List of birds of Montana

This list of birds of Montana includes species documented in the U.S. state of Montana and accepted by the Montana Bird Records Committee (MBRC). As of July 2021, there are 442 species included in the official list. Of them, 104 are on the review list (see below) and eight have been introduced to North America.^[1] An additional 10 species are on a separate supplemental list.^[2]

The western meadowlark is the state bird of Montana.

This list is presented in the taxonomic sequence of the Check-list of North and Middle American Birds, 7th edition through the 62nd Supplement, published by the American Ornithological Society (AOS).^[3] Common and scientific names are also those of the Check-list, except that the common names of families are from the Clements taxonomy because the AOS list does not include them.

Unless otherwise noted, all species listed below are considered to occur regularly in Montana as permanent residents, summer or winter visitors, or migrants. These tags are used to annotate some species:

• (R) Review list - birds with 20 or fewer records require that a rare bird report be submitted per the MBRC^[1]
• (S) Supplemental list - species of uncertain origin or species with only sight records.^[2]
• (I) Introduced - a species established in North America as a result of human action

Ducks, geese, and waterfowl

 

Canada goose

Order: Anseriformes   Family: Anatidae

The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, bills which are flattened to a greater or lesser extent, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to special oils. Forty-two species have been recorded in Montana.

• Snow goose, Anser caerulescens
• Ross's goose, Anser rossii
• Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons
• Brant, Branta bernicla (R)
• Cackling goose, Branta hutchinsii
• Canada goose, Branta canadensis
• Mute swan, Cygnus olor (I)
• Trumpeter swan, Cygnus buccinator
• Tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus
• Wood duck, Aix sponsa
• Baikal teal, Sibirionetta formosa (R)
• Garganey, Spatula querquedula (R)
• Blue-winged teal, Spatula discors
• Cinnamon teal, Spatula cyanoptera
• Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata
• Gadwall, Mareca strepera
• Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope
• American wigeon, Mareca americana
• Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
• Mexican duck, Anas diazi (R)
• American black duck, Anas rubripes
• Northern pintail, Anas acuta
• Green-winged teal, Anas crecca
• Canvasback, Aythya valisineria
• Redhead, Aythya americana
• Ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris
• Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula (R)
• Greater scaup, Aythya marila
• Lesser scaup, Aythya affinis
• Harlequin duck, Histrionicus histrionicus
• Surf scoter, Melanitta perspicillata
• White-winged scoter, Melanitta deglandi
• Stejneger's scoter, Melanitta stejnegeri (R)
• Black scoter, Melanitta americana
• Long-tailed duck, Clangula hyemalis
• Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola
• Common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula
• Barrow's goldeneye, Bucephala islandica
• Hooded merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus
• Common merganser, Mergus merganser
• Red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator
• Ruddy duck, Oxyura jamaicensis

New World quail

Order: Galliformes   Family: Odontophoridae

The New World quails are small, plump terrestrial birds only distantly related to the quails of the Old World, but named for their similar appearance and habits. One species has been recorded in Montana.

• California quail, Callipepla californica

Pheasants, grouse, and allies

Order: Galliformes   Family: Phasianidae

Phasianidae consists of the pheasants and their allies. These are terrestrial species, variable in size but generally plump with broad relatively short wings. Many species are gamebirds or have been domesticated as a food source for humans. Twelve species have been recorded in Montana.

• Wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavo
• Ruffed grouse, Bonasa umbellus
• Spruce grouse, Canachites canadensis
• Willow ptarmigan, Lagopus lagopus (R)
• White-tailed ptarmigan, Lagopus leucurus
• Greater sage-grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus
• Dusky grouse, Dendragapus obscurus
• Sharp-tailed grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus
• Greater prairie-chicken, Tympanuchus cupido (R)
• Gray partridge, Perdix perdix (I)
• Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (I)
• Chukar, Alectoris chukar (I)

Grebes

 

Western grebe

Order: Podicipediformes   Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. Six species have been recorded in Montana.

• Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps
• Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus
• Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena
• Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis
• Western grebe, Aechmorphorus occidentalis
• Clark's grebe, Aechmorphorus clarkii

Pigeons and doves

Order: Columbiformes   Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. Seven species have been recorded in Montana.

• Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I)
• Band-tailed pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata
• Eurasian collared-dove, Streptopelia decaocto (I)
• Passenger pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius (S) (R)
• Inca dove, Columbina inca (R)
• White-winged dove, Zenaida asiatica
• Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura

Cuckoos

Order: Cuculiformes   Family: Cuculidae

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners, and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs. Two species have been recorded in Montana.

• Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus
• Black-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus

Nightjars and allies

 

Common nighthawk

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is cryptically colored to resemble bark or leaves. Three species have been recorded in Montana.

• Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor
• Common poorwill, Phalaenoptilus nuttallii
• Eastern/Mexican whip-poor-will, Antrostomus vociferus/arizonae (R)

Swifts

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Apodidae

The swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have very long, swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang. Four species have been recorded in Montana.

• Black swift, Cypseloides niger
• Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica
• Vaux's swift, Chaetura vauxi
• White-throated swift, Aeronautes saxatalis

Hummingbirds

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Trochilidae

Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backwards. Eight species have been recorded in Montana.

• Rivoli's hummingbird, Eugenes fulgens (R)
• Ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris (R)
• Black-chinned hummingbird, Archilochus alexandri
• Anna's hummingbird, Calypte anna (R)
• Costa's hummingbird, Calypte costae (R)
• Calliope hummingbird, Selasphrus calliope
• Rufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus
• Broad-tailed hummingbird, Selasphorus platycercus

Rails, gallinules, and coots

 

American coot

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Rallidae

Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. The most typical family members occupy dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and tend to be weak fliers. Five species have been recorded in Montana.

• Virginia rail, Rallus limicola
• Sora, Porzana carolina
• Common gallinule, Gallinula galeata (R)
• American coot, Fulica americana
• Yellow rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis (R)

Cranes

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Gruidae

Cranes are large, long-legged, and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances". Three species have been recorded in Montana.

• Sandhill crane, Antigone canadensis
• Common crane, Grus grus (S) (R)
• Whooping crane, Grus americana (R)

Stilts and avocets

 

American avocet

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. Two species have been recorded in Montana.

• Black-necked stilt, Himantopus mexicanus
• American avocet, Recurvirostra americana

Plovers and lapwings

 

Killdeer

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Charadriidae

The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short thick necks, and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water. Eight species have been recorded in Montana.

• Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola
• American golden-plover, Pluvialis dominica
• Pacific golden-plover, Pluvialis fulva (S) (R)
• Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus
• Semipalmated plover, Charadrius semipalmatus
• Piping plover, Charadrius melodus
• Snowy plover, Charadrius nivosus (R)
• Mountain plover, Charadrius montanus

Sandpipers and allies

 

Wilson's phalarope

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Scolopacidae

Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers, and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Different lengths of legs and bills enable multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. Thirty-five species have been recorded in Montana.

• Upland sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda
• Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus
• Long-billed curlew, Numenius americanus
• Hudsonian godwit, Limosa haemastica
• Marbled godwit, Limosa fedoa
• Ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres
• Black turnstone, Arenaria melanocephala (R)
• Red knot, Calidris canutus
• Ruff, Calidris pugnax (R)
• Sharp-tailed sandpiper, Calidris acuminata (R)
• Stilt sandpiper, Calidris himantopus
• Curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea (R)
• Sanderling, Calidris alba
• Dunlin, Calidris alpina
• Purple sandpiper, Calidris maritima (R)
• Baird's sandpiper, Calidris bairdii
• Least sandpiper, Calidris minutilla
• White-rumped sandpiper, Calidris fuscicollis
• Buff-breasted sandpiper, Calidris subruficollis
• Pectoral sandpiper, Calidris melanotos
• Semipalmated sandpiper, Calidris pusilla
• Western sandpiper, Calidris mauri
• Short-billed dowitcher, Limnodromus griseus
• Long-billed dowitcher, Limnodromus scolopaceus
• American woodcock, Scolopax minor (R)
• Wilson's snipe, Gallinago delicata
• Spotted sandpiper, Actitis macularius
• Solitary sandpiper, Tringa solitaria
• Lesser yellowlegs, Tringa flavipes
• Willet, Tringa semipalmata
• Greater yellowlegs, Tringa melanoleuca
• Wood sandpiper, Tringa glareola (R)
• Wilson's phalarope, Phalaropus tricolor
• Red-necked phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus
• Red phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius (R)

Skuas and jaegers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Stercorariidae

Skuas and jaegers are in general medium to large birds, typically with gray or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They have longish bills with hooked tips and webbed feet with sharp claws. They look like large dark gulls, but have a fleshy cere above the upper mandible. They are strong, acrobatic fliers. Three species have been recorded in Montana.

• Pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus (R)
• Parasitic jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus (R)
• Long-tailed jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus (R)

Auks, murres, and puffins

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Alcidae

The family Alcidae includes auks, murres, and puffins. These are short-winged birds that live on the open sea and normally only come ashore for breeding. Two species have been recorded in Montana.

• Long-billed murrelet, Brachyramphus perdix (R)
• Ancient murrelet, Synthliboarmphus antiquus (R)

Gulls, terns, and skimmers

 

Ring-billed gull

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds and includes gulls, terns, kittiwakes, and skimmers. They are typically gray or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. Twenty-five species have been recorded in Montana.

• Black-legged kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla (R)
• Ivory gull, Pagophila eburnea (R)
• Sabine's gull, Xema sabini
• Bonaparte's gull, Chroicocephalus philadelphia
• Little gull, Hydrocoloeus minutus (R)
• Ross's gull, Rhodostethia rosea (R)
• Laughing gull, Leucophaeus atricilla (R)
• Franklin's gull, Leucophaeus pipixcan
• Heermann's gull, Larus heermanni (R)
• Short-billed gull, Larus brachyrhynchus (R)
• Ring-billed gull, Larus delawarensis
• Western gull, Larus occidentalis (R)
• California gull, Larus californicus
• Herring gull, Larus argentatus
• Iceland gull, Larus glaucoides
• Lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus
• Glaucous-winged gull, Larus glaucescens
• Glaucous gull, Larus hyperboreus
• Great black-backed gull, Larus marinus (R)
• Least tern, Sternula antillarum
• Caspian tern, Hydroprogne caspia
• Black tern, Chlidonias niger
• Common tern, Sterna hirundo
• Arctic tern, Sterna paradisaea (R)
• Forster's tern, Sterna forsteri

Loons

Order: Gaviiformes   Family: Gaviidae

Loons are aquatic birds the size of a large duck, to which they are unrelated. Their plumage is largely gray or black, and they have spear-shaped bills. Loons swim well and fly adequately, but are almost hopeless on land, because their legs are placed towards the rear of the body. Four species have been recorded in Montana.

• Red-throated loon, Gavia stellata
• Pacific loon, Gavia pacifica
• Common loon, Gavia immer
• Yellow-billed loon, Gavia adamsii (R)

Shearwaters and petrels

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Procellariidae

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterised by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary. One species has been recorded in Montana.

• Manx shearwater, Puffinus puffinus (R)

Storks

Order: Ciconiiformes   Family: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, heavy, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long stout bills and wide wingspans. They lack the powder down that other wading birds such as herons, spoonbills and ibises use to clean off fish slime. Storks lack a pharynx and are mute. One species has been recorded in Montana.

• Wood stork, Mycteria americana (R)

Cormorants and shags

Order: Suliformes   Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Cormorants are medium-to-large aquatic birds, usually with mainly dark plumage and areas of colored skin on the face. The bill is long, thin and sharply hooked. Their feet are four-toed and webbed. Two species have been recorded in Montana.

• Double-crested cormorant, Nannopterum auritum
• Neotropic cormorant, Nannopterum brasilianum (R)

Pelicans

 

American white pelican

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are very large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. Like other birds in the order Pelecaniformes, they have four webbed toes. One species has been recorded in Montana.

• American white pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

Herons, egrets, and bitterns

 

Great blue heron

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the herons, egrets, and bitterns. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more secretive. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises, and spoonbills. Eleven species have been recorded in Montana.

