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List of birds of Yellowstone National Park

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Bald eagle

This is a comprehensive listing of the bird species recorded in Yellowstone National Park, which is mostly in the U.S. state of Wyoming and also extends into Idaho and Montana. This list is based on one published by the National Park Service (NPS) dated June 2021 that contains 284 species when taxonomic changes have been made.[1]

This list is presented in the taxonomic sequence of the Check-list of North and Middle American Birds, 7th edition through the 65th Supplement, published by the American Ornithological Society (AOS).[2] 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.

Unless otherwise noted, all the species on this list are considered to occur regularly in the park as permanent residents, summer or winter visitors, or migrants. The tags below are used to designate the abundance of some species. Because the NPS checklist notes abundance by season, the tag for the highest abundance of the year is used. The quoted definitions are those of the NPS.

  • B = Breeding: "Confirmed as breeding in Yellowstone" (155 species)
  • b = Unconfirmed breeding: "Suspected of breeding, but not confirmed by eggs or young" (four species)
  • U = Uncommon: "Found in small numbers and usually, but not always, found with some effort in appropriate habitat" (64 species)
  • R = Rare: "Occurs annually in very small numbers or in a very restricted habitat. Difficult to find" (76 species)
  • O = Occasional: "Occurs in some years, but not every year" (four species)
  • V = Vagrant: "accidental, vagrant, or species with few observations" for which documentation is requested (66 species)
  • I = Introduced - a species introduced to North America by humans (seven species)

Ducks, geese, and waterfowl

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Trumpeter swan on nest

Order: Anseriformes   Family: 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-four species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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

Pheasants, grouse, and allies

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Dusky grouse

Order: Galliformes   Family: 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. Eight species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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

Grebes

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Red-necked grebe

Order: Podicipediformes   Family: 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 Yellowstone.

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

Pigeons and doves

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Mourning dove

Order: Columbiformes   Family: 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 Yellowstone.

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

Cuckoos

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Order: Cuculiformes   Family: Cuculidae

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners, and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs. One species has been recorded in Yellowstone.

Common name Binomial Status
Black-billed cuckoo Coccyzus erythropthalmus V

Nightjars and allies

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Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: 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. Two species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

Common name Binomial Status
Common nighthawk Chordeiles minor B

Swifts

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Order: Apodiformes   Family: 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. One species has been recorded in Yellowstone.

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

Hummingbirds

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Rufous hummingbird

Order: Apodiformes   Family: 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. Four species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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

Rails, gallinules, and coots

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American coot

Order: Gruiformes   Family: 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 Yellowstone.

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

Cranes

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Sandhill crane

Order: Gruiformes   Family: 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". Two species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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

Stilts and avocets

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Black-necked stilt

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: 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 Yellowstone.

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

Plovers and lapwings

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Killdeer

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: 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. Four species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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

Sandpipers and allies

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Long-billed curlew

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: 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. Twenty-three species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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

Gulls, terns, and skimmers

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Caspian tern

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds which 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. Twelve species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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

Loons

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Common loon

Order: Gaviiformes   Family: 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. Two species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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

Cormorants and shags

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Double-crested cormorant

Order: Suliformes   Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Cormorants are medium-to-large aquatic birds, usually with mainly dark plumage and areas of colored skin on the face. The bill is long, thin, and sharply hooked. Their feet are four-toed and webbed. One species has been recorded in Yellowstone.

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

Pelicans

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American white pelican

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are very large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. Like other birds in the order Pelecaniformes, they have four webbed toes. One species has been recorded in Yellowstone.

Common name Binomial Status
American white pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos B

Herons, egrets, and bitterns

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Great blue heron

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the herons, egrets, and bitterns. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter-necked and more secretive. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises, and spoonbills. Eight species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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

Ibises and spoonbills

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Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Threskiornithidae

The family Threskiornithidae includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings. Their bodies tend to be elongated, the neck more so, with rather long legs. The bill is also long, decurved in the case of the ibises, straight and distinctively flattened in the spoonbills. One species has been recorded in Yellowstone.

