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Avimor Bird Guide

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Avimor Bird Guide AVIMOR BIRD GUIDE BIRD SPECIES WHEN you might see these birds in SW Idaho WHERE/HOW you might listed in taxonomic order see these birds at Avimor Species in bold black lettering have been Scale: None-to-Abundant by Month recorded at Avimor Tundra/Trumpeter Swan J F M A M J J A S O N D Most likely to be seen flying over Avimor in late winter or early spring. Canada Goose J F M A M J J A S O N D Regularly seen and heard flying over during migration. Occasional visitors to the Avimor Town Center Lake and surrounding grassy areas, or foraging in fields. Snow & Ross's Goose J F M A M J J A S O N D A rare treat to be seen flying over in late winter or early spring in large flocks of white geese with black wing tips. Wood Duck JFMAMJJASOND Have been seen a few times at Avimor Town Center ponds and along the creek. Mallard JFMAMJJASOND Regular visitors to Avimor ponds and streams. Females are same shape and size, but indistinctly brown. Confirmed nesters at Avimor, so watch for ducklings! If you see a bird that has not yet been seen at Avimor or that is not in this guide, please contact Robert at [email protected] AVIMOR BIRD GUIDE American Wigeon JFMAMJJASOND Hundreds regularly visit ponds and grassy areas in the Eagle area. Often seen foraging on the grass. *Not yet seen at Avimor* Cinnamon Teal JFMAMJJASOND A pair was seen in Spring 2014 in the shallow pond at the Twisted Spring Trailhead. Ring-necked Duck JFMAMJJASOND Only seen once at Avimor in the Avimor Town Lake. Keep an eye out, we may see more! Lesser Scaup JFMAMJJASOND These ducks are seen in ponds around the Treasure Valley, especially in fall and winter months into spring. *Not yet seen at Avimor* Bufflehead JFMAMJJASOND Seen only once so far at the Avimor Town Center ponds in late 2013. Common Merganser JFMAMJJASOND Seen flying over Avimor in March 2013. Regulars in rivers and lakes in the region, but most likely to be seen flying over Avimor. If you see a bird that has not yet been seen at Avimor or that is not in this guide, please contact Robert at [email protected] AVIMOR BIRD GUIDE California Quail J F M A M J J A S O N D Quail are seen regularly at Avimor both in backyards, along the creeks, and they can show up just about anywhere in large flocks. They are also a known nesting bird here. Gray Partridge J F M A M J J A S O N D Avimor is one of the most reliable locations in Idaho to find Gray Partridge, sometimes called Hungarian Partridge or Huns. They are also a known nesting bird here. Ring-necked Pheasant J F M A M J J A S O N D Pheasants are more often heard than seen at Avimor, but they may be found in the ag fields or other flatlands. Ruffed Grouse J F M A M J J A S O N D While a rare occurance, you might happen upon a covey of Ruffed Grouse about anywhere at Avimor. Dusky Grouse J F M A M J J A S O N D While a rare occurance, you might happen upon a covey of Dusky Grouse along about anywhere at Avimor. *Not yet seen at Avimor* Wild Turkey J F M A M J J A S O N D Wild Turkey's are known to show up now and then at Avimor. Not very predictable, but be on the look-out. Usually seen and heard around the historic Healy Toll Gate area. If you see a bird that has not yet been seen at Avimor or that is not in this guide, please contact Robert at [email protected] AVIMOR BIRD GUIDE Peafowl J F M A M J J A S O N D Peafowl are not considered an established bird species, but there are a couple of wandering peafowl at Avimor that you might come across. Escapees from someones hobby farm. Pied-billed Grebe J F M A M J J A S O N D It is only a matter of time before Pied- billed Grebes show up on one of Avimor ponds. *Not yet seen at Avimor* American White Pelican J F M A M J J A S O N D Have been seen a couple of times as fly-overs only. Double-crested Cormorant J F M A M J J A S O N D Cormorants may be seen fishing