audubon volunteer manual

Transcription

AUDUBON VOLUNTEER
MANUAL
Audubon Society of Portland
5151 NW Cornell Rd.
Portland, OR 97210
503-292-6855
Introduction
About the Audubon Society of Portland
Getting Started as a Volunteer
Frequently Asked Questions
Facilities Rental
Membership Levels and Donations
Education Animals
o
Adopt a Wild Thing
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4
6
7
9
10
13
13
14
o Fact Sheets
Education Programs
40
Adult Programs
Youth Programs
40
43
o
o
Audubon’s Trails and Sanctuary
o
o
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Trails and Sanctuary (including map)
History of Balch Canyon
Audubon Sanctuaries History
Resources for Birders and Naturalists
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o
o
o
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Rare Bird Alert
Birds of Audubon’s Wildlife Sanctuary
Mammals of Audubon’s Wildlife Sanctuary
Reptiles and Amphibians of Audubon’s Wildlife Sanctuary
Native Plants and Trees of Audubon’s Wildlife Sanctuary
Birds Often Seen at the Feeders
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48
49
50
52
52
52
53
53
54
55
o
Birding Festivals, Events, and Trips
A Dozen Great Places to Bird in Oregon
Volunteering at Audubon
Conservation
57
60
63
66
A Century of Conservation
Current Conservation Goals
Two Ways to Become Directly Involved
66
66
67
o
o
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Wildlife Care Center
Living With Urban Wildlife
Additional Information
o
o
o
o
John James Audubon 1785-1851: The American Woodsman: Our
Namesake and Inspiration
Interpretation Tips
Economics of Birding Oregon
Endangered and Threatened Species
Audubon Volunteer Manual
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INTRODUCTION
We’d like to thank you for giving your time to the Audubon Society of Portland. What you’re doing
is important! The combined efforts of everyone here affects the whole Portland area and beyond.
You are a part of that, and we greatly appreciate your contribution. Always remember, the
environment and everything in it would suffer greatly without you, our volunteers!
Audubon volunteers contribute time, energy, enthusiasm and knowledge to help visitors gain insight
into our organization. Guests to our sanctuary will greatly
appreciate your ability to answer their questions. Volunteers are a
vital part of Audubon’s education and outreach efforts.
This Volunteer Manual is designed to give you an overview of many
of the things the Audubon Society of Portland is involved in as well
as the answers to some of the common questions you’ll be asked.
As you talk with people, always keep in mind that this manual is a
“work-in-process.” It will be updated continually so, if you come across something you think needs
to be included or something that needs updating, please let us know!
Again, everyone here at Audubon thanks you for your dedication.
WHAT’S IT MEAN TO BE AN AUDUBON VOLUNTEER?
We encourage Audubon Volunteers to consider themselves to be the “welcome wagon” for the
Audubon Society of Portland and one of your most important responsibilities is to help visitors get
the most out of their Audubon experience.
As such, our volunteers are often the first impression for Audubon so there are expectations:
 Please be on time for your shift and plan on staying the entire time.
 Wear your Audubon Volunteer t-shirt and namebadge when required or requested to by staff.
 Keep accurate hours on your volunteer timesheet which is located in the area closest to where
you volunteer most (Wildlife Care Center, Education, Nature Store, or Receptionist).
 Always let your supervisor know when you will be unable to be at your usual shift or commitment
so we can make sure your responsibilities are covered and our guests still get the best
experience when they visit Audubon.
 Be familiar with the contents of this training manual so you will feel comfortable as you interact
with visitors.
 Take time to familiarize yourself with the sanctuary trails and the common birds that come to
the feeders.
 Conduct yourself at all times in a professional and courteous manner.
 And, most of all, smile and have fun!
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ABOUT THE AUDUBON SOCIETY OF PORTLAND
Our Mission
promotes the enjoyment,
understanding and protection
of native birds, other wildlife
and their habitats. We focus
on our local community and
the Pacific Northwest.
Our Vision
A region where people and
native wildlife flourish
together.
Visitors enjoy miles of forested trails in our wildlife sanctuary and can also visit our interpretive
center where they’ll find exhibits, a natural history library, and places to watch birds up close.
Audubon is a place to:
 Learn about birds, wildlife, and conservation issues through classes, lectures, and trips.
Volunteer to help others learn too!
 Explore our Nature Store to find books, binoculars,
bird feeders, gifts, and friendly people to answer
nature questions.
 Meet our educational birds of prey at the Wildlife Care
Center where trained volunteers rehabilitate injured
and orphaned wildlife and teach people how to co-exist
with our wild neighbors.
The Wildlife Care Center cares for over 3,000 orphaned and injured native wild animals each year.
We are one of National Audubon Society's most active local chapters, with more than 10,000
members, 300 active volunteers, and a dedicated, knowledgeable
staff.
Each year, we field over 25,000 wildlife and nature-related phone
calls, helping people learn more about living well with your "wild
neighbors".
We offer people of all ages and abilities a wide variety of hands-on
natural history programs. Each year, we provide enriching
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educational trips, camps, and tours to over 18,000 school children and more than 2,000 adults.
We also have a 150 acre--free to the public--Nature Sanctuary just minutes from downtown
Portland. This is our outdoor classroom, a showcase of native flora and fauna with 4 ½ miles of
forested hiking trails for over 80,000 visitors and neighbors to explore year round.
Our staff and volunteers work diligently to make sure that local and statewide efforts to protect
habitats, species and our quality of life get the attention and action they deserve.
Portland Audubon has worked to secure a region-wide system of Greenspaces with trails to access
them--places to enjoy nature and wildlife and where habitats are protected. Places like Oaks
Bottom Wildlife Refuge along the Willamette River, Beggar's Tick Marsh in outer southeast
Portland, and Tualatin Hills Nature Park in Beaverton.
Conservation Goals
Our conservation efforts focus on protecting birds and other wildlife in the backyard and beyond,
including:
 Backyard habitat
 Protection of urban wildlife areas
 Ensuring public access to nature
 Important Bird Areas (IBA’s)
 Legislation
Volunteer Vision and Values
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Volunteers are the
stewards of the
natural world.
Volunteers engage
the community as
contributors and
learners.
Volunteering makes a
difference.
Volunteers are
valued.
Volunteers enjoy the
diversity of wildlife,
nature and people.
Volunteering is fun
and invigorating.
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GETTING STARTED AS A VOLUNTEER
Volunteer Orientation
Held two to three times each year, Volunteer Orientation is designed to help prospective volunteers
learn more about the Audubon Society of Portland and its volunteer program. Dates and times are
available at Audubon’s website, www.audubonportland.org.
General Volunteer Training
Volunteers who wish to participate in opportunities beyond special events must attend the General
Volunteer Training where they will gain a broader background about Audubon’s history, the
sanctuary trail system and history, what each department does, and meet our education birds up
close. This is a full-day training that’s chuck full of information so new volunteers can feel
comfortable interacting with the public about Audubon and be successful in their new volunteer
duties.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What can visitors do to help?
NINE THINGS VISITORS CAN DO
Nine things you can do to help conserve nature...and
improve our quality of life.
1. Buy locally grown and produced food
2. Walk, bike, carpool or take transit
3. Plant native plants
4. Don’t use pesticides
5. Disconnect downspouts
6. Purchase renewable energy
7. Chose a home close to work or school
8. Get involved in your local watershed or neighborhood association
9. Become a member of the Audubon Society of Portland!
What is this place?
Audubon Society of Portland promotes the understanding, enjoyment and protection of native birds,
other wildlife and their habitats. We focus on our local community and the Pacific Northwest. Our
campus spans 150 acres of preserve that offers endless teaching opportunities. We offer classes,
camps, school tours, workshops, overnight trips and more for both adults and kids! In addition to
education, we direct our efforts towards preservation. We are involved in watershed preservation;
Metro’s Regional Fish, Wildlife and Water Quality Protection Program; raising awareness of
Important Bird Areas; Marine protection; Spotted Owl and Marbled Murrlet recovery; and more.
Our Wildlife Care Center and Interpretive Center help connect visitors to both education and
preservation! We have 4½ miles of trails to explore that connect to Forest Park for an even longer
walk. Our Nature Store is filled with field guides, books (kids and adults), birdfeeders, garden
décor, CD’s, a wonderful children’s section, and much more!
What are the hours for Audubon?
Nature Store:
503-292-9453
10:00-6:00
10:00-5:00
Monday-Saturday
Sunday
Wildlife Care Center:
503-292-0304
9:00-5:00
Every day
Administration:
503-292-6855
9:00-5:00
Monday-Friday
Trails:
Open 7 days a week
Dawn to Dusk
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Where did all of these taxidermied animals come from?
These animals were killed and preserved many years ago and were part of private collections. Over
the years they have been donated to us to help further our educational programs.
Can I touch the preserved animals?
Please do not touch the preserved animals!! The handling over time will eventually destroy them.
Who painted all of these paintings?
A man named Robert Bruce Horsfall (1869–1948) did the watercolors. He was a famous wildlife
painter whose works appeared in various bird and wildlife guide books. He was active with our
society during the 1920s and 1930s, but found he could not make a living in Portland so he accepted
a position as artist for Nature Magazine, a depression era natural history magazine published out of
Washington DC. He also did the backdrops for natural history dioramas at the Natural History
Museum in Cleveland, Ohio. His natural history paintings are now highly collectable.
Can I check out any of the books?
Unfortunately, no. They have to remain here so everyone has a chance to read them.
Are the trails handicapped accessible?
Our Wildlife Care Center and Nature Store are both accessible for the handicapped; but the trails
are, unfortunately, not. There are some hills and they are not paved.
Is there a map of the trails?
Yes, the Nature Store has free maps of Audubon and Forest Park trails.
Can I bring my dog or bicycle on the trails?
Dogs are allowed on the trails of Forest Park if they are kept on a leash. Bikes
are allowed on some trails but not the Wildwood Trail. Neither dogs nor bikes are
allowed within the Audubon Trail System.
What animals can I bring for rescue to the Wildlife Care Center?
The Wildlife Care Center treats only native species. (Please refer any further
questions to the Care Center directly.)
Where can injured wildlife be taken if the Wildlife Care Center is closed?
Although it’s best to bring an animal in during Wildlife Care Center hours, sometimes that’s not
possible. Dove Lewis Emergency Animal Hospital will take care of injured wildlife overnight until
Wildlife Care Center staff can get them the next day. The person with the injured animal will be
asked to leave information so we know where the animal was found, what care it was given, etc.
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FACILITIES RENTAL
“The Audubon Society facility is a great, nearby getaway for our offsite
meeting. Everyone attending appreciated the quiet, peaceful setting which
helped us disconnect from our day-to-day frantic environment. We were
able to focus and get to work right away. The staff were very friendly and
helpful, and I know we’ll return.” (Tara Taylor, VP Marketing & Planning Oregon Public Broadcasting)
Audubon’s Heron Hall can be rented as a true retreat just minutes from downtown:
 Increase productivity--meetings held in natural environments are less tiring and more effective
than those held in conventional settings
 Intimate areas both indoors and out for break-out sessions and team-building exercises
 Enjoy breaks outdoors in fresh air; stretch your legs (and minds) on the trails
 Your rental fees directly support Portland Audubon, a 501c (3) organization.
Free parking for cars is offered at our facility and additional parking is available at Macleay Park, a
two minute walk away.
For more information on our rental facilities and fees, direct visitors to call the Sanctuaries
Director at 503-292-6855 ext 106.
Our Facilities:
Heron Hall
 31 ft. x 31 ft
 accommodates 75 people if organized auditorium style
 accommodates 50 people if organized banquet style
Rental includes:
 tables and chairs, 27-inch video screen, slide projector and 10’x12’ projector screen
 kitchen with small refrigerator, microwave, coffee urn, dishes, cups, silverware
 catering available
 nature library and natural history display
 use of our sanctuary and trails
Rental Fees:
 Two-hour minimum
 Contact the Sanctuary Director for current fees at 503-292-6855 ext. 106.
 A non-refundable deposit is required.
 Certificate of insurance naming Audubon Society of Portland as additional insured required at
time of deposit
Business members receive special discounts. To become a business member visitors should call 503292-6855 and speak to our Development Department.
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MEMBERSHIP LEVELS AND DONATIONS
Becoming a member of the Audubon Society of Portland helps us successfully meet our mission and
goals. When individuals support Portland Audubon, they join a membership that’s 10,000 strong and
stand alongside others who share their value for the protection of native wildlife and habitat.
There are several annual membership options to meet the level of support people are able to give,
ranging from $25 for an introductory membership to $100 for a Goldfinch membership.
Membership entitles the member to a 10% discount in the Nature Store, a copy of our monthly
newsletter, the Warbler, and discounts for classes and trips.
By joining at the following levels, additional benefits are received:
$250 Warbler Membership: Receive an official Audubon Society of Portland t-shirt and heron logo
pin
$500 Owl Membership: Receive the above, plus a signed copy of Familiar Birds of the Northwest
$750 Peregrine Falcon Membership: Receive the above, plus Familiar Birds of the Northwest bird
tape
The Audubon Society of Portland Great Blue Heron Council is made up of a dedicated group of
members who make a commitment of $1,000 or more each year. Council members demonstrate
their belief that the understanding, protection, and enjoyment of native birds, wildlife and their
habitats are critical to our shared future.
Frequent Flyers are monthly donors who help ensure the long-term protection of
the native birds, wildlife, and wild places we all care about by making monthly gifts
through automatic bank or credit card withdrawals. It's easy, convenient, and one
of the best ways to support the enjoyment, understanding, and protection of native
birds, wildlife, and their habitats. Plus, Frequent Flyer members get less mail because there are no
renewal notices to bother with!
In addition to the basic benefits of membership, Great Blue Heron Council members receive the
following special benefits:
 Audubon Society of Portland Logo Pin
 Coupon for one official Audubon Society of Portland logo T-shirt
 Familiar Birds of the Northwest, signed by author Harry Nehls
 Special Great Blue Heron Council Field Trips
A Business Membership with the Audubon Society of Portland is a clear way to
demonstrate to employees, customers, and the community a company’s support for
habitat protection and native wildlife stewardship. We provide our business members
with benefits and recognition that meet their needs and build a mutually supportive
partnership.
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For more information about becoming a business member, please have visitors contact our
Development Director at 503-292-6855 ext. 117.
Business members receive the following benefits:

$500 receives this special recognition…
o Listing in the Audubon Society of Portland annual report
o Certificate of appreciation for display
o The satisfaction of knowing your membership is making a difference

$1500 receives the above recognition, plus…
o An “employee weekend” with Nature Store discounts for all employees
o Customized education program for employees
o $75 in Nature Store gift certificates
o Invitations to attend Great Blue Heron Council activities
o Invitations to attend receptions for authors and guest speakers
o Recognition on the Audubon Society website
o Recognition in the Warbler newsletter

$2500 receives the above recognition, plus…
o Customized sponsorship opportunities at Audubon Society of Portland events such as:
Birdathon, Wild Arts Festival, Great Blue Heron Council receptions, Educational
brochures, website, and Native Plant Sale
o Membership discounts for employees to programs including summer camps, field trips,
and adult classes
o $100 in Nature Store gift certificates
o Sponsor logos appear in three Warbler issues
o One time use of Heron Hall for a meeting or social event
If a visitor’s company has a Matching Gift Program, they can double their gift to
Portland Audubon!
Employees may also contribute at their workplace through United Way and Earth
Share of Oregon.
Earth Share offers workplace charitable giving campaigns on behalf of Portland
Audubon and over 70 other environmental organizations that are working to protect
and restore our natural environment for future generations.
Many Oregon businesses offer their employees the opportunity to make payroll-deduction
contributions through United Way and Earth Share of Oregon. Contributions to Portland Audubon,
in whatever amount they choose to give, will be deducted from their paycheck throughout the year.
If their company doesn't have an Earth Share campaign yet, they should contact Earth Share of
Oregon at 503-223-9015 for information. Earth Share has other giving options as well. For more
details on how to support Portland Audubon through Earth Share, encourage visitors to check their
website at www.earthshare-oregon.org.
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Giving an annual membership gift may be a deeply personal act for some, while for others it's a
practical recognition that a strong nonprofit conservation organization must have leadership donors
in order to stay vital and strong.
For more information on memberships and other giving opportunities, please have visitors contact
our Development Director at 503-292-6855 ext. 117.
DONATIONS
Beyond membership, Portland Audubon accepts donations in almost any way that a donor chooses to
give (e.g., general donations—nonspecific funds; funds restricted to specific programs such as
education, conservation, Wildlife Care Center, sanctuaries, etc.; memorial or honorary gifts; stocks;
planned gifts; and bequests). In-kind gifts help offset the cost of operation and provide
tremendous support to Portland Audubon. If a potential donor would like to discuss any gift outside
of membership, please direct them to the Development Director at 503-292-6855 ext. 117.
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EDUCATION BIRDS
ADOPT A WILD THING
A visitor can give a terrific gift to themselves or someone they care about by "adopting" one of
our six non-releasable, education birds for only $40 (which includes a membership). “Taking a Wild
Thing Under Your Wing” is a great way to learn more about these fascinating creatures while
helping provide for their food, medical and housing needs. Visitors can see the education birds in
the Wildlife Care Center every day unless the birds are off-grounds at an educational presentation.
Currently, our educational birds include:
Syd, a Red-tailed hawk
Hazel, a Northern spotted owl
Finnegan, a Peregrine
falcon
Julio, a Great horned owl
Ruby, a Turkey vulture
Aristophanes, a Common raven
Jack Sparrowhawk and Lillie, American kestrels
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RED-TAILED HAWK
SCIENTIFIC NAME
HATCHED: Spring 1992
CLASSIFICATION
Class:
Order:
Family:
Genus:
Species:
ARRIVED AT AUDUBON: 1992
SIZE
SYD
SEX: Female
EXPECTED LIFESPAN: 10-20 in the
wild; 10-25 years in captivity
HISTORY: Syd was injured as a
fledgling in 1992 while feeding on road
kill. Many birds of prey scavenge road
kills and “hit by car” is the number one
cause of injury for animals brought to
the Wildlife Care Center. Syd’s right
wing was broken in the accident and did
not heal properly. She can only fly about
10 feet and would not be able to hunt or
survive in the wild.
Syd has been around people for many
years, but shows her wild self every
spring when she becomes territorial and
tries to build a nest. She doesn’t allow
many people near her at this time,
although she does have favorite people
who bring her sticks for her project.
