Birds of New Mexico

New Mexico has about 550 species of birds accepted officially by the New Mexico Bird Records Committee (NMBRC). Of these, around 170 are on the review list because of their rare or irregular appearance throughout the state. Five birds have been introduced, and 3 are extirpated, meaning they exist elsewhere but not in New Mexico.

Some of the biggest birds in New Mexico include the great-tailed grackle and red-tailed hawk. In contrast, the house finch, lesser goldfinch, and dark-eyed junco are some of the smallest birds.

The greater roadrunner has been New Mexico‘s state bird since 1949.

Birds of New Mexico

Backyard Birds

All-year-round: Greater Roadrunner, House Finch, Northern Cardinal, Mourning Dove, American Robin

Migratory Birds

In Summer: Great-tailed Grackle, Chipping Sparrow, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Northern Mockingbird, Western Tanager

In Winter: Sandhill Crane, Snow Goose, Black Rosy-Finch, Northern Pygmy Owl, Vermillion Flycatcher

Birds of Prey: Ferruginous Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Swainson’s Hawk, Northern Goshawk, American Kestrel

Water Birds: Wood Duck, Northern Pintail, Green-Winged Teal, Mexican Duck, Mallard

Common Birds Identification by Color

Yellow Birds

  • Lesser Goldfinch
  • Western tanager
  • Western kingbird
  • Yellow-breasted Chat
  • Palm Warbler

Black Birds

  • Red-winged Blackbird
  • European Starling
  • Great-tailed Grackle
  • Western Meadowlark
  • Brown-headed Cowbird

Blue Birds

  • Eastern Bluebird
  • Western Bluebird
  • Mountain Bluebird
  • Blue Jay
  • Great Blue Heron

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