Sparrow size. Adults, back blue-gray; breast white; top of head and nape of neck black.

ZION. Common permanent resident in the ponderosa pine belt and above, but seldom getting into the canyon bottoms, except occasionally during the winter months. Nests in June.

BRYCE CANYON. Common permanent resident on the plateau, but infrequently seen below the rim, Nests in June.

CEDAR BREAKS. Common late summer visitant.

The nasal call of the nuthatch is a familiar sound throughout the ponderosa pine forest, as the bird works his way along the trunk and out toward the tips of the branches of some huge tree. Like the skilled acrobat that he is, the nuthatch is as much at home upside down as right side up. His long, slender bill is especially adapted for probing behind flakes of bark and into crevices and crannies. When angered he will give vent to his ire by a series of sharp, protesting cries, while the tail is fanned out prominently, showing its black and white markings. He is often found in company with Chickadees or Black-eared Nuthatches.

Small wren size. Adults, upper parts bluish-gray; underparts dull; top of head grayish, with a light colored nape.

ZION. Common permanent resident above the canyon rims, but seldom getting into the valleys below.

BRYCE CANYON. Common permanent resident all along the canyon rim.

CEDAR BREAKS. Common visitant during the late summer and early fall.

Of all the birds found in the forest, none is so full of pep and energy as the tiny Black-eared Nuthatch or "pygmy," as he is often called. From early dawn to dusk he can be seen industriously working his way through the pine forests, calling and talking as he goes. Normally he has a sunny temper, but woe be unto the bird that arouses his ire, for be it one of his own size or a jay, the offender is in for an unpleasant moment or two, as the pygmy gives vent to his indignation.

Wren size. Adults, brownish, with mottled black; white streaks along the head and back.

ZION. Uncommon permanent resident in the forests above the canyon rim, getting into the canyon bottoms during the winter months.

BRYCE CANYON. Uncommon permanent resident in the forests on top of the plateau.

This slim brown bird, with the slender, curved bill, and long, stiff tail, is seldom seen by the casual observer. So perfectly does he blend with the bark of the trees that even the trained bird student may easily overlook him. He moves slowly along the trunk of the tree, carefully inspecting each crevice and crack for food, now and then uttering a high-pitched. thin call note that seems to come from nowhere in particular, and is of little assistance in locating the bird. Often he is not satisfied with the first inspection of the tree trunk, and will drop down several feet and start all over again.

The Dipper. National Park Service Photo.

Bluebird size, but plump. Adults, dark, slate-colored throughout.

ZION. Fairly common permanent resident. Nests in May and June.

Along the Virgin River and its tributary streams this plump, wren-like bird may be seen foraging in the shallow water for food. Where the water is fastest he calmly wades around, now and then disappearing quickly under the surface, as he probes for worms around the rocks, and then bobbing up like a cork, to scramble up on the nearest boulder, apparently as dry as the moment he started. All the time he drops stiff little courtesies, as be bobs and dips. His song is a thing of beauty, but is seldom heard. This is not because he does not care to sing, but his song is usually drowned by the roar of fast water. His nest is built on a ledge above the stream, often where spray from falling water is the heaviest.

Typical wren size, Adults, upper parts dull brown, barred with black; under parts grayish.

ZION. Common summer resident. Nests in May and June.

BRYCE CANYON. Uncommon summer resident. Nests in June.

The cheerful song of the House Wren is familiar to almost everyone. From one end of Zion to the other, this song may be heard from March until late in June, as the bird builds its nest and feeds its young. Its nest is found in almost any hidden cavity in a tree or in some building. Its energy is simply overwhelming, and it seldom has a still moment during the daylight hours. As it flies from one place to another, it cocks its tail at a rankish angle, a habit which helps to distinguish it from other wrens of the region.

Typical wren size. Adults rich reddish-brown; throat and breast white.

ZION. Common permanent resident. Nests in May and June.

BRYCE CANYON. Fairly common permanent resident. Nests in June.

