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Must-SeeBirdsOFTHEPACIFICNORTHWEST
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Frontispiece:PacificWrenCopyright©2013bySarahSwansonandMaxSmith.Allrightsreserved.
Photocreditsappearonpage242.MapsbyAllisonBergPublishedin2013byTimberPress,Inc.
TheHaseltineBuilding133S.W.SecondAvenue,Suite450Portland,Oregon97204-3527timberpress.com
2TheQuadrant135SalusburyRoadLondonNW66RJtimberpress.co.uk
PrintedinChinaBookdesignbyLakenWrightLibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationDataSwanson,Sarah,1979–Must-seebirdsofthePacificNorthwest/SarahSwansonandMaxSmith.—1sted.
p.cm.Includesbibliographicalreferencesandindex.ISBN978-1-60469-337-91.Birds—Northwest,Pacific.2.Birds—Northwest,Pacific—Identification.3.Birdwatching—Northwest,Pacific.I.Smith,Max,1978–II.Title.QL683.P16S932013598.072′34795—dc232013004183
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TOOURFAMILIES,FORGIVINGUSCHILDHOODSFULLOFEXPLORATIONANDNATURE.WELOVEYOUMORETHAN
PILEATEDWOODPECKERSLOVETOEATANTS.
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Contents
INTRODUCTION:BirdinginthePacificNorthwest
TheBirds BEACHBIRDS:DenizensoftheWaves,Rocks,andSand
BIGBIRDS:EasytoSeeandFuntoWatch
COLORFULBIRDS:BrighteningthePacificNorthwest
FISH-EATINGBIRDS:Diving,Paddling,andStabbingtoCatchSwimmingPrey
KILLERBIRDS:BirdsofPreyandOtherMeat-eaters
MARATHONBIRDS:RackinguptheFrequentFlyerMiles
SINGINGBIRDS:MemorableCallsandSongs
TREETRUNKBIRDS:LivingtheVerticalLife
URBANBIRDS:MakingaLivingintheBigCity
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WeekendBirdingTrips
WinterWeekends,NorthtoSouth
1.VALLEYOFTHESWANS:SkagitandIslandCounties,Washington,inWinter
2.SHELTERFROMTHESTORM:TheSalishSeainWinter
3.GRAYSKIESANDGREATBIRDS:TheNorthernOregonCoastinWinter
SpringandSummerWeekends,NorthtoSouth
4.URBANBIRDIN’:SpringtimeinPugetSound
5.BIRDINGAMONGTHEWINERIESANDORCHARDS:TheCanyonCountryofCentralWashington
6.STANDINGROOMONLY:NestingSeasonontheCentralOregonCoast
7.REDROCKS,BLUEWATER,ANDWHITE-HEADEDWOODPECKERS:CentralOregoninSummer
8.ITTAKESTWOTOTANGO:DancingandBreedingSeasonintheKlamathBasin,Oregon
BibliographyAcknowledgmentsIndexPhotoCredits
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WesternOregonandWashington
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IntroductionBIRDINGINTHEPACIFICNORTHWEST
InthePacificNorthwest,aseabirdlaysitsegginanestonthemossybranchofanold-growthtreeandfliesouttotheoceaneachdayinsearchoffish.Songbirdssingthroughouttheyear,andtubenosedbirdsvisitourshoresfromasfarawayasNewZealand.Evenourlargestcitiesattractspectacularflightsofmigratorybirds.Birdinghotspotsincludeforestedmountains,valleywetlands,Pacificshores,inlandseas,anddesertbasins—enoughtoprovidealifetimeofbirdingadventures.
ThegeographicboundariesofthePacificNorthwestvarywidelydependingonyourpurposes.ThisbookisforpeopleinterestedinbirdingopportunitiesuniquetoOregonandWashington.Forthisreason,weincludetheportionsofeachstatethatcontaintypesofnaturalareasthatareuniquetothispartofthecountry.TheyincludethePacificCoast,theSalishSea(PugetSoundandsurroundingwaters),theWillametteValleyandPugetTrough,theCascadeRange,andtheeasternCascadefoothills.Wedonotincludetheeasternmostportionsofeachstate,becausethoseareasincludeplantandbirdcommunitiesthatarecharacteristicofotherregionssuchastheRockyMountainsandtheGreatBasin.
WeincludeseveralsitesinOregonandWashingtonwhereyou’remostlikelytofindinterestingbirds.Wedonotlistsitesforverycommonbirds.Thesesitesarenot,byanymeans,theonlyplacestofindthesebirdsinthePacificNorthwest.Andwecan’tguaranteethatthebirdswementionwillbepresent
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Northwest.Andwecan’tguaranteethatthebirdswementionwillbepresentwhenyouare,butthat’spartofwhatmakesbirdingexciting.Mostofthesesitesarespecific,well-traveledlocationssuchasparks,wildliferefuges,andwaterways.Somelocationsrequireaparkingoradmissionfee.Afewarealongroughroads,soalwaysusediscretionwhenitcomestoroadconditionsandyourvehicle’sabilities.
Thisbookintroducesyouto85ofthePacificNorthwest’smust-seebirdsandsharessomeremarkableinformationabouttheirlivesandmust-visitplacestofindthem.Althoughthisbookdoesnotincludeallofthebirdsyou’llseeinthePacificNorthwest,wehopethatitgivesyoutheinspirationandinformationyouneedtogooutandenjoythemanymust-seebirdsofOregonandWashington.
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MaleWilliamson’sSapsucker
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EssentialEquipmentBirdingisawonderfullysimpleactivitywithonlytwocriticalsteps:numberone,findsomebirds,andnumbertwo,identifythem.Herearesometipstohelpyousucceed.
Binocularsandfieldguidesareperhapstheonlyessentialitemsforbirding.Thebeginningbirderwillfindaconfusingarrayofoptionsforbothitems.Binoculars,forexample,rangeinpricefromlessthan$100tomorethan$2000.Whenconsideringbinoculars,youshouldtestafewpairsbyviewingobjectscloseanddistanttofindwhichmagnification(typically8-or10-power)worksbestforyou.Askthesalespersontohelpyoufigureouttheeyeadjustment,whichisuniquetoeachpairofeyes.AlthoughnoparticularbrandorpricerangeisessentialforbirdsightingsuccessinthePacificNorthwest,waterproofbinocularscertainlyarerequired.
Everybirderhasafavoritefieldguide,andafewownthemall.OneguidefeaturingallbirdsregularlyfoundinNorthAmerica(northofMexico)isallyouneedtoidentifyanybirdyouseeinthePacificNorthwestandbeyond.Suchguidestypicallycomeintwoforms:photographicorillustrated.Foruseinthefield,wepreferillustratedguides,becauseeachbirdisplacedinthepositioninwhichyouaremostlikelytoencounterit,andtheartistsareabletodepictthefeaturesofeachbirdthataremosthelpfultoidentification.Bookswithphotographs,suchasours,arehelpfulforgettingtoknowbirdsbeforeabirdingtriporforconfirmingidentificationinconcertwithanillustratedguide.
Aspottingscopeisahelpfulpieceofequipmentforidentifyingshorebirds,waterfowl,andseabirdsatcoastalandwetlandsites,whereyourtargetsareagreatdistanceaway.Ifyouhaveattendedafieldtripwithaleaderwhoprovidedahigh-qualityspottingscope,youknowwhatadifferenceitmakes.Anall-weathernotebookandpenorpencilarealsousefulfortakingnotesonadifficult-to-identifybirdorforlistingspeciesfoundatalocationsoyoucanrelocatethemonafuturevisit.
Themarine-influenced,temperateclimateofwesternOregonandWashingtonisconducivetoyear-roundbirding,providedyouownwaterproofbinoculars,arainjacket,andapairofrubberboots.Withsomuchtoseehere—somanyfascinatingbirdsthatliveinbeautifulplaces—whatareyoudoinginside?Grabyourbinocularsandgofindsomebirds!
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TheBirdsAllofourregion’sbirdsareappealinginsomeway,anditisdifficultandsomewhatarbitrarytoassignmust-seestatustosomebutnotothers.However,wewanttohelpyoubeginorexpandyourbirdingexperiencebysteeringyoutowardcertainbirdsthatarelikelytosparkyourinterestbecausetheyareeye-catchingorunusual.Inselectingspeciestoinclude,werecalledthehighlightsofourownbirdingexperiencesandthebirdsthathaveexcitedpeopleintheclassesandwalksthatwe’veled.Wehopeyou’llagreethatallthebirdswe’veincludedhereareworthalookoralisten.
Tomakethisbookaccessibletobeginningandintermediatebirders,weexcludedsomespeciesthatwefindfascinatingbutthataretooraretofindreliably,thatarealreadyfamiliar,orthataretoochallengingformostnonexpertstoidentify.TheseexcludedbirdsincludeGyrfalcons,AmericanRobins,andtheflycatchersofthegenusEmpidonax,respectively.
Foreachbirddiscussedinthesepages,weprovideoneormorephotosandlistsomefieldmarksthatareusefulinidentification.Wedescribethebird’scallsandsongsiftheyarehelpfulinlocatingandidentifyingit.Wealsosharenaturalhistoryfactsineachbird’sdescription,gleanedfromrecentornithologicalliterature.Finally,wetellyouwhenandwhereyouhavethebestchanceoffindingeachspeciesandprovidealistofotherbirdstolookforwhileyouarethere.
TAXONOMYANDJARGON
Whendiscussinganindividualspecies,mostauthoritiesprovidebothitsgenusandspeciesnames.Thisscientificname,suchasHaliaeetusleucocephalus,isuniversalacrossalllanguages.Thenamemostofusassociatewithaspecies,suchasBaldEagle,isthecommonname,whichvariesamonglanguages.Weprovidebothscientificandcommonnamesinourspeciesaccounts.Wealsorefertofamiliesofbirdswhennecessarytodiscussthecommonalitieswithinagroupofrelatedbirdssuchasducksorwarblers.
Ornithologistsandbirdersusegroupnamestodescribegroupsofbirdsbasedontheirbehaviorandhabitatuse.•Waterfowlareducks,geese,andswans.•Shorebirdsareoftenfoundalongtheshoresofoceans,lakes,andstreams.Theyincludesandpipers,plovers,andoystercatchersanddisplayavarietyof
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includesandpipers,plovers,andoystercatchersanddisplayavarietyofbehaviors,includingrunningalongthesand,wadinginshallowwater,andprobingmuddyareasforfood.
•Seabirdsspendtimeontheopenoceanandreturntolandtorestandnest.Thisgroupincludesloons,grebes,murres,puffins,andalbatrossesandtheirrelatives.
•Wadingbirdsincludelong-leggedbirds,mostofwhicharelargerthanshorebirds,thatstepintowaterinsearchoffishandotheraquaticprey.Well-knownwadingbirdsincludeherons,egrets,ibises,andstorks.
•Landbirdsarenotusuallyassociatedwithwater.Thisdiversegroupincludesdiurnal(activeduringtheday)birdsofprey(raptors,suchashawksandeagles),owls,woodpeckers,hummingbirds,andsongbirds.
LOCATIONANDIDENTIFICATION
Findingandidentifyingbirdscanbedifficultwhensmallbirdsaremovingthroughdensevegetation.Bepreparedtofindbirdsusingyoureyesandears.Movequietlyandslowly,andkeepconversationtoaminimum.Evenifyoucan’tidentifyabirdbyitssongorcall,listeningforthesesoundscanalertyoutoitslocationsoyoucanidentifyitbysight.Whenlookingforsmalllandbirds,watchformovement.Aflashoffeathersormovingvegetationcanbetraythepresenceofasneakybirdsuchasawarbler.
Afteryoulocatethebird,keepyoureyestrainedonitandliftyourbinocularswithoutlookingdownatthem.Ittakessomepractice,butasmoothtransitionfromeyestobinocularsisessentialtospottingbirdsonthemove.Findingabirdwhileyou’relookingthroughyourbinocularsismuchmoredifficultbecauseyourfieldofviewisreduced.
Getagoodlookatabird,makeanoteofwhatyousee,andthenuseyourfieldguide.Toooften,weimmediatelypulloutourfieldguideswhenconfrontedwithachallengingidentification.Bythetimewelookupfromthepages,thebirdisgoneandwewishwehadspentmoretimelookingatit.Whenyou’reviewingamysterybirdwithothers,quietlyannouncedistinctivefeaturessuchascolors,wingbars,oreyerings.Whenthebirdisgone,recallingthesefieldmarkswillhelpyoualldeterminewhatyouwerelookingat.
Ifyouarehavingdifficultyfindingbirdsatanotherwiseproductive-lookingsite,payattentiontoanyspecies,evenrelativelycommononesyouhavealready
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site,payattentiontoanyspecies,evenrelativelycommononesyouhavealreadyseen.Theymayalertyoutothepresenceofothers,becausemultiplespeciesoftenflocktogether,especiallyduringthenonbreedingseasons.
Afteryou’veexperiencedfindingandidentifyingsomebirds,yournextstepsareuptoyou:Composeaspecieslistforyourtrip,youryear,youryard,yourcounty,andbeyond;photographyourfavoritebirds;takepartinbirdingtrips;joinbirdinggroupssuchastheAudubonSociety;andvolunteerforsurveyssuchastheAudubonSociety’sChristmasBirdCountorCornellUniversity’sProjectFeederWatch.Whenyouhavegainedconfidenceandexperience,youmightevenenjoyleadingabirdwalkofyourowntoshareyourknowledgewithbeginners.Signupforelectronicmailinglists,suchasOregonBirdersOnline(OBOL)forOregonandTweetersforWashington,andyoucanmonitorbirdsightingsfromaroundtheregionandshareyourdiscoveries.
WeekendTripsWe’veprovidedeightideasforweekendbirdingroadtrips:two-dayexcursionsincentralandwesternOregonandWashington,whereyoucanvisitnumeroussitesandviewadiversityofbirds.Weplannedthreetripsforthewintermonthsandfivetripsforthesummermonthsbasedonbirdsyouarelikelytoseeduringeachseason.Ifyoutakeanyofthesetripsduringthespringorfall,youwilllikelyseeamixtureofwinterandsummerbirds.Althoughtherearenoguaranteesinbirding,youdohavearealisticchanceofobservingeachmust-seebirdonatleastoneofthebirdingweekends,providedthatyouvisitduringthebesttimeoftheyear.
Severalproductivestopsaresuggestedforeachweekendlocation.You’llfindmostoftheseonanup-to-datemaporgazetteer.Tohelpyouselectsitestovisit,welistsomeofthemust-seebirdsyouaremostlikelytoseeateachstop,aswellasseveralotherinterestingspeciesyoumightseewhileyou’rethere.Ofcourse,youwillprobablyseeevenmorespeciesthanwelist,sokeepyourfieldguidehandy.
BirdingEthicsForthemostpart,birdersareagentlebunchwhomakealowimpactonbirds
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andotherpeople.Byfollowingasimplecodeofethics,youcanprotectbirdsandmaintaingoodwilltowardbirderseverywhere.TheAmericanBirdingAssociationcodeofethicsisagreatstandardandisavailableonlineathttp://www.aba.org/about/ethics.html.Wewillhighlightsomeofitspointsalongwithourownsuggestions.
Placethewell-beingofbirdsaheadofyourbirdingsuccess.Birdsmustforage,careforyoung,migrate,andavoidpredators.Themarginoferrorforhavingenoughenergytodoitallisverythin.Webelieveitisimportanttolimittheuseofrecordedsongsorcallstolurebirdsintotheopen,althoughitistemptingtodosoforyouownconvenienceandgratification.However,youmaybeinterruptingvitalactivitiesandcompromisinganindividual’ssurvival,especiallyinheavilybirdedlocationsorduringthebreedingseason.
Respectprivateproperty,landownerrules,andregulations.Withthetourismdollarstheybring,birdersarewelcomedtomanyareasinourregionandwewouldliketokeepitthatway.Avoidtrespassingatalltimes,anddon’tblockpublicroadwaysorprivatedriveways.Unlessyou’veaskedforpermission,itisprobablyabadideatoviewaprivateresidenceoritsbirdfeederswithbinoculars.
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MaleWoodDuck
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Heermann’sGull
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BeachBirdsDENIZENSOFTHEWAVES,ROCKS,ANDSAND
THENORTHWESTCOASTattractsnotonlyhumantouristsbutalsomanyavianvisitors.Birdsfromavarietyoffamiliesfloatinthewater,runalongthesand,andtrytostealamealatthebeach.ThebeachcanincludethelandalongthePacificOcean,coastalbaysandrivers,andtheSalishSea,alargesystemofsaltwaterbodiesinnorthwestWashingtonthatincludesPugetSound.You’llfindbeachbirdsintheseareasthroughouttheyear.Otherbirdstravelherefromthenorth,south,east,andwesttospendtheirsummersorwinters,takingadvantageofthemildclimateandabundantoceanicfood.
Manydiversebirdsmaketheirhomesatthebeach.Ducks,cormorants,shorebirds,andgullsarecommonlyrecognizedgroups,butalcidsarealittlemoreobscure.Thealcidsareacoastalfamilyofpenguinlikebirdsthatareawkwardonlandbutcanflybothintheairandunderwater.Thefamilyincludespuffins,auklets,murres,murrelets,guillemots,andtheflightlessGreatAuk,whichisextinct.
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TuftedPuffins
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HARLEQUINDUCKHistrionicushistrionicus
NOOTHERDUCKinourregionhasthefortitudetoraiseitsyounginarushingstreamandthenspendthewinterinastorm-tossedsea.Asifthisbehaviorweren’tenoughtoimpress,maleHarlequinDuckspossessstunninglybrilliantplumage,withwhitepatchesthatilluminatethegrayestofcoastaldays.Themoresubduedfemaleresemblesapolishedrockasshewadesinrushingwater.
Slate-blueplumagewithchestnutpatchesandboldwhitestripesmakethemaleHarlequinDuckinstantlyrecognizable.Thedrabfemaleismorelikelytoblendinwiththerocks,butherwhitefacialspotsgiveheraway.Harlequinshavearoundedappearancewithaveryshortneckandstubbybill.OthercoastalduckswithwhitespotsincludeBuffleheadsandSurfScoters,butthemaleBuffleheadhaslargerwhitepatchesthantheHarlequinandthefemaleistinywithasinglewhitespot.SurfScotersarelargerandchunkierthanHarlequinswithlonger,heavierbills.
MaleHarlequinDucks
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FOODANDFORAGING
HarlequinDucksaredevotedconsumersofaquaticinvertebrates—caddisflylarvaeinmountainstreamsarealargecomponentoftheirsummerdiets.Crabs,barnacles,andsnailsareonthemenuduringcoastalwinters,andtheywilloccasionallyeatfishandfisheggsaswell.Duringatypical30-seconddivebelowthewater’ssurface,aHarlequinpickspreyfromsubmergedrocksortheoceanfloorandmaydisturbthefloorwithitsfeettostirupprey.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Harlequinsareamongthefewducksthatmaintainpairbondsfromyeartoyear,althoughthefemaleperformsthenestingdutiesonherown.Sheplaceshernestnearamountainstreamonanislandofsorts—onaheapofwoodydebris,ontopofastump,inalargetreecavity,onacliffabovethestream,orunderadensetangleofshrubs.Sheincubatesanaverageoffiveeggsfor30daysandthenleadshernewlyhatchedyoungtoastream,wheretheyimmediatelyexhibittheirswimmingandinsect-catchingprowess.After50days,whentheyoungarecapableofflight,thefamilymigratestothecoastandtheparentsreunite.Juvenilefemalesmayspendthewinterwiththeirparents,butyoungmalesdispersetofindtheirownwinteringsites.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSHarlequinsmigrateinaneast-westpattern.Nonbreedingbirdsremainatthecoastyear-round,butbreedingbirdsflyinlandbeginninginMarchtonestalongmountainstreams.Duringthesummer,malesgatheratsitessuchastheOregonCoastandtheSalishSeawhilethefemalesareincubatingtheireggs.FemalesreturntothecoastandoccupytheirwinteringareasbytheendofOctober.
WHERETOFINDHARLEQUINDUCKS
Becausetheypurposelychooseinaccessiblestreamsfornesting,Harlequinsarebestspottedduringnonbreedingtimesatthecoast.Scanrockyareasnearshore
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bestspottedduringnonbreedingtimesatthecoast.Scanrockyareasnearshoreforthefrequentlydivingducks.Theyalsoperchonrocksandclimbontofloatingmatsofkelp.
FemaleHarlequinDuck
InWashington
MarlynNelsonCountyParknearSequim
FortWordenStateParknearPortTownsend
FortFlaglerStateParknearPortTownsend
CattlePointonSanJuanIsland
InOregon
HaystackRockinCannonBeach
SealRockStateWaysidenearNewport
CapeAragoStateParknearCoosBay
EagleCreekintheColumbiaGorge(nesting)
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
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Baysandinletswithrockybottomsareexcellentforagingsitesforwinterwaterfowlandseabirds.LookforCommonGoldeneyes,SURFSCOTERS,RED-BREASTEDMERGANSERS,PIGEONGUILLEMOTS,Red-throatedLoons,andmanyotheractivelyfeedingbirds.
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SURFSCOTERMelanittaperspicillata
SURFSCOTERSAREgregariousduckswithaclownlikeappearance.FoundalmosteverywhereontheNorthwestCoastduringwinter,itwouldbeaneasybirdtotakeforgranted,butitscomicallylargebillandoddfacialplumagemakeitworthalookeverytime.SurfScotersgatherinhugefloatinggroups,orrafts,andtheyalldisappearastheydivebelowthesurfaceinunison.
Builtforridingoceanwaves,theseducksaresturdy.Themalesareblackwithattention-gettingwhitepatternsontheirheadsandcolorfulbeaks;femalesareamoresubtledarkbrownwithwhitishpatchesontheirface.Totellthemapartfromotherscoters,lookforthelargewhitepatchonthebackofthehead—it’sbrighteronthemale,butthefemalehasit,too.Themale’sforeheadalsohasawhitepatch.
FOODANDFORAGINGInthewinter,SurfScotersareprimarilybivalvehunters,divingunderthesurfacetocaptureclamsandmussels.Duringthenestingseason,theytransitiontoadiversefreshwaterdietofaquaticinsects,crustaceans,worms,andfreshwatermussels.Duringspringtimemigration,northboundSurfScotersvisitherringspawninggroundstofilluponcaviar.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
ForgivethefemaleSurfScoterifsheseemsquitecarelesswithheryoung.Afterarrivingwithamateatalakesidenestsite,shelayssixtonineeggs,andthenthemaledeparts.Whentheeggshatch30dayslater,sheleadsherbroodtothewater,wheretheyoftenmixwithotherSurfScoteryoung,formingmultifamilybroodstendedbymultiplefemales.Adultfemalesleavethenestinggroundsbeforetheyoungarecapableofflight.Theabandonedducklingsformagroup
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beforetheyoungarecapableofflight.Theabandonedducklingsformagroupandlatermigratetothecoast.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
AlthoughSurfScotersdonotnestinOregonorWashington,youcanseenonbreedingindividualsinthePacificOceanandtheSalishSeathroughouttheyear.BreedingbirdsleavetheNorthwesttonestinCanadaandAlaskabytheendofMay.ThesebirdsbeginreturningtoourareainJuly,butsomemaynotarriveuntilNovember.
WHERETOFINDSURFSCOTERSSurfScotersarecommonsightsatthecoast,ridingbreakingwavesintheoceanorinashelteredbay.Youcanseeafewoftheseattention-gettingbirdsfromjustaboutanywherewithagoodviewofthewater.Theyarefoundofteninlargeflocks,makingthemeasytospot.Theymightberestingindeepwaterordivingforfoodnearajettyorpier.
OTHERBIRDSTOSEEJettiesprovideexcellentvantagepointsforwatchingbirdssuchasBlackScoters,COMMONLOONS,Red-neckedGrebes,andPelagicCormorantsinthewinter.Theseareasalsohostrock-lovingshorebirdssuchasBLACKTURNSTONESandSurfbirds.Don’tgoouttoofarontothejetty;winterseascanpushlargewavesoverthetopwithoutnotice.
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MaleSurfScoter
FemaleSurfScoter
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LONG-TAILEDDUCKClangulahyemalis
MaleLong-tailedDucks
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THELONG-TAILEDDUCKexchangeditsformername,Oldsquaw,foraperfectlydescriptivename,althoughitdoesn’tapplytotheshort-tailedfemales.Itsshowy,multicoloredplumagesetsitapartfromotherwinteringducks,anditscomparativeraritymakesitanexcitingbirdtofind.Asightingofthissmallduckleavesabigimpression.
Twoslimtailfeathersextendabout12inchesbehindthemale,givingthespeciesitsname.Femaleslacklongtailplumes,buttheysharethepied(splotched)black,brown,andwhitecolorationofthemales.Long-tailedDucksaretoosmalltobemistakenforsnowgeeseorswans,soidentifyingthemissimple.Scotersarealsoblack-and-whiteseaducks,buttheyaredarkeroverall.Pintailshavesomewhatlongtails,buttheyhavedarkheadsandaregracefulandlong-necked.PigeonGuillemotsarealsopredominantlywhiteinthewinter,buttheyaresmallerandlackanybrowncoloration.
FOODANDFORAGINGThisseaduckpreferscalmer,deeperwaterthanitscoastalcompatriotstheSurfScoterandHarlequinDuck.Itplungesnearly200feetbelowthesurfaceinsearchofinvertebrates,fisheggs,andaquaticplants.Long-tailedswilloccasionallychasedownandconsumefish,butcrustaceanssuchasshrimpandisopodsmakeupthebulkoftheirdiet.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Malesandfemalespaironwinteringgroundsandtraveltogethertonestingsitesontheshoresofarcticlakes.Thefemaleaddsherowndownfeatherstoashallowdepressioninthesoilofanislandorapeninsulawhilelayinguptoeighteggs.Younghatchaftera26-dayincubationperiodandfollowthefemaletowater.Theycanfindtheirownfoodatthesurfacebutdonotbegindivinguntiltheyhavegrownlarger.JuvenileLong-tailedDucksgrowquiterapidlycomparedtootherducklingsandarecapableofflight35to40daysafterhatching,justintimetofleeanearlyarcticwinter.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
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Afterthenestingseason,Long-tailedDucksbeginarrivingattheNorthwestCoastinOctoberandstayuntilMay,whentheydepartagainfortheirarcticnestinggrounds.ThemajorityoftheWestCoastpopulationspendsthewinteronthecoastsofAlaskaandBritishColumbia.Luckyforus,afewventuredowntonorthwestWashington.FewerstillvisitcoastalOregon.
WHERETOFINDLONG-TAILEDDUCKS
ThisspeciesismuchmorecommoninWashingtonandalwaysnoteworthyinOregon.LookforthemintheSalishSeaorinlargebaysontheOregonCoast.Theymightbeinthecompanyofscotersorotherdivingbirds.Theirwhitenessmakesthemstandoutfromnearbyscotersandmergansers.
InWashington
DungenessNationalWildlifeRefugenearSequim
MarlynNelsonCountyParknearSequim
FortFlaglerStateParknearPortTownsend
SamishIslandnearAnacortes
InOregon
CoosBay
YaquinaBaynearNewport
SiuslawRiver,SouthJetty,nearFlorence
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
Long-tailedDucksareoftenfoundfloatingingroupswithotherwinteringwaterbirds.ChecktheareaforSURFSCOTERS,White-wingedScoters,COMMONLOONS,BRANT,RUDDYDUCKS,andHornedGrebes.
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RED-BREASTEDMERGANSERMergusserrator
MaleRed-breastedMerganser
DON’TJUDGEAduckbyitspunkrockhairstyle.Red-breastedMergansersdon’thaveabadattitude;theyareactuallyquitesedateastheycruisethroughthetidewaterinsearchoffish.Thesharpspikinessoftheirheadfeathersandtoothinessoftheirorange,serratedbillsgivethemamorereptilianlookthanotherducks,butsmall,aquaticcreaturesaretheonlyonesthathaveanythingtofear.
Thisbirdmakesabigimpression.Themaleisespeciallyeye-catching,withapatchworkofblack,gray,white,brown,andgreenfeathersinadditiontohisbrightbillandcrazyhairstyle.TheonlybirdthatsharesthedistinctivebillistheCommonMerganser,butcleardifferencesexistbetweenthetwo.ThespikycrestanddarkcinnamonchestonthemaleRed-breastedisverydifferentfromthe
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anddarkcinnamonchestonthemaleRed-breastedisverydifferentfromthesmoothheadandwhitechestofthemaleCommonMerganser.Femalesarealittlemorechallengingtotellapart.TheRed-breasted’screstisspiky,whiletheCommon’sisshaggy.TheCommonMerganserfemaledisplaysacrispcontrastbetweenitsgraybody,rustyhead,andbrightwhitechin,whilethefemaleRed-breasted’scolorsblendintoeachothermoresmoothly.
FOODANDFORAGING
Likeothermergansers,Red-breastedsusetheirserratedbillstokeepatightgriponfish,shrimp,aquaticinsects,worms,andamphibianswhiledivingbelowthesurface.Thesedivershaveawiderepertoireofunderwaterforagingtechniques,includingfishchasing,collaborativeherding,andcreviceprobing.
PAIRINGANDPARENTINGAfterpairsarriveontheirtundraorborealforestnestinggrounds,thefemaleselectsanestsiteonthegroundwithin75feetofabodyofwater.Sheincubatesteneggsfor30days.Typicalofducks,themaleleavesbeforetheducklingshatch.Femalessometimesabandontheiryoung,leavingtheminthecareofotherhens.Adultfemalesleavetherearingareabeforetheyoungstersarecapableofflight.At60daysafterhatching,theducklingscanflyandsoonmigratetocoastalwinteringsites.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
Red-breastedMergansersspendthewinterincoastalareasandmigratetotheirnorthernnestingsitesinspring.MostbirdsleavetheNorthwestbytheendofMayandarriveattheirnestinggroundsinJune.WinteringbirdsreturntoOregonandWashingtonfromSeptembertoNovember.
WHERETOFINDRED-BREASTEDMERGANSERS
Thisspeciesisrarelyfoundawayfromsaltwaterbutseemstopreferprotectedbays.Theyareeasytofind,butthatdoesn’tmakethemanylessenjoyable.Justscanthewaterofbaysandrivermouthsfortheirspikysilhouettes.
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scanthewaterofbaysandrivermouthsfortheirspikysilhouettes.
InWashington
AlkiBeachinWestSeattle
PointBrownJettyinOceanShores
ElwhaRivermouth
JohnWayneMarinanearSequim
InOregon
NetartsBaynearNetarts
BayoceanSpitonTillamookBay
SouthJettyoftheCoquilleRivernearBandon
YaquinaBaynearNewport
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
MergansersdivingforfishinbaysduringthewinterhaveplentyofcompanyandcompetitionfromWESTERNGREBES,COMMONLOONS,Red-neckedGrebes,BRANDT’SCORMORANTS,andCOMMONMURRES.
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FemaleRed-breastedMerganser
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COMMONLOONGaviaimmer
CommonLoon,breedingplumage
THECOMMONLOONhasareputationforbeingaloud,sharplyadornedponddweller.Duringwintersatthecoast,however,thisloonadoptsamoresubduedpersona,quietlyblendingwithitsgraysurroundings,andswimminganddivingtofeeditsvoraciousappetiteforfishandcrabs.
You’lloftenseeCommonLoonsonthePacificCoastintheirdrabwinterplumage—darkgrayaboveandwhitebelowandontheirchin.Inthespring,youmightseeonetransitioningtothefamousiridescentblackhead,bill,andthroatstripestheysportduringthebreedingseason.TheCommonLoon’slarge,bayonetlikebillisthickerthanthoseofPacificandRed-throatedLoons.Weighinginatninepounds,theCommonLoonisoneofthebiggest,heaviestbirdsfoundinwinterseas.Yellow-billedLoonsareevenlargerbutmuchrarer.
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birdsfoundinwinterseas.Yellow-billedLoonsareevenlargerbutmuchrarer.
FOODANDFORAGING
Whilefloatingatthesurface,CommonLoonsoftenpoketheirheadintothewaterlikeasnorkelinghumantolookforfish.Underwater,theypropelthemselvesbykickingtheirwebbedfeetsimultaneously.Theycapturepreyintheirspearlikebillandswallowsmallerfishandcrabswhilestillunderwater.Largerpreyisbroughttothesurfaceifthebirdneedssometimetoswallowit.
PAIRINGANDPARENTINGBirdsremainpairedforseveralyearsbutaretogetheronlyduringthenestingseason.Afterarrivingindependentlyatthenestinggrounds,themaleandfemalebeginconstructinganestontheshoreofalakeorpond.Thefemalelaysoneortwoeggs,andbothparentsincubatethemfor28days.Likeducklings,loonchickscanleavethenestthedaytheyhatchandswimwiththeirparents.Unlikeducklings,loonchicksdonotcapturetheirownfood,relyingonparentstobringthemfishorotheraquaticanimals.Inoneofnature’scutestsights,achickwillfrequentlycatcharideonaparent’sbackwhiletheotherparentfeedsitfish.Elevenweeksafterhatching,chickscancapturealloftheirownfood,andaweeklater,theycanfly.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
Inlatesummerorearlyfall,CommonLoonsarriveonthecoastfromtheirnestinggroundsonfreshwaterlakesandslow-movingriversthroughoutthenorthernUnitedStatesandCanada.InAprilandMay,adultstransitiontotheirsnappybreedingplumageandthendepartfortheirinlandnestinggrounds.Someimmaturebirds,whichresemblewinteringadults,arepresentalongthePacificCoastandintheSalishSeathroughoutthesummer.
WHERETOFINDCOMMONLOONS
Widespreadandfairlyabundantinwinter,CommonLoonsfrequentallcoastal
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Widespreadandfairlyabundantinwinter,CommonLoonsfrequentallcoastalwaters.Watchforthemfloating,diving,andsnorkelinginsaltwaterandfreshwater.Theyareusuallythebiggestseabirdoutthere,makingthemeasytospot.
InWashington
PadillaBaynearBurlington
Westportfishingpierobservationpoint
WillapaBaynearLongBeach
UtsaladyBayonCamanoIsland
PotlatchStateParkonHoodCanal
InOregon
YaquinaBaynearNewport
TillamookBaynearTillamook
ColumbiaRiver,SouthJetty,inFortStevensStatePark,nearAstoria
ColumbiaRiverfromMarineDriveinPortland
OTHERBIRDSTOSEEThericheelgrassbedsandshallowwatersinplacessuchasPadillaBayaregreatlocalesforseeingAmericanWigeons,EURASIANWIGEONS,BRANT,BALDEAGLES,BELTEDKINGFISHERS,andGREATBLUEHERONS.
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CommonLoon,winterplumage
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BRANDT’SCORMORANTPhalacrocoraxpenicillatus
Brandt’sCormorant,breedingplumage
DURINGCOURTSHIPRITUALS,Brandt’sCormorantsstrikeyogalikeposestoshowofftheirbrilliantbluethroatpouches.Allthatyogahasn’tmellowedthemout,though—theycanstillbecrankyandaggressivewhentheirnestsarethreatened,andotherbirdsseektheirprotectionasneighbors.Thesesociableswimmersdonotfeartheopenocean;theycandivetodepthsofmorethan150feetdeepinwatershundredsoffeetoffthecoast.
YoumightfinditconfusingtodifferentiateamongthethreecormorantspeciesfoundontheWestCoast,butacloselookwillrevealsomehelpfulfieldmarks.Allthreeareblackishwithlong,snakynecksandlongbills.BoththeBrandt’sandDouble-crestedarelargerthantheslimPelagic.Inbreedingseason,Brandt’shaveabluethroatpatch,buff-coloredchinfeathers,andwhiteplumes
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Brandt’shaveabluethroatpatch,buff-coloredchinfeathers,andwhiteplumesontheircheeks.Double-crestedCormorantsflywithakinkedneckandhavealargepatchoforangeskinontheirface.PelagicCormorantsareeasytodiscernintheearlysummer,whentheysportawhitepatchoneachside,betweenthewingandthetail.
FOODANDFORAGING
Brandt’sCormorantspatrolrockyreefs,swayingkelpforests,andmuddyoceanbottomsforfishandsquid.Allcormorantspropelthemselvesunderwaterbykickingtheirfeetwhileholdingtheirwingstightlyagainsttheirbodies.Theypursuesinglefishorschoolsoffish,capturingthemintheirhookedbills.Brandt’softenforageingroups,sometimesjoiningfeedingfrenziesofotherbirdspecies,andtheywillevenhuntalongsidesealions.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Uponarrivalatcliffandislandnestingsites,malesbeginconstructingnestsandperformingdisplaystocatchtheattentionoffemales.Inonedisplay,hetiltshisheadbackward,nearlyrestingitonhisback;holdsuphiswingsatanoddangle;andcockshistail.Thisdisplayhighlightshiselectricbluethroatpouchandwhitewhiskerlikecheekplumes.Malesalsoflyaroundanestcolonywithlargewadsofgreennestingmaterialtuckedintotheirbills.Ifafemaleisimpressed,thetwoholdthematerialintheirbillstogetheranduseittocompletethedrum-shapednest.Thefemalelaystwotofiveeggs,andbothparentsincubatefor30days.Nestlingsresembleblackbabydragonsandsticktheirentireheadsintothethroatsoftheirparentsatfeedingtime,whichensuresthattheydonotmissadropofpartiallydigestedfish.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSBrandt’sspendtheirentirelivesonornearthePacificCoastofNorthAmerica.Post-breedingmovementsaredictatedbyfishavailability,whichchangesinresponsetooceanconditions.ManybirdsdispersefromtheNorthwestafterthenestingseason,sotheymaybemoredifficulttofindinwinterthaninsummer.BreedingbirdsbeginreturningtotheircoastalnestingsitesinAprilorMay.
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WHERETOFINDBRANDT’SCORMORANTS
Mostofthelistedsitesarebreedinglocationswhereyoucanseethisspeciesinallitsblue-throatedglory.Thebirdsarescatteredaroundthecoastduringwinterbutarestillpresent.Whenswimming,Brandt’stravelingroupsandridelowinthewaterwiththeirbodiesbarelyvisible.Theyperchonrocksandspreadtheirwingstodryinbetweenfishingexcursions.Atbreedingsites,theybuildtheirnestsonarockorcliffside.
InWashington
CapeDisappointmentStateParknearIlwaco
CommencementBaynearTacoma(winter)
FortWordenStateParknearPortTownsend
SanJuanIslandsFerry(notduringnestingtime)
InOregon
YaquinaHeadOutstandingNaturalAreanearNewport
BarviewJettyatTillamookBay
CoquillePointinBandon
HarrisBeachStateParknearBrookings
OTHERBIRDSTOSEEDuringthenestingseason,offshorerocksarecoveredwithbirdssuchasPelagicCormorants,PIGEONGUILLEMOTS,COMMONMURRES,TUFTEDPUFFINS,BLACKOYSTERCATCHERS,andWesternGulls.
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BLACKOYSTERCATCHERHaematopusbachmani
WITHITSUNMISTAKABLEorangebillandpiercingcall,theBlackOystercatcheriseasytodetectandidentify.Thisbirdhascharismatospareandisalwaysfuntowatchasitgoesaboutitsnoisybusiness.Thecoastoffersamyriadofgulls,anabundanceofalcids(suchaspuffins),andscoresofsandpipers,buttheflashyBlackOystercatcheristrulyone-of-a-kind.
Withitswoodpeckerlikeorangebill,chickenlikepinklegs,andcrowlikebody,thisbirdlooksasthoughitwereassembledfromspareparts.Ifyoucan
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body,thisbirdlooksasthoughitwereassembledfromspareparts.Ifyoucangetacloselookatonethroughbinocularsoraspottingscope,checkouttheorangeringarounditsyelloweye.Thisistheonlydarkbirdwithabrightorangebillandpinklegsthatyouwillfindatthebeach.
FOODANDFORAGING
BlackOystercatchersusetheirchisel-shapedbillstojabmusselsfreefromtheirshells,prylimpetsoffrocks,andpullcrabsfromtheirhidingplaces.Theirdietincludesavarietyofmarineinvertebratesbut,despitetheirname,fewoysters.Theirstrong,fleshyfeethelpthemgripwave-sweptrockswhilesearchingforfoodatlowtide.
PAIRINGANDPARENTINGThisspeciesliveslifeontheedge—evenwhilenesting.Whenvisitingrockyshorelines,youmightseeBlackOystercatcherssittingonneststhatappeardangerouslyclosetothesurf.Noneedtoworry—theeggscanstillhatchevenafterbeingsubmergedduringhightides.Theincubationperiodlasts26to28days.Theonetothreechicksareprecocial,meaningthattheyleavethenestandfindtheirownfoodwithindaysofhatching.Theyaren’tabandonedbytheirparents,however;parentscareforyoungformonthsaftertheyleavethenest.Ittakesalongtimetomastertheartofmussel-jabbing.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
Duringthenestingseason,adultsvociferouslydefendtheirforagingandnestingterritoriesfromotheroystercatchers.NestingusuallytakesplaceduringthemonthsofMayandJune.Aswinterapproaches,someadultsjoinyoungerbirdstoformsmallwinteringflocksthatroamthecoastlinesuntilitistimetonestagain.
WHERETOFINDBLACKOYSTERCATCHERS
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LookforBlackOystercatchersatrockycoastalsitesacrosstheregion.You’llseethemonrocksneartheshoreorfromlookoutpointsoncapesandheadlands.Plantogobirdingduringamid-to-lowtidetowatchthemactivelyfeeding.Rockyareaswithexposedmusselbedsarealwaysagoodbet.Throughouttheyear,listenfortheirloud,whistledcallsoftenmadeduringflight.Duringthebreedingseason,scanexposedrockyareasforthetelltaleorangebillofanincubatingadult.
InWashington
SanJuanCountyParkonSanJuanIsland
RosarioBeachnearAnacortes
FortFlaglerStateParknearPortTownsend
JohnWayneMarinanearSequim
InOregon
HaystackRocknearCannonBeach
CapeMearesStateParknearTillamook
YaquinaHeadOutstandingNaturalAreanearNewport
ManystateparksandwaysidessouthofNewport
OTHERBIRDSTOSEEOtherbirdsofinterestneartherockyshoreincludePelagicCormorantsnestingontallrocksandcliffs,SurfbirdsandBLACKTURNSTONESflyingfromrocktorock,andHARLEQUINDUCKS,SURFSCOTERS,andPIGEONGUILLEMOTSfloatinginthewaves.Checkoutthebright-greengiantanemones,orangeandpurpleseastars,andintricatelypatternedlimpetsinthetidepools.
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BLACKTURNSTONEArenariamelanocephala
THESEBUSY,SOCIALshorebirdsconstantlychattertotheirflockmatesastheypickthroughtheseaweed-coveredrocks.Perhapsthey’rechastisingoneanotherforstealingthetastiestsnails.Thesebirds’comicalandendearingbehavior,extremeloyaltytowinteringsites,andeaseofidentificationmakethemgreatintroductoryshorebirds.IdentifyingaBlackTurnstoneisnotnearlyasconfusingassortingoutthoselittlebrownishsandpipersknowncollectivelyaspeeps.
Largerthanpeeps,butsmallerthanoystercatchers,theseround-bodied,short-billedshorebirdshavebeautifulplumagethatblendsinwellwithwetrocks.WhenaPeregrineFalconfliesover,BlackTurnstonesduckdowntolooklikecobbles.Duringthewinter,theall-blackhead,black-and-whitewings,andwhitebellyareunique.Inflight,whitestripesonthewings,tail,andbodyarerevealed.Theircloserelatives,RuddyTurnstones,havesimilarpatternsbutareextremelyrareintheNorthwest.BlackTurnstonesareoftenfoundinthecompanyofgraySurfbirdswithyellowbeaks.
FOODANDFORAGINGAstheirnameindicates,thesemidsizedshorebirdswillfliprockstofindediblemorsels,althoughtheyspendmuchoftheirtimeinvestigatingwashedupfrondsofseaweedandeelgrass.Theflexibleforagersalsoscrapelimpetsandbarnaclesoffrocks,probethesandfortinyanimals,andevenpickupbirdseedoffthegroundnearbeachfrontbirdfeeders.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
MalesarrivefirstatnestinggroundsincoastalAlaskaandbeginscrapingdepressionsinthegroundforanest.Femaleseventuallyjointhemales,andtheyworkinpairstocompletetheirnestsbyaddingbitsofvegetationtothescrape.
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workinpairstocompletetheirnestsbyaddingbitsofvegetationtothescrape.Thefemalelaysfoureggs,andbothparentsincubatethemfor22days.Afewhoursafterhatching,theparentsleadtheirchickstobuggyareaswheretheycaptureinsectsontheirown.Youngcanflyabout35daysafterhatching.Parentsdepartthenestinggroundsatthistime,andtheyoungmigratetowinteringsitesseveralweekslater.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
ThenestingrangeofthisspeciesislimitedtotheAlaskancoast,butthewinterrangestretchesfromsouthernAlaskatonorthwesternMexico.DespitethedistancebetweentheirnestinggroundsandtheirwinteringareasinOregonandWashington,BlackTurnstonesspendverylittletimeawayfromourregion.ArrivalatcoastalwinteringsitesbeginsinJuly,andmanybirdsdonotleaveforthenestingseasonuntilthefollowingMay.
WHERETOFINDBLACKTURNSTONESThesebirdsforagewherelowtiderevealsalgae-coveredrocks.Ifit’slowtideandthebirdsarebusyturningstones,you’llprobablyhearthemchatteringbackandforthbeforeyouseethem.Scantherocksatjetties,watchingfortheirconstantmovement.Duringhightide,youmightwalkrightbyabunchofblackrocksthatareactuallyBlackTurnstonesrestingonhighground.
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InWashington
EdizHooknearPortAngeles
PointBrownJettynearOceanShores
PennCoveonWhidbeyIsland
AlkiBeachinWestSeattle
InOregon
RockybeachnearPacificOysterCompanystoreandrestaurantinBayCity
NehalemBayStateParkboatlaunchnearNehalem
SeasideCoveinSeaside
MouthofDepoeBay
BandonBoatBasininletinBandon
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
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RockyshorescouldalsoholdSurfbirds,SURFSCOTERS,BLACKOYSTERCATCHERS,GREATBLUEHERONS,andpossiblyarareRockSandpiper.
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RED-NECKEDPHALAROPEPhalaropuslobatus
FemaleRed-neckedPhalarope,breedingplumage
SPENDINGITSWINTERSadriftonstormyseas,thisdelicatebirdgatherstinybitsoffoodfromthesurfaceofthewater.Femalesarebiggerwithbrighterplumagethanthemales,andwhennestingtimearrives,themalesstayathomewiththekids.
PhalaropesaretheonlyNorthwestshorebirdyouarelikelytoseeswimming;othershorebirdswillbewadinginshallowwaterorwalkingonland.Red-neckedPhalaropeshaveskinnynecks,smallheads,andthinbeaks,givingthemadelicateappearance.Theyoftenspininplacetostirupaquaticfood.Theirnonbreeding,winterplumageisgray,andinbreedingplumage,thefemalesdisplayawhitethroat,redneck,andblackmask.Malesaredrabberandlackthebrightredontheneck.TheRed-neckedistheonlyoneofourthreephalaropespecieslikelytobefoundalongthecoastduringspringmigration.Wilson’sPhalaropespopulateinlandlakesandRedPhalaropesarefarouttosea.
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PhalaropespopulateinlandlakesandRedPhalaropesarefarouttosea.
FOODANDFORAGING
Phalaropesspendmuchoftheirtimeswimming,peckingatpreyonornearthesurface.Duringthewinter,Red-neckedPhalaropesconcentratetheirforagingeffortsinareashighinplanktonontheopenocean.Duringmigration,theyalsoforageinbays,ponds,andsewagelagoons.Inthebreedingseason,theysearchforaquaticinsectsinlakesorsmallponds.Likeotherphalaropes,theyexhibitacircularswimmingbehavior,spinninglikeatoptowhirlbitsoffoodtothewater’ssurface,whereitcanbepickedupeasily.
PAIRINGANDPARENTINGAllphalaropesdisplayaseriousreversaloftheaviannorminparentalroles.Inbreedingseason,femalesaremorebrightlycoloredthanmales,havehighertestosteronelevels,andmaymatewithseveralmales.Femaleslayfoureggsinanestandleavethemaletoincubatethemonhisownfor20days.Themaleleadsthechickstoareaswheretheycancatchtheirowninsectsbywalkingorswimming.Youngcanflybythetimetheyare20daysoldanddepartthenestingareaaftertheadultmales,eventuallyjoiningflocksofadultsatwinteringgrounds.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
Red-neckedPhalaropesbreedacrossthearctictundraandwinteratsea.Duringspringmigration,fromApriltoJune,however,youcanseemanyindividualsinthebaysandsewagelagoonsofthePacificNorthwest.Duringtheirsouthboundfallmigration,fromJulytoSeptember,Red-neckedPhalaropesmixwithWilson’sPhalaropesinlargeflocksonlakesandpondsineasternOregonandWashington,takingadvantageofabundantaquaticinsectemergences.Flockscanbeseeninthefallalongthecoastaswell,butinsmallernumbers.
WHERETOFINDRED-NECKEDPHALAROPES
Thisisonebeachbirdthatalsoshowsupinland,especiallyonlakesandat
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Thisisonebeachbirdthatalsoshowsupinland,especiallyonlakesandatsewagetreatmentponds.Theyarealmostalwaysfoundonthewater,usuallyinsmallflocks.Theirbusytwirlingmovementsaresuretocatchyourattention.
Red-neckedPhalarope,transitioningintowinterplumage
InWashington
PointBrownandWestportjettiesnearGraysHarbor
HoquiamSewageTreatmentPlantnearHoquiam(checkinattheoffice)
PortAngelestoVictoriaferry(intheairandonthewater)
CrockettLakeonWhidbeyIsland
InOregon
NehalemBaySewagePondsnearNehalem(onlyindesignatedareas)
FernhillWetlandsinForestGrove
YaquinaBayandjettyareanearNewport
ColumbiaRiver,SouthJetty,inFortStevensStateParknearAstoria
OTHERBIRDSTOSEESewagetreatmentplantlagoonscanbeexcellentbirdingsites,ifyoudon’tmind
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abitofanodor.Duringspringmigration,youmightseeNorthernShovelers,Ring-neckedDucks,RUDDYDUCKS,WOODDUCKS,manyspeciesofswallows,andgulls.APEREGRINEFALCONorBALDEAGLEmightstopbytostirthingsup.Manysewagetreatmentplantshappilyallowbirdersbutaskthatyoucheckinfirstandstaywithindesignatedareas.
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BONAPARTE’SGULLChroicocephalusphiladelphia
Bonaparte’sGull,winterplumage
THEBONAPARTE’SGULLdidnotseemtogetthememothatitisactuallyagull.Delicateandquiet,itdistinguishesitselffromlargergullsbynestingintrees.Italsosportsablackheadduringthebreedingseasonandactivelyforagesforaquaticpreyinaternlikemanner.Itscampersalongtheshorelinelikeashorebirdandspinsinthewaterlikeaphalarope.Withitslargerepertoireofinterestingbehaviors,theBonaparte’sistrulyaRenaissancebird.
Thisgullissmallwithabuoyantflightstylesimilartothatofatern.Thecombinationofablackspotbehindtheeyeinwinterplumageandathin,blackbilldifferentiatesitfromallothergullsintheregion.Itsportsablackhoodin
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billdifferentiatesitfromallothergullsintheregion.Itsportsablackhoodinbreedingplumage,asdoesthered-billedandblack-leggedFranklin’sGull,buttheBonaparte’spinklegsandblackbillareunmistakable.
