List of birds of Yellowstone National Park facts for kids

Yellowstone National Park, mostly located in Wyoming but also stretching into Idaho and Montana, is home to many amazing birds! This list tells you about the 284 different kinds of birds that have been seen here. It's based on a list from the National Park Service (NPS) from June 2021.

Birds are listed by their scientific groups, following the Check-list of North and Middle American Birds. The names of the bird families come from the Clements taxonomy.

Most birds on this list live in Yellowstone regularly. Some stay all year, some visit in summer or winter, and others just pass through. The letters next to each bird's name tell you how common they are:

• B = Breeding: This means they have definitely had babies (eggs or young) in Yellowstone. (155 species)
• b = Unconfirmed breeding: We think they might be breeding, but it's not fully proven yet. (4 species)
• U = Uncommon: You can find a few of these birds, but you might have to look carefully. (64 species)
• R = Rare: These birds are seen only in very small numbers each year, or in special places. They are hard to find! (76 species)
• O = Occasional: These birds show up some years, but not every year. (4 species)
• V = Vagrant: These are "accidental" visitors, meaning they are rarely seen and usually off their normal path. (66 species)
• I = Introduced: These birds were brought to North America by people. (7 species)

Ducks, Geese, and Swans

Order: Anseriformes   Family: Anatidae

This family includes ducks, geese, and swans. These birds love water! They have webbed feet for swimming and special feathers that shed water easily. Thirty-four different kinds of these birds have been seen in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Snow goose	Anser caerulescens	R
Ross's goose	Anser rossii	R
Greater white-fronted goose	Anser albifrons	V
Cackling goose	Branta hutchinsii	V
Canada goose	Branta canadensis	B
Trumpeter swan	Cygnus buccinator	B
Tundra swan	Cygnus columbianus	U
Whooper swan	Cygnus cygnus	V
Wood duck	Aix sponsa	R
Blue-winged teal	Spatula discors	B U
Cinnamon teal	Spatula cyanoptera	B
Northern shoveler	Spatula clypeata	B
Gadwall	Mareca strepera	B
Eurasian wigeon	Mareca penelope	V
American wigeon	Mareca americana	B
Mallard	Anas platyrhynchos	B
Northern pintail	Anas acuta	B
Green-winged teal	Anas crecca	B
Canvasback	Aythya valisineria	B U
Redhead	Aythya americana	B U
Ring-necked duck	Aythya collaris	B
Greater scaup	Aythya marila	R
Lesser scaup	Aythya affinis	B
Harlequin duck	Histrionicus histrionicus	B U
Surf scoter	Melanitta perspicillata	V
White-winged scoter	Melanitta deglandi	V
Long-tailed duck	Clangula hyemalis	V
Bufflehead	Bucephala albeola	B
Common goldeneye	Bucephala clangula
Barrow's goldeneye	Bucephala islandica	B
Hooded merganser	Lophodytes cucullatus	B R
Common merganser	Mergus merganser	B
Red-breasted merganser	Mergus serrator	U
Ruddy duck	Oxyura jamaicensis	B

Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies

Order: Galliformes   Family: Phasianidae

This family includes pheasants and their relatives. These birds live on land. They are usually plump with broad, short wings. Many are hunted for sport or raised for food. Eight species have been seen in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Wild turkey	Meleagris gallopavo	V
Ruffed grouse	Bonasa umbellus	B
Dusky grouse	Dendragapus obscurus	B
Gray partridge	Perdix perdix	I V
Chukar	Alectoris chukar	V

Grebes

Order: Podicipediformes   Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are diving birds that live in freshwater. They have lobed toes, making them excellent swimmers. However, their feet are set far back on their bodies, so they are clumsy on land. Six species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Pied-billed grebe	Podilymbus podiceps	B
Horned grebe	Podiceps auritus	B R
Red-necked grebe	Podiceps grisegena	B R
Eared grebe	Podiceps nigricollis	B U
Western grebe	Aechmophorus occidentalis	b R
Clark's grebe	Aechmophorus clarkii	R

