Crosby Wetland Management District Wildlife
All species of ducks common to the prairie pothole region are present on the District, with the dominant breeders being mallard, gadwall, and blue-winged teal. Giant Canada geese breed throughout the district and snow geese and Canadas are common during migrations.
Breeding marsh and waterbirds include double-crested cormorants, black-crowned night herons, four species of grebes, and coots. Migrating whooping cranes are present during April and October. Sandhill cranes also migrate through the area during spring and fall.
Shorebirds (and allied species) include common, black and Forster's tern; ring-billed, Franklin's, and California gull. Associated with the prairie wetlands are the American Avocet, marbled godwit, willet, sora, common snipe, and upland sandpiper.
Raptors include ferruginous hawk, red-tailed hawk, Swainson's Hawk, northern harrier, burrowing owl, great-horned owl, and short-eared owl. Both golden and bald eagles migrate through the area in spring and fall and some remain during mild winters. Four species of falcons are frequently sighted during certain seasons.
Each spring, sharp-tailed grouse gather on "dancing grounds" on many Waterfowl Production Areas. White-tailed deer are abundant throughout the WMD. Pronghorns are scattered throughout the three counties in small herds. Furbearers range in size from coyote to the least weasel.
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