State of New Mexico
New Mexico is a state in the Southwestern region of the United States. It is one of the Mountain States of the southern Rocky Mountains, sharing the Four Corners region with Utah, Colorado, and Arizona. It also borders the state of Texas to the east and southeast, Oklahoma to the northeast, and shares an international border with the Mexican states of Chihuahua and Sonora to the south. New Mexico’s largest city is Albuquerque, and its state capital is Santa Fe, the oldest state capital in the US, founded in 1610 as the government seat of Nuevo México in New Spain.
New Mexico is the fifth-largest of the fifty states by area covering almost 315,000 km2 (121,500 square miles), but with just over 2.1 million residents it ranks 36th in population and 45th in population density. Its climate and geography are highly varied, ranging from forested mountains to sparse deserts; the northern and eastern regions exhibit a colder alpine climate, while the west and south are warmer and more arid and has long been known for its dry, temperate climate. The Rio Grande and its fertile valley runs from north-to-south, creating a riparian climate through the centre of the state that supports a bosque habitat and distinct Albuquerque Basin climate. One-third of New Mexico’s land is federally owned, and the state hosts many protected wilderness areas and national monuments, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the most of any US state. New Mexico’s economy is highly diversified, much of it rural based including cattle ranching, agriculture and timer production. Despite its popular depiction as mostly arid desert, New Mexico has one of the most diverse landscapes of any US state, ranging from wide, auburn-coloured deserts and verdant grasslands, to broken mesas and high, snow-capped peaks. Close to a third of the state is tree covered, with heavily forested mountain wildernesses dominating the north.
Bosque del Apache Wildlife Reserve – ©Thomas Asprey CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the southernmost part of the Rocky Mountains, run roughly north–south along the east side of the Rio Grande, in the rugged, pastoral north. The Great Plains extend into the eastern third of the state, most notably the Llano Estacado (‘Staked Plain’), whose westernmost boundary is marked by the Mescalero Ridge escarpment. The northwestern quadrant of New Mexico is dominated by the Colorado Plateau, characterised by unique volcanic formations, dry grasslands and shrublands, open pinyon-juniper woodland, and mountain forests. The Chihuahuan Desert, which is the largest in North America, extends through the south. Over 80% of the state is higher than 4,000 feet (1,200 meters) above sea level. New Mexico’s stable climate and sparse population provides for clearer skies and less light pollution, making it a popular site for several major astronomical observatories, including the Apache Point Observatory, the Very Large Array, and the Magdalena Ridge Observatory, among others.
In addition to the Rio Grande, which is tied for the fourth-longest river in the US., New Mexico has four other major river systems: the Pecos, Canadian, San Juan, and Gila. Nearly bisecting New Mexico from north to south, the Rio Grande has played an influential role in the region’s history; its fertile floodplain has supported human habitation since prehistoric times, and European settlers initially lived exclusively in its valleys and along its tributaries. The Pecos, which flows roughly parallel to the Rio Grande at its east, was a popular route for explorers, as was the Canadian River, which rises in the mountainous north and flows east across the arid plains. The San Juan and Gila lie west of the Continental Divide, in the northwest and southwest, respectively. With the exception of the Gila, all major rivers are dammed in New Mexico and provide a major water source for irrigation and flood control.
Llano Escarpment – ©Leaflet CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Owing to its varied topography, New Mexico has six distinct vegetation zones that provide diverse sets of habitats for many plants and animals. The Upper Sonoran Zone is by far the most prominent, constituting about three-fourths of the state; it includes most of the plains, foothills, and valleys above 4,500 feet, and is defined by prairie grasses, low piñon pines, and juniper shrubs. The Llano Estacado in the east features Shortgrass Prairie with blue grama, which sustain bison. The Chihuahuan Desert in the south is characterised by shrubby creosote. The Colorado Plateau in the northwest corner of New Mexico is high desert with cold winters, featuring sagebrush, shadescale, greasewood, and other plants adapted to the saline and seleniferous soil.
