Bird Guide

Bird Guide SunCor is deeply committed to the restoration and revegetation of key habitats for birds, insects, and wildlife. We are passionate about preserving the ecosystem of the foothills and our development reflects our efforts to live in harmony with nature. This bird guide is living and growing. A list of all bird species seen is being compiled by employees, contractors, and friends of Avimor, including you. We are confident that as riparian and shrub steppe areas are restored with native vegetation that populations of native birds will return and thrive. We can use your help in tracking our progress. Contained in the bird guide are pictures and information about birds that are probable and possible to find at Avimor. Not every bird in this guide has been identified at Avimor yet and it is very likely that you will come across birds not yet in the guide. We would be delighted if you would share with us the lists of what you discover.

If you see birds marked with this

symbol or a bird not pictured in this guide, we are very interest to know when and where. Please let Avimor

staff know.

Cools Facts & Range Maps from: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirdsand from information obtained from “The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America” “Where to see at Avimor” info gathered by employees, contractors, and friends of Avimor.

Pied-billed Grebe L 13” WS 16”

Where to see at Avimor: town lake or water retention ponds

Cool Facts: The Pied-billed Grebe is rarely seen in flight. It prefers to escape predators by diving, and it migrates at night. Although it swims like a duck, the Pied-billed Grebe does not have webbed feet.

Western Grebe L 25” WS 24”

Where to see at Avimor: town lake

Cool Facts: Unlike many bird species, male and female Western Grebes look alike.

Clark’s Grebe L 25” WS 24”

Where to see at Avimor: town lake

Cool Facts: Looks almost identical to the Western Grebe, but notice the white around the eyes on the Clark’s.

Double-crested Cormorant L 33” WS 52”

Where to see at Avimor: in town lake, on rocks around lake, or in trees

Cool Facts: Double-crested Cormorant nests often are exposed to direct sun. Adults shade the chicks and also bring them water, pouring it from their mouths into those of the chicks.

Great Blue Heron L 46” WS 72”

Where to see at Avimor: in town lake, along creeks, in trees, or flying over

Cool Facts: Although the Great Blue Heron eats primarily fish, it also eats mice, making up nearly half of what was fed to nestlings in Idaho. Occasionally a heron will choke to death trying to eat a fish that is too large to swallow.

Canada Goose L 25-45” WS 43-60”

Where to see at Avimor: in town lake, in grassy areas, or flying over

Cool Facts: At least 11 subspecies of Canada Goose have been recognized, although only a couple are distinctive. In general, the geese get smaller as you move northward, and darker as you go westward.

Wood Duck L 18.5” WS 30”

Where to see at Avimor: possible in town lake, but most likely in creek surrounded by dense brush and trees

Cool Facts: After hatching, the ducklings jump down from their nest high up in the cavity of a tree. The ducklings may jump from heights of up to 290 ft without injury.

Mallard L 23” WS 35”

Where to see at Avimor: town lake, creek, retention ponds

Cool Facts: The Mallard is the ancestor of nearly all domestic duck breeds. Domestic ducks breed with wild Mallards and produce a variety of forms that often show up with wild ducks, especially in city parks.

Northern Pintail L 21” WS 34”

Where to see at Avimor: town lake, retention ponds

Cool Facts: among the earliest nesting ducks in North America, beginning shortly after ice-out in many northern areas.

Gadwall L 20” WS 33”

Where to see at Avimor: town lake, retention ponds

Cool Facts: A common duck of lakes and ponds, the Gadwall appears drab from a distance. But up close, the male shows a remarkable pattern of intricate markings on all of its body feathers.

American Wigeon L 20” WS 32”

Where to see at Avimor: town lake, or grazing on the park grass in late fall and winter

Cool Facts: The short bill enables it to exert more force at the bill tip than other dabbling ducks, thus permitting efficient dislodging and plucking of vegetation. It is the dabbling duck most likely to leave water and graze.

Northern Shoveler L 19” WS 30”

Where to see at Avimor: marshy ponds

Cool Facts: Its elongated, spoon-shaped bill has comb like projections along its edges, which filter out food from the water. Perhaps the most outwardly distinctive of the dabbling ducks.

