Birds of Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge

Title

Description

Raptors are birds of prey including Hawks, Eagles, Falcons and Owls. They are characterized by their keen eyesight, their large talons and beaks and most (except the owls) are diurnal, hunting during the day. These birds capture their small prey and tear, pierce and rip.

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Eagle flying over Red Rock Creek below the Lower Red Rock Lake Dam.

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

A Bald Eagle's diet consists mainly of fish, but it is an opportunistic feeder. It hunts fish by swooping down and snatching the fish out of the water with its talons. It is sexually mature at four years old.

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and young

An eagle's nest is the largest of any bird in North America; it is often used repeatedly over many years and with new material added each year may eventually be as large as 13 ft deep, 8 ft across.

Eagles Nest in Winter

In winter, the eagle's nest near Culver Pond is packed with snow and probably not inhabited. Bald Eagles are present year round and will hunt Culver Pond along with other parts of the Centennial Valley.

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and Young

This nest is near Culver Pond in the refuge and this Bald Eagle is tending its newborn chick.

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

This eagle is overlooking a juvenile in the nest near Culver Pond

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

This eagle is at the Picnic Springs.

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Bald Eagles are sexually mature at four or five years of age. When they are old enough to breed, they often return to the area where they were born. It is thought that Bald Eagles mate for life.

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Eagle stares intently at water's edge near Lower Red Rock Lake Dam for fish.

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) juvenile in nest

Eagles produce between one and three eggs per year, but it is rare for all three chicks to successfully fly.

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Bald Eagle juvenile flying

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) over Red Rock Creek

The average lifespan of Bald Eagles in the wild is around 20 years, with the oldest living to be about 30. One recorded eagle in captivity lived to 50 years old.

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Bald Eagle waits for a fish over Red Rock creek. Baldy Mountain in Centennial Valley is in the background.

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)

Flying over Culver Pond. Golden Eagles maintain territories that may be as large as 160 square miles.

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)

Golden Eagles are monogamous and may remain together for several years or possibly even for life.

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

The osprey is only occasionally seen in the refuge. It has a diet that is 99% fish. Ospreys usually mate for life.

Northern Harrier Hawk (Circus cyaneus)

Northern Harrier Hawk flying over grasslands south of Lower Red Rock Lake. Preferred habitats include open fields, savannas, meadows, and marshes making our refuge ideal for them.

Northern Harrier Hawk (Circus cyaneus)

Unusual among the hawks, Northern Harriers use their hearing to help locate prey. They have an owl-like facial disk to help with directional hearing and soft feathers for a quieter flight.

Northern Harrier Hawk (Circus cyaneus)

The Northern Harrier Hawk builds its nest directly on the ground, usually under a small shrub.

Northern Harrier Hawk (Circus cyaneus) Male

Sitting along Elk Lake road in the refuge. Northern Harriers eat mostly small mammals and sometimes other small birds. In spring and winter, especially in the northern part of their range, they prey predominantly on voles.

Northern Harrier Hawk Female (Circus cyaneus)

This Northern Harrier adult female is scouring the grasslands for a meal.

Northern Harrier Hawk Female (Circus cyaneus)

Northern Harriers fly low over the ground and will hover over it's prey until it emerges into the open.

Northern Harrier Hawk female (Circus cyaneus)

They are also known as marsh hawks due to their preference of inhabiting open prairies and marshes.

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

Its diet is mainly small mammals, but it also includes birds and reptiles. 85% of its diet is rodents.

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

Red-tailed Hawk is poly-morphic, meaning it appears in many different colors and patterns. They eat birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish , carrion and many invertebrates. The strongly hooked bill is used

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

The Red-tailed Hawk hunts primarily from an elevated perch site, swooping down from a perch to seize prey, catching birds while flying, or pursuing prey on the ground from a low flight.

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

It is monogamous, mating with the same individual for many years. In general, the Red-tailed Hawk will only take a new mate when its original mate dies. The same nesting territory may be defended by the pair for several years.

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) Juvenile

The Red-tailed Hawk reaches sexual maturity at two years of age. It is monogamous, mating with the same individual for many years.

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) Juvenile

Often the juveniles will sit and stare at you closeup, lacking much fear of humans.

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) launching

This hawk has pushed off the tree into flight. When soaring or flapping its wings, it typically travels from 20 to 40 mph, but when diving may exceed 120 mph.

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

Red-tailed Hawk landing to pick up some road kill along Elk Lake Road.

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

The Red-tailed Hawk is one of the most prevalent buteos in the United States and at the refuge.

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

In most buteo species, like the red-tailed hawks, the female is larger than the male.

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

Red-tailed Hawks will often hunt while hovering while actively flapping their wings. Here the hawk has found an insect and is inspecting it in mid-air.

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

The Red-tailed Hawk shows a large variety of coloring in their feathers in the same geographic area.

Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus)

The Short-eared Owl is often seen in the grasses along Lower Red Rock Lake Road.

Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus)

Owls pair-bond into monogamous pairs. The short-eared owl nests on the ground in the high grasses at the refuge.

Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus)

Unlike many owls they can be commonly seen during the day. But they primarily hunt at night.

Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus)

Sitting along Elk Lake Road. This owl migrates to the south during winter for a better supply of insects and small mammals.

Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus)

This owl tends to fly very low above the ground in open fields and grasslands until swooping down upon its prey feet-first.

Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus)

This owl is hunting along Lower Red Rock Lake road, close to the ground.

Great Grey Owl (Strix nebulosa)

This large owl is not common in the refuge, but hunts in the forest on the south side when it is here. Great Grey Owls rely almost fully upon small rodents, with voles being their most important food source.

Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)

This hawk eats small mammals and insects in grasslands like those here at the Refuge.

Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)

Swainson's migrate the longest of any hawk, southward to Argentina and back every year. They can live up to 24 years.

Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)

These hawks are polymorphic with its plumage ranging from whitish to rufous to dark brown to black. Their plumage varies also with age in 3 distinct groups. Females tend to be darker and with their markings showing more contrast.

Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)

A very common hawk in the refuge. Insect prey commonly taken includes grasshoppers, crickets, and locusts,except when nesting and then they go for small rodents.

Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)

These hawks commonly sit on the fence posts that line South Valley or Elk Lake Road in the refuge.

Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) Juvenile

The average home range estimate for this hawk is 1 to 2 square miles

Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)

Swainson's Hawk landing on fence post along Elk Lake Road.

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)

Seen on power lines along western part of South Valley Road. These are fairly rare.

Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus)

Along North Valley Road, north of the refuge in grass.

Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus)

The Prairie Falcon eats mostly small mammals (especially in summer) and birds caught in flight. It cruises about 3 feet above the ground at speeds of about 45 mph.

American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)

The kestrel is a small falcon and is found throughout North America. Its habitats include pastures, fields and golf courses. They like to sit on fences waiting for prey, such as small birds, mammals, lizards and insects.

American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)

You are likely to see this medium size falcon sitting on fence posts throughout the refuge.

American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)

This falcon is the smallest North American hawk. The American kestrel itself is prey to other larger raptors in the refuge, including the Red-tailed Hawk and the Peregrine Falcon.

American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)

This is the most common falcon in North America and in the refuge.

American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)

This kestrel pushes off the fence post to launch into flight.

American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)

The American Kestrel migrates south from the refuge in the winter.

Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)

The vulture is rare in the refuge but can occasionally be seen scavaging a dead cow or rodent.

Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)

Eating road kill on North Valley Road. The turkey vulture is a scavenger and feeds almost exclusively on carrion.

Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)

It finds its meals using its keen vision and sense of smell, flying low enough to detect the gasses produced by the beginnings of the process of decay in dead animals.

Shore Birds in the Refuge take advantage of the large number of lakes, ponds and streams, plus the general wetlands of the refuge. Most of these are migratory. The Trumpeter Swan is the premier resident, the refuge having been established in 1933 for it's benefit.

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator)

This swan is the reason that our refuge was established in 1935. The small number of swans then required extraordinary means, like winter feeding to further continue this species. The effort has been very successful and winter feeding is no longer needed.

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator)

Our swans feed while swimming, sometimes up-ending or dabbling to reach submerged food. The diet is almost entirely aquatic plants. In winter, they may also eat grasses and grains in fields. They often display a reddish head and neck due to the staining from the mud in which they forage.

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator)

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Trumpeter Swan was hunted heavily, both as game and a source of feathers. In the late 19th century swans were sold to zoos and parks in Europe and the United States for $50 a piece.

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator)

This widgeon was following the swan like a cygnet would, perhaps to profit from the disturbed bottom during the swans frequent stirring of the mud.

Trumpeter Swan Flying over Widgeon Pond

Trumpeter Swans inhabit the open waters fed by warmer springs in winter. They often fly from one open area to another in search of aquatic plants. It requires a lot of energy to fly so they must have a good reason to do so in winter when food is scarce, like running out of plants at a particular place or fleeing a potential predator.

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator)

The swans eat seeds, green herbaceous foliage of aquatic grasses and sedges, underground tubers of plants, sea grasses and other pond-weeds.

