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we Montanans will no doubt be working
in these coming decades to keep the trees,
shrubs and grasslands healthy, the weeds
down, and the wetlands and rivers flush with
seasonal water. Finally, we just may see new
Montana species as those from the south
expand their range and head our way.
doES thE IMPaCt Vary for dIffErEnt faMIlIES
of BIrd SPECIES — SongBIrdS, raPtorS, EtC.?
Research suggests that it is not so much
families but rather the "ecological niche"
that species inhabit. Birds that are "general-
ists"— those that can thrive in a wide range of
habitats, who don't mind humans, and enjoy a
varied diet — are predicted to have an easier
time adapting to changing conditions. Robins,
crows, and ravens may do just fine. ose with
specific ecological needs will likely be more
impacted. For example, the uncommon Black
Swift nests only behind waterfalls (which could
run dry with fewer glaciers and less mountain
snowpack) and eats exclusively flying insects
(which may not hatch at the time they are
needed to feed their young). Trumpeter Swans
are tied to particular wetlands, needing the
right amount of water to successfully raise
cygnets. Harlequin Ducks need fast moving yet
predictable waterways so their streamside nests
don't flood. Other examples abound.
THESE—aND OTHEr—mONTaNa BirDS arE liKEly TO BECOmE
impErilED iN THE COmiNg DECaDES uNlESS
WE EmBraCE ClimaTE SOluTiONS:
FOrEST BirDS liKE THE mOuNTaiN CHiCKaDEE
aND ClarK'S NuTCraCKEr,
WETlaND-aSSOCiaTED SpECiES liKE THE TrumpETEr SWaN,
alpiNE BirDS liKE THE WHiTE-TailED pTarmigaN,
graSSlaND SpECiES liKE
THE CHESTNuT-COllarED lONgSpur.
Check out the
Audubon report video:
www.climate.audubon.org/article/audubon-report-glance
DISTINCTLY MONTANA | DIGITAL
IntErVIEw wIth
aMy CIlIMBurg
dIrECtor of ConSErVatIon and ClIMatE PolICy, Montana auduBon
Clark's Nutcracker
BOB MArTiNkA
CONTiNUeD
