Backyard Birds in Montana

What birds will you see in your backyards in Montana? This article will help you identify the most common backyard birds in Montana.

Which backyard birds of Montana can you spot on your birdfeeders and what kind of birds should you look for on the ground? What type of birdseed should you be using? All these questions will be answered.

This article will help you to identify common backyard birds in Montana for all seasons. We will explain what to look for by color, shape, and size. We will also include a picture so you can refer to this guide when you can’t identify a bird in your backyard.

Depending on the time of year it is, there are over 430 bird species in Montana. The most-seen backyard birds in Montana are Western Tanagers, White-Crowned Sparrows, American Crows, Eastern Kingbirds, White-Crowned Sparrows, Western Bluebirds, Red-winged Blackbirds, Brown-Headed Cowbirds, Chipping Sparrows, Red-Breasted Nuthatches, and Yellow-rumped Warblers.

The official state bird of Montana is the Western Meadowlark, It was adopted as the state bird in 1931 by a school children’s vote. It is easily spotted in Big Sky Country with its bright yellow chest and stomach flying around the mountains and Montana’s beautiful wilderness. The Western Meadowlark can be seen in Montana in summer during the breeding season..

1. Western Meadowlark

Scientific Name: Sturnella neglecta Size: 6.3-10.2 inches

Description And Field Marks

The Western Meadowlark is a robin-sized bird with a flat head, a long, slender bill, and a round-shouldered posture nearly concealing its neck. The wings are rounded and short for the bird’s size and the tail is short, stiff, and spiky. It has yellow underparts with intricately patterned brown, black, and buff upper parts. A black “V” crosses the bright yellow breast; it is gray in winter, and the head has contrasting stripes of dark brown and light buff. The outer tail feathers flash white in flight.

Nesting

The Western Meadowlark builds its nest in a small depression in the ground, nestled in a clump of grass or other plants. The nest is woven together from dry grass, forming a bowl shape and lined with hair.

The female builds the nest and then lays 1 egg in the morning on consecutive days, with an average clutch size of 5 eggs. Incubation then begins with the laying of the last egg and normally lasts for 13 to 14 days. The nesting period is between 20 to 21 days. For up to 2 weeks after fledging the young remain dependent on their parents for food.

Diet

The Western Meadowlark has a varied diet, consisting largely of insect and vegetable matter. They feed mostly on the ground, foraging for items such as beetles, cutworms, grasshoppers, crickets, grain, and weed seeds. They also eat a wide variety of seeds and grain in late summer and autumn.

Birders can increase the chances of attracting western meadowlarks to their backyard by providing ample perching areas, open areas, and grass seeds, as well as ground bird baths.

Habitat

Western Meadowlark prefers open grassland, meadow, prairie, and pasture habitat but can also be found in cultivated fields and other rural areas. Regions with shorter or medium-length grasses are more likely to host western meadowlarks than areas with taller grasses.

The range of the western meadowlark extends from southern Canada, through the central and western United States and as far south as Mexico. You will see them in Montana during the summer.

Bird Notes

The western meadowlark is very similar to the eastern meadowlark, but the western meadowlark has a flute-like warbled song that contrasts with the simple, whistled call of the eastern meadowlark.

Call And Song

2. black-capped chickadees

Scientific Name: Poecile atricapillus Size: 4.7-5.9 inches

Description And Field Marks

The Black-capped Chickadee belongs to the Chickadee family. They are small birds with black caps, clear breasts, and rusty to rufous sides. They are mostly black and white in color with gray on their wings. The male is slightly different from the female and has less weight and a smaller size than the female with a larger bib.

Nesting

They nest in holes that are either natural or made by woodpeckers. They will make the hole bigger and then fill it with moss and grass and other soft materials forming them into a cap-like structure.

The female lays 6-8 eggs which are white or light cream in color with brownish or reddish speckles. The female warms the eggs while the male protects the nest and brings food to the female.

Diet

The Black-capped Chickadee likes eating small insects, nuts, seeds of small bushes, and berries. Chickadees are naturally curious, so they will get close while you refill those feeders and may eventually take seed from your hand. They love black-oil sunflower seeds, suet, and peanut butter.

Habitat

You can see the black-capped chickadee in many areas throughout the United States as they are found in the northern states including Alaska as well as southern Canadian.

Bird Note

They are the town criers of the bird world, announcing everything from a crow or hawk coming to dinner.

Song And Call

3. mountain chickadee

Scientific Name: Poecile gambeli Size: 4 to 5 inches

Description And Field Marks

The Mountain Chickadee is a small passerine bird found in the mountainous regions of western North America. They are gray with a black cap and throat, white cheeks, and white eyebrows. They have a small, thin bill and a short tail.

Nesting

Mountain Chickadees typically breed in the late spring and early summer. They build cup-shaped nests in tree cavities or nest boxes, typically using moss, lichen, and bark strips.

The female chickadee lays 5 to 8 eggs, which are incubated for about 12 to 13 days by both parents. After hatching, the chicks are fed by both parents and fledge from the nest after about 18 to 21 days.

Diet

Mountain Chickadees primarily feed on insects, including spiders, caterpillars, and beetles. They also eat seeds and berries, particularly in the winter months.

Habitat

Mountain Chickadees prefer coniferous forests at higher elevations, typically between 5,000 to 12,500 feet. They are also found in subalpine and alpine habitats. These active birds typically forage in the lower to middle levels of the forest canopy. They often move in mixed-species flocks with other small birds, such as nuthatches and woodpeckers.

Mountain Chickadees can be found year-round in Montana, particularly in the western part of the state.

Call and song

Mountain Chickadees are known for their distinctive vocalizations, including a high-pitched, whistled song and a “chick-a-dee-dee” call.

4. red-winged blackbird

Scientific Name: Agelaius phoeniceus Size: 6.7-9.1 inches

Description And Field Marks

The male red-winged blackbird is a large blackbird with white underparts and red wings. It has an orange-red patch on its shoulder and long pointed wings. But not all Red-winged Blackbirds have red wings. Some may have yellow or orange epaulets on their wings.

The female red-winged blackbird is striped and brown-streaked in color.

Red-winged blackbirds are usually active during the day, but they may be seen at night near lights.

Nesting

A red-winged blackbird’s nest is usually in a marsh or near water, but they have also been found on flat roofs and even in chimneys.

Their nest is made of twigs, grasses, and hair. They are lined with finer grasses, rootlets, or horsehair. The female lays 4 to 6 eggs that are a pale blue-green color. They also have black, brown, and purple speckles all over them. They are incubated by both parents for about 12 days. The young leave the nest after 14 days.