Trumpeter Swans with cygnets (Cygnus buccinator)

The young swans are fed on aquatic insects and small crustaceans along with aquatic plants initially, changing to a vegetation-based diet over the first few months.

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) at nest.

On Shambow Pond in the refuge, a pair of swans look over their nest. The female lays 3-10 eggs on average in a mound of plant material on a small island, a beaver or muskrat lodge, or a floating platform. The same location may be used for several years.

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator)

Standing on island in Widgeon pond.

Swan (Cygnus buccinator) Habitat is Limited in Refuge in Winter

The refuge can only support a limited number of swans in winter. The areas of open (unfrozen) water are small and can only supply a limited amount of plant material for the swans and ducks that are here. Trumpeter Swans number between 20 and 60 in winter. Other areas of the Greater Yellowstone region can support some addional swans, but programs are in place to encourage swans to fly further south and not rely on these areas with extreme winters.

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) and Snow

The Trumpeter Swans that remain here in the refuge can often be found in Culver Pond. Culver Pond is fed by warm springs that result in part of the pond not freezing and provides the swans and some hearty ducks the ability to forage on the pond bottom. This swan was flying away from Culver Pond, probably looking for more foraging sites.

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) Flying

The Trumpeter Swan flies over the snowy hills on the north side of the refuge in February. Many of the refuge's swans leave in winter but a few stay.

Swan (Cygnus buccinator) and Goldeneye Ducks (Bucephala clangula)in Culver Pond in February

A solitary swan floating with these goldeneye ducks in this open part of Culver Pond in February. The outside temperature is about 8F but can get to -35F some nights during the winter. The swan's thick feathers see them through these cold temperatures.

Mallard Ducks and Trumpeter Swan

Mallard Ducks and this Trumpeter Swan share this small portion of open water in Culver Pond in February at the refuge.

Swan in Culver Pond in Winter

This Trumpeter Swan is standing in a shallow portion of Culver Pond that is fed by a nearby warm spring. Both Mallard and Goldeneye Ducks were sharing this small area with the swan. Nearby were 7 other swans.

Swans Swimming at Culver Pond

These six Trumpeter Swans are swimming around the ice in Culver Pond in February with a few Mallard Ducks looking for precious aquatic plants that might still be found on the pond bottom. Outside temperatures are near 8F at this time and can go to -35F occasionally at night.

American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana)

The avocet is found in shallow inland wetlands, along lakeshores and prairie ponds and coastal mudflats. Prey consists of aquatic invertebrates, like crustaceans and insects. They swing their head and bill back and forth to glean organisms out of shallow water or soft mud.

American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana)

Avocets feed together in both saline and fresh water habitats. Groups like this often advance in shallow water, moving their heads back in forth in a unison manner pulling their prey out of the water.

American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana)

Avocets often breed in loose colonies, often mixing with other shorebirds. Here they have flushed in unison and have taken to the air.

American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana)

Avocets landing gracefully in a shallow mud flat next to Lower Red Rock Lake Dam.

American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana)

Avocets flying over Red Rock Creek with the Madison Range in the background.

American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana) Flying

The oldest known avocet lived to 24 years.

California Gull (Larus californicus)

Gulls are common here, attracted by the great fishing opportunities and the naturally quiet and undisturbed habitat, This gull is flying low over Lower Red Rock Lake looking for fish with his keen eyes.

California Gull (Larus californicus)

Gulls are always on the lookout for food, esp. at breeding time to feed their chicks. The red spot on their beaks serve as a guide for the young which peck at this spot to stimulate their parents to regurgitate their food for them.

California Gull (Larus californicus)

Hanging out at Upper Red Rock Lake. They are migratory, moving to the Pacific Coast in winter. It's then that this gull is regularly found in western California.

Franklin's Gull (Larus pipixcan)

Gull flying over Lower Red Rock Lake. Only the Franklin's gull undergoes 2 molts per year, always appearing fresh looking.

Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)

These gulls are omnivorous; their diet may include insects, fish, grain, eggs, earthworms and rodents.

Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri)

Flying low over Lower Red Rock Lake looking for food.

Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri)

This tern hovers over water and dives for small fish near the surface.

Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri)

Hovering and looking for food in the lake below, ready to dive quickly once the fish a found.

Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri)

Tern hovering over Red Rock Creek near Lower Red Rock Lake Dam.

Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri)

The tern dives from a hover about 25 feet above Lower Red Rock Lake and picks up a small fish for lunch.

Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri)

Tern after grabbing a small fish from the surface of Lower Red Rock Lake.

Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri)

Tern flies away with fish recently picked from Lower Red Rock Lake.

Canada Geese (Branta canadensis)

Geese feeding in mud and shallow water along the Lower Red Rock Lake shoreline. Their centrally located legs and horizontally held bodies are ideal to allow them to walk on shore and shallow mud-flats to find food.

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)

During the second year of their lives, Canada Geese find a mate. They are monogamous, and most couples stay together all of their lives.

Canvasback duck (Aythya valisineria)

This duck is common in the refuge. It feeds by diving, often dabbling, mostly eating seeds, buds, leaves, tubers, roots, snails, and insect larvae.

Ducks

Lesser Scaup Flying over Lower Red Rock Lake.

Black-crowned Night Heron Flying (Nycticorax nycticorax)

Night Herons use a baiting technique, placing insects, flowers, seeds on the water's surface waiting for a fish to jump out to the bait.

Black-crowned Night Heron juvenile (Nycticorax nycticorax)

This juvenile was spotted among the hardstem bulrush in Lower Red Rock Lake. These birds stand still at the water's edge and wait to ambush prey, mainly at night or early morning.

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

Herons eat fish and amphibians, crustaceans and other invertebrates.

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

Heron pushing off from Red Rock Creek bank west of the Lower Red Rock Lake Dam.

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

Common in the refuge, this large bird is not often seen except at waters edge like here among the sedges in Lower Red Rock Lake. Note the Black-crowned Night Heron on the left.

Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)

While not common in the refuge, they migrate into this area at times. These birds eat fish, crustaceans, insects and small reptiles.

Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis)

The Sandhill Crane is found all over the refuge. Although similar in size and stature as the herons, they differ in many characteristics of both posture and behavior.

Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis)

Cranes display complex dance movements consisting of synchronized dips, head swings, bows, wing spreads, flaps and leaps. Sometimes they pick an item up and throw it.

Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis)

They nest in wet areas on a built up mound. Pairs can easily be seen on the refuge.They eat a variety of food items, from small plants to small animals and forage both in the uplands and wetlands.

Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis)

Sandhill Cranes can live up to 23 years in the wild.

Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis)

Mated pairs of cranes engage in unison calling. The cranes stand close together, calling in a synchronized and complex duet. The female makes two calls for every single call of the male.

Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis)

Flying over refuge. These large birds are impressive to see fly with their 6 to 7 feet wingspans.

Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis)

These cranes were flying over Elk Springs Creek, calling loudly as they flew. On the left is the adult and on the right is a juvenile.

Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis)

Sandhill Cranes meet in the refuge in fall to migrate thousands of miles to warmer climes and can fly up to 12 thousand feet high, gliding for hundreds of miles.

Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis)

A crane chasing another, probably in a breeding dispute.

Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia)

Spotted Sandpiper is found by itself at water's edge. This one was seen at the pond adjacent to the Lower Red Rock Lakes Dam in very shallow muddy water.

Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia)

These birds forage on ground or water, picking up food by sight. They also catch insects in flight. They eat insects, other invertebrates, and crustaceans.

Killdeer (Charadrius voxciferus)

Like many other waders, Killdeer hatchlings are precocial birds and are able to see and forage soon after hatching.

Killdeer (Charadrius voxciferus)

This plover forages for food in refuge grasslands, mudflats, and lakeshores, usually by sight. They mainly eat insects. The adults exhibit a distraction display, acting as if they have a broken wing and walking away from their young to bring predators away from the young.

American Wigeon Duck (Anas americanas) (female)

Widgeons are dabbling ducks.

Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor)

Wilson's Phalarope in shallow marsh near Lower Red Rock Lake Dam. They swim in circles while feeding to stir up the bottom to increase the available food supply at the top of the pond.

Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor)

The typical avian sex roles are reversed in the three phalarope species. Females are larger and more brightly coloured than males. The females pursue males, compete for nesting territory, and will aggressively defend their nests and chosen mates. Once the female lay their eggs, they begin their southward migration, leaving the males to incubate the eggs.

Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor)

The young feed themselves after hatching.

Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor)

These are often found in the shallow ponds near the Lower Lake Dam.

Cinnamon Teals (Anas cyanoptera)

Cinnamon Teal generally select new mates each year.

Cinnamon Teal (Anas cyanoptera)

These teals are found in shallow marshy ponds and filter mud with their bills. Lower Red Rock Lake marsh. June 2010.

Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca)

This is the smallest dabbling duck and smaller than other teals. These birds migrate as far as northern South America in winter.

Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)

Pintail nests and chicks are vulnerable to predation by mammals, such as foxes and skunks, and birds like gulls, ravens and magpies. Excellent nesting cover is available on the refuge resulting in high nest success.

Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)

Female flying over Red Rock Creek.

Northern Pintail adult (female)(Anas acuta)

The Northern Pintail is a bird of open wetlands as those on the refuge and nests on the ground, often some distance from the water. It dabbles plants for food and adds small invertebrates to its diet especially during the nesting season.

Northern Pintail Adult (male)(Anas acuta)

The pintail feeds by dabbling and upending in shallow water for plant food mainly in the evening or at night, and spends much of the day resting.

Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata)

Northern Shovelers feed by dabbling for plant food, often by swinging its bill from side to side and using the bill to strain food from the water. It also eats mollusks and insects in the nesting season.

Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata)

The nest of the shoveler is a shallow depression on the ground, lined with plant material and down, usually close to water.

Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata)

This is a bird of open wetlands, such as wet grassland or marshes that are in the refuge.

Northern Shoveler Female and Ducklings (Anas clypeata)

When chased off her nest, a female Northern Shoveler often defecates on her eggs to deter predators.

Mallard Duck (Anas platyrhynchos)

Male mallard ducks after summer moult.

Mallard Ducks (Anas platyrhynchos)

Mallards usually form pairs only until the female lays eggs, at which time she is left by the male.

Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) female

These birds visit the refuge in spring. Buffleheads are monogamous, and the females return to the same breeding site, year after year. They nest in aspen trees, primarily old woodpecker cavities.

Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)

A cormorant can plunge-dive with closed wings from a perch or from the air. They take most of their prey during an underwater chase.

Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)

This cormorant adapts to any water habitat from open ocean to the lakes and ponds here. They nest in colonies in the cattail and bulrush in Lower Red Rock Lake.

Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)

The Double-crested Cormorant can live 15 to 18 years.

Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)

The cormorant mainly eats fish and hunts by swimming and diving.

Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)

The cormorant's feathers, like those of all cormorants, are not waterproof and it must spend time drying them out by holding their wings out away from their bodies.

Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)

A cormorant must run over the water to launch itself into the air.

American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)

American White Pelicans may live for more than 16 years in the wild and has been known to live up to 34 years captivity.

American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)

Except from the difference in size, males and female pelicans look exactly alike.

American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)

They swim in a group when foraging for food, advancing slowly across the water and thrusting their bills into the water ahead of them, often in synchrony.

American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)

The pelicans are impressive when flying.

Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)

This is a tagged female duck with antenna for tracking studies.

Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca)at Lower Red Rock Lake Dam

When foraging, these birds are likely to scythe their bills back and forth in the water stirring up prey.

Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamalcensis)

The Ruddy Duck is one of the more colorful ducks at the refuge, with it's blue beak and rusty brown feathers.

Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamalcensis)

Floating alone on Widgeon Pond in early July. These ducks dive and swim underwater. They mainly eat seeds and roots of aquatic plants, water insects and crustaceans.

Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamalcensis)

Ruddy Ducks often swim with their stiff tails high.

Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamalcensis)

Newly hatched ducks are covered with dense down feathers which increases the warmth and buoyancy.

Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis)

The Western Grebes finds food by diving for fish and mollusks.

Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis)

In Lower Red Rock Lake, the Black-necked Grebe is an excellent swimmer and diver, and pursues its prey underwater, eating mostly fish as well as small crustaceans, aquatic insects and larvae.

Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis)

The Eared Grebe is essentially flightless for most of the year (9 to 10 months), and reserves flying for its very long migrations in the fall.

Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)

Family with striped faced chicks in Widgeon Pond, July. Pied-billed Grebes feed mainly on aquatic invertebrates, and also on small fish and amphibians (frogs, tadpoles).

Canavasback Duckling (Aythya valisineria)

This is a female Canvasback Duckling. Found in any lake or pond in the refuge

Canavasback Duck (Aythya valisineria) and chicks

Shortly after hatching these ducklings are following mom around Widgeon Pond in the refuge.

American Coot and newborn chick (Fulica americana)

Notice red feathers on head of chick. Chicks with more conspicuous head plumes than their siblings are often fed more frequently.

American Coot (Fulica americana)

Coot chicks are able to leave the nest after 3 or 4 days for short trips with their parents.

American Coot (Fulica americana)

Coots belong to the Rail family of water birds. Even though the American Coot swims like a duck, they do not have webbed feet, the toes have lobes on the sides of each segment. The Coot has only one brood per year, laying 5 to 12 eggs.

American Coot and Newborn Chick (Fulica americana)

In Widgeon Pond, in early July. The coots are numerous and common here.

American Coot (Fulica americana) Chick and Mother

This chick is about 3 weeks old. Following his mother, she feeds him bits she finds on the bottom from her beak. Here he has hoisted himself on the water's surface enough to shake.

American Coot (Fulica americana) Juvenile

This coot is about 2 months old in Widgeon Pond

American Coot (Fulica americana) Fighting

On Widgeon pond, these two coots were fighting. The coots are extremely territorially and will fight to defend a small area they have claimed as their own.

Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)

On Lower Red Rock Lake, these diving birds forage underwater.

Willet (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus)

Willets nest on the ground, usually in well-hidden locations in short grass, often in colonies. These birds forage on mudflats or in shallow water, probing or picking up food by sight.

Willet (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus)

Willets mainly eat insects, crustaceans and marine worms, but also eat some plant material.

Willet (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus)

The Western Willet breeds in freshwater prairie marshes in western North America. It winters on both coasts, from the mid-Atlantic states south to at least Brazil on the Atlantic, and from Oregon south to Peru on the Pacific.

Willet (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus)

The willet is named for its loud call.

Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus)

Feeding along Lower Red Rock Lake Road, the curlew uses its long bill to probe deep into mud and sand, feeding on worms, insects and other crustaceans. They nest in short grasses in the uplands.

Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus)

This species displays an elaborate courtship dance during breeding season. Fast and looping display flights are also common.

Sora (Porzana carolina)

Found in the reeds on Lower Red Rock Lake, they are hard to see and sometimes also referred to as the sora rail or sora crake. They are omnivores, eating seeds, insects and snails.

White-faced Ibis

Ibis eat various aquatic prey while wading in shallow water or probing the mud with their long bills.

White faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi)

Ibises are related to the flat-billed spoonbills.

White faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi)

These birds can live up to 25 years.

White faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi)

Nests are built near the water, in the bulrush islands in Lower Red Rock Lake.

White faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi)

White-faced Ibis seen flying over Lower Red Rock Lake, June 2010.

White faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi)

The ibis migrates from the refuge and spends winters from southern California and the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana to El Salvador.

White faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi)

They move daily, leaving the roosts in groups at dawn to spread out looking for food. They return at night.

White faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi)

The ibis nest in the bulrush islands that dot Lower Red Rock Lake. They crush down the bulrush and make a depression on top of the sedges for their nest.

Passerines in the Refuge are generally thought of as the song birds. They are smaller generally than the raptors and waterfowl, but they play an important role, especially in controlling the insects.

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)

The Barn Swallow feeds on flying insects near Lower Red Rock Lakes while flying through the air swooping them up with precision.

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) Juvenile

Juvenile sitting on fence at River Marsh campground, June 28, 2010.

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)

There are normally two broods, with the original nest being reused for the second brood and being repaired and reused in the following years.

Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)

Tree Swallows nest in natural or artificial cavities near water and are quite often found in large flocks.

Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)

Tree swallows often use the nest boxes provided on the refuge for bluebirds.

Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)

They subsist primarily on a diet of insects, sometimes supplemented with small quantities of fruit. They are great fliers and take off from their perch and acrobatically catch insects in their bills in mid-air.

Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)

These swallows can be seen at the Lower Red Rock Lake dam in flocks catching insects. June 2010.

Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)

They are frequently found in the Lower Red Rock Lakes Dam area.

Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)

Cliff Swallows are often found in large flocks flying together around Lower Red Rock Lake Dam swooping up flying insects.

Horned Lark (Eremophilia alpestris)

This guy was leading the car down Lower Red Rock Lake road. June 2010

Horned Lark (Eremophilia alpestris)

This bird forages on the ground, usually in open fields. It eats seeds, grains, insects and small mollusks that grow in the refuge. You'll often see this along Lower Lake Road.

Horned Lark (Eremophilia alpestris)

This lark has landed and is trying to stay put in a high wind.

Pine Siskin (Carduelis pinus)

They eat small seeds, especially thistle, birch, and spruce seeds, which make up the majority of the pine siskin's diet. In summer, they will eat insects, especially aphids, which they feed to the young, but seeds dominate their diet.

Cassin's Finch (Carpodacus cassinii)

This beautiful finch forages on the ground and high in trees, eats mostly conifer seeds and buds, and some insects.It craves salt, and is often found pecking at mineral deposits on the ground.

Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus)

Grosbeaks are actually finches. The Evening Grosbeak has the largest bill of any finch. Their short, conical bills are well adapted for cracking seeds. Evening Grosbeaks can break seeds that require up to 125lbs of pressure to crush.

