Clark's Nutcracker
Nucifraga columbiana
Summary 7
Clark's Nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana), sometimes referred to as Clark's Crow or Woodpecker Crow, is a passerine bird in the family Corvidae. It is slightly smaller than its Eurasian relative the Spotted Nutcracker (N. caryocatactes). It is ashy-grey all over except for the black-and-white wings and central tail feathers (the outer ones are white). The bill, legs and feet are also black. This bird derives its name from the explorer William Clark.
Distribution 8
Clark’s nutcracker has a wide distribution in zones of coniferous vegetation from the coastal ranges in Canada throughout the mountainous areas of the western United States. It is a native, permanent resident of the mountainous regions of western North America. Migration is only altitudinal with a shift to lower elevations beginning in late September (Burleigh, 1972; Coues, 1874; Tomback, 1998).
Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native )
Morphology 9
Clark’s nutcracker is a chunky, jay-sized bird averaging 11 inches long. Its plumage is powder-gray and of loose texture. Wings and central tail feathers are glossy black. Wings are long, when folded reaching nearly to tip of tail. Flight is crow-like with deep wing beats and when in flight white wing patches and white outer retricies can be seen. There is moderate size dimorphism between sexes with males being bigger. (National Geographic Society, 1999; Tomback, 1998).
Average mass: 141 g.
Average length: 28.8 cm.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Habitat 10
In summer it prefers habitat in the sub-alpine zone near the tree line. The habitat of choice is semi-open, mixed stands of pines, fir and spruce growing on steep slopes and ridges interspersed with meadows and streams. Species of trees within the habitat varies geographically. Nutcrackers will remain on their summer range as long as food is available. In winter they migrate to lower elevations and spend the winter foraging and retrieving caches there (Tomback, 1998; Coues, 1874).
Range elevation: 1000 to 3840 m.
Habitat Regions: temperate
Terrestrial Biomes: taiga ; forest ; mountains
Migration 11
Non-Migrant: Yes. At least some populations of this species do not make significant seasonal migrations. Juvenile dispersal is not considered a migration.
Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make local extended movements (generally less than 200 km) at particular times of the year (e.g., to breeding or wintering grounds, to hibernation sites).
Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make annual migrations of over 200 km.
Wanders irregularly beyond normal range in winter. Also wanders irregularly to low country during winter.
Sources and Credits
- (c) Erin and Lance Willett, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), http://www.flickr.com/photos/60477398@N00/2550376810
- (c) Bryant, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2560/3787934700_98b49210fa.jpg
- Wikimedia Commons, no known copyright restrictions (public domain), https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8d/Nucifraga_columbiana_FWS.jpg
- Creator:Dave Menke, no known copyright restrictions (public domain), https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/Kiefernhaeher.jpg/460px-Kiefernhaeher.jpg
- (c) Steven Pavlov, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c1/Clark%27s_Nutcracker_%28Nucifraga_columbiana%29.jpg
- Creator:Dave Menke, no known copyright restrictions (public domain), https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a3/ClarksNutcracker23.jpg
- (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nucifraga_columbiana
- (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31410336
- (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31410338
- (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31410337
- (c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/28846967
