Birds

This page covers the birds that have been sighted at Indian Creek Ranch. If you have seen one that is not listed here, please email jo.roberts@pwc.com with the details (when/where) and a picture so we may add it. Birds are listed in taxonomical order.

If you are interested in including managing for songbirds for Wildlife Management, some ideas are included in this document. managing-for-songbirds

Ducks, Geese, & Swans

Black-bellied Whistling Duck
Dendrocygna autumnalis

Time of Year: Permanent
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed twice in fly by

 

Grouse, Quail, & Allies

Northern Bobwhite
Colinus virginianus

Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Rare to occasional, depending on location
Comments: Prefers grassy, open areas. More likely to hear than see.
bobwhite-malebobwhite-female

Montezuma Quail
Cyrtonyx montezumae

Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Rare to frequent, depending on location
Comments: Prefers grassy, open areas. More likely to hear than see.

Photo by Melinda Wood

Photo by Melinda Wood

 

Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo

Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Common
Comments: Refer to David Heft’s article for more information.

wild turkey

 

Pelicans, Herons, Ibises, & Allies

Great Blue Heron
Ardea Herodias

Time of Year: Permanent
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed once in a fly by

 

Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibis

Time of Year: Permanent
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed once in a fly by

 

Hawks, Kites, Eagles, and Allies

Black Vulture
Coragyps atratus

Time of Year: Permanent
Likelihood of seeing: Common
Comments: Tends to frequent the ranch during winter, but has been observed any time of year. Distinguished from Turkey Vulture in flight by white wing patches.

 

Turkey Vulture

Cathartes aura

Time of Year: Permanent
Likelihood of seeing: Common
Comments: Tends to frequent the ranch during summer, but has been observed any time of year.

Turkey Vultures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Osprey

Pandion haliaetus

Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed once in a fly by

 

Northern Harrier

Circus cyaneus

Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed a few times

 

Sharp-Shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus

Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments: Very similar to Cooper’s Hawk

 

Cooper’s Hawk

Accipiter cooperii

Time of Year: Permanent
Likelihood of seeing: Occasional
Comments: Very similar to Sharp-Shinned Hawk
cooper's hawk 1 cooper's hawk 2

 

Harris’s Hawk

Parabuteo unicinctus

Time of Year: Permanent
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Permanent territory is south of the ranch but occasionally strays into the area

 

Swainson’s Hawk

Buteo swainsoni

Time of Year: Summer
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Although summer range is near the ranch, has only been observed occasionally during migration

 

Zone-Tailed Hawk

Buteo albonotatus

Time of Year: Summer
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed twice in flight

 

Red-Tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

Time of Year: Permanent
Likelihood of seeing: Common
Comments:

 

Caracaras & Falcons

Crested Caracara

Caracara plancus

Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:
Crested Caracara

 

American Kestrel

Falco sparverius

Time of Year: Permanent
Likelihood of seeing: Common
Comments: Generally seen perching on wires along CR 520

 

Prairie Falcon

Falco mexicanus

Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed once or twice

 

Cranes & Rails

Sandhill Crane

Grus canadensis

Time of Year: Spring & Fall Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments: Generally heard before being seen. Migrate at high altitudes.

 

Whooping Crane

Grus americana

Time of Year: Fall Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed once

 

Pigeons & Doves

Refer to David Heft’s article starting on Page 4 of the Dec 2014 newsletter for more information.

 

Eurasian Collared-Dove

Streptopelia decaocto

Time of Year: Permanent
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments: Permanent resident in Rocksprings and occasionally visits the ranch.

 

Common Ground-Dove

Columbina passerina

Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:

 

White-Winged Dove

Zenaida asiatica

Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Common to Frequent
Comments: More likely to be observed during the summer
white winged dove

 

Mourning Dove

Zenaida macroura

Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Common to Frequent
Comments:
mourning dove - JR

 

Cuckoos, Roadrunners, & Anis

Greater Roadrunner

Geococcyx californianus

Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Regular
Comments:
roadrunner

 

Owls

Eastern Screech-Owl

Otus asio

Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments: More likely to hear than see
Eastern Screech Owl

 

Great Horned Owl

Bubo virginianus

Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:

 

Nightjars

Common Nighthawk

Chordeiles minor

Time of Year: Summer
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:

 

Common Poorwill

Phalaenoptilus nuttallii

Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Common in summer
Comments: Generally seen at night along the roads. The ranch is on the northern border of its permanent range. Some years observed all winter.

 

Swifts & Hummingbirds

Lucifer Hummingbird

Calothorax lucifer

Time of Year: Vagrant
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Seen once; out of range
lucifer hummingbird - female

 

 

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Archilochus colubris

Time of Year: Spring & Fall Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments:

 

Black-Chinned Hummingbird

Archilochus alexandri

Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Frequent
Comments:

 

Rufous Hummingbird

Selasphorus rufus

Time of Year: Spring Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:
rufous hummingbird

 

Calliope Hummingbird

Stellula calliope

Time of Year: Spring Migration (Vagrant)
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed once.

