by John Hughes Perched on a fence post, rock or exposed tree branch, in plain sight, is a good place to find a Say’s Phoebe when in a locale where they are present. A medium-sized chunky flycatcher, the Say’s Phoebe (Sayornis saya) is named for Thomas Say an early American Naturalist. The bird was first…
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American Avocet
by Linda de Kort Several years ago our neighbor and I stopped by West Valley Ponds on a sunny May morning. The ponds were filled with migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. I immediately recognized two of my favorites: Ruddy Ducks with their distinctive blue bills and American Avocets with boldly patterned black and white wings and…
Read MoreLazuli Bunting
Bobolink
by Cory Davis It’s pronounced “bob uh link.” Although, you could use one of its several other names including skunk blackbird, ricebird or reedbird. Their genus, Dolichonyx, means “long claw” and the species name, oryzivorus, means “rice eating.” It does have relatively long claws for a songbird, which are used for grasping reeds and grasses….
Read MoreLong-eared Myotis
by Lewis Young At first glance, this bat is similar to several other small bats in Montana, but the name is a giveaway for a prominent feature that helps distinguish it. The ears are very large and long compared to the body size and extend 5 millimeters (0.2 inches) or more beyond the nose when…
Read MoreGreat Horned Owl
by Lisa Bate Few birds have the incredibly intense reputation of the Great Horned Owl. Large, tough, strong, and capable of silent flight, these birds are hunting sleuths. Their powerful talons can apply 28 pounds of force while holding their prey. Their sharp beaks are lethal and effective for snapping spinal cords and ripping flesh…
Read MoreSnow Bunting
by Jeannie Marcure This month’s feature bird visits the Flathead in winter, seeking relief from the harsh weather of its breeding grounds in the tundra and has the distinction of being the only winter songbird in our area that is mostly white. A circumpolar bird, the sparrow-sized Snow Bunting breeds farther north than almost any…
Read MoreGadwall
by John Hughes Gadwalls (Mareca strepera) are medium sized dabbling ducks. Males are 19-22 inches in length with females being slightly smaller at 18-20 inches. Most people can pick out a male Gadwall fairly easily in a mixed flock of ducks. When asked to describe a Gadwall, what you most often hear is the gray…
Read MoreCordilleran Flycatcher
by Gail Cleveland Oh, no! The Bird of the Month is one of those small, gray-green flycatchers that no one can tell apart but the experts. Yes, it is one of the genus Empidonax, Empidonax occidentalis to be specific, but read on. You may be able to find the joy in identifying a Cordilleran Flycatcher…
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