While living at Audubon, Syd has taught
people about the power of raptors: her
keen eyes, razor sharp talons and
beautiful brownish plumage. She has also
reminded people about wildlife in the
urban environment and how all our
choices impact those living unseen
around us.
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Buteo jamaicensis
Aves
Falconiformes
Accipitridae
Buteo
jamaicensis
Length:
Male:
Female:
19-24 inches
22-25 inches
Weight:
Male:
Female:
1 ¾ pounds
2-3 ½ pounds
Wingspan:
Male:
Female:
3 1/2-4 feet
4 feet
APPEARANCE: The Red-Tail Hawk is one of the most
common large broad-winged hawks in North America.
Red-tailed hawks have a broad fan shaped tail. Adults
are readily identified by the upper surface of their red
tails. Typically, their backs and upper wing surfaces
are dark gray or reddish brown, streaked and barred
with lighter colors. Their plumage is highly variable
though. In a lighter color phase, adult breasts are
cream colored and streaked with brown. There is a
darker blackish band across the belly. Dark phase
birds may have red or black bellies, breasts, or wing
linings.
Immature birds begin to obtain adult plumage in their
second year. Their colors also vary, but usually brown
above, white below with heavy spots and streaks; tail
brown, indistinctly banded. As they change to the adult
plumage, their tail feathers will drop out and be
replaced by the red ones, and their other feathers will
also turn more reddish in color. They will usually have
their full adult plumage by the time they are two years
old.
RANGE/DISTRIBUTION: Red-Tails range from
northern Canada and Alaska to Panama and Central
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America. They are one of North America’s most common raptors. The smallest of the Red-Tails
are found in Alaska with the largest ones found in Northern Mexico.
HABITAT/TERRITORY SIZE: Typical habitats of Red-Tails include open country, scrub,
woodlands, wide rocky canyons and urban and suburban environments. They inhabit forests of the
east as well as prairies and desserts of the west. They usually nest in tall trees near the edge of
woodlands. In prairie and deserts, however, they may dwell on a ledge or in a low tree or cactus.
Red-Tails are very adaptable and wide ranging so they may be found almost anywhere. They are
often seen perched within a few yards of busy highways, looking for live prey or road kills.
MIGRATION: Red-Tails will winter from southern Canada south to Central America.
DIET: Red-Tails prey on a wide variety of animals from grasshoppers to rats and mice, squirrels,
rabbits, and other birds. They are successful because their prey species varies. About 75% of
their diet consists of rodents and other small mammals. They will also consume rattlesnakes and
reptiles as well as carrion.
HUNTING METHOD: Red-Tailed Hawks, like other buteos, expend less energy in their hunting
than accipiters. They soar above or will scan fields from a perch in a tree or from a fence post, and
then move in for the kill. For unwary prey like mice, they will fly openly from perch to perch. Mice
don’t pay any attention until it’s too late. For larger, more alert prey, Red tails sneak! They may
approach indirectly, behind a cover of trees and bushes, or they may perch and look unconcerned
and disinterested until the prey’s head is hidden or its attention is distracted. Then they’ll attack
quickly and fiercely, and may even pursue their prey over short distances.
Red-Tails have unusual techniques for hunting shelter-oriented animals, such as snakes. They don’t
attack the animal directly, but instead land on the ground between the animal and its shelter. In
these cases, the shelter-oriented animal (one whose first defense is to hide) won’t generally run
away. Instead, it will move slowly toward or even RUSH toward the bird, hoping to bluff its way to
safety. It takes a special kind of courage to face down a frightened and enraged gopher snake or
rattler intent upon reaching shelter.
BREEDING INFORMATION: Especially during mating season, Red-Tails are acrobatic technicians,
often touching their mates in mid-air or dropping 2,000 feet in a single dive. Their courtship
displays are exhibitions of strength and flying ability. The male flies high in the sky, then
cartwheels to the earth. Sometimes the female joins him in the air, and they’ll interlock their
talons and tumble through space until they lose so much altitude they must break apart. It is
believed the Red Tails mate for life, but if one bird dies, it is quickly replaced. In fact, if an
accident should befall the female during the nesting period, she may be replaced so quickly that the
eggs aren’t even chilled! Paired Red-Tails display courtship behavior throughout the spring even
after the young are hatched. Breeding season lasts from March-May. Red-Tailed Hawks breed in
the early spring—the exact month depends on the latitude.
These birds nest on the forest edge, on the horizontal limb of a tall tree, close to the trunk. If no
tree is available, they will use a cliff edge or holes in rocks. As with most buteos, Red-Tails may
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have more than one nest, and will alternate from year to year. If the breeding in one nest is
unsuccessful, the pair may abandon it altogether. After the nest is built by both mates, the female
lays 2 to 4 eggs in March and early April, which are incubated by the female for a month. The male
feeds the female while she is sitting. Eggs are grayish white with red or grayish brown spots, and
measure 57 x 46 mm. Red-Tails bring fresh green foliage to the nest throughout this period.
There are four possible reasons for this: shade for the young, prevention or reduction of insect
problems, improvement of sanitation, or aesthetics. During the incubation period and while the
chicks are small, the male supplies all the food for the family. (Squirrels are preferred during this
period.) Young birds remain in the nest for at least four weeks, the last two spent practicing wing
movements prior to fledging.
BEHAVIOR: When threatened by an intruder, few Red-Tails will stay to defend its nest. They
are generally shy and non-aggressive toward people, but are commonly attacked (but usually not
injured) by crows, magpies, owls, other hawks, and even songbirds over territorial disputes. Calls
are actually long, drawn-out raspy screams. In flight, they will make a high pitched “skeeeer”, at
close range a croaking “guh-runk”. Birds frequently call while soaring.
STATUS: Very common, probably the most often seen western bird of prey. They do, however,
suffer high losses from ranchers and farmers who, not realizing their great benefit in controlling
rodents, shoot them off telephone poles.
FOLKLORE AND MYTHS: Red-Tailed Hawks were once called “Chickenhawks” because it was
believed they routinely killed chickens. This, however, is a rare occurrence; and it is now generally
accepted that Red-tails are very beneficial to the environment.
BIBLIOGRAPHY: Unknown
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GREAT HORNED OWL
SCIENTIFIC NAME Bubo virginianus
J U L IO
ARRIVED AT AUDUBON: Spring 2005
SEX: Female
EXPECTED LIFESPAN: 15-20 in the
wild; 15-25 years in captivity
HISTORY: Julio, the Great Horned
Owl, arrived at the Audubon Society of
Portland’s Wildlife Care Center in the
spring of 2005. Julio was found as a
nestling after the tree containing her
nest was cut down. Julio was raised by
humans and never learned how to be an
owl. By the time she was brought to the
Wildlife Care Center at five years of
age, it was too late to reverse the
imprinting that had occurred. Releasing
her in her imprinted state would have
put both humans and Julio at
unacceptable risk.
It is illegal to keep great horned owls
and other birds of prey as pets. It is
important to get injured and orphaned
wildlife to a rehabilitation facility as
quickly as possible. Facilities such as
Audubon have trained staff and
volunteers and operate under special
state and federal permits that allow
them to treat wildlife. Julio will have a
home for the rest of her life at
Audubon, but if she had been brought to
us sooner, we might have been able to
set her free.
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CLASSIFICATION
Class:
Aves
Order:
Strigiformes
Family:
Strigidae
Genus:
Bubo
Species:
virginianus
SIZE
Length:
Male:
Female:
17-22 inches
18-25 inches
Weight:
Male:
Female:
2-3 pounds
2 1/2-3 1/2 pounds
Wingspan:
Male:
Female:
35-50 inches
45-60 inches
APPEARANCE: There are about ten different
subspecies of Great Horned Owls in its present range,
and they vary in size and color; however, the general
appearance of each race is similar. In the New World,
only the Great Gray Owl and the Snowy Owl are larger.
The Great Horned Owl is characterized by large ear
tufts, yellow eyes, an owl’s facial disk, a lack of a visible
neck, and feathers down to the talons. As with most
birds of prey, the females are larger in size.
Plumage varies from very dark in the Pacific Northwest
to very pale in the Arctic. A typical adult is mottled
gray-brown above, buff below, barred dark brown, with
a tawny face and a distinctive white throat patch.
Juvenile or immature owls are similar to adults but
have a lighter or more rufous color until they mature.
Their ear tufts are smaller and the white throat patch
is less distinctive.
RANGE/DISTRIBUTION: The Great Horned Owl is a
bird of the New World and has a present range that
covers both North and South America from the Arctic
to the Straits of Magellan.
17
HABITAT/TERRITORY SIZE: Habitats vary from woodlands to open country, urban parks to
semi-deserts. They also live from low altitudes to below the timberline high in the mountains.
MIGRATION: The Great Horned Owl is a non-migratory bird.
DIET: Great Horned Owls capture a wide variety of prey that ranges in size from shrews and
mice, to jack rabbits. They have been known to take prey as large as a porcupine. They also eat
fish, scorpions, and a variety of birds, including the young of other raptors. These owls have been
found dining on skunks. It appears that the skunk’s odor has little effect in deterring the Great
Horned Owl. Like most birds, owls do not have a sense of smell.
HUNTING METHOD: The Great Horned Owl is crepuscular, which means that it will hunt most of
the time at sunrise and sunset. Great Horned Owls typically hunt from a perch.
Keen hearing would be useless if the owl itself made a lot of noise, so owls have evolved the ability
to fly in nearly complete silence due to the soft fringes on the leading wing feathers. (Pygmy Owls
are an exception.) When hunting, owls will glide silently down on unsuspecting prey. With the silent
flight, the Great Horned Owl is usually successful in capturing its prey.
BREEDING INFORMATION: Great Horned Owls are solitary birds except during the breeding
season when they are found in family groups. Owls begin to pair up as early as December and raise
only one brood each season.
They are not very good nest builders so nests are often crude structures of sticks and twigs
constructed in hollow trees or deserted buildings. They will often use abandoned hawk or crow
nests instead of building their own.
The round-shaped eggs are laid at intervals, as often as every other day, with 2 to 6 being the
average number. Owls begin to incubate the eggs from the time the first one is laid, so the young
hatch out at intervals and a nest may contain young of different ages and sizes. Both the male and
the female care for the nest, incubate the eggs, feed the young, and defend the home territory
against intruders. The young remain in the nest until they are 9 to 10 weeks old and are able to fly.
Afterwards, they follow the parents about and are fed by them until they can fend for themselves.
BEHAVIOR: The Great Horned Owl is said to be one of the fiercest of the birds of prey. Eastern
ones are known to be more aggressive than the western representatives. This raptor has been
known to drive Bald Eagles away from its nest.
Their vocalizations include the very distinctive low, hooting, who-who-whowhoho-whoo-whoo. The
female voice is usually lower and deeper in tone that the males’. They will become much more vocal
while courting.
The tufts of feathers on top of the owl’s head, which are called “horns” are not part of the ear
apparatus, but they can be raised or lowered as an indicator of the owl’s mood and can be used in
communicating with another owl.
Rev. 10/9/13
18
STATUS: Great Horned Owls are the most common large owls found in North America.
FOLKLORE AND MYTHS: Stories about owls can be found throughout history in many cultures,
mythology, and even the Bible. Some liked the owl, but to many they were feared and associated
with evil and death. They were often considered a messenger of death. If you saw an owl or heard
its sound, death to someone you knew was imminent.
In Sicily, the “horned” owl is especially feared. It is believed it sings near the house of a sick man
three days before his death.
Bad weather is foretold by the hooting of a horned owl.
In some Native American tribes, the Great Horned Owl is a guardian spirit of the medicine man.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
“Owls: An Introduction for the Amateur Naturalist”, by Gordon Dee Alcorn, 1986, pages
62-72.
“Life Histories of North American Birds of Prey”, by Arthur Cleveland Bent, 1961, pages
295-322.
“A Natural History of American Birds”, by Edward Forbush, 1955, pages 265-267.
“Great Horned Owls.” Packet from Saturday Academy class, Birds of Prey, Oregon Zoo.
“Birds of Prey of the World”, by Mary Louise Grossman and John Hamlet, 1964, page 422.
“Idaho’s Birds of Prey: Part 2: Owls.” Packet from Saturday Academy class, Birds of Prey,
Oregon Zoo.
“North American Owls: Biology and Natural History:, by Paul A. Johnsgard, 1988, pages
129-135.
“Oregon’s Owls.” Packet from Saturday Academy class, Birds of Prey, Oregon Zoo. Cathi
Wright, Oregon Zoo, Show Coordinator.
Rev. 10/9/13
19
NORTHERN SPOTTED OWL
SCIENTIFIC NAME Strix occidentalis caurina
HAZEL
HATCHED: Estimated spring 2002
ARRIVED AT AUDUBON: January 2004
CLASSIFICATION
Class:
Aves
Order:
Strigiformes
Family:
Strigidae
Genus:
Strix
Species:
occidentalis
SIZE
Length:
Male:
Female:
16-18 inches
17-19 inches
Weight:
Male:
Female:
1 – 1 ½ pounds
1 ¼ - 1 2/3 pounds
Wingspan:
Male:
Female:
42-44 inches
43-45 inches
SEX: Female
EXPECTED LIFESPAN: 15-20 in the wild;
15-25 years in captivity
HISTORY: Hazel, the Northern Spotted
Owl, was found starving on the ground in the
Mt. Hood National Forest in January 2004.
She had injuries to both eyes consistent with
some sort of impact, and her feathers were in
terrible condition. A definitive cause of injury
was never determined. Staff and volunteers
worked with the two-year-old female owl for
more than a year, hoping to set her free once
again. Within a few months, her weight
increased from an emaciated 400 grams to
more than 760 grams. Sadly, however, the
damage to her primary feathers extended all
the way down to the feather follicles, and
many of the new feathers that grew were
defromed and misshapen. After more than a
year of effort, it was clear that she would
never again regain the ability to fly.
Release is always the primary goal for any
native wild animal brought to the Care Center,
but this objective takes on even greater
significance when the animal in question is a
listed species. Hazel was not banded when she
arrived at Audubon, so it is not known whether
she was part of a breeding pair.
Rev. 10/9/13
APPEARANCE: Northern Spotted Owls are mediumsized owls with a round face and distinctive, dark
brown eyes. They do not have the feather tufts like
a Great Horned Owl. They are dark brown with a
profusion of white spots on the head and back, while
the underparts display a uniform pattern of
rectagular brown and white bars. The tail feathers
appear barred with lighter brown and white bands.
The facial disk is grayish-white, barred or mottled
with brown, and the chin is white. Like other Strix
owls, they are round-headed and fluffy. Immatures
look similar to the adult.
RANGE/DISTRIBUTION: The Northern Spotted
Owl is a resident of the old growth rain forests of
extreme southwestern British Columbia along the
Pacific Coast to San Francisco Bay; in the forest of
the Sierra Nevada.
Sub-species of the Northern Spotted Owl are found
in the western ranges to southern California; and the
Rocky Mountains from southern Utah and southern
20
Colorado south to Arizona, New Mexico, and west to Texas and Mexico.
HABITAT/TERRITORY SIZE: The Northern Spotted Owl lives in dense mountain forests,
primarily coniferous, and thickly wooded canyons. It requires groves of mature, old-growth trees in
ravines and canyons, typically close to permanently running water. It prefers areas which are
neither too wet nor too dry.
MIGRATION: The Northern Spotted Owl is a non-migratory bird.
DIET: The primary prey of the Northern Spotted Owl is the red tree vole, also found in the oldgrowth forest. Other prey includes mice, rats, chipmunks, squirrels, and rabbits. It will also eat
crickets, large beetles, owlet moths, Steller’s jays, smaller owls, and bats.
HUNTING METHOD: This bird is strictly nocturnal, hunting by night and roosting quietly in tall
trees by day. They use the same hunting techniques of most owls, relying on their excellent sense
of hearing to locate their prey, and their silent flight to catch their prey by surprise.
BREEDING INFORMATION: Spotted Owl pairs mate for life and use a variety of possible nesting
sites but prefers an old-growth tree or another bird’s abandoned nest. The pair will return to the
same nest year after year. The breeding season lasts from early March to early May. Between two
and four eggs are laid and the female incubates them for approximately one month. The young
hatchlings remain in the nest about five weeks.
BEHAVIOR: The Spotted Owl has four main types of vocalizations. First a series of three to four
hoots (the male is deep and mellow; the female high and pentrating)--”whoo-whoo...WHOO;
whup...who-who...WHOO” or “who...huWHO...whoOO.” These are leisurely paced with the last note
being accented longer.
Second, a series of yelps at even pitch and pace, accelerating slightly and ending with longer, louder
notes--”ho-ho-ho-ho-ho-ha-ha-ha-haHooah-haHOOah-HOOah!” This is very dog-like and may be
confused with the call of a coyote.
Third, a sharp rising whistle with a snap at the end--”shoee EEE yip!” This is like the Barred Owl,
but more frequent (females and young are most likely to give this call).
Finally, there is a duet version of the last two calls (the male yelps and the female whistles). Other
calls may be soft or explosive.
Spotted Owls are not aggressive owls even in the wild. They have been known to respond to calls by
humans imitating them, and come down for food offered to them. This extreme mellow personality
has not helped their survival. Many have been attacked and killed by other owls encroaching into
their territory.
STATUS: In 1990, the US Fish and Wildlife Service declared the Northern Spotted Owl to be a
threatened species. Declines were attributed primarily to the loss and adverse modification of the
mature and old-growth forest on which they depend. Today, only 10-15 percent of the old-growth
Rev. 10/9/13
21
forest remains. Despite the ESA listing and development of the Northwest Forest Plan in 1994,
which set aside large reserves of owl habitat for protection and restoration, owl populations
continue to decline at an estimated rate of 4 percent annually across their range. Ongoing logging
on state and private lands and salvage logging on federal lands remain major threats to the
Northern Spotted Owl’s survival.
Northern Spotted Owls are rather rare in the West and irregularly distributed over their range.
The cutting of forests for roads and lumber has been followed by the disappearance of the species.
Simultaneously, larger Great Horned Owls have moved in and attacked the Spotted Owl. Barred
Owls have also migrated west, taking over much of the habitat where Spotted Owls were once
found. The status of the Spotted Owl is still under study to see what additonal protection it needs.
