Clark’s Nutcracker, Nucifraga columbiana, is a bird that lives in the mountains and is often referred to as Clark’s Crow or Woodpecker Crow. It is considered a crow because of it’s crow-like song it sings. Clark’s Nutcracker is named after it’s discoverer William Clark.

 

It is a medium-gray color all over except for it’s black and white wings and black tail. The legs, feet and beak are also black. They are about the size of a Steller’s Jay but in the shape of an American Crow. These birds generally travel in flocks. Their length is 10.6 to 11.8 inches and weigh 3.7 to 5.7 ounces.

 

The Clark’s Nutcracker lives in the mountains at elevations of about 3,000 to 12,900 feet commonly near pine trees with large seeds. They can also be found in evergreen forests. The birds are mainly populated in western North America in western Alberta in the north and New Mexico in the south. The conservation status of this species is at least concern, meaning that we aren’t that worried about their population then we are about a species at the level endangered.

 

This species feeds off of pine cones to get the seeds inside. They commonly eat the seeds of White Pines and others found in the mountains. They have a sublingual pouch capable of holding 50 to 150 seeds! The pouch is used to transport seeds where they bury them for later consumption. They also eat insects, berries and other small fruits and small mammals. these birds are prey to many species of raptors.

 

Author: Mitchell D

Published: 02/2014

 

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clark's_Nutcracker

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/clarks_nutcracker/id

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Photo credit: Yathin S Krishnappa, taken on June 20, 2009.