My research has identified 27 bird species that regularly visit backyard feeders in the state of New Mexico. Can you identify them? This guide will help you distinguish between male, female, and juvenile plumages with clear illustrations. Additionally, I have included the songs and calls of each bird. Learn their markings and sounds to become a bird expert and enhance your backyard birding experience.
- Click on links below to jump to a species account, or scroll down and navigate this guide.
- Diversity of birds that visit backyard feeders in the State of New Mexico
- What types of birds visit backyard feeders?
- Why Bird Visits to Your Feeder Change with the Seasons?
- List of birds that visit backyard feeders in the State of New Mexico
- SPARROWS, FINCHES, & ALLIES
- DOVES AND PIGEONS
- MOCKINGBIRDS, THRASHERS, & CATBIRDS
- STARLINGS
- JAYS & CROWS
- TITMOUSE & CHICKADEE
- NUTHATCHES
- THRUSHES & ROBINS
- WOODPECKERS
- WRENS
- WARBLERS
- What type of bird feeder should I get to attract birds in the State of New Mexico?
- How do I attract birds to my bird feeder in my state?
- What type of food do I need to attract birds in the State of New Mexico?
This guide doesn’t just stop at identification through images. Each bird entry dives into their natural history, giving interesting facts and insights. Learn about their preferred foods and feeders, behavior, habitats, and natural history. It’s a win-win! Learn about the birds that visit your yard, while providing them with food.
Backyard birders will find the guide to backyard feeder birds of New Mexico useful as an identification and reference tool. This information can also be used to engage the local community in bird conservation efforts. Knowing the diversity, types of birds, and visitation frequency can inspire people to participate in citizen science projects.
Diversity of birds that visit backyard feeders in the State of New Mexico
Bird feeders in the State of New Mexico boast a remarkable diversity of species, with at least 11 distinct bird groups represented. Sparrows, finches, and their allies constitute the largest group, with 9 species from this group alone. This number suggests that feeders offer a particularly attractive food source for these seed-loving birds.
Bird species included in this guide are the 27 most frequently reported birds by backyard bird enthusiasts in the State of New Mexico participating in the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology Feederwatch Program.
New Mexico’s bird feeders cater to a diverse range of avian visitors, including common and widespread species alongside those unique to the region, such as the evening grosbeak and purple finch.
Bird groups and the number of species per group visiting bird feeders in the State of New Mexico.
- Sparrows, Finches, and their allies: 9 species.
- Woodpeckers: 3 species.
- Jays and Crows: 3 species.
- Titmouse & Chickadee: 3 species.
- Doves: 3 species.
- Bluebirds & Robins: 1 species.
- Mockingbird and Thrashers: 1 species.
- Wrens: 1 species.
- Starlings: 1 species.
- Nuthatches: 1 species
- Warblers: 1 species
What types of birds visit backyard feeders?
Most birds that visit backyard feeders in New Mexico exhibit flexible diets and behaviors. Some are primarily seed and grain eaters that switch to insect-based diets (sparrows, finches, and their allies), while others are primarily insect-eating birds that can switch to seeds and grains (chickadees, titmice, woodpeckers, wrens, nuthatches, and others). The rest are diet generalists, such as jays, crows, grackles, and starlings, that eat just about anything.
Beyond their flexible diets, birds that visit feeders also have adaptable behaviors. These birds have adjusted to living alongside humans and have learned to exploit readily available sources of food offered to them. However, birds visiting feeders are only a fraction of the approximately 322 species known to occur in the state of New Mexico; the vast majority have not been able to overcome these challenges.
Why Bird Visits to Your Feeder Change with the Seasons?
Bird visitation at feeders in the State of New Mexico varies seasonally due to several factors. In spring and summer, birds may rely less on feeders because natural food sources are plentiful.
During the breeding season, birds need protein-rich food like insects to feed their young, reducing their dependency on feeders that primarily offer seeds and grains.
Migration patterns also influence feeder visitation, with year-round resident birds consistently present, while migratory birds come and go with the seasons.
Weather plays a crucial role, as harsh winter conditions increase birds’ reliance on feeders, whereas heavy rain or strong winds can deter them from visiting due to the challenges in flying and feeding.
Additionally, the state of the feeders themselves affects bird visitation. Empty or poorly maintained feeders with old seeds can drive birds to seek food elsewhere.
List of birds that visit backyard feeders in the State of New Mexico
SPARROWS, FINCHES, & ALLIES
In the State of New Mexico, sparrows, finches, and their allies constitute the largest group of backyard feeder birds. Most are ground-feeder birds that feed on platforms, hoppers, and tube feeders.
Birds in this group have heavy, conical, seed-crushing bills. Backyard feeders generally offer seeds and grains that sparrows, finches, grosbeaks, and buntings like. Some birds in this group take more insects and other invertebrates during the breeding season and switch to a seed and grain diet during the rest of the year.
Cassin’s Finch
Identification: The male cassin’s finch (Haemorhous cassinii) has a red-brown head, rosy throat and breast, and a bright raspberry red cap. Note the dark streaks on the upperparts and no marking on the underparts. The female is gray-brown, heavily streaked below with a patterned head.
Food: They are primarily seed-eaters, so providing a variety of seeds, such as s black oil sunflower seeds, hulled sunflower seeds, nyjer, and millet are likely to attract them to your backyard.
Feeder: It favors platform feeders but can use large and small tube feeders.
Presence: The Cassin’s finch is a non-breeding visitor in the State of New Mexico, although it is a year-round resident in the very north portion of the state. It is more likely to visit feeder during the Fall and Winter months.
Behavior: It is not aggressive at feeders.
Backyard: Cassin’s Finches prefer backyards that have a mix of open spaces, shrubs, and trees, as well as a source of water.
Nest: As with other finches, the nest of the Cassin’s Finch is cup-shaped and made of twigs, grasses, and rootlets, lined with soft materials such as hair or feathers..
Breeding season: Cassin’s finches typically breed in the late spring and summer, from May to July.
Breeding period: The Cassin’s finches lays 3-6 greenish eggs with dusky specks. It takes approximately 26 days from egg-laying (incubation period 12 days, nestling period 14 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: Cassin’s finches live at least 7 years.
House Finch
Identification: The male house finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) has red on the head and breast, contrasting with the gray-brown of the rest of the body. A few males have yellow instead of red. Females are gray-brown streaked with black on the back, breast, and belly.
Food: Attract house finches with black oil sunflower seed, hulled sunflower seeds, safflower, and nyjer.
Feeder: It favors large tube feed, small and large hopper, and platform feeders.
Presence: The house finch is a year-round resident and can be expected year-round in the State of New Mexico.
Behavior: House finches are surprisingly submissive to even smaller birds. They generally interact well with other birds at feeders.
Backyard: Favors human-created habitats and are common in suburban settings.
Nest: House finches build an open cup surrounded by twigs in trees, cactus, and rock ledges. It also nests in light fixtures, house decorations, hanging planters, and building ledges.
Breeding season: The house finch breeds from late March through early August.
Breeding period: The house finch lays 2-6 bluish-white eggs dotted with brown. It takes about 29 days from egg-laying (incubation period 13 days, nestling period 16 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: House finches live at least 11 years and 7 months.
White-crowned Sparrow
Identification: The white-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) has black and white stripes on the crown (adults). The head and breast areas are gray. It is a large and relatively long-tailed sparrow. Immature birds have tan and brown head stripes. The bill color varies from yellow-orange to pink.
Food: Attract white-crowned sparrows with black oil and hulled sunflower seeds, cracked corn, millet, and milo.
Feeder: White-crowned sparrows feed mainly on the ground but take platform feeders.
Presence: The white-crowned sparrow are non-breeding visitor in the State of New Mexico and can be expected at feeder during the Fall and Winter months.
Behavior: Like other ground feeders, white-crowned sparrows interact peacefully with other ground feeders. They can be pushed aside from platform feeders by more aggressive birds.
Backyard: The white-crowned favors overgrown fields and brushy areas, particularly during migration. Yards that resemble this habitat type are likely to attract white-crowned sparrows.
Nest: White-crowned sparrows build a cup-shaped nest in shrubs or bushes at various heights (2-5 feet) from the ground. They can also nest on the ground where tall shrubs are not available.
Breeding season: The white-crowned sparrow’s breeding season varies regionally but is generally from May through mid-August.
Breeding period: The white-crowned sparrow lays 3-7 bluish to greenish eggs spotted with brown concentrated on the wide side of the egg. It takes about 22 days from egg-laying (incubation period 13 days, nestling period 9 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: White-crowned sparrows live at least 13 years and 4 months.
Canyon Towhee
Identification: The canyon towhee (Melozone fusca) is a rather nondescript bird. Both male and female are uniformly grayish-brown with a buffy throat, a rufous cap, spotted breast, and rusty undertail feathers.
Food: Attract canyon towhees with black oil sunflower seeds, hulled sunflower seeds, safflower, cracked corn, peanut hearts, millet, and milo.
Feeder: This towhee is largely a ground feeder that takes seeds spilled below elevated feeders. It uses platform feeders and, less often, hopper feeders.
Presence: The canyon towhee is a year-round resident. It can be expected at backyard bird feeders any time of the year in the state of New MexicoBehavior: The canyon towhee feeds mostly on the ground along with other ground feeders, which are generally not aggressive to each other.
Backyard: This towhee occurs in scrub vegetation and is generally reluctant to venture away from it. It is more likely to visit backyard feeders located adjacent to its preferred habitat.
Nest: The canyon towhee nest on branches of trees, thick forks of scrub vegetation.
Breeding season: The canyon towhee breeds from March through October.
Breeding period: It lays 2-6 white to bluish eggs speckled with reddish brown spots. It takes approximately 27 days from egg-laying (incubation period 13 days, nestling period 14 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: Canyon towhees live at least 7 years.
Dark-eyed Junco
Identification: The dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis) involves three sub-species with their respective plumages portrayed in this image. All plumage variations have dark eyes, a pink bill, and white outer tail feathers. Females are a dull version of the males.
Food: Attract juncos with black oil sunflower seeds, hulled sunflower seeds, safflower, cracked corn, peanut hearts, millet, and milo.
Feeder: Juncos feeds mostly on the ground, eating birdseed spilled by elevated feeders. The readily uses platform and hopper feeders.
Presence: Some sub-species are breeders and stay year-round while others are noon-breeding Fall and Winter visitors.
Behavior: Not an aggressive bird that visits backyards often in flocks. Easily displaced by more aggressive birds.
Backyard: The dark-eyed junco forages in semi-open areas with some vegetation cover. Favors backyards that offer vegetation cover near the feeders.
Nest: The Dark-eyed junco builds a cup-shaped on sloping ground or similar structures, such as among the large roots of upturned trees.
Breeding season: The dark-eyed junco breeds from mid-April through late August.
Breeding period: Dark-eyed juncos lay 3-6 pale greenish spotted with brown eggs. It takes approximately 25 days from egg-laying (incubation period 13 days, nestling period 12 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: Dark-eyed juncos live at least 11 years and four months.
Lesser Goldfinch
Identification: The back color of an adult male lesser goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) can be olive-green with dark wings and a black cap in most of its range. Birds of Texas and South America have solid black upperparts and top of the head. Females have olive upperparts and yellowish underparts.
Food: Attract lesser goldfinches to your yards with nyjer seeds, hulled sunflower, and black-oil sunflower seeds.
Feeder: It favors large and small tube feeders, large hopper and platform feeders.
Presence: Lesser goldfinches are breeding visitors in most of New Mexico and year-round residents in the southernmost part of the state. They can be expected at feeders in the Spring and Summer months in most of the state.
Behavior: Non-aggressive and easy-going at feeders. Submissive to most other feeder birds. Often clings to feeders horizontally.
Backyard: Shrubs, tall weeds, and seed-producing weeds attract lesser goldfinches.
Nest: Lesser goldfinches build a neat cup-shaped nest on twigs, dense shrubs, and dense foliage in overhanging branches of trees 4 to 15 feet above the ground.
Breeding season: The lesser goldfinch breeds breed in April through mid-August in the northern part of its range and mid-May through October in the southern part.
Breeding Period: The lesser goldfinch lays 3-6 bluish and unmarked eggs. It takes about 26 days from egg-laying (incubation period 13 days, nestling period 13 day) until fledging.
Lifespan: Lesser goldfinches live at least 7 years.
Pine Siskin
Identification: The pine siskin (Spinus spinus) is a small finch, all brown and streaked with black. It has a pointed bill and a notched tail. Males show a variable amount of yellow on the wing.
Food: Attract pine siskins with small seeds such as thistle or nyjer, millet, and hulled sunflower seeds. They can also take peanut hearts and suet.
Feeder: Pine siskins tend to cling to vertical stems and also do so on bird feeders. They favor large tube, large hopper, and platform feeders.
Presence: Pine siskins are year-round residents in the central part of New Mexico but non-breeding visitors (fall and winter) in the rest of the state.
Behavior: A nomadic bird, pine siskins can visit feeders one year and disappear the next. Non-aggressive and displaced by larger birds. Thistle feeders exclude most other birds.
Backyard: It is attracted to yards with shrubs and plenty of weeds with small seeds.
Nest: Pine siskins build a cup-shaped nest concealed in dense foliage on overhanging branches. Several pairs may nest in close proximity.
Breeding season: This siskin breeds between March through August.
Breeding period: Pine siskins lay 3-5 greenish with light brown specks eggs. It takes approximately 28 days from egg-laying (incubation period 13 days, nestling period 15 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: They live at least 9 years and 2 months.
House Sparrow
Identification: Males house sparrows (Passer domesticus) have rich-brown and patterned back, chestnut napes, and a black bib that varies with age. The forehead and underparts are gray. Females are brown with a patterned back. Immatures look like females.
Food: House sparrows like black oil sunflower seed, hulled sunflower seed, cracked corn, peanut hearts, millet, and milo.
Feeder: They favor large tube, large hopper, and platform feeders. They also feed on the ground.
Presence: The house sparrow is a year-round resident in the State of New Mexico and can be expected at backyard bird feeders throughout the year.
Behavior: It can be aggressive to other birds at feeders. Dominant over same-sized and smaller birds.
Backyard: Favors open habitats, farmland, and urban areas. Visits all types of backyards.
Nest: House sparrows build large, bulky, and messy-looking nests with a side entrance. It uses cavities, light fixtures, tangled vines, and just about any structure to place a nest.
Breeding season: House sparrows breed in early March through late September.
Breeding Period: House sparrows lay 1-8 variable whitish, bluish, or greenish eggs spotted with gray. It takes about 26 days from egg-laying (incubation period 13 days, nestling period 13 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: House sparrows live at least 15 years and nine months.
Evening Grosbeak
Identification: The male evening grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus) has a yellow forehead and dark head that fades to bright yellow underparts. The wings are mostly black with bright white secondaries. Females are overall gray with some white on the wings. Both sexes have thick pale bills and notched tails.
Food: Attract evening grosbeaks with its favorite food, oil sunflower seeds, and hulled sunflower seeds.
Feeder: It appears comfortable feeding on platform and hopper feeders.
Presence: The evening grosbeak is a scarce year-round resident and a nonbreeding visitor (Fall and Winter) in the State of New Mexico.
Behavior: This large grosbeak often travels in flocks and may temporarily overtake feeders driving other birds away.
Backyard: Favors forested and semi-open woodland and backyards with plenty of trees.
Nest: The evening grosbeak builds a relatively large nest made of twigs. It has a central cup lined with fine material.
Breeding season: They breed in late mid-May through early August.
Breeding Period: The evening grosbeak lays 2-5 bluish eggs with brown spots. It takes about 27 days from egg-laying (incubation period 13 days, nestling period 14 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: The evening grosbeak lives at least 16 years and 3 months.
DOVES AND PIGEONS
Doves and pigeons have small heads and earth-toned plumage. Among birds that visit backyard bird feeders in New Mexico, doves are represented by three species. Doves and pigeons are entirely vegetarian year-round. They have a weak, straight bill adapted to picking seeds and grains and swallowing them whole; some may also consume small berries.
Mourning Dove
Identification: The mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) is all brown with dark spots on the wing. Juveniles have pale edging on feathers.
Food: Attract mourning doves with hulled sunflower seeds, safflower, cracked corn, peanut hearts, millet, oats, and milo.
Feeder: It feeds mostly on the ground, below elevated feeders. The mourning dove also uses platform and large hopper feeders.
Presence: Mourning doves are year-round residents in the State of New Mexico.
Behavior: The mourning dove is non-aggressive at feeders but stands its ground against other birds. Submissive to blue jays, blackbirds, and crows.
Backyard: It favors relatively open yards where it usually feeds on spilled seeds on the ground below hanging feeders.
Nest: Mourning doves build a precarious platform of twigs placed in a fork, branch, or dense foliage, usually 10 to 15 feet above the ground.
Breeding season: Mourning doves breed in mid-February through early October.
Breeding period: The female lays 2 white eggs. It takes about 27 days from egg-laying (incubation period 14 days, nestling period 13 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: Mourning doves live at least 30 years and four months.
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Identification: The Eurasian collared-dove (Streptopelia decaocto) is buffy-brown with a black incomplete collar on the neck. It has a relatively long tail with a pale terminal band. Both sexes look alike.
Food: Attract Eurasian collared-doves with hulled sunflower seeds, cracked corn, peanut hearts, millet, oats, and milo.
Feeder: It usually feeds on the ground but can use large hopper and platform feeders.
Presence: The Eurasian collared-dove has expanded to the State of New Mexico and can be expected at feeders year-round.
Behavior: This dove is not aggressive to other birds at feeders. It may be submissive to other, even smaller birds.
Backyard: Favors semi-open woodlands, farmland, and urban areas. Visits open yards, usually in pairs feeding on spilled seeds on the ground, below hanging feeders.
Nest: The Eurasian collared-dove builds a simple platform of twigs, usually at about 10 feet above the ground.
Breeding season: They breed in late March through mid-September.
Breeding Period: The Eurasian collared-dove lays 1-2 white unmarked eggs. It takes about 30 days from egg-laying (incubation period 16 days, nestling period 14 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: Eurasian collared doves live at least 13 years and 8 months.
White-winged Dove
Identification: The white-winged dove (Zenaida asiatica) is uniform gray-brown with white bars along the edges of the folded wing. Note the blue bare skin around the eye and light gray terminal band in the tail.
Food: Attract white-winged doves with hulled sunflower seeds, safflower, cracked corn, millet, oats, and milo.
Feeder: It feeds mostly on the ground but can use platform feeders.
Presence: The white-winged dove is a year-round resident in the State of New Mexico. It can be expected at feeders throughout the year.
Behavior: Non-aggressive but stands its ground against smaller non-aggressive birds. Submissive to blue jays, blackbirds, and crows.
Backyard: Favors backyard with plenty of perches. It mostly takes the seeds spilled on the ground from hanging feeders.
Nest: It builds a precarious platform of twigs placed in a fork or dense foliage 4-30 feet above the ground.
Breeding season: White-winged doves breed in late March through mid-September.
Breeding Period: White-winged doves lay 2 white eggs. It takes about 35 days from egg-laying (incubation period 18 days, nestling period 17 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: White-winged doves live at least 21 years and nine months.
MOCKINGBIRDS, THRASHERS, & CATBIRDS
Mockingbirds and thrashers delight New Mexico backyard birders with not only their presence but also their songs. All are great songsters, and some are vocal mimics that incorporate parts of other local birds’ songs into their repertoire. They feed mostly on insects and fruit, but laso incorporate seeds. They use their bill to toss leaves and rake through leaf litter in search of food. They do something similar at bird feeders spilling over birdseed as they search for their favorite seed.
Curve-billed Thrasher
Identification: The curve-billed thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre) is mostly gray with a spotted breast and belly. It has a curved bill, long tail, and yellow eyes.
Food: Attract curve-billed thrashers with hulled sunflower seeds, suet cage, cracked corn, and peanut hearts.
Feeder: It favors platform feeders and also feeds on the ground.
Presence: The curve-billed thrasher is a year-round resident in New Mexico and visits feeders throughout the year.
Behavior: Rather shy but it stands its ground at feeders. Backyard: Favors dense vegetation and thickets it uses to approach feeders and hide.
Nest: It builds a relatively large cup-shaped nest in dense vegetation 2-7 feet above the ground.
Breeding season: Curve-billed thrashers breed in March through July.
Breeding period: Curve-billed thrashers lay 3-5 pale bluish or greenish eggs with reddish-brown speckles. It takes about 27 days from egg-laying (incubation period 13 days, nestling period 14 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: Brown thrashers live at least 11 years.
STARLINGS
The European starling is an introduced bird now common and well-established in the State of New Mexico. European Starlings are most frequently associated with disturbed areas created by man. Starlings are diet generalists and are often not welcome at bird feeders as they often come in flocks and bully other birds.
European Starling
Identification: European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) look dark. A close look reveals iridescent purple and green shades with creamy spots. Both the bill and wings are pointed. A juvenile bird is a plain gray color.
Food: European starlings like all types of bird food, including fruit and suet. Some backyard birders deter starlings from their feeders.
Feeder: It favors platform and large hopper feeders, but it is comfortable feeding on the ground.
Presence: The European starling can be expected at feeders any time of the year in the State of New Mexico.
