Utah’s dramatic landscapes - from the Great Salt Lake to red rock canyons to alpine peaks above 13,000 feet - create an enormous range of habitats. The Great Salt Lake alone is one of the most important migratory bird staging areas in the Western Hemisphere.
Orange Birds Found in Utah
| Species | Orange feature | When to see | Habitat |
|---|
| Western Tanager | Orange-red head, yellow body (male) | Spring and summer | Coniferous and mixed forests |
| Bullock’s Oriole | Orange face, breast, and underparts (male) | Spring and summer | Cottonwoods, riparian areas |
| Scott’s Oriole | Orange-yellow underparts (male) | Spring and summer (southern UT) | Yucca, juniper woodlands |
| Black-headed Grosbeak | Orange breast and belly (male) | Spring and summer | Forest edges, deciduous woods |
| Rufous Hummingbird | Males bright copper-orange all over | Migration (spring and late summer) | Mountain meadows, gardens |
| American Robin | Orange-red breast | Year-round | Parks, woodlands, suburbs |
| Spotted Towhee | Rufous-orange flanks | Year-round | Dense brush, foothills |
| Barn Swallow | Orange-buff underparts | Spring and summer | Open fields, near structures |
| Northern Flicker | Orange-red under wings (red-shafted) | Year-round | Open woodlands, suburbs |
| American Kestrel | Rusty-orange back and tail (male) | Year-round | Open country, grasslands |
Best Birding Spots
| Location | Best species |
|---|
| Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge | Shorebirds, waterfowl, Great Salt Lake species |
| Zion National Park | Canyon species, varied elevations |
| Bryce Canyon National Park | High-altitude forest birds |
| Red Cliffs Desert Reserve | Desert species near St. George |
| Great Salt Lake | Millions of migratory birds |
Seasonal Guide
| Season | What to expect |
|---|
| Spring | Tanagers and orioles arrive May, shorebird migration at Great Salt Lake |
| Summer | Breeding season, all orange species in mountain forests |
| Autumn | Southbound Rufous Hummingbirds, migration at Bear River |
| Winter | Robins, flickers, kestrels, eagles at Great Salt Lake |
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge on the Great Salt Lake hosts millions of birds during migration - it’s one of the most important bird habitats in the Western Hemisphere. Utah’s mountain forests come alive in May when Western Tanagers arrive, their orange-red heads visible against the dark conifers.
