Landbirds

Common raven looks to left side of frame
Common raven.

NPS/A.W. Biel

By occupying various levels in the food web, birds play an important role in the flow of energy through ecosystems. As nestlings, they consume insects. As adults, birds eat insects and plants and are, in turn, eaten by birds and mammals higher up the food chain. Because they can be sensitive to habitat change, birds are good indicators of ecosystem integrity. They also have strong public appeal. Unlike many other animals on the xeric Colorado Plateau, birds are diurnal and, thus, commonly visible to park visitors. Data from the relatively natural habitats of Northern Colorado Plateau Network (NCPN) national parks will provide status and trend information useful in comparisons with more-impacted areas.

The NCPN is partnering with the University of Delaware (UDE) to assess breeding-bird species trends in three different habitats: low-elevation riparian, pinyon-juniper, and sagebrush-shrubland. UDE surveys 15 transects in each of the three habitats of interest across 11 NCPN parks. Point counts and area searches are also conducted as part of a modified monitoring design at Pipe Spring National Monument.

The network monitors landbirds at Arches National Park, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Colorado National Monument, Curecanti National Recreation Area, Dinosaur National Monument, Fossil Butte National Monument, Natural Bridges National Monument, Pipe Spring National Monument, and Zion National Park.

Vital Signs: Landbirds

Protocol Lead: Dusty Perkins

Quick Reads

Showing results 1-9 of 9

  • Landbird Population Trends in the Northern Colorado Plateau Network, 2024

    • Locations: Arches National Park, Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park,
    • Offices: Inventory and Monitoring Division, Northern Colorado Plateau Inventory & Monitoring Network
    A bird sitting in a tree.

    Northern Colorado Plateau Network’s long-term landbird monitoring program provides habitat-based updates for bird population status and trends in the parks in the Northern Colorado Plateau. These inform scientists and managers about changes in bird populations and about the health of the habitats they depend on. Learn more about which species were detected in the network parks for the first time and which landbird populations were increasing or declining between 2005 - 2024.

  • Landbird Population Trends in the Northern Colorado Plateau Network, 2023

    • Locations: Arches National Park, Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park,
    • Offices: Inventory and Monitoring Division, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate, Northern Colorado Plateau Inventory & Monitoring Network
    A speckled white bird floats on blue water.

    Because birds can be sensitive to habitat change, they are good indicators of ecosystem integrity. The Northern Colorado Plateau Network partners with the University of Delaware to assess breeding-bird species trends in three different habitats: low-elevation riparian, pinyon-juniper, and sage shrubland. Find out which species were increasing and declining at network parks as of 2023.

  • Localized Drought Impacts on Northern Colorado Plateau Landbirds

    • Locations: Arches National Park, Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park,
    • Offices: Inventory and Monitoring Division, Northern Colorado Plateau Inventory & Monitoring Network
    A man wearing a clipboard looks through binoculars at dawn in field of sagebrush

    Birds of the desert southwest, a climate-change hotspot, are among the most vulnerable groups in the US. To help park managers plan for those changes, scientists evaluated the influence of water deficit on landbird communities at 11 national parks in Utah and Colorado. The results will help land managers to focus conservation efforts on places where certain species are most vulnerable to projected climate changes.

  • Landbird Population Trends in the Northern Colorado Plateau Network, 2022

    • Locations: Arches National Park, Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park,
    • Offices: Inventory and Monitoring Division, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate, Northern Colorado Plateau Inventory & Monitoring Network
    Hairy woodpecker clings to the underside of a tree branch.

    Because birds can be sensitive to habitat change, they are good indicators of ecosystem integrity. The Northern Colorado Plateau Network partners with the University of Delaware to assess breeding-bird species trends in three different habitats: low-elevation riparian, pinyon-juniper, and sage shrubland. Find out which species were increasing and declining at network parks as of 2022.

  • Landbird Population Trends in the Northern Colorado Plateau Network, 2021

    • Locations: Arches National Park, Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park,
    • Offices: Inventory and Monitoring Division, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate, Northern Colorado Plateau Inventory & Monitoring Network
    Small dove with black spots on back of wings, long tail, and brownish-gray body.

    Because birds can be sensitive to habitat change, they are good indicators of ecosystem integrity. The Northern Colorado Plateau Network partners with the University of Delaware to assess breeding-bird species trends in three different habitats: low-elevation riparian, pinyon-juniper, and sage shrubland. Find out which species were increasing and declining at network parks as of 2021.

  • Landbird Population Trends in the Northern Colorado Plateau Network, 2020

    • Locations: Arches National Park, Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park,
    • Offices: Northern Colorado Plateau Inventory & Monitoring Network
    Small beige bird with black beak and feet, brown back.

    Because birds can be sensitive to habitat change, they are good indicators of ecosystem integrity. The Northern Colorado Plateau Network partners with the University of Delaware to assess breeding-bird species trends in three different habitats: low-elevation riparian, pinyon-juniper, and sage shrubland. Find out which species were increasing and declining at network parks as of 2020.

  • What We’re Learning and Why it Matters: Long-Term Monitoring on the Northern Colorado Plateau

    • Locations: Arches National Park, Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park,
    • Offices: Inventory and Monitoring Division, Northern Colorado Plateau Inventory & Monitoring Network
    Man stands in a stream, looking down at a handheld gauge.

    Knowing which key natural resources are found in the national parks, and whether they're stable or changing, helps decisionmakers make sound choices. The Northern Colorado Plateau Network is building that knowledge. After more than ten years of monitoring, we've learned a lot about park ecosystems, how they're changing, and what they may look like in the days to come. Find out what we’ve learned and how it’s being used to help managers plan for the future.

  • Landbird Population Trends in the Northern Colorado Plateau Network, 2019

    • Locations: Arches National Park, Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park,
    Bald eagle

    Because birds can be sensitive to habitat change, they are good indicators of ecosystem integrity. The Northern Colorado Plateau Network partners with the University of Delaware to assess breeding-bird species trends in three different habitats: low-elevation riparian, pinyon-juniper, and sage shrubland. Find out which species were increasing and declining at network parks as of 2019.

  • Landbird Monitoring in Northern Colorado Plateau Network Parks, 2018

    • Locations: Arches National Park, Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park,
    Small, bright-orange bird with yellowish underfeathers.

    Because birds can be sensitive to habitat change, they are good indicators of ecosystem integrity. The Northern Colorado Plateau Network partners with the University of Delaware to assess breeding-bird species trends in three different habitats: low-elevation riparian, pinyon-juniper, and sage shrubland. Find out which species were increasing and declining at network parks as of 2018.

Tags: landbirds monitoring northern colorado plateau network
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Publications and Other Information

Source: Data Store Saved Search 475. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.

Source: Data Store Saved Search 453. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.

Source: Data Store Collection 7864. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.

Last updated: June 7, 2023

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