- Nucifraga columbiana
Identification
Length: 11 inches / 27 - 30cm.
Long, pointed bill. Pale gray plumage. White around base of bill and undertail coverts, black wings with white patch on secondaries, and black tail with white outer tail feathers.
Similar Species
Most like Gray Jay but note the black wings and the longer bill.
Distribution
Rocky Mountains from south-western Canada to southern USA and sometimes north-western Mexico.
Locally common.
Migrations
Complex, poorly understood migrations. Clark's Nutcracker is normally a bird of the Rocky Mountains. However, they sometimes move outward from that core in large numbers during the fall.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
Usually found in high elevation conifer forests of the Rocky Mountains. Also observed in valleys, open rocky areas and desert scrub.[2]
Behaviour
Diet
Omnivorous. Feeds heavily on pine seeds when available, also other seeds and nuts, fruits, berries, insects, birds, eggs, amphibians, reptiles, and carrion and garbage. Stores seeds in autumn in holes.
Will come to the feeder for sunflower seeds and nuts.
Breeding
Breeding season March through May. The nest is a coarse stick platform, placed in a clump of conifer trees, often near stored seeds. Lays usually 2 - 3 eggs.
Vocalisation
Wide variation of vocalizations, most commonly a harsh kaaaaaaaaaawwww. Also a call similar to that of a pea-cock.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2013. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.8., with updates to August 2013. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2009. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 14: Bush-shrikes to Old World Sparrows. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553507
- BF Member observations
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Clark's Nutcracker. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 6 June 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Clark%27s_Nutcracker
External Links
