Birds of Utah: The Complete List

Utah’s mix of Great Salt Lake wetlands, desert basins, alpine forests and riparian corridors supports a wide variety of bird life across elevations and seasons. Local hotspots concentrate migrants and breeders alike, so whether you enjoy shorebirds, raptors or songbirds there are reliable places to look.

There are 100 Birds of Utah, ranging from American Avocet to Yellow-headed Blackbird. For each entry the list provides Scientific name,Status (Utah),Primary habitat & hotspots so you can match identification with local occurrence and where to find them — you’ll find below.

When is the best time to visit Utah for birding different species?

Spring (March–May) and fall (August–October) migrations are peak times for diversity, with Great Salt Lake and wetland complexes especially active; summer is best for breeding species in higher elevations, and winter highlights waterfowl and hardy residents at lower elevations.

How should I use the “Status (Utah)” column when planning a trip?

Use the status to gauge how likely a species is to be seen (breeder, migrant, occasional, rare) and to prioritize sites; for real-time planning combine the list with recent eBird reports and local refuge updates for access and seasonal closures.

Birds of Utah

Images and Descriptions

Mallard

Familiar dabbling duck with a glossy green-headed male and mottled female. Frequently seen on ponds and marshes year-round in cities and countryside; easy to identify and commonly encountered by new birders.

Canada Goose

Large, noisy waterfowl with black head and white cheek patch. Ubiquitous in urban parks and wetlands, often in flocks; adaptable grazers that are especially visible during migrations and winter gatherings.

Wood Duck

Striking iridescent male with ornate head pattern and female with eyering. Prefers wooded wetlands and nest boxes; notable for nesting in tree cavities and beautiful plumage during spring and fall.

American Wigeon

Medium dabbling duck with a round head and white forehead on males. Often feeds by grazing on vegetation; common during migration and winter, sometimes in mixed flocks with other ducks.

Northern Pintail

Elegant duck with long, pointed tail and slim profile. Males show chocolate head and long tail; seen in open wetlands and flooded fields during migration and winter.

Green-winged Teal

Small dabbling duck with green facial stripe on males. Agile and quick to flush; one of the smallest teal and common in Utah’s wetlands during migration and winter.

Canvasback

Large diving duck with sloping forehead and chestnut head on males. Dives for aquatic plants; notable on Great Salt Lake and major reservoirs in migration and winter.

Redhead

Round-headed diving duck with reddish head in males. Often found in large flocks with other diving ducks; common in Utah’s lakes and marshes in migration and winter.

Ring-necked Duck

Medium diving duck with peaked head and thin neck ring. Often dives for vegetation; common in ponds and reservoirs, especially during migration periods.

Bufflehead

Tiny, iridescent-headed diving duck with flashy white patch on males. Fast and bubbly divers; common on small lakes and urban reservoirs through migration and winter.

Common Goldeneye

Black-and-white diving duck with round white cheek patch on males. Dives for fish and invertebrates; conspicuous on open water in colder months across Utah.

Common Merganser

Large fish-eating duck with slender serrated bill. Males have white bodies and dark heads; seen on rivers and big reservoirs, often in family groups during spring and summer.

Hooded Merganser

Small crested merganser with dramatic fan crest in males. Prefers wooded wetlands and nest cavities; notable for its striking crest and fishing behavior.

Ruddy Duck

Stout-tailed diving duck with bright chestnut breeding plumage in males. Common in marshes and shallow ponds during summer; known for stiff tail and head-bobbing displays.

American Coot

Dark, chicken-like waterbird with white bill and lobed toes. Highly social and common in Utah wetlands; often seen feeding in flocks and vocal on the water.

American White Pelican

Massive white bird with long bill and throat pouch. Flies in V-formations and forage in shallow lakes; spectacular when thousands concentrate at saline and freshwater wetlands.

Double-crested Cormorant

Long-necked dark waterbird that dives for fish. Often seen perched with wings outstretched to dry; common on Utah reservoirs and lakes during summer.

Great Blue Heron

Tall, long-legged wading bird with slate-blue plumage and slow deliberate movements. A standing sentinel of Utah wetlands, often seen hunting fish along marsh edges and reservoirs.

Great Egret

Large white heron with long S-shaped neck and yellow bill. Elegant and more widespread since recolonization; seen in wetlands during migration and summer.