From high up on the sheerest part of the canyon walls one hears the clear, "yelping dog" call of the Canon Wren throughout most of the spring and summer months. The song starts high and then descends the scale rapidly, to finally die out in a series of low-pitched notes. Of all the wrens in the region, this is undoubtedly the most loved. His clear song, plus the fact that he is usually found around the rocky walls, is a great aid in identifying him from other species. He is very inquisitive, and will frequently come right into a building if the door is open. The Zion Museum has had several such visitations, and in every instance the wren forgot how he got in and had to be escorted outside.

Sparrow size. Adults, grayish in appearance, with a finely streaked breast which is visible at close range; tips of tail feathers whitish.

ZION. Common permanent resident in the lower portions of the park. Nests in May.

BRYCE CANYON. Rare summer visitant. One was observed along the Navajo Trail on August 1, 1941.

The Rock Wren is a dweller of the rocky slopes, and in the spring of the year he may be seen energetically bobbing around while he pours out a song that is as much in harmony with his surroundings as his drab coloration. Unlike the Canon Wren, this bird often strays far from water, and the most arid regions in the desert country is a familiar home to him. Howeyer, he is not restricted to dry situations, but may also be found around the rocky talus slopes in the higher elevations where pine forests thrive.

Robin size, but slender. Adults, dark gray above and light gray, changing to white, on the under parts; wings blackish, with large white patches; outer tail feathers white.

ZION. Uncommon summer visitant in the lower canyons, although believed to be nesting around Coalpits Wash. Records from May to September.

This is without doubt the despair of all bird students! It is exasperating, to say the least, to hear the notes of some new bird, and, after stealing quietly through the brush to the place from whence the song is coming, to find only a mocker exercising his abilities as an imitator. However, it is a joy to watch the bird sing, as he puts his entire body and soul into the effort. His song is apparently endless, running on for long periods at a time. He often sings at night, especially when the moon is bright.

Small robin size. Adults, grayish-brown above; under parts whitish with a heavily streaked breast; wings with white bars; tail edged and tipped with white.

ZION. Uncommon summer resident in the lower canyons such as Coalpits Wash.

This bird may be confused to some extent with the Mockingbird, because of its grayish color and white markings, but its habitat is entirely different. It is not a dweller of the gardens and orchards, but is found in the brush of the desert slopes. It is often seen on the ground, where its actions are much like those of a robin. Its song is a thing of beauty, and may be heard through April and May when the mating season is at its height.

A familiar size to all. Adults, dark gray back; head and tail blackish; breast brick-red.

ZION. Common permanent resident through out the park, although less common in the winter months. Nests in May, June and July.

BRYCE CANYON. Common permanent resident; less common during the winter months. Nests in June.

CEDAR BREAKS. Uncommon late summer visitant.

Certainly there is nothing more familiar than the Robin, even to the most amateurish bird student. However, there are a few things about the Western Robin that differ somewhat from his eastern relative. Usually the robin is associated with gardens and orchards, but the western form commonly lives far from such habitations. Here he builds his nest among the forests and in the deep canyons. During the nesting season, he and his mate often raise two broods, and young robins, with their heavily spotted breasts, may be seen throughout the region from May until August.

Bluebird size. Adults, upper parts dark grayish brown; breast white, heavily spotted; tail rich reddish-brown.

ZION. Fairly common summer resident in the higher portions of the park. Nests in June.

BRYCE CANYON. Fairly common summer resident throughout the rim region, being especially noticeable around Rainbow Point. Nests in June.

CEDAR BREAKS. Fairly common summer resident. No nesting data.

There is something about the quality of the Hermit's song that is descriptive of the country in which he lives. It is so rich and bell-like, yet with a certain wildness that is in keeping with his dense evergreen forest home. He usually sings late in the evening, as the quietness of the dusk steals across the forest lands. At rest he has a habit of raising and lowering his tail at frequent intervals.