The mountainous north hosts a wide array of vegetation types corresponding to elevation gradients, such as piñon-juniper woodlands near the base, through evergreen conifers, spruce-fir and aspen forests in the transitionary zone, and Krummholz, and alpine tundra at the very top. The Apachian zone tucked into the southwestern boot-heel of the state has high-calcium soil, oak woodlands, Arizona cypress, and other plants that are not found in other parts of the state. The southern sections of the Rio Grande and Pecos valleys have 20,000 square miles (52,000 square kilometres) of New Mexico’s best grazing land and irrigated farmland. Roughly one–third of the state, or 24.7 million of 77.8 million acres, is held by the US government, the tenth-highest percentage in the country. More than half this land is under the Bureau of Land Management as either public domain land or National Conservation Lands, while another third is managed by the US Forest Service as national forests.
New Mexico’s varied climate and vegetation zones consequently support diverse wildlife. Black bears, bighorn sheep, bobcats, cougars, deer, and elk live in habitats above 7,000 feet, while coyotes, jackrabbits, kangaroo rats, javelina, porcupines, pronghorn antelope, western diamondbacks, and wild turkeys live in less mountainous and elevated regions. The iconic roadrunner, which is the state bird, is abundant in the southeast. Endangered species include the Mexican gray wolf, which is being gradually reintroduced in the world, and Rio Grande silvery minnow. Over 500 species of birds live or migrate through New Mexico, third only to California and Mexico.
Birding New Mexico
New Mexico is the forgotten gem amongst the southwestern US states. Most people are unaware that New Mexico is a state in the US and not a region of Mexico. In fact only a small part of the southwest borders Mexico. New Mexico is famous as one of four states (Colorado, Utah and Arizona being the others); which have the corners of its borders meet at one point, this is known as the Four Corners region. It is probably better known as the state associated with the Roswell incident, and numerous UFO sightings.
Northern New Mexico – ©Netherzone CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
But what of the birds I hear you say, well New Mexico has recorded the fourth highest species count (after Texas, California and Arizona) in the whole of the mainland USA, with approximately 500 species seen. Whilst a considerable area of New Mexico is of desert-like habitat, it is surrounded by mountain ranges that rise to over 13,000ft. In fact the average altitude in New Mexico is 5700ft, so be prepared for a few breathless moments if you seeking out the higher altitude specialities. One of the rules of thumb for finding birds in New Mexico is search for the water. Throughout the State there are numerous reservoirs, rivers and irrigation projects, which act like magnets to the birds.
The tail end of the Rockies meanders through the State leaving big mountain ranges around Sante Fe and Albuquerque. The latter area is the site of the spring (Sandia’s) and autumn (Manzano’s) Hawkwatch schemes, where thousands of raptors are annually counted whilst on migration. The mountains also act as funnel for passerine migrants.
South of Albuquerque is the world-famous Bosque del Apache wildlife reserve. It is most famous for its tens of thousands of Snow Geese and Sandhill Cranes during the winter, though has something to offer throughout the year. But birding New Mexico is more than Bosque del Apache, for example the southwest of the state has birds more often associated with Mexico and southeastern Arizona. The new guidebook to finding birds in New Mexico is a must for any visitors.
New Mexico is a big state with a lot to offer the birder throughout the year. Whilst sunshine is never far away it does get cold in winter and very warm during the summer months. So when visiting New Mexico be prepared for a wide diversity of scenery, big blue skies and some awesome birding.
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Number of bird species: 562
(As at November 2024)State Bird: Greater Roadrunner Geococcyx californianus
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Avibase
PDF ChecklistThis checklist includes all bird species found in New Mexico , based on the best information available at this time. It is based on a wide variety of sources that I collated over many years. I am pleased to offer these checklists as a service to birdwatchers. If you find any error, please do not hesitate to report them. -
New Mexico Ornithological Society (NMOS)
PDF ListThis checklist contains all the species of birds that have been verified by specimen, photograph, or audio recording in New Mexico and have been accepted as valid by the New Mexico Bird Records Committee. -
Wikipedia
Annotated ListThis list of birds of New Mexico are the species documented in the U.S. state of New Mexico and accepted by the New Mexico Bird Records Committee (NMBRC). As of August 2022, 552 species were included in the official list. -
eBird
PDF ChecklistThis checklist is generated with data from eBird (ebird.org), a global database of bird sightings from birders like you. If you enjoy this checklist, please consider contributing your sightings to eBird. It is 100% free to take part, and your observations will help support birders, researchers, and conservationists worldwide.
