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FIELD GUIDE GUIDE FIELD BOISE’S BOISE’S FIELD GUIDE to BOISE’S

Published by Boise Parks & Recreation with special thanks to Golden Eagle Audubon Society, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, and Point Blue Conservation Science Acknowledgments About Us We offer our thanks to the people and organizations who Boise Parks & Recreation’s mission is to enhance the shared their time, talent and expertise to make this guide quality of life in Boise by working in partnership with the possible: community to foster and support citizen well-being and • Terry Rich: Golden Eagle Audubon Society, American healthy community environments. Birding Association We provide safe, healthy recreational opportunities for • RL Rowland: Golden Eagle Audubon Society people of all ages through maintenance of Boise’s parks, • Tom McCabe foothills trails, greenbelt pathways and open spaces, golf • Bird Conservancy of the Rockies courses, swimming pools, community centers, and many • Point Blue Conservation Science other amenities. • Photographers, named with each photograph • Cover photo: Brewer’s Blackbird at Ann Morrison Park, Our community education program offers a variety of Daniel Gonzalez. learning opportunities, such as this guide, to enhance • Back cover photo: Dark-eyed Junco at Kathryn enjoyment of our parks and open spaces by fostering Albertson Park, Mary Rumple awareness and understanding of the important role they • Bird Topography: Leanne Lloyd-Fairey play in our lives. We strive to nurture curiosity by presenting Additional credits: We thank Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s opportunities to explore the natural world within a variety All About Birds and eBird websites for certain details about of recreational settings. species and their occurrence in the Boise area. Where to Find Birds in Boise For information about this publication, please contact Birds can be found in just about every setting within the Boise Parks & Recreation at (208) 608-7600. city, from urban microparks to the sprawling foothills that Boise Parks & Recreation border our northeastern edge. They visit backyard feeders, 1104 Royal Blvd. perch in low shrubs and on tall structures, swim in our Boise, ID 83706 river, lakes, and ponds, nest in our trees and soar overhead. parks.cityofboise.org A variety of habitats in and around the city support and attract hundreds of species. Birds are all around us; we Copyright 2015 by Boise Parks & Recreation need only to look and listen.

1 Purpose of This Guide A Word About Conservation By Terry Rich Field Guide to Boise’s Birds is intended for use in Boise parks, neighborhoods and open spaces by birders of all Birds are among the most beautiful and amazing levels. Its purpose is to enhance enjoyment and stewardship on earth! It’s little wonder that bird watching, or “birding,” of the city’s outdoor spaces through education and awareness has grown into one of the largest recreational activities in of the natural environment. the .

There are hundreds of species of bird awaiting discovery A recent national survey estimated that 47 million Americans in Boise. This guide spotlights 99 of them – from tiny song- feed or watch birds. These activities not only provide birds to great raptors – and features local photography and enjoyment, but they pump billions of dollars a year into detailed descriptions as guides to species identification. our economy. But birds are not just about recreation. Birds play vital roles in our world, consuming untold quantities The species in this guide are arranged in groups based of every day, pollinating flowers, and dispersing primarily on their taxonomic relationships, with some seeds. Birds are also excellent indicators of environmental deviations. For example, owls are not taxonomically health; they are especially sensitive to changes in habitat, related to falcons but they, along with falcons, eagles and water quality, disease, and climate. hawks, are birds of prey. There are numerous resources available to those wishing to expand their knowledge of Further, they do this over huge areas and with enormous birds and their taxonomic relationships. Here are a few we numbers. Around 10,000 species of birds exist on earth, have found helpful: and some species occur in every habitat except the deep ocean. No other wildlife species compares. Over 900 Cornell Lab of Ornithology: birds.cornell.edu species occur in , and at the end of the • All About Birds: allaboutbirds.org breeding season, an estimated 10 billion landbirds – fly- • eBird: .org catchers, warblers, hummingbirds, orioles, tanagers, and Golden Eagle Audubon Society: goldeneagleaudubon.org similar species – occur across the continent. Many of them Bird Conservancy of the Rockies: birdconservancy.org begin to move south for fall migration. Some go as far as Point Blue Conservation Science:pointblue.org Tierra del Fuego, some only as far as the Boise area, and American Bird Conservancy: abcbirds.org yet others go to all the countries in between. Thus, their Intermountain Bird Observatory: ibo.boisestate.edu role in our world is massive and widespread. 2 3 Unfortunately, the populations of many species are declining. The recovery of Peregrine Falcon According to the 2009 State of the Birds report, 67 are populations in North America federally listed as endangered or threatened. An additional demonstrates that when society 184 species are of conservation concern because of declining focuses its scientific expertise population trends, high threats, and small populations and its other resources, we can sizes. The threats to bird populations are many. These succeed in creating a better future for wildlife and people. include: Photograph by Sharon Hayworth • Habitat loss, degradation, • Predation by cats and fragmentation • Electrocution and feral cats cause more bird deaths than any other • Collisions with towers, • Oiling and gillnets at sea single cause. The solution is easy – keep your cats windows, power lines, • Shooting indoors and don’t release cats into the wild. automobiles, and wind • Pollution 4. Many birds die when they collide with windows, both turbines • Poisoning those in office buildings and those in private homes. If you hear or see birds hitting a window in your house, All of these threats are being addressed by bird conservation you can attach flagging, stickers, and other items to organizations and natural resource agencies. But many of help birds see your windows. Similar steps can be them can be addressed by YOU. There are a number of taken for office buildings, but getting rid of mirror ways you can help: windows is best. 5. Power companies have done a lot to prevent larger 1. Support habitat conservation. Boise Parks and the birds, such as hawks and eagles, from being elec- public lands around Boise managed by BLM, the U.S. trocuted on power lines. But there are still problem Forest Service, and the State of Idaho offer excellent poles out there. If you know of such a pole, report it native habitat for birds. The more natural habitats we to Idaho Fish and Game or the Golden Eagle Audubon have for birds, the better. Society. 2. Plant native plant species in your yard, especially those that provide seeds, fruits, and flowers. When The various organizations who are named here and whose birds are traveling through urban environments, they logos appear in this guide, all have websites with additional can really use the food. information to help you down the path of greater enjoyment, 3. Studies in both the U.S. and Canada reveal that pet understanding, and conservation action.

4 5 Bird Topography Crown

Head Forehead

Ear coverts Upper mandible

Scapulars Nape Mantle Lower mandible Tertials Back Chin

Throat Rump Lesser coverts Uppertail Breast coverts Median coverts Tail Greater coverts Flank Vent Belly Primaries Undertail Thigh coverts Secondaries Tarsus