Blue-winged Teal L 15.5” WS 23”

Where to see at Avimor: marshy ponds and mudflats

Cool Facts: A small duck of shallow ponds, it breeds across much of the central and northern United States and Canada. Rather dull in plumage overall, it reveals its powder-blue wing patch in flight.

Cinnamon Teal L 16” WS 22”

Where to see at Avimor: marshy and shallow ponds, flooded fields

Cool Facts: The female often places her nest below matted, dead stems of vegetation so it is completely concealed on all sides and from above. She approaches the nest through tunnels in the vegetation.

Green-winged Teal L 14” WS 23”

Where to see at Avimor: marshy and shallow ponds, flooded fields

Cool Facts: A very small, brightly patterned duck, the Green-winged Teal prefers shallow ponds with lots of emergent vegetation. Along the coast, it prefers tidal creeks, mudflats, and marshes to more open water.

Lesser Scaup L 16.5” WS 25”

Where to see at Avimor: town lake in late fall and winter

Cool Facts: Lesser Scaup chicks are capable of diving under water on their hatching day, but they are too buoyant to stay under for more than just a moment.

Ring-necked Duck L 17” WS 25”

Where to see at Avimor: town lake in late fall and winter

Cool Facts: Both the common name refers to one of the most inconspicuous field marks. Rarely visible in the field, the chestnut collar on the black neck is noticeable when the bird is in the hand.

Turkey Vulture L 26” WS 67”

Where to see at Avimor: soaring above Avimor or on the ground eating carrion

Cool Facts: uses its sense of smell to locate carrion. The part of its brain responsible for processing smells is particularly large, compared to other birds.

Northern Harrier L 18” WS 43”

Where to see at Avimor: soaring low above the flat lands or perched on fences

Cool Facts: the white rump patch is the quickest field mark to indentify a harrier. The feathers of the face are stiff to help transmit sound, and it shows a pronounced "facial disk," much like that of an owl.

Cooper’s Hawk L 16” WS 31”

Where to see at Avimor: perched in or flying between trees along the creek

Cool Facts: captures a bird with its feet, and will squeeze it repeatedly to kill it. It does not bite the prey to kill it in the fashion of falcons.

Sharp-shinned Hawk L 11” WS 23”

Where to see at Avimor: perched in or flying between trees along the creek

Cool Facts: very similar to Cooper’s but smaller, especially smaller head and shorter tail. This accipiter often targets other birds at feeders to find an easy meal.

Red-tailed Hawk L 19” WS 49”

Where to see at Avimor: our most common hawk can be found soaring above Avimor’s hills and nesting in trees along the creek.

Cool Facts: The raspy cry of the Red-tailed Hawk is used in movies to represent any eagle or hawk anywhere in the world.

Swainson’s Hawk L 19” WS 51”

Where to see at Avimor: perched low on fence or on the ground. Sometimes soaring.

Cool Facts: Swainson's Hawk has one of the longest migrations of any American raptor - from Canada to Argentina. It can make the 6214 mile trip in less than two months, averaging nearly 124 miles per day.

Rough-legged Hawk L 21” WS 53”

Where to see at Avimor: our winter resident along Pearl Road Cool Facts: The nest of the Rough-legged Hawk sometimes contains the bones of caribou along with sticks. The name "Rough-legged" Hawk refers to the feathered legs, feathers all the way to the toes.

Osprey L 23” WS 63”

Where to see at Avimor: Summer resident nesting on power pole and hunting fish from the town lake. Cool Facts: a fish-eating specialist, it has barbed pads on its feet to help grip slippery fish. It even carries fish head-first back to its nest for aerodynamics.

Golden Eagle L 30” WS 79”

Where to see at Avimor: nests on cliff ledges in Avimor’s Rocky Canyon or near Stack Rock Cool Facts: eats mostly rabbits, squirrels and prairie dogs, but has been known to take down livestock. The national emblem of Mexico

Bald Eagle L 31” WS 80”

Where to see at Avimor: most likely to see in winter flying over. Cool Facts: Some people assume that “bald” refers to the white head. “Bald” actually is short for “piebald” which means black and white.

American Kestrel L 9” WS 22”

Where to see at Avimor: on power lines, trees, even roof tops Cool Facts: It prefers to hunt from a perch but is sometimes seen hover-hunting. This method is used most often when suitable perches are not available, or when winds are strong enough to create updrafts favorable to hovering.

