Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

Appendix

Mammals of Glacier National Park

Distribution information was obtained from Meet the Mammals of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, by Robert C. Gildart (see Reading List). Nomenclature follows, for the most part, a Field Guide to Mammals, by William H. Burt and Richard P. Grossenheider.

Key to symbols:
E—occurs east of Continental Divide (spruce-fir forest; aspen; bunchgrass meadows)
W—occurs west of Continental Divide (redcedar-hemlock-lodgepole-fir-larch forest; some meadows)
A—occurs in alpine areas (above upper edge of continuous forest)
R—rare in Glacier National Park

Shrews
Masked shrew, Sorex cinereus
E, W, coniferous forests, meadows, pond and stream edges
Vagrant shrew, Sorex vagrans
E, W, A, moist forests and grasslands, marsh and stream edges
Northern water shrew, Sorex palustris
E, W, stream edges

Bats
Little brown myotis, Myotis lucifugus
E, W, coniferous forests, often around buildings, caves; nocturnal
Long-eared myotis, Myotis evotis
E, W, A, R, coniferous forests, meadows; nocturnal
Long-legged myotis, Myotis volans
E, W, A, coniferous forests, meadows; nocturnal
Big brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus
E, W, coniferous forests; often around buildings, caves; nocturnal
Silver-haired bat, Lasionycteris noctivagans
E, W, coniferous forests; meadows; nocturnal
Hoary bat, Lasiurus cinereus
E, W, coniferous forests; mostly nocturnal

Cougar

Cats
Bobcat, Lynx rufus
E, open forests, brushy areas
Lynx, Lynx canadensis
E, W, coniferous forests
Cougar, Felis concolor
E, W, coniferous forests

Raccoon, bears
Raccoon, Procyon lotor
E, W, R, open forests, stream bottoms
Black bear, Ursus americanus
E, W, A, forests, slide areas, alpine meadows
Grizzly, Ursus arctos
E, W, A, forests, slide areas, alpine meadows

Coyote

Canines
Red Fox, Vulpes vulpes
E, grasslands, open forest
Coyote, Canis latrans
E, W, A, forests, grasslands
Gray wolf, Canis lupus
E, W, R, coniferous forests

Wolverine

Longtail weasel

Mustelids
Striped skunk, Mephitis mephitis
E, W, open forests, grasslands
Badger, Taxidea taxus
E, W, grasslands
River otter, Lutra canadensis
E, W, R, rivers, lakes
Wolverine, Gulo gulo
E, W, A, coniferous forests, alpine meadows
Least weasel, Mustela rixosa
E, R, open forests, grasslands
Shorttail weasel, Mustela erminea
E, W, A, coniferous forests, meadows
Longtail weasel, Mustela frenata
E, W, A, open forests, meadows
Mink, Mustela vison
E, W, creek and lake edges
Marten, Martes americana
E, W, A, coniferous forests
Fisher, Martes pennanti
E, W, R, coniferous forests

Lagomorphs
Pika, Ochotona princeps
E, W, A, rockslides
Snowshoe hare, Lepus americanus
E, W, coniferous forests
Whitetail jackrabbit, Lepus townsendii
E, W, R, grasslands

Squirrels
Hoary marmot, Marmota caligata
E, W, A, rocky areas, alpine meadows
Richardson ground squirrel, Spermophilus richardsonii
E, R, grasslands
Columbian ground squirrel, Citellus columbianus
E, W, A, open woodlands, grasslands, alpine meadows
Thirteen-lined ground squirrel, Spermophilus tridecemlineatus
E, R, grasslands
Golden-mantled squirrel, Spermophilus lateralis
E, W, A, high, open forests; rocky areas
Least chipmunk, Eutamias minimus
E, W, A, high, open forests; brushy, rocky areas; alpine meadows
Yellow pine chipmunk, Eutamias amoenus
E, W, open forests; brushy, rocky areas
Redtail chipmunk, Eutamias ruficaudus
E, W, open forests; brushy, rocky areas
Red squirrel, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
E, W, coniferous forests
Northern flying squirrel, Glaucomys sabrinus
E, W, coniferous forests; nocturnal