In 1993, the US Fish and Wildlife Service estimated there to be about 3,000 breeding pairs of
Spotted Owls in Washington, Oregon, and Northern California. They have designated 8.3 million
acres of national forest and other federal lands in Washington, Oregon, and Northern California as
critical Spotted Owl habitat.
Presently, the Federal Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service are developing land
use plans which will provide the opportunity to manage areas of habitat to maintain a viable Spotted
Owl population in the Northwest. In addition, the Owl is considered a management “indicator”
species for wildlife diversity in mature and old-growth forests of the Pacific Northwest. Managing
forest habitat for owls will also provide many other wildlife species with places to live.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
“The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds, Western Region:, by Miklos D.
F. Udvardy, Chanticleer Press, Inc., New York, 1977, page 693.
“The Owls of North America”, by Allan Eckert, 1987, pages 22, 33, 43-45.
“Owls: Their Life and Behavior”, by Julio de la Toree, 1990, pages 5, 11, 31, 89, 94-99, 175176, 180-181, 184-185, 190-191.
“Western Birds”, by John Farrand, Jr., McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1988, page 246.
Spotted Owl Fact Sheet, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1989.
“The Story of Hazel, the Northern Spotted Owl”, Audubon Society of Portland.
Rev. 10/9/13
22
PEREGRINE FALCON
SCIENTIFIC NAME Falco peregrinus
FINNEGAN
ARRIVED AT AUDUBON: May 2000
CLASSIFICATION
Class:
Aves
Order:
Falconiform
Family:
Falconidae
Genus:
Falco
Species:
peregrinus
SEX: Male
SIZE
Length:
EXPECTED LIFESPAN: Up to 15 years in
the wild; 15-25 years in captivity
HISTORY: Finnegan arrived at the
Wildlife Care Center in May of 2000. He
was removed from his nest in the Columbia
River Gorge after biologists discovered
that he had a deformed foot and would
never be able to hunt effectively.
Peregrine Falcons are the fastest animals
on earth diving at speeds of over 200
miles per hour! Peregrines prey primarily
on other birds. Finnegan can fly very well
but he is unable to hunt effectively and
therefore would starve very quickly in the
wild.
Today there are more than 100 known
Peregrine nest sites in the State of
Oregon. Listing of the Peregrine Falcon
under the Federal Endangered Species
Act in 1973 and the banning of DDT in
1972 has helped restore Peregrine Falcon
populations. The City of Portland has
played a big role in this recovery.
Peregrines will sometimes substitute
bridges and skyscrapers for the cliffs on
which they naturally nest. Peregrines first
began nesting on Portland’s Fremont
Bridge in 1994 and today there are
peregrine nests on Fremont, Saint Johns,
Interstate, Abernethy and Interstate
Bridges.
Rev. 10/9/13
Male:
Female:
15-20 inches
18-21 inches
Weight:
Male:
Female:
550-660 grams
740-1200 grams
Wingspan:
Male:
Female:
37-43 inches
44-51 inches
APPEARANCE: The body of the Peregrine Falcon is
sleek and compact with long, pointed wings. They gain
their adult plumage after their first annual molt at
one year. The backs of Peregrines are slate gray in
color. Their underparts are cream-colored with dark
narrow barring on the flanks and belly from breast to
tail-tip. The head is black which extends down below
the eyes to cover the cheeks. The tail is slate gray
with black bars and a white tip. The feet and legs
are a bright yellow.
The plumage in adult Peregrines will vary. The arctic
birds are the palest, and northwestern birds the
darkest with the heaviest underneath pattern. The
eye stripe in arctic birds is narrower. Plumage will
also vary in the sub-species.
Immature Peregrines are much browner than the
adults. Most of the feathers are edged in buff with
brown markings on edges. Black streaks on cheeks
are narrower than the adult’s, and the coverts are
buffish-white. Underparts are buffed, streaked with
brown. Underwing is barred with buffish-white to
23
dark brown bars, and the undertail consists of narrow, widely spaced, wavy bars.
Like all falcons, the Peregrine Falcon has raptorial feet that are highly adapted to grasping their
prey with the very long toes. They also have short beaks and jaw muscles modified to deliver
powerful bites. Along with powerful jaws, the Peregrine has a Tomial Tooth, known as the “killing
tooth.” It is a notch on the cutting edge of the upper beak that is used to sever the prey’s spinal
column. The nostrils possess a prominent central bony tubercle.
RANGE/DISTRIBUTION: Peregrine Falcons are found on every continent except Antarctica.
They are located in most of North America, Asia, the southern tip of South America, Mid and
Southern Africa, and are widespread in Europe and Australia. In North America they are most
common from northern Alaska and northern Canada south to the Northwest and Mexico in the
Rocky Mountains. They are now being re-introduced in the west and in New England.
HABITAT/TERRITORY SIZE: The Peregrine Falcon prefers open landscapes such as rivers, flood
plains, grasslands, meadows, and agricultural land. They tend to keep away from high mountains and
dry desert regions. Some Peregrine Falcons have adapted well to cities where they nest on the
ledges of buildings and have an abundant source of pigeons for prey.
MIGRATION: Peregrines located furthest north in the arctic tundra migrate as far south as
Argentina. Peregrines nesting at lower elevations in more temperate climates may not migrate at all.
DIET: The diet of Peregrine Falcons consists largely of birds ranging in size from hummingbirds to
Aleutian Canada Geese.
HUNTING METHOD: Like other falcons, Peregrines will go into a fast dive after their prey, shape
their long toes to look like a fist, and punch their prey. If the prey is not dead after this
tremendous blow, they will use their “killing tooth” to sever the spinal cord.
Most birds of prey swoop, but none can attain the speed of the Peregrine Falcon. Peregrines have
been reliably clocked at speeds of 200 m.p.h. in a dive. Because of these high speeds, their prey
has very little chance when it is struck by such a force. This is why the Peregrine is one of the
most efficient hunters.
BREEDING INFORMATION: The male tends to arrive at the nesting territory ahead of the
female and makes himself conspicuous by perching in prominent places, and by making loud calls and
aerial acrobatics. Once a female arrives, she joins the male in his aerial acrobatics and the two may
lock talons or touch beaks during the maneuvers. During the courtship, the male will feed the
female. Courtship behaviors begin with the coming of spring.
The Peregrine’s nest usually consists of a shallow scrape in the soil of a rocky cliff to a low-lying
bog. They will also nest in the abandoned nests of other birds. Man-made nesting platforms are
also used, as are ledges of tall office buildings and bridges. Females lay 2-6 eggs that are creamy
buff with red and red-brown markings. The incubation period lasts between 28-29 days, and the
young are able to begin flying at 35-42 days.
Rev. 10/9/13
24
STATUS: Man is the worst enemy although scavenger birds do wipe out a number of eggs.
Because of the use of DDT, the Peregrine was almost erased from existence in the 1960’s. The
chemical caused peregrines to lay eggs with thin shells so they were easily crushed while being
incubated. DDT was banned in 1972 and peregrines were listed as endangered in 1973. With the
help of captive breeding programs, the Peregrines are now making a comeback and were removed
from the Federal Endangered Species List in 1999, but remain listed as endangered under the
Oregon Endangered Species Act.
Today, there are at least 110 known Peregrine nest sites in Oregon; however, as recently as 1970,
you would not have been able to find a single nest site int he entire state. At that time, the
Peregrine Falcon had disappeared completely east of the Mississippi and only a handful of nest sites
could be found in the west.
Since 1994 Peregrine Falcons have nested and raised young in the middle of downtown Portland on
the Fremont Bridge. Over the last 13 years, the Fremont Bridge has been the most productive nest
site in the state of Oregon and today peregrines nest on at least six Portland area bridges.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
“Eagles, Hawks, and Falcons of the World,” by Brown, Leslie, and Dean.
Vol. 2. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1968.
“The Falcons of the World,” Cade, Tom. New York: Cornell University Press, 1982.
“Birds of Prey,” Cuisin, Michel. New Jersey: Silver Burnett Company, 1980.
Nongame Wildlife Leaflet: “Idaho’s Birds of Prey.”
“Snake River Birds of Prey Pamphlet” by the Bureau of Land Management.
“The Story of Finnegan, the Peregrine Falcon”, Audubon Society of Portland.
Rev. 10/9/13
25
AMERICAN KESTREL
Jack Sparrowhawk
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Falco sparverius
CLASSIFICATION
Class:
Order:
Family:
Genus:
Species:
Aves
Falconiformes
Falconidae
Falco
sparverius
The American Kestrel was once known as the
“Sparrowhawk”. Other nicknames include the Killy Hawk,
the Wind Rover, and the Grasshopper Hawk.
HATCHED: Spring of 2006
SIZE
Length:
ARRIVED AT AUDUBON: July 17,
2006
Male:
Female:
8 3/4-10 ½ “
8 3/4-12 inches
Weight:
Male:
Female:
90-120 grams
90-165 grams
Wingspan:
Male:
Female:
20-23 inches
21-24 inches
SEX: Male
EXPECTED LIFESPAN: 8-10 years in
wild; 10-13 in captivity
WHERE FOUND: Near Hazel Dell,
Washington
HISTORY: Jack was found on the
ground in an industrial area near Hazel
Dell, Washington. Part of his left wing
was missing. It is uncertain what
happened to the wing; but, because Jack
is unable to fly, he cannot be released
back to the wild.
Jack will remain at Audubon as an
education bird. He will go to classrooms
and displays in an effort to educate the
public, especially children, about the
importance of raptors and ways they can
help them survive in the wild.
Rev. 10/9/13
APPEARANCE: This falcon is one of the few birds of
prey whose sex can be determined by coloration. The
male has bluish-slate gray on top of his head with a
chestnut crown and bluish-slate gray wings. The back is
almost completely chestnut. They have a whitish breast,
suffused with light amber-brown, and under parts
spotted with black. The tail is red with a black subterminal band and white tip. The female’s back, wings,
and tail are broadly barred with chestnut and dark
brown. They lack the bluish-gray on the head and wings
that the male has. The under parts are white streaked
and barred on the flanks in cinnamon, along with a brown
spotted breast and abdomen. Both have a black patch or
stripe on their white face that extends from the eye to
the throat with another across the ear. The beak is
blue-black. The cere, legs, and feet are yellow to yelloworange.
26
The juvenile is similar to the adult, but more spotted or
barred. The juvenile male’s back is slightly darker and
completely barred. The tail is tipped with a ferruginous
color not white. The under parts are streaked and
spotted throughout. The juvenile female has less
conspicuous ferruginous streaking on the head. The back
is darker with heavier black barring.
Lillie--Female
ARRIVED AT AUDUBON: September
9, 2009
SEX: Female
wild; 10-13 in captivity
WHERE FOUND: Vancouver, WA
HISTORY: Lillie was brought to the
Wildlife Care Center, along with a male
sibling, after being illegally hand raised
and fed an improper diet.
Because the birds were not given a
nutritional diet equal to what they would
have eaten in the wild, both birds
developed rickets from a lack of calcium
that resulted in soft bones.
Unfortunately, the male’s deformities
were so severe that he had to be
euthanized. Lillie’s deformities included
a fractured jaw (known as “rubber jaw”),
a deformed skull, and legs that were so
weak she couldn’t stand.
After prolonged rehabilitation in the
Wildlife Care Center, it was deemed she
would be unable to survive in the wild
and joined our educational bird program.
Rev. 10/9/13
The American Kestrel keeps the juvenile wings, tail, and
part of the body plumage through an incomplete molt
starting in September or October of the first year.
They do not lose these feathers until their second annual
molt. At two years (or by the spring of their third year),
the immature birds are indistinguishable from the adults.
RANGE/DISTRIBUTION: American Kestrels are very
widespread, ranging throughout the Western
Hemisphere. They are found from above the Arctic
Circle in Alaska and northwestern Canada, south through
Canada and the United States, into Mexico, parts of
Central America, and most of South America. The
American Kestrel is the smallest and most common falcon
in these areas.
HABITAT/TERRITORY SIZE: American Kestrels occur
in a variety of habitats from sea level or below up to
about 12,000 ft. in the Rockies. They require open
ground for hunting and are most often found in habitats
such as mountain meadows, marshlands, grasslands,
deserts, open pine forests, and any kind of mixed woods
or grasslands, agricultural land, vacant sites, airfields,
along the edge of highways, etc. American Kestrels
usually defend a territory of approximately one-half
square mile.
MIGRATION: Those kestrels that are found in the
northern range, above latitude 45 degrees north, are
highly migratory. Those south of 35 degrees north are
mostly year-round residents. In Oregon, American
Kestrels are most abundant between March and
September, although some are seen all year long.
DIET: Prey consists mostly of small rodents, reptiles,
insects, and an occasional small bird hence the common
name of “Sparrowhawk. American Kestrels have been
photographed killing prey as large as a wood rat!
27
HUNTING METHOD: American Kestrels hunt by openly skimming over the countryside or
“hovering” over a spot in a field waiting for their prey.
BREEDING INFORMATION: Most do not gain access to a mate and nesting territory until they
are two years old. Males tend to establish their nesting territory first, then the females join them.
At first, the females are loosely bonded to a particular mate. They move about between two or
more males before settling down with one. Kestrels prefer tree cavities as nest sites, but will also
use potholes or crannies in a cliff, enclosed space in a building, or an abandoned nest from another
bird. They will also readily accept nesting boxes. The availability of suitable tree cavities may be
the chief density-limiting factor on breeding populations. Since they do not make their own holes,
they depend on natural cavities or holes built by other birds. As a result they have to compete with
woodpeckers, owls, squirrels, etc.
Courtship is simple and consists chiefly of aerial maneuvers and noisy cries by the male in the
pursuit of the female. American Kestrels have been seen first to mate with the birds facing one
another and slowly bobbing their heads and tails while the female keeps up a continuous low call.
Courtship behavior usually begins with the onset of spring. After mating, the male brings the food
to the female in the nest; and she begins to cache the extra. Depending on their range, eggs may
be laid from mid-April through early June. The female can lay 3-7 buff, with reddish-brown,
marked eggs but typically 4 or 5 are laid. Incubation lasts about 30 days, and the young begin to
fledge at 27-34 days.
BEHAVIOR: The cry of an American Kestrel is a fairly high pitched “qui, qui, qui” or a short, shrill
chatter “ki-wee, ki-wee, ki-wee.”
American Kestrels are able to hover. Many birds can hover for a short period of time, but few can
sustain it for long since it is an energy draining exercise. Prolonged hovering is mainly limited to
specialists such as the kestrels of the Old and New Worlds. Like all falcons, American Kestrels
have evolved for speed in flight and can dive at speeds of up to 65 m.p.h. To achieve this speed, its
wings are slender and pointed and it is amazingly light, weighing only about 1/4 pound!
STATUS: Although man is the biggest threat to kestrels, they could fall prey to a larger hawk or
falcon and have even been killed by ravens on occasion. The domestic cat also poses a threat to
these small birds. Crows and ravens are destructive to the eggs when left unprotected in the nest.
In some areas, kestrels are losing their natural nesting sites such as cavities in trees, and may
depend on nest boxes being placed in these areas.
FOLKLORE AND MYTHS: Falconry became a serious sport in England in 1066. You could tell the
rank of an Englishmen by the falcon he carried on his wrist. The Old World kestrel was carried by
priests.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
“Birds of the Pacific Northwest”, by Ira N. Gabrielson and Stanley G. Jewett, 1970, Dover
Publications, Inc., New York.
“Birds of Prey”, by Philip Burton, 1989, Gallery Books, New York. “Birds of Prey of the
World”, by Mary Louise Grossman and John Hamlet, 1964, Bonanza Books, New York.
Rev. 10/9/13
28
TURKEY VULTURE
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Cathartes Aura
CLASSIFICATION
Class:
Order:
Family:
Genus:
Species:
RUBY
ARRIVED AT AUDUBON:
September 28, 2007
SEX: Female
EXPECTED LIFESPAN:
15-20 years in wild; 20-25 in captivity
WHERE AUDUBON GOT BIRD:
Member of Public
HISTORY: Ruby was found by a woman on
her property near McMinnville, OR. She
called the Wildlife Care Center and reported
an apparently tame Turkey Vulture hanging
around her property. It had flown down to
the ground and threw an acorn at someone’s
feet, slept on her porch, followed her around
and into her barn and jumped onto her arm.
The Care Center staff made numerous calls
to find out where Ruby came from, but could
find no history. The USFW permit
department and Care Center staff
determined that Ruby had probably been
illegally taken from the wild as a baby and
imprinted onto humans. As a result, Ruby
cannot be returned to the wild as she would,
mostly likely, fall prey to predators, be hurt
by humans, or be taken in as a pet.
Ruby will remain at Audubon as an education
bird to help people understand the beauty of
vultures.
Rev. 10/9/13
Aves
Falconiformes
Cathartidae
Cathartes
Aura
Its common name “Turkey Vulture” comes from a similar
head coloring of the two birds. Also known as the “Turkey
Buzzard”, it is believed to have evolved independently and
is related to storks and cormorants.
SIZE:
Length:
Male:
Female:
29-32 inches
slightly smaller
Weight:
Male:
Female:
3-5 pounds
slightly smaller
Wingspan:
Male:
Female:
68-72 inches
slightly smaller
APPEARANCE: Mature Turkey Vultures normally have
dark brown plumage with a blue, purple, or green
iridescence. Outer feathers are fringed with mediumolive gray coloring, while a Turkey Vulture’s underparts
are generally a brown-olive shade. Its head and neck are
bristled sparsely, and bright red. The relatively large
beak is white and its sharp eyes are a dull yellow.
Juvenile Turkey Vultures closely resemble their elders,
but the young are hooded with soft gray feathers. Their
plumage, eyes and beak are blackish and their legs are
yellow-white.
Although generally Turkey Vultures are identical, there
are subtle regional variations. In the Amazon rainforests,
plumage is somewhat darker and in the Falkland Islands,
green and bronze plumage is dominant.
RANGE/DISTRIBUTION: Being very versatile, the
Turkey Vulture’s range includes most of North and South
29
America as well as the Caribbean. Throughout this area they inhabit grasslands, swamps,
mountains, and rainforests. They are the most widely distributed vulture.
HABITAT/TERRITORY SIZE: The territory of a single Turkey Vulture fluctuates with both the
availability of carrion and their migratory tendencies. Habitat is extremely diversified and the
birds travel to wherever scavenging is plentiful.
