Although Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is widely known for its wetlands and migratory waterbirds, its grasslands and upland habitats also support a diverse bird community. Western Meadowlarks are one example of the species that depend on these open landscapes.
Great-tailed grackles are highly adaptable and opportunistic foragers. Their diet includes insects, seeds, grains, small invertebrates, and human food waste, which allows them to take advantage of a wide range of habitats and changing conditions. This might also be why they can be known as dumpster divers in more populated areas.
When breeding, these birds eat a mixture of seeds and invertebrates, and parents provision their young with the latter almost exclusively. During migration and while on wintering grounds, bobolinks subsist on a variety of seeds from wild and commercially-grown plants.
Ospreys suffered steep declines in the mid-20th century due to pesticide contamination, especially DDT, which thinned eggshells and reduced nesting success. With the banning of DDT, cleaner waterways, and widespread installation of nest platforms, many osprey populations have rebounded.
Written by Peter Pearsall/Photo by Peter Pearsall Bold, brash, and unmistakable, the yellow-headed blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) is one of North America’s most striking marsh birds. With its golden head and jet-black body, the male looks almost
Join us in celebrating National Wildlife Refuge Week in honor of Malheur NWR and the Friends who promote its conservation. Come & Bring your friends!
