Birds

 

These eggs were found abandoned in a nest at the park's Heart of the Monster site, Idaho.

NPS photo

The avian communities of Nez Perce National Historical Park are as rich and as varied as the landscapes they occupy. The Park serves as a permanent home to many bird (wi'twit) species, a summer breeding area for others, a place to rest and refuel for long-distance migrants, and a place for some species, such as the American tree sparrow (Spizella arborea) to spend the winter. The Park is home to common species, such as the American robin (Turdus migratorius), as well as some of the rarest, such as the American three-toed woodpecker (Picoides dorsalis). Some park sites are developed, whereas others, such as the Lolo Trail remain mostly wild. Bear Paw Battlefield stands as a remnant of what was once an extensive prairie system. Nevertheless, this remnant prairie site supports such rare species as the ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis), Baird's sparrow (Ammodramus bairdii), Sprague's pipit (Anthus spragueii), long-billed curlew (Numenius americanus), and others.

 

Bald eagles like this adult and juvenile may frequently be found along the many riverways near Nez Perce National Historical Park sites.

NPS Photo

Shortgrass prairie park sites such as Hasotino Village Site, Looking Glass Camp, Musselshell Meadow, Spalding, Tolo Lake, and White Bird Battlefield support hawks, along with smaller birds such as the lark bunting (Passerina amoena), the horned lark (Eremophila alpestris), and the meadowlark (Strunella neglecta).

The geography of sagebrush steppe park areas support habitat this is important for many species of migratory waterfowl. Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), use the area for breeding and resting. Other birds are bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), Swainson's hawk (Buteo virginianus), burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia), killdeers (Charadrius vocifercus), and western kingbirds (Tyrannus verticalis).

Some bird species found in conifer/alpine meadow areas are mountain bluebird (Sialia currucoides), red-breasted nuthatch (Sitta Canadensis), ruby-crowned kinglet (Regulus calendula), pygmy nuthatch (Sitta pygmaea), Steller's jay (Cyanocitta stelleri), and Clark's nutcracker (Nucifraga Columbiana). A wide variety of migratory birds, including bald eagles, peregrine falcons (Falco peregrines), and sandhill cranes (Grus Canadensis), use an assortment of habitats, but the greatest numbers are seen in riparian areas. Hawks and owls can be seen in most of the region. Blue (Dendragapus obscurus) and ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) and quail (Callipepla californica) are common game birds.

Bird feathers are important to the Nez Perce and, by law, should not be collected within the park.

 

Birds
English Name	Nez Perce Name
Blue grouse Canada goose Clark's nutcracker Killdeer Western kingbird Long-billed curlew American robin Ruffed grouse Sandhill crane	tuye' ya'yax ispu'kux ciyi'titit ipsqi'tit ciyi'titit wi'spoxpox waswa'sno mu'qu