Diet

They are known to eat insects and seeds, including corn, wheat, and other grains. They also eat berries from shrubs and trees like elderberry, mulberry, wild grape, or honeysuckle.

Habitat

The red-winged blackbird is a migratory bird that travels south in the fall and returns to Montana in early spring. They are very common in many of our backyards. They also like reeds along beaches and marshes, but can also be found around lakes.

Bird Note

You’ve heard the expression “Birds of a feather flock together”? Always check flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds for Common Grackles, European Starlings, and Brown-headed Cowbirds. These birds are often found together in large flocks.

Song And Call

Red-winged blackbirds can often be heard singing from a perch high in a tree or on power lines.

They have a loud, clear whistle that sounds like “fee-bee” and they also make a variety of cackling and chattering noises.

5. American Robin

Scientific Name: Turdus migratorius Size: 7.9-11.0 inches

Description And Field Marks

The American Robins has a gray-brown back and wings, with white underparts. It also has a short tail and a pointed bill for catching insects in flight or on the ground. Males have a red patch on their breasts and a black head, throat, and upper chest. Females are duller looking than males with less contrast in colors.

They prefer an open country with scattered trees and shrubs. It is found in a variety of habitats, including farmland, grasslands, parks, yards, and gardens.

Nesting

The American Robin makes its nest in a tree or shrub, usually near water. The female Robin lays four to six eggs and both parents take turns sitting on them. The eggs are solid bright blue in color. The eggs hatch in about two weeks and the chicks leave the nest after another week or so.

Diet

They eat worms and insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, and crickets. It also eats fruit and berries in the summer. They don’t do feeders but love to find bugs and worms in the grass all around your yard.

Habitat

The American Robin is found in eastern North America, from the Maritime Provinces of Canada to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. It is also found throughout the United States and southern parts of Canada, including most of Alaska.

The American Robin is a migratory bird that travels south for winter. It returns to the same area each spring.

Song And Call

They are very early-morning singers. Listen for their call

6. dark-eyed juncos

Scientific Name: Junco hyemalis Size: 5.5-6.3 inches

Description And Field Marks

The dark-eyed juncos are little birds that are slated gray in color. They are known as medium size sparrows with long tails, round faces, and white on their belly. They also have bright white markings on its tail.

Dark-eyed junco has a population of over 600 million making it one of the most common birds in the United States and Canada.

Nesting

The Dark-eyed Juncos lay three to six eggs. They are cream-colored with brown spots. The eggs are usually laid in a tree hole or on the ground.

Diet

The Dark-eyed Junco eats seeds, berries, and insects. They can be found in bushes and trees. Juncos LOVE feeders! They will eat whatever you put out black-oil sunflower seeds, suet, peanut butter, or generic wild bird food.  They are not picky.

Habitat

When Juncos appear, Winter is near. You can see them in Canada and the western mountains during the spring and summer months. These birds flew south to North America for the winter months.

Look for them on deciduous forest floors and on the grass in your backyard. They can be found in bushes and trees all over Montana all year long.

This is another bird that can travel in mixed flocks, so you never know who else will turn up at your feeder alongside the Juncos.

Song And Call

7. brown-headed cowbird

Scientific Name: Molothrus ater                Size: 7.5 inches

Description And Field Marks

Chunky, dark-eyed blackbird with short tails and thick bills.  Adult males are glossy black with iridescent brown heads.  Females are brown with light streaks on the belly.

Nesting

Brown-headed Cowbirds nest in trees, but there is no nest-building involved. Female Brown-headed Cowbirds are parasites – they lay their eggs in the nests of other birds. In many cases,    larger Cowbird nestlings will push the other species’ eggs or chicks out of the nest. Parasite hosts raise the Cowbird chick as their own.

Diet

Seeds, grasses, and insects make up most of the Brown-headed Cowbird’s diet. Females add snails and eggs from nests they parasitize; they need the extra calcium because they lay so many of their own eggs in other birds’ nests.

Brown-headed Cowbirds will come to feeders, usually with Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, and European Starlings that sometimes overwhelm household feeders.

 Habitat

Brown-headed Cowbirds can be found pretty much everywhere but in heavy forests. They got their name by foraging among herds of grazing buffalo and cattle.

In Winter, Brown-headed Cowbirds can be found among the large flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, and European Starlings.

 Bird Notes

The much smaller Yellow Warbler’s nests are targets for Brown-headed Cowbirds, but the Yellow Warbler has figured out a way to deal with this. Since they are too small to push the Cowbird egg out of the nest, they build another nest on top of the egg, smothering it and allowing their eggs to hatch without intruders.

Song And Call

8. downy woodpecker

Scientific Name: Dryobates pubescens Size:  5.5-6.7 inches

Description And Field Marks

The Downy Woodpecker is bigger than a junco or House Finch but smaller than a Red-winged Blackbird. It has a black-and-white striped head and black wings with white spots and a solid white back and white underparts. The Downy Woodpecker has a black tail with white outer tail feathers with black bars or spots. The male has a small red spot on the back of his head.

Nesting

Look for their nest in dead trees or live trees with dead areas. They carve out an area large enough for the eggs and the bird. They line the nest only with wood chips. The nest can take weeks to make and is done by both the male and female.

A Downy woodpecker only has one brood each year with 3 to 8 eggs which are white in color. The incubation period is around 12 days with both the male and female taking turns. The young will stay in the nest for around 30 days.

Diet

Mostly Downy Woodpeckers eat insects. The male tends to eat from the ground while the female likes to find insects from branches and in trees. They will also eat seeds, weeds, and fruit.

The Downy Woodpecker will visit your backyard feeders for suet and nuts.

Habitat

The Downy Woodpecker is a common bird found throughout Montana in places where there are trees. You will see them in residential areas, cities, farmland, and wooded areas.

Call And Drumming

9. house sparrows

Scientific Name: Passer domesticus Size: 5.9-6.7 inches

Description And Field Marks

The House Sparrow differs from another American Sparrow as they are not related. They have a rounder head and are chunkier, with a bigger chest, short tails, and thicker bills.

Like most other female birds, she is duller than the male, brown with dirty gray and brown underparts with striped backs in brown, black, and buff.

Male House Sparrows are chunky with a round head, stout bill, and full breasts. Colors include gray crowns, dark brown necks, white cheeks, black bibs, and gray crowns.

Nesting

House sparrows nest in cavities and use a variety of materials to build their nests. They are not known for being picky about where they nest, so if you have a birdhouse or an old nest box in your yard, it might attract house sparrows. House sparrows nest in cavities in trees or buildings.

The female lays 3-8 eggs. The incubation period is 10-14 days and the young stay in the nest for 10 to 14 days.

