Birds of Glacier National Park : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost

Overview

Sawwhet Owl

Trumpeter Swan

Yellow Warbler

Glacier National Park is rich in biodiversity. Most of us on SummitPost go to the mountains to get away from the stresses of everyday living. I for one very rarely notice the birds as I am climbing or hiking.

According to the Glacier National Park "Bird List" there are 285 different types of birds that spend all or part of their life within the boundaries of Glacier National Park. Some of these birds are quite rare but they have been seen there. Others are seen frequently.

Some like the American Dipper, also known as the Water Ouzel, are unique and are amazing to watch as they literally fly through Glacier's streams in search of food.

Included in the lists below are the names of the bird, it scientific name as well as which side of the Continental Divide the bird is found. Birds that are found in the alpine environments, like the Whitetailed Ptarmigan and Willow Ptarmigan, are frequently seen enroute to Glacier's summits.

Area:

E-occurs on east side of the Park (East of Continental Divide)
W-occurs on west side of the Park (West of Continental Divide)
A-occurs in alpine areas

Please Note: Most of these photos were not taken in Glacier National Park.

Loons

LOONS (Gaviidae)	Scientific Name	Area
Common Loon	Gavia immer	E
Arctic Loon	Gavia arctica	W
Red-throated Loon	Gavia stellata	W

Mockingbirds and Catbirds

MOCKINGBIRD, CATBIRDS	Scientific Name	Area
Northern Mockingbird	Mimus polyglottos	W
Gray Catbird	Dumetella carolinensis	EW

Pelicans and Cormorants

**Pelicans**

PELICANS, CORMORANTS	Scientific Name	Area
American White Pelican	Pelecanus erythrorhynchos	EW
Double-crested Cormorant	Phalacrocorax auritus	EW

Herrons and Bitterns

**Great Egret**

HERONS, BITTERNS	Scientific Name	Area
Great Blue Heron	Ardea herodias	EW
Great Egret	Ardea alba	W
Black-crowned Night Heron	Nycticorax nycticorax	W
American Bittern	Botaurus lentiginosus	EW

Swans, Geese and Ducks

**Canada Goose**

SWANS, GEESE, DUCKS	Scientific Name	Area
Tundra Swan	Cygnus columbianus	EW
Trumpeter Swan	Cygnus buccinator	EW
Canada Goose	Branta canadensis	EW
White-fronted Goose	Anser albifrons	W
Snow Goose	Chen caerulescens	W
Ross' Goose	Chen rossii	EW
Mallard	Anas platyrhynchos	EW
Gadwall	Anas strepera	EW
Northern Pintail	Anas acuta	EW
Green-winged Teal	Anas carolinensis	W
Blue-winged Teal	Anas discors	W
Cinnamon Teal	Anas cyanoptera	W
European Wigeon	Anas penelope	W
American Wigeon	Anas americana	EW
Northern Shoveler	Anas clypeata	EW
Wood Duck	Aix sponsa	EW
Redhead	Aythya americana	EW
Ring-necked Duck	Aythya collaris	EW
Canvasback	Aythya valisineria	EW
Greater Scaup	Aythya marila	W
Lesser Scaup	Aythya affinis	EW
Common Goldeneye	Bucephala clangula	EW
Barrow's Goldeneye	Bucephala islandica	EW
Bufflehead	Bucephala albeola	W
Oldsquaw	Clangula hyemalis	W
Harlequin Duck	Histrionicus histrionicus	EW
White-winged Scoter	Melanitta fusca	EW
Surf Scoter	Melanitta perspicillata	W
Ruddy Duck	Oxyura jamaicensis	EW
Hooded Merganser	Lophodytes cucullatus	EW
Common Merganser	Mergus merganser	EW
Red-breasted Merganser	Mergus serrator	EW