Pigeons and Doves

Order: Columbiformes   Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are birds with sturdy bodies, short necks, and thin bills. Four species have been seen in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Rock pigeon	Columba livia	I B U
Band-tailed pigeon	Patagioenas fasciata	V
Eurasian collared-dove	Streptopelia decaocto	I R
Mourning dove	Zenaida macroura	B R

Cuckoos

Order: Cuculiformes   Family: Cuculidae

This family includes cuckoos and roadrunners. These birds have slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs. Only one species has been recorded in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Black-billed cuckoo	Coccyzus erythropthalmus	V

Nightjars and Allies

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized birds that are active at night. They usually nest on the ground. They have long wings and very short bills. Their soft feathers help them blend in with tree bark or leaves. Two species have been seen in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Common nighthawk	Chordeiles minor	B

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. Many swifts have long, swept-back wings. One species has been recorded in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
White-throated swift	Aeronautes saxatalis	B U

Hummingbirds

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Trochilidae

Hummingbirds are tiny birds famous for hovering in the air by flapping their wings super fast. They are the only birds that can fly backward! Four species have been seen in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Calliope hummingbird	Selasphorus calliope	B R
Rufous hummingbird	Selasphorus rufus	B R
Broad-tailed hummingbird	Selasphorus platycercus	B R

Rails, Gallinules, and Coots

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Rallidae

This family includes rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. These birds often live in thick plants near lakes or swamps. They are usually shy and hard to spot. Most have strong legs and long toes, good for walking on soft ground. Five species have been seen in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Virginia rail	Rallus limicola	B R
Sora	Porzana carolina	B
American coot	Fulica americana	B
Yellow rail	Coturnicops noveboracensis	V

Cranes

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Gruidae

Cranes are large birds with long legs and necks. Unlike herons, cranes fly with their necks stretched out. Many cranes have loud calls and perform fancy "dances" when looking for a mate. Two species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Sandhill crane	Antigone canadensis	B
Whooping crane	Grus americana	V

Stilts and Avocets

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Recurvirostridae

This family includes avocets and stilts. They are large wading birds. Avocets have long legs and bills that curve upwards. Stilts have extremely long legs and thin, straight bills. Two species have been seen in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Black-necked stilt	Himantopus mexicanus	R
American avocet	Recurvirostra americana	R

Plovers and Lapwings

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Charadriidae

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

Common name	Binomial	Status
Black-bellied plover	Pluvialis squatarola	R
Killdeer	Charadrius vociferus	B
Semipalmated plover	Charadrius semipalmatus	R

Sandpipers and Allies

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Scolopacidae

This is a large 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 areas without fighting for food. Twenty-three species have been seen in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Upland sandpiper	Bartramia longicauda	R
Long-billed curlew	Numenius americanus	B R
Marbled godwit	Limosa fedoa	R
Ruddy turnstone	Arenaria interpres	R
Sanderling	Calidris alba	R
Baird's sandpiper	Calidris bairdii	U
Least sandpiper	Calidris minutilla	R
White-rumped sandpiper	Calidris fuscicollis	R
Pectoral sandpiper	Calidris melanotos	R
Semipalmated sandpiper	Calidris pusilla	R
Western sandpiper	Calidris mauri	R
Short-billed dowitcher	Limnodromus griseus	R
Long-billed dowitcher	Limnodromus scolopaceus	U
Wilson's snipe	Gallinago delicata	B
Spotted sandpiper	Actitis macularia	B
Solitary sandpiper	Tringa solitaria	R
Lesser yellowlegs	Tringa flavipes	R
Willet	Tringa semipalmata	U
Greater yellowlegs	Tringa melanoleuca	U
Wilson's phalarope	Phalaropus tricolor	B U
Red-necked phalarope	Phalaropus lobatus	R

Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Laridae

This family includes gulls and terns. They are medium to large seabirds, often gray or white with black marks. They have strong bills and webbed feet. Twelve species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Sabine's gull	Xema sabini	V
Bonaparte's gull	Larus philadelphia	R
Franklin's gull	Larus pipixcan	R
Short-billed gull	Larus brachyrhynchus	V
Ring-billed gull	Larus delawarensis
California gull	Larus californicus	B
Herring gull	Larus argentatus	R
Caspian tern	Hydroprogne caspia	B R
Black tern	Chlidonias niger	V
Common tern	Sterna hirundo	R
Arctic tern	Sterna paradisaea	V
Forster's tern	Sterna forsteri	B R

