Colorado: Chasing Chickens from Prairie to Mountaintop April 2014 Tropical Birding Trip Report

Colorado: Chasing Chickens from Prairie to Mountaintop

20-26 April 2014 Guided by Jacob C. Cooper

All photos were taken by Jacob Cooper during the tour.

1 Tropical Birding Trip Report Colorado: Chasing Chickens from Prairie to Mountaintop April 2014

Colorado offers birding experiences that can seldom be found anywhere in the world. Its unique topography and geographic location lead to eastern, western, southern and northern birds being found in relatively close proximity. During this tour, we “threaded the needle” between storms, encountering surprisingly good weather conditions while simultaneously discovering many birds we were not expecting. Our small band of three obtained diagnostic views of every grouse save Dusky, and were able to watch the males’ obscene and fascinating displays as they wooed nearby females. These incredible birds were worth the trip alone, but when combined with the unbeatable scenery, they made for an unbelievable journey. From being feet away from a vagrant Yellow-throated Warbler to enjoying the rambunctious antics of the Sharp-tailed Grouse, the mix of birds and experiences was enthralling.

Note: The following abbreviations are widely used in this report; National Park (NP), National Monument (NM), National Historic Site (NHS), State Wildlife Area (SWA), State Park (SP), National Wildlife refuge (NWR) and National Forest (NF).

20 April 2014 – Genessee Mountain, Loveland Pass, and Silverthorne to Wray

We started our morning at the Genessee Mountain Park west of Denver, just as the sun was rising above Denver and the plains. Immediately after exiting our vehicle, singing and calling Cassin’s Finches Haemorhous cassinii caught our attention and inquisitive Western Bluebirds Sialia mexicana flew in to see what we were doing. As the day brightened, boisterous Pygmy Nuthatches Sitta pygmaea flew in to harass us for trespassing in their mountain realm, and a pair of Williamson’s Sapsuckers Sphyrapicus thyroideus called and displayed to each other as the morning sun climbed in the sky behind them. After enjoying the beautiful morning and grabbing some snacks at the base of the hill, we headed up to the summit of Loveland Pass.

Loveland, having been freshly covered with powder, was a mecca for snowboarders from the dusty plains. Luckily, we not only managed to secure a good parking spot, but witness one of the sportsmen flush a White-tailed Ptarmigan Lagopus leucurus from the slope in front of us. Maneuvering along the immaculate slopes, we were able to obtain stunning views of the bird as it foraged in some nearby willows. While we watched in awe, flocks of Red Crossbills Loxia curvirostra and Pine Siskins Spinus pinus flew up to feed on the few areas laid bare by the previous night’s winds.

We then descended down into the town of Silverthorne. Famous for its high-elevation bird feeders, the town did not disappoint. Our stake-out spot sported a large flock of Evening Grosbeaks Coccothraustes vespertinus, and we were able to tease out a lone Black Rosy-Finch Leucosticte atrata from the large group of Brown-capped Rosy-Finches L. australis flooding the feeders. Watching the surrounding trees, we were also afforded views of our only Band-tailed Pigeons Patagioenas fasciata of the entire trip, and sorted through the different subspecies of Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis feeding under the pines, finding individuals from the Oregon oreganus, Pink- sided mearnsi, and Gray-headed caniceps populations.

2 Colorado: Chasing Chickens from Prairie to Mountaintop April 2014 Tropical Birding Trip Report

A lone White-tailed Ptarmigan hides in the wind-swept willows of Loveland Pass. This bird is actually in the cover photo as well!

From here, we heeded the call of the flatlands and proceeded to drive eastward. Pressing through our only snowstorm of the trip, we eventually broke onto the windy plains, where Swainson’s Hawks Buteo swainsoni battled the winds and the ubiquitous Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta graced us with its beautiful song. We arrived in Wray and met the rancher who showed us where the lek we would visit the next morning was located, and heard one of our only Blue Jays Cyanocitta cristata of the trip in the nearby City Park.