 

 

Woodpeckers

Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus varius

Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed only a few times

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red-Naped Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus nuchalis

Time of Year: Spring Migration (Vagrant)
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed once

 

 

Ladder-Backed Woodpecker

Picoides scalaris

Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Common
Comments:

 

Northern Flicker

Colaptes auratus

Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:

 

Flycatchers

Acadian Flycatcher

Empidonax virescens

Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:

 

Hammond’s Flycatcher

Empidonax hammondii

Time of Year: Spring & Fall Migration (Vagrant)
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:

 

Eastern Phoebe

Sayornis phoebe

Time of Year: Permanent
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Say’s Phoebe

Sayornis saya

Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:

 

Vermilion Flycatcher

Pyrocephalus rubinus

Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments:

Vermilion Flycatcher, male.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ash-Throated Flycatcher

Myiarchus cinerascens

Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Frequent
Comments: Will use nest boxes
ash webash throated

 

 

 

 

Western Kingbird

Tyrannus verticalis

Time of Year: Summer
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Generally observed perched on wires

 

Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher

Tyrannus forficatus

Time of Year: Summer
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:

 

Vireos

White-Eyed Vireo

Vireo griseus

Time of Year: Summer
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:

White-eyed Vireo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bell’s Vireo

Vireo bellii

Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments: Nests around Phase I gate
bellsIMG_4294

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black-Capped Vireo

Vireo atricapillus

Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Endangered

 

Hutton’s Vireo

Vireo huttoni

Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments: Almost identical to Ruby-Crowned Kinglet

 

Crows & Jays

Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay

Aphelocoma woodhouseii

Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Frequent
Comments:
scrub jay

 

Common Raven

Corvus corax

Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments:

Common Raven.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Swallows

Northern Rough-Winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx serripennis

Time of Year: Summer
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed occasionally in flight

 

Purple Martin

Progne subis

Time of Year: Summer
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Will use nest boxes provided there is water and mud nearby

 

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rustica

Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments:

 

Cliff Swallow

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

Time of Year: Summer
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed occasionally in flight

 

Chickadees & Tits

Black-Crested Titmouse

Parus atricristatus

Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Frequent
Comments: Will use nest boxes
titmouse

 

Bushtit

Psaltriparus minimus

Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:

 

Wrens

Canyon Wren
Catherpes mexicanus

Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Frequent
Comments: Will use nest boxes
canyon wren in nest

 

Carolina Wren

Thryothorus ludovicianus

Time of Year: Permanent
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed once

 

Bewick’s Wren

Thryomanes bewickii

Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Frequent
Comments: Will use nest boxes

 

Kinglets

Golden-Crowned Kinglet

Regulus satrapa

Time of Year: Winter resident
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:

 

Ruby-Crowned Kinglet

Regulus calendula

Time of Year: Winter resident
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments:

 

Gnatcatchers

Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher

Polioptila caerulea

Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments:

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.

 

 

 

 

 

Thrushes

Eastern Bluebird

Sialia sialis

Time of Year: Winter Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments:

 

Townsend’s Solitaire

Myadestes townsendi

Time of Year: Winter (Vagrant)
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:

 

Hermit Thrush

Catharus guttatus

Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments:

Hermit Thrush.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

American Robin

Turdus migratorius

Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Likely to Common
Comments: Frequency of observation depends on abundance of juniper berries

 

Mockingbirds & Thrashers

Northern Mockingbird

Mimus polyglottos

Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments:
mockingbird

Brown Thrasher

Toxostoma rufum

Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed once

 

Sage Thrasher

Oreoscoptes montanus

Time of Year: Winter Vagrant
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:

 

Pipits

 American Pipit

Anthus rubescens

Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:

 

Sprague’s Pipit

Anthus spragueii

Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:

 

Waxwings

Cedar Waxwing

Bombycilla cedrorum

Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Likely to Common
Comments: Frequency of observation depends on abundance of juniper berries

 

Warblers

 Black-And-White Warbler

Mniotilta varia

Time of Year: Spring & Fall Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Ranch is close to their summer range, so might be observed during summer.

 

Prothonotary Warbler

Protonotaria citrea

Time of Year: Summer
Likelihood of seeing: Vagrant
Comments:

 

Tennessee Warbler

Vermivora peregrina

Time of Year: Spring & Fall Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Vagrant
Comments:

 

Orange-Crowned Warbler

Vermivora celata

Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:

 

Nashville Warbler

Vermivora ruficapilla

Time of Year: Spring & Fall Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:

 

Macgillivray’s Warbler

Oporornis tolmiei

Time of Year: Spring & Fall Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed once

 

Mourning Warbler

Oporornis philadelphia

Time of Year: Spring & Fall Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:

 

American Redstart

Setophaga ruticilla

Time of Year: Spring & Fall Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:

 

Blackburnian Warbler

Dendroica fusca

Time of Year: Spring Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:

 

Yellow Warbler

Dendroica petechia

Time of Year: Spring & Fall Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:

 

Pine Warbler

Dendroica pinus

Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Vagrant
Comments:

 

Yellow-Rumped Warbler

Dendroica coronata

Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:

