DOCSLIB.ORG

Montana Owl Workshop

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Montana Owl Workshop MONTANA OWL WORKSHOP APRIL 25–30, 2021 LEADER: DENVER HOLT LIST COMPILED BY: DENVER HOLT VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS, INC. 2525 WALLINGWOOD DRIVE, SUITE 1003 AUSTIN, TEXAS 78746 WWW.VENTBIRD.COM MONTANA OWL WORKSHOP APRIL 25–30, 2021 By Denver Holt The winter of 2021 was relatively mild, with only one big storm in October and one cold snap in February. In fact, Great Horned Owls began nesting at the onset of this cold snap. Our female at the ORI field station began laying eggs and incubating. For almost a week the temperature dropped from about 20 degrees F to 10, then 0, then minus 10, minus 15, and eventually minus 28 degrees below zero. Meanwhile, the male roosted nearby and provided his mate with food while she incubated eggs. Eventually, the pair raised three young to fledging. Our group was able to see the entire family. By late February to early March, an influx of Short-eared Owls occurred. I had never seen anything like it. Hundreds of Short-eared Owls arrived in the valley. Flocks of 15, 20, 35, 50, and 70 were regularly reported by ranchers, birders, photographers, and others. And, in one evening I counted 90, of which 73 were roosting on fence posts and counted at one time. By mid-to-late March, however, except for Great Horned Owls, other owl species numbers dropped significantly. We found only one individual Long-eared Owl and zero nests in our Missoula study site. It’s been many, many years since we have not found a nest in Missoula. Last year (2020) we had 15 nests. Nonetheless, our group was able to find a Northern Pygmy-Owl singing near a potential nest cavity. Although perched very high in the trees, we had some fine looks with the spotting scope. On one evening we went to survey for Western Screech-Owls. To our surprise, the owl was already singing when we arrived. The owl sang for about 15 minutes, but unfortunately, we never saw it. It was only the second time we have found this species on the workshop. During our day searching for cavity-nesting owls, we were lucky enough to see a female Northern Saw-whet Owl poke its head out of a nest hole. This cavity, made by a Pileated Woodpecker, is a common-sized hole for Saw-whet Owls in our area. Indeed, what a treat to see a Saw-whet in a natural cavity, as most studies use nest boxes. On another evening, we ventured out to observe the Short-eared Owl courtship flights, also known as sky dancing. We were rewarded with an outstanding show of Short-eared courtship flights hundreds, if not 1,000 feet above the ground. At one time, three Short-eared’s were courting at the same time. We also observed many territorial skirmishes between many males, which take place at lower altitudes. All of us were able to hear the courtship hooting and the wing-clapping sounds produced during the owls’ shallow dives. On our last day, our scouting team reported there were no Boreal Owls in our nest boxes—our traditional last day event. In fact, Boreal Owls have not nested in the last three years. So we took a chance, and as one participant noted, we did a “forced march” through the heart of Grizzly Bear habitat in search of Great Gray Owls. Our spring surveys suggested a potential nest area. Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 2 Montana Owl Workshop, 2021 We hiked for about 40 minutes through spruce bogs, marshes, and mucky habitat. The group looked and listened for signs of the owls. We scanned old stick nests, mistletoe configurations, and broken-topped old dead snags (trees). Soon, one of our group spotted an owl on top of a snag. Indeed, there was a nesting Great Gray Owl, and she had at least two chicks we could see. After 30 minutes of observations, we marched out. A great ending to a great trip! COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME 1 Waterfowl Anatidae 2 Snow Goose Anser caerulescens x 3 Ross's Goose Anser rossii 4 Canada Goose Branta canadensis x 5 Trumpeter Swan Cygnus buccinator x 6 Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata x 7 Gadwall Mareca strepera x 8 American Wigeon Mareca americana x 9 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos x 10 Northern Pintail Anas acuta 11 Green-winged Teal Anas crecca x 12 Canvasback Aythya valisineria 13 Redhead Aythya americana x 14 Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris x 15 Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis x 16 Bufflehead Bucephala albeola x 17 Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula 18 Barrow's Goldeneye Bucephala islandica x 19 Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus x 20 Common Merganser Mergus merganser x 21 Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis x 22 Pheasants, Grouse & Allies Phasianidae 23 Ring-necked Pheasant (I) Phasianus colchicus x 24 Gray Partridge (I) Perdix perdix x 25 Ruffed Grouse Bonasa umbellus