Behavior: Starlings are one of the most dominant and aggressive birds at backyard feeders. This is why backyard birders dislike them.
Backyard: Starlings favor all types of mainly human-created habitats, including urban and suburban ones.
Nest: The European starling builds a bulky and messy nest with a central cup. Nesting takes place in cavities, enclosures, or unused woodpecker cavities.
Breeding season: The European starling breeds in mid-April through early July.
Breeding period: Pairs lay 3-6 bluish or pale blue unmarked eggs. It takes about 33 days from egg-laying (incubation period 12 days, nestling period 21 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: European starlings live at least 15 years and 3 months.
JAYS & CROWS
Jays and crows are among the most familiar birds to many. The Woodhouse’s scrub-jay is a visitor to bird feeders in New Mexico and only a few other states in the Southwest while the blue jay is a common visitor in eastern states. Jays and crows are diet generalists, including just about anything edible in their diets. They can eat seeds, fruits, insects, and even small mammals, and carrion. They are opportunistic and visit all types of backyard feeders that offer food.
Common Raven
Identification: The common raven (Corvus corax) is all black and nearly unmistakable. It is larger and has a longer and thicker bill than the similar American crow. Usually in pair rather than in flocks.
Food: Common ravens will take just about any type of food offered to smaller birds.
Feeder: The common raven favors platform feeders and the ground.
Presence: Common ravens can be expected at feeders in New Mexico any time of the year, but only in the western portion of the state where they are year-round residents.
Behavior: Aggressive and dominant over most other feeder birds. Takes over feeders when present.
Backyard: Favors open country, agricultural fields, and similar open habitats. Present in some suburban areas but not in others.
Nest: It builds a simple platform or accumulation of twigs in trees or tall shrubs 10 to 70 above the ground.
Breeding season: Common ravens breed in mid-February through mid-July.
Breeding period: The common raven lays 3-6 olive-green or bluish eggs blotched with brown concentrated on the wide side of the egg. It takes about 58-60 days from egg-laying (incubation period 23 days, nestling period 35 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: Common ravens live at least 22 years and seven months.
American Crow
Identification: The American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) is all black. It is large and social, moving about in flocks of various sizes. Juvenile birds have dull black plumages without the glossy appearance of the adult.
Food: Attract American crows with oil sunflower seeds, hulled sunflower seeds, safflower, nyjer, cracked corn, peanut hearts, fruit, millet, oats, and milo.
Feeder: The American crow favors platform feeders and the Ground.
Presence: American crows can be expected at feeders in New Mexico any time of the year.
Behavior: Aggressive and dominant over most other feeder birds. Takes over feeders when present.
Backyard: Favors open country, agricultural fields, and similar open habitats. Present in some urban areas but not in others.
Nest: It builds a simple platform or accumulation of twigs in trees or tall shrubs 10 to 70 above the ground.
Breeding season: American crows breed in mid-March through late July.
Breeding period: The American crow lays 3-9 greenish-olive eggs blotched with brown concentrated on the wide side of the egg. It takes about 47 days from egg-laying (incubation period 17 days, nestling period 30 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: American crows live at least 17 years and five months.
Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay
Identification: The Woodhouse’s scrub-jay (Aphelocoma californica) has the head, neck, wings, and tail blue. The throat and breast are creamy white. The belly is brown. It has a distinctively long tail.
Food: The Woodhouse’s scrub-jay is food generalists and eat just about anything put on bird feeders. They like cracked corn, peanuts, peanuts hearts, and milo, and black oil sunflower seed.
Feeder: Woodhouse’s scrub-jays favor platform and large hopper feeders. They readily take to the ground.
Presence: Woodhouse’s scrub-jays are year-round residents in the State of New Mexico.
Behavior: Aggressive and dominant at feeders. Submissive only to crowns, grackles, and some woodpeckers.
Backyard: Favors all yard conditions in areas dominated by scrub and deciduous habitats.
Nest: They build a fairly large nest with a central cup, which is lined with fine material usually within 7-8 feet above the ground.
Breeding season: Woodhouse’s scrub-jays breed from mid-March through mid-July.
Breeding period: Woodhouse’s scrub-jays lay 2-5 greenish spotted with brown eggs. It takes about 36 days from egg-laying (incubation period 18 days, nestling period 18 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: Woodhouse’s scrub-jays live at least 16 years.
TITMOUSE & CHICKADEE
Titmice and chickadees feed mostly on insects, but when this food is scarce, they switch to seeds, buds, and fruit. As the cold winter, months approach, titmice and chickadees store food for later consumption. They are often observed taking food from feeders into the woods to consume or cache it in the bark of trees and holes for later consumption.
Juniper Titmouse
Identification: The juniper titmouse (Baeolophus ridgwayi) is a small nondescript bird. Male and females are mostly gray with no markings. It has a conspicuous crest.
Food: Attract juniper titmouse with hulled sunflowers seeds, cracked peanuts, millet, mealworms and suet.
Feeder: It favors hopper and platform feeders, tube feeders and quickly learns to use suet cages.
Presence: The juniper titmouse is a year-round resident bird in most of the State of New Mexico and can be expected at feeders year-round.
Behavior: Non-aggressive. Submissive to most birds visiting feeders.
Backyard: The juniper titmouse is a bird that favors dense foliage. It is more likely to visit feeders located near dense foliage.
Nest: It builds a cup-shaped nest inside natural cavities or those excavated by woodpeckers.
