MacKay Reservoir

Ecosystem Overview

The MacKay Reservoir ecosystem supports 13 documented wildlife species across 11 taxonomic genera. Located in Custer County, Idaho, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 3 frequently observed species and 2 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Custer County nearby has 87% more documented species, MacKay Reservoir offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #2 for species diversity among 5 Custer County County natural areas, placing it in the 60th 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 5 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common3 species

Common4 species

Occasional4 species

Rare2 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 5 locations

60th percentile for diversity

vs. Custer County

-87% 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 13 total documented species.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Very Common2 obs.

Xema sabini

Sabine's gull

Very Common2 obs.

Recurvirostra americana

American avocet

Very Common1 obs.

Limnodromus griseus

Short-billed Dowitcher

Very Common1 obs.

Gavia immer

great northern loon

Very Common1 obs.

Aechmophorus occidentalis

Western Grebe

Common1 obs.

Podiceps auritus

horned grebe

Common1 obs.

Podiceps nigricollis

black-necked grebe

Common1 obs.

Bucephala islandica

Barrow's goldeneye

Common1 obs.

Bucephala clangula

common goldeneye

Common1 obs.

Mergus serrator

Red-breasted Merganser

Common1 obs.

Eremophila alpestris

horned lark

Occasional1 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Occasional1 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Want the Complete Field Guide?

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

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

$6.99

Get Your Personalized Field Guide

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

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$6.99

Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-52%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 4 nearby locations in Custer County County, Idaho

Nearby Natural Areas

Custer County

Importance: 0.39

100 species

-87% vs. current

Challis

Importance: 0.33

5 species

+160% vs. current

MacKay

Importance: 0.25

1 species

+1200% vs. current

Stanley Lake

Importance: 0.18

3 species

+333% 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 Custer 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

-52%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 4 nearby locations in Custer County County, Idaho

Nearby Natural Areas

Custer County

Importance: 0.39

100 species

-87% vs. current

Challis

Importance: 0.33

5 species

+160% vs. current

MacKay

Importance: 0.25

1 species

+1200% vs. current

Stanley Lake

Importance: 0.18

3 species

+333% 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 5 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common3 species

Common4 species

Occasional4 species

Rare2 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 5 locations

60th percentile for diversity

vs. Custer County

-87% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 13 total documented species.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Very Common2 obs.

Xema sabini

Sabine's gull

Very Common2 obs.

Recurvirostra americana

American avocet

Very Common1 obs.

Limnodromus griseus

Short-billed Dowitcher

Very Common1 obs.

Gavia immer

great northern loon

Very Common1 obs.

Aechmophorus occidentalis

Western Grebe

Common1 obs.

Podiceps auritus

horned grebe

Common1 obs.

Podiceps nigricollis

black-necked grebe

Common1 obs.

Bucephala islandica

Barrow's goldeneye

Common1 obs.

Bucephala clangula

common goldeneye

Common1 obs.

Mergus serrator

Red-breasted Merganser

Common1 obs.

Eremophila alpestris

horned lark

Occasional1 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Occasional1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 13 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.