/D. Goodman

Western Tanager

Western Tanagers (Piranga ludoviciana) are commonly seen in western coniferous forests. The range for breeding season stretches farther north than any other tanager species. They are seen during summer months at Black Canyon. Males have bright yellow bodies, orange-red heads, and black wings, back, and tail. Females have less vibrant colors and no red head. Both males and female are around 6 to 7.5" (15-19 cm) long.

Western Tanagers prefer insects, fruit, and berries. They may peer around in trees for insects or fly out to catch them. They forage in the upper parts of trees. During migration season and in winter, the birds may be found in small flocks with other tanager species.

 

White-throated Swift

NPS/Jacob Frank

White-throated Swift

White-throated Swifts (Aeronautes saxatalis) are aerial feeders whose scientific name means “rock-inhabiting air sailor.” These swifts have long, slim bodies and very narrow wings. They are black and brown birds with a white throat and some underbelly.

White-throated Swifts nest high on canyon walls in rock crevices and feed mostly in early morning and at evening, when flying insects are most active.

 

 

Resources

Alden, Peter, and National Audubon Society. 1999. National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Rocky Mountain States. New York: A. Knopf; New York.

Audubon. "Guide to North American Birds." 2024. National Audubon Society. Guide to North American Birds | Audubon

Cornell Lab of Ornithology. 2019. All About Birds. Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. https://www.allaboutbirds.org

NPSpecies Birds Checklist. National Park Service, Integrated Resource Management Applications.
https://irma.nps.gov/NPSpecies/Search/SpeciesList/BLCA

Roberts S and Others. 2024. Status and trends of landbird populations in the Northern Colorado Plateau Network: 2023 field season. Science Report. NPS/SR—2024/138. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.36967/2304411