MIGRATION: Turkey Vultures migrate thousands of miles north each spring from their tropical
winter homes, and each fall return south to their old nesting sites. Turkey Vultures travel in
unorganized flocks, called kettles, of several hundred birds. The flock may also include Black- and
Yellow-headed Vultures. Because they dislike open water, some narrow points in the migration are
crowded. During migration little or no food is consumed.
DIET: Turkey Vultures are true scavengers. Although they prefer to eat well-rotted carrion, they
have been known to eat an assortment of treats. These animals very rarely kill prey themselves,
but have been known to kill newborn pigs, young herons and ibis. Occasionally they have been known
to catch mice and other small mammals, eat grasshoppers, fish and even rotting pumpkins.
HUNTING METHOD: Turkey Vultures are unusual compared with other vultures because of their
keen sense of smell. Other vultures must rely on their eyesight to spot prey while Turkey Vultures
have an added advantage. This is especially useful for those that live in the tropics. Here, the
rainforest canopy conceals carrion which would make viewing it impossible. Vultures do not search
for food in a true pack. Rather they “hunt” independently. When one spirals down toward prey,
other vultures including those of other species notice and gather at the carrion.
Of all the vultures, the Turkey Vulture is most likely to be the first to locate carrion. It is closely
followed by the Black and King Vultures who have spotted its movements. Unfortunately for the
Turkey Vulture, it possesses a weak beak and must either wait until the carrion has been torn in
pieces or wait until the flesh has somewhat decayed. When feeding, Turkey Vultures have been
known to gorge themselves so much that they are unable to fly until regurgitating.
BREEDING INFORMATION: Turkey Vultures aren’t great nest builders. Nests are made on
cliffs, caves, hollow stumps or even on the ground (provided dense shrubbery). The female makes
little attempt to make a nest (of dried leaves or decayed wood) and the male makes none at all. One
to three white eggs with brown markings are laid in three- to four-day intervals. Both sexes
incubate the eggs for approximately five to six weeks. The hatchlings remain in the nest for eight
to ten weeks at which point they are able to fly.
BEHAVIOR: Turkey Vultures are considered beautiful and graceful while flying. They hold their
broad wings at a slight obtuse angle and have a narrow rounded tail. Sunlight reflects from glossy
plumage and the birds appear to have a silvery hue. They effortlessly soar for hours at amazing
heights, navigating rising thermals and air currents in ever widening spirals. However, if they could
be called majestic in flight, then they are uncouth and gangly on land. They have flat feet with
little muscular power and shuffle or hop about. Beyond their aesthetically unpleasing look they also
tend to smell due to their rancid diet.
Rev. 10/9/13
30
Called a “voiceless bird”, Turkey Vultures are actually able to produce several sounds. They can
emit a subdued grunt and a hiss or snarl is uttered when expressing a right to a carcass.
Scientists believe the bare-headedness occurring in vultures is a useful adaptation which is
beneficial during feeding. At this time the vulture’s head-feathers would become matted and
bacteria infested. This is especially important because of the vulture’s inability to preen its head
and neck feathers. Another adaptation of the Turkey Vulture is its tendency to defecate directly
on its feet. Biologists believe this is done to cool their feet and kill bacteria.
STATUS: Although they are numerous, Turkey Vultures have been persecuted in the past. Cattle
ranchers once believed that vultures carried diseases that could spread to their cattle. The truth
is vultures have the opposite effect and are useful in removing sources of infection. Because of
this, the Turkey Vulture is now protected in most areas.
These birds have also proven their helpfulness elsewhere. Gas pipes are often located across miles
of unpopulated land. When a leak occurs, Turkey Vultures, attracted by the smell, will circle
alerting humans of the problem.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
“Bird of Prey”, by Philip Burton, 1989, Gallery Books, pgs. 12-14.
“Birds of Prey”, by Michael Everett, G. P. Putman’s Sons, New York, pgs. 18, 50, and 52.
“Birds of Prey”, 1990, Facts on File, New York.
“Birds of Prey of Northeastern North America”, by Leon Augustus Hausman, 1966, Richard R. Smith
Publishers.
“Birds of Prey of the World”, by Mary Louise Grossman and John Hamlet, Bonanza Books, New York,
pgs. 142, 156, 201, and 202.
“Birds of the World, Birds of Prey”, by John P. S. Mackenzie, 1986, Key Porter Books, pg. 36.
“Life Histories of North American Birds of Prey”, by Arthur Cleveland Bent, 1961, Dover
Publications, New York, pgs. 12-28.
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31
COMMON RAVEN
ARISTOPHANES
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Corvus corax
CLASSIFICATION
Class:
Order:
Family:
Genus:
Species:
Aves
Passeriformes
Corvidae
Length
Male:
Female:
22-27 inches
Same
Weight
Male:
1 ½-3 ½
Female:
Same
Male:
Female:
3 ¾ -4 ½ feet
Same
ARRIVED AT AUDUBON:
May 20, 2008
Also called the Mexican Raven.
SIZE
SEX: Male
EXPECTED LIFESPAN:
15-20 years in wild; average 25-40 in
captivity
WHERE FOUND: Unknown
Corvus
corax
pounds
Wingspan
HISTORY: Aristophanes was illegally
taken from the wild as a chick and was
hand raised for three weeks. The
raven was taken by a relative who
immediately brought him to Audubon.
We have very limited information on
where Aristophanes was originally
found or the story as to why he was
removed from the wild.
Unfortunately, Aristophanes was
already completely imprinted onto
humans.
APPEARANCE: The raven has long pointed wings with
An effort was made to reintroduce
Aristophanes to the wild by leaving him
with adult ravens who had offspring of
approximately the same age. The
adults were willing to accept
Aristophanes, however, Aristophanes
kept running back to the volunteers
trying to release him.
The Common raven’s scientific name, Corvus corax, means
“raven croaker.”
Rev. 10/9/13
deep, glossy, black plumage with a metallic shine of purple or
violet that is noticeable in certain lighting conditions. The
bill is long and stout. A fringe of coarse feathers, called
the goiter, decorates the throat. In flight, the tail appears
wedge-shaped, which distinguishes ravens from crows.
The raven is the largest of the passerines. It is
distinguished from the crow by its harsh cry, size, and
robust bill. Hawk like, the raven alternates flapping with
soaring in flight. Ravens soar on flat wings while the crow’s
wings are bent upward.
RELATED SPECIES: The raven is often confused with
its close relative, the crow, but there are major differences
between the two species. Ravens are more solitary than
crows, which will often assemble in large flocks. A raven’s
beak is larger than that of a crow, its call is deeper, and its
tail is wedge where a crow’s tail is fan-shaped. A raven is
every bit as alert as a crow and possesses sharp eyesight
32
and hearing. Ravens are considered among the most intelligent of all birds; like crows, they can
learn to imitate a variety of sounds, including the human voice. In nature, their calls include
guttural croaks, gurgling noises, and a sharp, metallic “tock.”
RANGE/DISTRIBUTION: Common ravens are one of the most widespread, naturally
occurring birds worldwide. They are found in northern Europe, the British Isles, Greenland (mainly
coastal areas), Iceland, northern Scandinavia, east through central Asia to the Pacific Ocean and
south to the Himalayas and northwestern India, Iranian region and near east, northwestern Africa
and the Canary Islands, and North and Central America as far south as Nicaragua.
HABITAT/TERRITORY SIZE: Common ravens prefer open landscapes, such as treeless
tundra, seacoasts, open riverbanks, rocky cliffs, mountain forests, plains, deserts, and scrubby
woodlands. However, these ravens can be found in most types of habitats except for rainforests.
Common ravens in North America tend to be found in wild areas, whereas their cousins, Common
crows tend to be found in areas more affected by human habitation. In some parts of their range
they have become quite habituated to humans and can be found in urban areas.
Common ravens generally roost on cliff ledges or in large trees but have also established nests on
power-lines, in urban areas, and on billboards, to name only a few.
MIGRATION: The raven is a non-migratory bird.
DIET: Ravens are omnivorous, eating a variety of things including meat, fish, vegetation, fruit,
etc. They will eat carrion; and, to the Raven, it makes no difference how long an animal has been
dead! They seem to enjoy carrion as much as they enjoy the flesh of recently killed animals. These
birds help clean up the environment around us by cleaning up the garbage and filth.
Common ravens take their food from the ground and will store foods of all kinds, including nuts,
bones, eggs, and meat. Young ravens begin to experiment with caching edible and non-edible
objects soon after leaving the nest.
BREEDING INFORMATION: Ravens mate for life, and a pair will use the same nest each
season. They build a large nest on a cliff or sometimes in a tree. Nesting materials are sticks,
twigs, cow ribs, rope ends, canvas, moss, seaweed, roots, hay, cow dung, strips of hide, shredded
bark, and hair from deer, horses, cows and coyotes. In spring, the female lays 3-7 green to blue
eggs that have blotches and streaks of brown. The young are helpless and naked when they hatch.
BEHAVIOR: Every member of the family Corvidae is noisy and quarrelsome. They will kill small
animals for food using their beak and will also use it for defense.
These birds are extremely devoted to each other and their young. Ravens are usually found in
family groups composed of the parents and their offspring. When the young are old enough to leave
the nest and fend for themselves, they wander off. Their elders, however, remain together.
Rev. 10/9/13
33
Common ravens are known for the intelligence and complex social dynamics. They seem capable of
learning innovative solutions to newly encountered problems. Common ravens often forage in larger
groups in areas where resources are concentrated, and non-breeding individuals may occupy
communal roosts; but, most commonly, ravens occur alone or in pairs.
Common ravens walk on the ground or fly. They may also glide and soar, which they do more often
than American crows. They may fly like stunt pilots at times, doing partial barrel-rolls in flight.
STATUS: The Common raven nearly disappeared from the northeastern United States in the
early part of the 20th century. Its numbers in that area increased markedly in the last half of the
century, and it is reoccupying much of its former range. Because of small population sizes in much
of the East, it is listed as endangered or threatened in a number of states. Populations have been
increasing all across the range, especially in the West where it has taken advantage of humanmodified habitats.
The raven is not commonly seen near populated areas like crows, although it is still common in the
western United States at upper elevations and in less populated areas. The raven’s ability to adapt
because of its varied diet has made its situation in the wild more encouraging than other birds.
Common ravens are rarely observed being preyed on, even as eggs or young in the nest. Adults are
usually successful at defending their young and will vigorously chase predators (large hawks and
eagles, other ravens, owls, and martens) away. Adults are wary of approaching novel kinds of
carrion and new situations and will often only approach after the presence of blue jays and
American crows makes it clear that no danger is near.
Common ravens have been persecuted by humans for allegedly preying on lambs and crops. They are
often shot, poisoned, or captured in traps. Ravens have been killed on a local scale in order to
protect other endangered species programs, such as the programs to protect Desert tortoises and
Sandhill cranes, where ravens were implicated in predation on those animals. In some parts of their
range, Common ravens have been extirpated but some populations are becoming re-established.
ECOSYSTEM ROLES: Increasing raven populations can have significant negative effects on
the populations of some vulnerable prey species, such as Desert tortoises and Least terns. They
have been implicated in causing power outages by contaminating insulators on power lines, fouling
satellite dishes at the Goldstone Deep Space Site, pecking holes in airplane wings, and stealing golf
balls.
On the other hand, Common ravens consume carrion, thereby helping in nutrient cycling and
removing dead animals that may harbor diseases. They are also important predators of arthropods,
mammals, and birds in the ecosystems in which they live.
FOLKLORE AND MYTHS: Tradition emphasizes that the raven is a dour and somber bird. The
shadow of its somber wings falling across the path of a bride foretells disaster. He is sinister and
mysterious, and his coarse croakings through the centuries have been thought prophetic of evil.
Rev. 10/9/13
34
Native American and Alaskan folklore often includes ravens as central characters.
Odin, the chief god of the Norsemen, was attended by two ravens, who whispered advice in his ears.
It was the raven that Noah sent forth from the Ark.
Ravens brought food to Elijah while he was hiding by the brook of Cherith.
In Wales, the legendary hero, Owein, was accompanied by an army of ravens that guarded him from
harm.
The Greeks were not unmindful of the raven’s power.
Tradition is behind the ravens that are kept in the Tower of London.
The pilgrim fathers found ravens in Massachusetts, but they soon fell into evil repute. It was
discovered that ravens would attack and kill the newborn lambs and the sickly sheep. The people
made war upon the ravens, so today it is believed that ravens do not build their nests within the
boundaries of that state.
BIBLIOGRAPHY: “The National Geographic Magazine”, January-June, 1983.
Berg, R. and T. Dewey. 1999.
Animal Diversity Website, June 29, 2008.
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Corvu
s-corax.html.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology: All About Birds website, 2008
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Common_Raven.html.
DesertUSA website, 1999
http://www.desertusa.com/mag99/oct/papr/raven.html
Rev. 10/9/13
35
WESTERN PAINTED TURTLE
SCIENTIFIC NAME
B ybe e
ARRIVED AT AUDUBON: October 2010
SEX: Unknown
the wild
Bybee, the Western Painted Turtle, was
found for sale in a Portland Metro-area
pet store. The pet store owner
purchased the turtle, along with a larger
cohort, from an out-of-state turtle
breeder and claimed to be unaware that
it is illegal to be in possession of this
native species of wildlife. The pet store
relinquished the turtles to Oregon
Department of Fish and Wildlife who
deemed them unreleasable because they
originated from the pet trade and have
come into contact with exotic species
and potential pathogens.
CLASSIFICATION
Class:
Order:
Family:
Genus:
Species:
Chrysemys picta
Reptilia
Testudines
Emydidae
Chrysemys
picta
SIZE
The male is usually smaller than the female but possesses
longer claws on his front feet. Western Painted Turtles
are the largest of the four species of painted turtles and
the species with the most intricate pattern on their
bottom shells.
Length:
Male:
Female:
3-6 inches
4-10 inches
Weight:
Male:
Female:
11 ounces on average
18 ounces on average
The Western Painted Turtle is a subspecies of the
Painted Turtle that inhabits watery ecosystems in the
western parts of North America. A small reptile, this
painted turtle often basks in the sun in large numbers on
warm days on rocks, logs and fallen trees. The Western
Painted Turtle lives farther north than any other North
American species of turtle, according to the Reptiles of
British Columbia website.
APPEARANCE: The Western Painted Turtle takes its name from the markings on its neck, legs, tail
and head, which show up as a series of colorful yellow stripes. The upper shell ranges from black to
a brown-olive mix of shades and does not have the ridge down the middle like young Snapping
Turtles do when they are the same size. The head and limbs are typically black, with yellow lines
extending from below the mouth and the eyes back toward the shoulders. The lower shell, called
the plastron, has several reddish markings and designs. The coloration of plastron of painted
turtles is unique to each individual like a fingerprint. The webbed back feet enable the turtle to
swim effortlessly through the water.
Rev. 10/9/13
36
RANGE/DISTRIBUTION: Painted turtles are the most widespread turtles in North America. The
Western Painted Turtle is found as far east as South Dakota. There are two species of native
turtles in the Portland-Vancouver Metro Area: the Western Painted Turtle and the Western Pond
Turtle.
HABITAT/TERRITORY SIZE: Western Painted Turtles spend most of their time in shallow,
fresh-water streams, lakes and rivers. They prefer slow-moving water with soft, muddy bottoms
and need intact wetlands as well as adjacent terrestrial landscapes for breeding, nesting, traveling
and wintering. Connected habitats are critical for individual survival and provide opportunity for
populations to mix creating a wider, healthier gene pool.
DIET: When a Western Painted Turtle is young, it has a more meat-focused diet, consuming such
things as worms, tadpoles, frogs, snails, bugs and carrion. As it matures, the turtle tends to look
for more plants to eat, with waterweeds and algae on the menu. As scavengers, they clean up much
of the organic debris of ponds, thus keeping the water fresh. Northern turtles have a more
protein-filled diet than those in southern warm climates, allowing them to grow more quickly. The
Western Painted Turtle has a difficult time eating anything dry and usually chews its food
underwater. Since they don’t have teeth, they simply swallow their food whole or tear it with their
beak or claws.
BREEDING INFORMATION: It takes from 2-5 years for a male to reach maturity, with the
females requiring as long as 4-8 years. Mating occurs in late spring to mid-summer with the female
laying one or two clutches of eggs a year with 4-23 eggs per clutch. A single clutch may have
multiple fathers. Incubation lasts 10 weeks, and the hatchlings are about the size of a quarter.
After mating, the female travels to nesting grounds that have been used for generations.
The female’s desire to lay her eggs in a certain place is very strong. This can be a hazardous time
as she will try to cross any barrier including backyards, fences and busy highways to reach her
nesting site. Using her hind legs, she digs a nest 4-6 inches deep in the soil. Covering the nest, she
packs down the loose soil with her body. She may pack the soil for quite a distance in order to
confuse predators. The parents do not tend to the young.
The incubation temperature of the eggs determines the sex of the hatchlings. About two-thirds of
the hatchlings will be male if the eggs are kept at 82 degrees, two-thirds will be female if the
temperature is kept above 86 degrees, and a temperature between 82 and 86 degrees will produce
mixed male and female clutches.
Once the turtles are out of their egg shell, they climb up through the soil or sand to the surface.
They set out to find water; even if they cannot see the water, they seem to know instinctively in
which direction to go. This is another dangerous time in the lives of young turtles. Hawks, gulls,
raccoons, skunks and even fish see the tiny baby turtles as an easy meal. The probability of a
painted turtle surviving from the egg through its first year is only 19 percent.
BEHAVIOR: Active during the day, the Western Painted Turtle spends a great deal of time in the
water. Like all reptiles, Western Painted Turtles are cold-blooded and cannot control the
temperature of their bodies. Painted turtles are basking turtles, which means they spend as much
Rev. 10/9/13
37
time as they can in the sun to warm themselves after a long swim or a chilly night. They bask on a
log or rock with their necks and legs stretched out and their toes spread wide apart to catch as
much of the sun’s warmth as possible. Basking also allows their body to produce vitamins and helps
kill fungi. Sometimes, if good sunning space is scarce, one turtle sprawls on top of a larger one’s
shell. Basking turtles are largely diurnal.
During the night, the reptile sleeps in the safety of the bottom of its aquatic home or on something
half-sunken in the water. Western Painted Turtles can slow their heartbeat when underwater to
conserve oxygen.
In the southern portions of its range, the Western Painted Turtle remains active year-round; but,
where the winter can be cold and fierce, it hibernates. In the fall it will put on extra fat and, as
the temperature drops, it gradually becomes less active. It will dig into the mud in the fall and
remain there until the ice above it thaws in March or April. Scientists have found that the blood of
hibernating turtles actually changes. Like the antifreeze used in the winter to keep the water in
car radiators from freezing, turtle blood changes so it can withstand cold temperatures. As a
result, turtle body temperatures can drop to only a few degrees above freezing—much lower than
that of most animals that hibernate. Early warm spells can be dangerous because, if they wake up
too soon, a sudden return to cold weather may catch them unprepared and they may freeze. In
fact, winter weather can be the biggest danger a turtle faces in its adult life. Painted turtles are
hardy, though; it is not unusual to see them swimming under ice during the winter.
Painted turtles defend themselves by kicking, scratching, biting or urinating. In contrast to land
tortoises, painted turtles can right themselves if they are flipped upside down.
STATUS: In Oregon, both Western Painted Turtles and Western Pond Turtles are listed as
Sensitive Critical Species due to their declining numbers. It is unlawful to remove native turtles
from the wild and possess, transport or sell them in Oregon. (As of 2010, most US states allow, but
discourage, painted turtle pets, although Oregon forbids keeping them as pets, and Indiana
prohibits their sale.) US federal law prohibits sale or transport of any turtle less than 4 inches, to
limit human contact to salmonella.
Decline of our native turtle populations is in part due to loss of critical wetland habitat. They are
very sensitive to pollution and water quality. Maintenance of high-quality wetlands is probably the
most important thing we can do to preserve Western Painted Turtles.
In urban areas, traveling from one pond area to another can be fraught with many hazards and
roadways can act as impassible barriers.
Non-native, invasive turtle species are another major threat against our native turtles. Many of the
turtles you might see in our local wetlands are native to the eastern United States and are invasive
here in Oregon. Some were introduced to the Pacific Northwest from the pet trade. Red-eared
Sliders and Snapping Turtles are now widespread and common throughout the area and competition
and predation contribute to the decline of our native turtles.
Rev. 10/9/13
38
Bullfrogs, another invasive species, are also a major threat. Young Western Pond and Painted
Turtles are particularly susceptible to predation by bullfrogs. In some areas bullfrogs can eat
almost 100 percent of the baby native turtles! That, in combination with the fact that it takes
Western Pond Turtles 10-15 years and Western Painted Turtles 4-8 years to even reach sexual
maturity, makes it incredibly important to protect these young turtles.
FOLKLORE AND OTHER FACTS: The Lakota name for turtle is “keya” and they are often
portrayed in Lakota stories, artwork and crafts.
In the traditional tales of Algonquian tribes, the colorful turtle played the part of a trickster.
A Potawatomi myth describes how a painted turtle uses its distinctive markings to trick a woman
into holding him so he can bite her.
Painted turtles are no threat to game fish although they may steal the bait off a fishing line.
Fossils show the painted turtle existed 15 million years ago.
The painted turtle has a very similar appearance to the Red-eared Slider (the most common pet
turtle) and the two are often confused. The painted turtle can be distinguished because it is
flatter than the slider. Also, the slider has a prominent red marking on the side of its head and a
spotted bottom shell, both features missing in the painted turtle.
The painted turtle’s generic name is derived from the Ancient Greek words for “gold” ( chryso) and
“freshwater tortoise” (emys). The species name originates from the Latin for “colored” ( pictus).
BIBLIOGRAPHY:





Western Painted Turtle Facts, eHow.com
About Native Turtles of Oregon, http://www.willametteturtles.com/native_turtle.html
Western Painted Turtle, http://www3.northern.edu/natsource/REPTILES/Western1.html
Painted Turtle, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painted_Turtle
Lacy Campbell, Audubon Society of Portland, Wildlife Care Center Operations Manager
Rev. 10/9/13
39
EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Audubon has an extensive number of adult and children’s educational programs available. They are
constantly being revised to address new topics and interests so the programs listed here are merely
examples. Please look at the latest Warbler and camp/class brochures to keep informed about what
current and new programs are being offered, their cost, and how a visitor can register for them.
(NOTE: Whenever fees are given in this Manual, always double check the Warbler and/or
class/camp brochure to make sure they are still current!)
ADULT PROGRAMS
Audubon Society of Portland offers a wide variety of education programs for adults, including:
Morning Birdsong Walks
Wild in the City Field Trips
Birding Classes
Birding Field Trips
Birding Weekends
Birding Tours
Magpies Field Trips
Elderhostel Birding
International Birding Tours
Morning Birdsong Walks
From beginners to advanced birders, anyone who is fascinated by the sounds of birds should take
advantage of these guided walks in the Metro area’s prime spring migration hotspots.
By starting with the earliest trips, visitors can learn the songs of the common resident species;
then, when the migrants arrive, they can sort out their songs from the rest of the morning chorus.
Beginning in early spring, the Bird Song Walks visit wildlife areas such as Beaverton’s Tualatin Hills
Nature Park, Mt. Tabor in east-central Portland, The Nature Conservancy’s Camassia Preserve in
West Linn, and the Pittock Mansion in Portland’s West Hills.
Leaders include Paul Sullivan, Gerard Lillie, and other Audubon naturalists. All walks begin at 7
a.m., are free of charge, and last from one to two hours.
Walkers leave whenever they need to. No pre-registration is required. Participants should bring
binoculars and a field guide; and they should be sure to dress for the weather: spring mornings can
be surprisingly chilly.
For natural history information, maps, and directions for any of these natural areas, see Wild in the
City: A Guide to Portland’s Natural Areas, available at our Nature Store.
Rev. 10/9/13
40
Birding Classes
Pre-registration is required for some classes and not for others. If an announcement indicates that
pre-registration is not required, visitors are welcome to attend the program and register at the
door. To register by phone, call Steve Engel at 971-222-6119. To register by standard mail or
e-mail: Send their name, address, phone number, e-mail address, payment (check or credit card
number), and the list of classes they wish to take.
Checks should be made to Audubon Society of Portland and mailed to:
Adult Classes
5151 NW Cornell Road
Portland, OR 97210
All evening programs meet at the Audubon Society of Portland.
Birding Field Trips
A wonderful cadre of volunteer trip leaders offer outings to local birding
spots. Audubon Society of Portland members and the general public are
invited to attend our field trips. People with all levels of natural history
experience, from beginning to expert, (unless otherwise indicated) are
welcome.
While there is usually no fee for our field trips, we expect participants to carpool and share costs
with the driver. Carpooling is encouraged for conservation of energy resources and enhanced
sociability. Wear binoculars so participants can be identified, especially when the leader may not be
present.
We advise checking road conditions before any winter trip by calling 1-800-977-6368 or 1-503976-7277.
For more information or comments call Audubon Society of Portland at 503-292-6855.
Birding Weekends: A Portal to Birding Oregon
Monthly trips with Paul Sullivan to different Oregon counties are offered. He coordinates and
leads these trips, with the help of local experts. Paul is an active and skilled birder and an
experienced trip leader who seeks to make sure everyone sees most of the birds.
The goal of these trips is to introduce birders to new areas of Oregon, to new birds, and to birders
from other parts of the state. The accent of these trips is on the fun of birding.
Audubon Birding Weekends will normally begin at dawn Saturday and end early Sunday afternoon.
They will be based in the same city both Friday and Saturday night. Most of the travel will be by
private cars on public roads, with some walking on trails. Costs of lodging, transportation (car
pooling), and food will be up to the individual participants. We usually eat supper together on
Saturday night and have a "countdown" of species seen.
Rev. 10/9/13
41
Trip leaders will provide advance planning and guidance to the birding sites and bird species of the
area. Participants will be sent a letter in advance of each weekend with suggested lodging,
directions, meeting place, likely birds, and other details.
Registration for Audubon Birding Weekends
There is a nominal fee per person for each weekend, and registration must be made by the Tuesday
before.
The following registration information is needed for each weekend: Name, address, phone, e-mail,
trip dates, number of attendees, and amount enclosed. Checks should be made payable to Audubon
Society of Portland.
Please send registration and payment to:
Paul T. Sullivan, 4470 SW Murray Blvd. #26, Beaverton OR 97005
Questions? Call Paul at 503-646-7889 or e-mail him at [email protected] .
ElderHostel Birding
Elderhostel is a non-profit organization with 25 years of experience providing high-quality,
affordable, educational adventures for adults who are 55 and older. These short-term educational
programs are a fun and exciting way to explore new places and make new friends. Audubon Society
of Portland sponsors several Elderhostel programs each year. The focus of our
programs is birding, wildlife, and natural history. Program fees include all food,
lodging, and transportation during the week. To register or for more
information call Elderhostel toll free at 877-426-8056. Remind visitors to
please have the program number listed in the Warbler ready when contacting
them.
International Birding Tours
Our birding tours are designed to help participants learn about nature as they
do some excellent bird watching and wildlife viewing. At the same time their travel dollar supports
our education programs. These trips, varying in geographic destinations, provide an opportunity to
get close to nature and explore and learn about new habitats. Trip leaders may change due to their
availability. Call Steve Robertson at 503-292-6855 ext. 118 for more information and registration
details.
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42
YOUTH PROGRAMS
The Audubon Society of Portland offers the following programs for groups during the school
season.
Sanctuary Tours
Traveling Programs
Overnight Programs
Half-Day Field Trips to Local Nature Preserves
Full Day Field Trips
The Science of Water Quality
Ancient Forest Exploration
If visitors would like more information regarding a specific program, please have them call 503292-6855 or e-mail [email protected].
Sanctuary Tours
Groups can explore our incredible 150-acre sanctuary while hiking along with an experienced
Audubon Naturalist. Discover the many animals living in and around the protected Balch Creek
watershed and our Sanctuary's pond, then walk into a stand of old growth forest. Students' senses
will be filled with the smell of the moist forest, the sounds of birds calling and mammals scurrying
about the forest floor and trees. During the tour, participants also visit the Wildlife Care Center
(our hospital for injured wildlife), handle bird nests and animal skins, and see forest birds up close
at our window feeders.
This is our most popular program (offered September through June) so register early!
Program Length:
Fee:
Grades:
Group Size:
2 hours (can be modified to fit needs)
$5 per student
$50 minimum, deposit required to confirm reservation
Kindergarten - 3rd grade (sorry, no preschool)
Maximum 40 students
Experience the majesty of an old growth forest only minutes from Downtown Portland! To register,
please call 503-292-6855 ext. 120 or e-mail: [email protected].
Traveling Programs
Traveling Programs can be presented in your classroom, home or anywhere
a youth group meets. All of our programs are lots of fun and highly
hands-on, allowing every student to become active in the learning
process.
Audubon's Traveling Programs are the perfect compliment to an
environmental curriculum, and are wonderful for all school and youth groups including scouts,
neighborhood clubs, church groups, etc.
To register call 503-292-6855 ext. 135 or e-mail [email protected].
Rev. 10/9/13
43
Some typical programs include:
 Animal Tracking
 Bats
 Befriend a Bird of Prey
 Habitats of Oregon
 Beautiful Birds
 Owls of Oregon
 Amphibian and Reptiles
 Endangered Species
Program Length:
Fee:
Group Size:
Ages:
Travel Charge:
One Hour
$75 per program (two programs minimum, same title, same day)
30 maximum
Kindergarten-Adult
An additional fee is charged for mileage
Traveling Programs can also be delivered at the Audubon Society of Portland to enhance a group's
field trip experience!
Overnight Programs
Audubon Base Camp
Experience an unforgettable overnighter at our rustic cabin in the foothills of Mt. Hood. Groups
will meet our Naturalists at the "Marmot Cabin" (near Brightwood) and have the site to themselves
as they explore a remote Wildlife Sanctuary. Children will seek out signs of beaver, deer and elk as
they venture through the lush vegetation of a pristine riparian zone. Students learn to read animal
sign, identify plants and interpret the landscape, while honing their own naturalist skills along the
way. After dinner, students will venture into the darkness in search of bats and owls (weather
permitting), and return for an educational program on these nocturnal creatures. In the morning,
children will get to learn even more about our native animals via a hands-on study of pelts, skulls and
specimens. We will design a program that builds, expands and enhances any environmental
curriculum.
Approximate on-site program length: 4 p.m. through noon on the following day
Fee:
$36 per child
$18 per adult (maximum one adult per 10 students, not including Audubon
staff).
Group Size:
Up to 30 total participants (minimum is 12 participants)
Ages:
3rd Grade-Adult
Location:
The Marmot Cabin near Brightwood
Call 503-292-6855 ext. 127 to reserve your overnight program.
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44
Audubon Camp-In
Nestled in the heart of Forest Park, the Audubon Society of Portland offers the ideal location for
an overnight experience into nature without having to leave the city. Our Naturalists will meet the
group at the Audubon Society of Portland, give an orientation to the site, then lead an exciting
exploration of our 150-acre Wildlife Sanctuary, including its magnificent old-growth forest,
streams and pond. Dinner will be served after the hike, followed by the Traveling Program of your
choice. The group will have the site to itself for its evening activities, then snuggle into their
sleeping bags for the night to wake up to the sounds of the forests in the morning. After
breakfast, children will visit the Wildlife Care Center and learn how we take care of injured
animals. Led by experienced Naturalists, this overnighter promises to be an unforgettable
educational experience for all who attend.
Approximate on-site program length: 3:30 p.m. through 9:30 a.m. on the following day.
Fee:
$30 per child
$15 per adult (maximum one adult per 10 students, not including Audubon
staff).
Group Size:
Up to 35 total participants (minimum is 12 participants)
Ages:
3rd Grade-Adult
Location:
The Audubon Society of Portland
Call 503-292-6855 ext. 127 to reserve your overnight program.
Audubon Outdoor School
We have a number of thematic programs that we use to build extended environmental education
units of study for 4th through 12th Grades. These can be tailored for a single-day Outdoor School
experience or with a multi-day program at the Outdoor School site of your choosing.
Please call Steven Robertson at 503-292-6855 ext. 118 for more information.
Fee:
dependent upon level of programming
Program length:
Several hours to several days
Ages:
Grades 4-12
The Science of Water Quality
This popular program is now mobile, so we can come to a school and test the quality of nearby
wetlands. Students will learn to use a variety of science test kits to check water's pH, dissolved
oxygen, nitrate levels, and turbidity. We also look for macro-invertebrates
and identify them, as well as learn what the presence of the "indicator
species" reveals about the quality of the water they live in. Students will get
good hands-on experience as they learn the scientific method. This program
will help students gain skills of measuring, analyzing, and interpreting to help
meet many of the State's benchmarks in science education.
Study Balch Creek at the Audubon Society of Portland or test the wetland
near the school.
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45
Our thanks to the Jackson Foundation, the Collins Foundation, and the Gysel Family for their
generous contributions to our Nature Study Shelter and Water Science Station.
Program Length:
Fee:
Ages:
2 hours
$125 for up to 30 participants
3rd Grade-Adult
To register for this program please call 503-292-6855 ext. 120 or email [email protected] for more information.
Ancient Forest Exploration
Journey back in time and into one of the most majestic and awe-inspiring
habitats ever created. How do ancient, "old-growth" forests differ from
other forests? Which animals rely on our diverse old-growth habitats for
food, shelter, and clean water? Students will handle specimens of a Flying
Squirrel, Marbled Murrelet, Pileated Woodpecker, Red Tree Vole, and other
wildlife endemic to ancient forests. Students will then hike through the
ancient forest and use the knowledge they're gained for a close-up look at
nurse logs, snags, and 500-year-old trees.
Program Length:
Fee:
Ages:
2 hours
$5 per student, $100 minimum
2nd grade-Adult
To register for this program please call 503-292-6855 ext. 120 or e-mail
[email protected]
Half-Day Field Trips to Local Nature Preserves
Portland is home to many of the most incredible natural wildlife areas to be found in any urban
setting in the country! These "greenspaces" are valuable habitat for wildlife surviving amidst the
pressures of city life and urban growth. Students will study wetlands, grasslands, forests or
streams as they focus on plants, animals, and the vital role each plays in its ecosystem. We can help
you choose exciting, accessible areas to explore, including:
Oaks Bottom
Crystal Springs
Powell Butte
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
Sauvie Island, Jackson Bottom
Fernhill Wetlands
Program length:
Fee:
Ages:
2 hours
$125 for up to 30 participants
($3/student beyond 30 participants)
2nd Grade-Adult
Please call 503-292-6855 ext. 135 for more information.
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46
Full Day Field Trips
A skilled Naturalist will meet at the school and travel with the group for the entire day, leading a
field experience that students will never forget.
Average Program Length: 6-8 hours
Fee:
$180 for up to 30 participants ($5 per participant beyond 30)
Ages:
3rd Grade-Adult
Please call 503-292-6855 ext. 127 or e-mail [email protected] for details.
Northern Oregon Coast
The beauty of Oregon's rocky shore will be experience for the day as students head to the coast
for an action-packed, learning adventure. Students will learn about the powerful, extra-terrestrial
forces that drive the tides, and why a tsunami is not a tidal wave. We investigate coastal geology,
the dynamics of the sandy shore; and, of course, go birding for wonderful avian friends like the
Double-crested Cormorant, the Tufted Puffin and the Black Oystercatcher. Tides willing, children
also explore the tidepools and witness the diverse array of fascinating species that live there. This
trip is guaranteed to turn students into a classroom of marine biologists, at least for the day!
Ape Cave, Mt. St. Helens
Under the careful guidance of an experienced Naturalist, students will journey below the surface
of the Earth to spelunk one of the longest lava tubes in the world! They will study the fascinating
geology of the caves and discover the nature of molten rock as they trek for over a mile beneath
ground. This is truly one of the most unforgettabl--and educational--experiences available!
Columbia Gorge
People travel from around the world to experience the magnificence of the Columbia Gorge, yet we
often take this backyard treasure for granted! Our inspiring Naturalists will help students open
their eyes and train them to "read the land" so they can see the ancient story it reveals. The
Columbia River is the most powerful river in the Northern Hemisphere, and we guarantee this field
trip will be an educational experience just as mighty.
Beacon Bound
Students feel on top of the world when they conquer the Earth's fourth-largest monolith, Beacon
Rock. They study the landforms of the Columbia Gorge and learn how great floods of molten basalt
and the massive Missoula Floods have shaped our land. This incredible field trip also allows time to
visit other destinations in the Gorge, which may include Bonneville Dam, Eagle Creek, or Multnomah
Falls.
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47
AUDUBON’S TRAILS AND SANCTUARY
TRAILS & SANCTUARY
Nestled against Forest Park, five minutes from downtown Portland, is our 150-acre, free-to-thepublic Nature Sanctuary. Our wildlife sanctuary is a showcase for native flora and fauna and has
over four miles of forested hiking trails to enjoy year 'round.
Trails are open dawn to dusk every day.
The mixed conifer forest along Balch Creek has a lush understory of Vanilla
Leaf, Pacific Waterleaf, Swordfern, Maiden Hair Fern, Oregon Grape, Indian
Plum, Salmonberry, and Stinging Nettle. Many of the trees and plants within
the sanctuary are labeled for easy identification.
A small stand of old growth Douglas Firs stands as testimony to the giants
that once graced the temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest.
Balch Creek is home to a small population of native Cutthroat Trout. An
anadromous species, this population is landlocked due to several culverts along
the length of the creek.
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48
Look for Steller's Jay, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Varied Thrush, Mourning Dove, Pacific Giant
Salamander, and Douglas Squirrel, as well as Roughskin Newt, Red-legged Frog and Western Painted
Turtle in the pond.
Our small pond and pavilion structure provide a peaceful place to have lunch and see the wildlife.
The pond provides sanctuary to a diverse group of amphibians.
The Wildwood trail and greater Forest Park is accessible from our sanctuary so visitors can
lengthen their hike. Pittock Mansion is a short 25-minute hike up the hill from Portland Audubon.
HISTORY OF BALCH CANYON
In 1850 Danford Balch filed a 640 acre land donation claim and started the first of many
homesteads in the area. The creek along which these settlements grew was named for him.
Danford Balch later became the first person legally executed in the state of Oregon.
Most of the Balch Creek watershed was logged by the turn of the century. In 1899 a large fire
swept up Balch Canyon and burned to the crest of skyline ridge, fueled by east winds and significant
quantities of logging slash. Around the turn of the century water from Balch Creek was diverted
through a series of dams, sluices, and pipes and used to clear soil from hillside to create the
Westover Terraces, an area slated for prime real estate development.
Balch Creek water in action
Water from Balch Creek was later diverted to a wooden reservoir and became part of the public
water supply. Balch Creek also served as a conduit for sewage. In 1921 the City of Portland
completed the construction of the Balch Gulch Sewer, diverting the creek into a mile-long culvert
ending at the Willamette River. The Balch Gulch Sewer allowed for Guild’s Lake, home to Portland’s
first trash dump, to be completely filled.
In 1897 Donald Macleay donated 105 acres along the creek to the City of Portland, the first
acreage preserved along the creek. In 1939 George and Mary Holman donated an additional 52
acres in the watershed to the city to be preserved as parkland. Additional land was acquired by the
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49
city through tax forfeitures and became part of Forest Park’s acreage in 1948. Portland Audubon
acquired the Pittock Bird Sanctuary in 1930 and has steadily added to its acreage over the years.
AUDUBON SANCTUARIES HISTORY
The Audubon Society of Portland, then known as the Oregon Audubon Society, purchased 12 acres
of property on Cornell Road in January of 1930. In September 1930 the estate of Henry Lewis
Pittock donated an additional 18 acres. Much of the acquired land had been a dairy farm. Today
this acreage represents the Pittock Bird Sanctuary and the Collins Sanctuary Trailhead. It should
be noted that the historical record indicates 30 acres, while current property assessments indicate
28 acres. Road easements may account the loss of 2 acres.
The pond in the Pittock Bird Sanctuary was constructed in the 1930s in an area that had been
severely degraded by dairy farming. The Audubon Society of Portland has an existing water right
to draw water from Balch Creek to fill the pond, although the diversion structure is no longer
operable.
A small cottage was also built in the 1930’s to house a caretaker for the sanctuary. Around 1950
Audubon House was built as a gathering space and lecture hall for members and volunteers of the
Audubon Society of Portland. At some point an existing barn was converted to a new caretaker’s
house, and later became home to the administration annex; the old caretaker’s cottage became the
home of the Wildlife Care Center.
Original caretaker’s residence, now the Wildlife Care Center
In 1976 the Audubon Society of Portland took over the management of the remaining 86 acres of
the Collins Sanctuary. In 1982 the Uhtoff Sanctuary was purchased thanks to donations from the
Collins Foundation and Audubon Society of Portland members. The caretaker’s residence was
changed to the house on this property, allowing for the conversion of the existing caretaker’s house
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50
to the administrative annex. In the early nineties Audubon House was expanded and remodeled,
adding Heron Hall, the Bat Roost, and the offices under the Nature Store.
Dave Marshall, board member emeritus, has been part of the Audubon Society of Portland since his
early childhood. His father and uncle were instrumental in the creation of the sanctuary, and
Dave’s recollections provide a unique glimpse into the history of our society and sanctuary. Over
the years he has provided us with many tid-bits of sanctuary history and lore, including:








His father and uncle had much debate over the selection of a location for the sanctuary. His
father was opposed to a site in the NW hills because of landslide hazards and high real estate
costs. Instead, he wanted to see the sanctuary take advantage of the wetland habitat along the
Columbia Slough (at the time the Columbia River dams had not been built and this area was
prone to seasonal flooding and provided excellent habitat for wetland and shore bird species).
The eventual donation of land by the Pittock Estate helped tip the scales in favor of the
sanctuary in its current location.
In the 1930s the sanctuary provided better bird habitat than it does in its current state of
forest succession. Much of the forest had been logged, burned, and maintained as a dairy farm,
leaving a shrub/scrub habitat. This habitat generally allows for a greater diversity of bird
species than the 100 year-old mixed deciduous/coniferous forest that we have today.
Eventually as the forest matures to old-growth forest increased avian species diversity will
return.
In the sanctuary’s early days, volunteers planted numerous tree species native to the Pacific
NW but not typically found in the Willamette Valley. This accounts for the presence of some
anomaly species such as Mountain Ash and Engleman Spruce. Also, some orchard and exotic
species remain from its days as a dairy farm.
The Giant Sequoia by the Wildlife Care Center was planted by Thornton T. Munger. Mr. Munger
headed a group of citizens who successfully oversaw the creation of Forest Park in the late
1940s. That group still exists today as the Friends of Forest Park (soon to be the Forest Park
Conservancy). Mr. Munger was also the first director of the Pacific Northwest Research
Station, a series of permanent forest plots established for the study of long-term forest
succession.
The Dawn Redwoods flanking the entrance to the administration building were grown from seeds
brought back from Sichuan Province, China. This tree species, native to this area millions of
years ago, was thought to be extinct until a stand was found in China in the 1940s. Specimens
of this deciduous conifer are now scattered throughout Portland.
Dave’s Uncle Norma (not a typo) dug out the pond and built the dike with only a shovel and
wheelbarrow in the 1930s. The covered pavilion was added in 2001. The pond was built to
increase the habitat value of the sanctuary, although such ponds are not typical in the area.
The fence surrounding the Pittock Sanctuary was built in the 1930s as part of the WPA; its
stated purpose was to keep feral cats out of the sanctuary.
No one seems to know why the trees in the old-growth area were spared the bite of the saw.
There is evidence that some of the trees in this area were cut in the past 100 years. Blowdown
from the Columbus Day Storm in 1961 was also cleared; at the time the habitat value of blowdown was not fully appreciated. In any event while the old-growth area is not entirely a pristine
ancient forest, we are no less fortunate to have these stately old-growth trees gracing our
sanctuary.
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51
RESOURCES FOR BIRDERS & NATURALISTS
RARE BIRD ALERT
Audubon’s Rare Bird Alert, compiled by Harry Nehls, is updated weekly and is
available by calling our main office: 503-292-6855. Another online resource for
Oregon rare bird sightings is Oregon Birders Online.
If visitors are interested in attracting native birds, wildlife and pollinators to their
yard, have them check out our Native Plant List and Native Plants for Bees and
Butterflies fact sheets on our website: www.audubonportland.org (courtesy of the
Xerces Society).
If they are stumped on a bird identification, have them give our Nature Store a call at 503-2929453 or check out Patuxent's Bird Identification website.
BIRDS OF AUDUBON’S WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Mallard (Anns platyrhynchos)
Cooper’s Hawk (Accipite cooperii)
Red Tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
Band-tailed Pigeon (Columba fasciata)
Barred Owl (Strix varia)
Northern Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium gnoma)
Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna)
Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus)
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)
Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus)
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)
Pileated Woodpekcer (Dryocopus pileatus)
Red Breasted Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus
rubber)
Pacific Slope Flycatcher (Empidonax
difficilis)
Rev. 10/9/13
Steller’s Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri)
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapilla)
Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile
rufescens)
Bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus)
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)
Brown Creeper (Certhia Americana)
Winter Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa)
Swainson’s Thrush (Catharus ustulatus)
Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius)
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)
Spotted towhee (Pipilo maculates)
Wilson’s Warbler (Wilsonia pusilla)
Dark Eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)
Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus
melanocephalus)
52
MAMMALS OF AUDUBON’S WILDLIFE
SANCTUARY
Opossum (Didelphis virginana)
Coast Mole (Scapanus orarius)
Townsend Mole (Sapanus townsendii)
Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus)
Hoary Bat (Lasiurus cinereus)
Little Brown Myotis (Myotis lucifungus)
Silver Haired Bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans)
Bobcat (Lynx rufus)
Coyote (Canis latrans)
Ermine (Mustela erminea)
Long-tailed Weasel (Mustela frenata)
Mink (Mstela vision)
Raccoon (pocyon lotor)
Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)
River Otter (Lutra candensis)
Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis)
Bushy-tailed Woodrat (Neotoma cinerea)
Douglas Squirrel (Tamias townsendi)
Northern Flying Squirrel (Galucomys
sabrinus)
Norway Rat (Rattus norvegicus)
Townsend Chipmunk (Tamias townsendi)
Western Red-backed Vole (Clethrionomys
californicus)
Brush Rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani)
Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus)
Elk (Cervus elaphus)
Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus)
REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS OF AUDUBON’S
WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
American Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)
Northern Red-legged Frog (Rana aurora)
Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)—Invasive
Western Pond Turtle (Actinemys marmorata)
Dunn’s Salamander (Plethodon dunni)
Pacific Giant Salamander (Dicampton tenebrosus)
Rough-skinned Newt (Taricha granulosa)
Western Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon vehiculum)
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53
NATIVE PLANTS OF AUDUBON’S WILDLIFE
SANCTUARY
Common Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus)
False Solomon’s Seal Smilacina racemosa)
Fringe Cup (Tellima grandiflora)
Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum)—
invasive
Indian Plum (Oemleria (Osmaronia)
cerasiformis)
Inside-out Flower, Duckfoot (Vancouveria
hexandra)
Jewelweed (Impatiens scapiflora)
Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina)
Licorice Fern (Polypodium glycyrrhza)
Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum)
Nootka Rose (Rosa nutkana)
Pacific Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum tenuipes)
Piggyback Plant (Tolmiea menziesii)
Red Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum)
Red Huckleberry (Vaccinium parvifolium)
Red-osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea)
Salal (Gautheria shallon)
Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis)
Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica)
Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum)
Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus)
Western Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum)
NATIVE TREES OF AUDUBON’S WILDLIFE
SANCTUARY
Big-leaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum)
Black Cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa)
Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
Oregon Ash (Frazinus latifolia)
Red Alder (Alnus rubra)
Vine Maple (Acer circinatum)
Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla)
Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata)
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54
BIRDS OFTEN SEEN AT THE FEEDERS
(All of the pictures were provided by Jim Cruce. Others—marked with an asterisk--were found on-line.)
Rev. 10/9/13
Cooper’s Hawk
(Accipite cooperii)
Northern Flicker
(Colaptes auratus)
Pileated
Woodpecker
(Dryocopus
pileatus)
Downy
Woodpecker
(Picoides
pubescens)
Hairy Woodpecker
(Picoides villosus)
*Band-tailed
Pigeon
(Columba fasciata)
Mourning Dove
(Zenaida macroura)
Steller’s Jay
(Cyanocitta
stelleri)
*Anna’s
Hummingbird
(Calypte anna)
*Black-capped
Chickadee
(Poecile atricapilla)
*Rufous
Hummingbird
(Selasphorus
rufus)
*Chestnut-backed
Chickadee (Poecile
rufescens)
Bushtit
(Psaltriparus
minimus)
Red-breasted
Nuthatch
(Sitta candensis)
55
Rev. 10/9/13
*Brown Creeper
(Certhia
Americana)
*Ruby-crowned
Kinglet
(Regulus calendula)
*Wilson’s Warbler
(Wilsonia pusilla)
*Yellow-rumped
Warbler
(Dendroica
coronata)
American Robin
(Turdus
migratorius)
*Swainson’s Thrush
(Catharus
ustulatus)
Varied Thrush
(Ixoreus naevius)
*Pacific Wren
(Troglodytes
troglodytes)
*Spotted towhee
(Pipilo maculates)
*Dark Eyed Junco
(Junco hyemalis)
Song Sparrow
(Melospiza
melodia)
*Black-headed
Grosbeak
(Pheucticus
melanocephalus)
House Finch
(Carpodacus
Mexicanus)
Pacific Slope
Flycatcher
(Empidonax
difficilis)
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BIRDING FESTIVALS, EVENTS, AND TRIPS
Raptor Road Trip: February
Raptor Road Trip is a celebration of the birds of prey that winter in the metropolitan
area. It’s a guide-your-own-tour of four sites on Sauvie Island: three wildlife viewing
sites staffed with experienced naturalists and hawk experts and an education site
with raptor identification tips and live birds of prey.
Birdathon: May
Birdathon works like a “Walk-a-thon.” Instead of logging miles, participants spot and count birds.
It’s a unique and effective way to support the Audubon Society of Portland. Anyone can join in the
fun by gathering a minimum amount in pledges. The dollars collected will go directly to help protect
our native and migratory birds and their habitat. You DO NOT need to be an expert birder. New
participants can look forward to learning valuable birding skills and seasoned pros can be assured of
another fabulous event. All participants are eligible for a host of fabulous prizes!
Oaks Bottom Migratory Bird Festival: May
Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day with the Audubon Society of Portland, US Fish and
Wildlife Service and the City of Portland! This fun, family friendly, all-day festival is held at
Sellwood Park and Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge. Oaks Bottom and other natural areas in the
Portland area are important to migrating birds for nesting, wintering, resting, and re-fueling.
Visitors can join local naturalists on guided bird walks to see the large variety of migratory birds
that use Oaks Bottom during their migratory route. The festival includes a large variety of
children’s activities, storytelling and live birds of prey from Portland Audubon.
Great Blue Heron Week: May
Celebrating Natural Areas and Clean Water
Great Blue Heron Week is an opportunity to participate in all sorts of birding
and outdoor experiences that are sponsored by various nature and
environmental organizations. Many of these activities are free, however, a fee
and pre-registration are sometimes required. Visitors can refer to the
Warbler for more information as well as Audubon’s website.
Native Plant Sale: May
Audubon’s Native Plant Sale is held during May each year. Hundreds of native plants
are available at reasonable prices during this fundraising event for Audubon. There
are plants that attract hummingbirds and butterflies, plants that feed chickadees and
song sparrows, and plants that provide cover and nesting for deer and rabbits. In other words, our
plants can help create wildlife habitat.
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Swift Watch: September
Chapman School
NW Pettygrove and 27th Ave
Visitors can join us evenings throughout the month of September to
watch the fantastic aerial display of the largest known roosting colony of
Vaux's Swifts in the world. It’s fun to bring friends, family, a picnic dinner and a blanket for
enjoying this spectacular event! Portland Audubon volunteers are on hand to provide natural history
information. Visitors should plan to arrive 20-30 minutes before dusk. The swifts enter the
chimney after sunset, just before dark, so the time gets earlier as the month progresses.
International Vulture Awareness Day: September
Celebrating the beauty of vultures, this event is designed to educate the
public regarding the plight of vultures around the world, their
importance in controlling disease, and their unique characteristics.
“Night Flight” Halloween Event: October
Designed as a fun, non-scary and family-oriented educational event, this event includes lots of
educational activities, the education birds, and night walks through the Audubon sanctuary with an
Audubon naturalist.
Wild Arts Festival: November
The Festival is a wonderful opportunity for Audubon to share the beauty and appreciation of living
things through works of art.
Birders’ Night
When: The First Tuesday of each month from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Everyone’s welcome to join us for a free Birders’ Night. Birders of all skill
levels are encouraged to participate. The evening will include a slide show
and discussion.
Nature Night
When: The Second Tuesday of each month 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Visitors are invited to come to our free Nature Night. Each month
we offer an evening of information on an array of topics ranging
from Birding in the Artic to Mycology to Ocean Reserves! Lectures,
slides, video and guest speakers bring it all to life in a fun and easy
to understand format. No registration is necessary.
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Audubon Outings: Year-round
Cycle, paddle and walk to the region’s parks, trails, and natural areas. Wild in the City is all about
access to nature in the city. Wild in the City field trips will introduce you to some of the region’s
most scenic and wildlife rich natural areas and parks and get to know the ever growing regional
trails network. Trips are free, but pre-registration is required. Wild in the City field trips are
announced in the Warbler each month.
Other field trips, domestic, and international trips are published monthly in the Warbler.
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A DOZEN GREAT PLACES
TO VIEW NATURE IN OREGON
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
Directions: From Burns, go east on Oregon Highway 78, then south on Oregon
Highway 205 to milepost 25. Refuge headquarters is 9 miles east on the county
road.
Highlights: Most extensive freshwater marsh in western United States. Peak
of spring migration includes over 250,000 geese and 6,000 Sandhill cranes. Important breeding
area for Trumpeter swan, Sandhill crane, Long-billed curlew, and White-faced ibis. Refuge
headquarters is famous as a fall and spring migrant trap.
Best Times to Visit: Spring, Summer and Fall
For More Information: US Fish and Wildlife Service 541-493-2612
Upper and Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge
Directions: To reach Upper Klamath NWR, take Oregon Highway 140 west from
Klamath Falls 25 miles to Rocky Point Road. Follow signs for 3 miles to Rocky Point
Resort. To reach Lower Klamath NWR, drive south from Klamath Falls 19 miles on US
Highway 97. At the California border, turn east on California Highway 161. Refuge
headquarters is 4 miles south on Hill Road off California 161.
