Birds of the Big Sky

The Great Plains in general, and Montana's prairies specifically, are certainly one of the great natural wonders of the North American continent.  And like all of North America's iconic landscapes, this one is also inhabited by its own special compliment of birds.  

On our trip through the Rocky Mountain states last June, while making our way toward Yellowstone National Park, we took a quick detour north of I-90 to a very specific patch of prairie habitat, home to a few very special birds.  

My target birds (i.e. birds I especially wanted to see) at this location were Sprague's Pipit, Baird's Sparrow, Thick-billed Longspur, Upland Sandpiper and Sharp-tailed Grouse.  I am happy to report that I found four out of the five - all except the notoriously difficult Baird's Sparrow.  Although in full disclosure, I must admit that I only heard Sprague's Pipit, as males defend their territories by pouring forth a gorgeous cascade of song from on high and are very rarely seen on the ground.  (In their treeless habitat, many prairie birds have adapted aerial flight displays in lieu of singing from exposed perches; such is the case for Sprague's Pipit.)

Sharp-tailed Grouse

The first of these birds that crossed our path - quite literally - was a Sharp-tailed Grouse, spotted shortly before it ducked into tall grass along the edge of the dirt road.  A second grouse materialized right beside the car, where it was hanging out underneath a shrub.

A little farther down the road, I was overjoyed to hear the distant call of what could only be one bird: the Upland Sandpiper!  

Upland Sandpiper

Though closely related to other shorebirds, Upland Sandpipers live life almost entirely on the grasslands.  Their song is a wild, rising and falling wolf-whistle that can be heard ringing out across the prairie.  It's a sound I have wanted to hear in person for a long time, and this obliging male called repeatedly from his fence post perch while I looked on, enchanted.  His wife (presumably) was down below, mostly hidden in the grasses, apparently enchanted as well.

Listen to the call of the Upland Sandpiper here.

Aside from the Great Plains specialist species, we also encountered a few familiar faces.  We know Wilson's Snipe, Sandhill Crane and Long-billed Curlew from their overwintering grounds in California's Central Valley; so it was great fun to see - and hear! - these birds at home on their breeding territories.  The snipes, which we encountered in multiple locations across Colorado and Wyoming as well, were particularly fun to listen to, as they were actively calling and winnowing at dawn and dusk.

Wilson's Snipe

While Baird's Sparrow eluded us, there were plenty of other sparrows to keep us entertained: Vesper and Savannah were abundant, along with a few Grasshopper Sparrows.

Grasshopper Sparrow

Eastern Kingbirds, a fun treat for a Californian birder, were also present on the prairie, near a wetland area with trees.

Eastern Kingbird

And, as this was only my second experience with Bobolinks (my first being last summer in Massachusetts and Maine), we spent some time watching and listening to these neat birds as well.

Bobolinks