6 7 Contents / Bird Viewing Checklist

American Coot ...... 28 Canada Goose ...... 23 House Sparrow ...... 102 Sharp-shinned Hawk ...... 43 American Crow...... 66 Cedar Waxwing ...... 83 House ...... 76 Song Sparrow ...... 103 American Goldfinch ...... 91 Chipping Sparrow ...... 101 Killdeer ...... 30 Spotted Sandpiper ...... 31 American Kestrel ...... 45 Cinnamon Teal ...... 12 Lazuli Bunting ...... 108 Spotted Towhee ...... 100 American Robin ...... 80 Cliff Swallow...... 70 Lesser Goldfinch ...... 94 Swainson’s Hawk ...... 44 American Wigeon ...... 10 Common Goldeneye ...... 15 Mallard...... 18 Tree Swallow...... 72 Bald Eagle ...... 39 Common Merganser...... 16 Merlin...... 46 Turkey Vulture ...... 50 Bank Swallow...... 68 Common Nighthawk ...... 38 Mourning Dove ...... 52 Violet-green Swallow ...... 73 Barn Swallow...... 69 Common Raven...... 67 Northern Flicker ...... 58 Virginia Rail ...... 33 Barrow’s Goldeneye ...... 14 Common Yellowthroat ...... 96 Northern Rough-winged Swallow..... 71 Warbling Vireo ...... 64 Belted Kingfisher...... 59 Cooper’s Hawk ...... 40 Northern Shoveler ...... 19 Western Kingbird ...... 62 Black-billed Magpie ...... 65 Dark-eyed Junco ...... 106 Osprey...... 41 Western Meadowlark ...... 89 Black-capped Chickadee ...... 74 Double-crested Cormorant ...... 24 Pacific Wren ...... 77 Western Screech-Owl ...... 49 Black-chinned Hummingbird ...... 36 Downy Woodpecker ...... 56 Peregrine Falcon ...... 47 Western Tanager ...... 107 Black-headed Grosbeak ...... 105 Eurasian Collared-Dove ...... 51 Pied-billed Grebe ...... 27 Western Wood-Pewee ...... 63 Black-necked Stilt ...... 29 European Starling...... 84 Pine Siskin ...... 95 White-crowned Sparrow ...... 104 Bohemian Waxwing ...... 82 Evening Grosbeak ...... 92 Red-breasted Nuthatch ...... 78 Wild Turkey ...... 55 Brewer’s Blackbird ...... 85 Gadwall...... 13 Red-tailed Hawk ...... 42 Willow Flycatcher...... 60 Brown Creeper ...... 75 Gray Catbird ...... 81 Red-winged Blackbird ...... 88 Wilson’s Snipe...... 32 Brown-headed Cowbird ...... 86 Great Blue Heron...... 25 Ring-billed Gull ...... 34 Wood Duck ...... 22 Bufflehead...... 11 Great Egret...... 26 Ring-necked Duck ...... 20 Yellow-breasted Chat ...... 99 Bullock’s Oriole ...... 87 Great Horned Owl ...... 48 Rock Pigeon ...... 53 Yellow-headed Blackbird...... 90 Gull ...... 35 Hairy Woodpecker...... 57 Ruby-crowned Kinglet ...... 79 Yellow-rumped Warbler ...... 98 California Quail...... 54 Hooded Merganser...... 17 Ruddy Duck ...... 21 Yellow Warbler ...... 97 Calliope Hummingbird ...... 37 House Finch ...... 93 Say’s Phoebe...... 61 8 9 WATERFOWL

Robert Whitlatch, Kathryn Albertson Park Shutterstock.com American Wigeon Bufflehead

WATERFOWL (Anas americana) (Bucephala albeola)

Identification:20” – Male (shown): White crown, Identification: 13.5” – Male (shown): Black and white green face patch, white patch on wings. Female: Mottled with white patch on side of head. Female: Dark brown rusty-brown; small, blue-gray bill. with less extensive white head patch. Habitat: Ponds, lakes. Habitat: Ponds, lakes. Timing: Winter. Timing: Winter. Diet: Vegetation, insects, crustaceans, seeds. Diet: Aquatic insects and crustaceans, seeds. Note: Also known as “Baldpate” because male’s white Note: Nests in cavities made by woodpeckers. crown suggests a bald head.

10 11 WATERFOWL

Shutterstock.com Dan R. Cook, Kathryn Albertson Park Cinnamon Teal Gadwall

WATERFOWL (Anas cyanoptera) (Anas strepera)

Identification:14-17” – Male (shown): Bright cinnamon Identification:18-22” – Male (shown): Gray-brown head and body. Female: Gray-brown, small white area with distinctive black tail patch. Female: Brown and at base of bill. yellow-brown. Habitat: Ponds, wetlands with open water. Habitat: Ponds, wetlands. Timing: March through October. Timing: Year-round; slightly more common in winter. Diet: Seeds, aquatic vegetation, semi-terrestrial and Diet: Submerged vegetation, aquatic invertebrates. aquatic insects, snails. Note: Sometimes steals food from American Coots and Note: Females often hide nests under matted vegetation other ducks. and gain access to them through tunnels.

12 13 WATERFOWL

Shutterstock.com Daniel Gonzalez, Kathryn Albertson Park Barrow’s Goldeneye Common Goldeneye

WATERFOWL (Bucephala islandica) (Bucephala clangula)

Identification:18” – Striking yellow eyes. Male Identification:16-20” – Male (shown): White with (shown): White crescent-shaped patch on sides of black back. Head is black with green iridescence. face, white sides and underparts, black wings and tail. Circular white spot on face. Female: Brown head with Female: Brown head; gray back, wings, and tail. Sides slate-gray back, wings, and tail. and underparts white. Habitat: Rivers, large lakes. Habitat: Ponds, lakes. Timing: Year-round; most common in winter. Timing: Winter through March. Diet: Aquatic invertebrates, small fish, vegetation. Diet: Aquatic invertebrates and vegetation. Note: One of several species of duck that nest in tree Note: Nests in tree cavities and nesting boxes lined cavities and nest boxes. with female downy chest feathers. 14 15 WATERFOWL

Lew Ulrey, Kathryn Albertson Park / Inset: Daniel Gonzalez, Boise River downtown Daniel Gonzalez, Boise River near Quinn’s Pond / Inset: Bob Ellis, West Boise River Common Merganser Hooded Merganser

WATERFOWL (Mergus merganser) (Lophodytes cucullatus)

Identification:21-28” – Red bill. Male: White body, Identification: 16-19” – Male: Black upperparts with dark-green head, black back. Female (inset): Gray white breast, chestnut flanks. Black head has a large body, white chest, rusty head with shaggy crest. white patch that varies in size when the crest is raised Habitat: Rivers, large lakes. (inset) or lowered. Female: Gray and brown, cinnamon tones on the head. Timing: Year-round; more common in winter. Habitat: Small lakes, ponds, rivers, forested wetlands. Diet: Fish, aquatic invertebrates. Timing: September through April; rare in summer. Note: The word “merganser” comes from the Latin Diet: words “mergo” for plunge and “anser” for goose. Fish, crayfish. It is an appropriate name for a duck that is often Note: Can change the refractive properties of its eyes submerged. to improve the ability to locate prey underwater. 16 17 WATERFOWL

Virginia Treat, Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve Mary Rumple, Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve / Inset: Daniel Gonzalez, Bethine Church River Trail Mallard Northern Shoveler

WATERFOWL (Anas platyrhynchos) (Anas clypeata)

Identification:23” – Male (foreground): Glossy green Identification: 19” – Very long “shovel” bill. Male head and white neck ring, chestnut chest, yellowish (shown): Iridescent green head, reddish-brown flanks, bill. Female: Brown with a whitish tail. Both sexes have white chest. Female: Mottled brown, whitish tail. a blue wing patch in flight. Habitat: Shallow ponds, edges of lakes and rivers. Habitat: Ponds, lakes, rivers. Timing: Year-round. Timing: Year-round. Diet: Aquatic invertebrates, seeds. Diet: Plant material, insects, crustaceans. Note: Large bill is adapted to filter food from water. Note: Males don’t quack. They make a quieter, hoarse-sounding vocalization.