• American bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus
• Least bittern, Ixobrychus exilis (R)
• Great blue heron, Ardea herodias
• Great egret, Ardea alba
• Snowy egret, Egretta thula
• Little blue heron, Egretta caerulea (R)
• Tricolored heron, Egretta tricolor (R)
• Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis
• Green heron, Butorides virescens
• Black-crowned night-heron, Nycticorax nycticorax
• Yellow-crowned night-heron, Nyctanassa violacea (R)

Ibises and spoonbills

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Threskiornithidae

The family Threskiornithidae includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings. Their bodies tend to be elongated, the neck more so, with rather long legs. The bill is also long, decurved in the case of the ibises, straight and distinctively flattened in the spoonbills. Two species have been recorded in Montana.

• Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus (R)
• White-faced ibis, Plegadis chihi

New World vultures

Order: Cathartiformes   Family: Cathartidae

The New World vultures are not closely related to Old World vultures, but superficially resemble them because of convergent evolution. Like the Old World vultures, they are scavengers, however, unlike Old World vultures, which find carcasses by sight, New World vultures have a good sense of smell with which they locate carcasses. Two species have been recorded in Montana.

• Black vulture, Coragyps atratus (R)
• Turkey vulture, Cathartes aura

Osprey

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Pandionidae

Pandionidae is a family of fish-eating birds of prey possessing a very large, powerful hooked beak for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight. The family is monotypic.

• Osprey, Pandion haliaetus

Hawks, eagles, and kites

 

Red-tailed hawk

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers, and Old World vultures. These birds have very large powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight. Fifteen species have been recorded in Montana.

• White-tailed kite, Elanus leucurus (R)
• Golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos
• Northern harrier, Circus hudsonius
• Sharp-shinned hawk, Accipiter striatus
• Cooper's hawk, Accipiter cooperii
• American goshawk, Accipiter atricapillus
• Bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus
• Mississippi kite, Ictinia mississippiensis (R)
• Harris's hawk, Parabuteo unicinctus (S) (R)
• Red-shouldered hawk, Buteo lineatus (R)
• Broad-winged hawk, Buteo platypterus
• Swainson's hawk, Buteo swainsoni
• Red-tailed hawk, Buteo jamaicensis
• Rough-legged hawk, Buteo lagopus
• Ferruginous hawk, Buteo regalis

Barn-owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Tytonidae

Barn-owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. One species has been recorded in Montana.

• Barn owl, Tyto alba

Owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Strigidae

Typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk. Fourteen species have been recorded in Montana.

• Flammulated owl, Psiloscops flammeolus
• Western screech-owl, Megascops kennicottii
• Eastern screech-owl, Megascops asio
• Great horned owl, Bubo virginianus
• Snowy owl, Bubo scandiacus
• Northern hawk owl, Surnia ulula
• Northern pygmy-owl, Glaucidium gnoma
• Burrowing owl, Athene cunicularia
• Barred owl, Strix varia
• Great gray owl, Strix nebulosa
• Long-eared owl, Asio otus
• Short-eared owl, Asio flammeus
• Boreal owl, Aegolius funereus
• Northern saw-whet owl, Aegolius acadicus

Kingfishers

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. One species has been recorded in Montana.

• Belted kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon

Woodpeckers

Order: Piciformes   Family: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails, and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks. Fourteen species have been recorded in Montana.

• Lewis's woodpecker, Melanerpes lewis
• Red-headed woodpecker, Melanerpes erythrocephalus
• Red-bellied woodpecker, Melanerpes carolinus (R)
• Williamson's sapsucker, Sphyrapicus thyroideus
• Yellow-bellied sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius (R)
• Red-naped sapsucker, Sphyrapicus nuchalis
• Red-breasted sapsucker, Sphyrapicus ruber (S) (R)
• American three-toed woodpecker, Picoides dorsalis
• Black-backed woodpecker, Picoides arcticus
• Downy woodpecker, Dryobates pubescens
• Hairy woodpecker, Dryobates villosus
• White-headed woodpecker, Dryobates albolarvatus (R)
• Northern flicker, Colaptes auratus
• Pileated woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus

Falcons and caracaras

 

Prairie falcon

Order: Falconiformes   Family: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey, notably the falcons and caracaras. They differ from hawks, eagles, and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons. Six species have been recorded in Montana.

• Crested caracara, Caracara plancus (R)
• American kestrel, Falco sparverius
• Merlin, Falco columbarius
• Gyrfalcon, Falco rusticolus (S) (R)
• Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus
• Prairie falcon, Falco mexicanus

Tyrant flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Tyrannidae

Tyrant flycatchers are Passerine birds which occur throughout North and South America. They superficially resemble the Old World flycatchers, but are more robust and have stronger bills. They do not have the sophisticated vocal capabilities of the songbirds. Most, but not all, are rather plain. As the name implies, most are insectivorous. Twenty species have been recorded in Montana.

• Ash-throated flycatcher, Myiarchus cinerascens (R)
• Great crested flycatcher, Myiarchus crinitus (R)
• Cassin's kingbird, Tyrannus vociferans
• Western kingbird, Tyrannus verticalis
• Eastern kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus
• Olive-sided flycatcher, Contopus cooperi
• Western wood-pewee, Contopus sordidulus
• Eastern wood-pewee, Contopus virens (R)
• Yellow-bellied flycatcher, Empidonax flaviventris (R)
• Alder flycatcher, Empidonax alnorum
• Willow flycatcher, Empidonax traillii
• Least flycatcher, Empidonax minimus
• Hammond's flycatcher, Empidonax hammondii
• Gray flycatcher, Empidonax wrightii (R)
• Dusky flycatcher, Empidonax oberholseri
• Western flycatcher, Empidonax difficilis
• Eastern phoebe, Sayornis phoebe
• Say's phoebe, Sayornis saya
• Vermilion flycatcher, Pyrocephalus rubinus (R)

Vireos, shrike-babblers, and erpornis

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Vireonidae

The vireos are a group of small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are typically greenish in color and resemble wood warblers apart from their heavier bills. Nine species have been recorded in Montana.

• White-eyed vireo, Vireo griseus (R)
• Bell's vireo, Vireo bellii (S) (R)
• Yellow-throated vireo, Vireo flavifrons (R)
• Cassin's vireo, Vireo cassinii
• Blue-headed vireo, Vireo solitarius (R)
• Plumbeous vireo, Vireo plumbeus
• Philadelphia vireo, Vireo philadelphicus (R)
• Warbling vireo, Vireo gilvus
• Red-eyed vireo, Vireo olivaceus

Shrikes

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Laniidae

Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A shrike's beak is hooked, like that of a typical bird of prey. Two species have been recorded in Montana.

• Loggerhead shrike, Lanius ludovicianus
• Northern shrike, Lanius borealis

Crows, jays, and magpies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Corvidae

The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers, and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence. Nine species have been recorded in Montana.

• Canada jay, Perisoreus canadensis
• Pinyon jay, Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus
• Steller's jay, Cyanocitta stelleri
• Blue jay, Cyanocitta cristata
• California scrub-jay, Aphelocoma californica (R)
• Clark's nutcracker, Nucifraga columbiana
• Black-billed magpie, Pica hudsonia
• American crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos
• Common raven, Corvus corax

Tits, chickadees, and titmice

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Paridae

The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects. Four species have been recorded in Montana.

• Black-capped chickadee, Poecile atricapilla
• Mountain chickadee, Poecile gambeli
• Chestnut-backed chickadee, Poecile rufescens
• Boreal chickadee, Poecile hudsonica

Larks

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Alaudidae

Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds. One species has been recorded in Montana.

• Horned lark, Eremophila alpestris

Swallows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Hirundinidae

The family Hirundinidae is a group of passerines characterized by their adaptation to aerial feeding. These adaptations include a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings, and short bills with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. Seven species have been recorded in Montana.

• Bank swallow, Riparia riparia
• Tree swallow, Tachycineta bicolor
• Violet-green swallow, Tachycineta thalassina
• Northern rough-winged swallow, Stelgidopteryx serripennis
• Purple martin, Progne subis
• Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
• Cliff swallow, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

Kinglets

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Regulidae

The kinglets are a small family of birds which resemble the titmice. They are very small insectivorous birds. The adults have colored crowns, giving rise to their names. Two species have been recorded in Montana.

• Ruby-crowned kinglet, Corthylio calendula
• Golden-crowned kinglet, Regulus satrapa

Waxwings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Bombycillidae

The waxwings are a group of passerine birds with soft silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. In the Bohemian and cedar waxwings, these tips look like sealing wax and give the group its name. These are arboreal birds of northern forests. They live on insects in summer and berries in winter. Two species have been recorded in Montana.

