More than 250 species of birds have been recorded in Whitman
and Latah Counties; many are in the Palouse region.
Palouse Birds Pre-conversion
We can only speculate; very little is known about Palouse birds prior to about the 1940’s.
Possibly lost some species that need extensive grassland,
wetlands, or riparian habitats or are sensitive to disturbance.
Birds that may have been present, and are marginal at best today, are
Birds that may have been much more common are
Grassland/Shrub Habitat
Grassland and shrub habitats have a relatively low bird diversity except where they meet
other habitat types.
Presumably most species are reduced from pre-conversion due to habitat loss, but few have
been extirpated.
Typical species include
Specialists, where rocks are streams are present, include
Hawthorn/Riparian Habitat
Hawthorn/riparian habitat has highest bird diversity of Palouse Prairie habitats.
In addition to breeders, areas are used throughout the year by residents, migrants,
and winter visitors.
Hawthorn/riparian habitat is much reduced, but good examples still exist.
Typical species include
Wetlands/Wet Meadow Habitat
Most of the native wetlands habitat appears to be gone, but most of the typical species
persist at sewage ponds, farm ponds, restoration sites, artificial wetlands, etc.
Some typical wetlands species include
Conservation needs
- Inventory birds on existing Palouse Prairie remnants (particularly grasslands)
- Monitor and inventory restoration sites
- Monitor effects of urbanization in agricultural areas
- Increase awareness of Palouse birds
Based on the 2002 Palouse Prairie Symposium presentation by Charles Swift.
Links (which open in a new window) are to the
Digital Atlas of Idaho project, on the
Idaho Museum of Natural History web server, housed at
Idaho State University.
Palouse Prairie Foundation | P.O. Box 8952 | Moscow, ID 83843
palouseprairie.org