This is a List of birds of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, which is in the U.S. state of Texas. Unless otherwise stated, this list is based on a list published by the U.S. National Park Service (NPS). The NPS list contains 269 species when taxonomic changes have been taken into account.
This list is presented in the taxonomic sequence of the Check-list of North and Middle American Birds, 7th edition through the 63rd Supplement, published by the American Ornithological Society (AOS). Common and scientific names are also those of the Check-list, except that the common names of families are from the Clements taxonomy because the AOS list does not include them.
The following tags define some categories of occurrence.
(PP) Probably present per the NPS (27 species) (UC) Unconfirmed per the NPS (3 species) (I) Introduced - a species established solely as result of direct or indirect human intervention (4 species)
Ducks, geese, and waterfowl
Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae
Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, bills which are flattened to a greater or lesser extent, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to special oils.
Snow goose, Anser caerulescens (PP) Canada goose, Branta canadensis (PP) Wood duck, Aix sponsa Blue-winged teal, Spatula discors (PP) Cinnamon teal, Spatula cyanoptera (PP) Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata (PP) Gadwall, Mareca strepera (PP) American wigeon, Mareca americana Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos Green-winged teal, Anas crecca Ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris Common merganser, Mergus merganser (PP)
New World quail
Order: GalliformesFamily: Odontophoridae
The New World quails are small, plump terrestrial birds only distantly related to the quails of the Old World, but named for their similar appearance and habits.
Northern bobwhite, Colinus virginianus
Scaled quail, Callipepla squamata
Gambel's quail, Callipepla gambelii
Montezuma quail, Cyrtonyx montezumae
Pheasants, grouse, and allies
Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae
Phasianidae consists of the pheasants and their allies. These are terrestrial species, variable in size but generally plump with broad relatively short wings. Many species are gamebirds or have been domesticated as a food source for humans.
Wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavo
Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (I)
Grebes
Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land.
Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps (PP)
Pigeons and doves
Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. They feed on seeds, fruit, and plants.
Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I) Band-tailed pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata Inca dove, Columbina inca (PP) White-winged dove, Zenaida asiatica Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura
Cuckoos
Order: CuculiformesFamily: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners, and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs.
Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus (PP) Greater roadrunner, Geococcyx californianus
Nightjars and allies
Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is cryptically colored to resemble bark or leaves.
Lesser nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis
Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor
Common poorwill, Phalaenoptilus nuttallii
Mexican whip-poor-will, Antrostomus arizonae
Swifts
Order: ApodiformesFamily: Apodidae
The swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang.
Black swift, Cypseloides niger (UC) White-throated swift, Aeronautes saxatalis
