Colorado Springs

Ecosystem Overview

The Colorado Springs ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 92 taxonomic genera. Located in El Paso County, Colorado, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 21 frequently observed species and 19 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. Compared to nearby Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs hosts 285% more species diversity. This location ranks #2 for species diversity among 15 El Paso County County natural areas, placing it in the 87th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

100

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 15 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 15 locations

87th percentile for diversity

vs. Air Force Academy

+285% 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 100 total documented species.

Quercus gambelii

Gambel Oak

Very Common54 obs.

Pica hudsonia

Black-billed Magpie

Very Common50 obs.

Aphelocoma woodhouseii

Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay

Very Common37 obs.

Cercocarpus montanus

mountain-mahogany

Very Common32 obs.

Yucca glauca

small soapweed yucca

Very Common30 obs.

Odocoileus hemionus

mule deer

Common30 obs.

Pinus edulis

Pinyon Pine

Common28 obs.

Pipilo maculatus

Spotted Towhee (Maculatus Group)

Common28 obs.

Juniperus scopulorum

red-cedar

Common21 obs.

Castilleja integra

Common18 obs.

Sceloporus consobrinus

Southern Prairie Lizard

Common17 obs.

Verbascum thapsus

Aaron'S-Rod

Occasional17 obs.

Opuntia polyacantha

Plains Pricklypear

Occasional16 obs.

Oenothera coronopifolia

Occasional15 obs.

Troglodytes aedon

House Wren

Occasional14 obs.

Sciurus niger

Cat Squirrel

Occasional14 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Occasional14 obs.

Bombus huntii

Hunt bumble bee

Rare13 obs.

Tradescantia occidentalis

western spiderwort

Rare12 obs.

Buteo jamaicensis

Red-tailed Hawk

Rare12 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 Colorado Springs. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+92%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in El Paso County County, Colorado

Nearby Natural Areas

Air Force Academy

Importance: 0.54

26 species

+285% vs. current

El Paso County

Importance: 0.45

100 species

0% vs. current

Fountain

Importance: 0.45

100 species

0% vs. current

Fort Carson

Importance: 0.36

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Security-widefield

Importance: 0.35

100 species

0% vs. current

Prospect Lake

Importance: 0.35

58 species

+72% vs. current

Big Johnson Reservoir

Importance: 0.35

19 species

+426% vs. current

South Rice's Pond

Importance: 0.35

14 species

+614% 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 El Paso 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

100

Species Count

+92%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in El Paso County County, Colorado

Nearby Natural Areas

Air Force Academy

Importance: 0.54

26 species

+285% vs. current

El Paso County

Importance: 0.45

100 species

0% vs. current

Fountain

Importance: 0.45

100 species

0% vs. current

Fort Carson

Importance: 0.36

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Security-widefield

Importance: 0.35

100 species

0% vs. current

Prospect Lake

Importance: 0.35

58 species

+72% vs. current

Big Johnson Reservoir

Importance: 0.35

19 species

+426% vs. current

South Rice's Pond

Importance: 0.35

14 species

+614% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

100

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 15 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 15 locations

87th percentile for diversity

vs. Air Force Academy

+285% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.

Quercus gambelii

Gambel Oak

Very Common54 obs.

Pica hudsonia

Black-billed Magpie

Very Common50 obs.

Aphelocoma woodhouseii

Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay

Very Common37 obs.

Cercocarpus montanus

mountain-mahogany

Very Common32 obs.

Yucca glauca

small soapweed yucca

Very Common30 obs.

Odocoileus hemionus

mule deer

Common30 obs.

Pinus edulis

Pinyon Pine

Common28 obs.

Pipilo maculatus

Spotted Towhee (Maculatus Group)

Common28 obs.

Juniperus scopulorum

red-cedar

Common21 obs.

Castilleja integra

Common18 obs.

Sceloporus consobrinus

Southern Prairie Lizard

Common17 obs.

Verbascum thapsus

Aaron'S-Rod

Occasional17 obs.

Opuntia polyacantha

Plains Pricklypear

Occasional16 obs.

Oenothera coronopifolia

Occasional15 obs.

Troglodytes aedon

House Wren

Occasional14 obs.

Sciurus niger

Cat Squirrel

Occasional14 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Occasional14 obs.

Bombus huntii

Hunt bumble bee

Rare13 obs.

Tradescantia occidentalis

western spiderwort

Rare12 obs.

Buteo jamaicensis

Red-tailed Hawk

Rare12 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 100 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.