Nevada is home to a diverse array of birds throughout the year. The state’s varied geography, including deserts, mountains, wetlands, forests, and urban areas, provides habitat for both resident and migratory bird species. Approximately 449 bird species have been documented in Nevada. The availability of birds for viewing and hunting in Nevada varies by season due to migration patterns.
Spring
Spring brings nesting season and the arrival of migratory bird species to Nevada. Early spring is a great time to spot returning species such as western tanagers, black-headed grosbeaks, and Bullock’s orioles. By late spring, most migratory species have arrived to breed in Nevada.
Here are some of the bird species in season during spring in Nevada:
- American bittern
- American avocet
- Barrow’s goldeneye
- Black-chinned hummingbird
- Black-necked stilt
- Black tern
- Blue-winged teal
- Cinnamon teal
- Clark’s grebe
- Common nighthawk
- Common poorwill
- Eared grebe
- Forster’s tern
- Green-tailed towhee
- Long-billed curlew
- Marbled godwit
- Nuttall’s woodpecker
- Peregrine falcon
- Sage thrasher
- Savannah sparrow
- Vermilion flycatcher
- Western kingbird
- Western tanager
- Wilson’s phalarope
- Yellow warbler
Spring is generally the easiest season for birding in Nevada because so many species are present for nesting. Prime birding spots in spring include Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Stewart Father Reservoir, Big Springs, Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, and Oasis Valley.
Summer
Early summer is nesting season for many bird species in Nevada. Resident birds are very active with breeding and raising young. Late summer brings the start of fall migration as some birds begin moving south.
Here are some species to look for in Nevada during summer:
- American white pelican
- Ash-throated flycatcher
- Black-chinned sparrow
- Black-throated sparrow
- Bullock’s oriole
- Burrowing owl
- Calliope hummingbird
- Common nighthawk
- Cooper’s hawk
- Gray vireo
- Greater roadrunner
- Ladder-backed woodpecker
- Lucy’s warbler
- Northern mockingbird
- Summer tanager
- Swainson’s hawk
- Verdin
- Violet-green swallow
- Western wood-pewee
Some of the top summer birding spots in Nevada include Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Beaver Dam State Park, Corn Creek Field Station, and Desert National Wildlife Refuge.
Fall
Fall brings the migration of many species through or out of Nevada. Resident species are also active. Raptors begin migrating south in September.
Good birds to look for in fall include:
- American pipit
- Barrow’s goldeneye
- Black rosy-finch
- Black scoter
- Broad-tailed hummingbird
- Canvasback
- Cassin’s finch
- Chestnut-collared longspur
- Cinnamon teal
- Common goldeneye
- Ferruginous hawk
- Fox sparrow
- Golden eagle
- Greater white-fronted goose
- Loggerhead shrike
- Long-billed curlew
- Mountain bluebird
- Northern harrier
- Ring-necked duck
- Rough-legged hawk
- Sage thrasher
- Sandhill crane
- Virginia rail
- Wilson’s snipe
Top birding areas in fall include Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge, Swan Lake Nature Study Area, Lahontan Reservoir, Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge, and Wayne E. Kirch Wildlife Management Area.
Winter
Many bird species that breed in Nevada migrate south for the winter. However winter sees the arrival of birds that breed further north and migrate to Nevada to overwinter.
Some species to target in winter are:
- Bald eagle
- American wigeon
- Barrow’s goldeneye
- Belted kingfisher
- Bewick’s wren
- Canvasback
- Cedar waxwing
- Common goldeneye
- Common merganser
- Cooper’s hawk
- Dark-eyed junco
- Eurasian wigeon
- Ferruginous hawk
- Golden eagle
- Greater white-fronted goose
- Northern flicker
- Northern pintail
- Northern shoveler
- Prairie falcon
- Red-breasted merganser
- Red-naped sapsucker
- Redhead
- Ring-necked duck
- Rough-legged hawk
- Tundra swan
The Lahontan Valley wetlands near Fallon, Carson Lake and Pasture, Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge are some of the most popular winter birding spots in Nevada.
Rare and Vagrant Species
In addition to regularly occurring species, Nevada hosts a number of rare and vagrant species that appear sporadically. Birders on high alert may be able to spot these special visitors.
Some recent rare and irregular sightings in Nevada include:
- Black-throated sparrow
- Black-vented shearwater
- Black-tailed gull
- Brown booby
- Citrine wagtail
- Common ground dove
- Costa’s hummingbird
- Gray flycatcher
- Gyrfalcon
- Long-tailed jaeger
- Red-flanked bluetail
- Red-throated pipit
- Rose-throated becard
- Rufous-backed robin
- Swainson’s warbler
- Tropical parula
- Wood stork
- Yellow-green vireo
Game Birds and Waterfowl
Nevada offers seasonal hunting opportunities for a variety of resident and migratory game birds and waterfowl. Be sure to check current regulations with the Nevada Department of Wildlife before hunting any bird species in the state.
Popular game birds and waterfowl species include:
- American wigeon
- Canvasback
- Cinnamon teal
- Eurasian collared-dove
- Gadwall
- Green-winged teal
- Mallard
- Merriam’s wild turkey
- Mountain quail
- Mourning dove
- Northern pintail
- Northern shoveler
- Redhead
- Ring-necked pheasant
- Ruddy duck
- White-winged dove
The top areas for game bird and waterfowl hunting are Wildhorse Reservoir, Wayne E. Kirch Wildlife Management Area, Key Pittman Wildlife Management Area, Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area, and Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
Tips for Birding in Nevada
Here are some tips for having a successful birding experience in Nevada:
- Use eBird to find recent bird sightings and create a target list
- Join local birding Facebook groups to connect with the birding community
- Focus your search by habitat type such as mountains, desert, wetlands, etc.
- Pack binoculars, bird guides, snacks, water, sun protection, proper footwear, and layered clothing
- Look for birds at dawn or dusk when they are most active
- Spend more time looking and listening than walking
- Stop at promising spots like water sources, nests, and thickets
- Practice hawk watches during migration periods
- Don’t forget to look up for birds soaring overhead
- Track your sightings and share them on citizen science apps
Conclusion
Whether you live in Nevada or are just passing through, the Silver State offers remarkable birding opportunities across the seasons. With diverse habitat and a location along major migration routes, Nevada hosts an impressive variety of resident species, migrants, and vagrants throughout the year. By studying the seasonal patterns of species occurrence, birders can plan successful outings during peak times for their target birds.