Snowy Egret

Small white egret with black bill and yellow feet. Graceful forager in shallow water; occasional but eye-catching visitor to Utah wetlands in warm months.

Sandhill Crane

Large grey crane with loud rolling trumpeting calls. Flocks stage and feed in wetlands and fields during migration; highly notable at Bear River and Great Salt Lake areas.

Bald Eagle

Impressive large raptor with white head and dark body in adults. Winters and breeds at major water bodies; often seen perched near fish-rich waters and impressive in flight.

Golden Eagle

Powerful large raptor with long wings and dark plumage. Hunts over open terrain and updrafts; notable in Utah’s high country and desert cliffs.

Osprey

Fish-specialist raptor with distinctive diving behavior and white underparts. Nests on platforms and dead trees near water; reliable at large lakes and reservoirs in summer.

Red-tailed Hawk

Large, chunky hawk with rust-red tail and broad wings. Versatile predator visible from roadsides to mountains; one of Utah’s most familiar raptors.

Swainson’s Hawk

Slim, long-winged hawk with dark belly band in some plumages. Migratory flocks pass through in spring/fall; nests on poles and trees in open country.

Ferruginous Hawk

Largest North American buteo with pale underparts and rust shoulders. Prefers open plains and badlands; a dramatic, fossorial-hunting raptor of Utah’s basins.

Cooper’s Hawk

Medium accipiter with rounded tail and agile flight. A stealthy forest predator of birds that increasingly uses urban woodlands and feeders to forage.

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Small accipiter often hunting songbirds with quick, direct flight. Seen in woodland and along riparian flyways during migration; secretive but noticeable at feeders.

American Kestrel

Small colorful falcon with hovering hunting style. Often perched on wires and poles; widespread and visible throughout Utah year-round in open habitats.

Prairie Falcon

Slim falcon of arid landscapes, agile and fast. Nesting on cliffs and hunting small mammals and birds over sagebrush; a classic western desert raptor.

Peregrine Falcon

High-speed falcon famous for stoops; nests on cliffs and increasingly on tall urban structures. Seen hunting pigeons near lakes, canyons, and cities.

Turkey Vulture

Large soaring scavenger with bare red head. Soars on thermals and often seen circling over open areas; common in warmer months across Utah.

Black-billed Magpie

Long-tailed, bold corvid with black-and-white plumage. A noisy scavenger common in towns and open country; often in groups and very familiar to Utah residents.

American Crow

Versatile all-purpose corvid found across landscapes. Highly social and intelligent; often seen in cities, fields, and near water where food is abundant.

Common Raven

Large all-black corvid with shaggy throat feathers and deep croak. Widespread across Utah from deserts to alpine areas; noticeable for acrobatics and vocalizations.

Steller’s Jay

Striking blue-and-black jay of coniferous forests. Bold at campsites and feeders in high country; distinctive crest and loud calls make it easy to find.

Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay

Blue and gray jay of scrub and pinyon habitats. Curious and often found at roadsides or oak-pinyon areas; known for caching seeds and bold behavior.

Clark’s Nutcracker

Stocky gray-and-black corvid that caches pine seeds. Closely tied to pine forests and altitudinal movements; essential for pine regeneration in Utah’s high country.

Pinyon Jay

Social blue jay of pinyon woodlands that feeds on pine seeds. Forms noisy flocks and is a signature species of pinyon-juniper habitats in southern Utah.

Mountain Chickadee

Small, energetic tit with a black head and white eyebrow. Frequent at feeders and forest edges; distinct call and affinity for high-elevation forests.

Black-capped Chickadee

Familiar small songbird with black cap and bib. Curious and bold at feeders; more common in northern and lower-elevation riparian zones.

Juniper Titmouse

Small gray tit with a tufted crest and lively behavior. Specialist of juniper-scrub habitats and often heard before seen; common in arid woodlands.

White-breasted Nuthatch

Stocky nuthatch with white face and blue-gray back. Climbs headfirst down tree trunks and visits feeders; common in mature deciduous and mixed woodlands.

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Tiny, sharp-billed nuthatch with cinnamon underparts. Active in conifer canopies and at seed feeders during irruptive years; common in high-elevation forests.

Brown Creeper

Cryptic, slender songbird that spirals up tree trunks searching for insects. Camouflaged plumage and distinctive creeping behavior make it a secretive but fascinating forest species.

