Wildlife of the
Rocky Mountains
Taxonomy & Species
Profiles
Birds
Copyright
© 2013 Travis N. Wood
Each species listed
below has two
links:
While the bird species are arranged according to ITIS taxonomy, the following headings are interjected:
Migratory Birds, Game Birds, Birds of Prey:
Examples: swans, geese, ducks; grouse, pheasant, turkey; loons, grebes, pelicans, cormorants, bitterns, herons, vultures, eagles, hawks, falcons, plovers, sandpipers, gulls, terns—and related birds.
Examples: rails, coots, cranes; doves, pigeons; cuckoos, owls; swifts, hummingbirds; kingfishers; woodpeckers—and related birds.
Examples: flycatchers, pewees, phoebees, kingbirds, shrikes, vireos, jays, crows, ravens, larks, swallows, chickadees, nuthatches, wrens, dippers, kinglets, bluebirds, thrushes, robins, starlings, mockingbirds, waxwings, warblers, tanagers, towhees, sparrows, juncos, longspurs, buntings, cardinals, grosbeaks, blackbirds, orioles, finches, pipits, thrushes—and related birds.
Kingdom Animalia—
.Phylum
Chordata—
..Subphylum Vertebrata—vertebrates
...Class
Aves—Birds
....Order Anseriformes—Swans, Geese, & Ducks
......Family Anatidae—Geese,
&
Ducks
........Genus Branta
.........Species canadensis—
Canada_Goose
— Canada
Goose
........Genus Cygnus
.........Species buccinator—
Trumpeter_Swan
— Trumpeter
Swan
........Genus Aix
.........Species sponsa—
Wood_Duck
— Wood
Duck
........Genus Anas
.........Species strepera—
Gadwall
—
Gadwall
.........Species americana— American_Wigeon
— American
Wigeon
.........Species platyrhynchos—Mallard
— Mallard
.........Species discors— Blue-winged_Teal
— Blue-winged
Teal
.........Species cyanoptera— Cinnamon_Teal
— Cinnamon
Teal
.........Species clypeata— Northern_Shoveler
— Northern
Shoveler
.........Species acuta— Northern_Pintail
— Northern
Pintail
.........Species crecca— Green-winged_Teal
— Green-winged
Teal
........Genus Aythya
.........Species valisineria—
Canvasback
— Canvasback
.........Species americana— Redhead
— Redhead
.........Species collaris— Ring-necked_Duck
— Ring-necked
Duck
.........Species affinis— Lesser_Scaup
— Lesser
Scaup
........Genus Bucephala
.........Species albeola—
Bufflehead
— Bufflehead
.........Species clangula— Common_Goldeneye
— Common
Goldeneye
.........Species islandica— Barrows_Goldeneye
— Barrow's
Goldeneye
........Genus Mergus
.........Species merganser—
Common_Merganser
— Common
Merganser
........Genus Oxyura
.........Species
jamaicensis— Ruddy_Duck
— Ruddy
Duck
........Genus Chen
.........Species caerulescens—
Snow_Goose
— Snow
Goose
....Order Galliformes—Grouse, Pheasant, Turkey, & Quail
......Family Phasianidae—Grouse
.......Subfamily
Perdicinae—Francolins, Partridges
........Genus
Perdix
.........Species perdix— Gray_Partridge
— Gray
Partridge
.......Subfamily
Phasianinae—Pheasants
........Genus
Phasianus
.........Species colchicus— Ring-necked_Pheasant
— Ring-necked
Pheasant
.......Subfamily Tetraoninae—Grouse
........Genus
Bonasa
.........Species umbellus— Ruffed_Grouse
— Ruffed
Grouse
........Genus Tympanuchus
.........Species
phasianellus— Sharp-tailed_Grouse
— Sharp-tailed
Grouse
.......Subfamily Meleagridinae—Turkeys
........Genus
Meleagris
.........Species gallopavo— Wild_Turkey
— Wild
Turkey
......Family Odontophoridae—New
World
Quails
........Genus Colinus
.........Species virginianus—
Northern_Bobwhite
— Northern
Bobwhite
....Order Ciconiiformes—Herons, Ibis, & New World Vultures
......Family Gaviidae—Loons
........Genus
Gavia
.........Species immer— Common_Loon
— Common
Loon
......Family Podicipedidae—Grebes
........Genus
Podilymbus
.........Species podiceps— Pied-billed_Grebe
— Pied-billed
Grebe
........Genus Podiceps
.........Species auritus—
Horned_Grebe
— Horned
Grebe
.........Species nigricollis— Eared_Grebe
— Eared
Grebe
........Genus Aechmophorus
.........Species
occidentalis— Western_Grebe
— Western
Grebe
.........Species clarkii— Clarks_Grebe
— Clark's
Grebe
......Family Pelecanidae—Pelicans
........Genus
Pelecanus
.........Species erythrorhynchos—
American_White_Pelican
— American
White Pelican
......Family
Phalacrocoracidae—Cormorants
........Genus
Phalacrocorax
.........Species auritus—
Double-crested_Cormorant
— Double-crested
Cormorant
......Family Ardeidae—Herons
........Genus
Botaurus
.........Species lentiginosus— American_Bittern
— American
Bittern
........Genus Ardea
.........Species herodias—
Great_Blue_Heron
— Great
Blue Heron
........Genus Casmerodius (cf.