Diet

They eat seeds, grains, and insects. Sparrows will definitely be at your feeder eating birdseed, sunflower seeds, millet, and milo.

Habitat

The House Sparrow lives where people live. You will find them in cities and towns, in backyards and parks.

Song And Call

10. yellow-rumped warbler

Scientific Name: Setophaga coronata  Size: 4.7-5.5 inches

Description And Field Marks

The males are dark gray, with white on their wings, and yellow on their faces, sides, and rump. The east coast male could have a white throat instead of the yellow one. The females are duller and could be brown instead of gray with less yellow.

Nesting

Females built their nests in pine trees with materials brought to them by the male. She lays 1 to 6 white-speckled eggs. The incubation period is 12 to 13 days with a nesting period of 10 to 14 days.

Diet

The yellow-rumped warblers eat insects during the summer.

Habitat

In Montana, you will see the yellow-rumped warbler in summer during the breeding season. They like open areas, such as parks, woodland pine forests, dunes, and residential areas.

Song And Call

11. black-billed magpies

Scientific Name: Pica [pica] hudsonia Size: 18-24 inches

Description And Field Marks

The black-billed magpie is a mid-sized bird the size of a crow with an extremely long tail. It is black and white with black areas on the wings and tail showing iridescent hints of blue or blue-green. It is one of only four North American songbirds whose tail makes up half or more of the total body length. The tail is made up of long, layered feathers, the middle pair of which protrudes farthest of all. Males and females look alike.

Nesting

Black-billed Magpies build their nests over 40-50 days, using sticks gathered by the male for the exterior and grass and other materials gathered by the female for the interior. The finished nest is a large, domed structure, usually around 30 inches high and 20 inches wide. The dome is constructed of sticks, with entrances on both sides. Inside the dome is a cup-shaped nest with a mud or manure base and a lining made from grass, rootlets, hair, and weeds.

Once the nest is finished, the female will lay up to nine eggs, with the typical clutch ranging from 6-7 eggs. The male will bring food while the female incubates the eggs, and both will feed the young once they have hatched. After 3-4 weeks the young will leave the nest, joining with other broods and being fed by their parents for an additional 3-4 weeks.

Diet

Black-billed Magpies eat a variety of food types. Their primary diet consists of insects and their larva, as well as the eggs and hatchlings of songbirds. They also eat fruit and grain crops, small mammals such as mice and meadow voles, carrion, seeds, grains, and nuts. Black-billed Magpies may also eat garbage and food that is left out for pets.

Habitat

It inhabits the western half of North America including western Canada and southern Alaska. You will see them year-round in Montana but more frequently in winter.

Song And Call

The black-billed magpie alarm call is known as a chatter, which is a ka-ka-ka-ka sound, sometimes preceded by a skah-skah. They also have a mag-mag-mag call, which they use to communicate with other birds.

12. red-breasted nuthatch

Scientific Name: Sitta canadensis Size: 4.3 inches

Description And Field Marks

The red-breasted nuthatch is a small bird, dark gray on top with rusty color breasts. It has a short tail and a sharp bill. The female is similar to the male except she has lighter gray on top and a paler rust color underneath.

Often found during fall and winter working their way down tree trunks. Smaller and slimmer than the White-breasted Nuthatch.

The red-breasted nuthatch is the only bird that can climb down a tree head first by using its tail as a brace. It does this to keep from falling off tree branches.

Nesting

The red-breasted nuthatch nest is a hole in a tree. The female lays eggs between April and June, with an average clutch size of 4 to 6 eggs. The young stay in the nest for about 11 days and then leave the nest.

Diet

The red-breasted nuthatch diet consists of insects and seeds. They love suet and peanut butter and peanuts, so they are big on winter feeders.

Habitat

It lives throughout the eastern United States and Canada. The red-breasted nuthatch is found in woodlands, mature forested areas, and large parks.

You will see red-breasted nuthatch in most of Montana during the non-breeding season however in the western and southern parts of the state you will see them year-round.

Song And Call

13. European starling

Scientific Name: Sturnus vulgaris Size: 7.9-9.1 inches

Description And Field Marks

The European Starling is the size of a Robin and from a distance looks all black. However, they have a purplish-green iridescent color to them when you see them up close. Their yellow bill stands out and they have short tails.

You often see them in large flocks with blackbirds and grackles.

Nesting

Starlings will take other birds’ nests and use them as long as they are high off the ground, usually in trees, on streetlights, buildings, or nest boxes. The male will find these nests and will add twigs, pine needles, grasses, and feathers. Females will add greens to the nest before laying 3 to 6 eggs.

Both the male and female will incubate the eggs for a period of around 12 days. The egg color is bluish to greenish white. The young will stay in the nest for about 3 weeks.

Diet

European Starlings eat mostly insects but will also eat fruits. In addition, they will eat seeds, nectar, garbage, and livestock feed.

Habitat

The starling is one of the most common birds found in the United States. It is a member of the family Sturnidae, which includes other starlings, mynas, and oxpeckers.

They live where humans are, in towns and cities, and roost in trees and on buildings, also you will see them on wires. They like open fields and lawns and are not far from a water source.

Bird Notes

A fun fact about the European Starling is that all North American birds descended from 100 birds that in 1890 were intentionally released into Central Park in New York City. Today they have a population in the North America of over 2 million.

Song And Call

The European starling is a highly sociable bird. It lives in flocks of up to 100 birds, and its calls include whistling and chattering noises.

14. northern flicker

Scientific Name: Colaptes auratus  Size: 11.0-12.2 inches

Description And Field

The Northern Flicker male and female are similar in color. They both have a rounded head, the bill is curved down and the tail tapers to a long point.

With its gray-brown plumage, Northern Flickers stand out from other woodpeckers in their area. They also have dark markings on their undersides and brightly colored tail feathers.

Although they are the same bird their colors differ from the eastern United States (bright yellow wing and tail feathers) and the western US (red wing and tail feathers).

The Northern Flicker is also known as “the woodpecker that doesn’t peck wood.” Instead, it cleans insects from the bark of trees.

Nesting

It nests in holes excavated by other animals, such as squirrels and woodpeckers. It lays 5 to 8 eggs which are all white. They only have one brood per nesting season.

The incubation period is around 2 weeks and the young stay in the nest for about a month.

Diet 

Northern Flickers mostly will eat insects that they get from the ground. They will “drum” at the ground as other woodpeckers drum in trees and wood. During the winter months, they will also eat fruits and seeds.

The Northern Flicker is a great backyard bird because it is generally easy to attract and stops in at your suet and peanut feeders, but most likely you’ll see them nesting in old trees.

Habitat

You will see Northern Flickers in city parks and backyards in the suburbs. They will also be in woodlands with open trees, burned forests, swamps, and marshes.

