They did not stay because of a lack of food. Other birds, such as the raven, are now a common sight. They nest in cliffs and feed on dead animals. A variety of ducks live around Spirit Lake. Some are visitors while others remain year round.
Many ducks nest along the shores.
Puddle ducks, such as the mallard, feed on surface waters. Sandpipers and killdeer push their beaks into the moist sands along the shoreline in search of insects. They nest upland from the lake. They make a clearing in the pumice and bring in pumice pieces that are the same size. They usually lay one egg.