Ardea)
.........Species albus— Great_Egret
— Great
Egret
......Family Ciconiidae (cf.
Cathartidae)—New
World Vultures
........Genus Cathartes
.........Species aura—
Turkey_Vulture
— Turkey
Vulture
......Family Accipitridae—Eagles,
Kites, &
Hawks
........Genus Pandion
.........Species haliaetus—
Osprey
—
Osprey
........Genus Haliaeetus
.........Species leucocephalus—
Bald_Eagle
— Bald
Eagle
........Genus Circus
.........Species cyaneus—
Northern_Harrier
— Northern
Harrier
........Genus Accipiter
.........Species striatus—
Sharp-shinned_Hawk
— Sharp-shinned
Hawk
.........Species cooperii— Coopers_Hawk
— Cooper's
Hawk
.........Species gentilis— Northern_Goshawk
— Northern
Goshawk
........Genus Buteo
.........Species platypterus—
Broad-winged_Hawk
— Broad-winged
Hawk
.........Species swainsoni— Swainsons_Hawk
— Swainson's
Hawk
.........Species jamaicensis— Red-tailed_Hawk
— Red-tailed
Hawk
.........Species regalis— Ferruginous_Hawk
— Ferruginous
Hawk
.........Species lagopus— Rough-legged_Hawk
— Rough-legged
Hawk
........Genus Aquila
.........Species chrysaetos—
Golden_Eagle
— Golden
Eagle
......Family Falconidae—Falcons
........Genus
Falco
.........Species sparverius— American_Kestrel
— American
Kestrel
.........Species columbarius— Merlin
— Merlin
.........Species rusticolus— Gyrfalcon
— Gyrfalcon
.........Species peregrinus— Peregrine_Falcon
— Peregrine
Falcon
.........Species mexicanus— Prairie_Falcon
— Prairie
Falcon
......Family
Charadriidae—Shorebirds, Plovers,
Stilt & Avocet
........Genus Pluvialis
.........Species
squatarola— Black-bellied_Plover
— Black-bellied
Plover
........Genus Charadrius
.........Species
semipalmatus— Semipalmated_Plover
— Semipalmated
Plover
.........Species vociferus— Killdeer
— Killdeer
........Genus Recurvirostra
.........Species americana—
American_Avocet
— American
Avocet
......Family
Scolopacidae—Sandpipers
........Genus
Tringa
.........Species flavipes— Lesser_Yellowlegs
— Lesser
Yellowlegs
.........Species solitaria—
Solitary_Sandpiper
— Solitary
Sandpiper
.........Species melanoleuca—
Greater_Yellowlegs
— Greater
Yellowlegs
........Genus Actitis
.........Species
macularia— Spotted_Sandpiper
— Spotted
Sandpiper
........Genus Bartramia
.........Species
longicauda— Upland_Sandpiper
— Upland
Sandpiper
........Genus Calidris
.........Species alba—
Sanderling
— Sanderling
.........Species mauri— Western_Sandpiper
— Western
Sandpiper
.........Species minutilla— Least_Sandpiper
— Least
Sandpiper
.........Species bairdii— Bairds_Sandpiper
— Baird's
Sandpiper
.........Species melanotos—
Pectoral_Sandpiper
— Pectoral
Sandpiper
.........Species himantopus— Stilt_Sandpiper
— Stilt
Sandpiper
........Genus Limnodromus
.........Species
scolopaceus— Long-billed_Dowitcher
— Long-billed
