Places › States › Montana › Birds

Birds of Montana

The birds most often spotted in Montana, ranked by recent research-grade observations.

59,546
recent observations
50
species listed
50
birds

Naturalists have logged 59,546 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Montana. The most frequently seen is the Common Raven, with 3,167 recorded sightings.

Rarer finds confirmed in Montana include Barrow's Goldeneye - uncommon enough that a sighting is worth logging.

Barrow's Goldeneye

Most-observed birds in Montana

Common Raven
Corvus corax
3,167 observations
Black-billed Magpie
Pica hudsonia
2,664 observations
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
2,566 observations
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
2,394 observations
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
2,124 observations
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
2,122 observations
Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
2,024 observations
Mountain Bluebird
Sialia currucoides
2,007 observations
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
1,895 observations
Killdeer
Charadrius vociferus
1,643 observations
Sandhill Crane
Antigone canadensis
1,538 observations
Common Merganser
Mergus merganser
1,457 observations
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
1,454 observations
Trumpeter Swan
Cygnus buccinator
1,217 observations
Dusky Grouse
Dendragapus obscurus
1,204 observations
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
1,143 observations
Brewer's Blackbird
Euphagus cyanocephalus
1,132 observations
Cedar Waxwing
Bombycilla cedrorum
1,087 observations
Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo
1,059 observations
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
1,049 observations
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
1,040 observations
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
1,033 observations
American White Pelican
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
1,027 observations
Chipping Sparrow
Spizella passerina
1,026 observations
Western Tanager
Piranga ludoviciana
1,019 observations
American Dipper
Cinclus mexicanus
1,003 observations
Clark's Nutcracker
Nucifraga columbiana
1,002 observations
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
995 observations
Barrow's Goldeneye
Bucephala islandica
948 observations
Eastern Kingbird
Tyrannus tyrannus
907 observations
Tree Swallow
Tachycineta bicolor
904 observations
White-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia leucophrys
889 observations
Brown-headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater
889 observations
Black-capped Chickadee
Poecile atricapillus
867 observations
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus
844 observations
Western Meadowlark
Sturnella neglecta
841 observations
Canada Jay
Perisoreus canadensis
784 observations
Pine Siskin
Spinus pinus
784 observations
Spotted Sandpiper
Actitis macularius
740 observations
Mountain Chickadee
Poecile gambeli
721 observations
Violet-green Swallow
Tachycineta thalassina
697 observations
American Coot
Fulica americana
691 observations
Steller's Jay
Cyanocitta stelleri
687 observations
Vesper Sparrow
Pooecetes gramineus
658 observations
Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensis
644 observations
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta canadensis
606 observations
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
598 observations
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
586 observations
Ruffed Grouse
Bonasa umbellus
585 observations
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
585 observations

Built from recent research-grade iNaturalist observations. Identifications are community-sourced and may occasionally be wrong, and the ranking reflects where people record and photograph wildlife, so a species seen often here is not necessarily rare elsewhere. Some plants and animals are only out in certain seasons. Treat this as a lively snapshot of what people are finding, not a formal checklist.

Birds in nearby places

Out spotting birds in Montana?

Take Huck with you. Identify any bird you find in seconds and build your collection.

Get Huck

Love birds? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.