Keep A Lookout For These 11 Birds In Utah Backyards This Spring
By Catherine Armstrong|Published April 18, 2020
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
One of the best things about spring in Utah is the happy chirping of birds every morning. The Beehive State is home to hundreds of bird species, and some like to hang out right in our backyards. Keep an eye out for these 11 birds that might just stop by to say hello this season:
The tiny black-capped chickadee is just four to five inches long, and it's rare to see just one at a time. These little guys travel in flocks, stopping by to grab some free birdseed in your yard before heading off to the trees above to dine.
These pretty birds might be named after another state, but make no mistake - they're plentiful here in Utah. If you're lucky, a mating pair might take up residence in your yard, and you could experience the joy of seeing a little row of baby quail following their mother across your lawn.
If you have cedar, crabapple, cherry, or hawthorn in your yard, you might get a look at some cedar waxwings this spring. These little birds rely almost completely on fruit and berries for their diet.
You might think of hawks as living in more rural areas, but Cooper's hawks are frequently spotted hanging out in neighborhoods. They like to prey upon smaller starlings and quail.
Mourning doves arrive in Utah in April, and they love bird seed. In fact, seeds make up about 90 percent of their diets. They're common all over the state, and nest in both rural and urban areas.
Spotted Towhee hang out along the Wasatch Front year-round. These lovely little birds can be found eating seeds and fruits up in the trees, or pecking away at the ground for spiders and other insects.
If you're awakened by a repetitive drilling sound coming from the trees in your yard, you might look up to see a downy woodpecker. These insect-lovers have been spotted all throughout Utah, and often hang out in urban areas like public parks and residential backyards.
What birds do you see in your backyard? We’d love to read your birdwatching stories and see your photos in the comments!
These are just a few of the many birds you might encounter in your own backyard this spring. For a full list of birds found in Utah, visit the Utah Department of Wildlife Resources website.