Dowitcher
........Genus Gallinago
.........Species
gallinago— Wilsons_Snipe
— Wilson's
Snipe
........Genus Phalaropus
.........Species tricolor—
Wilsons_Phalarope
— Wilson's
Phalarope
........Genus Catoptrophorus
.........Species
semipalmatus— Willet
— Willet
........Genus Numenius
.........Species americanus—
Long-billed_Curlew
— Long-billed
Curlew
......Family Laridae—Jaegers,
Gulls &
Terns
........Genus Larus
.........Species pipixcan—
Franklins_Gull
— Franklin's
Gull
.........Species delawarensis— Ring-billed_Gull
— Ring-billed
Gull
.........Species californicus— California_Gull
— California
Gull —
.........Species philadelphia—
Bonapartes_Gull
— Bonaparte's
Gull
........Genus Sterna
.........Species caspia—
Caspian_Tern
— Caspian
Tern
.........Species hirundo— Common_Tern
— Common
Tern
.........Species forsteri— Forsters_Tern
— Forster's
Tern
........Genus Chlidonias
.........Species niger—
Black_Tern
— Black
Tern
Examples: rails, coots, cranes; doves, pigeons; cuckoos, owls; swifts, hummingbirds; kingfishers; woodpeckers—and related birds.
.Phylum
Chordata—
..Subphylum Vertebrata—vertebrates
...Class
Aves—Birds (continued from Birds
Page One )
....Order Gruiformes—Rails, Limpkin, & Cranes
......Family Rallidae—Rails
........Genus
Rallus
.........Species limicola— Virginia_Rail
— Virginia
Rail
........Genus Porzana
.........Species carolina—
Sora
—
Sora
........Genus Fulica
.........Species americana—
American_Coot
— American
Coot
......Family Gruidae—Cranes
........Genus
Grus
.........Species canadensis— Sandhill_Crane
— Sandhill
Crane
....Order Columbiformes—Doves
......Family Columbidae
.......Subfamily
Columbinae
........Genus Columba
.........Species livia—
Rock_Pigeon_(Dove)
— Rock
Pigeon (Dove)
........Genus Patagioenas (cf.
Columba)
.........Species fasciata— Band-tailed_Pigeon
— Band-tailed
Pigeon
........Genus Streptopelia
.........Species
decaocto— Eurasian_Collared-Dove
— Eurasian
Collared-Dove
........Genus Zenaida
.........Species
macroura— Mourning_Dove
— Mourning
Dove
....Order Cuculiformes—Cuckoos,
Roadrunner, &
Anis
......Family Coccyzidae—Cuckoos
........Genus
Coccyzus
.........Species erythropthalmus—
Black-billed_Cuckoo
— Black-billed
Cuckoo
.........Species americanus—
Yellow-billed_Cuckoo
— Yellow-billed
Cuckoo
....Order Strigiformes—Owls
.....Family Tytonidae—Barn Owls
......Subfamily
Tytoninae—Barn Owls
........Genus Tyto
.........Species
alba— Barn_Owl
— Barn
Owl
......Family Strigidae—Typical
Owls
.......Subfamily Striginae—Owls
........Genus
Otus
.........Species flammeolus— Flammulated_Owl
— Flammulated
Owl
........Genus Megascops (cf. Otus)
.........Species
asio— Eastern_Screech-Owl
— Eastern
Screech-Owl
........Genus Bubo
.........Species
virginianus— Great_Horned_Owl