 

Yellow-Throated Warbler

Dendroica dominica

Time of Year: Summer
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:

 

Golden-Cheeked Warbler

Dendroica chrysoparia

Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments: Endangered
golden cheek warbler

 

Black-Throated Green Warbler

Dendroica virens

Time of Year: Spring & Fall Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:

 

Wilson’s Warbler

Wilsonia pusilla

Time of Year: Spring & Fall Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:

 

Yellow-Breasted Chat

Icteria virens

Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely to Common
Comments: Frequency of observation depends on location and ideal nesting habitat
chat web

 

 

 

 

 

Towhees

 Canyon Towhee

Pipilo fuscus

Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments:
Canyon Towhee

canyon towhee

Spotted Towhee

Pipilo maculatus

Time of Year: Winter Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Common
Comments:
spotted towhee

 

Sparrows

 Rufous-Crowned Sparrow

Aimophila ruficeps

Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Common
Comments:
Rufous-crowned Sparrow

 

Chipping Sparrow

Spizella passerina

Time of Year: Winter Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Common
Comments:
chipping sparrow

 

Clay-Colored Sparrow

Spizella pallida

Time of Year: Spring & Fall Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:

 

Field Sparrow

Spizella pusilla

Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely to Likely
Comments: Frequency of observation depends on habitat
Field Sparrow

 

Vesper Sparrow

Pooecetes gramineus

Time of Year: Winter Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:
vesper

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lark Sparrow

Chondestes grammacus

Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely to Likely
Comments: Frequency of observation depends on habitat
lark sparrow

 

 

 

 

Black-Throated Sparrow

Amphispiza bilineata

Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely to Likely
Comments: Frequency of observation depends on habitat
black thr webP1090970 e

 

 

 

 

 

 

Savannah Sparrow

Passerculus sandwichensis

Time of Year: Winter Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely to Likely
Comments: Frequency of observation depends on habitat

 

Fox Sparrow

Passerella iliaca

Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:

 

Song Sparrow

Melospiza melodia

Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:

 

Lincoln’s Sparrow

Melospiza lincolnii

Time of Year: Winter Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely to Likely
Comments: Frequency of observation depends on habitat
lincoln sparrow

 

White-Throated Sparrow

Zonotrichia albicollis

Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:

 

White-Crowned Sparrow

Zonotrichia leucophrys

Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:

 

House Sparrow

Passer domesticus

Time of Year: Permanent
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed once

 

Juncos

Dark-Eyed Junco

Junco hyemalis

Time of Year: Winter Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely to Likely
Comments:

 

Cardinals, Tanagers & Allies

Summer Tanager

Piranga rubra

Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments:

Western Tanager

Piranga ludoviciana

Time of Year: Spring Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:

 

Northern Cardinal

Cardinalis cardinalis

Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Common
Comments:
cardinal - femalecardinal - male

 

Pyrrhuloxia

Cardinalis sinuatus

Time of Year: Permanent
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:

 

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

Pheucticus ludovicianus

Time of Year: Spring & Fall Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:

 

Black-Headed Grosbeak

Pheucticus melanocephalus

Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:
black-headed-grosbeak

 

Blue Grosbeak

Guiraca caerulea

Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments:
blue grosbeak - male

 

Lazuli Bunting

Passerina amoena

Time of Year: Spring & Fall Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:

 

Indigo Bunting

Passerina cyanea

Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:
indigo bunting - female

Varied Bunting

Passerina versicolor

Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:
varied bunting 1

 

Painted Bunting

Passerina ciris

Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments:

 

Blackbirds, Grackles, Cowbirds, & Orioles

Eastern or Western Meadowlark

Sturnella magna or Sturnella neglecta

Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely to Likely
Comments: Frequency of observation depends on habitat; difficult to distinguish eastern from western species.

Yellow-headed Blackbird

Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus

Time of Year: Spring & Fall Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed once
blackbird, yellow-headed 01

Brewer’s Blackbird

Euphagus cyanocephalus

Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:

 

Common Grackle

Quiscalus quiscula

Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:

Common Grackle, female.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bronzed Cowbird

Molothrus aeneus

Time of Year: Summer
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:

 

Brown-Headed Cowbird

Molothrus ater

Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Common
Comments:

cowbird - male

 

Orchard Oriole

Icterus spurius

Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments:

 

Hooded Oriole

Icterus cucullatus

Time of Year: Summer
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:

 

Bullock’s Oriole

Icterus bullockii

Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:

 

Scott’s Oriole

Icterus parisorum

Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Common
Comments:
scott's oriole webscott's female web

 

 

 

 

 

Finches & Allies

House Finch

Carpodacus mexicanus

Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Common
Comments:
house finch - female house finch - male

 

Cassin’s Finch

Haemorhous cassinii

Time of Year: Winter/Spring
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely/Vagrant
Comments: Seen during spring 2018 during an irruption.

 

Pine Siskin

Carduelis pinus

Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments:

 

Lesser Goldfinch

Carduelis psaltria

Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments:

 

American Goldfinch

Carduelis tristis

Time of Year: Winter Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *