After School Birds
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Spring 2015: Data and Graphs:

This is a list of all species recorded on the four walks.
The species are grouped according to when they occur in Dixon:

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All Photographs by Robert Templeton unless otherwise noted. Copyright Information.

English Name: Genus specific epithet:	Comments	Photos
Swans, Geese and Ducks
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Note white horizontal mark at rear on both Female (above) and Male (below). Male plumage distinctive. Number of Individuals Observed:2	Rinconada Rinconada Rio Grande-Taos County Line, June 9, 2014   Enlarge
Diurnal Raptors: Vultures, Eagles and Hawks
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Begins arriving during the last 10 days of March. Majority of residents here by April 1st.
Cooper’s Hawk Accipiter cooperii Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Adult is pictured. Note the horizontal barring on the breast and belly.	El Bosque
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Often easily identified by visible red tail. If tail is not visible, other field marks can be used: From below in flight, the dark front edges of the wings next to the body and the dark "commas" at the wrist are unique among local hawks. When perched, the dark belly band against the white front is diagnostic. Juveniles (lowest photo) do not yet have a red tail.	El Bosque El Bosque Camino Lejo, Santa Fe
Pigeons and Doves
Rock Pigeon Columba livia Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Common on wires around human habitation, this species comes in a variety of colors. Most individuals show two dark wing bars as shown in the upper photo.	Cañoncito El Bosque
Eurasian Collared-Dove Streptopelia decaocto Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search		Peñasco
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Generally seen flying in small groups (2-4 individuals). Note long, pointed tail which shows white edges when landing. Call is a soft, slow "who-AH, who, who, who" heard during the day. (Commonly mistaken for an owl. Note: Owls usually do not call during daylight hours)	El Bosque El Bosque
Hummingbirds
Black-chinned Hummingbird Archilochus alexandri Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Begins arriving in early April. One of only two hummingbirds that regularly breed here. In the right light, male's throat shows purple below, black above. Often appears more slender and vertical than the Broad-tailed Hummingbird. Male is pictured. Female has plain throat.	El Bosque El Bosque
Broad-tailed Hummingbird Selasphorus platycercus Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Begins arriving in early April. One of only two hummingbirds that regularly breed here. In the right light, male's throat is red. Often appears plumper and rounder than the Black-chinned Hummingbird. Male's wing make a distinctive, loud buzz in flight. Male is pictured. Female has plain throat.	Dixon Dixon Dixon
Woodpeckers
Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Almost identical to the Hairy Woodpecker in plumage, this smaller woodpecker is generally distinguished by its diminuitive bill which is much shorter than the bird's head from front to back. The red patch on the head indicates that this is a male.	El Bosque
Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Very similar to Downy Woodpecker, but larger. Commonly distinguished by its large bill which is often as long as the bird's head from front to back.	El Bosque El Bosque
Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	One of the most common birds in the valley. From below, shows red feather shafts in flight. The upper photo shows key marks: Black breast band. Red feather shafts on underside of wings and tail. Red mark under the eye indicates a male. Female (middle photo): no red face mark. Lower photo shows diagnostic white rump patch which is always visible in flight and sometimes visible when perched.	Cachanillas El Bosque El Bosque
Tyrant Flycatchers
Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	A few individuals over-winter in Velarde. In the rest of the Embudo area begins arriving in early March. Usually seen on low branches overhanging the river, from which it "hawks" insects. At times perches at mid-level in trees near the river, making its sharp, quick two-note call. Distinctive inverted "v" apparent where the white belly meets the dark breast.	Cachanillas (Velarde)
Say's Phoebe Sayornis saya Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	A few individuals over-winter in Velarde. In the rest of the Embudo area begins arriving in early March. Usually seen on posts or single stalk plants in agricutural areas "hawking" insects. It's call is a slow, plaintive, downward slurred "pee-ee". At close range, may hear "pit,pee-ee". Distinctive peach-colored belly. This species regularly builds nests under people's portales.	Rinconada
Ash-throated Flycatcher Myiarchus cinerascens Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Begins arriving in mid-April.	El Bosque El Bosque
Cassin's Kingbird Tyrannus vociferans Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	A migrant, this species winters in both mainland Mexico and Baja California. Individuals begin arriving in this area by mid-April. Some pass through to places further north, but many breed here during the summer. They begin moving south to their wintering grounds in early Fall. This species is very noisy making a variety of sounds including its signature, exuberant: "Chi-beer!"
Shrikes and Vireos
Plumbeous Vireo Vireo plumbeus Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Begins arriving in late April.	Rio Ojo Sarco Rio Ojo Sarco
Jays, Crows and their Allies
Pinyon Jay Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Usually observed while calling in flight. Flocks feed in harvested corn fields or on Piñon-Juniper Hillsides Generally in flocks of 30-70 individuals. Distinguished from Western Scrub-jay by shorter tail and by flocking behavior.	Apodaca Apodaca Apodaca
Western Scrub-Jay Aphelocoma californica Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Common in all area habitats. Note white throat and faint white eyebrow. Also brownish-gray back. Distinguished from the Pinyon Jay by longer tail and solitary behavior.	Arroyo la Mina Cañoncito
Black-billed Magpie Pica hudsonia Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Unmistakable large black and white bird with very long tail.	El Bosque
American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	At times difficult to distinguish from Common Raven as the largest Crows are nearly as big as the smallest Ravens. By sound, the crow's "caw" is familiar. In flight, the crow's tail is often square or rounded. Crows are very social and often appear in noisy groups. Bill smaller and thinner than that of the Raven.	El Bosque
Common Raven Corvus corax Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	At times difficult to distinguish from American Crow. By sound, a throaty chortle or shout. In flight, the tail often appears wedge shaped. Ravens are often solitary, but sometimes appear with a few other individuals. Often soars like a hawk. Crows do not. Bill is thick and heavy. The throat is shaggy compared to the Crow. Breeding pairs perform synchronized flight high overhead.	El Bosque Camino de los Marquez, Santa Fe