— Great
Horned Owl
.........Species scandiacus (cf. Nyctia
scandiaca)— Snowy_Owl
— Snowy
Owl
........Genus Strix
.........Species varia—
Barred_Owl
— Barred
Owl
.......Subfamily Surniinae—
........Genus
Athene
.........Species cunicularia— Burrowing_Owl
— Burrowing
Owl
........Genus Aegolius
.........Species acadicus—
Northern_Saw-whet_Owl
— Northern
Saw-whet Owl
.......Subfamily Asioninae—
........Genus
Asio
.........Species otus— Long-eared_Owl
— Long-eared
Owl
.........Species flammeus— Short-eared_Owl
— Short-eared
Owl
......Family
Caprimulgidae—Goatsuckers,
nightjars
.......Subfamily Chordeilinae—
........Genus
Chordeiles
.........Species minor— Common_Nighthawk
— Common
Nighthawk
.......Subfamily Caprimulginae
........Genus
Phalaenoptilus
.........Species nuttallii— Common_Poorwill
— Common
Poorwill
....Order Apodiformes—Swifts & Hummingbirds
......Family Apodidae—Swifts
.......Subfamily
Apodinae—
........Genus Chaetura
.........Species
pelagica— Chimney_Swift
— Chimney
Swift
........Genus Aeronautes
.........Species saxatalis—
White-throated_Swift
— White-throated
Swift
......Family
Trochilidae—Hummingbirds
.......Subfamily
Trochilinae—Hummingbirds
........Genus
Stellula
.........Species calliope— Calliope_Hummingbird
— Calliope
Hummingbird
........Genus Selasphorus
.........Species
platycercus— Broad-tailed_Hummingbird
— Broad-tailed
Hummingbird
.........Species rufus— Rufous_Hummingbird
— Rufous
Hummingbird
........Genus Archilochus
.........Species
colubris— Ruby-throated_Hummingbird
— Ruby-throated
Hummingbird
....Order Coraciiformes—Kingfishers
......Family
Alcedinidae—Kingfishers
.......Subfamily
Cerylinae
........Genus Megaceryle (cf. Ceryle)
.........Species
alcyon— Belted_Kingfisher
— Belted
Kingfisher
....Order Piciformes—Woodpeckers
......Family
Picidae—Woodpeckers
.......Subfamily
Picinae—Woodpeckers
........Genus
Melanerpes
.........Species lewis— Lewiss_Woodpecker
— Lewis's
Woodpecker
.........Species erythrocephalus—
Red-headed_Woodpecker
— Red-headed
Woodpecker
........Genus Sphyrapicus
.........Species
nuchalis— Red-naped_Sapsucker
— Red-naped
Sapsucker
........Genus Picoides
.........Species
pubescens— Downy_Woodpecker
— Downy
Woodpecker
.........Species villosus— Hairy_Woodpecker
— Hairy
Woodpecker
.........Species tridactylus—
Three-toed_Woodpecker
— Three-toed
Woodpecker
.........Species arcticus—
Black-backed_Woodpecker
— Black-backed
Woodpecker
........Genus Colaptes
.........Species
auratus— Northern_Flicker
— Northern
Flicker
Examples: flycatchers, pewees, phoebees, kingbirds, shrikes, vireos, jays, crows, ravens, larks, swallows, chickadees, nuthatches, wrens, dippers, kinglets, bluebirds, thrushes, robins, starlings, mockingbirds, waxwings—and related birds.
