Birds of Montana

Montana has over 440 birds acknowledged and accepted by the Montana Bird Records Committee (MRBC). Around 100 are rare, 8 are introduced, and 10 are in the supplemental list since there is uncertainty regarding their existence because of insufficient records. Some rare birds of Montana include the Baikal teal, Mexican duck, and tufted duck.

The ferruginous hawk and other hawk species dwelling here are among the largest birds of Montana. On the other hand, the calliope hummingbird, measuring around three inches, is the state’s smallest bird. Other notable small birds include various sparrows and finches,

The western meadowlark, a widespread songbird, has been officially designated as Montana’s state bird since 1931.

Birds of Montana

  • California Scrub-Jay
  • Western Meadowlark
  • Calliope Hummingbird
  • Golden-crowned Sparrow
  • Bewick’s Wren
  • Northern Cardinal
  • Lesser Goldfinch
  • Purple Finch
  • Dickcissel
  • Painted Bunting
  • Blue Grosbeak
  • Ferruginous Hawk
  • Cassin’s Sparrow
  • Blackburnian Warbler
  • Black Rosy-Finch
  • House Finch
  • Kentucky Warbler
  • Hooded Warbler
  • Connecticut Warbler
  • Black-throated Gray Warbler
  • Snow Bunting
  • Black-throated Blue Warbler
  • Dusky Grouse
  • Golden-winged Warbler
  • Black-billed Magpie
  • Black-throated Sparrow
  • Pine Warbler
  • Canada Warbler
  • Prairie Warbler
  • Great-tailed Grackle
  • Hooded Oriole
  • Rough-legged Hawk
  • Blue-winged Warbler
  • Prothonotary Warbler
  • White-eyed Vireo
  • Yellow-throated Warbler
  • Mourning Warbler
  • Painted Redstart
  • Eastern Towhee
  • Summer Tanager
  • Sprague’s Pipit
  • Vermilion Flycatcher
  • Northern Shrike
  • Yellow-throated Vireo
  • Red-winged Blackbird
  • Smith’s Longspur
  • White-breasted Nuthatch
  • Wood Thrush
  • Eastern Phoebe
  • Gyrfalcon
  • Northern Harrier
  • Cooper’s Hawk
  • Mountain Plover
  • American Robin
  • Red-tailed Hawk
  • Boreal Chickadee
  • Swainson’s Hawk
  • Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Birds of Prey: Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Northern Harrier, Broad-Winged Hawk, Swainson’s Hawk

Backyard Birds:

All-year-round: Red-winged Blackbird, Black-billed Magpie, Mountain Bluebird, House Finch, House Sparrow

Migratory Birds:

In Summer: Baird’s Sparrow, Mountain Plover, Black Rosy-Finch, Dusky Grouse, Sprague’s Pipit

In Winter: Snow Bunting, Rough-legged Hawk, Gyrfalcon, Northern Shrike, Snowy Owl

Common Birds Identification by Color

Black Birds

  • Brewer’s Blackbird
  • Red-winged Blackbird
  • Yellow-headed Blackbird
  • Common Grackle
  • Brown-headed Cowbird

White Birds

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