prefaee 



Yellowstone and Grand Teton are national parks of unequalled natural 

 diversity and scenic splendor. They combine the breath-taking beauty of 

 the Teton Mountains and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone with the 

 uniquely fascinating hydrothermal features of Yellowstone. They provide 

 the visitor with almost unlimited opportunities for wildlife observation 

 and backcountry hiking. In the vastness of the Yellowstone and Grand 

 Teton wilderness one may find peace and solitude and a special satisfac- 

 tion in observing the beauties of the landscape and the unimpaired opera- 

 tion of a natural ecosystem. 



One of the primary sources of the vitality of this ecosystem is the birds. 

 Among these bird residents are endangered species such as the bald eagle; 

 rare species of limited distribution, including the black rosy finch and the 

 great gray owl; species of elegant form or striking beauty such as the 

 trumpeter swan and the western tanager, and species with unique adapta- 

 tions, including the dipper and the sage grouse. An osprey soaring over 

 the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, a family of Canada geese floating 

 along the Yellowstone River in Hayden Valley, a gray jay stealing food 

 scraps from a picnic table at Colter Bay, and a Clark's nutcracker along the 

 trail to Amphitheatre Lake — these are all part of the national park ex- 

 perience. This booklet was prepared with the hope that it will increase 

 your understanding and appreciation of the birds of Yellowstone and 

 Grand Teton National Parks. 



