Mountain Bluebird – Nevada State Bird
Nevada is a great place to watch and feed birds. Birdbaths, misters and drippers are especially effective in attracting birds, including non seed-eating species. Species that might be expected at feeders include: American Goldfinch, Black-headed Grosbeak, Bullock’s Oriole, Downy Woodpecker, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Mourning Dove. Each of these species is shown in the Nifty Fifty mini-guide.
On this page
The Nifty Fifty Birds of Nevada
The Nifty Fifty is a mini-guide to the birds of Nevada. It includes descriptions, images, video and songs of 50 of the most often observed birds of Nevada.
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 Nevada is available by following the link on the left.
Bluebirds of Nevada
Both the Mountain and Western Bluebirds can be found in Nevada, although the Mountain Bluebird is more widespread.
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. In the mountains, they are found in clearings and meadows.
The Mountain Bluebird is well known for its hovering flight as it hawks for insects.
Western Bluebird
Visit the bluebird section for detailed information on feeding bluebirds or building your own bluebird house.
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
The Mountain Bluebird nests throughout Nevada in appropriate habitat. The Western Bluebird nests in the western and southern part of the state but its range extends across the state during migration. Both species will produce one, two or sometimes three broods a year.
If you have a bluebird box, watch for House Sparrows trying to use the next box and immediately remove any House Sparrow nesting material.
Hummingbirds of Nevada
Five species of hummingbirds can be found in Nevada, although their ranges within the state can be very limited.
- Anna’s Hummingbird
- Black-chinned Hummingbird
- Costa’s Hummingbird
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird
- Calliope Hummingbird
The Broad-tailed Hummingbird is the most widespread hummingbird in Nevada.
Visit the hummingbird section for details on attracting hummingbirds as well as images of all regularly occurring North American hummingbirds.
Purple Martins
Purple Martins are not normally found in Nevada.
Birding
Nevada provides birders with a variety of exciting birding locations.
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.
Nevada Resource Information
Lahontan Audubon Society
P.O. Box 2304
Reno, NV 89505
775-324-2473
Red Rock Audubon Society
P.O. Box 96691
Las Vegas, NV 89193
702-390-9890
Additional resources
If you have suggestions for additional resources for watching or feeding birds in Alabama, please submit them using this form. The resource does not need to be a particular location.
Nevada Birding Festivals
Spring Wings Bird Festival
Usuallly in
April or May
Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge
, Fallon, Nevada
Phone: 775-428-6452
E-mail: info@springwings.org
Spring Wings is a celebration of the migration through Northern Nevada’s Lahontan Valley. These internationally renowned wetlands offer spectacles of large flocks of shorebirds and waterfowl as they travel the Pacific Flyway. The festival boasts tours; seminars; banquet; and free admission to the Convention Center with nature-related arts and crafts, vendors, and activities for kids of all ages. Come celebrate the migration!