The most common time to see the Northern Flicker is during the spring and summer in Montana but you can see them all year long.

Call And Drumming

The Northern Flicker has a wide range of calls. It has a typical woodpecker-like “drum” and a more musical, gurgling call that is often mistaken for the song of the Red-winged Blackbird.

They make excellent watch birds due to their loud “wicka-wicka-wicka” call that can be heard from quite a distance.

15. pine siskin

Scientific Name: Carduelis pinus  Size:  4.3-5.5 inches

Description And Field Marks

Pine siskins are small finches with a thin, sharply pointed bill, a notched tail, two dusky wing bars that fade to white over time, flight feathers with yellow bases, brown upperparts, pale underparts with heavy streaks over their body, short, forked tails, conical beaks that are longer and more slender than other finches, and yellow patches on their tails and wings, with white streaks appearing on the wings as well. The male also has more vivid plumage than the female.

Nesting

The pine siskin typically builds its nest in a conifer, usually low in the tree, and lays 3 or 4 pale green eggs, lightly speckled with dark brown and black. The nest is a shallow saucer of bark, twigs, and moss lined with plant down and feathers.

The female will incubate the eggs for about 13 days and the young will leave the nest after 14-15 days.

Diet

Pine siskins are mostly granivorous, feeding mainly on small seeds such as those of thistle, red alder, birch, spruce, hemlock, pine, cedar, dandelions, chickweed, ragweed, and sunflower. They may also feed on insects, spiders, and larvae.

Pine Siskins feed readily at backyard feeders, preferring smaller seeds without tough shells like thistle and black-oil sunflower, but they will scavenge fragments of larger seeds left by heavier-billed birds, and will occasionally eat suet.

Habitat

Pine Siskins typically breed in coniferous forests in most of Canada, the northern and western parts of the United States, and Alaska

Pine Siskins can be found in many types of semi-open areas, including forest edges and weedy fields. You will find them in eastern Montana during the non-breeding season (winter months) and year-round in the western part of the state.

Call And Song

The Pine Siskin has a range of song and calls notes, including a high-pitched, quick chitter, a distinctive, harsh “watch-winding” call, and a tuneful “sweeet” sound. When communicating with other siskins, the males make a sharper, high-pitched, elongated “zweeeee” sound. Females have a low-pitched, husky call that can be heard over long distances.

16. house wren

Scientific Name: Troglodytes aedon Size: 4.35.1 inches

Description And Field Marks

The House Wren is a small songbird weighing about the same as two quarters. Its coloring is all brown with a darker brown on the wings and tail. For a small bird, it has a long curved beak.

Nesting

The House Wren nests in nest boxes (which would need to be installed in your backyard way before the breeding season) and tree holes. It avoids nesting in heavily wooded areas and prefers areas where humans are. They line the nests with twigs.

The female lays 3 to 10 white-speckled eggs. The incubation period is 9 to 16 days and the nestling period is 15 to 17 days.

Diet

The House Wren eats many different types of insects from flies to spiders. They also like snail shells.

Habitat

House Wren has a very large range and can be seen over the entire Western Hemisphere. It can be seen in Montana during the summer as they breed in North America and fly south for the winter. You can see them in yards, by buildings, and by farms.

Bird Note

House Wren will come to your backyard especially if you have downed brush as they like to go under for cover and eat insects.

Song And Call

17. cedar waxwings 

Scientific Name:  Bombycilla cedrorum Size: 5.5-6.7 inches

Description And Field Marks

In the spring males sport bright red feathers on their wings that give them the name Cedar waxwing. They have a yellow ban on the tip of the tail. Cedar waxwings are small birds, averaging only 5.5 inches long.

Nesting

They have a special way of building their nest: they use the sticky saliva from their mouths to bind the twigs together.

The nests are made of twigs and lined with grass, hair, or rootlets.

They build their nests in trees and shrubs, usually at a height of about 20 feet, and lay three to five eggs.

The male and female both incubate the eggs for about 12 days, but once hatched, both parents feed the young.

Each brood of chicks will have two to three broods a year.

Diet

During the winter months, Cedar waxwings feed on fruits and berries, but in the spring they switch to insects.

They eat berries, nectar, and insects.

Habitat

Found year-round in Montana, the Cedar waxwing can be identified by its dark brown body, white belly, and yellow undertail coverts.

Cedar waxwings are common in the northern U.S. and can be found in Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Minnesota, and Michigan.

Song And Call

18. yellow warbler

Scientific Name: Setophaga petechia  Size: 4.7-5.1 inches

Description And Field Marks

The yellow Warbler is a small bird with a round head, black eye, and yellow body. The main difference between the male and female is that the male has some brown stripes on his breast.

Nesting

Nests are built by the female usually 10 feet off the ground. Its eggs are greenish-gray in color and the female lays 1 to 7 eggs. The incubation period is 10 to 13 days with a 9 to 12 days nesting period.

Diet

Yellow Warblers eat small insects.

Habitat

The Yellow Warbler breeds in the northern United States and Canada. They migrate earlier than most other warblers in late summer or early fall. They fly nonstop from eastern North America to the Gulf of Mexico.

Song And Call

19. house finches

Scientific Name: Haemorhous mexicanus  Size: 5.1-5.5 inches

Description And Field Marks

The male House Finch has a brown back, wings, tail, and head with white underparts and varying shades of red around the head while the female is grayish-brown all over.

Nesting

House Finches build their nest anyway as long as it’s 12 to 15 feet above the ground usually in buildings and trees. Nests are made of grass, weeds, twigs, and leaves. The female builds the nest while the male will feed her during this time and incubation.

The eggs are pale blue with lavender and black dots and consist of 2 to 6 eggs. The incubation period is 13 to 14 days. Both the male and female feed their young for the 12 to 15 days they remain in the nest.

House Finches usually have 3 broods each year.

Diet

House Finches like to eat small worms, insects, seeds of small plants, and berries of some plants as well. They will visit the bird feeders often and really love sunflower seeds. They will also visit your Hummingbird feeders for the sugar water.

Habitat

Seen throughout North America, the House Finch is a very social bird and is usually seen in flocks except during mating season. You will find them in cities, suburban towns, and farmland. They love lawns, weedy areas, and trees but not dense forests.

Bird Note

If the bird you’re looking for has a raspberry or light pink body check to see if it’s a purple finch.

Song And Call

The House Finch has a high-pitched sound that the male House Finch mostly uses to attract the female for breeding.

20. common raven

Scientific Name: Corvus corax              Size: 24 inches

Ravens are large, solid black birds with long, wedge-shaped tails, elongated narrow wings, and heavy bills. They are larger than their American and Fish Crow cousins.

