Animals

LAND BIRDS

This section is filled with birds who either can't or seldom fly.

The Chukar is a type of partridge originally from Asia. Its name comes from its Hindi name "cakor", probably an imitation of its cry.

Chukars are larger than quail but smaller than pheasants. They feed on cheatgrass, seeds and some insects.

The Blue Grouse, of the highland regions of western North America, is currently undergoing a name change. In 2006, it was split into two separate species: the Dusky Grouse (interior mountains) and the Sooty Grouse (Pacific region).

The Dusky Grouse is very tolerant of humans, often allowing them to come very close.

The birds forage on the ground or in trees in winter. They mainly eat pine needles but also green plants, berries and insects in summer.

The male is able to expose his colorful side air sacs (which serve as his lungs) in order to impress potential mates.

The White-tailed Ptarmigan (also Rock Ptarmigan or Snow Chicken) is in the grouse family. It is a high elevation bird that lives off of the twigs, leaves, buds, flowers and seeds of stunted alpine shrubs. They dig burrows in the snow to survive the harsh winters.

These birds molt three times per year in order to ensure that their blumage blends perfectly with their surroundings. In the winter they become almost completely white.

The Wild Turkey is native to North America. The male (18 pounds) is substantially larger than the female (8 pounds), and his feathers are much more colorful. Wild Turkeys are omnivores, foraging on the ground or climbing shrubs and small trees to feed. They eat hard acorns and nuts as well as various seeds, berries, roots and insects.

Turkeys are surprisingly agile fliers, but they usually fly close to the ground and for no more than a quarter mile.

The head has fleshy growths called caruncles, and males have red wattles on the throat and neck.




animals pikas prairie dogs marmots badgers rabbits voles tree squirrels ground squirrels chipmunks beavers muskrats bears coyotes deer elk bison bighorn sheep pronghorn geese water birds common birds mountain birds birds of prey LAND BIRDS butterflies bees & bugs lizards others		LAND BIRDS This section is filled with birds who either can't or seldom fly. The Chukar is a type of partridge originally from Asia. Its name comes from its Hindi name "cakor", probably an imitation of its cry. Chukars are larger than quail but smaller than pheasants. They feed on cheatgrass, seeds and some insects. The Blue Grouse, of the highland regions of western North America, is currently undergoing a name change. In 2006, it was split into two separate species: the Dusky Grouse (interior mountains) and the Sooty Grouse (Pacific region). The Dusky Grouse is very tolerant of humans, often allowing them to come very close. The birds forage on the ground or in trees in winter. They mainly eat pine needles but also green plants, berries and insects in summer. The male is able to expose his colorful side air sacs (which serve as his lungs) in order to impress potential mates. The White-tailed Ptarmigan (also Rock Ptarmigan or Snow Chicken) is in the grouse family. It is a high elevation bird that lives off of the twigs, leaves, buds, flowers and seeds of stunted alpine shrubs. They dig burrows in the snow to survive the harsh winters. These birds molt three times per year in order to ensure that their blumage blends perfectly with their surroundings. In the winter they become almost completely white. The Wild Turkey is native to North America. The male (18 pounds) is substantially larger than the female (8 pounds), and his feathers are much more colorful. Wild Turkeys are omnivores, foraging on the ground or climbing shrubs and small trees to feed. They eat hard acorns and nuts as well as various seeds, berries, roots and insects. Turkeys are surprisingly agile fliers, but they usually fly close to the ground and for no more than a quarter mile. The head has fleshy growths called caruncles, and males have red wattles on the throat and neck.