Birds & Science >
Colorado IBAs
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
Montezuma County
Size: 164,000 acres
Elevation: 4900 - 7500 feet
Habitats:
Primary – pinyon/juniper
Secondary – cliff/rock, grassland, sagebrush shrubland, semidesert shrubland
Ownership:
Federal (Bureau of Land Management)
Land Use:
Primary – undeveloped
Secondary – hunting, recreation/tourism, agriculture/livestock, research, oil extraction/exploration
IBA Criteria: 1, 2, 3, 4 (landbirds)
Site description
Location:
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument is located in southwestern Colorado, west of the towns of Cortez and Yellow Jacket.
Vegetative/natural features:
The predominant vegetative cover at the site is pinyon-juniper, with some grasses, sage, and saltbush. McElmo Creek on the southern border is the only permanent water course.
Historic features:
The site contains the highest known density of archaeological sites in the United States.
Ornithological Importance
The site provides among the best Gray Vireo range in the state, supporting a minimum of 500 pairs. It hosts the best densities of Black-throated Sparrows in the southwest region of the state.
Breeding species:
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Average #
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Maximum #
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Black-throated Sparrow
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>2,000
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Gray Vireo
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>1,000
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Black-throated Gray Warbler
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>500
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Common Poorwill
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>500
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Gray Flycatcher
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>1,000
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Black-chinned Hummingbird
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>500
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Juniper Titmouse
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>5,000
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Sage Sparrow
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>100
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Ash-throated Flycatcher
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>500
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Migrant species:
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Average #
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Maximum #
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Common Poorwill
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> 500 (spring, fall)
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Wintering species:
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Average #
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Maximum #
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Juniper Titmouse
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> 5,000
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Conservation/Management Issues
Minor threats:
- introduced animals;
- cowbird parasitism.
Potential threats:
- invasive/non-native plants;
- pollution from nearby coal-fired power plants;
- habitat conversion;
- disturbance to birds and habitat.
Management details:
The Canyons of the Ancients National Monument was designated in June of 2000, and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Approximately 25,000 acres of the site are within the Cahone Canyon, Cross Canyon, and Squaw/Papoose Wilderness Study Areas.
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