NatureMapping Habitat - Deciduous forest

Definition of "Deciduous forest" - General Code 700: Forests composed primarily of deciduous trees. Note: Urban areas with a lot of large trees are not forests; use the developed code.

Forest: Deciduous forest (771)


Descriptive Habitat Code: Deciduous forest (7), intermediate in age (7), with an open canopy (1). Deciduous refers to trees or shrubs that lose their leaves seasonally.

American crow
Corvus brachyrhynchus
Code: COBR
Photo: RA

Distribution and Habitat:
It is found in a wide variety of natural and urban (developed) habitats.

Diet:
It is an omnivore and feeds upon small birds, mammals, crayfish, snails, insects, spiders, corn, fruit and even turtles.

Interesting fact:
There are two sizes of the American crow in Western Washington. The Northwestern crow is smaller and only found along the coast.

American Crow Fact Sheet »

Barred Owl
Strix varia
Code: STVA
Photo: Natures Pics

Distribution and Habitat:
Barred owls live in forested areas, from swamps and riparian areas to uplands. The species prefer large blocks of forest.

Diet:
Small mammals, rabbits, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates.

Interesting fact:
Barred Owl populations have expanded westward in the last century. The more aggressive Barred Owl may displace the endangered Spotted Owl.

Barred Owl Fact Sheet »

Cedar Waxwing
Bombycilla cedrorum
Code: BOCE
Photo: Natures Pics

Distribution and Habitat:
Waxwings are most commonly found in all types of forests and other wooded areas, orchards, suburbs, parks, and gardens.

Diet:
They are frugivores, meaning they eat small fruits, and invertivores, meaning they eat invertebrates.

Interesting fact:
Waxwings travel in small groups or flocks.

Cedar Waxwing Fact Sheet »

Coyote
Canis latrans
Code: CALAT
Photo: RA

Distribution and Habitat:
It is found in mountainous areas, grasslands, deciduous and mixed coniferous forests and even urban areas.

Diet:
It feeds on whatever it can find, mostly mammals and carrion, although it also eats birds, fruit, and insects.

Interesting fact:
Efforts to exterminate coyotes have taken place during the 20th century. Their numbers are still increasing.

Coyote Fact Sheet »

Eastern gray squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
Code: SCCA
Photo: TFK

Distribution and Habitat:
It is found throughout deciduous woodland areas of North America as well as being a common inhabitant of developed areas of towns, cities, residential and even industrial areas.

Diet:
It feeds on seeds, nuts, fruits, insects, and fungi.

Interesting fact:
Eastern gray squirrels were first introduced into Washington in 1925. They are now common in many cities, and thrive in developed areas including neighborhoods and parks.

Eastern Gray Squirrel Fact Sheet »

Porcupine
Erethizon dorsatum
Code: ERDO
Photo: Natures Pics

Distribution and Habitat:
Porcupines live in forests throughout most of the western United States and parts of the Northeast. They are also found throughout forests in Canada.

Diet:
Porcupines like munching on a variety of trees including fir, hemlock, and pine, as well as maple, beech, birch, oak, elm, cherry and willow.

Interesting fact:
The porcupine has thousands of quills on its back to provide protection from predators.

Porcupine Fact Sheet »

Raccoon
Procyon lotor
Code: PRLO
Photo: KMD

Distribution and Habitat:
It is native throughout most of the United States and southern Canada, but has also been introduced into Europe and Asia. It is a common inhabitant of agricultural and residential areas.

Diet:
It feeds upon crayfish, insects, small birds, small rodents, insects, fruits, nuts, and garbage.

Interesting fact:
The raccoon is largely nocturnal in its habits and uses riparian (stream) corridors to travel. When it searches for food in water, it keeps its head up watching for predators and lets its hands find the food.

Raccoon Fact Sheet »

Western gray squirrel
Sciurus griseus
Code: SCGRI
Photo: Natures Pics

Distribution and Habitat:
They can be found in Washington, Oregon, California, and in a small part of Nevada. Western grey squirrels are found in oak woodlands and coniferous forests.

This species is listed as threatened in Washington State. The Eastern gray squirrel is an introduced species and may be a primary reason why the Western gray squirrels are declining.

Diet:
Nuts, acorns, and seeds they steal that people put out to feed the birds.

Interesting fact:
They are the largest of the native squirrels in Washington. They can be distinguished from Eastern gray squirrels by their much larger ears.

Western Gray Squirrel Fact Sheet »