Summer in the Tetons means seasonal avian residents are returning, bringing cheerful songs and bright hues. Migratory birds swing through the valley, and it’s a treat to catch a glimpse of jewel tones flitting through the forest and the sagebrush.

Species to Look Out For

Grand Teton National Park posted to social media to give the scoop on a few of the valley’s summer inhabitants. Some birds to look out for include the broad-tailed hummingbird, black-headed grosbeak, western tanager, northern yellow warbler, green-tailed towhee, mountain bluebird, violet-green swallow, and lazuli bunting.

The broad-tailed hummingbird migrates over 1,000 miles to reach the park every spring, weighing only a few grams. Males sport magenta throat feathers and their wings make a distinctive “trilling” sound while in flight.

The black-headed grosbeak spends its winter in Mexico and can eat toxic monarch butterflies without harm. They are often found in foothills and riverside woods.

The western tanager typically makes an appearance in the Tetons in spring and fall on its way to northwestern Canada. Males have bright yellow plumage and fiery red heads, while females are a dull yellow that tends to blend in more easily with coniferous trees.

Other species, such as the northern yellow warbler, green-tailed towhee, mountain bluebird, violet-green swallow, and lazuli bunting, can also be spotted in the area, each with their unique characteristics and habits.

Original reporting: Buckrail (Jackson WY) — read the source article.