G-1 

APPENDIX G 

SPECIAL-STATUS AND SENSITIVE ANIMAL SPECIES IN SANDOVAL COUNTY

Common Name Scientific Name Status a Range & Habitat Association

Pot

FISH 

Rio Grande cutthroat trout 

Oncorhynchus clarki virginalis 

FWS Subspecies currently inhabits headwater areas in the Rio 

Grande and Pecos drainages. Found several miles up Peralta Canyon from the Monument. 

None

Rio Grande chub 

Gila pandora FS; NM-s Occurred historically in the Rio Grande and the Pecos 

River. 

None

Rio Grande silvery minnow 

Hybognathus amarus 

FE; NM-E; 

FS 

Inhabits variety of habitats in the Rio Grande with shifting sand or silty bottoms. Perennial stretches of the river between Santo Domingo Pueblo (Sandoval County) and Socorro are critical habitat. 

None

flathead chub Platygobio gracilis BLM Occurred historically in the Rio Grande. NoneRio Grande sucker 

Catostomus plebeius 

FWS; FS Currently inhabits the northern portion of the Rio Grande 

and its tributaries. 

None

AMPHIBIANS 

Jemez Mountain salamander 

Plethodon neo-mexicanus 

NM-T Jemez Mountains in mixed conifer habitat with abundant 

rotted logs and surface rocks, at elevations of 7,200-9,550 feet. 

None

Northern leopard frog 

Rana pipiens BLM; NESL 

Group 2; FS 

Inhabits ponds, wetland areas, riparian areas, and other semi-aquatic environments. 

None

BIRDS 

snowy egret Egretta thula 

brewsteri 

FS Migrant known to occur throughout New Mexico in 

wetlands. 

None

white-faced ibis 

Plegadis chihi BLM Statewide migrant in New Mexico. Breeding known to 

occur in Rio Arriba County. Inhabits shoreline and marsh habitats that border open water; desert riparian; deciduous woodland-marsh; and grassland and agricultural lands. 

None

osprey Pandion haliaetus 

carolinensis 

FS Rare resident; more commonly a transient or migrant in 

the Rio Grande Valley. Habitat includes riparian forest near productive fisheries. 

None
G-2 

Common Name Scientific Name Status a Range & Habitat Association

Pot

Mississippi kite 

Ictinia mississippiensis 

FS Known to summer on golf courses and Air Force bases 

in the Roswell and Hobbs area. 

None

bald eagle Haliaeetus 

leucocephalus 

FT; NM-T; 

NESL Group 3 

May be present as migrant or wintering bird throughout the Planning Area. While no known nesting sites have been identified within the Planning Area, potential nesting habitat is limited to riparian habitat along the Rio Grande. Riparian areas and wetlands are primary habitat for winter roosting and during migration. 

None

Northern goshawk 

Accipiter gentilis FWS; BLM; 

FS 

Permanent resident of most mountain ranges in New Mexico. Prefer mature, closed-canopied coniferous forests of mountains and mesas. Typically found in ponderosa pine, mixed-conifer, and spruce-fir forests. Nest sites located in large trees in aged forests. 

None

common black hawk 

Buteogallus anthracinus anthracinus 

NM-T; FWS; 

FS 

Subspecies occurs primarily at lower elevations in southwestern New Mexico. However, individuals have 

been recorded in the middle Rio Grande Valley and have bred northward to Bernalillo County. Nesting occurs in mature, well-developed riparian trees located near permanent streams. 

None

Swainson's hawk 

Buteo swainsoni NESL Group 3; 

BLM; FS 

Known to occur throughout New Mexico. Prefers mixed to short-grass habitats with scattered trees. Nests in isolated trees, often associated with riparian woodlands. 

None

zone-tailed hawk 

Buteo albonotatus FS Most reports of this species within New Mexico are 

within riparian and montane habitats. 

None

ferruginous hawk 

Buteo regalis FWS; BLM; 

FS; NESL 

Group 3 

In New Mexico, this species occurs primarily as a rare to uncommon transient and winter migrant statewide. Breeding by this species is less common in New Mexico. Nest sites include trees, ledges, large rock outcrops, and low cliffs in sagebrush valleys and rolling grasslands. 