Ring-necked Pheasant L 21” WS 31”

Where to see at Avimor: occasionally found in the brush or tall grassy areas. Cool Facts: In very bad weather, pheasants are known to stay on a roost for several days without eating. Pheasants practice "harem-defense polygyny" where one male keeps other males away from a small group of females during the breeding season.

Gray Partridge L 12.5” WS 19”

Where to see at Avimor: along creeks and agricultural land. Cool Facts: Known locally as “Huns” or Hungarian Partridge, the Gray Partridge hens produce some of the largest clutches of any bird species. Clutch size can range up to 22 eggs, and averages 16 to 18.

Chukar L 14” WS 20”

Where to see at Avimor: on rocky slopes foraging on the ground Cool Facts: The Chukar takes advantage of all water sources, from rivers and creeks, to springs and nearly stagnant seeps that hardly moisten the ground. They have been found getting water in mine shafts over 10 feet below ground level.

California Quail L 10” WS 14”

Where to see at Avimor: pretty much everywhere, but along the green belt is a good place. Cool Facts: The topknot looks like a single feather, but it is actually a cluster of six overlapping plumes.

American Coot L 15.5” WS 24”

Where to see at Avimor: town lake or retention ponds Cool Facts: Although it swims like a duck, it does not have webbed feet like a duck. Instead of having all the toes connected by webs, each coot toe has lobes on the sides of each segment.

Killdeer L 10.5” WS 24”

Where to see at Avimor: town center flat rocky areas where it nests Cool Facts: one of the most successful shorebirds because of its fondness for human modified habitats and its willingness to nest close to people. The broken-wing act is used to lead predators from the nest.

Black-necked Stilt L 14” WS 29”

Where to see at Avimor: retention ponds or town lake Cool Facts: A striking black-and-white bird with very long, thin red legs, the Black-necked Stilt is found along the edges of shallow water in open country.

American Avocet L 18” WS 31”

Where to see at Avimor: retention ponds or town lake

Cool Facts: Nesting American Avocets aggressively attack predators, sometimes physically striking Northern Harriers or Common Ravens. They may parasitize other species' nests too. Other species may also parasitize avocet nests and the Avocets reared the hatchlings as if they were their own.

Greater Yellowlegs L 14” WS 28”

Where to see at Avimor: retention ponds or town lake

Cool Facts: There is a Lesser Yellowlegs that looks very similar but it has a smaller head, bill and smoother spotting on the breast.

Spotted Sandpiper L 7.5” WS 15”

Where to see at Avimor: along the creek, town lake or retention ponds

Cool Facts: The bobbing motion called “teetering” of the tail is a quick way to identify this sandpiper. The function of the teetering has not been determined.

Long-billed Curlew L 23” WS 35”

Where to see at Avimor: Spring-time in back country grasslands

Cool Facts: The female Long-billed Curlew's bill is longer than the male's, and is a different shape. Hers is flatter on top with a more pronounced curve at the tip. His is gently curved throughout its length.

Long-billed Dowitcher L 11.5” WS 19”

Where to see at Avimor: during migration in shallow muddy retention ponds

Cool Facts: A long-billed shorebird recognizable for both its distinctive profile and sewing machine-like feeding action. Usually found in groups.

Wilson’s Snipe L 10.5” WS 18”

Where to see at Avimor: in shallow muddy retention ponds

Cool Facts: Ever been on a snipe-hunt prank? Well, the snipe is a real bird found frequently in this area. They will sometimes sit on a fence post and whistle.

Wilson’s Phalarope L 9.25” WS 17”

Where to see at Avimor: in shallow marshy ponds or town lake

Cool Facts: nonbreeding adults are much plainer with pale gray back and clean white belly. It eats minute prey from the water’s surface.

Range Map not Available. This Phalarope is found in this region during Summer

and migration.

Ring-billed Gull L 17.5” WS 48”

Where to see at Avimor: town lake, parking lot, or flying over

Cool Facts: Young Ring-billed Gulls tested at only two days of age showed a preference for magnetic bearings that would take them in the appropriate direction for their fall migration.

Rock Pigeon L 12.5” WS 28”

Where to see at Avimor: pretty much could be anywhere

Cool Facts: Because of their domestic roots, and because people have bred pigeons for many different colors and adornments, feral Rock Pigeons can have a variety of plumages.