H 26 Grebes Podicipedidae 27 Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps 28 Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus 29 Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena 30 Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis 31 Western Grebe Aechmophorus occidentalis x 32 Pigeons and Doves Columbidae 33 Rock Pigeon (I) Columba livia x 34 Eurasian Collared-Dove (I) Streptopelia decaocto x 35 Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura 36 Swifts Apodidae 37 White-throated Swift Aeronautes saxatalis 38 Rails, Gallinules & Coots Rallidae 39 Virginia Rail Rallus limicola 40 Sora Porzana carolina 41 American Coot Fulica americana x 42 Cranes Gruidae 43 Sandhill Crane Antigone canadensis x 44 45 46 Stilts & Avocets Recurvirostridae 47 Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus x 48 American Avocet Recurvirostra americana x 49 Plovers and Lapwings Charadriidae 50 Killdeer Charadrius vociferus x 51 Sandpipers & Allies Scolopacidae 52 Long-billed Curlew Numenius americanus 53 Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus x 54 Wilson's Snipe Gallinago delicata x 55 Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius 56 Gulls, Terns & Skimmers Laridae 57 Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis x 58 California Gull Larus californicus 59 Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia x 60 Loons Gaviidae 61 Common Loon Gavia immer 62 Cormorants Phalacrocoracidae 63 Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus x 64 Pelicans Pelecanidae 65 American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos x 66 Herons, Egrets & Bitterns Ardeidae 67 Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias x 68 New World Vultures Cathartidae 69 Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura x 70 Osprey Pandionidae 71 Osprey Pandion haliaetus x 72 Hawks, Eagles & Kites Accipitridae 73 Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos x 74 Northern Harrier Circus hudsonius x 75 Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus x 76 Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii 77 Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis 78 Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 4 Montana Owl Workshop, 2021 Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus x 79 Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni x 80 Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis x 81 Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus x 82 Owls Strigidae 83 Western Screech-Owl Megascops kennicottii H 84 Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus x 85 Northern Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium gnoma x 86 Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia 87 Great Gray Owl Strix nebulosa x 88 Long-eared Owl Asio otus x 89 Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus x 90 91 Boreal Owl Aegolius funereus 92 Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus x 93 Woodpeckers Picidae 94 Williamson's Sapsucker Sphyrapicus thyroideus x 95 Red-naped Sapsucker Sphyrapicus nuchalis x 96 Lewis's Woodpecker Melanerpes lewis 97 Downy Woodpecker Dryobates pubescens x 98 Hairy Woodpecker Dryobates villosus 99 Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus x 100 Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus 101 Falcons & Caracaras Falconidae 102 American Kestrel Falco sparverius x 103 Merlin Falco columbarius x 104 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 105 Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus 106 Tyrant Flycatchers Tyrannidae 107 Say's Phoebe Sayornis saya x 108 Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis 109 Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus 110 Crows, Jays & Magpies Corvidae 111 Canada Jay Perisoreus canadensis x 112 Steller's Jay Cyanocitta stelleri 113 Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata H 114 Black-billed Magpie x 115 Clark's Nutcracker Nucifraga columbiana 116 American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos x 117 Common Raven Corvus corax x 118 Tits, Chickadees, & Titmice Paridae 119 Black-capped Chickadee Poecile atricapillus x 120 Mountain Chickadee Poecile gambeli x 121 Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 5 Montana Owl Workshop, 2021 Chestnut-backed Chickadee Poecile rufescens 122 Larks Alaudidae 123 Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris 124 Swallows Hirundinidae 125 Bank Swallow Riparia riparia 126 Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor x 127 Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina x 128 Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis x 129 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica x 130 Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota x 131 Kinglets Regulidae 132 Golden-crowned Kinglet Regulus satrapa x 133 Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula x 134 