Nez Perce National Historical Park - Birds (U.S. National Park Service)

The avian communities of Nez Perce National Historical Park are as rich and as varied as the landscapes they occupy. The Park serves as a permanent home to many bird (wi’twit)species, a summer breeding area for others, a place to rest and refuel for long-distance migrants, and a place for some species, such as the American tree sparrow (Spizella arborea) to spend the winter. The Park is home to common species, such as the American robin (wi’spoxpox, Turdus migratorius), as well as some of the rarest, such as the American three-toed woodpecker (Picoides dorsalis). Some park sites are developed, whereas others, such as the Lolo Trail remain mostly wild. Bear Paw Battlefield stands as a remnant of what was once an extensive prairie system. Nevertheless, this remnant prairie site supports such rare species as the ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis), Baird’s sparrow (Ammodramus bairdii), Sprague’s pipit (Anthus spragueii), long-billed curlew (ciyi’titit, Numenius americanus), and others.

wordpress.com

Bald eagles are often spotted at Nez Perce National Historical Park sites near the Clearwater River, Idaho.

At shortgrass prairie park sites such as Hasotino Village Site, Looking Glass Camp, Musselshell Meadow, Spalding, Tolo Lake, and White Bird Battlefield, hawks are abundant, along with smaller birds such as the lark bunting (Passerina amoena), the horned lark (Eremophila alpestris), and the meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta).

The geography of sagebrush steppe park areas support habitat that is important for many species of migratory waterfowl. Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), green-winged teal (Anas crecca), pintail (Anas acuta), and Canada geese (ya’yax, Branta Canadensis) use the areas for breeding and resting. Other birds are bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), Swainson’s hawks (Buteo swainsoni), ferruginous hawks, prairie falcons (Falco mexicanus), great horned owls (Bubo virginianus), burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia), killdeers (ciyi’titit, Charadrius vociferus), and western kingbirds (ipsqi’tit, Tyrannus verticalis).

scienceblog.com

Clark's nutcrackers may be found in conifer/alpine ecoregions of Nez Perce National Historical Park.

Some bird species found in conifer/alpine meadow areas are mountain bluebird (Sialia currucoides), red-breasted nuthatch (Sitta Canadensis), ruby-crowned kinglet (Regulus calendula), pygmy nuthatch (Sitta pygmaea), Steller’s jay (Cyanocitta stelleri), and Clark’s nutcracker (ispu’kux, Nucifraga Columbiana). A wide variety of migratory birds, including bald eagles, peregrine falcons (Falco peregrines), and sandhill cranes (mu’qu, Grus Canadensis), use an assortment of habitats, but the greatest numbers are seen in riparian areas. Hawks and owls can be seen in most of the region. Blue (tuye’, Dendragapus obscurus) and ruffed grouse (waswa’sno, Bonasa umbellus) and quail (Callipepla californica) are common game birds.

Bird feathers are important to the Nez Perce and, by law, should not be collected within the park.

You are exiting the National Park Service website

Thank you for visiting our site.