...Order Passeriformes—Perching Birds
......Family Tyrannidae—Tyrant
Flycatchers
........Genus Contopus—Pewees
.........Species
cooperi— Olive-sided_Flycatcher
— Olive-sided
Flycatcher
.........Species sordidulus—
Western_Wood-Pewee
— Western
Wood-Pewee
........Genus Empidonax
.........Species
traillii— Willow_Flycatcher
— Willow
Flycatcher
.........Species minimus— Least_Flycatcher
— Least
Flycatcher
.........Species hammondii—
Hammonds_Flycatcher
— Hammond's
Flycatcher
.........Species oberholseri—
Dusky_Flycatcher
— Dusky
Flycatcher
.........Species occidentalis—
Cordilleran_Flycatcher
— Cordilleran
Flycatcher
........Genus Sayornis
.........Species phoebe—
Eastern_Phoebe
— Eastern
Phoebe
.........Species saya— Says_Phoebe
— Say's
Phoebe
........Genus Myiarchus
.........Species crinitus—
Great_Crested_Flycatcher
— Great
Crested Flycatcher
........Genus Tyrannus
.........Species
vociferans— Cassins_Kingbird
— Cassin's
Kingbird
.........Species verticalis— Western_Kingbird
— Western
Kingbird
.........Species tyrannus— Eastern_Kingbird
— Eastern
Kingbird
......Family Laniidae—Shrikes
........Genus
Lanius
.........Species ludovicianus— Loggerhead_Shrike
— Loggerhead
Shrike
.........Species excubitor— Northern_Shrike
— Northern
Shrike
......Family Vireonidae—Vireos
........Genus
Vireo
.........Species bellii— Bells_Vireo
— Bell's
Vireo
.........Species plumbeus— Plumbeous_Vireo
— Plumbeous
Vireo
.........Species gilvus— Warbling_Vireo
— Warbling
Vireo
.........Species olivaceus— Red-eyed_Vireo
— Red-eyed
Vireo
.........Species solitarius— Blue-headed_Vireo
— Blue-headed
Vireo
......Family Corvidae—Jays
&
Crows
........Genus Perisoreus
.........Species canadensis—
Gray_Jay
— Gray
Jay
........Genus Cyanocitta
.........Species cristata—
Blue_Jay
— Blue
Jay
........Genus Gymnorhinus
.........Species
cyanocephalus— Pinyon_Jay
— Pinyon
Jay
........Genus Nucifraga
.........Species columbiana—
Clarks_Nutcracker
— Clark's
Nutcracker
........Genus Pica
.........Species
pica
..........Subspecies hudsonia— Black-billed_Magpie
— Black-billed
Magpie
........Genus Corvus
.........Species
brachyrhynchos— American_Crow
— American
Crow
.........Species corax— Common_Raven
— Common
Raven
......Family Alaudidae—Larks
........Genus
Eremophila
.........Species alpestris— Horned_Lark
— Horned
Lark
......Family Hirundinidae—Swallows
........Genus
Tachycineta
.........Species bicolor— Tree_Swallow
— Tree
Swallow
.........Species thalassina—
Violet-green_Swallow
— Violet-green
Swallow
........Genus Stelgidopteryx
.........Species
serripennis— Northern_Rough-winged_Swallow
— Northern
Rough-winged Swallow
........Genus Riparia
.........Species
riparia— Bank_Swallow
— Bank
Swallow
........Genus Petrochelidon
.........Species
pyrrhonota— Cliff_Swallow
— Cliff
Swallow
........Genus Hirundo
.........Species rustica—
Barn_Swallow
— Barn
Swallow
......Family Paridae—Chickadees
&
Titmice
........Genus Poecile (cf. Parus)
.........Species
atricapillus (cf. atricapilla)— Black-capped_Chickadee
— Black-capped
Chickadee
.........Species gambeli— Mountain_Chickadee
— Mountain
Chickadee
......Family Sittidae—Nuthatches
........Genus
Sitta
.........Species canadensis— Red-breasted_Nuthatch
— Red-breasted
Nuthatch
.........Species carolinensis—
White-breasted_Nuthatch
— White-breasted
Nuthatch
.........Species pygmaea— Pygmy_Nuthatch
— Pygmy
Nuthatch
......Family Certhiidae—Creepers,
Gnatcatchers
........Genus Certhia
.........Species americana—
Brown_Creeper
— Brown
Creeper
........Genus Polioptila
.........Species
caerulea— Blue-gray_Gnatcatcher
— Blue-gray
Gnatcatcher
........Genus Salpinctes
.........Species
obsoletus— Rock_Wren
— Rock
Wren
........Genus Catherpes
.........Species mexicanus—
Canyon_Wren
— Canyon
Wren
........Genus Troglodytes
.........Species aedon—
House_Wren
— House
Wren
.........Species troglodytes— Winter_Wren
— Winter
Wren
........Genus Cistothorus
.........Species palustris—
Marsh_Wren
— Marsh
Wren
......Family Cinclidae—Dipper
........Genus
Cinclus
.........Species mexicanus— American_Dipper
— American
Dipper
......Family Regulidae—Kinglets
........Genus
Regulus
.........Species satrapa— Golden-crowned_Kinglet
— Golden-crowned
Kinglet
.........Species calendula—
Ruby-crowned_Kinglet
— Ruby-crowned
Kinglet
......Family Muscicapidae (cf.
