Picacho Hills

New Mexico · Southwest

Habitat
DesertChaparral
Best Seasons
FallWinterSpring
Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

October-May

About This Location

Picacho Hills is a productive birding destination in New Mexico, with 225 species recorded on eBird. This desert and chaparral habitat attracts Canada Goose, Mallard, and Ring-necked Duck among many others. The unique desert and riparian habitats support specialty species alongside wintering and migrating birds.

Location

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Notable Species

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Lawrence's Goldfinch

Spinus lawrencei

3/5/2026Baylor Canyon Stock Tank2 observed

Common Gallinule

Gallinula galeata

3/5/2026Levee Rd. Pond1 observed

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus varius

3/3/2026Selden Drain Habitat Restoration1 observed

Broad-tailed Hummingbird

Selasphorus platycercus

2/28/2026Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks NM--Aguirre Spring RA Pine Tree Trail1 observed

Osprey (American)

Pandion haliaetus

2/28/2026Leasburg Dam SP1 observed

Dusky Flycatcher

Empidonax oberholseri

2/28/2026La Llorona Trail Extension1 observed

Brown Thrasher

Toxostoma rufum

2/27/202616125A Old Organ Main St, Organ US-NM 32.42614, -106.598141 observed

Swainson's Hawk

Buteo swainsoni

2/25/2026Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park, Mesilla US-NM 32.26089, -106.823791 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Canada Goose

23/3/2026

Mallard

23/3/2026

Ring-necked Duck

243/3/2026

Rock Pigeon

23/3/2026

Eurasian Collared-Dove

23/3/2026

White-winged Dove

123/3/2026

Mourning Dove

83/3/2026

Killdeer

63/3/2026

American Kestrel

13/3/2026

Say's Phoebe

13/3/2026

American Crow

4003/3/2026

Verdin

23/3/2026

Curve-billed Thrasher

13/3/2026

House Sparrow

23/3/2026

House Finch

83/3/2026

Lesser Goldfinch

33/3/2026

Black-throated Sparrow

23/3/2026

White-crowned Sparrow

53/3/2026

Yellow-rumped Warbler

73/3/2026

Pyrrhuloxia

13/3/2026

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Start birding at dawn when desert birds are most active before the heat.

  2. 2

    Check around water sources, which concentrate desert species.

  3. 3

    Carry extra water and sun protection; mornings are the prime birding window.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Picacho Hills for birding?
The best months to visit Picacho Hills for birding are October-May. The best seasons are Fall and Winter and Spring.
What birds can I see at Picacho Hills?
Notable species at Picacho Hills include Canada Goose, Mallard, Ring-necked Duck, Rock Pigeon, Eurasian Collared-Dove. The area supports desert, chaparral habitats.
How difficult is birding at Picacho Hills?
Birding at Picacho Hills is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.
What amenities are available at Picacho Hills?
Picacho Hills offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.