by Gail Cleveland “It’s one of those LBJ’s (Little Brown Jobs). It’s probably a sparrow. Oh, it’s cute. Look at how it raises its crown!” This is most likely a typical response when spotting a Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii). These LBJ’s can be seen in Northwestern Montana during the breeding season but with less frequency…
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Long-billed Curlew
LONG-BILLED CURLEW IS A MIGRATORY TREAT by Ben Long The Long-billed Curlew is North America’s largest shorebird. It just happens to spend a good part of its life hundreds of miles from the nearest seashore, here in Montana. The curlew is one of the most striking species of birds in the Treasure State. It stands…
Read MoreFerruginous Hawk
North America’s Largest Hawk By John Hughes The Ferruginous Hawk, Buteo regalis, whose name means a kingly or royal hawk, is so named for its large size and eagle-like appearance. Its common name Ferruginous comes from the Latin word ferrugo, meaning rust, to describe the rusty brown color of the species’ light morph. While uncommon…
Read MoreBurrowing Owl
THE HOWDY BIRD By Jeannie Marcure According to a recent article in the Yakima Herald Republic, the pioneers often saw the bird that we know today as the Burrowing Owl as they crossed the western prairies. Because it stood at the entrance to its burrow, bobbing up and down as if to greet them, they…
Read MoreBarred Owl
Ruddy Duck
THE DUCK WITH THE SKY BLUE BILL by Linda de Kort “Why did the artist paint that duck with a bright blue bill?” That is a question posed by those admiring the colorful Montana Audubon license plate. The answer is: because that is an accurate representation of the sky blue color of the bill of…
Read MorePassenger Pigeon
MARTHA, THE LAST OF HER KIND By Mary Nelesen It has been a little over a year since I first learned of Martha, the last known Passenger Pigeon. While attending the National Audubon Society Convention in July 2013, I happened upon an exhibit where people were encouraged to fold an origami pigeon to help commemorate…
Read MoreRed-tailed Hawk
Blue Jay
Blue Jays in Montana—A Wake Up Call By Kathy Ross The piercing call of the Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) fills the crisp winter morning landscape, startling every creature around. If you were not awake before, you will be now. I grew up in the Midwest, and Blue Jays were a constant part of life. After…
Read MoreGray-crowned Rosy-finch
By Dennis Olson In the early autumn I lunched above timberline in Glacier National Park with a small group of hikers, overlooking the vast prairie lands to the west. The wind was howling through a saddle and we were sheltered in the upper reaches of a cliff dropping thousands of feet to the valley floor….
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