{"id":3081,"date":"2025-03-01T12:10:06","date_gmt":"2025-03-01T19:10:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/?p=3081"},"modified":"2025-03-07T12:33:37","modified_gmt":"2025-03-07T19:33:37","slug":"spring-bird-migration-and-nest-building-in-colorado","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/nature-detectives\/spring-bird-migration-and-nest-building-in-colorado\/","title":{"rendered":"Spring Bird Migration and Nest Building in Colorado"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every year, as the weather begins to warm up, we can see the signs of spring all around us. One of the most exciting things to watch for is the arrival of birds back to their homes. Birds travel long distances to find food, warmer weather, and places to raise their young. This is called bird migration, and it happens twice a year. Birds fly south to escape the cold in the fall and return to their breeding grounds in the spring.<\/p>\n

What is Bird Migration?<\/h2>\n

Bird migration is when birds move from one place to another at certain times of the year. Birds migrate for several reasons. The main reason is to find food. When the cold winter comes, many places have very little food for birds. There are fewer insects, berries, and seeds to eat. So, birds leave their homes in search of warmer places where they can find plenty of food to eat and stay healthy.<\/p>\n

But how do birds know where to go? Birds have special instincts, which means they know what to do without having to be taught. They also use the sun, stars, and even the Earth\u2019s magnetic field to guide them on their journey. Some birds fly as far as thousands of miles during migration! Some birds migrate from Canada to the southern United States. Some birds travel even farther to places like Central America or South America.<\/p>\n

Not all birds migrate in the same way. Some birds fly in big groups, called flocks. Some birds travel together in a V-shaped pattern, which helps them save energy. Some birds, like swallows and warblers, fly alone. No matter how they travel, all birds know the importance of traveling safely.<\/p>\n

\":<\/a>
North American Bird Migration Flyways<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once the weather warms up and food is more plentiful, the birds begin to head back to the places where they came from. These birds return to their homes in the spring, where they can start the next part of their journey: nest building.
\nThe Importance of Nesting<\/p>\n

When birds return to their summer homes, their main goal is to find a safe place to build a nest and raise their babies. Nesting is a very important part of a bird\u2019s life cycle. A nest is not just a cozy home \u2014 it is a safe place where eggs can be laid, kept warm, and protected. It\u2019s also where baby birds will be raised until they are strong enough to leave the nest and fly on their own.<\/p>\n

In Colorado, many species of birds migrate to the state in the spring to build their nests. Colorado\u2019s mountains, forests, wetlands, and grasslands offer a variety of places for birds to nest. Whether you live in the city or out in the country, you might spot some of these amazing birds preparing for their new families.<\/p>\n

Birds of Colorado that Migrate and Build Nests<\/h2>\n

Colorado is home to many different species of birds, some of which are migratory. These birds travel back and forth every year, coming to Colorado in the spring to build nests and lay eggs. Let\u2019s take a look at some of the most common birds you might see migrating and nesting in Colorado.<\/p>\n

1. Barn Swallow<\/h3>\n

The barn swallow is a beautiful, long-tailed bird that migrates to Colorado in the spring. These swallows build their nests in barns, sheds, or under eaves of buildings. Their nests are made of mud and grass, and they often return to the same spot each year. Barn swallows are insect eaters. They are helpful for controlling bugs in gardens and fields. Once their nests are built, the female lays her eggs, and both parents take turns feeding the young.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
A barn swallow perches on its intricately woven mud nest.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2. Western Meadowlark<\/h3>\n

The western meadowlark is a songbird found in the grasslands and open fields of Colorado. In the spring, these birds build their nests on the ground, hidden among tall grasses or in low bushes. The nests are made of grass and leaves, and the birds use their strong beaks to weave everything together. Western meadowlarks have beautiful, melodic songs. They can be heard in the early mornings and late afternoons.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
A meadowlark nest cradles four speckled eggs, carefully woven from grass and hidden among vegetation to protect them from predators.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3. Broad-tailed Hummingbird<\/h3>\n

The broad-tailed hummingbird is another migratory bird that comes to Colorado in the spring. These birds are strong fliers and can cover long distances, even flying nonstop for hours! They must find flowers along the way so they can drink nectar to keep their energy up. The female hummingbird builds a tiny nest. They make it out of soft materials like spider silk, plant fibers, and tiny feathers. The nest is so small it can fit in the palm of your hand!<\/p>\n

\"<\/a>
A hummingbird rests in its tiny, cup-shaped nest, carefully woven from plant fibers and camouflaged among the leaves for protection.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How Do Birds Build Their Nests?<\/h2>\n

Building a nest is hard work for birds. They start by finding a good location. It\u2019s important that the nest is in a place that is safe from predators. Animals such as house cats, raccoons, and other birds might try to harm their eggs or babies. Some birds like to build their nests high up in trees, where they are harder to reach. Other birds might choose to nest in the branches of a large shrub, where they can hide the nest and keep it protected.<\/p>\n

Once they have chosen a safe spot, the birds begin to gather materials. They collect twigs, leaves, grass, feathers, and sometimes even things like string or bits of fabric. Some birds even gather mud and use it to help stick their nests together. They carefully weave or arrange these materials to create a strong and safe home for their eggs.<\/p>\n

The Circle of Life<\/h2>\n

Bird migration and nest building are important parts of a bird\u2019s life cycle. Migration helps birds find food and safe places to live. Nest building is the way they create homes for their eggs and raise their babies. Without migration and nests, many birds would not survive.<\/p>\n

