Birds

This broad-winged hawk surveys monument land from a birch tree

NPS/ Anne Longman

Do you hear that? A tweet, a hoot, or a honk? The monument has approximately 171 recorded species of birds and never reaches complete silence as hundreds of unique avian (of or relating to birds) species sing. Birds play a crucial role in the forest by eating bugs, fish, reptiles, rodents, berries, and seeds. Their diet helps the ecosystem by spreading seeds and aiding insect control by snacking on bugs.

Types of Birds

 

A black and white warbler watches the camera from a tree branch.

NPS/ Anne Longman

Songbirds

Katahdin Woods and Waters is home to many marvelous songbirds, making it a coveted spot for birding. Sparrows, nuthatches, jays, and hundreds more species make an environment full of sound. Try standing quietly in the monument, and record what you hear. Recording sounds and sharing photos is a way visitors to participate in community science.

 

A juvenile bald eagle sits over the East Branch of the Penobscot River.

NPS/ Anne Longman

Raptors

Raptors, otherwise called birds of prey, are a group of birds that hunt vertebrate species. Katahdin Woods and Waters NM plays host to many types of raptors, including bald eagles, ospreys and snowy owls. If you are lucky, you may even spot a rare golden eagle ruling the skies. In literature, raptors depict an image of power, believed to be sage, wizened, and dominant. The owl is a popular symbol for intelligence in folklore, often acting as a pillar of knowledge. The bald eagle is the national bird of the United States. It symbolizes courage, strength, and freedom.

 

Two Canada geese fly over a waterway in the monument.

NPS/ Anne Longman

Waterfowl

Wetlands on monument land provide fruitful habitat for water birds. Rivers attract ducks, while shallow shores make for perfect heron fishing grounds. Kingfishers and sandpipers are often seen along riverbanks. A keen eye and quiet voice can prove your greatest tools when looking for waterfowl.

 

A grouse, also sometimes locally called a partridge, stands on a road in the monument.

NPS/ Alyssa Mattei

Game Birds

Game birds, defined as birds hunted for sport, are also found in monument land. Popular game birds in the monument are ruffed grouse and turkey. There are two types of grouse living in the undergrowth of Maine’s forests, ruffed and spruce. Ruffed grouse, also commonly called a partridge, can be legally hunted in lands east of the East Branch of the Penobscot River. It is illegal in the state of Maine to hunt spruce grouse.

There is some crossover between waterfowl and game birds, with certain ducks available to hunt. Hunting is only legal in controlled portions of the monument, at certain times of year. Please consult the hunting page for more information.

 

 

Learn about Maine's state bird, the

Black-Capped Chickadee