Rio Grande Nature Center State Park
New Mexico · Southwest
Easy
October-May
$5 per vehicle
Open daily, 8 AM - 5 PM
About This Location
Rio Grande Nature Center State Park is a productive birding destination in New Mexico, with 324 species recorded on eBird. This desert and chaparral habitat attracts Canada Goose, Wood Duck, and Cinnamon Teal among many others. The unique desert and riparian habitats support specialty species alongside wintering and migrating birds.
Location
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Notable Species
Live Bird Data
Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Notable Sightings
Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days
Vermilion Flycatcher
Pyrocephalus rubinus
Common Yellowthroat
Geothlypis trichas
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
Mexican Duck
Anas diazi
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Setophaga pensylvanica
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus varius
Dickcissel
Spiza americana
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Canada Goose
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Sandhill Crane
Pied-billed Grebe
Great Blue Heron
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Crow
Bushtit
White-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
House Finch
Birding Tips
- 1
Start birding at dawn when desert birds are most active before the heat.
- 2
Check around water sources, which concentrate desert species.
- 3
Carry extra water and sun protection; mornings are the prime birding window.
- 4
Purchase your day pass online in advance to avoid wait times at the entrance station.
- 5
Bring quality optics — a good pair of binoculars (8x42 or 10x42) makes all the difference in species identification.
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- Bosque del Apache NWR
- Petroglyph National Monument
- Albuquerque BioPark
More in New Mexico
New Mexico Birding Guide
Complete guide to birding in New Mexico →