In the heart of the Southwest, New Mexico is home to a diverse array of species of water birds, each playing a unique role in the state’s varied ecosystems. From the arid desert basins to the snow-capped mountains, these birds are dispersed across diverse landscapes, contributing to the rich tapestry of New Mexico’s wildlife.
New Mexico water birds
| Species | Frequency | Where to Find in New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| American White Pelican | Common | Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Conchas Lake |
| Brown Pelican | Rare | Occasionally seen in larger reservoirs |
| Double-Crested Cormorant | Common | Wetlands and larger bodies of water statewide |
| Great Blue Heron | Very Common | Wetlands statewide, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge |
| Great Egret | Common | Wetlands and riparian areas, Rio Grande River Valley |
| Snowy Egret | Common | Wetlands and riparian areas, Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge |
| Green Heron | Common | Wetlands statewide, Gila River |
| Black-Crowned Night-Heron | Common | Urban and suburban areas near water, Albuquerque BioPark |
| Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron | Uncommon | Southeast part of the state, Carlsbad area |
| Mallard | Very Common | Lakes, rivers, and wetlands statewide |
| Wood Duck | Common | Freshwater marshes, rivers, and ponds statewide |
| Blue-Winged Teal | Common | Wetlands statewide, especially in the south |
| Northern Pintail | Common | Wetlands, especially Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge during migration |
| Canvasback | Uncommon | Seen in larger bodies of water during migration |
| Redhead | Uncommon | Occasionally seen at Elephant Butte Reservoir |
| Ring-Necked Duck | Common | Wetlands statewide during migration seasons |
| Bufflehead | Common | Coastal areas and large lakes during winter |
| Hooded Merganser | Uncommon | Freshwater lakes and rivers, especially in the northern regions |
| Common Merganser | Common | Large rivers and lakes statewide, Rio Grande River |
| Ruddy Duck | Common | Wetlands statewide, Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge |
| American Coot | Very Common | Wetlands and bodies of water statewide |
| Sandhill Crane | Very Common | Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Ladd S. Gordon Waterfowl Complex |
| American Wigeon | Common | Wetlands statewide, especially during migration |
| Osprey | Uncommon | Mountain lakes and rivers, especially in the north |
| Common Loon | Rare | Occasionally seen at larger bodies of water during migration |
| Pied-Billed Grebe | Common | Wetlands statewide, Navajo Lake State Park |
| American Avocet | Common | Wetlands statewide, especially in the south |
| Black-necked Stilt | Common | Wetlands statewide, especially in the south |
Water Bird Species Found in New Mexico
Where to Spot New Mexico’s Water Birds
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio: This refuge is famous for the thousands of Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese that winter here, making it a paradise for bird watchers. You may also spot American Coots, Double-Crested Cormorants, little blue herons and Western Grebes.
Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Roswell: Located on the Pecos River, Bitter Lake is a haven for over 350 bird species, many of which are water birds. Watch out for the American Avocet, White-Faced Ibis, and the Great Blue Heron.
Elephant Butte Lake State Park, Truth or Consequences: This large reservoir attracts many water birds. Visitors can enjoy seeing species like the Mallard, Northern Pintail, and the Black-necked Stilt, as well as many geese. Snow geese spend winter months down in New Mexico.
Clayton Lake State Park, Clayton: A designated dark sky park, Clayton Lake is not only known for stargazing but also for bird watching. Sightings may include the Bufflehead, Snowy Egret, and the Great Egret.
Rio Grande Nature Center State Park, Albuquerque: This urban oasis in Albuquerque has wetlands that attract a variety of water birds. Bird watchers can look forward to seeing the Green Heron, Black-Crowned Night-Heron along with other wading birds and large birds. It’s not only birds of the aquatic type, you can see many small passerine birds and medium sized birds here.
| Neighboring State | Best Spots for Birdwatching |
|---|---|
| Arizona Water Birds | Patagonia Lake State Park, Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area |
| Utah Water Birds | Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Antelope Island State Park, Great Salt Lake |
| Colorado Water Birds | Barr Lake State Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge |
| Oklahoma Water Birds | Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, Great Salt Plains State Park, Red Slough Wildlife Management Area |
| Texas Water Birds | Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, High Island, Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge |