LEARN MORE ABOUT IDENTIFYING WILDLIFE IN UTAH
Read some of our Q and A'S below, or ask a question of your own!
Please tell me what species of hummingbird this is!
In my estimation, this is a broad-tailed hummingbird. It could be a female black-chinned hummingbird, but here is why I think it is a broad-tailed: 1. At rest the tail extends past its wings 2. Green, rather than yellow-green, back 3. White-tipped tail feathers, with black sub-terminal band. 4. Streaks on the chin that are indicative of this species. It's a bit blurry when you close up on it, but you can see that her chin and neck are not pure white. |
I had some mice in the garage and I am wondering if this is a deer mouse I found frozen outside. Photos are below. Thank you so much for the help!
Based on this photo, this is most likely a mouse from the group commonly called 'deer mice' (Peromyscus sp.). Characteristics are: brownish gray on top with white belly, furred tail that is bi-colored, tail as long as body. I can't confirm which Peromyscus species because I cannot see the head, so cannot judge the relative size of the ears. But, because this photo came from Saskatchewan, I know this is a deer mouse (common name), Peromyscus maniculatus. |
I Can't Tell if this is an Immature Eagle or Something Else?
An immature eagle is a good guess for this species. But, it is actually an Osprey. The black line through the eye is a good identifier. They aren't widespread in South Dakota where you are from. In fact, most identification books show them to be limited to the western portion of the state. You should show your photo to any avid birders, they will be excited to see it! |
I Keep Finding My Peony Flower Leaves Notched, What Could Be Causing This?
Nothing is wrong with your peonies but something is eating them. I can't be 100% sure but evidence points to root weevils which famously cause notched leaves as they eat. Here is a solution for the adult root weevils: adult feeding, as evidenced by leaf notching, can be controlled with sprays of certain pyrethroid insecticides such as bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, and lambda-cyhalothrin. These should be applied to the foliage and it can also be useful to treat areas at the base of plants, where they rest during the day. Control may be improved if applications are made late in the day or in evening, as the weevils become active and move onto the plants after dusk. You can control the larvae by applying natural nematodes (a type of worm) to the soil. Just visit your local greenhouse and they can point you in the right direction.
Nothing is wrong with your peonies but something is eating them. I can't be 100% sure but evidence points to root weevils which famously cause notched leaves as they eat. Here is a solution for the adult root weevils: adult feeding, as evidenced by leaf notching, can be controlled with sprays of certain pyrethroid insecticides such as bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, and lambda-cyhalothrin. These should be applied to the foliage and it can also be useful to treat areas at the base of plants, where they rest during the day. Control may be improved if applications are made late in the day or in evening, as the weevils become active and move onto the plants after dusk. You can control the larvae by applying natural nematodes (a type of worm) to the soil. Just visit your local greenhouse and they can point you in the right direction.
I am from New York State, Could You Help Me Identify this Bird, It Flops Around on the Ground Strangely?
This is a juvenile bird. It is a fledgling Brown Thrasher. You can identify brown thrashers by their beautiful red-brown feathers, rather long tail, and yellow eyes. Additionally, thrashers have a unique bill (beak). The top of the bill sort of curves, hanging over the lower bill slightly. Adults are 9-11 inches, so it is likely that a fledgling would be about 7". It isn't unusual for fledglings to plop to the ground as they begin to fly. During this time the mother will still give the baby food, therefore, this little one was probably hoping it could be lazy and get fed while sitting on the ground. Momma, on the other hand, wasn't having it, and so the baby eventually flew away. |
This Looks Like Some Kind of Animal Dropping I Keep Finding on My Porch, What Could it be From?
