Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology:  Poecile (unknown small bird) atricapillus ("black cap")

Adult Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) in Anchorage, Alaska, USA - August 2024

Featured Subspecies: Poecile atricapillus turneri
Weight: 9-14g  /  Length: 12-15cm  /  Wingspan: 15-21cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A small and abundant tit that is found throughout much of Northern North America, although in the South-Eastern US it is replaced by the very similar looking Carolina Chickadee. It is an adaptable species found in both coniferous and deciduous forests as well as human modified habitats. They are not migratory, but have several adaptations to deal with cold temperatures including caching behaviour and the ability to lower their body temperature and enter a state of torpor.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Paridae
Genus: Poecile
SUBSPECIES: P. a. turneri, P. a. occidentalis, P. a. fortuitus, P. a. septentrionalis, P. a. bartletti, P. a. garrinus, P. a. nevadensis, P. a. practicus

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA -Present in Southern and Central Canada
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Alberta

UNITED STATES - Present in Northern States of the Lower 48 and Alaska
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Montana, Alaska

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Quiscalus (unclear origin) quiscula (unclear origin)

 

Juvenile Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) in North Dakota - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: Bronzed Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula versicolor
Weight: 74-142g  /  Length: 28-34cm  /  Wingspan: 35-46cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Near Threatened 

A common and omnivorous bird that has generally adapted well to human habitation and will nest in made made structures, but nonetheless is considered Near Threatened due to being significantly down from it's historic peak. They have a beak with a special saw like plate inside adapted for making them better at crushing hard nuts.  They also are somewhat attuned to Earth's magnetic field, although the precise purpose and utility of this is still unclear.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Icteridae
Genus: Quiscalus
SUBSPECIES: Q. q. quiscula, Q. q. stonei, Q. q. versicolor

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA -Breeding migrant across South East Canada.
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Alberta

UNITED STATES - Resident in South East USA, migrant Breeding range extends further North and West.
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Illinois, North Dakota and Montana

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Tyrannus ("absolute ruler") tyrannus ("absolute ruler")

Adult Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) at Buffalo Creek National Park, Minnesota, US - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 33-55g /  Length: 19-23cm  /  Wingspan: 33-38cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The more common of the two Kingbird species seen on the trip, the Eastern Kingbird was fairly conspicuous a presence as they perch prominantly near their nest sites. Despite being a member of the usually small and timid flycatcher family, eastern kingbirds have a reputation as aggressive defenders of their territories from species like corvids, and as such other small birds will often nest near them for the security benefits. 

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Tyrannidae
Genus: Tyrannus
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA - Found across most ofthe Southern half of Canada
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Alberta.

UNITED STATES - Summer breeding species across all but the South-West of the Lower 48
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Illinois, Minnesota, North Dakota and Montana

 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)

OTHER NAMES: Common Flicker, Yellow-shafted Flicker, Clape, Gaffer Woodpecker, Harry-wicket, Heigh-ho, Wake-up, Walk-up, Wick-up, Yarrup, Gawker Bird
Latin Etymology: Colaptes ("chiseller") auratus ("gilded")

Adult female Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) at Fort Peck, Montana, USA - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: Colaptes auratus luteus
Weight: 86-167g  /  Length: 28-36cm  /  Wingspan: 42-54cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

One of the most common and widespread woodpeckers in North America and are something of an analogue to Green Woodpeckers in the UK in that they are a larger species that significantly feeds on the ground and has a large proportion of their diet consisting of ants. As with most woodpeckers, they are cavity nesters and have adapted well to human encroachment and can be found in parks and gardens.

Related Species:

Order: Piciformes

Family: Picidae

Genus: Colaptes

SUBSPECIES: C. a. auratus, C. a. luteus, C. a. chrysocaulosus, C. a. gundlachi, C. a. cafer, C. a. collaris, C. a. nanus, C. a. mexicanus, C. a. mexicanoides

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Present throughout the entire Lower 48 plus central Alaska
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Illinois, Minnesota and Montana

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)

OTHER NAMES: Grasshopper Hawk, Locust Hawk
Latin Etymology: Buteo ("buzzard") swainsoni (named for William Swainson)

Adult light morph Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) at Alberta, Canada - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 500-1700g  /  Length: 43-56cm  /  Wingspan: 117-137cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A smaller buteo that breeds in the great plains and other open areas of North America.They hunt primarily small mammals and grasshoppers when seasonally available. Fairly tolerant of humans compared to many raptors, this particular individual was perched up inside of a town.  Swainson's Hawks are the longest distance migrant of any accipiter which can be over 7000miles and take 2 months. 