18 19 WATERFOWL

Art Robertson, Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve Dan R. Cook, Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve Ring-necked Duck Ruddy Duck

WATERFOWL (Aythya collaris) (Oxyura jamaicensis)

Identification: 15-18” – Male (left): Dark iridescent Identification:15” – Male (shown): Dark head, white head, black back, gray sides. White patch on sides cheeks. Spiky tail often upturned. Distinctive blue bill of breast. Bill is dark with white ring near black tip. in summer. Female: Dark line across pale cheek. Female: Bill similar to male’s. Brown and gray overall, Habitat: Wetlands, marshes, ponds, reservoirs, lakes. light eye ring. Timing: Year-round; more common in early spring. Habitat: Lakes, ponds, marshes. Diet: Aquatic insects, crustaceans, zooplankton, Timing: Year-round; less common in summer. aquatic vegetation. Diet: Aquatic vegetation, invertebrates. Note: Uses its legs and large webbed feet to dive and Note: Chestnut-colored ring on black neck is difficult to propel itself underwater for feeding. see and not useful in identification. 20 21 WATERFOWL

Sharon Hayworth, West Boise River Greenbelt Virginia Treat, Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve Wood Duck Canada Goose

WATERFOWL (Aix sponsa) (Branta canadensis)

Identification: 19” – Male (left): Head and crest dark Identification: 25-48″ – Black neck and head, white green with white stripes. Red eyes and bill, white cheek patch, brownish back and belly. throat extending to cheek. Upperparts dark, reddish Habitat: Ponds, lakes, rivers, golf courses, parks where chest. Female: Brown overall with thick, white large amounts of grass are available. teardrop -shaped eye ring. Timing: Year-round. Habitat: Streams, lakes, ponds. Diet: Plant material, especially grass, berries, seeds. Timing: Year-round. Note: Widespread throughout North America. Cackling Diet: Acorns and other seeds, invertebrates. Geese, which are nearly identical to Canada Geese, are Note: Nests in tree cavities and nest boxes located also found in Boise and are smaller than their Canada near water. cousins. 22 23 HERONS & ALLIES

Lew Ulrey, Veterans Memorial Park Carolyn Fletcher, Bown Crossing / Inset: Ryck Tanner, Parkcenter Park Double-crested Cormorant Great Blue Heron (Phalacrocorax auritus) (Ardea herodias) HERONS & ALLIES HERONS Identification:33” – Dark overall with orange throat Identification:46” – Very large and tall, dark patch. Young: Pale underparts. coloration. Long legs and neck; stout, pointed bill. Habitat: Rivers, lakes, large ponds. Habitat: Marshes; edges of rivers, ponds, and lakes, Timing: Year-round. including suburban wetland habitats. Timing: Year-round. Diet: Fish. Diet: Note: A prolific diver, it is often observed perched with Mostly fish; also amphibians, gophers, marsh wings outstretched to dry. birds. Note: Usually nests in rookeries with egrets and other waterbirds.

24 25 HERONS & ALLIES during mating season. century for thelongplumesthat grow from itsback Note: Hunted almost to extinction in the late 19th small mammals, invertebrates. Diet: Timing: Habitat: Wetlands, lakes, ponds, marshes, rivers. orange bill. S-shaped neck.White feathers overall, yellowish- Identification: 37-40”–Tall darklegsand withlong, (Ardea alba) Great Egret Rumple,RiversideMary Park 26 Mainlyfish;alsoamphibians, reptiles, birds, Year-round.

deeply orstay just below thesurface. Note: Cantrap water initsfeathers, allowing itto sink invertebrates. Diet: Crustaceans, fish,amphibians,insects,other Timing: Habitat: Ponds, lakes, marshes, rivers. sluggish Distinctive vertical blacklineonlight bill. Identification: 12-15”–Small,brown overall. (Podilymbus podiceps) Pied-billed Grebe Year-round. Bob Ellis,Hyatt HiddenLakes Reserve

27 HERONS & ALLIES & HERONS SHOREBIRDS, RAILS & GULLS 29 Lew Ulrey, Marianne Williams Marianne Park Ulrey, Lew 14” – Large, with black face, back and with black face, 14” – Large, Mid-March through mid-September. through Mid-March (Himantopus mexicanus) (Himantopus Identification: long, Very and underparts. throat eyebrow, bill. White legs. thin red and ponds. wetlands of shallow Shorelines Habitat: Timing: fish. invertebrates, Aquatic Diet: off predators. fend to in groups together Works Note: hopping up the threat, includes encircling One display and flapping wings. and down Black-necked Stilt Black-necked 15.5” – Plump, duck-like bird. Blackish bird. 15.5” – Plump, duck-like Year-round. Year-round. Plants, invertebrates, small vertebrates. small vertebrates. invertebrates, Plants,

Diet: among observed often are Although coots Note: webbing and do not have not ducks are they ducks, lobed along are their toes Instead, their toes. between the sides. overall, white bill, large feet, greenish-yellow legs. greenish-yellow feet, bill, large white overall, lakes. of larger Small ponds, edges Habitat: Timing: Identification: American Coot American americana) (Fulica Dan R. Cook, Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve Lakes Hidden Dan R. Hyatt Cook, 28 SHOREBIRDS, RAILS & GULLS & RAILS SHOREBIRDS, SHOREBIRDS, RAILS & GULLS 31 Lew Ulrey, Marianne Williams Park Ulrey, Lew 7” – Upperparts olive-brown, 7” – Upperparts olive-brown, Mid-April to mid-September. Mid-April to Insects, crustaceans, other small invertebrates. other small invertebrates. Insects, crustaceans, (Actitis macularius) Identification: line. eye dark eyebrow, white underparts whitish, feeding when tail Bobs only. spots in summer Breast and walking. shorelines. Fresh-water Habitat: Timing: Diet: the young, for the primary caregivers Males are Note: the eggs.including incubating Spotted Sandpiper Spotted Shores of ponds, lakes, and rivers; also parking and rivers; lakes, of ponds, Shores Year-round. Year-round. Invertebrates.

30 lots and roadsides. Timing: Diet: a have to pretending Commonly observed Note: from away predators lead potential wing to broken nests. 10.5” – Two bands on breast; unique, on breast; bands 10.5” – Two Identification: rump. reddish-brown Habitat: Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) Daniel Gonzalez, Marianne Williams Park Marianne Daniel Gonzalez, SHOREBIRDS, RAILS & GULLS & RAILS SHOREBIRDS, SHOREBIRDS, RAILS & GULLS 33 Lew Ulrey, Hulls Gulch Hulls Ulrey, Lew 9” – Reddish-brown breast, dark barring breast, 9” – Reddish-brown Year-round. (Rallus limicola) Identification: bill. with long, red curved face on upperparts. Gray Short tail. Marshland. Habitat: Timing: invertebrates. Aquatic Diet: foliage. hides within dense that bird An elusive Note: eggs in only one. but lays nests It builds numerous Virginia Rail Rail Virginia Wetlands, along the edges of rivers and ponds. of rivers along the edges Wetlands, Year-round; most common in spring and early common most Year-round;

32 summer. invertebrates. larvae, Diet: lined which are nests, for well a shallow Makes Note: grasses. with woven Timing: 11.5” – Stout-bodied with relatively with relatively 11.5” – Stout-bodied Identification: underparts, Light bill. short legs and long, straight on yellow-brown and brown patterned intricately back, and wings. breast, head, throat, Habitat: Wilson’s Snipe Wilson’s (Gallinago delicata) Robert Mortensen, Boise Foothills Mortensen, Robert SHOREBIRDS, RAILS & GULLS & RAILS SHOREBIRDS, SHOREBIRDS, RAILS & GULLS 35 Ryck Tanner, Julia Davis Park Julia Davis Tanner, Ryck Year-round. (Larus californicus) Gull but Ring-billed 18-21” – Similar to Identification: red and distinguishable upperparts gray with darker brownish. Patterned mandible. Juvenile: spot on lower also farm lakes; and large coasts Historically Habitat: parking lots. dumps, garbage fields, Timing: aquatic Fish, fruit, small mammals, insects, grain, Diet: garbage. invertebrates, Gulls sometimes California feeders, Opportunistic Note: insects. for forage to plows farm follow California Gull California Year-round. Year-round.

