BIRDS OF THE ST. CROIX RIVER VALLEY 



91 



has been recorded in all counties. 



Habitat: Breeding ruby-throated hummingbirds occur in a variety of habitat 

 types, most commonly in brushy margins, openings of deciduous forests, 

 and Deciduous Clear Cuts in the Central Plain and Northern Highland. I 

 have found several hummingbird nests in the branches of cottonwoods along 

 the Willow River in St. Croix County. Jackson (1942) noted that in north- 

 western Wisconsin this species seemed to prefer tamarack bogs for nesting. 

 He speculated that the abundant Usnea moss that grows on tamarack was 

 important for nest building. 



Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) 

 Status: Accidental, one record. 



Record: One rufous hummingbird was observed in Washington County, 

 about 3.2 km west of Prescott, Wisconsin, from the end of September to 

 15 October 1978 (Binder 1979). This was one of three rufous hummingbirds 

 that occurred in Minnesota during the late summer and fall 1978. 



FAMILY ALCEDINIDAE: Kingfishers 



Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 



Status: Regular migrant, nesting species, and winter resident. 



Migration: Common migrant throughout the Valley. Apparent increases in 

 populations begin about 1 April and peak abundance occurs 10-25 April. 

 Peak fall migration occurs 10 September to 1 October and most depart by 

 10 November. 



Nesting Season Distribution: The belted kingfisher is a fairly common 

 nesting species throughout the Valley. Probably most abundant in the 

 Central Plain and Northern Highland where there is an abundance of lakes, 

 rivers, and streams. 



Winter: An uncommon early winter resident north to Burnett and Pine coun- 

 ties; rare after mid-January. Belted kingfishers are uncommon throughout 

 the winter in Washington, St. Croix, and Pierce counties, where fast-moving 

 streams provide ample open water for fishing. 



Habitat: Usually found near permanent lakes and streams that support fish 

 populations. Nests are usually in steep banks adjacent to streams. One nest 

 observed in western St. Croix County was in the bank of a sandstone out- 

 cropping about 2 km from the nearest water. 



FAMILY PICIDAE: Woodpeckers 

 Common Flicker {Colaptes auratus) 



Status: Regular migrant, nesting species, and winter resident. 



