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Whitetail and mule deers are the most common and widely distributed large <br />' mammals. They occupy the mountainous regions, summer at higher elevations <br />and, like the elk, migrate to lower elevation winter ranges. In the Plains <br />' zone (Figure 5), mule deer are more abundant in areas covered with riparian <br />vegetation. Plains- dwelling mule deer are not known to migrate <br />' (Lechleitner, 1969). <br />' Birds <br />A large number of bird species utilize the available habitats within the <br />basin. Many occur as year -round and summer residents that breed in the <br />area and many occur as migrants through the basin. The following are <br />' representative major groups of birds: raptors, upland gamebirds, waterfowl <br />and water - related birds, and other bird species. <br />Raptors, or birds of prey, include species of eagles, hawks, falcons, owls <br />and osprey. The endangered peregrine falcon breeds in the Colorado <br />mountains and has been observed as a migrant throughout the basin (Kingery <br />and Graul, 1978). Upland gamebirds include the mourning dove, blue grouse <br />and white - tailed ptarmigan. Waterfowl include geese and ducks such as the <br />Canada goose and the mallard. The spotted sandpiper and great blue heron <br />are examples of fairly common water - related birds. The white pelican <br />maintains a breeding population on Riverside Reservoir (Figure 11) and is <br />considered a threatened and endangered species. Other common bird species <br />in the basin include the meadowlark, red - winged blackbird and American <br />robin. <br />Amphibians and Reptiles <br />No amphibians or reptiles present in Colorado are known to be endangered or <br />threatened species by state or federal agencies. <br />-15- <br />