Blacked-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus)

The Black-headed Grosbeak is one of the few birds that can safely eat the poisonous monarch butterfly. They discard the wings before eating the butterfly in an apparent attempt to reduce the amount of toxins they ingest. The Black- headed Grosbeak is in the Cardinal family, not related to the Evening Grosbeak.

Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta)

This beautiful bird can be found along the roads in the refuge. They have a very distinctive and beautiful song. They like the open and grassy meadows we have here.

Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta)

These birds forage on the ground or in low to semi-low vegetation. They sometimes search for food by probing with their bills. They mainly eat insects, although they will devour seeds and berries. In winter, these birds often feed in flocks.

Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta)

The Western Meadowlarks nests are situated on the ground, and are covered with a roof woven from grass.

Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana) male

These beautiful birds can be seen in the grass hunting insects. They are often spotted at the Upper Lake campground. June 2010

Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana) male

Western Tanagers eat fruits (~18%) and a wide range of insects (~82%)

Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana)

The red pigment in the face of this tanager is rhodoxanthin, a pigment rare in birds. It is not produced by the bird, as are the pigments used by the other red tanagers. They acquire it from their diet, probably from insects that get the pigment from plants.

Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana)

Cup nests are built by the female, take about 4 or more days to construct, and are made from twigs, rootlets, grasses, and pine needles.

Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana) female

The female is not nearly as colorful as the male tanager, often seen at Upper Lake Campground in the bushes and aspens.

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dendroica coronata)

This brightly color guys was in the grass along South Valley Road above Upper Red Rock Lake. June 2010

Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia)

Flitting from bush to bush at the lakes edge at Upper Red Rock Lake Campground. June 2010.

Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia)

Notice the iridescent dark blue-green wings and tail when seen in the proper sunlight.

Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia)

Adult magpie pairs stay together year-round and usually for life unless one dies, in which case the remaining magpie finds another mate.

Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) in tree.

These birds can be seen all over the refuge, usually together in flocks.

Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) in tree.

Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia)

Juvenile in nest by side of South Valley Road. They fly three to four weeks after hatching, feed with adults for a couple months, and then fly off to join other juveniles. June 28, 2010

Raven (Corvus corax)

They inhabit the forest along the south of the refuge, but can also be seen in the open sagebrush country. They will eat seeds but prefer small rodents and scavenge dead animals.

Belted Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon) (male)

The female of this species is more brightly colored than the male. In addition to fish, they will eat amphibians, small crustaceans, insects, small mammals and even reptiles. They are often found sitting on perches overlooking water.

Belted Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon) (male)

Belted Kingfishers perch or hover over open water, watching for prey. Once prey is found, they dive head first into the water and catch it with their bills. Mostly prey is taken near the surface of

Clark's Nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana)

This bird prefers the pines on the mountain ranges near the tree line at the refuge. Sometimes they will be seen in Upper Lake Campground. The Clarks Nutcracker has a special pouch under its tongue in which it carries pine seeds long distances to cache them. Depending upon the species of pine seed, this pouch can hold from 28 to 85 seeds.

Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides)

Mountain Bluebirds are a monogamous breed. They will readily use the houses placed for them on the refuge.

Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides)

The male can be seen singing from bare branches. The singing takes place at dawn, at surnise.

Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides)

Only the female builds the nest. The male sometimes looks as if he is helping, but he either brings no nest material or it's dropped along the way to the nest.

Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides)

At the refuge, Mountain Bluebirds can become very partial to the provided nest boxes, especially if they successfully raised a clutch previously.

Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides)

These birds hover over the ground and fly down to catch insects, also flying from a perch to catch them.

Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides)

The Mountain Bluebird has no blue pigment in its feathers. The blue comes from the prism effect of its smooth feathers, the particular arrangement reflecting only blue light.

Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) Female (rufus)

Female in early September. The Mountain Bluebird spens its summers in mountain and meadow areas, open rural areas. It spends its winters in lowland areas, like desert areas.

American Robin (Turdus migratorius)

During the spring breeding season, American Robins forage primarily on soft invertebrates such as earthworms and ground-dwelling insects. In winter, their diet turns to berries and other fruits.

American Robin (Turdus migratorius)

One of the most numerous birds in the refuge, it loves to pull worms from the ground.

American Robin (Turdus migratorius)

Robins form monogamous bonds that last throughout the breeding season.

Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)

Perching in a tree at Upper Lake campground, he eats berries and sugary fruit with insects becoming an important part of the diet in the breeding season. Cedar Waxwings are one of the most specialized fruit-eating birds. They eliminate seeds with their waste instead of regurgatating them as most berry consuming birds do.

Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)

During the breeding season, the female develops a bare patch on her abdomen that fills with fluid. This allows more efficient transfer of heat to the eggs.

Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)

These sparrows forage on the ground or in low bushes. They mainly eat seeds, but insects are also eaten in the breeding season.

Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)

Sitting in willow near Widgeon Pond at the refuge. They can often be recognized by the small patch of yellow over their eye.

Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)

They are typically encountered as pairs or in family groups during their breeding season, but assemble in flocks for their winter migration.

Brewer's Sparrow (Spizella breweri)

They forage primarily in shrubs or in low vegetation, but also on the ground. These birds migrate eventually south to central Mexico.

Tree Sparrow (Spizella arborea)

These birds forage on the ground or in low bushes, often in flocks when not nesting. They mainly eat seeds and insects, some berries.

Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus)

These birds forage on the ground, mainly eating insects and seeds.

Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) Woodpecker

The Northern Flicker is one of the few North American woodpeckers that is strongly migratory moving south in the fall from their summer range.

Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) Woodpecker

Although they eat mainly insects, they alse eat fruit and nuts during the non-breeding season. They look in the crevices of the trees that border the refuge using their long beaks and strong necks to extricate them.

Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) Woodpecker

These birds live between 7 and 8 years.

Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) woodpecker

Red-shafted Northern Flicker is a woodpecker that excavates their own cavities in trees for nesting. This often takes up to 2 weeks.

Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus)

Found in the coniferous forests that line the southern part of the refuge. The males incubate the eggs during the night while the females incubate them during the day. The males forage in trees away from the nest for large insects (usually borers) located deep in the wood. Females forage close to the nest on the surface of trees, shrubs, or on the ground for small prey.

Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus)

These woodpeckers forage on trees, often turning over bark or excavating to uncover insects. They eat insects, fruits, berries and nuts, and sometimes tree sap.

Yellowheaded Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthacephalus) Female

This female is more brown than black and hangs out among the reeds along Widgeon Pond.

Yellowheaded Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthacephalus) Female

Their habitat needs are similar to those of Red-winged Blackbirds, but Yellow-headed Blackbirds require larger wetlands with deeper water. Red-winged blackbirds are often seen with Yellow-headed Blackbirds. When the two are together, the larger Yellow-headed Blackbirds usually inhabit the center of the marsh, and the smaller Red-winged Blackbirds inhabit the edges.

Yellowheaded Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthacephalus) Male

Often found in the reeds near Lower Red Rock Lake Dam. In the spring and summer and when they feed their young, these birds eat lots of insects. The rest of the year they eat seeds and grains.

Brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater)

These birds forage on the ground eating mainly eat seeds and insects. The name comes from the propensity to follow cattle, eating the insects that the larger animals kick up. It lays its eggs in the nests of other small birds, particularly those that build cup-like nests.

Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)

Despite its name, this flycatcher's range extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific Coast. In the spring and summer, they eat mostly insects. As the summer progresses, they eat more and more fruit. lin

Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)

Perching above Red Rock Lakes Road this Eastern Kingbird is looking for food in early September in the refuge.

Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis)

Not very common in the refuge, but eats our insects, both flying and crawling which makes up the majority of the Western Kingbird's diet. They also eat small berries and other fruit.

Northern Shrike(Lanius excubitor)

These birds eat mostly small vertebrates, especially voles and other small rodents. They also eat small birds and large insects, and can kill prey as large as they are. They are not very common in the refuge.

Blue Grouse (Dendragapus obscurus)

Also known as the Dusky Grouse. During the breeding season, this chicken-sized bird can be found in dry grasslands and shrublands as well as dry mountainous forests and subalpine habitats.

Blue Grouse (Dendragapus obscurus)

It survives on mainly leaves, flowers and conifer needles. Blue grouse, especially juveniles, will also eat small invertebrates.

Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus)

Most of these hummingirds winter in wooded areas in the Mexico state of Guerrero, traveling over 2,000 miles from the refuge.

Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) Juvenile Female

These hummers feed on nectar from flowers using a long extendible tongue and catch insects on the wing. They require frequent feeding during the day and become torpid at night.

Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris)

This little bird hides in the bulrush in the lakes and ponds of the refuge. He's hard to see because he rarely leaves the large bulrushes.

Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris)

They mainly eat insects, also spiders and snails that they find among the sedges they live in.

Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris)

This shy bird is in the Hardstem Bulrush that dot Lower Red Rock Lake in early August.