Seeing Winter Waterfowl in Colorado

While spring is often anticipated for its Birding adventures, the winter season can often be underrated in its opportunities. Lovingly denoted as “Weird Duck Winter” by Birder and cartoonist Rosemary Mosco, this season offers a chance to get to know local species, as well as avian visitors that come from the north or higher elevations in search of open water! 

Situated on the Central Flyway, milder Colorado winters attract northern visitors as early as August and September. As leaves go down and the landscape turns brown, it’s a perfect time to look for large flocks of Waterfowl passing through or stopping for critical food sources as they continue their migration. Some visitors, however, choose to stay all winter.

The Front Range, South Platte River Valley, and the greater Denver Metro offer abundant open water and food sources for Ducks and Geese whose northern haunts have frozen over. A key resource for all Birds, open water means food, hydration, safety from predators, and plenty of opportunities for dabbling, diving, and gathering.

In sharp contrast to the sometimes bleak, rugged winter landscapes, urban or suburban lakes and reservoirs come alive at this time of year. Hosting large flocks of Ducks and Geese, these third spaces envelop visitors with lively chatter and dynamic movement. And, since Waterfowl breed in winter, the waters are often ripe with the color of males sporting their brightest plumage. 

When exploring local waterways, you might see:

A vibrant Wood Duck at Sloan’s Lake. These radiant Birds are some of the most colorful in North America. They nest in trees by water, using cavities made by other Birds, often Northern Flickers.

Iridescent Northern Shovelers clustered to stir up a snack at Fairview Reservoir. These unique-billed Birds are named for just that- their shovel like beaks that sift through the water in search of food. Inside their spatula-shaped bills are lamellae, tiny, comb-like filters, that strain insects, plants, and plankton from the water.

Common Goldeneyes looking their very best for the eagles at Barr Lake State Park. Just like Shovelers, these gorgeous Ducks are aptly named. Both males and females have a golden eye taht contrasts against their green (male) or chocolate brown (female) head.

While this winter has been particularly warm, there are still cold days when lakes and reservoirs, too, are frozen over. If this is the case, try visiting creeks and rivers where open water remains resilient to ice. If you’re up for a road trip, head to the San Luis Valley or the Arkansas River where the combination of river systems, marshes, ponds, and agriculture attracts many Ducks to rest and feed.

And, if you want to learn more or are in search of community, join us at the Denver Audubon on one of our many free Bird walks and outings. From Canvasbacks, to Redheads, to Grebes, to Wigeons, to Pintails, to Buffleheads, to Mallards, to Coots, to Teals, to Swans, to Snow Geese, we love witnessing these Birds with our growing community of compassionate, curious humans like you.