34 Fish, insects, rodents, grain, garbage. garbage. grain, Fish, insects, rodents, Diet: superclutches laying recorded been have Females Note: nest. of 5-7 eggs in a shared 17-20″ – White head, chest, and and head, chest, 17-20″ – White Identification: bill with Yellow upperparts. underparts; light-gray eyes. yellow tip, black ring around now lakes; and large coasts Historically Habitat: dumps, garbage humans at around found commonly fields. plowed parking lots, and freshly Timing: Ring-billed Gull Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) Sharon Hayworth, Ann Morrison Park Hayworth, Sharon SHOREBIRDS, RAILS & GULLS & RAILS SHOREBIRDS, HUMMINGBIRDS & NIGHTHAWKS 37 Lew Ulrey, West Bench neighborhood West Ulrey, Lew Mid-April through mid-September. Mid-April through (Selasphorus calliope) upperparts. Male: Throat 3.5” – Green Identification: Whitish throat (inset): Female and white. red streaked and belly. chest yellow-brown and whitish or edges, forest riparian zones, Mountainous Habitat: suburban areas. thickets, willow meadows, Timing: Insects, nectar. Diet: north of Mexico, in North America, bird Smallest Note: bird. migratory long-distance smallest and world’s Calliope Hummingbird Calliope Hummingbird 4” – Upperparts green, underparts 4” – Upperparts green, Mid-April through September. Mid-April through

36 Identification: insects. Nectar, Diet: typically are females hummingbirds, As with most Note: than males. larger Black-chinned Hummingbird Hummingbird Black-chinned (Archilochus alexandri) throat blackish, lower whitish. Male: Throat whitish. (inset):Throat Female blue-violet. suburban patches, forest Riparian zones, Habitat: areas. Timing: Libby Burtner, N.E. Boise neighborhood / Inset: Lew Ulrey, West Bench neighborhood Bench West Ulrey, Lew / Inset: neighborhood N.E. Boise Burtner, Libby HUMMINGBIRDS & NIGHTHAWKS & HUMMINGBIRDS RAPTORS, FALCONS & OWLS 39 Lew Ulrey, Boise River downtown downtown Boise River Ulrey, Lew Year-round; more common in winter. common more Year-round; (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) (Haliaeetus Adults: dark raptor. large, 28-38” – Very Identification: Dark (inset): beak. Juvenile pale head and tail, White with dark bill. and rivers. lakes of large Edges Habitat: Timing: carrion, other prey. fish; also Prefers Diet: in comparison appear large-headed Bald Eagles Note: Golden Eagles. to Bald Eagle Bald Eagle 9” – Slender features; brown, black brown, 9” – Slender features; Late May through September. through May Late

38 Identification: Common Nighthawk Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) bar near white In flight, overall. coloring gray and/or at seen flying tip of wing. Often at base of feathers is distinctive. bounding flight dusk. Erratic, urban and suburban areas. steppe, Sagebrush Habitat: Timing: in flight. Insects captured Diet: and is one of the last in South America Winters Note: Idaho in the spring. to migrate species to Mary Rumple, Barber Park HUMMINGBIRDS & NIGHTHAWKS & HUMMINGBIRDS RAPTORS, FALCONS & OWLS 41 Daniel Gonzalez, Bethine Church River Trail River Church Bethine Daniel Gonzalez, Mid-March to December. to Mid-March (Pandion haliaetus) haliaetus) (Pandion head and stripe; face 23” – Dark brown Identification: In flight: upperparts dark brown. underparts white, underwing Distinct wrist. at Long wings with bend patches. with black wrist pattern lakes. Rivers, Habitat: Timing: Fish. Diet: Found in the world. bird widespread The most Note: except of all continents and coasts lakes, on rivers, Antarctica. Osprey Year-round. Year-round. Mostly birds, but occasionally mammals. mammals. but occasionally birds, Mostly

40 Frequently preys on birds at seed feeders in seed feeders at on birds preys Frequently Note: winter. Diet: 17” – Long, rounded, and barred tail. tail. and barred 17” – Long, rounded, Identification: upperparts, wings. Adult: Bluish-gray Short, round Brown (shown): Juvenile on underparts. bars reddish underparts. streaked upperparts, brown suburban increasingly, forest; Coniferous Habitat: cover. tree with adequate habitats Timing: Cooper’s Hawk Hawk Cooper’s cooperii) (Accipiter Crista Worthy, Hidden Springs Worthy, Crista RAPTORS, FALCONS & OWLS & FALCONS RAPTORS, RAPTORS, FALCONS & OWLS 43 Lew Ulrey, West Bench neighborhood Bench West Ulrey, Lew 9-13” – Long, square-tipped tail and tail 9-13” – Long, square-tipped Year-round; most common in winter. in common most Year-round; (Accipiter striatus) (Accipiter Identification: upperparts; barred wings. Adult (both): Slate rounded with brown Mostly Juvenile: underparts. reddish underparts. brown-and-white streaked edges, and forest forests Densely wooded Habitat: present. are feeders bird where suburban settings Timing: small rodents. Songbirds, Diet: while in flight. young to pass food Parents Note: Sharp-shinned Hawk Hawk Sharp-shinned Year-round. Year-round.

42 Mammals, birds, reptiles. reptiles. Mammals, birds, Diet: be almost can Hawks “Dark morph” Red-tailed Note: tail. reddish for the except dark brown entirely 19” – Highly variable in appearance. in appearance. 19” – Highly variable Identification: has Commonly and rust-colored. broad Adult: Tail V on spotted white belly, dark band across pale chest, of wing when in flight. on leading edge back. Dark area black. finely barred tail Brown Juvenile: Open woodlands. Habitat: Timing: Red-tailed Hawk Hawk Red-tailed jamaicensis) (Buteo Ryck Tanner, S.E. Boise River / Inset: Art Robertson, West Boise West Robertson, Art / Inset: S.E. Boise River Tanner, Ryck RAPTORS, FALCONS & OWLS & FALCONS RAPTORS, RAPTORS, FALCONS & OWLS 45 Art Robertson, Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve Hidden Lakes Hyatt Art Robertson, Year-round. Year-round. (Falco sparverius) (Falco long, with pointed 9” – Small falcon Identification: reddish- face, patterned Boldly wings and long tail. Male (inset): black bars. upperparts with brown wings. Blue-gray especially those with dead trees, Taller Habitat: areas. urban and rural branches; Timing: Insects, small mammals, birds. Diet: in open habitat. on wires seen perched Often Note: while hunting. Hovers American Kestrel Kestrel American Late March through mid-September. through March Late

44 21” – Throat and belly white. Head, and belly white. 21” – Throat Identification: Long, In flight: dark brown. upperparts, and chest and white. wings; underwings brown pointed land. Open spaces, including agricultural Habitat: Timing: insects. large Small mammals, reptiles, Diet: groups and soaring migrating forms Sometimes Note: numbering in the thousands. Swainson’s Hawk Hawk Swainson’s swainsoni) (Buteo Sharon Hayworth, Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve / Inset: Bob Ellis, Federal Way Federal Bob Ellis, / Inset: Reserve Lakes Hidden Hyatt Hayworth, Sharon RAPTORS, FALCONS & OWLS & FALCONS RAPTORS, RAPTORS, FALCONS & OWLS 47

Sharon Hayworth, West Boise Greenbelt Boise West Hayworth, Sharon 14-19” – Adult: Slate upperparts, 14-19” – Adult: Slate Year-round. Mostly birds; also bats, fish, rodents. fish, also bats, birds; Mostly (Falco peregrinus) (Falco Identification: and underparts. Juvenile thighs barred breast, light dark back and wings with crown, Pale (shown): underparts. on yellow-brown streaking prominent in both urban and suburban structures Tall Habitat: water. areas, near open settings; Timing: Diet: than males. larger typically are Females Note: Peregrine Falcon Falcon Peregrine Fall through spring; rare in summer. spring; rare through Fall Small to medium-sized birds caught in flight. caught birds medium-sized Small to

