DIRECTOR DEPARTMENT OF BIRDS, MINN. NAT. HIST. SURVEY.
Becker County, lying as it does between the great forest region of northwestern Minnesota and the treeless plains to the westward, is ideally situated for presenting within its boundaries a great variety of bird life. The western one-third of the county is rolling prairie, sloping from elevations of 1400 to 1500 feet along the forest border, toward the Red River Valley in the tier of counties adjoining it on the west. This, with several isolated areas of prairie in the forests farther east, provides congenial homes for a large number of prairie loving birds. Among these are a few species belonging more appropriately to the high Coteau regions of North Dakota, as, for example, the Lark Bunting, Sprague's Pipit, Chestnut-colored Longspur, Burrowing Owl and several others. The remaining two-thirds of the county are more or less thickly covered with forest. Pine trees, spruces and fir balsams are found throughout much of this area. Deciduous trees of many species are abundant or predominate in the southern and central portions of the county, but in the' northeastern quarter the forest becomes more distinctly coniferous and both the fauna and the flora present the typical Canadian aspect. Thus there is presented in the timbered regions of the county a diversity of conditions which attracts almost all the avian forest dwellers of the state.
The prairies and forests of Becker County are diversified by over 88,000 acres of water in the form of lakes and ponds and many streams. Thus an immense number of aquatic birds here find congenial surroundings and ample opportunity to disport themselves, feed and raise their young. With the advent of man and the inevitable and largely unavoidable destruction of primitive conditions, there has been a widespread and wholesale diminution in the numbers of the water birds, extending in some instances to almost the entire disappearance of species once conspicuous features of the bird life. Some of these birds, as the swans, geese, pelicans, curlews, avocet and godwits cannot live in the wild state in association with civilized conditions any more than could the buffalo, antelope or elk, and there is no hope that they will ever again be restored to the old places where they were once so abundant. A few have left their names attached to lakes and rivers, as empty reminders of their early occupancy of the land.
The following list of birds of Becker County has been compiled from information in the possession of the Minn. Nat. Hist. Survey derived from several sources. In the early eighties Prof. W. W. Cook, now connected with the Biological Survey, Washington, D. C., was stationed at White Earth Agency and collected much information in regard to the bird life of that locality, which has found its way into print in several connections, particularly in his well known "Migration of Birds in the Mississippi Valley." In 1883. Mr. Foster H. Brackett, of Massachusetts, who died a few years ago, prepared an annotated list of birds observed about Detroit in the month of May of that year. This list was published in the Quarterly Journal of the Boston Zoological Society, Vol. II, 1883. The writer spent nine weeks in the summer of 1902 studying the birds of the Lake Itasca region, immediately adjoining the northeastern corner of Becker County, and the information there obtained applies equally well to the evergreen forests of the county under consideration. The data from these three sources have been used, supplemented by safe inferences. from what is known of the general distribution of our birds. In this manner a list has been prepared which will, it is hoped, give to the general reader a fair idea of the bird life of Becker County. To the bird student, who may have opportunity to give close attention to the subject it will at least provide a basis for future more exact annotation.
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Total number of species of birds occurring in Becker County . . . . . . . Water birds occurring in Becker County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Land Birds occurring in Becker County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Summer Residents (Breeding birds) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Migrants only . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Winter Visitants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Permanent Residents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accidental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Extinct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
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83 179 158 53 17 18 13 2 |
1. WESTERN GREBE (AechmoPhorus occidentalis.)
A western species, probably occurring occasionally in the lakes and marshes.
2. HOLDOELL'S GREBE, Red-necked Grede (Colymbus holbaellii)
Undoubtedly breeds in colonies in the marshy bays of the larger lakes, as it does in Grant County and at Leech Lake.
3. HORNED GREBE (Colymbus auritus).
To be looked for chiefly spring and fall in open water.
4. EARED GREBE (Colymbus nigricollis californicus).
A western species, breeding in colonies in marshes and
sloughs.
5. PIED-BILLED GREBE, Dabchick, "Hell-diver" (Podilymbus
podiceps).
