Nest Boxes

The birds we expect to see in the nest boxes can be:

Mountain Chickadee, Mountain Bluebird, Wren, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Short-eared Owl

Birds of Alta

Birds we detect near our nest boxes and in the Alta Ski Area are:

Stellar’s Jay, Common Raven, Clark’s Nutcracker, Cassin’s Finch, Sharp-tailed Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Golden Eagle

Hairy Woodpecker

Identify this bird by…Long, straight, chisel-like bill; stiff, long tail feathers to lean against on tree trunks; the bill is nearly the same length as the head.

Listen for…Call: A short, sharp peek note very similar to Downy Woodpeckers, but slightly lower pitched and often sounding more emphatic. Hairy Woodpeckers also make a rattle or whinny. Drum: A rapid and evenly paced, about 1 second long and consisting of about 26 beats.

Learn More: All About Birds - Hairy Woodpecker

Downy woodpecker

Identify this bird by…Straight, chisel-like bill, blocky head, wide shoulders; straight-backed posture as they lean away tree limbs; males have a small red patch on the back of the head.

Listen for…Call: A very sharp pik note, occasionally repeated several times. Drum: A very rapid strikes given at a steady pace, almost fast enough to blend into a single uninterrupted sound. The birds also make a slow, deliberate and much quieter tapping.

Learn More: All About Birds - Downy Woodpecker

Steller’s jay

Identify this bird by…Large size, large heads, chunky bodies, and long, full tail; the bill is long, straight, and powerful, with a slight hook; prominent triangular crest that often stands nearly straight up from their head.

Listen for…

Call: Loud and repeated shook shook shook shook call year-round. Also, guttural sounds and a harsh, nasal sounding growl. They mimic squirrels, other birds, mammals and ambiance sounds.

Learn More: All About Birds - Steller's Jay

Northern Flicker

Identify this bird by…Undersides of the wing and tail feathers are bright yellow, for eastern birds (yellow-shafted), or red, in western birds (red-shafted); white rump patch, seen in flight; males have a black “moustache,” females do not.

Listen for…Call: a high and piercing “Clear!” or “Kyeer!” Also, a quieter, rhythmic and repeated “woik-a, woik-a, woik-a”. NOFA have a territorial call, too. This is a loud, rolling rattle that lasts for 7 or 8 seconds: “wik-wik-wik-wik-wik-wik.”

Learn More: All About Birds - Northern Flicker

Clark’s Nutcracker

Identify this bird by…Large, jay sized bird with the shape of a crow; short tails and rounded, crestless heads; Long, straight, and sharp-tipped bill; overall light gray with black wings.

Listen for…Call: Like the Stellar’s Jay, the Clark’s Nutcracker also makes a harsh call, but it is a long, “khaaa” – much more nasal and drawn-out than the sounds made by the Stellar’s Jay.

Learn More: All About Birds - Clark's Nutcracker