Top 15 Types Of Birds In Montana (With Pictures)

Discover Montana's top 15 birds, from the majestic Rough-legged Hawk to the melodious American Tree Sparrow, and see stunning images that capture their beauty.

montana s diverse bird species

Montana's avian landscape showcases a rich diversity, featuring species like the Red-breasted Nuthatch, known for its agility and distinct vocalizations in the state's coniferous forests. Visitors during winter might observe the Rough-legged Hawk, remarkable for its expansive wingspan and adaptation to cold. The American Tree Sparrow offers a melodious song and unique plumage, thriving on a winter diet of seeds and berries. The Mourning Dove, with its soft coos and monogamous nature, and the Cedar Waxwing, recognized by its sleek appearance and fruit-based diet, are also significant. Each bird plays an important role in Montana's ecosystem, hinting at the complexity of this fascinating avian world.

Red-breasted Nuthatch

unique bird with red

Characterized by their agile movements and distinctive vocalizations, the Red-breasted Nuthatch thrives in the coniferous forests of Montana. As a species listed as Least Concern, these birds exhibit robust health in their natural habitat.

Remarkably, males feature black crowns, whereas females display gray, simplifying identification. These active birds are integral to Montana's diverse avian community, contributing greatly to the ecological balance.

Rough-legged Hawk

majestic bird of prey

The Rough-legged Hawk is a notable winter visitor in Montana's avian landscape. With its expansive wingspan of up to 54.3 inches, originating from Alaska, these large hawks migrate to escape the harsh northern winters.

Weighing up to 50 ounces, they are distinguished by their rough legs, adapted for cold environments. Their presence from October to March enhances Montana's diverse bird population during the winter months.

American Tree Sparrow

small north american bird

While the Rough-legged Hawk departs with the close of winter, the American Tree Sparrow arrives, enriching Montana's avian diversity with its small stature and melodious song.

These small birds, recognizable by their distinctive plumage, are monogamous and known for their cheerful song.

Weighing just half an ounce, they thrive on a diet of seeds, insects, and berries during their winter stay in Montana.

Mourning Dove

peaceful bird song mourns

Often heard before they are seen, mourning doves are a familiar presence in Montana, known for their soft, sorrowful cooing. These medium to large-sized birds exhibit monogamous behavior and have a distinct gray-brown plumage.

Their vocalization, reminiscent of owls, makes them easily recognized. Frequently spotted in parks and backyards, mourning doves are a beloved and integral part of Montana's avian community.

Cedar Waxwing

beautiful bird with crest

Cedar Waxwings, weighing about 1.1 ounces with a wingspan ranging from 8.7 to 11.8 inches, are easily recognized by their distinctive coloring and dietary preferences.

These birds, sporting yellow bellies and dark gray wings, primarily thrive on a fruit diet.

As year-round residents of Montana, they are commonly seen feasting on small fruits and berries, though they do not frequent seed feeders.

House Wren

small brown songbird

Moving from the fruit-loving Cedar Waxwing, we now explore the House Wren, a small yet vibrant songbird found across the Americas. This species has a wide distribution range and is recognized for its cheerful song.

As one of the most vocal birds, House Wrens delight observers with their melodious tunes, making them a frequent and joyful sight in various habitats.

Northern Flicker

woodpecker with red feathers

The Northern Flicker, a distinctive member of the woodpecker family, exhibits unique foraging behaviors and vibrant plumage that captivate birdwatchers in Montana.

Unlike typical woodpeckers, they forage on the ground, primarily hunting ants and insects. Their vocalizations include a loud 'flicka, flicka, flicka' and a laughing 'kick, kick, kik, kik, kik'.

The species showcases striking color variations, enhancing their visual appeal.

Rock Pigeon

city dwelling bird species

Rock Pigeons, prevalent in Montana's urban landscapes, belong to the Columbidae family and demonstrate remarkable adaptability to city life. Common in urban areas, they are easily recognized by their cooing sounds and distinctive black and white markings.

These birds typically gather in flocks, thriving amidst the hustle and bustle, and have adapted well to the environment, showcasing their versatility and resilience.

Red-winged Blackbird

vibrant black bird species

Red-winged blackbirds, notable for their vibrant shoulder patches, are a common sight in Montana's wetlands and grasslands.

Males exhibit striking red and yellow shoulder spots, contrasting with the more subdued hues of the females.

Found year-round in western Montana, these birds frequent feeders for seeds and suet, their black feathers and distinctive coloration making them easily recognizable among local avian populations.

Snowy Owl

majestic arctic bird species

While red-winged blackbirds enliven Montana's warmer landscapes, the Snowy Owl offers a striking contrast during the colder months. Found throughout Montana, these majestic birds range from 20 to 28 inches in length. Females are particularly larger.

Their excellent camouflage and agile hunting skills make the Snowy Owl a skilled predator, seamlessly blending into snowy environments to hunt, enhancing Montana's winter beauty.

Snow Bunting

arctic bird in winter

Snow Buntings, medium-sized passerine birds, grace Montana's winter landscapes with their striking adaptations for camouflage and survival. Their unique coloration blends seamlessly with snowy terrains, enhancing their hunting prowess.

Female Snow Buntings exhibit black wingtips and a rufous back, contributing to their stunning appearance. These birds captivate onlookers, embodying the beauty of Montana's winter avian life.

Western Meadowlark

songbird with yellow breast

Shifting focus to another feathered inhabitant of Montana, the Western Meadowlark stands out as the state bird, celebrated for its vibrant song and striking appearance. These birds feature yellow underparts and a distinctive black V-shaped pattern on their chest.

Their melodious song resonates across Montana's landscapes, enhancing the state's rich avian diversity. These tuneful creatures are both a symbol and a sensory delight.

Northern Shrike

predatory bird of prey

The Northern Shrike, a predatory bird common in Montana, exhibits a distinctive plumage of grey, black, and white that enhances its camouflage abilities.

With sharp hooked bills, these birds are skilled hunters, adept at capturing a varied diet including insects, small mammals, and other birds.

Their hunting prowess is evident as they often impale their prey on thorns or barbed wire for storage.

Black-billed Magpie

bird with black beak

Black-billed Magpies, measuring 19 inches in length and weighing around 6 ounces, are a notable presence in Montana's avian community.

These intelligent birds exhibit a varied diet, consuming carrion, small animals, and seeds.

Their distinctive vocalization, 'reh reh reh reh reh!', complements their habit of perching on large herbivores, where they often feed on ticks.

What Birds Can Be Found in Both Montana and Louisiana?

In both Montana and Louisiana, a diverse range of types of birds can be found, including waterfowl, raptors, songbirds, and more. With the vast wetlands and swamps in Louisiana, there are numerous species to discover. You can easily identify the types of birds in Louisiana with pictures to help you with birdwatching.

Yellow-rumped Warbler

colorful bird with stripes

Yellow-rumped Warblers, distinguished by their vivid yellow markings, exhibit a versatile feeding strategy that includes insects, seeds, and fruits. Known as proficient foragers, their diverse diet enhances survival across various habitats.

Frequent visitors to bird feeders, they are partial to sunflower seeds. The distinctive yellow patches on their rump and sides make them easily recognizable, enhancing their appeal to bird watchers.