Clark's Nutcracker has a specialized sublingual pouch under its tongue that carries up to 95 pine seeds at a time, and over a single fall season one bird may cache over 30,000 seeds across many square miles. It can retrieve cached seeds nine months later under several feet of snow using spatial memory — an extraordinary cognitive feat. It is critical for the regeneration of whitebark pine forests.
Best time to see a Clark's Nutcracker
The best time to see a Clark's Nutcracker is May–August, when about 64% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 8,064 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Clark's Nutcracker? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Clark's Nutcracker sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted a Clark's Nutcracker?
Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal and know for sure - plus a live map of where it is being spotted near you.