by Darcy Thomas Although identifying shorebirds can be challenging, I promise you it is not impossible to learn. If you are new to shorebirds one technique to help you begin learning is to narrow down the playing field. Let’s start with sandpipers in the genus Calidris bairdii. These small sandpipers are nicknamed “peeps”. There are…
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By Darcy Thomas Early June last year in Dupuyer a man approached to ask about Glacier National Park as he was excited about driving over Going to the Sun Road from the east. I informed him the road was not yet fully open. As he expressed his disappointment I sighted three gigantic, gorgeous white birds…
Read Moreby Connie Marmet Did you know that the Cinnamon Teal is not only a small, rust colored dabbling duck but also a protagonist in the Disney movie series, “DuckTales”? Disney’s Cinnamon Teal has white feathers, a black pixie haircut, and a mole on her cheek, looking more like Daisy Duck than a Teal. The…
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by Margaret Parodi The White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta Carolinensis) is often observed walking and probing head-down on the trunks of large conifers in mature wooded areas. The first impression is a small bird with a very white head and breast. It is the largest of the three nuthatches that are year-round residents in our area. It…
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by Bridger Donaldson Short-eared Owls are a medium-sized owl and are commonly chanced upon in daylight. Their wings are quite long and when perched, usually extend past their tail. The plumage of Short-eared Owls varies among their populations worldwide, but retains a combination of mottled white, tan, beige and brown. They are palest on their…
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by Pam Willison Perisoreus canadensis was originally named Canada Jay, so it seems appropriate that after being Gray Jay from 1956-2018, the American Ornithological Society changed it back to Canada Jay. They have several popular nicknames: Camp Robber, Venison Hawk, Whiskey Jack, or Lumberjack. Whiskey Jack is said to be a variation of “Wisakedjak”, the…
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by Karen Nichols Although Northern Saw-whet owls are one of the most abundant forest raptors in North America, they are rarely seen due to their nocturnal and secretive nature. Until recent decades, the diminutive owls were thought to be rare in many places and mostly non-migratory. Banding efforts over the past 30+ years are shedding…
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by Beth Gardner Noisy. Drab. Pest. These are common reactions when I mention the starling. That is totally understandable. They are indeed loud, nonnative, and commonplace. But they have one amazing super power. Starlings form impressively large flocks, and to watch these flocks fly can be one of the great wonders of nature. But before…
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by Darcy Thomas Downy Woodpeckers have always captured my attention with their striking black and white feathers and industrious energy, as they go about nimbly foraging for insects along tree branches. They often flock with other birds so I can usually count on enjoying a lovely array of birds when Downys are present. Of the…
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