46 Sometimes hunts in pairs, confusing prey. confusing in pairs, hunts Sometimes Note: Diet: 9-12” – Light-colored chest with dark with chest 9-12” – Light-colored Identification: Male (shown): eyebrow. barring or mottling, thin white juveniles: and Female dark gray. to Upperparts slate Brown. areas. residential and lakes, Near rivers Habitat: Timing: Merlin columbarius) (Falco Lew Ulrey, West Bench neighborhood West Ulrey, Lew RAPTORS, FALCONS & OWLS & FALCONS RAPTORS, RAPTORS, FALCONS & OWLS 49 Mary Rumple, Kathryn Albertson Park Albertson Mary Kathryn Rumple, Year-round. Year-round. (Megascops kennicottii) (Megascops with dark or gray-brown 8.5” – Gray Identification: eyes. yellow ear tufts, streaking, riparian areas. Wooded Habitat: Timing: Small animals, particularly mammals. Diet: series of short hoots. Call is an accelerating Note: Western Screech-Owl Screech-Owl Western Year-round. Mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians. reptiles, Mammals, birds,

48 Fierce predator that can take down large prey, prey, large down take can that predator Fierce Note: as rats as well and other owls, raptors including large and other mammals. Diet: 22” – Gray-brown with thick ear tufts 22” – Gray-brown Identification: throat. white eyes, (“horns”). Yellow especially where all habitats, Almost Habitat: open areas. to adjacent are patches woodland Timing: Great Horned Owl Horned Great (Bubo virginianus) Daniel Gonzalez, Bethine Church River Trail River Church Bethine Gonzalez, Daniel RAPTORS, FALCONS & OWLS & FALCONS RAPTORS, RAPTORS, FALCONS & OWLS Note: Usesitsexcellent senseofsmellto locate food. Diet: Timing: Habitat: All. Juvenile: Darkhead. Soars withwingsheldabove headinshallow V. body, withtwo-toned visiblefrom underwing below. Small, unfeathered red head.Darkbrown to blackish Identification: (Cathartes aura) Turkey Vulture Lew Ulrey, West Bench neighborhood 50 Carrion. March through mid-September. 26” – Large, soaring bird. Adult (shown): the Boise area inthenearfuture. North America andisexpected to steadily increase in Note: Thisnon-native species hasspread rapidly across Diet: Seedsandgrains inagricultural settings. Timing: to humanhabitations. Habitat: Smalltowns, rural housing clusters; attracted square, white-tipped tail. Mourning Dove; black collar onbackofneckand Identification: 11-12”–Typically larger thanthenative (Streptopelia decaocto) Eurasian Collared-Dove Year-round. Dan R. Cook, KathrynDan R. Albertson Park 51

DOVES, PIGEONS & LANDFOWL LANDFOWL & PIGEONS DOVES, DOVES, PIGEONS & LANDFOWL

Daniel Gonzalez, Shoreline Park Daniel Gonzalez, Veterans Memorial Park Mourning Dove Rock Pigeon (Zenaida macroura) (Columba livia)

Identification:10” – Gray-brown overall. Black spots Identification:11-14” – Chunky with small head and on wings and single spot on each cheek. Long, pointed short legs. Colors vary, but typically brown and/or DOVES, PIGEONS & LANDFOWL & LANDFOWL PIGEONS DOVES, tail tipped white; short legs, pink feet, small bill. Head blue-gray with two dark wing bands. Darker tail tip, looks small in comparison to body. iridescent throat, pink feet. Habitat: Sagebrush steppe, riparian zones, woodlands, Habitat: Urban areas, especially parks and other busy suburban habitats. places where people may offer food. Timing: Year-round. Timing: Year-round Diet: Seeds, some insects. Diet: Seeds, fruit, human leavings. Note: The oldest Mourning Dove on record was over Note: Carried messages for the U.S. Army during both 31 years old. world wars. 52 53 DOVES, PIGEONS & LANDFOWL

Crista Worthy, Hidden Springs Daniel Gonzalez, Kathryn Albertson Park California Quail Wild Turkey (Callipepla californica) (Meleagris gallopavo)

Identification:10” – Chunky with black plume on Identification:44” – Large with long neck and rounded, forehead. Gray-brown, scaled belly. Often in groups. light-tipped tail. Head appears disproportionately DOVES, PIGEONS & LANDFOWL & LANDFOWL PIGEONS DOVES, Male (right): White-bordered black face and throat. small. Dark barring on wings. Dark overall with Female: Brown overall with shorter plume. iridescence. Head and neck vary in color from red Habitat: Suburban habitats, pastures, agricultural to blue and gray. borders with good cover. Habitat: Open, grassy areas; woodlands. Timing: Year-round. Timing: Year-round Diet: Seeds, leaves. Diet: Seeds, berries, nuts, vegetation, insects. Note: Chicks may mix after hatching, and all the Note: Valued for its size, the Wild Turkey is a popular parents participate in caring for the young. game bird. 54 55 WOODPECKERS & KINGFISHERS 57 Shutterstock.com Year-round; most common in late summer and late in common most Year-round; (Picoides villosus) (Picoides with white 7-10” – Black and white Identification: back wings and white black underparts, white-barred Long, stripes. gray white head has two Black stripe. on back of crown. bill. Male (shown): Red orchards. suburban parks, woodlands, Mature Habitat: Timing: early fall. seeds, sap. insects; also fruit, Mostly Diet: almost to lived Hairy known Woodpecker Oldest Note: 16 years. Hairy Woodpecker 7” – Black and white with white with white 7” – Black and white Year-round.

56 Identification: Downy Woodpecker Woodpecker Downy pubescens) (Picoides bill; black Short, stubby underparts and back stripe. on back of crown. Red Male (shown): on tail. bars suburban riparian zones, patches, Woodland Habitat: habitats. Timing: Insects. Diet: in flocks member of mixed-species A common Note: winter. Mary Park Barber Rumple, WOODPECKERS & KINGFISHERS & WOODPECKERS WOODPECKERS & KINGFISHERS 59 Daniel Gonzalez, Kathryn Albertson Park Kathryn Gonzalez, Daniel 13” – Long, pointed bill; bushy head. head. bill; bushy 13” – Long, pointed Year-round. (Megaceryle alcyon) (Megaceryle Identification: underparts collar, with white Upperparts blue-gray Female chest. band across with blue-gray white chest. band across Also has rusty (shown): rivers. lakes, Ponds, Habitat: Timing: Small fish. Diet: in banks. in burrows Nests Note: Belted Kingfisher Belted

13” – Head grayish, upperparts upperparts 13” – Head grayish, Year-round. Year-round. Ants and other insects, fruit, berries. Ants

58 Often seen on the ground where they eat ants. eat they where seen on the ground Often Note: Diet: Identification: barring,black with whitish with underparts gray-brown red underwings. Male Striking black spots. In flight: stripe. mustache Red (inset): woodlands, zones, riparian habitats, Suburban Habitat: forests. Timing: Northern Flicker Northern Flicker auratus) (Colaptes Crista Worthy, Hidden Springs / Inset: Mary Barber Park Rumple, Hidden Springs / Inset: Worthy, Crista WOODPECKERS & KINGFISHERS & WOODPECKERS FLYCATCHERS 61 7.5″ – Upperparts, head and chest and chest 7.5″ – Upperparts, head March through September. through March Lew Ulrey, Hidden Springs / Inset: Mary neighborhood S.E. Boise Rumple, Hidden Springs / Inset: Ulrey, Lew (Sayornis saya) Identification: cinnamon. Darker Underparts shades of gray-brown. and wings. Dark bill, legs and eye. tail steppe. Sagebrush Habitat: Timing: insects. Flying or terrestrial Diet: building structures, on human-made nests Often Note: with overhangs. ledges on open nests Say’s Phoebe Say’s 6” – Upperparts brownish, underparts 6” – Upperparts brownish, Summer.