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Arizona & New Mexico Birds
| By Kurt Radamaker & Gregory Kennedy | Lone Pine Publishing | 2007 | Paperback | 176 pages, colour illustrations, maps | ISBN: 9789768200280 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Birding Hot Spots of Central New Mexico
| By Judy Liddell & Barbara Hussey | exas A & M University Press | 2011 | Paperback | 203 pages, 41 colour photos, 11 b/w maps | ISBN: 9781603444262 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Birding Hot Spots of Santa Fe, Taos, & Northern New Mexico
| By Judy Liddell & Barbara Hussey | Texas A & M University Press | 2015 | Paperback | 283 pages, 63 colour photos, 13 b/w maps | ISBN: 9781623492540 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Birds of New Mexico Field Guide
| By Stan Tekiela | Adventure Publications | 2021 | Edition 2 | Paperback | 384 pages, colour photos, distribution maps | ISBN: 9781647551964 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Birds of the Southwest
| (Arizona, New Mexico, Southern California & Southern Nevada) | By John H Rappole | Texas A & M University Press | 2001 | Paperback | 329 pages, 456 col, 44 b/w photos, 1 line drawing, 457 maps | ISBN: 9780890969588 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
New Mexico Bird Finding Guide
| By W H Howe et al | New Mexico Ornithological Society | 2021 | Edition 4 | Paperback | 404 pages, colour photos, b/w illustrations, b/w maps | ISBN: 9781977226617 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
New Mexico Birds: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Species
| By James R Kavanagh & Raymond Leung | Waterford Press | 2002 | Unbound | 12 pages, colour illustrations | ISBN: 9781583551875 Buy this book from NHBS.com
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Festival of the Cranes
Webpage“We have fallen heirs to the most glorious heritage a people ever received, and each one must do his part if we wish to show that the nation is worthy of its good fortune” - Theodore Roosevelt. As the cottonwoods turn gold in the bosque and the calls of the sandhill cranes once again echo across the marsh, we are reminded of the glorious wildlife heritage that President Roosevelt wrote about. Thanks to his foresight and the hard work of countless citizens, we get to revel in that heritage here in New Mexico at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Also see the Facebook page. -
Gila River Festival
WebsiteEstablished in 2005, the Gila River Festival is an annual event that celebrates New Mexico's last free-flowing river and its important role as the centerpiece in our region’s natural and cultural heritage. The festival provides a diversity of opportunities for participants to experience and learn about the natural and cultural history of the area through the arts, humanities and natural sciences. The festival is designed to foster a deeper understanding of the Gila River as we explore annual program themes through expert-led field trips and workshops, lectures by scientists, authors, historians, and conservationists, and programming in the visual and performing arts, film, music, and dance.
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Museum of Southwestern Biology
WebpageThe Division of Birds maintains a research collection of over 40,000 birds, with global coverage. The largest holdings are from the American Southwest and the Andes Mountains. All avian orders, ~80% of families, and 25% of species are represented. A comprehensive synoptic collection of the birds of New Mexico is heavily used by students, artists, and birdwatchers. Specimens of threatened, endangered and extinct species provide an irreplaceable historic record. The collection grows by ~2000 birds per year, thanks to a dedicated collections staff aided by a cadre of students. Our faculty, staff, and students are also dedicated to integrative ornithological research and teaching. -
New Mexico State University
WebsiteWelcome to the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology! -
UNM Ornithology
X PageNews & announcements from the faculty, staff, & students who study ornithology at the University of New Mexico -
University of New Mexico
WebsiteSearchable Ornithological Research Archive -
University of New Mexico
WebsiteAndersen Lab @ the University of New Mexico evolutionary history, biogeography, and systematics of birds -
Witt Lab
WebsiteWe are a research team working on a variety of questions about bird evolution, genomes, and ecology. Museum specimens, including frozen tissue samples, are a common theme in our approach to science, and we strive to build museum collections through our research.
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Bird Alliance of Central New Mexico
WebsiteOur mission: To appreciate, experience, and conserve birds, other wildlife and their habitats; and to encourage and support environmental education in New Mexico. We try to attract as many new and excited individuals to our organization as possible! We strive to be not only a leader in the New Mexico birdwatching community but also an avenue to express your ideas and concerns about the environment in a productive way. So whether you just want to get out birding, or you want to devote time and energy to making New Mexico a better place for wildlife and nature lovers this is the place for you! -
Bird Alliance of Southwestern New Mexico
WebsiteThe Southwestern New Mexico Audubon Society serves communities in four counties; Silver City, Deming, Lordsburg, Glenwood, Cliff, Reserve, the Mimbres Valley, and the Gila National Forest. Monthly Programs, Field Trips, Annual Bird Counts, Education, Conservation, Regional Habitat, and Audubon Membership -
Friends of Bitter Lake NWR
Facebook Pageue to the increase of visitors to this marvelous site, over 44,000 people last year alone, we feel that in order to accommodate more in the future we need to make access to this facility an even more enjoyable experience. The Friends will assist with conservation projects, scientific studies, community outreach, tours, facility development, and many other activities… -
Friends of Bosque de Apache NWR
WebsiteWe support Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge and promote appreciation and conservation of wildlife and habitat. -
Friends of the Rio Grande Nature Center
WebsiteThe Friends of the Rio Grande Nature Center is a non-profit 50l(c)3 organization that supports the Nature Center's mission to preserve and protect the Rio Grande bosque, to educate the public about Rio Grande ecosystems and to foster positive human interactions with those systems -
Lincoln County Bird Club
Facebook PageThe Lincoln County Bird Club is an organization of people whoenjoy birds and nature and want to learn more about birds andthe environment. We have regular field trips of varying lengthsand social activities. We also sponsor regular communityactivities that promote the health of the environment andcreate public environmental awareness. -
Mesilla Valley Audubon Society
WebsiteThe Mesilla Valley Audubon Society (MVAS) is a chapter of the National Audubon Society. MVAS is a conservation and natural history organization based in southern New Mexico. Our objectives are to promote appreciation and conservation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitats through environmental education, issue advocacy and natural history experiences. -
Nature Conservancy in New Mexico
WebsiteThe mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. For 40 years, we have been working in New Mexico to do just that. We're working to keep The Land of Enchantment the place you love to live, work and play. Join us! -
New Mexico Bird Records Committee
WebpageThe NMBRC was established with five broad purposes in mind: 1) to solicit and maintain documentation of records of birds from New Mexico; 2) to evaluate and validate such records; 3) to publicize data on records decisions; 4) to establish standards of observation and reporting that would allow sight records to gain acceptance as valuable scientific data; and 5) to keep or cause to keep the official New Mexico State Checklist of accepted bird species. -
New Mexico Ornithological Society
WebsiteThe New Mexico Ornithological Society (NMOS) is a nonprofit, volunteer organization dedicated to gathering and disseminating accurate information concerning the bird life of New Mexico; promoting interest in and appreciation of the value of birds, both aesthetic and economic; supporting effective conservation of the state’s avifauna; facilitating opportunities for acquaintance and fellowship among those interested in birds and nature; and issuing publications as a means of furthering these ends. -
New Mexico Wildlife Association
WebsiteWildlife West Nature Park is a 122 acre, hands-on environmental education center. It features plants and animals indigenous to the Southwest as well as their habitats. Wildlife West is also a renewable energy project incorporating recycled building materials in its buildings and habitat constructions. Wildlife West employs alternative energy production designs. As Wildlife West develops and grows, these alternative production designs will allow for the park to become self-sustaining in its energy consumption. -
Sangre de Cristo Audubon Society
WebsiteWe are a recognized chapter of the National Audubon Society. Our membership region covers most of north-central New Mexico from roughly Placitas north to Raton and Taos. We take our name from the Sangre de Cristo mountain range which extends from Colorado to just south of Santa Fe. The Sangres form the western horizon for the eastern portion of our area and form the eastern horizon of the Rio Grande Valley in the central portion of the area. -
Southwestern New Mexico Audubon Society
WebsiteAudubon’s mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity. Our goal is to be the expert in bird and wildlife conservation and nature education in New Mexico with a strong and sustainably-funded network throughout the state to influence conservation outcomes.