21 April 2014 – Wray to Lamar via Sand Creek Massacre NHS

The next morning, we woke very early and parked where we had been instructed by the rancher the evening before, and waited for the sun to rise. The dawn darkness was haunted by the hooting of the Greater Prairie-Chickens Tympanuchus cupido, and as the sun rose, their fascinating display was fully realized. Leaning forward and inflating their air sacs, the birds whooped and hollered as they stomped out their own little display patches. Needless to say, seeing so many prairie-chickens at once was a breathtaking experience! We sat spellbound as the birds bickered and lunged at each other, and were only chased away when a herd of cows decided to come see what was so interesting in our particular part of the prairie. Driving out awarded us with our first Great-tailed Grackles Quiscalus mexicanus of the trip, and allowed us to return in time for a delicious breakfast in Wray.

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A male Greater Prairie-Chicken struts his stuff north of Wray, Colorado.

Heading southward, we decided to check out a few ponds and historic localities along the way. A lake near Wray hosted a few migrant waterfowl, including some Northern Pintail Anas acuta and the neatly patterned Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris.

Continuing south, we located numerous Burrowing Owls Athene cunicularia along the roads, and obtained excellent views of one of Colorado’s most common birds: the Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris. Eventually, we arrived at Sand Creek Massacre NHS and decided to learn about some of the history in the area. Immediately after arriving, a lone Yellow-throated Warbler Setophaga dominica flew in, and awarded us with amazing views. Driving around the park also gave us good looks at Lark Sparrows Chondestes grammicus and migrating flocks of Vesper Sparrows Pooectes grammineus.

Continuing southward, our spirits stayed high as we weaved through the grasslands and located migrating Long-billed Curlews Numenius americanus and enjoyed our first Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo. Arriving in Lamar, we took a quick stop by the city park, and found a Townsend’s Solitaire Myadestes townsendi that had yet to return to its summer home from its winter wanderings on the plains.

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22 April 2014 – Lamar to Prowers County, Two Buttes Reservoir, Cañon City and Gunnison

An early morning and night drive led us to the short-grass plains of Prowers County. We explored the nearby rangeland and, most of all, enjoyed distant (but clear) views of four displaying Lesser Prairie-Chickens Tympanuchus pallidicinctus. These birds, now listed as Threatened, are decreasing throughout their range, and fewer than 60 birds are thought to remain in the entire state. Also present in the small patch of grassland was a lone Long-billed Curlew and several Grasshopper Sparrows Ammodramus savannarum. Considering ourselves lucky to obtain such great views of the prairie-chickens, we decided to begin the long drive westwards.

Many grassland specialists, such as this Grasshopper Sparrow, are found during the tour. This particular Grasshopper Sparrow was unique in that it was found in Craig, Colorado, and represents one of the few records of the species from the western half of the state!

Arriving at Two Buttes SWA, we were able to hike down into the trees away from the wind. Our efforts were well rewarded; a singing male Northern Parula Setophaga americana was associated with several Yellow-rumped Warblers Setophaga coronata of both the nominate Myrtle and western Audubon’s auduboni populations. Exploring the wash further, we obtained excellent views of a perched Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus and got our fill of flycatchers with Eastern

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Phoebe Sayornis phoebe, Ash-throated Flycatcher Myiarchus cinerascens, and Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis. As we were leaving, a Chihuahuan Raven Corvus cryptoleucos flew by us, and a hybrid Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus offered a nice comparison with its mate, an apparent Yellow-shafted individual. Checking the lake, we had our first Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis of the trip, and enjoyed our views of the Two Buttes for which the area is named.

Realizing this would be one of our longest days, we pushed westward to try to get out of the storms. Brief stops added Virginia Rail Rallus limicola and Sora Porzana carolina to our trip list, and the mountains rising ever higher ahead of us, motivated us to continue. We drove through the outskirts of Pueblo, where Scaled Quail Callipepla squamata frolicked in people’s yards, and a lone Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus flew across the highway in front of us. Stopping at Cañon City’s tunnel drive gave us brief views of Rufous-crowned Sparrow Aimophila ruficeps, and excellent views of Rock Wrens Salpinctes obsoletus as they crawled around the boulders. A migrant Broad- tailed Hummingbird Selasphorus platycercus was kind enough to perch and let us watch it, and a lone Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus circled over the canyon’s entrance.