60 Identification: Willow Flycatcher Willow traillii) (Empidonax ring,eye faint to belly, tinge Yellow chest. with gray pale wing bars. tan near water. areas Shrubby Habitat: Timing: summer. berries in late Insects; occasionally Diet: the song of the Willow all flycatchers, Like Note: not learned. is innate, Flycatcher Shutterstock.com FLYCATCHERS FLYCATCHERS nests onpoles. structures. Commonly perches onutilitylinesand Note: Nests intree canopies and often onhuman Diet: Timing: Habitat: Sagebrush steppe, openwoodlands. yellow. Tail blackwith white outer edges. upperparts gray. Throat white, chest palegray, belly Identification: (Tyrannus verticalis) Western Kingbird Robert Mortensen, BoiseFoothills 62 Insects. Mid-Aprilto September. 9″–Headgray withdarker mask, each catch. Note: Hunts from aperch, whichitreturns to after Diet: Timing: Habitat: Woodlands, forests. flick tail. flycatchers, no eye ring. Perches prominently, doesnot throat andbelly, palewingbars. Darker thanother Identification: 6”–Grayish-brown overall withpaler (Contopus sordidulus) Western Wood-Pewee Insects. Summer. Daniel Gonzalez, Bethine Church River Trail

63 FLYCATCHERS VIREOS & CORVIDS male’s song. Note: Namedfor theup-and-down melody ofthe Diet: Timing: Habitat: Wooded areas, often nearpeople. whitish underpartssometimes with yellowish tinge. Identification: 5”–Plaingray bird. White eyebrow, (Vireo gilvus) Warbling Vireo 64 Lew Ulrey, West Bench neighborhood Insects. Summer. Note: Sometimes caches food inpilesontheground. Diet: Timing: suburban areas. Habitat: Sagebrush steppe, woodlands, riparianzones, and bill.White shoulders andbelly. Broad wingswithbluishiridescence. Blackhead,chest, Identification: 18-24”–Large bird blacktail. withlong, (Pica hudsonia) Black-billed Magpie Robert Whitlatch, Kathryn Albertson Park /Inset: Daniel Gonzalez, MarianneWilliamsPark Insects,lizards, smallmammals. Year-round.

65 VIREOS & CORVIDS & VIREOS VIREOS & CORVIDS 67

Shutterstock.com Year-round. Carrion, small mammals, birds, eggs, invertebrates, eggs, invertebrates, birds, small mammals, Carrion, (Corvus corax) neck all black with thick 22-27” – Large, Identification: Long, tail. thick bill; long and shaggy throat. high desert, habitats, Open and forested Habitat: settings. urban, suburban and rural sagebrush, Timing: Diet: seeds, fruit. fish, grain, predator, and dangerous bird An intelligent Note: to hunt. working in pairs sometimes Common Raven Year-round.

66 18” – All black with short, squared tail tail squared 18” – All black with short, Identification: and black. Bill stout wings. and broad flocks. seen in large often Widespread, Habitat: in trees. near people; nests Thrives Timing: small birds amphibians, reptiles, Invertebrates, Diet: and mammals, seeds, fruit, carrion. much for the all-black but mistaken Sometimes Note: in also be found which can Raven, Common larger Boise. American Crow American (Corvus brachyrhynchos) Robert Whitlatch, Bown Crossing Bown Whitlatch, Robert VIREOS & CORVIDS & VIREOS SWALLOWS 69 Shutterstock.com 7” – Deeply forked tail. Head and tail. 7” – Deeply forked April through mid-October. April through Insects. (Hirundo rustica) Identification: and throat blue-black, forehead upperparts glossy underparts. Yellow-brown chestnut. zones, suburban riparian fields, hay Pastures, Habitat: areas. Timing: Diet: del Fuego. south as Tierra as far Winters Note: Barn Swallow April through mid-September. mid-September. April through

68 Diet: Insects. Diet: of up in groups nests Colonial species that Note: Northern to Similar in appearance 2,000 nests. to band is a distinguishing breast Swallow; Rough-winged feature. 5” – Upperparts brown, underparts 5” – Upperparts brown, Identification: band. breast with brown white cliffs. and in holes in banks Nests Habitat: Timing: Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) Shutterstock.com SWALLOWS SWALLOWS 71

Shutterstock.com Late March through September. through March Late Insects caught on the wing. Insects caught (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) (Stelgidopteryx Northern Rough-winged Swallow Swallow Northern Rough-winged 5-6” – Brown upperparts, whitish upperparts, 5-6” – Brown Identification: and breast. on throat underparts; dusky wash often of habitats, in a wide variety Breeds Habitat: near water. Timing: Diet: of on leading edges the small hooks Named for Note: wing feathers.

Late March through mid-September. through March Late

70 5” – Brick-red face, bright whitish bright face, 5” – Brick-red Identification: rump patch. yellow-brown patch, forehead of riparian, pasture, a wide variety in Forages Habitat: such as structures, where and suburban habitats mud nests. for sites provide bridges, Timing: in flight. Insects taken Diet: colony known species; the largest Highly colonial Note: 3,700 nests. contained Cliff Swallow Cliff pyrrhonota) (Petrochelidon Shutterstock.com SWALLOWS SWALLOWS 73 Bob Ellis, Jim Hall Foothills Learning Center Learning Jim Hall Foothills Bob Ellis, Mid-March to September. to Mid-March (Tachycineta thalassina) (Tachycineta dark green, and upperparts 5” – Crown Identification: Face, purplish rump. Male (shown): with sometimes but face similar, Female white. and underparts throat, duller-patterned. higher elevations. at Open woodlands Habitat: Timing: Insects. Diet: in the only found States, Within the United Note: West. Violet-green Swallow Swallow Violet-green March through mid-September. through March

72 Diet: Insects. Diet: swirl of thousands that flocks forms Sometimes Note: for the night. settling before sites roosting around 5” – Upperparts glossy greenish-blue, greenish-blue, 5” – Upperparts glossy Identification: have females Some white. and underparts throat upperparts. brown near water. areas wooded Shorelines, Habitat: Timing: Tree Swallow Tree bicolor) (Tachycineta Shutterstock.com SWALLOWS CHICKADEES, & KINGLETS

Lew Ulrey, West Bench neighborhood Mary Rumple, Barber Park Black-capped Chickadee Brown Creeper (Poecile atricapillus) (Certhia americana)

Identification:5” – Tiny, with black cap and throat; Identification:5” – Brown on back, light underneath; white cheeks, gray back, whitish underparts. long, decurved bill.

CHICKADEES, WRENS & KINGLETS CHICKADEES, Habitat: Riparian zones, forest patches, suburban Habitat: Large trees in forests; typically forages habitats. upward on tree trunks, like a woodpecker. Timing: Year-round. Timing: Year-round; more common in winter. Diet: Insects, seeds. Diet: Insects. Note: Complex calls can communicate identity and Note: Indicator of healthy, older forests with large recognition of other flocks as well as varying degrees trees. of predator alarms.

74 75 CHICKADEES, WRENS & KINGLETS

Robert Whitlatch, Idaho Botanical Garden Robert Mortensen, Boise Foothills House Wren Pacific Wren ( aedon) (Troglodytes pacificus)

Identification: 5” – Brownish overall, paler underparts. Identification: 4” – Brown overall, dark bill and eye, Pale eye ring, barred wings and tail. lighter eyebrow. Short, stubby tail held up at an angle.

CHICKADEES, WRENS & KINGLETS CHICKADEES, Habitat: Dense shrubs in riparian areas, woodlands, Habitat: Often near water in wooded areas with dense junipers, forest edges. undergrowth. Timing: April through early October. Timing: Fall through spring. Diet: Insects. Diet: Invertebrates. Note: Has one of the largest ranges of any songbird, Note: Cavity nester, sometimes using existing holes occurring from central Canada to Tierra del Fuego. made by other birds.