FOODANDFORAGING
Thissmallgullcapturessmallprey,includingtinyfish,fisheggs,krill,andinsects.Largergullsfollowhumans,waitingforahandout,butBonaparte’sGullssearchforfoodinavarietyofwateryhabitats,appearingtoworkmuchharderthantheothergulls.Bonaparte’shuntbyplungingintowater,dippingtheirbillsintothewaterwhileflying,orpickingatpreywhilefloatingonthesurface.Theysometimesspinincirclestowhirlpreytothesurfacelikeaphalarope.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Mostgullspeciesnestonthegroundoronrocksincolonies,butBonaparte’spairsnestsinglyorinsmallgroupsandconstructmostoftheirnestsinconiferoustreesinsoggyborealforestsacrossCanadaandAlaska.Themaleandfemaleworktogethertobuildthenest,andbothincubatethetwoorthreeeggsduringthe24-dayincubationperiod.Chicksspendaveryshorttimeinthenest,leapingfromtheirtree2to7daysafterhatching.Likewaterfowl,Bonaparte’sparentsleadtheyoungtowater,wheretheywillswimandfollowtheirparentsuntiltheycanfly.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSLargeflocksofBonaparte’swanderthecoastsofOregonandWashingtoninthewintertotakeadvantageofchangingfoodsources.AdultsdepartthePacificNorthwestfornestinggroundsbytheendofMay,butone-year-oldbirds,tooyoungtonest,maystickaroundduringthesummermonths.Post-breedingmigrantsbeginarrivingfromtheirnorthernnestinggroundsinJulyorAugust.
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Bonaparte’sGull,breedingplumage
WHERETOFINDBONAPARTE’SGULLS
You’llfindflocksofBonaparte’sGullsgatheredalongtheSalishSeaandtheOregonandWashingtoncoastsinthefall,winter,andspring.Theyalsoshowupatinlandlakesandponds.Lookforsmall,light-coloredgullsthatflylikeswallowswithlotsofswoopingandplunging.Incalmwater,theymightbefloatingonthesurface.
InWashington
FortWordenStateParknearPortTownsend
PointNoPointLighthouseandCountyParknearKingston
DiscoveryPark,WestPoint,inSeattle
EverettSewagePondsnearEverett(registerattheoffice)
CrescentBeachinEastsoundonOrcasIsland
InOregon
NetartsBaynearNetarts
ColumbiaRiver,SouthJetty,inFortStevensStateParknearAstoria
BoilerBayStateScenicViewpointnearDepoeBay
FernhillWetlandsnearForestGrove
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OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
Whileyou’reenjoyingthebonanzaofBonaparte’sGulls,lookforHARLEQUINDUCKS,White-wingedScoters,Red-neckedGrebes,HornedGrebes,PelagicCormorants,andPIGEONGUILLEMOTS.
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HEERMANN’SGULLLarusheermanni
AUNIQUEGULLthatbreedsonagroupofislandsoffthecoastofwesternMexico,Heermann’smigratenorthwardafternesting,allthewhiletormentingtheirperennialcompanion,theBrownPelican.Infact,theHeermann’sGullmakesalivingstalkingpelicansandharassingthemtosharethelargerbirds’catchoffish.Youknowit’ssummerwhenyouseealineofpelicansflyingacrossthewater,eachescortedbyarelentless,red-billedshadow.
Thisstrikinggull,withitsdistinctiveorange-redbill,won’tgiveyouafieldguideheadache—thatis,youwon’tspendtimelookingbackandforthatnearly
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guideheadache—thatis,youwon’tspendtimelookingbackandforthatnearlyidenticalyellow-billedgullimageswhiletryingtoidentifyaHeermann’sperchedonarock.TheHeermann’sadultplumage,justasexceptionalasitsbill,featuresanunstreakedgraybellylikenoothergullinthearea,darkgraywings,andacleanwhitehead.OtherimmatureNorthwestgullshavebrownishplumage,whiletheHeermann’splumageisdarkgray.
FOODANDFORAGING
TheHeermann’sGullswimsandplungesforfishandplucksthemfromtheoceanwhileflying.Seriouskleptoparasites(foodthieves),theirpreferredmarkistheBrownPelican.ItiscommontoseeaflockofBrownPelicansflyingby,eachpursuedbyaHeermann’sGull,hopingtostealfishwhenthepelicansurfacesafterasuccessfuldive.
PAIRINGANDPARENTINGNearlytheentirepopulationofnestingHeermann’sGullsresidesononeislandinthenorthernGulfofCalifornia,withtherestscatteredamong10to20rockydesertislandsoffthecoastofwesternMexico.Pairsbuildnestsontherocksoringrass,surroundedbydozensofothernestingbirds.Bothparentsincubateoneortwoeggsfor28days.Duringthenestlingperiod,parentsreturntothenoisycolonytofindtheirchicksandregurgitateameal.Thedarkgrayyoungcanflyat45daysbutdonotattempttonestuntiltheyhavegrownadultplumage,whentheyarethreeorfouryearsold.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
ThisspecieshasaratherunusualperiodofoccurrenceontheNorthwestCoast.FlocksarriveinlateJuneanddeparttheregionbythemiddleofNovember.Heermann’sGullsbeginnestingattheirislandcoloniesinearlyspring,andwhenthenestingseasonisover,theymigratetothePacificNorthwest.
WHERETOFINDHEERMANN’SGULLS
LookforHeermann’sGullsclosetotheoceanorinthelowerpartsofestuaries.Theymightbeflyingoverthebeachorrestingonajettyormudflat.Check
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Theymightbeflyingoverthebeachorrestingonajettyormudflat.Checkflocksofpelicansforsmallergraycompanions.Alsocheckcongregationsofgulls,becausetheysometimesmixwithotherspecies.
InWashington
CapeDisappointmentStateParknearIlwaco
EdmondsPierinEdmonds
OceanCityStateParkbeachaccessnearOceanShores
KeystoneHarboronWhidbeyIsland
InOregon
ColumbiaRiver,SouthJetty,inFortStevensStateParknearAstoria
NecanicumEstuaryParkinSeaside
SiuslawRiver,SouthJetty,nearFlorence
LoneRanchStateWaysidenearBrookings
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
Keepyoureyesopenwhenyoutakeawalkalongthebeach;youmightgetaflyoverfromBROWNPELICANS,CASPIANTERNS,TurkeyVultures,orCOMMONRAVENS.PelagicCormorantscanberidingthewaves,whileSanderlingsrunalongthesand.
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COMMONMURREUriaaalge
CommonMurre,breedingplumage
WITHTHEIRSTRIKINGblack-and-whiteplumageanduprightposture,CommonMurresaretheclosestthingstopenguinsthatwehaveinthePacificNorthwest.TheirnestingcoloniesareamongtheNorthwest’smostamazingsensoryspectacles.Thesmellofguano,thesquawkingofthousandsofbirdscrammedinshouldertoshoulder,themosaicofblackandwhitethatcompletelyobscurestherock,andtheaerialraidsfromBaldEaglesareallpartofthedramaticnaturaldisplay.
Murresstanduprightonland,similartotheiralcidrelativesthepuffinsandtheunrelatedpenguins.Onthewater,theirsilhouetteisducklike,butwithashorterneckandapointierbill.Duringbreedingseason,theysportasolidblackheadandbackwithaclean,whitebelly.Duringthewinter,whentheyareseen
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headandbackwithaclean,whitebelly.Duringthewinter,whentheyareseenlessfrequentlyintheNorthwest,theirchinsandcheeksarewhite,withathinblacklinebehindtheeye.
FOODANDFORAGING
CommonMurresfloatonthewaterwhileresting,andtheyusetheirwebbedfeettoswimlikeaduck.Whenhuntingunderwater,however,theyappeartofly,divingtodepthsofmorethan500feetwhilepropellingthemselveswiththeirwings.Theypursueavarietyofsmallfishesaswellassquidandtheoccasionalcrustacean.Anadultmusteat100to300smallfishperdaytomeetitsenergeticneeds.
PAIRINGANDPARENTINGCommonMurresseemtobeinnohurrytoreproduce.Theycanlivetobemorethan20yearsold,buttheydonotnestuntiltheyare4to7yearsofage.Femaleslayoneeggperyearandwillskipayearofnestingiffoodavailabilityisloworpredationpressureishigh.Murresnestontopofoffshorerocksoroncliffledges,ofteninspectacularnumbersexceeding100,000birds.Malesandfemalestaketurnsincubatingasingleegglaidontherockysurface.Witheagles,falcons,gulls,vultures,ravens,andotherpredatorsconstantlypatrollingthecolonies,adultmurresdonotleaveeggsandchicksunattendedunlesstheirownsafetyisatrisk.Whenthechicksaretwoorthreeweeksold,theyleavethecolonybyjumpingfromtheirnestsitesandlandingintheocean.Eachchickwillstaywithitsfatheratseauntilitjoinsaflockofothermurresoneortwomonthslater.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
CommonMurresdispersefromtheircoloniesattheendofthenestingseason,withcoloniesvacantbytheendofAugust.Duringthenonbreedingseason,theydispersethroughouttheopenocean,inbays,andintheSalishSea.AdultsvisitcolonyareasduringthewinterandspringmonthsbutdonotbeginnestinguntilearlyMay.
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CommonMurre,winterplumage
WHERETOFINDCOMMONMURRESHugeaggregationsofCommonMurresnestontopofoffshorerocksoronsteepcliffledges.Youmightseelargenumbersinthewaterneartheircolonieswhentheyaren’tnestingandsmallernumbersinbaysandintheSalishSeaduringthewinter.Lookforthemontopofrocksoronledgeswiththeirthousandsofneighborsduringthenestingseason.Somewillbefishinginthewaterorflyingovertheoceaninalargeflock.Evenfromadistance,thecombinationofblackhead,whitebelly,andpointedbillisdistinctive.
InWashington
CapeFlatterytrailnearNeahBay
FortWordenStateParknearPortTownsend
WestportandPointBrownjettiesonGraysHarbor
DungenessNationalWildlifeRefugenearSequim
InOregon
YaquinaHeadOutstandingNaturalAreanearNewport
HecetaHeadStateParknearFlorence
HaystackRockinCannonBeach
CapeMearesStateParknearOceanside
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OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
NestingCommonMurreswillbescanningtheskiesforpredators.Ifyoulookup,youmightseeBROWNPELICANS,HEERMANN’SGULLS,PEREGRINEFALCONS,BALDEAGLES,TurkeyVultures,andCOMMONRAVENS.
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PIGEONGUILLEMOTCepphuscolumba
JuvenilePigeonGuillemot
NOMATTERHOWdarkandwindyacoastaldaymaybe,PigeonGuillemotsareoutthereridingthewaveslikeintrepidsurfers.Theybravelydodgehugebreakersandjaggedrockstofindtheirnextmeal.Thankstotheirbigwhitewingpatchesandbrightlycoloredfeet,PigeonGuillemotsareeasytoidentifyfroma
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distance,eveninroughweather.Inspringandsummer,theyareblackwithlargewhitewingpatchesthatare
visiblewhentheyarefloatingorflying.Theirbrilliantred-orangefeetmatchtheliningoftheirmouths.Infallandwinter,PigeonGuillemotsarealmostentirelywhiteontheheadwithsomeblackontheirwingsandback.White-wingedScotersalsohavewhitewingpatchesbuthavemuchlargerbillsthanguillemots,andtheirpatcheslookrathersmallcomparedtothoseofPigeonGuillemotswhenthebirdsarefloatingonthewater.CommonMurresandMarbledMurreletsarealsoblackandwhiteinwinter,butthesebirdsdisplaymoreblackontheirheadsthandoPigeonGuillemots.
FOODANDFORAGING
PigeonGuillemotsforageclosertotheshorethantheirpuffinandmurrerelativesanddiveupto150feetbelowthesurface.Theyusetheirwingsandfeettopropelthemselvesdowntotherockyseafloortoprobecrevicesandvegetationforsmallfishandinvertebratessuchascrabsandshrimp.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
UnliketheconspicuousCommonMurre,PigeonGuillemotshidetheirnestsinrockycrevices,earthenburrows,andstructuressuchaswharvesandbridges.Adultsarrangeasmallmoundofpebblesonwhichthefemalewilllayoneortwoeggs.Bothparentsincubateduringa30-dayperiod.Parentscarrysmall,intactfishesforthenestlingstoswallowwhole.Nestlingsremainintheircreviceorburrowfor30to40days.Oncetheyleavethenest,youngareindependentandcapableofswimming,diving,andcatchingtheirownfood,althoughtheycannotflyforanothertwoorthreeweeks.Theyoungsterswillnotnestuntiltheyareatleastthreeyearsold.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSManyPigeonGuillemotsremainnearthecoastthroughouttheyear,butsomebirdsdisperseafternesting,movingtotheinlandwatersoftheSalishSea.AdultsreturntocoastalnestingareasinMarchorApril,andyoungleavethenestbytheendofthesummer.
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nestbytheendofthesummer.
PigeonGuillemot,breedingplumage
WHERETOFINDPIGEONGUILLEMOTS
OfallthealcidsintheNorthwest,PigeonGuillemotsaretheleastpelagic,orocean-going,favoringwatersclosetoshore.Lookforthematrockycoastalareasandprotectedwatersnearfishingpiersandwharves.Watchfortheflashofwhiteontheirblackwingsastheyflylowacrossthewater.
InWashington
CapeDisappointmentStateParknearIlwaco
PortTownsendarea
DeceptionPassStateParknearAnacortes
EdmondsPierinEdmonds
InOregon
YaquinaHeadOutstandingNaturalAreanearNewport
EcolaStateParknearCannonBeach
BoilerBayStateScenicViewpointnearDepoeBay
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BoilerBayStateScenicViewpointnearDepoeBay
HarrisBeachStateParknearBrookings
OTHERBIRDSTOSEEFerrydocksandfishingpiersaregreatplacestogetcloseviewsofbirds.LookforPelagicCormorants,COMMONLOONS,OSPREYS,PEREGRINEFALCONS,SURFSCOTERS,andCASPIANTERNSswimmingorflyingby.
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MARBLEDMURRELETBrachyramphusmarmoratus
MarbledMurrelet,breedingplumage
DOESANYBIRDbetterembodythecharacteroftheNorthwestCoastthantheMarbledMurrelet?Forcryingoutloud,itcatchesfishintheroughoceanwatersandnestsinhuge,mossytrees!Ifitdrankmicrobrewsandworefleece,itcouldbetheregion’smascot.Thisstubbylittlebirdcouldusesomepublicityandalittlehelp:MarbledMurreletsarecurrentlyathreatenedspeciesbecauseofhabitatloss.
Thisbird’scommonnamereferstoitsmottled,darkbrownbreedingplumage.Nonbreedingbirdshaveablackcapandbackwithawhiteunderside,chin,andcheek.TheirstumpybodyandshortuprighttaildistinguishthemfromCommonMurres.
FOODANDFORAGING
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MarbledMurreletsdivetodepthsofupto150feet,propellingthemselveswiththeirwingswhilepursuingfishoraquaticinvertebratessuchasshrimp.Insomeareas,theygatherneargraywhalestofeastoncloudsofshrimpthatthewhalesstirupfromtheoceanfloor.
PAIRINGANDPARENTINGMarbledMurreletsareuniqueamongouralcidsbecausetheyusuallylaytheireggsintrees.Becausetheydon’tbuildanest,theyrequireoldtreeswithlarge,mossybranchesthatwillsafelyholdaneggandanincubatingparent.Nestsitesare40to150feetabovethegroundandcanbemorethan30milesfromoceanicfeedingareas.Forabout30days,parentsincubatein24-hourshifts,withoneparentrelievingtheotheratdawn.Bothparentscommutebackandforthtotheocean,deliveringfoodtothenestlinguntilitdepartsthenest27to40daysafterhatching.Afterleavingthenest,youngflydirectlytotheoceanandareindependentoftheirparentsuponarrival.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
FoundneartheOregonandWashingtoncoastsandintheSalishSeathroughouttheyear,MarbledMurreletadultspairupinthewinterandbeginnestinginthespringorsummermonths.Duringthefallandwinter,birdsfromAlaskaandBritishColumbiamixwithouryear-roundresidentswherefoodisplentifulinthePacificNorthwest’stemperatewaters.
WHERETOFINDMARBLESMURRELETS
MarbledMurreletsarenexttoimpossibletofindontheirnestinggrounds,becausetheycomeandgoatdawn.Lookingfortheminthefallandwinterismuchmoreproductive.TheyareeasiesttofindintheSalishSea,becausethewateriscalmandmanypointsoflandcangetyouclosetotheaction.Youmightseethemfloatingonthewater,possiblynearotheralcidssuchasCommonMurres.MarbledMurreletslookquitesmallincomparisonandmayeven
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disappearbehindthewaves.
MarbledMurrelets,winterplumage
InWashington
FortWordenStateParknearPortTownsend
FortFlaglerStateParknearPortTownsend
EdizHooknearPortAngeles
PointNoPointLighthouseandCountyParknearKingston
InOregon
CapeMearesStateParknearOceanside
BoilerBayStateScenicViewpointnearDepoeBay
SiuslawRiver,SouthJetty,nearFlorence
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SiuslawRiver,SouthJetty,nearFlorence
Cook’sChasmTurnoutonCapePerpetuanearYachats
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
GettingoutonthewaterisagreatwaytoseeMarbledMurreletsandotheralcidsinthefallandwinter.AboattripoffthecoastofOregonorintotheSalishSeaoffersamazingbirdingopportunitiesthatvarywiththeseason.YoumightseePIGEONGUILLEMOTS,AncientMurrelets,TUFTEDPUFFINS,RhinocerosAuklets,Cassin’sAuklets,andCOMMONMURRES—andthat’sjustthealcids.
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TUFTEDPUFFINFraterculacirrhata
EVENTHEMOSTindifferentpersonwillwaitinlinebehindourspottingscopetoadmirethecomicalappearanceofaTuftedPuffinperchedonarock.Somethingabouttheiroversizedbillandhobbitlikedemeanormakesthemirresistibleand
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putsthematthetopofbirders’MostWantedlists.ThisspeciesisthelargestofAmerica’spuffinsandtheonlyonethatnestsontheOregonandWashingtoncoasts.Thisisatrulypelagicseabirdthatspendsmostoftheyearfaroutatseawithnolandinsight,sobirderseagerlyawaittheirreturntotheirnestingsiteseachyear.
TheTuftedPuffin’slargeorangebill,whiteface,andall-blackbodymakeitverydistinctiveamongtheseabirdsofthePacificNorthwest.Orangefeetandyellowishfeathertuftsonitsheadcompletethecolorfulpackage.ItsonlylocalrelativewithanorangebillistheRhinocerosAuklet,whichhasamuchsmallerbill,lacksawhiteface,andisgrayincolor.
FOODANDFORAGING
Fish,squid,marineworms,andshrimparetheirusualfare,buttheycapturemostlyfishwhenfeedingtheirchicks.Theycandivemorethan200feetbelowtheocean’ssurfaceinsearchoffood,propellingthemselveswiththeirwings.Theyhuntalone,insmallgroups,orinmixedflockswithgulls,shearwaters,andmurres.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Pairsexcavateburrowsonsoil-coveredcliffsorislands.Femaleslayoneegginaburrow,andbothparentsincubatefor45days.Aftertheegghatches,busyparentsvisitthenesttofeedthenestling,sometimeswithdozensofsmallfishdrapedoverthesidesoftheirbills.Whenthefishingisgood,eachparentdeliversatleasttwobillfulstothechickeachday.Theamountoftimethechickspendsinthenest,whichisdependentonthefishdeliveryrate,rangesfrom38to60days.Atfledgingtime,thechickleapsfromitsburrowintothewaterandisnolongercaredforbyitsparents.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSWhensummerends,TuftedPuffinsmovewest,spendingthewinteratleast60milesoffthecoastintheopenocean.EachApril,land-boundbirdersrejoicewhenTuftedPuffinsreturntotheirnestingcolonies.
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WHERETOFINDTUFTEDPUFFINS
Thesebirdsnestonislandsthatfeaturedeepsoilforburrowing.Lookforthebirdsstandingguardattheirburrowentrances,whichareusuallysurroundedbygrass.Scantheskyaroundtheislandforfranticallyflappinglittleblackfootballswithwhite-and-orangetips—thesearetheTuftedPuffins.
InWashington
ProtectionIsland,viapuffincruisesatPortTownsendMarineScienceCenter
OffshorerocksnearNeahBayandCapeFlattery
OffshorerocksatLaPush
InOregon
CoquillePointandFaceRocknearBandon
HaystackRockatCannonBeach
HarrisBeachStateParknearBrookings
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
AnareawithnestingTuftedPuffinsisagreatplacetostayawhileandlookforotherbirds.SitbackandwatchforBALDEAGLES,HARLEQUINDUCKS,BLACKOYSTERCATCHERS,COMMONMURRES,PIGEONGUILLEMOTS,andBROWNPELICANS.
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BigBirdsEASYTOSEEANDFUNTOWATCH
BIGBIRDSCATCHyourattentionwiththeirsheersize,buttheywillfascinateyouwiththeirdramaticexploits.WhilebirdinginthePacificNorthwest,youcanwatchasbirdsofprey(BaldandGoldenEagles)displaytheirhuntingprowess,whiletheworld’slargestsongbird(CommonRaven)usesitsbigbraintoswindleameal.Meanwhile,massivefish-eatingbirds(AmericanWhiteandBrownPelicans)patrolthewaterwaysinimpressiveflocks,andtheregion’stallestbirds(SandhillCranes)leapanddancetheirwaytonuptialbliss.
Adiversegroup,thesebigbirdshavesomeimportantthingsincommon.Forexample,theytakelongertoreachadulthoodthansmallerbirds,andtheyoungmustwaitseveralyearsbeforetheyareoldenoughtofindamateandnest.Thismightseemlikeadisadvantage,butthesebirdshaveagoodreasontobepatient:bigbirdslivelongerthansmallbirds.Ingeneral,smallbirdssuchashummingbirdsandsongbirdslivelessthan10yearsinthewild;bigbirdscanliveformorethan20.Duringtheirlonglives,bigbirdsshareparentingdutiesandmanyofthemstaypairedtogetheryearafteryear.
Withtheexceptionofthefair-weatherpelicans,winteristhebesttimetofindbignumbersofbigbirdsintheNorthwest.Ourwintersmaybedampandgray,buttheyareperfectforthehardyresidentbirdsandmigrantslookingforice-freewater.GrabyourraingearandheadouttoaNationalWildlifeRefuge.Impressyourfriendsandfamilybyshowingthemtheanticsofthesespectacularbirds.
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AmericanWhitePelican,winterplumage
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TRUMPETERSWANCygnusbuccinator
ONACLOUD-CHOKEDwinterday,asmallflockofhugewhitebirdsemergesfromthefog.Gracefuldespitetheirlargesize,theyseemtoglowfromwithinastheyshinebrightwhiteagainstthedarkgraynorthwesternsky.TheirhornlikecallsidentifythemasTrumpeterSwans.Withlongnecks,largewings,andpowerfulchestmuscles,theyreignasthelargestbirdsinthewinterwetland.Althoughswansareregardedassymbolsofbeautyandgrace,theirplacidbehavioronthewinteringgroundsgiveswaytoterrifyingaggressionduringnestingseason,deliveredintheformofbitesandwingblows.
Inthewinter,bothTrumpetersandTundraSwansvisitthePacificNorthwest.Thedifferencesbetweenthetwocanbesubtleandarebestdeterminedwithagoodview.MostTundraSwanshaveapatchofyellowskin
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betweentheirlargeblackbillandtheireye.Trumpeterslackthisyellowspot.Ifthetwospeciesareseenside-by-side,Trumpetersarelarger,withlongernecksandlargerbillsthatseemtooriginatefromtheirforeheads.ThecalloftheTundraSwanismoregooselikeandlacksthebrassinessoftheTrumpeter.SimilarbirdsincludetheSnowGoose,whichismuchsmallerthaneitherswanandhasblackwingtips,andtheSandhillCrane,whichisalsolargeandlightcolored,butwithlongerlegsthanaswanthatitextendsinflight.
FOODANDFORAGINGTheTrumpeterSwanisabirdwithNorthwestappetites.Iteatsmostlyvegetationbutwilldineonsalmoncarcassesandeggs,whentheyareabundant,eachwinterspawningseason.Swanshaveahugeappetiteforvegetation,eatingupto20poundsperday.Theygrazeondrylandlikeagooseordabbleforaquaticplantslikeaduck,tippingforwardinthewaterandusingtheirlongneckstoreachplantsatthebottomofapond.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Maleswansstaywiththeirmatesduringnestingseasonandaggressivelydefendtheirterritory,sometimesevenlethally,frompredatorsorcompetitors.Apairofswansworkstogethertobuildanest,alargemoundatleast3feetindiameter,withanindentationfortheeggslinedwiththemother’sdown.Theybuildtheirnestonanisland,amatoffloatingvegetation,orabeaverlodge.Thefemalelaysfourtosixeggs,asmallnumberforwaterfowl,andthenperformsmostoftheincubationfor32to37days,coveringandwarmingtheeggswithherfeet.Youngswanstakealongtimetogrow(forabird),aboutfivemonthsfrombeinglaidasaneggtoflying,andwillmigratewiththeirparentsduringtheirfirstwinter.Theirparentsremaintogetheryear-round.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
ThePacificCoastpopulationofTrumpeterSwansnestsinAlaskaandmigratessouthforthewinterinsearchofice-freewater.NorthwesternOregonisthesouthernlimitoftheirwinteringgrounds.Manymorespendthewinterinthe
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southernlimitoftheirwinteringgrounds.ManymorespendthewinterintheSalishSeaarea.TrumpetersarriveinthePacificNorthwestattheendofthenestingseasoninOctoberandmostleavetheregionbyMarch.
WHERETOFINDTRUMPETERSWANSWashingtonistheepicenterofwinterTrumpeterSwanwatching.TheymakeuseoftheabundantfieldsandmarshesinareassuchastheSkagitFlats(intheSkagitValleynearMountVernonandBurlington),wheretheygatherinlargeflocks.OregonoffersafewplaceswhereyoucanseeTrumpetersinsmallernumbersinthewinter.Swansaresomuchbiggerandwhiterthananyotherwaterfowlthatyoucanliterallyspotthemamileaway.Scantheskiesandlistenfortheirtrumpetcall,whichsoundslikeacrossbetweenagoose’shonkandachild’stoyhorn.
InWashington
SkagitFlats,SamishFlats,andButlerFlatsinSkagitCounty
RidgefieldNationalWildlifeRefugenearVancouver
InOregon
FernhillWetlandsnearForestGrove
SauvieIslandnearPortland
WilliamL.FinleyNationalWildlifeRefugenearCorvallis
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
Thecombinationofpastures,freshwaterstreams,andestuariesattractsmanyinterestingspeciesinlargenumberstotheSkagitValleyinthewinter.YoucanseedozensofBALDEAGLES,hundredsofSnowGeese,andahigherconcentrationofSHORT-EAREDOWLSthananywhereelseinWashington.NORTHERNHARRIERS,Merlins,PRAIRIEFALCONS,andPEREGRINEFALCONSenjoythebountyofsmallmammalsandbirdsthatthisrichhabitatprovides.IfyouareevergoingtospotanelusiveGyrfalcon,thiswouldbeagoodplacetodoit.AlsocheckflocksofAmericanWigeonsforafewEURASIANWIGEONSmixedin.
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AMERICANWHITEPELICANPelecanuserythrorhynchos
WHENIT’SSOARING,anAmericanWhitePelicanseemstobeallwings;its9-footwingspanisthelargestintheNorthwest.Whattheplacidbirdlacksinpersonality,itmakesupforinfascinatinggroupbehavior.Whendozens,orevenhundreds,ofthesebirdsgatherinflightduringmigration,theresultisjaw-dropping.Flocksdisappearandreappearastheycatchthelight,whilespiralingupwardthroughcurrentsofwarmair.Fromadistance,thesehugeflockscanlooklikeasingleentity;theyhaveevenbeenmistakenforufos.
TheAmericanWhitePelicanresemblesafeatheredfloatplane,asitlandsinthewaterwithmassiveorangefeetextendedandthentaxisaroundalake.ItshugepinkishorangebillandpouchdifferentiatetheAmericanWhitefromtheSnowGoose,anotherwhitebirdwithblackwingtips.TheAmericanWhitealsohastwicethewingspanofthegooseandsportsanupright,hornlikeplateonthetopofitsbillduringthebreedingseason.ThesimilarlyshapedBrownPelicanisfoundalongthecoast,unliketheinlandAmericanWhite.
FOODANDFORAGINGOpportunisticforagers,AmericanWhitesmainlyeatnonsportfishessuchasminnowsandsuckers,buttheywillalsofeedoncrayfishandsalamanders.Lookforthemfloatinginthewaterandpaddlingaroundastheyfeed.Theyworkinsmallgroupstocorralfishintoshallowareasbeforescoopingthemupwiththeirpouchedbill,usingitlikeadipnet.Ifthewateristoodeep,AmericanWhitesmayresorttostealingfishfromadeep-divingcormorant.Contrarytotheircartoonimage,theydon’tcarrythingsintheirpouch—allfishcaughtareimmediatelyswallowed.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
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AmericanWhitesnesteastoftheCascades,abandoningandreestablishingcoloniesdependingonwaterlevels,predators,andfoodavailability.Theyprefertonestonislandsorisolatedpeninsulasinfreshwaterorbrackishlakes.Pairspulltogetherashallownestusingwhatevermaterialiswithinbill’sreach.Twoeggsareincubatedbybothparentsduringa30-dayperiod.Eggsareinsulatedandprotectedfrommaraudinggullsbytheparents’largefeet.UnlikeBrownPelicannestlingsthatstayinthenestfortwomonths,AmericanWhitesleavethenestafteronlytwoorthreeweeksandformagroup,orpod,ofyoung.Thesesparselyfeatheredandwattledyoungstershuddletogetherforwarmthandprotectionwhilewaitingfortheirparentstoreturnandregurgitateameal.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSThesebirdsarriveintheireasternOregonandWashingtonbreedingareasinMarchandnestinAprilandMay.Afterthenestingseason,flocksdisperseinalldirections,andsomeshowuponthewestsideoftheCascades.SomewinterontheupperColumbiaRiver,butmostendupinsouthernCaliforniaorMexico.
AmericanWhitePelican,breedingplumage
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WHERETOFINDWHITEPELICANS
AlthoughafewnestingsitesexistinOregonandWashington,yourbestchancetoseeAmericanWhitePelicansistofindnonbreedersormigratingbirdsinMaytoOctober.Whenpresent,theyareeasytolocatebecauseoftheirhugewingspanandbrightwhiteness.Ifyoudon’tseeone,itjustisn’tthere!
InWashington
CassimerBarWildlifeArea,ontheColumbiaRivernearBrewsterGingkoPetrifiedForestVisitorCenter,ontheColumbiaRivernearVantageToppenishNationalWildlifeRefugenearToppenish
RidgefieldNationalWildlifeRefugenearVancouver
InOregon
SmithandBybeeWetlandsNaturalAreainPortland
FernRidgeWildlifeManagementAreanearEugene
Putnam’sPointParkandVeteransMemorialParkinKlamathFallsCranePrairieReservoirnearLaPine
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
Youmightalsoseefellowfreshwaterfish-eaterssuchasWESTERNGREBES,Clark’sGrebes,Double-crestedCormorants,CASPIANTERNS,Black-crownedNight-Herons,andGREATBLUEHERONS.
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BROWNPELICANPelecanusoccidentalis
BrownPelican,breedingplumage
INTHESUMMERmonths,whilemanyspringmigrantstotheNorthwestareslavingovernestsandyoung,BrownPelicansareonanextendedvacation.Withtheirbreedingandchickraisingalreadyfinishedinspring,theyarefreetosurftheaircurrentsabovethebreakingwavesandpreenthemselveswhilerestingonrocks.Theyspendasmallpartofthedayfishing,leavingthemplentyofleisuretime.Withtheirshortlegsandlongnecks,pelicanslookawkwardonland,buttheyappearconfidentandregalinflightwiththeirchestspuffedforward.
TheAmericanWhitePelicanistheonlybirdinthisregionthatsharesthedistinctivesilhouetteoftheBrownPelican,buttheformerisextremelyrarenearthecoast.AmericanWhitesarewhitewithblackwingtipsandabrightorangebill;BrownPelicanshaveamorecomplexcoloration.Theirbodyplumagechangescolorastheyage,asjuvenilebirdsexchangetheirbrownheadandwhitebellyfeathersforawhiteheadandbrownbellyasadults.Whileontheir
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bellyfeathersforawhiteheadandbrownbellyasadults.Whileontheirsouthernnestinggrounds,BrownPelicansaddasplashofbrightredtotheirbillandpouch.
FOODANDFORAGING
Thislargebirdhasatasteforsmallfish.ItsdietalongtheWestCoastconsistsprimarilyofanchovies,andBrownscongregatewheretheyfindschoolsofthesefish.Theyaretheonlypelicansintheworldtocatchtheirfoodbyplungingheadfirstintothewaterfromashighas60feet.Theirfamousthroatpouchexpandstoholdmorethantwo-and-a-halfgallonsofwaterandfish.Aftertheyhavereturnedtothesurface,theypressthepouchagainsttheirbreasttodrainthewateroutquicklybeforeswallowingtheircatch.Fastandcarefulswallowingisimportant,becauseaHeermann’sGullmightbelurkingnearby,waitingtostealanyfishthatslipout.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
TheBrownPelicansthatvisitthePacificNorthwestbreedonthecoastsofsouthernCaliforniaandnorthernMexico.Theybuildgroundnestsofkelpandsticksonrockyislands.Bothparentssharetheincubationduties,usingtheirlarge,webbedfeettoregulatethetemperatureoftwotofoureggsfor30days.Youngarefedregurgitatedfishforatleastnineweeksuntiltheyarereadytoleavethenest.Theyareslowtomatureanddonotbreeduntiltheyaretwoorthreeyearsold.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSThisspeciesbeginsnestinginthewinterandcontinuesintospring,whichiswhyveryfewBrownPelicansarefoundintheNorthwestduringthattime.NonbreedingbirdsbegintoappearontheNorthwestCoastinMay,andsuccessfulbreedersarrivehereinJulyandAugust.ThelargestgroupsofBrownscongregateonthecoastinthefall,withhundredscomingtoroosttogetheronrocksatsunset.Insomeyears,groupsofbirdswillstickaroundintothewinter,althoughtheyarevulnerabletostormsandfoodshortages.
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WHERETOFINDBROWNPELICANS
LookforBrownPelicansneartheoceanshoresofOregonandWashington.YoumayoccasionallyfindthemintheSalishSea.Pelicansarelargeandhardtomiss.Theycouldbeflyinginsingle-fileformationafootabovethewaves,bobbingintheocean,orstandingontherocksatthetipofajetty.
InWashington
ColumbiaRiver,NorthJetty,inCapeDisappointmentStateParknearIlwacoThemouthofGraysHarbor
BeachesnearOceanPark
CapeFlatteryontheOlympicPeninsula
InOregon
ColumbiaRiver,SouthJetty,inFortStevensStateParknearAstoriaCapeKiwandainPacificCity
YaquinaHeadOutstandingNaturalAreainNewport
CoquilleRiver,SouthJetty,inBandon
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
IfyouvisitajettyinAugust,youwillbesurroundedbybirdsandmammalstakingadvantageofthefishthatgatherwherefreshwaterandsaltwatermeet.WatchforSOOTYSHEARWATERSflyingpastthetipofthejetty,HEERMANN’SGULLSharassingpelicans,BRANDT’SCORMORANTSandCASPIANTERNSdivingforfish,andSURFSCOTERS,COMMONMURRES,andPIGEONGUILLEMOTSfloatingonthewaves.Lookcarefullyforharborsealshauledoutonrocksandsealionsswimmingthroughthewaterwiththeirgiantflippers.
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GREATBLUEHERONArdeaherodias
GREATBLUEHERONSappeargracefulastheyflywithdeepwingbeatsortiptoethroughshallowwater.Whenhunting,however,theyaretheTerminatoronstilts.AGreatBlue’sstone-facedexpressionbetraysnoemotionasafish,snake,orrodentwrigglesinitssharpbillbeforebeingswallowedalive.WatchingaherononahuntisagreatchancetoseeTennyson’s“nature,redintoothandclaw”(andbeak)inaction.
Althoughtheysuperficiallyresemblecranes,GreatBlues’beaksarelongerandsharper,theytuckintheirnecksduringflight,andtheyaremorelikelytobesolitary.Wheninflight,heronsbeararesemblancetothelong-extinctpterodactyl.
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pterodactyl.
FOODANDFORAGING
TheclassicimageofaGreatBlueHeroniswadinginthewater,eyesfocuseddownward,lookingforfish.Itslong,pointedbeakiswellsuitedforthistypeoffeeding,butitactuallyeatsawidevarietyofprey.Ashortlistofheronmealswouldincludesnakes,frogs,crayfish,rodents,andsmallbirds.Aheronhuntsbystalkingsoslowlythatyoumightfinditdifficulttoseeitsmovement.Itstrikesquicklybyuncoilingitslongneckandshootingitsbilltowardthewaterortheground.Aftercapturingananimalinitsbill,aheronrepositionsthecreaturewithaseriesoftossessothatitcanbeswallowedheadfirst.
PAIRINGANDPARENTINGAlthoughtheyprefertofeedalone,GreatBlueswillbuildasticknestjustafewfeetawayfromanotherheroninarborealrookeries.Theybeginthebreedingprocesswithanelaboratedisplayintheirnesttrees,whichinvolvesthemaletransferringstickstothefemaleasshecreatesthenest,andbothsexesmakingclackingnoiseswiththeirbills.Sticknestscanbereusedeachyearandcangrowquitelarge;agroupofbirdswillsometimesabandonrookeries,however,andstartnewones.GreatBlueslaytwotosixeggsandincubatethemfor27days.Inspringandsummer,youcanhearnestlingsfromthegroundwhentheysquawkloudlyastheirparentsreturntothenestwithfood.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
GreatBlueHeronsremaininthePacificNorthwestyear-roundinareaswherethewaterdoesn’tfreezeduringwintermonths.TheirlongnestingseasonbeginswhenadultsbeginoccupyingrookeriesinFebruaryorMarchandendswhenyoungheronsleavetheirnestsinJuneorJuly.
WHERETOFINDGREATBLUEHERONS
GiventheGreatBlue’svarieddiet,itisnotsurprisingthattheycanthriveinmanydifferentkindsofhabitats.Theyareoftenfoundnearwater,whethera
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manydifferentkindsofhabitats.Theyareoftenfoundnearwater,whetherapondinaparkoramudflatinacoastalbay.Theyhuntland-dwellingpreyaswell,sokeepaneyeoutforthemhuntinginfieldswhenyouaredrivingthroughfarmcountry.IfyouarelookingforGreatBluesinalakeorpondanddon’tseeoneinitially,scantheedgeofthewaterwithbinoculars;youmightspotonehunchedupandmotionless,lookinglikeastick.Unlikecranes,allherons,aswellastheirrelatives,theegrets,arecapableofperchingintreesandwilldosofrequentlythroughouttheyear.GreatBluesarecommonandwidelydistributedinOregonandWashington,butrookeriescanbedifficulttofind.
InWashington
DumasBaySanctuaryinFederalWay
UniversityofWashingtoncampus,RainierVista
LakeSammamishStateParknearIssaquah
InOregon
RossIslandintheWillametteRiver,viewedfromtheSouthWaterfrontareaofPortlandGoatIslandintheWillametteRiver,viewedfromMaddaxWoodsinWestLinnSturgeonLakeonSauvieIslandnearPortland
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
AspringtimevisittoarookerycouldalsoproduceBALDEAGLES,OSPREYS,Double-crestedCormorants,Pied-billedGrebes,andCommonMergansers.AnabandonednestcouldholdafamilyofGREATHORNEDOWLS.
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BALDEAGLEHaliaeetusleucocephalus
AdultBaldEagle
PERCHINGWITHPERFECTLYuprightpostureinadeadtree,apairofBaldEagleslooksoutoverthemarshthatmakesuptheirkingdom.Theirhugeyellowbeaksandfeetthesizeofhumanhandsmaketheirpredatoryabilitiesobvious.TheycommunicatewithpiercingcallsthatdonotresemblethoseofaRed-tailedHawk,butaremoresimilartoagull’sscreams.Suddenlythelargerfemaledivesdownoverthemarsh,andapanickedcloudofducksandgeesescattersintothesky.
AnadultBaldEagleisunmistakable.Bothperchedandinflight,thepatternofwhitehead,darkbrownbodyandwings,andwhitetailisrecognizableevenatgreatdistances.ImmatureBaldEaglesinbrownishplumagecanbeconfusedwithotherlargedarkbirdssuchasGoldenEagles,Red-tailedHawks,and
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withotherlargedarkbirdssuchasGoldenEagles,Red-tailedHawks,andTurkeyVultures.Don’tforgetthatjuvenileeagles,andmostotherbirds,areatleastaslargeastheirparentsbythetimetheyleavethenest.
FOODANDFORAGING
Large,sharptalonsandhookedbeaksareideallysuitedtocatchingandeatingmeat.BaldEaglesareknownforpluckingfishoutofthewater,buttheirdietisdiverse.Theyfrequentlyhuntmammals,ducks,gulls,andseabirds.Theyalsoscavengedeadmammals,fish,andeventheplacentasofsealsandfarmanimals.Withaconfidentpostureandanintensegaze,theBaldEagleappearsdignifiedevenasiteatssomethingmostofuswouldbury.
PAIRINGANDPARENTINGBaldEaglesoftenreusethesamenestyearafteryear,addingmorestickseachseason.TheymakethelargestnestsofanyNorthAmericanbird,whichcanmeasure9feetacrossandweighmorethan2tons.Theyoftenbuildtheirnestsintalldeciduoustreessuchasblackcottonwoods.Femaleslayonetothreeeggsandbothparentsincubatefor34to36days,butthenumberofyoungthatleavethenestdependsontheamountoffoodavailable.Youngleavethenestinbrownplumageandmustwaitatleastfouryearstodevelopthefamouswhiteheadandtail.
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JuvenileBaldEagle
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSThePacificNorthwestisapopularwinterdestinationforBaldEaglesthatarrivefromthenorthaftersalmonhavestoppedspawninginAlaskaandBritishColumbia.Areaswithlargeconcentrationsoffishandducksattractthelargestnumbersofmigrants,whichbeginarrivinginNovember.WinteringBaldEaglescompeteforfoodandsharetheireveningroostswiththeresidenteaglesthatstayyear-round.EaglesnestingintheNorthwestbeginconstructingorrenovatingtheirnestsinlatewinterandfledgetheiryoungbylatesummer.
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theirnestsinlatewinterandfledgetheiryoungbylatesummer.
WHERETOFINDBALDEAGLES
BaldEaglesnestinthePacificNorthwest,butyoucanfindthemanytimeofyear;inwintertheygatherinlargegroupsinplaceswherepreyisabundant.Theyareoftenquiteconspicuous,especiallytheadults,withtheircontrastingdarkbrownandwhiteplumage.Scanprominentperchessuchassnagsandlargebranchesnearwaterforalarge,uprightbird.
InWashington
TheUpperSkagitRivernearRockport
SanJuanIslandsandalongthenearbyferryroutes,perchedintreesandintheairRidgefieldNationalWildlifeRefugenearVancouver
InOregon
SauvieIslandnearPortland
KlamathBasinaroundKlamathFalls
NetartsBaynearNetarts
AnkenyNationalWildlifeRefugenearAlbany
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
Oregon’sKlamathBasininthewinterisahotspotforbirds.Inadditiontohugeroostsofeagles,youmightseePRAIRIEFALCONS,Rough-leggedHawks,RUDDYDUCKS,GreaterWhite-frontedGeese,HornedLarks,andCOMMONRAVENS.
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GOLDENEAGLEAquilachrysaetos
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ITISN’TTHATaGoldenEaglewouldeatasmallchild;it’sjustthatitcouldifitwantedto.Howcouldyounotbeimpressedbyabirdlargeandambitiousenoughtohuntmammalssuchasantelopeanddeer?TheirformidabletalonsdwarfeventhoseoftheBaldEagle,andtheyareoneofthetoppredatorsofthe
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dryopencountry.ThemassivesizeofGoldenEaglesdifferentiatesthemfrommostotherbirds
ofprey.TheirhabitatisusuallydifferentfromthatofbrownjuvenileBaldEaglesthatpreferwater,butinareaswherethetwodooverlap,youcanlookfortherelativelysmallerheadandgoldennapeonGoldens.
FOODANDFORAGINGTheGoldenisaskilledhunterwithamazingdistancevision.Itoccasionallycapturesbirds,butmammalssuchasrabbits,hares,androdentsmakeupthebulkofitsdiet.Goldensalsokillalarminglylargepreysuchaspronghornantelope,bighornsheep,andSandhillCranes.Theyusetheirtalonstograspananimalafterpouncingfromabove,sometimeswhilehuntinginpairs.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
GoldenEaglesaremorelikelythanBaldEaglestoconstructnestsoncliffs,althoughtheywillnestintreesifnecessary.Thefemaledoesmostoftheincubationofonetothreeeggsfor43to45days.Bothparentscarefornestlings.Theamountoftimeyoungspendinthenestvariesfrom45to80daysanddependsontheirgrowthrate,whichisinfluencedtheamountofrodents,rabbits,andjackrabbitstheirparentsareabletocatch.Bythetimetheeagletsfledge,theirnestisanunsanitarypileofmammalianremainsandtheinsectsthey’veattracted.Perhapstoallowthingstofreshenup,pairsoftenmaintainmultiplenestsites,alternatingusebetweenyears.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
NorthernpopulationsofGoldensaremigratory,andmanyofthesebirdsarespottedinwesternOregonandWashingtonastheytravelfromAlaskanandCanadiannestinggroundstotheirsouthernwinteringareas.IntheeasternpartsofOregonandWashington,youcanseethemyear-round.OurresidentGoldensbeginnestinginlatewinterorearlyspringandstayattheirnestsuntiltheyoungstersfledgeinthesummer.
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WHERETOFINDGOLDENEAGLES
Birdsoftheopencountry,GoldensaremorecommonontheeastsideoftheCascades.Theyarealwaysatreattofind,becausetheyareneverasurething.Theyhuntfromtheairbutalsofromperchessuchasutilitypoles.Theyareeasilydistinguishedfromotherraptorsbytheirmassivesize.Ifyouaren’tsure,yourmysteryraptorisprobablyahawk,notaneagle.
InWashington
YakimaCanyonandsurroundingareasnearYakima
HurricaneRidgeinOlympicNationalPark(summerandearlyfall)InOregon
SmithRockStateParknearRedmond(nesting)
FortRockStateParknearLaPine
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
GotoSmithRockStateParkinMayorJunetocheckoutnestingGoldenEagles,andstickaroundtoenjoythePRAIRIEFALCONS,White-throatedSwifts,CALIFORNIAQUAIL,WESTERNKINGBIRDS,Say’sPhoebes,CANYONWRENS,andBlack-billedMagpies.
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SANDHILLCRANEGruscanadensis
THETRUEBEGINNINGoffallisthefirstcrispmorningwhenyouhearthehauntingcallofaflockofSandhillCranesmakingtheirwaysouth.Theirunmistakablecall,somethinglikeacrossbetweenaravenandagoose,carriesfaronchillymornings.Whentheyspotamowncornfield,theyresembleskydivers,landingeffortlesslyoncuppedwings.Despitetheirreputationasgracefuldancers,theywillcharge,peck,andhisstoprotecttheiroffspring.
SandhillCranesarethetallestbirdsintheNorthwest,withsomeindividuals
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SandhillCranesarethetallestbirdsintheNorthwest,withsomeindividualsreachingmorethan4feetinheight.Adultsarelightpearlygraywithasmallredcap,andjuveniles,orcolts,arearustybrowncolor.Cranesflywithboththeirnecksandlegsextended,distinguishingthemfromheronsandegretsthatflywithtuckednecks.Heronsarealsodifferentinthattheyhavesharp,stabbingbeaksandhuntbystalking.Cranesfeedinagrazingmannerwithbluntbeaks.Geesealsohavelongnecks,buttheirshorterlegsarenotasvisibleinflightasaSandhillCrane’soutstretchedlegs.
FOODANDFORAGING
SandhillCranesaretrueomnivoresandusetheirlong,flexiblebillstoeatnearlyanything,plantoranimal,theyfindonthegroundorinshallowwater.Theythriveinmanyareasbecauseoftheirappetiteforcornandothercrops.Cornprovidessugarandfattofuelmigration,butfemalesmustconsumeproteinintheformofearthwormsandotherinvertebratestoprepareforlayingeggs.Theyalsofeedoninsects,voles,andbirdeggsattheirnorthernnestinggroundswhereplantsarescarce.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
ElaboratedanceshelpattractamateorreinforcetheSandhill’sbondwithitspartner,withwhomitpairsuntildeath.Thesedisplaysinvolvealotofcalling,hopping,head-tossing,andplant-flinging.Thedancesbeginonthewinteringgroundsandescalateduringmigrationasadultspreparetoreturntothenestinggrounds.
Sandhillsneedwetmeadowsfornesting.Theybuildafloatingnestonamatofvegetationtodiscouragepredationbyraccoonsandskunks.Pairsnestduringthelatespringandearlysummer.Bothparentsincubatetwoeggsfor30daysandtakecareoftheoftensolitaryfledgling,orcolt,thatsurvives.Thefamilytravelstogetheruntilthenextnestingseason,whenthecoltwilljoinagroupofyoungsters.Thecoltwillstayinthisgroupuntilitisoldenoughtomate,foruptosixyears.
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MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
Ifyouknowwheretolook,you’llfindSandhillCranesthroughouttheyearinthePacificNorthwest.ThosethatnestinOregonandWashingtonspendthespringandsummerintheregionandspendthewinterinCalifornia’sCentralValley.ThosethatweseemigratingthroughwesternOregonandWashingtoninthefallhavelikelybredinCanadaandAlaska.SomeofthemstayinthePortlandandVancouver,Washington,areaallwinter,butthemajorityheadfarthersouth.
WHERETOFINDSANDHILLCRANES
InafewplacesinOregonandWashington,youcancatchanexcitingglimpseofasmall,rustybrowncoltfollowingitsparentsaroundameadow.Justasimpressivearethelarge,vocalflocksofSandhillCranesthatspendthewinterneartheColumbiaRiver.You’llprobablyhearthembeforeyouseethem.Duringmigration,Sandhillsflyinanorderlywedge,butwhentheyarelookingforalandingplace,theywillsoarwithoutflappingandcirclethearea.Ifyouarelucky,you’llgettowatchthemparachutetothegroundonoutstretchedwings,landingsodaintilythattheyseemtostepoutofthesky.Ontheground,checkmeadowsandfarmfields,especiallythosewithcornstalkstubble.
InWashington
RidgefieldNationalWildlifeRefugenearVancouver(winter)
ConboyLakeNationalWildlifeRefugenearGlenwood(nesting)
InOregon
SauvieIslandnearPortland(winter)
KlamathMarshNationalWildlifeRefugenearKlamathFalls(nesting)DavisLakenearLaPine(nesting)
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
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WinterisagreattimetobirdthewildliferefugesandwetlandsofthePortlandandVancouverareas.AvisittoSauvieIslandorRidgefieldNationalWildlifeRefugecanproduceCACKLINGGEESE,SnowGeese,TRUMPETERSWANS,BALDEAGLES,PEREGRINEFALCONS,andGREATBLUEHERONSnearthewater.RED-TAILEDHAWKS,NORTHERNHARRIERS,Rough-leggedHawks,andAmericanKestrelssearchthefieldsforvoles.