Swallows
Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Very common during spring migration. All white below, with white wrapping up the sides of the rump as shown in the upper individual in the lower photo. In right light, the back reveals brilliant violet and green colors.	El Bosque Rinconada
N. Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Begins arriving in last half of March.
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Begins arriving in last half of March.	Peñasco Peñasco Peñasco
Chickadees and their Allies
Black-capped Chickadee Poecile atricapillus Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Distinctive Small (~5in) black, white and gray bird that says its name repeatedly: a buzzy chick-a-dee-dee-dee During breeding season, gives a high descending two pitched fee-bee.	El Bosque
Nuthatches and Creepers
White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Distinctive black cap starts above the eye. Relatively long, sharp bill. Only local species that walks down tree trunks upside down. Often heard at a distance: Rapidly repeated nasal "huh". Usually 5-8 sounds, all at same pitch.	El Bosque El Bosque
Dippers
American Dipper Cinclus mexicanus Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Slate-colored bird seen in rushing streams. Often standing on rocks right at the water level, bobbing by bending its knees. Feeds by walking on the bottom of the stream.	El Bosque See Slide Show of Dipper Feeding
Thrushes and their Allies
Western Bluebird Sialia mexicana Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Male (top photo) has blue head and red breast. During breeding season, colors more intense than shown here. Female (middle photo) has blue in wings, but appears gray from front with a light buffy breast. Note white eye-ring. Juvenile on left in lowest photo. Female on right.	El Bosque Rinconada Enlarge
Mountain Bluebird Sialia currucoides Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search		Dixon Orilla Verde Enlarge
Townsend’s Solitaire Myadestes townsendi Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	This bird is most often observed sitting in the tops of trees sounding a repeated, high, slow whistle. Gray all over with white on sides of tail. Fluttery in flight, with cream-colored bands running the length of each wing on the underside.	Harding Mine
American Robin Turdus migratorius Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Best known American Bird. Note reddish breast, light colored bill and large white split eye-ring.	El Bosque
Starlings and Mynas
European Starling Sturnus vulgaris Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Usually appears black. Often seen flying in large flocks. Flocks move very quickly, changing directions often. Very short tail is distinctive among "blackbirds". Note bright yellow bill.	El Bosque  Enlarge
Wood-Warblers
Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Begins arriving late-April.
Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Many individuals pass through this area during the spring and fall migrations. A few stay over the winter, primarily in the Velarde area. The first two pictures show breeding plumage. The last shows typical winter plumage.	La Junta, April 28, 2013 La Junta, April 28, 2013 Apodaca
Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Begins arriving late-April.	El Bosque El Bosque
Towhees
Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	One is seldom far from a Spotted Towhee. But though they are nearby, they are usually hidden away under trees and shrubs where they toss leaves with their feet looking for insects to eat. Occasionally you will see one at the edge of the road or briefly flying from one shrub to the next. However, they regularly produce a contact call, a low growl. Hear Contact Call If you listen for that call and follow it, may be rewarded with a view of this lovely bird with a red eye. Note white breast with rufous (reddish) flanks. Lower Photo shows bird in its preferred habitat.	Arroyo la Mina El Bosque Enlarge
Sparrows and their Allies
Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Begins arriving mid-March.
Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	This sparrow is rarely seen more than 50 yards from the river and is often right in the willows at the river's edge. Dark back, with streaks on breasts and sides joining a dark central spot. Has a distinctive flight highlighted by a fairly long, rounded tail.	El Bosque
White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Adult (Upper Photo): Distinctive black and white stripes on head. Light colored bill. Clear breast and belly. Juvenile (Lower Photo): Head stripes brown and gray.	Dixon Dixon
Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	In winter, there are 5 sub-species of Dark-eyed Junco in our area. Many have a full black or gray hood. All have a dark eye set in dark plumage. Almost always in flocks of 10-20 individuals. Identifiable by a very "dry" sounding "tck-tck" and by white showing on the sides of the tail, especially in flight. Do a an Image Search (at left) to get an idea of the great variation in the plumage of this species.	Dixon Dixon
Tanagers
Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Top Photo: Male Middle Photo: Female Bottom Photo: Male in Flight	Dixon Dixon Dixon
Grosbeaks
Black-headed Grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Begins arriving at end of April.
Buntings
Lazuli Bunting Passerina amoena Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Begins arriving at end of April.	El Bosque El Bosque
Icterids: Blackbirds, Orioles and their Allies
Bullock's Oriole Icterus bullockii Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Begins arriving at end of April.	El Bosque El Bosque
Finches and Old World Sparrows
House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Often seen at feeders, this species is common in all habitats, especially agricultural areas. Male (upper picture) is easily identified by red plumage on head, throat, breast and rump. Female (lower photo) does not have red. Both sexes have streaking on breast, belly and flanks.	Arroyo La Mina Arroyo La Mina
Lesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltria Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Begins arriving at end of April.	Dixon - June 7, 2014
American Goldfinch Carduelis tristis Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Female (Upper Photo) Male (Lower Photo)
Evening Grosbeak Coccothraustes vespertinus Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search		Dixon Paseo de Peralta, Santa Fe
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Common across the continental U.S., this species is generally found around human habitation. The female (upper picture) is fairly plain with a weak, white eyebrow. The male (lower picture) has black on the throat, a strong dark mask: often black in front of eye, reddish-brown (rufous) behind the eye. Often in noisy flocks of 5-15 individuals.	Embudo Valley Library, Dixon Nob Hill, Albuquerque

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