They can appear hawk-like in flight. Common Ravens are acrobatic flyers, which helps when they are eluding the smaller birds that mob and chase them in flight.

They have a very harsh and deep “caw” that’s more of a croak and can also be heard clacking their bills.

Common Ravens are formidable predators. From mice to birds as large as herons, to eggs and carrion, they dine on it all. This is why you will often see them chased and harassed by other birds, including Crows.

Ravens are not picky. They will eat anything they come across. One odd place to find Common Ravens is at garbage dumps and dumpsters behind stores. They are also fond of building their nests on towers.

Common Ravens are found from the mountains to the beaches and everywhere in between. They don’t mind humans and can be found in rural areas, farms, and even in some suburban locations.

Bird Notes

Ravens are highly intelligent and adept at solving complicated puzzles.

Ravens have been guarding the Tower of London for a very long time.

Call And Song

21. American crows

Scientific Name: Corvus brachyrhynchos Size: 15.8-20.9 inches

Description And Field Marks

The American Crow is not a crow at all. It is actually a raven, but it has been called the “American Crow” for many years. This all-black bird has shiny feathers. The bill is also black with a hook on the end. The male is slightly more glossy than the female.

The American crow is smaller than the fish crow.

Nesting

The American Crow doesn’t breed until it’s between 2 and 4 years old. The “family” stays together for years, so some of the “kids” will help raise the next year’s brood.

Their nests are in large trees mostly evergreens. Both the male and female will make the nest out of large twigs lined with pine needles. The nest is big around 15 inches across and 7 to 10 inches deep.

They usually lay 3 to 9 eggs which are bluish-green in color with gray and brown blotches at either end.

The incubation period is 16 to 18 days, and the young remain in the nest anywhere from 20 to 40 days.

Diet

The American Crow will eat just about anything including seeds, nuts, worms, and small animals such as mice. They will also steal and eat eggs from other birds like robins, sparrows, loons, jays, and eiders. They will even eat garbage from the dumps.

Habitat

The American Crow can be seen throughout the United States but differ in size by region. Eastern crows are the ones you will see in Montana throughout the year and are larger than what you will see on the west coast. In Florida, the American Crow is smaller but has large feet. And the Northwestern Crow once thought to be a different species are smaller with a deeper voice.

It is common to see them on lawns, open fields, woodlands, parking lots, and in towns as well as in cities.

Bird Notes

The American Crow is an aggressive bird that will chase many large birds like eagles and hawks. Many times you will see them in flocks of up to 1000 birds.

Song And Call

22. Eurasian collared-dove 

Scientific Name: Streptopelia decaocto  Size: 11.4-11.8 inches

Description And Field Marks

Bigger and heavier than the mourning dove, the Eurasian collared dove has plump bodies and long tails that are squared off at the tip. Their size is between a robin and a crow.

The Eurasian collared dove is brownish to gray in color with white on its tail. They have a black narrow patch around the nape of the neck. When you see them flying their wingtips are darker than the rest of the wings.

Nesting

Males pick the nest sites and gather the materials while females build the nest about 10 feet off the ground. It’s a simple platform-style nest and will use this nest for many broods (from 3 to 6) during the breeding season. In warm areas such as Florida, the doves will nest year-round.

Each brood has 1 to 2 white eggs with an incubation period of 14 to 19 days and a nesting period of 17 days.

Diet

The Eurasian Collared Dove mostly eats seeds and grains such as millet, wheat, corn, and sunflowers. They will eat seeds from your birdfeeders.

Habitat

They live in urban and suburban areas where they can access birdfeeders. Although they prefer warmer climates and you can see them in Montana year-round.

Song And Call

23. eastern kingbird

Scientific Name: Tyrannus tyrannus Size: 7.5-9.1 inches

Description And Field Marks

The Eastern Kingbird has a blackish top with white below. It has a square tail with a white tip. It has a big head, a short straight bill, and an upright posture.

Nesting

The female builds the nest in open trees while the male watches and keeps her safe from other males. It’s a strong sturdy nest as it is exposed to the open.

The female lays 2 to 5 pale eggs with a ring of reddish spots. The incubation period is 14 to 17 days and the young remain in the nest for an additional 16 to 17 days.

Diet

Eastern Kingbirds eat insects in summer. They can even catch them when flying. They will come to your backyard especially if you have lots of flying insects and open yards with nearby trees. During late summer and early fall, they will be attracted to your backyards especially those with berry brushes.

Habitat

The Eastern Kingbird breeds in Montana so you can see them in the summer and early fall. During this time you are most likely to see them alone. During migration and in the winter they travel in flocks. They spend their winters in the Amazon.

Song And Call

24. mourning doves

Scientific Name: Zenaida mactoura  Size: 9.1-13.4 inches

Description And Field Marks

The Mourning Dove is a medium-sized bird from the dove family. It has a rusty brown color and a few black spots above the wings. They can reach up to 12 inches in body length while their wingspan can be up to 18 inches.

Nesting

The pair of Mourning Doves is monogamous and they usually mate for life. They use old nests of other birds or build their own nest on top of a post, tree branch, or even on the ground.

Mourning Doves lay two white eggs and incubate them for 13 days. The male also feeds her during this time. The young will leave the nest after 15-16 days.

Diet

Mourning Doves eat seeds and grains that are found in the backyard. They also eat insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, and beetles.

Mourning Doves are one of the vacuums of the bird world, so they don’t eat from feeders but from what falls on the ground when other birds use your feeder.

Habitat

The Mourning Dove is frequent in most parts of the United States.

Song And Call

25. white-crowned sparrow 

Scientific Name: Zonotrichia leucophrys    Size: 5.9-6.3 inches

Description And Field Marks

On the larger size for a sparrow, the White-Crowned Sparrow was a long tail and a small bill and its head appears peaked. Its colors are a pale gray bird but the crown has a bold black and white stripe. You can also identify them from their bills which are pale pink east of the Rockies and yellow to orange bill west of the Rockies and along the Pacific Coast.

Nesting

The white-crowned sparrow mostly nests below 10 feet from the ground in shrubs. The female builds the nest out of twigs, grasses, hair, and leaves. It takes between 5 to 9 days to do this.

The female lays 3 to 7 greenish to blue-greenish eggs. The incubation period is 10 to 14 days with a nesting period of 8 to 10 days. The birds will have between 1 and 3 broods each breeding season.

The pair stays together for the breeding season but will winter separately. About 2/3 will find each other again the following season to breed.

Diet

The birds’ diet mainly consists of weeds and grasses but they will eat insects and caterpillars during the summer. They will also eat grains such as corn, and bailey and fruits such as blackberries and elderberries.