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COMMONRAVENCorvuscorax
THEREMUSTBEsomespecialaffinitybetweenCommonRavensandhumans.Howelsecanyouexplainthelonghistoryofthesebirdsinartandstories,orthestirringthatyoufeelinyourchestwhenaraven’scallechoesacrossawildplace?Ravenshaveacertaindignityandconfidenceintheirdemeanorandintelligenceintheireyesthatdrawsyouinandmakesyouwanttostayandwatchthemalittlelonger.
CrowsarethebirdsmostlikelytobeconfusedwithCommonRavens,becausebotharesolidglossyblack.Luckily,youcantellthemapartbydifferencesintheirappearancesandtheircalls.Acrowsays“caw,”buta
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differencesintheirappearancesandtheircalls.Acrowsays“caw,”butaCommonRavenhasahoarservoiceandsays“quorrk.”Crowsaresmallerandhavefan-shapedtails.Ravensarelarger,actuallythelargestsongbirdintheworld,andhavediamond-shapedtails.Theyoftensoarwiththeirwingsandtailfannedout,whilecrowsalwaysflapwhenflying.TheTurkeyVultureisanotherdarkbirdthatsoars,butitsheadisfeatherless,ithassilveryfeathersunderitswings,anditsoarswithitswingsinaVshape(Visforvulture).
FOODANDFORAGING
Ravensusetheirwitstoacquireawidevarietyoffoods,mostlymeat,throughscavenging,hunting,andstealing.Thesewilybirdsoftenworktogethertostealbirdeggsorcatchprey.Evertheproblemsolvers,ravenswillfollowlargepredatorstoamealandwilleventrytoattractthemtoadyinganimalthattheycan’topenupontheirown.Theirbillsarestrongenoughtocrackawalnutbutarenotsharpenoughtoripintoasquirrel.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Ravenscollectstickstoconstructtheirlargenestsandlinethemwithscavengedfur,grass,paper,andbark.Theyareveryflexibleaboutwheretheynest:acliff,abarn,atree,orapowerpolewilldo,aslongasthereissufficientfoodnearbyforthehungrynestlingsthatneedaconstantsupplyofinsectsandmeattothrive.Theylaythreetoseveneggsandincubateforatleast20days.Babyravens,nakedandbig-mouthed,willneverwinacutenesscontest.Theageatwhichyoungleavethenestdependsontherateoffooddeliveredbytheirparentsandrangesfromfourtosevenweeks.Afterleavingthenest,theyoungsterswanderforseveralyearsandmayjoinnomadicflocksbeforefindingamateandsettlingdowntonest.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSRavensdon’thavearegularseasonalmigration,butsomewanderafterthebreedingseasontofindfoodbonanzasandroostingsites.Breedingpairsnestinthespringandsummerandremaintogetherthroughouttherestoftheyear.
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WHERETOFINDCOMMONRAVENS
CommonRavenscanbefoundthroughoutOregonandWashington,butpopulationsareconcentratedintheCascades.Agreatwaytospotaravenflyingoverhead,perchedinatree,orwalkingalongaroadistodriveupamountainpassandstopforapicnicorahike.Alongwalkalongthebeachmayproducearavensightingaswell.SomeofthemostdifficultplacestofindaravenarethebigcitiesalongtheInterstate5corridor:Portland,Tacoma,andSeattle.Whenyou’retravelingthroughmountains,deserts,orcoastalareas,listenforthe“quorrk”ofdistantravens.Scantheskyforthediamond-shapedtailofaflyingravenandcheckthegroundinopenareasandalongroadsides.Rememberthatthesebirdsloveroadkill.
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
IfyoupulloffamountainhighwaytogetagoodlookataCommonRaven,rollyourwindowdownandlookforotherbirdsaswell,suchasSteller’sJays,Dark-eyedJuncos,andVARIEDTHRUSHESthattakeadvantageofopenareasintheforest.ListenforforestbirdssuchasPACIFICWRENS,RED-BREASTEDNUTHATCHES,andRED-BREASTEDSAPSUCKERS.
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ColorfulBirdsBRIGHTENINGTHEPACIFICNORTHWEST
MANYBIRDSTHATSTAYyear-roundintheNorthwestkeepwithaneutraldresscode,buteachspringwegetaninfluxofvividcolorintheformofmigrantsthatlightupourwetlandsandforests.Thesedazzlingtravelersjoinafewbrightresidentbirdstocreateanavianrainbow.Inonewonderfulday,youcouldseetherosyredofanoisyflockofcrossbills,thecopper-pennyorangeofamaleRufousHummingbird,theaptly-namedYellow-headedBlackbird,andtherichhuesofaswoopingViolet-greenSwallow.Althougheachofthesebirdshasmoregoingforitthanjustitscolor,thevibrantcolorsarewhatwillstickinyourmemoryandcheeryouduringthedarkdaysofwinter.
MaleLazuliBunting
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WOODDUCKAixsponsa
ITSEEMSTHATanoverzealousartistdesignedtheWoodDuckbyaddinganotherflourishonetimetoomany.Youmightthinkthatyou’dhavetotraveltheglobetofindaduckwiththisamazingcombinationofcolorsandpatterns.Infact,themostornateofthepond-dwellersisanativebird,notanexoticescapee.TheWoodDuckdrakeisprettyhumbleconsideringhisgoodlooks.Heismorelikelytobefoundperchingquietlyonalogalongtheedgeofapondthanflauntinghishandsomenessoutintheopen.
Themaleisunmistakable,withhisiridescentfeatheredhead,eyeoutlinedinred,yellowandredbill,andspeckledchestnut-coloredbreast.Femalesareattractiveintheirownway,withateardrop-shapedwhitepatchsurroundingeacheye.WoodDuckheadfeathersformahelmetshapeandtheirwingsshowabitofiridescence.
FOODANDFORAGINGTheseomnivorousbirdsfeedinthewaterorondryland.Commonfoodsincludeaquaticvegetation,swimminginsects,grassseeds,acorns,andfruits.Orchards,vineyards,andfarmsthatborderwooded,wateryhabitatsareattractivefeedingsitesforWoodDucks.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Malesaccompanyfemalesmuchoftheyear,buttheyprovidenoparentalcareofyoung,leavingthefemalewhenshebeginsincubating.Thefemaleselectsanestsitehighabovetheground,usuallyatreecavityoranestbox.Shelinesthecavitywithherdownandlaystenormoreeggs,incubatingthemfor30days.FemalesoftenlayeggsinthenestsofotherWoodDucks,perhapstohedgetheirbetsagainstnestfailure.Lessthantwodaysafterhatching,ducklingsmustleap
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betsagainstnestfailure.Lessthantwodaysafterhatching,ducklingsmustleapseveralstoriesfromtheirnesttojointheircallingmotheronthegroundandsearchforfood.Luckily,theyflutterandbouncetolandsafely.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
WoodDucksareearlybreeders,withpairingbeginninginlatesummerandnestingbeginninginlatewinterinmanyareas.Northernpopulationsaremigratory,andmanypassthroughWashingtonandOregonontheirwaytoCalifornia.LargegatheringscongregateinOregonandWashingtoninthefallwhensouthboundmigrantsmixwithyear-roundresidentsinwoodedstreamsandponds.
WHERETOFINDWOODDUCKSWoodDucksarewidespreadacrossthewesternportionsofOregonandWashingtoninpondsandlakes.Forsuchanostentatiousbird,theycanbesurprisinglydifficulttosee.Lookintheshadowsalongtheedgesofpondsandonlogsnearthewater.
InWashington
YakimaSportsmanStateParkinYakima
NisquallyNationalWildlifeRefugenearOlympia
JuanitaBayParkinKirkland
KentPondsintheGreenRiverNaturalResourcesAreanearSeattle
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Male(left)andfemaleWoodDucks
InOregon
CrystalSpringsRhododendronGardeninPortland
SmithandBybeeWetlandsNaturalAreainPortland
DawsonCreekCorporateParkinHillsboro
AshlandPondinAshland
DeltaPondsalongtheWillametteRiverinEugene
Minto-BrownIslandParkinSalem
OTHERBIRDSTOSEEAwillow-linedpondmayyieldmorebirdsthanwhatfirstappears.GREENHERONSperchjustabovethewater;Pied-billedGrebes,Green-wingedTeals,andHOODEDMERGANSERSswimquietly,whileaWILSON’SWARBLERskulksintheshrubs,revealedonlybyitscall.
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CINNAMONTEALAnascyanoptera
WHENYOU’REBIRDINGawetlandinlatespring,scanthevegetatededgesofpondsfortheshybutstunningCinnamonTeal,whichavoidsopenwater.Yourpersistencewillpayoffwhenyougettoseethejuxtapositionofredduck,greengrass,andbluesky.Thesegracefulswimmersandswiftflyersarethehighlightofmanyawetlandbirdingtrip.CinnamonTealsaretrulywesternducksthatfavorthemarshesofintermountainvalleys.TheyhavebeenlivinginthisareasincethelastIceAge.
Malesareunmistakableswimmingorinflight,withtheirbrick-redbodiesandturquoisewingpatches.Ifyougetagreatlook,you’llseethateventhemale’seyesarered.Femalesarenotcinnamon-colored,sotheylookverysimilartoBlue-wingedTeals,withtheirbrownplumageandbluewingpatches.RuddyDucksareasimilarshadeofredbuthavewhitecheeksandbluebills.
FOODANDFORAGINGCinnamonTealsareinthegroupofducksknownasdabblers,ofwhichMallardsarethemostfamiliar.Dabblersrarelydivecompletelyunderwater.Instead,theytiphead-downandbottom-uptoreachsubmergedplantsandanimals.Dabblersalsopickfoodfromthewater’ssurfaceorpeckatfoodondryland.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Hensconstructnestsinwetlandvegetation,oftenplacingthemjustabovethewateronislandsortuftsofplants.Somenestsarehiddenunderamatofdeadvegetationthatfunctionsasarooftoshieldtheeggsfrompredators.Thehenincubatesalargeclutchofupto16eggsforatleast21days.Ducklingsaredifficulttofind,becausehensareexpertsathidingthemfromyouoranyotheranimaltheyperceiveasapredator.
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animaltheyperceiveasapredator.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
ThisspeciesneststhroughoutthePacificNorthwest,butmostCinnamonsspendthewinterinCaliforniaorLatinAmerican.PairsarriveatNorthwestnestinggroundsinthelatewinterorearlyspringanddeparttheregioninlatesummerorearlyfall.Malesarethefirsttoflysouth,leavingthenestinggroundswhilethehensareincubatingtheireggs.
WHERETOFINDCINNAMONTEALSLookforCinnamonTealsinlow-elevationpondsandwetlandcomplexes.Assneakyasthebirdtriestobe,itsbrightrustycolorgivesitaway.Scantheedgeofthewatertoseethisbeautifulduckhidingamongthegrasstuftsandcattails.
InWashington
RidgefieldNationalWildlifeRefugenearVancouver(year-round)
ToppenishNationalWildlifeRefugenearYakima
NisquallyNationalWildlifeRefugenearOlympia
SpencerIslandPark,partoftheSnohomishRiverEstuary,nearEverett
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Male(left)andfemaleCinnamonTeals
InOregon
KillinWetlandsnearBanks
KlamathMarshNationalWildlifeRefugenearKlamathFalls
FernRidgeWildlifeManagementAreanearEugene
WilliamL.FinleyNationalWildlifeRefugenearCorvallis
OTHERBIRDSTOSEEThetallplantsinasummermarshhidemanysecretivebirds.You’llneedkeeneyesandearstofindSoras,MarshWrens,AMERICANBITTERNS,Wilson’sSnipes,andCommonYellowthroats.
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RUDDYDUCKOxyurajamaicensis
MaleRuddyDuck,breedingplumage
SMALLBUTPUGNACIOUSandextroverted,theRuddyDuckchasesawayjustaboutanythingfromitsbreedingterritory,performingunforgettabledisplaystointimidaterivalsandwooamate.Histoughguyactisevenfunniercomingfromaduckwiththebodytypeofasqueakybathtoy.Smallandroundwithastubbybillandtail,hemustthinkhelooksmorelikeaswan.
Duringbreedingseason,malesareawarm,cinnamoncolorwithabillasblueasthesummersky.Ablackcap,whitecheek,andtipped-uptailcompletethepictureofthiscockylittleduck.Duringthewinter,whenotherducksaresportingtheirbrightestplumage,maleRuddiesfadetoadullbrownbutareidentifiablebytheirlightcheeksandoftenerecttail.Femaleshavethesamecompactshape,buttheyarebrownallyearwithanindistinctstripeacrosseachcheek.
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FOODANDFORAGING
Ruddiesareinsect-eatingspecialists,moresothanotherducks.Theydivetothebottomofpondsandprobetheirspatulalikebillintothesedimenttofilteroutaquaticinsectsandotherinvertebrates.Plantmatterbecomesalargerpartoftheirdietduringthewinterwheninsectsarescarce.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Unlikemostducksthatarrivealreadypaired,Ruddieswaituntiltheyarriveonnestinggroundstofindamate.Uponarrival,themaleperformsacomicalbubbledisplaytoattractafemale.Herapidlybeatshisbilldownwardagainsthischesttomakebubblesinthewater,creatingclickingandgurglingsounds.Next,helengthenshisbodywhilemakinga“boing”soundandthenrepeatstheprocess.RuddyDuckeggsareoddinthattheyareproportionatelylargerthanthoseofotherducksandhaveasurprisinglyroughexterior.Femalesincubatefivetoteneggsfor23days.Ducklingsarehighlydevelopedandcandiveforandcatchinsectsadayafterhatching.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSRuddyDucksresideinOregonandWashingtonthroughouttheyear.DuringtheMaytoAugustnestingseason,theyaremostabundantinmarsheseastoftheCascadeCrest.Theyswitchsidesduringthenonbreedingseason,withgreaternumberswestoftheCascades.
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MaleRuddyDuck,winterplumage
WHERETOFINDRUDDYDUCKSTheNorthwestoffersavarietyofplacestofindRuddyDucks.Duringthewinter,scanbaysandlakesformixedflocksofdivingducks,suchasBuffleheadsandscaup,thatRuddiesoftenjoin.Inthebreedingseason,lookfordisplayingmalesinpatchesofopenwatersurroundedbyvegetation.Theircinnamoncolorcontrastswellwiththegreenbackdrop.
InWashington
CrockettLakeonWhidbeyIsland(winter)
LakeTerrelnearBellingham(winter)
RidgefieldNationalWildlifeRefugenearVancouver(year-round)
ToppenishNationalWildlifeRefugenearYakima(summer)
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InOregon
YaquinaBayinNewport(winter)
JacksonBottomWetlandsPreservenearHillsboro(winter)
AnkenyNationalWildlifeRefugenearAlbany(winter)
KlamathFallsarea(year-round)
OTHERBIRDSTOSEEMarsheseastoftheCascadesarefullofexcitingbirdsduringthebreedingseason.YoumightseeYELLOW-HEADEDBLACKBIRDSandVirginiaRailsamongthecattails,andBlackTernsandCOMMONNIGHTHAWKSswoopingoverhead.
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BAND-TAILEDPIGEONPatagioenasfasciata
IFIT’SPOSSIBLEtolookbothregalandawkwardatthesametime,theBand-
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tailedPigeondoesit.Itspuffedchestandintricatemarkingscontrastwithitsungainly,fast-flappingtakeoffsandprecarioustreetoplandingstohumorouseffect.Theselarge,purpleinvadersofbirdfeedersareadelighttowatchastheycrowdforabiteofbirdseedorflaploudlythroughtheforest.
Thisspecieslookslikeacitypigeonthathasbeencustomized.TovisualizeaBand-tailedPigeon,startwithafamiliarRockPigeon(citypigeon),andaddayellowbill,yellowfeet,andathick,lightgraybandattheendofthetail.Finishthemasterpiecewithawhitebandandaniridescentpatchatthenapeoftheneck.
FOODANDFORAGINGHumansaren’ttheonlyNorthwestresidentspracticingseasonaleating.Band-tailedPigeonsarestrictplant-eatersthatwillflymanymilestoobtainwhateverfruits,flowers,andseedsareavailableinforests.Breedingadultswilltravelupto30milesfromtheirnestsitestofindagoodcropofanabundantfood,suchasredelderberry.Birdsinaflockhangacrobaticallyfrombranchestopluckberries,acorns,orotherplantparts,workingtheirwayfromthetoptothebottomofatree.Flocksregularlygatheratsalt-richsprings,saltwaterestuaries,andexposedmineraldepositstoconsumesodiumandothernutrientsneededtobalancetheirberry-richdiet.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
TheBand-tailedarrangesahandfuloftwigsintoasimplestackatleast5feetoffthegroundinatreeandcallsitanest.Femaleslayonlyoneeggpernestattempt,butpairscansuccessfullynestthreetimesperyear.Bothparentsincubatetheeggforabout20daysandproducecropmilk,aproductuniquetodovesandpigeonsthatissecretedintoanenlargedchamberoftheadultesophagusandthenregurgitatedfortheirnestling.Cropmilkiseventuallyreplacedbyadultfoodbeforethechickleavesthenest,25to29daysafterhatching.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
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MigratoryflocksareformedinSeptemberandtravelfromtheNorthwesttoCalifornia.Theirflightschedulesaredictatedbythepresenceoffruitsandflowersencounteredalongtheway.TheyreturntoourregionbyMarchtobeginnesting.Someindividualshavebecomepermanentresidentsofurbanareasthankstoayear-roundsupplyoffoodatbirdfeeders.
WHERETOFINDBAND-TAILEDPIGEONS
ThesedenizensofmoistforestsarefoundthroughoutwesternOregonandWashingtonbutaremuchlesscommoneastoftheCascades.Atfirstlight,youcanfindBand-tailedPigeonsperchingontheskinnytopsofconiferoustrees.Duringtheday,lookfortheirbulkyshapesflappingoverthetreetopsoratafeederinatree-filledneighborhood.
InWashington
OlympicNationalPark
WillapaNationalWildlifeRefugenearSouthBend
JuliaButlerHansenRefugenearCathlamet
LakeSammamishStateParknearIssaquah
InOregon
PittockMansioninPortland
MountTaborParkinPortland
ScogginsValleyParknearForestGrove
WilliamL.FinleyNationalWildlifeRefugenearCorvallis
FortStevensStateParknearAstoria
LarchMountainnearTroutdale
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
AforesthikeinlatespringcanproducealonglistofwonderfulbirdssuchasPILEATEDWOODPECKERS,OLIVE-SIDEDFLYCATCHERS,REDCROSSBILLS,SWAINSON’S
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THRUSHES,andevenNorthernPygmyOwls.
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RUFOUSHUMMINGBIRDSelasphorusrufus
MaleRufousHummingbird
WEKNOWTHATspringhasarrived(orisatleastonitsway)whenwefirsthearthezingofaflyingRufousHummingbird.EachyeartheyreturnfromthesouthtochaseawaytheresidentAnna’sHummingbirdsfromthefeedersthey’vefrequentedallwinter.ThoughsmallerthantheAnna’s,theRufousisafeistyhummingbirdnotafraidtoactasifitownseveryfeeder.Theyarrivejustintimetotakeadvantageoftheparticularplants,suchasredhuckleberryandredcurrant,thatbegintoflowerquiteearlyinourmildclimate.
MalehummingbirdsintheNorthwestareprettysimpletotellapart.TheRufous,whosenamemeansreddish,isorangewithacopper-coloredthroat;theAnna’sisgreenwithafuchsiahelmet;andtheCalliopeisgreenwithapurple-streakedthroat.Femalesaretrickiertotellapart,buttheRufoushasagreenback,orangeishflanks,andacleanwhitestripeseparatingtheneckandbelly.If
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back,orangeishflanks,andacleanwhitestripeseparatingtheneckandbelly.IfyouwanttoearnaPh.D.inhummingbirdidentification,gotothesouthernOregonCoastandteaseaparttheRufousandAllen’sHummingbirds,whoserangesoverlapinthisarea.
FOODANDFORAGING
Usingtheirbillsandtonguestoreachnectarinflowers,Rufousesalsodrinksapfromwellscarvedintreesbysapsuckers.Theycapturesmallinsectsintheairandgleaninsectsfromvegetation.Theirtinybrainsshowagreatcapacityforspatialmemory,asdemonstratedbybandedindividualsreturningtotheexactlocationsoffeedingsitesyearafteryear.
PAIRINGANDPARENTINGMalesarriveatnestinggroundsbeforefemalesandbegintoperformaerialdisplays.Themalefliesdozensoffeetabovetheground;thendescendsrapidly,pullingupatthelastsecondtomakeaJ-shape;andthenfliestoanewpointintheskytorepeattheprocess.Whenafemaleisattracted,themalewillshuffleback-and-forthnearthebranchonwhichsheisperched.Thefemalethenbeginsbuildinghernestimmediatelyuponarrivalatthenestinggrounds.Thenestisatiny,cozyworkofart:asmallcuplinedwithdownymaterialandanexteriordecoratedwithgreenmossandmint-coloredlichens,allheldtogetherwithspiderwebs.Thefemalealoneincubateshertwocoffee-bean–sizedeggsforabout16daysandthenregurgitatesmealsforthenestlingsduringthe21daystheyareinthenest.Likeotherhummingbirdyoung,Rufousnestlingsarecompetentflyersassoonastheyfledge.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
Ifyoumeasuremigrationdistanceinbodylengthinsteadofmilesorkilometers,theRufousHummingbirdmigratesthelongestdistanceinthebirdworld.MostspendtheirwintersinsouthernCaliforniaorMexicoandthenperformanellipticalmigration:flyingnorthalongthecoastinspringtoreachnorthwesternnestingsites,andthenflyingsouthalongtheRockyMountainsinthefall,back
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nestingsites,andthenflyingsouthalongtheRockyMountainsinthefall,backtotheirwintergrounds.RufousestravelthisroutetofeedonflowersthatpeakinspringalongtheWestCoastandinlatesummerintheRockies.OfthemanythatshowupintheNorthwestinFebruaryorMarch,somewillstickaroundtonest,butmostwillcontinuenorthtoBritishColumbiaorAlaska.
FemaleRufousHummingbird
WHERETOFINDRUFOUSHUMMINGBIRDSLateMarchandearlyAprilarethebesttimestofindlargenumbersofRufousesatthepeakofmigration.Fillupyourfeederandgetreadyforashow.Lateron,duringnestingseason,theypreferplaceswithamixoflargetrees,shrubs,andopenareas.Unlessyouarewatchingabirdfeeder,you’lloftenlocateaRufousbyitssound.Withalittlepractice,youwilleasilyrecognizethemetallicflightsoundsofmaleszoomingby.Anna’svocalizebutdon’tmakethesamesoundsinflight,whichsimplifiesthings.Alsocheckthinbranchesatthetopsoftreesforterritorialmales.
InWashington
BlackbirdIslandinLeavenworth
SkagitWildlifeAreanearMountVernon
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MarymoorParkinRedmond
KentPondsintheGreenRiverNaturalResourcesAreanearSeattle
BottleBeachStateParknearWestport
InOregon
PittockMansioninPortland
AudubonSocietyofPortland’sNatureSanctuarynearForestPark
ScogginsValleyParknearForestGrove
ClayMyersStateNaturalAreanearPacificCity
BeaverCreekStateNaturalAreanearNewport
AnkenyNationalWildlifeRefugenearAlbany
WilliamL.FinleyNationalWildlifeRefugenearCorvallis
OTHERBIRDSTOSEEAmarshsurroundedbytalltreesisattractivetoRufousHummingbirdsandalsoprovidesawonderfulvarietyofhabitatsforBLACK-HEADEDGROSBEAKS,WESTERNTANAGERS,Black-throatedGrayWarblers,PurpleFinches,andCEDARWAXWINGS.
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CALLIOPEHUMMINGBIRDSelasphoruscalliope
MaleCalliopeHummingbird
YOUWOULDTHINKthatthesmallestbreedingbirdinNorthAmericawouldwanttohide,butmaleCalliopeHummingbirdsmakethemselvesknownbydivingthroughtheair,buzzingloudly,andflaringiridescentfeatherstothesideforalltosee.Allofthisexcitementcomesinatinypackage;thesebirdsweighnomorethanastickofgum.
ThemaleCalliopehasagorget,apatchofiridescentfeathersonitsthroatandhead,unlikeanyotherhummerfoundinthisregion.Insteadofasolidiridescentpatch,ithaspurplishiridescentstripesonitswhitethroat.ThefemalecloselyresemblesafemaleRufousHummingbird:greenishandrufous(reddish)withawhitebelly.
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FOODANDFORAGING
TheCalliopehasadietsimilartothatofotherhummingbirds:nectar,insects,andsap.Asaforestgapspecialist,thisspeciesregularlyfeedsonfloweringplantsinsunnymountainmeadowsandstreamsideareas.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Malesestablishbreedingterritoriesinopenareaswithprominentperches,usuallythetipsofwillowstemsthathavediedback.MalesperformU-shapedaerialdisplaysbyhoveringdozensoffeetabovetheground,diving,climbing,andhoveringatanotherlocation,repeatedasnecessarytoattractfemales.Themaleproducessoundswithhisfeathersduringthediveandcreatesahigh-pitchedbuzzfromhisbillwhilehoveringinfrontofafemaleattractedbyhisdisplay.Ifsheapproves,theywillflytogetherandspininanaerialcircle,joiningtogetherwiththeirbills.Thefemaleusuallyconstructshernestonthebranchofapinetree,withthenestarrangedtoresembleapinecone.Thefemaleincubateshertwoeggsforabout15daysandfeedstheyoungadietcomposedmainlyofinsectsforthe18to21daysthattheyareinthenest.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSCalliopeshaveamigrationpatternsimilartoRufousHummingbirds,withnorthboundspringmigrationoccurringoverlowelevationsandcoastalareas,andsouthboundfallmigrationoccurringoverhigherelevations.ThespringarrivalofCalliopesintheNorthwestissubtlerthanthatoftheRufousbecauseoftheCalliope’slessaggressivenature,smallersize,andsuperficialsimilaritytotheubiquitousAnna’sHummingbird.CalliopestypicallyarriveintheNorthwestinAprilorMayandhavedepartedfortheirwintergroundsbySeptember.Males,whichprovidenoparentalcare,leavenestingareasbeforefemalesandyoungandoftendispersethroughouttheNorthwestpriortoheadingsouth.
WHERETOFINDCALLIOPE
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HUMMINGBIRDS
CalliopeHummingbirdsareeasiesttofindontheirnestinggroundsinlateMayorearlyJune,whenmalesaredisplaying.Checkthespindlydeadtwigsatthetopsofwillowsorothershrubsalongstreamsinhigh-elevationmeadows.Watchforsomethingthesizeofabigbeeflyingaround,andyoumightgettoseetheCalliope’sU-shapeddisplayflightaswell.
InWashington
AlongtheGoldendale-BickletonHighwaynortheastofTheDalles,Oregon
WenasCampground(AudubonCampground)nearEllensburg
UpperSkagitRivernearNewhalem
InOregon
CalliopeCrossingnearSisters
CraterLakeNationalPark
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
AvisittoCalliopecountrycanalsoproduceRed-napedSapsuckers,NorthernGoshawks,PinyonJays,andGREEN-TAILEDTOWHEES.
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WESTERNKINGBIRDTyrannusverticalis
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THEWESTERNKINGBIRDisthemostconspicuousoftheflycatchersintheNorthwest,withitslemon-yellowbellyandhabitofperchingontransmissionwiresinopenareas.Thisaggressivebirdwillchasejustaboutanythingandhasnodesiretohidefromattention.Itswholelifeisanopenbook,fromtheinsect-catchingshowheldinopenfieldstothenestingperformanceconductedatopautilitypole.
Abrightyellowbellyandgrayheaddistinguishthisflycatcherfromsimilarbirds,suchastheWesternMeadowlark,withitswhite-edgedtailandyellowbreast;themeadowlarkalsohasastripedbrownheadandalonger,more-pointedbillthanthekingbird.
FOODANDFORAGINGTheWesternKingbirddisplaysatypicalflycatcherforagingbehaviorknownashawking:itwatchesforflyinginsectswhileperched,fliesfromtheperchtocapturetheinsectwithaquickburstofspeed,andthenreturnstothesameperch.Westernswillalsodroptothegroundtocapturepreyandwillpluckfooditems,suchasinsectsandberries,fromvegetationwhilehoveringintheair.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Afterpairingattheirnestinggrounds,amaleandfemalesearchfornestsitesnearthetopsoftreesandshrubsoronhuman-madestructuressuchasutilitypolesandabandonedbuildings.Thefemaleconstructsabulky,cup-shapednestandincubatesanaverageoffoureggsfortwoweeks.Pairsvigorouslydefendtheirconspicuousnestsbydive-bombingpotentialpredatorswhilemakingloudcallsandsnappingtheirbills.Bothparentscaptureinsectstofeedtotheiryoungduringthe16-daynestlingperiod.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
WesternKingbirdsarriveintheNorthwestinlateAprilorearlyMayand,afternesting,departforwinteringgroundsbymid-September.TheyspendthewinterinsouthernMexicoandCentralAmerica,minglingwithotherNorthAmericanmigrantsandyear-roundtropicalresidents.
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migrantsandyear-roundtropicalresidents.
WHERETOFINDWESTERNKINGBIRDSThisspeciesisfoundinopencountrywhereperchessuchasscatteredtreesandtransmissionlinesareavailable.TheyaremuchmorecommonlyfoundeastoftheCascades,buttheydoshowupinpocketsofappropriatehabitatonthewesternside,especiallyduringmigration.Westernsactasiftheywanttobeseen,soyouwon’thavetowaitlongtofindoneifyou’reinthebird’shabitat.Transmissionlinesandfencesarefavoriteperches.
InWashington
ToppenishNationalWildlifeRefugenearYakima
MarymoorParkinRedmond
PointNoPointLighthouseandCountyParknearKingston
WenasBasinbetweenYakimaandEllensburg
InOregon
SandyRiverDeltanearTroutdale
SmithRockStateParknearRedmond
KlamathFallsarea
NorthMountainParkinAshland
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
WhilewatchingwiresforWesternKingbirds,youmightfindotherbirdsthatenjoyagoodview,suchasAmericanKestrels,WESTERNMEADOWLARKS,LarkSparrows,LoggerheadShrikes,andWESTERNBLUEBIRDS.
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VIOLET-GREENSWALLOWTachycinetathalassina
SWOOPINGACROBATICALLYABOVEthetreetopslikeavianfighterpilots,Violet-greenSwallowsprovideraygunsoundeffectsastheyzoompasteachother.Theyareharbingersofspringandtheepitomeofgraceastheyzipthroughthesky.Thesedelicate,jewel-likebirdswillhappilylineuptogetheronatelephonewirebutwillgetfeistywhenlimitednestingcavitiesareupforgrabs.
Theiriridescentgreen-and-violetbackcontrastssharplywithapurewhitebellyandchin.TheonlyothernorthwesternswallowwithabrightwhitebellyanddarkbackistheTreeSwallow,whichhasadarkfaceandametallic-blueback.Violet-greenshavewhiteflanksthatwraparoundandalmostconnectabovethetail.WhenaViolet-greenbankssharply,itswhiteflanksstandoutagainstitsdarkbackandtail.
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FOODANDFORAGING
Likeotherswallows,Violet-greenseatflyinginsectsandotherdriftingarthropods.Theyoftenflyabovethetreetopsofconiferousforests,catchingandswallowinginsectsintheair.
PAIRINGANDPARENTINGViolet-greensnestinotherbird-madecavities,suchasthosepreviouslyexcavatedbywoodpeckers,orinnestboxesconstructedbyhumans.Onceapairhassettledonasuitablecavity,thefemalelinesthespacewithtwigs,grass,andfeathers.Largewhitefeathersarepreferred,perhapsbecausetheycamouflagethewhiteeggsfrompredatorsorfromfemaleswallowslookingtodumpaneggintoanother’sclutch.Femalesincubatefourtosixeggsfor15days,andbothparentsfeedregurgitatedinsectstothenestlings.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
Althoughamigratoryspecies,Violet-greenSwallowsspendmuchoftheyearinthePacificNorthwest.ThenorthernextentoftheirwinteringrangeisincentralCalifornia,sosomehaveashortmigrationandarriveatNorthwestnestingsitesassoonaslateFebruary.Afterthelongnestingseason,theygatherinlargeflockspriortomigratingsouth.ThelastsouthboundflockspassthroughourregioninOctober.
WHERETOFINDVIOLET-GREENSWALLOWS
Thisspeciesdoesn’trequireanopen,buggywetlandlikemanyofitsswallowcousins.Instead,ithuntsinsectsoverforests,alongcoastalareas,andinhigh-elevationareas.TheyarewidespreadacrosstheNorthwestandareexcellentnestboxtenantsifyouhavetheminyourneighborhood.Swallowsareoftenseenflyingintheopenandperchingonwires.Spottingaswallowiseasierthanfiguringoutwhichspeciesyou’relookingat.
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OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
AerialinsectsareanimportantfoodresourcethatisexploitedbyavarietyofbirdsthateitherflutterlikeVAUX’SSWIFTS,swooplikeBarnSwallows,ordartintotheairandsnatchlikeOLIVE-SIDEDFLYCATCHERSandPacific-slopeFlycatchers.
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WESTERNBLUEBIRDSialiamexicana
BLUEBIRDSARESYMBOLSofhappinessforgoodreason.Theirbrightcolorsandflutteringflightwillliftyourmoodatanytimeoftheyear.Theirstubbybeaksandsmall,darkeyesgivethemacuteappearancethat,alongwiththeirwillingnesstousenestboxes,endearsthemtothosewholiketheirbirdsupcloseandadorable.
MaleWesternBluebirdsaregloriousindeepblueplumagewithaboldrufous(reddish)chest.Femalesareagrayed,washedoutversionofthesamecolorscheme.MountainBluebirdssometimesarefoundinthesameareasbutaresolidblueandlackthereddishcoloration.LazuliBuntingslooksimilar,buttheyarealighter,brighterblueandhavewhitebarsontheirwings.
FOODANDFORAGINGAWesternBluebirdscansforinsectsfromatreebranchorsimilarperch.Whenitseesaninsect,usuallyontheground,itpounces,capturesthecreatureinitsbill,andreturnstoanotherperch.Westernsalsocaptureflyinginsectsintheairandpluckfoodfromvegetationwhileinflight.Duringthewinter,theyaddfruitandseedstotheirdiet.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
WesternBluebirdstypicallynestintreecavitiesthatwerepreviouslyexcavatedbywoodpeckersinforestswithwidelyspacedtrees.Theywillalsousenestboxesprovidedbybluebirdenthusiasts.Afterapairselectsanestsite,thefemalefillsmuchofthecavityornestboxwithcollectedmaterialsuchasdriedgrassandbark.Sheincubatesanaverageoffiveeggsforabouttwoweeks.Althoughthemaledoesnotincubate,hecontributestothenestingeffortbyfeedingthefemalewhilesheincubatesandbyhelpingherprovisiontheyoung.
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feedingthefemalewhilesheincubatesandbyhelpingherprovisiontheyoung.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
Withsomemovingshortdistancesafternestingandsomestayinginanareayear-round,WesternBluebirdsarepartialmigrants.Afterthespringandsummernestingseason,theyformflocksthatyoucanseethroughoutthewinterinthewesternhalfofourregion.Inmildyears,theycanbefoundinCentralOregonandWashingtonaswell.
WHERETOFINDWESTERNBLUEBIRDSPlacessuchasBickleton,Washington,andChampoeg,Oregon,wherenestboxeshavebeenerectedalongbluebirdtrails,makeitalmosttooeasytofindaWesternBluebirdduringnestingseason.Lesstimesearchingforthemmeansmoretimewatchingandenjoyingthem.Thisquietbirdletsitscolordothetalking,soyouprobablywon’tfinditbylisteningforit.WatchforaflashofbluedivingtowardthegroundfromafencepostorthebranchofaPonderosapine.Bluebirdsareactivecreatures,sotheirmovementswilleventuallycatchyoureye.
InWashington
AlongtheGoldendale-BickletonHighwaynortheastofTheDalles,Oregon
FortSimcoeStateParknearToppenish
WenasBasinbetweenYakimaandEllensburg
MimaMoundsNaturalAreaPreservenearOlympia
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Male(left)andfemaleWesternBluebirds
InOregon
PrescottParkinMedford
ChampoegStateHeritageAreanearWilsonville
AnkenyNationalWildlifeRefugenearAlbany
BaskettSloughNationalWildlifeRefugenearDallas
WilliamL.FinleyNationalWildlifeRefugenearCorvallis
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
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ThetinytownofBickletonisconsideredtheBluebirdCapitalofWashington,andyou’llseewhyasyoudrivetheGoldendale-BickletonHighwayandvisitthebluebirdtrailsaroundtown.InadditiontotheWesternandMOUNTAINBLUEBIRDSthatnestintheabundantnextboxes,youmightfindLEWIS’SWOODPECKERS,WESTERNTANAGERS,White-breastedNuthatches,andVesperSparrowsinthegrasslandsandtrees.
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MOUNTAINBLUEBIRDSialiacurrucoides
MaleMountainBluebird
LIKEPOWDERBLUEjewels,MountainBluebirdsbrightenupthedry,opencountryofCentralOregonandWashington.Inthewinter,theylooklikeasliverofsummerskypreservedtoenjoyduringthedarkertimes.Theselong-wingedbeautiesshowofftheirgoodlookswhileperchingconspicuouslyorhoveringtofindinsects.
Malesareagloriousskyblueallover,unlikeotherbluebirds.Femalesaregrayerbutstillhavethedistinctiveblueontheirwingsandtail.YoucantellMountainBluebirdsfromWesternBluebirdsbythereddishtonesontheWestern’schest.PinyonJaysareasimilarpowderblue,buttheyaremuchlargerandlouder,withbigbeaks.
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FOODANDFORAGING
Owingtoitsaffinityforopenspaces,thisrelativelylong-wingedbluebirdfrequentlyhoversinplacewhilesearchingforpreyoverbaregroundorareaswithshortvegetation.MountainBluebirdsemployavarietyofothermethodstocaptureinsects,includingpouncingfromaperchordartingfromaperchtopursueflyinginsects.Wheninsectsareunavailableinthewinter,thebirdsshifttoadietoffruitandseeds.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
MountainBluebirdshistoricallydependedonoldwoodpeckercavitiesintreesadjacenttoopenareassuchasmountainmeadowsorwildfiresites.Thankstonestboxprograms,theynowhaveless-specifichabitatrequirements.Afemalelinestheinsideofacavityornestboxinteriorwithdriedgrassesandpiecesofbarkbeforelayingfiveorsixeggsthatsheincubatesforabouttwoweeks.Themalefeedsthefemalewhilesheincubatesandjoinsherincapturinganddeliveringfoodtothenestlings.Youngaredependentontheirparentsforseveralweeksafterleavingthenest.
FemaleMountainBluebird
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MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
Post-breedingflocksdeparttheNorthwestforwinteringgroundsinthesouthwesternUnitedStatesandnorthernMexicobytheendofOctober.There,MountainBluebirdsjoinmixed-speciesflocksuntilreturningtotheNorthwestinlateFebruaryandMarch.Iftheweatherremainsmild,someflockswillwinterinCentralOregonandWashington.
WHERETOFINDMOUNTAINBLUEBIRDS
Don’tletthenamefoolyou,becausethesebirdsarefoundinflat,openvalleysbetweenmountainrangesinadditiontotheirnamesakealpineareas.TheyoccurinareasthataremorewideopenthanthosefavoredbyWesternBluebirds.Scanpotentialperches,suchasfencelinesandjunipers,foratelltaleblueflash.Whenhunting,MountainBluebirdshoverlowoverfields,sodon’tlooktoohighinsky.
InWashington
AlongtheGoldendale-BickletonHighwaynortheastofTheDalles,Oregon
WenasBasinbetweenYakimaandEllensburg
ColdwaterRidgeVisitorCenteronMountSaintHelens
MountRainierNationalPark
InOregon
AroundTimberlineLodgeonMountHood
SmithRockStateParknearRedmond
DavisLakenearLaPine
CraterLakeNationalPark
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
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Highaltitude,wildfires,andlavaflowscreateforestopeningsthatattractMountainBluebirdsandmore.AnalpinehikecanproduceCOMMONRAVENS,REDCROSSBILLS,BLACK-BACKEDWOODPECKERS,Clark’sNutcrackers,andGrayJays.
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CEDARWAXWINGBombycillacedrorum
ANOMADICANDcolorfulfruit-eater,theCedarWaxwingisstrikingasanindividualorasamemberofabusyflocksettingaberrybushaquiverwithflutteringwingsandgapingmouths.Thesegluttonousandgregariousbirdshave
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areputationforstrippingfruittreesbareastheystuffthemselves.Inthefall,whenripenedfruitshavebeguntoferment,someofthemactsuspiciouslytipsy.
CedarWaxwingshavesoftbrownplumagethatlookslikesleek,shortfur.Theyellowedgesoftheirtailswillcatchyoureye,evenwhenthebirdsareinflight.Averycloselookwillrewardyouwithaglimpseoftheredwaxydepositontheirwingsthatgivesthemtheirname.Assmall,brownbirdswithcrests,theyaredistinctiveintheNorthwest.Theironlylook-alikeistheBohemianWaxwing,whichisawintervisitortotheeasternpartsofOregonandWashingtonandislargerandgrayer.
FOODANDFORAGING
Tomeettheirnutritionalneeds,CedarWaxwingsseemtoimitateotherbirds.Whenfruitsareabundantonwildplantsorinberryfarms,theypluckthemfrombranches,hangingupsidedownlikeparakeets.Wheninsectsareonthemenu,CedarWaxwingsemulateswallows,flycatchers,andwarblersbycatchingpreyonthewingorpluckingthemfromvegetation.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
PairsbeginnestinginJune,laterthanmostsongbirds.Thisdelayednestingseasoncoincidesnicelywiththeripeningofthelocalfruitcrop,animportantsourceoffoodforfledglings.Malesandfemalescollectnestmaterialandbringittoatreeorlargeshrub,butthefemaleperformsmostoftheconstruction.Foureggsareincubatedfor12days.Nestlingsarefedinsectsuponhatching,buttheparentseventuallytransitionthemtoafruit-heavydiet.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSFlocksroamthecountrysideinsearchofproductivefruitcrops.Theymayleavetheregioninthefallorwinteriffruitsuppliesarelow,buttheywillreturnbythestartofthenestingseasoninJune.
WHERETOFINDCEDARWAXWINGS
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CedarWaxwingsaremostoftenspottedindeciduouswoodlands,parks,andsuburbanareas.Forestedgeswithfruitingtreesareprimelocationsforwatchingthem.Intown,lookinhollyandhawthorntreesduringthewinter,whentheyarefullofredfruitandexcitedbirds.TheCedar’scallisverydistinctivebutissohighpitchedthatyoumayfinditdifficulttohear.Listenfortherepeated,soft“seee”asaflockmovesfromonefruittreetoanother.
OTHERBIRDSTOSEEWhenthenestingseasonhasended,CedarWaxwingsdiversifytheirdietstoincludeafallfeastofberries.JoiningthemareAmericanRobins,RED-BREASTEDSAPSUCKERS,WESTERNBLUEBIRDS,andWesternScrub-Jays.
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TOWNSEND’SWARBLERSetophagatownsendi
MaleTownsend’sWarbler
AMIDTHEDRAB-BROWNwinteringsparrowsatyoursuetfeedercomesasummeryflashofhyperactiveyellow,likeagiganticbumblebee.AvisitingTownsend’sWarblerwillbrightenyouryardlikefewbirdscan.Thebeautifullymarkedyellow,black,andolivewarblersstandoutamongtheirbrowncompanionsanddelightbirderswiththeirenergeticbehavior.
Youcandistinguishwarblersfromothersongbirdsbytheirthin,pointedbills.NootherwarblerintheNorthwesthasthestrongblackandyellowfacialstripingoftheTownsend’sWarbler.HermitWarblershaveasolidyellowface,Wilson’sWarblershaveblackonlyontopoftheirheads,andCommonYellowthroatshaveathickblackZorromask.
FOODANDFORAGING
Typicalofwarblers,Townsend’sseemtobeconstantlyonthemovewhensearchingforfood.Theyhoporflyfrombranchtobranchwhilegleaninginsectsfromconiferousanddeciduoustrees.Thesewarblersalsohoverinplacetopluckaninsectoffthetipofatwig,ortheydartouttocatchamealinflight.Duringthewinter,theywillalsopluckfruitandseedsfromplantsandpickatasuet
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thewinter,theywillalsopluckfruitandseedsfromplantsandpickatasuetfeeder.Thisnonstopmovementcanmakeitdifficultforthenovicebirdertospotthebirdandidentifyit.
PAIRINGANDPARENTINGBeginninginthelatespring,thefemaleconstructsabulkycupnestinaconiferoustreeandincubatesfourorfiveeggsfor11to14days,whilethemalekeepsaclosewatch.Nestlingsremaininthenestforonly10days,probablytoreducepredationrisk,duringwhichtimetheyarefedinsectsbybothparents.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
Inmostoftheirnestingrange,Townsend’sWarblersareneotropicalmigrantsthatspendtheirwintersinLatinAmerica.Aportionofthepopulation,however,spendsitswintersinwesternWashington,Oregon,andCaliforniaafternestinginBritishColumbia.NorthwestnestersarrivefromtheirsouthernwinteringgroundsinAprilandMayanddeparttheregioninSeptember.WinteringbirdsarriveinthewesternportionsofOregonandWashingtoninthefallandleavefortheirnestinggroundsinlatespring.Inthewinter,Townsend’sjoinchickadees,kinglets,andcreeperstoformmixedfeedingflocksandtakeadvantageoftheextrasetsofeyestowatchforpredatorssuchasSharp-shinnedHawksandNorthernPygmyOwls.
WHERETOFINDTOWNSEND’SWARBLERS
Springmigrationandwinteraretheeasiesttimestoseethesebirds.Inthesummer,theyarebusynestingintreetopsinhigh-elevationareas.DuringspringmigrationinMay,lookforTownsend’sWarblersindeciduoustreessuchasmaples.Inthewinter,theyfavorconiferssuchasDouglas-firs.Theirhighforagingsitesareresponsibleforafamiliarbirder’scondition:warblerneck,anachecausedbytiltingyourheadtostareupintoatreeforlongperiodsoftime.
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FemaleTownsend’sWarbler
InWashington
WashingtonParkArboretuminSeattle(winter)
PointDefianceParkinTacoma(winterandmigration)
LakeWenatcheeStateParknearLeavenworth(breeding)
MountRainierNationalPark(breeding)
InOregon
MountTaborParkinPortland(migration)
JenkinsEstateinBeaverton(winter)
LarchMountainnearTroutdale(breeding)
FishLakeInterpretiveDayUseSitenearMcKenzieBridge(breeding)
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OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
Duringthewinter,conifer-filledurbanparksprovideshelterandfeedingopportunitiesforbirdssuchasRED-BREASTEDSAPSUCKERS,BUSHTITS,RED-BREASTEDNUTHATCHES,BROWNCREEPERS,ANNA’SHUMMINGBIRDS,andVARIEDTHRUSHES.
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WILSON’SWARBLERCardellinapusilla
MaleWilson’sWarbler
ONARAINYspringday,thesongandbrightyellowflashofaWilson’sWarblermightbetheonlyindicationthatsummerisonitsway.Thesewarblersseemconflictedaboutwhethertheywanttobeseen:malesannouncetheirpresencewithaloudsongandthendisappearintothewillows.Despitethiscontradiction,theyareanidealintroductorywarblerwiththeirdistinctfieldmarksandeye-levellifestyle.
Malesarebrightyellowwithanolivebackandajauntyblackcap.Theirblackeyesstandoutsharplyagainsttheiryellowfaces.Thefemale’scolorsare
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blackeyesstandoutsharplyagainsttheiryellowfaces.Thefemale’scolorsaremorefaded,andhercapismoreolivethanblack.Almostallwarblershaveyellowonatleastsomepartoftheirbody,buttheWilson’sistheonlyonewithayellowfaceandadarkcap.
FOODANDFORAGING
Wilson’sWarblers’huntingbehaviormakesthemexcellentbirdstowatchduringmigrationornestingtime,becausetheyoftensearchforfoodneartheground,whereyoucancatchaviewmoreeasily.Theyspendmostoftheirtimeindeciduoustreesorshrubsgleaningcaterpillarsandotherinsectsfromthefoliagebyhoveringandpecking.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Justastheyforagelow,Wilson’salsonestatheightslowerthanmostwesternwarblers.Theirnestisanopencupconstructedinashruborinadepressiononthegroundnearthetrunkofashruborsmalltree.Threetofiveeggsareincubatedfor11days.Bothparentsfeedinsectsandspiderstotheyounguntiltheyleavethenest9to11daysafterhatching.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSDuringspringmigrationinAprilandMay,thesebirdsappeartobeeverywhereastheyforagelikemadduringthedaytofuelupfortheireveningflights.Afternestinghereinthespringandsummer,theydeparttheregionbytheendofOctober.ThewidespreadpopulationofWilson’sinthewesternUnitedStatesmigratessouthtospendwintersinarelativelysmallportionofwesternMexicoandCentralAmerica.
WHERETOFINDWILSON’SWARBLERS
Lookforthemalongrivers,incityparks,andinyourownbackyard.InearlyMay,theyseemtoinhabiteveryshrub,butyoucanseeandhearthemallsummer.Theirsongisnotespeciallymusicalandsoundslikeanenginestrugglingtoturnover,withaloud,rapidseriesof“chee”sounds.Whenyou
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hearitssong,lookforaflashofyellowinashruborinthelowerbranchesofatree.
InWashington
NisquallyNationalWildlifeRefugenearOlympia
MagnusonParkinSeattle
MarymoorParkinRedmond
WenatcheeConfluenceStateParkinWenatchee
InOregon
Mary’sPeaknearCorvallis
AudubonSocietyofPortland’sNatureSanctuarynearForestPark
TillamookForestCenteronHighway6
BeaverCreekStateNaturalAreanearNewport
OTHERBIRDSTOSEEWhileyou’restaringintothebushes,youcanenjoyspottingtheotherbirdsthathangoutateyelevelinriparianshrubs.LookforSWAINSON’STHRUSHES,SongSparrows,PACIFICWRENS,SpottedTowhees,andDownyWoodpeckerswithoutstrainingyourneck.
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GREEN-TAILEDTOWHEEPipilochlorurus
DONOTPASSupachancetocatchaglimpseofasingingmaleGreen-tailedTowheewhenyouvisititsCentralOregonhabitat.Althoughmalessingprominentlylikemockingbirdsintheearlysummer,theyseemtospendtherestoftheyearhidingfrombirders.
Thislargesparrow’ssharpbutearthycolorsseemperfectlysuitedtoitsaridnestinggrounds.Itsportsarufous(reddish)cap,awhitethroat,andauniqueolive-greencoloronitswingsandtail.Malesandfemalessharethisdistinctiveplumagepattern.ChippingSparrowsalsohavearufouscrown,buttheyaremuchsmallerandarebrownratherthangreen.