Mourning Dove L 12” WS 18”

Where to see at Avimor: pretty much could be anywhere

Cool Facts: During nest-building, the female stays at the nest and the male collects sticks. He stands on her back to give her the nest material. She takes it and weaves it into the nest.

Barn Owl L 16” WS 42”

Where to see at Avimor: ranch house and old barn

Cool Facts: has excellent low-light vision, and can easily find prey at night by sight. But its ability to locate prey by sound alone is the best of any animal that has ever been tested. It can catch mice in complete darkness in the lab, or hidden by vegetation or snow out in the real world.

Western Screech-Owl L 8.5” WS 20”

Where to see at Avimor: possibly roosting and nesting in tree cavity or box.

Cool Facts: One of Avimor’s Revegetation contractor’s has a pair nesting in an owl box at his residence in Pearl, Idaho, adjacent to Avimor.

Great Horned Owl L 22” WS 44”

Where to see at Avimor: One resident owl has been hanging out at our concrete batch plant. Possibly the same bird was seen in a tree at Foothills Heritage Park during the Avimor Bird Walk on 01-10-2009.

Cool Facts: The Great Horned Owl is the only animal that regularly eats skunks.

Burrowing Owl L 9.5” WS 21”

Where to see at Avimor: open grass lands with rock formations nearby.

Cool Facts: appears to be diurnal because it can often be seen foraging during the day. It is most active in the morning and evening. It catches more insects during the day and more mammals at night.

Common Nighthawk L 9.5” WS 24”

Where to see at Avimor: early morning or early evening catching bugs in the air.

Cool Facts: it is not really a hawk, but rather belongs to the “goatsucker” family of birds like the Whip-poor-will. The white wing patches and erratic flight is the quickest way to identify it.

Belted Kingfisher L 13” WS 20”

Where to see at Avimor: perched on tree near water with fish.

Cool Facts: often seen hovering before it plunges headfirst into water to catch a fish. It frequently announces its presence by its loud rattling cry.

Black-chinned Hummingbird L 3.75” WS 4.75”

Where to see at Avimor: visiting flowering plants and hummingbird feeders

Cool Facts: In cold weather, a Black-chinned Hummingbird may ingest three times its body weight in nectar in one day.

Calliope Hummingbird L 3.25” WS 4.25”

Where to see at Avimor: visiting flowering plants and hummingbird feeders

Cool Facts: The smallest bird in North America, the Calliope Hummingbird inhabits mountain areas of the northwestern United States. It is the smallest long-distance avian migrant in the world, spending its winters in Mexico.

Broad-tailed Hummingbird L 4” WS 5.25”

Where to see at Avimor: visiting flowering plants and hummingbird feeders

Cool Facts: it possesses a number of physiological and behavioral adaptations to survive cold nights, including the ability to enter torpor, slowing its heart rate and dropping its body temperature.

Rufous Hummingbird L 3.75” WS 4.5”

Where to see at Avimor: visiting flowering plants and hummingbird feeders

Cool Facts: The Rufous Hummingbird is a common visitor to hummingbird feeders. It is extremely territorial at all times of the year, and will aggressively attempt to drive away all other hummingbirds, including much larger species.

Northern Flicker L 12.5” WS 20”

Where to see at Avimor: in the trees along the creek

Cool Facts: Although it can climb up the trunks of trees and hammer on wood like other woodpeckers, the Northern Flicker prefers to find food on the ground. Ants are its favorite food, and the flicker digs in the dirt to find them. It uses its long barbed tongue to lap up the ants.

Downy Woodpecker L 6.75” WS 12”

Where to see at Avimor: in the trees along the creek

Cool Facts: The smallest and most common American woodpecker. It lives in a variety of habitats from wilderness forests to urban backyards, and comes readily to bird feeders. The larger version is called the Hairy Woodpecker.

Olive-sided Flycatcher L 7.5” WS 13”

Where to see at Avimor: in the trees along the creek, but more likely in back country pines

Cool Facts: A distinctive large flycatcher of the boreal and western coniferous forests, it gives its "quick-three-beers" song from the tops of tall snags. It makes dashing flights from its high perch to catch flying insects, then returns to the same perch.