The rest of our day was spent driving through the winding Arkansas River Canyon, and crossing over into Western Colorado. Beating the snow across the mountains, we settled into Gunnison and prepared for another great day of birding.

23 April 2014 – Gunnison to Black Canyon NP, Grand Mesa NF, and Grand Junction

At dawn, we found ourselves parked at another lek; waiting. Others arrived and soon over ten people were scouring the area. I briefly spotted three grouse flying overhead, and another group of people briefly saw one, but then there was nothing. Elk foraged along the ridge, and as the other groups were leaving I finally spotted three displaying Gunnison Sage-Grouse Centrocercus minimus across the ridge. Everyone’s spirits were immediately raised as we were able to watch these birds weaving in and out of the sagebrush. The weather had apparently been making the birds behave differently, and we were lucky that we were able to see the birds at all given the challenging conditions. Driving back towards Gunnison, we enjoyed a few Mountain Bluebirds Sialia currocoides. Heading downriver, we were witness to the spectacular scenery Gunnison County has to offer, and found our first Osprey Pandion haliaetus and Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus of the trip.

We soon found ourselves at the spectacular Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP north of Montrose. With 2,000ft (600m) high cliffs, we were almost unable to take our eyes off the canyon to look for birds. Thankfully, a Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos cruising through the center of the canyon allowed us to keep staring at the gorge, and White-throated Swifts Aeronautes saxatalis whipped by at incredulous speeds. Continuing along the rim, we located a singing Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus, got excellent views at a singing Virginia’s Warbler Oreothlypis virginiae, and even found a hybrid Myrtle-Audubon’s Yellow-rumped Warbler.

6 Colorado: Chasing Chickens from Prairie to Mountaintop April 2014 Tropical Birding Trip Report

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is one of the many awe-inspiring sights visited during the tour.

Leaving for points further north, we checked the famous Fruitgrower’s Reservoir for migrants. Grebes abounded, with excellent views of Western Grebe Aechmophorus occidentalis, Clark’s Grebe A. clarkia, and Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis. Migrating groups of White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi, Yellow-headed Blackbird Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus, Marbled Godwit Limosa fedoa and Willet Tringa semipalmata littered the shoreline, and the calls of the grebes floating through the air. Not far away, we found a small band of Lewis’s Woodpeckers Melanerpes lewis feeding in some cottonwoods and harassing some nearby European Starlings Sturnus vulgaris.

Heading up into the Grand Mesa NF, our birding stayed strong with flocks of Red Crossbill, Pine Siskin, and Cassin’s Finch along the highway. Our jay count improved substantially, with Steller’s Jay Cyanocitta stelleri, Gray Jay Perisoreus canadensis, and Clark’s Nutcracker Nucifraga columbiana being seen well. On our way down from the mountain, we heard an early Plumbeous Vireo Vireo plumbeus singing in some scrub-oak, and found a cooperative Chukar Alectoris chukar in the canyons along the way to Grand Junction.

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24 April 2014 – Grand Junction to Colorado NM, ‘West Desert’ and Craig

The only morning we did not spend watching lekking grouse was spent exploring the deserts of west-central Colorado, most specifically those in Mesa County. We started our day with a particularly birdy morning along the Colorado River. There, we saw a continuing Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans, and encountered many migrants moving into the valley such as Yellow Warbler Setophaga petechia and several charismatic residents such as Gambel’s Quail Callipepla gambelii. From here, we moved on to the Colorado NM’s Pinyon-Juniper woodlands. There, we got great views of the inornate Gray Vireo Vireo vicinior and the beautifully patterned Black-throated Gray Warbler Setophaga nigrescens. We also encountered two extremely rare Black-chinned Sparrows Spizella atrogularis, a species that has bred here in the past, and the much more common Black- throated Sparrow Amphispiza bilineata. We then moved onto the canyon rim and enjoyed Bushtits Psaltriparus minimus and the two “blue jays” of the west, the Western Scub-Jay Aphelocoma californica and the Pinyon Jay Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus.