Breeding season: The juniper titmouse breeds from mid-March through mid-July.
Breeding period: A female juniper titmouse lays 4-7 white, speckled with brown eggs. It takes about 34 days from egg-laying (incubation period 15 days, nestling period 19 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: The juniper titmouse lives at least 5 years.
Mountain Chickadee
Identification: The mountain chickadee (Poecile gambeli) is very similar to the better known black-capped chickadee except for the white stripe above the eye.
Food: Attract mountain chickadees with hulled sunflower seeds, black oil sunflower seed, nyjer, suet, peanuts, peanut hearts, and mealworms.
Feeder: It favors Large and small tube feeders, suet cages, large hoppers, and platform feeders.
Presence: The mountain chickadee is a year-round resident in the mountains of the State of New Mexico. It is absent from areas of low elevation. .
Behavior: Non-aggressive at feeders. It usually takes one seed at a time and leaves to eat it or store it before it returns to the feeder for more. Submissive to most birds visiting backyard feeders.
Backyard: Chickadees are birds of woodlands. They readily visit feeders placed within its natural habitat.
Nest: It nests in cavities that pairs excavate in rotten or soft wood. It also use existing cavities such as those excavated by woodpeckers.
Breeding season: Mountain chickadees breed in mid-April through mid-August.
Breeding period: Mountain chickadees lay 5-9 eggs, white eggs. It takes about 33 days from egg-laying (incubation period 13 days, nestling period 20 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: The Mountain chickadee lives at least 10 years.
Bushtit
Identification: The bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus) small bird of various tones of gray and a long tail. It has a tiny stubby black bill. Some populations have a brown top of the head.
Food: Bushtits are uncommon visitors to feeders. Since they feed on insects, mealworms and suet can be used to lure them to your feeders. They also like hulled sunflower seeds and peanuts.
Feeder: Bushtits favor hopper and platform feeders that can hold a cup with mealworms. Large and small tube feeders with hulled sunflower seeds and a suet cage can also be used.
Presence: Bushtits are year-round residents in most of the State of New Mexico.
Behavior: Non-aggressive at feeders. Submissive to most birds visiting feeders.
Backyard: Bushtits favor tall shrubs, scrub bushes and small trees that resemble their natural habitats.
Nest: Bushtits build a bag-like nest made with spider web mixed with tiny twigs and pieces of dead leaves. The nest is an elaborate work that takes weeks to complete.
Breeding season: Bushtits are cooperative breeders and have a long breeding season starting in early March through mid-August.
Breeding period: Bushtits lay 4-10 white eggs. It takes about 20 days from egg-laying (incubation period 12 days, nestling period 18 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: Bushtits lives at least 9 years.
NUTHATCHES
Nuthatches perform a peculiar tree-climbing technique using only their strong legs and feet. Unlike woodpeckers, nuthatches do not use their tails as props and climb trees in all directions, including vertically head-down as they look for small invertebrates hiding in tiny cracks in the bark. Nuthatches feed primarily on insects during the warmer months and switch to seeds during the colder months, a time when they are more likely to visit backyard bird feeders.
White-breasted Nuthatch
Identification: The white-breasted nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) has white sides of the head, throat, and belly. It has a black narrow cap and a bluish-gray back. The lower belly is chestnut.
Food: Attract white-breasted nuthatch with peanut hearts, hulled sunflower seeds, and suet. It also takes millet.
Feeder: It clings, often head-down, to large tube, large hopper, and platform feeders.
Presence: The white-breasted nuthatch is a year-round resident in the State of New Mexico and can be expected at backyard bird feeders throughout the year.
Behavior: This small nuthatch can be feisty and aggressive toward other birds but loses to cardinals, woodpeckers, grackles, and blue jays.
Backyard: The white-breasted nuthatch is a bird of deciduous and semi-open woodlands. It tends to visit backyard feeders located in or near these habitat types.
Nest: Nesting pairs excavate cavities in decayed wood. They also use existing cavities excavated by woodpeckers.
Breeding season: The white-breasted nuthatch breeds in June through September.
Breeding period: The white-breasted nuthatch lays 5-9 creamy white speckled with light brown eggs. It takes approximately 39 days from egg-laying (incubation period 13 days, nestling period 26 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: The white-breasted nuthatch lives at least nine years and nine months.
THRUSHES & ROBINS
In the State of New Mexico this group includes the western bluebird and the American robin. During the breeding season, these two birds feed mostly on insects and some berries . During the non-breeding season, their diet includes a greater proportion of fruit. They generally visit bird feeders that offer mealworms and suet but can take some seeds.
American Robin
Identification: The American robin (Turdus migratorius) is gray above with a blackish head and yellow-orange bill. Reddish-brown below. Colors are more saturated during the breeding season.
Food: Attract American robins with hulled sunflower seeds, suet, peanut hearts, fruit, and mealworms.
Feeder: It favors platform feeders and the ground.
Presence: The American Robin is moslty a year-round resident in most of the State of New Mexico.
Behavior: Non-aggressive at feeders. Usually feeds on the ground and jumps to platform feeders.
Backyard: Favors relatively open habitats and yards with feeders in open spaces.
Nest: It builds a well-shaped cup on forks or horizontal branches 5-25 feet above the ground. They can also nest on the ground, light fixtures, house ledges, and bridges.
Breeding season: American robins breed in April through mid-August.
