GRAND TETON NATURE NOTES

NEW TETON BIRDS

by
Bennett T. Gale

The check list of birds of Grand Teton National Park was compiled in December, 1937. Since that time several new species have been added and further observation reveals many changes in relative abundance that should be made. It is the purpose of this article to bring together all the new information concerning the bird life of the park and thus make our check list more complete and useful.

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos (Gmelin). White Pelican.
This bird has been classified as rare. In the last few years, however, it has been observed in numbers during the spring migration. Observations have been made of the flight of this bird over or near the park throughout the summer months indicating nesting sites along the Snake River and Jackson Lake. One October observation has been made.

Phalacrocorax auritus auritus (Lesson). Double-crested Cormorant.
Rare; observed by Hanks and Gale over Jackson Lake Oct. 6, 1938.

Cygnus columbianus (Ord). Whistling Swan.
Rare; one flock of 40 observed by Hanks and Gale on November 2, 1940 on Jenny Lake.

Dafila acuta tzitzihoa (Vieillot). American Pintail.
Not observed within the park but noted in numbers during migration periods in Jackson Hole.

Astur atricapillus ssp. undetermined. Goshawk.
The goshawk is commonly soon in the eastern piedmont section of the park with observations noted during the entire year. A nesting pair were noted just north of the Jenny Lake Campground during the early summer of 1940.

Accipiter cooperi (Bonaparte). Cooper's Hawk.
Uncommon; identified by McKean at Taggart Lake July 3, 1939.

Bonasa umbellus umbelloides (Douglas). Gray Ruffed Grouse.
Sprunt, in 1933, called this bird "fairly common." It certainly is one of the most abundant birds of the lower elevations, remaining in the park throughout the year.

Actitis macularia (Linnaeus). Spotted Sandpiper.
Few observations of this bird have been made in recent years and it is felt that the term "uncommon" should be used.

Megaceryle alcyon alcyon (Linnaeus). Eastern Belted Kingfisher.
Infrequent but persistent observations indicate the classification of uncommon for this species.

Sphyrapicus thyroideus nataliae (Malherbe). Natalie's Sapsucker.
Since only a few observations of this bird have been made in the past years we believe the designation of uncommon should apply.

Picoides tridactylus dorsalis (Baird). Alpine Three-toed Woodpecker.
Rare; one nesting pair noted in South Cascade Canyon July 9, 1940.

Sitta carolinensis nelsoni (Mearns). Rocky Mountain Nuthatch.
This bird did not appear on our check list, probably through error. It is a fairly common year-long resident.

Hylocichla ustulata swainsoni (Tschudi). Olive-backed Thrush.
The first record of this bird was made by Cameron in July, 1939. Later, that year a nesting pair were under observation on the shores of Jenny Lake. On May 10, 1940 an olive-backed thrush crashed into a window at the park naturalist's residence. During the summer of 1940 many of these birds were noted and it is now believed that they are as numerous as the Audubon's hermit thrush.

Sialia mexicana bairdi (Ridgway.) Chestnut-backed Bluebird.
Only two observations have been made of this bird and both occurred in October, 1938. A flock of 20 to 30 were seen in the piedmont zone between Snowshoe and Waterfall Canyons. A few days later a flock of approximately the same number were observed at park headquarters. We believe this bird is an uncommon migrant.

Myadestes townsendi (Audubon). Townsend's Solitaire.
Townsend's Solitaire is a bird seen in limited numbers in the piedmont section of the park.

Regulus satrapa olivaceus (Baird). Western Golden-crowned Kinglet.
This bird was first identified in October, 1940 by Hanks and Gale. Numerous other observations have been made and it is now believed that it is much more common in the park area than is the Ruby-crowned Kinglet.

Corthylio calendula ssp. undetermined. Ruby-crowned Kinglet.
Further investigation is necessary before the relative numbers of this bird are known. It certainly is not abundant as carried on our check list.

Wilsonia pusilla pileolata (Pallas). Northern Pileolated Warbler.
Rare; the only authentic observation we have was made by McKean while conducting the summer bird census, July 27, 1940.

Piranga ludoviciana (Wilson). Western Tanager.
This is one of our common summer residents and was so found by Sprunt in 1933. In Recent years the number of tanagers seen in the park has been decreasing. We are unable to explain this loss, having noted but two deaths, both of which were caused by freezing.

Pinicola enucleator montana (Ridgway). Rocky Mountain Pine Grosbeak.
During the past two years this bird has been noted in several scattered localities and, apparently, is a year-long resident.

Acanthis linaria linaria (Linnaeus). Common Redpoll.
Uncommon; a flock of 25 were seen by Hanks on January 16, 1941, and the same flock or another of similar numbers were observed on the following day.

Loxia curvirostra ssp. undetermined. Crossbill.
Crossbills have been observed in increasing numbers during the past year.

Junco oreganus montanus (Ridgway). Montana Junco.
On May 10, 1940 this bird was closely observed and identification made possible. It has been seen occasionally since that time and should be classified as uncommon.

Plectrophenax nivalis nivalis (Linnaeus). Eastern Snow Bunting.
An uncommon migrant; one small flock was observed December 15, 1939 and another January 1, 1941.