Refuge Wildlife

USFWS Photo

The diversity of habitats found at Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), ranging from Mojave/Great Basin Desert Scrub to marsh and open water, provides excellent habitat for a variety of wildlife species.

Over 230 different species of birds utilize refuge habitats. A bird list is available online or copies may be obtained at the refuge office and at information centers located throughout the refuge. Bird abundance and diversity is highest during spring and fall migrations when large numbers of songbirds, waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors are present. Common ducks are pintail, teal, mallards, and redhead. Great blue herons are found near lakes while black-necked stilts and American avocets are found feeding in shallow water. Greater sandhill cranes can be seen in February - March and again in October - November as they migrate between nesting and wintering areas. Red-tailed hawks, Northern harriers, Cooper's hawks, and American kestrels are most abundant during winter months and both bald eagles and golden eagles are also winter visitors. Cottonwood-willow habitat provides nesting habitat for warblers, orioles, flycatchers, and finches. The open fields attract shrikes, meadowlarks, blackbirds, and mourning doves. The uplands are home to Gambel's quail, roadrunners, and various sparrow species.

Kit foxes and coyotes prey year-round on the many rodent species which inhabit all refuge habitats. Mule deer, the primary prey of the refuge's mountain lions, are most abundant during winter months.