Every fall, people across the United States flock to watch the leaves change color in an autumnal blaze of glory. But there’s one corner of the country where you can see nature’s showstoppers all year long: New Mexico. Let’s discover the birds of New Mexico.
The Land of Enchantment is home to some of the most spectacularly colorful birds in North America, and during your visit you’re sure to see everything from yellow orioles to road runners.
So pack your bags and head for your next birding adventure awaits!
Table of Contents
Which birds are seen in New Mexico?
There are over 400 species of birds in New Mexico. Here is a list of some of the most popular and commonly seen varieties:
| Sr. No. | Name Of Birds |
| 1 | Barn Owl |
| 2 | Black-Billed Magpie |
| 3 | Black-Capped Chickadee |
| 4 | Blue Jay |
| 5 | Chipping Sparrow |
| 6 | Common Grackle |
| 7 | Common Raven |
| 8 | Dark-Eyed Junco (Slate-Colored) |
| 9 | Eastern Meadowlark |
| 10 | House Finch |
| 11 | House Sparrow |
| 12 | Indigo Bunting |
| 13 | Northern Cardinal |
| 14 | Olive-Sided Flycatcher |
| 15 | Pine Siskin |
| 16 | Red-Tailed Hawk |
| 17 | Rose-Breasted Grosbeak |
| 18 | Rufous Hummingbird |
| 19 | Song Sparrow |
| 20 | Tree Swallow |
| 21 | Western Tanager |
| 22 | Black-And-White Warbler |
These birds are common in North America, and can easily be identified by their bright colors and songs. They are a joy to watch, and make for an enjoyable addition to any nature hike or outdoor activity.
10 Most common birds in New Mexico
There are a variety of birds that can be found in New Mexico. While not an exhaustive list, the 10 most common birds in the state include:
1. American robin
The American Robin is a North American bird that is about the size of a House Sparrow. It has a reddish-brown back, gray head and breast, and white belly. The American Robin is one of the most common birds in North America. It breeds throughout most of the United States and southern Canada, and winters in the southern United States.
2. Blue jay
The Blue Jay (scientific name Cyanocitta cristata) is a passerine bird in the Corvidae family. It’s population ranges from Southern Canada to Northern Mexico, and east of the Rocky Mountains. They are one of North America’s most common birds. The term ‘blue’ refers to the coloration of the bird’s feathers.
3. Northern cardinal
A northern cardinal is an American songbird with striking sexual dimorphism, meaning that the male and female of the species look very different. It has a characteristic crest and brightly colored plumage. Males are bright red or orange in color; females tend to be more dull in coloration, often brownish or gray, sometimes with touches of red on their wings and tails
4. Dark-eyed junco
A Dark-eyed junco bird is a type of sparrow that has the scientific name “Junco hyemalis.” It has alternate common names which are junco, white-winged snowbird, Oregon junco and slate-colored snowbird. This species is also sometimes called just junco to avoid confusion with other birds named as “snowbirds” or “juncos” by different names.
5. Mourning dove
Mourning doves are a type of bird that is found in North America. They are gray or light brown in color, and have a long tail. Mourning doves are the most common type of dove in North America, and can be found in many different habitats.
Mourning doves eat seeds and insects, and can often be seen perched on telephone wires or branches. They are known for their distinctive cooing call, which is how they got their name.
6. House sparrow
House sparrows (Passer domesticus) is a bird of the Passer family. It is about 16 centimetres (6.3 in) long and is typically found across North America, Europe, and South Asia.
7. European starling
European starlings are medium-sized birds native to Europe and Asia. They have a stocky build with gray/brown coloration, black spots on their wings and tail feathers, and a yellow/orange beak. Their appearance has earned them the nickname “cockatoo” in some countries including the United States.
8. American goldfinch
American Goldfinch bird is a small active finch type bird that belongs to the Fringillidae family. It is the state bird of the U.S. states New Mexico and Arizona, also two Mexican States: Sonora and Baja California del Sur have this species as their state bird too, so it has a lot of names in different languages around America such as American goldfinch Spanish or Spinus tristis in Latin name.