These appear to be bat droppings. I notice that you have brick on your porch. You may have a few bats using a crack between your bricks as a resting place during migration. If you haven't seen them during the summer, you probably do not have to worry that they are using your house to breed. If you HAVE seen the feces all spring/summer and are just now asking about it - we need to address getting them an alternative summer home. Some folks can get pretty concerned about bats around their home; but they are actually nothing to be afraid of if they are using your house a temporary stopover. They will most likely be gone in a few weeks. Feces are never welcome on our porch, however. It is safe to simply sweep them off of the porch. If it worries you, we can discuss ways to make sure that the bats do not have access to your house (getting them out of there first!) and the idea of using a bat box in your yard as an alternative to your house. We really need to help our bats out as much as possible (think mosquito control), so we do ask that you not eradicate habitat without providing alternatives. Please don't do anything that will kill the bats, especially not when they may still be in your house! |
Read more about bats and rabies here:
|
Should this Scat be Identified as Horse or Bear?
This type of dung is easily a horse or other ungulate. There is much too much grass-like material in it for it to be from a bear. Bear scat this time of year (spring) will have evidence of a variety of food types such as berries, small mammals, fish, roots, etc. |
What Type of Bat is This, and How Can I Remove it Safely?
What a very healthy bat you have. This bat is most likely a Brazilian free-tailed bat, which is native to NM, despite the name. You can find out more here: (https://msb.unm.edu/divisions/mammals/resources /chiroptera/molossidae/tadarida-brasiliensis.html). It will probably be happier outside of your home. To be safe while guiding the bat outside, you should wear long sleeves, pants, and a hat before disturbing the bat. An accidental scratch could transfer rabies, although it is not common. If turning off the lights, opening the doors , and leaving the room for a bit doesn't allow it to go, you may need more help. Please contact your state fish and game office if this method does not work. |
Can You Help Me Identify This Scat?
Thanks for your inquiry. This most likely raccoon scat. The form of the scat does change with the diet, so sometimes it can appear to be scat of a different species. With such a wet diet of apples, the longer "segments" aren't really present because there is nothing to hold it together and form a segment. Other animals that eat lots of berries and apples are foxes, coyotes and black bear. Foxes and coyotes would have hair present in the feces and a more tapered appearance at the end of each segment. They rarely have a diet that is so entirely vegetarian. Black bear feces are usually about 1.5 inches in diameter. I can't really tell from pictures 2 and 3 what the diameter is, but I think it is about an inch. |
What Are Some Common Animal Tracks I Can See in Winter?
Winter is a great time to get to know the little critters that share your world -- deer mice, kangaroo rats, and other tiny four-legged neighbors. When it snows their tracks will give their presence away. Hiking along a trail in the winter tracking wildlife is a terrific family activity. Additionally, if you suspect that one of these little neighbors has found a way into your home or shed, winter tracking is a great opportunity to determine what is visiting you, and where it is finding entry. Here are a few animals that you might find in the winter, along with a picture of their track.
Red Squirrel: You probably won’t see red squirrels around your home, unless you live in a mountain cabin. They are most often found where there are fir, spruce and pine cones, which they shuck for their seeds. If you go hiking, skiing, or snowshoeing in the winter, you will often see these tracks, and can follow them to a pile of shucked cones!
Weasel: If you see these tracks near your home, be happy because these little mammals eat mice. While they are active both day and night, we rarely see them. However, long-tailed weasels are another common track you will find while recreating on the forest. Weasel tracks are very distinguishable - they are paired tracks separated by 12 -20 inches, created as the weasel bounds through the snow.
White-footed mice: While we most often see deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), there are several other species of Peromyscus in our area. These mice are brown on top, with a white belly. They leave telltale 4-footprint clusters that are about 1 ½” wide. If your track is clear enough, you will notice 5 toes on the back feet, and 4 toes on the front feet.
Kangaroo rat, kangaroo mice: Kangaroo rats and mice get their name from their very large back feet, and their tendency to hop rather than run. Like mice, their tracks are in 4-print clusters. But you can tell them from mice because of these large back feet. Additionally, when kangaroo rats and mice move slowly, their tail leaves an impression in the snow. You may find these 2 species in open fields or in your backyard. This is one of the easiest tracks to identify!
Skunks: Striped skunks are the most common skunks in our area; striped skunks are usually in hibernation during the winter. However, sometimes their hibernation location is your shed or other structure in your yard. When the weather gets warm, they may wake up and search for food before returning for some more sleep. These tracks are easy to identify, given the 5 toes on each food and the presence of claws, and less than 6 inches between clusters of tracks. These tracks are quite distinctive from any other animal.
Cottontail Rabbits and Jackrabbits: Cottontails and jackrabbits have similar tracks, with jackrabbit tracks being much larger. Cottontails are more often found in the outskirts of town or town trails; jackrabbits are more often found out of town in the brush. The way that these animal hop/walk leaves a track that resembles a Y or a V.
All of these tracks are fun to try and find along trails around town after it snows. Next time it snows, wait a day, then go and see how many you can find. If you love it and you want to identify more tracks, there are many great beginner Animal Track books available.
Not as much fun, is when you find these tracks leading under your shed or other structure, or leading to a hole along the foundation of your house. If you happen to suspect there is an unwanted small mammal guest on your property, it may not be safe to try to remove it yourself. Especially if it is a skunk! Please call your local Extension Wildlife Specialist (435-586-1924) or your local Utah Department of Wildlife Resources for help in identifying small mammals or ideas on how to keep your wildlife neighbors out of your house.
Winter is a great time to get to know the little critters that share your world -- deer mice, kangaroo rats, and other tiny four-legged neighbors. When it snows their tracks will give their presence away. Hiking along a trail in the winter tracking wildlife is a terrific family activity. Additionally, if you suspect that one of these little neighbors has found a way into your home or shed, winter tracking is a great opportunity to determine what is visiting you, and where it is finding entry. Here are a few animals that you might find in the winter, along with a picture of their track.
Red Squirrel: You probably won’t see red squirrels around your home, unless you live in a mountain cabin. They are most often found where there are fir, spruce and pine cones, which they shuck for their seeds. If you go hiking, skiing, or snowshoeing in the winter, you will often see these tracks, and can follow them to a pile of shucked cones!
Weasel: If you see these tracks near your home, be happy because these little mammals eat mice. While they are active both day and night, we rarely see them. However, long-tailed weasels are another common track you will find while recreating on the forest. Weasel tracks are very distinguishable - they are paired tracks separated by 12 -20 inches, created as the weasel bounds through the snow.
White-footed mice: While we most often see deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), there are several other species of Peromyscus in our area. These mice are brown on top, with a white belly. They leave telltale 4-footprint clusters that are about 1 ½” wide. If your track is clear enough, you will notice 5 toes on the back feet, and 4 toes on the front feet.
Kangaroo rat, kangaroo mice: Kangaroo rats and mice get their name from their very large back feet, and their tendency to hop rather than run. Like mice, their tracks are in 4-print clusters. But you can tell them from mice because of these large back feet. Additionally, when kangaroo rats and mice move slowly, their tail leaves an impression in the snow. You may find these 2 species in open fields or in your backyard. This is one of the easiest tracks to identify!
Skunks: Striped skunks are the most common skunks in our area; striped skunks are usually in hibernation during the winter. However, sometimes their hibernation location is your shed or other structure in your yard. When the weather gets warm, they may wake up and search for food before returning for some more sleep. These tracks are easy to identify, given the 5 toes on each food and the presence of claws, and less than 6 inches between clusters of tracks. These tracks are quite distinctive from any other animal.
Cottontail Rabbits and Jackrabbits: Cottontails and jackrabbits have similar tracks, with jackrabbit tracks being much larger. Cottontails are more often found in the outskirts of town or town trails; jackrabbits are more often found out of town in the brush. The way that these animal hop/walk leaves a track that resembles a Y or a V.
All of these tracks are fun to try and find along trails around town after it snows. Next time it snows, wait a day, then go and see how many you can find. If you love it and you want to identify more tracks, there are many great beginner Animal Track books available.
Not as much fun, is when you find these tracks leading under your shed or other structure, or leading to a hole along the foundation of your house. If you happen to suspect there is an unwanted small mammal guest on your property, it may not be safe to try to remove it yourself. Especially if it is a skunk! Please call your local Extension Wildlife Specialist (435-586-1924) or your local Utah Department of Wildlife Resources for help in identifying small mammals or ideas on how to keep your wildlife neighbors out of your house.
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?
|