Moving north into the lowlands of the valley, flocks of Brewer’s Blackbirds Euphagus cyanocephalus and pairs of Sagebrush Sparrows Artemisiospiza nevadensis graced us with their presence, and we located our second Western Kingbird of the trip. Moving on to the nearby Highline Lake, we encountered another Prairie Falcon and many migrating Western Grebes.

We continued northward, pausing at the pictographs of Canyon Pintado, and scouting out other rafts of migrating grebes.

25 April 2014 – Craig to Upper Yampa River, Upper Colorado River, and North Park

The next morning we met at the Trapper Mine in Craig, Colorado, to observe the lekking Sharp- tailed Grouse Tympanuchus phasianellus. These birds, many people’s favorites, pound their feet while performing a sort of “ballet” in the shrublands, and were one of the highlights of the trip. We were able to sit within four feet of some birds, and witness their territorial disputes and show off to the hens that were searching the lek for mates. We also located an extremely rare (for western Colorado), Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodrammus savannarum, and got spectacular views of this drab bird.

From here, we turned eastward, checking reservoirs and stands of trees. A stop on the north side of town secured our only Juniper Titmouse Baeolophus ridgwayi of the trip, and stopping at Elk Creek Reservoir produced large rafts of migrating waterbirds including Common Loon Gavia immer and Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator. Though the mountains had low activity, the low elevation areas were very productive. Stopping by Granby produced side-by-side views of Barrow’s Goldeneye Bucephala islandica and Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula, as well as our first Redhead Aythya americana of the trip.

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A male Sharp-tailed Grouse pauses briefly between display bouts.

Arriving in North Park, we stopped by the Arapaho NWR and were greeted by an imposing Ferruginous Hawk Buteo regalis. We scanned the many ponds and found Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera, California Gull Larus californicus, and American Avocet Recurvirostra americana. Further searching also yielded Baird’s Sandpiper Calidris baridii along with a few Least Sandpipers C. minutus.

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26 April 2014 – North Park to Cameron Pass, Cache la Poudre Canyon and Pawnee NG

Our last morning was spent enjoying the splendor of Colorado by starting off with our last grouse species of the trip: the Greater Sage-Grouse Centrocercus urophasianus. These massive birds and their almost obscene rituals were littered across the clearing in the sage flats and greeted us with their strange popping display sounds. As the sun broke across the land, so did a powerful Golden Eagle, flushing the grouse and chasing them away from the lek. Having enjoyed spectacular looks before this, we prepared to leave by enjoying the Sage Thrashers Oreoscoptes montanus that we had forsaken for the grouse earlier.

Heading east, we climbed into the Never Summer Mountains (which live up to their name!), and found a Red-naped Sapsucker Sphyrapicus nuchalis actively chasing birds around a parking lot and a Moose Alces alces foraging in willows along the Michigan River. On the other side of the pass, a random pull off to check directions inadvertently led us to find a pair of American Three-toed Woodpecker Picoides dorsalis along with a pair of Hairy Woodpeckers P. villosus. It was not long before many other species came into the area, including Pine Siskin, Red Crossbill, Red- breasted Nuthatch Sitta canadensis and even a male Pine Grosbeak Pinacola enucleator.

We shot out onto the plains for just a little more plains birding before heading back into town, finding the road blocked by the dapper McCown’s Longspur Rhynchophanes mccownii while Wilson’s Phalaropes Phalaropus tricolor fed in the nearby ephemeral ponds and a few migrating Rock Wrens perched amongst the shrubby vegetation. After searching the fields for hours fruitlessly, we were finally rewarded with a flyby Mountain Plover Charadrius montanus as the winds increased. We then returned to Denver, ecstatic about the amazing trip we had completed.

The surprise Yellow-throated Warbler we located; one of the surprise birds on an already memorable trip!

