Colorado is a great place to watch and feed birds. Birdbaths, misters and drippers are especially effective in attracting birds in the drier parts of the state. Those in higher elevations will also find birdbaths useful and will enjoy a different group of visitors. Species expected at bird feeders include: Black-headed Grosbeak, Cassin’s Finch, Lark Bunting, Mountain Chickadee, Western Scrub-Jay and White-breasted Nuthatch. Each of these species is shown in the Nifty Fifty mini-guide.
On this page
The Nifty Fifty Birds of Colorado
The Nifty Fifty is a mini-guide to the birds of Colorado. It includes descriptions, images, video and songs of 50 of the most often observed birds of Colorado. View the guide by clicking here or on the Nifty Fifty link on the left.
If the guide does not load, try downloading the free Flash player.
Lark Bunting – Colorado State Bird
Bird feeding
Developing bird-friendly habitat in your yard is the best way to attract a greater variety of species and to support local and migrating species. Native plants provide food and cover, are more insect and disease resistant than non-native species, and may require less water. A list of bird-friendly native plants for Colorado are available by following the link on the left.
Bluebirds
Colorado is home to all three species of bluebirds. Bluebirds are usually found in fields, open woodlands, parks or along golf courses or other open areas, including suburban locations with open spaces and scattered tress. The Mountain Bluebird can be found in higher elevations in open meadows in coniferous forests.
Western Bluebird
The Mountain Bluebird is well known for its hovering flight as it hawks for insects.
Eastern Bluebird, range limited to eastern edge of Colorado.
Both the Eastern and Western bluebirds have musical flight calls that often reveal their presence.
Bluebirds can be attracted to peanut butter mixes, suet and fruit. Raisins soaked in hot water to soften them are well received. The bluebird’s special favorite is mealworms.
Nesting
In Colorado, nesting can commence early spring and can continue well into the summer. Two and sometimes three broods may be produced. Watch for House Sparrows trying to use the next box and immediately remove any House Sparrow nesting material.
Visit the bluebird section for detailed information on feeding bluebirds or building your own bluebird house.
Hummingbirds
Watch for Black-chinned Hummingbirds and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds at your feeders. Visit the hummingbird section for details on attracting hummingbirds as well as images of all regularly occurring hummingbirds.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird, male
Purple Martins
Purple Martins nest in natural cavities in a limited range in Colorado. Check the Purple Martin section for information on martins in Colorado.
Detailed Purple Martin information is available in the Purple Martin section.
Purple Martin, male
Birding in Colorado
Colorado provides birders with a variety of excellent birding locations. The mountains and contrasting grassland areas attract a diverse collection of species.
The birding section of this site has tips on birding locations and bird identification. The state-based birding information section provides additional birding related information.
Colorado Resource Information
Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory
Aiken Audubon Society
6660 Delmonico Dr D-195
Colorado Springs, CO 80919
Arkansas Valley Audubon Society
PO Box 11187
Pueblo, CO 81001
719-547-2245
Audubon Society of Greater Denver
9803 S. Wadsworth Blvd.
Littleton, CO 80128
303-973-9530
Fax 303-973-1038
Black Canyon Audubon Society
PO Box 387
Delta, CO 81416
Boulder County Audubon Society
P.O. Box 2081
Boulder, CO 80306
Evergreen Naturalists Audubon Society
PO Box 523
Evergreen, CO 80437
Fort Collins Audubon Society
PO Box 271968
Fort Collins, CO 80527-1968
970-490-2473
Grand Valley Audubon Society
PO Box 1211
337 25 3/4 Road
Grand Junction, CO 81502
970-242-5190
Platte & Prairie Audubon Society
30 South Freemont Ave.
Johnstown, CO 80534
970-587-2844
Roaring Fork Audubon Society
P.O. Box 1192
Carbondale, CO 81623
Weminuche Audubon Society
PO Box 4060
Pagosa Springs, CO 81157
970-749-6143