Habitat

The white-crowned sparrow loves scrubs up to 10 feet tall and you will see them hopping from the ground to the shrubs. During winter you will mainly see them in weedy fields, thickets, farms, and in backyards.

You will see White-Crowned Sparrows during the summer for breeding in the western part of Montana and during migration in the eastern part of the state.

Call And Song

Most of the time when you hear the White-Crowned Sparrow singing it’s the male. They learn to sing within the first few months of their lives, usually where they were born and will have different dialects. Some will be able to sing in more than one dialect.

26. American goldfinches

Scientific Name: Spinus tristis  Size: 4.3-5.1 inches

Description And Field Marks

The American Goldfinch is a small, sparrow-sized bird with a short, notched tail.

In Spring and Summer, the male has a bright yellow body, black wings with wing bars, and a heavy, finch-like bill, while the female is less boldly colored. In winter both males and females become dull green-gray and look like female House Finches.

Goldfinches are very social birds and often travel in flocks. They fly in a rolling up-and-down pattern, and their song is high-pitched and mellifluous.

Nesting

Nesting later than most birds in this area (late June), the American Goldfinch hides its nests in thick brushes and shrubs making them very hard to see. The nests look like cup-like structures made of grasses, seeds, and soft materials on top of the twigs in the brushes.

The female lays 2 to 7 eggs which take 12 to 14 days to hatch. The young are fed by the male and stay in the nest for 11 to 17 days. Depending on how late the pair mates, they can mate again having two broods in a season.

Diet

They love Nyjer and sunflower seeds year-round, but will also eat a finch seed blend. Finch feeders have very small openings and can be either rigid feeders or disposable nylon socks.

Habitat

They are year-round residents and are found in most areas of North America. However, those that breed in Canada and the Midwest migrate to the southern US States for winter.

American Goldfinches are spotted in Montana yearly, but their numbers increase during the breeding season. Breeding usually starts in late April or early May.

Bird Note

In winter, check your finch feeder for Pine Siskins, which look like sparrows with yellowish accents.

Song And Call

27. gray catbirds

Scientific Name: Dumetella carolinensis Size: 8.3-9.4 inches

Description And Field Marks

In the songbird family, the Gray Catbird is mostly gray but has some cinnamon brown under its tail and some black on its cap and tail.

Nesting

Female catbirds build their nest in shrubs, vines, and bushes usually around 4 feet off the ground. Nests are made of twigs, branches, and grass-like materials.

Catbirds can have 2 to 3 broods per mating season with 1 to 6 eggs each. Incubation lasts 12 to 15 days and the young remain with their parents for around 10 days.

Diet

They mostly eat insects, caterpillars, and moths but will also eat fruit and berries. They can become backyard pests if you grow fruit in your yard.

Habitat

Gray catbirds don’t like to fly in open areas so you will most likely see them in small vines, bushes, and trees. You will see them in your backyards so look in the branches of your bushes both in summer in Montana for the breeding season.

Song And Call

The Gray Catbird songs all day long and will mimic other birds.

28. chipping sparrow

Scientific Name: Spizella passerina  Size: 4.7-5.9 inches+

Description And Field Marks

Chipping sparrows are small brown sparrows with plain breasts and long tails. There is a difference between breeding and non-breeding birds. The breeding birds have a reddish cap and a white brow with dark eye lines. The non-breeding has a brown cap, duller dirty gray breast, a dark eye line, and a grayish rump.

Usually found in trees around your property. You will hear them before you see them.

Nesting

The chipping sparrow nests in dense shrubs or small trees near the ground. It is often found nesting under bird feeders.

The female builds the nest out of grass and other plant material and then lines it with hair or fine grasses. The nest is usually built on a horizontal branch in dense shrubs or small trees.

The female lays 3 to 5 eggs at a time and the young hatch after 11 days of incubation. Both parents feed the chicks until they are ready to leave the nest, usually after about 12 days.

Diet

The chipping sparrow diet consists of seeds, insects, and spiders. Occasional visitors to your suet and black-oil sunflower seed feeder.

Habitat

The chipping sparrow is a common bird and can be found in Montana during the spring and summer for the breeding season. It has been spotted as far west as Texas and California.

You will find them in the woods, especially where there are pine trees. Other common places to see them are on backyards lawns, in cities, towns, and farms. During the fall and winter, you will often see them in flocks.

Song And Call

The song is more of a rattle. The chipping sparrow has two calls: a sharp chip and a long, high-pitched trill.

29. western tanager

Scientific Name: Piranga ludoviciana Size: 7 inches

Description and field marks

The male Western Tanager is a colorful bird with a bright red head, a yellow body, and black wings with two white bars. Females are yellow-green with darker wings and back. Both have stocky bodies and thick, pale bills, and dark eyes.

Nesting

The Western Tanager is a bird species that nests in trees during the breeding season, typically from May to August. Here are some details about the nesting habits of Western Tanagers:

Western Tanagers build their nests in the outer branches of trees, usually between 10 and 50 feet off the ground. They prefer coniferous or mixed forests, but can also be found in deciduous forests and woodlands. The nest is a cup-shaped structure made of small twigs, grasses, and other plant materials. The inside of the nest is lined with fine grasses, rootlets, and sometimes animal hair.

The female Western Tanager builds the nest, while the male defends the territory. The female lays 3 to 5 pale green or blue eggs, which she incubates for about 12 to 14 days. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after about 12 to 14 days.

The Western Tanager is occasionally targeted by the Brown-headed Cowbird, which lays its eggs in the Tanager’s nest. Cowbird chicks typically outcompete tanager chicks for food, often resulting in the death of the tanager chicks.

Diet

The Western Tanager feeds on a variety of insects, including beetles, caterpillars, ants, bees, and wasps. They often catch insects while in flight or by gleaning them from the foliage.

They will also eat fruit, especially during the breeding season, and are known to feed on berries, cherries, and other small fruits.

Habitat

It’s worth noting that Western Tanagers are only found in western North America during the breeding season. They typically breed in coniferous or mixed forests in the western United States and Canada, and they migrate to Mexico and Central America for the winter.

The Western Tanager can be found in Montana during the breeding season, which typically occurs from May through August.

call and song

30. song sparrow

Scientific Name: Melospiza melodia   Size: 4.7-6.7 inches

Description And Field Marks

The Song Sparrow is a medium size bulky sparrow. Their mostly brown body has streaks of white/light gray throughout. It has a long rounded tail and broad wings.

It’s larger than a chipping sparrow but smaller than a dark-eyed junco.

Nesting

The Song Sparrow nest is made of grass and twigs. They are also lined with hair, feathers, and wool.  The nest is usually found in a bush or tree near water. They are not afraid of humans so can nest close to your home on lights or poles and in flower beds.

The Song Sparrows lays one to six eggs. The eggs are either, blue, blue-green, or gray-green with some brown spots on them. The incubation period is 12 to 15 days and the young spend another 9 to 12 days in the nest.

The Song Sparrow can have anywhere between 1 to 7 broods per year.

Diet

It eats insects, seeds, and berries. They will come to your feeders for any kind of seeds or suet.

Habitat

Song Sparrows are very common in Montana all year-round. They can be found all over the state.

Call And Song

31. Mountain Bluebird

Scientific Name: Sialia currucoides Size: 6.3-7.9 inches

Description and Field Marks

The Mountain Bluebird is a strikingly beautiful bird with vibrant blue plumage and distinctive rust-colored markings.

The male Mountain Bluebirds have bright blue upper parts, while their underparts are pale blue to white. They have a rust-colored throat and breast, and a white belly. Females are less vibrant, with duller blue upper parts and a greyish-blue breast.

They have short tails with a square or slightly rounded shape. Their bill is black, thin and straight.

Nesting

The male often chooses a nest cavity before attracting a mate, and will sometimes begin building a nest or bringing nesting material to the site to show their readiness to breed. They require open habitats with suitable nesting sites such as tree cavities or nest boxes.

After mating, the female Mountain Bluebird constructs a cup-shaped nest from grasses, pine needles, and other plant materials, lining it with softer materials such as feathers, hair, and fine grasses. She lays a clutch of 4 to 7 light blue or white eggs, which she incubates for about 14 days. Both parents participate in feeding the nestlings, which fledge after about 18 to 21 days. They usually raise 1 to 2 broods per nesting season.

Diet

Mountain Bluebirds’ diet consists of a wide variety of insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, ants, and spiders. They also occasionally feed on small fruits and seeds, particularly during the winter months when insects are less abundant.

During the breeding season, Mountain Bluebirds need a high-protein diet to support the growth of their young, and they may consume up to 500 insects per day.

Habitat

The Mountain Bluebird prefers open grasslands, meadows, and sagebrush steppe, and is often found in areas with scattered trees, snags, or other perching sites typically at elevations of 4900 to 9800 feet. Mountain Bluebirds are also found in alpine meadows and subalpine coniferous forests during the breeding season.

Montana is a great place to see Mountain Bluebirds, as they are relatively common throughout the state during the breeding season.

Call and Song

The call of the Mountain Bluebird is a soft, low-pitched “chur” or “chirp” sound.

song

32. western bluebird

Scientific Name: Sialia Mexicana Size: 6-7 inches

Description and field marks

The Western Bluebird is a small, brightly colored bird that is found in the western United States, Mexico, and parts of Canada. They have a bright blue head, back, and wings, with a rusty-red breast and a gray-blue belly. The blue coloration may appear more subdued in females and juveniles. They also have a white eye ring and a small, thin bill.

Nesting

Western Bluebirds typically choose nest sites that are sheltered and hidden from view, such as tree cavities, nest boxes, or birdhouses. They prefer sites that are at least 5-6 feet above the ground and have a clear flight path to the entrance hole.

The female does most of the nest building, with the male occasionally bringing in nesting materials as well. She lays 4 to 6 light blue or white eggs and incubates them for 14 days. The male will bring her food during this time.

The young will leave the nest in 17 to 21 days however the parents will continue to care for them for several weeks by providing food and protection.

Western Bluebirds are known to use artificial nest boxes or birdhouses, so providing suitable nesting sites can be a great way to attract them to your yard or property.

Diet

The Western Bluebird feeds primarily on insects, including beetles, grasshoppers, and caterpillars, as well as spiders and other arthropods. They also eat some fruits and berries, especially during the winter months when insect prey is less abundant.

They may consume small amounts of seeds or nectar, especially during the winter months. Even visit hummingbird feeders for nectar, and may also eat fruits such as elderberries and grapes.

Habitat

The Western Bluebird is found in a variety of habitats across its range, including open woodlands, oak savannas, pine forests, and sagebrush steppe. They prefer areas with scattered trees and shrubs, as well as open grassy or meadow areas.

In Montana, they can be found throughout much of the state, although they are most common in the western and southwestern parts of the state. They are generally present from mid-March to mid-October.

Call and song

The Western Bluebird is quiet and unobtrusive compared to some other bird species, but may occasionally give a soft “chur” or “chirp”.

Bird Note

The Western Bluebird and Mountain Bluebird are two closely related bird species that are both found in western North America. Here are some key differences between the two species:

1. Plumage: The most obvious difference between Western Bluebirds and Mountain Bluebirds is their plumage. Western Bluebirds have bright blue heads and wings, rusty-red breasts, and gray-blue back. Mountain Bluebirds, on the other hand, are a paler blue overall, with a blue head, back, and wings, and a rust-colored breast.
2. Habitat: Western Bluebirds are generally found in more wooded habitats, such as oak savannas and open woodlands, while Mountain Bluebirds are typically found in more open habitats, such as grasslands and sagebrush steppe.
3. Range: The range of the Western Bluebird is generally more restricted than that of the Mountain Bluebird. Western Bluebirds are found primarily in the western United States, while Mountain Bluebirds are found throughout western North America, including parts of Canada.
4. Nesting habits: Western Bluebirds tend to nest in natural cavities in trees, while Mountain Bluebirds often nest in cavities in the ground, such as abandoned rodent burrows.

33. spotted towhee

Scientific Name: Pipilo maculatus Size: 6.7-8.3 inches

Description and field marks

The Spotted Towhee is roughly the same size as a robin, with a long, dark, fan-shaped tail with white corners on the end, and a round body with bright red eyes and dull pink legs.

Males have jet-black heads, throats, backs, and tails, while females are dark brown or grayish-black. Juvenile birds are mostly brown with brown streaking and tarnish spots. They have red eyes, pinkish legs, and thick, dark, pointed beaks.

Nesting

Spotted towhees breed during the spring and summer, typically laying 3 to 5 eggs per brood. The female builds the nest on the ground or low in bushes, often concealed by adjacent plants but not typically inside thickets. The nest is made of leaves, strips of bark, twigs, forb stalks, and grasses, lined with pine needles, shredded bark, grass, and sometimes hair.

The eggs are grayish or creamy-white with reddish-brown spots and are incubated by the female alone for 12 to 14 days. Once hatched, both parents feed the chicks, which leave the nest at 10 to 12 days but remain with their parents until 30 days of age.

Diet

The Spotted Towhee is an omnivore that primarily feeds on seeds, plants, acorns, and berries during the winter. However, during the breeding season, they mainly eat insects such as beetles, weevils, crickets, grasshoppers, moths, spiders, millipedes, snails, and wasps.

