What birds build their nests on the walls of the caves?
See the little mud jugs high on the walls of the cave? These are nests made by cliff swallows. Many birds live in the area of the caves and birds were important to the Native American people. Nervous birds alerted them to danger. Bird feathers were used as decoration and feathers made arrows fly straight. Numerous bird species either live in or migrate through the Pictograph Cave State Park area. Bird watchers frequently visit the site because of the variety of birds found here. Native Americans used migrating birds to tell the changing of the seasons. Nervous birds also alerted the inhabitants when intruders were entering the area. Native Americans used bird feathers to control the flight of their arrows as well as for decoration. They captured birds of prey to show status within the tribe; birds also represented spiritual values.