None

American peregrine falcon 

Falco peregrinus anatum 

NM-T; FWS; 

BLM; NESL 

Group 4 

In New Mexico, subspecies breeds locally in mountain areas and migrates statewide. Nests often located on cliff faces with overhanging ledges or rock outcrop. 

None

sora Porzana carolina FS Dependent on riparian and associated aquatic habitats. Nonewhooping crane 

Grus americana FE; EXPN, mg; 

NM-E; FS 

Known to migrate throughout New Mexico. Typical habitat includes marsh and wetland areas. 

None

Western snowy plover 

Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus 

FS Known to migrate & breed in New Mexico. Preferred 

habitats include lake shores and playas. 

None
G-3 

Common Name Scientific Name Status a Range & Habitat Association

Pot

mountain plover 

Charadrius montanus 

FS; BLM; 

NESL Group 4 

Known to occur in most counties. Inhabits flat, shortgrass prairie in areas often grazed by livestock and in areas occupied by prairie dog colonies. 

None

yellow-billed cuckoo 

Coccyzus americanus 

FC; BLM; 

NESL Group 3 

Known to occur throughout New Mexico. Potential habitat defined as open woodlands, and streamside 

willow and alder groves. Mature riparian woodlands along the Rio Grande may provide suitable habitat. 

None

flammulated owl 

Otus flammeolus FS Expected to occur in all mid-elevation pine forests west 

of the Black Hills. 

None

Western burrowing owl 

Athene cunicularia hypugea 

FWS; BLM; 

FS 

Summer resident in New Mexico. Typically nests in abandoned burrows of prairie dogs, ground squirrels, foxes, and badgers in grassland, open shrubland, and 

woodland communities. 

Low. withiMonudog dobser

Mexican spotted owl 

Strix occidentalis lucida 

FT; NESL 

Group 3 

In New Mexico, subspecies has been reported in a number of counties, including San Juan, Sandoval, McKinley, Bernalillo, Torrance, Lincoln, and Eddy. Found primarily in canyons, mixed conifer forests, pineoak woodlands, and riparian areas. Nests on platforms and large cavities in trees, on ledges, and in caves. 

None

black swift Cupseloides niger 

borealis 

NM-s Typically nests in shallow caves in steep canyons near 

waterfalls. 

None

broad-billed hummingbird 

Cynanthus latirostris magicus 

NM-T; FS In New Mexico, subspecies is a regular summer resident 

only in Guadalupe Canyon of southwestern NM (Hidalgo County). Habitats used are varied. Nesting habitat is typically riparian woodland with cottonwoods, hackberry, and sycamore at low to middle elevations. 

None

belted kingfisher 

Ceryle alcyon FS Known to occur along the middle Rio Grande where 

banks suitable for nesting and riparian habitat are present. 

None

Southwestern willow flycatcher 

Empidonax traillii extimus 

FE; NM-E; 

NESL Group 2 

Breeds primarily in New Mexico, Arizona, and southern California. Most records in New Mexico are from the Rio Grande Valley and westward, with the largest colony on the Gila River. Nesting habitat includes shrubs and trees in willow thickets, shrubby mountain meadows, and deciduous woodlands along streams, lakes, and bogs. 

None
G-4 

Common Name Scientific Name Status a Range & Habitat Association

Pot

loggerhead shrike 

Lanius ludovicianus FWS; BLM Widespread summer resident in New Mexico. Known to 

occur throughout the State. Primary habitat is open country interspersed with pastures, grasslands, and 

hedgerows below 9,000 feet. Nesting habitat includes sagebrush areas, desert scrub, piñon-juniper woodlands, and woodland edges. 

Modenest wsuitabhabita

gray vireo Vireo vicinior NM-T Neotropical migrant that breeds only within portions of 

the southwestern states. In New Mexico, has been recorded in the Guadalupe and San Andres Mountains, the San Juan River Valley, Navajo Lake, and around Santa Fe. Records for the Sandia and Manzano Mountains are for rare transients only. Uses upland habitats in canyons, foothills, and open woodlands. Most use is within fairly open woodland savannahs. 

