Birds

A small, sandy-colored, long-billed bird sitting on a red sandstone wall.
A Rock Wren sits on a wall at Quarai.

NPS Photo/Adair Bock

 
Picture of American Robins at Abo.
American Robins at Abó

NPS Photo/Murt Sullivan

The Birds of Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument
By Hart Schwarz
With edits by Adair Bock and Bethany Burnett

Salinas may not be very large by National Park standards, covering just over 1,000 acres, and it's actually divided into three separate areas that can be as far apart as 35 miles. You might think that such a scattered park would have a lot of different birds and habitats, but the similar environment of the piñon/juniper life zone creates a strong connection among the areas, making the bird list relevant for all three units. Each unit, Gran Quivira, Quarai, and Abó, has its own unique characteristics, largely influenced by the presence of wetland resources. Remarkably, between 1996 and 2002, over 150 bird species were recorded in Salinas. If you're eager to spot some birds, Quarai is definitely the best spot to check out.

Quarai (6,600 ft.): Early records of birds in Salinas are quite limited, and when they do exist, they mostly focus on Gran Quivira. This site was the only one designated as a federal Monument until 1980, which is why it received most of the research attention. Because of this, the early understanding of Salinas' birds was largely influenced by the conditions at Gran Quivira, where the lack of water led to fewer bird species. However, since 1996, new studies have uncovered a wealth of biological diversity at Quarai, where the presence of permanent water supports cottonwoods and other riverside plants, including many fruit-bearing shrubs. This has resulted in a much greater variety of bird species.

This year, a pair of Cooper's Hawks made their home along the Spanish Corral Trail, while Great Horned Owls chose to nest in the ruins nearby. One of the last birds to arrive in spring is the stylish yet somber Phainopepla, which is found at Quarai at the northern edge of its habitat. Typically, eggs are laid in late June, and the young usually leave the nest by the end of July, just as chokecherries and currants start to ripen. Other birds that nest in this beautiful spot on the edge of the Manzano Mountains include the Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Western Wood-Pewee, Say's Phoebe, Plumbeous Vireo, Rock Wren, Western Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, Blue Grosbeak, and Lesser Goldfinch. During winter, Song Sparrows and White-crowned Sparrows signal the season, which, while quieter than the busy summer months, can still bring interesting visitors like the Virginia Rail or the Marsh Wren.

Summer and winter are pretty predictable, but migration at Quarai is like having a wild card that can turn even the craziest dreams into reality. During spring and fall, Quarai becomes a hotspot for birds, which is why the Park Service and the Forest Service have teamed up to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day here since 1998. From 1998 to 2002, they recorded 92 different bird species on that second Saturday in May. Among these, there are fifteen types of warblers, with the Blue-winged and Chestnut-sided warblers being the most notable.

Click here to see the cumulative World Migratory Bird Day list for Quarai.

Click here to read about the 2014 World Migratory Bird Day at Quarai.

Abó (6,100 ft.): Abó, like Quarai, has a near constant water source, which makes it look somewhat similar to Quarai. However, it lacks the Yellow-breasted Chat and the Phainopepla. At Abó, you can often see Rock Wrens, Say's Phoebes, Canyon Towhees, and Lesser Goldfinches. In the fall, Lark Sparrows and Hairy Woodpeckers show up more frequently. Abó also has some unique features, like the Black Phoebe that nests every year on a rocky ledge above a spring-fed pool. Mountain Bluebirds and Barn Owls have been observed nesting in the church. Some rare visitors at Abó have included the Spotted Sandpiper, Belted Kingfisher, Steller's Jay, Northern Waterthrush, and Clark's Nutcracker.

Gran Quivira (6,500 ft.): This location, perched on Chupadera Mesa, offers stunning views of the Estancia Valley beneath it. However, due to the complete lack of water, the birdlife here is mostly limited to species that thrive in a nearly untouched juniper-savannah environment. During the breeding season, you can expect to see birds like the Mourning Dove, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Western Scrub-Jay, Bewick's Wren, Juniper Titmouse, Chipping Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, Rock Wren, Say's Phoebe, and sometimes even a Gray Flycatcher.

To understand why an increasing number of people are enjoying birdwatching in Salinas, check out these related links on this webpage: the bird checklist, which will be updated soon; the spring count totals for World Migratory Bird Day at Quarai from 1998 to 2020; and the findings from a Breeding Bird survey conducted at Gran Quivira on May 26, 2002.

Click here to see the 2002 Breeding Bird Survey at Gran Quivira

 

Last updated: February 3, 2025

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument
PO Box 517
105 South Ripley Avenue
Mountainair, NM 87036-0517

Phone:

505 847-2585 x220
Headquarters Visitor Center Front Desk

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