Birding in the Rockies

The Joy of Birds

Birds bring us joy. In the spring and summer, their cheerful songs and colorful feathers brighten our lives. In the fall and winter, they bring comfort on cold, dark days. When you appreciate birds, every walk is a little more interesting, every trip a little more exciting.

Being a birdwatcher doesn't mean you have to be good at identifying birds. To us, a bird watcher is anyone who enjoys seeing or hearing birds, no matter how common they are. 

Whether you're just curious about birds or an avid birdwatcher, we hope the resources on the pages below help you learn about and appreciate the birds of Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah.

Bird Identification

With hundreds of amazing bird species in Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah, it can feel daunting to learn how to identify them, but don't let that prevent you from enjoying them! You don't need to be good at identifying birds to experience the joy of birds.

Spending time observing birds is the best way to improve your identification skills. Yes, there are all kinds of tips and tricks for telling similar species apart, but the best way to start is to familiarize yourself with the birds most common where you live. 

Think about a close friend you have. You can probably identify them silhouetted from a hundred yards away, right? You didn't memorize a list of their field marks, did you?  You're able to recognize your friend because you've subconsciously learned how they look and move after spending lots of time with them. You can do the same thing with birds!

That being said, it can be useful to teach yourself some bird identification basics so you know what to pay attention to. Here are resources we've created to help you appreciate the birds near you!