Common name Binomial Status
White-faced ibis Plegadis chihi R

New World vultures

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Turkey vulture

Order: Cathartiformes   Family: Cathartidae

The New World vultures are not closely related to Old World vultures, but superficially resemble them because of convergent evolution. Like the Old World vultures, they are scavengers; however, unlike Old World vultures, which find carcasses by sight, New World vultures have a good sense of smell with which they locate carcasses. One species has been recorded in Yellowstone.

Common name Binomial Status
Turkey vulture Cathartes aura U

Osprey

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Osprey

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Pandionidae

Pandionidae is a family of fish-eating birds of prey possessing a very large, powerful hooked beak for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight. The family is monotypic.

Common name Binomial Status
Osprey Pandion haliaetus B

Hawks, eagles, and kites

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Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers, and Old World vultures. These birds have very large powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight. Twelve species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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

Owls

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Great gray owl

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Strigidae

Typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk. Eleven species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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

Kingfishers

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Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Alcedinidae

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

Common name Binomial Status
Belted kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon B U

Woodpeckers

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American three-toed woodpecker

Order: Piciformes   Family: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails, and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks. Ten species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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

Falcons and caracaras

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American kestrel

Order: Falconiformes   Family: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey, notably the falcons and caracaras. They differ from hawks, eagles, and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons. Five species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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

Tyrant flycatchers

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Western wood-pewee

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Tyrannidae

Tyrant flycatchers are Passerine birds which occur throughout North and South America. They superficially resemble the Old World flycatchers, but are more robust and have stronger bills. They do not have the sophisticated vocal capabilities of the songbirds. Most, but not all, are rather plain. As the name implies, most are insectivorous. Twelve species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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

Vireos, shrike-babblers, and erpornis

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Warbling vireo

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Vireonidae

The vireos are a group of small to medium-sized passerine birds restricted to the New World. They are typically greenish in color and resemble wood warblers apart from their heavier bills. Four species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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

Shrikes

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Loggerhead shrike

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Laniidae

Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A shrike's beak is hooked, like that of a typical bird of prey. Two species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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

Crows, jays, and magpies

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Common raven

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Corvidae

The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers, and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence. Eight species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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

Tits, chickadees, and titmice

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Black-capped chickadee

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Paridae

The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects. Two species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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

Larks

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Horned lark

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Alaudidae

Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds. One species has been recorded in Yellowstone.

Common name Binomial Status
Horned lark Eremophila alpestris B U

Swallows

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Barn swallow

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Hirundinidae

The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings, and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. Seven species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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

Kinglets

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Ruby-crowned kinglet

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Regulidae

The kinglets are a small family of birds which resemble the titmice. They are very small insectivorous birds, mostly in the genus Regulus. The adults have colored crowns, giving rise to their names. Two species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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

Waxwings

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Order: Passeriformes   Family: Bombycillidae

The waxwings are a group of passerine birds with soft silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. In the Bohemian and cedar waxwings, these tips look like sealing wax and give the group its name. These are arboreal birds of northern forests. They live on insects in summer and berries in winter. Two species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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

Nuthatches

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White-breasted nuthatch

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sittidae

Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They have the unusual ability to climb down trees head first, unlike other birds which can only go upwards. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails, and powerful bills and feet. Three species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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

Treecreepers

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Order: Passeriformes   Family: Certhiidae

Creepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin pointed down-curved bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves on vertical trees. One species has been recorded in Yellowstone.

Common name Binomial Status
Brown creeper Certhia americana B U

Gnatcatchers

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Order: Passeriformes   Family: Polioptilidae

These dainty birds resemble Old World warblers in their structure and habits, moving restlessly through the foliage seeking insects. The gnatcatchers are mainly soft bluish gray in color and have the typical insectivore's long sharp bill. Many species have distinctive black head patterns (especially males) and long, regularly cocked, black-and-white tails. One species has been recorded in Yellowstone.

