Birding in New Mexico Article and Photos By Gary Saint-John
The Turkey Vulture arrives in Spring
The Ash-Throated Flycatcher arrives in Spring
28
May 2019
Another winter has come and gone in New Mexico, and the arrival of spring fills the air with the promise of migrating birds. The Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology explains migration and a lot more on its All About Birds website (https://www.allaboutbirds.org/): “Birds migrate to move from areas of low or decreasing resources to areas of high or increasing resources. The two primary resources being sought are food and nesting locations.” Scientists around the world have studied—and continue to study—this migration marvel and can answer some—but not all—questions about this behavior (which is not limited to birds). As winter wanes and nature transitions from cold and snowy and windy (depending on where you live in New Mexico) to another cold and snowy and windy (depending on where you live in New Mexico) spring, birders anticipate the arrival of Turkey Vultures, swallows, warblers, sparrows, and hummingbirds, among others. An additional bonus with the advent of spring is that many species of these migrating birds have molted (or soon will molt, which means they replace their feathers) and assume more colorful plumage to help attract a mate in the annual let’sraise-some-youngsters frenzy. This enhanced color also can help birders identify the age of the bird, because it may take a couple of years or more for a bird to reach and maintain its adult plumage. These early migrants—and other birds that arrive later in April into May—herald the slow-but-sure shift of nature that involves increased daylight hours, warmer temperatures, nest building, egg laying, and the nurturing of young hatchlings. But not all migrating birds will remain in New Mexico. Some birds that winter in the state will head north in the spring, while other birds that winter in Mexico or Central America or South America will spend time in New Mexico then continue north and out of state to breed in far-flung destinations such as Alaska and Canada. Those migrants that remain in New Mexico will breed and raise their young in the state’s diverse habitats, including deserts, big cities, small towns, mountains, and plains. And keep in mind that not all birds migrate, generally because they are able to find suitable supplies of food all year round. Non-migrating birds in McKinley County include the Common Raven,
