For the nature enthusiast, there is plenty of wildlife to see in the canyons and mesas in and around Aztec. Below is an example of the animals commonly seen while hiking.
On-line research of New Mexico wildlife: ➠ Biota Information System of New Mexico Website

San Juan County Bird Watching: ⇩ Download Bird Guide by Tim Reeves (PDF 1.1 MB)

Backyard Birds of San Juan County: ⇩ Download Checklist (PDF 766 KB)
In addition, Chaco Culture National Historical Park conducts an annual Christmas Bird Count in Chaco Canyon. For more information contact:
Alyssa Richmond

(505) 786-7014 ext. 255.

Avian

Spotted Towhee
Spotted Towhee (Simon Canyon)

Sparrow
Black Chin Sparrow (Francis Canyon)

Finch
House Finch (Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness)

Wren
Rock Wren (Bisti Wilderness)

Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk (Caballo Canyon)

Hawk
Cooper's Hawk (San Juan River Valley)

Eagle
Golden Eagle (Animas River)

Eagle
Bald Eagle (Jackson Lake)

Heron
Great Blue Heron (Animas River)

Turkey
Turkey (Simon Canyon)

Insects

Moth
Skipper Moth (Ditch Canyon)

Moth
Hera Buckmoth (Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness)

Mammals

Elk
Elk (Carrizo Canyon)

Badger
American Badger (Largo Canyon)

Squirrel
Rock Squirrel (San Juan River Valley)

Rabbit
Desert Cottontail Rabbit (Caballo Canyon)

Deer
Mule Deer (Caballo Canyon)


Reptiles

Lizard
Southwestern Fence Lizard (Crow Canyon)

Lizard
Plateau Fence Lizard (Lybrook Badlands)

Lizard
Northern Sagebrush Lizard (Alamo Canyon)

Lizard
Eastern Collared Lizard (Largo Canyon)

Lizard
Texas Horned Lizard (Angel Peak)

Snake
Desert Striped Whipsnake (Caballo Canyon)

Snake
Gopher Snake (Bisti Wilderness)

Snake
Prairie Rattlesnake (Pilares Canyon)