by Michele Kadison

With more than 400 species of birds, if you bring nothing else to Colorado, bring your binoculars and a field guide for all things aviary. Find a cozy, tranquil spot where you can enjoy the breeze and sun knowing that at any moment a beautiful specimen will appear out of seemingly nowhere.

Our favorite bird-watching editor here at rockies.com, ever on the prowl for spotting the unspottable, has given us a list of his favorite Colorado birding areas to post watch as well as some of the birds easiest to spot.

Denver Area

Dakota Hogback
This is one of the best locations to see eagles, hawks, and falcons. Just a short drive from Denver on the Dakota Hogback, you will see migrating birds of prey flying along the narrow rock outcroppings during the spring months. More than 5500 hawks have been noted in this beautiful area so close to the city.

Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
Right outside of Denver National Airport, this 27 square mile area is just for the birds. A former weapons-making facility for the U.S. Army, it is now a refuge for bald eagles, ferruginous hawks, burrowing owls, horned larks, lark buntings, and Virginia rails, among many others.

Waterton Canyon, Kessler
Forty-five miles southwest of Denver, this glorious canyon is easy to reach for some of the best bird-watching in the region. Go in June or July to see the trees filled with cedar waxwings, western tanagers, yellow warblers, lazuli buntings, and the Bullock’s oriole.

South Central

Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge
This area is well-known for the migration of the sandhill crane, an annual mid-march occurrence. With its high elevation grass and marshland, you can see plenty of waterfowl as well as some desert birds from Arizona, including Bendire’s thrasher.

Southwest

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
One of the most astounding areas in the Colorado Rockies, you will be hard pressed to choose between looking at the spectacular scenery or the amazing birds that populate the plateau. Here you’ll see spotted and green-tailed towhees, pine siskin, and Virginia warblers as well as blue grouse sporting about in the open meadows.

Northwest

Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge
Located in the northwest of Colorado along the beautiful Green River, this is the home to ruffed grouse, tundra swan, and golden eagles. Spend your time in this scenic backcountry setting with binoculars and camera at the ready.

Northeast and Southeast

Wray and Grenada
Greater and lesser prairie chickens rule the roost in these two Colorado towns. Go in March, April, or May to see these normally mild-mannered birds go wild when searching for mates. Flirting and posing with elaborate display, you will be entertained by this wonderful dance of the Colorado chickens.

Birds To Watch For

Bald Eagle
This magnificent creature migrates through Colorado during the winter. Go to Barr Lake, the South Platte River Valley near Denver, and the Shadow Mountain Reservoir near Granby to see them, or more favorably the Dolores River from Cortez to Rico in the southwest.

Burrowing Owl
These fluffy, yellow-eyed owls are mostly found in the eastern plains where they enjoy living in the prairie dog colonies.

Calliope Hummingbird
Tiny and shy, these rare .1 ounce hummingbirds are sipping nectar in the late summer and early autumn months.

Cinnamon Teal
This is a beautiful duck dressed in maroon that migrates throughout Colorado during the spring and fall months.

Gunnison Sage Grouse
This is one of the rarest birds in North America, evolving from the sage grouse. You can find the species along the Gunnison River drainage.

Hooded Merganser
A diving duck with a fan shaped head, white markings on a sleek black body, and deep yellow eyes, you can see these shy creatures on the South Platte River in Denver during the winter months.

Mountain Bluebird
A meadow bird, you can easily see these magnificently colored blue and cobalt creatures in the spring, summer, and autumn months.

Northern Goshawk
A short-winged hawk, this beautiful bird lives in the lowland pine forests such as the Arkansas River Valley and the canyons around the South Platte River.

Peregrine Falcon
This incredibly fast bird found mostly in the Arctic migrates through Colorado and often breeds in the foothills and lower mountain areas.

Sandhill Crane
As one of Colorado’s most regal birds, you can see these creatures in the San Luis Valley during spring and fall or in Steamboat Lake during the summer months.

White-tailed Ptarmigan
Often difficult to see due to its brilliance at camouflage, this bird can be found along the Guanella Pass.

Western Tanager
With their golden, black, and crimson colors, this beautiful creature is most likely to flash by during the summer months. See them in the lower mountain areas, in the forested urban parks, and along tree lined streams.

Wild Turkey
You will find this creature in the oak forests near the Spanish Peaks, the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and the foothills near Pagosa Springs. They are also prevalent in the plains near Fort Morgan and Julesburg.

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