NatureMapping - Developed-High Density/Habitats

Definition of "Developed" - General Code 200: Significant human influence. Surface development includes buildings, pavement, etc. Excludes agricultural land and clear cuts.

Developed: High Density Industrial/Business (212)


Descriptive Habitat Code: This developed habitat (2) occurs in areas with >60% development (1) in larger cities and industrial areas (2).
Photo: KMD

California gull
Larus californius
Code: LACAL
Photo: RA

Distribution and Habitat:
It is found throughout parts of the western North Pacific Ocean. It breeds on gravel beds along the Columbia River and large lakes in the Columbia Basin.

Diet:
It is an opportunistic scavenger feeding on fish, crustaceans, bivalves and other invertebrates, as well as carrion and scavenging items from dumps and other areas of human habitation.

Interesting fact:
This gull is often found nesting together with the Ring- billed gull. It is Utah's state bird because it saved settlers from starvation when flocks of California gulls ate the locusts ruining their crops.

Virginia oposum
Didelphis virginiana
Code: DIVI
Photo: RA

Distribution and Habitat:
It is found in a wide variety of habitats, including temperate and tropical forests, mountains, grasslands and urban (developed) settings.

Diet:
It feeds upon insects, carrion, garbage, other small mammals, fruit, worms, etc.

Interesting fact:
They are the only marsupial in North America. Oposums have apposable first digits on the hind feet that assist with climbing trees. A female can carry fertilized eggs and have young in her pouch at the same time.

Rock dove
Columba livia
Code: COLI
Photo: RA

Distribution and Habitat:
It is found in most medium-sized and large cities of the United States and in the Columbia Basin.

Diet:
It feeds primarily on seeds, and is especially common in areas where grain is cultivated, processed, transported or stored.

Interesting fact:
The rock dove is sometimes a problem in cities where they nest in the cornices of public buildings. They can breed any time of the year and provide milk in their crop (throat sac) for the nestlings to drink.

Eastern gray squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
Code: SCCA
Photo: KMD

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:
The Eastern gray squirrel is responsible for causing extensive damage to certain species of trees by stripping off large sections of bark, chewing holes in bird nestboxes, and damaging flower beds.

European starling
Sturnus vulgaris
Code: STVU
Photo: RA

Distribution and Habitat:
It is common in lowland areas, developed (urban), and agricultural areas throughout its range.

Diet:
It is an omnivore and feeds on seeds, insects and garbage.

Interesting fact:
European starling fledglings roost together in large flocks in late summer. The adult males are the first to leave for their wintering habitats.

House sparrow
Passer domesticus
Code: PADO
Photo: RA

Distribution and Habitat:
It is native to Europe and was introduced into the United States in 1850 where it has become a permanent fixture in developed areas.

Diet:
It is an omnivore and it feeds largely upon seeds, although it eats other food including insects and their larvae.

Interesting fact:
The house sparrow is a cavity nester and will out-compete the native birds for nest boxes.

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.