The Clark's Nutcracker is a year-round resident of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta. In winter it descends to lower altitudes and occasionally wanders a little bit eastward.
When not habituated to people, this wary bird is at home in deep coniferous forests. Like other corvids, it has learned a "good thing" when it sees one, and in the mountain parks it is very tame and spends a lot of time at picnic areas and parking lots looking for handouts.
This corvid, with its formidable beak is well adapted to prying open pine nuts. These birds may cache huge numbers of pine nuts in south-facing locations in the fall. In spring, the pair unfailingly remembers where to find these stores which they use to feed their young. It supplements its diet with fruit and insets, and like other corvids wouldn't turn down the nestlings or eggs of other birds given the opportunity.
Nests of twigs and bark lined with softer material, conifer needles and hair are constructed in trees. Two to six pale green spotted eggs are incubated for about 18 days. Young fledge three to four weeks later.
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Where to find Clark's Nutcrackers in Alberta
This species does not occur in the Weaselhead/Glenmore Park area. Brent Johner
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