135 136 Nuthatches Sittidae 137 Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta canadensis x 138 White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis x 139 Pygmy Nuthatch Sitta pygmaea 140 Treecreepers Certhiidae 141 Brown Creeper Certhia americana 142 Wrens Troglodytidae 143 House Wren Troglodytes aedon 144 Pacific Wren Troglodytes pacificus x 145 Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris 146 Dippers Cinclidae 147 American Dipper Cinclus mexicanus 148 Starlings Sturnidae 149 European Starling (I) Sturnus vulgaris x 150 Mockingbirds & Thrashers Mimidae 151 Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis 152 Thrushes & Allies Turdidae 153 Mountain Bluebird Sialia currucoides x 154 Townsend's Solitaire Myadestes townsendi 155 Varied Thrush Ixoreus naevius 156 Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus 157 American Robin Turdus migratorius x 158 Waxwings Bombycillidae 159 Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum 160 Old World Sparrows Passeridae 161 House Sparrow (I) Passer domesticus x 162
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Genetic Structure of the North American Porcupine (Erethizon Dorsatum) Across Western Texas
    GENETIC STRUCTURE OF THE NORTH AMERICAN PORCUPINE (ERETHIZON DORSATUM) ACROSS WESTERN TEXAS by Erica D. Thomas A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree MASTER OF SCIENCE Major Subject: Biology West Texas A&M University Canyon, Texas December 2017 Approved: Rocky Ward, PhD Date Chairman, Thesis Committee W. David Sissom, PhD Date Member, Thesis Committee William P. Johnson, M.S. Date Member, Thesis Committee W. David Sissom, PhD Date Department Head Dean, Academic College Date Angela N. Spaulding Date Dean, Graduate School ii ABSTRACT The North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) is a highly mobile, generalist species with an extensive geographical distribution in North America. The porcupine was first documented in southwestern Texas in the early 20th century, but today occurs in most of the western two-thirds of the state. This species is relatively unstudied within the Great Plains ecoregion of North America, with no genetic studies having been conducted for this species in Texas. The objectives of this study were to describe population genetic metrics of porcupines across 3 ecoregions in western Texas by examining variation in 17 polymorphic microsatellites, and to confirm the applicability of the zinc finger protein sequencing method to identify sex in a population of North American porcupines. Tissue samples from 106 porcupines were collected from the High Plains, Rolling Plains, and Edwards Plateau ecoregions of western Texas. Sex was accurately identified for 92 porcupine tissue samples by directly sequencing a short portion (195 base pairs) of the zinc finger protein gene. Sixteen base pair substitutions between Zfx and Zfy chromosomes denoted the sex of individuals; heterozygous sequence for males (Zfx and Zfy), homozygous sequence for females (Zfx only).
    [Show full text]
  • Response to CEQA Comments
    Attachment 7: Response to CEQA comments Responses to verbal comments received during the 03/14/2019 Planning Commission Hearing on the Public Draft IS/MND/IEC document Comment Jeff Marcus -1 (PCE groundwater contamination and the Tahoe Asphalt Plant) Mr. Marcus stated concern about snow removal and American Disability Act (ADA) access. Mr. Marcus discussed general concern about repaving and dust control actions at the Tahoe Asphalt Plant, and stated concern about groundwater contamination, more specifically the health dangers of PCE. Lead Agency Response to Jeff Marcus (Verbal Comments 03/14/2019) The comments presented are not specific to the Project or project area. City general snow removal actions are part of the Operations and Maintenance Program. ADA access ramps are constructed with City-managed sidewalk and bike trail projects. Dust control measures must comply with El Dorado County Air Quality Management District Rule 223. The PCE contamination plume originates at Lake Tahoe Laundry Works at the Raley's Center and has migrated north towards Lake Tahoe (and remains outside of the Greenbelt and Bonanza portions of the project area) and at depths that extend below any 5-8 foot excavations that may be necessary for stormwater improvements on the north side of US Highway 50, should the plume direction change. Melanie Greene of Cardno, the firm that prepared the project-level analysis and environmental document, spoke to the information presented by Mr. Marcus related to PCE groundwater contamination, confirming that the Project posed no risk of exposing PCE contaminated groundwater. The South Tahoe “Y” PCE investigation and remediation efforts are in an adjacent catchment (west of the project boundary) and is a groundwater contamination issue from past use of dry cleaning solvents and metal degreasers containing tetrachloroethylene (PCE).
