WILDLIFE:
SPOTLIGHT ON WILDLIFE OF THE TRAIL
The Nez Perce National Historic Trail ranges from the deeply incised Columbia River Plateau, across the Continental Divide and a succession of ranges, canyons, and valleys, through forests and plains, across thermal areas and major rivers. The Trail winds through some of the most rugged and spectacular scenery in western America. It traverses some of the largest undisturbed tracts of sagebrush steppe habitat, and a tremendous variety of wildlife and plant species thrive across the varied habitats of the Trail corridor.
The Nez Perce National Historic Trail supports relatively unaltered and increasingly uncommon native habitats, the quality and extent of which are unequaled in the Pacific Northwest and Great Plains. Because of the variety of terrestrial and aquatic habitats across this range, there exists a tremendous variety of plant and animal species along the Trail.
Osprey
Scientific Name: Pandion haliaetus
Niimiipuutímt: sá•xsax
Description: This bird of prey is dark brown on the back with white underneath including a white head. There is a prominent stripe leading from the eye to the back of the head. This bird is often mistaken for a mature bald eagle. In flight the osprey's wings are bent back much like that of a sea gull.
Range: These birds can be found near fresh water areas throughout the Nez Perce National Historic Trail.
Habitat: They most often nest near freshwater streams.
Food: Osprey's primarily eat fish. Hence another common name of fish hawk.
These birds are often seen hovering over water and making dives into the water plunging feet first. As in this picture their nests are bulky and often found in large snags, poles and in some cases specially constructed platforms to discourage them from building nest on power poles like the one in the picture. This bird was once rare due to DDT, but since the banning of DDT and other conservation measures these birds are increasing in number.
Also see our page on the White-tailed Deer.
Also see our page on the Columbia Spotted Frog.
Also see our page on the Horned Lark.
Also see our page on the 13 Lined Ground Squirrel.
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NEWS & EVENTS
WILDLIFE