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FOODANDFORAGING
TheGreen-tailedandothertowheesaremastersofthehop-scratch,aforagingtechniquethatinvolveshoppingintheairandthenscratchingthegroundwithbothfeetsimultaneously.Thismotionkickslitteroutofthewaysothebirdscanpicktheinsectsorseedsofftheground.Green-tailedsalsosearchshrubsforinsectsandfruit.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Afterselectinganestingsiteinanareafullofsagebrush,manzanita,orothershrubsandsmalltrees,thefemaleconstructsthenestonthegroundorinashrubandlaysthreetofoureggs.Whenalarmed,shehopsoffhernestandrunsawayinsteadofflying,makingitdifficultforpredatorssuchassquirrels,CommonRavens,andSteller’sJaystodiscernthenest’slocation.Sheincubatestheeggsfor12days,andbothparentsfeedthenestlingsuntiltheyleavethenest,11to14daysafterhatching.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSTheseshort-distancemigrantsspendtheirwintersinthesouthwesternUnitedStatesandinMexico.NestingbirdsarriveinOregonandWashingtoninlateAprilorearlyMay.Afternesting,somebirdsmoveupinelevationtoareaswheremoreinsectsareavailabletofueltheirmoltingandmigration.MostleavetheNorthwestbytheendofSeptember.
WHERETOFINDGREEN-TAILEDTOWHEES
TherangeofthespeciesinWashingtonisrestrictedtoasmallareaintheextremesoutheasternpartofthestate.InOregon,theyaremuchmorewidespread,nestingasfarwestastheSiskiyousandtheeasternslopesoftheCascades.Theypreferareaswithamixofshrubsandtreesindryand/orhighcountry.Ideally,youwillhearamalesinginghisvariablesongandthenspothimonhislowperch.Ifthatfails,listencarefullyfortherustlingsoundofabirdscratchingintheleaflitter,andthentrackitdown.
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scratchingintheleaflitter,andthentrackitdown.
InOregon
ColdSpringsandIndianFordcampgroundsnearSisters
FortRockStateParknearLaPine
DavisLakenearLaPine
CabinLakeCampgroundnearFortRock
MountAshlandnearAshland
OTHERBIRDSTOSEEBrushyareasinthedrycountryaregoodplacestoplayWhat’sbehindthatshrub?Ifit’snotaGREEN-TAILEDTOWHEE,theanswercouldbeFoxSparrow,ChippingSparrow,CALIFORNIAQUAIL,oralizard.
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WESTERNTANAGERPirangaludoviciana
FemaleWesternTanager
THEGODSOFbiogeographywerestingywiththeNorthwest,givingusonlyonetanagerspecies.Fortunatelyforus,though,theWesternTanagerisavividlycoloredtropicalambassadorthatiseasytofindduringcertaintimesoftheyear.Themale’syellowbodyandred-orangeheadgiveitapleasingresemblancetoafruitydrinktoppedwithasplashofgrenadine.
Theboldyellowbody,redhead,andblackwingsofthemaleWesternTanagerhaveledmanypeopletophonetheirlocalAudubonSocietywithquestionsabouttheparakeetorotherexoticbirdtheythinktheyhavefoundintheiryard.Femalesarelesscolorful,withanolivebody,graywings,andpalewingbars.Bothsexeshaveaconicalbillandarelargerandchunkierthanwarblers.
FOODANDFORAGING
Likemanyotherneotropicalmigrants,WesternTanagerseatinsectsduringthenestingseasoninthePacificNorthwestbutswitchtoadietheavyinfruitwhilewinteringinLatinAmerica.Bees,wasps,andantsmakeupalargepartofthe
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winteringinLatinAmerica.Bees,wasps,andantsmakeupalargepartoftheinsectpreytheycapture.Theysearchforinsectsinthehighbranchesoftreesornabtheminflightinamannersimilartothatofflycatchers.
PAIRINGANDPARENTINGSoonafterapairarrivesonthenestinggrounds,thefemaleselectsanestsite,usually10feetorhigherinaconiferoustree.Nestingactivityisdifficulttoobserveinthisspeciesbecauseoftheheightandconcealmentofitsnestandthefactthatthemale,morecolorfulthanthefemale,rarelyvisitsthenestuntiltheeggshatch.Thenestissaucer-shapedandlinedwithsoftmaterial.Foureggsareincubatedfor13days.Bothparentsfeedtheyoungduringtheir13-daynestlingperiod.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
Westernsarehighlymigratory,meaningthatallindividualsleavetheirnestinggroundsforsouthernwinteringlocales.ThewinteringgroundsstretchfromSouthernCaliforniatoPanama.MostspringtimemigrantsentertheNorthwestinlateAprilorearlyMay.Afterthenestingseason,thelastmigrantshavedepartedfromtheregionbytheendofOctober.
WHERETOFINDWESTERNTANAGERS
Youwon’tfindmanyWesternTanagersinthemiddleofashadyold-growthforest;theypreferforestedgeswhereconifersmeetdeciduoustrees,rivers,oropenspace.This,andthebrightplumageofthemale,makesthemeasytospot.Ifyouareintherighttypeofforestattherighttimeofyear,itwon’tbelonguntilyouseetheyellowandblackflashofaWestern.Ifyougetimpatient,listenforitsfroglike“prit-dip?”call.
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MaleWesternTanager
InWashington
DiscoveryParkinSeattle
LeavenworthNationalFishHatcherynearLeavenworth
OakCreekWildlifeAreanearNaches
NisquallyNationalWildlifeRefugenearOlympia
InOregon
PittockMansioninPortland
MountTaborParkinPortland
WillametteParkandNaturalAreainCorvallis
CooperMountainNatureParkinBeaverton
MetoliusPreserveandMetoliusRivertrailsnearCampSherman
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MetoliusPreserveandMetoliusRivertrailsnearCampSherman
OTHERBIRDSTOSEEOpeningsintheforestnearmeadowsandstreamsattractagreatdiversityofbirdsandprovidegoodvisibilityforfindingthem.AsummertimestrollthroughtheforestcanleadyoutoWHITE-HEADEDWOODPECKERS(eastoftheCascadeCrest),BLACK-HEADEDGROSBEAKS,WesternWood-Pewees,WarblingVireos,andBlack-throatedGrayWarblers.
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LAZULIBUNTINGPasserinaamoena
FemaleLazuliBunting
MALELAZULIBUNTINGSsportelectric-blueplumageandsingtheirlittleheartsouttoimpressthemoremodestlycoloredfemales.Theirotherworldlycolorcomesnotfromabluepigmentbutfromthelightofthesunrefractinginthestructureoftheirfeathers.Intheshade,theircolorbecomesdull.Visitashrubbysiteinthelatespringtotakeintheiraudiovisualshow.
Malesareboldlypatterned,withabrightbluesuitandrust-coloredcummerbund.ThecolorcombinationofblueandrufousisonethatLazuliBuntingssharewithWesternBluebirds.Theyareeasilytoldapart,however,becausethebuntinghaswhitewingbarsandisalighterblue,andthebluebirdislargeranddarkerwithathinnerbill.FemaleLazulisareawarmbrownwithjustahintofblueonthewing.
FOODANDFORAGING
Lazulishaveaveryflexibledietandforagingstrategy.Theyusetheirthickbillstocrunchseedsthattheyfindonthegroundorremovefromplants.Theyalso
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tocrunchseedsthattheyfindonthegroundorremovefromplants.Theyalsopickberriesfromshrubsortrees,pulltentcaterpillarsfromtheirwebs,andcaptureflyinginsectsintheair.
PAIRINGANDPARENTINGMaleLazulissingpersistentlyattheirnestinggroundstoattractfemales.Notwosongssoundthesame,becauseeachyoungmalecraftshissongbyincorporatingphrasessungbyolderneighbors.Afterpairing,femalesconstructanestafewfeetoffthegroundinashruborsmalltree.Threeorfoureggsareincubatedfor12days.Bothparentsfeedinsectsandspiderstothenestlingsuntiltheyfledge,10daysafterhatching.Malesattempttonestduringtheirfirstbreedingseasonbutwon’tgrowtheirelectricblueplumageuntilthefollowingyear.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
MostLazulisarrivetonestinOregonandWashingtoninMayandleavetheregionbytheendofAugust.OntheirwaytotheirwinteringgroundsinMexico,somebirdsmakeapitstopinthesouthwesternUnitedStatestomolt,orshedandregrowtheirfeathers.Oncethemoltiscomplete,thebuntingscompletetheirmigration.
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MaleLazuliBunting
WHERETOFINDLAZULIBUNTINGSLookforthisspeciesinhabitatsrangingfromgrassysavannahstoriparianwillowthickets,butshrubsfornestingandsomesortofsingingperchesarealwaysneeded.Springtimeiswhenthemalesaremostvisible,andtheyshinelikepiecesofaquamarineinthesunwhileperforming.Checkthetopsofshrubsandsmalltreestocatchagreatviewofamaleinhissunlitsplendor.
InWashington
CowicheCanyonnearYakima
ToppenishNationalWildlifeRefugenearYakima
SteigerwaldLakeNationalWildlifeRefugenearWashougal
HowardMillerSteelheadParknearRockport
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InOregon
PowellButteNatureParkinPortland
SandyRiverDeltanearTroutdale
HagelsteinParknearKlamathFalls
MountAshlandnearAshland
OTHERBIRDSTOSEEShrubbyhillsidesarefullofbirdsontheground,onperches,andflyingoverhead.YoumightfindSavannahSparrows,CommonYellowthroats,AmericanGoldfinches,WESTERNBLUEBIRDS,andVIOLET-GREENSWALLOWS.
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YELLOW-HEADEDBLACKBIRDXanthocephalusxanthocephalus
FemaleYellow-headedBlackbird
ASWEWATCHRed-wingedBlackbirdsinwinter,wecan’thelpbutwonder,howlonguntiltheYellow-headedBlackbirdsreturn?Thesebig,brashbirdsarethelifeofthepartyinmarshesacrosstheNorthwesteverysummer.Themaletakeseveryopportunitytopuffupandsinghisunmusical,somesaylaughable,songtocharmtheharemoffemalesthatnestinhisterritory.
NothingelselooksliketheaptlynamedYellow-headedBlackbird;eventhefemaleshaveyellowthroatsandbreasts.Themale’swhitewingpatchmakeshimevenmoreeye-catching.Otherblackbirdshaveblackheadsandmayshowacoloredshoulderpatch,orepaulette.
FOODANDFORAGING
Yellow-headedBlackbirdseatcultivatedgrainsandwildseedsthroughoutmuch
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Yellow-headedBlackbirdseatcultivatedgrainsandwildseedsthroughoutmuchoftheyear,buttheyswitchtoadietofemergentaquaticinsects,especiallydragonflies,duringthenestingseason.Whennotoccupyingtheirmarshynestingsites,largeflocksofthesebirdswalkthroughagriculturalfields,scouringthegroundforinsectsandunharvestedgrain.
PAIRINGANDPARENTINGMalesestablishterritoriesinfreshwatermarsheswithdeepwaterandvegetation,suchascattails,availablefornestbuilding.AfterexcludingsmallerRed-wingedBlackbirdstotheouterfringesofthemarsh,aYellow-headedmalewillattractuptoeightfemaleswithwhichtobreed.Eachfemaleweavesabasketlikenestintocattailsorotheraquaticplantswithinthemale’sterritory.Sheincubateshereggsfor12to13dayswhilethemalevigilantlyguardstheterritoryfromintruders.Thefemalefeedsdragonfliesandotherinsectstothenestlings,andthemalemayhelpwiththefeeding,dependingonthenumberofnestshefathered.Nestlingsleavethenestabout10daysafterhatchingandeventuallyjoinflockswithothersofthesamespecies.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
SomeYellow-headedBlackbirdswinterintheNorthwest,butmosttraveltowinteringgroundsinthesouthernUnitedStatesandMexico.FlocksreturntotheregioninAprilfornestingseason,whichgenerallylastsfromMaythroughAugust.BirdsthattravelsouthdepartbytheendofSeptember.
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MaleYellow-headedBlackbird
WHERETOFINDYELLOW-HEADEDBLACKBIRDS
AlthoughtheyaremorewidespreadontheeastsideoftheCascades,Yellow-headedBlackbirdsarefoundatafewwestsidesitesaswell.Theirhungerfordragonfliesattractsthemtolarge,deepmarshesandpondswithplentyofcattailsforperchingandnest-building.Thecombinationofitsbright-yellowheadandbrayingsongensuresthatyouwon’tmissthisblackbirdinthespringorearlysummer.Malesoftensingfromcattailsorotherexposedperches,andinsomeplacestheycoverthefencesandroadsides,makingthemdifficulttoignore—notthatyou’dwantto.
InWashington
ToppenishNationalWildlifeRefugenearYakima
RidgefieldNationalWildlifeRefugenearVancouver
NisquallyNationalWildlifeRefugenearOlympia
ConboyLakeNationalWildlifeRefugenearGlenwood
InOregon
KlamathMarshNationalWildlifeRefugenearKlamathFalls
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VanportWetlandsinPortland
FernRidgeWildlifeManagementAreanearEugene
HatfieldLakenearBend
OTHERBIRDSTOSEEWetlandsarebustlingwithbirdactivityduringthenestingseason.MarshWrensbuildbulkynestsincattails,TreeSwallowsfightovernestboxes,AMERICANBITTERNSmaketheirboomingcallsfromdeepinthegrass,andCINNAMONTEALSflashtheirturquoisewingpatchesastheyrocketfromthewater.
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REDCROSSBILLLoxiacurvirostra
MaleRedCrossbill
THECHALLENGEOFextractingtinyseedsfromaconehasledtotheevolutionofatrulybizarrecrossedbeak.Althoughitsbilllooksdeformed,theRedCrossbillisactuallyarmedwithaperfectcone-openingapparatusandisideallysuitedtoalifefeastingontreetopconiferseeds.Parrotlikeintheirbehavior,crossbillshangupsidedowntograbeverylastconeandsquabbleloudlywiththeirflockmatesoverwhogetsfirstdibsatthefeeder.
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Malesareredandfemalesareyellow,andyoungmalescanbeablotchymixbetweenthetwo.White-wingedCrossbillsarerarerthanRedCrossbillsandhaveconspicuouswhitewingpatches,astheirnamesuggests.House,Purple,andCassin’sfinches,althoughalsoreddishcoloredseed-eaters,haveuncrossedbeaks,areslimmer,andarelessredthanRedCrossbills.
FOODANDFORAGINGRedCrossbillsareextremelyspecializedseed-eaters.Whenfeeding,theyflyintoandclimbtreestoreachcones.Acrossbillbitesintoacone,movesthelowerportionofitsbillsidewaystospreadthecone’sscales,andthensticksitstongueintotheconetopullouttheseed.Thisprocessisrepeatedthousandsoftimesbyaflockuntilmostoftheseedsinatreeareconsumed.Althoughconiferseedsmakeupthebulkoftheirdiet,RedCrossbillsalsoeatthebudsofdeciduoustreessuchasalders,seedprovidedatbirdfeeders,and,occasionally,insectssuchasaphidsfoundoncone-bearingtrees.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Breedingbeginswhereverandwheneveragoodconecropisavailable,fromDecembertoSeptember,withcrossbillstakingabreakfrombreedinginthefalltomolt.Inaproductiveconeyear,pairscansuccessfullyraiseuptofourbroodsofyoung.Thefemaleconstructsanestofsmalltwigslinedwithfineplantmaterialandfeathers.Threeeggsareincubatedfor14days.Bothparentsfeedthenestlingsaregurgitatedslurryofmashedseeds,saliva,andpossiblyinsects.Theamountoftimenestlingsspendinthenestdependsonthequalityofthefoodsupplyandrangesfrom15to35days.Fledglings’billsarenotfullycrossedwhentheyleavethenest,sotheyaredependentontheirparentsforfooduntiltheydevelopthetoolsandskillstoopenconesforthemselves.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
ThetimingofconeproductionbyconiferoustreesforcesRedCrossbillstoliveanomadicexistenceinsearchofconecrops,thequantityofwhichvariesfromyeartoyear.CrossbillsstayinthePacificNorthwestthroughouttheyear,but
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yeartoyear.CrossbillsstayinthePacificNorthwestthroughouttheyear,buttheirpresenceataparticulartimeandlocationisneverguaranteed.
WHERETOFINDREDCROSSBILLSSummeristhemostlikelytimetofindcrossbillsoneithersideoftheCascadeCrest.Ifyoufindaflockinthewinter,youcouldberewardedwiththesightofdozensofthemdecoratingatreelikeredandyellowornaments.Ifyoudon’tseethem,youcanoftenlocatethembyfollowingthesoundoftheirflightcall,adistinctive“pip-pip-pip.”
InWashington
CapeDisappointmentStateParknearIlwaco
WenasCampground(AudubonCampground)nearEllensburg(roughroad)
RestorationPointonBainbridgeIsland
DiscoveryParkinSeattle
InOregon
ColdSpringsCampgroundnearSisters
EcolaStateParknearCannonBeach
LarchMountainnearTroutdale
CraterLakeNationalPark
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
Inconiferousforestsandadjoiningclearcutareas,you’llfindBAND-TAILEDPIGEONS,SWAINSON’STHRUSHES,SootyGrouse,andMacGillivray’sWarblers.
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EVENINGGROSBEAKCoccothraustesvespertinus
FemaleEveningGrosbeak
EVENINGGROSBEAKSARElikeEastercandy:inthespringtheyareeverywhereyoulook,butinothertimesofyearyoucan’tfindanynomatterhowhardyoutry.Theyarerareandgorgeousenoughtobeaspecialguestatabackyardfeeder,atleastuntilamaraudingmobofthemblowsyourseedbudget.
Maleslookdashingintheirsmoothyellowplumagethatfadestoadarkhead.Theirthickyelloweyebrowstripeandblack-and-whitewingsmakethemstandout,eveninflight.Femalesareagrayerversionofthemales.EveningGrosbeaksaremuchchunkierandhavemuchthickerbeaksthaneitherofthegoldfinchesthatsharetheiryellowcoloration.
FOODANDFORAGING
Thisbird’soversizedbillispowerfulenoughtocrackacherryseed,whichitswallowsafterremovingtheskinandflesh.EveningGrosbeakssearchforfoodintrees,frequentlyinflocks.Inadditiontocherries,theyeatmapleseeds,leafbuds,insects,andseedsfromconesofconiferoustrees.
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PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Unlikethatofothersongbirds,thecourtshipcharacteristicsofEveningGrosbeaksarequiteunderstated.Themalerarelysingsandletshisstrikingplumageattractthefemale’sattention.Thefemalebuildsasimpleplatformofanestatleast10feetupinatree.Threeorfoureggsareincubatedfor13days.Inmanyplaces,thenestingseasonistimedsothatcaterpillaremergencecoincideswiththenestingperiod.Bothparentsfeedregurgitatedcaterpillarstothenewlyhatchedyounganddeliverwholecaterpillarstooldernestlingsthatleavethenesttwoweeksafterhatching.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
EveningGrosbeaksmaybeseenyear-roundintheNorthwest,withanemphasison“may.”Whenfoodsupplies,suchasseed-bearingcones,areexhaustedinthefallorwinter,theytravelfarfromtheirusualrangestofindothertypesoffood.Theyaremostfrequentlyobservedinlowlandvalleysandcoastalareasinthespring,buttheyseemtodisappearinthesummerwhentheyarequietlynestinginmid-tohigh-elevationforests.Theyareabundantinlowlandcitiesandtownsduringsomewinters,buttheyareabsentinothers.
WHERETOFINDEVENINGGROSBEAKSSpringtimeisthebesttimetofindEveningGrosbeaks.Itseemsthatineveryparkyouvisit,afewareperchedonthetopofaconifertree.Duringthewinter,though,it’sfeastorfamine,with20EveningGrosbeaksemptyingyourfeederoneweekandthennoneformonths.Maleswillgetyourattentionwiththeirbrightyellowplumageandtheirhabitofcallingrepeatedlyfromthetopofatree.Individualsalsocallwhenflying.Theirpiercingcallresemblesthesoundachildmakeswhenpretendingtoshootalasergun:“tchoo,tchoo.”
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MaleEveningGrosbeak
InWashington
HowardMillerSteelheadParknearRockport
BlackbirdIslandinLeavenworth
TroutLakeNaturalAreaPreservenearTroutLake
DiscoveryParkinSeattle
InOregon
PittockMansioninPortland
ScogginsValleyParknearForestGrove
Mary’sPeaknearCorvallis
CooperMountainNatureParkinBeaverton
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OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
FellowspringtimemigrantssuchasWESTERNTANAGERS,RUFOUSHUMMINGBIRDS,andTOWNSEND’SWARBLERSarealsohighlyvisibleandabundantinlatespring.
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Fish-eatingBirdsDIVING,PADDLING,ANDSTABBINGTOCATCHSWIMMINGPREY
ASAGENERALRULE,asurefirewaytofindwildlifeistovisitabodyofwater.LuckilyforbirdersintheNorthwest,theregionoffersrivers,bays,creeks,sloughs,lakes,sounds,straits,andofcoursethePacificOcean.Thesefeaturesshapethecharacterofourregioninmanyways,nottheleastofwhichisthroughthepresenceoffish.Thisresourceispursuedbyavarietyofpredators,includingsomeofthemosthighlyspecializedbirdsdiscussedinthisbook.
Fish-eatingbirdsusetheirbills,theirfeet,andtheirwitstofeedthemselvesfromthewatersthatsurroundus.Theyallpossessthequicknessandvisualacuitynecessarytoseizeawarymealfromthewater.Someeatvirtuallynothingbutfish.Forothers,fisharepartofadietthatalsoincludesaquaticinsects,crayfish,andmollusks.
Whatevertheparticularsoftheirdietmightbe,thesebirdsarecriticallylinkedtothepresenceofcleanwaterthatsupportshealthyplantandanimalcommunities.SowhenyouhearthesongofanAmericanDipperorviewthedanceofaWesternGrebe,rememberthat,inresponsetoagrowinghumanpopulation,conservationofwaterandhabitatisnecessarytoprotectthewaterwaysandwaterbirdsofthewesternUnitedStates.
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AmericanBittern
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HOODEDMERGANSERLophodytescucullatus
MaleHoodedMerganser
ASTHEMALEHoodedMerganserraisesandlowershisshowyfeatheredcrest,heseemstobecommunicatinginsemaphore.UnlikethenoisyMallardsandwigeons,HoodedMergansersarenotloquaciousducks—theylettheirappearancedothetalking.Despitetheirflashyplumage,however,thesebirdscanhideinplainsightbyholdingstillagainstthefarbankofapond.Theyglideslowlyandquietlybetweenlilypads,nervouslywatchingfordangerwithalertyelloweyes.
Malesareboldlydecoratedbirdswithcleanlinesthatlookliketheywerepaintedwithabroadbrush.Theyaremostlyblackwithawhitechestandwarmbrownflanks.Theirmostprominentfeatureisacollapsibleblackcrestwithalargewhitepatch,whichgivestheirheadstheshapeofahatchetblade.Theycanflattentheircrestsothewhitepatchisbarelyvisibleorraiseitcompletelyin
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flattentheircrestsothewhitepatchisbarelyvisibleorraiseitcompletelyinwhatcanonlybeabidforattention.Femalesaredrabgraywithasmallerbrowncrest.BuffleheadsandSurfScotersalsohavelargewhitepatchesontheirheads,buttheirpatcheswraparoundthebacksoftheirheads,unliketheHoodedMerganser’spatch,whichisonthesideofthehead.
FOODANDFORAGING
Thesedivingduckshaveatasteforaquaticanimals.Theypursuetheirpreyunderwater,propellingthemselveswiththeirwebbedfeet.Usingitsexcellentunderwatereyesightandserratedbill,adivingHoodedMergansercapturesfish,crayfish,insects,andmollusks.
PAIRINGANDPARENTINGOneofseveralduckspeciesthatnestsintreecavitiesornestboxes,HoodedMergansersplacetheirnestsatleast8feetupandaboveorinsightofwater.Likeotherducks,thefemaleplucksherowndownyfeatherstolinehernest.Sheincubates9to13eggsfor33daysandcaresfortheping-pong-ball–shapedeggsandfuzzyducklingsonherown.Adayafterhatching,ducklingsmustscaletheverticalwalloftheircavityornestbox,jumpfromtheentrance,andfindtheirmother,whowillguidethemtoaquaticinsects,whichtheyarecapableofcapturingontheirown.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
ThespeciesbreedsinthePacificNorthweststartinginFebruaryorMarch,buttheyaremoreeasilyspottedinwinter,whentheregionisfullofmigrantsthathavearrivedfromcolderareastothenorthandeast.Uponreachingwinteringgrounds,smallflocksform,andpairsthatseparatedatthestartofnestingmayreunite.Northwest-nestingbirdsbeginbreedingbeforewinteringbirdsdepartfortheirnestinggrounds.
WHERETOFINDHOODED
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MERGANSERS
HoodedMergansersarewidespreadinthewetterpartsofthePacificNorthwest.Somehideinthevegetationalongtheedgesofpondsandlakes,butothersswimseveralyardsfromshoreinlargebays.Thedrab,brownfemalescaneasilyescapenoticebyhidingintheshadows.Scanthewaterforthetelltaleflashofwhiteinthemale’screstthatwilllikelyleadyoutothepair.
FemaleHoodedMerganser
InWashington
CapitolLakeinOlympia
UnionBayNaturalArea(MontlakeFill)inSeattle
CrockettLakeonWhidbeyIsland
RidgefieldNationalWildlifeRefugenearVancouver
InOregon
KollCenterWetlandsParkinBeaverton
AnkenyNationalWildlifeRefugenearAlbany
EckmanLakenearWaldport
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WilliamL.FinleyNationalWildlifeRefugenearCorvallis
OTHERBIRDSTOSEEHoodedMergansersaregorgeousbirdsthatyoucanoftenseewithoutevenleavingtown.Theyarefrequentresidentsofurbanandsuburbanparksandaremuchmorevisibleandlesssecretiveinthewintertime.SharingcitywetlandswithHoodedMergansersmaybeBELTEDKINGFISHERS,GREATBLUEHERONS,WOODDUCKS,Ring-neckedDucks,Green-wingedTeals,CommonMergansers,andPied-billedGrebes.
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WESTERNGREBEAechmophorusoccidentalis
AWESTERNGREBEglidesacrossalakelikealow-slungVikingshipwithadeadlysharpfigurehead.Elegantandproudinitsposture,itsilentlypreensandpreparesforitsdancingdebut.Whenitfindsanappropriatepartner,itexchangesdignityforexuberanceandletsforthwithmovesthatwouldputthefinestsynchronizedswimmerstoshame.
WesternGrebesandtheirsisterspecies,theClark’sGrebe,aretheonlyblack-and-whitegrebeswithlongnecks.DistinguishingWesternsfromsmallergrebesisacinch,butyouneedtolookalittlemorecloselytotelltheWesternandClark’sapart.WesternGrebeshaveolive-greentoyellowbills,andClark’sGrebes’billsareyellow-orangelikeaschoolbus.Duringthebreedingseason,andtosomeextentinthewinter,Clark’sshowmuchmorewhiteontheface,
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andtosomeextentinthewinter,Clark’sshowmuchmorewhiteontheface,includingtheareaaroundtheirredeyes.Westernshaveblackfeathersaroundtheireyes.TheflanksoftheClark’salsoshowwhitefeathersthatWesternslack.
FOODANDFORAGING
Withtheirlong,incrediblythinnecks,itseemsimpossiblethatWesternGrebescouldswallowanythinglargerthananoodle,buttheyareexpertfish-eaters.Whileswimmingatthesurface,theydunktheirheadunderwatertofindprey.Tocapturefish,theydivebelowthesurface,propellingthemselveswiththeirlobed,notwebbed,feet.Theyusetheirneedlelikebillsasaspearorapairofforcepswithwhichtocapturefish,dependingonthesizeoftheirprey.Aswithothergrebes,Westernshavethepeculiarhabitofswallowingtheirownfeatherswhentheyarenaturallyshed.Scientistsaren’tsurewhy,butthesefeathersmightprotectthedigestivetractfromfishbones,mightformpelletsforregurgitation,ormightshieldthebird’sintestinesfromparasites.
PAIRINGANDPARENTINGThephysics-defyingcourtshipdisplaysofWesternGrebesmustbeseentobebelieved.Displaysincludearushingbehavior,inwhichpairsrunacrossthesurfaceofthewaterinperfectsynchrony,producingaloudpatteringsoundwiththeirfeet.Lateron,pairsperformanotherceremonythatinvolvesstretchingtheirnecks,divingforvegetation,andthenstandingonthesurfaceofthewater,bringingtheirbillsfullofweedstogetheruntilonetossesthemaside.WesternGrebesaresoaquaticallyorientedthattheydon’teventaketolandtonest.Pairsmaketheirnestsonmatsofaquaticvegetationinlakes,wherethreeorfoureggsareincubatedfor24days.Younggrebesleavethenestandtravelaroundthelakeontheirparents’backsjustminutesafterhatching.Theycontinuetoridetheirparents’backsfortwotofourweeksandarefullyindependentwhentheyaresixorsevenweeksold.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
WesternGrebesarriveatinlandbreedingsitesinMarch,andbyMaythecourtshipritualsareunderway.Insteadofflyingsouthinthefall,theymigrate
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courtshipritualsareunderway.Insteadofflyingsouthinthefall,theymigratewestwardtocoastalareasattheendofthesummernestingseason.FromNovemberthroughMay,lookforthemswimminginponds,lakes,bays,andthePacificOcean.
WHERETOFINDWESTERNGREBES
LakesontheeastsideoftheCascadesarethebestplacetoseedancingandbreedingWesternGrebes.Inthewinter,theygatherinlargenumbersincoastalareas.Theyareofteneasytospotbecausetheypreferopen,deepwaterfordiving.Theircontrastingblack-and-whiteplumagealsodrawstheeye.
InWashington
DungenessNationalWildlifeRefugenearSequim(winter)ManchesterStateParknearPortOrchard(winter)
AlkiBeachinWestSeattle(winter)
DamonPointStateParkinOceanShores(winter)
InOregon
HatfieldMarineScienceCentertrailinNewport(winter)SiuslawRiver,SouthJetty,nearFlorence(winter)
CoosBay(winter)
LinkRiverTrailinKlamathFalls(breeding)
OTHERBIRDSTOSEEWhilevisitingalaketoseedancinggrebes,youmightalsoseeAMERICANWHITEPELICANS,CASPIANTERNS,andOSPREYSdoingsomefishing.RUDDYDUCKSandYELLOW-HEADEDBLACKBIRDSprovidecolorfulsceneryintheirbreedingplumages.
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AMERICANBITTERNBotauruslentiginosus
WHILEBIRDINGINawetland,youmighthearastrangesound,asifalargebubbleofgashasjustrisentothetopofthewater.Youaren’tcrazy.Thatlow“ga-LUMP”isthecallofanAmericanBittern,andsometimesthattelltaleweirdnoiseistheonlysignofone.Ifitfeelsnervous,thisbirdwilleitherslinkawaythroughthegrasswithoutbeingdetectedorstandwithitsneckextendedandbillpointedtothesky,itsstronglystripedwhite-and-brownneckresemblinganotherbunchofgrassstems.Evenwithitsbeakupraised,itcanstarestraightaheadtowatchfordanger.Asightingofthiselusivebirdisalwaysavictory,becauseitssneakywaysmakeitachallenge.
AmericanBitternsaresquattybirdswithmuchshorternecksandlegsthantheirrelative,theGreatBlueHeron.GreenHeronsandNight-Heronsarealsoshort,butbothlackthewarmbrowncoloringoftheAmericanBitternanditsdefinedneckstripes.
FOODANDFORAGINGAmericanBitternsconsumefishandavarietyofotheranimalsincludinginsects,frogs,andsnakes.Theyusestealthymovesandcamouflagetosneakuponwetlandprey.Whileholdingitsheadhorizontal,andseeminglystaringforward,thisbirdcanseeintothewaterinwhichitiswadingusingitsdownward-pointedeyes.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Thisbirdconstructsitsnestonornearthegroundinareassurroundedbydensewetlandvegetation.Malesvigorouslydefendbreedingterritoriesbutdonotprovideparentalcare,leavingtheincubatingandfeedingdutiestothefemale.Threetofiveeggsareincubatedfor24to28days.Youngleavethenestatone
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Threetofiveeggsareincubatedfor24to28days.Youngleavethenestatoneortwoweeksofagebutremaininthevicinityuntiltheyareoldenoughtofly.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
LookforAmericanBitternsthroughouttheyearinwesternportionsofOregonandWashington.MalesbegindefendingterritoriesinMarchorApril,andfemalesconstructnestsassoonasthewetlandvegetationhasgrownthickenoughtoprovidesomecover.Afterthenestingseason,theyspendtheyearintheirnestinggroundsiftemperaturesremainabovefreezing.Incolderyears,theymigratetowarmerplaces.
WHERETOFINDAMERICANBITTERNSLookforAmericanBitternsinmarshyareaswithlotsoftallgrassinwhichtohide.ThenationalwildliferefugesofthePacificNorthwestprovidethistypeofhabitatinabundanceandareagoodplacetostartyoursearch.Springisthebesttimetospotthespeciesbecausethegrassisnottallenoughtoobscurethebirdscompletely.Theyareexpertsatcamouflageandatcreepingaroundwithoutmovingagrassblade.Yourbestbetistoscantheedgesofopenmarshyareaslookingoutfortheirpointedheads.Listenfortheir“ga-LUMP”call.Thissoundissolowinpitchthatityousometimesfeelitmorethanhearit.Youmightbeabletousethesoundtonarrowyoursearcharea.Ifyouarelucky,youwillseeoneflyingsilentlyfromoneareaofdensevegetationtoanother.
InWashington
RidgefieldNationalWildlifeRefugenearVancouver
ToppenishNationalWildlifeRefugenearYakima
SteigerwaldLakeNationalWildlifeRefugenearWashougalKentPondsintheGreenRiverNaturalResourcesAreanearSeattleInOregon
KillinWetlandsnearBanks
WilliamL.FinleyNationalWildlifeRefugenearCorvallisFernRidgeWildlifeManagementAreanearEugene
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KlamathMarshNationalWildlifeRefugenearKlamathFalls
OTHERBIRDSTOSEEIntheearlysummer,wildliferefugesarealivewithcolorandsound.LookforCommonYellowthroats,CEDARWAXWINGS,GREENHERONS,TreeSwallows,RED-TAILEDHAWKS,CinnamonTeals,MarshWrens,BLACK-HEADEDGROSBEAKS,andVirginiaRails.
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GREENHERONButoridesvirescens
SOMEBIRDSWOULDhappilygulpdownacrustofbreadifyougavethemone—gulls,forexample.AGreenHeronmightpickupthecrust,butithasotherplans.Itplacesthebitoffoodonthesurfaceofthewaterbelowitsperchandcrouches,perfectlystill,asitwaits.Likeanygoodangler,thebirdrepositionsitslurewhenitdriftsoutofplace.Finally,asmallfishcomesuptoinvestigatethedeliciousmorselandisquicklygrabbedandswallowed.Nocatchandreleasehere.
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GreenHeronisamisnomerforabirdwithabrick-redneckanddarkgray-greenwings.Itsstumpylegsarebrightyellow,andwhitestripesappearonitschest.Theoverallimpressionisthatofadark,squatlittleheronthathasnoneckatallinmostpostures.Whenitstretchesouttograbafish,however,itswholesilhouettechanges,andsuddenlyitsneckislongerthantherestofitsbody.
FOODANDFORAGINGUnlikeotherherons,thisspeciesspendslittletimewading.ItlackstheGreatBlue’slonglegsandneck,whichitneedstocatchfishindeepwater.Instead,aGreenHeronlurksalongthewater’sedge,waitingforanopportunitytograbafishoraquaticinvertebrate.Likehumanfish-seekers,theGreenHerongetscreativebyusingbait—bitsofvegetation,feathers,orotherobjectsusedtolurefishintostrikingdistance.Whenfishapproach,thebirdcapturesthembyspearingwithitsbillordivingafterthem.ThisuniquebehaviorincludesGreenHeronsinasmall,elitegroupofnonhumantoolusers.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Nestsitescanvarygreatly:neartheground,highinatree,alongariver,inawetland,ondrylandwithwaterinsight,andaloneorinacolonyofotherwaterbirds.Bothparentsincubatethethreetofiveeggsfor20days,andbothprovidefoodtothenestlings.Newlyhatchedyoungarefedpartiallydigestedfoodandlatermoveontointactprey.Theyoungleavethenest16daysafterhatching,buttheyremainflightlessanddependentontheirparentsforseveralmoreweeks.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
InthePacificNorthwest,mostGreenHeronsnestduringthesummermonths.TheymigratetothesouthernUnitedStatesorLatinAmericainAugustorSeptemberandreturntotheNorthwestinApril.SomeindividualsareobservedthroughoutthewinterinmildportionsofwesternOregonandwesternWashington,butinsmallernumbersrelativetospringandsummer.
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WHERETOFINDGREENHERONS
GreenHeronsoccurregularlyonlyonthewestsideoftheCascades.Theyareusuallyfoundinplaceswithslow-movingorstillwaterwithoverhangingvegetation.Atangleofwillowsontheedgeofapondisagoodplacetolook.Diversiondamsandsmallwatercontrolstructuresalsomakegreatperches.Scantheedgeofthepondforthebumponalogthathasabeak.Youmightalsospotoneasitfliesawayfromyouandgivesaharsh“skow”call.
InWashington
JuanitaBayParkinKirkland
LakeSammamishStateParknearIssaquah
NisquallyNationalWildlifeRefugenearOlympia
InOregon
OaksBottomWildlifeRefugeinPortland
TualatinRiverNationalWildlifeRefugenearSherwood
NorthMountainParkinAshland
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
Asyousearchthewater’sedgeforaGreenHeron,lookforotherriparianbirdssuchasBELTEDKINGFISHERS,WOODDUCKS,Red-wingedBlackbirds,andWILSON’SWARBLERS.
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OSPREYPandionhaliaetus
IFOSPREYSSEEMalittlemorecasual,alittlelessserious,thanyouraveragebirdofprey,maybeit’sbecausetheycanaffordtobe.Theyhaveaveryhighsuccessratewhenitcomestofishing,sotheyaren’tworriedaboutfindingtheirnextmeal.Theirdisheveledheadfeathersgivethemaslightlygoofyappearance,andtheirdivesseemmoreexuberantthanmerelyfunctional.It’sdifficulttosaywithbirds,buttheylookliketheyarehavingfun.
Ospreyshaveauniquesilhouetteinflightthatdistinguishesthemfromallotherbirdsofprey.Theirlongwingsalwayshaveacrookinthemthatyouwon’tfindonhawksoreagles.Whentheyaresoaringaboveyou,noticetheirmostlywhitebodywithdarkpatchesonthewristsoftheirwings.IfyougetacloselookataperchedOsprey,you’llseeadarklineoffeathersthroughtheeyeandawhitestripeoverit.AlthoughitsfacialpatternmightsuperficiallyresemblethatofayoungBaldEagle,theOspreyweighslessthanhalfasmuch,hasgrayfeetinsteadofyellow,anditsplumageismuchlessmottled.
FOODANDFORAGINGOspreyshaveadivingstylethatisuniqueintheworldoffish-eaters.Theywillgoafterfishthatare12inchesormoreunderwater,sotheydon’tjustscoopwiththeirtalonslikeaBaldEagle.Instead,anOspreybecomesadartbyextendingitsfeetdownward,leaningitsheadforwardoveritsankles,andsweepingbackitswings.Itplungesintothewaterfeetandheadfirstandgrabsthefishwithitstalons.Afterasuccessfuldive,anOspreyusesitsstrongflightmusclestoliftitssoakedbodyandtheheavyfishoutofthewater.Onceairborne,itfliestoanestorperchwiththefishfacingforwardinitstalons.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
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Pairsbuildlarge,conspicuoussticknestsonavarietyofman-madestructures,intrees,andoncliffs.NestsareusuallysmallerthanthoseofBaldEaglesandoftencontaindecorationssuchasorangebailingtwine.Themalebringsstickstothefemalethroughoutthenestingseason,andshearrangesthemonthenest.Thefemalelaystwotofoureggsandperformsmostoftheincubation.Aftertheeggshatchin35to40days,sheleavesthefishinguptothemale,whodeliversfishforhertosharewiththeyoung.Nestlingsremaininthenestforatleast50daysafterhatchingandcontinuetobefedbytheirparentsforseveralmoreweeks.Thefemalemigratessouthbyherself,leavingthemaletocontinuecaringfortheyoung.Afteralltheyounghavegone,themalefinallyheadssouthhimself.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSTheOspreyisamigratorybirdwhosemovementshavebeenwellstudied.Attheendofthesummernestingseason,theyleavethePacificNorthwestforMexicoandCentralAmerica,ajourneythatlasts10to20days.AlthoughOspreyshavestrongpairbonds,malesandfemalesspendthemigrationandwinterperiodsapart.Aftermakingtheirfirstsouthwardmigration,mostoftheyoungspendmorethanayearinthesouthernwinteringgroundsbeforereturningnorthtomateforthefirsttime.OspreysareanearlyharbingerofspringinthePacificNorthwest,withestablishedpairsreunitingattheirnestsitesinFebruaryandMarch.
WHERETOFINDOSPREYS
OspreysarewidespreadacrossthePacificNorthwestwherevertheycanfindacombinationofbigwaterforfishingandtreesorplatformsforroostingandnesting.Theyareoftenseensoaringorhoveringinplacehighabovethewater,lookingforfish.Theirnestsareeasytofind,becausetheyfavorthebaretopsoftreesaswellaspowerpolesandman-madenestingplatforms.
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InWashington
LeavenworthNationalFishHatcherynearLeavenworth
NorthViewandSouthViewParksonPortGardnerinEverettJuliaButlerHansenRefugenearCathlamet
SteigerwaldLakeNationalWildlifeRefugenearWashougalInOregon
MultnomahFallsnearTroutdale
AnkenyNationalWildlifeRefugenearAlbany
OaksBottomWildlifeRefugeinPortland
SauvieIslandnearPortland
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
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TheColumbiaGorgecanbewindyinsummer,butit’sagreatplacetofindnestingOspreysaswellasBALDEAGLES,AMERICANDIPPERS,HARLEQUINDUCKS,Double-crestedCormorants,andVIOLET-GREENSWALLOWS.
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CASPIANTERNHydroprognecaspia
IFGULLSAREtoopushyforyou,ifyoupreferabirdthatdoesn’teatFrenchfrieswithsuchgusto,youcantrythegulls’morebusinesslikecousins:theterns.You
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won’tfindtheCaspianTernloiteringinastripmallparkinglot.Itspendsitsdaysflyingoverthewaterlookingforfish,itsblackcapcoveringitseyesandgivingitaseriousexpression.WhenCaspianscallouttooneanotherwiththeirhoarsevoices,theysoundasthoughtheyaregivingstatusreports.Sometimestheystoptorestonasandbar,buttheystilllookliketheyarecontemplatingtheworkthatremainstobedone.
CaspianTernsarethelargestternsintheworld,thesizeofabiggull,althoughtheirslendergraywingsandgracefulflightmakethemappearsmaller.Theyhaveablackcapandalarge,pointed,red-orangebeak.TheonlyotherternwithblacklegsandasolidorangebillfoundintheNorthwestistheElegantTern,whichhasathin,droopingbill.
FOODANDFORAGINGACaspianTernhuntsfishonthewing,circlingorhoveringaboveabodyofwaterwithitsfacepointingdownward.Whenitspotsafish,itdivesintothewaterheadfirst,catchingthefishinitslongbill.Itsdietisvariableandreflectsthetypesofsmallfishpresentinthearea.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Thisspecieshistoricallynestedinsmallcoloniesoramongcoloniesofotherbirds,suchasgulls.Bigchangesinitsnestingbiologyoccurredinthe1980s,whenlargecoloniesofCaspianTernsformednearthemouthoftheColumbiaRivertonestonislandscreatedfromdredgedmaterial.ThemouthoftheColumbiaismadeevenmoreattractivebythelargenumbersofjuvenilesalmonandsteelheadreleasedbyupstreamhatcheries.
Intheirislandcolonies,Caspianslaytwoorthreeeggsinashallowdepression.Bothparentsincubateeggsfor27daysandfeedfishtonestlings,whichswallowfishwhole.AsyoungCaspiansgrow,sodoesthesizeoffishdelivered.Chickscanstandandleavethenestafterseveraldays,buttheyaredependentontheirparentsforfoodforseveralmonths.Adultscontinuecaringfortheyoungduringpost-breedingmigrationandteachthemtofishbydroppingfoodintothewater.
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MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
CaspianTernswanderwidelyafternesting.TheybegintheirsouthwardmigrationinlateJulyandeventuallyfollowthecoastsouthtowinteringgroundsthatstretchfromCaliforniatoSouthAmerica.Inspring,migrationfromwinteringtonestingsitesismoredirect,withbirdsarrivinginthePacificNorthwestfromMarchtoMay.NonbreedingCaspianssearchforfishalongthecoastsandlargeriversofourregionthroughoutthesummermonths.
WHERETOFINDCASPIANTERNS
ThebesttimetofindCaspianTernsinthePacificNorthwestisduringthenestingseason.ThecurrentcenteroftheirbreedingabundanceisEastSandIslandnearthemouthoftheColumbiaRiver,althoughtheyhavebeenquicktoabandonnestcolonieswheretheyareunsuccessfulatraisingchicks.Theycanalsobeseentravelingalongtheoceanshore,intheSalishSea,atinlandlakes,andalongtheUpperColumbiaRiver.Sandyspitsatthemouthsofbaysarecommonrestingplaces.Caspianscanoftenbespottedinflightalongtheshorelineordivingheadfirstintobodiesofwatertocatchfish.Listenfortheirhoarsecalls.
OTHERBIRDSTOSEEThemouthoftheColumbiaRiverisarealhotspotforCaspianTerns.AvisithereinthesummermightalsoproduceBROWNPELICANS,nestingBRANDT’SCORMORANTSandPIGEONGUILLEMOTS,andglimpsesofSOOTYSHEARWATERSFLYINGbyoutpastthejetties.
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BELTEDKINGFISHERMegacerylealcyon
MaleBeltedKingfisher
WHONEEDSTHEcircuswhenyoucanwatchBeltedKingfishersputontheirattention-grabbingshow?Theperformersaredressedtoentertaininbluesuitsandcummerbunds.Theirheadfeathersarespikypompadours,andtheirlongbeakslooklikecomedicprops.Whentheshowbegins,you’llseehigh-speedchases,daringheadfirstdives,anddisplaysoffish-grabbingprowess,alltothesoundtrackoftheirloudchattering.It’sdifficulttogettooexcitedaboutmellowerbirdsafteryou’veseentheTheateroftheKingfisher.
Withitsbighead,spikycrest,andoversizedbill,thisbirdisunmistakable.Itsslate-bluecolorandnoisyrattlingcallfurtherdistinguishitfromanysimilarbirds.AlthoughallBeltedKingfishersshowthesamebluishcolorontheirback,youcandistinguishbetweenmales,females,andjuvenilesifyouviewthem
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youcandistinguishbetweenmales,females,andjuvenilesifyouviewthemfromthefront.Allhaveabluebreastband,butfemaleshaveasecondrufous(reddish)bandbelowit,andjuveniles’rufousspursdon’textendtothefrontoftheirbreasts.
FOODANDFORAGING
BeltedKingfishersspendmuchoftheirtimeperchedalongtheedgesofstreams,lakes,andbayswatchingforfishandotherprey.Theyalsohoverinplacewithrapidwingbeatswhilelookingdownintothewater.Whentheyspotameal,theydivebeakfirstandsmackthewater,buttheyrarelyplungetheirbodybelowthesurface.Afterasuccessfulcatch,BeltedKingfisherscarrytheirfishtoaperch,stunitbybeatingitagainsttheperch,andthenswallowitwhole,headfirst.
PAIRINGANDPARENTINGThisspecies’nestisuniqueamongtheregion’sfish-eatingbirds.Pairsworktogethertoexcavateahorizontalburrowintotheexposedsoilofariverbank.Bothparentsenterthenestingchambertoincubatethesixorseveneggsandfeednestlingsthathatchin22days.Onthemenufornewlyhatchednestlings:regurgitatedballsofpartiallydigestedfish.Asnestlingsgrowolder,theirmealsbecomemoreappetizingasparentsdeliverthemwholefish.Youngleavethenestaboutamonthafterhatchingandcancatchtheirownfishoneweeklater.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
AdultsremaininthePacificNorthwestyear-roundinareaswhereice-freewaterisalwaysavailable,suchascoastalwaters,largerivers,andlow-elevationlakesandponds.Thenestingseasonbeginsinearlytolatespring,dependingontheelevationofthenestinggrounds.Afterfledglingsbecomeindependentinthespringorsummer,thefamilymembersdispersetodefendtheirownforagingterritories.
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FemaleBeltedKingfisher
WHERETOFINDBELTEDKINGFISHERSBeltedKingfishersarecommonresidentsonrivers,lakes,ponds,andbaysacrossthePacificNorthwest.Noneedtoplanaspecialtrip;justvisityourclosestbodyofwatertoseetheminaction.Itseemsyoucouldsetupawadingpoolinthebackyard,stockitwithgoldfish,andattractaBeltedKingfisherthesameday.Theyreallyareeverywhere.Scanforthemonexposedperchessuchastransmissionlinesandtreebranchesnearthewater,wheretheywillbelookingfortheirnextmeal.Listenfortheirdistinctiverattlingcallthatcarriesgreatdistancesacrossthewater.
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
Ifyouvisitacoastalbay,youmightalsoseeWESTERNGREBES,BALDEAGLES,SURFSCOTERS,BLACKTURNSTONES,PelagicCormorants,andCOMMONLOONS.
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AMERICANDIPPERCinclusmexicanus
DON’TBEALARMEDifyouseeasongbirdsuddenlyjumpinariveranddisappear.BirdersknowthatthisbehaviorisperfectlynormalfortheAmericanDipper,theonlyNorthAmericansongbirdthatswimsunderwater.Thesepluckybirdsenthusiasticallydiveintofrigidwatertofindfood,evenwhentheairisbelowfreezingandmuchoftheriverisicedover.Theirhabitofsinginginthewinteraddstotheircheerypersona.
AmericanDippersaresolidvelvetygray,withwhiteeyelids.Thesesturdylittlebirdshaveshorttailsthattheyholdupataperkyangle.Theyarenamedfortheirhabitofbobbingupanddown,ordipping,whilestandingonarock.Becauseyouseethemonlynearrushingstreams,theyaren’teasytomistakeforanyotherbird.
FOODANDFORAGINGTheonlysongbirdrestrictedtoaquaticforaging,AmericanDipperstakeadvantageofalltheopportunitiesaswiftstreamprovides.Theyfindfishandaquaticinvertebratesbywalkingalongstreambottoms,pickingthroughstreamsidevegetation,andhaphazardlyplungingthemselvesintothewaterfromastanding,flying,orswimmingposition.Theyswallowsmallpreyimmediatelyuponcapturebutmustprocesslargeritems,suchasfish,byshakingthemintheirbillorslammingthemagainstrocks.Aquaticinsectsmakeupthebulkofthebird’sdiet,butinsomeplacesfisharefrequentlycapturedalongwithtadpolesandfisheggs.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Bulky,domednestsarebuiltonstreambanksortheundersidesofbridgesnearclear,fast-flowingwater.Eachtoaster-sizednestiscomposedoflivingmoss,
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clear,fast-flowingwater.Eachtoaster-sizednestiscomposedoflivingmoss,withanentrancethatfacesthestream.Fourorfiveeggsareincubatedfor14to17days.Bothparentsfeedyounginthenestforabout25days.Youngcanswimandflyshortdistancesuponleavingthenest,buttheyremaininthenestareaforseveraldays.Somepairswillsuccessfullyraiseasecondbroodofyoungafterthefirst,thankstotherapiddevelopmentofnestlingsandtheabundantresourcesprovidedbystreams.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
You’llfindAmericanDippersthroughouttheyearinareaswherestreamsdonotfreezeoverinthewinter.PairsbeginnestingasearlyasFebruaryalonglow-elevationstreams.Birdsthatliveathigherelevationsbeginnestinglaterandmustmakeshortmigrationsdownhilliftheirhuntingareasbecomecoverediniceduringwinter.