    [Show full text]
  • Vancouver Island Marmot
    Vancouver Island Marmot Restricted to the mountains of Vancouver Island, this endangered species is one of the rarest animals in North America. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks move between colonies can have a profound one basket” situation puts the Vancouver impact on the entire population. Island Marmot at considerable risk of Vancouver Island Marmots have disap- extinction. peared from about two-thirds of their his- Why are Vancouver Island torical natural range within the past several What is their status? Marmots at risk? decades and their numbers have declined by urveys of known and potential colony he Vancouver Island Marmot exists about 70 percent in the last 10 years. The sites from 1982 through 1986 resulted in nowhere in the world except Vancouver 1998 population consisted of fewer than 100 counts of up to 235 marmots. Counts Island.Low numbers and extremely local- individuals, making this one of the rarest Srepeated from 1994 through 1998 turned Tized distribution put them at risk. Human mammals in North America. Most of the up only 71 to 103 animals in exactly the same activities, bad weather, predators, disease or current population is concentrated on fewer areas. At least 12 colony extinctions have sheer bad luck could drive this unique animal than a dozen mountains in a small area of occurred since the 1980s. Only two new to extinction in the blink of an eye. about 150 square kilometres on southern colonies were identified during the 1990s. For thousands of years, Vancouver Island Vancouver Island. Estimating marmot numbers is an Marmots have been restricted to small Causes of marmot disappearances imprecise science since counts undoubtedly patches of suitable subalpine meadow from northern Vancouver Island remain underestimate true abundance.
    [Show full text]
  • Wolverines in Idaho 2014–2019
    Management Plan for the Conservation of Wolverines in Idaho 2014–2019 Prepared by IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME July 2014 2 Idaho Department of Fish & Game Recommended Citation: Idaho Department of Fish and Game. 2014. Management plan for the conservation of wolverines in Idaho. Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Boise, USA. Idaho Department of Fish and Game – Wolverine Planning Team: Becky Abel – Regional Wildlife Diversity Biologist, Southeast Region Bryan Aber – Regional Wildlife Biologist, Upper Snake Region Scott Bergen PhD – Senior Wildlife Research Biologist, Statewide, Pocatello William Bosworth – Regional Wildlife Biologist, Southwest Region Rob Cavallaro – Regional Wildlife Diversity Biologist, Upper Snake Region Rita D Dixon PhD – State Wildlife Action Plan Coordinator, Headquarters Diane Evans Mack – Regional Wildlife Diversity Biologist, McCall Subregion Sonya J Knetter – Wildlife Diversity Program GIS Analyst, Headquarters Zach Lockyer – Regional Wildlife Biologist, Southeast Region Michael Lucid – Regional Wildlife Diversity Biologist, Panhandle Region Joel Sauder PhD – Regional Wildlife Diversity Biologist, Clearwater Region Ben Studer – Web and Digital Communications Lead, Headquarters Leona K Svancara PhD – Spatial Ecology Program Lead, Headquarters Beth Waterbury – Team Leader & Regional Wildlife Diversity Biologist, Salmon Region Craig White PhD – Regional Wildlife Manager, Southwest Region Ross Winton – Regional Wildlife Diversity Biologist, Magic Valley Region Additional copies: Additional copies can be downloaded from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game website at fishandgame.idaho.gov/wolverine-conservation-plan Front Cover Photo: Composite photo: Wolverine photo by AYImages; background photo of the Beaverhead Mountains, Lemhi County, Idaho by Rob Spence, Greater Yellowstone Wolverine Program, Wildlife conservation Society. Back Cover Photo: Release of Wolverine F4, a study animal from the Central Idaho Winter Recreation/Wolverine Project, from a live trap north of McCall, 2011.
