This page covers the birds that have been sighted at Indian Creek Ranch. If you have seen one that is not listed here, please email jo.roberts@pwc.com with the details (when/where) and a picture so we may add it. Birds are listed in taxonomical order.
If you are interested in including managing for songbirds for Wildlife Management, some ideas are included in this document. managing-for-songbirds
Ducks, Geese, & Swans
Black-bellied Whistling Duck
Dendrocygna autumnalis
Time of Year: Permanent
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed twice in fly by
Grouse, Quail, & Allies
Northern Bobwhite
Colinus virginianus
Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Rare to occasional, depending on location
Comments: Prefers grassy, open areas. More likely to hear than see.
Montezuma Quail
Cyrtonyx montezumae
Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Rare to frequent, depending on location
Comments: Prefers grassy, open areas. More likely to hear than see.
Photo by Melinda Wood
Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo
Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Common
Comments: Refer to David Heft’s article for more information.
Pelicans, Herons, Ibises, & Allies
Great Blue Heron
Ardea Herodias
Time of Year: Permanent
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed once in a fly by
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibis
Time of Year: Permanent
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed once in a fly by
Hawks, Kites, Eagles, and Allies
Black Vulture
Coragyps atratus
Time of Year: Permanent
Likelihood of seeing: Common
Comments: Tends to frequent the ranch during winter, but has been observed any time of year. Distinguished from Turkey Vulture in flight by white wing patches.
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
Time of Year: Permanent
Likelihood of seeing: Common
Comments: Tends to frequent the ranch during summer, but has been observed any time of year.
Turkey Vultures.
Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed once in a fly by
Northern Harrier
Circus cyaneus
Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed a few times
Sharp-Shinned Hawk
Accipiter striatus
Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments: Very similar to Cooper’s Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Accipiter cooperii
Time of Year: Permanent
Likelihood of seeing: Occasional
Comments: Very similar to Sharp-Shinned Hawk
Harris’s Hawk
Parabuteo unicinctus
Time of Year: Permanent
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Permanent territory is south of the ranch but occasionally strays into the area
Swainson’s Hawk
Buteo swainsoni
Time of Year: Summer
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Although summer range is near the ranch, has only been observed occasionally during migration
Zone-Tailed Hawk
Buteo albonotatus
Time of Year: Summer
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed twice in flight
Red-Tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
Time of Year: Permanent
Likelihood of seeing: Common
Comments:
Caracaras & Falcons
Crested Caracara
Caracara plancus
Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:
American Kestrel
Falco sparverius
Time of Year: Permanent
Likelihood of seeing: Common
Comments: Generally seen perching on wires along CR 520
Prairie Falcon
Falco mexicanus
Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed once or twice
Cranes & Rails
Sandhill Crane
Grus canadensis
Time of Year: Spring & Fall Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments: Generally heard before being seen. Migrate at high altitudes.
Whooping Crane
Grus americana
Time of Year: Fall Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed once
Pigeons & Doves
Refer to David Heft’s article starting on Page 4 of the Dec 2014 newsletter for more information.
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Streptopelia decaocto
Time of Year: Permanent
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments: Permanent resident in Rocksprings and occasionally visits the ranch.
Common Ground-Dove
Columbina passerina
Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:
White-Winged Dove
Zenaida asiatica
Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Common to Frequent
Comments: More likely to be observed during the summer
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Common to Frequent
Comments:
Cuckoos, Roadrunners, & Anis
Greater Roadrunner
Geococcyx californianus
Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Regular
Comments:
Owls
Eastern Screech-Owl
Otus asio
Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments: More likely to hear than see
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:
Nightjars
Common Nighthawk
Chordeiles minor
Time of Year: Summer
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:
Common Poorwill
Phalaenoptilus nuttallii
Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Common in summer
Comments: Generally seen at night along the roads. The ranch is on the northern border of its permanent range. Some years observed all winter.
Swifts & Hummingbirds
Lucifer Hummingbird
Calothorax lucifer
Time of Year: Vagrant
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Seen once; out of range
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
Time of Year: Spring & Fall Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments:
Black-Chinned Hummingbird
Archilochus alexandri
Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Frequent
Comments:
Rufous Hummingbird
Selasphorus rufus
Time of Year: Spring Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:
Calliope Hummingbird
Stellula calliope
Time of Year: Spring Migration (Vagrant)
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed once.