9. Red-winged blackbird
A red-winged blackbird is a medium-sized bird that is typically black with a red shoulder patch. These birds are common in North America, where they can be found in open habitats such as fields, meadows, and marshes. Red-winged blackbirds are known for their loud songs, which can be heard from long distances. They are also noted for their aggressive behavior towards other birds and animals.
10. Yellow warbler
A yellow warbler is a small songbird that is found in North America and parts of Central America. They are around 5-6 inches long and have a yellow body, black wings and tail, and a white forehead. Yellow warblers are known for their beautiful songs, which they sing throughout the year.
One of the things that makes birding so enjoyable is that there is always something new to see, no matter how often you go out.
Wild birds species in New Mexico
1. The American Goldfinch is a small North American songbird that is common in New Mexico. These birds are typically yellow and black in color, and they can be found in open habitats such as fields and meadows.
2. The Bald Eagle is the national bird of the United States, and it is also found in New Mexico. Bald Eagles are large raptors that feed on fish, carrion, and other animals. They are easily recognized by their white head and tail feathers.
3. The Black-chinned Hummingbird is a small hummingbird that can be found throughout much of New Mexico. These birds are very active and are known for their fast flight speeds.
4. The Broad-billed Hummingbird is a common hummingbird that is found in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and throughout Central America. These birds have been known to be either permanent residents or short-distance migrants.
5. The Burrowing Owl is a small owl that lives in underground burrows and other cavities near grasslands and deserts around the southwestern United States. These owls will often use abandoned prairie dog burrows for their homes.
6. The Osprey is an aquatic bird of prey with long wings and a large head with dark brown eyes and white chin patches below the throat on each side of its neck. This species’ diet consists mainly of fish but can also include larger aquatic wildlife such as ducks, herons, and turtles.
7. The Pinyon Jay is a common blue jay that is found in the pinyon-juniper woodlands of the southwestern United States. These birds are known for their intelligence and their ability to store large amounts of food.
8. The Roadrunner is a ground cuckoo that is found in the deserts of the southwestern United States. This bird is well known for its speed and its ability to run down prey such as lizards and snakes.
9. The Rufous Hummingbird is a medium-sized hummingbird that can be found in many parts of North America. These birds are typically red or orange in color, and they are one of the most common hummingbirds in the United States.
10. The Virginia Rail is a small rail that lives in marshes, wet meadows, and other wetlands throughout much of North America. These birds are brown or black in color with white stripes down their sides. They are secretive birds that are difficult to see unless they are near the water’s edge.
Which are the yellow birds of New Mexico?
The yellow bird is a common name for several different species of birds. In New Mexico, the most common yellow bird is the western meadowlark.
The western meadowlark is a medium-sized songbird with a brown back and a bright yellow chest and belly. It is found throughout much of North America, from Canada to Mexico.
Western meadowlarks are known for their beautiful songs, which can be heard throughout the spring and summer months.
Western meadowlarks congregate in large flocks during the winter months, but break up into smaller groups during the breeding season.
They build their nests on the ground, usually near tall grasses or other dense vegetation. The female lays four to six eggs, which are typically cream in color with brown spots.
The western meadowlark feeds primarily on insects, but occasionally eats seeds and berries. The birds forage mostly on the ground; they also eat grasshoppers, beetles and crickets during certain times of the year.
Western meadowlarks fly straight into the wind when threatened, making it difficult to approach them by land (and costly if you’re flying one).
15 Popular Backyard birds of New Mexico
1) American Goldfinch: These small birds have a bright yellow body and black wings. They are common in New Mexico and can often be seen feeding on thistle flowers.
2) Black-capped Chickadee: These cheerful little birds have a black cap and throat, white cheeks, and gray body. They are common in New Mexico and can often be seen eating seeds or insects.
