Once Lake Powell was created, the variety of birds that inhabit these canyons (or which stop during their migration) increased markedly. Over the last few years, vistors and staff have recorded nearly 200 different species at various locations throughout the park.
Golden eagles are year-round residents of the canyon country. They are an important link in nature's web of life. Eagles prey principally on rodents and other small wildlife. The Muscovy duck was originally found from Mexico to South America. As with other waterfowl, however, the Muscovy has been domesticated and its range extended. The great horned owl is the largest owl in North America with ear tufts. These feathery tufts give it the name "horned" owl. The sage thrasher is a great mimicker of other birds. Its songs are loud and are repeated two or three times. The thrasher is a common summer bird on the Colorado Plateau. Its long, slender beak is ideal for capturing insects. Killdeer are shorebirds that have adapted to open prairie and desert. With their camoflaged colors, they blend easily into their surroundings. Killdeer are famous for their "broken wing" act, feigning injury with loud cries while moving away from thier ground nest. Burrowing owls are small owls with long legs and no ear tufts. The lack of bold spots and "bars" on the breast distinguish these as immature birds. When full-grown, an adult is only 9 to 10 inches long. Burrowing owls migrate from the Glen Canyon region each fall and return each spring to breed. They nest in abandoned burrows and can commonly be seen standing by their burrow during daylight hours.
Different from the deserts of southern California and southern Arizona, the desert region of Glen Canyon is considered a "cold" desert. High elevations and the feezing temperatures of winter create harsh conditions that dictate a hardy variety of dessert wildlife. The canyon tree frog is one of the only two frogs native to the Glen Canyon region. It lives in moist canyons or plunge pools where it is usually nocturnal, but becomes active in daylight after summer rains. Commonly called a "horned toad," this creature is actually a short-horned lizard. Its spines or horns are excellent defensive protection for these slow-moving desert dwellers. Because of thier slow pace, these lizards have been easy prey for collectors and are now protected under the laws of most western states. Folklore has given taratulas a bad rap. Though they are mildly poisonous, their mouth parts are small and they pose little threat to humans. Their primary prey are insects.
In nature there are no "good guys" or "bad guys." All creatures occupy a unique spot in the web of life. In this web are herbivores; animals that eat plants, and carnivores that prey on other animals. None is more deserving than the others; each is dependent on others in a complex association. Coyotes are one of the most adaptable and successful carnivores in the West. Without them and other predators, rodents would soon overrun the country. Probably the most maligned and misunderstood creature in the animal world is the snake. As far back as Biblical times, this creature had an unfortunate and undeserved reputation. Glen Canyon is home to 13 species of snakes, two of these include the gopher snake and the western rattlesnake. Rattlesnakes are the only poisonous snakes in the park. All snakes are extremely beneficial and prey on insects, small mammals, eggs, and birds. They are generally shy and avoid confrontation with non-prey animals whenever possible. The collared lizard is one of the most common reptiles of the canyon country. This species grows to a length of 14 inches and can be easily recognized by the black collars encircling the neck. All scorpions poisonous. Scorpions use their tail-stinger to immobilize their prey, usually insects. They are found under rocks, rotting wood, or desert litter and are generally very shy. However, their sting can be very painful, so beware! It's a major thrill to see a desert bighorn on the canyon slopes. Only mature rams develope full-curl horns. These sheep are known for their rock-climbing ability. They range widely over large areas and are frequently depicted in prehistoric Indian rock art. Porcupines have highly specialized "hair" which takes the form of spines and quills. The quills provide excellent defense against most predators, an important fact for this slow moving member of the rodent family. Porcupines live almost entirely by eating tender twigs of the barks of trees and shrubs. They rarely "girdle" (eat all the way around) the vegetation they feed on, which ensures survival of both of them and their host plants.