Cortez

Ecosystem Overview

The Cortez ecosystem supports 23 documented wildlife species across 22 taxonomic genera. Located in Montezuma County, Colorado, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 5 frequently observed species and 4 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Montezuma County nearby has 77% more documented species, Cortez offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #2 for species diversity among 7 Montezuma County County natural areas, placing it in the 71th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 7 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common5 species

Common7 species

Occasional7 species

Rare4 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 7 locations

71th percentile for diversity

vs. Montezuma County

-77% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

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Biodiversity Highlights

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Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

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Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 23 total documented species.

Aciurina bigeloviae

Very Common2 obs.

Rhinocyllus conicus

Very Common2 obs.

Ischnura damula

Plains Forktail

Very Common1 obs.

Erythemis collocata

Western Pondhawk

Very Common1 obs.

Aedes vexans

Very Common1 obs.

Pelegrina aeneola

Common1 obs.

Lithobates catesbeianus

Common Bullfrog

Common1 obs.

Cynomys gunnisoni

Gunnison's Prairie Dog

Common1 obs.

Fulica americana

American Coot

Common1 obs.

Selasphorus rufus

Rufous/Allen'S Hummingbird

Common1 obs.

Turdus rufopalliatus

Rufous-backed Robin

Common1 obs.

Rumex hymenosepalus

canaigre dock

Occasional1 obs.

Verbena bracteata

Prostrate Verbena

Occasional1 obs.

Delphinium scaposum

Occasional1 obs.

Asclepias speciosa

showy milkweed

Occasional1 obs.

Asclepias subverticillata

whorled milkweed

Occasional1 obs.

Hippodamia convergens

convergent lady beetle

Occasional1 obs.

Passer domesticus

House Sparrow

Rare1 obs.

Astragalus mollissimus

Woolly Locoweed

Rare1 obs.

Oenothera albicaulis

Rare1 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Cortez. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+10%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 6 nearby locations in Montezuma County County, Colorado

Nearby Natural Areas

Montezuma County

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-77% vs. current

Narraguinnep Reservoir

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+2200% vs. current

Dolores

Importance: 0.28

4 species

+475% vs. current

McPhee Reservoir

Importance: 0.20

9 species

+156% vs. current

Denny Lake

in Cortez

Importance: 0.20

5 species

+360% vs. current

Totten Lake

Importance: 0.20

4 species

+475% vs. current

About This Comparison

These comparisons are based on documented wildlife observations from citizen science data. Locations with higher species counts may have more observation activity, different habitat types, or larger coverage areas. Regional rankings help identify biodiversity hotspots and unique natural areas within Montezuma County County.

Regional Comparison

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Regional Ranking

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Species Count

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vs. Regional Average

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Nearby Natural Areas

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About This Comparison

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+10%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 6 nearby locations in Montezuma County County, Colorado

Nearby Natural Areas

Montezuma County

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-77% vs. current

Narraguinnep Reservoir

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+2200% vs. current

Dolores

Importance: 0.28

4 species

+475% vs. current

McPhee Reservoir

Importance: 0.20

9 species

+156% vs. current

Denny Lake

in Cortez

Importance: 0.20

5 species

+360% vs. current

Totten Lake

Importance: 0.20

4 species

+475% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 7 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common5 species

Common7 species

Occasional7 species

Rare4 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 7 locations

71th percentile for diversity

vs. Montezuma County

-77% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 23 total documented species.

Aciurina bigeloviae

Very Common2 obs.

Rhinocyllus conicus

Very Common2 obs.

Ischnura damula

Plains Forktail

Very Common1 obs.

Erythemis collocata

Western Pondhawk

Very Common1 obs.

Aedes vexans

Very Common1 obs.

Pelegrina aeneola

Common1 obs.

Lithobates catesbeianus

Common Bullfrog

Common1 obs.

Cynomys gunnisoni

Gunnison's Prairie Dog

Common1 obs.

Fulica americana

American Coot

Common1 obs.

Selasphorus rufus

Rufous/Allen'S Hummingbird

Common1 obs.

Turdus rufopalliatus

Rufous-backed Robin

Common1 obs.

Rumex hymenosepalus

canaigre dock

Occasional1 obs.

Verbena bracteata

Prostrate Verbena

Occasional1 obs.

Delphinium scaposum

Occasional1 obs.

Asclepias speciosa

showy milkweed

Occasional1 obs.

Asclepias subverticillata

whorled milkweed

Occasional1 obs.

Hippodamia convergens

convergent lady beetle

Occasional1 obs.

Passer domesticus

House Sparrow

Rare1 obs.

Astragalus mollissimus

Woolly Locoweed

Rare1 obs.

Oenothera albicaulis

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 23 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.