@wildsaltlake.bsky.social
Song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) are widespread across the US but are diverse in coloration and size. Cornell lab reports that Alaska’s Aleutian Islands' birds are 1/3 longer than eastern-dwelling birds.
January 6, 2026 at 3:51 PM
Song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) are widespread across the US but are diverse in coloration and size. Cornell lab reports that Alaska’s Aleutian Islands' birds are 1/3 longer than eastern-dwelling birds.
One of our top intake reasons is birds that have collided with windows. Learn about implementing window treatments, turning off exterior lights, and more ways to help birds avoid this deadly hazard on our website!
January 6, 2026 at 1:41 AM
One of our top intake reasons is birds that have collided with windows. Learn about implementing window treatments, turning off exterior lights, and more ways to help birds avoid this deadly hazard on our website!
If you do not already have a designated charity, please consider adding us as your charity--our code is NL019--or you can search "Wildlife Center of Salt Lake" and save. Every time you shop at Smiths--a donation is made at NO COST to you!
January 5, 2026 at 1:22 AM
If you do not already have a designated charity, please consider adding us as your charity--our code is NL019--or you can search "Wildlife Center of Salt Lake" and save. Every time you shop at Smiths--a donation is made at NO COST to you!
We get a lot of calls about this type of duck--which is not a duck at all but a type of rail (related to cranes!) The American coot (Fulica americana) is a Utah waterbird with a feisty personality. WOOT WOOT FOR COOTS!
January 3, 2026 at 4:30 PM
We get a lot of calls about this type of duck--which is not a duck at all but a type of rail (related to cranes!) The American coot (Fulica americana) is a Utah waterbird with a feisty personality. WOOT WOOT FOR COOTS!
Larger raptors can live well into their 30s, though longevity varies by species and environmental factors. Banding data helps to provide this important information with the oldest recorded wild Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus) documented to have lived to at least 17 years.
January 3, 2026 at 2:15 AM
Larger raptors can live well into their 30s, though longevity varies by species and environmental factors. Banding data helps to provide this important information with the oldest recorded wild Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus) documented to have lived to at least 17 years.
Did you know? House finches (Haemorhous mexicanus) exhibit dichromatism, meaning that the males and females have different color variations. Do you see House finches at your bird feeders?!?!
January 1, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Did you know? House finches (Haemorhous mexicanus) exhibit dichromatism, meaning that the males and females have different color variations. Do you see House finches at your bird feeders?!?!
Did you know? Hummingbird species, like this Black-chinned hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri), use spider webs (thought not exclusively) to build their nests, making them small but resilient! (Pictured is a juvenile)
December 15, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Did you know? Hummingbird species, like this Black-chinned hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri), use spider webs (thought not exclusively) to build their nests, making them small but resilient! (Pictured is a juvenile)
Avian poxvirus is a disease that Wildlife Center of Salt Lake sees in raptors and songbirds. It presents as lesions on the legs, feet, face, and mouth. This Red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) has a mild case but will still be in care for several weeks.
December 8, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Avian poxvirus is a disease that Wildlife Center of Salt Lake sees in raptors and songbirds. It presents as lesions on the legs, feet, face, and mouth. This Red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) has a mild case but will still be in care for several weeks.
Dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis) are one species that you can see in Utah year-round! While some of them migrate south, others migrate altitudinally and end up in the valley during the colder months. We love this spicy little Utah resident!
December 2, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis) are one species that you can see in Utah year-round! While some of them migrate south, others migrate altitudinally and end up in the valley during the colder months. We love this spicy little Utah resident!
Bands, bands, bands! Banding birds helps to track their movement and lifespan, informs wildlife management decisions and helps us determine survivability after rehab!
December 1, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Bands, bands, bands! Banding birds helps to track their movement and lifespan, informs wildlife management decisions and helps us determine survivability after rehab!
One of the most beautifully understated birds in North America, the Song Sparrow (Malospiza melodia) are known for their song variety. Its even in their name!