Loons

Order: Gaviiformes   Family: Gaviidae

Loons are water birds, about the size of a large duck. They are mostly gray or black with pointed bills. Loons swim and fly well, but they are very awkward on land because their legs are at the back of their bodies. Two species have been seen in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Pacific loon	Gavia pacifica	V
Common loon	Gavia immer	B U

Cormorants and Shags

Order: Suliformes   Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Cormorants are medium to large water birds, usually dark-colored. They have long, thin, hooked bills and webbed feet. One species has been recorded in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Double-crested cormorant	Nannopterum auritum	B U

Pelicans

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are very large water birds with a special pouch under their beak for catching fish. Like other birds in their group, they have four webbed toes. One species has been seen in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
American white pelican	Pelecanus erythrorhynchos	B

Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns

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. Eight species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
American bittern	Botaurus lentiginosus	V
Great blue heron	Ardea herodias	B
Great egret	Ardea alba	V
Snowy egret	Egretta thula	V
Tricolored heron	Egretta tricolor	V
Cattle egret	Bubulcus ibis	V
Green heron	Butorides virescens	V
Black-crowned night-heron	Nycticorax nycticorax	R

Ibises and Spoonbills

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Threskiornithidae

This family includes ibises and spoonbills. They have long, wide wings and long necks and legs. Ibises have bills that curve downwards, while spoonbills have flat, spoon-shaped bills. One species has been seen in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
White-faced ibis	Plegadis chihi	R

New World Vultures

Order: Cathartiformes   Family: Cathartidae

New World vultures are scavengers, meaning they eat dead animals. They find food using their excellent sense of smell. One species has been recorded in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Turkey vulture	Cathartes aura	U

Osprey

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Pandionidae

The Osprey is a fish-eating bird of prey. It has a large, strong, hooked beak, powerful talons, and sharp eyesight. It's the only bird in its family.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Osprey	Pandion haliaetus	B

Hawks, Eagles, and Kites

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Accipitridae

This family includes hawks, eagles, and kites. These are birds of prey with very large, strong, hooked beaks for tearing meat. They also have powerful legs, sharp talons, and amazing eyesight. Twelve species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Golden eagle	Aquila chrysaetos	B U
Northern harrier	Circus cyaneus	B U
Sharp-shinned hawk	Accipiter striatus	B U
Cooper's hawk	Accipiter cooperii	B U
Northern goshawk	Accipiter gentilis	B U
Bald eagle	Haliaeetus leucocephalus	B
Red-shouldered hawk	Buteo lineatus	V
Broad-winged hawk	Buteo platypterus	R
Swainson's hawk	Buteo swainsoni	B
Red-tailed hawk	Buteo jamaicensis	B
Rough-legged hawk	Buteo lagopus	U
Ferruginous hawk	Buteo regalis	U

Owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Strigidae

Owls are usually solitary birds of prey that are active at night. They have large eyes that face forward, good hearing, a hooked beak, and a circle of feathers around each eye. Eleven species have been seen in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Flammulated owl	Psiloscops flammeolus	V
Western screech-owl	Megascops kennicottii	V
Great horned owl	Bubo virginianus	B
Snowy owl	Bubo scandiacus	V
Northern pygmy-owl	Glaucidium gnoma	B R
Burrowing owl	Athene cunicularia	V
Great gray owl	Strix nebulosa	B U
Long-eared owl	Asio otus	B R
Short-eared owl	Asio flammeus	B R
Boreal owl	Aegolius funereus	B R
Northern saw-whet owl	Aegolius acadicus	B R