Woodpeckers
Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus varius
Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed only a few times
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.
Red-Naped Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus nuchalis
Time of Year: Spring Migration (Vagrant)
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed once
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker
Picoides scalaris
Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Common
Comments:
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:
Flycatchers
Acadian Flycatcher
Empidonax virescens
Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:
Hammond’s Flycatcher
Empidonax hammondii
Time of Year: Spring & Fall Migration (Vagrant)
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:
Eastern Phoebe
Sayornis phoebe
Time of Year: Permanent
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:
Say’s Phoebe
Sayornis saya
Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:
Vermilion Flycatcher
Pyrocephalus rubinus
Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments:
Vermilion Flycatcher, male.
Ash-Throated Flycatcher
Myiarchus cinerascens
Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Frequent
Comments: Will use nest boxes
Western Kingbird
Tyrannus verticalis
Time of Year: Summer
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Generally observed perched on wires
Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher
Tyrannus forficatus
Time of Year: Summer
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:
Vireos
White-Eyed Vireo
Vireo griseus
Time of Year: Summer
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:
White-eyed Vireo.
Bell’s Vireo
Vireo bellii
Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments: Nests around Phase I gate
Black-Capped Vireo
Vireo atricapillus
Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Endangered
Hutton’s Vireo
Vireo huttoni
Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments: Almost identical to Ruby-Crowned Kinglet
Crows & Jays
Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay
Aphelocoma woodhouseii
Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Frequent
Comments:
Common Raven
Corvus corax
Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments:
Common Raven.
Swallows
Northern Rough-Winged Swallow
Stelgidopteryx serripennis
Time of Year: Summer
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed occasionally in flight
Purple Martin
Progne subis
Time of Year: Summer
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Will use nest boxes provided there is water and mud nearby
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments:
Cliff Swallow
Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
Time of Year: Summer
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed occasionally in flight
Chickadees & Tits
Black-Crested Titmouse
Parus atricristatus
Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Frequent
Comments: Will use nest boxes
Bushtit
Psaltriparus minimus
Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:
Wrens
Canyon Wren
Catherpes mexicanus
Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Frequent
Comments: Will use nest boxes
Carolina Wren
Thryothorus ludovicianus
Time of Year: Permanent
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed once
Bewick’s Wren
Thryomanes bewickii
Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Frequent
Comments: Will use nest boxes
Kinglets
Golden-Crowned Kinglet
Regulus satrapa
Time of Year: Winter resident
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet
Regulus calendula
Time of Year: Winter resident
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments:
Gnatcatchers
Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher
Polioptila caerulea
Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments:
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.
Thrushes
Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis
Time of Year: Winter Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments:
Townsend’s Solitaire
Myadestes townsendi
Time of Year: Winter (Vagrant)
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:
Hermit Thrush
Catharus guttatus
Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments:
Hermit Thrush.
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Likely to Common
Comments: Frequency of observation depends on abundance of juniper berries
Mockingbirds & Thrashers
Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos
Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments:
Brown Thrasher
Toxostoma rufum
Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed once
Sage Thrasher
Oreoscoptes montanus
Time of Year: Winter Vagrant
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:
Pipits
American Pipit
Anthus rubescens
Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:
Sprague’s Pipit
Anthus spragueii
Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:
Waxwings
Cedar Waxwing
Bombycilla cedrorum
Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Likely to Common
Comments: Frequency of observation depends on abundance of juniper berries
Warblers
Black-And-White Warbler
Mniotilta varia
Time of Year: Spring & Fall Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Ranch is close to their summer range, so might be observed during summer.