The common species of grebe, breeding abundantly in all shallow lakes and sloughs. The grebes all construct floating nests of water-soaked, decayed vegetation, depositing the oval-shaped, much stained eggs in a shallow depression in the top. In the absence of the parent bird the eggs are covered with wet material and it is generally thought that incubation is partly accomplished by the action of the sun upon this mass of damp vegetation.
6. Loon, Great Northern Diver (Urinator imber).
A common and well-known bird. The two large olive-gray, black-spotted eggs are usually deposited in a depression on, an old muskrat house on the edge of open water.
The Black-throated and Red-throated Loons, high northern species, may occasionally occur in early spring and late fall.
7. HERRING GULL (Larus argentatus).
This is the large white gull commonly seen spring and fall, flying over the larger lakes. It breeds farther north.
8. RING-BILLED GULL (Larus delawarensis.)
A smaller gull similar to the last.
9. FRANKLIN'S GULL (Larus franklinii).
The only gull found during the summer months. It breeds in colonies in sloughs and marshy lakes. The farmers call it the "Prairie Dove" and it may often be seen
following the "breaking ploughs," picking up the grubs and worms as they are turned up by the plough-share.
10. BONAPARTE'S GULL (Larus philadelphia).
Similar to the last in size and general appearance. A migrant, spring and fall, breeding in the far north. Often seen in great flocks late in the fall.
11. CASPIAN TERN (Sterna caspia).
To be looked for as an uncommon migrant.
12. FORSTER'S TERN (Sterna forsteri).
A summer species, breeding in the sloughs and marshy ponds in company with Black Terns. This bird with its black cap, pearl gray mantle, long forked tail, and snowy white under parts, well merits the name of "Sea Swallow," sometimes applied to the Terns.
The Common and Least Terns may occasionally occur but are imperfectly known as Minnesota birds.
13. BLACK TERN (Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis).
An abundant and, in the breeding season, noisy bird, nesting everywhere in sloughs and wet marshes. It constructs a rather neat but frail nest of fine stems on floating vegetation and lays from two to four dark, spotted, strongly pyriform eggs, similar in appearance to those of most Terns. The black body-plumage of the adult bird renders it very unlike its snow-white relatives, in appearance.
14. DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT) "Black Loon" (Phalacrocorax dilophus).
A common bird, congregating in certain localities where they build their nests in the tops of trees or on the ground, usually on islands in large lakes. It has rapidly decreased in numbers of late years. Cormorant Lake in the southwestern part of the County derived its name from the presence in former years of a colony of these birds.
15. WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos).
This large bird,-formerly abundant, nesting on the ground in colonies,-is now greatly reduced in numbers, occurring chiefly in small wandering companies.
16. AMERICAN MERGANSER) Sheldrake, ( Merganser americanus). Probably appears chiefly as a migrant spring and fall.
17. RED-BREASTED MERGANSER (Merganser serrator).
May be looked for as a breeding bird as well as migrant. Nest on ground near water.
18. HOODED MERGANSER, "Fish Duck," "Saw-bill," (Lophodytes
cucullatus).
A common duck, nesting in hollow trees. Remains late in the fall, often in rapid places in streams, when all still water is frozen over. A beautiful bird but the flesh usually "fishy" and indifferent eating.
19. MALLARD, "Green-head" (Anas boschas).
Breeding commonly in marshes and sloughs, especially in the prairie portions of the county. This, like all the ducks, has been reduced deplorably in numbers of late years. Still an abundant migrant spring and fall.
The Black Mallard, or Dusky Duck, probably occurs spar
ingly during migrations.
20. GADWALL, Gray Duck (Chaulelasmus streperus).
Common, breeding; similar to Mallard in its summer habits.
21. BALDPATE, American Widgeon (Mareca americana).
Not very common, breeds.
22. GREEN-WINGED TEAL (Nettion carolinensis).
Common spring and fall, but for the most part breed
ing further north.
23. BLUE-WINGED TEAL (Querquedula discors).
An abundant bird in all suitable localities, nesting commonly about marshes and ponds.
The western Cinnamon Teal may occur occasionaJ1y as
a rare straggler.
24. SHOVELLER, Spoon-bill ( Spatula clypeata.)
Common, breeds. Usually light in weight and a poor duck for the table.
PINTAIL, "Sprig-tail" (Dalila acuta).
A common early spring and fall migrant, appearing in large flocks; breeding less numerously in the prairie portion of the County.
WOOD DUCK (Aix sponsa).
This gorgeously colored and valuable duck is rapidly decreasing in numbers everywhere with the advent of civilization. The Wood Duck, as its name implies, is partial
to the streams and ponds of woodlands. It builds its nest in a cavity in a tree, often at a considerable distance from water.
27. REDHEAD (Aythya americana).
Common, breeding in the sloughs and around the edges
of marshy lakes in the more open portions of the county.
28. CANVAS-BACK (A ythya vallisneria).
A less common breeder, but numerous spring and fall. This and the last species are fond of the wild celery and congregate in the fall in great flocks on lakes where this plant is abundant.
29. GREATER SCAUP DUCK, Large Blue-bill (Aythya marila).
Found spring and fall, but less commonly than the next species.
30. LESSER SCAUP Dum, Blue-bill (Aythya affinis).
Abundant spring and fall, furnishing a considerable part
of the late pass-shooting. Breeding sparingly about
marshy lakes.
31. RING-NECKED DUCK, "Black Duck" (Aythya collaris).
A common and valuable duck, breeding in the marshes and appearing as a migrant in great numbers spring and fall. In size and appearance very like the Lesser Scaup, but the wing patch, or speculum, is bluish gray instead of white as in the Scaup.
32. GOLDEN-EYE, Whistle-wing (Clangula clangula americana).
Nowhere common; found chiefly about the larger lakes and along rivers. Nests in a hollow tree.
A northern species, Barrow's Golden-eye, may occasionally occur during winter along rivers where the water flows too rapidly to freeze.
33. BUFFLE- HEAD, "Butter-ball" (Charitonetta albeola).
Frequent spring and late fall, preferring open water. May occasionally breed; nests in hollow trees.
34. WHITE-WINGED SeOTER (Oidemia deglandi).
This and its two congeners, the American and Surf Scoter, are chiefly birds of the sea-coasts and high northern regions, but are occasionally found in the interior and an individual belonging to this group may now and then be taken spring or fall or even during the winter months
where there chances to be open water. They are of little or no value as game birds.
35. RUDDY DUCK (Erismatura jamaicensis).
This curious little duck with its spike-like tail is a common bird in reedy, marshy lakes, and nests commonly about their margins, floating its bulky nest among the rushes and cat-tails. It is an expert diver and generally adopts this method of escape when hard pressed, after the manner of grebes.
36. LESSER SNOW GOOSE, White Brant (Chen hyperborea).
Formerly an abundant species in the prairie regions, appearing from the north in late fall in vast flocks; now, much reduced in numbers.
The Blue Goose (Chen coerulescens) may occur as a
straggler during migration.
37. WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (Anser albifrons gambeli).
An arctic-breeding species that may occur rarely during
migrations.
38. CANADA GOOSE, "Honker" (Branta canadensis).
A common migrant spring and fall and formerly a regular breeder in the prairie regions, but now rarely, if ever, found during the summer.
The Hutchin's Goose and the Cackling Goose, varieties of the Canada Goose, probably occur during the spring
and fall migrations. The true Brant (Branta bernicla) is rarely if ever found in Minnesota, despite the many records to the contrary. The Snow Goose is so universally known among sportsmen by the name of Brant, that it has led to much confusion in statements regarding these birds.
39. WHISTLING SWAN (Olor columbianus).
40. TRUMPETER SWAN (Olor buccinator).
Of these two species the Whistling Swan breeds in the far north and is only found in Minnesota during migrations and is then an uncommon bird.
The Trumpeter Swan formerly bred commonly from Iowa northward, as evidenced by the many bodies of water named after this bird. Now few, if any, remain to breed within our territory. Small parties of the latter species are still to be found, however, during the migratory seasons.