WHERETOFINDAMERICANDIPPERSThisspeciesfeastsonaquaticanimalsthatarefoundonlyinrushingrockystreams.LookfortheminthePacificNorthwestanywhereyoufindthistypeofhabitat.Popularsalmon-ortrout-fishingstreamsarealwaysagoodbet.Ifyoudon’timmediatelyseeanAmericanDipperworkingtheriffles,listenfortheloud“jik”callthatcarriesoverthesoundofthewater.Theyoftenperchonfavoriterocksorlogs;lookfortracesofwhitewash(birddroppings)thattheyleavebehind.
InWashington
MountRainierNationalPark
OlympicNationalPark
SkagitRivernearCorkindale
LeavenworthNationalFishHatcherynearLeavenworth
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InOregon
MetoliusRivertrailsnearCampSherman
EagleCreekFishHatcherynearBonnevilleDamontheColumbiaRiverMultnomahFallsnearTroutdale
LithiaParkinAshland
TillamookForestCenteronHighway6
OTHERBIRDSTOSEEMountainstreamsandtheforeststhatsurroundthemcanbefullofbirds,
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especiallyduringbreedingseason.IfyoucantearyourselfawayfromtheAmericanDippers,lookforCommonMergansers,YellowWarblers,WESTERNTANAGERS,PACIFICWRENS,Steller’sJays,andRED-BREASTEDNUTHATCHES.
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KillerBirdsBIRDSOFPREYANDOTHERMEAT-EATERS
PREDATORSAREINHERENTLYfascinatingtous,perhapsbecausetherewasatimeinhumanhistorywhenwehadtoworryaboutbeingeatenourselves.YoumightnotgettosatisfyyourinterestinpredatorsbytravelingtoAfricaandwatchingacheetahtakedownagazelle,butyoucangotothenearestnationalwildliferefugeandseeaNorthernHarrierdivedownanddevouravole.Onceyouadjustforscale,thespectacleisjustasthrilling.
Meat-eatingissuchaneffectivesurvivalstrategythatalargeanddiversegroupofbirdsaremembersofthecarnivoreclub.Thischapterincludesthediurnalhawks,falcons,andkites;someowls;andevenakillersongbird!Withoutthesebirds,we’dbeawashinmice,rats,voles,andgroundsquirrels.Luckily,theNorthwestishometobirdsofpreythatworknightandday,insummerandwinter,tocatchandconsumethesefurrymorsels.
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GreatHornedOwl
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WHITE-TAILEDKITEElanusleucurus
WHITE-TAILEDKITESfloatlikespectersovergrassyfields.Thesepaleraptorshovergracefullyintheairbeforedroppingtoclaimtheirnextvictim.Dramaticeyemakeupgivesthemamoodyappearance,contradictedbytheirhabitofgatheringinlargegroupstoroostatnight.Theybecomemoreelusiveduringthenestingseason,seemingtovanishfromthelandscape,leavingraptorloverswantingmore.
Theserelativelysmallandslightraptorshavelongwingsandalongtail.Theyareeye-catchingwithacontrastingblack,white,andgraypattern.Bold,blackshouldersstandoutfromitslightgrayplumageaboveandbelow,anditsnamesaketailhasflashywhiteedges.Theblackshadingaroundthebird’seyesdrawsattentiontotheirsurprisingandsomewhatspookyredcolor.MaleNorthernHarriersarealsograybutlacktheblackshouldersandcleanwhitebellyofaWhite-tailedKite.NorthernHarriersalsohaveawhiterumpatthebaseoftheirtail.
FOODANDFORAGINGWhilescanningthegroundinsearchofprey,White-tailedKiteshoveroverheadbyfacingintothewindandrapidlybeatingtheirwings.Theydroptothegroundwhentheyspotacreaturetocapture,graspitintheirtalons,andflyittoaperchforconsumption.Whileeating,thebirdspausetoscantheareaforlargerraptorsthatmightattempttostealthemeal.Althoughtheycaptureavarietyofsmallanimals,rodentsmakeupthebulkoftheirdiet.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Pairsworktogethertobuildanestbygatheringsmallbranchesandcarryingthemtoatree.Whenallthetwigsareinplace,theylinethenestwithfine
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themtoatree.Whenallthetwigsareinplace,theylinethenestwithfinematerialandthefemalelaysanaverageoffoureggs.Sheincubatesforatleast30dayswhilethemalehuntsandbringsherfood.Thefemalestaysinthenestaftertheyounghatchandfeedsthemmeatdeliveredbythemale.Youngarecapableofflightinfourtofiveweeks,buttheyrequirehuntinginstructionfromtheirparents.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
InthePacificNorthwest,you’llseegreaternumbersofWhite-tailedKitesinthewinterthaninthespringandsummer,suggestingthatsomemigrateherefromnestinggroundsinotherstates.Pairsbeginnestinginearlyspring,andtheseasoncanextendintothefall.WinteringbirdsarriveintheNorthwestandbeginforminglargecommunalroostsinSeptember;theydispersetonestinggroundsbytheendofMay.
WHERETOFINDWHITE-TAILEDKITES
TheWhite-tailedKiteisprimarilyasouthernspeciesthatwearefortunatetohaveintheNorthwestaswell.HerethespeciesislimitedtosouthwesternWashingtonandwesternOregon.Althoughsomearepresentintheregionthroughouttheyear,theyaremuchmoredifficulttofindduringthenestingseason.Thisbrightbirdisquitevisiblewhileperchinginsmalltreesorhoveringoverwetlands,grasslands,orfarmedfieldsinsearchofprey.Theyprefertohuntinfieldswheregrassisallowedtogrowtallenoughtoattractrodents.Whenyoufindsuchafield,watchforaflappingflashofwhite;thebird’shoveringbehaviorwillcatchyoureye.
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InWashington
NisquallyNationalWildlifeRefugenearOlympia
JuliaButlerHansenRefugenearCathlamet
InOregon
FarmfieldsneartheNehalemBaySewagePonds
FieldsaroundtheMedfordAirport
WilliamL.FinleyNationalWildlifeRefugenearCorvallisFernRidgeWildlifeManagementAreanearEugene
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
AwinterdayspentwalkingalongroadsidesandfieldsmayyieldviewsofBALDEAGLES,RED-TAILEDHAWKS,andCOMMONRAVENSsoaringabove,whileNORTHERN
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SHRIKES,FoxSparrows,TOWNSEND’SWARBLERS,andRuby-crownedKingletsperchinshrubs.
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NORTHERNHARRIERCircuscyaneus
JuvenileNorthernHarrier
NOOTHERBIRDofpreyintheUnitedStatesshowssuchdissimilarplumageonmalesandfemalesasthisopen-countryattention-getter.Ifyoudidn’tknowbetter,youmightthinkthetwosexeswerecompletelydifferentspecies.NorthernHarrierslivelifeinthespotlightwithhigh-flyingcourtshipandnestingbehaviors.YoumightevengettolookamaleHarrierrightinhisbrightyelloweyesashecruisesbyjustafewfeetofftheground.
Plumagevariesbysexandage,butallhaveaconspicuouswhiterumpandbrightyellowlegs.Malesarelightgrayontop,andfemalesandjuvenilesarebrown.Femaleshaveastreakedbreast,andyoungbirds’feathersarewashedinawarm,pumpkincolor.Harriers’longtailsandlow-flyinghabitsmakethemeasytotellapartfromRed-tailsandotherhawks.
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FOODANDFORAGING
Likeowls,NorthernHarriershavefeatheredfacialdiscsthatfunnelsoundtotheirhiddenearopenings;thisshapehelpsthemhearthetinysoundsofrodentsinthegrass.Theyusuallyflyclosetotheground,tippingsidetosidewithwingsheldinashallowV.Theirbroaddietincludesrodents,smallbirds,andanoccasionalreptile,amphibian,orfish.Intrueraptorfashion,theypounceonpreywiththeirsharptalons.Malesandfemalesdiffernotonlyinappearancebutintheirhuntingbehaviorsaswell,withmalespreferringless-vegetatedsitesandsmallerpreythanfemales.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Malesarriveatanestingsitefirstandgreetthearrivaloffemaleswithskydances—U-shapedmaneuvershundredsofyardswideand100feetofftheground,repeateddozensoftimes.Themalealsoimpressesthefemalewithanaerialtransferofprey;hefliesintotheairwithacapturedanimalanddropsitdowntothefemaleflyingbelow.Afterasuccessfulcourtship,thepairbuildsagroundnestinatreelessareawheregrassorotherplantsaretallenoughtoconcealtheirnestingactivities.Thefemaleincubatesfoureggsforabout30days.Themalebringsherfoodandguardsthenestwhensheisawaysearchingforadditionalnestmaterialandperformingexerciseflights.Whentheeggshatch,themaleperformsallhuntingdutiesforthefamilyforthefirsttwoweeksofthenestlingperiod.Whenpreyisabundant,polygamousmalescanprovideenoughfoodtosupportmultiplefamilies.Nestlingscanwalkaroundthenestareaattwoweeksoldandarecapableofflightabout30daysafterhatching.
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MaleNorthernHarrier
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSThisspeciesisamigrantinitsnorthernrangebutitinhabitsmuchofOregonandWashingtonyear-round.Incoastalareasandwesternvalleys,NorthernHarriersaremostcommoninspring,fall,andwinter.Duringthespringandsummerbreedingseason,theyaremostabundantingrasslandsandwetlandseastoftheCascades.
WHERETOFINDNORTHERNHARRIERS
JustabouteverynationalwildliferefugeinOregonandWashingtonofferstheopen,marshyhabitatthatattractsNorthernHarriers.Thesegeneralistswillshowupwherevertheyhaveenoughspacetospreadtheirwingswithouthittingatree.DikesandearthenbermsaroundfarmlandattractburrowingrodentsandtheNorthernHarriersthatfeastuponthem.
Theyperchlow,oftenontheground,buttheycanalsobefoundonlogsandfenceposts.Watchfortheirteeteringflightslowoverafield.Ifyoustareupatthesky,you’llprobablymissthem.
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thesky,you’llprobablymissthem.
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
Atwildliferefugesinwinter,itisopenseasononrodentsforallkindsofbirdsandevenforothermammals.EnjoyingthefeastcouldbeGREATBLUEHERONS,AmericanKestrels,RED-TAILEDHAWKS,Rough-leggedHawks,SHORT-EAREDOWLS(ifyou’relucky),orevenapouncingcoyote.
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GREATHORNEDOWLBubovirginianus
OCCURRINGJUSTABOUTeverywhere,theGreatHornediswhatmostpeoplethinkofwhentheyheartheword“owl.”Althoughnowiserthanmostbirds,andlessintelligentthansome,theGreatHornedOwlcompensateswithkeensenses,sharptalons,andrawferocity.Theyhavebeenknowntodishoutcutsandconcussionstoanyonefoolishenoughtoventureneartheirnestsandwillhuntanythingremotelysmallenoughtokill,includingskunksandotherowls.
PatternsofstreaksandbarsofmottledbrownmaketheGreatHornedblendinperfectlywithtreebarkduringtheday,whichhelpsitavoidbeinghassledbycrows.Itswide,flatfaceandforward-facingyelloweyesgiveitthehumanlookthatmakesusassumeadvancedintelligencedespiteitstinybrain.Thetrademarkpointsonitsheadareneitherhornsnorearsbuttuftsoffeathers.TheNorthwest’sonlyothertuftedowlsaretheWesternScreechOwl,whichismuchsmallerandusuallygrayincolor,andtheLong-earedOwl,whichisalsosmallerandlacksthewhitethroatfoundontheGreatHorned.
FOODANDFORAGINGGreatHornedOwlsareflexibleinthetimetheyhuntandtheanimalstheykill.Theydomostoftheirhuntingatnight,buttheyareactiveatdawnandduskaswell.Likeotherowls,theyusetheirexceptionalhearingandvisiontolocateprey.Mosthuntfromaperch,flyingsilentlytothegroundtopounceonahaplessanimal.Theyswallowsmallpreywholebutusetheirtalonsandbillstotearapartlargercreatures.PreycanbeassmallasagrasshopperandaslargeasaporcupineoraGreatBlueHeron.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Likemostowls,GreatHornedOwlsdonotbuildtheirownnests.Instead,they
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Likemostowls,GreatHornedOwlsdonotbuildtheirownnests.Instead,theylaytheireggsinstickneststhatwereconstructedbyotherspecies,suchasRed-tailedHawksandCommonRavens.Theywillalsonestonthebrokentopsofsnags,oncliffs,andonhuman-madestructures.Thefemaleincubatestwotofiveeggsforabout30days,keepingtheeggswarmintemperaturesaslowas−25degreesFahrenheit.Whentheeggshatch,themalebringsfood,whichthefemaletearsapartandfeedstothenestlings.Theyoungleavethenestsixweeksafterhatchingbutcanbarelyfly,ifatall,andspendtheirtimeperchedinnearbybranchesorontheground.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
Thesehardysoulscan,inmostcases,withstandextremelycoldtemperaturesandadjusttheirbehaviortoconsumewhateveranimalsareavailable.Pairscanthereforeremaininabreedingterritoryyear-round.Rearingyoungrequiresabigtimecommitment.Femaleslaytheireggsinthewinter,andpairsfeednestlingsinthespringandcontinuetocareforfledglingsthroughoutthesummer.
WHERETOFINDGREATHORNEDOWLS
GreatHornedOwlsoccupyavarietyofnaturalareasandarealsoathomeincitiesandfarms,aslongasperchesandnestsitesareavailable.Theyareeasiesttospotwhenonanest,especiallyinwinter,whenmanytreesareleafless.Theowl’stuftedheadisadeadgiveaway,pokingoutofanoldsticknest.Lookforthemhuntingatdawnanddusk,whenyoumightseetheminflightorperchedabovetheirhuntinggrounds.Theircall,astereotypicalseriesofdeephoots,isagreatindicationthatyouareintherightplace.
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InWashington
RidgefieldNationalWildlifeRefugenearVancouverNisquallyNationalWildlifeRefugenearOlympia
CowicheCanyonnearYakima
SkagitWildlifeAreanearMountVernon
InOregon
SauvieIslandnearPortland
TryonCreekStateParkinPortland
FernhillWetlandsnearForestGrove
WilliamL.FinleyNationalWildlifeRefugenearCorvallis
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
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Crepuscularanimals,activeatdawnanddusk,takeadvantageofatimewhenmanypreyanimalsbegintoemergefromtheirdaytimehidingplaces.AmericanRobinsandSWAINSON’STHRUSHESsingthelastsongsofthedayasthesungoesdown,COMMONNIGHTHAWKSandavarietyofbatstakeflighttoenjoythefeastofinsects,andWesternScreechOwlsandBarredOwlspreparefortheirnocturnalexcursions.
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SHORT-EAREDOWLAsioflammeus
FLITTINGANDDIVINGasifcontrolledbyinvisiblemarionettestrings,Short-earedOwlsmesmerizewiththeirintricateflight.Likeafeathered,predatorybutterfly,theyzigzaglowacrossfieldsinsearchofsmallmammals.Thisowl,neverapillarofreliability,willupandleaveifitfindsbetterhuntingelsewhere.Onthebrightside,Short-earedOwlsareeasytolocateifyouvisittherightplace,becausetheypreferopencountryandhuntduringtheday.
Theowl’splumageisamosaicofbuff-coloredandbrowntonesthatallowit
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Theowl’splumageisamosaicofbuff-coloredandbrowntonesthatallowittodisappearinafieldofdrybrowngrass.Itschestisboldlystreaked,anditswingsarecrisscrossedwithspotsandstripes.Darkcrescentsonitswristsstandoutwhenitflies.Itsfaceseemsalittletoosmallforitsbody,andithasabluntlookinflight,asifitflewface-firstintothesideofabarn.
FOODANDFORAGING
TheShort-earedOwlfliessilentlyseveralfeetabovetheground,tiltingitselfbackandforthandlisteningforprey.Whenitlocatesananimal,itdropssuddenlytothegroundandcapturesitwithitstalons.Short-earedshuntprimarilysmallmammalsandbirds,withrodentpopulationsdictatingwheretheynestandspendthewinter.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Inthespring,malesperformaspectacularcourtshipflightthatinvolvesanupwardspiral,asong,astoopingdive,andaseriesofloudwingclaps.Ifthefemaleapproves,shejoinshimintheflight,andtheyremainpairedforthenestingseason.Short-earedsareuniqueamongowlsinthattheyconstructtheirownnestbyscrapingadepressioninthegroundandliningitwithgrassandfeathers.Thenumberofeggslaidisvariable,rangingfromonetoeleven.Aftertheeggshatchin25to30days,themalecapturespreyandthefemalefeedsittothenestlings.Nestlingsleavethenest14to17daysafterhatching,buttheyareunabletofly.Theywanderoffinvariousdirections,perhapstodilutepredationrisk,andreceivecarefromtheirparentsforseveralmoreweeks.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
Short-earedOwlsbeginnestingfromMarchtoMay,andyoungbecomeindependentbytheendofsummer.Attheendofthenestingseason,individualsmigratetowhereverpreydensitiesarehigh.LargeconcentrationswinterinnorthwestWashington,arrivinginSeptemberanddepartingfortheirnestinggroundsinthespring.
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WHERETOFINDSHORT-EAREDOWLS
Duringthewinter,theyseemtobemoreconcentratedinnorthwestWashingtonthananywhereelseintheregion.Watchfortheminopencountry,whichtheyfavorforhunting.TheybreedprimarilyontheeastsideoftheCascadesbutaremoredifficulttofindtherebecausetheyarepresentinmuchlowerdensities.FindingaShort-earedOwlperchedonorneartheground,wheretheyliketobe,canbenexttoimpossible.Trippingononeisaboutaslikelyasseeingitbeforeitflushesintotheair.Watchforthemflappingacrobaticallyoverthefields;theirlongwings,buffcolor,andstiffwingbeatsmaketheminstantlyidentifiable.
InWashington
SamishFlatsnearBurlington
SkagitWildlifeAreanearMountVernon
FortFlaglerStateParknearPortTownsend
NisquallyNationalWildlifeRefugenearOlympia
InOregon
WilliamL.FinleyNationalWildlifeRefugenearCorvallisFernRidgeWildlifeManagementAreanearEugene
FieldssurroundingMedfordAirport
OTHERBIRDSTOSEEPlaceswithlotsofShort-earedOwlsinthewinterarealsolikelytoattractotherraptorssuchasBALDEAGLES,Rough-leggedHawks,NORTHERNHARRIERS,Merlins,PEREGRINEFALCONS,and(sometimes)SnowyOwls.
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PRAIRIEFALCONFalcomexicanus
PRAIRIEFALCONSSURVEYtheirrealmfromthecastlelikerockoutcroppingsonwhichtheynest.Hard-workinggroundsquirrelstoilbelow,unawareuntilit’stoolatethatoneoftheirnumberhasbeendispatchedbythisskilledhunteroftheopencountry.
PrairieFalconsarethefadedbrowncolorofmanydry-countrybirds.Theirdarkbacksandpaleundersidescreatecounter-shadingthathidesthemagainsttheskyfrombelowandagainstthegroundfromabove.Theirfacesaredistinctive,withawhiteeyebrowstripeandbrownmustachestripe.Darkpatchesonbothsidesofitsbodyunderthewingsdistinguishitfromotherfalcons,anditspointedwingsandrapidwingbeatsintheairdistinguishitfromhawks.
FOODANDFORAGINGThemostcommonpreyitemscapturedbyPrairieFalconsaregroundsquirrelsandHornedLarks.Theyoftenflyseveralfeetabovethegroundandthencloseinontheirpreywhileglidingatanevenloweraltitude,grabbingtheirquarryintheirtalonsandcarryingittoaperchtoconsumeit.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Pairsbeginnestinginearlyspringtoensurethatthehatchingoftheiryoungcoincideswiththeemergenceofjuvenilegroundsquirrels.Theynestoncliffs,rockoutcroppings,andhuman-madestructures.Adultsdonotconstructthenest,however;instead,thefemalescrapesadepressionindebrisorlaysherfourtofiveeggsinanoldnestofanotherspecies.Afterthenestlingshatchin30to40days,theyarefedgroundsquirrelsthatwerecapturedbythemaleandtorntopiecesbythefemale.Afterfourweeks,parentsleavepreyitemsattheedgeof
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piecesbythefemale.Afterfourweeks,parentsleavepreyitemsattheedgeofthenestfortheyoungtoeatontheirown.Theyoungleavethenest38daysafterhatching,buttheirparentsfeedthemforanothermonth.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
AdultsarriveattheirnestingsitesbytheendofMarchanddepartinJulyafternestingiscompleteandthegroundsquirrelshavemovedundergroundtoescapethehightemperatures.Atthistime,PrairieFalconsmovetomountainousareas,wheresmallmammalsremainactiveatthehigherelevations.Aswinterapproaches,theyleavehigh-elevationareasandcontinuetowander,withsomeindividualsvisitingthewestsidevalleysofOregonandWashington,includingtheWillametteValley,theRogueRiverValley,andthePugetTrough.
WHERETOFINDPRAIRIEFALCONSThebestplacetofindaPrairieFalcondependsonthetimeofyear.Inthespringandearlysummer,lookonthedryside(theeastside)oftheCascadesinplaceswithrockycliffsfornesting.Inthefall,lookforthemathigherelevationsintheCascades.Duringthewinter,you’llseethemalmostanywhereintheNorthwest,butinlownumbers.Lookforabrownbirdperchedonautilitypoleinopencountryorflappingitswaybacktoitsrockynest.
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InWashington
SamishFlatsnearBurlington(winter)
FlyingaboveopenareasoftheSunriseVisitorCenterinMountRainierNationalPark(fall)ToppenishNationalWildlifeRefugenearYakima(nesting)ThecliffsofYakimaCanyonfromStateRoute821(nesting)InOregon
AroundTimberlineLodgeonMountHood(fall)
FortRockStateParknearLaPine(nesting)
LowerKlamathNationalWildlifeRefugenearKlamathFalls(winter)SmithRockStateParknearRedmond(nesting)
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
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Rockyoutcroppingsinthedry,opencountryaremagnetsfornestingbirds.PrairieFalconssharethesehigh-riseswithCOMMONRAVENS,GOLDENEAGLES,BarnOwls,White-throatedSwifts,CliffSwallows,andCANYONWRENS.
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NORTHERNSHRIKELaniusexcubitor
IFSTRENGTHWEREmeasuredbythesizeofpreyananimalkillsrelativetoitsownsize,theNorthernShrikewouldbeamongtheworld’stoughestbirds.Thissongbirdcankillbirdsandmammalsnearlytwiceitsownweightandthencarrytheminflighttoaperch,whereamacabrebutcheringprocessoccurs.Withitsblackmask,theNorthernShrikeresemblesasuperhero,butitbehaveslikeavillain,givenitshabitofimpalingpreyonthornsandbarbedwire.
NorthernShrikeslookquitesimilartotheirsisterspecies,theLoggerheadShrike,whichisnotfoundwestoftheCascades.Bothspecieshavegrayheadsandbackswithblackwings,tails,andmasks.Theirchestsarewhite,asisapatchoneachwing.Thedifferencesbetweenthetwoaresubtle.Loggerheads’blackmasksgoallthewayacrosstheirforeheadsovertheirbeaks,butNorthernshavegrayforeheads.Northernsalsohavealonger,morehookedbill.
FOODANDFORAGINGMostofthecreaturescapturedbyNorthernShrikesareinsects,butbirdsandmammalsmakeupamajorityofthebiomassthatthisbirdconsumes.Thesepredatorshuntbyscanningforpreyfromaperchandthenpouncingontheirmealontheground,inashrub,orinatree.Shrikescapturesmallprey,suchasinsectsandshrews,withtheirbills,buttheyusetheirfeettograblargerprey,suchasbirdsandvoles.Theyarecalledbutcherbirdsbecausetheyimpaletheirpreyonthornsorbarbedwirefences.Thentheyremoveanddiscardinediblepiecesandselectedibleportionstoswallow.Theyalsouseimpalingasameanstostorepreyduringperiodsofproductivehunting.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Bothadultsbuildthenest,abulkycup,inconifers,deciduoustrees,orshrubs.
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Bothadultsbuildthenest,abulkycup,inconifers,deciduoustrees,orshrubs.Thefemaleincubatesthefourtonineeggsfor17days.Earlyinthenestlingperiod,themalecapturespreyanddeliversittothefemalesoshecanbreakoffbite-sizedpiecesfortheyoung,wholeavethenestabout20daysafterhatching.Twentydaysaftertheyleavethenest,youngarecapableofcatchingandimpalingtheirowninsects.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
NorthernShrikesbeginnestinginearlyspringanddeparttheirborealnestinggroundsattheendofsummer,arrivinginthePacificNorthwestbytheendofOctober.MostofthesewintervisitorsdeparttheregioninFebruaryorMarch.
WHERETOFINDNORTHERNSHRIKESWinteringbirdschoosehuntinggroundswhereopenareaswithgoodvisibilityareadjacenttoscatteredtreesandshrubsforperching.Farmcountryandwildliferefugesaregreatplacestolookforthem.Theytendtochooseconspicuousperchesinshrubsandonposts.BecauseitslightgraycolorisuniqueforaNorthwestbirdofitssize,ashrikeiseasytospotwhileyouaretravelingbycar.
InWashington
SkagitWildlifeAreanearMountVernon
MarymoorParkinRedmond
ToppenishNationalWildlifeRefugenearYakimaNisquallyNationalWildlifeRefugenearOlympia
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InOregon
JacksonBottomWetlandsPreservenearHillsboro
WilliamL.FinleyNationalWildlifeRefugenearCorvallisFieldssurroundingtheMedfordAirport
FernRidgeWildlifeManagementAreanearEugene
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
Hedgerowsandfieldsarefullofsongbirdsduringthewinter,butonlyoneofthemistryingtoeattheothers.HidingintheblackberrybushestoescapethenoticeofaNorthernShrikecouldbeFoxSparrows,SavannahSparrows,Lincoln’sSparrows,White-crownedSparrows,Golden-crownedSparrows,MarshWrens,andRuby-crownedKinglets.
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MarathonBirdsRACKINGUPTHEFREQUENTFLYERMILESIMAGINETRAVELINGTHOUSANDSofmiles,nearlynonstop,onadietofgrassandberries.Afeatlikethisisnotonlypossible,butisabiyearlyeventforsomebirds,whoseordinaryappearancesbelietheiridentitiesasmigrationsuperheroes.Thegreatdistancescoveredbytheirmigrationsarenearlyincomprehensible.
EveryoneknowsthatmanyNorthAmericanbirdsflysouthforthewinter.InthePacificNorthwest,however,anidealcombinationofmildwinterconditionsandproductivemarineareasattractsbirdsfromalldirectionsduringeveryseasonoftheyear.SomebirdsarrivefromnestinggroundsintheextremenorthernreachesofNorthAmerica,usingourregionasawinterlocaleorarestandrefuelingstation.Someserioustravelersspendtheirlivesinconstantsummer,findingfoodneartheNorthwestCoastduringoursummerandthenreturningtotheSouthernHemisphereduringourwinter.OthersnestinNorthernEuropeandAsiabutcrossbordersandoceanstowinteramongourresidentbirds—nopassportrequired.
Sixmigratorybirdsarestandoutswhosereturnweanticipateeachyear.Ourfavoritemarathonbirdsincludethreetypesofwaterfowl,twoocean-goingbirds,andalargeandwhimsicalshorebird.Whenyouseetheseenduranceathletesonthebeach,inapark,orinthesea,bethankfulthatthePacificNorthwestissuchamagnetforworldtravelers.
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MaleEurasianWigeon
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BRANTBrantabernicla
THESEUNASSUMINGGEESEcouldeasilyslipunderyourradarifyouareaccustomedtothebombastofSnowGeeseandCanadaGeese.Brantaremellowvegetarianswhosevolumerarelyrisesaboveasubduedchatterastheyfeedandrelaxincoastalbays.OneofthegreatthingsaboutBrantisthatyourarelyseejustone.Ontheirannualmigration,theygatherbythethousandsandmakequiteanengagingnaturalspectacleastheysimultaneouslyslurpeelgrass.TheyaremuchbelovedbythecommunitiestheyvisiteachspringastheymigratethroughtheSalishSea,andannualfestivalsareheldintheirhonorinWashingtonandon
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theCanadiansideatVancouverIsland.TheBrantisasmall,darkgoosewithablackhead,awhiterump,anda
whitecollarbelowitschin.ThesefieldmarksdistinguishthespeciesfromCanadaandCacklingGeese,whichhavewhitecheeks.
FOODANDFORAGINGNootherNorthAmericangoosehasadietasspecializedastheBrant,whichfeedsoneelgrass,greenalgae,andsaltmarshvegetation.Flocksfindvegetationbywalkingthroughexposedtidalflatsorbyfloatinginbayswhenthetidereturns.Afteritpullslongbladesofeelgrassintoitsbill,likeahungrypersonslurpingspaghetti,theBrantusesitstonguetofoldeachbladeintoalittlewadbeforeswallowing.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
FemalesconstructasimplenestonthearctictundraofwesternandnorthernAlaskabyscrapingadepressioninthepermafrost.Thenestcupislinedwithvegetationandamassoftheirowndownyfeathers.Threetofiveeggsareincubatedfor23days.Whenthefemaleleavesthenestonoccasiontofueluponplants,themaleguardstheeggsbutdoesnotincubate—thedownyfeathersappliedbythefemalehelpkeeptheeggsfromcooling.Onedayafterhatching,youngcanleavethenesttofindfood,buttheymustbebroodedbytheirmothertokeepwarmwhentheyarenotwalkingoreating.Whilethefemalekeepsthemwarm,thefatherprovidesprotectionbychasingawaypotentialpredators.Youngcanflywhentheyare40daysoldandeventuallymigratewiththeirparentstothewinteringgrounds.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
AfterbreedingattheextremewesternandnorthernedgesofAlaska,WestCoastpopulationsofBrantmigrateasfarsouthasMexico.Beforethebigpushsouth,however,thousandsgatherinSeptemberandOctoberatstagingareasontheAlaskanpeninsulatofilluponeelgrass.FlocksarriveattheirwarmcoastalwinteringsitesbylateOctoberorearlyNovember.InMarch,theybegin
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winteringsitesbylateOctoberorearlyNovember.InMarch,theybegindepartingfortheirnorthernnestinggrounds.BranttravelingnorthvisitthecoastsofOregonandWashingtoninAprilandMay.
WHERETOFINDBRANTWinteringandmigratoryflocksoccupycoastalareasofOregonandWashington.Lookforagroupofdarkbirdsrestingonasandbarorswimminginthecalmwatersofabay.Whilewalkingalongabeach,youmightseeaflockofBrantcruisingabovethesurf.
InWashington
DungenessNationalWildlifeRefugenearSequimWillapaBaynearLongBeach
PadillaBaynearBurlington
SamishBaynearBurlington
DiscoveryPark,WestPoint,inSeattle
InOregon
YaquinaBayinNewport
BayoceanSpitonTillamookBaynearTillamook
NetartsBaynearNetarts
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
DungenessBayisapopularwinteringlocationforBrantandagreatplacetoseetheabundantseabirdsthatseeksheltertherefromwinterwaves.LookforSURFSCOTERS,WESTERNGREBES,HARLEQUINDUCKS,RED-BREASTEDMERGANSERS,COMMONLOONS,PacificLoons,andRed-throatedLoons.Ifyouarelucky,you’llseeaYellow-billedLoon.
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CACKLINGGOOSEBrantahutchinsii
FORTHOSEWHOareintimidatedbythelarge,pushyCanadaGeesethatgatherinparksandgolfcourses,CacklingGeeseareasmaller,cuterversionwithabetterworkethic.Thesemini-geesearebarelylargerthanaduck,andtheirshortbeaks
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andsquarishheadsgivethemthelookofaplushtoy.Don’tgetbetweenthemandachoicebiteofgrass,however—theycanturnfeistyandhissjustlikeafull-sizedgoose.Althoughtheyaresmall,CacklingGeeseembroiderthewholeskywiththeinterconnectedVsoftheirhugeflocks,deafeningyouwiththeirhigh-pitchedcacklinginoneoftheNorthwest’ssignaturesightsandsoundsoffall.
ThisspecieshasmarkingssimilartothoseoftheCanadaGoose,fromwhichitwasrecentlyseparatedasitsownspecies.Bothhaveablackneckandheadwithwhitecheeksandgrayishbrownwings.Cacklersvaryinsize,buttheyareusuallysmallerwithastubbierbeakandshorterneckthanCanadaGeese.TheymayalsohaveawhitecollaratthebaseoftheirneckthatisabsentonCanadas.TheircallishigherpitchedthanaCanada’scallandsoundslesslikeahonkandmorelikeayelp.
FOODANDFORAGINGLikeaheardofminiaturebison,winteringflocksofCacklersmarchthroughfieldsofgrass,alfalfa,barley,andwheat,pluckingthetipsfromtendershootsintheirpath.TheirdietisalittlemorecomplexinCanadaorAlaska,wheretheyfattenuponleavesandberriesthroughoutthesummerbeforedepartingsouthforthewinter.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
CacklersnestonislandsofftheAlaskancoastoronthemainlandnearbodiesofwater.Unlikemostducks,malegeeseguardfemalesduringnestingandmaystandguardatthenestwhilethefemaletakesanincubationbreak.Incubationlasts25days.Withinonedayofhatching,theprecociousgoslings,usuallyfiveofthem,followtheirparentstoareasofshortgrassandsedge,wheretheycansafelygrazeandcaptureinsects.Themotherkeepsthegoslingswarmbybroodingthemwhennecessary,andthefatherkeepsakeeneyeoutforpredators.YoungCacklerscanflyabout40daysafterhatching,atwhichtimethefamilyjoinsaflockwithotherfamilies.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
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AfternestinginCanadaorAlaska,thousandsofCacklersgatherinlateSeptemberinstagingareassuchastheAlaskanPeninsulatobulkuponleavesandberries.LargeflocksthenflydirectlytowesternOregonandWashingtononatwo-tofour-dayflight,arrivingbymid-October.Afterawinterofeatinggrassintherain,theydepartOregonandWashingtoninmid-tolateAprilandarriveattheirnestinggroundsreadytonestbylateMay.
WHERETOFINDCACKLINGGEESECacklerswinterinWashingtonandOregon,inlargeflocksthatfeastongrassinfields,restonabodyofwater,orcalltooneanotherastheyflyoverhead.FromOctobertoAprileachyear,auniquegroupofCacklersgathersinadairypasturenortheastofPacificCity,Oregon.Thisflockofmorethan100geesemakesuptheentirebreedingpopulationofthetinySemidiIslandsinAlaska.Theydon’tseemtomixwithotherCacklingGeese,andtheyreturneveryyeartothissmall,wetfield.EachnighttheyflyouttotheoceantoroostonnearbyHaystackRock,ortoridethewavesaroundit.You’llknowforsurethatyouhavefoundaSemidiIslandgooseifyouseetheblue-greenplasticcollarsthatbiologistshaveattachedtosomeofthemtotracktheirsurvival.
InWashington
GolfcoursesandbaysinOceanShores
JuliaButlerHansenRefugenearCathlamet
NisquallyNationalWildlifeRefugenearOlympiaSikesLakenearCarnation
InOregon
PacificCityforSemidiIslandsCacklingGeeseSauvieIslandnearPortland
FernhillWetlandsnearForestGrove
AnkenyNationalWildlifeRefugenearAlbany
WilliamL.FinleyNationalWildlifeRefugenearCorvallis
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
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IfyougotoPacificCitytocheckouttheSemidiIslandsgeese,visittheNestuccaBayNationalWildlifeRefugetofinddarkchocolate-coloredDuskyCanadaGeese(adarkersubspeciesofCanadaGoose),WHITE-TAILEDKITES,Merlins,BELTEDKINGFISHERS,NorthernPintails,andanabundanceofotherwaterfowl.
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EURASIANWIGEONAnaspenelope
Female(left)andmale(right)EurasianWigeonswithAmericanWigeons(background)EVERYWINTER,AmericanWigeonsarevisitedbytheirexoticcousinsfromSiberia.EurasianWigeonsseemtofitinwellwiththelocals,joininghugewinteringflocksastheygrazeandpaddletheshallowsofNorthwestwaterways.Theirgregariousnatureandboisteroussqueakingmakeeverydayseemlikearowdywigeonfamilyreunion.InthePacificNorthwest,wearefortunatetoenjoythehighestconcentrationsofthese
attractivelittleducksintheLower48.AEurasianWigeonsightingisasplendidrewardforbirderstakingthetimetoexaminelargeflocksofAmericanWigeonsinwinter.
Thankstotheirrustyheadsandlightgraybacksandflanks,maleEurasiansstandoutinacrowdofAmericanWigeons.Bothspecieshavewhitishforeheads,butanAmericanlacksanyredcoloronitshead,hasrufous(reddish)flanks,andhasagreenstripethatstretchesfromtheeyetothebackofthehead.Femalesare
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moredifficulttodistinguish,butEurasianhens’headsarewarmercoloredthangray-headedAmericans.
FOODANDFORAGINGWigeonsarethegreatestgrazersofthedabblingducks.InthePacificNorthwest,EurasianWigeonspluckgrassandotherplantsfromthegroundalongsideAmericanWigeonsandCanadaGeeseincityparksandalongshorelines.Theywillalsoswimforaquaticvegetation,buttheyspendlesstimedabblingwiththeirheadsunderwaterthanduckssuchasMallards.Duringthebreedingseason,Eurasianssupplementtheirdietwithaquaticinsects,mollusks,andcrustaceans.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
ThisspeciesnestsinthenorthernportionsofEuropeandAsia,fromIcelandtoSiberia.Theybeginnestinginlatespringaftertheiceandsnowmeltawayfromtheirnestinggrounds.Femalesprovidecarefortheyoung,incubatingeightornineeggsinawell-camouflagedgroundnestfor25days.Afterthebroodhatches,thefemaleleadsthemtoaquaticanduplandsites,wheretheycangrazeonvegetationandcaptureaquaticinsects.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
Whenthenestingseasoniscomplete,EurasianWigeonsdispersethroughouttheNorthernandSouthernHemispheres.InadditiontoOregonandWashington,thesewandererswillwinterinsouthernEurasia,Africa,SoutheastAsia,andtheMiddleEast.TheyremaininourareafromOctoberthroughApril.Femalesusuallyreturntotheareawheretheyhatchedtobreedeachyear,butmalesprobablypairwithadifferentfemaleeachseason.
WHERETOFINDEURASIANWIGEONSEurasianWigeonsareneverespeciallyabundant,butifyoufindalargeenough
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EurasianWigeonsareneverespeciallyabundant,butifyoufindalargeenoughflockofAmericanWigeons,there’sboundtobeoneortwoEurasiansintheresomewhere.Lookforwigeonflocksnibblingongrassorgatheredinmarshes,shallowlakes,orbays.Theircallsoundsalotlikeadog’ssqueakytoybeingsqueezed.
InWashington
SamishIslandandSamishFlatsnearBurlingtonPadillaBaynearBurlington
PointNoPointLighthouseandCountyParknearKingstonRidgefieldNationalWildlifeRefugenearVancouverInOregon
WilliamL.FinleyNationalWildlifeRefugenearCorvallisBayoceanSpitonTillamookBaynearTillamook
TualatinRiverNationalWildlifeRefugenearSherwoodWestmorelandParkinPortland
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
WhenyouvisitTillamookBayduringthewinter,lookforBRANT,WESTERNGREBES,HornedGrebes,BALDEAGLES,White-wingedScoters,andCOMMONLOONS.
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BLACK-FOOTEDALBATROSSPhoebastrianigripes
ALBATROSSESARELEGENDARYlong-distancetravelersofthesouthernseas.Theyglideabovethewavesonwingsthatcanspanthewidthofaqueen-sizebed.Luckily,thoseofusboundtothePacificNorthwesthaveanexcellentopportunitytoviewalbatrossesthatregularlyvisitourcorneroftheworld.Allyouneedisastomachstrongenoughtoendureaboatrideatleast20milesoutintothePacificOceanandback.TheBlack-footedAlbatrosshasbeendescribedasa“featheredpig”becauseofitsenthusiasmforscrapsoffoodtossedoverboard,andofferingthemfoodinthiswayisoftenthebestwaytoseethem.Despitesuchanunflatteringdescription,thisbirddeservesadmirationforthe
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thousandsofmileseachindividualfliesinsearchoffood—bothnaturalandhuman-supplied.
Withitslong,narrowwingsandoceanichabits,thisspecieslookslikenootherbird—exceptanotheralbatross.Black-footedsaregenerallydarkerincolorthantheirkinandhaveheavybillswithhookedtips.LaysanAlbatrosses,alsofoundfaroffthecoastofthePacificNorthwest,areasimilarsizebuthavewhiteheadsandlighterplumageoverall.
FOODANDFORAGINGAlbatrossesareintheminorityofbirdsthatpossessasenseofsmell.Forthisreason,theyareattractedtofishingboatsdiscardingbitsoftheircatch.Whennotfollowingboats,Black-footedspursuefoodtheyfindattheoceansurface,includingflyingsquid,flyingfish,andtheeggsofflyingfish,whichareoftenattachedtofloatingobjects.Theycapturetheirfoodwhilefloatingontheoceanlikegiantducks,lazilydippingtheirheadsintothewaterordivingafewfeetbelowthesurface.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Black-footedAlbatrossesnestonthegroundinlargecoloniesonPacificIslandsnearHawaii,Japan,andChina.Reproductionisaslowprocess,withbirdswaitinguntiltheyareatleastfiveyearsoldtobreed,layingonlyoneeggperyear,andskippingnestingduringyearswhenconditionsarenotquiteright.Theparentstaketurnsincubatingtheegginnonstopshiftsthatcanexceed30days.Adultstaketurnsbroodingandguardingthenestlingforitsfirst20days.Bythetimeitis30daysold,thenestlingisunguardedandmustwait2to10daysforitsparenttoreturnwithameal.Afteraboutfivemonths,thechickfinallyleavesthenestandgatherswithotherfledglingsonabeachbeforetheyalltaketheirfirstflight.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
ThemarathonnestingseasonoftheBlack-footedAlbatrossbeginswhenadultsreturntoislandnestingcoloniesinNovemberorDecemberandendswhen
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returntoislandnestingcoloniesinNovemberorDecemberandendswhenfledglingstaketotheseainthesummer.Afternesting,adultswanderthenortheasternPacific,spendingtheirtimeflyingabovethewaves,capturingfoodneartheseasurface,orrestingonthewater.TheyaremostfrequentlyseennearourcoastsfromAprilthroughlateOctober,butyoucanfindimmaturebirdsthroughouttheyear.
WHERETOFINDBLACK-FOOTEDALBATROSSES
Albatrossesarerarelyseenfromland.Thebestwaytogetagoodlookistotakeadaylongboattripintotheocean(apelagictrip)totheplacesmanymilesoffshorewherealbatrossesfeed.ThesetripsrunregularlyspringthroughfalloutofWestport,Washington,andNewport,Oregon.Albatrossesaremuchlargerandhavemuchlongerwingsthanotherpelagicbirds,whichmakesidentifyingthemeasy.Youmightseeonesoaringlowoverthewavesorfeedingwhilefloatingontheocean.
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
Pelagictripsareanamazingopportunitytofindbirdsthatyouwillneverseefromlandandtogetbetterlooksatthoseofwhichyou’vehadonlyunsatisfyingglimpses.Dependingonthetimeofyear,youcouldseeSOOTYSHEARWATERS,NorthernFulmars,MARBLEDMURRELETS,PIGEONGUILLEMOTS,Fork-tailedStormPetrels,andPomarineJaegers.
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SOOTYSHEARWATERPuffinusgriseus
SOOTYSHEARWATERSMIGHTbethemostgregariousseabirdsintheworld.Feedinginflocksofthousandsandnestingincoloniesofmillions,thesebirdsobviouslyhavelittleregardforpersonalspace.Hugeflocksofthemgraceourcoastalwatersfromspringtofall,returningtotheirbreedingsitesintheSouthPacifictonestwhenitisourwinterandtheirsummer—anideallifestyleforanyonewantingtotraveltheglobeandavoidwinterweather!
Shearwatersarenamedfortheirlong,bladelikewingsthatseemtoslicethroughtheairabovethewaves.Theirwingsareattachedabouthalfwaydowntheirbodies,makingthemlookdifferentfromgulls,whosewingsstartjustbehindtheirheads.Sootiesholdtheirwingsoutstraightastheyglidebetweenrapid,shallowwingbeats.Theyhavelong,skinnybillswithahookedtipandtube-shapednostrilsonthetopthatareusedforsmellingfoodandexcretingoceanicsalts.TheirdarkgrayplumageandsilveryunderwingsdistinguishthemfromthelesscommonShort-tailedShearwater,asimilarspecieswithdarkerunderwings.
FOODANDFORAGINGSootiescandivetodepthsofmorethan200feet,propellingthemselvesbybeatingtheirwings.Whilediving,theycaptureavarietyofmarineanimalssuchasshrimp,squid,andfish.FeedingflocksinthehundredsofthousandsgatheroffPacificNorthwestshorestopursueschoolsofanchovies.Theywillalsopickupdiscardsfromfishingboatsfromthewater’ssurface,makingthemeasytospotonpelagicbirdingexpeditions.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
SootiesnestwhenitissummerintheSouthPacificandwinterintheNorth,in
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SootiesnestwhenitissummerintheSouthPacificandwinterintheNorth,incoloniesofupto2.7millionpairsonislandsnearAustralia,NewZealand,andChile.Adultsdignestburrowsinislandswithsoftsoilsorplacetheirnestsincrevicesonrockyislands.Thesingleeggisincubatedor55daysbybothparents,whofeedtheyoungsterbyregurgitatingfoodobtainedindeepseadives,someofwhichoccurinAntarcticwatersatleast900milesfromtheirnestsite.Becauseoftheirparents’longforagingflights,chicksmustwaitupto15daysbetweenmealsduringthe80to100daysthattheyspendintheburrow.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
AfternestingintheSouthernHemisphere,Sootiesfleethesouthernwinterforthenorthernsummer.Thisrequiresanextraordinarymigrationtooneofthreeoceanic“wintering”areas:thewatersofftheWestCoastoftheUnitedStates,thewesternPacificoffthecoastsofJapanandRussia,ortheBeringSeaandGulfofAlaska.Thevoyagefromsouthtonorthandbackcanexceed40,000miles.Inasingleyear,someindividualsflyovertheentireexpanseofthePacificOceanfromjustnorthofAntarcticatotheBeringSea.TheyarefoundofftheNorthwestCoastfromMarchtoNovember.
WHERETOFINDSOOTYSHEARWATERSYourarelyfindaSootyflyingoverthebeach,soyou’llneedtosetyoursightsoffshore.Shearwatersflylowovertheocean,surfingtheaircurrentsproducedbythewaves.DuringfallmigrationinAugustandSeptember,youmightseeastringofthemflybyifyouwatchtheoceanwithbinocularsoraspottingscope.Infall,theyoftenjoinfeedingflocksofgullsnearthemouthsofbaysandrivers;theseflockscansometimescomprisehundredsorthousandsofbirds.
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InWashington
Tokeland,atthemouthofWillapaBay
FerryfromPortAngelestoVictoria,BritishColumbia(intheairandonthewater)CapeFlatterynearNeahBay
ColumbiaRiver,NorthJetty,nearIlwaco
InOregon
ColumbiaRiver,SouthJetty,inFortStevensStateParknearAstoriaBoilerBayStateScenicViewpointnearDepoeBayPelagicboattripoutofNewport
BarviewJettyatthemouthofTillamookBay
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OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
Theplaceswherefreshwaterrushesouttomixwithsaltwateratthemouthofbaysandriversarerichwithnutrientsandfulloffish.SootyShearwatersmightbeminglingtherewithCASPIANTERNS,BROWNPELICANS,BRANDT’SCORMORANTS,SURFSCOTERS,andplentyofgulls.
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WHIMBRELNumeniusphaeopus
ONAFOGGYcoastalmorning,theunmistakablesilhouetteofaWhimbrelmaterializesinthedistance.Itwalkscarefullyacrossthesandwithitscompanions,stoppingtopluckasmallcreatureoutofaholewithitslong,curvedbillandgobbleitdown.Asyouapproach,ittakestotheaironlong,pointedwingsandglidestoasaferlocation.MostWhimbrelsthatweseeinthePacificNorthwestareboundfornestinggroundstothenorthorwinteringgroundstothesouth,butapreciousfewstickaroundthroughoutthesummer.
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MakethemostofeveryWhimbrelsighting,becauseyouneverknowwhenthenextwilloccur.
Whimbrelsarelarge,comicalshorebirds.Pictureapigeonwithtalllegsandalong,droopingbill.Itsheadismarkedwithalternatinglightanddarkstripesthatextendfromitsbilltothebackofitshead.ItiseasilydistinguishedfromthecloselyrelatedLong-billedCurlew,whichhasanoutrageouslylongbillandanunstripedhead.
FOODANDFORAGINGTheWhimbrel’sbillisperfectlysuitedtoreachingintertidalinvertebrateshidingintheirburrows.Thisuniquebillactuallymatchesthecurvatureofcrabburrowsinsomeareas.Likeothershorebirds,Whimbrelscaptureavarietyofinvertebratepreyoncoastalwintergroundsandmigrationstopoversites.UponreachingnestingsitesinAlaskaandCanada,theWhimbrelswitchestoadietofterrestrialinsectsandberries.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Assoonasthesnowclearsfromtheirtundranestingsites,malesadvertisetheirterritorybyflyingseveralhundredfeetintoairanddescendingtothegroundwhilesinging,gliding,andspiraling.Bothparentsincubatetheclutchoffoureggsforabout25daysandcarefortheyoung,whichleavetheirshallowgroundnestafewhoursafterhatching.Eventually,themaleislefttocareforthechicksuntilhemigratessouth.Theyoungsterswillheadsouthontheirownamonthlater.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
Inthesummerandfall,NorthAmericanWhimbrelsmigratefromnorthernnestinggroundstotheirincrediblyexpansivewinteringgrounds—anareathatstretchesfromtheWestCoastofNorthAmericatothesoutherntipofSouthAmerica.Duringthesetrips,theymakeseveralnonstopflightsovertheopenoceanbeforerestingandrefuelingoncoastalbeaches.Thesereststopsprovideexcellentopportunitiesfornorthwesternbirderstoviewthisintrepidspecies.
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excellentopportunitiesfornorthwesternbirderstoviewthisintrepidspecies.Duringtheirsouthboundmigration,WhimbrelsrefuelontheNorthwestCoastfromJulythroughOctober.NorthboundmigrantsreturntotheregionfromMarchtoMay,whileafewnonbreedersspendtheentiresummeronthecoast.