10 Colorado: Chasing Chickens from Prairie to Mountaintop April 2014 Tropical Birding Trip Report

Bird List:

ANSERIFORMES: Anatidae Canada Goose Branta canadensis Wood Duck Aix sponsa Gadwall Anas strepera American Wigeon Anas americana Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Blue-winged Teal Anas discors Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata Northern Pintail Anas acuta Green-winged Teal Anas crecca Canvasback Aythya valisineria Redhead Aythya americana Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis Bufflehead Bucephala albeola Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula Barrow's Goldeneye Bucephala islandica Common Merganser Mergus merganser Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis GALLIFORMES: Odontophoridae Scaled Quail Callipepla squamata Gambel's Quail Callipepla gambelii GALLIFORMES: Phasianidae Chukar Alectoris chukar Ring-necked Phaesant Phasianus colchicus Greater Sage-Grouse Centrocercus urophasianus Gunnison Sage-Grouse Centrocercus minimus White-tailed Ptarmigan Legopus leucura Sharp-tailed Grouse Tympanuchus phasianellus Greater Prairie-Chicken Tympanuchus cupido Lesser Prairie-Chicken Tympanuchus pallidicinctus Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo GAVIIFORMES: Gaviidae Common Loon Gavia immer PODICIPEDIFORMES: Podicipedidae Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis Western Grebe Aechmophorus occidentalis Clark's Grebe Aechmophorus clarkii

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SULIFORMES: Phalacrocoracidae Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus PELECANIFORMES: Pelecanidae American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos PELECANIFORMES: Ardeidae Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias PELECANIFORMES: Threskiornithidae White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi ACCIPITRIFORMES: Cathartidae Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura ACCIPITRIFORMES: Pandionidae Osprey Pandion haliaetus ACCIPITRIFORMES: Accipitridae Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis Ferruginous Hawk Buteo regalis GRUIFORMES: Rallidae Virginia Rail Rallus limicola Sora Porzana carolina American Coot Fulica americana GRUIFORMES: Gruidae Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis CHARADRIIFORMES: Recurvirostridae American Avocet Recurvirostra americana CHARADRIIFORMES: Charadriidae Killdeer Charadrius vociferus Mountain Plover Charadrius montanus CHARADRIIFORMES: Scolopacidae Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca Willet Tringa semipalmata Long-billed Curlew Numenius americanus Marbled Godwit Limosa fedoa Baird's Sandpiper Calidris bairdii Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla Wilson's Snipe Gallinago delicata Wilson's Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor CHARADRIIFORMES: Laridae Franklin's Gull Leucophaeus pipixcan

12 Colorado: Chasing Chickens from Prairie to Mountaintop April 2014 Tropical Birding Trip Report

Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis California Gull Larus californicus COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae Rock Pigeon Columba livia Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata Eurasian Collared-Dove Streptopelia decaocto Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia APODIFORMES: Apodidae White-throated Swift Aeronautes saxatalis APODIFORMES: Trochilidae Black-chinned Hummingbird Archilochus alexandri Broad-tailed Hummingbird Selasphorus platycercus CORACIIFORMES: Alcedinidae Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon PICIFORMES: Picidae Lewis's Woodpecker Melanerpes lewis Williamson's Sapsucker Sphyrapicus thyroideus Red-naped Sapsucker Sphyrapicus nuchalis Ladder-backed Woodpecker Picoides scalaris Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus American Three-toed Woodpecker Picoides dorsalis Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus FALCONIFORMES: Falconidae American Kestrel Falco sparverius Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus PASSERIFORMES: Tyrannidae Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe Say's Phoebe Sayornis saya Ash-throated Flycatcher Myiarchus cinerascens Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis PASSERIFORMES: Laniidae Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus PASSERIFORMES: Vireonidae Gray Vireo Vireo vicinior Plumbeous Vireo Vireo plumbeus PASSERIFORMES: Corvidae Gray Jay Perisoreus canadensis

