TrailBird TrailBird Log In
Birding by Region About TrailBird Plan a Trip Log In Explore map →
Active

Birding in Montana

Big Sky Country lives up to its name for birders, with wide-open prairies, glacier-carved mountains, and some of the wildest landscapes remaining in the lower 48.

56
Counties
1,751
Hotspots
4,523
Parks
7,430
Trails
Last updated: May 4, 2026
Resident pop.
Rare / 14dTotal obs
0
Rare / 14d
0
Species / 14d
1,751
Hotspots
4,523
Parks
7,430
Trails
56
Counties

Overview

Montana's vast landscapes range from the northern Great Plains to the Rocky Mountain Front, creating habitat for an impressive mix of prairie and mountain species. Glacier National Park harbors Harlequin Ducks, American Dippers, and boreal forest species, while the eastern prairies support nesting Sprague's Pipits, Baird's Sparrows, and Greater Sage-Grouse. TrailBird is expanding to cover Montana's birding hotspots with live eBird data, trail maps, and seasonal guides.

Seasonal Birding Guide

Sage-Grouse and Sharp-tailed Grouse leks are active. Migrant songbirds follow river corridors through the mountains.

Harlequin Ducks breed on mountain streams. Clark's Nutcrackers and rosy-finches inhabit alpine areas. Prairie species are at their peak.

Golden Eagle migration through the Rocky Mountain Front. Waterfowl gather on prairie pothole lakes.

Northern species like Snowy Owls and Gyrfalcons visit. Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches come to mountain feeders.

Quick Facts

State Bird
Western Meadowlark
Species Recorded
430
Notable Birding Areas
Glacier NP, Medicine Lake NWR, Freezeout Lake, Rocky Mountain Front
View Montana on eBird →

🚨 Recent Rare Bird Alerts in Montana

Notable sightings in the last 14 days

Upland Sandpiper
L5878478
US-MT County
View on Map →

🔥 Top Birding Hotspots in Montana

Ranked by total species recorded

Bowdoin NWR
272 species
Phillips County
Last observed: 2026-04-27 09:10
Explore →
Lee Metcalf NWR
256 species
Ravalli County
Last observed: 2026-04-30 19:46
Explore →
Fort Peck Dam (general)
254 species
Valley County
Last observed: 2026-04-29 11:25
Explore →
Giant Springs SP
253 species
Cascade County
Last observed: 2026-04-28 06:41
Explore →
Freezout Lake WMA
251 species
Teton County
Last observed: 2026-04-18 14:09
Explore →
Warm Springs WMA
244 species
Deer Lodge County
Last observed: 2026-04-30 12:44
Explore →

🪶 What's Being Seen in Montana

Species spotted in the last 14 days

No recent species data available yet.

📍 Most Active Hotspots This Week

Where birders are reporting right now

Rock Creek Confluence Trail
137 species
Missoula County
View on Map →
Shiloh Conservation Area
194 species
Yellowstone County
View on Map →
Leisure Island Park
102 species
Flathead County
View on Map →
Peet's Hill/Burke Park
95 species
Gallatin County
View on Map →
Lee Metcalf NWR
256 species
Ravalli County
View on Map →
Lee Metcalf NWR-- Riparian Way Trail
130 species
Ravalli County
View on Map →

🥾 Trails Near the Action

Hiking trails near recent rare sightings

cdt-x
Deer Lodge, MT County
cdt-x
Granite, MT County
Continental Divide Trail
Beaverhead, MT County
Continental Divide Trail
Deer Lodge, MT County

📹 Live Bird Webcams in Montana

Watch birds live from Montana

Hellgate Ospreys Nest Cam | Cornell Lab | University of Montana
Missoula, Montana
Nest

Join TrailBird

Enter your email to explore the map and get rare bird alerts in your area.

Share