WHERETOFINDWHIMBRELSWhimbrelsaremostabundantintheNorthwestduringtheirspringandfallmigrations.You’llseethemprobingforfoodonbeaches,mudflats,andwetfields.Theyaremuchtallerthanallthosestubbysandpipersandareeasilyvisibleastheystrollalongbeachesandthroughgrassyfields,althoughtheirbrowncoloroffersthemalittlecamouflage.
InWashington
OyhutWildlifeRecreationAreainOceanShoresCrockettLakeonWhidbeyIsland
ButlerFlatsnearBurlington
EdizHooknearPortAngeles
InOregon
BayoceanSpitinTillamookBaynearTillamook
SiltcoosRiverEstuarynearFlorence
YaquinaBayinNewport
SiletzBaynearTaft
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
Duringspringmigrationonthecoast,WhimbrelsarejoinedbyBlack-belliedPlovers,GREATBLUEHERONS,andacollectionofsandpiperssoabundantanddiversethatyou’llbeeitherfascinatedorfrustratedwithidentifyingthemall.
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SingingBirdsMEMORABLECALLSANDSONGS
THEPLEASANTCACOPHONYofbirdsongprovidesthesoundtracktoourspringsandsummers.Whetherasweetmelodyorauniquecall,thesesongswakeusupatfirstlightandsingusthroughtosunset.Birdsongsalsocreateasenseofplaceforus.Whatwouldacanyonbewithoutthewrennamedforit,orasummercampingtripwithouttheetherealsongoftheSwainson’sThrushatdusk?Theseamazingvocalizationsaren’tmadeforus,butweenjoythemjustthesame.Thebirds(mostoftenmales)areattractingmatesorstakingaclaimtoaterritory.Ifwetranslatedtheirsongs,theymightberomanticballadsfortheladiesorastronglywordedtonguelashingforarivalmale.
Twoofthespeciesincludedherearenottechnicallyclassifiedassongbirds,buttheirvocalizationsaresodistinctthatyouwillinstantlyrecognizethemafteryouhavelearnedtheirsounds.Theothersaretruesongbirds,adiversegroupingwithmorethan4000speciesworldwide.Thesebirdsuseaseriesoftinymembranesembeddedintheirairwaystoproducesongs,someofwhicharesocomplexthatthehumanvoiceboxcanonlypoorlyimitatethem.
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PacificWren
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CALIFORNIAQUAILCallipeplacalifornica
MaleCaliforniaQuail
WHATCOULDBEcuterthanaCaliforniaQuailthatsportssharpcolors,abeachballbody,andbobbingplumesonitshead?Itscurriesthroughthebrushwilly-nillywhendisturbed,andinthesummerit’sfollowedbyaherdoffluffyyoungsters.Maleswouldprobablyprefertobedescribedashandsome,asthey
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perchproudlyoutintheopentodisplaytheireye-catchingplumage.Notmusicalatall,aCaliforniaQuail’scallssoundmorelikespeech.Theyrallyoneanotherwiththeirunmistakable“Chi-CA-go!”call,andmalesadvertisetheirterritorieswitharepeated“Wah!”
CaliforniaQuailareinstantlyrecognizablebytheirpot-belliedsilhouettewiththedistinctivetopknot.Maleshaveintricateplumage,includingablackfacethatisoutlinedinwhite.Femalesarebrownerandlackthebrightpatternontheface.MountainQuail,theotherNorthwestquail,haveatopknotthatisstraightlikeanexclamationpoint;aCalifornia’stopknotlooksmorelikeaquestionmarkdroopingforwardoveritsface.
FOODANDFORAGINGCaliforniaQuailpickatseedsandotherplantpartsfoundingapsbetweenbrushyareas.Duringsummer,muchoftheirdietcomprisessoftplantssuchascloverandlupine.Duringtherestoftheyear,theyeatberriesandbudsofwoodyplantsaswellasgrassseedandafewinsects.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Whennestingtimearrives,femalesbuildasimplenestofgrassandweedsonthegroundinanareawellhiddenbyvegetation.Shecanlaymorethan20eggsandusuallyperformsalloftheincubationdutiesduringthe23-dayperiod,althoughhermatemaychipinorguardthenest.Thechicksleavethenestimmediatelyafterhatching.Forthenexttwotothreemonths,theparentsbroodthechickstokeepthemwarm,leadthemtofood,andprotectthemfrompredators.Occasionally,communalfamiliesform,withseveraladultswatchingoutforchicksfrommultiplenests.Whentheyoungcanflyatthreemonths,theyjoincoveys(groupsof30to70individuals)withtheirparents.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
CaliforniaQuailarepermanentresidentsofOregonandWashington.Coveysformattheendofthesummernestingseasonandwanderwithinahomerangebutrarelymovemorethan10milesfromonelocationtoanotherduringtheyear.
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butrarelymovemorethan10milesfromonelocationtoanotherduringtheyear.Theydissolveinthespringwhenbirdsstartpairingoffinanticipationofnesting.
WHERETOFINDCALIFORNIAQUAILOncefoundonlyinCaliforniaandthesouthwesterncornerofOregon,thousandsofCaliforniaQuailwerecapturedandreleasedthroughoutOregonandWashingtoninthenineteenthandtwentiethcenturiestoincreasebird-huntingopportunities.TheyarenowcommoninvalleysandlowareasontheeastsideoftheCascades,butyoucanfindthemonthewestsideaswell.Theyneedsomehidingplaces,sotheypreferareaswiththickbrushinsteadoffarmfieldsthatofferonlylowvegetation.Theyoftenrunalongroadsandperchonfenceposts.Youcanheartheirdistinctivethree-notecallfromagreatdistance.
InWashington
WenasBasinbetweenYakimaandEllensburg
DungenessNationalWildlifeRefugenearSequim
WenatcheeConfluenceStateParkinWenatchee
MagnusonParkinSeattle
InOregon
FortRockStateParknearLaPine
JacksonBottomWetlandsPreservenearHillsboro
PrescottParkinMedford
BaskettSloughNationalWildlifeRefugenearDallas
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
TakearoadtripthroughthefarmlandandsagebrushoftheeastsideofthePacificNorthwestandyou’llhavemilesandmilesoffencestocheckforopen-countrybirdssuchasMOUNTAINandWESTERNBLUEBIRDS,WESTERNKINGBIRDS,AmericanKestrels,LoggerheadShrikes,andWESTERNMEADOWLARKS.
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COMMONNIGHTHAWKChordeilesminor
COMMONNIGHTHAWKSWAITuntilthemonthofJunetoreturntotheNorthwestandfilltheskywiththeiruniquesoundsanddistinctiveflight.Theymakeacharacteristic,nasal-toned“meeernt”thatwillalertyoutotheirpresenceevenwhentheyareflyinghighabove.Nighthawksalsosingwiththeirfeathers,makingabooming“vrrrum”withtheirwingsinanoisydivingcourtshipdisplay.
Theodd-lookingCommonNighthawkspendsmostofthedayperfectlyhiddeninplainsightandthenemergesintoasummereveningtofeastonmosquitoes.Theirmottledbrownfeatherscamouflagewellagainstavarietyofbackdrops,whethertheyarenestingorroosting.Inflight,theirlong,pointedwingsandlongtailmakethemmuchmorenoticeable.Astheyhunt,theirtinybeaksgapeopentocatchinsects.AwhitethroatandwhitewingbarshelptodistinguishthisspeciesfromtherarerCommonPoorwillthatisdarkerandstubbieroverall.
FOODANDFORAGINGDespitetheirname,CommonNighthawksarenothawksorbirdsofprey.Theyeatsmallinsects,whichtheycapturewiththeirwidemouthswhileflyingwithbatlikewingbeatsduringduskanddawn.Short,bristledfeathersthathelpthemcatchaerialinsectssurroundtheirbeaks.Theirunfortunatepredatorymisnomerhasresultedinpersecutionbyhumanswhosoughttoprotecttheirfarmanimalsfrompredators.SmallbirdsalsomistakeCommonNighthawksforenemiessuchasowlsandmobthemastheytrytorestduringtheday.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Althoughtheyarequiteconspicuouswhilehuntinginsectsinthesky,CommonNighthawksaremastersofcamouflageattheirnests.Thefemalelaysapairof
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Nighthawksaremastersofcamouflageattheirnests.Thefemalelaysapairofeggsdirectlyonthegroundor,insomecases,onarooftop.Whileincubating,sheisalmostinvisibleagainstthebackdropofgravel,sand,ordebrissurroundingthenest.Whensheisoffthenest,hereggsarenearlyinvisibleaswell.After18days,nestlingshatchascamouflaged,semi-mobilepuffs.Theyareshelteredfromthehotsunbythefemaleduringtheday,whilethemalehuntsandbringsthefamilyfood.Theyoungcanfly18daysafterhatchingandwilleventuallyjoinamigratoryflockwiththeirparents.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
Theseextremelong-distancemigrantsspendtheirwintersinSouthAmericaasfarsouthasBuenosAires,Argentina.Becauseoftheirlongmigration,theyarethelatestspeciestoarriveforthePacificNorthwestnestingseason,withmostarrivinginearlyJune.InAugust,flocksofmorethan100birdsforminpreparationfortheirsouthwardmigration,withmostdepartingtheNorthwestbythemiddleofSeptember.
WHERETOFINDCOMMONNIGHTHAWKSAlthoughyou’llfindCommonNighthawksinthewesternpartsofOregonandWashington,theyaremorecommoneastoftheCascadeCrest.Theyareoccasionallyactiveduringtheday,butthebesttimetowatchtheminactionisatdusk.Lookforthemnearwaterwhereyoufindlotsofflyinginsects.Listenfortheiruniquecalls.Theyaremuchmoredifficulttofindwhentheyareroosting;lookforoddbumpsonbaretreelimbsorwoodenfences.
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InWashington
WenasLakenearYakima
MountConstitutiononOrcasIsland
TroutLakeNaturalAreaPreservenearTroutLake
ToppenishNationalWildlifeRefugenearYakima
InOregon
MetoliusPreserveandMetoliusRivertrailsnearCampShermanKlamathMarshNationalWildlifeRefugenearKlamathFalls
CranePrairieReservoirnearLaPine
WhitehorseParknearGrantsPass
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OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
AsduskfallsonastreamsideforesteastoftheCascades,theairquicklycoolsandallkindsofcreaturestaketotheair.Theubiquitousmosquitoesarefollowedbytheirpredators,theVIOLET-GREENSWALLOWSthatarealmostreadytoroostforthenightandthebatsthatarejustwakingup.ThewhinnyofaWesternScreechOwlcarriesthroughthetrees,andthelargeshadowofaGREATHORNEDOWLpassesover.
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OLIVE-SIDEDFLYCATCHERContopuscooperi
PERHAPSIT’SWISHFULthinkingthatturnsthethree-notesongofthisflycatcherinto“Quick,THREEbeers!”,butonceyoumaketheassociation,you’llknowthisbirdsongforlife.Olive-sidedFlycatchersemittheirloud,unmistakablesongwiththeenthusiasmofaspiritedbarpatron,butyou’lloftenhearthesongwithoutbeingabletolocatethesinger.
TheOlive-sidedFlycatcherhuntsfromhigh,exposedperches,givingyouagoodopportunitytolookforfieldmarks.Itsdappervestanduprightposturemakeitunique.TheWesternWood-Peweeisanotherlargeflycatcher,butitissmudgylookingandlacksthecrisp,darkvestandthewhitebellyandchinoftheOlive-sided.
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Olive-sided.
FOODANDFORAGING
Olive-sidedFlycatchersperchprominentlyonexposedbranchesatornearthetopsoftrees.Fromthisperch,theyscanthetopstoryofaforestopeningforbeesandotherflyinginsects.Whenaninsectisspotted,thebirddartsoutinaquickburstofflight,catchestheinsectwithasnapofitsbill,andreturnstoitsperch.Itswallowssmallprey,suchasflyingants,inflight,butbringslargerprey,suchasabumblebeesormoths,backtotheperchandbeatsthecreatureagainstthebranchtomakeiteasiertoswallow.
PAIRINGANDPARENTINGIntallconiferssuchasDouglas-firs,hemlocks,andspruces,thefemaleconstructsacup-shapednestandincubatesthreeorfoureggsforabout15days.Bothparentscaptureinsectsanddeliverthemtonestlingsduringthe20daystheyareinthenestandforatleasttwoweeksaftertheyleave.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
Thisworld-travelerhasthelongestmigratorypathofanyNorthwestflycatcher.IndividualsspendthewinterinPanamaandSouthAmerica,andmostarrivetonestintheNorthwestduringthemonthofMay.NestingbeginsinJune,andbytheendofAugustmostbirdshavedepartedfromtheregion,headingbacktoCentralandSouthAmerica.
WHERETOFINDOLIVE-SIDEDFLYCATCHERS
LookfortheminconiferousforestsofOregonandWashington.Openareaswithinforestsprovideexcellentforaginghabitat.Youwilllikelyhearonebeforeyouseeit;scanforanuprightbirdonanexposedperch.
InWashington
MountRainierNationalPark
EnglishCamponSanJuanIsland
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EnglishCamponSanJuanIsland
BethelRidgeRoad(ForestServiceRoad1500)offHighway12nearNachesDiscoveryParkinSeattle
InOregon
PittockMansioninPortland
LarchMountainnearTroutdale
ColdSpringsCampgroundnearSisters
MountAshlandnearAshland
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
Forestopeningscreatedbyclearcutting,fire,landslide,orwindthrowprovideanidealhabitatforaninterestingvarietyofbirdsthatmoveintotakeadvantageoftheinsectpreyandelbowroom.YoumightspotLAZULIBUNTINGS,Orange-crownedWarblers,White-crownedSparrows,WESTERNBLUEBIRDS,andGrayJaysinthisseeminglybarren,yetrich,habitat.
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CANYONWRENCatherpesmexicanus
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NOTHINGSAYS“Welcometocanyoncountry!”likethesongofaCanyonWren.Itsslurredwhistlestumbledownwardlikewateroverarockycliff.Itsdisproportionallylargesongechoesfromnooksandcranniestofillcanyonsand
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cliffsides,cheerilyentertaininghikersandclimbers.Thedescending,whistledcallmaybeallyougetfromthesecretivebird,butit’senoughtomakeadayinthedrycountrycomplete.
Thisrust-coloredspecieswithabrilliantwhitethroatfitsrightintotherockycountrywithitswarmcolorandwedgedshape.Likeotherwrens,itsportsarelativelylong,needlelikebillthatisslightlydown-curved.TheonlysimilarbirdinsimilarhabitatsistheRockWren,whoserangecompletelyoverlapsthatoftheCanyonWren.Withgrayupperpartsandabuff-coloredbelly,RockWrensaremoreearth-tonedthanCanyonWrens.RockWrensalsolackthesharpcontrastbetweenthewhitethroatandrustybackandbellythatdistinguishestheCanyonWren.
FOODANDFORAGINGCanyonWrensareoftenheardbeforetheyareseen,becausetheyareusuallyhiddenfromviewinarockycrevice,wheretheylookforfoodsuchasspiders.Theirshortlegs,longbills,andwedge-shapedheadsareperfectforprobingintonarrowspacestofetchahidinginvertebrate.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
CanyonWrenshidetheirnestsinsiderockyoutcroppings,incaves,orinspacesbetweensmallrocksorboulders.Tokeeptheeggsandnestlingscozyinaspacethatseesnosun,pairsconstructabulkynestwithasoftcuplinedwithmoss,feathers,andhair.Thefemaleincubatestheeggsfor16days,whilethemalebringsherfood.Thefivetosixnestlingsremaininthenestfor18daysafterhatchingandarethendependentontheirparentsforanotherthreeweeks.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
TheyremaininOregonandWashingtonthroughouttheyear,butinwintersomeleavetheirrockynestingsitesforlowerelevationsordenselyvegetatedareastoescapecoldweatherandfoodshortages.
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WHERETOFINDCANYONWRENS
LookforthemeastoftheCascades,wheretheyareassociatedwithcanyons,cliffs,andcouleesoranyappropriaterockyhabitat.Hearingthisbird’ssongisthebestwaytodetectoneasitworksitswayamongtherocks.
InWashington
CowicheCanyonnearYakima
GinkgoPetrifiedForestStateParknearEllensburg
YakimaCanyonnearYakima
OakCreekWildlifeAreanearNaches
InOregon
FortRockStateParknearLaPine
SmithRockStateParknearRedmond
DeschutesRiverStateParknearTheDalles
TheCovePalisadesStateParknearMadras
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
WhileyouarelisteningfortheelusiveCanyonWren,lookforsomemorevisiblebirdssuchasPRAIRIEFALCONS,TurkeyVultures,White-throatedSwifts,VIOLET-GREENSWALLOWS,CliffSwallows,Say’sPhoebes,andCALIFORNIAQUAIL.
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PACIFICWRENTroglodytespacificus
THEPACIFICWRENmorethancompensatesforitsdiminutivesizewithaprolonged,bubblysongthatseemstospreadthroughoutadampforest,echoingoffofeverytreetrunkandmossyrock.Thishappysongpacksinmorethan30notespersecond,whichgivesitakineticquality.Thebird’sscientificnamemeanscavedwellerofthePacific,whichseemsaptforthissecretivelittlewren.
Thismouse-sizedbirdissolidbrownwithblackbarringonitswings,tail,andundersides.Bewick’sWrensandHouseWrensarealsofoundinwoodedareasoftheregion.Botharelargerwithbillsthatarelongerandmorecurved
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thanthatofthePacificWren.Thesethreespeciescanalsobedistinguishedbyrelativetaillengthandthecolorofthestripeabovetheireyes.TheBewick’sWrenhasaverylongtailandawhitestripe,theHouseWrenhasamedium-sizedtailandabuff-coloredstripe,andthePacificWrenhasastubbytailandabuff-coloredstripe.
FOODANDFORAGINGInsearchofinsects,spiders,andothercreepycrawlieshidingincrevicesinamatureforest,PacificWrenscreepandflitnearstreamsandinuplandareas.Noareasinthelowerlevelsofaforestgounsearched.Theyusetheirtinybillstoprobebark,fallenlogs,leaflitter,mossypatches,andevenstreamsforsmallprey.Berriesandseedsalsoformapartoftheirdiet.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Malesaremanicnestbuildersanduseavarietyofnestdesigns.Theybuildsphericalnestsinspacessuchasoldwoodpeckercavities,upturnedrootwads,andalongstreambanks.Amalemayconstructseveralofthesenestseachyear.Whenafemaleissufficientlyimpressedwithhiswork,sheselectsanestandindicatesherapprovalbyliningtheinteriorwithfinematerial.Afterlininganest,thefemalelaysfivetoseveneggsandincubatesthemfor16days.Bothadultsbringinsects,spiders,andtheliketonestlings.Thefamilygroupstaysinthemale’sterritory,wherebothparentswillcarefortheyounguntiltheydisperseinafewweeks.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
PacificWrensarefoundyear-roundinforeststhatexperiencemildwinters.Malessingthroughouttheyearbutincreasethefrequencyofsinginginlatewinterandearlyspring.ThelongnestingseasonbeginsinAprilandendsinAugust.Duringthistime,somefemalesraiseasecondbroodofyoungafterthefirsthasfledged.Somebirdsdispersefromhigh-elevationforestsinthewinterandoccupyshrubbyhabitats,suchaslow-elevationclearcutsandcityparks,untilitistimetoreturntotheforestforthenestingseason.
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untilitistimetoreturntotheforestforthenestingseason.
WHERETOFINDPACIFICWRENSLookforthemallyearinthewetforestsoftheNorthwest.Listenforitssonganditssharp,repeated“chip!”fromlowperchessuchasstumpsordownedlogs.
InWashington
PointDefianceParkinTacoma
DiscoveryParkinSeattle
LakeQuinaultintheOlympicNationalForest
RidgefieldNationalWildlifeRefuge,CartyUnit,nearVancouverInOregon
AudubonSocietyofPortland’sNatureSanctuarynearForestParkCapePerpetuaScenicAreanearYachats
EcolaStateParknearCannonBeach
SilverFallsStateParknearSalem
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
Youdon’thavetowaitforneotropicalmigrantstoarrivetoenjoybirdsonginthePacificNorthwest.OurresidentbirdsstartwarmingupasthedaysbegintolengthenandareinfullvoicebyearlyApril.SongSparrows,Bewick’sWrens,SpottedTowhees,PurpleFinches,BROWNCREEPERS,andNorthernFlickersallgetajumponthespringseason,andyoucanlearntheirsongsandcallsearly,beforethewarblers,flycatchers,andvireosarrivetocomplicatethings.
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SWAINSON’STHRUSHCatharusustulatus
WITHBROWNISHCOLORATIONandanaffinityfordense,shadyvegetation,theSwainson’sThrushmightbedifficultforustosee,butitdemandstobeheard.Whenit’ssingingamelodioussongordippingintoitsrepertoireofcallnotes,thisbirdwillentranceyou.Itsall-daycallnotesoundsabitlikeawaterdrop,“wup!”,butitwillperformitsimpressivesongmostfrequentlyatdawnanddusk.Spiralingupwardthroughthetrees,thisotherworldlymusicisaperfectsetofbookendsforasummerday.
TheSwainson’sThrushhassoftbrownspotsonalightbreast,andabrowntailthatmatchesitsback.WhenyouaretryingtoidentifyoneofthethreespeciesofbrownthrushesthatvisittheNorthwest,timeofyearandhabitataregoodindicatorsofwhichthrushyouareviewing.TheHermitThrushistheonlyspeciesofspottedthrushthatregularlyspendsthewinterinourregion,andinthesummeritnestsinhigh-elevationconiferousforests.WestoftheCascades,theSwainson’sThrushiscommonlyfoundinlow-elevationforestswithamixtureofconifersanddeciduoustreesandshrubs.TheVeeryisfoundonlyeastoftheCascades,atlowerelevationsthantheSwainson’sorHermitThrush,inthicketsofdeciduousshrubs.
FOODANDFORAGINGLikeotherthrushes,theSwainson’sswitchesfromadietoffruitinfallandwintertooneofinsectsduringthespringandsummer.Theyforagehigherintheforestlayersthanmostotherthrushes,capturinginsectsbydartingfromaperchlikeaflycatcherorawarbler.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Afterpairingwithamale,thefemaleconstructsawell-concealednestfrom
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Afterpairingwithamale,thefemaleconstructsawell-concealednestfromgroundlevelto10feethighinashruboratree.Sheincubatesfoureggsforatleasttendaysandbroodsnestlingstokeepthemwarmuntiltheydeveloptheirowninsulatingfeathers.Bothparentsfeednestlingsinsectsandfruitthatisinseason.Youngleavethenestabouttwelvedaysafterhatchingandareindependentfromtheirparentstwoweekslater.Atthistime,theymovetoareasnearstreamsandcapturetheabundantinsectsthere.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
Swainson’sThrushesnestthroughoutforestedportionsofOregonandWashingtonanddeparttheregionbySeptembertospendthewinterinMexico.SpringtimemigrantsarriveinearlyMay,andmalesbeginsingingneartheendofthemonth.InSeptember,wavesofsouthboundmigrantspassoverourregionatnight.Astutebirderscanhearthesenocturnalmigrantsastheycalltooneanotherinthedarkness.
WHERETOFINDSWAINSON’STHRUSHES
TheseoperaticsingersarefoundinforestsallovertheNorthwestduringthesummer,buttheyaremostabundantinlow-elevationforestsonthewestsideoftheCascades.Findthemindeciduousforestsinareaswithlotsofdeliciousberries.
InWashington
MoranStateParkonOrcasIsland
PointDefianceParkinTacoma
NisquallyNationalWildlifeRefugenearOlympia
MarymoorParkinRedmond
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InOregon
WildwoodRecreationSitenearBrightwood
ReehersCampintheTillamookStateForest
WilliamL.FinleyNationalWildlifeRefugenearCorvallis
BreitenbushCampgroundnearDetroit
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
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Inthelatespring,thelow-andmid-elevationforestswestoftheCascadesofferasymphonyofbirdsong.JoiningthechorusareWILSON’SWARBLERS,BLACK-HEADEDGROSBEAKS,RED-BREASTEDNUTHATCHES,Pacific-slopeFlycatchers,andWarblingVireos.
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VARIEDTHRUSHIxoreusnaevius
MaleVariedThrush
THEBRIGHTORANGEplumageoftheVariedThrushistheperfectcolorforgettingattentioninadarkPacificforest,muchtothechagrinoftheseshygrounddwellersthattendtoflushandhideinatreeassoonastheyarenoticedbyhumaneyes.Thisstrikingbirdhasanequallymemorablesong,whistlingtwonotessimultaneouslyinharmonytocreateaneeriesoundthatseemstocomefromeverydirectionatonce.
TheVariedThrushissimilartotheubiquitousAmericanRobininshapeandsize,butitsbrightorangethroat,headstripe,andwingbarsdistinguishitfromallotherbirds.Thesexesaremosteasilydistinguishedbythebreastband,whichisblackonthemaleandgray-brownonthefemale.
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FOODANDFORAGING
Duringmuchoftheyear,VariedThrushestakeadvantageoftheabundanceofberriesthatgrowinthePacificNorthwest.Theyfeastonnativecropssuchassalmonberry,snowberry,andhuckleberry,andtheyalsoeatcultivatedfruits,suchasblackberryandunharvestedapples.Thisspeciesalsoeatsacornsandwillvisitabackyardfeederstockedwithcrackedcornandmillet.Duringthenestingseason,theyconsumeground-dwellinginsects,whichtheyfindbytossinglitterasidewiththeirbills.Whenthebreedingseasonnearsitsendandberriesbegintoripen,theyswitchbacktoafruit-heavydiet.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Femalesbuildaratherelaboratenestwithabaseofsmalltwigs,aninnerlayerofrottedwoodandmoss,aliningoffinematerial,andadecorativeouterlayerofgreenmoss.Theseconspicuousnestsarebuiltintrees,fromgroundlevelto60feethigh.Thefemaleincubatesthreeorfoureggsfor12ormoredays.Bothparentsfeedthenestlings,whichleavethenesttwoweeksafterhatching.Insomeareas,VariedThrusheshavealongnestingseasonandcansuccessfullyraisetwobroodsofyoungperyear.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
VariedThrushesnestinginCanadaandAlaskamigratesouthafterthenestingseason,andmanynestingintheLower48simplymovetolowerelevations.Duringcolderwinters,theyarequiteabundantinlow-elevationvalleysofOregonandWashington.Duringmildwinters,theymayremainintheirmid-elevationnestingareas.WinteringbirdsdepartfortheirforestednestinggroundsinAprilandreturntoNorthwestvalleysinSeptemberorOctober.
WHERETOFINDVARIEDTHRUSHES
Duringthewinter,you’llfindtheminmid-elevationforestsallthewaydowntosealevel.BecauseVariedshavetowaitforareasinupperelevationstothawbeforetheymigrateinthespring,youcanoftenstillhearthemsingingintoJune
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beforetheymigrateinthespring,youcanoftenstillhearthemsingingintoJuneatlowelevations.Headuphilltofindthemduringthebreedingseason.Theyoftenforagealongtrailsandroadsides,sowatchfortheflashoforangeontheirwingsastheyflyuptoasaferperch.Theysometimesvisitfeeders,eatingthedroppedseedonthegroundbeneaththem.
FemaleVariedThrush
InWashington
HurricaneRidgeinOlympicNationalPark(breeding)
MountRainierNationalPark(breeding)
SnoqualmiePassonInterstate90(breeding)
DiscoveryParkinSeattle(winter)
InOregon
CapeMearesStateParknearTillamook(winter)
OxbowRegionalParknearTroutdale(winter)
EcolaStateParknearCannonBeach(winter)
CraterLakeNationalPark(breeding)
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OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
InadditiontotheusualcastofcharactersfoundinalpineforestsoftheCascadeRange,suchasPILEATEDWOODPECKERS,PACIFICWRENS,andOLIVE-SIDEDFLYCATCHERS,thehigh-elevationnestingsitesoftheVariedThrusharealsohometoClark’sNutcrackers,MOUNTAINBLUEBIRDS,andREDCROSSBILLS.
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BLACK-HEADEDGROSBEAKPheucticusmelanocephalus
MaleBlack-headedGrosbeak
BLACK-HEADEDGROSBEAKShaveoneofthemostmelodicvoicesofthespring,singingsweetphrasesfromthetreetops,whileflying,orevenwhilesittingonanest.Malesandfemalesbothsing,whichisunusualintheworldofbirds.Theirfast,creativelywhistledsongsoundslikeit’scomingfromarobinthat’shadsinginglessons.Eachwarblingphraseisclearandperfectlyintune.Theirthick,cardinal-likebeakslookintimidating,butthesebirdsaremildmanneredandeatseeds,fruit,andinvertebrates.
Likearipefruitdecoratingthebranchesofdeciduoustrees,themale’sbrightorange,black,andwhiteplumagestandsoutagainstthesummergreensorthebluesky.Black-headedGrosbeakshavethenamesakeblackheadandabright
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bluesky.Black-headedGrosbeakshavethenamesakeblackheadandabrightorangebelly.Femalesareabuff-color,withpaleorangeonthebelly,abrownback,andstripedhead.Theirlarge,conicalbillsgivethespeciesaverydifferentappearancefromanyotherblackandorangebirdthatyouwillfindintheNorthwest.Bullock’sOriolesslightlyresembleBlack-headedsinthattheyareblack,orange,andwhite,butBullock’shavethin,pointedbeaks,andtheirheadsarenotentirelyblack.EveningGrosbeaksalsohavethickbeaks,buttheirplumageisyellow,notorange,andneithersexhasablackorstripedhead.
FOODANDFORAGING
Black-headedGrosbeakseatavarietyofthingsthroughouttheyear.Fleshyfruits,tinyseeds,andavarietyofinsectsarealwaysonthemenu.Theyusetheirthickbillstocrackthehusksofseedsandexoskeletonsofbeetles.Thesestrong-stomachedforagerswilleveneatMonarchbutterflies,whicharetoxictomostbirds.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Femalesquicklychooseamateuponarrivalatthenestinggroundsandbeginconstructingnestsbytheendofspring.Nestsarelocatedinshrubsortrees,usuallynearstreamsorotherforestopenings.Thefemaleconstructsthenest,afairlycrudecupoftwigslinedwithfinematerial.Inabehaviorthatseemstocourtdanger,themalefrequentlysingswhileincubatingtheeggs.Younghatchafter13days,andbothparentsfeedthenestlingsacombinationofplantandinsectmatter.Youngclimboutofthenest10to14daysafterhatching,buttheycan’tflyforanothertwoweeks.
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FemaleBlack-headedGrosbeak
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSBlack-headedsspendthewinterinMexicoandCentralAmericaandarriveinthePacificNorthwestinlateAprilorearlyMay.DuringthemonthofMay,theyarequiteconspicuous,becausemalesestablishterritoriesandbeginsinginginearnest.TheyarelessvisibleinJuneandJuly,whentheyspendlesstimesingingandmoretimeraisingtheiryoung.MalesbegintoleavetheregioninlateJuly,mostfemalesdepartinAugust,andtheyoungstickaroundthelongest,usuallydepartingbymid-September.
WHERETOFINDBLACK-HEADEDGROSBEAKS
LookforthemthroughoutOregonandWashingtonduringthebreedingseason,inappropriatelow-elevationdeciduousforesthabitats.Tofindthem,listenfortheircheerfulsongortheir“squik!”call.Thebrightcolorsofthemalestandoutinflight,sowatchthetrees.Youcanalsofindthematbirdfeedersallsummerlong,joinedeventuallybytheirfuzzyfledglings.
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InWashington
OakCreekWildlifeAreanearNaches
BlackbirdIslandinLeavenworth
MarymoorParkinRedmond
DungenessRiverAudubonCenterinSequim
InOregon
MetoliusPreserveandMetoliusRivertrailsnearCampShermanTualatinHillsNatureParkinBeaverton
BeaverCreekStateNaturalAreanearNewport
BearCreekGreenwayinAshland
OTHERBIRDSTOSEEBrightlycoloredbirdsaboundatbirdfeedersduringthesummer.JoiningtheorangeBlack-headedGrosbeaksaretheyellowAmericanGoldfinches,thepurpleBAND-TAILEDPIGEONS,thecopper-coloredRUFOUSHUMMINGBIRDS,andthered-spottedHairyWoodpeckers.
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WESTERNMEADOWLARKSturnellaneglecta
SOUNDINGALITTLElikeasqueakywindinstrument,themelodioussongofaWesternMeadowlarktravelswellacrosstheexpansesofgrassandsagebrush;itssongisemblematicofopenspaces.Itsbrightplumageandirresistiblybubblysonghavewonitmanyadmirers.Infact,sixstates,includingOregon,have
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adoptedthisgrasslandjewelastheirstatebird.WesternMeadowlarkshaveabrightyellowbellywithablackV-shaped
bandacrosstheirchest.Theirbacksarebrownandtheedgesoftheirtailsarewhite.Theirsilhouetteisdistinctive,withapointedbeak,shortneck,androundedbelly,kindoflikethePenguinintheBatmancomics.Luckilyforidentificationpurposes,itsdoppelgangertheEasternMeadowlarkisn’tfoundintheNorthwest,andnootherbirdreallyresemblesit.
FOODANDFORAGINGThisspeciesusesitslancelikebilltoprobethegroundandspreadapartbladesofgrasstofindseeds,insects,andspiders.Italsoplucksinsects,suchasgrasshoppers,fromgrassorotherlowvegetation.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Atthestartofthenestingseason,malesestablishterritoriesingrassyareas.Amalemightpairwithonefemaleandthenaddasecondmateafterthefirstbeginsincubatingeggs.Withintheterritory,femalesselectareaswithtallgrassandthicklayersofdeadplantstoprovidecoverfortheirnests,whicharebuiltontheground.Surroundinggrassandotherplantmaterialisincorporatedintoanelaboratestructurethatfeaturesadomelikeroofandatunnelleadingawayfromthenest.Thefemalelaysfourorfiveeggsandincubatesthemfor14days.Youngstayinthenestfor10to12daysandarefedbythefemaleandthemale,unlessheisbusytendinganotherbrood.Uponleavingthenest,fledglingscanwalkandrunbutareunabletoflyforseveralmoredays.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
Duringfallandwinter,WesternMeadowlarkstravelinflocksthatcanexceed100individuals.Inthewinter,theyleavethecentralandeasternportionsofOregonandWashington,andmanymovetothecoastsandwesternvalleys.MalesbeginsinginginMarchorApriltokickoffthenestingseason.
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WHERETOFINDWESTERNMEADOWLARKS
WesternMeadowlarkscanshowupaboutanywhereinOregonorWashingtonoutsideofthemountains.TheyaremorecommonwestoftheCascadesduringthewinter,buttheyareabundantontheeastsideduringthespringandsummer.Theirmottledbrownbacksrenderthemvirtuallyinvisibleinthegrass,solookforthemperchedonfencesorpowerlines,flauntingtheirbrightyellowbellies.Ifyouseeachunkybrownbirdflyingawayfromyou,lookforthetelltalewhiteedgesonthetail.
InWashington
ConboyLakeNationalWildlifeRefugenearGlenwood
SkagitWildlifeAreanearMountVernon
MarymoorParkinRedmond
ToppenishNationalWildlifeRefugenearYakima
InOregon
TouVelleStateParknearMedford
WilliamL.FinleyNationalWildlifeRefugenearCorvallis
PowellButteNatureParkinPortland
HatfieldLakenearBend
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
Althoughtheymightnotlookit,WesternMeadowlarksaremembersoftheblackbirdfamily,whichisknownforbrightcolorsandlotsofnoise.Duringthesummer,theNorthwestisfullofblackbirds,includingBullock’sOrioles,Brewer’sBlackbirds,Red-wingedBlackbirds,YELLOW-HEADEDBLACKBIRDS,andBrown-headedCowbirds.
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TreeTrunkBirdsLIVINGTHEVERTICALLIFE
AMONGTHEEMBLEMSofthePacificNorthwestareitstrees—reallybigtrees.Douglas-fir,Sitkaspruce,Ponderosapine,andavarietyofotherscolorthelandscapeandprovidewonderfulplacesforwoodpeckers,nuthatches,andcreeperstofindfoodandshelter.Thesetreetrunkbirdsdependheavilyonlivetreesandstandingdeadtrees,orsnags.Althoughthesebirdsmayappearsuperficiallysimilar,eachhasevolveduniquemethodsofobtainingresourcesfromourtreasuredforests.
Wehavechosenacollectionofourfavoritewoodpeckers—thosethatarethemostfuntowatchandthatliveinbeautifulplaces.Thesebirdsareoftenthehighlightofbirdwalksthatweleadandcapturetheinterestofevenareluctantbirderwiththeircharisma.Someofthesewoodpeckersinhabitforeststhroughouttheregion,andothersareconfinedtodryforestseastoftheCascadeCrest.Thewonderfulthingaboutthisgroupofwoodpeckersisthateachspecieshasdistinctmarkings,andyouneedonlyonegoodlooktoidentifyanyoneofthem.
Woodpeckersareeasilyrecognizedbytheirverticalpostureandpointedbill,whichtheyusetoexcavatenestcavities,captureprey,andraploudly,ordrum,onasurfacetoannouncetheirpresence.Apileofwoodchipsatthebaseofatreeisevidencethatapairofwoodpeckershasrecentlyexcavatedanestingcavity.Whentheparentshavefinishedexcavating,thefemalelayseggsonthebarecavityfloorandbothparentsshareincubationduties.Afewweeksafterhatching,woodpeckernestlingsbegloudlyforfood.Ifyouhearmuffledsquawkingemanatingfromatreetrunk,findagoodhidingplaceseveralyardsawayfromthetree—soasnottodisturbtheparents—andyouwillsoonberewardedbythesightofoneortwowoodpeckersarrivingwithfood.
Red-breastedNuthatchesandBrownCreepersresemblewoodpeckersinsomewaysbutaresongbirdsandaredistinguishedbytheirownadaptationstotheverticallife.TheRed-breastedNuthatchisthemostcommonandmostcolorfulofthethreenuthatchspeciesfoundinthePacificNorthwest.TheBrownCreeperistheonlyspeciesofcreeper
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PacificNorthwest.TheBrownCreeperistheonlyspeciesofcreeperfoundinNorthAmericaandisthereforeveryeasytoidentify.Learningaboutthesefascinatingspecies,mostofwhichinhabitourareayear-round,willaddanotherdimensiontoyourenjoymentoftheNorthwest’sforests.
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Red-BreastedSapsucker
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LEWIS’SWOODPECKERMelanerpeslewis
ASYOUWALKintoanoakwoodland,youseeadarkbirdswoopouttocaptureawaspinmidair.Anotherbirddropstothegroundandthenreturnstoabranchwithagrasshopperinitsbill.Thisrelentlesspredatorofinsectshoversintheair
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tosnatchupanythingthatmoves.Whenyoufindtheperchedbirdinyourbinoculars,youseearedface,pinkbelly,andgraynape.Younoticethatthedarkwingsandbackareactuallyaglossygreen.Thesearenotcrows,flycatchers,orswallows,butLewis’sWoodpeckers.AdozenspeciesofwoodpeckersarefoundintheNorthwest,buttheLewis’slooksandbehaveslikenoneother.Donotpassupachancetovisitoneofthefewsiteswhereyoucanspotthisstrikingbird.
WhenMeriwetherLewisfirstdescribedthisbird,hethoughtitmightbeacrow—aneasymistaketomake.Lewis’sWoodpeckersappearsolidblackfromadistance,butyoucaneasilydistinguishthemfromcrowsbythepinkfeathersontheirbelliesandthepalefeathersaroundtheirnecks.Unlikemostwoodpeckers,theyoftenperchuprightonbranchesinsteadofclingingverticallytotreetrunks.
FOODANDFORAGING
TheLewis’sWoodpecker’sdietchangeswiththeseasons,anditsforagingtechniquesareunusualamongwoodpeckers.Duringthesummer,itcatchesinsectsintheairoroffthegroundbutdoesn’tsearchforinsectsbyboringintotrees.Duringthenonbreedingseason,itconsumesacorns,grains,andfruits,whichitstoresincrevicesoftreestoretrieveduringtheleanwintermonths.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Lewis’sWoodpeckersrarelyexcavatetheirownnestcavities,onceagaindefyingthewoodpeckerstereotype.Instead,theyusecavitiescreatedbyotherwoodpeckersornestboxesconstructedbyhelpfulhumans.Fivetonineeggsareincubatedfor12to16days.Bothparentsfeedinsectstothenestlingsduringtheirmonthlongstayinthenest.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSInareaswithenoughoakstoprovideampleacornsforthewinter,Lewis’sWoodpeckerswillremainyear-round.Birdsthatbreedinpineforestsmigratetolowerelevationsorlatitudesinthefallandformnomadicflocksinsearchoffood.Malesestablishterritoriesontheirnestinggroundsandbegincourting
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food.MalesestablishterritoriesontheirnestinggroundsandbegincourtingfemalesinAprilorMay.ThenestingseasonendswhenyoungleavethenestinJulyorAugust.
WHERETOFINDLEWIS’SWOODPECKERS
You’llfindLewis’sinburnedpineforests,oakorcottonwoodwoodlands,orareaswherepineforeststransitionstoshrubland.Lookfortheirdarkformsonleaflessbranchesoflargetrees.Theirflycatchingbehaviorisalsoveryconspicuousandwillimmediatelyalertyoutotheirpresence.Duringthesummer,listenfortheirsqueakywheelcall.Whensearchingburnedpineforests,lookforareaswhereonlylargetreesremainwithopenspacebetweenthem.SuchplacesareidealforLewis’sWoodpeckershuntingaerialandterrestrialinsects.
InWashington
FortSimcoeStateParknearToppenish(year-round)
OakCreekWildlifeAreanearNaches(year-round)
InOregon
TyghValleyareaalongHighway197(year-round)
BurnedareasnearSistersandBend(MaythroughAugust)
CabinLakeCampgroundnearFortRock(MaythroughAugust)
OTHERBIRDSTOSEEIndeciduouswoodlands,youmightspotACORNWOODPECKERS,White-breastedNuthatches,WESTERNBLUEBIRDS,andAmericanKestrels.Inburnedforests,marvelatthelargenumberofcavity-nestingspeciesthattakeadvantageoftheabundantinsectsandweakenedtrees.LookforBLACK-BACKEDWOODPECKERS,HairyWoodpeckers,HouseWrens,andWESTERNBLUEBIRDS.
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ACORNWOODPECKERMelanerpesformicivorus
AcornWoodpeckergranaryinaPonderosapine
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WITHTHEIRCLOWNISHfaces,cartoonishcalls,andacorn-stashingantics,thesebirdsradiatepersonality.WatchingagroupofAcornWoodpeckersastheyharvestacornsanddeliberateovertheperfectspotstoplacetheminagranarytreeisawonderfulwaytospendafallday.Withsociallivesthatcouldinspireasoapopera,thesebirdshavekeptornithologistsperplexedfordecades.
Thewhitepatchesonitswingsandrumpinflightcontrastwithitsblackbackandcatchyourattention.Uponcloserinspection,you’llseeitsyellowface,whichisunmistakable,asareitsredcapandpaleiris.Itsmemorablelaughingcall,reminiscentofWoodyWoodpecker,alsodistinguishesitfromotherwoodpeckersofthearea.
FOODANDFORAGING
AcornWoodpeckershaveadiversedietthatincludesacorns,insects,treesap,andfruit.Acorns,whicharelowinnutrientsandhighintannins,arenottheiroptimalfood(whichisinsects)butareanessentialsupplementwhenotherfoodsarenotavailable.Theyharvestacornsfromoaksandbringthemeithertoan
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arenotavailable.Theyharvestacornsfromoaksandbringthemeithertoananvilsiteforimmediateopeningandconsumptionortoagranaryforstorage.Theyusuallyconstructgranariesinthetrunksofsnags,butAcornWoodpeckerswillalsocreateholesindeadbranchesoflivetreesorevenintelephonepoles.Eachholeiscustom-madeforanindividualacorn,andthebuildertakescaretoensureasnugfitbeforemovingontothenextone.
PAIRINGANDPARENTINGOntoday’sepisodeofTheYoungandtheCrestless:Whoarethenestlings’trueparents?Whatdoesthatmysteriousmalehangingaroundthenestwant?Tuneintofindout.
Inmostbirdspecies,apairofadultssharesthedutiesofraisingtheyoung.MostAcornWoodpeckers,however,nestingroups,notpairs,withupto13birdssharingthedutiesatasinglenest!Bothmalesandfemalesexcavatethenestcavityinadeadtree,incubatetheeggs,andfeedtheyoung.Eggsofmultiplefemalescanbelaidinonenest,withallthemotherschippingintohelpwiththeyoung.Nonparentalhelpersassistwithincubationandfeedingdutieswhiletheyawaitavacancyinthereproductiveranksofthegroup.Thisinformationcomesfromawell-studiedpopulationofAcornWoodpeckersinCalifornia,butsimilarsocialbehavioroccursintheNorthwest.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
MostAcornWoodpeckersremainintheirterritoriesyear-round.Inplacesortimeswhentheacorncropfails,groupsmigratetofindmoredependablefoodsources.Theyhaveaverylongnestingseason,becausegroupsmayraisemultiplebroodsofyoungbetweenMayandSeptember.Inlatesummer,whenadultsarenolongerfeedingnestlings,theybegintoharvestacornsforstorageintheirgranaries.
WHERETOFINDACORNWOODPECKERS
SiteswhereAcornWoodpeckersarefoundthroughouttheyearhavelotsof
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SiteswhereAcornWoodpeckersarefoundthroughouttheyearhavelotsofoaks,includingornamentalspecies,andsomesnagsforuseasgranaries.Asyouwalkinanareafullofoaks,lookforgranarytreesthatarepepperedwithacornholes.AcornWoodpeckergroupsareeasilylocatedbytheirsocialchattering,andindividualsareveryvisibleastheyflashtheirwhitewingpatchesinflight.Becausetheynestandforageingroups,youwilloftenfindseveralmorebirdsafteryoulocatethefirst.
InWashington
Notcommon,butsometimesfoundaroundBalchLakenearLyle
InOregon
DawsonCreekCorporateParkinHillsboro(insnagsalongthecreekitself)WilliamL.FinleyNationalWildlifeRefugenearCorvallis(headquarters)
TouVelleStateParknearMedford(trailthatbeginsatthelastparkingarea)EmigrantLakeCountyParkandothernaturalareasinornearAshland
OTHERBIRDSTOSEEOaktreesfeedavarietyofbirdswiththeacornstheygrowandtheinsectstheyattract.Asyou’reviewingAcornWoodpeckers,watchforWhite-breastedNuthatches,WesternScrub-Jays,LEWIS’SWOODPECKERS,andWOODDUCKS.
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WILLIAMSON’SSAPSUCKERSphyrapicusthyroideus
MaleWilliamson’sSapsucker
OVERTHESOUNDofabubblingcreek,youhearaslowdrummingfromhighonthetrunkofapinetree.PatientsearchingfinallyrevealstheflashypatternofstripesandsplotchesonamaleWilliamson’sSapsucker.Uncommonandsecretive,thisspeciesisanelusiveprizeforthoseseekingtheir12-woodpeckergrandslamintheNorthwest.Itwasapuzzletothosewhofirstdiscovereditaswell;thedissimilarbrightlystripedmaleandcamouflagedbrown-blackfemalespecimenswereassignedtodifferentspeciesfor16yearsuntilsomeonefinallysawanestingpairandfigureditout.
Thesebirdsshowdramaticsexualdimorphism,meaningthatmalesandfemaleshavedifferentplumage.Mostwoodpeckersshowsubtledifferencesbetweenmalesandfemales,suchasthepresenceorabsenceofasmallredspot,butWilliamson’sSapsuckersaredramaticallydifferent.Femalesaredrab,with
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butWilliamson’sSapsuckersaredramaticallydifferent.Femalesaredrab,withbrownheads,yellowbellies,andbarringontheirbacks.Themalesarestrikinglymarkedwitharedchin,yellowbelly,whitewingpatchesandfacialstripes,andasolidblackback.
FOODANDFORAGING
Williamson’sareomnivorousandchangetheirdietduringtheyeardependingonwhatfoodismostabundant.Astheirnamesuggests,theydrinksapfromsmallcavitiesthattheycarveintothetrunksofconiferoustrees.Theyfrequentlytendthesewellstokeepthemflowingandconsumeanyinsectsattractedtothesap.Inspringandearlysummer,theadults’dietconsistscompletelyofthesapandinnerbarkofconiferoustrees.Duringthenestingseason,adultsandyoungaddantsandotherinsectstotheirdiet.
PAIRINGANDPARENTINGAlthoughtheyforageonconifers,Williamson’sSapsuckersoftennestinaspengroves.Theypreferthesoftnessofdeadorlive-but-rottingtreesforcavitysites,becausethesebirdsareweakerexcavatorsthansomeotherwoodpeckerspecies.Malesperformmostofthecavityexcavationwork,andfemaleslayfourtosixeggs,whichareincubatedbybothparentsfor13days.Youngleavethenestonemonthafterhatching.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
MostNorthwestpopulationsofWilliamson’sSapsuckeraremigratory,leavingforCaliforniaandMexicobyOctober.TheyreturntotheNorthwestinMarchandApril,asthesapbeginstoflow.Malesestablishterritoriespriortothearrivaloffemalesatthenestinggrounds.ThenestingseasonlastsfromMaytolateJuneorearlyJulywhenyounghaveleftthenest.
WHERETOFINDWILLIAMSON’SSAPSUCKERS
LookfortheminpineandmixedconiferforestseastoftheCascadesinbothOregonandWashington.FromMaythroughJuly,focusyoursearchongroves
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OregonandWashington.FromMaythroughJuly,focusyoursearchongrovesofaspensthataresurroundedbyconiferousforest.Williamson’sSapsuckerscanbedifficulttofind,butabirdwillannounceitspresencewithadistinctivedrawn-outdrum.Itsoundssomethinglike“Rat-a-tatat,rat-a-tat,tat-tat,tat-tat.”
FemaleWilliamson’sSapsucker
InWashington
BethelRidgeRoad(ForestServiceRoad1500)offHighway12nearNaches
InOregon
ShevlinParknearBend
ColdSpringsCampgroundnearSisters
CalliopeCrossingnearSisters
OTHERBIRDSTOSEEAspengrovescanbeanest-findingbonanzainthespring.Youmightfindthelesselusive(butstillinteresting)Red-napedSapsuckernestingnearby.Many
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otherbirdswillnestinsapsuckercavitiesinfutureyears,includingVIOLET-GREENSWALLOWS,NorthernPygmyOwls,andHouseWrens.
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RED-BREASTEDSAPSUCKERSphyrapicusruber
THISBRIGHTDENIZENofwesternforestsisadelighttowatchasitpluckselderberriesorfliesfromtreetotreelikealikearuby-tippeddart.Orderlyrowsofsapwellsdecoratethetreetrunksinitsterritory.Catchingaglimpseofthissmall,flashywoodpeckeriseasy,becauseitmovesaroundbusilyanddoesn’tseemtomindhumancompany.ThesightofaRed-breastedSapsucker’sredhead,juxtaposedagainstamossygreenbackground,enlivensanywalkinthewoods.
Althoughitdoesindeedhavearedbreast,Red-headedSapsuckermighthavebeenamoredescriptivenameforthisbird.TheonlysimilarspeciesistheRed-napedSapsucker,withwhichitsometimesinterbreeds.TheRed-breastedisdifferentiatedfromtheRed-napedbytheformer’sbrightredheadandbreastthatarenotinterruptedbywhiteandblackstripes.ARed-breastedSapsuckerhaswhitewingpatches,similartoothersapsuckers,butacarefullookatitsheadwillquicklyletyouknowwhichspeciesyou’vespotted.
FOODANDFORAGINGRed-breastedSapsuckerscarvepea-sizedsapwellsinavarietyoftreespeciesandreturntodrinkfromthemrepeatedly.WhenRed-breastedsaren’tlooking,hummingbirdsandotheranimalswillvisitthesapwellstostealasugarysip.Antsareafavoritefoodofsapsuckers,andtheyalsoeatinsectscapturedinmidair.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
WestoftheCascadeCrest,Red-breastedSapsuckerspreferlarge,deadtreesfortheirnestcavities.Birdsnestingeastofthecrestwillexcavatecavitiesinlivetrees,suchasaspen,thataresoftenedbyfungalrot.Theirincubationandnesting
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trees,suchasaspen,thataresoftenedbyfungalrot.Theirincubationandnestingbehaviorsfollowtheusualpatternsforwoodpeckers,withmalesandfemalessharingtheexcavation,incubation,andfeedingduties.Fourtoseveneggsareincubatedfor11to14days.Youngleavethenestatabout24daysafterhatching.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
InareaswithmildclimatessuchaswesternOregonandWashington,Red-breastedSapsuckersarepresentthroughouttheyear.PairsnestfromMaythroughJulyandcarefortheiryoungforatleastoneweekaftertheyleavethenest.Individualsthendispersetofindfoodforthefallandwinter.
WHERETOFINDRED-BREASTEDSAPSUCKERS
Goodnews:Red-breastedSapsuckersarewidespreadwestoftheCascades,andyou’llfindtheminjustaboutanyareawithamixofconifersanddeciduoustrees.Arboretumsandlandscapedparkswithnonnativetreessuchassugarmaplesareverypopularwiththisspecies.Checkthetrunksoftreesforhorizontalrowsofsapwells;theseepingonesaretelltalesignsthatthesebirdsareinthearea.Listenfortheirwhiny“nyeeah”callsandslow,erraticdrumming.Ifyouspotoneinflight,itssolidredheadandwhitewingpatchesareunmistakable.
InWashington
LakeSammamishStateParknearIssaquah
ScatterCreekWildlifeAreanearOlympia
PointNoPointLighthouseandCountyParknearKingston
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InOregon
ForestParkinPortland
CalliopeCrossingnearSisters
RockyPointonUpperKlamathLake
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
ForestswestoftheCascadeCrestarefullofmust-seebirds,especiallyduringthebreedingseason.WatchandlistenforBAND-TAILEDPIGEONS,BROWNCREEPERS,RED-BREASTEDNUTHATCHES,PILEATEDWOODPECKERS,GREATHORNEDOWLS,OLIVE-SIDEDFLYCATCHERS,BUSHTITS,PACIFICWRENS,VARIEDTHRUSHES,TOWNSEND’S
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WARBLERS,WILSON’SWARBLERS,WESTERNTANAGERS,andBLACK-HEADEDGROSBEAKS.
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WHITE-HEADEDWOODPECKERPicoidesalbolarvatus
MaleWhite-headedWoodpecker
THETOASTEDBUTTERSCOTCHsmellofgiantPonderosapinesfillstheair,andelectricgreenlichenslightupsootytreetrunks.SharpcallsringthroughtheforestasapairofWhite-headedWoodpeckersmovesfromtreetotree.Theirwhitefacesanddarkeyesgivethemacuteandfriendlyappearance,kindoflikesmall,featheredmimes.Theyseemtoseekattentionastheyflashtheirwhitewingpatchesandlandlowintrees.Watchthemforawhileastheyworktheirwayupanddownthehugepines,gleaninginsectsfromeverysurface.CatchingaglimpseofaWhite-headedWoodpeckerisalwaysexciting,becausetheyareuncommonandarefoundonlyinafewpineforestsinthewesternstates.
Theirnamereallysaysitall.Thisistheonlywoodpeckerwithasolidwhite
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Theirnamereallysaysitall.Thisistheonlywoodpeckerwithasolidwhiteface,althoughthebackofitsheadisactuallyblack.Maleshaveasmallredspotatthebackoftheircrownandjuvenileshaveaspotatthetopoftheirhead.Thebirdisotherwisesolidblack,exceptforwhitewingpatchesthatareconspicuousinflight.
FOODANDFORAGING
Ponderosapinesaretheyear-roundpantryoftheWhite-headedWoodpeckerinmuchofitsrange.Whenthesummersunheatsthepines,insectsonthetrunksandbranchesbecomeactive,makingthemeasierforbirdstofind.Wheninsectactivityslowsdownduringthefallandwinter,pineseedsbecomealargepartofthebirds’diet.Asspringapproachesandtheseedcroprunslow,White-headedWoodpeckerscarvesapwellsinmedium-sizedpines,usuallyonthesouthwesternsideofthetrees,wherethesun’swarmthincreasestheflow.
PAIRINGANDPARENTINGAlthoughPonderosapinesareessentialforfeeding,thisspecieswillnestinanytreethatissoftenoughforthemtoexcavateacavity.Nestconstructiontakesmorethanthreeweeks,alongtimeforabird.Aftera14-dayincubationperiod,bothparentsbringinsectstofeedtheirfourorfivenestlingsduringthe26daystheyinhabitthenest.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
White-headedWoodpeckersarenonmigratory,becausepinesprovidethemwithayear-roundfoodsource.PairsbeginnestconstructioninMay,andyoungleavethenestinJuneorJuly.Someindividualsremaininthenestingareathroughouttheyear,butothersdisperseafternestingandreturninthespring.
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FemaleWhite-headedWoodpecker
WHERETOFINDWHITE-HEADEDWOODPECKERS
AlthoughWhite-headedWoodpeckersarefoundinthePacificNorthwestyear-round,they’remostoftenseenduringthenestingseason.LookfortheminPonderosapineforestsalongtheeastsideoftheCascadesandindryforestsinotherranges.Theypreferareaswithlargetreesandopeningsinthecanopywheresunshinesthroughtowarmupthebarkandgettheinsectsmoving.Insummer,listenfortheirthree-noterattlingcallsandwatchfortheflashoftheirwingsastheyflyfromtreetotree.Inwinter,checktheendsofbranchesfor
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wingsastheyflyfromtreetotree.Inwinter,checktheendsofbranchesforWhite-headedsfeedingontheseedsinsidethelarge,pricklypinecones;inspring,lookforthemfeedingonsapfromwellsthey’vedrilledinpinetrunks.
InWashington
LeavenworthNationalFishHatcherynearLeavenworth
WenasCampground(AudubonCampground)nearEllensburg(roughroad)
InOregon
ColdSpringsCampgroundnearSisters
MetoliusPreserveandMetoliusRivertrailsnearCampSherman
CabinLakeCampgroundnearFortRock
MountAshlandnearAshland
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
LookforotherPonderosapineforestbirdssuchasPinyonJays(Oregononly),PygmyNuthatches,REDCROSSBILLS,WILLIAMSON’SSAPSUCKERS,andBLACK-BACKEDWOODPECKERS.
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BLACK-BACKEDWOODPECKERPicoidesarcticus
MaleBlack-backedWoodpecker
BLACK-BACKEDWOODPECKERSarevagabondsinsearchofthenextgoodplacetofindbeetlelarvae.Theymakealivingeatingtheinsectsthatinfestseverelyburnedtrees,agreatexampleofhowwildfirescanbebeneficial.Theythriveinburnedforests,wheretheirdarkplumageblendsperfectlywithcharredtree
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trunks.Black-backedWoodpeckersareallbusinessastheyattackaninfestedtreelikeademolitioncrew.Industriousandpersistent,theywilloftenignoreyouwhentheyareinthemiddleofexcavating.Thisbehaviormakesthemveryeasytowatch.
Malessportajauntyyellowcap,andbothsexeshaveblackbacks,barredsides,andlackwhitewingpatches.HairyWoodpeckerslooksimilarbuthavewhiteontheirbacks.Three-toedWoodpeckersalsohaveyellowcaps,buttheirbacksarebarred.
FOODANDFORAGINGManywoodpeckerstakeadvantageoftheinfluxofinsectsintoburnedforests,butBlack-backedsarethemostreliantonthesewildfiresitesandthebeetlestheyattract.Thebeetles,whicharealsowildfirespecialists,candetectsmokefrom50milesawayandfindfiresusinginfraredvision.Black-backedsfindthenutrient-richbeetlelarvaebypryingoffbarkandexcavatingthetunnelsthatthebeetleshaveboredintotheburnedtrunks.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Black-backedWoodpeckersexcavatemostoftheirnestsinsnags,but,likeotherwoodpeckers,theywillalsouselivetreesthathavebeensoftenedbyheartrot.Theircavityentrancesslantupwardwithabeveledbottomedge,whichcanhelpyouidentifythemakersoftheseholes.Parentstaketurnsincubatingthreeorfoureggsduringa14-dayperiod.Duringtheir24-daystayinthenest,nestlingsarefedadietheavyinbeetlesbybothparents.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
Thesenomadsfollowthefiresandthefoodwhereverittakesthem.Theymightstayinoneplaceforyearsortravelinanydirectionorelevation,regardlessoftheseason.Pairsnestduringthespringandsummermonthstotakeadvantageofthepeakinsectactivity.
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WHERETOFINDBLACK-BACKEDWOODPECKERS
Thisspeciesisnotcommon,butifyoulookintheappropriatekindofhabitat,yourchancesofseeingoneareprettygood.Lookforrecentlyburned(fiveyearsagoorless)forestseastoftheCascadeCrest.CheckForestServicedistrictoffices,suchastheoneinSisters,Oregon,forinformationaboutthelatestburnsandrecentwoodpeckersightings.
ListenforthepersistentpeckingofaforagingBlack-backed.Lookforburnedtreetrunkswithchippedoffbarkwherewoodpeckershavebeenforaging.Ifyoulistencarefully,youmighthearwood-boringbeetles,thisbirds’primaryfood,chewingunderthebark.NestingseasoninMay,June,orJulyisapeakofactivity.
InWashington
BethelRidgeRoad(ForestServiceRoad1500)offHighway12nearNaches
InOregon
BlackButteareanearSisters
BurnedareasonMountHood(checkwiththerangerstationinParkdale)
OTHERBIRDSTOSEEByattractinginsectsandcreatingnewnestsites,wildfiresprovidehabitatforavarietyofbirds.Whileyou’relookingforBlack-backedWoodpeckers,youmightalsofindOLIVE-SIDEDFLYCATCHERS,WESTERNBLUEBIRDS,LAZULIBUNTINGS,TOWNSEND’SSOLITAIRES,andLEWIS’SWOODPECKERS.
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PILEATEDWOODPECKERDryocopuspileatus
MalePileatedWoodpeckerwithnestling
AHAUNTINGCALLechoesthroughanancientstandofDouglas-fir.Youfeelitresonateinyourchest,andgoosebumpsriseonyourarms.WoodchipsraindownasaPileatedWoodpeckerdrivesitslarge,pointedbillintoasnag.Apointedredcrestandyelloweyesgivethisbirdawildlook,especiallywhenit
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stopsitsworktoturnandlookatyou.Thisawe-inspiringbirdisnotonlyaprivilegetoobserve,butitalsoplaysanimportantroleincreatinghabitatformanyforestanimals.
ThePileatedisthelargestwoodpeckerinNorthAmerica,dependingonwhatyoubelieveabouttheveracityoftherecentsightingsoftheIvory-billedWoodpecker,anevenlargerbirdthatwasthoughttobeextinct.ThePileated’spointedredcrestgivesitasilhouetteuniqueamongNorthwestwoodpeckers.Whenitflies,whitewingpatchesandunderwingfeatherscontrastwithitsblackbody.
FOODANDFORAGINGThesebigbirdseatverysmallthings.Theycreatecharacteristicrectangularholesintreetrunks,oftenneartheground,whilesearchingforantsandbeetlelarvae.Carpenterantsmakeupthebulkoftheirdiet,buttheywillcapitalizeontheoccasionalbeetleoutbreak.Pileatedsaretheonlywoodpeckersthatdigdeepintotheheartwoodoftrees.Thistraitissignificant,becauseitcreatesforagingopportunitiesforotherwoodpeckerspeciesandspreadsthefungalsporesthatcauseheartrot,softeningthewoodforlaterexcavation.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Pileatedscarvespaciousnestcavitieshighintalltrees.Likeotherwoodpeckers,theyexcavateacavitybutdonotlineitwithnestingmaterial.Instead,theylayeggsdirectlyonthewoodyfloor.Theyusuallychooselivetreesfornestinganduseacavityonlyonce,leavingimportantnestingandroostingsitesforducks,raptors,andotherbirdsandmammals.Pileatedsaretheonlywoodpeckerlargeenoughandstrongenoughtomakesuchwideholesinsturdytrees,earningthemdistinctionasakeystonespecies,becauseofthesignificanteffecttheyhaveontheentireecosystem.Femaleslayanaverageoffoureggs,whichareincubatedfor15to18days.Pileatednestlingsgetquitelargebeforetheyleavethenestonemonthafterhatching.Ifyouareluckyenoughtofindanactivenest,you’llseenestlingspoketheirheadsoutofthecavitytograbagulpofregurgitatedantsbroughtbytheirparents.
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MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
PileatedWoodpeckersremaininthePacificNorthwestthroughouttheyear.Toescapetheroughwinterweather,theyroostinthehollowinteriorsofdecayedsnags.Theyexcavatemultipleholesinthesnagsothatabackdoorisalwaysavailableforescapingfromdanger.PairsbeginexcavatingnestsinMarchorApril,andtheyoungleavethenestbythemiddleofJuly.
TreeexcavationscreatedbyaforagingPileatedWoodpecker
WHERETOFINDPILEATEDWOODPECKERSWidespreadacrossOregonandWashington,theirterritoriesarequitelarge,sofindingaPileatedisnotalwayseasy.Lookforlarge,rectangularexcavationsinalargetreeorlog.Freshwoodchipsscatteredonthegroundbelowarealwaysagoodsign.Althoughnestsitesarehighintrees,feedingsitescanbeveryclosetotheground,orevenontheground,sodon’tbesurprisedifyoucomearoundacornertofindaPileatedateyelevelorlower.Listenforitsunmistakable“kek-kek-kek-kek”call,whichisaudiblefromgreatdistances.
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InWashington
DiscoveryParkinSeattle
LakeWenatcheeStateParknearWenatchee
NisquallyNationalWildlifeRefugenearOlympia
InOregon
ForestParkinPortland
TryonCreekStateParkinPortland
TualatinHillsNatureParkinBeaverton
WilliamL.FinleyNationalWildlifeRefugenearCorvallis
OTHERBIRDSTOSEEScanthetreesforthebrightcolorsofTOWNSEND’SWARBLERSandRED-BREASTEDSAPSUCKERS.ListenforthesweetsoundsofPurpleFinchesandPACIFICWRENS.Getscoldedbyanorange-belliedDouglas’SquirrelpoppingoutofanoldPileatedWoodpeckercavity.
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RED-BREASTEDNUTHATCHSittacanadensis
THESELIVELY,CHATTYbirdsarefuntowatchastheytakeseedsfromafeederorexplorethebranchesofalargetree.Likeminiaturewoodpeckers,theygleaninsectsfromtreetrunksandcarvetheirownnestcavities.Unlikewoodpeckers,theycanmovedownatreeheadfirstandlacklongtailsforbracingthemselvesagainstthetrunk.
Nuthatcheshaveadistinctivesilhouette,appearingnecklesswithshort,stubbytails.Theblacklinethatrunsthroughtheireyeandcontrastingwhitesupercilium,oreyebrow,distinguishtheRed-breastedfromothernuthatches.Despiteitsname,thebird’sbreastisnottrulyredincolor—itsbellyandbreastareclosertoorange.Malesareslightlydarkerthanfemales.
FOODANDFORAGING
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Nuthatchesaresonamedbecauseofthisbirdfamily’shabitofputtingaseed(ornut)inacrevicetoholditinplaceandusingitschisellikebeaktobreakitopen(orhatchit).Red-breastedNuthatchesfeedprimarilyonseedsduringthewinter,andtheyarefaithfulvisitorstobirdfeeders.Theyalsolookforbeetlesandotherarthropodsonthebark,needles,tops,andundersidesoftreebranches.NopartofatreeisofflimitstoahungryRed-breasted.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Likewoodpeckers,Red-breastedNuthatchesexcavatenestcavitiesinrottingtrees,butthatiswherethesimilaritiesend.Malesbegindiggingseveralcavities,andthefemalechoosesoneandcompletesconstruction.Shethenbringsinfurandfineplantmaterialtolinethecavityforthenest.ThisistheonlyNorthAmericanspeciesknowntofinishitsnestbysmearingsaparoundtheentrance,sometimesusingapieceofbarkasaspatula.Thestickinessofthesapseemstokeepinsects,otherbirds,andmammalsfromenteringthenestcavity.Althoughthemaledoesnotincubate,hecontributesbybringingfoodtothefemale,allowinghertostayonthenestandkeephersixeggsatanoptimumtemperatureduringthe12-dayincubationperiod.Bothparentsfeedinvertebratestothenestlingsuntiltheyfledge,about20daysafterhatching.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
Theseyear-roundNorthwestresidentsarefoundinforeststhroughouttheareaduringthespringandsummernestingseason,buttheirwintermovementsareirregular,withsomebirdsleavingtheirnestinggroundsduringsomeyearstofindnewseedcropsandbirdfeeders.
WHERETOFINDRED-BREASTEDNUTHATCHES
ConifertreessuchasDouglas-firsarethebestplacestofindRed-breasteds.Theyaren’tconfinedtoundisturbedwilderness—anyforest,park,orbackyardwithlargeconiferswilldo.TheabundanceofthishabitatinthePacificNorthwestmakesitunnecessarytolistspecificsites.TheeasiestwaytofindaRed-breastedNuthatchinthewinteristoputupasuetorsunflowerseedfeeder.Inthespringandsummer,findagroveoflargeconifersandlisten.Soonyoushouldheartherepeatednasal“henk”ofamale.Thecadenceofitscallis
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shouldheartherepeatednasal“henk”ofamale.Thecadenceofitscallissimilartotheslowbeepsofatruck’sbackupalert.
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
Duringthebreedingseason,forestsinthePacificNorthwestarealivewithbirdsong.ListenforSWAINSON’STHRUSHES,WINTERWRENS,WESTERNTANAGERS,BLACK-HEADEDGROSBEAKS,andWILSON’SWARBLERS.Inthewinter,Red-breastedNuthatchesjoinmixed-speciesflockstosharetheburdenofwatchingforpredators.YoumightfindtheminthecompanyofTOWNSEND’SWARBLERS,BROWNCREEPERS,DownyWoodpeckers,chickadees,andGolden-crownedKinglets.
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BROWNCREEPERCerthiaamericana
BROWNCREEPERSAREaspider’sworstnightmare.First,thebirdstakespiderwebsfornestmaterial,andthentheyreturntoeatthespidersthemselves.Althoughthesetinybirdscanbedifficulttosee,theyareeasytoidentify.Theyseemtoplaypeek-a-boowithyouastheycircleatreewhileyoutrytofindtheminyourbinoculars.Theircheery,enthusiasticsongbrightensthemoodinadarkforest.
Withtheirlong,stifftailsandtree-climbingability,BrownCreeperssuperficiallyresemblewoodpeckers.Theirneedlelikedecurved(downwardlycurved)bill,however,isdistinctive.Withmottledbacksofbuffandbrown,theyblendperfectlywithtreebark,whichmakesthemdifficulttosee.
FOODANDFORAGING
BrownCreepers’billsareidealforpluckingspidersandinsectsfromfurrowsintreebark.Theybeginforagingatthebaseofatreeandspiraltheirwayupandaroundthetrunk,systematicallyprobingthebarkinsearchoffood.Afterreachingthelargeupperbranches,theyflydowntothebaseofthenexttreeto
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reachingthelargeupperbranches,theyflydowntothebaseofthenexttreetorepeattheprocess.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
BrownCreepernestsaregravity-defyingmarvelsofadhesion.Somehow,thissmallbirdmanagestomakealarge,sturdynestinaveryprecariouslocation.Thefemalebuildsabaseofcoarsebarkandtwigs,andthenlinesthenestcupwithcollectedhairandmoss.Thenestissandwichedbetweenthetrunkofatreeandalarge,partiallydetachedsectionofbark.Spiderwebsandstickyinsectcocoonsarebroughtintosecurethenestmaterialtothehangingbark.Thefemaleincubatesfiveorsixeggsfor15days.Aftertheeggshatch,adultsslipbehindthebarktofeedspidersandinsectstotheyoungduringthe15-daynestlingperiod.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSYoucanfindBrownCreepersyear-roundinthePacificNorthwest.Theyleavehigh-elevationforestsinthewinter,whenitistoocoldtofindtheirinsectprey.FemalesbeginconstructingnestsinAprilorMay,dependingontheweather.YoungleavethenestinMay,June,orJulyandroosttogetheratnightonthebarkoftreesforafewweeksbeforedispersingtofindtheirownterritories.
WHERETOFINDBROWNCREEPERS
LargetreesofanykindcanattractBrownCreepers,butyouaremostlikelytofindtheminmatureconiferforests.Deciduoustreessuchasbigleafmaples,ashes,andaldersalsooffergoodhabitat.Youmighthearitshigh,thincallorits“Trees!Trees!Beautifultrees!”songbeforeyouspotthebirditself.Asyou’retryingtofocusononeasitspiralsupwardonatree,bepatientandkeepscanning.Eventuallyitwillshowitselfwhenitfliesdowntothebaseofthenexttree.
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AperfectBrownCreepernestsite
OTHERBIRDSTOSEEAsyouwatchBrownCreepersworkingthebarkoflargetrees,youmightalsoseeRED-BREASTEDNUTHATCHES,RED-BREASTEDSAPSUCKERS,HairyWoodpeckers,andBewick’sWrens.
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UrbanBirdsMAKINGALIVINGINTHEBIGCITY
Theurbanandsuburbanworldspresentbothproblemsandopportunitiesforwildbirds.Windows,giantradioantennas,andcatsinjureandkillmanybirdspassingthroughourcities.Fortunately,someaspectsofourbuiltenvironmentbenefitbirdsbyprovidingsturdystructuresonwhichtonest,insectsandnectartoeat,andsafeplacestosleepduringmigration.Seattle,Portland,andotherNorthwestcitiesareparticularlyattractivetobirds,thankstoabundantwaterways,forestedparks,andlocaleffortstoprotectandrestorenaturalareas.Birderscanhardlyaskforabetterplacetolive.
Morethan100birdspeciesarefoundinnorthwesternmetropolitanareas,butfivespeciesarememorableandeasytospot.Threearesmallbutfascinatingbirdsthatmightvisitjustaboutanybackyard.Twoarespectacularbirdsofpreythatthriveinurbanlandscapesbecauseoftheiraffinityfornestingonman-madestructuresandtheirtasteforpigeons,rats,andotheranimalsassociatedwithhumans.Whetheritisadaintybackyardvisitor,achimney-fillingflock,oradowntownpigeonpredator,eachbirdaddsanessentialdimensiontocitylife.
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Red-TailedHawk
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RED-TAILEDHAWKButeojamaicensis
JuvenileRed-tailedHawk
DON’TTAKERed-tailedHawksforgrantedjustbecausetheyaremoreabundantthangasstationsasyoudrivealongthehighway.Thesebeautifulbirdshavecarvedoutanicheamongourroads,houses,andskyscrapers,askingonlyforasteadysupplyofrodentsandpigeons.Youmightgettowatchonesoarinasunnysky,showingoffitsnamesakeredtail,ordivefromalamppostontoanunsuspectingvoleinagrassyright-of-way.Anychancetoobserveabirdofpreygoingaboutitsdailylifeisaprivilegeandadelight.
Anupright,brown,football-sizedraptorperchednearanopenareacanquicklybeidentifiedasahawk.Red-tailsarethemostcommonlyseenhawksin
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theNorthwest,butyoucanchecktheirfieldmarkstobecertain.Theycomeinadizzyingvarietyofplumages,butafewmarkingsarealmostalwayspresent.Lookforadarkbandoffeathersacrossthebelly,smallwhitestreaksontheshoulderswhenperched,andadarkleadingedgeofthewingwhenyou’reviewingonefrombelow.You’llseeareddishtailonmostadults,butnotethatjuvenileshavebrowntails.
FOODANDFORAGINGRed-tailsusetheirsharptalonstocaptureadiversearrayofanimalprey,whichtheypickapartwiththeirhookedbill,eventuallyswallowingtheentireanimal—meat,bones,fur,andall.Likeowls,theyregurgitateindigestiblepartsinapellet.Red-tailsareafriendbothtofarmerandurban-dwellerbecausetheyofteneatnuisanceanimalssuchasratsandpigeons.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Thisbirdisageneralistinitsnestsiteselection,nestinginwhatevernature,orman,hastooffer.FamouspairsofRed-tailshavenestedonafireescapeindowntownPortlandandonanapartmentbalconyaboveNewYork’sCentralPark.Nestingbirdsthriveincities,sometimesproducingmoreyoungperyearthantheirruralcounterparts.Adultslinetheirnestswithgreenerybeforelayingtwoorthreeeggs.Parentsshareincubationdutiesduringa28-dayperiod.Theyhuntbirds,mammals,andreptilesandbringthemtothenest,feedinglittlepiecestotheyoungwhiletheyaresmall.Largernestlingsareabletopickapartdeliveredpreyattheirleisure.Theyounghawksleavetheirnestafter40days,buttheystayclosetotheirparentsforatleasttenweeks.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
You’llseeRed-tailsyear-roundinthePacificNorthwest,especiallywestoftheCascades,wherewintersaremild.City-dwellingbirdsbeginnestinginlatewinterorearlyspring,andyoungmayleavethenestbeforethestartofsummer.Adultsleavehigh-elevationbreedingareasduringwinter,andmanydwellinurbanareasbeforereturningtonestingsitesinlateMarch.
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urbanareasbeforereturningtonestingsitesinlateMarch.
WHERETOFINDRED-TAILEDHAWKS
FindingaRed-tailedHawkisoftenassimpleasdrivingdownaroadthroughopencountry.Theyarethemostcommonandwidelydistributedbirdsofpreyinthearea,andthefirsthawkyouseewilllikelybeaRed-tail.Checkperchessuchaspowerpoles,streetlights,andbillboards,andlookupforsoaringbirds.Listenfortheirfamousscreech,amainstayofWesternmoviesoundeffects.TheabundanceandwidespreaddistributionofthisspeciesinthePacificNorthwestmakesitunnecessarytolistspecificsites.
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
TheRed-tailedHawkisjustoneofanumberofspeciesthatyoucanidentifyfromacartravellingathighwayspeeds(whilesomeoneelsedrives,ofcourse).AlsowatchforBALDEAGLES,AmericanKestrels,GREATBLUEHERONS,GreatEgrets,COMMONRAVENS,andWesternScrub-Jays.
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VAUX’SSWIFTChaeturavauxi
ASSUNSETAPPROACHESonacoolSeptembernight,ahugecrowdofadultsandkidssettlesinonblanketsandlawnchairswaitingfortheshow.Fireworks?No.Swifts.Whowouldhavethoughtthatasmallgraybirdcoulddrawsuchcrowds?ThemagicofVaux’sSwiftsisinthewaythattheyformtwitteringflocksofthousandsthatspiralintotheshapesofdiscsandtornadosbeforepouringintoachimneyinthefadinglight.Addingtothespectaclearethebirdsofpreythatattendtheeventtotakeadvantageoftheflutteringbuffet.ThenightlyperformancesofmigratingVaux’sSwiftsaretrulywondersoftheurbanworld.
Withtheirlong,curvedwingsandstubbytails,Vaux’sSwiftsareshapedlikeflyingcigars.Theyappearblackwhenyouviewthemagainstthesky,buttheyareactuallyanondescriptgray.Ifyouseeapatchofwhiteoranothercoloronabird,youarenotlookingataVaux’sSwift.Swiftsarealwaysflyingwhenyouseethem,andtheyfluttertheirwingsrapidlywithoutpullingtheminclosetotheirbody.Swallowsforageonthewinglikeswifts,butwithpractice,birderscandistinguishaswallow’sswoopingandglidingflightpatternsfromthestiff-wingedflittingofaswift.Swallowswillalsoperchonapowerlineorabranch,butaVaux’sSwiftneverwill.
FOODANDFORAGINGWhennotroostingatnightorsittingonanest,Vaux’sSwiftsareflyingandflying,catchinginsectsandotherairbornearthropods.Foragingflightstakeplaceatavarietyofheightsoverforests,water,cities,andopenfields.Swiftscapturefoodintheirbeakandstoreboluses(balls)ofarthropodsintheirmouthwhengatheringfoodfornestlings.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
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Vaux’sSwiftshistoricallynestedinsidehollowtreesofold-growthforests,buttheyhaveadaptedtourbanareasbynestinginchimneys.Inforests,theynestinsidetreesthathavebeenhollowedoutbydecay.Insomecases,theyuseholescreatedbyroostingPileatedWoodpeckerstoenterthetree.Pairsbuildasmallnestcupbysnappingtwigsoffplantsandbringingtheminside.Theyhavespecializedsalivathattheyusetogluenestmaterialintoahalf-moon–shapednestcupthatisattachedtotheinteriorwallofthetreeorchimney.Bothparentsincubatesixorseveneggsfor18days,broodthenestlings,andfeedthemthousandsofinsectsaday.Twentydaysafterhatching,nestlingscrawloutofthenestandclingtothewallofthenestcavitywiththeirfeet.Aboutaweeklater,theycanflynearlyaswellastheirparents.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSNorthwestpopulationsofVaux’sSwiftsaremigratoryandflysouthfollowingtheirbreedingseason.MostspendthewinterinMexico,CentralAmerica,orVenezuela,butafewsometimeswinterinthesouthernUnitedStates.TheyreturntotheNorthwestinAprilandnestduringthespringandsummermonths.Large,spectacularflocksgatheratnighttimeroostsinOregonandWashingtonpriortodepartingtheregioninthefall.
WHERETOFINDVAUX’SSWIFTS
Duringtheday,Vaux’sSwiftsflyhighintheskyovercities,forests,andwetlandslookingforflyinginsects.Septemberisthebesttimetowatchthehypnoticspectacleofthousandsdescendingintoachimneyatsunset,althoughsomemightstillbepresentinOctober.
InWashington
FrankWagnerElementarySchoolinMonroeTheOldSchoolHouseinSelleck,eastofMapleValley
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Vaux’sSwiftsapproachachimneyroostatduskInOregon
ChapmanElementarySchoolinPortland
UniversityofOregon’sAgateHallinEugeneOregonCityHighSchoolinOregonCity
OTHERBIRDSTOSEEPredatorssuchasCooper’sHawksandPEREGRINEFALCONScanputonquitea
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showastheytrytocatchVaux’sSwiftsattemptingtoenterorleaveachimney.
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ANNA’SHUMMINGBIRDCalypteanna
MaleAnna’sHummingbird
ANNA’SHUMMINGBIRDSAREnotonlystrikinglybeautifulanddelicate,buttheyarealsotoughasnails.TheyaretheonlyhummingbirdsthatstayinthePacificNorthwestallyear,andtheirnestingseasonbeginsinwinter,withthefemalesometimesgettingsnowedonwhilesheincubates.Thissinglemomwillevendefendhernestagainstpredatorssuchasjaysandhawks.Thiswouldbeakintoahumanmotherfightingoffanorcaorapolarbearwithasmall,pointedstick.Prettyimpressiveforabirdthatweighslessthantwopennies.
Bothmalesandfemaleshaveslimgreenbodieswithlightbellies.Maleshaveaniridescentfuchsiahelmet,andfemaleshaveasmallspotofthesamecolorontheirthroat.RufousHummingbirdsaresmallerandarearustycolorallover(males)orontheirflanks(females).
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FOODANDFORAGING
Thisspeciesusesitslongbillandtonguetocollectnectarfromflowersandhummingbirdfeeders.ThehistoricrangeoftheAnna’swasconfinedtoareaswherefloweringplantswereavailableinwinter,suchasSouthernCaliforniaandArizona.ThankstothelandscapingandbirdfeedingthathasaccompaniedtheurbanizationofthePacificNorthwest,Anna’scanfindyear-roundfoodasfarnorthasVancouverIsland,BritishColumbia,sotheystaythroughoutthewinter.Insectsarealsoavailableyear-roundandformamajorportionofadultandnestlingdiets.Adultscatchinsectsbygleaningthemfromvegetationandcapturingtheminflight.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Throughouttheirrange,Anna’sHummingbirdsnestearlierintheyearthanotherhummingbirdspecies.Likeotherhummingbirds,malesmatewithmultiplefemalesanddonotprovideparentalcare.Femalesselectnestsitesbasedonproximitytoanectarsource.Thenestisconstructedofplantmaterialsandheldtogetherwithcollectedspiderwebs.Thefemaleincubatestwoeggsforabout16daysandfeedsthejellybean-sizednestlingsregurgitatedinsectsandnectar.
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AfemaleAnna’sHummingbirdfeedsanestling.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSInurbanandcoastalareas,wherefloweringplants,insects,andfeedersarepresent,youcanseeAnna’sthroughouttheyear.FemalesbeginnestinginlateJanuaryorearlyFebruaryandwillcontinueintothemiddleofsummer.Inurbanareaswithplentyoffood,malesvigorouslydefendtheirfeedingorbreedingterritoriesthroughouttheyear.
WHERETOFINDANNA’SHUMMINGBIRDS
Hummingbirdfeedersandflower-filledgardensarethebestplacestofindAnna’sHummingbirds.Theycanbeveryterritorial;onceyoufindthem,youcancheckinonthemoften.Ifyoudecidetofeedhummingbirds,alwaysmakeasolutionofrealsugarandwaterinaratioof1partsugarto4partswater,andcleanthefeederregularly.DespitetheAnna’sflashycolors,youmighthearone
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cleanthefeederregularly.DespitetheAnna’sflashycolors,youmighthearonebeforeyouseeit.Territorialmalessinghigh-pitchedsongsandproducealoudsqueakwiththeirtailfeathersduringtheirdivingdisplay.
OTHERBIRDSTOSEEInagardenwithwell-stockedfeedersandinvitingtreesandshrubs,youcanalsofindBLACK-HEADEDGROSBEAKS,AmericanGoldfinches,HouseFinches,RED-BREASTEDNUTHATCHES,BUSHTITS,Black-cappedChickadees,DownyWoodpeckers,andDark-eyedJuncos.
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PEREGRINEFALCONFalcoperegrinus
PEREGRINEFALCONSAREspeedandpowermanifestedinavianform,andtheywerealmostlosttousforever.TheinsidiouseffectsofthepesticideDDTontheeggsoffalconsandotherraptorsdecimatedtheirpopulations,andby1970PeregrineswereextremelyrareandnonewerefoundnestinginthestateofOregon.ThebanningofDDTandsubsequentcaptivebreedingandreleaseprogramsslowlyincreasedthenumberofwildPeregrines,andtheybeganexpandingintonewareas.PortlandandthecitiesthroughoutthePugetTrough
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offerinfrastructurefornestingthatmimicsthePeregrine’spreferredcliffsaswellasanabundanceoftastypigeonsandstarlings.TheurbanPeregrineshavebeenprolific:Portland’sFremontBridgecelebrateditsfiftiethfledglingin2010.
Falconscanbeidentifiedinflightbytheirpointed,rapidlyflappingwings.AdultPeregrinescanbedistinguishedfromotherfalconsbytheirdarkheadandfacialfeathersthatresembleahelmetandtheircontrastingwhiteneckandbreast.Adultsalsodisplaydarkbarringontheirlowerbreastandaslate-grayback.Juvenileshavebrownstreaksontheirbreastandabrownback.
FOODANDFORAGINGThesebird-huntingspecialistsalsocapturemammalsandinsects.Nobirdistoosmallandfewaretoolargetobehunted.Peregrinesuseanumberofaerialmaneuvers,suchasspectacularsteepdives,orstoops,atspeedsgreaterthan200mph,tocatchflyingbirdsorknockthemtotheground.Oncepreyiscaught,thePeregrineusesitsnotchedbilltoseverthespineofitsprey,eveniftheanimalisalreadydead.Malestendtohuntsmallerprey,suchassongbirdsandshorebirds,whilefemalespursuelargerbirds,suchaswaterfowlandseabirds.
PAIRINGANDPARENTING
Likeotherfalcons,Peregrinesdonotgathermaterialtobuildanest.Theyusewhateverspacetheycanfindhighonatallstructuresuchasacliff,bridge,orskyscraperandlayaclutchofthreetofiveeggsonabaresurface.Breedingpairsbegintheirconspicuouscourtshipactivitiesasearlyasthefall,buttheywon’tlayeggsformonths.Bothparentsincubatetheeggsduringa33-dayperiod.Youngarecapableofmakingtheirfirstperilousflightsafter40daysinthenest,and20dayslater,theycanflyaswellastheirparents.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
PeregrineFalconsareknownfortheirlongmigrations,orperegrinations—hencetheirname.Duringmigrationsandpost-breedingdispersals,youmightspotthemflyingoverjustaboutanyhabitattype.ManyspendtheirwintersontheOregonandWashingtoncoastsandinlowlandareasafterbreedingfarthertothenorth.
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andWashingtoncoastsandinlowlandareasafterbreedingfarthertothenorth.Individualsthatbreedinlow-elevationareasoftheNorthwestnestinthespringandsummer,buttheyremainintheirnestingterritoriesyear-round.
WHERETOFINDPEREGRINEFALCONSIfyouvisitanestsiteduringthenestingseason(MarchthroughJune),youmayseeparentsbringingfoodtothenestanddefendingtheareafromanycreaturethatgetstooclose.Checkperchesnearnestsitessuchaslamppostsandbridgearches.Ifyouseeaflockofpigeonsflyingrapidly,looktoseeifthebirdsarebeingpursued.AudubonSocietyofPortlandoffersaPeregrineWatchprogramonSaturdayafternoonsinMayandJune,wherevolunteersareonhandwithspottingscopestohelpyouseetheMarquamBridgenest.
InWashington
WashingtonMutualBuildinginSeattle
ShipCanalBridge,BallardBridge,andWestSeattleBridgeinSeattleMurrayMorganBridgeinTacoma
PortofOlympiacrane
InOregon
CapeMearesStateParknearTillamook
MarquamBridge,SaintJohnsBridge,andFremontBridgeinPortlandTheGlenL.JacksonBridge,Interstate205,thatspanstheColumbiaRiverbetweenOregonandWashington
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
Asyouarestandingnearwater,scanningthesky,lookforDouble-crestedCormorants,BALDEAGLES,RED-TAILEDHAWKS,CanadaGeese,andGREATBLUEHERONS.
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BUSHTITPsaltriparusminimus
MaleBushtit
THEBUSHTITISasmallbirdthatmakesabigimpression.Thesetiny,acrobaticpuffballsareagreatsourceofentertainmentatthebirdfeederwhentheyarriveinhordesandclingtoeachother’stailstotrytogettheirturnatthesuet.Inthewintertheyfillthetreeswithhigh-pitchedchatter,andinthespringtheybuildbigstretchyneststhathangfromthetreesliketubesocksmadeoflichen.ThebestthingaboutBushtitsisthatyou’lloftenfindthemrightinyourownbackyard.
Bushtitsareverysmallanduniformlygraywithroundheads,shortnecks,andlongtails.Muchoftheir4½inchesoflengthconsistsoftail,andtherestismostlypuffyfeathers.Adultmalesandfemalescanbedifferentiatedbythemale’sdarkeyesandthefemale’spaleeyes.
FOODANDFORAGING
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Whilehangingupsidedownorbrieflyhovering,thesefeatherlightbirdsscourthebranchtipsofshrubsandtreesforinvertebratestopluckwiththeirtinybills.Foragingflockscanfilltreesandshrubswithasmanyas50individualsandmakequiteasightwhentheycovereverysquareinchofasuetfeederduringaBushtitfree-for-all.
PAIRINGANDPARENTINGInlatewinter,pairsstarttoformwithinflocks.Eachpairbreaksawayfromtheflockandworkstogethertocreateanintricatehangingnestwithanentrancenearthetop,whereitisattachedtoabranch.Nestsareoftenbuiltindroopingbranchesoflargetrees,butsmallshrubsareusedaswell.Thenestisusuallyplacedinanareathatreceivesdirectsunlighttowarmthefourtoeighteggswhileadultsareoffthenestandforaging.Parentsalternateincubationdutiesfor13days.Nestlingsarefedbybothparentsandoccasionallybyhelpers,whichcanbesiblingsthatfledgedfromanearliernest,adultsthatfailedtofindamate,orpairswhosepreviousnestattemptfailed.Youngleavethenest18daysafterhatching.
MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS
Bushtitsarenotmigratory,butflocksmakeseasonalmovementstofindfoodorescapeharshweather.PairswillbeginnestconstructioninMarchiftheweatherismild.Otherwise,theyputoffnest-buildinguntilAprilorMay.Attheendofthebreedingseason,flocksreconveneuntilthenextspring.
WHERETOFINDBUSHTITSIfyouliveinthecity,youdonotneedtotravelfartofindaBushtitflockoranest.Theywillforageinnativeandnonnativetreesorshrubs,soawell-landscapedbackyardorcityparkcanbeagreatplacetostart.Pairswillnestjustaboutanywherewithtrees,butparkswithhealthywetlandsandnativeplantstendtohavethegreatestdensitiesofnests.Atanytimeoftheyear,listenforthehigh-pitched“pish,pish”callsofpairsorflocks,andscantreesandshrubsformovement.Keepaneyeonsuetfeedersthatattracthungryflocks.FromMarchtoJune,scanthebranchesfortheirlarge,hangingnests.Ifthenestisstillinuse,
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toJune,scanthebranchesfortheirlarge,hangingnests.Ifthenestisstillinuse,itwon’tbelongbeforetheparentsappear.
Bushtitnest
InWashington
GreenLakeParkinSeattle
MagnusonParkinSeattle
KentPondsintheGreenRiverNaturalResourcesAreanearSeattleChinaLakeParkinTacoma
InOregon
OaksBottomWildlifeRefugeinPortlandAltonBakerParkinEugene
Minto-BrownIslandParkinSalem
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Minto-BrownIslandParkinSalem
MountTaborParkinPortland
OTHERBIRDSTOSEE
Bushtitsarenottheonlyspecieswithneststhatareeasytoobserveincityparks.AmericanRobinsandANNA’SHUMMINGBIRDSalsonestinshrubsorinthelowerbranchesoftrees.NorthernFlickers,DownyWoodpeckers,Black-cappedChickadees,andRED-BREASTEDSAPSUCKERSnestinthecavitiesofsnagsordeadbranchesoflivetrees.Ifyouarelucky,youwillfindthenestsoflargerbirds,suchasGREAT-HORNEDOWLS,RED-TAILEDHAWKS,andGREATBLUEHERONS,nearthetopsoflargetrees.
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MorningintheKlamathBasin,Oregon
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1SKAGITANDISLANDCOUNTIES,WASHINGTON,INWINTER,
2THESALISHSEAINWINTER
3THENORTHERNOREGONCOASTINWINTER
4SPRINGTIMEINPUGETSOUND
5THECANYONCOUNTRYOFCENTRALWASHINGTON
6NESTINGSEASONONTHECENTRALOREGONCOAST
7CENTRALOREGONINSUMMER
8DANCINGANDBREEDINGSEASONINTHEKLAMATHBASIN,
OREGON
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EightBirdingWeekends
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WINTERWEEKENDS,NORTHTOSOUTH
WashingtonParknearAnacortes,Washington
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1VALLEYOFTHESWANSSKAGITANDISLANDCOUNTIES,WASHINGTON,INWINTER
TrumpeterSwans
HEADQUARTERS:
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MountVernon
MountVernon,Washington,islocatedinthemiddleofexcellentbirdingsitesandisjusttherightsizetoexploreonfootduringnonbirdingtimesofday.Localbusinesseslovevisitingbirders,andhotelsoffermapsofthebestlocalbirdingsites.
BESTTIMEOFYEAR:
NovemberthroughFebruaryThehighestconcentrationsofraptorsandwaterfowlarefoundduringthewintermonths.Comespring,theareaisoverrunwithtulipenthusiasts.
FAMOUSFORGIANTTrumpeterSwans,cloudsofSnowGeese,andlargewintertimegatheringsofBaldEagles,theSkagitValleyoffersthesebirdsandmoretohardywinterbirders.SkagitandIslandCountiesincludeuniquehabitatswherefarmfieldsmeetbaysandsaltmarshes,providingsmallmammals,eelgrass,andfishforadizzyingnumberofwinteringbirdsofprey.FarenoughnorthtoattractGyrfalconsandSnowyOwls,theareahoststheseraritiesmoreoftenthanotherplacesinthePacificNorthwest.Anabundanceofpubliclandwithaccessforbirders(andhunters)letsyougetoutofyourcarandexplore,andfieldsdottedwithantiquefarmhousesandbarnsmakeforabeautifulbackdrop.
PLACESTOGO
PadillaBayPadillaBayishometoarareeelgrasshabitatthatattractsscoresofBrantandotherwaterfowleverywinter.BayviewStateParkandthenearbyBreazealePadillaBayInterpretiveCenterofferviewsofthebay.Theinterpretivecenterisgreatforbirdersofallabilitiesandoffersbirdchecklists,displays,andaquariafilledwithlocalsealife.MUST-SEEBIRDS:CommonLoons,GreatBlueHerons,Brant,andEurasianWigeons.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:NorthernPintailsandotherwaterfowl.
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SamishFlatsandSamishIslandTheSamishFlatsarea,ortheWest90,iswellknowninlocalbirdingcirclesforitsabundanceofShort-earedOwls.Thearea’sfieldsandbrusharealsoexcellentplacestoseeotherraptors,includingafalcongrandslamofPeregrineFalcons,AmericanKestrels,PrairieFalcons,Merlins,andGyrfalcons.Justtothenorth,asmallcountyparkonacliffonSamishIslandisthebestplaceintheareatoviewseabirds.MUST-SEEBIRDS:BaldEagles,Short-earedOwls,Red-breastedMergansers,SurfScoters,NorthernShrikes,andCommonRavens.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:Rough-leggedHawks,CommonGoldeneyes,andavarietyofseabirds.
FirIslandandSkagitWildlifeAreaYouwouldn’tnecessarilyknowthatyouareonanisland,butthisareaisdelineatedbythenorthandsouthforksoftheSkagitRiver.Themanyaccesspointstothewildlifeareaofferviewsofdikes,fields,bays,andtidalcreeks.Ifonepointseemstooquiet,justdrivedowntheroadamiletothenextone.MUST-SEEBIRDS:WesternMeadowlarks,BaldEagles,NorthernHarriers,Short-earedOwls,TrumpeterSwans,andNorthernShrikes.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:SnowGeeseandMarshWrens.
EideRoadnearStanwoodThisareaisoutofthewaybutworthseekingout.Ifyoutakethepathbesidethebramble-covereddike,youcanscanthefieldsandshrubsatthesametime.WalkoneofseveralpathwaystoclimbupthedikeforviewsoftheStillaguamishRiverandPortSusan.MUST-SEEBIRDS:WesternMeadowlarks,NorthernHarriers,Short-earedOwls,GreatBlueHerons,andBeltedKingfishers.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:Rough-leggedHawksandSnowyOwls(insomeyears).
ButlerFlatsnearBurlingtonSeparatedfromtheotherbirdingsitesbyInterstate5,theButlerFlatsareaoffersmorefarmfieldsandutilitypolestoscanforthearea’sspecialties.MUST-SEEBIRDS:BaldEaglesandTrumpeterSwans.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:TundraSwans,Gyrfalcons(rare),andAmericanKestrels.
TIPSFORBIRDINGINSKAGITANDISLANDCOUNTIES•Drivethesmallroadsthatcrisscrosstheareatofindinterestingraptorsinfieldsandperchedonutilitypoles.
•Respectprivatepropertyandupholdthegoodreputationthatbirdersstriveto
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•Respectprivatepropertyandupholdthegoodreputationthatbirdersstrivetokeep.
•Ifyoudon’twanttoheargunshotsasyoubird,waituntillateJanuary,afterhuntingseasonends.
•Winterislowseasonforhotelrates,solookformidweekhoteldealsthatleaveyousomeextracashforhotcoffeeandSnowGoosesouvenirs.
•Washington’sDiscoverPassisrequiredatmanyparks,andyoucanpurchaseanannualpassaheadoftimeonlineoratasportinggoodsstore.Itiswellworththemoneynottohavetodealwithadayusefee.Don’ttrytoavoidbuyingapassifyouwanttovisitanareathatrequiresone:thefinesareheftyifyougetaticket.Justkeepthepasshangingfromyourrearviewmirror.
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2SHELTERFROMTHESTORM
THESALISHSEAINWINTER
PortTownsend’sboatbasin
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ApairofSurfScoters
HEADQUARTERS:
PortTownsend
PortTownsend,Washington,isfullofhistoricalsitesandperiodarchitecture.Lookaroundattheamazingsceneryineverydirection,withtheCascadeMountains,OlympicMountains,andVancouverIslandallinview.
BESTTIMEOFYEAR:
NovemberthroughFebruary
SeabirdsbecomeabundantintheSalishSeainlatefallandlingerinvaryingnumbersthroughoutthewinter.
THESALISHSEA’Shugeexpanseofprotectedwaterisawintertimerefugeforseagoingmurrelets,auklets,andducks.Aroundeverycornerisabay,channel,
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orpassagelikelytobevisitedbysomesortofinterestingwaterbird.TheStraitofSanJuandeFucaisamajorpassagewayforseabirdsseekingrefugefromroughwinterwaves.Thesebirds,ofteninaccessibleatseaornestingfartothenorth,areeasilyviewedfromnumerouspublicaccesssites.Manyofthebirdingsitesinthisareahostsimilarcollectionsofspecies,butyoumightneedtotryseveralspotstofindallthebirdsyouarelookingfor.
PLACESTOGO,FROMEASTTOWEST
FortFlaglerStateParknearPortTownsendThisstateparkoffersmanyplacestoviewbirdsonthewater.TheeastsidelooksoverthelargeAdmiraltyInlet,andthewestsidefacesthesmallerKilisutHarbor.Asyoudrivethroughthepark,eachforkintheroadtakesyoutoadifferentvantagepointandhabitat.MUST-SEEBIRDS:BaldEagles,PeregrineFalcons,CommonMurres,HarlequinDucks,Brant,GreatBlueHerons,andBlackOystercatchers.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:AncientMurrelets,BlackScoters,andRed-throatedLoons.
FortWordenStateParknearPortTownsendWithitslargecampground,sandybeach,andrequisitelighthouse,thispark’sbiggestattractionfromabirdingpointofviewisPointWilson,whichgoesrightoutintothestraightwithlotsofbirdstoseeonbothsides.MUST-SEEBIRDS:CommonLoons,HarlequinDucks,CommonMurres,andPigeonGuillemots.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:AncientMurrelets,Red-neckedGrebes,White-wingedScoters,andMewGulls.
MarlynNelsonCountyParkatPortWilliamsProtectedwatersatthemouthofSequimBayaffordyoucloseviewsofseabirdsastheyfeed,preen,andrelaxawayfromthestraight’smassiveswells.MUST-SEEBIRDS:MarbledMurrelets,PigeonGuillemots,Red-breastedMergansers,Long-tailedDucks,andHarlequinDucks.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:CommonGoldeneyesandPacificLoons.