Prothonotary Warbler
Protonotaria citrea
Time of Year: Summer
Likelihood of seeing: Vagrant
Comments:
Tennessee Warbler
Vermivora peregrina
Time of Year: Spring & Fall Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Vagrant
Comments:
Orange-Crowned Warbler
Vermivora celata
Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:
Nashville Warbler
Vermivora ruficapilla
Time of Year: Spring & Fall Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:
Macgillivray’s Warbler
Oporornis tolmiei
Time of Year: Spring & Fall Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed once
Mourning Warbler
Oporornis philadelphia
Time of Year: Spring & Fall Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:
American Redstart
Setophaga ruticilla
Time of Year: Spring & Fall Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:
Blackburnian Warbler
Dendroica fusca
Time of Year: Spring Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:
Yellow Warbler
Dendroica petechia
Time of Year: Spring & Fall Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:
Pine Warbler
Dendroica pinus
Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Vagrant
Comments:
Yellow-Rumped Warbler
Dendroica coronata
Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:
Yellow-Throated Warbler
Dendroica dominica
Time of Year: Summer
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:
Golden-Cheeked Warbler
Dendroica chrysoparia
Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments: Endangered
Black-Throated Green Warbler
Dendroica virens
Time of Year: Spring & Fall Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:
Wilson’s Warbler
Wilsonia pusilla
Time of Year: Spring & Fall Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:
Yellow-Breasted Chat
Icteria virens
Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely to Common
Comments: Frequency of observation depends on location and ideal nesting habitat
Towhees
Canyon Towhee
Pipilo fuscus
Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments:
Spotted Towhee
Pipilo maculatus
Time of Year: Winter Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Common
Comments:
Sparrows
Rufous-Crowned Sparrow
Aimophila ruficeps
Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Common
Comments:
Chipping Sparrow
Spizella passerina
Time of Year: Winter Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Common
Comments:
Clay-Colored Sparrow
Spizella pallida
Time of Year: Spring & Fall Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:
Field Sparrow
Spizella pusilla
Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely to Likely
Comments: Frequency of observation depends on habitat
Vesper Sparrow
Pooecetes gramineus
Time of Year: Winter Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:
Lark Sparrow
Chondestes grammacus
Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely to Likely
Comments: Frequency of observation depends on habitat
Black-Throated Sparrow
Amphispiza bilineata
Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely to Likely
Comments: Frequency of observation depends on habitat
Savannah Sparrow
Passerculus sandwichensis
Time of Year: Winter Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely to Likely
Comments: Frequency of observation depends on habitat
Fox Sparrow
Passerella iliaca
Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Melospiza lincolnii
Time of Year: Winter Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely to Likely
Comments: Frequency of observation depends on habitat
White-Throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:
White-Crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia leucophrys
Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
Time of Year: Permanent
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed once
Juncos
Dark-Eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
Time of Year: Winter Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely to Likely
Comments:
Cardinals, Tanagers & Allies
Summer Tanager
Piranga rubra
Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments:
Western Tanager
Piranga ludoviciana
Time of Year: Spring Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Common
Comments:
Pyrrhuloxia
Cardinalis sinuatus
Time of Year: Permanent
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:
Rose-Breasted Grosbeak
Pheucticus ludovicianus
Time of Year: Spring & Fall Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:
Black-Headed Grosbeak
Pheucticus melanocephalus
Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:
Blue Grosbeak
Guiraca caerulea
Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments:
Lazuli Bunting
Passerina amoena
Time of Year: Spring & Fall Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:
Indigo Bunting
Passerina cyanea
Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:
Varied Bunting
Passerina versicolor
Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:
Painted Bunting
Passerina ciris
Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments:
Blackbirds, Grackles, Cowbirds, & Orioles
Eastern or Western Meadowlark
Sturnella magna or Sturnella neglecta
Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely to Likely
Comments: Frequency of observation depends on habitat; difficult to distinguish eastern from western species.
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus
Time of Year: Spring & Fall Migration
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments: Observed once
Brewer’s Blackbird
Euphagus cyanocephalus
Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:
Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:
Common Grackle, female.
Bronzed Cowbird
Molothrus aeneus
Time of Year: Summer
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely
Comments:
Brown-Headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater
Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Common
Comments:
Orchard Oriole
Icterus spurius
Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments:
Hooded Oriole
Icterus cucullatus
Time of Year: Summer
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:
Bullock’s Oriole
Icterus bullockii
Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Rare
Comments:
Scott’s Oriole
Icterus parisorum
Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Common
Comments:
Finches & Allies
House Finch
Carpodacus mexicanus
Time of Year: Permanent Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Common
Comments:
Cassin’s Finch
Haemorhous cassinii
Time of Year: Winter/Spring
Likelihood of seeing: Unlikely/Vagrant
Comments: Seen during spring 2018 during an irruption.
Pine Siskin
Carduelis pinus
Time of Year: Winter
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments:
Lesser Goldfinch
Carduelis psaltria
Time of Year: Summer Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments:
American Goldfinch
Carduelis tristis
Time of Year: Winter Resident
Likelihood of seeing: Likely
Comments: