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List of birds of Montana facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Western Meadowlark
The western meadowlark is the state bird of Montana.

This is a list of all the different kinds of birds that have been seen and officially recorded in the state of Montana, USA. The Montana Bird Records Committee (MBRC) keeps track of these birds. As of July 2021, there are 442 types of birds on the official list. Some of these birds are on a special "review list" (104 species) because they are seen very rarely. Also, eight species were brought to North America by humans. There are 10 more species on a "supplemental list" because their presence is not fully confirmed.

This list follows the order used by the American Ornithological Society (AOS) in their bird checklist. The names of the bird families come from the Clements taxonomy.

Here are some special notes you'll see next to some bird names:

  • (R) Review list: These birds have been seen 20 times or less. If someone sees one, they need to report it to the MBRC.
  • (S) Supplemental list: These birds might not be from Montana, or they have only been seen once or twice without clear proof.
  • (I) Introduced: These birds were brought to North America by people and now live here on their own.

Ducks, Geese, and Swans

Branta-canadensis-004
Canada goose

Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae

This group includes ducks, geese, and swans. These birds are great at living in water. They have webbed feet, flat bills, and feathers that shed water easily. Montana has recorded 42 different species in this family.

New World Quail

Order: Galliformes Family: Odontophoridae

New World quails are small, round birds that live on the ground. They look like quails from other parts of the world but are not closely related. Only one species has been seen in Montana.

Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies

Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae

This family includes pheasants and grouse. They are ground-dwelling birds that vary in size. Many are hunted for sport or raised for food. Twelve species have been recorded in Montana.

Grebes

Western Grebe swimming
Western grebe

Order: Podicipediformes Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-sized birds that dive in freshwater. They have special lobed toes that make them excellent swimmers and divers. However, their feet are set far back on their bodies, so they are clumsy on land. Six species have been seen in Montana.

Pigeons and Doves

Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are plump birds with short necks and thin bills. Seven species have been recorded in Montana.

Cuckoos

Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae

This family includes cuckoos and roadrunners. These birds have slim bodies, long tails, and strong legs. Two species have been seen in Montana.

Nightjars and Allies

Chordeiles minor -British Columbia -Canada-8c
Common nighthawk

Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized birds that are active at night. They usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very small bills. Their soft feathers are colored to help them blend in with tree bark or leaves. Three species have been recorded in Montana.

Swifts

Order: Apodiformes Family: Apodidae

Swifts are small birds that spend most of their lives flying. They have very short legs and almost never land on the ground. Instead, they perch on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long, swept-back wings. Four species have been recorded in Montana.

Hummingbirds

Order: Apodiformes Family: Trochilidae

Hummingbirds are tiny birds famous for hovering in the air by flapping their wings very fast. They are the only birds that can fly backward! Eight species have been recorded in Montana.

Rails, Gallinules, and Coots

Fulica americana3
American coot

Order: Gruiformes Family: Rallidae

This large family includes rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. Most of these birds live in thick plants near lakes, swamps, or rivers. They are usually shy and hard to spot. They have strong legs and long toes, which help them walk on soft ground. They tend to have short, rounded wings and are not very strong fliers. Five species have been recorded in Montana.

Cranes

Order: Gruiformes Family: Gruidae

Cranes are large birds with long legs and long necks. When they fly, their necks are stretched out, which is different from herons. Many cranes have special, noisy dances they do when looking for a mate. Three species have been recorded in Montana.

Stilts and Avocets

Recurvirostra americana -Palo Alto Baylands-8
American avocet

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Recurvirostridae

This family includes avocets and stilts. Avocets have long legs and bills that curve upward. Stilts have very long legs and thin, straight bills. Two species have been recorded in Montana.

Plovers and Lapwings

Killdeer
Killdeer

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Charadriidae

This family includes plovers and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short thick necks, and long, pointed wings. They live in open areas, often near water. Eight species have been recorded in Montana.

Sandpipers and Allies

Phalaropus tricolor - breeding female
Wilson's phalarope

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Scolopacidae

This is a large and varied family of shorebirds, including sandpipers, curlews, and snipes. Most of these birds eat small bugs they find in mud or soil. Different bill and leg lengths allow many species to feed in the same places without competing for food. Thirty-five species have been recorded in Montana.

Skuas and Jaegers

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Stercorariidae

Skuas and jaegers are medium to large birds, usually gray or brown. They look like big, dark gulls but have a special fleshy part above their upper bill. They are strong, agile fliers. Three species have been recorded in Montana.

Auks, Murres, and Puffins

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Alcidae

This family includes auks, murres, and puffins. These birds have short wings and live on the open sea. They only come to land to breed. Two species have been recorded in Montana.

Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

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Ring-billed gull

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Laridae

This family includes gulls, terns, and skimmers. They are medium to large seabirds, usually gray or white with black markings. They have strong, longish bills and webbed feet. Twenty-five species have been recorded in Montana.

Loons

Order: Gaviiformes Family: Gaviidae

Loons are aquatic birds, about the size of a large duck. They are mostly gray or black and have spear-shaped bills. Loons swim very well and fly adequately. However, they are almost helpless on land because their legs are placed far back on their bodies. Four species have been recorded in Montana.

Shearwaters and Petrels

Order: Procellariiformes Family: Procellariidae

These are medium-sized "true petrels." They have nostrils that are joined together and a long outer wing feather that works well for flying. One species has been recorded in Montana.

Storks

Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, heavy, wading birds with long legs and necks. They have long, strong bills and wide wings. Unlike other wading birds, storks do not have special "powder down" feathers to clean off fish slime. Storks also cannot make sounds because they lack a voice box. One species has been recorded in Montana.

Cormorants and Shags

Order: Suliformes Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Cormorants are medium to large water birds, usually with dark feathers and colored skin on their faces. Their bills are long, thin, and sharply hooked. They have four webbed toes. Two species have been recorded in Montana.

Pelicans

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American white pelican

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Pelecanidae

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

Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns

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Great blue heron

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Ardeidae

This family includes herons, egrets, and bitterns. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns are usually shorter-necked and more secretive. These birds fly with their necks pulled back, which is different from storks or ibises. Eleven species have been recorded in Montana.

Ibises and Spoonbills

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Threskiornithidae

This family includes ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings, long bodies, and long legs. Their bills are also long; ibises have down-curved bills, while spoonbills have straight, flat bills. Two species have been recorded in Montana.

New World Vultures

Order: Cathartiformes Family: Cathartidae

New World vultures look like Old World vultures but are not closely related. They both eat dead animals. Unlike Old World vultures, which find food by sight, New World vultures have a good sense of smell to find carcasses. Two species have been recorded in Montana.

Osprey

Order: Accipitriformes Family: Pandionidae

The Osprey family has only one type of bird. Ospreys are fish-eating birds of prey. They have a very large, strong, hooked beak for tearing meat, strong legs, powerful claws, and excellent eyesight.

Hawks, Eagles, and Kites

Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis Full Body 1880px
Red-tailed hawk

Order: Accipitriformes Family: Accipitridae

This family includes hawks, eagles, kites, and harriers. These birds of prey have very large, strong, hooked beaks for tearing meat. They also have strong legs, powerful claws, and sharp eyesight. Fifteen species have been recorded in Montana.

Barn-Owls

Order: Strigiformes Family: Tytonidae

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

Owls

Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae

Typical owls are small to large birds of prey that hunt at night and usually live alone. They have large eyes that face forward and ears that help them hear well. They have a hawk-like beak and a clear circle of feathers around each eye. Fourteen species have been recorded in Montana.

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.

Woodpeckers

Order: Piciformes Family: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks. They have short legs, stiff tails, and long tongues for catching insects. Many woodpeckers tap loudly on tree trunks with their beaks. Fourteen species have been recorded in Montana.

Falcons and Caracaras

USGS Prairie Falcon
Prairie falcon

Order: Falconiformes Family: Falconidae

This family includes falcons and caracaras. They are birds of prey that hunt during the day. They are different from hawks and eagles because they kill their prey with their beaks, not their claws. Six species have been recorded in Montana.

Tyrant Flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Tyrannidae

Tyrant flycatchers are songbirds found across North and South America. They look a bit like Old World flycatchers but are stronger and have sturdier bills. Most are plain-looking and eat insects. Twenty species have been recorded in Montana.

Vireos and Allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Vireonidae

Vireos are small to medium-sized songbirds. They are usually greenish and look like wood warblers, but they have heavier bills. Nine species have been recorded in Montana.

Shrikes

Order: Passeriformes Family: Laniidae

Shrikes are songbirds known for catching other birds and small animals. They sometimes stick the uneaten parts of their prey on thorns. A shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey. Two species have been recorded in Montana.

Crows, Jays, and Magpies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Corvidae

This family includes crows, ravens, jays, and magpies. Corvids are larger than average songbirds, and some of the bigger species are very smart. Nine species have been recorded in Montana.

Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice

Order: Passeriformes Family: Paridae

The Paridae are mostly small, sturdy woodland birds with short, strong bills. Some have crests on their heads. They are adaptable birds that eat both seeds and insects. Four species have been recorded in Montana.

Larks

Order: Passeriformes Family: Alaudidae

Larks are small ground birds often known for their amazing songs and display flights. Most larks look quite plain. They eat insects and seeds. One species has been recorded in Montana.

Swallows

Order: Passeriformes Family: Hirundinidae

This family of songbirds is known for how well they fly and catch food in the air. They have slender, streamlined bodies, long, pointed wings, and short bills with wide mouths. Their feet are better for perching than walking. Seven species have been recorded in Montana.

Kinglets

Order: Passeriformes Family: Regulidae

Kinglets are a small family of birds that look like titmice. They are very small birds that eat insects. The adult birds have colorful crowns on their heads, which is how they got their name. Two species have been recorded in Montana.

