Wildlife

The Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is a bird of prey indigenous to North America, most recognizable as the national bird of the United States. The species was on the brink of extinction late in the 20th century but has largely recovered and now has a stable population and is no longer on the U.S. federal government's list of endangered species.

The bird gets both its common and scientific names from the distinctive white color of the adult's head feathers; baeld is the Old English word for "white" and Haliaeetus is the New Latin for "sea eagle," from the Greek haliaetos. Leucocephalus is the Greek for "white head," from leukos ("white") and kephale ("head"). www.fws.gov/pacific/ecoservices/envicon/pim/reports/Olympia/HoodCanalEagle.htm

The Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias, is a wading bird of the heron family Ardeidae, common all over North and Central America as well as the West Indies and the Galápagos, except in deserts and high mountains where there is no water for it to wade in. It is very similar to the European Grey Heron. This is the largest North American heron.

This species usually breeds in colonies in trees close to lakes or other wetlands, often with other species of herons. It builds a bulky stick nest. The female lays 3 to 5 pale blue eggs. Both parents feed the young at the nest by regurgitating food.

It feeds in shallow water or at the water's edge and spears fish or frogs with its long, sharp bill. Its varied diet can also include insects, snakes, turtles, rodents and small birds. It will also raid goldfish ponds in back yards. www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i1940id.html

The Western Canada goose has a black head and crown, a long black neck, and white cheek patches that connect under the chin. The adult gander (male) tends to be bigger than the goose (female) and averages 30 inches in length with a 60-inch wingspan. (Photo by Ty Smedes.) http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/living/canada_geese.htm.

Crows and ravens belong in the Corvid family (which includes jays and magpies) and are considered to be among the most adaptable and intelligent birds. Its coal-black coloring, highly social behavior, and distinct call make the American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos), also known as the common crow, one of the most frequently seen and heard birds. Although most bird books recognize populations along the coast and around the Puget Sound to be a distinct species called the Northwestern crow (Corvus caurinus), some experts classify the smaller Northwestern crow as a subspecies of the American crow. (Drawing by Elva Hamerstrom Paulson) http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/living/crows.htm

Adult male robins are dark gray above and brick red below. Their heads and tails are black and their beaks are yellow. Females are similar, but have duller coloring. Young robins have a freckling of white dots on their reddish fronts. Partial albino robins are uncommon, but are seen each year. (Image by Maury Tosi.) http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/living/robins.htm

The European starling is a medium-sized, black songbird with short, triangular wings, speckled plumage, and a short tail. The adult in breeding plumage has a distinctive yellow bill and speckled black plumage with purple-green iridescence. The nonbreeding adult has a black beak and light spots. Juveniles are drab gray-brown overall. Males and females look alike. http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/living/starlings.htm

Swallows are migratory songbirds that occur and breed in Washington from spring to fall. They are sparrow-sized birds with long, pointed wings and streamlined bodies developed for fast, acrobatic flight. They are seen swooping and flying over fields, orchards, lakes, and anywhere else that flying insects are abundant. The barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) is a distinctive bird with bold plumage and a long, slender, deeply forked tail. It has blue-black upper parts, a reddish throat and breast, and a rust or buff colored belly. Females are slightly duller and shorter-tailed than males. Barn swallow nests are made of mud pellets and some fibrous material and are often built under eaves, bridges, docks, or other man-made structures. (Drawing by Elva Hamerstrom Paulson.) http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/living/swallows.htm

Bats are highly beneficial to people, and the advantages of having them around far outweigh any problems you might have with them. As predators of night-flying insects (including mosquitoes!), bats play a role in preserving the natural balance of your property or neighborhood. Although swallows and other bird species consume large numbers of flying insects, they generally feed only in daylight. When night falls, bats take over: a nursing female little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) may consume her body weight in insects each night during the summer. Contrary to some widely held views, bats are not blind and do not become entangled in peoples' hair. If a flying bat comes close to your head, it's probably because it is hunting insects that have been attracted by your body heat. Less than one bat in 20,000 has rabies, and no Washington bats feed on blood. http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/living/bats.htm
The Big 9 Bat Facts: http://www.bats4kids.org/
How Bats Work: http://science.howstuffworks.com/bat.htm

American black bears are the most common and widely distributed bears in North America. In Washington, black bears live in a diverse array of forested habitats, from coastal rainforests to the dry woodlands of the Cascades' eastern slopes. In general, black bears are strongly associated with forest cover, but they do occasionally use relatively open country, such as clearcuts and the fringes of other open habitat. (Photo by Alan Bauer.) wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/living/bears.htm

Cougars are the largest members of the cat family in North America. Adult males average approximately 140 pounds but in a perfect situation may weigh 180 pounds and measure 7-8 feet long from nose to tip of tail. Adult males stand about 30 inches tall at the shoulder. Adult female cougars average about 25 percent smaller than males. Cougars vary in color from reddish-brown to tawny (deerlike) to gray, with a black tip on their long tail. Cougars occur throughout Washington where suitable cover and prey are found. The cougar population for the year 2002 was estimated to be 2,400 to 3,500 animals. Statewide, the cougar population is likely declining. The Department of Fish and Wildlife has nine management zones around the state designated for “maintain” or “decline,” and adjusts harvest levels accordingly. (Photo by Rich Beausoleil.) wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/living/cougars.htm

In Washington, these intelligent and adaptable animals now manage to occupy almost every conceivable habitat type, from open ranch country to densely forested areas to downtown waterfront. Despite ever-increasing human encroachment and past efforts to eliminate coyotes, the species maintains its numbers and is increasing in some areas. The coyote’s tenacity tries some people’s patience and inspires others’ admiration. At first glance, the coyote resembles a small German shepherd dog, yet its color can vary from animal to animal. Shades include black, brown, gray, yellow, rust, and tan. Coyotes also have shorter, bushier tails that are carried low, almost dragging the ground, and longer, narrower muzzles than their dog cousins. Adult coyotes weigh 20 to 35 pounds, with males being slightly larger than females. At the shoulder, an adult male coyote is about 25 inches tall. (Photo by Ty Smedes.) wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/living/coyotes.htm

The muskrat has a stocky appearance, with small eyes and very short, rounded ears. Its front feet, which are much smaller than its hind feet, are adapted primarily for digging and feeding. (Photo by John White.) http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/living/muskrats.htm

A nutria is three times the size of a muskrat and its tail is round, not flattened vertically, as is the muskrat's. Nutria and beaver are similar in size, but the beaver has a large tail, which is flattened horizontally. (Photo courtesy of a homeowner on Lake Washington.) http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/living/nutria.htm

Because raccoons manipulate and moisten food items in water, there is a misconception that raccoons “wash” their food before eating it. However, when water is not available, raccoons use many of the same motions in handling food. (Photo by Ginger Holser) http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/living/raccoons.htm

Individual treefrogs can change color between green and brown tones in a few minutes. This color change is related to the temperature and amount of moisture in the air, not to the background color as is the case for most reptiles. (Photo by Jon McGinnis.) http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/living/frogs.htm

The common garter snake is the most wide-ranging reptile in North America. In Washington it is found from coastal and mountain forests to sagebrush deserts, usually close to water or wet meadows—or your garden. (Photo by Jon McGinnis.) http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/living/snakes.htm