3) Blue Jay: These large birds have a blue body, black wings, and white stripes on their head. They are common in New Mexico and can often be seen raiding bird feeders for food.
4) Brown-headed Nuthatch: These small birds have a brown head, white body, and bluish-gray wings. They are common in New Mexico and can often be seen climbing up trees to find food.
5) Cedar Waxwing: These beautiful birds have a bright red throat, yellow belly, and gray wings. They are common in New Mexico and can often be seen feeding on berries.
6) Carolina Wren: These small birds have a brown back and white belly. They are common in New Mexico and can often be seen looking for food on the ground.
7) Chipping Sparrow: These small birds have a gray body and black stripes under their wings. They are common in New Mexico and can often be seen feeding on the ground or flying around trees.
8) Dark-eyed Junco: These medium-sized birds have a brownish-gray color with black tails and caps. They are common in New Mexico and can often be seen eating seeds or insects.
9) Eastern Bluebird: These large birds have an intense blue body, dark tail, pink breast, and orange belly. They are common in New Mexico and can often be seen perched on fences or branches.
10) House Sparrow: These small birds have a brown body and black stripes on their head. They are common in New Mexico and can often be seen feeding on seeds or insects near humans.
11) Northern Cardinal: These beautiful red birds are common in New Mexico and can often be seen perched on trees or fences. They are known for their strong songs.
12) Purple Finch: These small birds have a reddish-brown body, white belly, and brown wings. They are common in New Mexico and can often be seen at bird feeders.
13) Red-bellied Woodpecker: These medium- woodpeckers have a mostly black body with a red belly. They are common in New Mexico and can often be seen climbing trees to find food.
14) Song Sparrow: These small birds have a brown back, white belly, and streaked breast. They are common in New Mexico and can often be seen foraging for food on the ground.
15) White-breasted Nuthatch: These small birds have a white chest and black head. They are common in New Mexico and can often be seen foraging for food on the ground or in trees.
These are just some of the many beautiful backyard birds that can be found in New Mexico.
Can you keep wild birds as pets?
In a word, no. While it is sometimes possible to tame an extremely young wild bird so that it could be considered a pet, this is rarely practical.
Many species of wild birds have very specific dietary requirements and will not survive for long in the care of a human being. Also, some species are protected by law and can’t even be kept as pets.
Which birds are herbivores?
There are a variety of birds that are considered to be herbivores. These include, but are not limited to, the American robin, the house sparrow, the European blackbird, and the mourning dove.
All of these species consume primarily plant material in the form of seeds, fruits, flowers, and leaves. While some birds will occasionally eat insects or other small animals, they do not rely on them as a significant part of their diet. Instead, they get the majority of their nutrients from vegetation.
This means that if you want to attract birds to your garden, you should plant a variety of different types of plants. This will provide them with a variety of food options and ensure that they can find something to eat while they are there.
What do Western meadowlarks birds eat?
Yellow birds of New Mexico also called as Western meadowlarks eat primarily insects such as grasshoppers, beetles and caterpillars.
They also feed on other invertebrates such as snails and spiders. They supplement their diet with seeds of grasses, weed and cereal crops such as corn, oats and wheat. They sometimes take small mice or frogs for a meal.
Conclusion
New Mexico is a great place to spot many different types of wild birds. The 10 most common species in the state are robins, blackbirds, mourning doves, sparrows, finches and cardinals.
Some backyard birds that live in NM include woodpeckers, chickadees and blue jays – but if you’re looking for something more colorful than keep your eyes peeled for yellow warblers or hummingbirds!
If you want to attract these beautiful creatures into your garden with feeders and birdbaths don’t forget to plant bushes like honeysuckle or lilacs because they’ll be sure to make their nests there!
Other posts on bird species: You Must Know When Do Hummingbirds Return To Minnesota?
Hi there! My name is Sarah, and I’m the author behind “Bird Sector,” a website dedicated to helping bird owners learn more about their pets and how to take good care of them. I’m passionate about birds and love sharing my knowledge and experiences with others.