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Pinyon Jay Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus Steller's Jay Cyanocitta stelleri Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata Western Scrub-Jay Aphelocoma californica Black-billed Magpie Pica hudsonia Clark's Nutcracker Nucifraga columbiana American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos Chihuahuan Raven Corvus cryptoleucos Common Raven Corvus corax PASSERIFORMES: Alaudidae Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota PASSERIFORMES: Paridae Black-capped Chickadee Poecile atricapillus Mountain Chickadee Poecile gambeli Juniper Titmouse Baeolophus ridgwayi PASSERIFORMES: Aegithalidae Bushtit Psaltiparus minimus PASSERIFORMES: Sittidae Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta canadensis White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis Pygmy Nuthatch Sitta pygmaea PASSERIFORMES: Certhiidae Brown Creeper Certhia americana PASSERIFORMES: Troglodytidae Rock Wren Salpinctes obsoletus Canyon Wren Catherpes mexicanus House Wren Troglodytes aedon PASSERIFORMES: Polioptilidae Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea PASSERIFORMES: Cinclidae American Dipper Cinclus mexicanus PASSERIFORMES: Regulidae Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula PASSERIFORMES: Turdidae Western Bluebird Sialia mexicana Mountain Bluebird Sialia currocoides Townsend's Solitaire Myadestes townsendi

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American Robin Turdus migratorius PASSERIFORMES: Mimidae Sage Thrasher Orescoptes montanus Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos PASSERIFORMES: Sturnidae European Starling Sturnus vulgaris PASSERIFORMES: Bombycillidae Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum PASSERIFORMES: Calcariidae McCown's Longspur Rhynchophanes mccownii PASSERIFORMES: Parulidae Orange-crowned Warbler Oreothlypis celata Virginia's Warbler Oreothlypis virginiae Northern Parula Setophaga americana Yellow Warbler Setophaga petechia Yellow-rumped Warbler Setophaga coronata Yellow-throated Warbler Setophaga dominica Black-throated Gray Warbler Setophoga nigrescens PASSERIFORMES: Emberizidae Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus Rufous-crowned Sparrow Aimophila ruficeps Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina Brewer's Sparrow Spizella breweri Black-chinned Sparrow Spizella atrogularis Vesper Sparrow Pooecetes gramineus Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus Black-throated Sparrow Amphispiza bilineata Sagebrush Sparrow Artemisiospiza nevadensis Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus savannarum Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis PASSERIFORMES: Cardinalidae Lazuli Bunting Passerina amoena PASSERIFORMES: Icteridae Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta Yellow-headed Blackbird Xanthocephala xanthocephala Brewer's Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscala Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater PASSERIFORMES: Fringillidae

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Black Rosy-Finch Leucosticte atrata Brown-capped Rosy-Finch Leucosticte australis Pine Grosbeak Pinicola enucleator House Finch Haemorhous mexicanus Cassin's Finch Haemorhous cassinii Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra Pine Siskin Spinus pinus American Goldfinch Spinus tristis Evening Grosbeak Coccothraustes vespertinus PASSERIFORMES: Passeridae House Sparrow Passer domesticus

Mammal List:

Muskrat Ondatra zibethicus Ord's Kangaroo-Rat Dipodomys ordii Fox Squirel Sciurus niger American Red Squirrel Tamiasciurus hudsonicus Gunnison Prairie-Dog Cynomys gunnisoni White-tailed Prairie-Dog Cynomys leucurus Black-tailed Prairie-Dog Cynomys ludovicianus Yellow-bellied Marmot Marmota flaviventris Wyoming Ground-Squirrel Spermophilus elegans Golden-mantled Ground-Squirrel Spermophilus lateralis Rock Squirrel Spermophilus variegatus Least Chipmunk Tamias minimus Hopi Chipmunk Tamias rufus Colorado Chipmunk Tamias quadrivittatus Desert Cottontail Sylvilagus audubonii Black-tailed Jackrabbit Lepus californicus Pronghorn Antilocapra americana Elk Cervus canadensis Moose Alces alces Mule Deer Odocoileus hemionus Bighorn Sheep Ovis canadensis

Contact Information

For more information about this tour and others like it, please visit Tropical Birding at www.tropicalbirding.com, or contact us at [email protected].

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