Western Wood-Pewee L 6.25” WS 10.5”

Where to see at Avimor: in the trees along the creek

Cool Facts: A medium-sized, drab flycatcher, the Western Wood-Pewee is a common breeder in open forests and riparian zones across the West.

Willow Flycatcher L 5.75” WS 8.5”

Where to see at Avimor: in the trees along the creek

Cool Facts: willow flycatcher songs are innate, not learned like those of most songbirds. Young Willow Flycatchers reared in captivity with Alder Flycatcher tutors sang typical Willow Flycatcher songs.

Dusky Flycatcher L 5.75” WS 8.25”

Where to see at Avimor: in the trees along the creek

Cool Facts: A dull flycatcher of western mountains, the Dusky Flycatcher is found in chaparral, streamside thickets, and open brushy areas. A very similar bird is the Hammond’s Flycatcher.

Gray Flycatcher L 6” WS 8.75”

Where to see at Avimor: in sagebrush and arid brushy habitats

Cool Facts: the Gray Flycatcher can be quickly recognized not by its drab plumage, but by its habit of slowly wagging its tail downwards.

Say’s Phoebe L 7.5” WS 13”

Where to see at Avimor: open areas

Cool Facts: Like other phoebes, the rusty-bellied Say's Phoebe is common around people, often nesting on buildings. A bird of open country, it is found from Alaska through Mexico.

Western Kingbird L 8.75” WS 15.5”

Where to see at Avimor: on tops of snags or power lines

Cool Facts: A conspicuous and aggressive bird of open country, it is common throughout the western United States and southern Canada. It is often found around human habitation, and frequently uses telephone poles, fence posts, and other man-made structures for nesting.

Eastern Kingbird L 8.5” WS 15”

Where to see at Avimor: on tops of snags or power lines

Cool Facts: During the summer it eats mostly flying insects. In the winter along the Amazon, however, it has a completely different lifestyle: it travels in flocks and eats fruit.

Loggerhead Shrike L 9” WS 12”

Where to see at Avimor: on tops of snags or power lines

Cool Facts: hardly appears to be a predator. But it uses its hooked beak to kill insects, lizards, mice, and birds, and then impales them on thorns to hold them while it rips them apart.

Blue Jay L 11” WS 16”

Where to see at Avimor: residence on Pearl Rd with lots of feeders

Cool Facts: A familiar sight at bird feeders in the East, the boldly patterned Blue Jay is unmistakable. It is extending into the West, using food and shelter provided by humans.

Clark’s Nutcracker L 11-12” WS 24”

Where to see at Avimor: near Stack Rock – in the pines

Cool Facts: has a special pouch under its tongue that it uses to carry seeds long distances. The nutcracker harvests seeds from pine trees and takes them away to hide them for later use.

Black-billed Magpie L 19” WS 25”

Where to see at Avimor: pretty much anywhere, but especially along the creek

Cool Facts: frequently lands on large mammals, such as deer and moose, to remove ticks from them. The magpie eats the ticks, and then hides some for later use.

American Crow L 17.5” WS 39”

Where to see at Avimor: pretty much anywhere

Cool Facts: congregate in large numbers in winter to sleep in communal roosts. These roosts can be of a few hundred, several thousand, or even up to two million crows. Some roosts have been forming in the same general area for well over 100 years

Common Raven L 24” WS 53”

Where to see at Avimor: more in the hills

Cool Facts: Perhaps the smartest bird, it often uses sheep wool to line its nest. When the female leaves the nest for a while she may cover the eggs with the wool.

Horned Lark L 7.25” WS 12”

Where to see at Avimor: along trails and dirt roads on the ground or on fences.

Cool Facts: The only true lark native to North America, the Horned Lark is a common, widespread bird of open country. Eats primarily weed and grass seeds, but they feed insects to their young.

Tree Swallow L 5.75” WS 14.5”

Where to see at Avimor: flying over trees along creek or over town lake. Usually the first swallow back in Spring.

Cool Facts: as the sunlight catches on the tree swallow, you can catch a glimpse of the iridescent metallic blue-green on the back.

Violet-green Swallow L 5.25” WS 13.5”

Where to see at Avimor: flying and darting over town lake

Cool Facts: A beautiful swallow of open woodlands, the Violet-green Swallow is found only in the American West.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow L 5.5” WS 14”

Where to see at Avimor: flying and darting over town lake

Cool Facts: The barbs on the primary feathers of the male are distinctly hooked; those of the female are smaller and straighter. Running a finger from base to tip along the barbed wing edge yields a sensation similar to that of touching a rough file.

