List of birds of Glacier National Park (U.S.)

This is a comprehensive list of the bird species recorded in Glacier National Park, which is in the U.S. state of Montana. The list is based on the Glacier Bird Checklist published by the National Park Service dated November 2015. The checklist contains 275 species when updated to the latest taxonomy.

This list is presented in the taxonomic sequence of the Check-list of North and Middle American Birds, 7th edition through the 66th Supplement, published by the American Ornithological Society (AOS).Chesser, R. T., S. M. Billerman, K. J. Burns, C. Cicero, J. L. Dunn, B. E. Hernández-Baños, R. A. Jiménez, O. Johnson, N. A. Mason, and P. C. Rasmussen. 2025. Check-list of North American Birds (online). American Ornithological Society. https://checklist.americanornithology.org/taxa/ retrieved September 5, 2025 Common and scientific names are also those of the Check-list, except that the common names of families are from the Clements taxonomy because the AOS list does not include them.

Legend

As listed in the Glacier Bird Checklist

Seasonal codes SP = spring (March–May) S = summer (June–August) F = fall (September–November) W = winter (December–February) Location codes N = nests in park E = found east of Continental Divide W = found west of Continental Divide A = occurs in alpine areas I = Introduced species Abundance codes ab = abundant c = common u = uncommon r = rare a = accidental

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. Thirty-two species have been recorded in the park.

Snow goose, Chen caerulescens; E, W, SP=u, S=r, F=u Ross's goose, Chen rossii; E, W, SP=r Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons; W, F=r Canada goose, Branta canadensis; N, E, W, SP=c, S=c, F=c, W=u Trumpeter swan, Cygnus buccinator; N, E, W, SP=r, S=u, F=r, W=r Tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus; E, W, SP=c, F=c, W=r Wood duck, Aix sponsa; N, E, W, SP=r, S=r, F=r, W=r Blue-winged teal, Spatula discors; E, W, SP=u, S=u, F=u Cinnamon teal, Spatula cyanoptera; E, W, SP=u, S=u, F=u Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata; E, W, SP=c, S=u, F=u, W=r Gadwall, Mareca strepera; E, W, SP=u, S=u, F=u, W=r Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope; W, SP=a, S=a, F=a American wigeon, Mareca americana; E, W, SP=c, S=c, F=c, W=r Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos; N, E, W, SP=c, S=c, F=c, W=c Northern pintail, Anas acuta; E, W, SP=u, S=u, F=u, W=r Green-winged teal, Anas crecca; E, W, SP=u, S=u, F=u Canvasback, Aythya valisineria; E, W, SP=r, F=r Redhead, Aythya americana; E, W, SP=u, F=u, W=r Ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris; N, E, W, SP=c, S=u, F=u Greater scaup, Aythya marila; W, SP=a Lesser scaup, Aythya affinis; E, W, SP=u, S=u, F=u, W=r Harlequin duck, Histrionicus histrionicus; N, E, W, SP=u, S=u, F=r Surf scoter, Melanitta perspicillata; W, SP=r, F=r White-winged scoter, Melanitta fusca; E, W, SP=u, F=u Long-tailed duck, Clangula hyemalis; W, F=a Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola; N, E, W, SP=c, S=c, F=c, W=u Common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula; N, E, W, SP=c, S=r, F=u, W=c Barrow's goldeneye, Bucephala islandica; N, E, W, SP=c, S=c, F=c, W=r Hooded merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus; N, E, W, SP=u, S=u, F=u, W=r Common merganser, Mergus merganser; N, E, W, SP=c, S=c, F=c, W=c Red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator; N, E, W, SP=r, S=r, F=r, W=r Ruddy duck, Oxyura jamaicensis; E, W, SP=u, S=r, F=u

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. Seven species have been recorded in the park.

Wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavo; W, S=r Ruffed grouse, Bonasa umbellus; N, E, W, SP=c, S=c, F=c, W=c Spruce grouse, Canachites canadensis; N, E, W, SP=c, S=c, F=c, W=c White-tailed ptarmigan, Lagopus leucurus; N, A, SP=u, S=u, F=u, W=u Dusky grouse, Dendragapus obscurus; N, E, W, A SP=c, S=c, F=c, W=c Sharp-tailed grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus; E, W=r Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus; N, W, I, SP=a

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. Five species have been recorded in the park.

Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps; E, W, SP=r, S=r, F=r, W=r Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus; E, W, SP=c, S=u, F=u, W=u Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena; E, W, SP=u, S=u, F=u, W=r Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis; E, W, SP=u, S=r, F=r Western grebe, Aechmorphorus occidentalis; E, W, SP=u, S=r, F=u, W=r

Pigeons and doves

Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. Four species have been recorded in the park.

Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura; E, W, SP=u, S=u, F=u Band-tailed pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata; W, F=a Eurasian collared-dove, Streptopelia decaocto; W, I, SP=r Rock pigeon, Columba livia; E, W, I, S=r, F=r

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. One species has been recorded in the park.

Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor; N, E, W, SP=u, S=u, F=r

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. Three species have been recorded in the park.

Black swift, Cypseloides niger; N, E, W, SP=r, S=r, F=r Vaux's swift, Chaetura vauxi; N, E, W, SP=u, S=u White-throated swift, Aeronautes saxatalis; E, W, A, SP=a, S=a

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. Three species have been recorded in the park.

Black-chinned hummingbird, Archilochus alexandri; N, W, SP=r, S=r Calliope hummingbird, Selasphorus calliope; N, E, W, A, SP=c, S=c Rufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus; N, E, W, A, SP=c, S=c

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". One species has been recorded in the park.

Sandhill crane, Antigone canadensis; N, E, W, SP=r, S=r, F=r

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. Four species have been recorded in the park.

Virginia rail, Rallus limicola; W, S=r Sora, Porzana carolina; N, E, W, SP=u, S=u American coot, Fulica americana; E, W, SP=c, S=c, F=c, W=r Yellow rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis; W, S=r

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 the park.

Black-necked stilt, Himantopus mexicanus; E, W, SP=r American avocet, Recurvirostra americana; E, W, SP=r, F=r

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. Three species have been recorded in the park.

Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola; E, W, SP=a, F=a Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus; N, E, W, SP=c, S=c, F=c, W=r Semipalmated plover, Charadrius semipalmatus; E, W, SP=a, S=a

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. Eighteen species have been recorded in the park.

Upland sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda; E, SP=r Long-billed curlew, Numenius americanus; E, W, SP=u Marbled godwit, Limosa fedoa; E, W, SP=r Sanderling, Calidris alba; W, F=r Baird's sandpiper, Calidris bairdii; E, W, SP=r, S=r, F=r Least sandpiper, Calidris minutilla; W, F=r Pectoral sandpiper, Calidris melanotos; E, W, SP=r Semipalmated sandpiper, Calidris pusilla; W, S=r, F=r Western sandpiper, Calidris mauri; W, SP=r, F=r Long-billed dowitcher, Limnodromus scolopaceus; E, W, SP=r Wilson's snipe, Gallinago delicata; N, E, W, SP=c, S=c, F=u Spotted sandpiper, Actitis macularia; N, E, W, SP=u, S=c, F=c Solitary sandpiper, Tringa solitaria; E, W, SP=u, S=u, F=u Lesser yellowlegs, Tringa flavipes; E, W, SP=r, S=r Willet, Tringa semipalmata; E, W, SP=r, S=r Greater yellowlegs, Tringa melanoleuca; E, W, SP=r Wilson's phalarope, Phalaropus tricolor; E, W, SP=u, F=u Red-necked phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus; E, W, SP=r, S=r, F=r

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. Thirteen species have been recorded in the park.

Black-legged kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla; W, F=a Sabine's gull, Xema sabini; W, SP=a Bonaparte's gull, Larus philadelphia; E, W, SP=r, F=u Franklin's gull, Larus pipixcan; E, W, SP=u, S=u Ring-billed gull, Larus delawarensis; E, W, SP=c, S=u, F=c California gull, Larus californicus; E, W, SP=c, S=u, F=c Herring gull, Larus argentatus; E, W, F=r Glaucous-winged gull, Larus glaucescens; W, F=a Glaucous gull, Larus hyperboreus; W, F=a Caspian tern, Hydroprogne caspia; E, W, SP=r, S=r Black tern, Chlidonias niger; N, E, W, SP=r, S=r Common tern, Sterna hirundo; E, SP=r, F=r Forster's tern, Sterna forsteri; E, W, F=r

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 the park.

Red-throated loon, Gavia stellata; W, F=a Pacific loon, Gavia pacifica; W, F=r, W=r Common loon, Gavia immer; N, E, W, SP=u, S=u, F=u, W=r Yellow-billed loon, Gavia adamsii; W, SP=a