Birds 



Over 211 bird species occur in the Kootenai Basin (Skaar 1975), 84 percent of 

 which breed there. Over 50 of these species are directly dependent upon water 

 and an undetermined majority are dependent upon riparian habitat. Seven water- 

 fowl, 4 raptors and 55 other bird species were observed on the study area (Table 1) 

 out of a possible 29 waterfowl, 15 raptors and 167 other bird species which are 

 known to occur in this region of the state. Those species observed are an in- 

 complete sample of the total avifauna of those that actually occur there. 



Observations of waterfowl were collected on the Kootenai Falls study area 

 from January 20 through July 8, 1978 (Table 3). Wintering waterfowl included the 

 mallard and common goldeneye. The highest number of mallards observed was 42 on 

 February 24 and a high of 47 common goldeneye was observed February 15. Twenty-nine 

 species of waterfowl have been recorded as transients or wintering birds in north- 

 west Montana (Skaar 1975). 



During the March through May spring migration period, seven species of water- 

 fowl were observed in the Kootenai Falls study area. Common goldeneye was the 

 most prevalent species followed by mallard, common merganser, Canada goose, harlequin 

 duck, Barrow's goldeneye, and American widgeon. 



Of the seven species observed during spring migration three species were known 

 to breed on the study area including common merganser, mallard and Canada goose. 

 Territorial pairs of harlequin ducks and common goldeneye were observed on the 

 study area which indicate that breeding probably occurred (Dzubin 1969). This 

 survey terminated at or before the peak of hatching for all waterfowl species 

 observed. 



Harlequin ducks were first observed April 29. They were seen feeding in the 

 rushing waters at the head of the falls (area code L, Figure 9), in the gorge 

 between two waterfalls (J), and in the gorge below the footbridge (H and I). All 

 feeding sites were in swift water. Harlequins were observed loafing on exposed 

 rocks in the river near the edge of the falls (M). A minimum of seven harlequin 

 ducks, consisting of one pair, a lone female and four bachelor males, used the 

 falls area and provided 88 observations. Harlequins nest in cavities (Peterson 

 1961) or on the ground near turbulent water (Bellrose 1976). The majority of 

 broods hatch during the first week of July and do not feed in fast waters for 2 

 weeks (Kuchel 1977); therefore, broods are usually not observed till the later part 

 of July and early August. Since this survey was terminated in early July it was 

 not possible to document breeding, although a possible but unconfirmed brood of 

 seven harlequin ducks was seen on June 12 by B. Shepard (pers. com.) 



Common goldeneye were first observed January 20 with the initiation of this 

 survey. They were seen along the river from near the city limits of Libby to 

 near the only island in the river below the falls (E), but they were most often 

 seen in the section of river (M and N) from Williams Creek to the head of the falls. 

 Common goldeneye usually nest in cavities in deciduous trees (Bellrose 1976). 

 Along the Kootenai River this type of habitat occurs in the riparian zone. The 

 unverified report of a harlequin brood was possibly that of a common goldeneye 

 brood because brood size and date of observation were indicative of goldeneye. 



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