Kingfishers

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Alcedinidae

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

Common name	Binomial	Status
Belted kingfisher	Megaceryle alcyon	B U

Woodpeckers

Order: Piciformes   Family: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks. They have stiff tails and long tongues to catch insects. Many woodpeckers tap loudly on tree trunks. Ten species have been seen in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Lewis's woodpecker	Melanerpes lewis	B R
Williamson's sapsucker	Sphyrapicus thyroideus	B U
Red-naped sapsucker	Sphyrapicus nuchalis	B U
American three-toed woodpecker	Picoides dorsalis	B U
Black-backed woodpecker	Picoides arcticus	B R
Downy woodpecker	Dryobates pubescens	B U
Hairy woodpecker	Dryobates villosus	B
Northern flicker	Colaptes auratus	B
Pileated woodpecker	Dryocopus pileatus	B R

Falcons and Caracaras

Order: Falconiformes   Family: Falconidae

This family includes falcons and caracaras. These birds of prey kill their prey with their beaks, unlike hawks and eagles which use their talons. Five species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Crested caracara	Caracara plancus	V
American kestrel	Falco sparverius	B U
Merlin	Falco columbarius	R
Peregrine falcon	Falco peregrinus	B U
Prairie falcon	Falco mexicanus	B U

Tyrant Flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Tyrannidae

Tyrant flycatchers are songbirds found in North and South America. They usually eat insects. Most are quite plain in color. Twelve species have been seen in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Ash-throated flycatcher	Myiarchus cinerascens	V
Western kingbird	Tyrannus verticalis	R
Eastern kingbird	Tyrannus tyrannus	R
Scissor-tailed flycatcher	Tyrannus forficatus	V
Olive-sided flycatcher	Contopus cooperi	B
Western wood-pewee	Contopus sordidulus	B U
Willow flycatcher	Empidonax traillii	B U
Least flycatcher	Empidonax minimus	V
Hammond's flycatcher	Empidonax hammondii	B U
Dusky flycatcher	Empidonax oberholseri	B
Cordilleran flycatcher	Empidonax occidentalis	B R
Say's phoebe	Sayornis saya	V

Vireos and Allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Vireonidae

Vireos are small to medium-sized songbirds found in the New World. They are usually greenish and have strong bills. Four species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Cassin's vireo	Vireo cassinii	V
Plumbeous vireo	Vireo plumbeous	V
Warbling vireo	Vireo gilvus	B
Red-eyed vireo	Vireo olivaceus	V

Shrikes

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Laniidae

Shrikes are songbirds known for catching small animals and impaling them on thorns or barbed wire. Their beaks are hooked, like birds of prey. Two species have been seen in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Loggerhead shrike	Lanius ludovicianus	R
Northern shrike	Lanius excubitor	U

Crows, Jays, and Magpies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Corvidae

This family includes crows, ravens, jays, and magpies. These birds are larger than average songbirds and are known for being very smart. Eight species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Canada jay	Perisoreus canadensis	B U
Pinyon jay	Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus	R
Steller's jay	Cyanocitta stelleri	B U
Blue jay	Cyanocitta cristata	R
Clark's nutcracker	Nucifraga columbiana	B
Black-billed magpie	Pica hudsonia	B
American crow	Corvus brachyrhynchos	B U
Common raven	Corvus corax	B

Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Paridae

These are small, sturdy woodland birds with short, strong bills. They eat both seeds and insects. Two species have been seen in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Black-capped chickadee	Poecile atricapilla	B U
Mountain chickadee	Poecile gambeli	B

Larks

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Alaudidae

Larks are small ground birds known for their beautiful songs and display flights. Most larks are plain in color. They eat insects and seeds. One species has been recorded in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Horned lark	Eremophila alpestris	B U

Swallows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Hirundinidae

Swallows are birds that catch their food while flying. They have slender bodies, long pointed wings, and short bills with wide mouths. Their feet are good for perching, not walking. Seven species have been seen in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Bank swallow	Riparia riparia	B U
Tree swallow	Tachycineta bicolor	B
Violet-green swallow	Tachycineta thalassina	B
Northern rough-winged swallow	Stelgidopteryx serripennis	B U
Barn swallow	Hirundo rustica	B U
Cliff swallow	Petrochelidon pyrrhonota	B

Kinglets

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Regulidae

Kinglets are a small family of very tiny, insect-eating birds. Adults have colorful crowns on their heads. Two species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Ruby-crowned kinglet	Corthylio calendula	B
Golden-crowned kinglet	Regulus satrapa	B U

