Fruita

Ecosystem Overview

The Fruita ecosystem supports 27 documented wildlife species across 26 taxonomic genera. Located in Mesa County, Colorado, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 6 frequently observed species and 5 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Grand Junction nearby has 65% more documented species, Fruita offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #4 for species diversity among 13 Mesa County County natural areas, placing it in the 69th 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 13 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common6 species

Common8 species

Occasional8 species

Rare5 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 13 locations

69th percentile for diversity

vs. Grand Junction

-65% 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 27 total documented species.

Sylvilagus audubonii

Desert Cottontail

Very Common2 obs.

Tyrannus verticalis

Western Kingbird

Very Common2 obs.

Libellula saturata

Flame Skimmer

Very Common1 obs.

Libellula luctuosa

Widow Skimmer

Very Common1 obs.

Tharsalea arota

Very Common1 obs.

Ammospermophilus leucurus

White-tailed Antelope Squirrel

Common1 obs.

Uta stansburiana

Side-blotched Lizard

Common1 obs.

Colaptes auratus

common flicker

Common1 obs.

Actitis macularius

spotted sandpiper

Common1 obs.

Sayornis saya

Say's phoebe

Common1 obs.

Molothrus ater

Brown-headed Cowbird

Common1 obs.

Riparia riparia

sand martin

Occasional1 obs.

Pheucticus melanocephalus

Black-headed Grosbeak

Occasional1 obs.

Streptopelia decaocto

collared dove, eurasian collared dove

Occasional1 obs.

Rhus trilobata

Occasional1 obs.

Phidippus audax

Bold Jumper

Occasional1 obs.

Archilochus alexandri

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Occasional1 obs.

Pica hudsonia

Black-billed Magpie

Rare1 obs.

Icterus bullockii

Bullock'S/Black-Backed Oriole

Rare1 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

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 Fruita. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Mesa County County, Colorado

Nearby Natural Areas

Grand Junction

Importance: 0.47

77 species

-65% vs. current

Mesa County

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-73% vs. current

Jumbo Reservoir

Importance: 0.35

16 species

+69% vs. current

MacK Mesa Lake

Importance: 0.35

6 species

+350% vs. current

Vega Reservoir

Importance: 0.35

3 species

+800% vs. current

Highline Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+2600% vs. current

Clifton

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+2600% vs. current

Palisade

Importance: 0.28

12 species

+125% 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 Mesa 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

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Mesa County County, Colorado

Nearby Natural Areas

Grand Junction

Importance: 0.47

77 species

-65% vs. current

Mesa County

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-73% vs. current

Jumbo Reservoir

Importance: 0.35

16 species

+69% vs. current

MacK Mesa Lake

Importance: 0.35

6 species

+350% vs. current

Vega Reservoir

Importance: 0.35

3 species

+800% vs. current

Highline Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+2600% vs. current

Clifton

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+2600% vs. current

Palisade

Importance: 0.28

12 species

+125% 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 13 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common6 species

Common8 species

Occasional8 species

Rare5 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 13 locations

69th percentile for diversity

vs. Grand Junction

-65% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 27 total documented species.

Sylvilagus audubonii

Desert Cottontail

Very Common2 obs.

Tyrannus verticalis

Western Kingbird

Very Common2 obs.

Libellula saturata

Flame Skimmer

Very Common1 obs.

Libellula luctuosa

Widow Skimmer

Very Common1 obs.

Tharsalea arota

Very Common1 obs.

Ammospermophilus leucurus

White-tailed Antelope Squirrel

Common1 obs.

Uta stansburiana

Side-blotched Lizard

Common1 obs.

Colaptes auratus

common flicker

Common1 obs.

Actitis macularius

spotted sandpiper

Common1 obs.

Sayornis saya

Say's phoebe

Common1 obs.

Molothrus ater

Brown-headed Cowbird

Common1 obs.

Riparia riparia

sand martin

Occasional1 obs.

Pheucticus melanocephalus

Black-headed Grosbeak

Occasional1 obs.

Streptopelia decaocto

collared dove, eurasian collared dove

Occasional1 obs.

Rhus trilobata

Occasional1 obs.

Phidippus audax

Bold Jumper

Occasional1 obs.

Archilochus alexandri

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Occasional1 obs.

Pica hudsonia

Black-billed Magpie

Rare1 obs.

Icterus bullockii

Bullock'S/Black-Backed Oriole

Rare1 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 27 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.