They are ground foragers and use a two-footed scratching method to locate food under the litter. The Spotted Towhee frequents brushy areas and is common at bird feeders wherever seed is scattered on the ground.

Habitat

The Spotted Towhee is found in shrubby habitats in forested lowlands throughout Washington and in open forests, brushy fields, and chaparrals across western North America.

They often use shrubby thickets in residential areas, on clear-cuts, and around wetlands. Towhees prefer to forage in areas with a thick layer of leaf litter and a screen of foliage and twigs low to the ground.

The Spotted Towhee can be found in Montana during the breeding season, which typically occurs from mid-April through July.

call and song

34. Stellar’s Jay

Scientific Name: Cyanocitta stelleri Size: 11.8-13.4 inches

The Steller’s Jay is a medium-sized bird songbird with a distinctive blue-black coloration on its head, neck, and upper body. They have a black crest on their head that can be raised or lowered depending on their mood. They also have a long, sturdy bill, and their eyes are dark with a faint white stripe above the eye. The wings and tail feathers are blue with black bars and white spots on the tips.

Nesting

The nest of a Steller’s Jay is typically a cup-shaped structure made of twigs, bark strips, moss, and grass. It’s placed in the crotch of a tree, on a horizontal branch, or in a coniferous tree. They may also build nests in shrubs, on utility poles, or in man-made structures.

The female is responsible for building the nest, while the male helps to gather materials. She lays 3 to 5 pale green or blue eggs with brown spots. The eggs are incubated for 16 to 18 days by the female, while the male brings her food. Both parents care for the young for 18 to 21 days when they leave the nest but will also continue to feed them for several more weeks.

Diet

The Steller’s Jays eat a wide variety of food including insects, nuts, seeds, fruits, and small vertebrates. They will also store food for later use.

Steller’s Jays are opportunistic and will eat almost anything including human food scraps, and pet food from campgrounds and picnic areas.

Habitat

The Steller’s Jay is native to the western part of North America, from Alaska to Mexico. They inhabit coniferous forests, oak woodlands, and other forested areas.

Steller’s Jays can be found in Montana, particularly in the western part of the state year-round.

call and song

They are known for their loud and harsh calls, which can be heard throughout the forest.

35. Bullock’s Oriole

Scientific Name: Icterus bullockii Size: 7 to 8 inches

Description and field marks

Bullock’s Orioles are brightly colored birds that are found in western North America, from the Great Plains to the Pacific coast. They are medium-sized birds with a relatively large, heavy bill and a distinctive head shape with a slightly crested appearance.

Male Bullock’s Orioles have striking plumage with bright orange-yellow underparts and a black back, wings, and tail. They also have a black mask around the eyes and a white wing patch that is visible in flight. Females have a more muted coloration, with duller yellow-orange underparts and a grayish-brown back, wings, and tail. They also have a whitish eyebrow stripe and a yellow wing patch.

nesting

Bullock’s Orioles build hanging basket-like nests that are suspended from the tips of tree branches, typically in deciduous trees such as cottonwoods or willows. The female Bullock’s Oriole is primarily responsible for building the nest, although the male may assist with gathering materials.

The female will lay 3-5 eggs and incubate them for about 12-14 days. Both parents will feed and care for the chicks once they hatch, bringing them a diet of insects, fruit, and nectar. The young will fledge from the nest after about 12-14 days and will continue to be fed by the parents for several more weeks.

diet

Bullock’s Orioles have a varied diet that includes insects, fruit, and nectar. They are known to feed on the nectar of a variety of flowers, including trumpet-shaped flowers such as honeysuckle and fuchsia.

habitat

Bullock’s Orioles are found in a variety of open woodland habitats, including riparian areas, oak woodlands, and pine forests. They are often seen in trees and shrubs near water sources such as streams, rivers, and ponds.

Bullock’s Orioles can be found throughout Montana during the breeding season from May to August. They are the most common oriole in the state.

call and song

They are also known for their distinctive liquid whistling song, which is often heard during the breeding season from May to July.

What Are The Best Ways To Attract Backyard Birds?

1. Put Out Bird Feeders

There are many different types of bird feeders available on the market, each designed to attract different types of birds. The most popular bird feeders include tube feeders, hopper feeders, platform feeders, and window feeders.

Tube feeders are long and cylindrical in shape, with small holes near the top where birds can insert their beaks to reach the bird seed inside. Hopper feeders are similar in shape to tube feeders but have a large opening at the top where birds can perch and eat. Platform feeders are flat surfaces with raised edges, upon which birds can land and eat the bird seed placed there. Window feeders are designed to be attached to windows so that birds can eat right up close to your home.

The type of bird food you put inside your birdfeeder will also depend on the type of birds you want to attract. Bird food includes sunflower seeds, peanuts, and suet. Some tips on how to put out your birdfeeder include using a squirrel-proof design and making sure that the feeder is level so that the seed does not spill out.

2. Add A Water Source

Adding a water source to your backyard is a great way to attract birds. Water is essential for birds, and they will be drawn to any backyard that has a water source. Birdhouses are also a great way to attract birds. Solar fountains are also a good option for attracting birds. These emit a gentle flow of water that will attract birds to your yard.

3. Offer Birdhouses

Building a birdhouse is a great way to attract birds to your yard. There are a few things to consider when building a birdhouse, such as the size and shape of the house, and what type of bird you want to attract.

The most important thing to remember when building a birdhouse is to make sure the entrance hole is the right size for the type of bird you want to attract. If the hole is too small, the bird will not be able to get inside, and if it is too large, predators will be able to get in.

Once you have decided on the size and shape of your birdhouse, you can start construction. It is important that the house is made out of sturdy materials that will withstand weathering and decay. Some good choices for materials include cedar or redwood for the exterior and plywood or pine for the interior.

After your birdhouse is built, you need to decide where to place it. The best location for a birdhouse is in an open area away from trees or other structures that could block access or provide perches for predators. Once you have found the perfect spot for your new house, simply mount it on a pole or post using screws or nails. Make sure that the house is secure so that it does not fall and hurt any birds.

4. Add Native Plants

Native plants are more effective in attracting backyard birds because they provide the birds with the type of food that these birds prefer. By adding native plants to your backyard, you can help promote a healthy ecosystem that supports both bird species and insects. Grow native plants that offer food, shelter, and fruit for the birds. Non-native plants can outcompete native plants and disrupt the ecosystem, so it’s important to select plants that will be beneficial to your backyard birds.

Conclusion

We just covered some of the many backyard birds in Montana. If you want more information on any of these birds or numerous other birds that you can see in Montana, check out the Montana Audubon Society.

Happy birdwatching!