76 77 CHICKADEES, WRENS & KINGLETS

Dan R. Cook, Kathryn Albertson Park / Inset: Robert Whitlatch, Barber Park Dan R. Cook, Kathryn Albertson Park Red-breasted Nuthatch Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Sitta canadensis) (Regulus calendula)

Identification:4” – Blue-gray upperparts, black cap. Identification:4” – Drab olive upperparts. White wing Black stripe through eye, white stripe over eye. bars and eye ring, thin blackish legs, thin bill. Male

CHICKADEES, WRENS & KINGLETS CHICKADEES, Underparts rich rusty-cinnamon; paler in females. (shown): Mostly concealed red patch on head; Habitat: Coniferous forests, patches of in sometimes brighter yellow on wings and tail. suburban settings. Habitat: Woodlands, forests, mountain-shrub habitats. Timing: Year-round. Timing: Winter. Diet: Seeds, insects. Diet: , insects, fruit, seeds. Note: Applies sticky coniferous resin around the Note: Breeding pairs typically stay together until their entrance to nesting cavities, which may discourage offspring leave the nest. predators. 78 79 THRUSHES, CATBIRD & WAXWINGS

Lew Ulrey, West Bench neighborhood Shutterstock.com American Robin Gray Catbird (Turdus migratorius) (Dumetella carolinensis)

Identification:10” – Head and upperparts dark gray; Identification:9” – Mostly slate; dark cap, eye, and head often blacker. Rusty underparts, yellow bill, white bill. Reddish-brown undertail. Long, rounded tail. around the eye. THRUSHES, CATBIRD & WAXWINGS CATBIRD THRUSHES, Habitat: Dense shrubs and thickets, residential areas, Habitat: Urban lawns, mixed forests, junipers. farmlands. Timing: Year-round. Timing: May through October. Diet: Insects, berries, earthworms. Diet: Insects, fruit. Note: Forms flocks in winter and may move up-slope Note: Copies the sounds of others birds, stringing where berries are still available. them together in songs that can last several minutes.

80 81 THRUSHES, CATBIRD & WAXWINGS

Robert Mortensen, Boise Foothills Mary Rumple, S.E. Boise neighborhood / Inset: Daniel Gonzalez, Shoreline Park Bohemian Waxwing Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) (Bombycilla cedrorum)

Identification: 8” – Brownish-gray overall, black mask, Identification:7” – Crested brownish-red head, black yellow-tipped tail. Reddish crest on head and undertail. mask, pale-yellow belly. Gray tail with yellow band at White edges on wing feathers. tips. Inner wing feathers may have “waxy” red tips. THRUSHES, CATBIRD & WAXWINGS CATBIRD THRUSHES, Habitat: Open forests, urban and suburban parks and Habitat: Riparian zones, woodlands, forest edges, gardens. suburban habitats where berries are available. Timing: November through May Timing: Year-round. Diet: Insects, fruit. Diet: Fruit, insects. Note: Name refers to the roaming movements of Note: Specializes on fruit and can become intoxicated winter flocks. from consumption of over-ripe berries. Often found in large flocks in winter. 82 83 BLACKBIRDS & FINCHES

Lew Ulrey, Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve Robert Whitlatch, Harris Ranch European Starling Brewer’s Blackbird (Sturnus vulgaris) (Euphagus cyanocephalus)

BLACKBIRDS & FINCHES BLACKBIRDS Identification: 9” – Glossy black with green and purple Identification: 9” – Male (shown): Iridescent black all iridescence, short tail, triangular wings. Most whitish over with yellow or yellow-white eyes. Female: Dark spots on tips of fresh fall feathers wear off by spring. eyes and wings, dull gray-brown body. Habitat: Near human activity: Urban and suburban Habitat: Open woodlands, shrubby areas, feedlots; habitats, agricultural areas such as feedlots. typically near moist areas. Timing: Year-round. Timing: Year-round. Diet: Invertebrates, fruit, grains, seeds. Diet: Invertebrates, seeds. Note: This non-native species occupies nest cavities Note: Some learn to wait at stoplights and pick insects and prevents native species, such as bluebirds, from the grills of stopped vehicles. chickadees, and woodpeckers, from using those sites. 84 85 BLACKBIRDS & FINCHES

Mary Rumple, Barber Park Mary Rumple, Hulls Gulch Brown-headed Cowbird Bullock’s Oriole (Molothrus ater) (Icterus bullockii)

BLACKBIRDS & FINCHES BLACKBIRDS Identification: 8” – Small, stout bill; short tail. Male Identification: 9” – Male (shown): Face and underparts (shown): Black body, dark-brown head; often appears orange, black eye line and throat. Crown and back entirely black. Female: Dull-brown coloring overall, black, wings black and white. Female: Upperparts often finely streaked with pale throat. olive-gray, underparts yellow and gray. Two white Habitat: All. wing bars. Habitat: Timing: April through mid-September. Riparian zones; large, deciduous trees in suburban and rural habitats. Diet: Seeds, insects. Timing: Late April through early September. Note: Lays its eggs in the nests of other birds, often Diet: reducing the ability of “host” birds to raise any young Insects, berries, nectar. of their own. Note: Builds beautiful hanging, basket-like nests. 86 87 BLACKBIRDS & FINCHES

Daniel Gonzalez, Kathryn Albertson Park / Inset: Warm Springs Park Robert Mortensen, Boise Foothills Red-winged Blackbird Western Meadowlark (Agelaius phoeniceus) (Sturnella neglecta)

BLACKBIRDS & FINCHES BLACKBIRDS Identification: 9” – Male: Black overall, bright red Identification:9.5” – Bright yellow underparts, black patch on each shoulder. Female (inset): Brown with breast band, white outer tail feathers. Upperparts pale dark streaking. brown. Tail appears stubby in flight. Habitat: Marshes, wetlands, canals, river edges. Habitat: Sagebrush steppe, grasslands. Timing: Year-round. Timing: Year-round. Diet: Insects, seeds. Diet: Seeds, insects. Note: As many as 15 females have been observed Note: Females build nests on the ground, sometimes breeding with one male, although many of the with an elaborate entrance tunnel and grassy roof. offspring turn out to be from males in neighboring territories. 88 89 BLACKBIRDS & FINCHES

Virginia Treat, Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve Lew Ulrey, West Bench neighborhood / Inset: Crista Worthy, Hidden Springs Yellow-headed Blackbird American Goldfinch (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) (Spinus tristis)

BLACKBIRDS & FINCHES BLACKBIRDS Identification:9” – Stout, conical bill. Male: Mostly Identification: 5” – Bright yellow to dull brown with black, bright yellow head and breast. White wing white wing bars. Conical, pinkish bill. Breeding male: patch, dark eye ring. Female: (inset) Brown with yellow Bright yellow with black cap and wings. Female (inset): on face and breast. Dull olive. Habitat: Wetlands; shallows of ponds and rivers. Habitat: Urban settings, riparian zones. Timing: March through September; most common in Timing: Year-round. mid-May. Diet: Seeds. Diet: Insects, seeds. Note: Starts breeding when many other species are Note: Often seen in same nesting areas as Red-winged winding down in their nesting cycle (June & July). Blackbirds, which it sometimes displaces. 90 91 BLACKBIRDS & FINCHES

Shutterstock.com Lew Ulrey, West Bench neighborhood Evening Grosbeak House Finch (Coccothraustes vespertinus) (Haemorhous mexicanus)