Waxwings

Order: Passeriformes Family: Bombycillidae

Waxwings are songbirds with soft, silky feathers and unique red tips on some of their wing feathers. These tips look like sealing wax. They live in northern forests and eat insects in summer and berries in winter. Two species have been recorded in Montana.

Silky-Flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Ptiliogonatidae

Silky-flycatchers are a small family of songbirds mostly found in Central America. They are related to waxwings, and most have small crests. One species has been recorded in Montana.

Nuthatches

Order: Passeriformes Family: Sittidae

Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They have a special ability to climb down trees headfirst, which most other birds cannot do. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails, and strong bills and feet. Three species have been recorded in Montana.

Treecreepers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Certhiidae

Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown on top and white underneath. They have thin, pointed, down-curved bills that they use to pull insects out of tree bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which help them support themselves on vertical trees. One species has been recorded in Montana.

Gnatcatchers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Polioptilidae

These delicate birds look and act like Old World warblers. They move quickly through leaves looking for insects. Gnatcatchers are mostly soft bluish-gray and have the typical long, sharp bill of an insect-eater. Many have distinct black head patterns and long, black-and-white tails that they often hold upright. One species has been recorded in Montana.

Wrens

Order: Passeriformes Family: Troglodytidae

Wrens are small and often hard to see, but they have very loud songs. They have short wings and thin, down-curved bills. Several species often hold their tails straight up. All wrens eat insects. Nine species have been recorded in Montana.

Mockingbirds and Thrashers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Mimidae

This family includes thrashers, mockingbirds, and catbirds. These birds are famous for their singing and their amazing ability to copy the sounds of other birds and outdoor noises. They usually have dull gray and brown feathers. Five species have been recorded in Montana.

Starlings

Order: Passeriformes Family: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized songbirds with strong feet. They fly strongly and directly and often gather in large groups. They prefer open areas and eat insects and fruit. Their feathers are usually dark with a metallic shine. One species has been recorded in Montana.

Dippers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Cinclidae

Dippers are small, sturdy birds that find food in cold, fast-moving streams. One species has been recorded in Montana.

Thrushes and Allies

Mountain Bluebird
Mountain bluebird

Order: Passeriformes Family: Turdidae

Thrushes are a group of songbirds that are plump and have soft feathers. They are small to medium-sized birds that eat insects or sometimes everything. They often feed on the ground. Many have beautiful songs. Twelve species have been recorded in Montana.

Accentors

Order: Passeriformes Family: Prunellidae

Accentors are small, rather plain birds with thin, sharp bills. They look a bit like sparrows but are not related. They are native to Europe and Asia and only rarely appear in North America. One species has been recorded in Montana.

Old World Sparrows

Passer domesticus2
House sparrow

Order: Passeriformes Family: Passeridae

Old World sparrows are small songbirds. They are usually plump, brownish or grayish birds with short tails and strong beaks. Sparrows eat seeds, but they also eat small insects. One species has been recorded in Montana.

Wagtails and Pipits

Order: Passeriformes Family: Motacillidae

This family includes wagtails and pipits. They are small songbirds with medium to long tails. They are slender birds that eat insects on the ground in open areas. Two species have been recorded in Montana.

Finches, Euphonias, and Allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Fringillidae

Finches are songbirds that eat seeds. They are small to moderately large and have strong, often cone-shaped beaks. They have a bouncy flight, flapping their wings and then gliding. Most finches sing well. Fifteen species have been recorded in Montana.

Longspurs and Snow Buntings

Order: Passeriformes Family: Calcariidae

This group of songbirds used to be with the New World sparrows. They are different in several ways and are usually found in open, grassy areas. Five species have been recorded in Montana.

New World Sparrows

Order: Passeriformes Family: Passerellidae

These birds were once part of another family, but in 2017, they got their own. Most are called sparrows, but they are not closely related to the Old World sparrows. Many have unique patterns on their heads. Twenty-eight species have been recorded in Montana.

Yellow-breasted Chat

Order: Passeriformes Family: Icteriidae

This bird used to be grouped with the wood-warblers, but experts were not sure it truly belonged there. In 2017, it was given its own family.

Troupials and Allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Icteridae

The icterids are a group of small to medium-sized, often colorful songbirds found only in the New World. This family includes grackles, New World blackbirds, and New World orioles. Most species are mainly black, often with bright yellow, orange, or red colors. Fourteen species have been recorded in Montana.

New World Warblers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Parulidae

Wood-warblers are a group of small, often colorful songbirds found only in the New World. Most live in trees, but some, like the ovenbird, live more on the ground. Most birds in this family eat insects. Thirty-eight species have been recorded in Montana.

Cardinals and Allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Cardinalidae

Cardinals are a family of strong, seed-eating birds with powerful bills. They usually live in open woodlands. Males and females often have different colored feathers. Twelve species have been recorded in Montana.

See Also

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List of birds of Montana Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.