Much like how the colors in our landscapes change from season to season, you may have also noticed a shift throughout the year in the colors we see fly past us or dazzle the trees and shrubs. Eagle County has plenty of resident wildlife who call these mountains home and yet there are also a great number of wildlife who seasonally enjoy this beautiful area. You may have noticed that depending on the season and the temperatures, the melodic tunes heard in the air can shift and sound different. Being consciously aware of your surroundings while exploring outdoors will open your ear up to a wonderfully entertaining concert, put on by a wide variety of local songbirds.
Throughout the year, there are some species of songbirds who remain in the area, as resident artists, if you will. The following songbirds are not only here during the warm summer months, but they have learned to adapt to the change of seasons, temperature, and resource availability, which enables them to resist during the winter months. Songbirds like the House Sparrow, House Finch, Dark-Eyed Junco, Evening Grosbeak, Gray Crowned Rosy-Finch, Steller’s Jay, Cassin’s Finch, Canadian Jay and the Black-Billed Magpie have advantageous diets since they are either omnivores or they rely on seeds, which are easily accessible in the winter through bird feeders. Resident songbirds also include the Black-Capped Chickadee, European Starling and Juniper Titmouse, who can endure the winter in their tree cavity nest, effectively shielding them from harsh elements. 
The resident songbirds we see in the summer can be the same species observed in the winter, and yet, they can look slightly different. These winter and residential songbirds have learned the necessary adaptations for winter. During the winter, birds will puff up their feathers, this strategy enables the birds to retain additional heat in their feathers with little air pockets to create an added insulating layer. Creating a protective, water- resistant layer can make a great difference when keeping the cold away. Like humans, birds will shiver to increase their metabolic rate and maintain high body temperatures. Huddling together with other birds or sheltering in tree cavities can make the heat radiating from the bird’s small bodies last longer and help keep them warmer. Winter resisting birds also tuck in all momentarily unnecessary extremities, like their beak and feet, which is beneficial towards keeping themselves warm. Additionally, birds adapt their diet to better increase their survival outcomes throughout the winter.
Songbirds who visit Eagle County strictly during the winter months tend to be migratory birds from colder regions who are looking for a welcoming winter landscape that continues to have vibrant, active wildlife. For example, the American Tree Sparrow can be found in Eagle County during the winter months. In their breeding season from May to September, they spend their time in the northern regions of the United States and Canada. Tree Sparrows prepare for a lighter winter by heading south to areas that are similar, yet warmer, than their typical habitat.
The Spotted Towhee can be seen in Eagle County during their breeding months in the springtime. Although they are only seen year-round in southern Colorado, some parts of Eagle County are part of their breeding grounds. Keep your ears and eyes sharp during these months to try your luck at getting a glimpse of them!
Despite not all the songbirds residing here year-long, there is a great majority of them that do share these mountainous homes with us. Take the time to enjoy our resident artist and listen to their melodic tunes next time you enjoy nature!
Jessica Esparza Sanchez is the bilingual early childhood instructor at Walking Mountains. She enjoys starting her days with a slow morning stroll, appreciating how nature wakes up upon feeling the warm sunshine.