    [Show full text]
  • Distribution and Abundance of Hoary Marmots in North Cascades National Park Complex, Washington, 2007-2008
    National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Distribution and Abundance of Hoary Marmots in North Cascades National Park Complex, Washington, 2007-2008 Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NOCA/NRTR—2012/593 ON THE COVER Hoary Marmot (Marmota caligata) Photograph courtesy of Roger Christophersen, North Cascades National Park Complex Distribution and Abundance of Hoary Marmots in North Cascades National Park Complex, Washington, 2007-2008 Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NOCA/NRTR—2012/593 Roger G. Christophersen National Park Service North Cascades National Park Complex 810 State Route 20 Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284 June 2012 U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Fort Collins, Colorado The National Park Service, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science office in Fort Collins, Colorado publishes a range of reports that address natural resource topics of interest and applicability to a broad audience in the National Park Service and others in natural resource management, including scientists, conservation and environmental constituencies, and the public. The Natural Resource Technical Report Series is used to disseminate results of scientific studies in the physical, biological, and social sciences for both the advancement of science and the achievement of the National Park Service mission. The series provides contributors with a forum for displaying comprehensive data that are often deleted from journals because of page limitations. All manuscripts in the series receive the appropriate level of peer review to ensure that the information is scientifically credible, technically accurate, appropriately written for the intended audience, and designed and published in a professional manner.
    [Show full text]
  • Mammals of the Finger Lakes ID Guide
    A Guide for FL WATCH Camera Trappers John Van Niel, Co-PI CCURI and FLCC Professor Nadia Harvieux, Muller Field Station K-12 Outreach Sasha Ewing, FLCC Conservation Department Technician Past and present students at FLCC Virginia Opossum Eastern Coyote Eastern Cottontail Domestic Dog Beaver Red Fox Muskrat Grey Fox Woodchuck Bobcat Eastern Gray Squirrel Feral Cat Red Squirrel American Black Bear Eastern Chipmunk Northern Raccoon Southern Flying Squirrel Striped Skunk Peromyscus sp. North American River Otter North American Porcupine Fisher Brown Rat American Mink Weasel sp. White-tailed Deer eMammal uses the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for common and scientific names (with the exception of Domestic Dog) Often the “official” common name of a species is longer than we are used to such as “American Black Bear” or “Northern Raccoon” Please note that it is Grey Fox with an “e” but Eastern Gray Squirrel with an “a”. Face white, body whitish to dark gray. Typically nocturnal. Found in most habitats. About Domestic Cat size. Can climb. Ears and tail tip can show frostbite damage. Very common. Found in variety of habitats. Images are often blurred due to speed. White tail can overexpose in flash. Snowshoe Hare (not shown) is possible in higher elevations. Large, block-faced rodent. Common in aquatic habitats. Note hind feet – large and webbed. Flat tail. When swimming, can be confused with other semi-aquatic mammals. Dark, naked tail. Body brown to blackish (darker when wet). Football-sized rodent. Common in wet habitats. Usually doesn’t stray from water. Pointier face than Beaver.