Highlights: Internationally renowned wildlife area on the Pacific flyway. Peak fall
migration concentrates over 1 million birds. Important nesting area for American white pelican,
Cinnamon teal, Northern shoveler, and Great egret. More than 1,000 Bald eagles winter in the
area—the largest gathering of Bald eagles in the contiguous United States.
Best Times to Visit: Year-Round
Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge
Directions: From Portland, drive north on I-5 to the Ridgefield exit.
Follow signs to Ridgefield and the wildlife refuge.
Highlights: The refuge landscape provides sanctuary throughout the
seasons for waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, river otter, black-tailed
deer, coyotes, and other species of wildlife.
Best Times to Visit: Spring, Fall and Winter
Tualatin River Wildlife Refuge
Directions: From Portland, drive south on I-5 or I-217 to Highway 99W. Continue on Highway 99W
through the town of King City. Approximately .7 miles beyond the Cipole Rd traffic light, turn right
into the refuge. Look for brown highway guide signs.
Highlights: Located on the Pacific Flyway, the Refuge is an important stopover where migrating
waterfowl, songbirds, and shorebirds stop to rest, refuel, and raise their young.
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Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
Directions: From Newport, drive north 3.4 miles on US High 101. Turn west
onto Lighthouse Drive and follow signs to headland and lighthouse.
Highlights: One of the best locations on the northern coast to see colonial nesting birds, like
Common murre, Brandt’s cormorant, and Pigeon guillemot. Nearby shores and rocky beaches are
favored haul-out areas for Harbor seal and California sea lion. Excellent place to watch migrating
Gray whales. Handicap accessible trail to tide pools. Historic lighthouse.
Best Times to Visit: Spring, Summer and Fall
For More Information: Bureau of Land Management 541-574-3100
Boiler Bay Wayside
Directions: Boiler Bay is 0.5 miles north of Depoe Bay.
Highlights: Roadside overview of rocky shore. Great place to see birds of the rocky coast like
Black oystercatcher, Black turnstone, and Pelagic cormorant. High vantage point provides
opportunities to see birds of open ocean, such as shearwaters and murrelets, and Gray whale.
For More Information: Oregon Parks and Recreation 541-265-4560
Cape Meares State Park and National Wildlife Refuge
Directions: Cape Meares is 9 miles west of Tillamook on the Three Capes Scenic Route
Highlights: Steep cliffs and old growth forests of Western Hemlock and Sitka Spruce. Colonial
nesting area for Tufted puffin, Common murre, and Pigeon guillemot. Good place to see Steller’s sea
lion, Harbor seal, California sea lion, and Gray whale. Trails to and from the cliffs are through
massive old-growth forest.
For More Information: Oregon Parks and Recreation 541-867-4550 or US Fish and Wildlife
Service 541-757-7236
Bayocean Peninsula
Directions: Take Netarts Highway west from Tillamook to Bayocean Road. Follow the Bayocean
Road to peninsula.
Highlights: Mix of pine/spruce forest, grassy dunes, sandy beach, wetlands, and mudflats. Large
flocks of wintering ducks, especially American wigeon, on Tillamook Bay. Excellent place to see
shorebirds in migration.
For More Information: Oregon State Parks, Tillamook 541-842-5501
Fort Stevens State Park
Directions: From Astoria, go 2 miles west on US Highway 101. Turn right on
Warrenton Junction and follow signs to the park.
Highlights: Viewing platform provides opportunities to see sea ducks like Surf scoter,
White-winged scoter, and Black scoter. Fall seabird migration, including up to 500,000 Sooty
shearwater migrating past the South Jetty. Close views of shorebirds as rising tides cause
concentrations behind the South Jetty or in Trestle Bay.
For More Information: Oregon Parks and Recreation 503-861-1671
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Sauvie Island Wildlife Area
Directions: From downtown Portland, drive 10 miles west on US Highway 30.
Turn right and cross the Sauvie Island bridge.
Highlights: Important habitat in the floodplain of the Columbia River to
witering waterfowl and other animals. In fall, over 150,000 ducks, geese, and
swans use the area as a migratory stop or stay for the winter. Outstanding
place to see Bald eagle and Sandhill crane in winter. Up to 100 Great blue heron can be seen
feeding at one time on Sturgeon Lake. Pellet Plant attracts hundreds of gulls, including rarities like
Glaucous gull and Slaty-back gull, in winter.
Best Times to Visit: Spring, Fall and Winter. Portions of the refuge are closed to the public from
October to April.
For More Information: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 503-621-3488
Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge
Directions: From Portland, drive south on US 99E. Exit at the Sellwood and Milwaukee exit, turn
right, and after a short distance, turn right again into the trailhead parking lot.
Highlights: Portland’s first city wildlife refuge. Good location to see spring migrants. Great blue
heron, the official city bird, are common. Nesting area for Green heron, Spotted sandpiper, Wood
duck, Western screech owl, Bushtit, and Rufous hummingbird.
For More Information: Portland Parks and Recreation 503-823-4404
Directions: From Portland, drive west on NW Lovejoy past NW 25 th. The road
bears to the right and becomes NW Cornell Rd. Continue 1.5 miles through two
tunnels. The Sanctuary is on the right 0.5 miles past the second tunnel.
Highlights: Feeders provide close-up views of forest birds, like Chestnut-backed
chickadee, Red-breasted nuthatch, and Band-tailed pigeon. Wintering species like
Varied thrush. Hummingbird feeders attract Rufous and Anna’s hummingbirds. Trails through
mixed woodlands and old-growth forests. Endangered Cutthroat trout in Balch Creek. Interpretive
displays and a Nature Store, open daily, provides information and sells optics and nature books.
For More Information: Audubon Society of Portland 503-292-6855
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VOLUNTEERING AT AUDUBON
The Audubon Society of Portland is one of the Pacific
Northwest's leading conservation organizations, offering a wide
range of natural history and environmental activities to members,
the community, and especially volunteers.
If a visitor is interested in volunteering, please give them a
Volunteer brochure and encourage them to come to the next New
Volunteer Orientation and Training. (The date is posted on
Audubon’s website.)
NEW VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION
All volunteers must attend a New Volunteer Orientation where they will learn more about the
Audubon Society of Portland, get details about volunteer positions, and hear about the exciting
benefits of volunteering! The next New Volunteer Orientation is listed on Audubon’s website at
audubonportland.org.
Please encourage them to fill out the on-line application; or, if they need more information, contact:
Deanna Sawtelle, Volunteer Coordinator
5151 NW Cornell Road
Portland OR 97210
(p) 503-292-6855
(f) 503-292-1021
[email protected]
VOLUNTEER TRAINING
New volunteers will be asked to choose one of two Audubon volunteer options at orientation:
 Regular, on-grounds volunteer
 Special event volunteer
Regular, on-grounds volunteers are required to attend an all-day training. This training will provide
new volunteers with needed background information about Audubon, in general, including its
sanctuary grounds and programs. New volunteers will sign up for volunteer opportunities that
interest them at the conclusion of this training.
Special event volunteers are encouraged, but not required, to attend the above training.
In additional to this general volunteer training, additional training is provided for all volunteer
positions. Shifts are generally four hours in length, once per week. Many positions require that
volunteers be at least 18 years of age, able to commit to at least 6 months on a regular shift, and
pay a fee that covers their name badge, t-shirt and training materials.
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ONGOING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Audubon Docents
Greet visitors to the Audubon Society of Portland, answer natural history questions, assist with
bird identification, and encourage new memberships. Saturdays and Sundays throughout the spring
and summer.
Backyard Habitat Certification Program
In addition to certifying backyards to meet the program criteria, volunteers assist with follow-up
calls, data entry, and outreach.
Clerical and Data Entry Volunteers
Help maintain accurate records for our Wildlife Care Center and other programs.
Conservation Activist
Help our conservation staff members successfully lead conservation campaigns and programs
throughout the state of Oregon.
Nature Store Volunteers
Assist customers with purchasing books, optics, seed, etc. Answer natural history questions.
Audubon Receptionists
Answer calls, respond to inquiries, and assist the staff with the daily business of the Audubon
Society of Portland.
Sanctuary Restoration and Trail Maintenance
Join a work party to help the sanctuary staff maintain Audubon’s beautiful sanctuary grounds and
extensive trail system.
Sanctuary Tour Guide
Lead school groups as students discover the animals living in and around the protected Balch Creek
watershed, the sanctuary pond, and a stand of old-growth forest.
Special Events
Assist with the planning and organizing of Audubon’s many special events, including the Native Plant
Sale, the Wild Arts Festival, Birdathon, Swift Watch, International Vulture Awareness Day, “Night
Flight” Halloween Event, and the Raptor Road Trip.
Tabling Team
Be a member of Audubon’s Tabling Team and representative Audubon at offground events.
Assist in the rehabilitation of native wildlife or be the WCC receptionist. NOTE:
There is almost always a wait list for volunteers at the Care Center.
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Annual Volunteer Celebration and the Mamie Campbell and Youth Leadership
Awards--Generosity and Commitment:
The Audubon Society of Portland takes special pride that its roots are those of a volunteer
organization. Much of what we accomplish is through the generosity and commitment of our more
than 300 active volunteers.
Each year, at its annual banquet, Portland Audubon commemorates its most dedicated volunteers by
awarding the Mamie Campbell award for volunteer achievement. Mamie Campbell was an important
figure in the early years of the Audubon Society of Portland. A long-time and active volunteer, she
was instrumental in establishing the Junior Audubon Club in Portland.
Mamie was an ardent conservationist and helped distribute environmental brochures to area schools
in the 1920's and 1930's. She was also a tireless leader of the Lucy Club, which organized PAS
social and special events during the era and was named after Lucy Audubon (wife of James I.
Audubon).
Established in 1985, the Mamie Campbell Award is given to our most important and dedicated
volunteers. Award criteria include (1) sustained and long-term commitment to PAS, (2)
multifaceted volunteer service (in several different program areas), and (3) the importance of the
work to PAS and/or the leadership and role model qualities of the individual.
Mamie Campbell
Established in 2012, the Audubon Society of Portland Youth Leadership Award is given to young
volunteers who demonstrate leadership and a deep commitment to learning about and caring for the
environment. Award criteria include (1) nominees will be individuals 12-17 years of age, (2) have
sustained and long-term commitment to the Audubon Society of Portland, (3) demonstrate
leadership and role model qualities, and (4) demonstrate incredible growth in learning and caring for
the environment.
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CONSERVATION
A CENTURY OF CONSERVATION
Audubon has led conservation efforts in the State of Oregon for more
than a century. Within a few years of its formation, Portland Audubon
successfully advocated for the establishment of the first national
wildlife refuges in the west including Three Arch Rocks, Klamath and
Malheur. Audubon also led the charge to pass one of the nation’s bird
protection laws, the Oregon Model Bird Act of 1907, set up the first
reward program in the state for information regarding illegal killing of birds, and financed the
hiring of the state’s first game wardens.
In recent decades, we have built upon this legacy of conservation leading efforts to get the
Spotted owl and Marbled murrelet listed under the federal Endangered Species Act, helping
recover the American peregrine falcon, advocating for protection of our ancient forests, promoting
federal legislation to increase protections for native birds, and establishing a network of
internationally recognized Important Bird Areas across the state. Portland Audubon has been a
pioneer in the field of Urban Conservation, leading efforts to integrate nature into the urban
environment by protecting urban wildlife habitat, promoting green stormwater strategies, and
ensuring equitable access to nature for all citizens.
CURRENT CONSERVATION GOALS
Portland Audubon’s Conservation Program focuses primarily on protecting birds and other wildlife at
the local, regional and national level. Oregon has the fifth highest bird diversity of any state in the
nation. More than 500 bird species are found in Oregon; of those, more than 200 pass through the
Portland Metropolitan Region each year. However, recent Audubon reports tell us that more than
25% of Oregon’s bird species are experiencing long term population declines and 11% of Oregon’s
bird species are either critically imperiled or likely to become critically imperiled in the near
future. Audubon promotes the protection of birds, other wildlife and their habitats by:
 Managing our Sanctuaries to conserve native birds and other wildlife
 Promoting backyard stewardship through our Living with Urban Wildlife and Backyard
Certification Programs
 Advocating for the protection and restoration of urban wildlife habitat across the Portland
Vancouver Metropolitan Region
 Promoting equitable access to nature with the goal of having all residents of the Portland
Metro Region within one-quarter mile of a natural area
 Advocating for the protection and restoration of the most important bird areas statewide
 Advocating for the recovery of imperiled species such as the Northern spotted owl,
Marbled murrelet, Bald eagle, Peregrine falcon, and Sage grouse
 Promoting federal legislation to make killing of protected bird species a felony
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TWO WAYS TO BECOME DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN AUDUBON’S
CONSERVATION EFFORTS:
FAUNA: FRIENDS AND ADVOCATES OF URBAN NATURAL AREAS
FAUNA is for folks who are primarily interested in getting involved in the protection and
restoration of urban natural areas in the Portland-Metro region. For people concerned about
protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat in their own yards, neighborhoods and communities, FAUNA
provides a great way to get involved, learn about the issues and make a difference close to home.
ACT: AUDUBON CONSERVATION TEAM
ACT is for people who are focused on state and federal conservation issues such as recovery of
threatened and endangered species, protection of Important Bird Areas, establishment of Marine
Reserves, and passage of federal legislation to improve protection for native wildlife. ACT provides
a great way to help Audubon make a difference across our state and nation.
What does being an ACT or FAUNA member entail?
Our goal is to make a difference! When you join ACT or FAUNA, you will be joining hundreds of
other citizens who care about wildlife and want to act on those convictions to influence decisionmakers and create wildlife-friendly policy at the local, state and federal levels. Through ACT and
FAUNA we work to increase knowledge of important environmental issues, improve the
effectiveness of our collective response to these issues and, ultimately, to protect Oregon's
ecosystems and wildlife. We ask ACT and FAUNA members to commit to taking one action per
month. That action may be making a phone call, writing a letter, responding to an e-mail action alert
or attending a hearing or rally.
Our e-mail alerts go out about 3-4 times a month, and we'd like to reach more people with them so
please encourage visitors to join! Their time commitment to ACT or FAUNA is dependent on their
schedule and desired level of involvement. It usually takes no more than one-half hour per month to
take one action, and it really does make a difference!
How do they join ACT or FAUNA?
To become a member, contact Audubon at 503-292-6855 or visit our website at
www.audubonportland.org.
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WILDLIFE CARE CENTER
Our wildlife rehabilitation program originated nearly 70 years ago, when
Lillian Post Eliot, wife of our first sanctuary caretaker, began caring for
injured and orphaned birds in the caretaker's residence. Now, with the
help of 100 dedicated volunteers, we rehabilitate 3,000 animals each
year.
Hours of operation: 7 days a week 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Telephone number: 503-292-0304
We always like to talk to people before they bring injured wildlife to the Wildlife Care Center so
please encourage them to call first. Should they reach our voicemail system, they should try back
in a few minutes. Please be sure to thank them for their concern about wildlife!
Wildlife Care Center: A General Overview
Our Wildlife Care Center is the oldest and busiest wildlife rehabilitation center in Oregon.
Some of our Wildlife Care Center Policies are available on line at www.audubonportland.org:
 What to do if you find a baby bird
 What to do if you find a baby mammal
 Wildlife Care Center does not accept after-hours drop-offs
 Wildlife Care Center does not accept non-native, domestic or exotic species for rehabilitation
Recent and Upcoming Releases: Periodically the Care Center announces releases of wild animals
back to the wild and everyone is welcome. It is a great opportunity to see and learn about some of
our urban wildlife species up close.
Peregrine Falcon Program: Portland has a growing population of peregrine falcons nesting on local
bridges. There are times when bridge construction and maintenance make avoidance of nest
disturbance impossible. As part of Audubon’s efforts to protect peregrine falcons nesting in urban
environments, the Care Center has developed a program for situations where disturbance of bridge
nesting falcons cannot be avoided. Our center is able to remove eggs or young from the nest, raise
them in captivity and return them to the wild through a process known as “hacking.”
Wildlife Care Center Research and Statistics: The Wildlife Care Center provides a huge
repository of data on the problems affecting urban wildlife populations. The 2,500 animals we
treat each year can tell us much about what we need to do to better live with urban wildlife. For
detailed information visitors can go to our website at www.audubonportland.org/wildlifecarecenter
Non-native Animal Policy: The Wildlife Care Center accepts injured or orphaned native wildlife.
We do not accept non-native, exotic or domestic animals for treatment.
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Many of the animals found roaming free in Oregon do not belong here. Some wildlife, such as Rock
Doves (city pigeons), Starlings, House Sparrows, nutria, opossums, Fox Squirrels and Eastern Grey
Squirrels, have been introduced from other places and became established in Oregon.
Others such as feral cats and dogs, domestic ducks and geese, Red-eared Sliders, and peacocks are
domesticated animals that have either escaped or been abandoned. In all cases, these animals do
not belong in the wild.
What You Can Do
 If they find an injured or orphaned non-native species, they can care for it themselves, take it
to a veterinarian (and expect to pay for services), or they can contact the Wildlife Care Center
for further advice. If they choose to leave a non-native species at the Wildlife Care Center, it
will be humanely euthanized.
 If they find an abandoned or escaped domesticated animal, they should contact an appropriate
agency such as the Oregon Humane Society or Multnomah County Animal Control. These
agencies do NOT take in non-native wildlife species such as Starlings, House Sparrows, Rock
Dove, opossums, nutria, Fox Squirrels and Eastern Grey Squirrels.
 If they have a domesticated animal that they no longer want, they should either find it a new
permanent home, or take it to an appropriate agency such as Oregon Humane Society or
Multnomah County Animal Control. It is inhumane to release a domesticated animal into the wild
in Oregon. It is also a Class C misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in prison and fines not
to exceed $1,000 to deliberately abandon a domesticated animal.
Phone numbers of agencies that might be able to assist you:
Audubon Society of Portland’s
503-292-0304
Oregon Humane Society
503-285-0641
Multnomah County Animal Control
503-667-7387
Wildlife Care Center: A Historical Review
The “birth” of the Wildlife Care Center Program was neither deliberate nor planned and its
acceptance into the family of Audubon programs was slow in coming and tempered by lingering
questions as to why it was here and whether it belonged. The program survived because of the
phenomenal commitment of generations of volunteers. It flourished because of an evolving
understanding of how fixing individual injured wild animals ultimately serves to protect and
preserve our natural ecosystems.
It all began innocently enough. Back in the late 1930's, long before the term
"wildlife rehabilitation" even existed, Henrietta Eliot, wife of Audubon
President Willard Ayres Eliot, began accepting injured wildlife and caring for
them in her home. Board member emeritus Dave Marshall recalls two
common nighthawks that passed a winter perched (one on each end) of Mrs.
Eliot's hearth prior to their release the following spring. What began as a hobby quickly found its
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way into the Audubon Society of Portland Annual Reports. The 1944 report, reveals that in many
ways rehab in 1944 sounds remarkably like rehab in 2002: The Bird Clinic cared for 52 birds
including 16 species. Of these, 28 were liberated and 24 died. Some were nestlings that needed
careful raising but many were badly injured. Some had only one wing, cats having amputated the
other. Altogether Mrs. Eliot had a very busy summer. It took most of her "spare" time and often
got her out of bed in the wee small hours of the morning to get the babies and cripples cared for.
The results have been noted in much increased interest in the sanctuary by those who brought in
birds, and in many memberships.
In the late 1940s the Eliots departed for the east coast and the rehab program went dormant for
more than two decades, save for a period in the late 1960s when, at the community's request,
Audubon reluctantly agreed to provide euthanasia services for injured wild animals when no other
alternative was available.
The second coming of wildlife rehabilitation to Audubon Society of Portland
occurred in 1977. Two local rehabbers, Scotty Steeves and Joe Schables,
brought together a coalition of Audubon Society of Portland, Oregon
Department of Fish and Wildlife, the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the
Washington Park Zoo to establish Portland's first wildlife rehabilitation center. Many among the
Audubon community voiced strong opposition, fearing that a rehabilitation program would consume
limited resources and do little to ultimately protect wildlife. Despite these concerns, Audubon
Society of Portland agreed to house the center in an old, rat-infested caretaker's shack under the
condition that the center be financially self-sustaining (first achieved 20 years later) and that each
of the coalition members share equally in the cost (we are still waiting).
In its first year, the center accepted 372 animals for care, a number that would jump to 900 by
1982, 3,000 by 1988 and would creep toward 4,000 by the turn of the century. Our longest serving
resident, Owen the Barn Owl, arrived in 1978. Taken from her nest and raised by humans, Owen
arrived far too imprinted to survive in the wild. She quickly took up residence on a perch above the
Care Center refrigerator and became our first education animal. Mistakenly believed to be a male
on arrival, Owen revealed her true identity several years later when she laid an egg.
During the first three years, the Care Center was run almost entirely by volunteers. They remain
the backbone of this facility to this day. In 1982, Susan Flett-Pomeroy, the Care Center's longest
serving volunteer (20 years and counting!) worked her first shift. The Care Center struggled with
lack of space and lack of funds, and Susan still tells stories of the sandwich man stopping by in the
evening to drop off stale, day-old sandwiches to be used to feed recovering crows.
The Care Center hired its first full-time director, Stephanie Struthers, in 1980 and she was
succeeded by Jonelyn Wilson in 1982. Also in 1982, and five years after its creation, Audubon
Society of Portland formally recognized the Care Center as a permanent department of the
Society. During this year, fundraising also began to replace the dilapidated shack with a new stateof-the-art "Tweetment Center" (a term that later Director Katy Weil would make her first task to
eliminate because of her belief that "state-of-the-art" and "tweetment" were incompatible).
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Construction on the current facility began in 1985, made possible by extensive fundraising
efforts of volunteers and the generous donation of time by general contractor Robert Evans.
Originally conceived as a functional, warehouse-like building, plans were ultimately changed to
provide for a homier, house-like atmosphere. Two explanations persist. The first is that the staff
and volunteers wanted to maintain the family-like atmosphere that pervades the Care Center. The
second was that certain board members persisted in the belief that the Care Center would
ultimately fade away, and they wanted a structure that could quickly be converted to classrooms.
Construction was delayed for extended periods because of lack of funds and in the interim the Care
Center operated out of a trailer. In August of 1986 the new Care Center opened and Owen the
Barn Owl was moved into a specially built cage complete with barn and heated perches. Also in
1986, Maureen O'Mara succeeded Jonelyn as Director.
Integral to the operation of the Care Center has been the willingness of the Portland veterinary
community to donate services and expertise. In 1988 future Audubon Society of Portland President
Dr. Marli Lintner, owner of the Avian Medical Center, "A Veterinary Clinic Just For Birds," took us
under her wing after Maureen showed up unannounced on her doorstep with an injured beaver. She
remains one of too many vets to name here without whom our work would be impossible.
In 1990 a large task force was convened to formally evaluate the role of wildlife rehabilitation
within the context of Audubon's overall conservation efforts. Less a question of whether wildlife
rehabilitation ought to be done, than a question of whether a conservation organization such as
Audubon Society of Portland was the appropriate agency to do it, the committee was charged with
deciding the fate of the program. A vigorous debate ensued.
The report accepted by the board in March, 1991, validated the place of the Care Center within
Audubon Society of Portland and set the tone for the years to come. Beyond recognizing the
intrinsic moral value in caring for injured wildlife, it clearly articulated the unique educational
opportunity that each injured animal brings with it. The mission of the Care Center was expanded
to include not just fixing critters, but working with individuals, agencies, neighborhoods and
communities to reduce and prevent the problems that bring animals to us.
The care of each injured animal is not only an end in itself, but also a link to a community. The
rehabilitation process became something of a bargain: "We will fix the critter, but you need to fix
the problem that caused it to become injured." During the 1990s, under the leadership first of
Katy Weil and later Bob Sallinger and Deb Sheaffer, the efforts of the Care Center expanded
beyond the boundaries of its hospital walls. Audubon's highly successful efforts to protect urban
wildlife habitat necessitated a next step: teaching people how to live with the wildlife that share
the urban landscape. The Care Center, with its daily view of the carnage that ensues when people
fail to appreciate, understand and accommodate the wildlife that surrounds them, was uniquely
situated to step into this role.
So what have we accomplished? Since we began our rehabilitation efforts, more than 65,000
animals have been treated for release back to the wild; and we have answered more than a quarter
of a million wildlife related phone calls. At a more fundamental level, with every animal we treat we
answer the question "How does caring for individual animals serve to protect the greater
ecosystem?
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71
LIVING WITH URBAN WILDLIFE
Audubon Society of Portland's Urban Wildlife Resource Office
Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., every day of the week
365 days a year
(503) 292-0304
[email protected]
(Photo: Peregrine Falcon by Bob Sallinger)
Our Urban Wildlife Resource Office provides information on
stewardship of urban wildlife, current urban wildlife issues and
resolving of human-wildlife conflicts.
We also work to develop programs, policy and research aimed at
establishing proactive strategies for managing our urban wildlife
populations.
Protecting urban wildlife populations begins with habitat protection, but we must also look beyond
this toward actively managing urban wildlife populations and learning to appreciate and live with the
wildlife that surrounds us.
Encourage visitors to look around our Wildlife Care Center or website for information on Living with
Urban Wildlife if they have wildlife-related concerns or questions. They can reach the Urban
Wildlife Resource office by phone at 503-292-0304 (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) or by e-mail at
[email protected]. Please note e-mail is answered during business hours, Monday
through Friday. If they have an injured animal, please refer them directly to the Wildlife Care
Center or call the Care Center at 503-292-0304. The Care Center has an after-hours voice
recording that can provide additional information.
(Photo: Mallard and Ducklings by Jim Cruce)
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72
Living with Urban Wildlife Brochures: The Urban Wildlife Resource office has compiled a series of
Living with Urban Wildlife brochures. Brochures are available in the Wildlife Care Center or online
at our website at www.audubonportland.org. These brochures will help provide people with
information on how to prevent and resolve human and wildlife conflicts. Brochures include:
 What to do if you find a Baby Bird
 Living with Raccoons
 Living with Urban Coyotes
 Living with Urban Crows
 Living with Urban Mallards
 Living with Urban Squirrels
 Please don't feed the Waterfowl
 Living with Woodpeckers
 Living with Vaux's Swifts
 Living with Baby Birds
 Wildlife Relocation: Not a Solution
 Cats and Wildlife
 Kids and Birds
 For the Birds
 Urban Wildlife Resource Office
Poaching Prevention Rewards Program: Shooting birds of prey is illegal. Our Wildlife Care Center
has received dozens of illegally shot birds of prey including Peregrine falcons and Bald eagles. The
Audubon Society of Portland has created a fund to provide rewards to people who report illegal
shooting of birds of prey in the Portland Metropolitan Area, leading to a conviction.
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73
John James Audubon 1785-1851*
The American Woodsman: Our Namesake and Inspiration
John James Audubon (1785-1851) was not the first person to attempt
to paint and describe all the birds of America (Alexander Wilson has
that distinction), but for half a century he was the young country’s
dominant wildlife artist. His seminal Birds of America, a collection of
435 life-size prints, quickly eclipsed Wilson’s work and is still a standard
against which 20th and 21st century bird artists, such as Roger Tory
Peterson and David Sibley, are measured.
Although Audubon had no role in the organization that bears his name,
there is a connection: George Bird Grinnell, one of the founders of the
early Audubon Society in the late 1800s, was tutored by Lucy Audubon,
John James’s widow. Knowing Audubon’s reputation, Grinnell chose his name as the inspiration for
the organization’s earliest work to protect birds and their habitats. Today, the name Audubon
remains synonymous with birds and bird conservation the world over.
Audubon was born in Saint Domingue (now Haiti), the illegitimate son of a French sea captain and
plantation owner and his French mistress. Early on, he was raised by his stepmother, Mrs. Audubon,
in Nantes, France, and took a lively interest in birds, nature, drawing, and music. In 1803, at the age
of 18, he was sent to America, in part to escape conscription into the Emperor Napoleon’s army. He
lived on the family-owned estate at Mill Grove, near Philadelphia, where he hunted, studied and
drew birds, and met his wife, Lucy Bakewell. While there, he conducted the first known birdbanding experiment in North America, tying strings around the legs of Eastern Phoebes; he learned
that the birds returned to the very same nesting sites each year.
Audubon spent more than a decade in business, eventually traveling down the Ohio River to western
Kentucky – then the frontier – and setting up a dry-goods store in Henderson. He continued to draw
birds as a hobby, amassing an impressive portfolio. While in Kentucky, Lucy gave birth to two sons,
Victor Gifford and John Woodhouse, as well as a daughter who died in infancy. Audubon was quite
successful in business for a while, but hard times hit, and in 1819 he was briefly jailed for
bankruptcy.
With no other prospects, Audubon set off on his epic quest to depict America’s avifauna, with
nothing but his gun, artist’s materials, and a young assistant. Floating down the Mississippi, he lived
a rugged hand-to-mouth existence in the South while Lucy earned money as a tutor to wealthy
plantation families. In 1826 he sailed with his partly finished collection to England. "The American
Woodsman" was literally an overnight success. His life-size, highly dramatic bird portraits, along
with his embellished descriptions of wilderness life, hit just the right note at the height of the
Continent’s Romantic era. Audubon found a printer for the Birds of America, first in Edinburgh,
then London, and later collaborated with the Scottish ornithologist William MacGillivray on the
Ornithological Biographies – life histories of each of the species in the work.
The last print was issued in 1838, by which time Audubon had achieved fame and a modest degree
of comfort, traveled this country several more times in search of birds, and settled in New York
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74
City. He made one more trip out West in 1843, the basis for his final work of mammals, the
Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America, which was largely completed by his sons and the text of
which was written by his long-time friend, the Lutheran pastor John Bachman (whose daughters
married Audubon’s sons). Audubon spent his last years in senility and died at age 65. He is buried in
the Trinity Cemetery at 155th Street and Broadway in New York City.
Audubon’s story is one of triumph over adversity; his accomplishment is destined for the ages. He
encapsulates the spirit of young America, when the wilderness was limitless and beguiling. He was a
person of legendary strength and endurance as well as a keen observer of birds and nature. Like his
peers, he was an avid hunter, and he also had a deep appreciation and concern for conservation; in
his later writings he sounded the alarm about destruction of birds and habitats. It is fitting that
today we carry his name and legacy into the future.
*Taken from www.audubon.org.
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75
INTERPRETATION TIPS
Just a few things to think about when you’re interacting with the public:

Seize the teachable moment. Try to keep focused on what you were
saying, or about to say, but go with the interest of the people around
you.
Sometimes no matter how interesting we are, the animals are much more so. Be
prepared, you may be upstaged by a bird landing at the feeders.

Know your audience. Make sure your comments are developmentally appropriate for the age
group.
All ages and types of personalities visit Audubon.

Always be thinking of connections and how the different things you see and discuss are
related to each other. Try to show how everything “fits together” in the environment.
The sanctuary is a beautiful place! There are the different bird species, the many
types of trees and plants and the interesting water areas.
As a Sanctuary Tour Naturalist, you’ll be answering a lot of questions. It’s OK if you don’t know an
answer. One good way to deal with a question you can’t answer is to say something like “that’s a
very good question and I’m afraid I don’t know the answer to that. I’ll try to find out before you
leave.” If the Education staff isn’t busy, ask for their help.
PUBLIC SPEAKING TECHNIQUES
When you’re interacting with the public, it’s your chance to do a little
interpretation. A few public speaking tips to know:
Again, the key to good interpretation is KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE!!





Use concepts that are age appropriate -- don’t talk down to people or go over their heads.
Make sure your vocabulary is understandable by your audience. Explain difficult or
unfamiliar words.
Relate your information to your audience’s experience and use comparisons they will
understand.
Keep it simple! Don’t overwhelm your audience with statistics and information. (You don’t
have to tell them everything you know.)
Recognize that members of your audience are there for different reasons -– don’t take it
personally if they don’t want to stop and listen.
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76
REMEMBER
Visitors like:
 Sensory involvement (touch, smell, hear, see)
 Humor
 New information made understandable
 An enthusiastic interpreter
Visitors don’t like:
 Dry lectures
 An interpreter that talks too much
 Information that is too technical
 Long and unenthusiastic presentations
Tips for dealing with children
Bend over or kneel – get down to their level
Whisper! This encourages them to listen to what you are going to say
Tips for dealing with families
Get the kids involved – the adults will follow
Don’t make parents look foolish in front of their children
Let the family discover something together
ASKING QUESTIONS
The best way to get visitors involved is to ask questions.
The three types of questions that work best are:
1. Open-ended questions
 Anyone can answer; there are no right or wrong answers.
 The question relies on observation to get at information.
 The question may begin with “what do you notice.”
2. Focus questions
 Focus attention on one thing.
 Zero in on specific information.
 Often begins with “who”, “what” or “when.”
 Don’t always provoke creative thinking.
3. Process questions
 Have a wide range of answers.
 Ask people to combine information.
 Often involve “what if ___”, “how does ___” or “why does ___”
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Ten Tips for Questioning
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Address the whole group
Wait several seconds for an answer
Ask different people questions
Help the person answer
Redirect wrong answers – “a lot of people think that but ___”
Rephrase the question if no one can answer
If the group is mixed age, direct the question to the children
Ask what, why and how questions – Never ask simple yes/no questions
Vary the types of questions
Give answers you know are true – Don’t guess. If you don’t know, say “I don’t know”
REMEMBER:
Quality, not quantity, of questions
make for a good presentation.
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78
ECONOMICS OF BIRDING IN OREGON
BIRDING IS BIG BUSINESS IN OREGON
According to the latest survey in 2001:
o 1.2 million people participated in birding in Oregon.
o There were more birders in Oregon than hunters and fishermen combined!
o Birders spent a total of 111,703 days—or an average of 10.7 days per person—observing
birds.
o With other wildlife watchers, these birders spent $769.4 million—an average of $458 per
participant—in Oregon, including:
o $182.2 million on food and lodging.
o $108.5 million on transportation.
o $14.4 million on other trip costs.
o $464.4 million for equipment and other expenditures.
o Birders and other wildlife viewers supported 22,000 jobs in Oregon.
o They also generated $61.6 million in taxes for Oregon and federal governments.
“Between now and 2050, the only major outdoor pastime that will grow faster than the national
population is birding.” (Newsweek, June 1997)
BIRDING BRINGS VISITORS TO OREGON
Oregon’s birding opportunities and birds attract many visitors. In 2001:
o 435,000 out-of-state visitors birded in Oregon.
o These birding visitors spent $215.3 million in Oregon—an average of $495 per
participant—including $109.5 million on food and lodging, $70.1 million on transportation,
$9.1 million on other trip costs and $26.9 million on equipment.
o Visiting birders also had non-related expenditures, like shopping for gifts to take home,
which are not included here.
“In a 1990 survey, twice as many vacationers preferred to watch birds than play golf.” (Fortune,
1991)
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79
ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES
WHAT ARE ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES?
An endangered species is a species that is in immediate danger of going extinct throughout most or
all of its range. A threatened species is one that is at risk of becoming endangered in the
foreseeable future.
WHY DO SPECIES GO EXTINCT?
Most species that become extinct, endangered, or threatened do so because humans destroy their
habitat. This often occurs through logging, draining and development of wetlands, the damming of
streams, and pollution of aquatic habitat for fish. Other factors that contribute to species’ decline
are the use of pesticides and other toxins, the introduction of non-native species, and overhunting
and overfishing. Many species go extinct before they are even listed as endangered, or while
awaiting protective measure.
THE FEDERAL AND STATE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACTS
Currently, both the State of Oregon and the Federal Government offer protection for endangered
and threatened species.
WHAT CAN VISITORS DO TO HELP
o
o
o
o
o
They can find out which threatened and endangered species live near them. Learn as much
as they can and tell others what they know. Which species used to live in their area?
Encourage visitors to visit other wilderness areas or a Wildlife Refuge to observe wildlife in
its habitat. They can join Audubon’s volunteer corp and help in restoration projects.
They can become an active member of a local conservation organization. That’s us!
They can write their state legislator, Senator or Congressman and tell them they think
maintaining a strong Endangered Species Act is important. Ask them to help provide
funding to implement the ESA.
They can also check off Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s “Wildlife Diversity
Program” on their Oregon Income Tax Return. This money helps fund study and protection
of nongame species in Oregon.
Rev. 10/9/13
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audubon volunteer manual

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