Birds

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

NPS Photo / Roger Zachary

 

Lassen Volcanic National Park provides habitat for approximately 216 species of birds in which 96 have been known to breed in the park. Most of the species that occur in the park are neotropical migrants. These birds use the park in summer to breed and forage and then fly to Central and South America to spend the winter. View the Lassen Volcanic National Park species list.

 

Monitoring

Researchers have been studying landbirds at Lassen Volcanic National Park since 2008. Landbirds (tree-dwelling birds, perching birds or songbirds, raptors, and ground-feeding birds) are frequently sighted in the park. Because they spend most of their lives on the ground or in trees, they are sensitive to habitat change. Studying them helps researchers track conditions of their habitats.

A riparian area (streams and wetlands) count survey in 2015 recorded 68 species within 50 meters of 25 survey points. Dark-eyed Junco was detected at every survey point, followed by American Robin, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Mountain Chickadee, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Rufous Hummingbird (84% of sites). Learn more about landbird monitoring from the Klamath Network Inventory & Monitoring Team.

 

 

Clark's Nutcracker

Frequently Sighted

Steller's Jay | Cyanocitta stelleri
This large, dark jay swoops on its broad, rounded wings. Keep an eye on your picnic as they are quick to spot unattended food. Steller's and Blue jays are the only northern American jays with crests. Listen to a Stellar's Jay call.

Mountain Chickadee | Poecile gambeli
Sparrow-sized, small-billed bird often sighted in trees throughout the winter months. Makes two distinctive calls, "chicka-dee-dee-de" and another that sounds strikingly like "cheeseburger!"

Clark's Nutcracker | Nucifraga columbiana
This member of the crow family caches thousands of seeds each year. Easy to spot throughout the park as they swoop between trees. Listen for their frequent long, grating calls.

 

Featured Birds

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  Pileated woodpecker

  The pileated woodpecker is the largest woodpecker in the country.

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  Ruffed Grouse

  The hardy ruffed grouse can be found year-round in the park.

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  Anna's Hummingbird

  The throat and head of male Anna's Hummingbirds are iridescent rose.

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  Rough-legged Hawk

  The rough-legged hawk is one of the most cold-adapted hawks.

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  Great Gray Owl

  Also known as Phantom of the North or Great Gray Ghost, this owl blends easily in the forest.

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  Woodpeckers

  There are eight species of woodpeckers found in the park winter through summer.