New Mexico is something of an underrated gem of a state in which to look for birds: it has many of the same specialties to be found in neighboring Colorado, Arizona, and Texas, and like them one of the highest bird lists of any state, but is often overlooked. The Land of Enchantment's most famous birding spot is Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, famous for the Festival of the Cranes every November, and perhaps Sandia Crest for hosting all three three rosy-finches in winter. However, other highlights include Rattlesnake Springs in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, a desert oasis with nesting Orchard Oriole and Painted Bunting and wintering Brown Thrasher and Field Sparrow, all at the western edges of their range; Gila National Forest in the southwest, with many of the birds typically thought of as southeastern Arizona specialties; and Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge in the northeast, with nesting Eastern Kingbirds and wintering American Tree Sparrows.