**Harlequin Duck**

Vultures, Hawks and Eagles

**Perigrine Falcon**

VULTURES, HAWKS, EAGLES	Scientific Name	Area
Turkey Vulture	Cathartes aura	EW
Northern Goshawk	Accipiter gentilis	EW
Sharp-shinned Hawk	Accipiter striatus	EW
Cooper's Hawk	Accipiter cooperii	EW
Red-tailed Hawk	Buteo jamaicensis	EW
Red-shouldered Hawk	Buteo lineatus	W
Broad-winged Hawk	Buteo platypterus	W
Swainson's Hawk	Buteo swainsoni	EW
Rough-legged Hawk	Buteo lagopus	EW
Ferruginous Hawk	Buteo regalis	EW
Golden Eagle	Aquila chrysaetos	EWA
Bald Eagle	Haliaeetus leucocephalus	EW
Northern Harrier	Circus cyaneus	EW
Osprey	Pandion haliaetus	EW
Prairie Falcon	Falco mexicanus	EWA
Peregrine Falcon	Falco peregrinus	EW
Merlin	Falco columbarius	EWA
Gyrfalcon	Falco rusticolus	A
American Kestrel	Falco sparverius	EW

Grouse and Ptarmigan

**Ptarmigan**

GROUSE, PTARMIGAN	Scientific Name	Area
Blue Grouse	Dendragapus obscurus	EWA
Spruce Grouse	Falcipennis canadensis	EW
Ruffed Grouse	Bonasa umbellus	EW
Willow Ptarmigan	Lagopus lagopus	A
White-tailed Ptarmigan	Lagopus leucura	A
Sharp-tailed Grouse	Tympanuchus phasianellus	E
Ring-necked Pheasant	Phasianus colchicus	W
Gray Partridge	Perdix perdix	W

Cranes

**Sandhill Crane**

CRANES	Scientific Name	Area
Sandhill Crane	Grus canadensis)	W

Rails and Coots

RAILS, COOTS	Scientific Name	Area
Sora	Porzana carolina	EW
American Coot	Fulica americana	EW

Shorebirds

**Spotted Sandpiper**

SHOREBIRDS	Scientific Name	Area
Killdeer	Charadrius vociferus	EW
Semipalmated Plover	Calidris pusilla	E
Black-bellied Plover	Pluvialis squatarola	EW
Black Turnstone	Arenaria melanocephala	E
Common Snipe	Gallinago gallinago	EW
Long-billed Curlew	Numenius americanus	EW
Upland Sandpiper	Bartramia longicauda	E
Spotted Sandpiper	Actitis macularius	EW
Solitary Sandpiper	Tringa solitaria	EW
Willet	Tringa semipalmata	W
Greater Yellowlegs	Tringa melanoleuca	EW
Lesser Yellowlegs	Tringa flavipes	EW
Pectoral Sandpiper	Calidris melanotos	EW
Baird's Sandpiper	Calidris bairdii	EW
Least Sandpiper	Calidris minutilla	W
Semipalmated Sandpiper	Calidris pusilla	W
Western Sandpiper	Calidris mauri	W
Sanderling	Calidris alba	W
Long-billed Dowitcher	Limnodromus scolopaceus	EW
Marbled Godwit	Limosa fedoa	EW
American Avocet	Recurvirostra americana	EW
Wilson's Phalarope	Phalaropus tricolor	EW
Red-necked Phalarope	Phalaropus lobatus	EW

Gulls and Terns

**Herring Gull**

GULLS, TERNS	Scientific Name	Area
Glaucous Gull	Larus hyperboreus	W
Glaucous-winged Gull	Larus glaucescens	W
Herring Gull	Larus argentatus	EW
California Gull	Larus californicus	EW
Ring-billed Gull	Larus delawarensis	EW
Franklin's Gull	Larus pipixcan	EW
Bonaparte's Gull	Larus philadelphia	EW
Black-legged Kittiwake	Rissa tridactyla	W
Forster's Tern	Sterna forsteri	EW
Common Tern	Sterna hirundo	E
Caspian Tern	Hydroprogne caspia	E
Black Tern	Chlidonias niger	EW