in ponds or perched on snags. They are seen regularly around ponds in Eagle. *Not yet seen at Avimor* Great Blue Heron J F M A M J J A S O N D Great Blue Herons have been seen along the creeks and at ponds stalking fish, and even in fields hunting rodents. Black-crowned Night Heron J F M A M J J A S O N D A very surprising find at Avimor. Only seen once in May 2015 in the cottonwoods on the south end of Heritage Park. If you see a bird that has not yet been seen at Avimor or that is not in this guide, please contact Robert at [email protected] AVIMOR BIRD GUIDE Turkey Vulture J F M A M J J A S O N D Turkey Vultures can be seen soaring over Avimor between Spring and Fall, especially during migration when they form large groups called "kettles". They may perch in trees too. Osprey J F M A M J J A S O N D Osprey nest platforms are common along the Boise River and adjacent ponds. Occasionally one will be hunting fish at Avimor ponds. Golden Eagle J F M A M J J A S O N D Golden Eagles have been seen soaring over Avimor several times. They are huge compared to other birds of prey. Look for the golden feathers on the back of the neck. Northern Harrier J F M A M J J A S O N D Watch for them flying low while hunting over the fields and hills. Look for the white rump patch. Females are brown and males are grayish with white underneath. Sharp-shinned Hawk J F M A M J J A S O N D This is the bird most likely to be hunting other birds at your feeders. Very similar in appearance to Cooper's Hawks, but generally smaller, especially the relative head size. Cooper's Hawk J F M A M J J A S O N D You're a bit more likely to see Cooper's Hawks in winter and they, like the similar appearing Sharp- shinned Hawk may take birds at your feeder. If you see a bird that has not yet been seen at Avimor or that is not in this guide, please contact Robert at [email protected] AVIMOR BIRD GUIDE Northern Goshawk J F M A M J J A S O N D A close relative of the Sharp-shinned and Cooper's hawks, Goshawks are occasionally seen in the Boise & Eagle foothills. Bald Eagle J F M A M J J A S O N D Bald Eagles may be seen occasionaly flying over Avimor. Younger birds may not show the white head and tail yet. Can be seen along river in Horseshoe Bend or along Boise River. Red-shouldered Hawk J F M A M J J A S O N D Seen occasionally along the Boise River. *Not yet seen at Avimor* Broad-winged Hawk J F M A M J J A S O N D Rarely seen over the Boise foothills during fall migration. Reported almost every year from the Intermountain Bird Observatory on Lucky Peak. *Not yet seen at Avimor* Swainson's Hawk J F M A M J J A S O N D Very common at Avimor during the spring and summer. We've watched several nests succeed and some fail over the last few years. Red-tailed Hawk J F M A M J J A S O N D Very common at Avimor year round. Highly variable in color pattern. Look for the black shoulder patch when in flight. Avimor also has dark morphs. If you see a bird that has not yet been seen at Avimor or that is not in this guide, please contact Robert at [email protected] AVIMOR BIRD GUIDE Ferruginous Hawk J F M A M J J A S O N D Seen just a few times at Avimor. Make sure to check out each hawk closely as not everything will be a Red-tailed Hawk or a Swainson's Hawk. Rough-legged Hawk J F M A M J J A S O N D One of our winter hawks. Typically smaller than Red-tailes. Notice the dark patch what we might call the wrists of the underwing. Virginia Rail J F M A M J J A S O N D Rails are pretty secretive, but they've been seen a few times at Avimor in dense cover along a couple of the creeks and may be seen in any marshy area. Sora J F M A M J J A S O N D Another secretive rail. We're hoping to see one along the creeks or in marshy areas. *Not yet seen at Avimor* American Coot J F M A M J J A S O N D Coots are regularly seen in ponds and bodies of water around the Treasure Valley, but only seen once at Avimor so far.
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