The mountain bluebird is Idaho’s state bird. They are beautiful, though fairly common, creatures. They range from Alaska to Mexico and are found in every western state. But, what if there were a bird found only in Idaho? Would that bird knock the bluebird off its official perch?
Probably not. People love bluebirds. But there is a potential contender that may meet that only in Idaho test. American Ornithological Society publishes and annual checklist for birders. There are often a few changes on that list, and this year one of those changes is about the South Hills or Cassia Crossbill.
Crossbills are birds that look like they’ve been in a fight where someone knocked their beaks sideways. Their bills—this may not surprise you at this point—cross. This has nothing to do with avian pugilism. It’s a result of evolution. Each crossbill’s beak has evolved to match the particular shape of local pine cones. This didn’t happen overnight. Scientist think this particular bird has been around for about 6,000 years feasting off pine cones in the South Hills, and only in the South Hills of Idaho.
For more on this, check the link. If you want to see a South Hills Crossbill, take a little trip to Castle Rocks State Park. The manager there can point you in the right direction.
http://www.audubon.org/news/how-crossbills-and-other-birds-are-rewriting-rules-evolution
Probably not. People love bluebirds. But there is a potential contender that may meet that only in Idaho test. American Ornithological Society publishes and annual checklist for birders. There are often a few changes on that list, and this year one of those changes is about the South Hills or Cassia Crossbill.
Crossbills are birds that look like they’ve been in a fight where someone knocked their beaks sideways. Their bills—this may not surprise you at this point—cross. This has nothing to do with avian pugilism. It’s a result of evolution. Each crossbill’s beak has evolved to match the particular shape of local pine cones. This didn’t happen overnight. Scientist think this particular bird has been around for about 6,000 years feasting off pine cones in the South Hills, and only in the South Hills of Idaho.
For more on this, check the link. If you want to see a South Hills Crossbill, take a little trip to Castle Rocks State Park. The manager there can point you in the right direction.
http://www.audubon.org/news/how-crossbills-and-other-birds-are-rewriting-rules-evolution
Photo by Adam Ciha, from the above-linked website.
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