Clark's Nutcracker

The Clark's nutcracker, known scientifically as Nucifraga columbiana, is a passerine bird of the family Corvidae. It is sometimes referred to as Clark's crow or the woodpecker crow. This bird is native to the mountainous regions of western North America and is recognized by its ashy-grey plumage, with contrasting black and white wings and tail. The central tail feathers are black, while the outer ones are white. Its bill, legs, and feet are also black, with the bill being notably long, stout, and cone-shaped.

Identification Tips

Adult Clark's nutcrackers average 28.8 cm (11.3 in) in length and are slightly smaller than their Eurasian relative, the spotted nutcracker (N. caryocatactes). When identifying this species, look for the loose texture of the ashy-grey feathers, the distinctive black and white pattern on the wings and tail, and the robust, conical bill.

Habitat

Clark's nutcrackers are found in conifer forests within mountainous regions, preferring altitudes of 900–3,900 metres (3,000–12,900 ft).

Distribution

This species inhabits western North America, ranging from British Columbia and western Alberta in the north to Baja California and central New Mexico in the south. An isolated population exists on Cerro Potosí in Nuevo León, northeast Mexico.

Behaviour

Clark's nutcrackers are not migratory but do move locally between higher and lower elevations. They are known to wander extensively, especially in response to cone crop failures. These birds exhibit remarkable spatial memory, allowing them to retrieve cached seeds buried under snow. They are also agile foragers, adept at extracting seeds from pine cones and hunting for insects.

Song & Calls

The vocalizations of Clark's nutcrackers are highly varied, but their most common call is a distinctive khraaaah-khraaaah.

Breeding

Clark's nutcrackers typically nest in conifers during early spring. Both parents incubate the two to four eggs over a period of 16–18 days. The fledglings, which leave the nest around the 22nd day, stay with their parents for several months to learn seed storage techniques.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of Clark's nutcrackers is primarily composed of pine seeds, particularly from white pines with large seeds. They also consume a variety of insects, berries, small mammals, and occasionally carrion. These birds have a specialized sublingual pouch for transporting and storing seeds, which they cache in the ground for later consumption.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List currently classifies Clark's nutcracker as Least Concern, indicating that the species is not at immediate risk of decline. However, the decline of whitebark pine, a key food source, due to disease and beetle outbreaks, could have future implications for the species' survival.