Bank Swallow L 5.25” WS 13”

Where to see at Avimor: flying and darting over town lake, nesting in dirt and sand piles

Cool Facts: Nests in colonies, excavating tunnels into vertical banks. Forages over meadows and water.

Range Map not Available. This Swallow is found in

this region during Summer.

Barn Swallow L 6.75” WS 15”

Where to see at Avimor: flying and darting over town lake

Cool Facts: A familiar inhabitant of barns and other outbuildings, the Barn Swallow is easily recognized by its long forked tail. It was originally a cave breeder, but now the swallow nests almost exclusively on man-made structures.

Cliff Swallow L 5.5” WS 13.5”

Where to see at Avimor: flying and darting over town lake

Cool Facts: Makes nest of mud into gourd-shaped mud cone with small entrance hole, built tightly together in large colonies.

Black-capped Chickadee L 5.25” WS 8”

Where to see at Avimor: in trees and brush along creek.

Cool Facts: One of the most familiar and beloved it is a frequent visitor to bird feeders. Its apparently cheerful activity throughout the harshest winters has won it the admiration of many people.

Mountain Chickadee L 5.25” WS 8.5”

Where to see at Avimor: in trees and brush along creek, especially along Pearl Rd..

Cool Facts: one of the most common birds of the Western montane coniferous forests. It is distinguished from all other North American chickadees by its white eye-stripe.

Red-breasted Nuthatch L 4.5” WS 8.5”

Where to see at Avimor: in trees and brush along creek

Cool Facts: A characteristic bird of spruce and fir forests. It makes a distinct call; a nasal bleating like a toy horn, series of short "annk" notes.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet L 4.25” WS 7.5”

Where to see at Avimor: in trees and brush along creek

Cool Facts: One of North America's smallest birds, the Ruby-crowned Kinglet can be recognized by its constant wing-flicking. The male shows its red crown only infrequently.

American Robin L 10” WS 17”

Where to see at Avimor: in trees and brush anywhere. Nests in trees at model homes.

Cool Facts: Although the appearance of a robin is considered a harbinger of spring, it actually spends the winter in much of its breeding range. However, because they spend less time in yards and congregate in large flocks during winter, you're much less likely to see them.

Cedar Waxwing L 7.25” WS 12”

Where to see at Avimor: in trees and brush

Cool Facts: The name "waxwing" comes from the waxy red wing tips and yellow tail tips. The exact function of these tips is not known, but they may serve a signaling function in mate selection.

European Starling L 8.5” WS 16”

Where to see at Avimor: in trees and on power lines

Cool Facts: Beginning with 100 individuals introduced into Central Park in New York City in the early 1890s, it has become one of the most numerous birds in American at the expense of many native birds that compete with the starling for nest holes.

Orange-crowned Warbler L 5” WS 7.25”

Where to see at Avimor: in brush along creek

Cool Facts: A small, rather drab warbler of shrubs and low vegetation, the Orange-crowned Warbler is common and widespread in the West, but is much less common in most of the East.

Nashville Warbler L 4.75” WS 7.5”

Where to see at Avimor: in brush and trees along creek

Cool Facts: The Nashville Warbler does not regularly breed near Nashville, Tennessee, but was first observed there in 1811 by Alexander Wilson, who named the species.

Yellow Warbler L 5” WS 8”

Where to see at Avimor: in brush and trees along creek

Cool Facts: Unmistakable yellow warbler that sings loudly from the trees. Look closely to see the red striping on the breast.

Yellow Warbler L 5” WS 8”

Where to see at Avimor: more likely in pine forest areas

Cool Facts: occasionally hybridizes with the Hermit Warbler where their ranges overlap.

Yellow-rumped Warbler L 5.5” WS 9.25”

Where to see at Avimor: in trees along creek

Cool Facts: Although other warblers have yellow rumps, none are as conspicuous as consistently as this species. Pictured is the Audubon sub-species. If it has white throat patch is the Myrtle’s.

