A Guide to 28 Common Backyard Birds in Nevada

In “A Guide to 28 Common Backyard Birds in Nevada,” readers are presented with a comprehensive overview of the various bird species that can be found right in their very own backyards. Drawing from the data collected by the citizen science program eBird, this article offers a list of 28 commonly observed birds. Each bird is accompanied by captivating pictures, coupled with useful identification tips, making it easier for readers to recognize these feathered friends. Not only does this guide provide invaluable insights into attracting these birds to one’s backyard through the use of bird feeders, but it also sheds light on bird-watching in Nevada and provides resources for further exploration. By understanding the habitat preferences of different bird species, anyone can transform their backyard into a haven for these delightful creatures.

Mourning Dove

The Mourning Dove is the most common backyard bird in Nevada. It is a medium-sized bird with a plump body and a long tail. The male has a pale gray head and neck, while the female has a more brownish color. Both genders have a soft, mournful cooing call.

Mourning Doves can be found in a variety of habitats, including urban areas, gardens, woodlands, and open fields. They are often seen perched on power lines or foraging for seeds on the ground.

In terms of behavior, Mourning Doves are generally monogamous and can form lifelong pair bonds. They build flimsy nests made of twigs and grasses in trees or shrubs. They primarily feed on seeds and grains, but also eat insects and berries. Mourning Doves are known for their graceful flight and are often seen in small flocks.

To attract Mourning Doves to your backyard, provide a platform or ground feeder with a mix of seeds, such as millet, cracked corn, and sunflower seeds. They are also attracted to birdbaths and shallow water sources for drinking and bathing.

House Finch

The House Finch is another common backyard bird in Nevada. It is a small bird with a short, conical bill and a colorful plumage. The male has a reddish coloration on its head, chest, and upper back, while the female is more dull in appearance.

House Finches can be found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, urban areas, and gardens. They are often seen perched on trees, bushes, or bird feeders.

In terms of behavior, House Finches are social birds that form flocks outside of the breeding season. They build cup-shaped nests made of twigs and grasses in trees or shrubs. They primarily feed on seeds, including sunflower seeds, grass seeds, and berries. House Finches are known for their varied and melodious songs.

To attract House Finches to your backyard, provide a tube feeder or hopper feeder with sunflower seeds. They are also attracted to plants that produce berries, such as serviceberry, juniper, and elderberry.

White-crowned Sparrow

The White-crowned Sparrow is a migratory bird that can be found in Nevada during the winter months. It is a medium-sized bird with a striped crown and a grayish-brown body. The adult has a distinctive white crown, while the juvenile has a brown crown with streaks.

White-crowned Sparrows can be found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, shrubs, and grasslands. They are often seen foraging on the ground or perched on low branches.

In terms of behavior, White-crowned Sparrows are known for their beautiful and complex songs. They build cup-shaped nests made of grasses and leaves on or near the ground. They primarily feed on seeds, but also eat insects and berries.

To attract White-crowned Sparrows to your backyard, provide a ground feeder or scatter seeds on the ground. They are also attracted to plants that produce seeds and berries, such as sunflowers, asters, and elderberries.

American Robin

The American Robin is a familiar and widespread backyard bird in Nevada. It is a medium-sized bird with a plump body, a reddish-orange breast, and a dark gray back. The male and female have similar plumage.

American Robins can be found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, gardens, and grasslands. They are often seen hopping on lawns, or perched on trees and fences.

In terms of behavior, American Robins are known for their distinctive song, which is a melodious series of whistles. They build cup-shaped nests made of mud and grass in trees or shrubs. They primarily feed on earthworms and insects, but also eat berries and fruits.

To attract American Robins to your backyard, provide a birdbath or shallow water source for drinking and bathing. They are also attracted to gardens with fruit-bearing trees and shrubs, such as cherries, hawthorn, and dogwood.

Yellow-rumped Warbler

The Yellow-rumped Warbler is a small migratory bird that can be found in Nevada during the winter months. It is a small bird with a grayish-brown body, a yellow crown, and yellow patches on its sides. The male and female have similar plumage.

Yellow-rumped Warblers can be found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, shrubs, and grasslands. They are often seen foraging for insects in trees and bushes.

In terms of behavior, Yellow-rumped Warblers are known for their flicking tail and distinctive call, which is a series of high-pitched chips. They build cup-shaped nests made of twigs and grasses in trees or shrubs. They primarily feed on insects, but also eat berries and fruits.

To attract Yellow-rumped Warblers to your backyard, provide a suet feeder or small insects, such as mealworms. They are also attracted to plants that produce berries, such as bayberry, sumac, and juniper.

Northern Flicker

The Northern Flicker is a large woodpecker that can be found in Nevada throughout the year. It is a medium-sized bird with a brownish body, a black-spotted breast, and a white rump. The male has a red patch on the back of its head.

Northern Flickers can be found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, forests, and urban areas. They are often seen perched on trees or foraging for insects on the ground.

In terms of behavior, Northern Flickers are known for their distinctive call, which is a loud, repetitive “wick-a-wick-a-wick”. They build cavity nests in trees or use pre-existing cavities. They primarily feed on ants and beetles, but also eat fruits and seeds.

To attract Northern Flickers to your backyard, provide a suet feeder or a hollowed-out log filled with suet. They are also attracted to trees with dead branches, as they use them for drumming and cavity nesting.

Red-winged Blackbird

The Red-winged Blackbird is a common backyard bird in Nevada. It is a medium-sized bird with a glossy black body and red and yellow shoulder patches. The female has a more brownish color with white streaks.

Red-winged Blackbirds can be found in a variety of wetland habitats, including marshes, swamps, and ponds. They are often seen perched on cattails or reeds, or flying in flocks.