House Wren

Tiny, bubbly singer with cocked tail and plain plumage. Common in suburban yards, thickets, and riparian scrub during breeding season; energetic and easy to hear.

Marsh Wren

Small, streaked wren that favors dense cattails and bulrush. Notable for loud, bubbling song and secretive behavior; common at marsh edges and wetland habitats.

Canyon Wren

Reddish-brown wren with a haunting, downward-spiraling song. Specialized to steep rocky habitats and canyons; often heard long before seen.

Rock Wren

Pale, slender wren that forages among stones and cliff faces. Bold and tail-flicking behavior; a familiar resident of arid rocky landscapes and canyon country.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Tiny, active insectivore with a concealed ruby crown. Flickers constantly while foraging; common during migration and in winter flocks in wooded areas.

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Minute, high-energy bird with bright crown stripes. Forages in dense conifers and often joins mixed flocks; a winter staple in Utah’s mountains.

Mountain Bluebird

Sky-blue thrush-like species with vivid male coloration. Iconic of western landscapes and common in open sage and meadow habitats; a favorite for many birders.

Western Bluebird

Smaller bluebird with warm rust breast and blue wings. Uses nest boxes and open woodlands; noticeable near edges and in mid-elevation habitats.

Townsend’s Solitaire

Gray, long-tailed thrush with melodious, repeated phrases. Often found in coniferous forests and pinyon-juniper transition zones; sings persistently in winter too.

American Robin

Familiar orange-breasted thrush that announces spring. Ground-foraging feeder on worms and fruits; one of the most ubiquitous birds across Utah’s towns and wildlands.

Hermit Thrush

Subtle, olive-brown thrush with clear, ethereal song. Often heard in quiet forested settings; a spring and summer visitor to higher elevations.

Varied Thrush

Dark, boldly patterned thrush with orange breast band in males. Mostly coastal but occasional in Utah during winter, appreciated for dramatic plumage and song.

Cedar Waxwing

Sleek, crested bird with silky plumage and waxy wing tips. Feeds on fruits and berries in flocks; a conspicuous and gregarious visitor during migration and fruiting seasons.

Western Meadowlark

Melodic, fluted singer perched on fences in open country. Yellow throat and black “V” on chest; emblematic of western prairies and farmland.

Horned Lark

Small ground-dwelling bird with pale face and tiny “horns.” Often in flocks on open ground; conspicuous in winter and breeding on barren habitats.

Yellow-headed Blackbird

Bold blackbird with bright yellow head in males. Nests in cattails and forms large breeding colonies; spectacular displays at marshes and wetlands.

Red-winged Blackbird

Polygynous blackbird with red shoulder patches in males. Abundant in marshes and wet meadows; loud and territorial in breeding season.

Brewer’s Blackbird

Glossy blackbird with iridescence in males. Often forages in open fields and parks; common and widespread across Utah.

Brown-headed Cowbird

Brood-parasitic blackbird that lays eggs in other species’ nests. Frequent in open country and near grazing livestock; often noticed by alarmed host birds.

Common Grackle

Long-tailed blackbird with iridescent sheen. Increasingly seen in parts of Utah; forms noisy flocks and forages in open fields and parking lots.

Song Sparrow

Streaked brown sparrow with strong, melodious song. Versatile and common in brushy habitats and wetlands; easy to hear and often conspicuous.

Savannah Sparrow

Small, streaky sparrow with a short conical bill and subtle head pattern. Prefers grassy areas and wet meadows; often nests on ground sites.

Vesper Sparrow

Plain, long-legged sparrow with white outer tail feathers and soft song. Prefers sparse vegetation and open country; characteristic of Utah’s grasslands.

Brewer’s Sparrow

Small, plain sparrow of sagebrush with subtle streaking. An emblem of sage-steppe habitats; often heard more than seen and a key species in Utah’s shrublands.

Chipping Sparrow

Bright-rumped with reddish cap and crisp song. Common around pines and town trees during breeding season; often nests in neighborhoods and parks.

White-crowned Sparrow

Bold black-and-white striped crown in adults. Often abundant in migration and winter, singing clear phrases; frequents bushes and hedgerows.

Dark-eyed Junco

Dark gray-and-white sparrow with flicking tail. Iconic winter bird at feeders; breeds in higher elevations and descends to valleys in colder months.

Lincoln’s Sparrow

Shy, streaked sparrow with buffy face and subtle song. Prefers dense brush and riparian tangles during migration; often heard more than seen.