November 29, 2025 at 3:19 PM
One of the most beautifully understated birds in North America, the Song Sparrow (Malospiza melodia) are known for their song variety. Its even in their name!
Have you ever taken a bite out of your burrito at a stop light? Well so has this guy (or rather a conspecific). A May 2025 Smithsonian article by Sarah Kuta details a single Cooper's hawk (Astur cooperii) using crosswalk signals for food obtainment. Clever girl.
November 28, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Have you ever taken a bite out of your burrito at a stop light? Well so has this guy (or rather a conspecific). A May 2025 Smithsonian article by Sarah Kuta details a single Cooper's hawk (Astur cooperii) using crosswalk signals for food obtainment. Clever girl.
Did you know? Utah has three species of pocket gopher!
The Northern pocket gopher (Thomomys talpoides) (pictured), the Botta's pocket gopher, and the Idaho pocket gopher.
The Northern pocket gopher (Thomomys talpoides) (pictured), the Botta's pocket gopher, and the Idaho pocket gopher.
November 25, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Did you know? Utah has three species of pocket gopher!
The Northern pocket gopher (Thomomys talpoides) (pictured), the Botta's pocket gopher, and the Idaho pocket gopher.
The Northern pocket gopher (Thomomys talpoides) (pictured), the Botta's pocket gopher, and the Idaho pocket gopher.
Flammulated owls (Psiloscops flammeolus) are one of only a few "dark-eyed owls" here in North America--can you guess the other two species?
November 24, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Flammulated owls (Psiloscops flammeolus) are one of only a few "dark-eyed owls" here in North America--can you guess the other two species?
Red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) were getting BBLs long before the @kardashians.bsky.social --that's why they are booty-Os.
November 23, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) were getting BBLs long before the @kardashians.bsky.social --that's why they are booty-Os.
Northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus) can be found in the Northern part of Utah in forested areas! Did you know that this species was in Utah?
November 21, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus) can be found in the Northern part of Utah in forested areas! Did you know that this species was in Utah?
The Desert cottontail is a native Utah mammal species. They are found throughout the state and populate areas that are below 6,000 feet in elevation! So if you are above 6,000 feet...maybe you've found a Mountain cottontail!!!
November 20, 2025 at 2:38 PM
The Desert cottontail is a native Utah mammal species. They are found throughout the state and populate areas that are below 6,000 feet in elevation! So if you are above 6,000 feet...maybe you've found a Mountain cottontail!!!
Enough about kestrels, lets talk about the Merlin! These aerial hunters are know for their attacks from below. They fly low and flush flocks of songbirds via the element of surprise! Just like kestrels, the males and females exhibit sexual dichromatism, which is not seen in many raptor species!
November 18, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Enough about kestrels, lets talk about the Merlin! These aerial hunters are know for their attacks from below. They fly low and flush flocks of songbirds via the element of surprise! Just like kestrels, the males and females exhibit sexual dichromatism, which is not seen in many raptor species!
Did you know? More Northern pygmy owls (Glaucidium californicum) are medical professionals compared to any other species of owl. No? Well they ARE one of the few species of owl that are diurnal--meaning they are active mostly during the day. Any guesses on the other species of diurnal owls?
November 17, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Did you know? More Northern pygmy owls (Glaucidium californicum) are medical professionals compared to any other species of owl. No? Well they ARE one of the few species of owl that are diurnal--meaning they are active mostly during the day. Any guesses on the other species of diurnal owls?
Woot woot! American coot! Sometimes confused with being a duck, American coots (Fulica americana) are actually in the order Gruiformes--which is the crane order! These guys are more closely related to rails and cranes than they are to ducks!
November 16, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Woot woot! American coot! Sometimes confused with being a duck, American coots (Fulica americana) are actually in the order Gruiformes--which is the crane order! These guys are more closely related to rails and cranes than they are to ducks!