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*Protected areas of New Mexico
InformationSatellite ViewInteractive list of Wildlife Refuges, Grasslands, Forests etc. -
IBA Ladd S. Gordon Waterfowl Complex
WebpageSatellite ViewThe Ladd S. Gordon Waterfowl Complex is composed of the Belen, Casa Colorada, Bernardo, and La Joya Waterfowl Areas. La Joya Waterfowl Area contains ponds, canals and ditches for wintering waterfowl. Grass and brushy stands harbor quail, dove and songbirds. Purchases began in 1928 and continued through 1940, bringing the total to 3550 acres. Waterfowl hunting is permitted during open season, and fishing is open in the summer. Bird watching is yearlong entertainment. La Joya has no recreational facilities. -
IBA NM Lesser-Prairie Chicken Complex
WebpageSatellite ViewThe Lesser Prairie-Chicken Complex in eastern New Mexico encompasses over 2 million acres, including a number of properties managed specifically for prairie-chickens. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish owns 29 properties designated as ?Prairie Chicken Wildlife Areas? covering over 23,000 acres, as well as the 5,000-acre Sandhills Prairie Conservation Area. The Bureau of Land Management recently established the 57,000-acre Lesser-Prairie Chicken Area of Critical Environmental Concern and has closed an additional 163,000 acres to new oil and gas leasing. The Nature Conservancy?s Milnesand Prairie Preserve protects 18,500 acres of prairie-chicken habitat. -
NC Randall Davey Audubon Center
WebpageSatellite ViewLocated in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the Randall Davey Audubon Center & Sanctuary encompasses 135 acres of striking landscapes and wildlife. Bounded by thousands of acres of National Forest and Santa Fe River Watershed land, the Center and Sanctuary provides a peaceful sanctuary for plants, animals and our visitors. Ranging from common to rare, approximately 190 species of birds can be found in or over the various ecosystems of this sanctuary. -
NP Carlsbad Caverns National Park
WebpageSatellite ViewHigh ancient sea ledges, deep rocky canyons, flowering cactus, and desert wildlife—treasures above the ground in the Chihuahuan Desert. Hidden beneath the surface are more than 119 caves—formed when sulfuric acid dissolved limestone leaving behind caverns of all sizes. -
NP Valles Caldera
WebpageSatellite ViewValles Caldera is home to the second largest elk population in New Mexico. Other popular residents include Gunnison prairie dogs, coyotes, badgers, black bears, Eastern mountain bluebirds, and golden eagles. -
NP White Sands National Monument
WebpageSatellite ViewThere are over 220 recorded species of birds within White Sands National Monument. High temperatures during the day, especially in summer months, make it unlikely that you will come across these creatures in the heart of the dunefield. However, many of these species are commonly seen in the desert scrub around the visitor center and entrance station. Learn more about the birds of White Sands by downloading our PDF or peruse the information below. -
NWR Bitter Lake
WebpageSatellite ViewThe refuge protects and provides habitat for some of New Mexico's most rare and unusual creatures such as the least shrew, Noel's amphipod, least tern, Pecos sunflower, and Roswell spring snail. Located where the Chihuahuan Desert meets the Southern Plains, Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge is one of the more biologically significant wetland areas of the Pecos River watershed system. Established in 1937 to provide wintering habitat for migratory birds, the refuge plays a crucial role in the conservation of wetlands in the desert Southwest. -
