Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)

The golden eagle is a species once found in the Adirondacks.  The last successful nest in New York State was recorded in 1970.  Golden Eagles have nested at elevations between 1,500 and 2,600 ft; however, surveys conducted by the New York Habitat Inventory Unit, open habitat suitable for Golden Eagles has decreased at all but one historical site.

Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalis)

The Indiana Bat is an endangered species and may reside in the Siamese Wilderness but not confirmed. The DEC is searching existing caves throughout NY and three caves along the borders of the Adirondacks have found indicating of wintering Indiana bats.  During spring, Indiana bats disperse from their winter hibernacula, some traveling hundreds of miles. Females congregate in nursery colonies, only a handful of which have ever been discovered. Nursery colonies have been located along the banks of streams or lakes in forested habitat, under the loose bark of dead trees, and contained from 50-100 females. In August or early September, Indiana bats congregate at the entrance of selected caves or mines where mating occurs. Indiana bats spend the winter months in secluded caves or mines which average 37 - 43 degrees F.

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)

In 1974 New York initiated a program to reintroduce the Peregrine Falcon in the state. Peregrines were successfully hacked in the Adirondack Park with the release of the first birds in 1981. It is possible that Peregrines are utilizing the mountain cliffs for nesting.  Three basic requirements nesting Peregrine Falcons include open country for hunting, sufficient food resources of avian species, and steep, rocky cliff faces for nesting. The falcons typically nest 50 to 200 feet off the ground near bodies of water. Nesting sites for Peregrines usually include a partially-vegetated ledge large enough for it young to move about. The nest is a well-rounded shape that is sometimes lined with grass, usually sheltered by an overhang. Sometimes Peregrines may nest in old Common Raven nests.   Human disturbance of a breeding pair may result in nest abandonment!  "DO NOT DISTURB" please!  Climbers, not it is illegal to climb during their breeding season, and breeders will attack.   To report a falcon signings please contact NYSDEC Region 5, Bureau of Wildlife, P.O. Box 296, Ray Brook, New York 12977, 518-897-1291.

Bicknell's Thrush (Catharus bicknelli)

Bicknell's Thrush utilizes fir waves and natural disturbances as well as edges of ski slopes. They breed  in the Adirondacks at elevations greater than 2800 ft.   The species is most common on the highest ridges of the Adirondacks, preferring young or stunted dense stands of balsam fir up to 9 ft. in height.

Other aviary species spotted in the Giant Mountain Wilderness and the Boquet River Primitive region are:  Hooded and Common  Merganser, Mallard, American Black Duck, Canada Goose, Chimney Swift, Great Blue Heron, American Bittern, Cedar Waxwing, Whip-poor-will, Northern Cardinal, Indigo Bunting, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Turkey Vulture, Brown Creeper, Killdeer, Mourning and Rock Dove, Common Raven, Blue Jay, American Crow, Dark-eyed Junco, Sparrow (Song, Lincoln, Swamp, White-throated, Vesper, Field, Chipping), Eastern Towhee, American Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, White-winged Crossbill, American Goldfinch, Pine Siskin, Purple Finch, Swallow (Barn, Bank and Tree), Blackbirds (Ballitmore Oriole, Brown-headed Cowbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle and Bobbolink), Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Chickadee (Boreal, Black-capped and Tufted Titmouse), Warbler (Blackburnlan, Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Chestnut-Sided, Yellow, Blackpool, Black-and-White, Black-throated green, Magnolia, Common yellowthroat, Ovenbird, American redstart, Norther watertrush, Nashville and Canada), Ruffled Grouse, Wild Turkey, Ring-necked Pheasant, Woodpeckers (Northern Flicker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Harry, Pileated and Downy), Golden-Crowned Kinglet, American Woodcock, Spotted Sandpiper, White-breasted and red-breasted Nuthatch, Owls (Great Horned, Barred and Long-eared), European Starling, Scarlet Tanager, Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, House and Winter Wrens, and the Hermit Thrush.