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List of birds of Montana

This list of birds of Montana includes species documented in the U.S. state of Montana and accepted by the Montana Bird Records Committee (MBRC). As of July 2021, there are 442 species included in the official list. Of them, 104 are on the review list and eight have been introduced to North America. An additional 10 species are on a separate supplemental list.

Ducks, geese, and waterfowl
Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, bills which are flattened to a greater or lesser extent, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to special oils. Forty-two species have been recorded in Montana. • Snow goose, Anser caerulescensRoss's goose, Anser rossiiGreater white-fronted goose, Anser albifronsBrant, Branta bernicla (R) • Cackling goose, Branta hutchinsiiCanada goose, Branta canadensisMute swan, Cygnus olor (I) • Trumpeter swan, Cygnus buccinatorTundra swan, Cygnus columbianusWood duck, Aix sponsaBaikal teal, Sibirionetta formosa (R) • Garganey, Spatula querquedula (R) • Blue-winged teal, Spatula discorsCinnamon teal, Spatula cyanopteraNorthern shoveler, Spatula clypeataGadwall, Mareca streperaEurasian wigeon, Mareca penelopeAmerican wigeon, Mareca americanaMallard, Anas platyrhynchosMexican duck, Anas diazi (R) • American black duck, Anas rubripesNorthern pintail, Anas acutaGreen-winged teal, Anas creccaCanvasback, Aythya valisineriaRedhead, Aythya americanaRing-necked duck, Aythya collarisTufted duck, Aythya fuligula (R) • Greater scaup, Aythya marilaLesser scaup, Aythya affinisHarlequin duck, Histrionicus histrionicusSurf scoter, Melanitta perspicillataWhite-winged scoter, Melanitta deglandiStejneger's scoter, Melanitta stejnegeri (R) • Black scoter, Melanitta americanaLong-tailed duck, Clangula hyemalisBufflehead, Bucephala albeolaCommon goldeneye, Bucephala clangulaBarrow's goldeneye, Bucephala islandicaHooded merganser, Lophodytes cucullatusCommon merganser, Mergus merganserRed-breasted merganser, Mergus serratorRuddy duck, Oxyura jamaicensis ==New World quail==
New World quail
Order: GalliformesFamily: Odontophoridae The New World quails are small, plump terrestrial birds only distantly related to the quails of the Old World, but named for their similar appearance and habits. One species has been recorded in Montana. • California quail, Callipepla californica ==Pheasants, grouse, and allies==
Pheasants, grouse, and allies
Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae Phasianidae consists of the pheasants and their allies. These are terrestrial species, variable in size but generally plump with broad relatively short wings. Many species are gamebirds or have been domesticated as a food source for humans. Twelve species have been recorded in Montana. • Wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavoRuffed grouse, Bonasa umbellusSpruce grouse, Canachites canadensisWillow ptarmigan, Lagopus lagopus (R) • White-tailed ptarmigan, Lagopus leucurusGreater sage-grouse, Centrocercus urophasianusDusky grouse, Dendragapus obscurusSharp-tailed grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellusGreater prairie-chicken, Tympanuchus cupido (R) • Gray partridge, Perdix perdix (I) • Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (I) • Chukar, Alectoris chukar (I) ==Grebes==
Grebes
Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. Six species have been recorded in Montana. • Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podicepsHorned grebe, Podiceps auritusRed-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegenaEared grebe, Podiceps nigricollisWestern grebe, Aechmorphorus occidentalisClark's grebe, Aechmorphorus clarkii ==Pigeons and doves==
Pigeons and doves
Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. Seven species have been recorded in Montana. • Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I) • Band-tailed pigeon, Patagioenas fasciataEurasian collared-dove, Streptopelia decaocto (I) • Passenger pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius (S) (R) • Inca dove, Columbina inca (R) • White-winged dove, Zenaida asiaticaMourning dove, Zenaida macroura ==Cuckoos==
Cuckoos
Order: CuculiformesFamily: Cuculidae The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners, and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs. Two species have been recorded in Montana. • Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanusBlack-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus ==Nightjars and allies==
Nightjars and allies
Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is cryptically colored to resemble bark or leaves. Three species have been recorded in Montana. • Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minorCommon poorwill, Phalaenoptilus nuttalliiEastern/Mexican whip-poor-will, Antrostomus vociferus/arizonae (R) ==Swifts==
Swifts
Order: ApodiformesFamily: Apodidae The swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have very long, swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang. Four species have been recorded in Montana. • Black swift, Cypseloides nigerChimney swift, Chaetura pelagicaVaux's swift, Chaetura vauxiWhite-throated swift, Aeronautes saxatalis ==Hummingbirds==
Hummingbirds
Order: ApodiformesFamily: Trochilidae Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backwards. Eight species have been recorded in Montana. • Rivoli's hummingbird, Eugenes fulgens (R) • Ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris (R) • Black-chinned hummingbird, Archilochus alexandriAnna's hummingbird, Calypte anna (R) • Costa's hummingbird, Calypte costae (R) • Calliope hummingbird, Selasphrus calliopeRufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rufusBroad-tailed hummingbird, Selasphorus platycercus ==Rails, gallinules, and coots==
Rails, gallinules, and coots
Order: GruiformesFamily: Rallidae Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. The most typical family members occupy dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and tend to be weak fliers. Five species have been recorded in Montana. • Virginia rail, Rallus limicolaSora, Porzana carolinaCommon gallinule, Gallinula galeata (R) • American coot, Fulica americanaYellow rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis (R) ==Cranes==
Cranes
Order: GruiformesFamily: Gruidae Cranes are large, long-legged, and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances". Three species have been recorded in Montana. • Sandhill crane, Antigone canadensisCommon crane, Grus grus (S) (R) • Whooping crane, Grus americana (R) ==Stilts and avocets==
Stilts and avocets
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Recurvirostridae Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. Two species have been recorded in Montana. • Black-necked stilt, Himantopus mexicanusAmerican avocet, Recurvirostra americana ==Plovers and lapwings==
Plovers and lapwings
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Charadriidae The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short thick necks, and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water. Eight species have been recorded in Montana. • Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarolaAmerican golden-plover, Pluvialis dominicaPacific golden-plover, Pluvialis fulva (S) (R) • Killdeer, Charadrius vociferusSemipalmated plover, Charadrius semipalmatusPiping plover, Charadrius melodusSnowy plover, Charadrius nivosus (R) • Mountain plover, Charadrius montanus ==Sandpipers and allies==
Sandpipers and allies
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Scolopacidae Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers, and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Different lengths of legs and bills enable multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. Thirty-five species have been recorded in Montana. • Upland sandpiper, Bartramia longicaudaWhimbrel, Numenius phaeopusLong-billed curlew, Numenius americanusHudsonian godwit, Limosa haemasticaMarbled godwit, Limosa fedoaRuddy turnstone, Arenaria interpresBlack turnstone, Arenaria melanocephala (R) • Red knot, Calidris canutusRuff, Calidris pugnax (R) • Sharp-tailed sandpiper, Calidris acuminata (R) • Stilt sandpiper, Calidris himantopusCurlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea (R) • Sanderling, Calidris albaDunlin, Calidris alpinaPurple sandpiper, Calidris maritima (R) • Baird's sandpiper, Calidris bairdiiLeast sandpiper, Calidris minutillaWhite-rumped sandpiper, Calidris fuscicollisBuff-breasted sandpiper, Calidris subruficollisPectoral sandpiper, Calidris melanotosSemipalmated sandpiper, Calidris pusillaWestern sandpiper, Calidris mauriShort-billed dowitcher, Limnodromus griseusLong-billed dowitcher, Limnodromus scolopaceusAmerican woodcock, Scolopax minor (R) • Wilson's snipe, Gallinago delicataSpotted sandpiper, Actitis maculariusSolitary sandpiper, Tringa solitariaLesser yellowlegs, Tringa flavipesWillet, Tringa semipalmataGreater yellowlegs, Tringa melanoleucaWood sandpiper, Tringa glareola (R) • Wilson's phalarope, Phalaropus tricolorRed-necked phalarope, Phalaropus lobatusRed phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius (R) ==Skuas and jaegers==
Skuas and jaegers
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Stercorariidae Skuas and jaegers are in general medium to large birds, typically with gray or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They have longish bills with hooked tips and webbed feet with sharp claws. They look like large dark gulls, but have a fleshy cere above the upper mandible. They are strong, acrobatic fliers. Three species have been recorded in Montana. • Pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus (R) • Parasitic jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus (R) • Long-tailed jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus (R) ==Auks, murres, and puffins==
Auks, murres, and puffins
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Alcidae The family Alcidae includes auks, murres, and puffins. These are short-winged birds that live on the open sea and normally only come ashore for breeding. Two species have been recorded in Montana. • Long-billed murrelet, Brachyramphus perdix (R) • Ancient murrelet, Synthliboarmphus antiquus (R) ==Gulls, terns, and skimmers==
Gulls, terns, and skimmers
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Laridae Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds and includes gulls, terns, kittiwakes, and skimmers. They are typically gray or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. Twenty-five species have been recorded in Montana. • Black-legged kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla (R) • Ivory gull, Pagophila eburnea (R) • Sabine's gull, Xema sabiniBonaparte's gull, Chroicocephalus philadelphiaLittle gull, Hydrocoloeus minutus (R) • Ross's gull, Rhodostethia rosea (R) • Laughing gull, Leucophaeus atricilla (R) • Franklin's gull, Leucophaeus pipixcanHeermann's gull, Larus heermanni (R) • Short-billed gull, Larus brachyrhynchus (R) • Ring-billed gull, Larus delawarensisWestern gull, Larus occidentalis (R) • California gull, Larus californicusHerring gull, Larus argentatusIceland gull, Larus glaucoidesLesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscusGlaucous-winged gull, Larus glaucescensGlaucous gull, Larus hyperboreusGreat black-backed gull, Larus marinus (R) • Least tern, Sternula antillarumCaspian tern, Hydroprogne caspiaBlack tern, Chlidonias nigerCommon tern, Sterna hirundoArctic tern, Sterna paradisaea (R) • Forster's tern, Sterna forsteri ==Loons==
Loons
Order: GaviiformesFamily: Gaviidae Loons are aquatic birds the size of a large duck, to which they are unrelated. Their plumage is largely gray or black, and they have spear-shaped bills. Loons swim well and fly adequately, but are almost hopeless on land, because their legs are placed towards the rear of the body. Four species have been recorded in Montana. • Red-throated loon, Gavia stellataPacific loon, Gavia pacificaCommon loon, Gavia immerYellow-billed loon, Gavia adamsii (R) ==Shearwaters and petrels==
Shearwaters and petrels
Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Procellariidae The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterised by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary. One species has been recorded in Montana. • Manx shearwater, Puffinus puffinus (R) ==Storks==
Storks
Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Ciconiidae Storks are large, heavy, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long stout bills and wide wingspans. They lack the powder down that other wading birds such as herons, spoonbills and ibises use to clean off fish slime. Storks lack a pharynx and are mute. One species has been recorded in Montana. • Wood stork, Mycteria americana (R) ==Cormorants and shags==
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