In Colorado, when we see birds returning and building nests in the spring, we know that the circle of life is continuing. The birds are raising the next generation, and soon there will be even more birds flying through the sky. Whether they are migrating, building nests, or raising their chicks, birds are always busy in the spring. The next time you see a bird building a nest or flying overhead, you\u2019ll know that they are part of the circle of life.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
A flock of geese soars across a colorful sky at sunrise, following their seasonal migration route over mountain landscapes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To learn more about bird migration visit the National Audubon Society\u2019s Bird Migration Explorer<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Print this edition’s Nature Detective activity: Bird Observation Worksheet<\/a>!<\/p>\n

Or print the entire edition<\/a>!<\/p>\n

\n

<\/i> Nature Detectives Library<\/h2>\n

Every past issue of Nature Detectives can be found in the Nature Detectives Library<\/a>!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Every year, as the weather begins to warm up, we can see the signs of spring all around us. One of the most exciting things to watch for is the arrival of birds back to their homes. Birds travel long distances to find food, warmer weather, and places to raise their young. This is called […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":3086,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[89],"class_list":["post-3081","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nature-detectives","tag-spring-2025"],"yoast_head":"\nSpring Bird Migration and Nest Building in Colorado - Images<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/nature-detectives\/spring-bird-migration-and-nest-building-in-colorado\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Spring Bird Migration and Nest Building in Colorado - Images\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Every year, as the weather begins to warm up, we can see the signs of spring all around us. 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Its nickname is \"blue shanks,\" but the more commonly used name for this bird is American avocet. It's easy to spot these birds, but\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Wildlife"","block_context":{"text":"Wildlife","link":"https:\/\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/category\/wildlife\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Avocet standing in a pond","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/avocet.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/avocet.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/avocet.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":737,"url":"https:\/\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wildlife\/migration\/","url_meta":{"origin":3081,"position":1},"title":"Flight in Autumn: Migration","author":"Staff","date":"08\/27\/2015","format":false,"excerpt":"This time of year, I notice my neighborhood going silent. Trees, bushes, wetlands, and grasslands seem less filled with the energetic darting, purposeful activity of birds. Have you ever wondered, \"Where do they go? What do they find when they get there?\" People have always been fascinated by the disappearance\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Wildlife"","block_context":{"text":"Wildlife","link":"https:\/\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/category\/wildlife\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Swainson\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hawk","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/hawk.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/hawk.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/hawk.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/hawk.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/hawk.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/hawk.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":610,"url":"https:\/\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/property\/behind-the-name-trails-at-hall-ranch\/","url_meta":{"origin":3081,"position":2},"title":"Behind the Name: Trails at Hall Ranch","author":"Staff","date":"03\/02\/2015","format":false,"excerpt":"When it was time to name trails at Hall Ranch Open Space, the department could not have picked two more appropriate names than bitterbrush and nighthawk, a plant and a bird that really define Hall Ranch. The bitterbrush, a member of the rose family, is the dominant shrub at Hall\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Property Highlights"","block_context":{"text":"Property Highlights","link":"https:\/\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/category\/property\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Bitterbrush Trail at Hall Ranch","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Hall-Bitterbrush-Vista.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Hall-Bitterbrush-Vista.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Hall-Bitterbrush-Vista.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Hall-Bitterbrush-Vista.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Hall-Bitterbrush-Vista.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Hall-Bitterbrush-Vista.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1924,"url":"https:\/\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/research\/cheatgrass\/","url_meta":{"origin":3081,"position":3},"title":"Research: Cheatgrass Impacts on Mammal, Bird, & Butterfly Populations","author":"Staff","date":"03\/01\/2021","format":false,"excerpt":"The Boulder County Parks & Open Space Department offers grants for research on county open space lands each year. All proposals are reviewed by a team of resource specialists, and awarded research projects are monitored during their activities on open space. The following is a summary of a 2020 study\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Research"","block_context":{"text":"Research","link":"https:\/\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/category\/research\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"cheatgrass","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/cheatgrass.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/cheatgrass.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/cheatgrass.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/cheatgrass.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/cheatgrass.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":491,"url":"https:\/\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wildlife\/golden-eagles\/","url_meta":{"origin":3081,"position":4},"title":"Golden Eagles Among Us","author":"Staff","date":"08\/29\/2014","format":false,"excerpt":"While in the midst of a joyride through the foothills, have you ever caught yourself craning your neck, trying to prolong the view of a majestic bird of prey that your car is quickly passing by? Whether in graceful flight, or stoically perched on an old wooden telephone pole, our\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Wildlife"","block_context":{"text":"Wildlife","link":"https:\/\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/category\/wildlife\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Golden Eagle","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/golden-eagle.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/golden-eagle.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/golden-eagle.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/golden-eagle.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/golden-eagle.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1825,"url":"https:\/\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wildlife\/coopers-hawks-little-birds-beware\/","url_meta":{"origin":3081,"position":5},"title":"Cooper\u2019s Hawks: Little Birds, Beware!","author":"Staff","date":"09\/01\/2020","format":false,"excerpt":"The bird feeders have been busy all morning, then, suddenly, they\u2019re empty of life. Nothing! Then you notice a swift shadow arrow through the trees, weaving through branches at high speed\u2014above 30 miles an hour. (David Sibley, in his book, \u201cWhat It\u2019s Like to Be a Bird,\u201d likens these hawks\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Wildlife"","block_context":{"text":"Wildlife","link":"https:\/\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/category\/wildlife\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Cooper's Hawk","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/coopers-hawk.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/coopers-hawk.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/coopers-hawk.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/coopers-hawk.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/coopers-hawk.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/coopers-hawk.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3081","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3081"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3081\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3113,"href":"https:\/\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3081\/revisions\/3113"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3086"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3081"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3081"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bouldercountyopenspace.org\/i\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3081"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}