DungenessNationalWildlifeRefugenearSequimThisrefugegivesyouaccesstothelong,hikeableGraveyardSpit,withtheStraightofSanJuandeFucaononesideandtheprotectedDungenessBayontheother.Evenifyoudon’tmakeitthe5milestothelighthouse,you’llenjoysomeamazingviewsandseesomegreatbirds.MUST-SEEBIRDS:BaldEagles,
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PeregrineFalcons,NorthernHarriers,Brant,MarbledMurrelets,EurasianWigeons,andLong-tailedDucks.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:PacificLoonsandNorthernPintails.TheoccasionalstraySnowyOwlspendsthewinterhere.
Bonus:KeystoneFerryfromPortTownsendtoWhidbeyIslandIfyoucanfititintoyourschedule,this30-minuteferryjauntisagreatopportunitytolookforseabirdsoutontheopenwater.CrockettLakeisrightacrossthestreetfromtheferrylandingonWhidbeyIsland,andithostsaplethoraofwinteringducks.MUST-SEEBIRDS:MarbledMurrelets,SurfScoters,RuddyDucks,andCommonMurres.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:AncientMurrelets,PelagicCormorants,Black-belliedPlovers,HornedGrebes,andWhite-wingedScoters.
TIPSFORBIRDINGTHESALISHSEA•Whenyouarebirdingmostlyonthewater,glarecanbeamajorfactor.Trytochooseyourbirdingtimesandsitessothatthesunisbehindyou,lightingupthebirdsyouwanttosee.
•Tidalripsarechoppyareasofstrong-movingcurrentthatoccuroffpointsoflandasthetidechanges.Theyarefulloffishandkrillandattractlargenumbersoffeedingseabirds.
•Buyorborrowaspottingscopeforthistrip.Manybirdsarefarenoughawaytobebarelyidentifiablewithbinoculars,andascopegivesyouachancetoappreciatetheirplumageandbehavior.
•Winterislowseasonforhotelrates,solookformidweekhoteldealsthatleaveyousomeextracashforhotcoffeeandferrytickets.
•Washington’sDiscoverPassisrequiredatmanyparks,andyoucanpurchaseanannualpassaheadoftimeonlineoratasportinggoodsstore.Itiswellworththemoneynottohavetodealwithadayusefee.Don’ttrytoavoidbuyingapassifyouwanttovisitanareathatrequiresone:thefinesareheftyifyougetaticket.Justkeepthepasshangingfromyourrearviewmirror.
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3GRAYSKIESANDGREATBIRDSTHENORTHERNOREGONCOASTINWINTER
MaleHarlequinDucks
HEADQUARTERS:
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ManzanitaandCannonBeach
ManzanitaandCannonBeacharelocatednearexcellentbirdingsitesandaredelightfultownsintheirownright.
BESTTIMEOFYEAR:
DecemberthroughAprilBirdingtheOregonCoastisrewardingyear-round,butwinterandearlyspringmonthsofferemptybeachesandagreatdiversityandabundanceofseabirdsandwaterfowl.
EACHFALL,greatnumbersofbirdsconvergefrombreedingsitesinAlaska,arcticCanada,andinlandlakestofillthecomparativelytemperatebays,coves,andsewagelagoonsoftheOregonCoast.Everywhereyouturn,youcanseeloons,grebes,ducks,geese,andenoughgullstokeepeventhemoreexperiencedbirdersreachingforthefieldguide.SomepeoplewilltellyouthatwinterattheOregonCoastismiserablywetandcold,butthinkhowuncrowdedthebeachesarewithallthosepeoplestayinghome.Anyway,thereisalwaysthesatisfactionoftallyinguptheday’sbirdlistoverabowlofclamchowderorapintofdarkbeerwhilethestormragesoutside.
PLACESTOGO,FROMNORTHTOSOUTH
CannonBeachSettlingPondsThesepondsneardowntownCannonBeachhostavarietyofducksandtheoccasionalseabirdblowninfromtheocean.MUST-SEEBIRDS:BaldEaglesandWoodDucks.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:MarshWrens,Buffleheads,anddabblinganddivingducks.
HaystackRockinCannonBeachVisitHaystackRockatlowtidetogetcloselooksatbirdsonandaroundtherock.MUST-SEEBIRDS:BlackTurnstones,HarlequinDucks,BlackOystercatchers,SurfScoters,andBrant.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:PelagicCormorantsand
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White-wingedScoters.ThefamousTuftedPuffinsarriveinApril.
NehalemBaySewagePondsinNehalemTheodorcanbealittleoff-putting,butthebirdsyou’llseeareworthit.Onthewaytotheponds,you’llpassthroughmeadowsthatarefilledwithraptors.Besuretofollowthepostedregulationsattheponds:asyouenterthepedestriangate,onlythepathonyourrightisopentovisitors.MUST-SEEBIRDS:White-tailedKites,NorthernHarriers,andBaldEaglesinthemeadows;WoodDucksandRuddyDucksintheponds.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:NorthernShovelers,GreaterScaups,Buffleheads,Gadwalls,andRing-neckedDucks.
BarviewJettyAlwaysusegoodjudgmentaroundjetties.Wavescancrashoverthetopwithoutwarning.ScanthemouthofTillamookBayandtheoceannorthofitfromthejettyforbirds.MUST-SEEBIRDS:PigeonGuillemots,SurfScoters,CommonLoons,WesternGrebes,andBlackTurnstones.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:PacificLoons,Surfbirds,White-wingedScoters,andBlackScoters.
ThreeGracesTidalAreanearBarviewThisextremelyphotogenicsiteoffHighway101offersplentyofrocksforperchingseabirdsanddeepchannelsfordivingbirds.Takethepathjustacrosstherailroadtracks.MUST-SEEBIRDS:CommonLoons,SurfScoters,PigeonGuillemots,Brandt’sCormorants,andBlackOystercatchers.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:PelagicCormorantsandRed-throatedLoons.
PacificOysterCompanystoreandrestaurantinBayCityIfyoulikeseafood,stopinforsomeoysterstoshowyourappreciationforpublicaccesstothisgreatbirdingspot.Anearbymuddyinletisperfectforshorebirds,andyou’llenjoyexpansiveviewsofTillamookBay.ThisisthemostreliableplaceintheareatoseeBlackTurnstones;checktheabandonedboatandtherockyareasonbothsidesofthepoint.MUST-SEEBIRDS:WesternGrebesandBeltedKingfishers.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:CommonGoldeneyes,AmericanWigeons,andHornedGrebes.
BayoceanSpitWithTillamookBaytotheeastandCapeMearesLaketothewest,theaccessroadsontheBayoceanSpitoffergreatbirdingopportunities.Fromtheparkinglot,youcanhikealonganoldroadtocatchmoreglimpsesofthebayanditsbirds.MUSTSEEBIRDS:BeltedKingfishers,BaldEagles,GreatBlueHerons,
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EurasianWigeons,andBrant.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:GreaterScaups,Pintails,andRing-neckedDucks.
CapeMearesStateParkFollowtheThreeCapesScenicDrive,whichgoesfromPacificCitytoTillamook,toreachthispromontorythatprovidesgreatviewsoftheocean.Hikethequartermiletothelighthousetoscantheoceanforinterestingseabirds.Youcanenjoyviewsofaprotectedcovefromanobservationdeckadjacenttotheparkinglot.Apreservedforestharborssongbirdsandgiantmossytrees,includingafamousmisshapenSitkasprucecalledtheOctopusTree.MUST-SEEBIRDS:BrownCreepers,VariedThrushes,PeregrineFalcons,MarbledMurrelets,PigeonGuillemots,andSurfScoters.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:Golden-crownedKinglets,PacificLoons,andRed-neckedGrebes.
NetartsBayHeadsouthalongNetartsBayDriveinNetartsasitcloselyfollowsthebay.Severalpulloutsoffersafeplacestopulloverandviewwaterfowl.MUST-SEEBIRDS:HarlequinDucks,SurfScoters,Red-breastedMergansers,WesternGrebes,CommonLoons,GreatBlueHerons,BaldEagles,andPeregrineFalcons.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:CommonGoldeneyesandRed-neckedGrebes.
TIPSFORBIRDINGTHENORTHERNOREGONCOAST•Oftentherainyweathercomesinwaves,andyoucansqueezeinsomebirdingbetweenstorms.
•Respectthepoweroftheocean.Allthosesignswarningyouaboutsneakerwavesandcar-sizedfloatinglogsarethereforareason.
•Bewaryaroundjetties,especiallyduringstormyconditions.•Investingoodraingear(includingpants).•Adecentspottingscopewillallowyoutogetmuchmoresatisfyinglooksatseabirdsandwaterfowlthanagreatpairofbinoculars.
•Bringasoftcottonclothtowiperaindropsfromthelensofyourscopeorbinoculars.
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SPRINGANDSUMMERWEEKENDS,NORTHTOSOUTH
SmithRockStateParknearRedmond,Oregon
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4URBANBIRDIN’
SPRINGTIMEINPUGETSOUND
AnOspreyvisitsitsnest.
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HEADQUARTERS:
Seattle
Seattleisknownforitsnaturalbeauty,withwaterallaroundandsnow-cappedvistasineverydirection.Ineverypartofthecity,parksandnaturalareasareworthyofavisit;decidingwhichonestovisitinaweekendmightbethemostdifficultpart.Andwithmorerestaurantsandbrewpubsthanyoucouldvisitinayear,Seattleispracticallyirresistible.
BESTTIMEOFYEAR:
MayandJuneDuringmigrationtimeinMay,largenumbersofcolorfulandsingingbirdsmovethroughtheSeattlearea,andyou’llfindthemeasily.Thebusinessofnestbuildingandnestlingfeedingfollows,withbusybirdsdrawinglotsofattention.BylateJune,muchoftheactionhasslowedandsomebirds,especiallymigrants,canbemoredifficulttofind.
ALTHOUGHTHEWATERSofPugetSoundareattheirbirdiestinthewinter,aninfluxofcolorfulmigrantlandbirdsspicesthingsupeachspringandmakesbirdinginthisareaadelight.Seattle’sofficialbird,theGreatBlueHeron,isabundantinthelocalwaters,joinedbyitssmaller,moresecretivecousin,theGreenHeron.Aimyourbinocularsalittlehigherintothetreesandshrubstofindtanagers,grosbeaks,crossbills,andwoodpeckerstoaddtoyourlist.
PLACESTOGO
LakeSammamishStateParknearIssaquahFollowthetrailsthroughtheforestandamongwoodedpondsandcreekstofindforestspecialistssuchasRed-breastedSapsuckersandshywetlanddwellerssuchasGreenHerons.WalkthelongstretchofbeachalongLakeSammamish,
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andyou’llspotlotsofbirdsinthislarge,popularpark.MUST-SEEBIRDS:BaldEagles,GreenHerons,WoodDucks,Band-tailedPigeons,Red-breastedSapsuckers,Black-headedGrosbeaks,andBeltedKingfishers.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:Bullock’sOrioles,Chestnut-backedChickadees,CommonMergansers,andAmericanGoldfinches.
MagnusonParkinSeattleLocatedonthewesternshoreofLakeWashington,thislargeparkcombineslakeshore,forestpatches,andwetlands.Thewetlandsarethehighlightoftheparkandaresurroundedbynativevegetationandwalkingtrails.Winteroffersmorewaterbirdsonthelake,butduringthesummer,checktheswimmingplatformforternsandgulls.MUST-SEEBIRDS:CaliforniaQuail,Anna’sHummingbirds,andCaspianTerns.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:SpottedSandpipers,Gadwalls,andWhite-crownedSparrows.
UnionBayNaturalAreanearLakeWashingtonFromaformerlandfillhassprungabirdmagnetofanaturalareathatisalwaysworthavisit.Wherethecoveredlandfillsettledunevenly,lilypad–ladenpondsandmarshesarefilledwithducksandrails.Willowsandlargertreesprovideperchesandnestingsitesforotherbirds.MUST-SEEBIRDS:CinnamonTeals,GreatBlueHerons,WesternKingbirds,HoodedMergansers,andVaux’sSwifts.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:Pied-billedGrebes,CommonYellowthroats,andVirginiaRails.
DiscoveryParkinMagnoliaIt’sdifficulttodescribetheterrainofthishugepark,becauseitvariesfromconiferousanddeciduousforest,toopenfields,tothewatersofPugetSound.Ifyouhikeallthewayouttothepoint,youmaycatchaglimpseofapassingseabird.MUST-SEEBIRDS:PileatedWoodpeckers,WesternTanagers,RedCrossbills,Olive-sidedFlycatchers,andEveningGrosbeaks.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:Black-throatedGrayWarblers,Golden-crownedKinglets,andNorthernRough-wingedSwallows.
NORTHTOEVERETTDriveafewminutesnorthofSeattle,andyoucanvisitseveralbirdingsitesthatarespecialenoughtowarrantasidetrip.
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SpencerIslandParkandtheEverettSewagePondsOwnershipofSpencerIslandissplitbetweenSnohomishCountyandtheWashingtonDepartmentofWildlife.Bothhalvesofthepark,andthegravelroadthatleadsintoitfromtheparkingarea,aregreatplacestospotbirds.Youcanwalkaseriesoftrailsanddikestoexplorethetidallyinfluencedsloughsandwetlands.ThenearbyEverettSewagePondscanbescopedfromtheroadoutsidethegates,oryoucanapplyattheplantofficeforafreepermittoenterandwalktheperimeter.Attheponds,youmightfindaninterestingselectionofducksandgullsatanytimeofyear.MUST-SEEBIRDS:CinnamonTeals,NorthernHarriers,Violet-greenSwallows,andWesternTanagers.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:Blue-wingedTeals,WillowFlycatchers,YellowWarblers,DownyWoodpeckers,andMarshWrens.
PortGardnerThepilingsinPortGardnerarehometoanunusuallylargenestingcolonyofOspreys.Visithereinthesummertoseethemflyingby,sittingonnests,eatingfish,andcallingtooneanother.Checkthenearbymudflatsforshorebirdsandwaterfowl.MUST-SEEBIRDS:Ospreys,GreatBlueHerons,andWhimbrels.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:PurpleMartins,AmericanWigeons,andGadwalls.
TIPSFORBIRDINGPUGETSOUND•Washington’sDiscoverPassisrequiredatmanystateparks,includingLakeSammamishStatePark.Youcanbuyanannualpassaheadoftimeonlineoratasportinggoodsstore.Itiswellworththemoneynottohavetodealwithadayusefee.Don’ttrytoavoidbuyingapassifyouwanttovisitanareathatrequiresone:thefinesareheftyifyougetaticket.Justkeepthepasshangingfromyourrearviewmirror.
•ParkingishardtocomebyneartheUnionBayNaturalAreabecauseit’sneartheUniversityofWashingtoncampus.IfyouvisitafterthestartofsummervacationinearlyJune,parkingmaybeeasiertofind.
•PeregrineFalconsoftennestonlocalbridges.ContactSeattleAudubonforcurrentinformation.
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5BIRDINGAMONGTHEWINERIESANDORCHARDSTHECANYONCOUNTRYOFCENTRALWASHINGTON
CanyonWren
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HEADQUARTERS:
YakimaYakimaiscentrallylocatedforproductivedaytripsineverydirection,andyou’llevenfindafewgoodbirdingspotsintown.TheCascadeslietothewest,YakimaCanyontothenorth,sagebrushcountryandtheColumbiaRivertotheeast,andwetlandrefugestothesouth.Iftheafternoonsgetalittletoohotforbirding,youcankickbackatthenearestwinerywhiletheinescapableCaliforniaQuailcallfromthevineyardandswallowsswoopoverhead.
BESTTIMEOFYEAR:
MayandJune
MayandJunearelivelymonthsforbirdinginCentralWashington,withaflurryofcolorandsong.ItcangetprettyquietbyJuly,however,whenbirdshavefinisheddefendingtheirterritoriesandtheweatherheatsup.
LEWIS’SWOODPECKERSINthemorning,CanyonWrensintheafternoon,andCommonNighthawksintheeveningmakeforfull,rewardingdaysofbirding.FromtheforestedfoothillsoftheCascadestothesagebrush-coveredcanyons,CentralWashingtonincludesagreatvarietyofhabitatsinasmallarea.Whenyouthrowinlushwetlands,youcaneasilysee100birdspecieshereinasingleweekend.
PLACESTOGO
YakimaCanyonThisscenicrouteonHighway821fromYakimatoEllensburgtakesyouthroughsteep,rockycliffsandgoldenhillsidesasyoufollowthewindingpathoftheYakimaRiver.Stopatthefirstfewpulloutsonthesouthernendoftheroad;theyarethebestforspottingcliff-dwellingbirds.MUST-SEEBIRDS:GoldenEagles,
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PrairieFalcons,CanyonWrens,WesternKingbirds,andWesternMeadowlarks.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:White-throatedSwifts,AmericanKestrels,andBullock’sOrioles.
BethelRidgeRoadForestServiceRoad1500isagravelroadoffHighway12thatheadsupintothemountains.Manyspeciesofwoodpeckersfrequentthisarea.TheroadquicklypassesthroughPonderosapineforest,wildfiresites,wetmeadows,andhigh-elevationforests,offeringachangingcommunityofbirdstocheckout.MUST-SEEBIRDS:Black-backedWoodpeckers(burnedtrees),Williamson’sSapsuckers(aspentrees),andWhite-headedWoodpeckers(bigpinetrees).OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:Cassin’sFinches,YellowWarblers,andYellow-rumpedWarblers.
OakCreekWildlifeAreaThishillyareahasseveralaccesspoints,butthemostinterestingplaceforbirdingisjustwestoftheelk-feedingareaonHighway12.Agravelroadtravelsthroughamixedoak,pine,andcottonwoodforestsandwichedbetweenrockierareas.MUST-SEEBIRDS:CanyonWrens,Lewis’sWoodpeckers,AmericanDippers,Black-headedGrosbeaks,andWesternTanagers.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:HouseWrens,Red-napedSapsuckers,andWarblingVireos.
WenasBasinThebasinbetweenYakimaandEllensburgalongWenasRoadandUmtanumRoadissodensewithbirdingopportunitiesthatyoucouldspendanentiredayexploringit.You’llseetrailheadsforhikesintodrycanyonsandalongcreekswhentravelingthisroute.TheroughroadalongWenasCreekintotheWenasCampground(thesiteoftheannualAudubonSocietygathering)mightrewardyouwithWhite-headedWoodpeckers,CalliopeHummingbirds,RedCrossbills,andanabundanceofotherbirds.WenasLakeisagreatstopforshorebirdsinspringandalsooffersdenseriparianvegetationwithYellow-breastedChatsandothersongbirds.UmtanumRoadisdottedwithnestboxesthathouseMountainandWesternBluebirds.Alongtheway,you’relikelytoseequail,sparrows,woodpeckers,andmore.
YakimaSportsmanStateParkThispark,justacrosstheriverfromdowntownYakima,ispackedwithbirds.Smallpondsandmarshesareloadedwithwaterfowlandblackbirds,andlargedeciduoustreesarefilledwithmanyspeciesofsongbirds.Interpretivesigns
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alongthetrailpointoutthenaturalfeaturesofthepark.MUST-SEEBIRDS:Yellow-headedBlackbirds,CedarWaxwings,WoodDucks,Black-headedGrosbeaks,andCaliforniaQuail.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:AmericanGoldfinchesandTreeSwallows.
CowicheCanyonTrailThetrailthroughthecanyonisaccessiblefromatrailheadateachendoraconnectingtrailfromtheWilridgeWinery(ourfavoriteoption).Thissmallcanyonofferstwobirdingsitesinonewithriparianbirdsinthecreeksidevegetationandrockdwellersontheslopesabove.MUST-SEEBIRDS:CanyonWrens,LazuliBuntings,WesternTanagers,CommonNighthawks,andCommonRavens.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:Say’sPhoebes,Black-billedMagpies,andRockWrens.
ToppenishNationalWildlifeRefugeThisrefugesouthofYakimaisborderedbysagebrushononesideandirrigatedfarmlandontheother.Inbetweenisanoasisofcreeks,marshland,andriparianvegetationthatishometoanarrayofbirdsineveryseason.Anoverlookplatformgivesyougreatviewsofthecattailmarsh,andtheroadsthatcrisscrosstherefugeputyourightinthemiddleoftheaction.MUST-SEEBIRDS:AmericanWhitePelicans,AmericanBitterns,CinnamonTeals,WesternMeadowlarks,WesternKingbirds,andlotsmore.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:BankSwallows,LoggerheadShrikes,Wilson’sSnipes,andpossiblyBlue-wingedTealsandBobolinks.
FortSimcoeStateParkLocatedabout40milessouthwestofYakima,thishistoricparkisfilledwithoaktreesthatarehometoalargenumberofLewis’sWoodpeckers.
Bickleton,theBluebirdCapitaloftheWorldTheroadconnectingGoldendaletoBickletonisagreatplacetoseelotsofMountainBluebirdsandafewWesternBluebirds,too.TheareaaroundthetinytownofBickletonisfilledwiththousandsofblueandwhitebirdhousesthatattractahugenumberofbluebirdseachspring.
TIPSFORBIRDINGINCENTRALWASHINGTON•Washington’sDiscoverPassisrequiredatmanyparks,andyoucanbuyanannualpassaheadoftimeonlineoratasportinggoodsstore.Itiswellworththemoneynottohavetodealwithadayusefee.Don’ttrytoavoidbuyinga
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themoneynottohavetodealwithadayusefee.Don’ttrytoavoidbuyingapassifyouwanttovisitanareathatrequiresone:thefinesareheftyifyougetaticket.Justkeepthepasshangingfromyourrearviewmirror.
•Asinmanyplacesduringthesummer,youmayencounterticks,especiallyifyouventureoffthetrailintothebrush.
•Anextrajugofwaterisgoodtohaveinthecarincaseyoufindyourselffarfromawatersourceonahotafternoon.
•Afine-scalemapsuchasagazetteerisessentialforthisarea,becausefold-outmapsofthestatedon’tlabeltheroadsthatconnectmanyofthesesites.
•Becausemanyofthesesitesarenotparks,restroomsarefewandfarbetween.Gasstationsandrestaurantsareyourbestbets.
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6STANDINGROOMONLYNESTINGSEASONONTHECENTRALOREGONCOAST
BlackOystercatcher
HEADQUARTERS:
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Newport
Newportisaquintessentialbeachtownclosetomanyexcellentbirdingsites.
BESTTIMEOFYEAR:
MaythroughJulyBirdingthecentralOregonCoastisalsogreatinthewinter,butyouwon’tfindnestingbirdsatthistime.
IT’SALWAYSEXCITINGtohaveafrontrowseattothenestingbehaviorofbirds.Thecourtshipdisplays,feedings,andfuzzybabiescreateanentertainingspectacleeachspringthroughsummer.Althoughmanysongbirdshidetheirnests,seabirdssuchasmurresandcormorantsbuildtheirsoutintheopenandareloudaboutit,too.Oregon’soffshorerocksareprotectedforthesakeofseabirds,andmanysitesalongthecoastofferyouanelevatedviewasthebirdsgoabouttheirfrenziedbusiness.Summerisalsothetimetoenjoycolorfulneotropicalmigrantsongbirdsaswellasotherseasonalvisitorssuchasvulturesandterns.
PLACESTOGO,FROMNORTHTOSOUTH
YaquinaHeadOutstandingNaturalAreainNewportOneofthebestplacesontheOregonCoasttosee(andsmell)nestingseabirds,YaquinaHeadoffersaviewingplatformclosetooffshorenestingareas,atjusttherightheightforspyingonthebirds.Avarietyofseabirdsmaketheirnestsincrowdedcoloniesonthenearbyrocksandcliffs.Notethatanaccessfeeisrequiredtovisitthisarea.Parkatthevisitor’scenterandwalkthetrailtothelighthouse.MUST-SEEBIRDS:Brandt’sCormorants,CommonMurres,PigeonGuillemots,andBlackOystercatchers.BrownPelicans,CommonRavens,PeregrineFalcons,andBaldEaglesallfrequenttheareaandhavebeenknowntoeattheyoungoradultCommonMurres.
HatfieldMarineScienceCenterTrailinNewport
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Thisshort,easytrailhugsasectionofYaquinaBaythatofferssandbarsandshallowfeedingareasforbirds.Checkshrubsandnearbyfeedersontheothersideofthetrailforinterestingsongbirds.MUST-SEEBIRDS:CaspianTerns,Whimbrels,andGreatBlueHerons.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:PurpleMartinsandWhite-crownedSparrows.
BeaverCreekStateNaturalAreaOneofOregon’snewestnaturalareas,BeaverCreekincludesbothripariananduplandhabitatsforagreatcross-sectionofspecies.Youcanexploreitbytrailorbycanoe.Thevisitorcenterhasavarietyofbirdfeedersandoffersascenicviewofthenaturalarea.MUST-SEEBIRDS:WatchforOspreys,CedarWaxwings,andBand-tailedPigeons,andlistenforthedistinctivecallsandsongsofSwainson’sThrushes,Olive-sidedFlycatchers,andBlack-headedGrosbeaks.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:TurkeyVultures,CliffSwallows,andCommonYellowthroats.
YaquinaHeadOutstandingNaturalAreainNewport
SealRockStateWaysideOfferingagreatvantagepointforfloating,feeding,andnestingbirds,theSealRockWaysideoffHighway101providesagoodviewofnearbyoffshorerocksandintertidalareas.MUST-SEEBIRDS:BrownPelicans,BlackOystercatchers,PigeonGuillemots,Brandt’sCormorants,HarlequinDucks,andSurfScoters.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:WesternGullsandPelagicCormorantsmaketheirnestsontherocks.
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TIPSFORBIRDINGONTHECENTRALOREGONCOAST•Summerafternoonsonthecoastcanbeverybreezy,whichmakesitdifficulttohearandseebirds;headoutinthemorningsforcalmerweather.
•Anothergoodreasontobirdearlyistoavoidthedistorting,blurringeffectscausedbyrisingwavesofwarmairthatcanoccurasyoulookthroughbinoculars.Youcanalwayspasstheafternoonbrowsinglocalbookstoresandcandyshops.
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7REDROCKS,BLUEWATER,ANDWHITE-HEADEDWOODPECKERS
CENTRALOREGONINSUMMER
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MaleWhite-headedWoodpecker
HEADQUARTERS:
Sisters
Sistersisanadorablewesterntownsurroundedonallsidesbygreatbirding.
BESTTIMEOFYEAR:
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MaythoughJuly
Visittheareaduringlatespringthroughearlysummertoseelotsofsingingandnestingbirds.
CENTRALOREGONISfamousforitsabundantwoodpeckers:11speciesliveintheforestsaroundSisters.SuchamazingdiversityresultsfromthecombinationofancientPonderosapines,riparianaspengroves,andwildfiresitesthatattracttastybeetles.Happily,thesehabitats,andthedrieronestotheeast,alsomakeforbeautifulsceneryyoucanenjoyasyoubird.SeeingthesnowypeaksoftheThreeSistersandMountJeffersonglowingagainsttheblueskiesofCentralOregonwillmakeyouwanttostaylongerthanjustafewdays.
PLACESTOGOCalliopeCrossingLocatednorthofSisters,thisareawasnamedfortheCalliopeHummingbird,whichnestshere.Followthegravelroadacrossthestream,andyouendupinthemiddleofriparianvegetationwithgreatviewsofnotablebirds.MUST-SEEBIRDS:Williamson’sSapsuckers,Red-breastedSapsuckers,CalliopeHummingbirds,Black-headedGrosbeaks,andWesternTanagers.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:NorthernGoshawksperchedintheneighboringpinesandVirginiaRailsskulkinginthewater.
ColdSpringsandIndianFordCampgroundsThecombinationofdrypineforestandwetareaswithaspensmakeforagreatdiversityofnestingbirds.ColdSpringsCampgroundislocatedwestofSisters,andIndianFordisnearBlackButteRanch,northwestoftown.MUST-SEEBIRDS:Williamson’sSapsuckers,Red-breastedSapsuckers,White-headedWoodpeckers,Olive-sidedFlycatchers,Green-tailedTowhees,andRedCrossbills.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:ChippingSparrows,Cassin’sFinches,andNorthernGoshawks.YoumightalsoseeavarietyofEmpidonaxflycatchers.
MetoliusRiverTrailsnearCampShermanDownstreamofCampSherman,trailsonbothsidesfollowthisdazzlingspring-fedriverthroughgiantPonderosapines.MUST-SEEBIRDS:Ospreys,American
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Dippers(nesting),White-headedWoodpeckers,WesternTanagers,andBlack-headedGrosbeaks.CommonNighthawksarecommonatdusk.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:ubiquitousYellowWarblers,noisyPygmyNuthatches,andfamiliesofCommonMergansers.
WestSideofSistersThebirdfeedersandpinesnearthechurches,schools,andhotelsmakethisareaamagnetforPinyonJays.
BurnedAreasWestandSouthofSistersThedesolateappearanceofaburnedforestismisleading,becausetheseareasareactuallyfullofnewplantgrowthandfoodforbirds.MUST-SEEBIRDS:Black-backedWoodpeckers,WesternBluebirds,andOlive-sidedFlycatchers.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:Townsend’sSolitairesandThree-toedWoodpeckers.
SmithRockStateParkAbout30minutesnortheastofSisters,thissitecertainlymeritsavisit.TheCrookedRiversnakesthroughtallcliffs,creatingaproductivegradientofhabitats,fromdryupland,toriparian.MUST-SEEBIRDS:GoldenEagles,PrairieFalcons,CaliforniaQuail,CanyonWrens,andWesternKingbirds.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:White-throatedSwifts.
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PonderosaPineforestwithviewsofBlackButteandMountJefferson
TIPSFORBIRDINGINCENTRALOREGON•Birdscangetquietduringwarmafternoons,especiallyinunshadedwildfiresites,soplantostartbirdingearlyinthemorning.
•UseagazetteerthatshowslabeledForestServiceRoads;muchofthebestbirdingisfarfrommainroads.
•Beforeyougo,checkouttheCentralOregonBirdersOnlinee-maillistforcurrentsightings.
•TheOregonCascadesBirdingTrailwebsitehasveryspecificinstructionsonhowtogettolotsofsitesinthearea.
•IfyougettoSistersduringweekdayworkhours,stopbytheForestService
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•IfyougettoSistersduringweekdayworkhours,stopbytheForestServiceofficetocheckoutthefeeders,scanthelistofrecentlysightedbirds,andaskaboutwhichburnedareasarecurrentlygoodforviewingwoodpeckers.
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8ITTAKESTWOTOTANGODANCINGANDBREEDINGSEASONINTHEKLAMATHBASIN,OREGON
ARed-wingedBlackbirdhitchesarideonaSandhillCrane
HEADQUARTERS:
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KlamathFalls
KlamathFallsissituatedonKlamathLakeandisclosetotheLowerKlamathNationalWildlifeRefuge.Thetownislargeenoughtoofferaselectionoflodginganddiningoptions.Chiloquintothenorthisamuchsmallertown,buttheareaofferscozybedandbreakfastsandcloseaccesstomorebirdingsites.
BESTTIMEOFYEAR:
MaythroughJulyThesemonthsarethebesttimetoenjoythematingdances,songs,andbabybirdsofthenestingseason.Thewinterbirdinghereisalsoamazingandwellworthareturntrip.
KlamathMarshwithaviewofMountScott
ASWESTERNGREBESperformtheirsynchronizedmatingdancesacrossthesurfaceofalake,Yellow-headedBlackbirdsbraytheirraucoussongs.TheKlamathBasinisperfectlysituatedwhereforestmeetsdesert.Itisagreatplacetofindacombinationofforest,wetland,andopen-waterbirds.You’dneedtodriveseveralhoursfarthereasttofindsimilarconcentrationsoftheexciting
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wetland-nestingbirdsthatliveinthisareainthesummer.Combinethatwithforest-dwellingwoodpeckersandsongbirds,andyouhaveenoughbirdingopportunitiestokeepyoubusyforaweek—butwe’llhelpyoucondenseitallintoaweekend.
PLACESTOGO,FROMNORTHTOSOUTH
KlamathMarshNationalWildlifeRefugeAbout60milesnortheastofKlamathFalls,MilitaryCrossingRoad(CountyRoad677)takesyourightthroughthemiddleofthisrichmarshhabitatthatisalivewithbirds.Abundantinsectsprovidefoodforbirdsinthewater,onthecattails,andflyingoverhead.AneveningstopheremaybeyourbestchanceinOregontoheartheelusiveandrareYellowRail.MUST-SEEBIRDS:AmericanBitterns,RuddyDucks,CinnamonTeals,Yellow-headedBlackbirds,andCommonNighthawks.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:Soras,BlackTerns,andmanyspeciesofswallow.
CollierStateParkinChiloquinNorthofKlamathFalls,thislargeparkcontainsamixofconiferforestandriparianhabitatalongtheWilliamsonRiver.MUST-SEEBIRDS:Ospreys,White-headedWoodpeckers,AmericanDippers,WesternTanagers,Black-headedGrosbeaks,Wilson’sWarblers,andBeltedKingfishers.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:CliffSwallowsandMountainChickadees.
PetricParkandWoodRiverWetlandTheseadjacentstopsoffHighway62provideaccesstoavarietyofbirdhabitats.ThepondatPetricParkisagoodbetforTricoloredBlackbirds.ScanthenearbyfieldsforSandhillCranes.TheWoodRiverWetlandoffersaraisedtrailthatputsyouinthemiddleoftherichmarshhabitatforaviewofAgencyLakeandrestoredwetlands.Walkthetree-linedpathandyou’llhearsongbirdscallingfromeverydirection.Theshallowwateroneachsideofthetrailisfullofnestingwaterbirds.MUST-SEEBIRDS:CommonNighthawksandSandhillCranes.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:TricoloredBlackbirds,Bullock’sOrioles,Pied-billedGrebes,WillowFlycatchers,andGadwalls.
LinkRiverTrailThistrailinKlamathFallsisbookendedbyMooreParkonthenorthandVeteransMemorialParkonthesouth.ItfollowsthesmallLinkRiverbutoffers
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viewsofopenwaterattheparksateitherend.MUST-SEEBIRDS:Bonaparte’sGulls,BaldEagles,AmericanWhitePelicans,WesternGrebes,andCaspianTerns.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:Forster’sTernsandClark’sGrebes.
TIPSFORBIRDINGINTHEKLAMATHBASIN•Alltheseinsect-eatingbirdsbreedhereforareason.Packsomemosquitorepellentincasetheinsectsgettoofriendly.
•Morningisthebesttimetowatchsongbirds,butwaterbirdsareactivealldaylong.
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Bibliography
Bonar, R. L. 2000. Availability of Pileated Woodpecker cavities and use byotherspecies.JournalofWildlifeManagement64:52–59.
Calkins, J. D. 2007. The family behavior of California Quail: a molecularanalysis.Condor109:962–967.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society. eBird web site.http://ebird.org.
Elliott, K. H., J. E. Elliott, L. K. Wilson, I. Jones, and K. Stenerson. 2011.Density-dependence in the survival and reproduction of Bald Eagles:Linkagestochumsalmon.JournalofWildlifeManagement75:1688–1699.
Fischer, K. N., R. M. Suryan, D. D. Roby, and G. R. Balogh. 2009. Post-breeding season distribution of Black-footed and Laysan Albatrossessatellite-tagged inAlaska: Inter-specific differences in spatial overlapwithNorthPacificfisheries.BiologicalConservation142:751–760.
Heinrich,B.2010.TheNestingSeason:Cuckoos,Cuckolds,andtheInventionofMonogamy.Cambridge,Massachusetts:HarvardUniversityPress.
Jenkins, S. R. 2010. Post-breeding Habitat Selection by Songbirds in theHeadwaters of the Trask River, Northwestern Oregon. Master’s thesis,OregonStateUniversity,Corvallis,Oregon.
Jones,S.L.,J.S.Dieni,andA.C.Araya.2002.ReproductivebiologyofCanyonWrensintheFrontRangeofColorado.WilsonBulletin114:446–449.
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Acknowledgments
WRITINGOURFIRSTBOOKhasremindedusofhowmuchweallrelyonhelpfromothers.Wereceivedanimmeasurableamountduringthetwoyearsweworkedonthisbook:helpintheformofinformationthatexpertshavecontributedtobooksandwebsitesandhelpintheformofsupportfromourfriends,family,andcolleagues.Specifically,wenowknowthatwecouldnothavewrittenthisbookwereitnotforthefollowingpeople:Ourteachers,professors,coworkers,andfriendswhogotushookedonbirdsandtaughtussomuchaboutthem.
Thevaluablecontributionsfromproofreaderswhogenerouslyagreedtoreadourmanuscriptandmadeitthebestthatitcouldbe.Anyremainingerrorsareoursalone.
Thetalentedphotographerswhosebeautifulworkgracesthisbook:ScottCarpenter,GregGilson,JenSanford,LoisMiller,JeffPoklen,andSteveDimock.Hadwetakenallthephotosourselves,thebirdswouldallhavebeenblurrylittledots.
JureeSondkerandalltheotherfolksatTimberPresswhohelpedtoshapethisbookandkeptusfromaccidentallywritingaboringtextbook.Asfirst-timeauthorsweneededtheguidance.
Thecommunityofbirderswhosharetheirknowledgeinthefield,onlistservs,andoneBird.
TheSwansonfamily,whoprovidedenthusiasm,nightsatthebeach,andbeerstocelebratemeetingourdeadlines.
TheSmithandLaceyfamilies,whoprovidedtheresourcesnecessarytomakeacareeroutofchasingbirds.
KarenMunday,whothoughtofuswhenaskedifsheknewanyonewhocouldwriteabookaboutbirds,andforwateringourgardenwhenwelefttowntoscoutbirdingsites.
TheRasmussens,Wellses,andLyonses,whoputusupintheirhomesduringourtravels.
TheLonesomeDuckGuestRanchinChiloquin,Oregon,whogaveusalovelyplacetostayandprovidedsomegreatlocalbirdingknowledge.
Andiethedog,whoispatientwhenwetakeherbirdingandneverchases
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Andiethedog,whoispatientwhenwetakeherbirdingandneverchasesbirds.
OurSubaru:SorrywenearlydroveyouintothegroundwhilebirdingalloverOregonandWashington.Thanksfornotbreakingdown.
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Index
AgateHall199Albatross,Black-footed148–149AlkiBeach27,35,113AltonBakerPark205AnkenyNationalWildlifeRefuge61,75,79,87,111,119,145AshlandPond71AudubonSocietyofPortland79,95,165
BalchLake179BallardBridge203BandonBoatBasin35BarviewJetty31,151,218BaskettSloughNationalWildlifeRefuge87,157BayoceanSpit27,143,147,153,219BearCreekGreenway171BeaverCreekStateNaturalArea79,95,171,228Bend177BethelRidgeRoad161,181,187,225Bickleton226Bittern,American114–115Blackbird,Yellow-headed102–103BlackbirdIsland79,107,171BlackButte187Bluebird,Mountain88–89Bluebird,Western86–87BoilerBayStateScenicViewpoint39,45,47,151BottleBeach79
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Brant142–143BreitenbushCampground167Bunting,Lazuli100–101Bushtit204–205ButlerFlats53,153,213
CabinLakeCampground97,177,185CalliopeCrossing81,181,183,231CampSherman231CannonBeach218CannonBeachSettlingPonds218CapeAragoStatePark21CapeDisappointmentStatePark31,41,45,105CapeFlattery43,49,57,151CapeKiwanda57CapeMearesStatePark33,43,47,169,203,219CapePerpetuaScenicArea165CapitolLake111CassimerBarWildlifeArea55CattlePoint21ChampoegStateHeritageArea87ChapmanElementarySchool199ChinaLakePark205ClayMyersStateNaturalArea79ColdSpringsCampground97,105,161,181,185,231ColdwaterRidgeVisitor’sCenter89CollierStatePark235ColumbiaRiver,NorthJetty(inCapeDisappointmentStatePark)57,151ColumbiaRiver,SouthJetty(inFortStevensStatePark)29,37,39,41,57,151CommencementBay31ConboyLakeNationalWildlifeRefuge65,103,173Cook’sChasm47
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CooperMountainNaturePark99,107CoosBay25,113CoquillePoint31,49CoquilleRiver,SouthJetty27,57Cormorant,Brandt’s30–31CovePalisadesStatePark,The163CowicheCanyon101,133,163,226Crane,Sandhill64–65CranePrairieReservoir55,159CraterLakeNationalPark81,89,105,169Creeper,Brown192–193CrescentBeach39CrockettLake37,75,111,153Crossbill,Red104–105CrystalSpringsRhododendronGarden71
DamonPointStatePark113DavisLake65,89,97DawsonCreekCorporatePark71,179DeceptionPassStatePark45DeltaPonds71DepoeBay35DeschutesRiverStatePark163Dipper,American124–125DiscoveryPark39,99,105,107,143,161,165,169,189,223Duck,Harlequin20–21Duck,Long-tailed24–25Duck,Ruddy74–75Duck,Wood70–71DumasBaySanctuary59DungenessNationalWildlifeRefuge25,43,113,143,157,216DungenessRiverAudubonCenter171
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Eagle,Bald60–61Eagle,Golden62–63EagleCreek21EagleCreekFishHatchery125EckmanLake111EcolaStatePark45,105,165,169EdizHook35,47,153EdmondsPier41,45EideRd.213ElwhaRiver27EmigrantLakeCountyPark179EnglishCamp161Everett223EverettSewagePonds39,223
FaceRock49Falcon,Peregrine202–203Falcon,Prairie136–137FernhillWetlands37,39,53,133,145FernRidgeWildlifeManagementArea55,73,103,115,129,135,139Ferry,Keystone216Ferry,PortAngelestoVictoria37,151Ferry,SanJuanIsland31FirIsland213FishLakeInterpretiveDayUseSite93Flycatcher,Olive-sided160–161ForestPark183,189FortFlaglerStatePark21,25,33,47,135,215FortRockStatePark63,97,137,157,163FortSimcoeStatePark86,177,226FortStevensStatePark77FortWordenStatePark21,31,39,43,47,216
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FrankWagnerElementarySchool198FremontBridge203
GinkgoPetrifiedForest55,163GlenL.JacksonBridge203GoatIsland59Goldendale-BickletonHighway81,86,89Goose,Cackling144–145GraysHarbor57Grebe,Western112–113GreenLakePark205GreenRiverNaturalArea,seeKentPondsGrosbeak,Black-headed170–171Grosbeak,Evening106–107Guillemot,Pigeon44–45Gull,Bonaparte’s38–39Gull,Heermann’s40–41
HagelsteinPark101Harrier,Northern130–131HarrisBeachStatePark31,45,49HatfieldLake103,113,173HatfieldMarineScienceCenter228Hawk,Red-tailed196–197HaystackRock21,33,43,49,218HecetaHeadStatePark43Heron,GreatBlue58–59Heron,Green116–117HoquiamSewageTreatmentPlant37HowardMillerSteelheadPark101,107Hummingbird,Anna’s200–201Hummingbird,Calliope80–81Hummingbird,Rufous78–79
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HurricaneRidge63,169
IndianFordCampground97,231
JacksonBottomWetlandsPreserve75,139,157JenkinsEstate93JohnWayneMarina27,33JuanitaBayPark71,117JuliaButlerHansenRefuge77,119,129,145
KentPonds71,79,115,205KeystoneHarbor41KillinWetlands73,115Kingbird,Western82–83Kingfisher,Belted122–123Kite,White-tailed128–129KlamathBasin61,233KlamathFalls75,83,234KlamathMarshNationalWildlifeRefuge65,73,103,115,159,235KollCenterWetlands111
LakeQuinault165LakeSammamishStatePark59,77,117,182,222LakeTerrel75LakeWenatcheeStatePark93,189LaPush49LarchMountain77,93,105,161LeavenworthNationalFishHatchery99,119,125,185LinkRiverTrail113,235LithiaPark125LoneRanchStateWayside41Loon,Common28–29LowerKlamathNationalWildlifeRefuge137
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MaddaxWoods59MagnusonPark95,157,205,222ManchesterStatePark113Manzanita218maps8–9,208–209MarineDrive,Portland29MarlynNelsonCountyPark21,25,216MarquamBridge203MarymoorPark79,83,95,138,166,171,173Mary’sPeak95,107Meadowlark,Western172–173MedfordAirport129,135,139Merganser,Hooded110–111Merganser,Red-breasted26–27MetoliusPreserve99,159,171,185MetoliusRivertrails99,125,159,171,185,231MimaMoundsNaturalAreaPreserve86Minto-BrownIslandPark71,205MontlakeFill,seeUnionBayNaturalAreaMoranStatePark166MountAshland97,101,161,185MountConstitution159MountHood89,137,187MountRainierNationalPark89,93,124,161,169MountSaintHelens89MountTaborPark77,93,99,205MountVernon212MultnomahFalls119,125MurrayMorganBridge203Murre,Common42–43Murrelet,Marbled46–47
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NeahBay49NecanicumEstuaryPark41NehalemBaySewagePonds37,129,218NehalemBayStatePark35NetartsBay27,39,61,143,219Newport228Nighthawk,Common158–159NisquallyNationalWildlifeRefuge70,72,95,99,103,117,129,133,135,139,145,166,189
NorthMountainPark83,117NorthViewPark119Nuthatch,Red-breasted190–191
OakCreekWildlifeArea99,163,171,177,225OaksBottomWildlifeRefuge117,119,205OceanCityStatePark41OceanPark57OceanShores145OldSchoolHouse(Selleck)198OlympicNationalPark63,77,124,169OrcasIsland166OregonCityHighSchool199Osprey118–119Owl,GreatHorned132–133Owl,Short-eared134–135OxbowRegionalPark169OyhutWildlifeRecreationArea153Oystercatcher,Black32–33
PacificCity145PacificOysterCompany35,219PadillaBay29,143,147,212pelagictrips149,151
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Pelican,AmericanWhite54–55Pelican,Brown56–57PennCove35PetricPark235Phalarope,Red-necked36–37Pigeon,Band-tailed76–77PittockMansion77,79,99,107,161PointBrownJetty27,35,37,43PointDefiancePark93,165,166PointNoPointLighthouseandCountyPark39,47,83,147,182PortGardner119,223PortofOlympia203PortTownsend214–215PotlatchStatePark29PowellButteNaturePark101,173PrescottPark87,157ProtectionIsland49Puffin,Tufted48–49Putnam’sPointPark55
Quail,California156–157
Raven,Common66–67ReehersCamp167RestorationPoint105RidgefieldNationalWildlifeRefuge53,55,61,65,72,75,103,111,114,133,147
RidgefieldNationalWildlifeRefuge,CartyUnit165RockyPoint183RosarioBeach33RossIsland59
SaintJohnsBridge203
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SamishBay143SamishFlats53,135,137,147,212SamishIsland25,147,212SandyRiverDelta83,101SanJuanCountyPark33SanJuanIslands61Sapsucker,Red-breasted182–183Sapsucker,Williamson’s180–181SauvieIsland53,59,61,65,119,133,145ScatterCreekWildlifeArea182ScogginsValleyPark77,79,107Scoter,Surf22–23SealRockStateWayside21,229SeasideCove35Seattle222Selleck198Shearwater,Sooty150–151ShevlinPark181ShipCanalBridge203Shrike,Northern138–139SikesLake145SiletzBay153SiltcoosRiverEstuary153SilverFallsStatePark165Sisters177,231SiuslawRiver,SouthJetty25,41,47,113SkagitFlats53SkagitRiver61,81,124SkagitWildlifeArea79,133,135,138,173,213SmithandBybeeWetlands55,71SmithRockStatePark63,83,89,137,163,231SnoqualmiePass169
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SouthViewPark119SpencerIslandPark73,223SteigerwaldLakeNationalWildlifeRefuge101,115,119SturgeonLake59SunriseVisitorCenter137Swallow,Violet-green84–85Swan,Trumpeter52–53Swift,Vaux’s198–199
Tanager,Western98–99Teal,Cinnamon72–73Tern,Caspian120–121ThreeGracesTidalArea218Thrush,Swainson’s166–167Thrush,Varied168–169TillamookBay29,147TillamookForestCenter95,125TimberlineLodge89,137Tokeland151ToppenishNationalWildlifeRefuge55,72,75,83,101,103,114,137,139,159,173,226
TouVelleStatePark173,179Towhee,Green-tailed96–97TroutLakeNaturalAreaPreserve107,159TryonCreekStatePark133,189TualatinHillsNaturePark171,189TualatinRiverNationalWildlifeRefuge117,147Turnstone,Black34–35TyghValley177
UnionBayNaturalArea111,222UniversityofOregon199UniversityofWashington59
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UtsaladyBay29
VanportWetlands103VeteransMemorialPark55,235
Warbler,Townsend’s92–93Warbler,Wilson’s94–95WashingtonMutualBuilding203WashingtonParkArboretum93Waxwing,Cedar90–91WenasBasin83,86,89,157,225WenasCampground81,105,185WenasLake159WenatcheeConfluenceStatePark95,157WestmorelandPark147Westportfishingpier29WestportJetty37,43WestSeattleBridge203WhidbeyIsland216Whimbrel152–153WhitehorseCountyPark159Wigeon,Eurasian146–147WildwoodRecreationArea167WillametteParkandNaturalArea99WillapaBay29,143WillapaNationalWildlifeRefuge77WilliamL.FinleyNationalWildlifeRefuge53,73,77,79,87,111,115,129,133,135,139,145,147,167,173,179,189
WilridgeWinery226Woodpecker,Acorn178–179Woodpecker,Black-backed186–187Woodpecker,Lewis’s176–177Woodpecker,Pileated188–189
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Woodpecker,White-headed184–185WoodRiverWetlands235Wren,Canyon162–163Wren,Pacific164–165
Yakima225YakimaCanyon63,137,163,225YakimaSportsmanStatePark70,226YaquinaBay25,27,29,37,45,75,143,153YaquinaHeadOutstandingNaturalArea31,33,43,57,228
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PhotoCredits
SCOTTCARPENTERofScottCarpenterPhotography,pages4–5,11,15,21,23,28,29,32,35,37,39,43,48,51,52,55,60,61,64,66,68–69,71,73,74,75,78,79,80,82,87,88,92,93,94,97,98,99,100,101,102,103,104,106,107,109,110,111,112,116,122,123,125,127,130,131,133,134,139,140–141,144,146,152,154–155,156,159,160,162,164,167,168,169,170,171,172,175,176,180,181,183,184,185,186,194–195,196,199,200,201,202,204,205,206–207,211,215,220,221,224,227,230,233
STEVEDIMOCKofSteveDimockPhotography,page30GREGGILSON,pages20,27,36,45,46,47,56,58,84,90,148,178(left),190,
192,217LOISMILLERofLoisMillerFineArtPhotography,pages16–17,18–19,24,38,
40,42,44,62,76,120,129,142,188JEFFPOKLEN,page151JENSANFORD,pages26,89,115,119,137Allotherphotosarebytheauthors.
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JERRYSWANSON
ABOUTTHEAUTHORS
Theauthorsmetingraduateschoolwhentheywerestudyingbirdsinthesamelab,andtheyhavebeenbirdingtogethereversince.Withtheirdog,Andie,theysplittheirtimebetweenPortlandandPacificCity,Oregon.
SARAHSWANSONhasworkedasanenvironmentaleducatorfortheAudubonSocietyofPortland.Shelovesteachingadultsandchildrenaboutnaturalhistorybyleadingfieldtripsandclasses.
MAXSMITHisawildlifebiologistcurrentlyworkingwiththeU.S.ForestService.Since2003,hehasstudiedthemechanismsthroughwhichinvasiveplantsandwildfireinfluencethereproductivesuccessofbirds.