Long-billed curlew The striking Long-billed Curlew is another species of concern associated with declining grasslands. It is one of only 9 species that are considered to be endemic to the grasslands of the Great Plains. While the species does not nest on Otero Mesa, it certainly uses the area in migration and during the winter. There is hardly a more unusual looking bird in North American than the Long-billed Curlew. The long, decurved bill, which is used for probing for invertebrates, makes up over a quarter of the length of the bird. The species nests in eastern New Mexico and with the species...

Golden eagle Golden Eagle, scientific name: Aquila chrysaetos is a large solitary, predatory bird both admired and hunted because of their beautiful plumage. Their average length measures 32 inches and average wingspan is 78 inches. Golden Eagle feathers are a favorite item on the black market and the largest threat to the eagle is hunting and poaching. The Golden eagle is also hunted, trapped and poisoned by farmers and ranchers because they can sometimes pose a threat to livestock. Golden eagles rarely migrate and if they do it is simply because a shortage of food. Their migration is typically...

Great horned owl The Great Horned Owl, scientific name: Bubo virginianus, also known as the “winged tiger” measures 18-25 inches in length and has an average wingspan of 48 inches. The Great Horned Owl is a highly adaptable species and can be found in various climates throughout all of North America and some parts of South America as well. The owl is a non-migratory bird and travels based solely on the breeding season and the availability of prey. Great Horned Owls are largely nocturnal and begin hunting for small rodents, reptiles, amphibians, insects and even other birds at dusk. They are...

American Avocet

American Coot

American Goldfinch

American Kestrel

American Pipit

Baird’s Sparrow

Coppers hawk The Cooper’s hawk, scientific name: Accipiter cooperii is a medium sized hawk ranging anywhere from 15.5-20.5 inches in length with a 28-25 inch wingspan. The Cooper’s hawk is a short-distance migrant. They are notorious for being primarily bird eaters and also stand out because of their methods of hunting and killing prey. The Cooper’s hawk uses its long tail to help in maneuver through dense forest and brush to capture prey and as a result about 23% of hawks surveyed were found to have fractures in their chest bones (specifically the wishbone.) During the summer...

American Robin

American Wigeon