CANADA GOOSE
Canada Geese are most common during the winter on the Navajo Nation since most breed in Canada and northern U.S. Many geese migrate to overwinter along the San Juan River and feed within the adjacent farm fields. There are a small number that nest within our lakes, rivers and marshes however. Canada Geese are primarily herbivores, feeding on grasses, grains and aquatic plants. They will also take iinsects and small fish on occasion.
Canada Goose is called “Naal’eełí” in the Navajo language. Canada Goose can be hunted and consumed unless these activities are restricted by a medicine man for expectant parents.
CHUKAR
Chukars occupy only a small part on the Navajo Nation. Chukars are actually native to Eurasia, and were introduced to the US as a game bird. They are well adapted for living in dry, rocky open hillsides with grass or scattered scrub. Most of their range in the U.S. includes UT, NV and further north, but they can be found on northern Navajo Nation along the San Juan River. At the Navajo Nation Zoo, as in the wild, you can often see them taking their daily dust baths; this helps to keep their feathers in perfect shape.
Chukars really do not have a place in Navajo Culture, but they are closely related to quail. Quail are called “Déłdánii” in the Navajo language. The Quail is considered as a water bird, and their feathers are used as offerings in the Water Way ceremony.
GOLDEN EAGLE
Golden Eagles are widespread year-round residents of the Navajo Nation. They are the largest predatory birds here. They mostly nest on ledges and potholes on high cliffs overlooking desert grasslands. Golden Eagles are very territorial, aggresively defending their nesting cliff from intruding eagles. Since Golden Eagles are birds-of-prey, they feed exclusively on other animals. A recent Navajo Nation study found that most of their diet is jackrabbits and cottontails, with prairie dogs to a lesser amount. Golden Eagles will feed on almost anything they can catch though, including snakes, other birds, and small- to medium–sized mammals.
Golden Eagle is called “Atsáshzhiin” in the Navajo language. Golden Eagle is a very sacred and important bird in the Navajo culture. They should be respected and greatly honored. It is said that a Navajo person can keep an eagle feather only after it is properly blessed by a medicine man.
GREAT HORNED OWL
Great-horned Owls are the largest and most robust of the eight owl species on the Navajo Nation. They are fairly common and widespread here. This owl can be found nesting in a variety of habitats from high-elevation forests to low badland deserts and deeply-incised canyons. For breeding, they do not build a nest of their own, but will use a stick nest created by other large birds like hawks and ravens. Rabbits and a preferred food items, but they are very opportunistic and will catch and eat rodents, reptiles, insects, and other birds. They prey can be as large as raccoons, porpupines, ducks, swans, and turkeys.
Great-horned Owl is named “Né’éshjaá” in the Navajo language. The Owl is known as messengers and they are respected and honored by the Navajo People.
RED TAIL HAWK
Red-tailed Hawks are abundant and widespread on the Navajo Nation. They are native to the Navajo Nation and can be found in nearly all habitats here. Red-tailed Hawks prefer to nest within potholes and ledges on steep sandstone cliffs, but will also nest in tall trees and other structures. Regardless of the nesting substrate, they build large stick nests in which to lay eggs. Like all birds-of-prey, female Red-tailed Hawks are 10% larger and 30% heavier than males. Their diet concentrates on small mammals, but can greatly vary based upon what is available. They will also feed on rabbits, prairie dogs, reptiles and other birds.
Red-tailed Hawk is called “Atseełtsoi” in the Navajo language. Feathers of the Red-tailed Hawk are used in ceremonies by Navajo medicine man, and the bird is respected and greatly honored by the Navajo People.
SANNDHILL CRANE
Sandhill Cranes are uncommon migrants to the Navajo Nation. They mostly breed in open marshes, meadows and wet grasslands in parts of Alaska, northwestern U.S. and throughout Canada. They nest on large mounds of vegetation that are typically floating on the water’s surface. Sandhill Cranes are omnivores. They mostly feed in farm fields on grains and seeds, but also on insects and other invertebrates and sometimes small vertebrates.
Sandhill Crane is called “Déłí” in the Navajo language. The Crane is respected and greatly honored in Navajo tradition. It is said that Sandhill Crane posses a mystical power, and it is used by Navajo medicine men in one ceremony.
SWAINSON'S HAWK
Swainson’s Hawks are a very rare nesting raptor on the Navajo Nation. They are closely related, but slightly smaller than the more-common Red-tailed Hawk. Swainson’s Hawk breed in central and western U.S. and Canada and migrate to South America for winter. This is likely the longest migrating bird-of-prey in North America. This hawk nests in open deserts, grasslands and prairies. Their diet varies greatly from rabbits and small mammals to reptiles, amphibians and other birds. They are also well-known to feed on a large variety of insects like locusts and grasshoppers.
TURKEY VULTURE
Turkey Vultures are rather common breeding residents on the Navajo Nation. They nest on high cliffs, and can often be seen flying over the flat, open desertlands while in search of food. Turkey vultures are scavengers and feed on carrion. They roost and nest in groups, but often forage individually during the day. They are amazingly able to fly long distances in search of food, using very little energy to do so. Unlike many bird species, these vultures have an excellent sense of smell for finding dead, decaying animals.
Turkey Vultures are called Jeesho’o’ in the Navajo language, which means ‘combed hair’. According to oral history, the vulture is a member of the large bird family that ate dead meat and tends to bring bad luck. Their feathers may still be used in at least one Navajo Ceremony.
WILD TURKEY
Wild Turkeys are rather abundant on the Navajo Nation within the high-elevation pine and fir forests. They spend most of their days in flocks, foraging on the ground for acorns, nuts, seeds, leaves and ground-dwelling insects. Then they retreat to roost in tall pine or fir trees for the night. Nesting occurs on the ground where 8 to 15 eggs are laid in a shallow depression in the ground, which is surrounded by dense brush, deep grass or fallen tree tops. Males are known for their colorful displays for females along with their gobbling that echoes through the spring forests.
Turkeys are called “Tązhii” in the Navajo language. Many traditional Navajo ceremonial stories involve the Tązhii, and turkey feathers are used in some ceremonies. Turkeys are also credited with bringing seeds into the current World for the Navajo People to have an abundance of melons, squash, corn and beans.