Fox Sparrow

Large, heavily streaked sparrow with rusty tones. Forages on ground in dense tangles; occasional in winter and migration, especially in brushy areas.

Sage Thrasher

Cryptic, streaked thrush-like bird that thrives in sagebrush. Notable for long, fluted songs and territorial displays; a species strongly tied to Utah’s sage ecosystems.

Northern Mockingbird

Mimic with long tail and white wing patches. Adaptable to urban and desert areas; flashy songster that often defends territories near homes.

Western Kingbird

Bold-headed flycatcher with pale belly and gray head. Perches conspicuously on wires to hawk insects; common summer visitor throughout Utah’s open country.

Say’s Phoebe

Plain, long-tailed flycatcher with soft peachy belly. Often seen at perches bobbing tail while sallying for insects; common in sage and desert regions.

Olive-sided Flycatcher

Tall-backed flycatcher often heard on conifer tops saying “quick-three beers.” Uncommon but noticeable during migration and in canyon riparian woodlands.

Ash-throated Flycatcher

Big, warm-toned flycatcher with subtle crest and large bill. Prefers arid canyons and pinyon-juniper; more common in southern Utah and desert oases.

Willow Flycatcher

Subtle empidonax flycatcher with plaintive song. Favors dense willow tangles along streams and wet meadows; best identified by voice during breeding season.

Warbling Vireo

Plain, soft-voiced vireo that warbles from leafy canopies. Often sings persistently in June; common along riparian corridors and suburban tree-lined streets.

Northern Shrike

Predatory songbird that impales prey on thorns or barbed wire. Winters in open country and is striking for its bold hunting behavior and hooked bill.

Loggerhead Shrike

Gray shrike with black mask and hooked bill. Hunts large insects and small vertebrates from conspicuous perches; associated with open sage-steppe habitats.

European Starling

Glossy iridescent bird introduced to North America. Forms large flocks, competes at nest cavities, and is common in urban and agricultural areas across Utah.

Rock Pigeon

Introduced city pigeon common on buildings and plazas. Variable plumage and adaptable habits; often seen in parks, bridges, and urban landscapes throughout Utah.

Mourning Dove

Soft cooing dove with long tail and warm brown plumage. Common in yards and open fields, nests on ledges and trees; a familiar backyard species.

Eurasian Collared-Dove

Pale gray dove with black neck crescent; expanding range. Often noisy and conspicuous in towns, farmland, and riparian corridors across Utah.

Belted Kingfisher

Stocky, blue-gray bird with shaggy crest; dives for fish from perches. A familiar sight along streams and reservoirs, rattling loudly when in flight.

American Bittern

Cryptic, streaked heron-like bird that freezes with neck stretched to blend in. Secretive marsh inhabitant detected by booming calls during breeding season in wetlands.

Sora

Small, short-billed rail with chicken-like profile and secretive behavior. Prefers dense cattails and reeds, often heard more than seen; occasional in Utah marshes.

Virginia Rail

Slender, laterally compressed rail with long bill. Fast-moving and secretive in dense marsh vegetation; detected by clattering calls and occasional brief sightings at marsh edges.

Killdeer

Bold, ringed plover known for broken-wing distraction display. Runs on mudflats and lawns; a widespread shorebird that nests on gravel roofs and bare ground.

American Avocet

Elegant long-legged wader with upcurved bill and black-and-white summer pattern. Concentrates on saline flats and mudflats; iconic on Great Salt Lake and other western wetlands.

Black-necked Stilt

Tall, spindly-legged shorebird with black back and white underparts. Walks quickly in shallow water picking invertebrates; conspicuous in breeding colonies.

Wilson’s Phalarope

Odd, nicknamed “spinning” shorebird that forages in mud by spinning to stir prey. Females are more brightly colored; large migrations pass through Utah wetlands.

Snowy Plover

Small pale plover that nests on sparsely vegetated beaches and flats. Threatened in many areas; management at Great Salt Lake aims to protect nesting populations.

Least Sandpiper

Tiny, delicate peep with yellowish legs and quick probing bills. Abundant during migration on mudflats and marsh edges; fun to watch in mixed shorebird flocks.

Long-billed Curlew

Large shorebird with extremely long downcurved bill and mottled plumage. Forages in open ground and playas; an unmistakable and iconic western species when present.

Birds of Other US States