• Bohemian waxwing, Bombycilla garrulus
• Cedar waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum

Silky-flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Ptiliogonatidae

The silky flycatchers are a small family of passerine birds which occur mainly in Central America. They are related to waxwings and most species have small crests. One species has been recorded in Montana.

• Phainopepla, Phainopepla nitens (S) (R)

Nuthatches

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sittidae

Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They have the unusual ability to climb down trees head first, unlike other birds which can only go upwards. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails, and powerful bills and feet. Three species have been recorded in Montana.

• Red-breasted nuthatch, Sitta canadensis
• White-breasted nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis
• Pygmy nuthatch, Sitta pygmaea

Treecreepers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Certhiidae

Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin pointed down-curved bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves on vertical trees. One species has been recorded in Montana.

• Brown creeper, Certhia americana

Gnatcatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Polioptilidae

These dainty birds resemble Old World warblers in their structure and habits, moving restlessly through the foliage seeking insects. The gnatcatchers are mainly soft bluish gray in color and have the typical insectivore's long sharp bill. Many species have distinctive black head patterns (especially males) and long, regularly cocked, black-and-white tails. One species has been recorded in Montana.

• Blue-gray gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea (R)

Wrens

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Troglodytidae

Wrens are small and inconspicuous birds, except for their loud songs. They have short wings and thin down-turned bills. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous. Nine species have been recorded in Montana.

• Rock wren, Salpinctes obsoletus
• Canyon wren, Catherpes mexicanus
• House wren, Troglodytes aedon
• Pacific wren, Troglodytes pacificus
• Winter wren, Troglodytes hiemalis (R)
• Sedge wren, Cistothorus platensis (R)
• Marsh wren, Cistothorus palustris
• Carolina wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus (R)
• Bewick's wren, Thryomanes bewickii (R)

Mockingbirds and thrashers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Mimidae

The mimids are a family of passerine birds which includes thrashers, mockingbirds, tremblers, and the New World catbirds. These birds are notable for their vocalization, especially their remarkable ability to mimic a wide variety of birds and other sounds heard outdoors. The species tend towards dull grays and browns in their appearance. Five species have been recorded in Montana.

• Gray catbird, Dumetella carolinensis
• Curve-billed thrasher, Toxostoma curvirostre (R)
• Brown thrasher, Toxostoma rufum
• Sage thrasher, Oreoscoptes montanus
• Northern mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos

Starlings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are medium-sized passerines with strong feet. Their flight is strong and direct and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country, and they eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen. One species has been recorded in Montana.

• European starling, Sturnus vulgaris (I)

Dippers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cinclidae

Dippers are small, stout, birds that feed in cold, fast moving streams. One species has been recorded in Montana.

• American dipper, Cinclus mexicanus

Thrushes and allies

 

Mountain bluebird

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Turdidae

The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly but not exclusively in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs. Twelve species have been recorded in Montana.

• Eastern bluebird, Sialia sialis
• Western bluebird, Sialia mexicana
• Mountain bluebird, Sialia currucoides
• Townsend's solitaire, Myadestes townsendi
• Veery, Catharus fuscescens
• Gray-cheeked thrush, Catharus minimus (R)
• Swainson's thrush, Catharus ustulatus
• Hermit thrush, Catharus guttatus
• Wood thrush, Hylocichla mustelina (R)
• Fieldfare, Turdus pilaris (R)
• American robin, Turdus migratorius
• Varied thrush, Ixoreus naevius

Accentors

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Prunellidae

The accentors are small, fairly drab birds with thin sharp bills superficially similar, but unrelated to, sparrows. They are endemic to the Palearctic and only appear in North America as vagrants. One species has been recorded in Montana.

• Siberian accentor, Prunella montanella (R)

Old World sparrows

 

House sparrow

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passeridae

Old World sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small plump brownish or grayish birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects. One species has been recorded in Montana.

• House sparrow, Passer domesticus (I)

Wagtails and pipits

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Motacillidae

Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws, and pipits. They are slender ground-feeding insectivores of open country. Two species have been recorded in Montana.