Low. withiMonumarg

gray catbird Dumetella 

carolinensis ruficrissa 

FS Known to inhabit the lower and possibly the middle Rio 

Grande Valley. 

Low. withiMonunorth recor

American redstart 

Setophaga ruticilla tricolora 

FS Neotropical migrant over-winters in mature tropical 

forests. Migrates through New Mexico and may nest in undisturbed woodlands. Tends to shun disturbed areas and is not likely to occur along roads. 

None

Baird's sparrow 

Ammodramus bairdii 

NM-T; FWS; 

BLM 

Grassland bird breeds in the northern Great Plains and winters in southeastern Arizona to southwestern Texas. Primarily a migrant in New Mexico. Uses short-grass prairie, grasslands, and weedy fields. 

None

MAMMALS 

Western small-footed myotis 

Myotis ciliolabrum melanorhinus 

FWS; BLM In New Mexico, subspecies known to occur throughout 

much of the state. Found in woodlands, forests, and desert communities. Known to roost in caves, abandoned buildings, under rocks, in crevices, and under pine bark. Occurs at elevations of 5,200-7,050 feet. 

Low. withiMonumarg

Yuma myotis Myotis yumanensis FWS; BLM Known to occur in Sandoval, Rio Arriba, and Chaves 

counties. Uncommon seasonal visitor to desert, grassland, woodland, and riparian areas at 4,000-7,000 feet. Known to roost in buildings, caves, and crevices. 

Low. withiMonumarg
G-5 

Common Name Scientific Name Status a Range & Habitat Association

Pot

little brown myotis 

Myotis lucifugus carissima 

NM-s Known to occur in Sandoval County. Known roost sites 

in buildings. 

None

occult little brown bat 

Myotis lucifugus occultus 

FWS; BLM Widely distributed throughout western and central New 

Mexico. Known to occur in McKinley and Sandoval counties. Uses riparian habitats associated with permanent water sources such as streams, drainage ditches, and lakes. Also known to roost in human-built structures, caves, tunnels, and hollow trees including piñon-juniper, ponderosa pine, and other conifers. Most common at higher elevations of 6,000-9,000 feet. 

Low. throuprefeprese

long-legged myotis 

Myotis volans interior 

BLM; NM-s Known to occur throughout New Mexico. Habitat is 

usually ponderosa pine and higher elevations. 

Low. throuprefeprese

fringed myotis 

Myotis thysanodes FWS; BLM Distributed throughout New Mexico except for the 

eastern portion of the State. Occurs in a wide variety of vegetation types, including mixed shrub, grassland, sagebrush, piñon-juniper woodland, pine and mixed conifer forests, riparian woodlands, and cropland. Known to roost in caves, mines, and buildings. 

Modeoccur in the 

long-eared myotis 

Myotis evotis FWS; BLM Distributed mainly within western New Mexico. 

Subspecies uses piñon-juniper woodlands and coniferous forests, and roosts in caves and buildings, generally above 6,700 feet. 

Modeoccur in the 

spotted bat Euderma 

maculatum 

NM-T; BLM; 

FS 

Known to occur in Sandoval and Rio Arriba counties. Typical habitat includes rocky areas near perennial water and other habitats including riparian, piñon-juniper woodlands, and ponderosa pine. Roost sites include crevices or cracks in cliffs or under loose rocks. 

None

pale Townsend's big-eared bat 

Plecotus townsendii 

FWS; BLM Subspecies fairly common in New Mexico and is known 

to occur in Sandoval and Rio Arriba counties. Primarily a cave dweller and is the bat most dependent upon inactive mines in the southwest. Can be found in desert shrublands, piñon-juniper woodlands, coniferous forests, and mixed grass prairies. Roosts in trees, caves, or human-built structures. Only subspecies of bat commonly found in New Mexico during winter. 

Modeoccur in the 
G-6 

Common Name Scientific Name Status a Range & Habitat Association

Pot

big freetailed bat Nyctinomops macrotis FWS; BLM Known to occur in Sandoval and Rio Arriba counties. A summer resident that prefers coniferous and mixed 

woods and depends on rocky cliffs for roosting. Can be 

found in piñon-juniper woodland, pine and mixed coniferous forests, desert grassland, and other desert communities. In addition to roosting on rocky cliffs, also may roost in caves, rock fissures, bridges, and buildings. 

