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| With over 250 kinds of birds recorded from Joshua Tree National
Park, it is understandable that the park affords a rewarding place to study
them. This is especially true during the winter months when migrants abound.
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| The vast majority of our recorded bird species are migrants and vagrants.
Lying astride the inland portion of the Pacific flyway, the park serves
as a rest stop for many migrants. The aquatic areas of Barker Dam and the
Desert Queen Ranch attract many types of waterfowl on their way to the Salton
Sea, birds that would not otherwise be seen in the desert. Rest stops are
important for most migratory birds for purposes of water intake and for
metabolism of fat reserves, which may not keep pace with energy use while
they are actually in flight. Many of our migrants are actually residents
of the nearby mountains, from which they fly to escape the heavy winter
snows. |
| Although most birds require drinking water almost every day, this is not
such a limiting factor as might be supposed. There are many springs and
seeps in the park, which are readily accessible to animals that can fly
to them. The chief limiting factor for birds in the desert is food. Birds
require relatively large amounts of food daily, especially during the breeding
season. Thus, it is understandable that there are only 78 species of birds
known to nest and raise young in the park. |
| The park is an attractive place to sight and watch birds. The lack of
dense vegetation makes birds much easier to see here than in most national
parks. Golden eagles hunt in the park regularly. The roadrunner, of cartoon
fame, is an easily recognized resident. And the call of Gambel’s quail is
a noteworthy sound of the desert. |
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http://www.nps.gov/jotr/nature/animals/birds/birds.html
last modified: 06/03/04
web editor: Sandra kaye |