• American pipit, Anthus rubescens
• Sprague's pipit, Anthus spragueii

Finches, euphonias, and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Fringillidae

Finches are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. Fifteen species have been recorded in Montana.

• Brambling, Fringilla montifringilla (R)
• Evening grosbeak, Coccothraustes vespertinus
• Pine grosbeak, Pinicola enucleator
• Gray-crowned rosy-finch, Leucosticte tephrocotis
• Black rosy-finch, Leucosticte atrata
• House finch, Haemorhous mexicanus
• Purple finch, Haemorhous purpureus
• Cassin's finch, Haemorhous cassinii
• Common redpoll, Acanthis flammea
• Hoary redpoll, Acanthis hornemanni
• Red crossbill, Loxia curvirostra
• White-winged crossbill, Loxia leucoptera
• Pine siskin, Spinus pinus
• Lesser goldfinch, Spinus psaltria
• American goldfinch, Spinus tristis

Longspurs and snow buntings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Calcariidae

The Calcariidae are a group of passerine birds that were traditionally grouped with the New World sparrows, but differ in a number of respects and are usually found in open grassy areas. Five species have been recorded in Montana.

• Lapland longspur, Calcarius lapponicus
• Chestnut-collared longspur, Calcarius ornatus
• Smith's longspur, Calcarius pictus (R)
• Thick-billed longspur, Rhyncophanes mccownii
• Snow bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis

New World sparrows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passerellidae

Until 2017, these species were considered part of the family Emberizidae. Most of the species are known as sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many of these have distinctive head patterns. Twenty-eight species have been recorded in Montana.

• Cassin's sparrow, Peucaea cassinii (S) (R)
• Grasshopper sparrow, Ammodramus savannarum
• Black-throated sparrow, Amphispiza bilineata (R)
• Lark sparrow, Chondestes grammacus
• Lark bunting, Calamospiza melanocorys
• Chipping sparrow, Spizella passerina
• Clay-colored sparrow, Spizella pallida
• Field sparrow, Spizella pusilla
• Brewer's sparrow, Spizella breweri
• Fox sparrow, Passerella iliaca
• American tree sparrow, Spizelloides arborea
• Dark-eyed junco, Junco hyemalis
• White-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys
• Golden-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia atricapilla
• Harris's sparrow, Zonotrichia querula
• White-throated sparrow, Zonotrichia albicollis
• Sagebrush sparrow, Artemisiospiza nevadensis (R)
• Vesper sparrow, Pooecetes gramineus
• LeConte's sparrow, Ammospiza leconteii
• Nelson's sparrow, Ammospiza nelsoni
• Baird's sparrow, Centronyx bairdii
• Savannah sparrow, Passerculus sandwichensis
• Song sparrow, Melospiza melodia
• Lincoln's sparrow, Melospiza lincolnii
• Swamp sparrow, Melospiza georgiana
• Green-tailed towhee, Pipilo chlorurus
• Spotted towhee, Pipilo maculatus
• Eastern towhee, Pipilo erythrophthalmus (R)

Yellow-breasted chat

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Icteriidae

This species was historically placed in the wood-warblers (Parulidae) but nonetheless most authorities were unsure if it belonged there. It was placed in its own family in 2017.

• Yellow-breasted chat, Icteria virens

Troupials and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Icteridae

The icterids are a group of small to medium-sized, often colorful passerine birds restricted to the New World and include the grackles, New World blackbirds, and New World orioles. Most species have black as a predominant plumage color, often enlivened by yellow, orange, or red. Fourteen species have been recorded in Montana.

• Yellow-headed blackbird, Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus
• Bobolink, Dolichonyx oryzivorus
• Eastern meadowlark, Sturnella magna (R)
• Western meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta
• Orchard oriole, Icterus spurius
• Hooded oriole, Icterus cucullatus (R)
• Bullock's oriole, Icterus bullockii
• Baltimore oriole, Icterus galbula
• Red-winged blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus
• Brown-headed cowbird, Molothrus ater
• Rusty blackbird, Euphagus carolinus
• Brewer's blackbird, Euphagus cyanocephalus
• Common grackle, Quiscalus quiscula
• Great-tailed grackle, Quiscalus mexicanus (R)

New World warblers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Parulidae

The wood-warblers are a group of small often colorful passerine birds restricted to the New World. Most are arboreal, but some like the ovenbird and the two waterthrushes, are more terrestrial. Most members of this family are insectivores. Thirty-eight species have been recorded in Montana.