Modeoccur in the 

Goat Peak pika 

Ochotona princeps nigrescens 

FWS; BLM; 

FS; FWS 

Subpecies is confined to the Jemez Mountains in Sandoval County. Restricted to patches of large talus (lava) slopes and boulder fields in alpine and sub-alpine zones above 9,000 feet. 

None

Gunnison’s prairie dog 

Cynomis gunnisoni NM-sn Known to occur throughout much of western New 

Mexico in a wide variety of habitats and elevations. 

Low. been becauexists may bmonition i

New Mexican meadow jumping mouse 

Zapus hudsonius luteus 

NM-T; FWS; 

BLM; FS 

Identified as occurring in Sandoval and Rio Arriba counties. Subspecies inhabits narrow grass-forb-willow streamside riparian habitat along permanent waterways and wet meadows in river floodplains. 

None

American marten 

Martes americana origenes 

NM-T, FS Known to occur in Sandoval and Rio Arriba counties. 

Habitat includes spruce-fir forests and alpine habitat with an understory of fallen logs and stumps. 

None

INVERTEBRATES 

wrinkled marshsnail 

Stagnicola caperatus

NM-E Known from two isolated populations in wetlands in the 

Bitter Lake National Wetlands Reserve and Jemez Mountains. 

None

San Ysidro mealybug 

Distichlococus fontanus 

NM-sn Occurs only in a small area localized around San Ysidro 

(in Sandoval County). 

None

Socorro Mountain snail 

Oreohelix neomexicanus 

NM-sn Occur in the vicinity of limestone cliffs in thick, moist 

litter derived mainly from fallen leaves of piñon pine (Pinus edulis), one-seeded juniper (Juniperus monosperma), and various shrubs. 

None
G-7 

Common Name Scientific Name Status a Range & Habitat Association

Pot

pearly checkerspot butterfly 

Charidryas acastus acastus 

FWS A butterfly of the western U.S. east to Nebraska, and 

from Canada to Mexico. Has been identified as occurring in Sandoval County. Habitats include badlands near sagebrush scrub, piñon-juniper woodlands, and dry gulches. Caterpillar hosts include rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus ) and aster (Machaeranthera) in the sunflower family (Asteraceae). 

Low. withiMonumarg

Note aStatus: BLM—BLM sensitive FC—Federal candidate EXPN—experimental population; 

mg—Recovery/Management Plan 

or Cooperative Agreement 

FE—Federally listed as endangered FS—Forest Service Sensitive FT—Federally listed as threatened FWS—U.S. Fish & Wildlife 

Service species of concern 

NM-E—State-listed as endangered in New 

Mexico 

NM-s—State sensitive NM-sn—State sensitive & endemic NM-T—State-listed as threatened in New 

Mexico 

NESL—Navajo Endangered Species List 

Group 1—No longer occurs 

 on the Navajo Nation Group 2—Any species or subspecies  in danger of being eliminated from  all or a significant portion of its range  on the Navajo Nation  Group 3—Any species or subspecies 

 likely to become an endangered  species, within the foreseeable future,  throughout all or a significant portion  of its range on the Navajo Nation 

Group 4—A

 which the  Departme currently  support it Group 3,  The NF& informati determin in a diffe the list. S legal prot

NATIVE SPECIES APPARENTLY NO LONGER OCCURRING IN 

black-footed ferret—Mustela nigripes (extirpated from NM) gray wolf—Canis lupusgrizzly bear—Ursus arctos (extirpated from NM) 

American eel—Anguilla rostrata (extirpated from NM) blue sucker—Cycleptus elongates freshwater drum—Aplodinotus grunniens (extirpated from NM

gizzard shad—Dorosoma cepedianum gray redhorse—Moxostoma congestumRio Grande bluntnose shiner—Notropis simus simus (extinct) 

shovelnose sturgeon—Scaphirhynchus platorynchus (extirpat