In terms of behavior, Red-winged Blackbirds are known for their distinctive song, which is a conk-la-ree! They build cup-shaped nests made of grasses and leaves in marsh vegetation. They primarily feed on insects and seeds, but also eat fruits and berries.

To attract Red-winged Blackbirds to your backyard, create a wetland area with a small pond or water feature. They are also attracted to bird feeders with sunflower seeds and cracked corn.

Other Common Backyard Birds in Nevada

In addition to the birds mentioned above, there are many other common backyard birds in Nevada. Some of these include:

Anna’s Hummingbird: A small hummingbird with a bright metallic green body and a long bill. It can be found in gardens and woodlands.
Black-capped Chickadee: A small songbird with a black cap and bib, and a grayish-black body. It can be found in woodlands and urban areas.
Cactus Wren: A medium-sized bird with a rusty brown back and a white eyebrow. It can be found in desert areas with cacti and shrubs.
Dark-eyed Junco: A small songbird with a grayish body and a pink bill. It can be found in woodlands and gardens.
Northern Mockingbird: A medium-sized bird with a grayish body and a long tail. It can be found in a variety of habitats, including urban areas and gardens.
Spotted Towhee: A medium-sized bird with a black head and upper body, and a rusty red belly. It can be found in woodlands and shrubs.
Western Bluebird: A small bird with a blue back and a rusty red belly. It can be found in woodlands and open areas.
Western Kingbird: A medium-sized bird with a yellow belly and a gray back. It can be found in open areas and woodlands.
White-breasted Nuthatch: A small bird with a gray back and a white belly. It can be found in woodlands and gardens.
Yellow Warbler: A small songbird with a yellow body and a gray back. It can be found in woodlands and shrubs.

Bird Feeders and Foods

To attract backyard birds to your yard, it is important to provide the right types of feeders and foods. Different birds have different feeding preferences, so having a variety of feeders and foods will attract a greater diversity of bird species.

Types of bird feeders

Tube feeders: These feeders are long and cylindrical, with multiple feeding ports. They are suitable for small to medium-sized birds, such as finches and chickadees.
Platform feeders: These feeders are flat and open, allowing birds to feed on the ground or from a raised platform. They are suitable for larger birds, such as doves and sparrows.
Suet feeders: These feeders are designed to hold suet, which is a high-energy food made from animal fat. They are popular with woodpeckers and nuthatches.

Bird feeder placement

The placement of your bird feeders is also important for attracting backyard birds. Here are some tips:

Place feeders in a quiet and sheltered area, away from high-traffic areas and potential predators.
Keep feeders at least 10 feet away from windows to prevent bird collisions.
Hang feeders at different heights to accommodate different bird species.
Clean and refill feeders regularly to prevent the spread of diseases.

Common bird foods

Different bird species have different dietary preferences. Here are some common types of bird foods:

Seeds: Birds that primarily eat seeds include finches, sparrows, and jays. Popular seeds include sunflower seeds, millet, and cracked corn.
Suet: Birds that eat suet include woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees. Suet can be purchased or made by mixing animal fat with birdseed.
Nectar: Birds that feed on nectar include hummingbirds and orioles. Nectar can be made by dissolving sugar in water at a ratio of 1 part sugar to 4 parts water.
Fruit: Birds that eat fruit include thrushes, waxwings, and tanagers. Offer sliced apples, oranges, or berries on a platform feeder.

Tips for attracting backyard birds with feeders

Provide a variety of feeders and foods to attract a greater diversity of bird species.
Offer fresh water in a birdbath or shallow dish for drinking and bathing.
Plant native flowering plants and shrubs that produce seeds and berries.
Create a brush pile or leave fallen leaves and branches for birds to forage for insects.
Avoid the use of pesticides and herbicides, as they can be toxic to birds.
Maintain a clean and tidy backyard, as birds are attracted to well-maintained areas.

Understanding Bird Habitat Preferences

Understanding the habitat preferences of birds is crucial for attracting specific bird species to your backyard. Different birds have different habitat requirements, so creating a bird-friendly environment involves providing the right types of vegetation, food sources, and nesting sites.

Importance of habitat for bird attraction

Habitat is the key to attracting backyard birds. Birds rely on specific types of habitat for foraging, nesting, and raising their young. By providing suitable habitat in your backyard, you can attract a greater diversity of birds and create a sustainable ecosystem.

Different habitat preferences of backyard birds

Different bird species have different habitat preferences. Some prefer open areas, while others prefer woodlands or wetlands. Here are some examples:

Open areas: Birds such as sparrows, finches, and blackbirds prefer open areas with grasses and shrubs. Providing a mix of low-growing grasses and scattered shrubs will attract these birds.
Woodlands: Birds such as robins, warblers, and chickadees prefer woodlands with mature trees and understory vegetation. Planting native trees and shrubs will attract these birds.
Wetlands: Birds such as herons, ducks, and marsh birds prefer wetland habitats with standing water and aquatic plants. Creating a small pond or water feature will attract these birds.

Creating bird-friendly habitats

To create a bird-friendly habitat in your backyard, consider the following tips:

Plant native trees, shrubs, and flowers that provide food and shelter for birds throughout the year.
Provide a variety of vegetation, including shrubs for nesting and cover, and trees for perching and roosting.
Create layers of vegetation, from groundcover to tall trees, to provide different habitat niches for birds.
Offer a variety of food sources, including seeds, fruits, nectar, and insects.
Provide nesting sites, such as birdhouses, tree cavities, or dense shrubs.
Minimize the use of pesticides and herbicides, as they can be harmful to birds and their habitat.

By understanding and providing the habitat preferences of birds, you can create a backyard that is not only attractive to birds but also supports their survival and well-being.