Earthpalz

Clark’s Nutcracker(Nucifraga Columbiana)The Clark’s Nutcracker is native to the mountains of the western United States and Canada, and makes its home in the carniforous forest. The Clark’s Nutcracker was named for William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The Clark’s Nutcracker was initially identified as a bird in the woodpecker family because of the way they pounded their bills on pine cones. Later, Lewis studied the birds and recognized them as members of the crow family. Male and female Clark’s Nutcrackers look alike, with a gray head and body, and black and white wings and tail feathers. They have long, pointed bills. These birds mate for life, and females lay their eggs earlier than any other songbird species. The diet of the Clark’s Nutcracker consists of seeds, insects and spiders, and small mammals. The Clark’s Nutcracker rips open pinecones with their sharp beaks to feed on the seeds inside, and then stores the rest to eat later. Reforestation occurs when these buried seeds germinate. It is believed that a Clark’s Nutcracker will plant an entire forest in its lifetime. Experiments show that these birds can recall exact locations of the seeds they planted for up to nine months. Clark’s Nutcracker has a variety of calls. Three of the most frequently heard are “kraaks”, “meerk” and a chirrup”.

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by: Josey Layne

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