Turdidae)—Old
World Flycatchers, Thrushes
........Genus Sialia
.........Species
sialis— Eastern_Bluebird
— Eastern
Bluebird
.........Species currucoides—
Mountain_Bluebird
— Mountain
Bluebird
........Genus Myadestes
.........Species
townsendi— Townsends_Solitaire
— Townsend's
Solitaire
........Genus Catharus
.........Species
fuscescens— Veery
— Veery
.........Species ustulatus— Swainsons_Thrush
— Swainson's
Thrush
.........Species guttatus— Hermit_Thrush
— Hermit
Thrush
........Genus Turdus
.........Species migratorius—
American_Robin
— American
Robin
......Family Sturnidae—Starling,
Mockingbirds,
& Thrashers
........Genus Dumetella
.........Species
carolinensis— Gray_Catbird
— Gray
Catbird
........Genus Mimus
.........Species polyglottos—
Northern_Mockingbird
— Northern
Mockingbird
........Genus Oreoscoptes
.........Species
montanus— Sage_Thrasher
— Sage
Thrasher
........Genus Toxostoma
.........Species rufum—
Brown_Thrasher
— Brown
Thrasher
........Genus Sturnus
.........Species vulgaris—
European_Starling
— European
Starling
......Family Bombycillidae—Waxwings
........Genus
Bombycilla
.........Species garrulus— Bohemian_Waxwing
— Bohemian
Waxwing
.........Species cedrorum— Cedar_Waxwing
— Cedar
Waxwing
......Family Fringillidae, (cf.
Family
Parulidae)—Warblers
........Genus Vermivora
.........Species
chrysoptera— Golden-winged_Warbler
— Golden-winged
Warbler
.........Species peregrina— Tennessee_Warbler
— Tennessee
Warbler
.........Species celata— Orange-crowned_Warbler
— Orange-crowned
Warbler
.........Species virginiae— Nashville_Warbler
— Virginia's
Warbler
........Genus Parula
.........Species americana—
Northern_Parula
— Northern
Parula
........Genus Oporornis (cf. Dendroica)—Mourning
Warbler
.........Species philadelphia— Mourning_Warbler
— Mourning
Warbler
.........Species tolmiei— MacGillivrays_Warbler
— MacGillivray's
Warbler
........Genus Wilsonia (cf.
Dendroica)
.........Species citrina— Hooded_Warbler
— Hooded
Warbler
.........Species pusilla— Wilsons_Warbler
— Wilson's
Warbler
........Genus Dendroica—Northern
Warblers
.........Species petechia— Yellow_Warbler
— Yellow
Warbler
.........Species pensylvanica—
Chestnut-sided_Warbler
— Chestnut-sided
Warbler
.........Species townsendi— Townsends_Warbler
— Townsend's
Warbler
.........Species fusca— Blackburnian_Warbler
— Blackburnian
Warbler
.........Species palmarum— Palm_Warbler
— Palm
Warbler
.........Species magnolia— Magnolia_Warbler
— Magnolia
Warbler
.........Species caerulescens—
Black-throated_Blue_Warbler
— Black-throated
Blue Warbler
.........Species coronata—
Yellow-rumped_Warbler
— Yellow-rumped
Warbler
.........Species striata— Blackpoll_Warbler
— Blackpoll
Warbler
........Genus Mniotilta
.........Species varia—
Black-and-white_Warbler
— Black-and-white
Warbler
........Genus Setophaga
.........Species
ruticilla— American_Redstart
— American
Redstart
........Genus Seiurus
.........Species
aurocapillus— Ovenbird
— Ovenbird
.........Species noveboracensis— Northern_Waterthrush
— Northern
Waterthrush
........Genus Geothlypis
.........Species
trichas— Common_Yellowthroat
— Common
Yellowthroat
........Genus Icteria
.........Species
virens— Yellow-breasted_Chat
— Yellow-breasted
Chat
......Family Fringillidae
continued, (cf. Family
Thraupidae)—Tanagers
........Genus Piranga
.........Species
olivacea— Scarlet_Tanager
— Scarlet
Tanager
.........Species ludoviciana— Western_Tanager
— Western
Tanager
......Family Fringillidae
continued, (cf. Family
Emberizidae)—Towhees & Sparrows
........Genus
Pipilo
.........Species erythrophthalmus—
