Whitefish

Ecosystem Overview

The Whitefish ecosystem supports 26 documented wildlife species across 26 taxonomic genera. Located in Flathead County, Montana, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 6 frequently observed species and 5 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. Compared to nearby Kalispell, Whitefish hosts 30% more species diversity. This location ranks #4 for species diversity among 17 Flathead County County natural areas, placing it in the 76th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 17 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common6 species

Common8 species

Occasional7 species

Rare5 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 17 locations

76th percentile for diversity

vs. Kalispell

+30% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

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Biodiversity Highlights

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Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

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Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 26 total documented species.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Very Common3 obs.

Bombycilla cedrorum

cedar waxwing

Very Common2 obs.

Larix occidentalis

Western Larch

Very Common2 obs.

Pica hudsonia

Black-billed Magpie

Very Common2 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Very Common2 obs.

Agelaius phoeniceus

Red-Winged Blackbird (Red-Winged)

Common2 obs.

Turdus migratorius

American Robin

Common2 obs.

Melanoplus bivittatus

Twostriped Grasshopper

Common1 obs.

Castor canadensis

Canadian beaver

Common1 obs.

Odocoileus virginianus

Key Deer

Common1 obs.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

Common1 obs.

Empidonax traillii

Willow Flycatcher

Occasional1 obs.

Sitta canadensis

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Occasional1 obs.

Poecile atricapillus

Black-capped chickadee

Occasional1 obs.

Melospiza melodia

Song Sparrow

Occasional1 obs.

Vicia americana

peavine

Occasional1 obs.

Prunus virginiana

Common Chokecherry

Occasional1 obs.

Hesperis matronalis

Dames rocket

Rare1 obs.

Cornus sericea

Red-osier dogwood, red willow

Rare1 obs.

Vinca minor

lesser periwinkle

Rare1 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Whitefish. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+37%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Flathead County County, Montana

Nearby Natural Areas

Kalispell

Importance: 0.48

20 species

+30% vs. current

Flathead County

Importance: 0.44

100 species

-74% vs. current

Avalanche Lake

Importance: 0.35

15 species

+73% vs. current

Johns Lake

Importance: 0.35

5 species

+420% vs. current

Snyder Lake

Importance: 0.35

5 species

+420% vs. current

Spoon Lake

Importance: 0.35

3 species

+767% vs. current

Rogers Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+1200% vs. current

Winona Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+1200% vs. current

About This Comparison

These comparisons are based on documented wildlife observations from citizen science data. Locations with higher species counts may have more observation activity, different habitat types, or larger coverage areas. Regional rankings help identify biodiversity hotspots and unique natural areas within Flathead County County.

Regional Comparison

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Regional Ranking

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Species Count

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vs. Regional Average

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Nearby Natural Areas

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About This Comparison

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+37%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Flathead County County, Montana

Nearby Natural Areas

Kalispell

Importance: 0.48

20 species

+30% vs. current

Flathead County

Importance: 0.44

100 species

-74% vs. current

Avalanche Lake

Importance: 0.35

15 species

+73% vs. current

Johns Lake

Importance: 0.35

5 species

+420% vs. current

Snyder Lake

Importance: 0.35

5 species

+420% vs. current

Spoon Lake

Importance: 0.35

3 species

+767% vs. current

Rogers Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+1200% vs. current

Winona Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+1200% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 17 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common6 species

Common8 species

Occasional7 species

Rare5 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 17 locations

76th percentile for diversity

vs. Kalispell

+30% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 26 total documented species.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Very Common3 obs.

Bombycilla cedrorum

cedar waxwing

Very Common2 obs.

Larix occidentalis

Western Larch

Very Common2 obs.

Pica hudsonia

Black-billed Magpie

Very Common2 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Very Common2 obs.

Agelaius phoeniceus

Red-Winged Blackbird (Red-Winged)

Common2 obs.

Turdus migratorius

American Robin

Common2 obs.

Melanoplus bivittatus

Twostriped Grasshopper

Common1 obs.

Castor canadensis

Canadian beaver

Common1 obs.

Odocoileus virginianus

Key Deer

Common1 obs.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

Common1 obs.

Empidonax traillii

Willow Flycatcher

Occasional1 obs.

Sitta canadensis

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Occasional1 obs.

Poecile atricapillus

Black-capped chickadee

Occasional1 obs.

Melospiza melodia

Song Sparrow

Occasional1 obs.

Vicia americana

peavine

Occasional1 obs.

Prunus virginiana

Common Chokecherry

Occasional1 obs.

Hesperis matronalis

Dames rocket

Rare1 obs.

Cornus sericea

Red-osier dogwood, red willow

Rare1 obs.

Vinca minor

lesser periwinkle

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 26 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.