Pocket gophers
Northern pocket gopher, Thomomys talpoides
E, W, A, meadows

Beaver

Beaver
Beaver, Castor canadensis
E, W, streams, lakes

Voles and kin
Deer mouse, Peromyscus maniculatus
E, W, A, forests, grasslands, alpine meadows
Bushytail woodrat, Neotoma cinerea
E, W, A, rocky areas, old buildings
Northern bog lemming, Synaptomys borealis
W, R, coniferous forests
Mountain phenacomys, Phenacomys intermedius
E, W, A, coniferous forests, alpine meadows
Boreal redback vole, Clethrionomys gapperi
E, W, coniferous forests
Meadow vole, Microtus pennsylvanicus
E, W, open forests, meadows; along streams; marshy areas
Longtail vole, Microtus longicaudus
E, W, coniferous forests, grasslands
Water vole, Arvicola richardsoni
E, W, A, high-elevation stream and lake edges
Muskrat, Ondatra zibethica
W, streams, lakes, marshy areas
Western jumping mouse, Zapus princeps
E, W, A, grasslands, alpine meadows

Deer
Wapiti (American elk), Cervus canadensis
E, W, A, open forests, meadows
Mule deer, Odocoileus hemionus
E, W, A, open forests, meadows, often at high elevations
Whitetail deer, Odocoileus virginianus
E, W, coniferous forests, meadows, creek and river bottoms
Moose, Alces alces
E, W, coniferous forests, lakes, slow streams, marshy areas

Mountain goat

Bovids
Mountain goat, Oreamnos americanus
E, W, A, high peaks and meadows
Bighorn, Ovis canadensis
E, A, open mountainous areas

Reptiles and Amphibians of Glacier National Park

Note: This check list is based upon actual specimens in the Park and other collections, according to Dr. Royal Brunson, Montana State University.

Reptiles
Great Basin Garter Snake, Thamnophis elegans vagrans
A large garter snake of mountainous areas, usually with large spots.

Great Plains Red-sided Garter Snake, Thamnophis ordinoides parietalis
Dorsal stripes varying from yellow to blue or black. Usually found near water.

Hypothetical List:
Rubber Boa, Charina bottae utahensis
May occur in rock slides or, possibly, in forested areas, on either side of the Divide.

Gopher Snake, Pituophis catenifer sayi
May occur along eastern boundary (Great Plains).

Yellow-bellied Blue Racer, Coluber constrictor mormon
May occur on eastern boundary of Park along border of Great Plains.

Painted Turtle, Chrysemys picta
May occur in ponds and sluggish waters from Upper Sonoran Zone to Canadian Zone.

Western Skink, Eumeces skiltonianus
May occur in Transition Zone along western border of Park.

Northern Alligator Lizard

Northern Alligator Lizard, Gerrhonotus coeruleus principis
May occur in Transition Zone along western border of Park.

Amphibians
Tiger Salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum melanostrictum
Ground color either black or bluish-black, with large spots or blotches of yellow.

Long-toed Salamander, Ambystoma macrodactylum
Ground color black or dark brown; wide band of yellow extends from back of head to tip of tail.

Northwestern Toad, Bufo boreas boreas
Widely distributed over entire Park. (Also known as Columbian, Northern, or Western Toad.)

Western Spotted Frog

Western Spotted Frog, Rana pretiosa pretiosa
Widely distributed over entire Park. (Also known as Western or Pacific Frog.)

Green Frog, Rana clamitans
One specimen, from Bowman Lake. (Chicago Natural History Museum)

Tailed Frog, Ascaphus truei
Should be fairly common, although it is not often taken.

Pacific Tree-toad, Hyla regilla
Small size and disks on fingers and toes identify this species. Common throughout Park.

Fishes of Glacier National Park

Classification and common scientific names are from: “A List of Common and Scientific Names of Fishes from the United States and Canada,” American Fisheries Society Publication No. 2, 1960.