Common name Binomial Status
Blue-gray gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea V

Wrens

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Rock wren

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Troglodytidae

Wrens are small and inconspicuous birds, except for their loud songs. They have short wings and thin down-turned bills. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous. Six species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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

Mockingbirds and thrashers

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Sage thrasher

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Mimidae

The mimids are a family of passerine birds which includes thrashers, mockingbirds, tremblers, and the New World catbirds. These birds are notable for their vocalization, especially their remarkable ability to mimic a wide variety of birds and other sounds heard outdoors. The species tend towards dull grays and browns in their appearance. Two species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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

Starlings

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Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerines with strong feet. Their flight is strong and direct and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country, and they eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen. One species has been recorded in Yellowstone.

Common name Binomial Status
European starling Sturnus vulgaris I B U

Dippers

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American dipper in Yellowstone National Park

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cinclidae

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

Common name Binomial Status
American dipper Cinclus mexicanus B U

Thrushes and allies

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Mountain bluebird

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Turdidae

The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly but not exclusively in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs. Eight species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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

Old World sparrows

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House sparrow

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passeridae

In general, Old World sparrows tend to be small plump brownish or grayish birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects. One species has been recorded in Yellowstone.

Common name Binomial Status
House sparrow Passer domesticus I B

Wagtails and pipits

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Order: Passeriformes   Family: Motacillidae

Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails which includes the wagtails, longclaws, and pipits. They are slender ground-feeding insectivores of open country. One species has been recorded in Yellowstone.

Common name Binomial Status
American pipit Anthus rubescens B R

Finches, euphonias, and allies

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Cassin's finch

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Fringillidae

Finches are seed-eating passerine birds that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. Twelve species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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

Longspurs and snow buntings

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Order: Passeriformes   Family: Calcariidae

The Calcariidae are a group of passerine birds that were traditionally grouped with the New World sparrows, but differ in a number of respects and are usually found in open grassy areas. Three species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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

New World sparrows

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White-crowned sparrow

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passerellidae

Until 2017, these species were considered part of the family Emberizidae. Most of the species are known as sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many of these have distinctive head patterns. Twenty-two species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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

Yellow-breasted chat

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Order: Passeriformes   Family: Icteriidae

This species was historically placed in the wood-warblers (Parulidae) but nonetheless most authorities were unsure if it belonged there. It was placed in its own family in 2017.

Common name Binomial Status
Yellow-breasted chat Icteria virens V

Troupials and allies

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Yellow-headed blackbird

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Icteridae

The icterids are a group of small to medium-sized, often colorful passerine birds restricted to the New World and include the grackles, New World blackbirds and New World orioles. Most species have black as a predominant plumage color, often enlivened by yellow, orange, or red. Nine species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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

New World warblers

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Yellow warbler

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Parulidae

The wood warblers are a group of small often colorful passerine birds restricted to the New World. Most are arboreal, but some like the ovenbird and the two waterthrushes, are more terrestrial. Most members of this family are insectivores. Twenty-one species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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

Cardinals and allies

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Lazuli bunting

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cardinalidae

The cardinals are a family of robust, seed-eating birds with strong bills. They are typically associated with open woodland. The sexes usually have distinct plumages. Five species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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

References

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  1. ^ "Birds of Yellowstone". National Park Service. June 2021. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  2. ^ "Check-list of North and Middle American Birds". American Ornithological Society. July 2024. Retrieved July 18, 2024.

See also

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Further reading

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  • Brodrick, Harold J. (1952). Birds of Yellowstone National Park: A Descriptive Check List of the Birds of Yellowstone with Helpful Illustrations. Yellowstone National Park.
  • Zardus, Maurice J. (1967). Birds of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Salt Lake City, UT: Wheelright Press.
  • Follett, dick (1975). Birds of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Yellowstone Library and Museum Association. ISBN 0911797149.
  • Zarki, J.; Follett, R. (1987). A Checklist, Birds of Yellowstone National Park.
  • McEneaney, Terry; McEneaney, Karen (1988). Birds of Yellowstone: a Practical Habitat Guide to the Birds of Yellowstone National Park- and Where to Find Them. Boulder, CO: Robert Rinehart Inc. ISBN 0911797440.
  • Wilkinson, Todd (1992). Yellowstone Wildlife A Watcher's Guide. Minocqua, WI: NorthWord Press. ISBN 155971140X.