Have you ever thought you’d like to get in to bird watching? I have that thought every Spring, so I’ve compiled a short list to help us get started. Utah is home to many gorgeous birds, particularly in the Spring and Summer before winter migrations. Whether you’re a Utah native or a visitor enjoying a nice desert or mountain vacation, here are some special avian friends to look out for.
- American Goldfinch:
Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on Unsplash
These birds are beautiful, and actually spend a significant part of the year molting. They adopt a blander version of the yellow for the winter to avoid being eaten by predators. They forage on the ground and nest in the trees, so look for them eating in lower vegetation.
2. American Robin
The American Robin makes its appearance at the end of winter, hunting for worms across every lawn in the state. Robins are easily distinguished from other birds with their red-colored bellies. They are among the most common birds to find in residential areas, and are very fun to photograph. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a Robin nest in your yard. Be sure not to disturb the babies or the parents during the nesting process, and you can watch the little family grow up!
3. Gull:
Photo by Joe Cox on Unsplash
The Gull, or the Sea Gull, is another common sight in Utah. As the state bird, legend has it that the birds saved early state pioneers. Orson F. Whitney, one of the early settlers, wrote: “When it seemed that nothing could stay the devastation, great flocks of gulls appeared, filling the air with their white wings and plaintive cries, and settled down upon the half-ruined fields. All day long they gorged themselves, and when full, disgorged and feasted again, the white gulls upon the black crickets, list hosts of heaven and hell contending, until the pests were vanquished and the people were saved.” After devouring the crickets, the gulls returned ‘to the lake islands whence they came.'”
Whether by miracle or regular habit, the gulls won their way into the heart of Utah history. Despite the legend, however, they can be a bit of a local nuisance, haunting picnics and trash cans.
4. Canada Goose:
Photo by Josiah Weiss on Unsplash
You can spot the Canada Goose flying overhead in wedge-style formations over houses and parks, resting in ponds around the state. They are long lived and can live 10 – 20 years or even longer. The goose’s distinctive honk is part of the Utah summer soundtrack, right up there with crickets at night and airplanes over the Salt Lake Valley. Canadian Geese are very comfortable around people, so you won’t have a hard time finding them near water. In the winter, they can be seen at times in farmer’s fields scavenging for leftover crops.
Not all of these birds will leave for the winter, migrations can be complicated, but seeing them appear in everyday life is a signal that winter is ending and spring is on it’s way. When you see the male Goldfinch’s molting and changing into more vibrant colors, you know that sunshine is here to stay. As we approach May, be on the lookout for these and many other types of birds that make Utah such a great place to visit.
