Clark's Nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana) is in the Crows, Jays, and Magpies family (Corvidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 9,182 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in August.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Clark's Nutcracker: observations by month (U.S.)
About Clark's Nutcracker
Clark's nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana), sometimes referred to as Clark's crow or woodpecker crow, is a passerine bird in the family Corvidae. It is slightly smaller than its Eurasian relative the spotted nutcracker (N. caryocatactes). It is ashy-grey all over except for the black-and-white wings and central tail feathers (the outer ones are white). The bill, legs and feet are also black. This bird derives its name from the explorer William Clark.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Clark's Nutcracker by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 2,369 | July | Jun–Oct |
| Colorado | 1,836 | August | Jun–Oct |
| Oregon | 1,314 | July | Jun–Sep |
| Wyoming | 951 | August | May–Oct |
| Utah | 641 | July | Apr–Oct |
| Washington | 502 | August | Jun–Sep |
| Nevada | 413 | July | Jun–Oct |
| Montana | 343 | August | May–Oct |
| Idaho | 305 | August | Jun–Oct |
| New Mexico | 225 | August | Jul–Oct |
| Arizona | 212 | October | Aug–Oct |
| South Dakota | 26 | June | Jun–Sep |
| Texas | 14 | December | Dec–Dec |
| Wisconsin | 13 | October | Oct–Oct |
| Minnesota | 9 | September | Sep–Sep |
| Nebraska | 5 | October | Sep–Oct |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
California Scrub-Jay
Steller's Jay
Black-billed Magpie
Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay
Canada Jay
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Clark's Nutcracker?
Nationally, August has the most observations, with the main season from May to October.
Where is Clark's Nutcracker most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Colorado, Oregon.