Birds

The skies above the parks are filled with predators on the wing, including eagles and 27 species of hawks, not to mention ospreys, falcons, and owls. Here are descriptions of some of the birds you might want to look for.

Birding Spot--Take a picnic lunch, or plan a relaxing break at the Oxbow Bend overlook in Grand Teton. Weather permitting, you can soak up some sunshine and observe the great blue herons, osprey, pelicans, cormorants, and, just maybe, a bald eagle. Although it's a popular spot, there's always room for one more vehicle.

Bald Eagle -- The bald eagle holds a position in the pecking order that parallels that of the grizzly. Of all the birds in the park, visitors are most interested in spotting this endangered species, once almost wiped out by the pesticide DDT. The Yellowstone/Grand Teton area is now home to one of largest populations of eagles in the continental United States; more than 200 of these magnificent birds make their homes in the parks. Bald eagles are most recognizable by a striking white head, tail feathers, and wingspans up to 7 feet. They typically live within 2 miles of water, so the Yellowstone Plateau, Snake River, Yellowstone Lake, and headwaters of the Madison River are prime spotting areas for this spectacular bird.

Golden Eagle -- The bald eagle's cousin, the golden eagle, is similar in appearance, although it is smaller and does not have a white cowl -- sometimes it is confused with an immature bald eagle. The golden eagle goes after small mammals such as jackrabbits and prairie dogs. It works out in the open country; sometimes you'll find one feeding on roadkill.

Osprey -- The osprey, which is nicknamed the "fish eagle" (on account of its diet), is a smaller version of the eagle, growing from 21 to 24 inches and with a white underbody and brown topsides. It is recognizable by a whistling sound it makes while hunting. Ospreys tend to create large nests made of twigs and branches that are found on the tops of trees and power poles. Look for this handsome, interesting bird in the Snake River area and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, a popular nesting area.

Raven -- Sporting a 50- to 60-inch wingspan, the raven is jet black and markedly larger than the crow. The bird plays an interesting role in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, especially since the reintroduction of wolves in 1995. Biologists have observed ravens communicating with wolves, leading them to carcasses, and even playing with the pups. The most intelligent bird in the parks, ravens benefit from wolf kills because they are scavengers, so this relationship is symbiotic. They can be spotted just about everywhere in both parks.

Trumpeter Swan -- The trumpeter swan, one of the largest birds on the continent, has chosen the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem as a sanctuary. Easily recognizable by their long, curved necks, snowy white bodies, and black bills, they are found in marshes and on lakes and rivers. Odds of a sighting are excellent on the Madison River near the West Yellowstone entrance and on Christian Pond, Swan Lake, and Cygnet Pond in Grand Teton.

Other Raptors -- American kestrels, prairie falcons, and red-tailed hawks are seen on Antelope Flats-Kelly Road in Grand Teton, most often over hay fields, where they search for small rodents.

Other Aquatic Birds -- The great blue heron, a skinny, long-legged wading bird, is found in wetlands and rocky outcrops, especially near the end of Jackson Lake. Yellowstone Lake is a prime viewing area for the best fishers in the park, the American white pelicans that capture fish in their long, yellow-pouched bill. The American dipper, the only aquatic songbird in North America, revels in cold, fast-flowing mountain streams. The slate-gray dipper is tiny, only 7 to 8 inches tall, and is recognized by its long bill and stubby tail.