Rufous-Sided_Towhee
— Rufous-Sided
Towhee
.........Species maculatus— Spotted_Towhee
— Spotted
Towhee
........Genus Spizella
.........Species arborea—
American_Tree_Sparrow
— American
Tree Sparrow
.........Species passerina—
Chipping_Sparrow
— Chipping
Sparrow
.........Species pallida— Clay-colored_Sparrow
— Clay-colored
Sparrow
.........Species breweri— Brewers_Sparrow
— Brewer's
Sparrow
.........Species pusilla— Field_Sparrow
— Field
Sparrow
........Genus Pooecetes
.........Species
gramineus— Vesper_Sparrow
— Vesper
Sparrow
........Genus Chondestes
.........Species
grammacus— Lark_Sparrow
— Lark
Sparrow
........Genus Calamospiza
.........Species
melanocorys— Lark_Bunting
— Lark
Bunting
........Genus Passerculus
.........Species
sandwichensis— Savannah_Sparrow
— Savannah
Sparrow
........Genus Ammodramus
.........Species
savannarum— Grasshopper_Sparrow
— Grasshopper
Sparrow
.........Species bairdii— Bairds_Sparrow
— Baird's
Sparrow
........Genus Passerella
.........Species iliaca—
Fox_Sparrow
— Fox
Sparrow
........Genus Melospiza
.........Species melodia—
Song_Sparrow
— Song
Sparrow
.........Species lincolnii— Lincolns_Sparrow
— Lincoln's
Sparrow
........Genus Zonotrichia
.........Species
albicollis— White-throated_Sparrow
— White-throated
Sparrow
.........Species querula— Harriss_Sparrow
— Harris's
Sparrow
.........Species leucophrys—
White-crowned_Sparrow
— White-crowned
Sparrow
........Genus Junco
.........Species hyemalis—
Dark-eyed_Junco
— Dark-eyed
Junco
........Genus Calcarius
.........Species mccownii—
McCowns_Longspur
— McCown's
Longspur
.........Species lapponicus— Lapland_Longspur
— Lapland
Longspur
.........Species ornatus—
Chestnut-collared_Longspur
— Chestnut-collared
Longspur
........Genus Plectrophenax
.........Species
nivalis— Snow_Bunting
— Snow
Bunting
......Family Fringillidae
continued, (cf. Family
Cardinalidae)—Grosbeaks & Buntings
........Genus
Cardinalis
.........Species cardinalis— Northern_Cardinal
— Northern
Cardinal
........Genus Pheucticus
.........Species
ludovicianus— Rose-breasted_Grosbeak
— Rose-breasted
Grosbeak
.........Species melanocephalus—
Black-headed_Grosbeak
— Black-headed
Grosbeak
........Genus Guiraca
.........Species caerulea—
Blue_Grosbeak
— Blue
Grosbeak
........Genus Passerina
.........Species amoena—
Lazuli_Bunting
— Lazuli
Bunting
.........Species cyanea— Indigo_Bunting
— Indigo
Bunting
........Genus Spiza
.........Species americana—
Dickcissel
— Dickcissel
......Family Fringillidae
continued, (cf. Family
Icteridae)—Blackbirds & Orioles
........Genus
Dolichonyx
.........Species oryzivorus— Bobolink
— Bobolink
........Genus Agelaius
.........Species phoeniceus—
Red-winged_Blackbird
— Red-winged
Blackbird
........Genus Sturnella
.........Species
neglecta— Western_Meadowlark
— Western
Meadowlark
........Genus Xanthocephalus
.........Species
xanthocephalus— Yellow-headed_Blackbird
— Yellow-headed
Blackbird
........Genus Euphagus
.........Species
carolinus— Rusty_Blackbird
— Rusty
Blackbird
.........Species cyanocephalus—
Brewers_Blackbird
— Brewer's
Blackbird
........Genus Quiscalus
.........Species
quiscula— Common_Grackle
— Common
Grackle
........Genus Molothrus
.........Species ater—
Brown-headed_Cowbird
— Brown-headed
Cowbird
........Genus Icterus
.........Species spurius—
Orchard_Oriole
— Orchard
Oriole
.........Species bullockii— Bullocks_Oriole
— Bullock's
Oriole
.........Species galbula— Baltimore_Oriole
— Baltimore
Oriole
......Family Fringillidae
continued, (cf. Family
Fringillidae)—Finches
........Genus
Leucosticte
.........Species tephrocotis—
Gray-crowned_Rosy-Finch
