Bird Watching in Glacier Country
From woodpeckers to warblers to waxwings, Montana is for the birds—over 250 species of our winged friends call this place home. Glacier Country is a birder’s paradise and here are a few good places to catch a glimpse of Western Montana birds—some of our littlest inhabitants.
The Peak of Winter
Reach the height of happiness north of the park in Montana’s Yellowstone Country, with legendary skiing and snowmobiling plus friendly mountain towns.
Glacier National Park
In the park alone, you’ll find at least 260 species of birds. It’s one of the best places to see harlequin ducks in the lower 48 states. The "clown ducks" (because of their gray/orange/black/white “costume”) are partial to the waters of McDonald Creek. You're also likely to encounter blue herons, tundra swans, Canada geese and great horned owls. Year-round residents include raptors like bald eagles, golden eagles, peregrine falcons, osprey and hawks.
Birding
in Glacier National Park
Audubon – Glacier National Park
Flathead and Mission Valleys
Along with hundreds of resident bird species, thousands of birds make a pit stop in the Flathead and Mission valleys every year along their north-south migratory route. This birder’s paradise offers multiple spots for life-list birding.
Prime locations include The CSKT Bison Range, Ninepipe and Pablo National Wildlife Refuges, Thompson Chain of Lakes, Bull River Wildlife Management Area, Lone Pine State Park, Jewel Basin Hiking Area, Owen Sowerwine Natural Area, the Danny On Trail, Smith Lake Waterfowl Production Area, Lawrence Park, Lower Valley (Road), Church Slough and the Blasdel Waterfowl Production Area.
The West Valley Public Bird Viewing Area near Kalispell gives birders a stellar vantage point from which to view hundreds of sandhill cranes congregating in prairie pothole wetlands during fall migration.
Flathead Audubon Society Birding Hotspots
Bird Guide to Montana’s Flathead Valley
Birding Hotspots in the Flathead Basin
Birding Near Kalispell
Missoula Valley
The Missoula Valley has its own birding and nature trail, helping birders, naturalists and eco-tourists access key birding locations. With 14 locations on the map, ranging from in-town to more secluded destinations, there are plenty of viewing opportunities.
For black-backed woodpeckers, visit the Blue Mountain Nature Trail. Or for great blue herons and Lewis's woodpeckers, visit Kelly Island in the Clark Fork River near downtown Missoula. To see an American dipper and its nest, stroll though Greenough Park.
Five Valleys Audubon Society Missoula Birding Hotspots
Birding in the Missoula and Bitterroot Valleys
Bitterroot Valley
With a variety of habitats ranging from wetlands and river bottoms to forested terrain, the 25 birding sites on the Bitterroot Birding and Nature Trail provide a range of birding experiences and opportunities. For tundra swans, woodpeckers and bald eagles, visit the Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge near Stevensville. If you're looking for warbling vireo or black-headed grosbeaks, stroll through Travelers' Rest State Park. And for yellow warblers and gray jays, visit Indian Trees Campground near Sula.
Five Valleys Audubon Society Bitterroot Birding Hotspots
Birding in the Missoula and Bitterroot Valleys