    [Show full text]
  • Common Tracks of Southeast Alaska
    COMMON TRACKS OF SOUTHEAST ALASKA A naturalist’s guide to our most “trackable” mammals and birds: where to find them and how to read their sign. Richard Carstensen 2013 for Discovery Southeast Alaska Dept of Fish and Game & Juneau Audubon Society TRACKING HABITATS muddy beaches stream yards & trails mudflat banks buildings keen’s mouse* red-backed vole* long-tailed vole* red squirrel beaver porcupine shrews* snowshoe hare* black-tailed deer domestic dog house cat black bear short-t. weasel* mink marten* river otter * Light-footed. Tracks usually found only on snow. ISBN: 978-0-9853474-0-6# 2013 text & illustrations © Discovery Southeast Printed by Alaska Litho Juneau, Alaska 1 CONTENTS DISCOVERY SOUTHEAST ........................................................... 2 ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME ............................... 3 PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION ............................................ 5 TRACKING BASICS: LINGO, GAITS ......................................... 10 SCIENTIFIC NAMES ................................................................ 16 MAMMAL TRACK DESCRIPTIONS ............................................ 18 BIRD TRACK DESCRIPTIONS .................................................. 35 AMPHIBIANS .......................................................................... 40 OTHER MAMMALS ................................................................... 41 OTHER BIRDS ......................................................................... 45 RECOMMENDED FIELD
    [Show full text]
  • Rare, Threatened & Endangered Animals of Maryland
    Rare, Threatened & Endangered Animals of Maryland - Wildlife and Heri... http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/Plants_Wildlife/rte/rteanimals.asp The reports included in this content area identify those native Maryland plants that are among the rarest and most in need of conservation efforts as elements of our State's natural diversity. It includes species occurring in Maryland that are listed or candidates for listing on the Federal list of Endangered Species list, and additional species that are considered rare by the Maryland Wildlife and Heritage Service. Compiled by Wildlife and Heritage Service staff, these lists of rare species is a result of 18 years of data gathering from numerous sources, such as museums and private collections, scientific literature, unpublished documents, reports from biologists and amateur naturalists. Explanation of Rank and Status Codes (/wildlife/Plants_Wildlife/rte/pdfs /rank_status.pdf) (Adobe Acrobat file) Rare, Threatened and Endangered Animals of Maryland (/wildlife /Plants_Wildlife/rte/pdfs/rte_Animal_List.pdf) (Adobe Acrobat file) Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species of Maryland Plants & Animals Listed by County (Adobe Acrobat files) Allegany County (/wildlife/Plants_Wildlife/rte/pdfs/rtealle.pdf) Anne Arundel County (/wildlife/Plants_Wildlife/rte/pdfs/rteanne.pdf) Baltimore City (/wildlife/Plants_Wildlife/rte/pdfs/rtebaltcity.pdf) Baltimore County (/wildlife/Plants_Wildlife/rte/pdfs/rtebaltco.pdf) Calvert County (/wildlife/Plants_Wildlife/rte/pdfs/rtecalvert.pdf) Caroline County (/wildlife/Plants_Wildlife/rte/pdfs/rtecaroline.pdf)
    [Show full text]
  • Wildlife Species List Mourning Dove Zenaida Macroura
    Wildlife Species List Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura Order: Strigiformes (Nocturnal Flesh Eaters) Northeast Nevada – Units 106 Family: Tytonidae (Barn Owls) Barn Owl Tyto alba (Subalpine Coniferous, P-J, Sagebrush Family: Strigidae (Owls) Steppe, Salt Desert Scrub Habitat, Some Flammulated Owl Otus flammeolus Western Screech-Owl Otus kennicottii Limited Riparian) Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus Northern Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium gnoma Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia Long-eared Owl Asio otus Birds Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus Order: Ciconiiformes (Long-leg Waders, etc) Order: Caprimulgiformes (Night Jars) Family: Cathartidae (New World Vultures) Family: Caprimulgidae (Goatsuckers) Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor California Condor Gymnogyps californianus(L.E.) Common Poorwill Phalaenoptilus nuttallii Order: Falconiformes (Diurnal Flesh Eaters) Order: Apodiformes (Small Fast Fliers) Family: Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, Osprey) Family: Apodidae (Swifts) Bald Eagle Haliaetus leucocephalus White-throated Swift Aeronautes saxatalis Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus Family: Trochilidae (Hummingbirds) Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus Black-chinned Hummingbird Archilochus alexandri Cooper’s Hawk Accipiter cooperii Broad-tailed Hummingbird Selasphorus platycercus Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus Order: Piciformes (Cavity Builders) Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni Family: Picidae (Woodpeckers) Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis Lewis’
    [Show full text]
  • American Marten, Fisher
    Chapter 3 Fisher Roger A. Powell, Department of Zoology, College of Agriculture & Life Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina William J. Zielinski, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Arcata, California INTRODUCTION guard hairs are noticeably shorter than during the rest of the year, giving fishers a sleek appearance. Natural History Fishers have five toes on all four feet. Their claws are retractable but not sheathed. Fishers are planti- The fisher (Martes pennanti) is a medium-size mam- grade and their feet are large. There are pads on each malian carnivore and the largest member of the ge- toe and four central pads, one each behind digits 1, 2 nus Martes (Anderson 1970) of the family Mustelidae and 3, 4, and 5, on each foot. From the central pads in the order Carnivora. The genus Martes includes to the heels of the hindpaws, there are coarse hairs five or six other extant species. The fisher has the covering tough skin. The small, circular patches of general body build of a stocky weasel and is long, coarse hair on the central pads of the hindpaws are thin, and set low to the ground. A fisher's head is associated with plantar glands and carry an odor triangular with a pronounced muzzle, its ears are distinctly different from other fisher odors (Buskirk large but rounded, and its eyes face largely forward at al. 1986; Powell 1977, 1981a, 1993). Because these (Douglas and Strickland 1987). Adult male fishers patches enlarge on both males and females during generally weigh between 3.5 and 5.5 kg and are be- the breeding season (Frost and Krohn, unpubl.
