Rocky Mountain House (403) 845-6680
Our Wildlife
Rocky Mountain House has more to offer than history. A variety of wildlife from the time of the fur trade still makes the historic site home.
Beaver
Castor canadensis
Identification The largest rodent in North America. Easily identified by their large flat tail, which lacks fur. Strong, chisel-like incisors are used to fell trees used for dams and lodges.
Habitat Found in forested areas, near a body of water.
Muskrat
Ondatra zibethicus
Identification Part of the rodent family, the muskrat looks like a large field mouse. The tail and feet lack fur. Their upper and lower incisors are chisel-like in appearance.
Habitat Inhabit productive wetlands between 1m and 2m deep.
Ferruginous Hawk
Buteo regalis
Identification The largest of the North American hawks, the ferruginous hawk has two colour morphs. The light morph is light brown and white and the dark morph is mostly dark brown. Both morphs have a whitish tail and wing tips, and have feathered talons.
Habitat Can be found in mostly open forests, grasslands, and agrucultural land.
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Identification White tail and head, with dark brown feathers covering the rest of it's body. No feathers cover their yellow talons.
Habitat Primarily a piscivore. bald eagles nest close to water bodies, such as lakes, rivers, and reservoirs.
American Kestral
Falco sparverius
Identification A small raptor, american kestral's have a very distinct colour pattern; white, cinnamon, and slate grey, with black spots. They also have a clear black mustache and sideburn on the side of their head.
Habitat Prefer open forests and grasslands so that they can perch for prey.
Bison
Bison bison
Identification Plains bison have thick curly hair on their head, which exceeds their horns. Plains bison also have a distinct cape. Wood bison have a large hump on their shoulders and the their horns reach higher than their head.
Habitat Plains bison would be found in grasslands. Wood bison would be found in forested areas, including deciduous, mixed, and coniferous.
Coyote
Canis latrans
Identification Canid. Light brown to dark grey in fur colouration. Smaller in size from a wolf and larger than a fox.
Habitat Wide range of habitat, from grasslands to open forested areas.
Sandhill Crane
Grus canadensis
Identification Tall bird, with long legs and neck. Characterised by their bright red cap.
Habitat Can be found in wetlands or near water bodies (lakes and rivers).