Breeding period: The American Robin lays 3-5 distinctively blue eggs with no markings. It takes about 26 days from egg-laying (incubation period 13 days, nestling period 14 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: American robins live at least 13 years and 11 months.
WOODPECKERS
Most woodpeckers feed primarily on insects and other arthropods that are gleaned or excavated by chiseling or hammering from bark or branches. Many species supplement their diet with seeds, nuts, fruit, and nectar. Woodpeckers are regular visitors to backyard bird feeders in New Mexico. Some species, like the Ladder-backed woodpecker, often takes seeds from feeders to cache elsewhere for later consumption.
Ladder-backed woodpecker
Identification: The ladder-backed woodpecker (Dryobates scalaris) has a back barred with black and white but the sides of the breast and belly are spotted. The head is patterned. Adult males have a red crown and nape.
Food: Attract ladder-backed woodpeckers with suet, black oil sunflower seeds, hulled sunflower seeds, peanuts, peanut hearts, and mealworms.
Feeder: They favor suet cages, large and small hopper, and platform feeders.
Presence: The ladder-backed woodpecker is a year-round resident in the eastern portion of the State of New Mexico where it visits backyard bird feeders any time of the year.
Behavior: Generally non-aggressive but dominant over smaller birds and submissive to larger ones.
Backyard: Ladder-backed woodpeckers favor semi-open woodlands and wooded urban areas. They are more likely to visit backyard feeders located in or near these habitat types.
Nest: Ladder-backed woodpeckers nest in cavities they excavate in dead branches at variable heights from the ground.
Breeding season: They breed from mid April through late-July.
Breeding period: Ladder-backed woodpeckers lay 2-7 pure white and round eggs.
Lifespan: The ladder-backed woodpecker lives at least 5 years.
Downy Woodpecker
Identification: The downy woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) is a tiny black and white woodpecker. Males have a red spot on the nape, which is missing in the female. Note the relatively short bill.
Food: Attract downy woodpeckers with suet, black oil sunflower seeds, hulled sunflower seeds, peanuts, peanut hearts, and mealworms.
Feeder: Downy woodpeckers favor suet cages, large and small hopper, and platform feeders.
Presence: The downy woodpecker is a year-round resident in most of New Mexico.
Behavior: Generally non-aggressive but dominant over smaller birds and submissive to larger ones.
Backyard: Downy woodpeckers favors semi-open woodlands and wooded urban areas. They are more likely to visit backyard feeders located in or near these habitat types.
Nest: Downy woodpeckers nest in cavities they excavate in dead branches at variable heights from the ground.
Breeding season: Downy woodpeckers breed in early March through early July.
Breeding period: Downy woodpeckers lay 3-8 white round eggs. It takes about 31 days from egg-laying (incubation period 12 days, nestling period 19 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: Downy woodpeckers live at least 11 years and 11 months.
Northern Flicker
Identification: The northern flicker (Colaptes auratus) is one of the largest woodpeckers in the State of New Mexico. It is warm brown with black barring on the back and wings and large black spots on the belly. It has a conspicuous black crescent on the chest. Males have a black malar stripe, which is missing in the female.
Food: Attract Northern flickers with black oil sunflower seed, hulled sunflower seeds, and suet.
Feeder: Northern flickers favors suet cages, large hopper, and platform feeders.
Presence: The northern flicker is a year-round resident in New Mexico and can be expected at feeders any time of the year.
Behavior: Northern flickers are not particularly aggressive to other birds at feeders but are dominant over smaller-sized birds.
Backyard: Favors semi-open habitats with plenty of open ground, including suburban areas.
Nest: The northern flicker nest in cavities it excavates in rotten wood.
Breeding season: The northern flicker breeds from May through early August.
Breeding period: The northern flicker lays 5-8 pure white and unmarked eggs. It takes about 37 days from egg-laying (incubation period 12 days, nestling period 25 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: Northern flickers live at least 9 years and 2 months.
WRENS
Wrens are energetic songbirds often seen with their characteristically short tails cocked over their backs. Wrens feed primarily on insects and other invertebrates, but they also consume lesser quantities of berries and seeds. They are great songsters, gracing backyard birders in New Mexico not only with their presence but also with their vocalizations..
Bewick’s Wren
Identification: The Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) is brown on the back, wings, and cap. The tai and wings have black barring. It has a pale throat and breast that grades to grayish. Note the bold white eyebrow and slightly decurved bill. It is a great songster.
Food: Attract Bewick’s Wrens with mealworms, suet, hulled sunflower seeds, and peanuts.
Feeder: It favors large or small hopper feeders, tube feeders, suet cages, and the ground.
Presence: Bewick’s wrens are year-round residents in most of the State of New Mexico and can be expected at bird feeders any time of the year.
Behavior: It is often shy at feeders and does not stay out of dense vegetation for long periods of time. Submissive to most other birds.
Backyard: Bewick’s wrens favor dense vegetation, tangled understory, or brush piles that they use to approach bird feeders and return for cover.
Nest: The Bewick’s Wren builds a bulky oven-shaped nest with a side entrance. The nest is placed in broken-off stumps and limbs 3-6 feet above the ground. It also nests in hanging planters and hanging decorations on porches.
Breeding season: Bewick’s wrens breed in late Mid-April through Mid-August.
Breeding period: Bewick’s Wrens lay 3-7 creamy-white eggs with brown to reddish-brown spots. It takes about 30 days from egg-laying (incubation period 15 days, nestling period 15 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: Bewick’s wrens live at least 8 years.