NWR Bosque del Apache
WebpageSatellite ViewSituated between the Chupadera Mountains to the west and the San Pascual Mountains to the east, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1939 to provide a critical stopover for migrating waterfowl. The refuge is well known for the tens of thousands of cranes, geese, and ducks who winter here each year. -
NWR Grulla
WebpageSatellite ViewThe central focal point of the Grulla National Wildlife Refuge is an ephemeral salt lake or saline playa – a shallow basin that collects runoff from the surrounding drainage area during heavy downpours but then often dries completely due to evaporation. This playa lake has been known by various names. Current USGS topographic maps and most commercially available maps of this region refer to this saline playa simply as "Salt Lake". -
NWR Las Vegas
InformationSatellite ViewWith the Rocky Mountains to the west, the Great Plains to the east, and the Chihuahuan Desert to the south, Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge encompasses a diversity of habitats. Located along the Central Flyway, the Refuge provides an important resting, feeding, and wintering area for migrating geese, ducks, and cranes. -
NWR Maxwell
WebpageSatellite ViewThe Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge, located in the high central plains of northeastern New Mexico, was established in 1965 as a feeding and resting area for migratory birds. Over 350 acres (1.4 km2) of the refuge are planted with wheat, corn, barley, and alfalfa to provide food for resident and migratory wildlife. Visitors may see bald and golden eagles, falcons, hawks, sandhill cranes, ducks, white pelicans, burrowing owls, great horned owls, black-tailed prairie dogs, raccoons, coyotes, skunks, cougars, muskrats, badgers, bobcats, mule deer, white-tailed deer, and the occasional elk. -
NWR San Andres
WebpageSatellite ViewSan Andres National Wildlife Refuge is a protected hidden gem within the deep canyons and steep peak crevices of the San Andres Mountain range. Located in south central New Mexico, just east of the City of Las Cruces; most lifelong Las Crucens do not know of the refuge's existence! -
NWR Sevilleta
WebpageSatellite ViewThe refuge is unique in that it was set aside “to preserve and enhance the integrity and the natural character of the ecosystems of the property by creating a wildlife refuge managed as nearly as possible in its natural state.” Thus the refuge is not managed for specific wildlife species but to allow natural processes such as flood and fire to prevail. -
NWR Valle de Oro
WebpageSatellite ViewValle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, the Southwest’s first urban wildlife refuge, serves as an urban oasis for both wildlife and people. -
New Mexico National Forests
WebsiteSatellite ViewThe state of New Mexico has 5 National Forests - the Carson, Cibola, Gila, Lincoln and Santa Fe National Forest.
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eBird
SightingseBirding This Month
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Bird Treks
Tour OperatorBird Treks has been providing small group and custom birding tours for over 20 years. Visit their website to see the incredible tours available, including the Sandia Mountains for all three Rosy-Finches! -
Bluetail Birding
Tour OperatorA 10-day, small group birding tour of New Mexico, where spectacular congregations of wintering cranes and waterfowl are complemented by specialities of mountains, grassland and desert. -
FieldGuides
Tour OperatorFun birding from rosy-finches in the Sandia Mts to thousands of Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese (plus Ross's) along the Rio Grande. -
Kaiyote Tours
Local Tour OperatorIf you are interested in New Mexico Birding and Wildlife Viewing Tours, come and join us at Kaiyote Tours! -
Limosa
Tour OperatorNEW MEXICO | Bosque Del Apache & Beyond A 10-day, small group birdwatching tour to New Mexico -
Natural Selections Tours
Tour OperatorIconic desert birds of the American Southwest, including Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Cactus Wren, Scaled & Gambel’s Quail, and Greater Roadrunner -
Naturalist Journeys
Tour OperatorThere's something special about New Mexico ... it really is the Land of Enchantment... -
NatureTrek
Tour OperatorA relaxed 11-day birdwatching tour along the Rio Grande, including a visit to the iconic reserve of Bosque del Apache for the spectacular wintering flocks of Sandhill Cranes and both Snow and Ross’s Geese. -
Tropical Birding Tours
Tour OperatorThis is a birding tour, which has been designed to see the many specialties of the region. it also visits some excellent sites for photography in Sandia Crest and Bosque del Apache, so cameras are both welcome and encouraged! The gorgeous “desert-scapes”, mountains and wetlands within the Land of Enchantment offer up a remarkable winter destination. This is when the legendary Bosque del Apache NWR is jam-packed with waterbirds, with countless thousands of Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese in particular. -
VentBird
Tour OperatorExperience the spectacle of huge numbers of wintering waterfowl and cranes at world-famous Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Raptors, sparrows, and southwestern specialties will also be plentiful. -
WINGS
Tour OperatorNew Mexico in Winter Santa Fe to the Bosque -
Wildside Nature Tours
Tour OperatorNEW MEXICO: Rosy-finches, Snow Geese & Sandhill Crane Spectacle New-Mexico--1U7A6596 TOUR FOCUS BIRDS & WILDLIFE Ask a Question About This Tour Book Your Trip Now SCHEDULED TOURS 2024 :: December 6 - December 9 2025 :: December 7 - December 10 TRIP LEADERS Chris Brown TOUR COST From: $1,600 (See details) Cost is per person, double occupancy from Albuquerque, NM (ABQ) GROUP SIZE 4-7 Participants AVAILABILITY 2024: 6 spaces available PRIVATE TOUR OPTION This tour is available as a private trip for any size group. The tour cost will vary with the number of people and any custom requests. Plan A Private Tour TESTIMONIALS Add Your Tour Review If you have been on this tour, please be the first to leave a review! Highlights of NEW MEXICO: Rosy-finches, Snow Geese & Sandhill Crane Spectacle Beautiful New Mexico landscape with beautiful sunsets Thousands of wintering Sandhill Cranes & Snow Geese Potential for all 3 rosy-finches at Sandia Crest! Description of NEW MEXICO: Rosy-finches, Snow Geese & Sandhill Crane Spectacle The spectacle of witnessing tens of thousands of Snow Geese lifting into the air is breath taking… add to that thousands of ‘Lesser’ Sandhill Cranes against the beautiful colors of the New Mexico landscape, and you have a trip to remember! At Sandia Crest, just outside the Albuquerque city limits, we’ll search for all three species of wintering rosy-finches, and along the way we are sure to see plenty of waterfowl, wintering raptors, and a smattering of southwestern wintering songbirds including Chihuahuan Meadowlark! 0 Shares -
WingsWest Birding
Local Tour OperatorBased in Santa Fe, we cover all of New Mexico, a prime portion of the American Southwest, Western Mexico, including the Copper Canyon, and, with tours to Ecuador, the northwest part of South America. -
Zoothera
Tour OperatorNew Mexico - Fantastic Winter Birding!