Waxwings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Bombycillidae

Waxwings are songbirds with soft, silky feathers and unique red tips on some wing feathers. They live in northern forests and eat insects in summer and berries in winter. Two species have been seen in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Bohemian waxwing	Bombycilla garrulus
Cedar waxwing	Bombycilla cedrorum	B U

Nuthatches

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sittidae

Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They can climb down trees headfirst, which is unusual for birds! They have big heads, short tails, and strong bills and feet. Three species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Red-breasted nuthatch	Sitta canadensis	B
White-breasted nuthatch	Sitta carolinensis	B U
Pygmy nuthatch	Sitta pygmaea	V

Treecreepers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Certhiidae

Creepers are small woodland birds, brown on top and white underneath. They have thin, curved bills to pull insects from tree bark. They use their stiff tail feathers to support themselves on trees, like woodpeckers. One species has been seen in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Brown creeper	Certhia americana	B U

Gnatcatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Polioptilidae

These delicate birds look like warblers and move quickly through leaves looking for insects. Gnatcatchers are mostly bluish-gray and have long, sharp bills. Many have black patterns on their heads and long, black-and-white tails. One species has been recorded in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Blue-gray gnatcatcher	Polioptila caerulea	V

Wrens

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Troglodytidae

Wrens are small, often hidden birds, but they have very loud songs. They have short wings and thin, curved bills. Many wrens hold their tails straight up. All of them eat insects. Six species have been seen in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Rock wren	Salpinctes obsoletus	B U
Canyon wren	Catherpes mexicanus	V
House wren	Troglodytes aedon	B
Marsh wren	Cistothorus palustris	B R

Mockingbirds and Thrashers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Mimidae

This family includes thrashers and mockingbirds. These birds are famous for their amazing ability to copy the songs of other birds and sounds they hear. They are usually dull gray and brown. Two species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Gray catbird	Dumetella carolinensis	B U
Sage thrasher	Oreoscoptes montanus	B U

Starlings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized songbirds with strong feet. They fly strongly and often gather in large groups. They prefer open areas and eat insects and fruit. Their feathers are usually dark and shiny. One species has been seen in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
European starling	Sturnus vulgaris	I B U

Dippers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cinclidae

Dippers are small, sturdy birds that feed in cold, fast-moving streams. One species has been recorded in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
American dipper	Cinclus mexicanus	B U

Thrushes and Allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Turdidae

Thrushes are plump, soft-feathered songbirds. They are small to medium-sized and eat insects or a mix of foods, often feeding on the ground. Many have lovely songs. Eight species have been seen in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Western bluebird	Sialia mexicana	R
Mountain bluebird	Sialia currucoides	B
Townsend's solitaire	Myadestes townsendi	B
Veery	Catharus fuscescens	V
Swainson's thrush	Catharus ustulatus	B U
Hermit thrush	Catharus guttatus	B
American robin	Turdus migratorius	B
Varied thrush	Ixoreus naevius	V

Old World Sparrows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passeridae

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

Common name	Binomial	Status
House sparrow	Passer domesticus	I B

Wagtails and Pipits

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Motacillidae

This family includes wagtails and pipits. They are slender, insect-eating songbirds that feed on the ground in open areas. One species has been recorded in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
American pipit	Anthus rubescens	B R

Finches and Allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Fringillidae

Finches are seed-eating songbirds, usually small to medium-sized, with strong, cone-shaped beaks. They have a bouncy flight pattern and most sing well. Twelve species have been seen in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Evening grosbeak	Coccothraustes vespertinus	B O
Pine grosbeak	Pinicola enucleator	B U
Gray-crowned rosy-finch	Leucosticte tephrocotis	R
Black rosy-finch	Leucosticte atrata	B U
House finch	Haemorhous mexicanus	R
Cassin's finch	Haemorhous cassinii	B
Common redpoll	Acanthis flammea	U
Red crossbill	Loxia curvirostra	B U
White-winged crossbill	Loxia leucoptera	b R
Pine siskin	Spinus pinus	B
Lesser goldfinch	Spinus psaltria	V
American goldfinch	Spinus tristis	B R

Longspurs and Snow Buntings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Calcariidae

This group of songbirds is usually found in open grassy areas. Three species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Thick-billed longspur	Rhynchophanes mccownii	V
Lapland longspur	Calcarius lapponicus	V
Snow bunting	Plectrophenax nivalis	O

New World Sparrows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passerellidae

These birds are often called sparrows, but they are not closely related to the Old World sparrows. Many have unique patterns on their heads. Twenty-two species have been seen in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Grasshopper sparrow	Ammodramus savannarum	O
Black-throated sparrow	Amphispiza bilineata	V
Lark sparrow	Chondestes grammacus	O
Lark bunting	Calamospiza melanocorys	V
Chipping sparrow	Spizella passerina	B
Clay-colored sparrow	Spizella pallida	V
Brewer's sparrow	Spizella breweri	B
Fox sparrow	Passerella iliaca	B R
American tree sparrow	Spizelloides arborea	U
Dark-eyed junco	Junco hyemalis	B
White-crowned sparrow	Zonotrichia leucophrys	B
Harris's sparrow	Zonotrichia querula	V
White-throated sparrow	Zonotrichia albicollis	V
Sagebrush sparrow	Artemisiospiza nevadensis	V
Vesper sparrow	Pooecetes gramineus	B
Savannah sparrow	Passerculus sandwichensis	B
Song sparrow	Melospiza melodia	B
Lincoln's sparrow	Melospiza lincolnii	B
Swamp sparrow	Melospiza georgiana	V
Green-tailed towhee	Pipilo chlorurus	B U
Spotted towhee	Pipilo maculatus	B R

Yellow-breasted Chat

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Icteriidae

The Yellow-breasted chat was once thought to be a type of wood-warbler, but scientists decided it needed its own family in 2017.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Yellow-breasted chat	Icteria virens	V

Troupials and Allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Icteridae

This group of songbirds is found only in the New World. They are often colorful, with black as a main feather color, brightened by yellow, orange, or red. Nine species have been seen in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Yellow-headed blackbird	Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus	B
Bobolink	Dolichonyx oryzivorus	V
Western meadowlark	Sturnella neglecta	B
Bullock's oriole	Icterus bullockii	B R
Red-winged blackbird	Agelaius phoeniceus	B
Brown-headed cowbird	Molothrus ater	B
Rusty blackbird	Euphagus carolinus	V
Brewer's blackbird	Euphagus cyanocephalus	B
Common grackle	Quiscalus quiscula	V

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 live on the ground. Most birds in this family eat insects. Twenty-one species have been seen in Yellowstone.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Ovenbird	Seiurus aurocapilla	V
Northern waterthrush	Parkesia noveboracensis	b R
Black-and-white warbler	Mniotilta varia	R
Prothonotary warbler	Protonotaria citrea	V
Tennessee warbler	Leiothlypis peregrina	R
Orange-crowned warbler	Leiothlypis celata	B U
Nashville warbler	Leiothlypis ruficapilla	R
MacGillivray's warbler	Geothlypis tolmiei	B U
Common yellowthroat	Geothlypis trichas	B
Hooded warbler	Setophaga citrina	V
American redstart	Setophaga ruticilla	B R
Cape May warbler	Setophaga tigrina	V
Blackburnian warbler	Setophaga fusca	R
Yellow warbler	Setophaga petechia	B
Chestnut-sided warbler	Setophaga pensylvanica	V
Blackpoll warbler	Setophaga striata	R
Yellow-rumped warbler	Setophaga coronata	B
Black-throated gray warbler	Setophaga nigrescens	V
Townsend's warbler	Setophaga townsendi	R
Wilson's warbler	Cardellina pusilla	B U

Cardinals and Allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cardinalidae

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

Common name	Binomial	Status
Western tanager	Piranga ludoviciana	B
Rose-breasted grosbeak	Pheucticus ludovicianus	V
Black-headed grosbeak	Pheucticus melanocephalus	b R
Lazuli bunting	Passerina amoena	B

Images for kids

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  Bald eagle

See also

• List of birds of Idaho
• List of birds of Montana
• List of birds of Wyoming