    [Show full text]
  • Critter Class Porcupines
    Critter Class Porcupines North American Porcupine October 6, 2011 MVK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2y4cQEEyuTw Porcupine Comment: How absolutely precious! I love him!!! Comment: The baby looked so soft and cute, not what I would have thought Cute video Comment: Porcupine. Yippee!! Hi MVK. How was your day today?? Comment: Awwww toooo cute!!! Comment: How cute is that! Comment: OUCH! Comment: Evening MVK and EN - Porcupines - wow - funny little critters or what!!! Good choice♥♥♥ Critter Class – Porcupine 1 10/6/2011 Comment: Oh my goodness -----how cute is that baby porcupine!! I really don't know much about them. He was using his paws so well. Do they have thumbs like raccoons? Comment: Oh my word, isn't that baby cute! And such a dainty eater! Comment: Is that a porcupine? Pulled many of quills from my dogs. Comment: Oh, one of my favorite animals. I love our type, and those snazzy African ones whose head look like they are wearing a fancy Parisian hat. I just love porcupines! MVK: Porcupines have soft hair, but on their back, sides, and tail it is usually mixed with sharp quills. These quills typically lie flat until a porcupine is threatened, then leap to attention as a persuasive deterrent. Porcupines cannot shoot them at predators as once thought, but the quills do detach easily when touched. from National Geographic MVK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYC0IYuOYLw&NR=1 MVK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqc5jJQwVu8&feature=relmfu MVK: This little porcupine's mother was hit and killed by a car.
    [Show full text]
  • Fur Color Diversity in Marmots
    Ethology Ecology & Evolution 21: 183-194, 2009 Fur color diversity in marmots Kenneth B. ArmitAge Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045-7534, USA (E-mail: [email protected]) Received 6 September 2008, accepted 19 May 2009 Fur color that differs from the typical shades of brown and gray occurs in eight species of marmots. Albinism generally is rare whereas melanism is more common. Melanism may persist in some populations at low frequencies averaging 16.1% in M. monax and in M. flaviventris for as long as 80 years. White (not albino) and “bluish” marmots generally are rare, but a population of white M. marmota persisted for at least 10 years. Four species are characterized as having pelages of “extreme colors”; M. caudata, red; M. vancouverensis, dark brown; M. caligata, white; M. bai- bacina, gray. Fur is involved in heat transfer between the marmot and its environment. Heat transfer depends on fur structure (fur depth, hair length, density, and diameter), on fur spectral properties (absorptivity, reflectivity), and on the thermal environment (temperature, wind speed, radiation). Heat transfer is highly sensitive to solar radiation. Metabolic rates calculated from the fur model corresponded closely with measured values at ambient temperatures ≤ 20 °C. Solar radiation can either provide heat that could reduce metabolism or thermally stress a marmot. M. fla- viventris orients towards the sun when solar radiation is low and reduces exposure when it is high. Light fur reduces and dark fur color increases absorptivity. I hypothesize that fur color functions primarily in heat trans- fer.
    [Show full text]