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2017 [01 January] - Barry Zimmer
PDF ReportWe arrived at Percha Dam State Park around 10 AM having already had a stellar morning. The drive from Las Cruces had produced several good birds including wonderful scope studies of Ferruginous Hawk and Prairie Falcon, fields of Sandhill Cranes, and a close Greater Roadrunner among others. We had barely made it out of the cars when a Red-naped Sapsucker was spotted working somenearby pines. While enjoying prolonged scope studies of the sapsucker, a Phainopepla flew in overhead, and several Western Bluebirds appeared in a nearby mistletoe-laden tree. -
2018 [01 January] - Barry Zimmer
PDF ReportAs we pulled into the driveway of my house, we were greeted by an adult male Hooded Oriole on a front yard hummingbird feeder (before we could even get out of the van!). This species is quite rare here in winter, but I had four that had settled in for the season. We enjoyed great views of this orange and black beauty, and then headed to the upper deck patio to view the backyard. -
2019 [03 March] - Brian Small
PDF ReportThis tour could easily be called ‘Bosque del Apache & Much, Much More!’ As a first-time tour, this latewinter/early spring ‘special’ to New Mexico provided us with many wonderful memories amidst the dramatic landscapes of desert and snow-capped peaks of the Rio Grande Valley. From the Cibola Forest at Sandia Crest and bosque of the Rio Grande Nature Centre on our first day to our last morning at Box Canyon near Socorro, we saw a superb array of mid-western US birds. Travelling from Albuquerque to Percha Dam south of Truth or Consequences, via the amazing Bosque del Apache, we enjoyed 100s of wildfowl and cranes including Snow and Ross’s Geese as well as Sandhill Cranes, plus the equally spectacular sight of Black, Grey-crowned and Brown-capped Rosy Finches in a single sweeping flock. As well as various local specialities - such as Ladderbacked Woodpecker, Chestnut-collared Longspur and Greater Roadrunner - we picked up the first waves of spring migrants – including many Violet-green Swallows and White-throated Swifts – and a few scarcities too – including Harris’s and Golden-crowned Sparrows, Cave Swallow and Mew Gull (deep joy!) -
2021 [12 December] - Dave Mehlman
PDF Report...A large flock of geese in one of the ponds allowed a nice chance to see the differences between Cackling and Canada Goose, both of which were present at very close distance. The nature center feeders provided close looks at numerous White-crowned Sparrows and Red-winged Blackbirds, along with intermittently visiting Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, and Spotted Towhees.... -
2022 [12 December] - Dave Mehlman
PDF Report...The front pond at the Nature Center had a nice-sized flock of Cackling Geese, with a few larger and longernecked Canada Geese mixed in, providing a nice comparison. The back pond, by the visitor center itself, was full of ducks including Wood Ducks, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Bufflehead, and a few Green-winged Teal in the back. The seed feeders scattered about the Nature Center offered great views of Red-winged Blackbirds (oddly, almost all female-type) and White-crowned Sparrows, with a few Black-capped Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatches, and Spotted Towhees thrown in.... -
2023 [01 January] - Doug Gochfeld
ReportNew Mexico: Birding the Land of Enchantment 2023 -
2023 [05 May] - Anders Bacher Nielsen
PDF ReportColorado, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona and California An intense search for regional specialties in 5 US States -
2023 [12 December] - Kathleen Hall
PDF Report...Down in Socorro our attention turned to waterfowl and Sandhill Cranes as multitudes of each impressed us, with the pre-dawn fly-out of the Snow Geese and the rare Longtailed Duck. Raptors also put in an impressive showing, including White-tailed Kite and more common specialties like Ferruginous Hawks, Prairie Falcon, and Bald Eagles... -
2024 [02 February] - Cory Gregory
ReportNew Mexico: Birding the Land of Enchantment 2024
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Southern New Mexico Birds & Birding Sites
WebpageThere are more than 368 species at the Bosque del Apache alone. Other area birds include: Warblers, Sparrows, Qual, Thrashers, Flycatchers, Bluebirds, Tanagers, Owls, Whip-Poor-Wills, Cranes, Hawks, Eagles, Terns, Sandpipers, Curlews, Ducks, Roadrunners, Grebes, Pelicans, Hummingbirds, Quail, Coots, Snow Geese, Cormorants, Jays, Chickadees, Juncos, Siskins, Osprey, and Vultures.
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Judy Liddell - It's a Bird Thing
BLOGa passionate birder from Albuquerque, New Mexico. I became interested in birds in 2002 when a friend placed a seed bell and suet cake in the tree outside of my bedroom window as I was recuperating from having both knees replaced. At first I just enjoyed the noisy chatter. Pretty soon I became interested in figuring out who these new friends were. The day I spotted a Curved-bill Thrasher hanging on the suet feeder, I was excited. A couple of months later, a Northern Flicker perched on my neighbor’s roof. When I looked at him through my binoculars and saw the beautiful coloring, I was thoroughly hooked.
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Photographer - Marcus G. Martin
GalleryThe goals of photobirder are to provide the birding community with free access to photographs of the birds of the world, and to sell images, slides, greeting cards and prints for the personal or commercial use of the general public