Hillsboro & Kingston Foothills
Located along New Mexico Highway 152 west of Truth or Consequences, the communities of Hillsboro and Kingston sit at the base of the Black Range, where the Chihuahuan Desert gives way to oak woodlands, canyon habitats, and montane forests. The area's combination of Percha Creek, mature shade trees, foothill habitats, and nearby mountain slopes attracts a diverse variety of birds throughout the year. Recognized as a stop on the Southwest New Mexico Birding Trail, the Hillsboro and Kingston area is one of Sierra County's premier locations for observing species associated with both riparian and mountain environments.
What to Expect
Birders will find a diverse mix of habitats ranging from cottonwood-lined creeks and historic community landscapes to oak-juniper foothills and nearby mountain forests. In Hillsboro, mature sycamores, cottonwoods, residential vegetation, and Percha Creek provide habitat for songbirds, hummingbirds, and migratory species. Farther west, Kingston offers access to cooler forest habitats and serves as a gateway to Emory Pass and the higher elevations of the Black Range.
The transition between desert, riparian, and mountain habitats creates opportunities to encounter a wide range of species within a relatively small geographic area. Birding can be productive from public parks, roads, campgrounds, and hiking trails throughout the region.
Birds You May See
Species vary by season and elevation, but commonly observed or documented birds in the Hillsboro and Kingston area include:
Red-tailed Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Turkey Vulture
Broad-billed Hummingbird
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Acorn Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Western Wood-Pewee
Bell's Vireo
Hutton's Vireo
Plumbeous Vireo
Steller's Jay
Mountain Chickadee
Bushtit
Violet-green Swallow
Phainopepla
Townsend's Solitaire
Rock Wren
Spotted Towhee
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-faced Warbler
Blue Grosbeak
Lesser Goldfinch
During migration, additional warblers, flycatchers, tanagers, and other songbirds may move through the area. The nearby foothills and mountain forests can also provide opportunities to observe species uncommon in the Rio Grande Valley.
Best Time to Visit
Spring (March-May)
Spring migration brings increased bird diversity as warblers, vireos, hummingbirds, and flycatchers arrive in the foothills and mountain canyons. Wildflowers and flowing creeks can further enhance habitat conditions.
Summer (June-August)
Breeding birds are active throughout the region, particularly around Percha Creek, woodland edges, and higher elevations near Kingston and Emory Pass. Hummingbirds are especially abundant during summer months.
Fall (September-November)
Migrating songbirds and raptors pass through the Black Range as temperatures begin to cool. Fall offers comfortable birding conditions and scenic mountain landscapes.
Winter (December-February)
Resident woodland species remain active throughout the season. Sparrows, juncos, towhees, and mountain birds can often be observed during mild winter days.
Best Time of Day
Early morning generally provides the highest levels of bird activity, especially along Percha Creek, in shaded woodland areas, and around forest edges. Late afternoon can also be productive as birds move between feeding and roosting areas. During summer, cooler morning temperatures offer the most comfortable birding conditions.
Getting There
Hillsboro is located approximately 17 miles west of Truth or Consequences along New Mexico Highway 152, with Kingston located another 8 miles farther west. Numerous birding opportunities can be found throughout both communities, along Percha Creek, within nearby campgrounds, and at higher elevations toward Emory Pass and the Black Range.
Visitors should remain on public roads, trails, and access areas while respecting private property and local regulations. Because elevations increase substantially west of Kingston, weather conditions can change quickly, particularly during winter and summer monsoon seasons.
Birding Tip
For the greatest variety of species, consider birding multiple elevations during the same visit. Many birders begin in the riparian habitats of Hillsboro before continuing west toward Kingston and Emory Pass, where cooler temperatures and forest habitats support an entirely different group of birds.