WARBLERS
Warblers generally do not visit bird feeders. Most warblers in North America feed on insects and other small invertebrates, but some include fruit, nectar, and small seeds during the winter or non-breeding season. The yellow-rump warbler is mostly a non-breeding visitor but also has breeding populations in parts of New Mexico.
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Identification: The yellow-rumped warbler (Setophaga coronata) in winter plumage is grayish-brown with blackish streaks. The throat is whitish. The rump and sides of the breast and belly are yellow. It has two distinctive white wing bars.
Food: Attract yellow-rumped warbler with hulled sunflower seeds, suet, peanuts, peanut hearts, nectar, fruit, and mealworms.
Feeder: It favors large and small tube feeders, suet cages, large and small hopper feeders, fruit and nectar feeders.
Presence: Yellow-rumped warblers are mostly non-breeding visitors in the State of New Mexico and can be expected at bird feeders during the Fall and Winter months.
Behavior: A non-aggressive visitor to feeders. It is submissive to most other birds at feeders.
Backyard: Yellow-rumped warblers favor semi-open woodland and yards where it moves about in flocks.
Nest: It builds an open cup on horizontal branches in coniferous forests 4-50 feet above the ground.
Breeding season: The yellow-rumped warbler breeds in mid-May through late August.
Breeding period: Yellow-rumped warblers lay 1-6 whitish eggs speckled with reddish-brown. It takes about 25 days from egg-laying (incubation period 12 days, nestling period 12 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: Yellow-rumped warblers live at least 10 years.
What type of bird feeder should I get to attract birds in the State of New Mexico?
The type of bird feeder to get in the State of New Mexico is a platform feeder or hopper feeder, particularly if one is starting to feed backyard birds.
I analyzed the type of feeder most used by backyard feeder birds. The results apply to the State of New Mexico and other states as these birds have wide ranges in North America.
According to the data analyzed, most (92.5%) birds use platform feeders, followed by large hopper feeders (64.8%). Many birds (32%) are comfortable feeding on the ground.
The analysis consisted of tallying bird species by bird feeder type used. The data comes from reports from folks that feed backyard birds in the region reported to the FeederWatch Project of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology.
The table below shows the bird feeder types most frequently used by backyard birds in the State of New Mexico.
| Feeder Type | Number of Species that use it | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | 50 | 92.5 |
| Large Hopper | 35 | 64.8 |
| Ground | 32 | 59.2 |
| Large Tube | 20 | 37.0 |
| Suet Cage | 20 | 37.0 |
| Small Tube | 15 | 27.7 |
| Small Hopper | 9 | 16.6 |
How do I attract birds to my bird feeder in my state?
Attracting birds to your bird feeders in New Mexico is as simple as putting up a feeder with food or simply spraying birdseed on the ground. Once one or two birds find the food source, other birds see them coming and going from your yard to the feeder and follow them.
It is very important to be consistent. Once you put birdseed out for the birds, they will make visiting your backyard a part of their daily routine. If food is unavailable for several days, they will drop your backyard as a reliable source of food and visit it only sporadically.
The time it takes for the birds to discover your feeders depends on the vegetation in your yard and around it. Bushes and trees attract birds, and more birds around are more likely to notice your feeders.
The bird feeder should be located in a place visible to the birds. As indicated above, I recommend spraying food on the ground and putting food on a platform feeder. If you have grass in your yard and food is unlikely to be seen by the birds, you can simply use a piece of plywood to place birdseed.
Once you have a few birds visiting your yard, you can implement a hopper or tube feeder. You can gradually move the bird feeder to a location in your yard where you can enjoy them from your home, for instance, outside the kitchen window.
What type of food do I need to attract birds in the State of New Mexico?
My preferred food for beginners is birdseed mixes available in stores. Bird seed mixes include several seeds and grains that appeal to a wider variety of birds.
Once you get birds coming to your feeders, you can begin to offer the type of food that is more likely to attract the birds you want to see in your feeders.
Photo Credits:
The photographic material used in this guide was made available on various websites. Many thanks to Andrew Morffew, Mark Mochell, Elizabeth Milson, Duzan Brinkhuizen, Matt Weller, Troy Anderson, Dennis Church, Wendy Miller, Rick From Alabama, Carlos Sanchez, John Benson, Mick Thompson, Steve Guttman, Victor Espinoza, Kelly Colgan-Azar, Andy Reago, Chrissy McLaren, Garry C., Michael Janke, Cuatro77, Linda Fortuna, Vicky DeLoach, Paul Hurtado, Tom Murray, Tom Wilberding, Patricia Pierce, Kenneth Cole-Schneider, Doug Greenberg, Brian Garrett, David White, Victoria Pickering, Becky Matsubara, Dan Mooney, and Julio Mulero.
Voices:
Most recordings were made by Paul Marvin (Xeno-canto https://xeno-canto.org/contributor/RFTXRYBVBX)
References and Sources:
- eBird. (https://ebird.org/)
- Project Feederwatch (https://feederwatch.org/)
- Sibley, David, 2000, The Sibley Guide to Birds.
- Species Longevity Data: United States Geological Survey (https://www.usgs.gov/)
- Allaboutbirds. (https://www.wikipedia.org/)
Final thoughts:
The guide to backyard feeder birds of the State of New Mexico is meant to be used as an identification and reference tool. The Guide is largely based on the concept of citizen science. Most of the information in this article comes from citizen reports.
This identification guide covers common birds that visit backyard feeders in the State of New Mexico.