# Clark's Nutcracker (*Nucifraga columbiana*) Clark's Nutcracker is a clever bird that loves to eat seeds from pine cones. They have beautiful gray feathers and a strong beak to crack open tough seeds. These birds are great at finding food in the mountains! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 36 - **Habitat:** Mountain regions ![Clark's Nutcracker](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Clarks_Nutcraker_Crater_Lake_Nick_Myatt_08_%284458470688%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Clarks_Nutcraker_Crater_Lake_Nick_Myatt_08_%284458470688%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Clark's Nutcracker is a striking, medium-sized bird, predominantly pale gray with contrasting black wings and a black tail. It has distinct white patches on its wings and outer tail feathers. Its long, pointed bill is perfectly adapted for extracting seeds. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Corvidae - **Genus:** Nucifraga ## Interesting facts - A single nutcracker can cache over 98,000 seeds in one season, enough for many new trees! - Instead of drinking water, Clark's Nutcrackers often eat snow to stay hydrated high in the mountains! - These birds build nests and lay eggs in sub-zero temperatures, often while snow is still on the ground! - They can carry up to 80 pine seeds in a special pouch under their tongue! ## Special abilities - **Memory Master:** Clark's Nutcracker can remember up to 33,000 hidden seed caches for months, helping them find food even under snow. - **Pine Nut Prowler:** Clark's Nutcracker has a long, pointed bill that helps them expertly pry nutritious seeds from tough pine cones. - **Forest Planter:** Clark's Nutcracker buries thousands of seeds, which helps new pine trees grow, making them vital for mountain forests. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 27-30 cm - **Wingspan:** 46-49 cm - **Weight:** 0.106-0.161 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-19 years - **Speed:** 50 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-6 - **Incubation:** 17-18 days ## Diet & Feeding These clever birds love to eat pine nuts, especially from whitebark pines, but also enjoy insects! - **Primary Foods:** Pine nuts, Whitebark pine seeds, Pinyon pine seeds, Insects, Berries, Small fruits - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Symbiotic with:** [Whitebark Pine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/whitebark-pine) (*Pinus albicaulis*) — Nutcrackers disperse seeds, helping the pines regenerate in harsh environments. - **Symbiotic with:** Pinyon Pine (*Pinus edulis*) — They are a primary disperser of Pinyon Pine seeds across their range. - **Eaten by:** [Northern Goshawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-goshawk) (*Accipiter gentilis*) — Northern Goshawks are known predators of Clark's Nutcrackers. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Tool Use](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tool-use): This trait describes organisms that manipulate external objects to achieve a specific goal. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Clark's Nutcracker? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Clark's Nutcracker? 27-30 cm ### What is Clark's Nutcracker's wingspan? 46-49 cm ### How much does Clark's Nutcracker weigh? 0.106-0.161 kg ### How long does Clark's Nutcracker live? 15-19 years ### How fast can Clark's Nutcracker move? 50 km/h ### What does Clark's Nutcracker eat? These clever birds love to eat pine nuts, especially from whitebark pines, but also enjoy insects! ### Where is Clark's Nutcracker usually found? Mountain regions ## Where to spot - [North Entrance Road Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/north-entrance-road-historic-district) — Wyoming, US · Historic District - [Rim Village Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rim-village-historic-district) — Oregon, US · Historic District - [Bromley Rock Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bromley-rock-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [E.C. Manning Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/e-c-manning-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Sierra Safari Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sierra-safari-zoo) — Nevada, US · Zoo - [Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/craters-of-the-moon-national-monument-and-preserve) — Idaho, US · National Park [View all places to see Clark's Nutcracker](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/clarks-nutcracker) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Clark's Nutcracker: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/clarks-nutcracker)