• Ovenbird, Seiurus aurocapilla
• Northern waterthrush, Parkesia noveboracensis
• Golden-winged warbler, Vermivora chrysoptera (R)
• Blue-winged warbler, Vermivora cyanoptera (R)
• Black-and-white warbler, Mniotilta varia
• Prothonotary warbler, Protonotaria citrea (R)
• Tennessee warbler, Leiothlypis peregrina
• Orange-crowned warbler, Leiothlypis celata
• Nashville warbler, Leiothlypis ruficapilla
• Virginia's warbler, Leiothlypis virginiae (R)
• Connecticut warbler, Oporornis agilis (R)
• MacGillivray's warbler, Geothlypis tolmiei
• Mourning warbler, Geothlypis philadelphia
• Kentucky warbler, Geothlypis formosa (R)
• Common yellowthroat, Geothlypis trichas
• Hooded warbler, Setophaga citrina (R)
• American redstart, Setophaga ruticilla
• Cape May warbler, Setophaga tigrina
• Northern parula, Setophaga americana
• Magnolia warbler, Setophaga magnolia
• Bay-breasted warbler, Setophaga castanea (R)
• Blackburnian warbler, Setophaga fusca (R)
• Yellow warbler, Setophaga petechia
• Chestnut-sided warbler, Setophaga pensylvanica
• Blackpoll warbler, Setophaga striata
• Black-throated blue warbler, Setophaga caerulescens
• Palm warbler, Setophaga palmarum
• Pine warbler, Setophaga pinus (R)
• Yellow-rumped warbler, Setophaga coronata
• Yellow-throated warbler, Setophaga dominica (R)
• Prairie warbler, Setophaga discolor (R)
• Black-throated gray warbler, Setophaga nigrescens (R)
• Townsend's warbler, Setophaga townsendi
• Hermit warbler, Setophaga occidentalis (S) (R)
• Black-throated green warbler, Setophaga virens (R)
• Canada warbler, Cardellina canadensis
• Wilson's warbler, Cardellina pusilla
• Painted redstart, Myioborus pictus (R)

Cardinals and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cardinalidae

The cardinals are a family of robust, seed-eating birds with strong bills. They are typically associated with open woodland. The sexes usually have distinct plumages. Twelve species have been recorded in Montana.

• Summer tanager, Piranga rubra (R)
• Scarlet tanager, Piranga olivacea
• Western tanager, Piranga ludoviciana
• Northern cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis (R)
• Pyrrhuloxia, Cardinalis sinuatus (R)
• Rose-breasted grosbeak, Pheucticus ludovicianus
• Black-headed grosbeak, Pheucticus melanocephalus
• Blue grosbeak, Passerina caerulea (R)
• Lazuli bunting, Passerina amoena
• Indigo bunting, Passerina cyanea
• Painted bunting, Passerina ciris (R)
• Dickcissel, Spiza americana

See also

• List of birds
• Lists of birds by region
• List of North American birds
• List of birds of Glacier National Park
• List of amphibians and reptiles of Montana
• List of non-marine molluscs of Montana
• List of crustaceans of Montana
• List of mammals of Montana

Notes

References

1. "Official State List of Montana Birds". Montana Bird Records Committee. July 10, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
2. "Supplemental Species". Montana Bird Records Committee. July 10, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
3. "Check-list of North and Middle American Birds". American Ornithological Society. June 29, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021.

Further reading

• Putnam, Caleb; Kennedy, Gregory (2005). Montana Birds. Auburn, WA: Lone Pine Publishing International. ISBN 1-55105-463-9.
• Tekiela, Stan (2004). Birds of Montana-Field Guide. Cambridge, Minnesota: Adventure Publications. ISBN 1-59193-097-9.
• Wright, Phillip L. (Winter 1996). "Status of Rare Birds in Montana, with Comments on Known Hybrids". Northwestern Naturalist. 77 (3): 57–85. doi:10.2307/3536504. JSTOR 3536504.

External links

• Montana Audubon