Pigeons and Doves

PIGEONS, DOVES	Scientific Name	Area
Band-tailed Pigeon	Patagioenas fasciata	W
Rock Dove	Columba livia	EW
Mourning Dove	Zenaida macroura	EW

Owls

**Great Horned Owl**

OWLS	Scientific Name	Area
Western Screech Owl	Megascops kennicottii	EW
Great Horned Owl	Bubo virginianus	EW
Snowy Owl	Bubo scandiacus	W
Northern Hawk Owl	Surnia ulula	EW
Northern Pygmy Owl	Glaucidium gnoma	EW
Burrowing Owl	Athene cunicularia	W
Barred Owl	Strix varia	EW
Great Gray Owl	Strix nebulosa	EW
Long-eared Owl	Asio otus	EW
Short-eared Owl	Asio flammeus	EW
Boreal Owl	Aegolius funereus	EW
Northern Saw-whet Owl	Aegolius acadicus	EW

Nighthawks and Swifts

**Nighthawk**

NIGHTHAWKS, SWIFTS	Scientific Name	Area
Common Nighthawk	Chordeiles minor	EW
Black Swift	Cypseloides niger	EWA
Vaux's Swift	Chaetura vauxi	EW
White-throated Swift	Aeronautes saxatalis	EWA

Hummingbirds

**Rufous Hummingbird**

HUMMINGBIRDS	Scientific Name	Area
Black-chinned Hummingbird	Archilochus alexandri	W
Broad-tailed Hummingbird	Selasphorus platycercus	EW
Rufous Hummingbird	Selasphorus rufus	EWA
Calliope Hummingbird	Stellula calliope	EWA

Kingfishers

KINGFISHERS	Scientific Name	Area
Belted Kingfisher	Megaceryle alcyon	EW

Woodpeckers

**Pileated Woodpecker**

WOODPECKERS	Scientific Name	Area
Northern Flicker	Colaptes auratus	EW
Pileated Woodpecker	Dryocopus pileatus	EW
Red-headed Woodpecker	Melanerpes erythrocephalus	E
Lewis' Woodpecker	Melanerpes lewis	EW
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker	Melanerpes lewis	EW
Williamson's Sapsucker	Sphyrapicus thyroideus	EW
Hairy Woodpecker	Picoides villosus	EW
Downy Woodpecker	Picoides pubescens	EW
White-headed Woodpecker	Picoides albolarvatus	W
Black-backed Woodpecker	Picoides arcticus	EW
American Three-toed Woodpecker	Picoides dorsalis	EW

Buntings, Finches and Sparrows

**Red Crossbill**

BUNTINGS, FINCHES, SPARROWS	Scientific Name	Area
Indigo Bunting	Passerina cyanea	W
Lazuli Bunting	Passerina amoena	EW
Lark Bunting	Calamospiza melanocorys	EW
Snow Bunting	Plectrophenax nivalis	EW
Cassin's Finch	Carpodacus cassinii	EW
House Finch	Carpodacus mexicanus	W
Rosy Finch	Leucosticte tephrocotis	EWA
Common Redpoll	Carduelis flammea	EW
Hoary Redpoll	Carduelis hornemanni	W
Pine Siskin	Carduelis pinus	EWA
American Goldfinch	Carduelis tristis	EW
Red Crossbill	Loxia curvirostra	EW
White-winged Crossbill	Loxia leucoptera	EW
Green-tailed Towhee	Pipilo chlorurus	E
Rufous-sided Towhee	Pipilo erythrophthalmus	EW
Savannah Sparrow	Passerculus sandwichensis	EW
LeConte's Sparrow	Ammodramus leconteii	EW
Vesper Sparrow	Pooecetes gramineus	EW
Lark Sparrow	Chondestes grammacus	W
American Tree Sparrow	Spizella arborea	EW
Chipping Sparrow	Spizella passerina	EW
Clay-colored Sparrow	Spizella pallida	E
Brewer's Sparrow	Spizella breweri	EW
Field Sparrow	Spizella pusilla	W
Harris' Sparrow	Zonotrichia querula	EW
White-crowned Sparrow	Zonotrichia leucophrys	EWA
White-throated Sparrow	Zonotrichia albicollis	W
Fox Sparrow	Passerella iliaca	EW
Lincoln's Sparrow	Melospiza lincolnii	EW
Song Sparrow	Melospiza melodia	EW
Dark-eyed Junco	Junco hyemalis	EW
McCown's Longspur	Calcarius mccownii	EW
Lapland Longspur	Calcarius lapponicus	EW
Chestnut-collared Longspur	Calcarius ornatus	EW