Related Species:
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Buteo
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA - Migrant breeder on Great Plains
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Alberta.

UNITED STATES - Migrant breeder in Centre and Westerly Lower 48 and an area of Alaska
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in North Dakota and Montana.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Buteo ("buzzard") regalis ("royal")

Adult Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis) at Montana, USA - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 900-2200g  /  Length: 51-71cm  /  Wingspan: 122-158cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The largest species of Buteo in North America, and the second largest world wide, the Ferruginous Hawk is a species with a decidedly aquiline bearing. They breed in the Great Plains and Winter in the South West and into Mexico.  They primarily feed on small mammals of which there are wide diversity available across their range.

Related Species:
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Buteo
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA -Breeds in the Sourthern parts of the Canadian Great Plains.
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Alberta.

UNITED STATES - Breeds in North West, Winters in South West with a resident population between.
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Glimpsed in North Dakota and Montana.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Hydroprogne ("water swallow") caspia ("of the Caspian sea")

Adult Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) at Fort Peck, Montana, USA - August 2022

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 530-782g  /  Length: 48-60cm  /  Wingspan: 127-145cm
NO UK STATUS/ IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The largest of all terns by a margin of up to 50%, and, despite the very localised suggesting name, one of the most globally distributed, found on every continent except South America and Antarctica, albeit with a very perculiar mix of migratory and resident populations that border on each other in perculiar ways. It can be found on both fresh and saltwater.

Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes

Family: Laridae (Formerly Sternidae)

Genus: Hydroprogne

SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
DA patchy, migrant distribution primarily along the coast and Great Lakes
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at Berkeley

 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Montana

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Eight-spotted skimmer (Libellula forensis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Libellula ("dragonfly") forensis

Adult Eight-spotted skimmer (Libellula forensis) in Montana, USA- July 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: ?  /  Length: 44-50mm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A species largely of the Western United States found from South Dakota into Alberta in the North and California in the South. They are on the wing from April to October. The spotting of the name refers to the dark spots on each side, however, it is also noteworthy in this regard as one of the few skimmer species to have white wing spots on both male and female individuals. It is a near endemic of the USA, only just crossing the Canadian border.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata 
Family: Libellulidae 
Genus: Libellula 
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Found in Western Lower 48
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Montana

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Edwards's Fritillary (Argynnis edwardsii)

OTHER NAMES: Edwards' Fritillary
Latin Etymology:  Speyeria (for lepidopterist Speyer)

Adult Edward's Fritillary (Argynnis edwardsii) at Montana, USA - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Wingspan: 6.0-8.6cm
NO UK STATUS /  IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A large fritillary found on short grass prarie along the Wester Rockies. Their host plants are species of violet. Their flight time is May to early September, having only one brood per year.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Speyeria
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Found on the plains, from Montana to Colorado
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota and Alaska

 Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana)

OTHER NAMES: American Antelope, Prob Buck, Prairie Antelope
Latin Etymology:  Antilocapra ("antelope goat") americana ("of America")

Adult female Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) in Montana, USA - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: Antilocapra americana americana
Weight: 40-65kg  /  Length: 130-150cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A fascinating instance of a species that has survived it's evolutionary contemporaries. Despite appearances, they are not especially closesly related to Antelopes of Africa and Eurasia and are instead the sole survivor of a family of species that spread across the americas filling different niches. Their closest living relatives are the Giraffe and Okapi.  They also have the distinction of being the second fastest land animal in the world and the fastest in the Americas, which is somewhat perculiar in the context of a lack of high speed pursuit predators in modern America, has been postulated as an adaptation to outrun the now extinct American Cheetah.

Related Species:
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Antilocapridae
Genus: Antilocapra
SUBSPECIES: A. a. americana, A. a. mexicana, A. a. peninsularis, A. a. sonoriensis

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Found inland on suitable habitat in the Western Lower 48
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Montana

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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