The New Mexico Breeding Bird Atlas Project

Atlas Handbook

Appendix A: Some Early Nesting Species

The following species are among the earliest nesting species in New Mexico. Some of the species below start nesting early but also continue nesting later in the season as well. Other species only nest early. Catching the first nesting attempts of these species (March or April of most) will ensure that their presence as breeders in a block will be recorded.

Red-tailed hawk
Ferruginous Hawk
Prairie Falcon
Lesser Prairie Chicken
Scaled Quail
Barn Owl
Great Horned Owl
Western Screech-Owl
Black-billed Magpie
American Crow
Horned Lark
Juniper Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
European Startling
Rufous-crowned Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
House Finch
House Sparrow

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