Birds of the Southwest

The southwest United States is home to hundreds of bird species. Some of these feathered beauties are seen all over the southwest while others only inhabit specific regions. There are also many birds who are only around for a short while as they migrate through the area.

Below are birds I have personally spotted in the southwest. There are other species not listed which you may encounter on your travels.

Birds of Prey

Also called raptors, birds of prey typically include buzzards, eagles, falcons, hawks, kites, ospreys, owls, and vultures that hunt and feed on vertebrates.

Falcons

American Kestrels

Vultures

California Condors

Cranes

With long legs and long necks, cranes are often considered the tallest flying birds. Some species migrate long distances while others do not migrate at all.

Cranes

Sandhill Cranes

Cuckoos

Anis, couas, coucals, cuckoos, koels, malkohas, and roadrunners are in this group. Cuckoos are most known for the fact that some are known to lay their eggs in other species’ nests to raise; however, many species raise their own young.

Roadrunners

Greater Roadrunners

Game Birds

Game birds include grouse, guinea fowl, partridges, peacocks, pheasants, ptarmigans, quail, and turkeys. These birds spend most of their time on the ground and have short, round bodies.

Turkeys

Wild Turkeys

Hummingbirds

These birds were named for the humming sound their wings make as they flap. Hummingbirds can hover in place longer than other birds and are the only ones able to fly backward.

Hummingbirds

Costa’s Hummingbirds

Songbirds (Small)

When I think of small songbirds, chickadees, gnatcatchers, kinglets, nuthatches, sparrows, swallows, titmice, treecreepers, vireos, warblers, and wrens come to mind.

Bushtits

American Bushtits

Finches

Lesser Goldfinches

Kinglets

Ruby-Crowned Kinglets

Penduline Tits

Verdins

Sparrows

American Tree Sparrows
Black-Throated Sparrows
Chipping Sparrows
Song Sparrows

Warblers

Common Yellowthroats
Yellow-Rumped Warblers

Wrens

Rock Wrens

Songbirds (Medium to Large)

Cardinals, crows, finches, flycatchers, jays, magpies, mockingbirds, ravens, starlings, thrashers, thrushes, and waxwings all fall into what I consider medium to large songbirds.