Wildlife Specialist report

Gray Vireo (Forest Service Sensitive Species and Partners In Flight High Priority
Migratory Bird Representative of Pinyon Juniper/Shrub-Oak Woodland Vegetation
Cover Type) - The breeding habitat of this species is generally open
woodlands/shrublands featuring evergreen trees and shrubs of various kinds. Junipers
(Juniperus spp.) are the dominant element in most areas of occurrence in New Mexico,
although oaks (Quercus spp.) are also frequent in the southern part of the range (Hubbard
1985). In New Mexico, gray vireos have been reported in rocky hills covered with sparse
bushes and scrub, in juniper, hackberry and Grave's oak (NatureServe Explorer 2009). In
northwestern New Mexico, the species is found at elevations from 5800 - 7200 feet in
broad-bottomed canyons (flat or gently sloped valleys) below or near ridge-top/rock
outcrop/cliff head walls of canyons or gently sloped bowls in pinyon-juniper woodland
(NatureServe Explorer 2009). The pinyon-juniper is sometimes dense canopied woods
and at other times widely-spaced trees creating parkland. Trees are generally mature
ranging from 12 to 25 feet in height (NatureServe Explorer 2009). There is often
considerable bare soil between herbaceous plants forming ground cover, and at the upper
elevations where they occur, ponderosa pine is sparsely situated among pinyons and
junipers (NatureServe Explorer 2009). This vireo, like other members of this family, is
an insectivore, and it occurs in New Mexico only in the warmer months (April-
September). Gray vireos breed in close ecological proximity to solitary and Bell's (V.
bellii) vireos, the former occurring as low as pinyon-juniper woodland, while the latter
are typically in lowland riparian areas. Gray Vireos are rare summer residents of Gila
National Forest (Zimmerman, 1995).
Costa’s Hummingbird (Forest Service Sensitive Species, and Focal Species NM PIF
High Priority Species Representative of Chihuahuan Desert shrub/grassland
Vegetation Cover Type) - Costa's hummingbirds inhabit microphyll shrubland and
canyons at lower elevations (2800 - 5500 ft; BISON-M 2009). Typically, this species
inhabits deserts or desert-like washes, mesas or side-hills, especially where sages of
different kinds, encelias, yuccas, and cholla cactuses [sic] abound (Birds of North
America Online 2009). This species occurs in spring and early summer in Guadalupe
Canyon (Hidalgo Co.), which is the key habitat area in the state (Baltosser and Hubbard
1985).
White-eared Hummingbird (Forest Service Sensitive Species Representative of
Ponderosa Pine Vegetation Cover Type) - This species typically occurs in montane
habitats in Mexico, and in the United States it has been found in similar types--including
pine (Pinus spp.) forest and in oak (Quercus spp.) and pine-oak woodland and adjacent
riparian sites, (BISON-M 2009). The species is associated with scrubby growth,
especially undergrowth of oak forest; pine woods; pine-oak forest, high mountain fir
forest; forest edge; partially open mountain country with scattered trees and shrubs;
gardens; vacant lots with scattered shrubs and flowers (NatureServe Explorer 2009).
Nests for this species are usually in shrubs (Guatemala) or in fairly low trees (e.g., in
oaks in some areas of Mexico; NatureServe Explorer 2009). White Eared Hummingbirds
inhabit evergreens and riparian woodlands at middle elevations (5000 - 7500 ft; BISON-
M 2009). The White Eared Hummingbird prefers generally moist montane canyons
(BISON-M 2009). In New Mexico, this species has only recently been found, but it may
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