Nestled within the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado offers a unique blend of habitats that attract a variety of water birds. From the tranquil shores of its alpine lakes to the flowing rivers snaking through rugged canyons, each landscape presents a picturesque backdrop to the state’s diverse avian life.
Colorado water birds
| Water Bird | Frequency | Where to Find in Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| American White Pelican | Common | Barr Lake State Park, Cherry Creek Reservoir |
| Brown Pelican | Rare | Occasionally sighted at Barr Lake State Park |
| Western Grebe | Common | Boyd Lake State Park, Jackson Lake State Park |
| Clark's Grebe | Uncommon | Seen in larger bodies of water like Cherry Creek Reservoir |
| American Coot | Very Common | Cherry Creek State Park, Barr Lake State Park |
| Double-Crested Cormorant | Common | Barr Lake State Park, Aurora Reservoir |
| Mallard | Very Common | City Park in Denver, Pueblo City Park |
| Northern Pintail | Common | Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Walden Ponds |
| Bufflehead | Uncommon | Boyd Lake State Park, Cherry Creek State Park |
| Snowy Egret | Common | John Martin Reservoir, Barr Lake State Park |
| Great Egret | Common | Chatfield State Park, St. Vrain State Park |
| Great Blue Heron | Very Common | Standley Lake, Roxborough State Park |
| Green Heron | Common | John Martin Reservoir, Cherry Creek State Park |
| Black-Crowned Night-Heron | Common | Denver City Park, Pueblo City Park |
| White-Faced Ibis | Uncommon | Occasionally sighted at Barr Lake State Park |
| California Gull | Common | Pueblo Reservoir, Boyd Lake State Park |
| Ring-Billed Gull | Very Common | Cherry Creek Reservoir, Boyd Lake State Park |
| American Avocet | Common | Barr Lake State Park, John Martin Reservoir |
| Black-necked Stilt | Uncommon | Pueblo Reservoir, John Martin Reservoir |
| Sandhill Crane | Uncommon | Monte Vista Wildlife Refuge, Fruitgrowers Reservoir |
| Lesser Scaup | Common | Boyd Lake State Park, Pueblo City Park |
| Ruddy Duck | Common | Cherry Creek Reservoir, Barr Lake State Park |
| Northern Shoveler | Common | Cherry Creek Reservoir, Boyd Lake State Park |
| Surf Scoter | Rare | Occasionally sighted in larger bodies of water |
| Red-breasted Merganser | Uncommon | Cherry Creek Reservoir, Boyd Lake State Park |
| Common Merganser | Very Common | Chatfield State Park, Cherry Creek Reservoir |
| Osprey | Common | Barr Lake State Park, Boyd Lake State Park |
Water Bird Species Found in Colorado
Where to Spot Colorado’s Water Birds
Barr Lake State Park:
Located northeast of Denver, this park is known as a birder’s paradise. The reservoir is a significant rest stop for migratory birds and home to a large variety of water birds, including pelicans, herons, and a number of duck species. The park also hosts one of Colorado’s largest heron rookeries.
Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge:
Situated in the San Luis Valley, this refuge encompasses wetlands, riparian corridors, and short-grass prairie habitats. A prime location for observing a diverse variety of water birds, including Sandhill Cranes, the area is a significant stopover for migratory birds.
Rocky Mountain National Park:
The park’s varied ecosystems from lowland marshes to alpine lakes make it a perfect habitat for a wide range of water bird species. You might spot the American Dipper here, North America’s only aquatic songbird, along with various species of ducks, grebes, and herons.
Cherry Creek State Park:
Close to Denver, this park offers a large reservoir and wetland habitats. It’s a great spot to see a variety of water birds, including a wide range of ducks, cormorants, and herons.
John Martin Reservoir State Park:
Located in southeastern Colorado, this is one of the largest bodies of water in the state. It attracts a wide variety of water birds, including pelicans, herons, and numerous duck species, making it a significant bird-watching site.
There are literally hundreds of waterbirds in Colorado, from the canada goose and snow geese (canada geese being most common) to ducks such as the mallard duck, blue winged teal and the green winged teal (two similarly sized birds but you can spot the green with its bright green head and green ear patch) to the common teal notable by having no vertical white stripes, to a whole host of wading birds in Colorado springs. Then they are fabulous large birds such as the greater yellowlegs (known for its yellow legs) as well as a wide range of other bird species in Colorado including birds of prey such as bald eagles.
| Neighboring State | Best Spots for Birdwatching |
|---|---|
| Wyoming Water Birds | Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge, Jackson Lake, Keyhole State Park |
| Nebraska Water Birds | Rowe Sanctuary, Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center, Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge |
| Kansas Water Birds | Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area, Quivira National Wildlife Refuge , Marais Des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge |
| Oklahoma Water Birds | Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge |
| New Mexico Water Birds | Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Elephant Butte Lake State Park |
| Utah Water Birds | Great Salt Lake, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge |
| Arizona Water Birds | Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve |