← Table of contents
Many-Storied Mountains

Appendix

Reading edition

126

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

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

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

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

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

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

Wolverine

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

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

127

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

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

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

128

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

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

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.

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National 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.)

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

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)

129

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

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

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)

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

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)

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

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)

130

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

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

Common Loon

Loons

Common Loon E, W, ab

Arctic Loon?

Red-throated Loon?

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

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

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

Great Blue Heron

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

American Bittern

Herons, Bitterns

Great Blue Heron E, W, c

Black-crowned Night Heron a

American Bittern, W, r

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

Mallard

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

Wood Duck

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

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

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

Cooper’s Hawk

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

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

131

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

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

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

American Coot

Rails, Coots

Sora E, W, r

American Coot E, W, ab

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

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

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

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

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

Mourning Dove

Doves, Pigeons

Band-tailed Pigeon E, W, r

Mourning Dove E, W, c

Rock Dove E, W, r, i

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

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

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

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

132

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

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

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

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

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

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

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

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

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

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

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

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

133

Pipits

Water Pipit E, W, A, ab

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

Cedar Waxwing

Waxwings

Bohemian Waxwing E, W, ab

Cedar Waxwing E, W, ab

Shrikes

Loggerhead Shrike E, W, r

Northern Shrike E, W, r

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

Starling

Starlings

Starling E, W, c, i

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

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 ?

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

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

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

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

Illustration from Many-Storied Mountains: The Life of Glacier National Park

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

134

Explore with AITake your curiosity a little further.

Reading settings