Larks

LARKS	Scientific Name	Area
Horned Lark	Eremophila alpestris	EWA

Swallows

**Barn Swallow**

SWALLOWS	Scientific Name	Area
Violet-green Swallow	Tachycineta thalassina	EWA
Tree Swallow	Tachycineta bicolor	EW
Bank Swallow	Riparia riparia	EW
Rough-winged Swallow	Stelgidopteryx serripennis	EW
Barn Swallow	Hirundo rustica	EW
Cliff Swallow	Petrochelidon pyrrhonota	EWA

Jays, Magpies, Ravens and Crows

**Raven**

JAYS, MAGPIES, CROWS, RAVENS	Scientific Name	Area
Gray Jay	Perisoreus canadensis	EW
Blue Jay	Cyanocitta cristata	E
Steller's Jay	Cyanocitta stelleri	EW
Black-billed Magpie	Pica hudsonia	EW
Common Raven	Corvus corax	EWA
American Crow	Corvus brachyrhynchos	EW
Clark's Nutcracker	Nucifraga columbiana	EWA

Chickadees

CHICKADEES	Scientific Name	Area
Black-capped Chickadee	Poecile atricapillus	EW
Mountain Chickadee	Poecile gambeli	EW
Boreal Chickadee	Poecile hudsonica	EW
Chestnut-backed Chickadee	Poecile rufescens	EW

Nuthatches and Creepers

NUTHATCHES, CREEPERS	Scientific Name	Area
White-breasted Nuthatch	Sitta carolinensis	EW
Red-breasted Nuthatch	Sitta canadensis	EW
Brown Creeper	Certhia americana	EW

Dippers and Wrens

**American Dipper**

DIPPERS, WRENS	Scientific Name	Area
American Dipper (Water Ouzel)	Cinclus mexicanus	EW
House Wren	Troglodytes aedon	EW
Winter Wren	Troglodytes troglodytes	EW
Marsh Wren	Cistothorus palustris	W
Rock Wren	Salpinctes obsoletus	EW

Grebes

**Clark's Grebe**

GREBES (Podicipedidae)	Scientific Name	Area
Red-necked Grebe	Podiceps grisegena	E
Slavonian Grebe (Horned Grebe)	Podiceps auritus	EW
Black-necked Grebe (Eared Grebe)	Podiceps nigricollis	EW
Western Grebe	Aechmophorus occidentalis	EW
Clark's Grebe	Aechmophorus clarkii	EW
Pied-billed Grebe	Podilymbus podiceps	EW

Thrushes, Bluebirds and Solitaires

**Western Bluebird**

THRUSHES, BLUEBIRDS, SOLITAIRES	Scientific Name	Area
American Robin	Turdus migratorius	EW
Varied Thrush	Ixoreus naevius	EW
Hermit Thrush	Catharus guttatus	EW
Swainson's Thrush	Catharus ustulatus	EW
Veery	Catharus fuscescens	EW
Eastern Bluebird	Sialia sialis	E
Western Bluebird	Sialia mexicana	EW
Mountain Bluebird	Sialia currucoides	EWA
Townsend's Solitaire	Myadestes townsendi	EWA