— Gray-crowned
Rosy-Finch
........Genus Pinicola
.........Species
enucleator— Pine_Grosbeak
— Pine
Grosbeak
........Genus Carpodacus
.........Species
purpureus— Purple_Finch
— Purple
Finch
.........Species cassinii— Cassins_Finch
— Cassin's
Finch
.........Species mexicanus— House_Finch
— House
Finch
........Genus Loxia
.........Species curvirostra—
Red_Crossbill
— Red
Crossbill
.........Species leucoptera—
White-winged_Crossbill
— White-winged
Crossbill
........Genus Carduelis
.........Species
flammea— Common_Redpoll
— Common
Redpoll
.........Species pinus— Pine_Siskin
— Pine
Siskin
.........Species psaltria— Lesser_Goldfinch
— Lesser
Goldfinch
.........Species tristis— American_Goldfinch
— American
Goldfinch
........Genus Coccothraustes
.........Species
vespertinus— Evening_Grosbeak
— Evening
Grosbeak
......Family Passeridae (cf.
Motacillidae)—Old
World Sparrows, Wagtails & Pipits
........Genus
Passer
.........Species domesticus— House_Sparrow
— House
Sparrow
........Genus Anthus
.........Species rubescens—
American_Pipit
— American
Pipit
.........Species spragueii— Spragues_Pipit
— Sprague's
Pipit
.....Suborder Oscines—
......Family
Turdidae—Thrushes
........Genus Ixoreus
.........Species
naevius— Varied_Thrush
— Varied
Thrush
Which Species are Included?
There are so many resources available to active birders that we will not even begin to compete with those resources here. Our purpose is to put taxonomy up front rather than as a footnote hidden on back pages of a book or remote web sources. As with mammals and fish species, we are not content with merely genus and species. We wish from the outset to have an idea of larger groupings such as families and orders.
Through nowhere close to an exhaustive list, the birds listed here represent about 268 birds that may be found in the Northern Rocky Mountains. The list includes a variety from rare visitors to the more common residents. Naming conventions are generally derived from the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) employed by the United States Department of Agriculture and other federal agencies.
The presence of those birds in the Rockies is derived from various bird lists of state and recreation areas. And each species includes two links from the common name. The first link is to Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and the second is to the USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter. We'd also recommend the Peterson Bird Guide linked below.
Taxonomy has always been a work in progress. That is especially so today. Lists such as this are no exception. Without a doubt, some species have been neglected here. Nomenclature structure is inherently conservative, accepting changes slowly. Were that not true, older field guides would become difficult to decipher. Occasionally in these pages, the reader will see in parentheses the abbreviation "cf." followed by a taxonomic name. The purpose is to "compare" different taxonomic names, which may appear in slightly different taxonomic structures.
Peterson
Bird Identifications
WhatBird
Identification Guide
Cornell
University Bird Guide
USGS
Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter
Integrated
Taxonomic Information System ITIS
Animal
Diversity Web on Birds
Biology
Base Birds of Wyoming
Bird
Nature-com on Bird Families
Wyoming
State List of Birds
Sibley
and Monroe World List
Northern
Prairie Wildlife Research Center Checklists by State
Wind
Cave National Park Bird List
Northern
State University
Devil's
Tower Bird List
Images
of Wild Birds by Richard Ditch