Among the birds I find up on the high trails are quite a few city birds—that is, birds that are more abundant down in the basin, where the people are. Not a few of these are non-native species (e.g., European Starlings, Eurasian Collared Doves), although even some native birds prefer the neighborhoods at certain times of year.

This morning, dog and I encountered two common city varieties—Rock Pigeons and House Sparrows. Pigeon flocks aren’t an uncommon sight in summer above the trailhead, but I’ve seen few House Sparrows up there. Well, today, three ventured a couple hundred feet up to where we were enjoying the view.

So here’s to our city birds, near neighbors, survivors.

Grandeur Peak Area List
Beginning at 8 a.m., I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.

1. Rock Pigeon*
2. American Robin*
3. Black-chinned Hummingbird
4. Lazuli Bunting
6. Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay
7. Mourning Dove*
8. Spotted Towhee
9. Lesser Goldfinch** (v)
10. Black-capped Chickadee (v)
11. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
12. Pine Siskin (v)
13. Warbling Vireo
14. Western Tanager
15. Black-billed Magpie (v)
16. Downy Woodpecker (v)
17. House Sparrow**

Elsewhere

18. California Quail
19. Eurasian Collared Dove

Mammals

Rock Squirrel

(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere