Birds of the Lower Animas
By Mild to Wild • January 8, 2013
The section of the Lower Animas River that runs through Durango offers a beautifully developed riparian habitat, where aquatic environments are protected from excessive sedimentation, polluted surface runoff, and erosion. This allows a plethora of species to thrive on, near, and around the banks of our small mountain town. On a quiet morning, you could stroll the river walk and see a number of different species of birds and when you’re lucky, they even come out during our Lower Animas Rafting Trips! Some of the birds you might encounter are:
- Great Blue Heron
- Canada Goose
- Mallard
- Common Merganser
- American Kestrel
- Red-tailed Hawk
- Steller’s Jay
- Black-billed Magpie
- Common Raven
- American Crow
- Barn Swallow
- European Starling
- Violet-green Swallow
- Northern Rough-winged Swallow
- Black-capped Chickadee
Can you guess what these four birds are from the list above?