MacGillivray’s Warbler L 5.25” WS 7.5”

Where to see at Avimor: in dense brush along creek

Cool Facts: Because of its preference for cleared or regenerating land, MacGillivray's Warbler has probably benefited from human land-use practices such as logging and mining.

Common Yellowthroat L 5” WS 6.75”

Where to see at Avimor: in dense brush along creeks and marshy areas

Cool Facts: A skulking masked warbler of wet thickets, the Common Yellowthroat is far more frequently heard with its "wich-i-ty, wich-i-ty, wich-i-ty" than it is seen.

Wilson’s Warbler L 4.75” WS 7”

Where to see at Avimor: brushy woods near water

Cool Facts: easily identified by its yellow under parts and black cap.

Yellow-breasted Chat L 7.5” WS 9.75”

Where to see at Avimor: in riparian area near Avimor Water Reclamation building and green belt

Cool Facts: Despite its bright yellow chest, loud song, the Yellow-breasted Chat is easily overlooked because of its skulking nature and the denseness of its brushy haunts. Long considered the largest of the wood-warblers, genetic data suggest that it is not a warbler at all.

Western Tanager L 7.25” WS 11.5”

Where to see at Avimor: flying from tree to tree in Spring & Summer along the creek

Cool Facts: The red pigment in the face of the Western Tanager is rhodoxanthin, a pigment rare in birds. It is not manufactured by the bird, as are the pigments used by the other red tanagers. Instead, it must be acquired from the diet.

Lazuli Bunting L 5.5” WS 8.75”

Where to see at Avimor: in tall shrubs along streams or draws off of Pearl Road.

Cool Facts: Young male Lazuli Buntings develop their own song.

Black-headed Grosbeak L 8.25” WS 12.5”

Where to see at Avimor: in thick brush and trees along creek or at feeders

Cool Facts: the male and female differ greatly in their plumage, with the male being a flashy black, white, and cinnamon, and the female a drab buff and brown

Spotted Towhee L 8.5” WS 10.5”

Where to see at Avimor: in thick brush and trees along creek or scratching on the ground

Cool Facts: Watch a Spotted Towhee feeding on the ground; you'll probably observe its two-footed, backwards-scratching hop. This "double-scratching" is used by a number of towhee and sparrow species to unearth the seeds and small invertebrates they feed on.

Green-tailed Towhee L 7.25” WS 9.75”

Where to see at Avimor: arid brushy habitats

Cool Facts: nests in sagebrush and forages for seeds on the ground.

Range Map not Available. This Towhee is found in

this region during Summer.

Sage Sparrow L 6” WS 8.25”

Where to see at Avimor: sagebrush plains

Cool Facts: often seen running between bushes with tail raised high. The eye ring is generally very prominent.

Chipping Sparrow L 5.5” WS 8.5”

Where to see at Avimor: short-grass areas foraging for seeds

Cool Facts: Instead of having simple molts like most birds and changing its body feathers once or twice a year, the Chipping Sparrow may change the feathers of its face and throat up to six times in one year

Brewer’s Sparrow L 5.5” WS 7.5”

Where to see at Avimor: sagebrush habitats, arid brushy areas with patches of grass

Cool Facts: identified by streaked brownish-gray nape, complete white eye-ring, and indistinct face pattern.

Range Map not Available. This Sparrow is found in

this region during Summer.

American Tree Sparrow L 5.5” WS 7.5”

Where to see at Avimor: brushy or weedy habitat often near trees

Cool Facts: Despite its common name, it forages on the ground, nests on the ground, and breeds primarily above treeline in the far North.

Vesper Sparrow L 6.25” WS 10”

Where to see at Avimor: dry and sparsely vegetated fields with trees nearby

Cool Facts: As its name suggests, it often sings in the evening twilight, though it sings actively in early morning as well.

Lark Sparrow L 6.25” WS 10”

Where to see at Avimor: open grass areas with scattered trees or short grass

Cool Facts: the striking head pattern and dark spot on light colored breast gives this sparrow away.

Range Map not Available. This Sparrow is found in

this region during Summer.

Savannah Sparrow L 5.5” WS 6.75”

Where to see at Avimor: open grass areas with scattered trees or short grass

Cool Facts: Savannah Sparrows tend very strongly to return each year to the area where they hatched. This tendency is called natal philopatry.