BLACKBIRDS & FINCHES BLACKBIRDS Identification: 6-7” – Heavy-looking with thick neck Identification: 6” – Upperparts gray-brown with faint and stout, conical bill. Male (shown): Bright yellow streaks, underparts whitish with brown streaks. Male and black, dark head, yellow stripe over eye, white (shown): Head, chest, and rump red; brown cheek wing patch. Female: Gray with white and black wings, patch. Female: Plain brown face. greenish-yellow bill, yellow patch on nape. Habitat: Suburban habitats, woodlands, junipers. Habitat: Urban and suburban habitats, close to bird feeders; coniferous forests. Timing: Year-round. Timing: Year-round; less common in mid-summer. Diet: Seeds, berries. Diet: Seeds, invertebrates. Note: The most ubiquitous, or common, native bird in Note: Powerful bill enables cracking of seeds too large the Boise area. for most songbirds. Forms large, nomadic flocks. 92 93 BLACKBIRDS & FINCHES

Crista Worthy, Hidden Springs / Inset: Lew Ulrey, West Bench neighborhood Lew Ulrey, West Bench neighborhood Lesser Goldfinch Pine Siskin (Spinus psaltria) (Spinus pinus)

BLACKBIRDS & FINCHES BLACKBIRDS Identification:5” – Upperparts greenish, underparts Identification:4-5” – Brown and streaky, subtle yellow yellowish. Wings black with white patches. Male (inset): edgings on wings and tail. Black crown. Habitat: Various types of coniferous and mixed forests; Habitat: Suburban habitats, thickets, weedy fields, also fields and feeders where seeds are plentiful. woodlands, farmlands. Timing: Year-round. Timing: Year-round. Diet: Seeds, especially thistle seeds in feeders. Diet: Seeds, insects. Note: Nomadic species. May be common in an area Note: Unlike American Goldfinch, retains its yellow one year and rare the next. coloration year-round.

94 95 WARBLERS

Lew Ulrey, Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve Mary Rumple, Marianne Williams Park Common Yellowthroat Yellow Warbler WARBLERS (Geothlypis trichas) (Setophaga petechia)

Identification:5” – Upperparts olive, throat and chest Identification: 5” – Yellow overall with greenish-yellow yellow. Male (shown): Black mask with white border. wings and tail. Male (shown): Reddish streaks on chest. Habitat: Marshes, wet meadows and riparian zones Female: Duller yellow, little to no streaking on chest. with heavy cover. Habitat: Wooded areas. Timing: Late April through early October. Timing: Mid-April through September. Diet: Insects. Diet: Insects. Note: One of the first bird species to be formally Note: These small birds are sometimes caught in recognized in the , documented by webs. Carl Linnaeus in 1766.

96 97 WARBLERS

Bob Ellis, Hulls Gulch Mary Rumple, Hulls Gulch Yellow-rumped Warbler Yellow-breasted Chat WARBLERS (Setophaga coronata) (Icteria virens)

Identification: 5.5” – Yellow rump and side patches, Identification:8” – White “spectacles.” Throat and white outer tail feathers. Overall plumage ranges from chest yellow, belly white, upperparts grayish-olive. brown to blue-gray. Throat yellow or white. Male Habitat: Dense scrub and brush habitats. (shown): More brightly colored than female. Timing: Mid-April to late summer. Habitat: Forests, woodlands. Diet: Insects, berries. Timing: Year-round; less common in summer. Note: Collects food with its feet. Song is loud series of Diet: Insects, fruit. chuckles, chortles and whistles. Note: Females build nests using a variety of materials, including fur and feathers.

98 99 SPARROWS & ALLIES

Dan R. Cook, Kathryn Albertson Park / Inset: Robert Whitlatch, Hulls Gulch Dan R. Cook, Kathryn Albertson Park Spotted Towhee Chipping Sparrow (Pipilo maculatus) (Spizella passerina)

SPARROWS & ALLIES SPARROWS Identification:9” – Head, chest, and upperparts black; Identification:5-6” – Bright reddish-brown cap, black sides rusty. Red eyes, white spotting on wings. Long, stripe through eye, white eyebrow. Non-breeding adult black tail. Female similar but grayish-brown where (shown): Plain gray breast, mostly brown overall. male is black. Habitat: Prefers conifers in forests, woodlands, and Habitat: Scrubby areas with dense cover. suburban areas. Timing: Year-round. Timing: April through October. Diet: Insects, seeds, berries. Diet: Seeds, insects. Note: Ground-nesters, females build nests in shallow Note: In winter, can consume up to 70 times its own wells, the rim flush with or just above ground level. weight in food.

100 101 SPARROWS & ALLIES

Daniel Gonzalez, S.W. Boise neighborhood / Inset: Libby Burtner, Hidden Springs Mary Rumple, Kathryn Albertson Park House Sparrow Song Sparrow (Passer domesticus) (Melospiza melodia)

SPARROWS & ALLIES SPARROWS Identification:6-7” – Male (inset): Gray head with Identification:4.5-6.5” – Upperparts reddish-brown white cheeks, black bib, reddish-brown neck. Female: with dark streaking, gray face with dark stripes. Plain yellowish-brown upperparts, grayish underparts. Underparts whitish with heavy streaking, often Habitat: Urban, suburban, near human dwellings in forming a dark spot on center of breast. rural areas. Habitat: Numerous, including riparian, suburban, and Timing: Year-round. desert scrub. Timing: Diet: Seeds, insects. Year-round. Diet: Note: Introduced in New York in the mid-1800s. By Insects, seeds. 1900, it had made its way to the Rocky Mountains and Note: Breeding pairs choose nesting sites together, is now common over most of North America. preferring hidden locations in grasses and trees. 102 103 SPARROWS & ALLIES

Mary Rumple, Marianne Williams Park Dan R. Cook, Kathryn Albertson Park White-crowned Sparrow Black-headed Grosbeak (Zonotrichia leucophrys) (Pheucticus melanocephalus)

SPARROWS & ALLIES SPARROWS Identification:6” – Streaky brown upperparts, plain Identification:8” – Male (shown): Orange-brown with gray underparts. Adult (shown): Black and white crown black head. Wings black and white. Female: Upper- stripes. Young: Brown crown stripes. parts brown, underparts streaked, tan eyebrow. Habitat: Open, brushy habitat with grasses. Habitat: Riparian zones, forests. Timing: September to May. Timing: May through September. Diet: Seeds, buds, grass, fruit, . Diet: Insects, seeds, berries. Note: Famous for its song “dialects,” whereby Note: Males do not get adult plumage until they are subpopulations share songs that differ from each two years old. In their first year, males may appear to other. be female.

104 105 SPARROWS & ALLIES

Mary Rumple, Kathryn Albertson Park / Inset: S.E. Boise neighborhood Shutterstock.com Dark-eyed Junco Western Tanager (Junco hyemalis) (Piranga ludoviciana)

SPARROWS & ALLIES SPARROWS Identification:6” – Pink bill, white outer tail feathers, Identification:7” – Dark eye; short, thick bill. Male pinkish-brown sides. Male (inset): Dark head. Female: (shown): Striking red crown and chin, orange throat, Head light brownish-gray to glossy black, lighter yellow body. Wings are black with two light-colored overall. wing bars; black tail. Female: Yellow head and body, Habitat: Suburban settings. gray wings with light wing bars, gray tail. Habitat: Timing: Year-round; much more common in winter. Forests, woodlands, parks, orchards. Timing: May through September. Diet: Seeds, arthropods, fruit. Diet: Note: Moves to higher-elevation forests to nest and Insects, fruit, seeds. migrates down-slope to winter. Note: Red coloration likely comes from pigment of insects in its diet. 106 107 Crista Worthy, Hidden Springs Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena)

SPARROWS & ALLIES SPARROWS Identification:6” – Male (shown): Head and upperparts turquoise-blue, chest cinnamon, underparts white. Two white wing bars. Female: Upperparts brown, underparts paler brown. Two pale wing bars and pale eye ring. Habitat: Tall shrubs and saplings near open areas. Timing: Late April through mid-September. Diet: Seeds, insects. Note: Young males often copy the songs of neighboring males, creating similar dialects.

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