Key to symbols:
N Species native to at least one major drainage of the Park.
I Non-native species, having been introduced into Park waters by man.
S A species of sporting qualities and valued for recreational angling.
1 Waterton Drainage
2 Belly River Drainage
3 Swiftcurrent Drainage
4 St. Mary Drainage
5 Two Medicine Drainage
6 Middle Fork Flathead River Drainage (exclusive of McDonald Valley)
7 McDonald Valley Drainage
8 North Fork Flathead River Drainage

Lake Trout

Family Salmonidae (trouts, whitefishes, and grayling)
Lake Whitefish, Coregonus clupeaformis (I) (1, 2, 3, 4, 7)
Pygmy Whitefish, Prosopium coulteri (N) (7)
Mountain Whitefish, Prosopium williamsoni (N) (S) (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
Kokanee (Sockeye) Salmon, Oncorhyncus nerka (I) (S) (3, 7, 8)
Cutthroat Trout, Salmo clarki (N) (S) (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
Rainbow Trout, Salmo gairdneri (I) (S) (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7)
Brook Trout, Salvelinus fontinalis (I) (S) (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
Dolly Varden, Salvelinus malma (N) (S) (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8)
Lake Trout, Salvelinus namaycush (N) (S) (1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8)
Arctic Grayling, Thymallus arcticus (I) (S) (2, 8)

Family Esocidae (pikes)
Northern pike, Esox lucius (N) (S) (1, 2, 3)

Redside Shiner

Family Cyprinidae (minnows and carps)
Longnose Dace, Rhinichthys cataractae (N) (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
Northern Pearl Dace, Margariscus margarita (N) (3, 5)
Redside Shiner, Richardsonius balteatus (N) (7, 8)
Streamline Chub, Hybopsis dissimilis (N) (1, 3)
Northern Squawfish, Ptychocheilus oregonensis (N) (7, 8)

White Sucker

Family Catostomidae (suckers)
White Sucker, Catostomus commersoni (N) (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
Largescale Sucker, Catostomus macrocheilus (N) (6, 7, 8)
Longnose Sucker, Catostomus catostomus (N) (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)

Family Gadidaie (codfishes and hakes)
Burbot, Lota lota (N) (S) (1, 4)

Family Cottidae (sculpins)
Mottled sculpin, Cottus bairdi (N) (5, 6, 7, 8)
Spoonhead sculpin, Cottus ricei (N) (1, 2, 3, 4)

Birds of Glacier National Park

Key to symbols:
E—occurs on east side of the park (east of the Divide)
W—occurs on west side of the park (west of the Divide)
A—occurs in alpine areas
ab—abundant
c—common
u—uncommon
r—rare
i—introduced
a—accidental

Common Loon

Loons
Common Loon E, W, ab
Arctic Loon?
Red-throated Loon?

Western Grebe

Grebes
Red-necked Grebe E, W, c
Horned Grebe E, W, ab
Eared Grebe E, W, c
Western Grebe E, W, u
Pied-billed Grebe E, W, r

Pelicans, Cormorants
White Pelican E, W, u
Double-crested Cormorant E, r

Great Blue Heron

American Bittern

Herons, Bitterns
Great Blue Heron E, W, c
Black-crowned Night Heron a
American Bittern, W, r

Mallard

Wood Duck

Ruddy Duck

Swan, Geese, Ducks
Whistling Swan E, W, ab
Trumpeter Swan E, W, r
Canada Goose E, W, c
Snow Goose E, W, c
Ross’ Goose E, W, r
Mallard E, W, ab
Gadwall E, W, r
Pintail E, W, c
Green-winged Teal E, W, c
Blue-winged Teal E, W, u
Cinnamon Teal E, W, u
European Widgeon E, W, c
American Widgeon E, W, ab
Northern Shoveler E, W, c
Wood Duck E, W, r
Redhead E, W, c
Ring-necked Duck E, W, u
Canvasback E, W, u
Lesser Scaup E, W, c
Greater Scaup?
Common Goldeneye E, W, c
Barrow’s Goldeneye E, W, ab
Bufflehead E, W, u
Harlequin Duck E, W, c
White-winged Scoter E, W, r
Ruddy Duck E, W, c
Hooded Merganser E, W, u
Common Merganser E, W, ab
Red-breasted Merganser, E, W, u

Cooper’s Hawk

Marsh Hawk

Vultures, Hawks, Eagles
Turkey Vulture E, W, r
Goshawk E, W, c
Sharp-shinned Hawk E, W, u
Cooper’s Hawk E, W, u
Red-tailed Hawk E, W, c
Red-shouldered Hawk a
Swainson’s Hawk E, W, c
Rough-legged Hawk E, W, r
Ferruginous Hawk E, W, u
Golden Eagle, E, W, A, c
Bald Eagle, E, W, ab
Marsh Hawk E, W, ab
Osprey E, W, ab
Prairie Falcon E, W, A, r
Peregrine Falcon E, W, r
American Kestrel E, W, c

Sharp-tailed Grouse

Grouse, Ptarmigans
Blue Grouse, E, W, ab
Spruce Grouse E, W, ab
Ruffed Grouse E, W, ab
Sharp-tailed Grouse E, r
White-tailed Ptarmigan A, c
Willow Ptarmigan ?
Ring-necked Pheasant E, W, r, i
Gray Partridge E, W, r, i

Cranes
Sandhill Crane E, r

American Coot

Rails, Coots
Sora E, W, r
American Coot E, W, ab

Greater Yellowlegs

Shorebirds
Killdeer E, W, c
Black-bellied Plover E, r
Common Snipe E, W, c
Long-billed Curlew E, r
Upland Sandpiper E, r
Spotted Sandpiper E, W, A, ab
Solitary Sandpiper E, r
Willet, E, r
Pectoral Sandpiper E, r
Baird’s Sandpiper E, W, r
Lesser Yellowlegs, E, W r
Greater Yellowlegs E, W, r
American Avocet E, W, u
Northern Phalarope E, W, r
Wilson’s Phalarope E, W, u
Black Turnstone ?
Long-billed Dowitcher E, W, r

Herring Gull

Gulls, Terns
Herring Gull E, W, r
California Gull E, W, ab
Ring-billed Gull E, W, c
Franklin’s Gull E, W, c
Bonaparte’s Gull E, u
Forster’s Tern E, W, u
Common Tern E, r
Caspian Tern a
Black Tern E, W, u

Mourning Dove

Doves, Pigeons
Band-tailed Pigeon E, W, r
Mourning Dove E, W, c
Rock Dove E, W, r, i

Great Horned Owl

Owls
Screech Owl E, W, r
Great Horned Owl E, W, ab
Snowy Owl E, W, u
Hawk Owl E, W, u
Pygmy Owl E, W, ab
Barred Owl E, W, c
Great Gray Owl E, W, u
Long-eared Owl E, W, r
Short-eared Owl, E, W, c
Boreal Owl E, W, r
Saw-whet Owl E, W, u

Common Nighthawk

Nighthawks, Swifts
Common Nighthawk E, W, ab
Black Swift E, W, u
Vaux’s Swift E, W, ab
White-throated Swift W, A, r

Hummingbirds
Broad-tailed Hummingbird E, W, r
Rufous Hummingbird E, W, A, ab
Calliope Hummingbird E, W, A, ab
Black-chinned Hummingbird E, W, r

Belted Kingfisher

Kingfishers
Belted Kingfisher E, W, ab

Woodpeckers
Common Flicker E, W, ab
Pileated Woodpecker E, W, ab
Red-headed Woodpecker E, W, r
Lewis’ Woodpecker E, W, c
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker E, W, ab
Williamson’s Sapsucker E, W, u
Hairy Woodpecker E, W, ab
Downy Woodpecker E, W, ab
Black-backed Three-toed Woodpecker E, W, ab
Northern Three-toed Woodpecker E, W, ab

Ash-throated Flycatcher

Flycatchers
Eastern Kingbird E, W, ab
Western Kingbird E, W, u
Ash-throated Flycatcher a
Say’s Phoebe E, W, r
Willow Flycatcher E, W, c
Hammond’s Flycatcher E, W, ab
Olive-sided Flycatcher E, W, ab
Western Flycatcher E, r
Western Wood Peewee E, W, c

Larks
Horned Lark E, W, A, ab

Barn Swallow

Swallows
Violet-green Swallow E, W, A, ab
Tree Swallow E, W, ab
Bank Swallow E, W, ab
Rough-winged Swallow E, W, u
Barn Swallow E, W, u
Cliff Swallow E, W, A, ab

Common Crow

Jays, Magpies, Crows
Gray Jay E, W, ab
Blue Jay E, W, r
Steller’s Jay E, W, ab
Black-billed Magpie E, W, ab
Common Raven E, W, A, ab
Common Crow E, W, ab
Clark’s Nutcracker E, W, A, ab

Chickadees
Black-capped Chickadee E, W, ab
Mountain Chickadee E, W, ab
Boreal Chickadee E, W, r
Chestnut-backed Chickadee E, W, u

Nuthatches, Creepers
White-breasted Nuthatch E, W, u
Red-breasted Nuthatch E, W, ab
Brown Creeper E, W, ab

Winter Wren

Dippers, Wrens
Dipper E, W, A, ab
House Wren E, W, u
Winter Wren E, W, ab
Long-billed Marsh Wren a
Rock Wren E, W, u

Catbirds, Thrashers
Gray Catbird E, W, u

Mountain Bluebird

Thrushes, Bluebirds, Solitaires
American Robin E, W, A, ab
Varied Thrush E, W, ab
Hermit Thrush E, W, ab
Swainson’s Thrush E, W, ab
Veery E, W, c
Western Bluebird E, W, r
Mountain Bluebird E, W, A, ab
Townsend’s Solitaire E, W, A, ab

Kinglets
Golden-crowned Kinglet E, W, ab
Ruby-crowned Kinglet E, W, ab

Pipits
Water Pipit E, W, A, ab

Cedar Waxwing

Waxwings
Bohemian Waxwing E, W, ab
Cedar Waxwing E, W, ab

Shrikes
Loggerhead Shrike E, W, r
Northern Shrike E, W, r

Starling

Starlings
Starling E, W, c, i

Red-eyed Vireo

Vireos
Solitary Vireo E, W, ab
Red-eyed Vireo E, W, ab
Warbling Vireo E, W, ab

Warblers
Black and White Warbler W, r
Tennessee Warbler E, W, r
Orange-crowned Warbler E, W, r
Nashville Warbler E, W, r
Yellow Warbler E, W, ab
Yellow-rumped Warbler E, W, ab
Townsend’s Warbler E, W, ab
Northern Waterthrush E, W, ab
MacGillivray’s Warbler E, W, ab
Common Yellowthroat E, W, ab
Wilson’s Warbler E, W, ab
American Redstart E, W, ab
Yellow-breasted Chat ?

House Sparrow

Weaver Finches
House Sparrow E, W, r, i

Blackbirds, Orioles
Bobolink E, r
Western Meadowlark E, W, u
Red-winged Blackbird E, W, ab
Northern Oriole E, W, r
Brewer’s Blackbird E, W, u
Rusty Blackbird E, W, r
Yellow-headed Blackbird E, r
Common Grackle E, r
Brown-headed Cowbird E, W, c

Evening Grosbeak

Tanagers, Grosbeaks
Western Tanager E, W, ab
Evening Grosbeak E, W, ab
Pine Grosbeak E, W, ab
Black-headed Grosbeak E, W, r

American Goldfinch

Finches, Sparrows, Buntings
Lazuli Bunting E, W, c
Lark Bunting E, W, r
Snow Bunting E, W, c
Cassin’s Finch E, W, A, ab
Gray-crowned Rosy Finch E, W, A, ab
American Goldfinch E, W, u
Common Redpoll E, W, c
Pine Siskin E, W, A, ab
Red Crossbill E, W, ab
White-winged Crossbill E, W, u
Rufous-sided Towhee E, W, u
Green-tailed Towhee E, W, r
Savannah Sparrow E, W, c
LeConte’s Sparrow E, W, u
Vesper Sparrow E, W, ab
Tree Sparrow E, W, r
Chipping Sparrow E, W, A, ab
Brewer’s Sparrow E, W, r
Harris’ Sparrow E, W, r
White-crowned Sparrow E, W, A, ab
Fox Sparrow E, W, A, ab
Lincoln’s Sparrow E, W, A, c
Song Sparrow E, W, ab
Dark-eyed Junco E, W, c
McCown’s Longspur E, c
Lapland Longspur E, W, c
Chestnut-collared Longspur E, c

Clyx.com