Song Sparrow L 6.25” WS 8.25”

Where to see at Avimor: one of the most common sparrows you will find along the creek

Cool Facts: readily recognized by its streaked breast and large central spot. It lives up to its name, being one of the most persistent singers throughout the spring and summer.

Lincoln’s Sparrow L 5.75” WS 7.5”

Where to see at Avimor: grassy patches near brush and trees

Cool Facts: A drab, but handsome bird of boggy areas, the Lincoln's Sparrow is best identified by the fine streaks on its buffy chest.

Dark-eyed Junco L 6.25” WS 9.25”

Where to see at Avimor: abundant during winter along the creek

Cool Facts: A widespread and common small sparrow, the Dark-eyed Junco is most familiar as a winter visitor to bird feeders. It comes in several distinctly different looking forms, but all are readily identified as "juncos" by their plain patterning, dark hood, and white outer tail feathers.

White-crowned Sparrow L 7” WS 9.5”

Where to see at Avimor: abundant during winter along the creek

Cool Facts: Because male White-crowned Sparrows learn the songs they grew up with and do not travel far from where they were raised, song dialects frequently form. Males on the edge of two dialects may be bilingual and able to sing both dialects.

Bullock’s Oriole L 9” WS 12”

Where to see at Avimor: nests in trees along creek

Cool Facts: Male brightly colored with orange underside and face, black back, head, and throat; female duller, with pale underparts, and without black.

Western Meadowlark L 9.5” WS 14.5”

Where to see at Avimor: all over the hills of Avimor

Cool Facts: An abundant and familiar bird of open country across the western two-thirds of the continent, the Western Meadowlark is beloved for its melodic song. It is frequently seen singing atop fence posts along roadsides in native grassland and agricultural areas.

Red-winged Blackbird L 8.75” WS 13”

Where to see at Avimor: along creek, marshy areas with tall reeds

Cool Facts: found in wetlands and agricultural areas across the continent. The black male can hide the brilliant red shoulders or show them off in a dazzling display. The striped female looks strikingly different than the male and could almost be mistaken for a large dark sparrow.

Yellow-headed Blackbird L 9.5” WS 15”

Where to see at Avimor: along creek, marshy areas with tall reeds

Cool Facts: its brilliant yellow head, together with its loud, rusty-hinge call, make the Yellow-headed Blackbird a conspicuous presence in western wetlands. It breeds in loose colonies and places its nest over water, attached to cattails and reeds.

Brewer’s Blackbird L 9” WS 15.5”

Where to see at Avimor: usually along Hwy 55 foraging on the edge of the road.

Cool Facts: A shiny blue-green blackbird, the Brewer's Blackbird is common in agricultural and suburban habitats of the West. The white to yellow eye helps differentiate it from other blackbirds.

Brown-headed Cowbird L 7.5” WS 12”

Where to see at Avimor: open or patchy woodlands, often with other blackbirds

Cool Facts: A female cowbird makes no nest of her own, but instead lays her eggs in the nests of other bird species, who then raise the young cowbirds.

Red Crossbill L 6.25” WS 11”

Where to see at Avimor: feeding on conifer seeds; almost always on pine trees.

Cool Facts: Its peculiar bill allows it access to the seeds, and it will breed whenever it finds areas with an abundance of cones.

House Finch L 6” WS 9.5”

Where to see at Avimor: pretty much anywhere, especially near the homes where they nest in the ornamental pines.

Cool Facts: The red or yellow color of a male House Finch comes from pigments that it gets in its food during molt. The more pigment in the food, the redder the male.

American Goldfinch L 5” WS 9”

Where to see at Avimor: pretty much anywhere, especially on the sunflower and thistle plants

Cool Facts: a number of females switch mates after producing a first brood. The first male takes care of the fledglings while the female goes off to start another brood with a different male.

Pine Siskin L 5” WS 9”

Where to see at Avimor: open forest areas

Cool Facts: The heavily insulated nest helps keep the eggs warm in cold climates. In addition, the female incubates the eggs constantly, and is absent from the nest only for brief periods. Her mate feeds her while she sits on the nest.

House Sparrow L 6.25” WS 9.5”

Where to see at Avimor: generally found around human structures

Cool Facts: the House Sparrow was introduced into North America from its native Europe in the 1850s. It successfully spread across the continent, and is abundant in urban and agricultural habitats.