Waxwings

**Cedar Waxwing**

WAXWINGS	Scientific Name	Area
Bohemian Waxwing	Bombycilla garrulus	EW
Cedar Waxwing	Bombycilla cedrorum	EW

Kinglets

KINGLETS	Scientific Name	Area
Golden-crowned Kinglet	Regulus satrapa	EW
Ruby-crowned Kinglet	Regulus calendula	EW

Pipits

PIPITS	Scientific Name	Area
Water Pipit	Anthus spinoletta	EWA
Sprague's Pipit	Anthus spragueii	E

Shrikes

SHRIKES	Scientific Name	Area
Northern Shrike	Lanius excubitor	EW
Loggerhead Shrike	Lanius ludovicianus	EW

Starlings

**European Starling**

STARLINGS	Scientific Name	Area
European Starling	Sturnus vulgaris	EW

Vireos

VIREOS	Scientific Name	Area
Solitary Vireo	Vireo solitarius	EW
Red-eyed Vireo	Vireo olivaceus	EW
Warbling Vireo	Vireo gilvus	EW

Weaver Finches

WEAVER FINCHES	Scientific Name	Area
House Sparrow	Passer domesticus	EW

Warblers

**Yellow Warbler**

WARBLERS	Scientific Name	Area
Black-and-white Warbler	Mniotilta varia	E
Tennessee Warbler	Vermivora peregrina	EW
Orange-crowned Warbler	Vermivora celata	EW
Nashville Warbler	Vermivora ruficapilla	EW
Yellow Warbler	Dendroica petechia	EW
Cape May Warbler	Dendroica tigrina	EW
Yellow-rumped Warbler	Dendroica coronata	EW
Townsend's Warbler	Dendroica townsendi	EW
Bay-breasted Warbler	Dendroica castanea	W
Ovenbird	Seiurus aurocapilla	E
Northern Waterthrush	Seiurus noveboracensis	EW
MacGillivray's Warbler	Oporornis tolmiei	EW
Common Yellowthroat	Geothlypis trichas	EW
Yellow-breasted Chat	Icteria virens	W
Wilson's Warbler	Wilsonia pusilla	EW
American Redstart	Setophaga ruticilla	EW

Blackbirds and Orioles

**Yellow-headed Blackbird**

BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES	Scientific Name	Area
Bobolink	Dolichonyx oryzivorus	EW
Western Meadowlark	Sturnella neglecta	EW
Yellow-headed Blackbird	Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus	EW
Red-winged Blackbird	Agelaius phoeniceus	EW
Northern Oriole	Icterus galbula	EW
Rusty Blackbird	Euphagus carolinus	EW
Brewer's Blackbird	Euphagus cyanocephalus	EW
Common Grackle	Quiscalus quiscula	E
Brown-headed Cowbird	Molothrus ater	E

Tanagers and Grosbeaks

**Western Tanager**

TANAGERS, GROSBEAKS	Scientific Name	Area
Western Tanager	Piranga ludoviciana	EW
Black-headed Grosbeak	Pheucticus melanocephalus	E
Evening Grosbeak	Coccothraustes vespertinus	EW
Pine Grosbeak	Pinicola enucleator	EW

Flycatchers

FLYCATCHERS	Scientific Name	Area
Eastern Kingbird	Tyrannus tyrannus	EW
Western Kingbird	Tyrannus verticalis	EW
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	Tyrannus forficatus	W
Ash-throated Flycatcher	Myiarchus cinerascens	W
Say's Phoebe	Sayornis saya	EW
Willow Flycatcher	Empidonax traillii	EW
Least Flycatcher	Empidonax minimus	E
Hammond's Flycatcher	Empidonax hammondii	EW
Dusky Flycatcher	Empidonax oberholseri	EW
Western Flycatcher	Empidonax difficilis	EW
Western Wood Pewee	Contopus sordidulus	EW
Olive-sided Flycatcher	Contopus cooperi	EW

Images