[Birdtalk] Washed out bird color question

[Buck Russell]

Over the years I’ve noticed that our birds in Utah seem to be a little duller in color (washed out) than their counterparts back east.  I’ve read and heard that the reason our birds are not so colorful is due to the arid environment here in the west.  This past weekend I birded in the Rio Rancho, New Mexico area and was surprised at how bright and colorful the birds were.   Although the Rio Grande River area was lush and green, less than a mile from the river was very dry and arid.  New Mexico looked  a lot more arid than northern Utah.    Any ideas on why New Mexico birds look a lot more colorful and vibrant?  This weekend I finally saw Scaled Quails.  I spent hours searching for these birds in southern Utah when they were reported a couple of years ago, but this past weekend they were plentiful next to the hotel.  In hindsight I should have birded  hotels in southern Utah.
Buck Russell
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