 |
Evening Grosbeak
May be common one year and uncommon the next. Flocks can visit bird feeders consuming vast amounts of sunflower seeds.
|
 |
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (very rare)
Accidental migrant that is typically an east coast bird. Adult male has rosy triangle on the chest.
|
 |
Black-headed Grosbeak
Common summer visitor that is attracted to sunflower seed.
|
 |
Blue Grosbeak (rare)
Rare in Los Alamos but can be seen during spring and fall migration. Mostly close
to the Rio Grande.
|
 |
Lazuli Bunting (rare)
A beautiful neotropical migrant. Most common bunting of the area. The sky-blue male has a rust chest, white wing bars, and white belly. More iridescent, bright blue as compared to blue birds. Most commonly seen along the Rio Grande but can visit feeders and water gardens during the spring and fall migration.
|
 |
Indigo Bunting (rare)
A beautiful neotropical migrant. Indigo buntings summer almost statewide in riparian habitats. They have been rarely observed in Los Alamos and White Rock during the spring migration. They are attracted to water gardens. The brilliantly plumaged males are a sight to see. These birds are far more common in the east coast.
|
 |
Lazuli x Indigo Bunting hybrid (very rare)
This beauty has features of Lazuli (turquoise, slight white wing bar, slight rust) but also Indigo (more blue, richer blue, etc). Apparently, hybrids in this area do occur since Indigos have a hard time finding other Indigos. The hybrids have a mixture of Lazuli and Indigo charactersitics. All Lazulis, even juveniles, should have a strong white wing bar, while the hybrid doesn't. The hybrid also has a lot more blue all over the body (like the Indigo).
|
 |
Red-winged Blackbird
Found in swampy areas in White Rock in spring, summer and fall. In southern New Mexico, redwings can form large flocks.
|
 |
Yellow-headed Blackbird
|
 |
Brewer's Blackbird
|
 |
Common Grackle
|
 |
Bullock's Oriole
A beautiful neotropical migrant. They are seen mainly during spring, but they do spend the summer in the area. They are attracted to water gardens and fruit trees. Oriole feeders with nectar (like a hummingbird feeder) are sometimes successful in attracting these birds.
|
 |
Scott's Oriole (rare)
Rarely seen in the spring, summer and fall in White Rock. May be seen visiting hummingbird or oriole feeders.
|
 |
Cassin's Finch
Common in spring and fall but uncommon in summer. They will visit bird feeders.
|
 |
House Finch
Common year round and will visit bird feeders in large numbers.
|
 |
Red Crossbill
These specialists with crossed bills pry open pine cones to eat their seeds. They are nomadic and are present when pinecones are ripe for the picking. Males can range from dull yellow to brick red. The crossbills are often seen in flocks.
|
 |
Pine Siskin
Act just like goldfinches but without the bright colors. Also can be seen year round and will spend all day at the thistle feeder.
|
 |
Lesser Goldfinch
Common summer visitor that is attracted to thistle seed. They hang around all day if thistle seed is present at a feeder.
|
 |
American Goldfinch (rare)
Not nearly as common as the lesser goldfinch in this area. However, it can be seen year-round, unlike the lesser goldfinch, which is only a summer visitor. In the summer, the male is bright yellow and black. They can be quite plain in the winter.
|
